CN113562434A

CN113562434A - Cup feeding structure

Info

Publication number: CN113562434A
Application number: CN202110768652.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张春燕; 田亚平; 桑培培; 程昱璇; 檀旭东; 史文杰
Original assignee: Chinese PLA General Hospital
Current assignee: Chinese PLA General Hospital
Priority date: 2021-07-07
Filing date: 2021-07-07
Publication date: 2021-10-29

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cup feeding structure for use inside a coagulation analyzer, the cup feeding structure comprising: a housing mounted inside the coagulation analyzer; the storage bin is arranged on the rack and used for storing the reaction cups; a turnover assembly mounted above the frame and to one side of the bin, the turnover assembly for turnover and orienting reaction cups within the bin; a distribution plate installed at one end of the rack and used for distributing reaction cups; the first conveying assembly is obliquely arranged at the discharge port of the storage bin and is used for conveying the reaction cups in the storage bin to the turnover assembly; a chute disposed between the turnaround assembly and the distribution tray and for guiding reaction cups that are turned and oriented by the turnaround assembly to the distribution tray. The reaction cup loading device can continuously load reaction cups without stopping, and has the functions of alarming and orienting.

Description

Cup feeding structure

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of medical instruments, in particular to a cup feeding structure.

Background

The blood coagulation analyzer is used as a conventional medical detection device for evaluating an antithrombotic drug, can be used for detecting an anticoagulation system and a fibrinolysis system, and can be used for evaluating the level of each blood coagulation factor and researching an inhibitor.

When the blood coagulation analyzer is used and the reaction cup is insufficient, the blood coagulation analyzer needs to be stopped to be added into the reaction cup, so that the working efficiency is low.

In addition, the existing coagulation analyzer does not have an alarm function when the reaction cup is insufficient, and the use of the coagulation analyzer is seriously influenced.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, the present invention has been developed to provide a cup entering structure that overcomes, or at least partially solves, the above-mentioned problems.

The invention provides a cup feeding structure, which is used in a coagulation analyzer, and the cup feeding structure comprises: a housing mounted inside the coagulation analyzer; the storage bin is arranged on the rack and used for storing the reaction cups; a turnover assembly mounted above the frame and to one side of the bin, the turnover assembly for turnover and orienting reaction cups within the bin; a distribution plate installed at one end of the rack and used for distributing reaction cups; the first conveying assembly is obliquely arranged at the discharge port of the storage bin and is used for conveying the reaction cups in the storage bin to the turnover assembly; a chute disposed between the turnaround assembly and the distribution tray and for guiding reaction cups that are turned and oriented by the turnaround assembly to the distribution tray.

In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the turnover assembly includes a mounting plate, a turnover bin, a channel assembly and a link mechanism, wherein the mounting plate is connected to the frame, the turnover bin, the channel assembly and the link mechanism are all mounted on the mounting plate, an inlet of the turnover bin is connected to one end of the first conveying assembly, the turnover bin is communicated to the slideway through the channel assembly, and the channel assembly is driven by the link mechanism to rotate so as to drive the reaction cups entering the channel assembly to slide into the slideway.

In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the channel assembly includes a first pivot plate, a second pivot plate, and a first link, the first pivot plate and the second pivot plate are both pivotably connected to the mounting plate, a lower surface of the first pivot plate and an upper surface of the second pivot plate constitute a channel through which reaction cups pass, and the first link is respectively pivotably connected to the first pivot plate and the second pivot plate such that a predetermined spacing is always maintained between the lower surface of the first pivot plate and the upper surface of the second pivot plate.

In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the linkage mechanism includes a rotatable shaft, a second link and a third link, a first end of the second link is fixedly connected to the shaft, a second end of the second link is hingedly connected to a first end of the third link, and a second end of the third link is hingedly connected to the second pivot plate.

