CN218157952U - Automatic sample feeding device and sample analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

The application relates to an automatic sample feeding device and a sample analyzer. This automatic sample presentation device includes: the device comprises a supporting plate, a feeding device and a control device, wherein the supporting plate is provided with a loading area, an unloading area and a feeding area connecting the loading area and the unloading area, the feeding area comprises a feeding preparation area, a feeding completion area and a notch, and the notch is partially overlapped with the feeding area; the loading mechanism is used for pushing the sample rack from the loading area to the feeding preparation area; the feeding mechanism is arranged corresponding to the feeding area and is provided with a feeding pusher dog; the feeding pusher dog is driven to reciprocate in the gap range so as to drive the sample rack to intermittently move to each station until the sample rack is driven to the feeding completion area.

Description

Automatic sample feeding device and sample analyzer

Technical Field

The application relates to the technical field of medical instruments, in particular to an automatic sample feeding device and a sample analyzer.

Background

Conventional sample analyzers are typically provided with an autosampler device that transports the sample rack from the loading area to the feeding area, and then from the feeding area to the unloading area. The autosampler typically uses a pusher finger to push the sample rack from the bottom of the sample rack for automated transport. Namely: the sample rack is pushed to the feeding area from the loading area by the pusher dog, and then the sample feeding pusher dog in the feeding area reciprocates to continuously push the sample rack, so that samples on the sample rack pass through the testing stations in the feeding area one by one. And two corresponding pusher dog gaps are respectively arranged at two ends of the feeding area, and an avoiding body is arranged at the same time to prevent the sample feeding pusher dog from blocking the sample rack from entering the feeding area from the loading area.

In the existing technical scheme, an avoiding body is usually arranged in a first reversing area of a feeding area, and the initial position of a sample feeding pusher dog is arranged below the avoiding body. Therefore, in the process of each feeding movement, the sampling pusher dog moves out from the lower part of the avoiding body to the second reversing area along the first reversing area. Then, the sample feeding pusher dog moves to the position of the notch and extends out of the upper part of the sample feeding panel, and continues to move until the sample feeding pusher dog is abutted against the matching part of the sample holder, and drives the sample holder to perform feeding motion. After the sample frame finishes the feeding motion, the sample feeding pusher dog resets to the initial position below the avoiding body of the first reversing area. Therefore, in the automatic sample feeding process, the sample feeding pusher dog inevitably rubs against the avoiding body, and abrasion and noise are inevitably generated. Moreover, the sample feeding pusher dog may be stuck with the avoiding body, so that the sample analyzer cannot work normally. In addition, the automatic sample introduction device needs to be provided with an additional limiting device to ensure that a sample to be tested in the sample rack is fixed at a testing station. Such additional arrangement would result in a bulky and complex structure.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The present application mainly aims to provide an automatic sample feeding device and a sample analyzer having the same.

In order to solve the above technical problem, an aspect of the present application provides an automatic sample feeding device for automatically conveying a sample rack, including: the device comprises a supporting plate, a feeding device and a discharging device, wherein the supporting plate is provided with a loading area, an unloading area and a feeding area which is used for connecting the loading area and the unloading area, the feeding area comprises a feeding preparation area, a feeding completion area and a notch, and the notch is partially overlapped with the feeding area; the loading mechanism is used for pushing the sample rack into the first reversing area from the loading area; the feeding mechanism is arranged to correspond to the feeding area and is provided with a feeding pusher dog; the feeding pusher dog is driven to reciprocate in the gap range so as to drive the sample rack to move to each station until the sample rack is driven to the feeding completion area.

In some embodiments, the feed finger is configured to: during the pushing of the sample rack from the loading area into the feed preparation area by the loading mechanism, the feed finger projects into the cutout and is located on the side of the cutout remote from the feed preparation area.

In some embodiments, the feed mechanism further comprises: during one reciprocating motion, the feeding pusher dog comprises at least a first state, a second state and a third state; in the first state, the feeding pusher dog extends into the notch and is positioned on the first side of a matching part of the sample rack; in the second state, the feeding pusher dog is blocked by the matching part and rotates to cross the matching part; in a third state, the feed finger is located on a second side of the mating portion, opposite the first side, and is capable of pushing the mating portion.

In some embodiments, the feed mechanism further comprises: during one reciprocating motion, the feeding pusher dog is configured to be driven to move from a first position of the notch close to one end of the feeding completion area to a second position along a fourth direction in the notch range towards the feeding preparation area, so that the feeding pusher dog is interfered with a matching part of the sample rack positioned in the feeding preparation area; the feed finger is configured to be driven to continue moving in the fourth direction within the range of the notch based on the feed finger moving to the second position while also being driven to rotate in the first rotational direction by the interference of the engagement portion such that the feed finger straddles the engagement portion; the feed pusher dog is configured to be driven to rotate in a second rotating direction opposite to the first rotating direction based on the feed pusher dog crossing the matching part, so that the feed pusher dog can collide with the matching part again, and meanwhile, the feed pusher dog is also driven to move in a third direction opposite to the fourth direction in the range of the notch; the feeding pusher dog is configured to be abutted against the matching part again based on the feeding pusher dog, and is driven to continue to move along the third direction in the range of the notch, so that the sample rack is driven to move to the next station along the third direction, and meanwhile, the feeding pusher dog moves to the first position.

In some embodiments, the gap comprises at least: the first notch is arranged on one side of the feeding preparation area facing the feeding completion area; the second notch is arranged on one side of the feeding completion area, which faces the feeding preparation area; the feed finger includes at least: the first feeding pusher dog is arranged on one side adjacent to the first notch, extends out of the first notch and can abut against the sample rack; and the second feeding pusher dog is arranged on one side adjacent to the second notch, extends out of the second notch and can be abutted against the sample rack.

In some embodiments, the feed mechanism further comprises: the fixing piece is fixedly arranged relative to the supporting plate; the sliding plate is arranged in parallel with the fixed part and can move relative to the fixed part; the fixed shaft is arranged on the sliding plate, penetrates through the feeding pusher dog and is movably connected with the feeding pusher dog so that each feeding pusher dog rotates around the fixed shaft; and the first limiting piece is arranged adjacent to the feeding shifting claw.

In some embodiments, the fixture includes: the first fixing plate extends to one side adjacent to the second notch from one side adjacent to the first notch along the third direction and is arranged in parallel with the sliding plate; and a second fixing plate arranged in parallel with the first fixing plate; wherein, be provided with the interval between first fixed plate and the second fixed plate, the slide sets up in the interval.

In some embodiments, the feed mechanism further comprises: and the sliding rail is fixedly connected with the first fixing plate and used for guiding the sliding plate to reciprocate.

