CN115184327A

CN115184327A - Device for detecting optical filter

Info

Publication number: CN115184327A
Application number: CN202211095251.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 朱信; 郭旻; 郭求真; 王梓; 戴涛
Original assignee: Rocgene Tecnology Co
Current assignee: Rocgene Tecnology Co
Priority date: 2022-09-08
Filing date: 2022-09-08
Publication date: 2022-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2042-09-08
Also published as: CN115184327B

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide an apparatus for detecting an optical filter. The device includes: the base comprises a detection table provided with a first detection hole; a first light source arranged at a first side of the inspection station and adapted to emit a first light signal at least towards the first inspection well; the moving assembly is arranged on the base and comprises a driving assembly and a mounting disc positioned between the first light source and the detection table, the mounting disc is suitable for bearing the optical filter, and the driving assembly is suitable for moving the mounting disc so that the optical filter is aligned with the first detection hole; and a detection assembly disposed at a second side of the detection stage and adapted to detect the optical filter by receiving and detecting the first optical signal filtered by the optical filter. By using the device, the problems of wrong models of the optical filters and the like can be found in time, and the problems of abandonment of fluorescence detection channels, resource waste, cost increase and the like are avoided. In addition, the apparatus is also capable of performing spectral analysis on the incorrectly marked filters to determine the correct model of filter.

Description

Device for detecting optical filter

Technical Field

Example embodiments of the present application relate generally to the field of PCR instruments, and in particular, to an apparatus for detecting filters.

Background

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a molecular biology technique for amplifying and amplifying specific DNA fragments, and can be regarded as special DNA replication in vitro, and the greatest characteristic of PCR is that it can greatly increase trace amount of DNA. PCR instruments are an extremely important tool in molecular biology research. It has been widely used by laboratories around the world for a wide variety of experimental applications such as molecular cloning, gene expression analysis, genotyping, sequencing and mutation.

The fluorescence detection means in conventional PCR instruments typically include one or more fluorescence detection channels. Each fluorescence detection channel is typically comprised of an excitation light source, an excitation light filter, a dichroic mirror, an emission light filter, and a fluorescence signal receiver. The types of excitation light filters and emission light filters of different fluorescence detection channels are different, so that the excitation light filters and emission light filters required by the fluorescence detection channels need to be correctly installed when each fluorescence detection channel is assembled. In the process of assembling the fluorescence detection channel, the risk of mistakenly installing the excitation light filter or the emission light filter of the fluorescence detection channel exists, so that the problems of abandonment, resource waste, cost increase and the like of the fluorescence detection channel are caused.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present application to provide an apparatus for detecting an optical filter that addresses, or at least partially addresses, the above-mentioned problems and/or other potential problems that exist during the assembly of conventional fluorescence detection channels.

In a first aspect of the present application, there is provided an apparatus for detecting an optical filter. The device comprises: the base comprises a detection platform provided with a first detection hole; a first light source arranged on a first side of the inspection station and adapted to emit a first light signal at least towards the first inspection well; a moving assembly arranged on the base and including a drive assembly and a mounting plate located between the first light source and the inspection station, the mounting plate being adapted to carry a filter plate provided with a plurality of filters to be inspected, the drive assembly being adapted to move the mounting plate relative to the inspection station so as to bring one of the plurality of filters into alignment with the first inspection aperture; and a detection assembly disposed on a second side of the detection stage opposite the first side, adapted to detect the optical filter by receiving and detecting a first optical signal that passes through the first detection aperture and is filtered by the optical filter.

By using the device for detecting the optical filter, the problems of model errors and the like can be found before the optical filter is assembled in the fluorescence detection channel, and the problems of abandonment, resource waste, cost increase and the like of the fluorescence detection channel caused by model errors are avoided. In addition, the apparatus is also capable of performing spectral analysis on the incorrectly marked filters to determine the correct model of filter.

In some embodiments, a first movement mechanism coupled to the mounting plate and adapted to move the mounting plate in a first horizontal direction; and a second moving mechanism coupled to the first moving mechanism and adapted to move the first moving mechanism and the mounting plate in a second horizontal direction different from the first horizontal direction.

In some embodiments, the first movement mechanism comprises: the first driving part is used for bearing the mounting disc and is suitable for being driven by the first driving part so as to drive the mounting disc to move in the first horizontal direction.

In some embodiments, the first movement mechanism further comprises: a first guide rail arranged on the inspection stage in the first horizontal direction; a first slider slidably coupled to the first rail; and a fixed block arranged to be fixed to the first driving belt together with the first slider and fixedly coupled with the mounting plate.

In some embodiments, the first movement mechanism further comprises: a first idler pulley; and a first pulley coupled to an output shaft of the first drive and driven in rotation by the first drive, wherein the first drive belt is tensioned between the first idler pulley and the first pulley.

In some embodiments, the second movement mechanism comprises: a second driving member and a second belt coupled to the mounting plate and the first moving mechanism and adapted to be driven by the second driving member to move the mounting plate and the first moving mechanism in the second horizontal direction.