In a preferred embodiment of the present application, one end of the first pivot plate close to the slide is provided with a baffle capable of shielding part of the outlet of the channel, one end of the upper surface of the second pivot plate close to the slide is provided with a channel groove, two sides of the second pivot plate are provided with side plates, the second pivot plate is pivotally connected to the mounting plate through two side plates, the upper edges of the two side plates are protruded upwards for a preset distance relative to the second pivot plate, and the two side plates, the baffle and the channel groove jointly act to enable the cup mouth to face the reaction cup of the slide to turn over to the cup bottom to face the slide.

In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the distance between the two side plates is smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the rim of the reaction cup and larger than the outer diameter of the cup body.

In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the first transfer assembly comprises a conveyor belt with a plurality of transfer plates for carrying the reaction cups and drive means for driving the conveyor belt in rotation to effect transfer of the reaction cups to the epicyclic assembly.

In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the cup feeding structure further comprises a second transfer assembly installed at the bottom of the hopper in an inclined manner, the second transfer assembly being for transferring the reaction cups positioned in the hopper to an end below the first transfer assembly.

In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the first conveying member rotates the second conveying member via a belt.

In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the cartridge is installed with a first sensor for sensing whether the number of reaction cups in the cartridge is below a preset alarm line.

The invention has the beneficial effects that: the reaction cup can be continuously loaded without stopping the machine, and simultaneously, the reaction cup has the functions of alarming and orienting.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of a cup feeding structure provided by the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a storage bin;

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a first transfer assembly;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of FIG. 3 with the mounting bracket omitted;

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural view of an epicyclic assembly;

FIG. 6 is a first schematic view of the connection of the channel assembly and the linkage mechanism of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a second schematic view of the connection of the channel assembly and the linkage mechanism of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a third schematic view of the connection of the channel assembly and the linkage mechanism of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a fourth schematic illustration of the connection of the channel assembly and the linkage of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is an elevation view of FIG. 6 with one side plate and the first link removed;

FIG. 11 is an elevation view of FIG. 8 with one side plate and the first link removed;

FIG. 12 is a schematic structural view of the channel assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a schematic structural view of a linkage mechanism;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the connection of the channel assembly and the slide;

FIG. 15 is an elevation view of FIG. 14 with one side plate and one slide side plate of the channel assembly removed;

FIG. 16 is a first schematic view of a reaction cup with its mouth facing up through a channel assembly;

FIG. 17 is a second schematic view of a step of passing reaction cups with their mouths facing upwards through the channel assembly;

FIG. 18 is a third schematic view showing a step of passing reaction cups, with their mouths facing upward, through the channel assembly;

FIG. 19 is a fourth step of passing reaction cups with their mouths facing upwards through the channel assembly;

FIG. 20 is a first schematic view of a first step of passing a reaction cup with its mouth facing downward through a channel assembly;

FIG. 21 is a second schematic view of a step of passing reaction cups with their mouths facing downward through the channel assembly;

FIG. 22 is a third schematic view showing the process of passing a reaction cup with its mouth facing downward through the channel assembly;

FIG. 23 is a fourth step of passing reaction cups with their mouths facing downward through the channel assembly;

FIG. 24 is a fifth step of moving reaction cups with their mouths facing downward through the channel assembly;

FIG. 25 is a sixth schematic view showing the steps of passing reaction cups with their mouths facing downward through the channel assembly;

FIG. 26 is a seventh step of passing reaction cups with their mouths facing downward through the channel assembly;

FIG. 27 is a eighth schematic view showing a step of passing reaction cups with their mouths facing downward through the channel assembly;

FIG. 28 is a ninth step of moving a reaction cup with its mouth facing downward through the channel assembly;

FIG. 29 is a schematic view of the structure of the slide;

FIG. 30 is a schematic view of the connection of the chute and the dispensing tray;

FIG. 31 is a schematic view of a second transfer assembly;

FIG. 32 is a schematic illustration of the connection of the first drive assembly and the second drive assembly;

fig. 33 is a schematic structural view of the transfer chamber.

