Automated loading and unloading device for biological samples

Abstract

An automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples, comprising an upper chamber (1) and a liquid nitrogen storage tank (2), wherein the upper chamber (1) and the liquid nitrogen storage tank (2) are communicated by a loading and unloading passage (13), and the upper chamber (1) has an operation area in which a rack gripping mechanism (3), a rack scanning mechanism (4), a cryotube suction mechanism (5) and a cryotube scanning mechanism (6) are installed. The operation area is for performing taking-out and storage operations on the samples in the liquid nitrogen storage tank (2) in the upper chamber (1) through the loading and unloading passage (13). A pressure reducing member (14) is installed in the upper chamber (1) to automatically discharge the pressure in the upper chamber (1). The automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples can solve the problems that the structure of the mechanism for conventional loading and unloading operations is not compact, the storage capacity of cryotubes is limited, the degree of automation and efficiency of coupling between multiple storage devices are low, the upper cover cannot be easily opened, the tank body cannot be easily attached or leveled, and the pressure reducing function of the upper chamber (1) is not perfect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of storage of biological samples, and particularly to an automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples.

Background Art

[0002] Currently, among the conventional devices that can automatically load and unload biological samples, storage devices other than extra-large ones often use a combined structure in which the loading and unloading operation mechanism and the liquid nitrogen cryogenic storage mechanism are intensively arranged. For example, known cryogenic storage devices for biological samples (CN113115765A) and integrated cooling and storage devices for biological samples (CN209023566U) can be cited.

[0003] However, storage devices other than extra-large ones in the prior art have problems such as the structure of the loading and unloading operation mechanism not being compact, the storage capacity of cryotubes being limited, the degree of automation and efficiency of combining multiple storage devices being low. At the same time, the upper covers of conventional storage devices other than extra-large ones are heavier and are manually opened. Especially in a cryogenic storage environment, the upper cover freezes to the tank body, so the upper cover cannot be easily opened. And the upper cover requires a certain flatness as the mounting base of the loading and unloading operation mechanism, and the conventional upper cover and tank body cannot be easily installed or leveled. Also, the decompression function of the operation chamber / upper chamber provided with the loading and unloading operation mechanism is not complete, and it is necessary to add and install one relief valve, which increases the cost.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples that can realize the decompression function of the upper chamber, rationally arrange various mechanisms for loading and unloading operations, increase the storage capacity of cryotubes, realize efficient transportation between multiple sample storage devices, and can more easily open and level the upper cover. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The technical solutions used by this invention to solve the technical problems are as follows: An automated loading and unloading device for biological samples comprises an upper chamber and a liquid nitrogen storage tank, the upper chamber and the liquid nitrogen storage tank being connected by an loading / unloading passage, and the upper chamber having an operating area in which a rack gripping mechanism, a rack scanning mechanism, a cryotube suction mechanism, and a cryotube scanning mechanism are installed, the operating area being used to load and unload samples from the liquid nitrogen storage tank within the upper chamber via the loading / unloading passage, and a depressurizing member being installed in the upper chamber so that the pressure in the upper chamber can be automatically discharged.

[0006] Selectively, the depressurizing member includes a flexible depressurizing tube, one end of which communicates with the operating area, and the other end which is closed by an adjustment block and the degree of closure is adjusted by a group of adjustment pins.

[0007] Optionally, the upper chamber includes a chamber bottom plate and an outer chamber cover installed on top of the chamber bottom plate, the outer chamber cover includes an operating chamber case installed above the access passage, and a depressurizing member is attached to the operating chamber case.

[0008] Optionally, the outer chamber cover further includes an electrical box case, which is installed on the chamber bottom plate alongside the control room case and which communicates with each other at the bottom.

[0009] The rack gripping mechanism, rack scanning mechanism, cryotube suction mechanism, and cryotube scanning mechanism are selectively positioned within the operating area by a reference plate, the reference plate is attached to the chamber bottom plate, and the loading / unloading openings corresponding to the loading / unloading passages are simultaneously opened. A rack gripping mechanism is installed on one side of the loading / unloading port by a Y-axis movement mechanism, a cryotube suction mechanism is located on the other side, and both the rack scanning mechanism and the cryotube scanning mechanism are positioned at the end of the loading / unloading port that is away from the electrical box case.

[0010] The rack gripping mechanism may optionally include a gripping clip, a drive electric cylinder, a lifting slider, and a vertical slide rail, wherein the gripping clip is attached to the lifting slider by a connecting plate, the lifting slider is slidably mounted on the vertical slide rail, and is powered by the drive electric cylinder. The Y-axis movement mechanism includes a Y-axis rail and a movable carriage slidably connected to the Y-axis rail, wherein the Y-axis rail is fixed to a reference plate and a vertical sliding rail is connected to the movable carriage.