In some embodiments, the automatic sample feeding device further comprises: the unloading mechanism is arranged on one side of the feeding area adjacent to the feeding completion area, and the unloading mechanism is configured to be in contact with the sample rack positioned in the feeding completion area and push the sample rack into the unloading area; and a detecting component arranged on the supporting plate to detect the position of the sample frame on the supporting plate and generate a corresponding induction signal, wherein the detecting component comprises: the first sensor is arranged on one side, far away from the loading area, of the feeding preparation area and is configured to sense a sample rack entering the loading area or a sample rack entering the feeding preparation area; the second sensor is arranged on one side adjacent to the first notch and is configured to sense the sample rack which is about to leave the feeding preparation area and enter the feeding completion area; the third sensor is arranged on one side of the feeding completion area, which is adjacent to the unloading mechanism, and is configured to sense the sample racks which are fed to each station or enter the feeding completion area at intervals from the feeding preparation area; and the fourth sensor is arranged on one side of the unloading area far away from the feeding completion area and is configured to sense the sample rack entering the unloading area.

In some embodiments, the automatic sample feeding device further comprises: and the controller is respectively connected with the loading mechanism, the feeding mechanism, the unloading mechanism and the detection assembly, and is configured to receive the sensing signal generated by the detection assembly and control the matching action of the loading mechanism, the feeding mechanism and the unloading mechanism.

In some embodiments, the feed mechanism further comprises: the torsional spring is in elastic contact with the feeding pusher dog and synchronously rotates along with the rotation of the feeding pusher dog, and then the torsional spring deforms along with the rotation of the feeding pusher dog to store elastic potential energy so as to provide elasticity for the feeding pusher dog.

Another aspect of the present application provides a sample analyzer, comprising: a housing; the detection system is arranged in the shell and is used for detecting the sample; and the automatic sample feeding device in any of the above embodiments, wherein the automatic sample feeding device is arranged in the housing to automatically convey the sample to be detected to the detection system.

The automatic sample feeding device in the application adopts a novel structure of a feeding mechanism to drive the sample frame to intermittently move to each station in a feeding area. Namely: the loading mechanism of the automatic sample conveying device pushes the sample rack into the feeding preparation area feeding mechanism from the loading area, the feeding pusher dog is arranged, the feeding pusher dog is driven to reciprocate in the gap range, and the sample rack is driven to intermittently move to each station through the reciprocating motion of the feeding pusher dog until the sample rack is driven to the feeding completion area. The automatic sample feeding device can realize that the sample frame is fed to each station without the avoidance body, so that the friction between the feeding pusher dog of the feeding mechanism and the avoidance body can be reduced, the noise caused by abrasion and mutual friction between the feeding pusher dog and the avoidance body can be avoided, and the phenomenon of dead blocking of the pusher dog of the feeding pusher dog in the motion process of keeping away from the avoidance body can be avoided. Consequently, the automatic sample presentation device that this application provided can make sample frame carry more stably, and work is more reliable, still makes the sample that awaits measuring carry more accurately and by spacing at test station simultaneously.

Drawings

The present application will explain embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings in the present application are for the purpose of illustrating embodiments only. Other embodiments based on the described steps can be readily made by those skilled in the art from the following description without departing from the principles of the present application.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an automatic sample feeding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the automatic sample feeding device in the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the automatic sample feeder in another view (a schematic view of a first state of the automatic sample feeder) according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a feeding mechanism in the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a second state of the automatic sample feeding device in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a first state of the feed mechanism in the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a second state of the feed mechanism in the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a third state diagram of the feed mechanism of the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a fourth state of the feed mechanism of the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a fifth state of the feed mechanism in the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the present application;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a sixth state of the feed mechanism in the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the present application;

fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a sample analyzer in an embodiment of the present application.

Description of the main elements and symbols:

100. an automatic sample feeding device; 10. a support plate; 11. a loading zone; 12. a feeding zone; 121. a first end; 122. a second end; 1201. a first commutation zone; 1202. a second commutation zone; 123. a first notch; 124. a second notch; 13. an unloading area; 20. a loading mechanism; 21. loading a pusher dog; 30. a feed mechanism; 31. a fixing member; 311. a first fixing plate; 312. a second fixing plate; 313. spacing; 32. a slide plate; 33. a slide rail; 331. a slider; 332. a first limit piece; 34. a feed pusher dog; 35. a fixed shaft; 36. a second limiting member; 37. a torsion spring; 38. a synchronous belt; 39. a third driving member; 40. an unloading mechanism; 41. a swing portion; 50. a current sample rack; 51. a cross beam; 60. a next sample rack; 70. a detection component; 71. a first sensor; 72. a second sensor; 73. a third sensor; 74. a fourth sensor; 80. a first driving member; 90. a second driving member; y1, a first direction; y2, a second direction; x1, third direction; x2, fourth direction; r1, first rotational direction; r2, a second rotation direction; 200. a sample analyzer; 210. a housing; 220. and (4) a detection system.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the application and are not limiting of the application. It should be further noted that, for the convenience of description, only some of the structures related to the present application are shown in the drawings, not all of the structures. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

The terms "first", "second", etc. in this application are used to distinguish between different objects and not to describe a particular order. Furthermore, the terms "include" and "have," as well as any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not limited to only those steps or elements but may alternatively include other steps or elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Reference herein to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the application. The appearances of the phrase in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by one skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

Referring to fig. 1 to 3 together, fig. 1 discloses a schematic perspective view of an automatic sample feeding device according to an embodiment of the present application, fig. 2 discloses a schematic perspective exploded view of the automatic sample feeding device in fig. 1, and fig. 3 discloses a schematic perspective view of the automatic sample feeding device in fig. 1. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the automatic sample feeding device 100 of the present application can be used for automatically transporting sample racks, such as the current sample rack 50 and the next sample rack 60 (shown in fig. 5). In some embodiments, the automatic sample feeding device 100 may also be used to transport a plurality of samples in the current sample rack 50 to various stations one by one, for example: pipe rotating, code scanning, even shaking and sampling stations.

As shown in fig. 1, the automatic sample feeder 100 may include a support plate 10, a loading mechanism 20 disposed at the bottom of the support plate 10, a feeding mechanism 30 disposed at the bottom of the support plate 10, and an unloading mechanism 40 disposed on the support plate 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the top of the support plate 10 is generally the plane of the unloading mechanism 40, and the bottom of the support plate 10 is generally the plane away from the unloading mechanism 40.

As shown in fig. 1, in some embodiments, the automatic sample feeding device 100 may further include a detection assembly 70 disposed on the support plate 10. In some embodiments, the detection assembly 70 may detect the position of the current sample rack 50 on the support plate 10 and generate a corresponding sensing signal. In other embodiments, the detecting assembly 70 can also detect the number of sample racks on the supporting plate 10 and generate a corresponding sensing signal for determining whether the supporting plate 10 is in a full rack state.

