CN219340589U

CN219340589U - Sample frame driving device and sample box low-temperature storage equipment

Info

Publication number: CN219340589U
Application number: CN202223505900.0U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 郑古成; 何森
Original assignee: Base Biotechnology Chengdu Co ltd
Current assignee: Base Biotechnology Chengdu Co ltd
Priority date: 2022-12-27
Filing date: 2022-12-27
Publication date: 2023-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2032-12-27

Abstract

The utility model relates to a sample rack driving device and sample box low-temperature storage equipment, wherein the sample rack driving device comprises a first driving mechanism and a connecting mechanism, the connecting mechanism is positioned at the outer sides of a plurality of sample racks which are sequentially arranged along a first horizontal direction, and the first driving mechanism is connected with the connecting mechanism. After the connecting mechanism is connected with one target storage rack in all the sample racks, the connecting mechanism drives the target storage rack and the first side storage rack to move a preset distance along the moving direction under the driving of the first driving mechanism, so that an access space is formed between the target storage rack and the second side storage rack. Compared with the prior art, the sample rack driving device is simpler in structure and lower in production and manufacturing cost.

Description

Sample frame driving device and sample box low-temperature storage equipment

Technical Field

The application relates to the field of low-temperature storage, in particular to a sample rack driving device and sample box low-temperature storage equipment.

Background

Since the lower the temperature is, the slower the biochemical reaction speed of the biological sample is, and the longer the biological sample is stored, the biological sample is usually stored in a freezing tube of a sample box, then the sample box is stored on a sample rack, and then the sample rack is placed in a biological sample storage device with a low-temperature environment inside, so as to realize the low-temperature storage of the biological sample.

In the prior art, in order to store a sample box in a certain sample rack or take out a sample box from a certain sample rack, a driving mechanism is arranged on each sample rack, and the sample rack can be driven to move so as to store the sample box in a certain sample rack or take out the sample box from a certain sample rack. For example, the patent CN208775586U discloses a sample rack driving method similar to that of the patent, and the sample box low-temperature storage device disclosed in the patent includes a plurality of rack groups for storing sample boxes, each rack group includes 2 rack bodies, and each rack body is provided with a driving device for controlling the rack bodies separately so as to control the rack bodies on the corresponding sides to move. Due to the adoption of a plurality of driving devices, the technical problem of high production and manufacturing costs of the whole mechanism exists.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, the present utility model provides a sample rack driving device for overcoming the technical problem of high production and manufacturing costs of the whole mechanism due to the adoption of a plurality of driving devices in the prior art.

The first aspect of the embodiment of the application discloses a sample rack driving device, which comprises a first driving mechanism and a connecting mechanism; the connecting mechanism is positioned at the outer sides of the plurality of sample racks which are sequentially arranged along the first horizontal direction, and the first driving mechanism is connected with the connecting mechanism; after the connecting mechanism is connected with one target storage rack in all the sample racks, the first driving mechanism drives the connecting mechanism to drive the target storage rack and the first side storage rack to move for a preset distance along the moving direction, so that an access space is formed between the target storage rack and the second side storage rack. Wherein the movement direction is the first horizontal direction or a direction opposite to the first horizontal direction; the first side storage rack is all the sample racks positioned behind the target storage rack along the movement direction; the second side storage rack is one of the sample racks adjacent to the front of the target storage rack in the moving direction.

In an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the connection mechanism comprises a first docking portion and a connection drive assembly, the connection drive assembly being connected to the first docking portion, each sample rack comprising a second docking portion detachably connected to the first docking portion.

In an alternative embodiment of the utility model, one of the first docking portion and the second docking portion includes a connection protrusion, and the other includes a connection hole; the connecting driving assembly comprises a first motor, and the connecting mechanism further comprises a transmission assembly, wherein the transmission assembly is respectively connected with an output shaft of the first motor and the first butt joint part; alternatively, the connection driving assembly comprises an electric cylinder, and a moving end of the electric cylinder is connected with the first butting part.

In an alternative embodiment of the present utility model, the connection mechanism further includes a first slider connected to the connection driving assembly, and a second slider connected to the first docking portion; the first sliding piece is connected with the second sliding piece in a sliding mode, and one of the first sliding piece and the second sliding piece is arranged along the direction that the connection driving assembly drives the first butt joint part to move.