[0011] The cryotube suction mechanism may optionally include a drive motor, a vertical rod, a slider, a swivel arm, and a suction tube mechanism. The suction tube mechanism is attached to the slider by a swivel arm, the slider is slidably mounted on a slide rail of a vertical rod, and is powered by a drive motor.

[0012] Selectively, the suction tube mechanism includes a suction nozzle, a base, a pneumatic rod, a magnetic induction coil, and a magnetic rod, wherein the base is connected to a swivel arm, the base is connected to the base by a fixing plate, the upper end of the pneumatic rod is connected to the base, the lower end of which a suction nozzle is attached and which extends downward through a first through-hole in the base to the swivel arm, the upper end of the magnetic rod is connected to the base, and its lower end extends through a magnetic induction coil to a second through-hole in the base. A liquid storage cylinder and a cold conduction tube, both containing liquid nitrogen, are fitted to the outside of the aforementioned pneumatic rod, communicating vertically with it.

[0013] Selectively, the rack scan mechanism includes a rack scan fixed frame attached to a reference plate, a rack scan upper cover plate attached to the upper end opening of the rack scan fixed frame, a light source member and a scan window provided on the rack scan upper cover plate, a smart scanner provided inside the rack scan fixed frame, and the smart scanner facing the scan window.

[0014] Optionally, the cryotube scanning mechanism includes a scan motor mounted on a reference plate, the scan motor is driven and connected to a rotating post, a rotating arm is fixedly connected to the side of the rotating post, and a smart code reader is attached to the rotating arm.

[0015] Optionally, the liquid nitrogen storage tank includes a tank body and an upper cover, the upper cover including an integrated upper support and lower connection, which are for mounting an upper chamber and sealingly connecting to the upper end opening of the tank body, respectively, with an inlet / outlet passage provided in the upper cover and passing through the upper support and lower connection.

[0016] Optionally, the bottom of the tank body is attached to a support base and secured around it by a holder, and the upper support portion of the upper cover extends below the outer circumference of its lower connection portion and is supported by a leveling alignment post installed on top of the holder.

[0017] The tank body optionally includes an inner and outer cylinder fitted inside and outside, a honeycomb-type rotary table assembly is provided in the inner cylinder, and the cryotube is housed in the honeycomb-type rotary table assembly by an aluminum tube. A fixed plate is connected above the honeycomb-type rotary table assembly, and a sorting tube temporary storage plate is installed on the fixed plate, and the sorting tube temporary storage plate can rotate in accordance with the honeycomb-type rotary table assembly to the loading / unloading passage, and the sorting tube temporary storage plate includes a temporary storage plate and rack storage holes and cryotube temporary storage holes opened in the temporary storage plate.

[0018] Optionally, a guide rail type transfer tank sample transport mechanism is further disposed outside the liquid nitrogen storage tank, the chamber bottom plate and the reference plate both having extensions that extend beyond the upper cover, a passage opening is provided in the extension, the passage opening is located above the guide rail type transfer tank sample transport mechanism, and a lid opening mechanism is provided on the reference plate to the side of the passage opening.

[0019] The lid opening mechanism may optionally include a lid opening plate with a built-in magnetic attraction block, the lid opening plate being connected to the upper end of a second movable link, the lower end of the second movable link being slidably mounted by a movable block within the movable frame of one end of a first movable link, the other end of the first movable link being hinged to a support seat, the support seat being fixed to a reference plate, The second movable link is further connected to the lifting drive block by a rotating shaft, and the lifting drive block is provided with a limiting block that restricts the movable angle of the second movable link. The lifting drive block is further attached to the main rail of the support base by a slider, and the slider is driven by a lid opening motor to perform the lifting motion.

[0020] The guide rail type transfer tank sample transport mechanism includes a transfer tank transport mechanism and a jack-up mechanism, wherein the transfer tank transport mechanism is installed on top of the jack-up mechanism by a transfer guide rail. The transfer tank enters the passageway via a jack-up mechanism, or is placed in the transfer tank transport mechanism, and is connected in series along guide rails by the transfer tank transport mechanism to other automated biological sample handling devices.