In some embodiments, the second moving mechanism further comprises a second guide rail arranged on the inspection stage in the second horizontal direction; a second slider slidably coupled to the second rail; and a first link fixedly coupled to the second slider and the second drive belt and carrying the first drive and the first pulley.

In some embodiments, the second moving mechanism further comprises: a guide shaft disposed on the inspection stage in the second horizontal direction and spaced apart from the second guide rail; and a second link slidably coupled to the guide shaft and carrying the first idler wheel, wherein the first guide rail is disposed between the first link and the second link.

In some embodiments, the second moving mechanism further comprises: a second idler pulley; and a second pulley coupled to an output shaft of the second driver and driven in rotation by the second driver, wherein the second drive belt is tensioned between the second idler pulley and the second pulley.

In some embodiments, the guide shaft is formed in a cylindrical shape to allow the second connector to deviate from a predetermined angle in a radial direction of the guide shaft.

In some embodiments, the detection component comprises: a reference filter tray including a plurality of reference filters arranged in a circumferential direction and rotatably disposed at the second side of the inspection stage such that one of the plurality of reference filters is aligned with the first inspection hole; and an optical signal receiver disposed on a side of the contrast filter disc remote from the detection stage and aligned with the first detection aperture to detect the first optical signal filtered through the optical filter and the contrast filter.

In some embodiments, the detection assembly further comprises: a third drive coupled to the contrast filter disc and adapted to drive the contrast filter disc to rotate.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: a spectral detection assembly arranged at a second side of the detection station and adapted to determine the model of the optical filter by detecting a spectrum of the optical signal filtered by the optical filter.

In some embodiments, the inspection station further comprises a second inspection aperture, wherein the mounting plate is further capable of being moved to align the optical filter with the second inspection aperture; and a second light source disposed at a first side of the inspection station and aligned with the second inspection aperture to emit a second light signal toward the second inspection aperture.

In some embodiments, the spectral detection assembly comprises: an optical fiber including a first end and a second end aligned with the second detection aperture and adapted to conduct a second optical signal filtered by the optical filter that passes through the second detection aperture; and a spectrum detector including an optical coupling hole coupled to the first end of the optical fiber, and adapted to detect a spectrum of the second optical signal entering from the optical coupling hole.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: a first stopper disposed on the base and adapted to define a range of movement of the mounting plate in a first horizontal direction; and a second stopper disposed on the base and adapted to define a moving range of the mounting plate in a second horizontal direction.

Drawings

The above and other features, advantages and aspects of embodiments of the present application will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like or similar reference characters designate like or similar elements, and wherein:

fig. 1 shows a schematic structural diagram of an apparatus for detecting an optical filter according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic structural diagram of an apparatus for detecting an optical filter including a housing according to one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic structural diagram of a mounting plate according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic structural view of a mounting plate provided with a filter plate according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an apparatus for detecting a filter according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 to 8 are schematic structural views illustrating a moving assembly and a detection stage of an apparatus for detecting a filter according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a detection assembly and a base of an apparatus for detecting an optical filter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a detection assembly and a base, etc., of an apparatus for detecting a filter according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a spectral detection assembly and a base, etc., of an apparatus for detecting a filter according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram illustrating a structure of a spectrum detection assembly and a base of an apparatus for detecting a filter according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. While the preferred embodiments of the present application are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present application may be embodied in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

The term "including" and variations thereof as used herein is intended to be open-ended, i.e., "including but not limited to". Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "or" means "and/or". The term "based on" means "based at least in part on". The terms "one example embodiment" and "one embodiment" mean "at least one example embodiment". The term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment". The terms "first," "second," and the like may refer to different or the same object.

The PCR instrument utilizes the PCR technology to realize the purposes of nucleic acid detection, molecular cloning, gene expression analysis, genotyping, sequencing, mutation and the like through specific DNA fragment amplification. As mentioned hereinbefore, in the amplification stage, stable and reliable control of denaturation temperature, annealing temperature, extension temperature, and action time and cycle number is required. Too high or uneven temperature and insufficient action time can have great influence on the experimental result.

A PCR instrument with a fluorescence signal acquisition system and a computer analysis processing system added on the basis of a common PCR instrument is called a fluorescent quantitative PCR instrument. The PCR amplification principle is the same as that of common PCR instrument, and the primer added during PCR amplification is labeled with isotope, fluorescein, etc. and is used together with the specific template combination for amplification.

In the fluorescence quantitative PCR instrument, it is usually necessary to perform gene amplification on a plurality of samples to be detected simultaneously in parallel, and then perform fluorescence detection on the samples to be detected in the reaction consumables by using a fluorescence detection module. The fluorescence detection module may include one or more detection channels (also referred to as fluorescence channels or fluorescence detection channels) for detecting one or more target genes of interest in a sample to be tested. Each fluorescence detection channel consists of an excitation light source, an excitation light filter, a dichroic mirror, an emission light filter and a fluorescence signal receiver. The excitation light filters and the emission light filters of different fluorescence detection channels are of different types, so that the excitation light filters and the emission light filters required by the fluorescence detection channels need to be correctly installed when assembling each fluorescence detection channel.