Description of reference numerals:

1 machine frame

2 stock bin

3 first transfer assembly

4-turn assembly

5 slideway

6 distribution plate

7 second transfer assembly

8 drive belt

9 reaction cup

201 first sensor

202 bottom plate

203 side wall

204 discharge hole

205 opening of the container

301. 405 drive component

302 transfer plate

303. 701 conveying belt

304. 305, 702, 703 axes

306 mounting rack

401 mounting plate

402 turnover storehouse

403 channel assembly

404 linkage mechanism

4021 second sensor

4031 first pivoting plate

4032 second pivoting plate

4033 first connecting rod

4034 channel

4035 baffle plate

4036 channel groove

4037 side plate

4041 rotation shaft

4042 second connecting rod

4043 third connecting rod

501 third sensor

502 slide entrance

503 slideway side plate

504 at the upper edge of the chute.

It is to be understood that the drawings are not to scale, but rather illustrate various features which are presented in a somewhat simplified form to illustrate the basic principles of the invention. In the drawings of the present invention, like reference numerals designate like or equivalent parts of the invention.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that the description is not intended to limit the invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of the invention, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which are included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to fig. 1-2, the present invention relates to a cup entering structure for use inside a coagulation analyzer, the cup entering structure comprising: the device comprises a frame 1, a bin 2, a turnover component 4, a distribution plate 6, a first conveying component 3 and a slide way 5; wherein, the frame 1 is arranged inside the blood coagulation analyzer; the bin 2 is arranged on the frame 1 and used for storing the reaction cups; a turnover component 4 is arranged above the frame 1 and is positioned at one side of the bin 2, and the turnover component 4 is used for turning over and orienting the reaction cups in the bin 2; the distribution plate 6 is arranged at one end of the frame 1 and is used for distributing reaction cups; the first conveying assembly 3 is obliquely arranged at the discharge port of the silo 2 and is used for conveying reaction cups in the silo 2 to the turnover assembly 4; a chute 5 is provided between the turnaround assembly 4 and the distribution tray 6 and serves to guide the reaction cups that are turned and oriented by the turnaround assembly 4 to the distribution tray 6.

A plurality of reaction cups (not shown in fig. 1-2) can be stored in the silo 2, the silo 2 is provided with four side walls and a bottom plate 202, the four side walls and the bottom plate 202 form a containing space, the reaction cups are arranged in the containing space, one side wall 203 is an inclined side wall, the inclined side wall 203 is provided with a discharge port 204, and the first conveying assembly 3 is arranged at the discharge port 204 of the side wall 203 so as to convey the reaction cups in the silo 2 to the turnover assembly 4; the turnover assembly 4 is used for conducting orientation after turnover of the reaction cups, then conveying the oriented reaction cups to the distribution plate 6 through the slide rails 5 to supply the reaction cups for the coagulation analyzer, the sensors recognize that the cups exist, and the cups can be taken by the grippers of the related mechanical arms of the coagulation analyzer. The frame 1 may function to support the above components.

The orientation referred to herein is intended to ensure that the reaction cups, when slid into the chute 5, are able to be placed with their mouths facing upwards (i.e. with their bottoms facing downwards) and thus dispensed for use directly after falling into the dispensing tray.

Further, the top of the accommodating space may be provided with a lid (not shown) that can be opened, and the reaction cup can be placed in the accommodating space by opening the lid.

Further, as shown in fig. 3 and 4, the first conveying assembly 3 comprises a driving component 301 and a conveyor belt 303 with a plurality of conveying plates 302, wherein the conveying plates 302 are used for carrying the reaction cups, and the driving component 301 is used for driving the conveyor belt 303 to rotate so as to realize the conveying of the reaction cups to the turnover assembly 4.

The driving member 301 may be a motor, and the type of the driving member 301 is not limited thereto, and may be any type known in the art as long as the above function is achieved.

Illustratively, the conveyor belt 303 is wound around a shaft 304 and a shaft 305, and the driving member 301 rotates the shaft 304, which in turn rotates the conveyor belt 303.