[0021] The transport tank transport mechanism may optionally include a transport case and a vehicle-shaped base connected vertically, the transport case being provided with a support disc for placing the transport tank, and the vehicle-shaped base being attached to a transport guide rail. The jack-up mechanism includes a support member and a drive member connected to the side of the liquid nitrogen storage tank. The support member fixes a transport guide rail from the bottom, and the drive member controls the transport tank to move up and down.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] The above technical solution of the present invention has the following beneficial effects. By having an operation area in the upper chamber where a rack gripping mechanism, a rack scanning mechanism, a cryotube suction mechanism, and a cryotube scanning mechanism are installed, it is realized to perform take-out and storage operations on the samples of the liquid nitrogen storage tank in the upper chamber through the access passage. The structure is more compact. Furthermore, by installing a decompression member in the upper chamber, it has a decompression function, reduces costs, and can automatically discharge the pressure of the upper chamber.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples according to the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the liquid nitrogen storage tank in the automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the liquid nitrogen storage tank in the open state in the automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the internal structure of the liquid nitrogen storage tank in the automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a further exploded view of a partial structure in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of portion A in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partial exploded view of the upper chamber in the automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples according to the present invention. [Figure 10]Figure 10 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the upper chamber in the automated biological sample loading and unloading device according to the present invention. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the rack gripping mechanism in the automated loading and unloading device for biological samples according to the present invention. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the cryotube suction mechanism in the automated biological sample handling device according to the present invention. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is an exploded view of the cryotube suction mechanism in the automated biological sample handling device according to the present invention. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a perspective view of the lid opening mechanism in the automated loading and unloading device for biological samples according to the present invention. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the rack scanning mechanism in the automated biological sample loading and unloading device according to the present invention. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a perspective view of the cryotube scanning mechanism in the automated biological sample handling device according to the present invention. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a perspective view of the guide rail type transfer tank sample transport mechanism in the automated loading and unloading device for biological samples according to the present invention. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is an exploded view of the guide rail type transfer tank sample transport mechanism in the automated biological sample loading and unloading device according to the present invention. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a perspective view of the transport case of the transport tank transport mechanism in the automated loading and unloading device for biological samples according to the present invention. [Figure 20] Figure 20 shows perspective views of the vehicle-shaped base of the transfer tank transport mechanism in the automated biological sample loading and unloading device according to the present invention, from both an upper and lower viewpoint. [Figure 21] Figure 21 shows perspective views of the vehicle-shaped base of the transfer tank transport mechanism in the automated biological sample loading and unloading device according to the present invention, from both an upper and lower viewpoint. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] The technical aspects of the present invention will be further explained below with reference to the drawings and embodiments.

[0025] An automated loading and unloading device for biological samples comprises an upper chamber 1 and a liquid nitrogen storage tank 2, the upper chamber 1 and the liquid nitrogen storage tank 2 being connected by a loading / unloading passage 13, and the upper chamber 1 having an operating area in which a rack gripping mechanism 3, a rack scanning mechanism 4, a cryotube suction mechanism 5, and a cryotube scanning mechanism 6 are installed, the operating area being used to load and unload samples from the liquid nitrogen storage tank 2 within the upper chamber 1 via the loading / unloading passage 13, and a depressurizing member 14 is installed in the upper chamber 1 so that the pressure in the upper chamber 1 can be automatically discharged.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the pressure reducing member 14 includes a soft pressure reducing tube 141, such as a rubber tube, one end of which communicates with the operating area, and the other end which is closed by an adjustment block 142 and the degree of closure is adjusted by an adjustment pin group 143.

[0027] The pressure reduction method using the flexible pressure reducing tube 141 reduces costs and enables automatic pressure discharge from the upper chamber 1. Specifically, by manually adjusting the height of the adjustment block 142, the amount of pressure reduction can be preset or increased or decreased. Since the adjustment block 142 does not completely press against the flexible pressure reducing tube 141, if the pressure inside the upper chamber 1 becomes too high, it can be automatically discharged outside by the flexible pressure reducing tube 141.

[0028] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the upper chamber 1 includes a chamber bottom plate 11 and an outer chamber cover 12 installed on the upper part of the chamber bottom plate 11, the outer chamber cover 12 includes an operating chamber case 121 installed above the loading / unloading passage 13, and the pressure reducing member 14 is attached to the operating chamber case 121.

[0029] In a specific implementation, the soft pressure reducing tube 141 may be installed between a pair of adjustment blocks 142, the pair of adjustment blocks 142 including a fixed adjustment block and a movable adjustment block, the fixed adjustment block being connected to the control chamber case 121, and the movable adjustment block 142 adjusting the spacing using a group of adjustment pins 143 connected between them, thereby achieving different pressing effects of the soft pressure reducing tube 141. Specifically, the group of adjustment pins 143 includes an adjustment pin and a reset pin, the adjustment pin being composed of a pin rod and a pin cap, the adjustment block 142 being attached to the pin rod and adjusting the spacing by rotating the pin cap, the reset pin being composed of a pin rod and a spring fitted to the pin rod, the adjustment block 142 also being attached to the pin rod of the reset pin, and the spring on the pin rod being elastically moved outward to move closer to each other or closer to the mounting position, thereby achieving a reset effect and adapting to changing pressure needs. Alternatively, a flexible pressure reducing tube 141 may be installed below a single adjustment block 142, and the adjustment block 142 may be connected to the control room case 121 by a group of adjustment pins 143. By operating the group of adjustment pins 143, the height of the adjustment block 142 can be changed, thereby achieving different pressing effects and pressure levels.

[0030] The space enclosed by the outer chamber cover 12 and the chamber bottom plate 11 constitutes the above-mentioned operating area and is intended to enable the insertion and removal of the rack 10 or cryotubes in a low-temperature environment.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the outer chamber cover 12 further includes an electrical box case 122, the electrical box case 122 is installed on the chamber bottom plate 11 alongside the control room case 121, and they are in communication at the bottom.