Currently, the assembly of the fluorescence detection channel is usually done manually by hand. In the process of manually assembling the fluorescence detection channel, there is a risk of mistakenly installing the excitation light filter or the emission light filter of the fluorescence detection channel, thereby causing the problems of abandonment of the fluorescence detection channel, resource waste, cost increase and the like.

The inventor has found that the cause of such errors is mainly two, on one hand, error marking of the filter model from the filter manufacturer. When the optical filter leaves the factory, a plurality of optical filters are placed in the optical filter disc, and an optical filter manufacturer marks the model corresponding to the optical filter. When assembling the fluorescence detection channels, it is usually only necessary to mount the optical filter to the corresponding fluorescence detection channel according to the model of the optical filter marked. However, if the labeled filter is wrong, this can result in the wrong type of filter being installed in the fluorescence detection channel. In addition, the wrong model cannot be identified by the naked eye. On the other hand, the manual installation error occurs during the manual assembly of the fluorescence detection channel. For the reasons of the first aspect, if the problem of the filter being incorrectly marked cannot be found in time, the excitation light filter or the emission light filter of the fluorescence detection channel is inevitably installed incorrectly, which may result in the abandonment or reassembly of the whole fluorescence detection channel, thereby resulting in the waste of resources and the increase of cost.

To address, or at least partially address, the above-described problems, or other potential problems, in assembling a fluorescence detection channel, embodiments of the present application provide an apparatus 100 for detecting a filter. With the apparatus 100, it is possible to further verify whether the type of the optical filter 2011 provided by the optical filter manufacturer matches the type of the corresponding mark, and determine the correct type of the optical filter 2011 in the case of non-matching, thereby reducing the problems of discarding the fluorescence detection channel, wasting resources, increasing cost and the like caused by the type error of the optical filter 2011 in the process of assembling the fluorescence detection channel. An apparatus 100 for detecting a filter according to an embodiment of the present application will be described below with reference to fig. 1 to 12.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an apparatus 100 for detecting an optical filter according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 1, in general, an apparatus 100 for detecting an optical filter according to an embodiment of the present application includes a base 101, a light source, a moving assembly, and a detecting assembly. The base 101 is used to carry the light source, the movement assembly and the detection assembly, as well as other suitable components. In some embodiments, the light source may include a first light source 102 and a second light source 103. In some embodiments, the first light source 102 and the second light source 103 may also be the same light source, as will be further explained below. The base 101 includes an inspection station 1011 having a first inspection aperture 1012. In addition to the inspection station 1011, in some embodiments, the base 101 may also include a floor 1022. The test table 1011 may be supported on the base plate 1022 by brackets 1013. Support 1013 may include a number (e.g., four) of support columns for supporting test table 1011 on base 1022. Of course, in alternative embodiments, the test table 1011 can be mounted directly to the table top by a support column or bracket 1013.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 according to embodiments of the present application may further include a power supply component 1018 for supplying power to at least one of the light source, the movement component, and the detection component. In some embodiments, power supply component 1018 may be a switched mode power supply disposed at any suitable location on the lower portion of either floor 1022 or test bed 1011. The switch mode power supply is a high frequency power conversion device, which is a kind of power supply, and functions to convert a level voltage into a voltage or current required by a user terminal through different types of architectures. The input of the switching power supply according to the embodiment of the present application may be an ac power supply (e.g., a commercial power) or a dc power supply, and the output is a component requiring a dc power supply, such as at least one of the light source, the moving component and the detecting component, and the switching power supply performs voltage and current conversion between the two components. The switch 1081 of the apparatus 100 may be provided at a suitable location of the power supply component 1018.

In some embodiments, power supply component 1018 may comprise a rechargeable battery. The battery stores energy for detection by the filter 2011 when the device is not connected to a power source. The use of rechargeable batteries can extend the range of use of the device 100 and add portable functionality so that the device 100 can operate in any suitable location. Accordingly, the power supply component 1018 may include a charging port 1019. A power cord (not shown) can be pluggably coupled to the charging port 1019 to enable recharging of the rechargeable battery or direct power to the various components of the device 100. Power supply module 1018 may also include an electrical outlet 1020, among other things. The electrical outlet 1020 may be, for example, a USB port or a TYPE-C interface to facilitate connection with a cable having a corresponding interface to power or data connect an external electronic device using the power supply component 1018 via the cable.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 2, the apparatus 100 for detecting an optical filter may further include a housing 108. The housing 108 may be mounted on the base plate 1022 or other suitable location to house various components of the device 100, such as the base 101, light source, moving assembly, and detection assembly, to protect the various components of the device 100 and to improve the reliability of the device 100. In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 2, the housing 108 may have openings that align with at least one of the switch 1081, the charging port 1019 of the power supply component 1018, and the electrical outlet 1020 of the device 100, thereby facilitating operation of these switches or interfaces from outside the housing 108 for enhanced convenience.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the housing 108 may include a cover or door that facilitates opening, thereby facilitating access to the filter tray 201 to be tested. A cover or door may be coupled to other portions of housing 108 by way of a hinge, by way of translation, or in any other suitable manner, thereby facilitating exposure of an access opening for accessing filter tray 201.