In some embodiments, the automated sample presentation device 100 may further comprise a controller (not shown). Specifically, the controller may be coupled to the loading mechanism 20, the feeding mechanism 30, the unloading mechanism 40, and the detection assembly 70, such as: may be an electrical connection (e.g., a coupling connection), a communication connection, or the like. Thus, during automated transport of the specimen rack, the controller may receive the sensing signal generated by the detection assembly 70. Then, according to the corresponding sensing signals, the controller can control the cooperative actions of the loading mechanism 20, the feeding mechanism 30 and the unloading mechanism 40 to complete the operation of automatically conveying the sample rack.

As shown in fig. 2, in some embodiments, the automatic sample presentation device 100 may further include a first driving member 80 disposed at the bottom of the support plate 10 for driving the loading mechanism 20.

In some embodiments, the automated sample presentation apparatus 100 may further include a second drive member 90 coupled to the unloading mechanism 40 for driving the unloading mechanism 40. Specifically, the second driving member 90 is disposed at the bottom of the support plate 10.

Specifically, the first and second drive members 80, 90 may be stepper motors or other drive motors. It will be appreciated that the first and second drive members 80, 90 may also be connected to a controller, such as: may be an electrical connection (e.g., a coupling connection), a communication connection, or the like.

Please refer to fig. 1 to 3 again. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the support plate 10 has a substantially plate-like structure. Also, as shown in fig. 3, the support plate 10 can be used to place sample racks, e.g., a current sample rack 50, a next sample rack 60. In some embodiments, the support plate 10 may also be referred to as a feed panel or a sample introduction panel.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the support plate 10 is provided with a loading area 11, a feeding area 12 (shown by a dashed box in fig. 3), and an unloading area 13. Wherein the loading area 11 and the unloading area 13 are arranged approximately in parallel, and the feeding area 12 is connected to the same side of the loading area 11 and the unloading area 13 respectively. In particular, the loading zone 11 may be used for placing sample racks, such as the current sample rack 50. The feed zone 12 may be used for the present sample holder 50 to be driven into a feed movement in the feed zone 12. The unloading area 13 can be used for placing the current sample rack 50 after sampling and analysis.

In some embodiments, the direction in which the specimen rack 50 is automatically transferred from the loading area 11 to the feeding area 12 is defined as a first direction Y1. Conversely, the direction in which the specimen rack 50 is automatically transferred from the feeding area 12 to the loading area 11 at present is defined as a second direction Y2; that is, the second direction Y2 is a direction opposite to the first direction Y1.

As shown in fig. 2, the loading area 11 is opened with two through holes 111 disposed substantially in parallel. Specifically, the extending direction of each through-hole 111 may be along the first direction Y1 or the second direction Y2. The loading mechanism 20 may protrude from the bottom of the support plate 10 to the loading region 11 through each of the through holes 111, respectively, and contact the current sample rack 50 in the loading region 11. During the automatic transfer of the current sample rack 50, the loading mechanism 20 may protrude from each through hole 111 to the loading region 11, respectively. The loading mechanism 20 may then continue to move within each through hole 111 in the first direction Y1, thereby transferring the current sample rack 50 from the loading zone 11 to the feeding zone 12. Alternatively, after the current sample rack 50 completely enters the feeding area 12, the loading mechanism 20 may further continue to move in the second direction Y2 to the initial position within each through hole 111. That is, the loading mechanism 20 may reciprocate within each corresponding through hole 111 in the first direction Y1 or the second direction Y2. In some embodiments, each through-hole 111 may be elongated-like.

As shown in fig. 3, the feeding zone 12 may include a first end 121 and a second end 122 spaced from the first end 121. Wherein the loading zone 11 is connected to a first end 121 of the feeding zone 12 and the unloading zone 13 is connected to a second end 122 of the feeding zone 12.

In some embodiments, the location where loading zone 11 is connected to first end 121 is defined as first turnaround zone 1201. Meanwhile, a portion where the unloading zone 13 is connected to the second end 122 is defined as a second commutation zone 1202. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the first diverting section 1201 may also be referred to as a feed preparation section 1201, and similarly, the second diverting section 1202 may also be referred to as a feed completion section 1202. The following description of the present application takes first 1201 and second 1202 commutation regions as examples.

In some embodiments, during the automatic transfer of the current sample rack 50, the feeding direction in which the current sample rack 50 is automatically transferred from the first reversing zone 1201 to the second reversing zone 1202 is defined as the third direction X1. Conversely, a feeding direction in which the specimen rack 50 is automatically conveyed from the second reversing section 1202 to the first reversing section 1201 is defined as a fourth direction X2; that is, the fourth direction X2 is a direction opposite to the third direction X1.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the feeding area 12 may further include a first notch 123 and a second notch 124. The first notch 123 is disposed on a side of the first end 121 facing the second end 122, and the second notch 124 is disposed on a side of the second end 122 facing the first end 121. In some embodiments, the first notch 123 and the second notch 124 each partially overlap the feed zone 12, e.g., the first notch 123 can partially overlap the first diverting zone 1201 and the second notch 124 can partially overlap the second diverting zone 1202.

Further, the feeding mechanism 30 can be extended from the bottom of the supporting plate 10 to the top of the supporting plate 10 through the first notch 123 and the second notch 124, respectively. In some embodiments, the extending directions of the first notch 123 and the second notch 124 may be along the third direction X1 or the fourth direction X2, respectively.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the loading mechanism 20 is provided in the loading area 11 of the support plate 10. Therein, the loading mechanism 20 may be used to push the current sample rack 50 in the loading zone 11 into the feeding zone 12 along the first direction Y1, for example: a first commutation zone 1201. Specifically, the controller controls the loading mechanism 20 to push the current sample rack 50 from the loading zone 11 into the first reversing zone 1201 of the feeding zone 12 in the first direction Y1. The loading mechanism 20 is then controlled to move in the second direction Y2 to the initial position, whereupon the loading mechanism 20 is locked.

In some embodiments, loading mechanism 20 may include two generally parallel arranged loading fingers 21. Wherein each loading finger 21 may protrude above the loading area 11 through a corresponding through hole 111 in the loading area 11. In some embodiments, each loading finger 21 may reciprocate within a corresponding through hole 111 on the loading zone 11 in the first direction Y1 or the second direction Y2, respectively. Thus, when the current sample rack 50 is automatically transferred, each loading finger 21 of the loading mechanism 20 may protrude above the loading area 11 through the corresponding through hole 111 of the loading area 11. Each loading finger 21 is then also in contact with the current sample rack 50 located in the loading zone 11. It will be appreciated that the number of loading fingers 21 shown in fig. 2 and 3 is two, but this is not essential and in some embodiments the number of loading fingers 21 may be more than two. The number of the through holes 111 adapted thereto may be two or more.