[0032] Inside the electrical box case 122, various electrical components necessary for the structure and function of the control room case 121, such as the rack gripping mechanism 3, rack scanning mechanism 4, cryotube suction mechanism 5, and cryotube scanning mechanism 6, are arranged.

[0033] To further enhance the smart level for loading and unloading samples, this embodiment further incorporates a controller and valve assembly, which are attached to the upper chamber 1 and the liquid nitrogen storage tank 2, and linked to other existing mechanisms or structures to achieve the objective of automatic control.

[0034] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the rack gripping mechanism 3, rack scanning mechanism 4, cryotube suction mechanism 5, and cryotube scanning mechanism 6 are installed within the operating area by a reference plate 15, the reference plate 15 is attached to the chamber bottom plate 11, and the loading / unloading openings 151 corresponding to the loading / unloading passage 13 are opened simultaneously. The rack gripping mechanism 3 is installed on one side of the loading / unloading port 151 by the Y-axis movement mechanism 7, the cryotube suction mechanism 5 is located on the other side, and the rack scanning mechanism 4 and the cryotube scanning mechanism 6 are simultaneously located at the ends of the loading / unloading port 151 that are away from the electrical box case 122.

[0035] The rack gripping mechanism 3 scans and inputs information from the rack 10, which stores the cryotubes, within the upper chamber 1 using the rack scanning mechanism 4. Next, to perform tube sorting in the cold chain throughout the entire process, the rack 10 is moved to the rack storage hole 2142 in the liquid nitrogen storage tank 2. Then, the cryotubes in the rack 10 are removed by the cryotube suction mechanism 5 and temporarily stored in the cryotube temporary storage hole. After that, they are lifted into the operating area and information is input by the cryotube scanning mechanism 6. After that, they are stored in the aluminum tube 20 of the honeycomb-type rotary table assembly 212.

[0036] The reference plate 15 provides a suitable work surface for mounting various functional mechanisms, and the overall arrangement centered around the loading / unloading opening 151 is compact and rational in structure, better meeting the requirements of storage devices other than extra-large ones.

[0037] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the rack gripping mechanism 3 includes a gripping clip 31, a drive electric cylinder 32, a lifting slider 33, and a vertical slide rail 34, wherein the gripping clip 31 is attached to the lifting slider 33 by a connecting plate, the lifting slider 33 is slidably mounted on the vertical slide rail 34, and is power-driven to the drive electric cylinder 32. The Y-axis movement mechanism 7 includes a Y-axis rail 71 and a movable carriage 72 slidably connected to the Y-axis rail 71, the Y-axis rail 71 being fixed to the reference plate 15 and the vertical slide rail 34 being connected to the movable carriage 72.

[0038] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the cryotube suction mechanism 5 includes a drive motor 51, a vertical rod 52, a slider 53, a swivel arm 54, and a suction tube mechanism 55. The suction tube mechanism 55 is attached to the slider 53 by a swivel arm 54, the slider 53 is slidably mounted on the slide rail of the vertical rod 52 and is connected to the drive motor 51.

[0039] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the suction tube mechanism 55 includes a suction nozzle 551, a base 552, a base 553, a pneumatic rod 554, a magnetic induction coil 5551, and a magnetic rod 555, wherein the base 553 is connected to a swivel arm 54, the base 552 is connected to the base 553 by a side fixing plate 556, the upper end of the pneumatic rod 554 is connected to the base 552, the suction nozzle 551 is installed at its lower end, and the lower end extends downward from the swivel arm 54 through a first through hole 5531 on the base 553, and magnetic The upper end of the rod 555 is connected to the base 552 and communicates with a pneumatic rod (not shown), its lower end extends through a magnetic induction coil 5551 into a second through-hole 5532 of the base 553, the lower end of the magnetic induction coil 5551 is inserted into the second through-hole 5532 and attached, a cold conduction tube 558 is fitted around the outside of the suction nozzle 551, and a liquid reservoir 557 containing liquid nitrogen is fitted around the outer circumference of the cold conduction tube 558, thereby keeping the suction nozzle 551 cool during the process of sucking up the cryotube.

[0040] Furthermore, the suction tube mechanism 55 may further include a sensor 559 for detecting rotational position and a damper ring 5552 attached to the magnetic rod 555, the damper ring 5552 being fitted onto the magnetic rod 555 and extending together with the magnetic rod 555 through the magnetic induction coil 5551 into the second through hole 5532. The rotational position is the rotational position of the X-axis on which the suction tube mechanism 55 is located relative to the Y-axis on which the swivel arm 54 is located.