Illustratively, the first transfer assembly 3 further comprises a mounting bracket 306, the mounting bracket 306 is mounted to a side wall of the silo 2, and the shaft 304 and the shaft 305 are mounted on the mounting bracket 306.

Further, the distance between two adjacent transfer plates 302 is larger than the diameter of the rim of the reaction cup and smaller than 2 times of the diameter of the rim of the reaction cup, so as to ensure that only one reaction cup is carried between two adjacent transfer plates 302.

Illustratively, the distance between two adjacent transfer plates 302 is greater than the diameter of the rim of the reaction cup and less than 1.5 times the diameter of the rim of the reaction cup.

Further, as shown in fig. 5, fig. 6, fig. 8 and fig. 33, the turnover assembly 4 includes a mounting plate 401, a turnover bin 402, a channel assembly 403 and a link mechanism 404, wherein the mounting plate 401 is connected to the rack 1, the turnover bin 402, the channel assembly 403 and the link mechanism 404 are all mounted on the mounting plate 401, an inlet 4022 of the turnover bin 402 is connected to an upper end of the first conveying assembly 3, the turnover bin 402 is connected to the chute 5 through the channel assembly 403, and the channel assembly 403 is rotated by the link mechanism 404 to slide the reaction cups entering the channel assembly 403 into the chute 5.

Reaction cups from the first transfer module 3 enter the transfer bin 402 through an inlet 4022 in the transfer bin 402 and then enter the channel module 403 through an outlet 4023 (see also fig. 33) in the bottom of the transfer bin 402.

The channel assembly 403 and the linkage 404 are described in detail below with reference to the drawings to illustrate how the linkage 404 tilts the channel assembly 403 and slides the cuvette introduced into the channel assembly 403 through the channel 4034 into the slide 5.

As shown in fig. 6, 12 and 13, the channel assembly 403 includes a first pivot plate 4031, a second pivot plate 4032 and a first connecting rod 4033, wherein the first pivot plate 4031 and the second pivot plate 4032 are both pivotably connected to the mounting plate 401, a lower surface of the first pivot plate 4031 and an upper surface of the second pivot plate 4032 form a channel 4034 for the passage of reaction cups, a first end 40341 of the channel 4034 corresponds to an outlet 4023 of the turnaround compartment 402, and a second end 40342 of the channel 4034 corresponds to an inlet 502 of the chute 5, so as to communicate the turnaround compartment 402 with the chute 5 and ensure that the reaction cups of the turnaround compartment 402 can enter the chute 5. The first link 4033 is respectively rotatably connected to the first pivot plate 4031 and the second pivot plate 4032, so that the first pivot plate 4031 and the second pivot plate 4032 are ensured to rotate synchronously, a predetermined distance is always kept between the lower surface of the first pivot plate 4031 and the upper surface of the second pivot plate 4032, and the channel 4034 is ensured not to influence the passing of the reaction cup during the rotation.

The above embodiments describe the transport path of the cuvettes in the turnaround assembly 4 and below describe how the transport power for the cuvettes is obtained in the channel 4034, i.e. the linkage 404 ensures that the cuvettes can be transported smoothly towards the slide 5. The reaction cups in the turnover assembly 4 are placed in disorder, and a driving mechanism is needed to enable the reaction cups to move, so that the reaction cups can smoothly enter the channel 4034, and accumulation in the turnover bin 402 is avoided.

As shown in fig. 13, the linkage 404 includes a rotatable spindle 4041, a second link 4042, and a third link 4043, the first end 40421 of the second link 4042 is fixedly connected to the spindle 4041, the second end 40422 of the second link 4042 is hingedly connected to the first end 40431 of the third link 4043, and the second end 40432 of the third link 4043 is hingedly connected to the second pivot plate 4032.

Further, the epicyclic assembly 4 further comprises a driving means 405, the driving means 405 being adapted to drive the rotation shaft 4041 to rotate around itself.