Referring to fig. 2 and 4 together, fig. 4 discloses a schematic structural diagram of the feeding mechanism in the embodiment shown in fig. 1. As shown in fig. 2 and 4, the feeding mechanism 30 is disposed in the feeding region 12 of the support plate 10 substantially along the third direction X1 for intermittently feeding the current sample rack 50 of the first reversing region 1201 to various stations for sampling and analysis. Also, after the current sample rack 50 completes the measurement, the feeding mechanism 30 may further convey the current sample rack 50 to the second diverting area 1202.

It will be appreciated that the feed mechanism 30 is also controlled by the controller to transfer the current sample holder 50 from the first diverting section 1201 to the second diverting section 1202.

As shown in fig. 4, the feeding mechanism 30 may include a fixing member 31. Here, the fixing member 31 is fixedly provided with respect to the support plate 10, so that the feeding mechanism 30 can be fixedly provided at the bottom of the support plate 10.

The fixing member 31 may include a first fixing plate 311, and a second fixing plate 312 disposed substantially parallel to the first fixing plate 311. Specifically, the first fixing plate 311 extends from a side adjacent to the first notch 123 to a side adjacent to the second notch 124 substantially along the third direction X1. The second fixing plate 312 is disposed on a side of the second commutation region 1202 adjacent to the second notch 124. In some embodiments, an end of the first fastening plate 311 adjacent to the second notch 124 is disposed parallel to the second fastening plate 312 with a space 313 therebetween. In some embodiments, the length of the second fixation plate 312 is less than the length of the first fixation plate 311. Specifically, the extension length of the first fixing plate 311 in the third direction X1 is greater than or equal to the distance between the first notch 123 and the second notch 124. And the length of the second retaining plate 312 is slightly greater than the length of the second notch 124.

With continued reference to fig. 4, the feed mechanism 30 may further include a slide plate 32 disposed in the space 313. The slide plate 32 is disposed substantially parallel to the first fixing plate 311 of the fixing member 31. In some embodiments, the extension of the sliding plate 32 along the third direction X1 may span and be greater than the distance between the first gap 123 and the second gap 124. In some embodiments, the slide 32 may be driven to reciprocate in the third direction X1 and the fourth direction X2. That is, the slide plate 32 can move relative to the fixing member 31.

In some embodiments, the feeding mechanism 30 may further include a slide rail 33 fixedly connected to the first fixing plate 311. In some embodiments, the slide rail 33 may be fixedly connected to the first fixing plate 311 by a fastener, and the slide plate 32 is configured to reciprocate along the slide rail 33 in the third direction X1 and the fourth direction X2. In some embodiments, the slide rail 33 is further provided with a slide block 331. Specifically, the slider 331 may serve to guide the reciprocating motion of the slide plate 32 when the slide plate 32 reciprocates in the third direction X1 and the fourth direction X2. In some embodiments, two first stoppers 332 are further disposed on a side of the first fixing plate 311 facing the slide rail 33. The two first limiting members 332 may be disposed at two opposite ends of the first fixing plate 311, so as to limit the slider 331 from reciprocating between the two first limiting members 332 along the third direction X1 and the fourth direction X2.

As shown in fig. 4, in some embodiments, the feeding mechanism 30 may further include two feeding fingers 34 disposed on a side of the slide plate 32 facing away from the slide rail 33. Wherein two feed fingers 34 are oppositely disposed at both ends of the slide plate 32. Specifically, one of the two feed fingers 34 is disposed at an end of the slide plate 32 adjacent to the first notch 123, and the other is disposed at an end of the slide plate 32 adjacent to the second notch 124. Also, each feed finger 34 may protrude from the corresponding notch (first notch 123, second notch 124) and then from the bottom of the support plate 10 to the top of the support plate 10. One or both of the two feed fingers 34 may then come into contact with the current sample rack 50, e.g. a crossbar 51 (shown in fig. 6) of the current sample rack 50. In some embodiments, during the time that the loading mechanism 20 pushes the current sample rack 50 from the loading zone 11 into the first diverting zone 1201, the feed finger 34 is configured such that the feed finger 34 may extend into the corresponding notch and be located on the side of the notch remote from the first diverting zone 1201.

In some embodiments, the feed finger 34 can be moved back and forth by the slide plate 32 within the corresponding gap (e.g., the first gap 123 and the second gap 124) to intermittently move the sample rack 50 from the first reversing area 1201 to each of the work stations along the third direction X1. Specifically, during one reciprocating motion, when the feeding finger 34 is moved by the sliding plate 32 in the fourth direction X2 within the corresponding gap range, the feeding finger 34 may be moved by the sliding plate 32 from the first position of the second gap 124 near the end of the second reversing area 1202 to the second position in the fourth direction X2, so that the feeding finger 34 abuts against the beam 51 of the current sample rack 50 located in the first reversing area 1201. When the feed finger 34 moves to the second position, it can be further moved by the slide plate 32 in the fourth direction X2 within the corresponding notch range, and at the same time, the feed finger 34 is also driven to rotate in the first rotation direction R1 (as shown in fig. 6) by being blocked by the cross beam 51 of the current sample rack 50, so that the feed finger 34 crosses the cross beam 51 of the current sample rack 50. When the feed finger 34 moves to cross the cross beam 51 of the current sample rack 50, the feed finger 34 is driven to rotate in a second rotational direction R2 (shown in fig. 6) opposite to the first rotational direction R1, so that the feed finger 34 can again abut against the cross beam 51 of the current sample rack 50 while being moved in the third direction X1 within the corresponding range of the notch by the slide plate 32. When the feeding pusher dog 34 butts against the beam 51 of the current sample rack 50 again, the feeding pusher dog 34 is driven by the sliding plate 32 to continue to move along the third direction X1 in the corresponding notch range, so as to drive the current sample rack 50 to move along the third direction X1 to the next station, and meanwhile, the feeding pusher dog 34 also moves to the first position, that is: the feed finger 34 is reset. At this time, the feed finger 34 is moved back and forth by the slide plate 32 and drives the current sample holder 50 to complete a feeding movement, and at this time, the reset feed finger 34 can continue to drive the current sample holder 50 to enter the next feeding movement. That is, the feed finger 34 is driven by the slide plate 32 to reciprocate within the corresponding notch, thereby intermittently moving the specimen holder 50 from the first reversing area 1201 to each station. This is repeated until the current sample rack 50 is finished testing. After the test is completed, the feed finger 34 may further move the current sample rack 50 to the second reversing area 1202.

It is understood that the first position may also be referred to as an initial position and, similarly, the second position may also be referred to as a target position.

It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the feed finger 34 may include multiple states of motion during a single reciprocating motion, such as: a first state, a second state, a third state, etc. When the feed finger 34 is in the first state, the feed finger 34 may extend into the corresponding notch and be located on a first side of the cross beam 51 of the current sample holder 50. When the feed finger 34 is in the second state, the feed finger 34 may be blocked by the cross member 51 of the specimen rack 50 to rotate to cross the cross member 51. When the feed finger 34 is in the second state, the feed finger 34 is located on a second side of the cross member 51 opposite the first side and is capable of pushing the cross member 51.