The test table 1011 extends generally horizontally when the device 100 is placed on a countertop. The inventive concept according to the present application is described below mainly taking as an example that the inspection table 1011 extends in a horizontal direction. In this case, an upper side of the inspection table 1011 in the vertical direction (i.e., a side away from the table top) will be referred to as a first side, and a lower side opposite to the first side will be referred to as a second side.

The light source may be supported on the base 101 by a suitable support structure. For example, as shown in fig. 1, a light source may be disposed above the inspection stage 1011 (i.e., a first side of the inspection stage 1011) by a light source bracket 1017 and adapted to emit a light signal at least toward the first inspection hole 1012 (i.e., downward in the vertical direction). In some embodiments, the first light source 102 may be detachably fixed on the light source support 1017 by a fastener, a snap-fit connection, a threaded connection, or the like. In some embodiments, the first light source 102 may be a broad spectrum light source. The wavelength of the optical signal emitted by the broad-spectrum light source can cover the operating wavelength of the detected optical filters 2011 of multiple models, thereby improving the applicability of the light source. In some embodiments, the light signal emitted by the first light source 102 can be collimated to substantially entirely pass through the first detection hole 1012 and exit from the first detection hole 1012 to the second side, which can improve the utilization rate of the light signal and improve the detection performance.

The moving assembly is disposed on the base 101, and includes a mounting plate 1041 and a driving assembly for driving the mounting plate 1041 to move. A mounting plate 1041 is arranged to be positioned between the first light source 102 and the inspection station 1011. Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a mounting plate 1041 according to an embodiment of the application. As shown in fig. 3, the mounting plate 1041 has a receiving groove 1042 capable of carrying the filter plate 201. The receiving groove 1042 may have a substantially rectangular or square shape and has a slanted side at one of the corners. The filter disk 201 is a disk provided by a filter manufacturer and carrying a plurality of filters 2011. Correspondingly, the filter disc 201 may have a shape similar to the shape of the receiving groove 1042, and the filter disc 201 can be positioned in the receiving groove 1042 in a predetermined orientation by aligning the inclined edge of the filter disc 201 with the inclined edge of the receiving groove 1042, as shown in fig. 4. A plurality of through holes 1043 are provided in the mounting plate 1041. When the filter disc 201 is correctly positioned in the receiving groove 1042 of the mounting disc 1041, the through holes 1043 of the mounting disc 1041 are aligned with the filters 2011 of the filter disc 201 for subsequent detection.

The mounting plate 1041 is movable relative to the inspection table 1011 by the drive assembly to vertically align one filter 2011 of the plurality of filters 2011 on the mounting plate 1041 with the first inspection aperture 1012 on the lower side. In this way, when the first light source 102 emits the first light signal, a portion of the first light signal having a specific wavelength can pass through the filter 2011 to be detected and pass through the first detection aperture 1012 to reach the second side of the detection stage 1011. In some embodiments, the driving assembly may drive the mounting plate 1041 to move in the first horizontal direction H1 and the second horizontal direction H2. The first horizontal direction H1 and the second horizontal direction H2 may be perpendicular to each other, for example, corresponding to X-axis and Y-axis in a three-dimensional coordinate system, respectively, while the vertical direction represents Z-axis. Of course, in some alternative embodiments, other relationships may exist between the first horizontal direction H1 and the second horizontal direction H2. For example, in some embodiments, the first horizontal direction H1 may extend along the X-axis direction, and the second horizontal direction H2 may represent a circumferential direction. The embodiments according to the present application will be described hereinafter mainly taking as an example that the first horizontal direction H1 and the second horizontal direction H2 are perpendicular to each other. It should be understood that the same is true for other situations, which will not be described separately below.

The detection assembly is disposed on a second side of the detection stage 1011 and is capable of receiving and detecting the first optical signal filtered by the optical filter 2011 to thereby complete detection of the optical filter 2011, as shown in fig. 5. In this way, the mounting plate 1041 is driven by the driving assembly, so that the plurality of filters 2011 to be detected in the mounting plate 1041 sequentially move to the position aligned with the first detection hole 1012, and efficient detection of the plurality of filters 2011 can be completed. Therefore, if the filter disc 201 provided by the filter manufacturer has different models of filters 2011, the filters can be quickly detected by the device 100, so that the assembly loss of the fluorescence detection channel caused by the model error of the filters 2011 is avoided, and the reliability and the efficiency are improved.