The driving member 405 may be a motor, and the type of the driving member 405 is not limited thereto, and may be any type of driving member in the prior art as long as the above-mentioned functions can be achieved.

As shown in fig. 6, 8, 12 and 13, under the driving of the driving part 405, the rotating shaft 4041 rotates to rotate the second link 4042 around the first end 40421 of the second link 4042, the second end 40422 of the second link 4042 drives the first end 40431 of the third link 4043 together, the second end 40432 of the third link 4043 drives the second pivot plate 4032 to rotate around the rotation center 40321 of the second pivot plate 4032, and under the driving of the first link 4033, the first pivot plate 4031 can rotate around the rotation center 40311 of the first pivot plate 4031, so that the first pivot plate 4031 and the second pivot plate 4032 rotate together, and further the channel 4034 rotates around the second end 40342 of the channel 4034.

In an initial state, one end of the first and

second pivot plates

4031 and 4032 adjacent to the transfer bin 402 (i.e., the first end 40341 of the channel 4034) is in a lowermost position (see fig. 6), in which the channel 4034 is substantially horizontal.

The driving component 405 operates to drive the first pivot plate 4031 and the second pivot plate 4032 to rotate upward together, so that the first end 40341 of the channel 4034 is driven to rotate upward, the channel 4034 starts to incline (see fig. 7) until reaching the highest position (see fig. 8), the driving component 405 operates to continue driving the rotating shaft 4041 to rotate, the channel 4034 passes the highest position, starts to fall back (see fig. 9), and finally returns to the initial state shown in fig. 6. In the process of rotating the channel 4034, the reaction cup inside can be moved, and then can smoothly enter the channel slide 5.

Of course, the shaft 4041 may also be rotated in the opposite direction, and the channel 4034 is sequentially rotated in the order of fig. 6, 9, 8, 7 and 6.

The above embodiments describe the principle of how the reaction cups receive drive power in the passageways 4034 (i.e. how the linkage 404 ensures that the reaction cups can pass smoothly through the passageways 4034) and how the epicyclic assembly 4 achieves orientation of the reaction cups.

As shown in fig. 14 and 15, one end of the first pivot plate 4031 close to the slideway 5 is provided with a baffle 4035 capable of blocking a part of an outlet of the channel 4034, one end of the upper surface of the second pivot plate 4032 close to the slideway 5 is provided with a channel groove 4036, two sides of the second pivot plate 4032 are provided with side plates 4037, the two side plates 4037 are pivotably connected to the mounting plate 401, the two side plates 4037 rotate around the rotation center 40321, the second pivot plate 4032 is fixed between the two side plates 4037 and rotates around the rotation center 40321 with the two side plates 4037 synchronously, and the upper edges 40371 of the two side plates 4037 protrude upward by a preset distance relative to the second pivot plate 4032. The upper edge 40371 of the side plate 4037 engages with the upper edge 504 of the slide 5 to ensure that the cuvette 9 slides into the slide 5.

The mouth of the reaction cup 9 is provided with an outer edge, the maximum outer diameter of the outer edge of the mouth is larger than the outer diameter of the cup body, the distance between the two side plates 4037 is smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the mouth of the reaction cup and larger than the outer diameter of the cup body, and the side plates 4037, the baffle 4035 and the channel groove 4036 jointly act to enable the mouth of the reaction cup facing the slideway 5 to be overturned to the bottom of the cup facing the slideway 5, so that the orientation of the reaction cup is realized.

Before describing the orientation, a problem of variation in the distance from the baffle 4035 to the passage groove 4036 will be described first. Because the flap 4035 and the channel recess 4036 are rotated about different centers of rotation, the distance between them will vary during the rotation, fig. 10 is an elevation view of fig. 6 with one side plate 4037 and the first link 4033 omitted, fig. 11 is an elevation view of fig. 8 with one side plate 4037 and the first link 4033 omitted, it can be seen that when the channel 4034 is rotated to the lowermost position (see fig. 10), the distance between the flap 4035 and the channel recess 4036 is at a maximum, and when the channel 4034 is rotated to the uppermost position (see fig. 11), the distance between the flap 4035 and the channel recess 4036 is at a minimum.