It will be appreciated that the feed finger 34 may also be referred to as a feed finger.

It will be appreciated that although two feed fingers 34 are shown in FIG. 4, this is not required. Also, in some embodiments, the number of the feed finger 34 may be plural, for example, three, four, etc., and is not limited in this application. As long as the feed finger 34 can intermittently move the current sample rack 50 from the first reversing area 1201 to each station and continuously move the current sample rack 50 to the second reversing area 1202. It will be readily appreciated that when the number of feed fingers 34 is plural, the notches in the feed area 12 may also be plural, as long as the number of feed fingers 34 is compatible.

Furthermore, it is shown in fig. 4 that two feed fingers 34 are arranged opposite each other at the ends of the slide plate 32, but this is not essential. In other embodiments, the feed finger 34 may be disposed at other positions on the slide plate 32, and the specific location thereof is not limited in this application.

In some embodiments, the feeding mechanism 30 may further include two fixed shafts 35 disposed on the slide plate 32. Each fixed shaft 35 can penetrate through the corresponding feeding finger 34 and is movably connected with the corresponding feeding finger 34. Each feed finger 34 is rotatable about a corresponding fixed shaft 35 in a first rotational direction R1.

In some embodiments, the feeding mechanism 30 further includes two second limiting members 36 disposed oppositely. Wherein each second stop member 36 is disposed adjacent to the corresponding feed finger 34. Specifically, one of the two second stoppers 36 is disposed adjacent to a side of the corresponding feed finger 34 facing the other feed finger 34. And, the other of the two second stop members 36 is adjacent to the feed finger 34 disposed on a side of the corresponding feed finger 34 facing away from the other feed finger 34. That is, the second stoppers 36 are adjacent to the corresponding feed fingers 34 and are alternately disposed between the feed fingers 34. Thus, each of the second stoppers 36 can restrict the corresponding feed finger 34 from continuing to rotate about the corresponding fixed shaft 35 in the first rotational direction R1. In some embodiments, each second limiting member 36 may be disposed adjacent to the corresponding feed finger 34 such that each feed finger 34 in the initial state is in contact with the corresponding second limiting member 36. In some embodiments, each second retaining member 36 may be a retaining pin or other type of screw or pin, so long as the retaining function is achieved.

In some embodiments, the feed mechanism 30 further includes two torsion springs 37. Wherein one end of each torsion spring 37 is provided on the slide plate 32 and the other end is in elastic contact with the corresponding feed finger 34. Specifically, when both of the feed fingers 34 are driven to rotate in the first rotational direction R1, each torsion spring 37 may follow the corresponding feed finger 34 to also rotate in the first rotational direction R1, and be deformed to store elastic potential energy, thereby providing elastic force to the corresponding feed finger 34. Since there is a frictional resistance between the current sample rack 50 and the support plate 10 during the automatic transfer of the current sample rack 50. Also, the resistance frictional force is larger than the elastic force provided by each torsion spring 37 to the corresponding feed finger 34, so that the two feed fingers 34 cannot push the sample holder 50 to continue moving in the third direction X1.

It is to be understood that fig. 4 shows that the number of the fixed shaft 35, the stopper 36, and the torsion spring 37 is two, but this is not essential. In some embodiments, when the number of the feed fingers 34 is two or more, the number of the three may be two or more, as long as the number is adapted to the number of the feed fingers 34.

In some embodiments, the feed mechanism 30 further includes a timing belt 38 in driving engagement with the sled 32. Wherein the timing belt 38 is disposed on a side of the slide plate 32 away from the first notch 123 and the second notch 124.

In some embodiments, the feeding mechanism 30 further includes a third driving member 39 disposed on the first fixing plate 311. Specifically, the third driving element 39 is disposed on a side of the first fixing plate 311 facing away from the slide rail 33, and is located at an end of the first fixing plate 311 adjacent to the first notch 123. The third drive member 39 may be used to power the feed mechanism 30, for example, the power required by each feed finger 34 to advance the specimen holder 50. More specifically, the third driving member 39 can drive the rotation shaft to rotate, the rotation shaft drives the timing belt 38 to rotate, and the timing belt 38 drives the sliding plate 32 to move. It will be appreciated that the third drive member 39, like the first and second drive members 80, 90, may also be a stepper motor or other drive motor.

Please refer to fig. 1 to 3 again. The unloading mechanism 40 is disposed in the feed area 12 of the support plate 10 adjacent to one side of the second diverting area 1202. Wherein the unloading mechanism 40 may include a swing portion 41. As shown in FIG. 2, the second drive member 90 may include a motor output shaft 91 drivingly connected to the discharge mechanism 40. Wherein the swing portion 41 is rotatable around the motor output shaft 91. In some embodiments, the swing portion 41 may contact and push the current sample rack 50 into the unloading zone 13 during the time when the current sample rack 50 is driven to push into the unloading zone 13 from the second diverting zone 1202 of the feeding zone 12.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the sensing assembly 70 may include a plurality of sensors disposed on the support plate 10. Among them, the plurality of sensors may sense the current position of the sample rack 50 on the support plate 10 or detect the number of sample racks on the support plate 10 and generate a sensing signal.

In some embodiments, the detection assembly 70 may include a first sensor 71 disposed on a side of the first diverting section 1201 of the feeding section 12 away from the loading section 11. The first sensor 71 may sense a current sample rack 50 entering the loading area 11 and generate a first sensing signal to determine whether the current sample rack 50 exists in the loading area 11. In some embodiments, the first sensor 71 may also sense the current sample rack 50 entering the first reversing area 1201 and generate a second sensing signal to determine whether the loading mechanism 20 is reset to the initial bit value. Specifically, when the controller receives the second sensing signal, the controller may control each loading finger 21 of the loading mechanism 20 to move to the initial position in the second direction Y2 (i.e., the loading mechanism 20 is reset).

In some embodiments, the loading mechanism 20 senses whether a sample rack has entered the first diverting section 1201 after completing one push-in, reset motion by the first sensor 71. If the first sensor 71 senses that no sample rack enters the first reversing area 1201, it is determined that no sample rack exists in the loading area 11 at this time. If the first sensor 71 senses that a sample rack enters the first reversing area 1201, it is determined that a sample rack exists in the loading area 11 at this time. That is, the specific operation of the loading mechanism 20 can be determined according to whether a sample rack exists in the loading area 11. Namely: if a sample rack exists in the loading area 11, the loading mechanism 20 completes one pushing and resetting action, and the reciprocating cycle is repeated; if the loading area 11 is no longer provided with sample racks, the loading mechanism 20 is not actuated to wait for the next batch of sample racks to be loaded into the loading area 11.