In an alternative embodiment of the present utility model, the connection mechanism includes a linkage assembly and a plurality of first docking portions, the linkage assembly being connected to the plurality of first docking portions and to the connection driving assembly; each sample rack comprises a plurality of second butting parts which are detachably connected with the plurality of first butting parts respectively; the linkage assembly drives at least two first butt joint parts and at least two second butt joint parts to form connection or disconnection under the drive of the connection driving assembly.

In an alternative embodiment of the present utility model, the first driving mechanism includes a second motor and a second transmission assembly, where the second transmission assembly includes a first transmission wheel, a second transmission wheel and a first transmission belt, where the first transmission wheel and the second transmission wheel are sequentially disposed along the first horizontal direction, an output shaft of the second motor is connected with an end surface of the first transmission wheel, and the first transmission belt is connected with the connection mechanism; the first transmission belt is sleeved on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first transmission wheel and the second transmission wheel.

In an alternative embodiment of the present utility model, the first driving mechanism includes a second motor, a second transmission assembly and a third transmission assembly, where the second transmission assembly and the third transmission assembly are sequentially disposed along a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction; the output shaft of the second motor is connected with the second transmission assembly and the third transmission assembly respectively, and the second transmission assembly and the third transmission assembly are connected with the connecting mechanism respectively.

In an alternative embodiment of the present utility model, the first driving mechanism further includes a connection shaft disposed along the second horizontal direction; the connecting shaft is connected with an output shaft of the second motor, and the second transmission assembly and the third transmission assembly are respectively connected with two ends of the connecting shaft.

In an alternative embodiment of the present utility model, the first driving mechanism further includes a fourth transmission assembly, wherein the fourth transmission assembly connects an output shaft of the second motor and one end of the connecting shaft, and the second motor and the connecting shaft are stacked in a direction perpendicular to the second horizontal direction.

A second aspect of the embodiments of the present application discloses a sample box low-temperature storage device, including the aforementioned sample rack driving device, a refrigerator, and a plurality of sample racks; the refrigerator is internally provided with a freezing space for accommodating the sample rack; the plurality of sample frames are sequentially arranged along the first horizontal direction, and the plurality of sample frames are positioned in the freezing space; each sample rack is provided with at least one supporting piece, a sample placing space is formed in each supporting piece, and one side or two sides of each sample placing space along the first horizontal direction are communicated with the outside.

The sample rack driving device comprises a first driving mechanism and a connecting mechanism, wherein the connecting mechanism is connected with one target storage rack in all sample racks, and the connecting mechanism drives the target storage rack and the first side storage rack to move a preset distance along the movement direction under the driving of the first driving mechanism so as to form an access space between the target storage rack and the second side storage rack. In order to move the sample holders, each holder body for storing the sample cartridges is provided with a driving device for individually driving the movement of the sample holders, as in the aforementioned publication No. CN 208775586U. Therefore, the technical scheme disclosed by the utility model does not need to be provided with a corresponding driving device for each sample rack as in the prior art. Therefore, compared with the prior art, the sample rack driving device provided by the application is simpler in structure and lower in production and manufacturing cost.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings that are needed in the embodiments will be briefly described below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and that other drawings may be obtained according to these drawings without inventive effort for a person skilled in the art.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an assembly structure of a sample rack drive device and a sample rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial schematic view of FIG. 1A at a first viewing angle;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial schematic view of FIG. 1A at a second viewing angle;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial schematic view of FIG. 1A at a third viewing angle;

fig. 5 is a schematic structural view of an alternative connection mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application.

Reference numerals: 1-a first drive mechanism; 11-a second motor; 12-a second transmission assembly; 12 a-a first drive wheel; 12 b-a second drive wheel; 12 c-a first drive belt; 13-a third transmission assembly; 14-connecting shaft; 15-fourth transmission assembly; 15 a-a third drive wheel; 15 b-a second drive belt; 2-a connection mechanism; 21-a first docking portion; 21 a-active docking portion; 21 b-a driven docking portion; 22-connecting a drive assembly; 23-a first cross plate; 24-linkage assembly; 25-a first slider; 26-a second slide; 3-mounting rack; 4-sample rack; 41-a second docking portion; 42-sixth slides; 5-a fifth slider; 6-seventh slider; 7-eighth slider.