An exemplary structure of a moving assembly according to an embodiment of the present application will be described below with reference to fig. 6 to 8. In some embodiments, the drive assembly may include two movement mechanisms, i.e., a first movement mechanism and a second movement mechanism. The first moving mechanism is coupled to the mounting plate 1041, and is capable of moving the mounting plate 1041 in the first horizontal direction H1. The second moving mechanism is coupled to the first moving mechanism, and is capable of moving the first moving mechanism and the mounting plate 1041 in the second horizontal direction H2.

In some embodiments, the first moving mechanism and/or the second moving mechanism may employ a belt drive mechanism. The belt transmission can reduce vibration during movement, reduce noise and improve smoothness. On the other hand, the position of the mounting plate 1041 can be controlled more precisely by using a belt transmission in combination with a suitable driving member, so that the plurality of filters 2011 above are aligned with the first detection holes 1012 respectively.

The inventive concept of the present application will be described hereinafter mainly taking an example in which both the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism employ a belt transmission mechanism. It should be understood that any other suitable moving mechanism is possible as long as the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism can be moved in the first horizontal direction H1 and the second horizontal direction H2, respectively, which will not be described in detail below.

In some embodiments, the first movement mechanism includes a drive (hereinafter first drive 1051) and a belt (hereinafter first belt 1052). The first belt 1052 is coupled to the mounting plate 1041 and can be driven by the first driving member 1051 to move the mounting plate 1041 along the first horizontal direction H1. In some embodiments, the first moving mechanism may further include a first guide rail 1053 arranged on the detection table 1011 in the first horizontal direction H1, a first slider 1054, and a fixed block 1055 fixedly connected to the mounting plate 1041. The first slider 1054 and the fixing block 1055 are fixed together to the first belt 1052 and can move synchronously with the movement of the first belt 1052. For example, in some embodiments, the first slider 1054 and the fixed block 1055 can together clamp the first drive belt 1052. Meanwhile, the first slider 1054 is slidably coupled to the first guide rail 1053. In this way, the movement of the mounting plate 1041 when driven by the first belt 1052 can be made more smooth.

In some embodiments, the fixing block 1055 is disposed to at least partially coincide with the receiving groove 1042 of the mounting plate 1041 in the vertical direction, and a distance between the fixing block 1055 and the bottom of the receiving groove 1042 may be slightly smaller than a thickness of the filter tray 201, so that the filter tray 201 can be pressed by the fixing block 1055 to limit a degree of freedom of the filter tray 201 in the vertical direction when placed in the receiving groove 1042. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the structure in the fixed block 1055 can be configured to move relative to the mounting plate 1041. In this way, the partial structure is moved upward when the filter disc 201 is mounted so as to facilitate mounting of the filter disc 201. After the filter disc 201 is mounted in place, this part of the structure is moved down to press the mounted filter disc 201 to restrict the degree of freedom of the filter disc 201 in the vertical direction.

In some embodiments, the first movement mechanism further includes a first pulley 1056 and a first idler pulley 1057 for connecting and tensioning the first drive belt 1052. The first drive belt 1052 is tensioned between the first pulley 1056 and the first idler pulley 1057. The first pulley 1056 is coupled to an output shaft of the first driving member 1051 and driven by the first driving member 1051 to rotate, thereby rotating the first belt 1052 and thereby rotating the first idler pulley 1057. In some embodiments, the first driver 1051 can be a stepper motor. The use of a stepper motor facilitates control of the angle of rotation of the first pulley 1056 and, in turn, the distance that the mounting plate 1041 moves in the first horizontal direction H1. Of course, in some alternative embodiments, the first drive 1051 may also be a servo motor or the like.

In some embodiments, the first belt 1052 may employ a synchronous belt structure. Correspondingly, the first pulley 1056 and the first idler 1057 may also be synchronous pulleys, i.e. the first pulley 1056 and the first idler 1057 may be provided with external teeth coupled with the teeth of a synchronous belt. In this way, the mounting plate 1041 can be moved in the first horizontal direction H1 in a more accurate and reliable manner.

The second moving mechanism may adopt a similar structure to the first moving mechanism. Specifically, in some embodiments, the second movement mechanism includes a second drive 1061 and a second belt 1062. The second belt 1062 is coupled to the mounting plate 1041 and the first moving mechanism, and can be driven by the second driving member 1061 to move the mounting plate 1041 and the first moving mechanism along the second horizontal direction H2. In some embodiments, the second moving mechanism may further include a second guide 1063, a second slider 1064, and a first link 1065 arranged on the inspection stage 1011 in the second horizontal direction H2. Second guide 1063 may be supported on test table 1011 by first pedestal 1015, as shown in FIG. 7. Second slide 1064 is slidably coupled to second guide rail 1063. The first link 1065 is fixedly coupled to the second sled 1064 and the second belt 1062 and carries the first drive 1051, the first rail 1053, and the first pulley 1056 to move the first drive 1051, the first rail 1053, and the first pulley 1056 in the second horizontal direction H2 during sliding of the second sled 1064 along the second rail 1063.