Thus, it can be determined by the first sensor 71 whether the current sample rack 50 entering the feeding zone 12 completely leaves the first reversing zone 1201 of the feeding zone 12. If the current sample rack 50 does not completely exit the first turnaround area 1201, the loading mechanism 20 continues to be locked. If the current sample rack 50 completely leaves the first reversing zone 1201, the loading mechanism 20 is unlocked. At this time, the controller may control the loading mechanism 20 to push the next sample rack 60 into the first diverting section 1201.

In other embodiments, the movement of the loading mechanism 20 in the first direction Y1 or the second direction Y2 may be controlled by a controller. Specifically, the movement stroke of the loading mechanism 20 in the first direction Y1 may be set to S. If the first sensor 71 senses that the current sample rack 50 enters the first reversing area 1201 in the movement stroke S, the loading mechanism 20 is reset along the second direction Y2; if the first sensor 71 does not sense the current sample rack 50, the loading mechanism 20 is reset in the second direction Y2 after moving S.

In some embodiments, the detection assembly 70 further includes a second sensor 72 disposed on a side of the first gap 123 adjacent the feeding area 12. Here, the second sensor 72 may sense the current sample rack 50 entering the second reversing area 1202 and leaving the first reversing area 1201 and generate a third sensing signal to determine whether the current sample rack 50 entering the feeding area 12 completely leaves the first reversing area 1201 and push the next sample rack 60 into the first reversing area 1201.

In some embodiments, when the second sensor 72 senses that the current sample rack 50 does not completely exit the first reversing area 1201, the first sensor 71 may also simultaneously sense whether the next sample rack 60 enters the feeding area 12. If the first sensor 71 senses that the next sample rack 60 enters the feeding zone 12 and the second sensor 72 senses that the current sample rack 50 does not completely exit the first reversing zone 1201, an alarm signal is generated. When the controller receives the alarm signal, the controller judges that the misoperation exists at this moment.

The second sensor 72 can be used for judging whether the sample rack 50 completely leaves the first reversing area 1201 or not, and human misoperation can be prevented.

In some embodiments, detection assembly 70 further includes a third sensor 73 disposed on a side of second diverting section 1202 adjacent discharge mechanism 40. Wherein the third sensor 73 may sense the current sample rack 50 being fed intermittently from the first reversing zone 1201 to the respective station and into the second reversing zone 1202 and generate a fourth sensing signal (which may also be referred to as a feed signal).

Specifically, when the specimen rack 50 is about to be fed intermittently from the first reversing section 1201 to each station, the third sensor 73 senses and generates a fourth sensing signal. When the controller receives the fourth sensing signal, the controller controls the feeding finger 34 of the feeding mechanism 30 to move from the first position of the first notch 123 near one end of the second reversing area 1202 to the second position of the second notch 124 near one end of the first reversing area 1201 along the fourth direction X2 until the feeding finger abuts against the cross beam 51 of the current sample rack 50. The controller may also control the feed finger 34 of the feed mechanism 30 to return to the first position after the current sample rack 50 has completed one feed movement.

In some embodiments, when the controller receives the fourth sensing signal, the controller may further control the sample analyzer to perform corresponding operations, such as: the unloading mechanism 40 is controlled to push the current sample rack 50 that has completed testing from the second diverting section 1202 of the feeding section 12 into the unloading section 13.

Thus, it can be determined by the third sensor 73 whether the sample rack 50 has completely entered the second reversing area 1202 of the feeding area 12. If the current sample rack 50 does not fully enter the second diverting section 1202, the unloading mechanism 40 is continuously locked. If the current sample rack 50 fully enters the second turnaround region 1202, the unloading mechanism 40 is unlocked. At this time, the controller controls the unloading mechanism 40 to push the present sample rack 50 into the unloading zone 13.

In some embodiments, the detection assembly 70 further includes a fourth sensor 74 disposed on a side of the unload region 13 remote from the second commutation region 1202. Wherein, the fourth sensor 74 can sense the current sample rack 50 entering the unloading area 13 and generate a fifth sensing signal to determine whether the unloading area 13 is full. If the controller receives the fifth sensing signal, it determines that the unloading area 13 is full. At this time, the controller locks the unloading mechanism 40 and the loading mechanism 20.

In some embodiments, when the controller receives the fifth sensing signal, the controller may control the sample analyzer to perform corresponding operations, such as: and stopping the automatic sample feeding action.

It will be appreciated that the detection assembly 70, for example: the first sensor 71, the second sensor 72, the third sensor 73, and the fourth sensor 74 may each be communicatively coupled to the controller.

In order to make the above description clearer, fig. 3 and 5 to 11 of the present application also show schematic diagrams of automatic transfer of sample racks according to the automatic sample feeding device in the embodiment of the present application. The following describes the operation process in an embodiment of the present application with reference to fig. 5 to 11, which is as follows:

fig. 3 discloses a schematic view of the automatic sample feeding device in fig. 1 from another perspective, and also shows a first state of the automatic sample feeding device, that is: the specimen rack 50 is now automatically transferred from the loading zone 11 to the feeding zone 12. As shown in fig. 3, the first sensor 71 may sense the current sample rack 50 entering the loading area 11 and generate a first sensing signal. At this time, it is determined that the sample rack 50 is present in the loading area 11. When the controller receives the first sensing signal, each loading finger 21 of the loading mechanism 20 may be controlled to contact the current sample rack 50 in the loading area 11. The loading mechanism 20 may then push the current sample rack 50 located at the loading zone 11 in the first direction Y1 from the loading zone 11 into the first diverting zone 1201 of the feeding zone 12. Further, the first sensor 71 senses that the current sample rack 50 is pushed into the first reversing area 1201, and generates a second sensing signal. When the controller receives the second sensing signal, it may control each loading finger 21 of the loading mechanism 20 to move to the initial position along the second direction Y2 to contact the next sample rack 60 entering the loading area 11.

As shown in fig. 5, fig. 5 shows a second state of the automatic sample feeding apparatus, that is: the current sample rack 50 is automatically transferred from the first diverting section 1201 to the second diverting section 1202 and the next sample rack 60 enters the loading section 11. As shown in fig. 5, when the second sensor 72 senses that the current sample rack 50 entering the feeding area 12 completely exits the first reversing area 1201, a third sensing signal is generated. When the controller receives the third sensing signal, the controller may control the loading mechanism 20 to complete a pushing and resetting operation, and then push the next sample rack 60 from the loading area 11 to the first reversing area 1201 along the first direction Y1.

Referring to fig. 6 to 11 together, fig. 6 to 11 show a state that the feeding mechanism of fig. 1 drives the current sample rack to move.

Fig. 6 shows the first state of the feed mechanism, namely: the present sample holder 50 entering the first reversing zone 1201 is about to undergo a feed movement. As shown in fig. 6, the current sample rack 50 may include a cross member 51 disposed at the bottom of the current sample rack 50 (the cross member 51 may also be referred to as a fitting portion of the sample rack). Among them, the feed finger 34 of the feed mechanism 30 may contact with the cross beam 51 of the current sample rack 50, thereby intermittently feeding the current sample rack 50 to each station in the third direction X1.