Detailed Description

The following description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be made clearly and completely with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is apparent that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, not all embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue burden from the present disclosure, are within the scope of the present disclosure.

In the present utility model, the azimuth or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "outer", and the like are based on the azimuth or positional relationship shown in the drawings. These terms are only used to better describe the utility model and its embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the indicated devices, elements or components to the particular orientations or to configure and operate in the particular orientations.

Also, some of the terms described above may be used to indicate other meanings in addition to orientation or positional relationships, for example, the term "upper" may also be used to indicate some sort of attachment or connection in some cases. The specific meaning of these terms in the present utility model will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art according to the specific circumstances.

Furthermore, the terms "mounted," "disposed," "configured to," and "connected" are to be construed broadly. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a removable connection, or a unitary construction; may be a mechanical connection, or an electrical connection; either directly, indirectly, through intermediaries, or through internal communication between two devices, elements, or components. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art according to the specific circumstances.

Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and the like, are used primarily to distinguish between different devices, elements, or components (the particular species and configurations may be the same or different), and are not used to indicate or imply the relative importance and number of devices, elements, or components so indicated. Unless otherwise indicated, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more.

Example 1

As shown in fig. 1 to 5, an embodiment of the present utility model discloses a sample rack driving device, including: a first drive mechanism 1 and a connecting mechanism 2. The connection mechanism 2 is located outside the entire sample rack 4, and the first driving mechanism 1 is connected to the connection mechanism 2. After the connection mechanism 2 is connected with one target storage rack in all the sample racks 4, the first driving mechanism 1 drives the connection mechanism 2 to drive the target storage rack and the first side storage rack to move a preset distance along the moving direction, so that an access space is formed between the target storage rack and the second side storage rack. Wherein the movement direction is a first horizontal direction or a direction opposite to the first horizontal direction; the first side storage rack is all sample racks 4 positioned behind the target storage rack along the moving direction; the second side storage rack is one sample rack 4 adjacent in front of the target storage rack in the direction of movement.

In this embodiment, the sample rack driving device is part of a sample box low-temperature storage apparatus, which includes a refrigerator (not shown), a sample rack 4, a pick-and-place mechanism (not shown), and a second driving mechanism (not shown) in addition to the sample rack driving device. The refrigerator has a freezing space inside which a plurality of sample holders 4 are accommodated, and a low temperature environment can be generated in the freezing space to store biological samples placed therein at a low temperature. Wherein, the low temperature environment refers to an environment with the temperature of-80 ℃ or below-80 ℃, and the preservation of the biological sample in the environment can reduce the biochemical reaction of the biological sample and maintain the stability of various components in the biological sample.

In this embodiment, in order to store more sample cartridges in the refrigerator, a plurality of sample racks 4 may be placed in the refrigerator, and the plurality of sample racks 4 are sequentially arranged in the first horizontal direction (e.g., x direction in fig. 1). The specific direction of the first horizontal direction in this embodiment is not particularly limited, and may be any direction parallel to the horizontal plane.

In this embodiment, each sample rack 4 has at least one support member provided with a sample placement space for placing one or more sample cartridges, and one or both sides of the sample placement space in the first horizontal direction communicate with the outside. Each sample placement space may accommodate one or more sample cartridges storing biological samples. The specific structural composition, shape and size of the sample rack 4 and the support member are not limited, and can be set correspondingly according to practical application requirements. The sample placement space may be a completely open space or a semi-closed space having an opening on only one side. By one or both sides of the sample placement space in the first horizontal direction communicating with the outside is meant that one or both sides of the sample placement space in the first horizontal direction have an opening so that the pick-and-place mechanism can store the sample cartridge in the sample placement space through the opening or take the sample cartridge out of the sample placement space.

In this embodiment, since the clearance space in the first horizontal direction of two adjacent sample racks 4 is generally small in the freezing space of the refrigerator in order to increase the number of stored sample racks 4, it is difficult for the pick-and-place mechanism to move into the clearance space for the access operation of the sample cartridge, and therefore in order to store the sample cartridge in the target placement space or take out the sample cartridge from the target placement space, the position of the sample rack 4 can be moved to form an access space in which the pick-and-place mechanism can take out the sample cartridge from the sample rack 4 or store the sample cartridge into the sample rack 4.