[0041] The magnetic rod 555 works in conjunction with the magnetic induction coil 5551 to convert electrical energy into magnetic force, which is supplied to the pneumatic rod 554 to generate an attractive force, ultimately causing the cryotube to be attracted by the suction nozzle 551. In another alternative embodiment, the upper end of the pneumatic rod 554 may be connected to a suction pump suction pipe without further installing the magnetic rod 555 and related components, which would similarly allow the suction nozzle 551 to perform the suction operation.

[0042] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the rack scan mechanism 4 includes a rack scan fixed frame 41 attached to a reference plate 15, a rack scan upper cover plate 42 is attached to the upper end opening of the rack scan fixed frame 41, a light source member 43 and a scan window 45 are provided on the rack scan upper cover plate 42, a smart scanner 44 is provided inside the rack scan fixed frame 41 and the smart scanner 44 faces the scan window 45. A transparent glass may be attached to the scan window 45, and the light source member 43 functions as an auxiliary light.

[0043] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the cryotube scanning mechanism 6 includes a scan motor 61 attached to a reference plate 15, the scan motor 61 is driven and connected to a rotating post 62, a rotating arm 63 is fixedly connected to the side of the rotating post 62, and a smart code reader 64 is attached to the rotating arm 63.

[0044] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the liquid nitrogen storage tank 2 includes a tank body 21 and an upper cover 22, the upper cover 22 includes an integrated upper support portion 221 and a lower connecting portion 222, which are for attaching the upper chamber 1 and for sealing connection to the upper end opening of the tank body 21, respectively, and an inlet / outlet passage 13 is provided in the upper cover 22 and passes through the upper support portion 221 and the lower connecting portion 222.

[0045] Specifically, the tank body 21 and the upper cover 22 can be opened and closed by relative rotation via a connecting member 25 installed on the outside of one side thereof. Here, the connecting member 25 may include a rotating rod, and both ends of the rotating rod are hinged to the upper cover 22 and the tank body 21 by connecting blocks, respectively. The rotating rod may be installed as an automatic or manual structure, for example, a conventional electric rod or hydraulic rod can be selected, thereby enabling manual or automatic lid opening and allowing the inner cylinder 211 to be easily installed or repaired.

[0046] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the bottom of the tank body 21 is attached to a support base 23, and its periphery is fixed by a holder 24, and the upper support portion 221 of the upper cover 22 extends below the outer circumference of its lower connection portion 222 and is supported by a leveling alignment post 241 installed on the top of the holder 24.

[0047] The design of the leveling alignment post 241 matches the upper cover 22 which has an upper support portion 221 and a lower connecting portion 222, ensuring not only a good sealing and cooling effect but also enabling mounting and leveling.

[0048] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the tank body 21 includes an inner cylinder 211 and an outer cylinder 215 fitted inside and outside, a honeycomb-type rotary table assembly 212 is provided in the inner cylinder 211, and the cryotube is housed in the honeycomb-type rotary table assembly 212 by an aluminum tube 20. A fixed plate 213 is connected above the honeycomb-type rotary table assembly 212, and a sorting tube temporary storage plate 214 is installed on the fixed plate 213. The sorting tube temporary storage plate 214 can rotate according to the honeycomb-type rotary table assembly 212 to the loading / unloading passage 13, and the sorting tube temporary storage plate 214 includes a temporary storage plate 2141 and rack storage holes 2142 and cryotube temporary storage holes 2143 opened in the temporary storage plate 2141. The sorting tube temporary storage plate 214 may be attached to through holes opened in the fixed plate 213.

[0049] The honeycomb-type rotary table assembly 212 may specifically include a lower honeycomb plate 2122 and an upper honeycomb plate 2121 arranged in parallel, with the lower honeycomb plate 2122 and the upper honeycomb plate 2121 integrally combined by connecting posts that have cold conduction and support functions, and both the lower honeycomb plate 2122 and the upper honeycomb plate 2121 are provided with honeycomb holes, and the honeycomb holes in which the aluminum tube 20 is housed are for housing cryotubes. A rotating shaft 2123 is provided at the center of the lower honeycomb plate 2122, the upper honeycomb plate 2121, and the fixing plate 213. A cooling inner cylinder 2124 may be further installed below the rotating shaft 2123. A drive ring gear 2125 is fixedly installed above the upper honeycomb plate 2121, and the drive ring gear 2125 is fixedly connected to the fixing plate 213. A drive gear 2127 is meshed with the inside of the drive ring gear 2125, and the drive gear 2127 is driven by a rotating electric machine 2126 to achieve rotation of the honeycomb-type rotary table assembly 212. By storing cryotubes using such a honeycomb-type storage structure, the sample storage capacity can be greatly increased.

[0050] The installation of the fixing plate 213 and the sorting tube temporary storage plate 214 allows the rack 10 and cryotubes to be loaded and unloaded on a single component, resulting in a compact structure that better meets the requirements of storage devices other than such extra-large ones and better suits the removal of honeycomb structures. Furthermore, by utilizing the rack storage holes 2142 and cryotube temporary storage holes 2143 of the sorting tube temporary storage plate 214, cryotube unloading and tube sorting operations can be performed within the liquid nitrogen storage tank 2 in an even lower temperature environment, thereby ensuring a cold chain throughout the entire process of loading and unloading samples.