There are two situations for a reaction cup entering the channel 4034, the first with the cup rim facing outward (i.e., toward the first end 40341 of the channel 4034) and the second with the cup rim facing inward (i.e., toward the second end 40342 of the channel 4034). As the practical application needs the reaction cups falling into the distribution plate 6 with the cup mouths facing upwards, the adjustment needs to be carried out according to the second condition so as to ensure that the cup mouths of the reaction cups falling into the slideway 5 are all facing outwards.

When the mouth of the cuvette entering the channel 4034 is facing outward (i.e., towards the first end 40341 of the channel 4034), the cuvette naturally enters the chute 5 as it is carried by the linkage mechanism 404.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 16, the mouth of the reaction cup 9 is clamped above the upper edge 40371 of the side plate 4037, when the reaction cup 9 slides down from the state of fig. 16 to fig. 17, the body of the reaction cup starts to tilt into the channel groove 4036, and slides down to the state of fig. 18, in fig. 18, the channel 4034 rotates to the state of fig. 19 under the driving of the link mechanism 404, and then falls into the slide 5 by gravity.

When the mouth of the reaction cup 9 entering the channel 4034 is facing inwardly (i.e., toward the second end 40342 of the channel 4034), it slides from figure 20 to the position of figure 21, because the distance between the two side plates 4037 is less than the maximum outer diameter of the extension of the mouth of the reaction cup 9, which is always blocked above the upper rim 40371 of the side plate 4037 and does not fall into the channel recess 4036, so that the mouth of the reaction cup 9 is blocked by the blocking plate 4035 (see figure 21).

The channel 4034 rotates continuously, the distance from the baffle 4035 to the channel groove 4036 begins to increase, the cup body begins to fall into the channel groove 4036 (see fig. 22), and then the reaction cup 9 is driven by the channel 4034 to slide down to the state shown in fig. 23, 24, 25, 27 and 28, so that the reaction cup 9 is driven by the rotation of the channel 4034 to turn from the state with the cup mouth facing inwards to the state with the cup mouth facing outwards.

Further, the cup feeding structure further comprises a second conveying assembly 7, the bottom plate of the silo 2 is provided with an opening 205 (refer to fig. 2), the second conveying assembly 7 is mounted on the opening 205 of the bottom plate of the silo 2, that is, the second conveying assembly 7 and the bottom plate of the silo 2 jointly form the bottom of the silo 2, and the second conveying assembly 7 can convey the reaction cups in the silo 2 to the end below the first conveying assembly 3, so that the first conveying assembly 3 can convey the reaction cups conveniently.

Illustratively, the bottom of the silo 2 is arranged with a certain inclination, and the second transfer assembly 7 is obliquely arranged at the bottom of the silo 2, so that the inclined arrangement can more efficiently transfer the reaction cups to the lower end of the first transfer assembly 3.

Illustratively, as shown in fig. 31, the second conveying assembly 7 includes a conveyor belt 701, and the conveyor belt 701 is wound around a shaft 702 and a shaft 703 to rotate, thereby conveying the reaction cups on the conveyor belt 701 in the magazine 2.

The conveyor belt 701 can be connected with a driving component through one of the shafts (the shaft 702 or the shaft 703) to obtain the rotating power, in addition, as shown in fig. 32, a conveyor belt 8 can be added, and the first conveying assembly 3 drives the second conveying assembly 7 to rotate through the conveyor belt 8, the transmission process is as follows: the driving component 301 of the first transmission assembly 3 drives the shaft 304 to rotate, the shaft 304 drives the transmission belt 303 to rotate, the transmission belt 303 drives the shaft 305 to rotate, the shaft 305 drives the transmission belt 8 to rotate, and the transmission belt 8 drives the shaft 702 to rotate, so as to drive the transmission belt 701 to rotate.