Specifically, the connection mechanism 2 may form a connection with the target storage rack, and then drive the target storage rack and the first side storage rack to move a preset distance along the movement direction under the action of the driving force, so that an access space is formed between the target storage rack and the second side storage rack. Since the sample placing space communicates with the outside in one or both sides in the first horizontal direction, in the access space, the taking-and-placing mechanism can take out the sample cartridge from or store the sample cartridge into one of the target storage rack or the second side storage rack.

The connection mechanism 2 and the target storage rack can be fixedly connected or detachably connected. The connection mechanism 2 may form a connection with one or more sample holders 4, but in order to form an access space between a target storage holder and one sample holder 4 adjacent thereto, it is necessary to form a connection of the connection mechanism 2 with at least the target storage holder.

The range of the first side storage rack and the second side storage rack may be different due to the different movement directions. The direction of movement may thus be a first horizontal direction or a direction opposite to the first horizontal direction. For example, if four sample holders 4 are sequentially arranged in the first horizontal direction, the serial numbers are 1 to 4, respectively, and the sample placement space on each sample holder 4 communicates with the external space on both sides in the first horizontal direction. If the sample rack 4 with the serial number 3 is the target storage rack, after the connecting mechanism 2 is connected with the sample rack 4 with the serial number 3, the two sample racks 4 with the

serial numbers

3 and 4 can be driven to move along the first horizontal direction by a preset distance, so that an access space is formed between the sample rack 4 with the serial number 3 and the sample rack 4 with the serial number 2, namely, at the moment, the first side storage rack is the sample rack 4 with the serial number 4, and the second side storage rack is the sample rack 4 with the serial number 2; the connecting mechanism 2 can also drive the three sample racks 4 with serial numbers 1-3 to move along the direction opposite to the first horizontal direction by a preset distance, so that an access space is formed between the sample rack 4 with serial number 3 and the sample rack 4 with serial number 4, namely, at this time, the first side storage rack is the sample rack 4 with serial numbers 1 and 2, and the second side storage rack is the sample rack 4 with serial number 4.

In this embodiment, the front and rear are relative, not absolute, and are directed from front to rear in any direction. For example, all sample holders 4 may be described as being disposed in a front-to-back order along a first horizontal direction, or may be described as being disposed in a front-to-back order along a direction opposite to the first horizontal direction. Further, referring to fig. 1, if the moving direction is the X direction shown in the figure, that is, X1 points in the direction of X2, the first side storage rack is all sample racks 4 located on the side of the target storage rack X2, and the second side storage rack is one sample rack 4 located adjacent to the side of the target storage rack X1; if the direction of movement is the direction opposite to the X direction shown in the figure, i.e. X2 points in the direction of X1, the first side storage rack is the whole sample rack 4 located on the side of the target storage rack X1, and the second side storage rack is one sample rack 4 located adjacent to the side of the target storage rack X2.

In addition, the present embodiment does not particularly limit the preset distance, and it is only necessary to ensure that the taking-and-placing mechanism can place or take out the sample cartridge in or from the target placing space.

In the present embodiment, the first driving mechanism 1 is used to provide driving force to the connection mechanism 2 so that the connection mechanism 2 can move in the movement direction. The specific structural composition of the first driving mechanism 1 and the manner of generation of the driving force are not limited. For example, the first driving mechanism 1 may be a manually driven component or an electrically or magnetically driven component.

Alternatively, the connection mechanism 2 may include a first docking portion 21 and a connection driving assembly 22, the connection driving assembly 22 being connected to the first docking portion 21, and each sample rack 4 including a second docking portion 41 detachably connected to the first docking portion 21. When the first driving mechanism 1 drives the first docking portion 21 to move to the connection position with the second docking portion 41, the first docking portion 21 moves relative to the second docking portion 41 under the driving of the connection driving assembly 22, so that the first docking portion 21 is detachably connected with the second docking portion 41.

In this case, since a plurality of sample holders 4 are stored in the refrigerator, if one connecting mechanism 2 is provided for each sample holder 4, the manufacturing cost of the product increases. Therefore, in order to reduce the number of the connection mechanisms 2 and to reduce the cost, the connection mechanisms 2 and the sample holders 4 may be designed to be detachably connected. The first docking portion 21 on the connection mechanism 2 and the second docking portion 41 on each sample rack 4 are adapted in terms of arrangement position, shape and size so that the connection mechanism 2 can be detachably connected to any one of the sample racks 4.