In some embodiments, the second movement mechanism can further include a guide shaft 1066 and a second link 1067 slidably coupled to the guide shaft 1066. The guide shaft 1066 is disposed along the second horizontal direction H2 and spaced apart from the second guide rail 1063. The guide shaft 1066 may be supported on the inspection table 1011 by the second support 1016. The guide shaft 1066 may have a cylindrical structure, and the second connector 1067 includes a sleeve structure rotatably fitted over the guide shaft 1066. In this way, the second link 1067 can be allowed to swing by a certain angle in the radial direction of the guide shaft 1066, so that the difficulty in assembling the second moving mechanism can be reduced. The first idler gear 1057 and one end of the first guide rail 1053 are connected to the second link 1067, and when the second link 1067 moves along the guide shaft 1066 in the second horizontal direction H2, the first idler gear 1057 and the first guide rail 1053 of the first moving mechanism are driven to move in the second horizontal direction H2. In some embodiments, the second movement mechanism further comprises a second pulley 1068 and a second idler pulley 1069 for connecting and tensioning a second drive belt 1062. The second belt 1062 is tensioned between a second pulley 1068 and a second idler pulley 1069. The second pulley 1068 is coupled to an output shaft of the second driving member 1061 and is driven by the second driving member 1061 to rotate, thereby moving the second belt 1062 and thereby rotating the second idler pulley 1069. In some embodiments, the second drive 1061 may be a stepper motor, similar to the first drive 1051. Of course, in alternative embodiments, the second drive 1061 may also be a servo motor or the like.

Similar to the first drive belt 1052, in some embodiments, the second drive belt 1062 may employ a synchronous belt structure. Accordingly, the second pulley 1068 and the second idler pulley 1069 may also be synchronous pulleys. In this way, the mounting plate 1041 can be moved in the second horizontal direction H2 in a more accurate and reliable manner.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 for detecting an optical filter according to an embodiment of the present application may further include a stopper. The stopper may include a first stopper 1075 disposed on a proper position of the base 101. The first stopper 1075 can limit the moving range of the mount plate 1041 in the first horizontal direction H1. The stopper may further include a second stopper 1076 disposed at a suitable position on the base 101 and capable of limiting a moving range of the mounting plate 1041 and/or the first moving mechanism in the second horizontal direction H2. In some embodiments, the first or

second stoppers

1075 and 1076 may include an electro-optical switch, a contact switch, a hall element, or the like.

With the above-described exemplary moving assembly structure, the plurality of filters 2011 to be detected can move within a predetermined range in the first horizontal direction H1 and/or the second horizontal direction H2 on the mounting plate 1041, so that the plurality of filters 2011 on the mounting plate 1041 sequentially aligns with the first detection holes 1012 for detection.

Referring back to fig. 5, in some embodiments, the detection assembly may include a contrast filter disc 1071 and an optical signal receiver 1077. The reference filter disc 1071 includes a plurality of reference filters 1072 thereon arranged in a circumferential direction, and the reference filter disc 1071 is rotatably arranged at a second side of the inspection stage 1011 such that one of the plurality of reference filters 1072 is aligned in a vertical direction with the first inspection hole 1012. As mentioned above, when the optical signal emitted from the first light source 102 is filtered by the filter 2011 to be detected, a portion of the optical signal having a wavelength corresponding to the filter 2011 passes through the filter 2011 and passes through the first detection hole 1012. The light signal passing through the first detection well 1012 is further filtered by a corresponding control filter 1072. If the wavelengths of the optical signals corresponding to the comparison filter 1072 and the filter to be detected 2011 are the same, the optical signal that has been filtered by the filter to be detected 2011 passes through the comparison filter 1072 and reaches the optical signal detector.

The optical signal detector detects the optical filter 2011 by detecting the intensity of the optical signal reaching it. Typically, the type of the reference filter 1072 is selected according to the type of the filter 2011 that is marked by the filter manufacturer. As mentioned above, when detecting the predetermined type of the filter 2011, the corresponding comparison filter 1072 is disposed on the second side, so that the optical signal with the predetermined intensity can reach the optical signal detector if the type is consistent, and thus it can be determined that the detected filter 2011 is the type marked by the manufacturer. If the model of filter 2011 is different from the model labeled (i.e., filter 2011 is incorrectly labeled), then a portion of the light signal that passes through the incorrect model of filter 2011 can no longer pass through the control filter 1072. In this case, a light signal of a predetermined intensity is not detected or a light signal is not detected at the light signal detector, and thus it can be determined that the filter 2011 does not correspond to the model of the reference filter 1072 and that the filter 2011 does not correspond to the labeled model.