Further, as shown in fig. 2, the silo 2 is installed with a first sensor 201 for sensing whether the number of reaction cups in the silo 2 is lower than a preset alarm line. When the first sensor 201 senses that the number of the reaction cups in the silo 2 is lower than a preset alarm line, an alarm is given, and a worker is informed to add the reaction cups into the silo 2.

Further, as shown in fig. 5, a second sensor 4021 is mounted on the turnover bin 402. On the one hand, the second sensor 4021 may sense whether the number of the reaction cups in the turnover bin 402 is less than a preset alarm line, and when sensing that the number of the reaction cups in the turnover bin 402 is less than the preset alarm line, notify the relevant controller to control the first transfer assembly 3 to operate, and transfer the reaction cups in the bin 2 to the turnover assembly 4. On the other hand, the second sensor 4021 may count the number of cuvettes passing through the transfer chamber.

Further, as shown in fig. 30, a third sensor 501 is disposed on the slide way 5, and when the third sensor 501 senses that the slide way 5 is in a cup lack state, the third sensor informs a related controller to control the link mechanism 404 in the turnover assembly 4 to operate, so as to transfer the reaction cups in the turnover bin 402 into the slide way 5.

Further, as shown in fig. 30, 3 reaction cup placing positions 602 are arranged in the distribution plate 6, a fourth sensor 601 is arranged on the distribution plate 6, and when the fourth sensor 601 senses that the reaction cup placing positions 602 lack cups, a relevant controller is notified to control the distribution plate 6 to rotate for circulation, so as to achieve the purpose of transferring the reaction cups.

Further, as shown in figure 29, the side plate 503 of the slide 5 is provided with an arcuate slot 505 at an end adjacent the channel assembly 403, the arcuate slot 505 being shaped to match an end of the side plate 4037 of the channel assembly 403 to ensure proper rotation of the side plate 4037 of the channel assembly 403.

The use of the cup feeding structure of the present invention will be further described below.

The worker stores a large number of cuvettes in the magazine 2, and the second transfer unit 7 transfers the cuvettes in the magazine 2 to the lower end of the first transfer unit 3, to the upper end of the first transfer unit 3 via the first transfer unit 3, and to the turnaround magazine 402 of the turnaround unit 4.

Reaction cups in the turnaround compartment 402 enter the first end 40341 of the channel 4034 of the channel assembly 403 through the bottom outlet 4023, the linkage mechanism 404 is activated to rotate the first end 40341 of the channel 4034 upward to effect rotation of the channel 4034, and the reaction cups at the first end 40341 of the channel 4034 are transferred to the second end 40342 of the channel 4034.

When the mouth of the reaction cup entering the channel 4034 faces outward, the mouth of the reaction cup 9 is caught above the upper edge 40371 of the side plate 4037, and the body of the reaction cup 9 falls into the channel groove 4036 and then falls into the chute 5 by gravity.

When the rim of the cuvette 9 entering the channel 4034 faces inward, the rim of the cuvette 9 is blocked by the baffle 4035 (see fig. 21), and the body of the cuvette 9 is turned inside the channel groove 4036 to a state where the rim faces outward.

The oriented reaction cups 9 are slid from the second end 40342 of the channel 4034 into the chute 5 (the cup mouths still catching on the upper rim 504 of the chute 5 and the cup bodies falling into the space between the two chute side plates 504) and through the chute 5 into the dispensing tray 6.

In the operation process, when the first sensor 201 senses that the number of the reaction cups in the silo 2 is lower than a preset alarm line, an alarm is given, and a worker is informed to add the reaction cups into the silo 2.

When the second sensor 4021 senses that the number of the reaction cups in the turnover bin 402 is lower than the preset alarm line, the second sensor informs a relevant controller to control the first conveying assembly 3 to work and convey the reaction cups in the bin 2 to the turnover assembly 4. On the other hand, the second sensor 4021 may count the number of cuvettes passing through the transfer chamber.