As shown in fig. 6, when the third sensor 73 senses the current sample rack 50 to be intermittently fed from the first reversing area 1201 to each station, a fourth sensing signal is generated. When the controller receives the fourth sensing signal, the sliding plate 32 of the feeding mechanism 30 can be controlled to drive the left feeding finger 34 to move from the initial position of the first gap 123 close to the end of the second commutation zone 1202 to the target position of the first gap 123 close to the end of the first commutation zone 1201 along the fourth direction X2; at the same time, the slide plate 32 moves the right feeding finger 34 from the initial position of the second notch 124 near the end of the second reversing area 1202 to the target position of the second notch 124 near the end of the first reversing area 1201 in the fourth direction X2.

Fig. 7 is a second state of the feed mechanism. As shown in fig. 7, the left feed finger 34 moves in the fourth direction X2 until the feed finger 34 interferes with the bottom cross member 51 of the current sample rack 50. Since each torsion spring 37 deformed at this time provides the corresponding feed finger 34 with an elastic force smaller than the resistance friction force between the current sample rack 50 and the support plate 10, the feed finger 34 cannot push the current sample rack 50 to follow the feed finger 34 to move in the fourth direction X2.

Fig. 8 is a third state of the feed mechanism. As shown in fig. 8, the slide plate 32 continues to move the feed finger 34 together in the fourth direction X2 from the time when the feed finger 34 contacts the cross beam 51 of the current sample rack 50. At the same time, the feed finger 34 can also rotate around the corresponding fixed shaft 35 in the first rotating direction R1, and the feed finger 34 is separated from the corresponding second limiting member 36 and no longer contacts the second limiting member. In the process, the torsion spring 37 also rotates in the first direction of rotation R1 following the corresponding feed finger 34 and is deformed to store elastic potential energy. Until the feed finger 34 crosses the cross member 51 of the current sample rack 50, the torsion spring 37 stops rotating.

Fig. 9 is a fourth state of the feed mechanism. As shown in fig. 9, when the torsion spring 37 stops rotating, the feed finger 34 no longer contacts the cross member 51 of the present sample rack 50. At this time, the torsion spring 37 releases the elastic potential energy to drive the corresponding feeding finger 34 to rotate along the second rotating direction R2, and at the same time, the feeding finger 34 is driven by the sliding plate 32 to move along the third direction X1 until the feeding finger 34 contacts the corresponding second limiting member 36 again.

Fig. 10 is a fifth state of the feed mechanism. As shown in fig. 10, the feed finger 34 moves in the third direction X1 to come into contact with the cross member 51 of the present sample rack 50 again. At this time, the feed finger 34 tends to rotate in the second rotational direction R2. At this time, the feeding finger 34 is limited by the corresponding second limiting member 36, so that the feeding finger 34 does not rotate continuously in the second rotating direction R2.

Fig. 11 shows a sixth state of the feed mechanism. As shown in fig. 11, the slide plate 32 continues to move the feed finger 34 in the third direction X1 from the moment when the feed finger 34 again abuts against the cross beam 51 of the current sample rack 50. Since the pushing force of the slide plate 32 is greater than the resistance friction force between the current sample rack 50 and the support plate 10, the feed finger 34 pushes the current sample rack 50 to move in the third direction X1 to the next station. At the same time, the controller controls each feed finger 34 to move to an initial position at one end of the second reversing segment 1202 and lock each feed finger 34. To this end, the feed finger 34 is moved by the slide plate 32 in a reciprocating motion and carries the specimen holder 50 to a feed motion. At this time, the reset feed finger 34 may continue to bring the current sample rack 50 into the next feed motion, and so on until the current sample rack 50 completes the test. It is noted that, in fig. 6 to 11, since the current sample rack 50 is pushed to move for the first time, only the left feeding finger 34 (the side of the slide plate 32 adjacent to the first notch 123 is referred to as the left side) and the driving process of the current sample rack 50 are shown; it will be readily appreciated that during continued pushing movement of the current sample rack 50, there will also be situations where both feed fingers 34 are engaged with the current sample rack 50; furthermore, at a later stage of the movement of pushing the current sample rack 50, a situation may occur in which only the right feed finger 34 (the side of the slide plate 32 adjacent to the second notch 124 is referred to as the right side) is engaged with the current sample rack 50. The structure and operation of the right feed finger 34 are the same as those of the left feed finger 34, and will not be described again.

After the current sample rack 50 is tested, the controller controls the feeding finger 34 to continue to drive the current sample rack 50 to move to the second reversing area 1202. When the third sensor 73 senses that the current sample rack 50 completely enters the second reversing area 1202, the second driving member 90 drives the swing portion 41 of the unloading mechanism 40 to rotate to a preset angle in a clockwise direction (a direction from the second reversing area 1202 to the unloading area 13). At this time, the swing portion 41 may push the current sample rack 50 to rotate together to a certain angle. The pivoting element 41 then rotates back into the starting position in the counterclockwise direction (direction from the unloading zone 13 to the second switching zone 1202). And the next sample rack 60 is pushed by the automatic sample feeding device 100 to align the current sample rack 50 at a certain angle. By this, the entire current sample rack 50 reaches the unloading zone 13.

The automatic sample feeding device 100 in the present application uses a feeding mechanism 30 with a novel structure to drive the current sample rack 50 to intermittently move from the first reversing area 1201 to each station and continue to move to the second reversing area 1202. Namely: after the current sample rack 50 enters the first reversing area 1201 of the feeding area 12, the controller may control the sliding plate 32 of the feeding mechanism 30 to drive the feeding pusher dog 34 to reciprocate within the range of the notch, so as to drive the current sample rack 50 to intermittently feed to each station for sampling and analysis from the first reversing area 1201 along the third direction X1. After the sampling and analysis of the current sample rack 50 are completed, the feed finger 34 of the feeding mechanism 30 continues to bring the current sample rack 50, which has completed the measurement, completely into the second reversing area 1202 of the feeding area 12 along the third direction X1. After all sampling and analysis is completed, the controller may control the swing portion 41 of the unloading mechanism 40 to push the current sample rack 50 in the second direction Y2 from the second diverting section 1202 of the feeding section 12 to the unloading section 13.

The automatic sample feeding device 100 in the application can realize that the sample rack 50 is intermittently fed to each station at present without arranging an avoiding body. The friction between the feeding pusher dog 34 of the feeding mechanism 30 and the avoiding body can be reduced, the noise caused by abrasion and mutual friction between the feeding pusher dog and the avoiding body can be avoided, and the phenomenon that the pusher dog of the feeding pusher dog 34 is stuck in the moving process away from the avoiding body can be avoided. Therefore, the automatic sample feeding device 100 provided by the application can enable the sample rack to be conveyed more stably and work more reliably, and meanwhile, the sample to be detected can be more accurately conveyed and limited at the test station.