[0051] In a further embodiment of the present invention, a guide rail type transfer tank sample transport mechanism 9 is further disposed outside the liquid nitrogen storage tank 2, and both the chamber bottom plate 11 and the reference plate 15 have an extension portion that exceeds the upper cover 22, a passage opening 152 is provided in the extension portion, and the passage opening 152 is located above the guide rail type transfer tank sample transport mechanism 9, and a lid opening mechanism 8 is provided on the reference plate 15 to the side of the passage opening 152.

[0052] The storage process for the transported sample is as follows: The transport tank 30 is transported by the guide rail type transport tank sample transport mechanism 9 from the previous source automatic handling device for biological samples to the destination automatic handling device for biological samples at the target location (below the passage opening 152). Next, the transport tank 30 is lifted to the passage opening 152 by the jack-up mechanism 92, the lid opening mechanism 8 opens the lid of the transport tank 30, and then the rack gripping mechanism 3 moves along the Y-axis movement mechanism 7 to the passage opening 152 to remove the rack 10 from inside the transport tank 30. Throughout the entire process, the racks are used to sort the tubes in a cold chain. The can mechanism 4 scans and inputs information, then moves the rack 10 to the rack storage hole 2142 in the liquid nitrogen storage tank 2. Subsequently, the cryotube suction mechanism 5 removes the cryotubes from the rack 10 and temporarily stores them in the cryotube temporary storage hole 2143. Alternatively, the cryotube scanning mechanism 6 inputs information and stores them in the aluminum tube 20 of the honeycomb-type rotary table assembly 212. This enables the storage of cryotubes, and the process of removing the transported sample can be the reverse of the storage process described above.

[0053] By utilizing the guide rail type transfer tank sample transport mechanism 9 and coordinating it with the upper chamber 1 and liquid nitrogen storage tank 2 of the automated biological sample handling device, a series connection function of multiple automated biological sample handling devices can be realized, thereby improving the transport efficiency of the transfer tank 30 and the sample transport efficiency between multiple automated handling devices.

[0054] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the lid opening mechanism 8 includes a lid opening plate 81 having a magnetic attraction block built in, the lid opening plate 81 is connected to the upper end of a second movable link 82, the lower end of the second movable link 82 is slidably installed within the movable frame of one end of a first movable link 83 by a movable block, the other end of the first movable link 83 is hinged to a support seat 84, the support seat 84 is fixed to a reference plate 15, The second movable link 82 is further connected to the lifting drive block 85 by a rotating shaft, and the lifting drive block 85 is provided with a limiting block 851 that restricts the movable angle of the second movable link 82, and the lifting drive block 85 is further attached to the main rail of the support seat 84 by a slide block 86, and the slide block 86 is driven by the lid opening motor 87 to perform a lifting motion.

[0055] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the guide rail type transfer tank sample transport mechanism 9 includes a transfer tank transport mechanism 91 and a jack-up mechanism 92, wherein the transfer tank transport mechanism 91 is installed on top of the jack-up mechanism 92 by a transfer guide rail 93. The transfer tank 30 enters the passage opening 152 by the jack-up mechanism 92, or is placed on the transfer tank transport mechanism 91, and is connected by the transfer tank transport mechanism 91 to other automated biological sample handling devices connected in series along the guide rail.

[0056] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the transport tank transport mechanism 91 includes a transport case 911 and a vehicle-shaped base 912 connected vertically, the transport case 911 is provided with a support disc 9111 on which the transport tank 30 is placed, and the vehicle-shaped base 912 is attached to a transport guide rail 93. The jack-up mechanism 92 includes a support member 921 and a drive member 922 connected to the side of the liquid nitrogen storage tank 2. The support member 921 fixes the transfer guide rail 93 from the bottom, and the drive member 922 controls the transfer tank 30 to move up and down. Furthermore, a case structure may be installed outside the jack-up mechanism 92 so that it is integrally connected to the outside of the liquid nitrogen storage tank 2.

[0057] In a specific implementation, a limiting rod is provided around the support disc 9111 to prevent the transfer tank 30 from sliding down by precisely positioning it in its storage location, and a battery pack, a drive assembly, a detection disc for inclination detection, a side pulley block for guidance, and an automatic alignment slider connected to the bottom by a spring may be further arranged on the vehicle-shaped base 912.