In order to be able to detect multiple models of filters 2011 and thereby facilitate switching of the reference filters 1072 corresponding thereto, in some embodiments, the reference filter disc 1071 carrying multiple reference filters 1072 may be driven in rotation by a third drive 1078. For example, in some embodiments, the third driver 1078 may drive the contrast filter disc 1071 to rotate under the control of the control unit so that the contrast filter 1072 on the contrast filter disc 1071 corresponding to the detected filter 2011 is rotated to be aligned with the first detection hole 1012.

As mentioned hereinbefore, if the optical signal detector does not detect the optical signal of the predetermined intensity, it indicates that the model of the optical filter 2011 does not correspond to the labeled model. In this case, in order to facilitate determining the correct model of such a filter 2011, in some embodiments, the detection apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present application may further include a spectrum detection component. A spectral detection assembly can be disposed on a second side of detection station 1011 and include a spectral detector 1074 to determine the model of filter 2011 by detecting the spectrum of the optical signal passing through filter 2011.

Specifically, in some embodiments, the test station 1011 can also include a second test aperture 1014, as shown in fig. 9 and 10. The second detection hole 1014 may be disposed at a distance from the first detection hole 1012. When a discrepancy between the model of the filter 2011 and the marked model is detected, the mounting plate 1041 may be moved to a position where the filter 2011 is aligned with the second detection hole 1014. Correspondingly, the apparatus 100 may further include a second light source 103 disposed on a first side of the inspection station 1011 and an optical fiber 1073 disposed on a second side of the inspection station 1011 in alignment with the second inspection hole 1014. Optical fiber 1073 has one end (hereinafter referred to as a first end) coupled to the optical coupling aperture of spectral detector 1074 and the other end aligned with second detection aperture 1014, as shown in fig. 11 and 12. In this way, the second optical signal emitted by the second light source 103 passes through the to-be-detected filter 2011 and the second detection hole 1014, enters the optical fiber 1073 from the second end of the optical fiber 1073, and is transmitted to the spectral detector 1074 through the optical fiber 1073. The spectrum detector 1074 can perform spectrum detection on the second optical signal to determine the correct model of the filter 2011.

In some alternative embodiments, the first detection well 1012 and the second detection well 1014 may also be the same detection well, and the first light source 102 and the second light source 103 may be the same light source. In such an embodiment, the model of the mis-marked filter 2011 may be determined by referencing the filter disc 1071 without using the spectral detector 1074. Specifically, after determining that the filters 2011 do not correspond to the marked models, the comparison filter disc 1071 may be rotated to align the comparison filters 1072 of different models on the comparison filter disc 1071 with the first detection holes 1012, respectively, and the intensities of the optical signals passing through the comparison filters 1072 of different models may be sequentially detected. If the intensity of the optical signal passing through the filter 2011 and the contrast filter 1072 reaches a predetermined intensity for a certain model of the contrast filter 1072, it indicates that the model of the filter 2011 coincides with the model of the contrast filter 1072, thereby determining the correct model of the filter 2011 by the model of the contrast filter 1072. This way, the cost of the apparatus 100 for detecting the filters 2011 can be further reduced, and also, in the case where the comparison filters 1072 are sufficiently large, the correct model of the filters 2011 can be accurately determined.

In some alternative embodiments, the model of the filter 2011 that is mislabeled may be determined in other ways. Specifically, in some embodiments, the control filter disc 1071 may include, in addition to the plurality of control filters 1072 disposed circumferentially, at least one void (i.e., a location that is free of control filters 1072 and transmits light) disposed circumferentially between the plurality of control filters 1072. When it is determined that the model of filter 2011 does not correspond to the marked model, the control filter disc 1071 may be rotated such that the void of the control filter disc 1071 is aligned with the first detection aperture 1012. Meanwhile, the optical signal receiver 1077 may be switched to the second end of the optical fiber 1073 so that the optical signal emitted from the light source enters the optical fiber 1073 from the second end through the first detection hole 1012 and the empty space after passing through the optical filter 2011 and is conducted into the spectral detector 1074 through the optical fiber 1073, to thereby determine the model of the optical filter 2011 by analyzing the spectrum.

As can be seen from the above description, by using the apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present application, problems such as model errors of the optical filter 2011 can be found in time, and problems such as abandonment of an assembled fluorescence detection channel and resource waste and cost increase caused by the abandonment of the assembled fluorescence detection channel are avoided. In addition, the apparatus 100 is also capable of performing spectral analysis on the filter 2011 that is incorrectly labeled, thereby determining the correct model of the filter 2011.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the present application has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein is chosen in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application, or improvements made to the technology in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting a filter, comprising:

a base (101) including a test table (1011) provided with a first test hole (1012);

a first light source (102) arranged at a first side of the inspection station (1011) and adapted to emit a first light signal at least towards the first inspection hole (1012);

a movement assembly arranged on the base (101) and comprising a mounting plate (1041) between the first light source (102) and the detection station (1011), and an actuation assembly, the mounting plate (1041) being adapted to carry a filter plate (201) provided with a plurality of filters (2011) to be detected, the actuation assembly being adapted to move the mounting plate (1041) relative to the detection station (1011) so as to bring one filter (2011) of the plurality of filters (2011) into alignment with the first detection aperture (1012); and

a detection assembly arranged on a second side of the detection stage (1011) opposite to the first side, adapted to detect the optical filter (2011) by receiving and detecting a first optical signal passing through the first detection aperture (1012) and filtered by the optical filter (2011).