In addition, the automatic sample feeding device 100 has reset the feed finger 34 while completing one feed motion, and the feed finger 34 may block and limit the current sample rack 50. Therefore, the automatic sample feeding device 100 in the application does not need to be provided with a blocking limiting device independently, the equipment structure is simplified, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

Fig. 12 shows a schematic diagram of a sample analyzer in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 12, a sample analyzer 200 of the present disclosure includes: a housing 210; a detection system 220 disposed within the housing 210 for detecting a sample; and the automatic sample feeding device 100, the automatic sample feeding device 100 is disposed in the housing 210 to automatically transfer the sample to be tested to the testing system 220. The sample analyzer 200 of this embodiment has the same advantages as the automatic sample feeding device 100 of this embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted here.

The above description is only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application, which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents, and all changes that can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

1. An automatic sample presentation device for automatically transporting a sample rack, the automatic sample presentation device comprising:

the device comprises a supporting plate, a feeding device and a discharging device, wherein the supporting plate is provided with a loading area, an unloading area and a feeding area which connects the loading area and the unloading area, the feeding area comprises a feeding preparation area, a feeding completion area and a notch, and the notch is partially overlapped with the feeding area;

a loading mechanism for pushing the sample rack from the loading zone into the feed preparation zone; and

the feeding mechanism is arranged to correspond to the feeding area and is provided with a feeding pusher dog; the feeding pusher dog is driven to reciprocate in the gap range so as to drive the sample rack to intermittently move to each station until the sample rack is driven to the feeding completion area.

2. The automated sample presentation device according to claim 1, wherein the feed finger is configured to: during the period that the loading mechanism pushes the sample rack into the feeding preparation area from the loading area, the feeding finger extends into the notch and is positioned on one side of the notch far away from the feeding preparation area.

3. The automatic sample presentation device according to claim 1, wherein the feed finger includes at least a first state, a second state, and a third state during one reciprocating movement; in the first state, the feeding pusher dog extends into the notch and is positioned on a first side of a matching part of the sample rack; in the second state, the feed finger is blocked by the fitting portion to rotate so as to straddle the fitting portion; in the third state, the feeding pusher dog is located on a second side of the matching part opposite to the first side and can push the matching part.

4. The automatic sample presentation device according to claim 1, wherein during one reciprocating movement, the feed finger is configured to be driven to move within the gap from a first position of the gap near one end of the feed completion area toward the feed preparation area in a fourth direction to a second position such that the feed finger interferes with a mating portion of the sample rack located in the feed preparation area;

the feed finger is configured to be driven to continue moving in the fourth direction within the range of the notch based on the feed finger moving to the second position while also being driven to rotate in a first rotational direction by the interference of the engagement portion such that the feed finger straddles the engagement portion;

the feed finger is configured to be driven to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction based on the feed finger crossing the mating portion, such that the feed finger can again interfere with the mating portion while also being driven to move in a third direction opposite to the fourth direction within the range of the notch;

the feeding pusher dog is configured to be driven to continue to move along the third direction in the range of the notch based on the fact that the feeding pusher dog abuts against the matching portion again, so that the sample rack is driven to move to the next station along the third direction, and meanwhile the feeding pusher dog moves to the first position.

5. The automated sample presentation device according to claim 4, wherein said gap comprises at least:

the first notch is arranged on one side of the feeding preparation area, which faces the feeding completion area; and

the second gap is arranged on one side of the feeding completion area, which faces the feeding preparation area;

the feed finger includes at least:

the first feeding pusher dog is arranged on one side adjacent to the first notch, extends out of the first notch and can abut against the sample rack; and

and the second feeding pusher dog is arranged on one side adjacent to the second notch, extends out of the second notch and can abut against the sample rack.

6. The automated sample presentation device of claim 5, wherein said feed mechanism further comprises:

the fixing piece is fixedly arranged relative to the supporting plate;

the sliding plate is arranged in parallel with the fixed part and can move relative to the fixed part;

the fixed shaft is arranged on the sliding plate, penetrates through the feeding pusher dog and is movably connected with the feeding pusher dog so that the feeding pusher dog rotates around the fixed shaft; and

the first limiting piece is arranged adjacent to the feeding shifting claw.

7. The automated sample presentation device according to claim 6, wherein said fixture comprises:

the first fixing plate extends from one side adjacent to the first notch to one side adjacent to the second notch along the third direction and is arranged in parallel with the sliding plate; and

the second fixing plate is arranged in parallel with the first fixing plate;

wherein a space is provided between the first fixing plate and the second fixing plate, and the sliding plate is disposed in the space.

8. The automated sample presentation device according to claim 7, wherein said feed mechanism further comprises: and the sliding rail is fixedly connected with the first fixing plate and used for guiding the sliding plate to reciprocate.

9. The automated sample presentation device of claim 5, further comprising:

an unloading mechanism arranged on one side of the feeding area adjacent to the feeding completion area, wherein the unloading mechanism is configured to contact with the sample rack positioned in the feeding completion area and push the sample rack into an unloading area; and

the detection subassembly sets up in the backup pad to detect the sample frame is located the position on the backup pad and generate corresponding induction signal, the detection subassembly includes:

a first sensor disposed on a side of the feeding preparation area remote from the loading area, the first sensor being configured to sense the sample rack entering the loading area or to sense the sample rack entering the feeding preparation area;

a second sensor disposed adjacent to a side of the first notch, the second sensor configured to sense entry of the sample rack that will exit the feed preparation area and will enter the feed completion area;

a third sensor disposed on a side of the feeding completion area adjacent to the unloading mechanism, the third sensor being configured to sense the sample rack fed from the feeding preparation area to the respective stations or entering the feeding completion area at intervals;

a fourth sensor disposed at a side of the unloading zone away from the feeding completion zone, the fourth sensor configured to sense the sample rack entering the unloading zone.

10. The automated sample presentation device of claim 9, further comprising: the controller is respectively connected with the loading mechanism, the feeding mechanism, the unloading mechanism and the detection assembly, and is configured to receive the sensing signal generated by the detection assembly and control the matching action of the loading mechanism, the feeding mechanism and the unloading mechanism.

11. The automated sample presentation device according to claim 1, wherein said feed mechanism further comprises: the torsion spring is in elastic contact with the feeding pusher dog and synchronously rotates along with the rotation of the feeding pusher dog, and then deforms along with the rotation of the feeding pusher dog to store elastic potential energy so as to provide elasticity for the feeding pusher dog.

12. A sample analyzer, comprising: the method comprises the following steps:

a housing;

the detection system is arranged in the shell and is used for detecting the sample; and

the automated sample presentation device of any one of claims 1-11, disposed within the housing, to automatically deliver a sample to be tested to a test system.

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