[0058] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are for illustrating, and not limiting, the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments. As those skilled in the art will understand, it is still possible to modify the inventions described in the above embodiments or to substitute some of the technical features therein, but such modifications or substitutions will not cause the essence of the corresponding invention to deviate from the spirit and scope of the inventions described in the embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 10 racks 20 Aluminum tubes 30 Transfer Tanks 1 Upper Chamber 11 Chamber bottom plate 12 Chamber outer cover 121 Control Room Case 122 Electrical Box Case 13 Loading / unloading passage 14 Pressure Reducing Member 141 Soft-bodied pressure reducing tube 142 Adjustment Block 143 Adjustment pin group 15 Reference plate 151 Removal / Intake Opening 152 Passageway entrance 2 Liquid nitrogen storage tanks 21 Tank body 211 Inner cylinder 212 Honeycomb Rotary Table Assembly 2121 Upper honeycomb plate 2122 Lower honeycomb plate 2123 Rotating axis 2124 Insulated inner cylinder 2125 Drive ring gear 2126 Rotating Electric Machine 2127 Drive Gear 213 Fixed plate 214 Temporary storage plate for sorting pipes 2141 Temporary storage plate 2142 Rack storage holes 2143 Cryotube temporary storage port 215 Outer cylinder 22 Upper Cover 221 Upper support part 222 Lower connection section 23 Support base 24 holders 241 Leveling Alignment Post 25 Connecting Members 3. Rack gripping mechanism 31 Gripping clip 32 Drive electric cylinder 33. Lifting slider 34 Vertical slide rails 4. Rack scan mechanism 41 Fixed frame for rack scanning 42 Upper cover plate for RACCAN 43 Light source component 44 Smart Scanners 45 Scan Window 5. Cryotube suction mechanism 51 Drive motor 52 Vertical Rods 53 Slider 54 Swivel Arm 55 Suction tube mechanism 551 Suction nozzle 552 Pedestal 553 Base 5531 First through hole 5532 Second through hole 554 Pneumatic Rod 555 Magnetic Rod 5551 Magnetic induction coil 5552 Dampering 556 Side fixing plate 557 Liquid storage cylinder 558 Cold conduction tube 559 Sensors 6. Cryotube scanning mechanism 61 Scan Motor 62 Rotating Post 63 Rotating Arm 64 Smart Code Reader 7 Y-axis movement mechanism 71 Y-axis rail 72 Mobile Carriage 8. Lid opening mechanism 81 Lid opening plate 82. Second movable link 83. First movable link 84 Support seat 85 Lifting drive block 851 Restricted Block 86 Slide Blocks 87 Lid Opening Motor 9. Guide rail type transfer tank sample transport mechanism 91 Transfer Tank Transport Mechanism 911 Shipping Case 9111 Support disk 912 Car-shaped base 92 Jack-up mechanism 921 Support member 922 Drive Member 93 Transport guide rail

Claims

1. An automated loading and unloading device for biological samples, comprising an upper chamber and a liquid nitrogen storage tank, wherein the upper chamber and the liquid nitrogen storage tank are connected by an loading / unloading passage, The upper chamber has an operating area in which a rack gripping mechanism, a rack scanning mechanism, a cryotube suction mechanism, and a cryotube scanning mechanism are installed, and this operating area is for taking out and storing samples from a liquid nitrogen storage tank within the upper chamber via an inlet / outlet passage, and a depressurizing member is installed in the upper chamber so that the pressure in the upper chamber can be automatically discharged. The automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples is characterized in that the decompression member includes a soft decompression tube, one end of which communicates with an operating area, and the other end which is closed by an adjustment block and the degree of closure is adjusted by a group of adjustment pins.

2. The automatic loading and unloading apparatus for biological samples according to claim 1, wherein the upper chamber includes a chamber bottom plate and an outer chamber cover installed on the upper part of the chamber bottom plate, the outer chamber cover includes an operating chamber case installed above the loading and unloading passage, and a decompression member is attached to the operating chamber case.

3. The automatic loading and unloading apparatus for biological samples according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer chamber cover further includes an electrical box case, the electrical box case is installed on the chamber bottom plate alongside the control room case, and they are in communication at the bottom.

4. The rack gripping mechanism, rack scanning mechanism, cryotube suction mechanism, and cryotube scanning mechanism are installed within the operating area by a reference plate, the reference plate is attached to the chamber bottom plate, and the loading / unloading openings corresponding to the loading / unloading passages are opened simultaneously. The automatic loading and unloading apparatus for biological samples according to claim 3, characterized in that a rack gripping mechanism is installed on one side of the loading / unloading port by a Y-axis movement mechanism, a cryotube suction mechanism is arranged on the other side, and a rack scan mechanism and a cryotube scan mechanism are simultaneously arranged at the end of the loading / unloading port that is away from the electrical box case.

5. The rack gripping mechanism includes a gripping clip, a drive electric cylinder, a lifting slider, and a vertical slide rail, wherein the gripping clip is attached to the lifting slider by a connecting plate, the lifting slider is slidably mounted on the vertical slide rail, and is power-driven by the drive electric cylinder. The automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples according to claim 4, wherein the Y-axis moving mechanism includes a Y-axis rail and a movable carriage slidably connected to the Y-axis rail, the Y-axis rail is fixed to a reference plate and a vertical sliding rail is connected to the movable carriage.