When the third sensor 501 senses that the slide 5 is in a cup lack state, the related controller is informed to control the link mechanism 404 in the turnover assembly 4 to work, and the reaction cups in the turnover bin 402 are conveyed into the slide 5.

When the fourth sensor 601 senses that the cup is short, the fourth sensor informs a relevant controller to control the distribution plate 6 to rotate for turnover, so that the aim of transferring the reaction cup is fulfilled.

The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to make and use various exemplary embodiments of the invention and various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A cup-entering structure for use inside a coagulation analyzer, comprising:

a housing mounted inside the coagulation analyzer;

the storage bin is arranged on the rack and used for storing the reaction cups;

a turnover assembly mounted above the frame and to one side of the bin, the turnover assembly for turnover and orienting reaction cups within the bin;

a distribution plate installed at one end of the rack and used for distributing reaction cups;

the first conveying assembly is obliquely arranged at the discharge port of the storage bin and is used for conveying the reaction cups in the storage bin to the turnover assembly;

a chute disposed between the turnaround assembly and the distribution tray and for guiding reaction cups that are turned and oriented by the turnaround assembly to the distribution tray.

2. The cup feeding structure of claim 1, wherein the revolving assembly comprises a mounting plate, a revolving bin, a channel assembly and a link mechanism, wherein the mounting plate is connected to the frame, the revolving bin, the channel assembly and the link mechanism are all mounted on the mounting plate, an inlet of the revolving bin is connected to one end of the first conveying assembly, the revolving bin is communicated to the slideway through the channel assembly, and the channel assembly is driven by the link mechanism to rotate so as to drive the reaction cup fed into the channel assembly to slide into the slideway.

3. A cup feeding structure according to claim 2, wherein the channel assembly comprises a first pivot plate, a second pivot plate and a first link, the first pivot plate and the second pivot plate are both pivotally connected to the mounting plate, a lower surface of the first pivot plate and an upper surface of the second pivot plate constitute a channel for passage of reaction cups, and the first link is respectively pivotally connected to the first pivot plate and the second pivot plate such that a predetermined spacing is always maintained between the lower surface of the first pivot plate and the upper surface of the second pivot plate.

4. A cup feeding structure according to claim 3, wherein the linkage comprises a rotatable shaft, a second link and a third link, a first end of the second link being fixedly connected to the shaft, a second end of the second link being hingedly connected to a first end of the third link, a second end of the third link being hingedly connected to the second pivot plate.

5. A cup feeding structure according to claim 3, wherein a baffle plate capable of blocking a part of the outlet of the channel is arranged at one end of the first pivoting plate close to the slide way, a channel groove is arranged at one end of the upper surface of the second pivoting plate close to the slide way, side plates are arranged at two sides of the second pivoting plate, the second pivoting plate is pivotally connected to the mounting plate through the two side plates, the upper edges of the two side plates protrude upwards relative to the second pivoting plate by a preset distance, and the two side plates, the baffle plate and the channel groove work together to enable the reaction cup with the cup mouth facing the slide way to overturn to the cup bottom facing the slide way.

6. A cup feeding structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the distance between the two side plates is smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the mouth of the reaction cup and larger than the outer diameter of the cup body.

7. A cup feeding arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first transfer assembly comprises a conveyor belt with a plurality of transfer plates for carrying reaction cups and drive means for driving the conveyor belt in rotation to effect transfer of reaction cups to the epicyclic assembly.

8. A cup feeding structure according to claim 7, further comprising a second transfer assembly installed at the bottom of the hopper in an inclined manner, the second transfer assembly being adapted to transfer the reaction cups located in the hopper to an end below the first transfer assembly.

9. A cup feeding structure according to claim 8, wherein the first conveying assembly drives the second conveying assembly to rotate through a belt.

10. A cup feeding structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bin is provided with a first sensor for sensing whether the number of reaction cups in the bin is lower than a preset alarm ring line.