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drive assembly comprises:

a first moving mechanism coupled to the mounting plate (1041) and adapted to move the mounting plate (1041) in a first horizontal direction (H1); and

a second moving mechanism coupled to the first moving mechanism and adapted to move the first moving mechanism and the mounting plate (1041) in a second horizontal direction (H2) different from the first horizontal direction (H1).

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first movement mechanism comprises:

a first driver (1051); and

a first drive belt (1052) for carrying the mounting disc (1041) and adapted to be driven by the first drive member (1051) to move the mounting disc (1041) in the first horizontal direction (H1).

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first movement mechanism further comprises:

a first guide rail (1053) arranged on the inspection table (1011) in the first horizontal direction (H1);

a first slider (1054) slidably coupled to the first rail (1053); and

a fixed block (1055) arranged to be fixed to the first drive belt (1052) together with the first slider (1054) and fixedly coupled with the mounting plate (1041).

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first movement mechanism further comprises:

a first idler pulley (1057); and

a first pulley (1056) coupled to an output shaft of the first drive member (1051) and driven in rotation by the first drive member (1051),

wherein the first drive belt (1052) is tensioned between the first idler (1057) and the first pulley (1056).

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second movement mechanism comprises:

a second driver (1061); and

a second belt (1062) coupled to the mounting disc (1041) and the first moving mechanism and adapted to be driven by the second driving member (1061) to move the mounting disc (1041) and the first moving mechanism in the second horizontal direction (H2).

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second movement mechanism further comprises:

a second guide rail (1063) arranged on the inspection table (1011) in the second horizontal direction (H2);

a second slider (1064) slidably coupled to the second rail (1063); and

a first link (1065) fixedly coupled to the second slider (1064) and the second belt (1062) and carrying the first drive (1051) and the first pulley (1056).

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second movement mechanism further comprises:

a guide shaft (1066) arranged on the inspection table (1011) in the second horizontal direction (H2) and spaced apart from the second guide rail (1063); and

a second link (1067) slidably coupled to the guide shaft (1066) and carrying the first idler pulley (1057),

wherein the first guide rail (1053) is arranged between the first connector (1065) and the second connector (1067).

9. The apparatus of any one of claims 6-8, wherein the second movement mechanism further comprises:

a second idler pulley (1069); and

a second pulley (1068) coupled to an output shaft of the second driver (1061) and driven in rotation by the second driver (1061),

wherein the second drive belt (1062) is tensioned between the second idler pulley (1069) and the second pulley (1068).

10. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the guide shaft (1066) is formed in a cylindrical shape to allow the second connector (1067) to be deviated from a predetermined angle in a radial direction of the guide shaft (1066).

11. The apparatus of any of claims 1-8 and 10, wherein the detection component comprises:

a reference filter disc (1071) comprising a plurality of reference filters (1072) arranged in a circumferential direction and rotatably disposed at the second side of the detection stage (1011) such that one reference filter (1072) of the plurality of reference filters (1072) is aligned with the first detection hole (1012); and

an optical signal receiver (1077) disposed on a side of the contrast filter disc (1071) distal from the detection stage (1011) and aligned with the first detection aperture (1012) to detect the first optical signal filtered via the filter (2011) and the contrast filter (1072).

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the detection component further comprises:

a third drive (1078) coupled to the contrast filter disc (1071) and adapted to drive the contrast filter disc (1071) in rotation.

13. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-8, 10, and 12, further comprising:

a spectral detection assembly arranged on a second side of the detection stage (1011) and adapted to determine the model of the optical filter (2011) by detecting a spectrum of the optical signal filtered by the optical filter (2011).

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the inspection station (1011) further comprises:

a second detection well (1014), wherein the mounting plate (1041) is further movable to align the filter (2011) with the second detection well (1014); and

a second light source (103) arranged on a first side of the inspection station (1011) and aligned with the second inspection aperture (1014) to emit a second light signal towards the second inspection aperture (1014).

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the spectral detection assembly comprises:

an optical fiber (1073) comprising a first end and a second end aligned with said second detection aperture (1014) and adapted to conduct a second optical signal passing from said second detection aperture (1014) and filtered by said optical filter (2011); and

a spectral detector (1074) comprising an optical coupling aperture coupled to the first end of the optical fiber, the spectral detector (1074) being adapted to detect a spectrum of the second optical signal entering from the optical coupling aperture.

16. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a first stopper (1075) arranged on the base (101) and adapted to define a range of movement of the mounting plate (1041) in the first horizontal direction (H1); and

a second stopper (1076) arranged on the base (101) and adapted to define a range of movement of the mounting plate (1041) in the second horizontal direction (H2).