6. The cryotube suction mechanism includes a drive motor, a vertical rod, a slider, a swivel arm, and a suction tube mechanism. The automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples according to claim 5, characterized in that the suction tube mechanism is attached to a slider by a swivel arm, the slider is slidably mounted on a slide rail of a vertical rod, and is powered by a drive motor.

7. The suction tube mechanism includes a suction nozzle, a base, a pneumatic rod, a magnetic induction coil, and a magnetic rod, wherein the base is connected to a swivel arm, the base is connected to the base by a fixing plate, the upper end of the pneumatic rod is connected to the base, the lower end of which a suction nozzle is attached, and the lower end of which extends downward through a first through hole in the base to the swivel arm, the upper end of the magnetic rod is connected to the base, and the lower end of which extends through a magnetic induction coil to a second through hole in the base. The automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples according to claim 6, characterized in that a liquid storage cylinder and a cold conduction tube, which are in vertical communication with and contain liquid nitrogen, are fitted to the outside of the pneumatic rod.

8. The automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples according to claim 7, characterized in that the rack scanning mechanism includes a rack scanning fixed frame attached to a reference plate, a rack scanning upper cover plate is attached to the upper end opening of the rack scanning fixed frame, a light source member and a scan window are provided on the rack scanning upper cover plate, a smart scanner is provided inside the rack scanning fixed frame, and the smart scanner faces directly into the scan window.

9. The automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples according to claim 8, characterized in that the cryotube scanning mechanism includes a scan motor mounted on a reference plate, the scan motor is driven and connected to a rotating post, a rotating arm is fixedly connected to the side of the rotating post, and a smart code reader is attached to the rotating arm.

10. The automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples according to claim 9, wherein the liquid nitrogen storage tank includes a tank body and an upper cover, the upper cover includes an integrated upper support portion and a lower connection portion, which are for attaching an upper chamber and for sealing connection to the upper end opening of the tank body, respectively, and an loading and unloading passage is provided in the upper cover and passes through the upper support portion and the lower connection portion.

11. The automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples according to claim 10, characterized in that the bottom of the tank body is attached to a support base, its periphery is fixed by a holder, and the upper support portion of the upper cover extends below the outer circumference of its lower connection portion and is supported by a leveling alignment post installed on the top of the holder.

12. The tank body includes an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder fitted inside and outside, a honeycomb-type rotary table assembly is provided in the inner cylinder, and the cryotube is housed in the honeycomb-type rotary table assembly by an aluminum tube. An automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples according to claim 11, wherein a fixed plate is connected above the honeycomb-type rotating table assembly, a sorting tube temporary storage plate is installed on the fixed plate, the sorting tube temporary storage plate can rotate to the loading / unloading passage according to the honeycomb-type rotating table assembly, and the sorting tube temporary storage plate includes a temporary storage plate and rack storage holes and cryotube temporary storage holes opened in the temporary storage plate.

13. The automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples according to claim 12, wherein a guide rail type transfer tank sample transport mechanism is further disposed outside the liquid nitrogen storage tank, the chamber bottom plate and the reference plate both have an extended portion that extends beyond the upper cover, a passage opening is provided in the extended portion, the passage opening is located above the guide rail type transfer tank sample transport mechanism, and a lid opening mechanism is provided on the reference plate to the side of the passage opening.

14. The lid opening mechanism includes a lid opening plate with a built-in magnetic attraction block, the lid opening plate being connected to the upper end of a second movable link, the lower end of the second movable link being slidably installed within the movable frame of one end of a first movable link by a movable block, the other end of the first movable link being hinged to a support seat, and the support seat being fixed to a reference plate. The automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples according to claim 13, characterized in that the second movable link is further connected to a lifting drive block by a rotating shaft, the lifting drive block is provided with a limiting block that restricts the movable angle of the second movable link, the lifting drive block is further attached to the main body rail of the support base by a slider, and the slider is driven by a lid opening motor to perform a lifting motion.

15. The aforementioned guide rail type transfer tank sample transport mechanism includes a transfer tank transport mechanism and a jack-up mechanism, wherein the transfer tank transport mechanism is installed on top of the jack-up mechanism by a transfer guide rail. The automated biological sample handling device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the transfer tank enters the passage opening by a jack-up mechanism or is placed in a transfer tank transport mechanism and is coupled in series along a guide rail by the transfer tank transport mechanism to another automated biological sample handling device.

16. The aforementioned transport tank transport mechanism includes a transport case and a vehicle-shaped base connected vertically, the transport case is provided with a support disc on which the transport tank is placed, and the vehicle-shaped base is attached to a transport guide rail. The automatic loading and unloading device for biological samples according to claim 15, characterized in that the jack-up mechanism includes a support member and a drive member connected to the side of the liquid nitrogen storage tank, the support member fixes a transport guide rail from the bottom, and the transport tank can be driven to move up and down by the control of the drive member.

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