In addition, the specific arrangement positions, shapes, sizes and numbers of the first docking portion 21 and the second docking portion 41 are not limited, and may be set accordingly according to practical application requirements. For example, the first docking portion 21 may be a latch or a post with a boss; accordingly, the second docking portion 41 is a hole, or a groove structure. Further, the number of the first docking portions 21 may be one or more, and the number of the second docking portions 41 is adapted to the number of the first docking portions 21.

The connection driving assembly 22 is used for providing driving force for the first docking portion 21 and driving the first docking portion 21 to move relative to the second docking portion 41, so that the first docking portion 21 and the second docking portion 41 are connected or disconnected. The specific structural composition of the connection driving assembly 22 and the driving force generation method are not limited. For example, the connection drive assembly 22 may be a manually driven assembly or an electrically or magnetically driven assembly.

Further, in order that the first docking portion 21 may be automatically detachably connected with the second docking portion 41, the connection driving assembly 22 may include a first motor, an output shaft of which is connected with the first docking portion 21. When the output shaft of the first motor rotates, the first docking portion 21 may be driven to move relative to the second docking portion 41, so that the first docking portion 21 is connected to or disconnected from the second docking portion 41.

The output shaft of the first motor may be directly connected to the first docking portion 21 or indirectly connected to the first docking portion, which is not limited herein. In addition, the power of the first motor is not limited, and the corresponding setting can be carried out according to the actual application requirements.

Further, in order to simplify the structure, one of the first and

second docking portions

21 and 41 may include a connection protrusion, and the other may include a connection hole. The connecting mechanism 2 further comprises a transmission assembly (not shown) connected to the output shaft of the first motor and the first docking portion 21, respectively, the transmission assembly being adapted to convert rotational movement into linear movement. Thus, when the output shaft of the first motor rotates, the transmission assembly can drive the first butting portion 21 to be close to the second butting portion 41 or to be far away from the second butting portion 41, so that the connecting protrusion is inserted into or withdrawn from the connecting hole.

Wherein, the shape, size and setting position of the connecting protrusion and the connecting hole are all required to be adapted. When the connecting protrusion is inserted into the connecting hole, the connecting mechanism 2 and the sample holder 4 can be connected; when the connecting projection is withdrawn from the connecting hole, the connecting mechanism 2 can be disconnected from the sample holder 4.

Further, in order to improve the accuracy and controllability of the movement of the first docking portion 21, the connection driving assembly 22 may include an electric cylinder (not shown), and a movement end of the electric cylinder is connected to the first docking portion 21.

The moving end of the electric cylinder can perform linear motion, so that the first butt joint part 21 can be driven to be close to the second butt joint part 41 or far away from the second butt joint part 41, and the connecting protrusion can be inserted into or withdrawn from the connecting hole.

Further, in order to obtain a smooth transmission effect, the transmission assembly may further include a gear (not shown) and a rack (not shown), wherein an output shaft of the first motor is connected to an end surface of the gear, a first end of the rack is engaged with the gear, and a second end of the rack is connected to the first docking portion 21; when the output shaft of the first motor rotates, the gear drives the rack and the first abutting portion 21 to approach the second abutting portion 41 or to be away from the second abutting portion 41.

Wherein the co-action of the gear and the rack can convert the rotational movement of the output shaft of the first motor into a linear movement of the first docking portion 21. When the output shaft of the first motor rotates, the gear drives the rack and the first butt joint part 21 to be close to the second butt joint part 41 or to be far away from the second butt joint part 41, so that the connecting protrusion is inserted into or withdrawn from the connecting hole.

Further, referring to fig. 5, in order to smoothly slide the first docking portion 21 with respect to the connection driving assembly 22, the connection mechanism 2 may further include a first slider 25 connected to the connection driving assembly 22, and a second slider 26 connected to the first docking portion 21; the first sliding member 25 and the second sliding member 26 are slidably connected, and one of the first sliding member 25 and the second sliding member 26 is disposed along a direction in which the connection driving assembly 22 drives the first docking portion 21 to move, so that when the connection driving assembly 22 drives the first docking portion 21 to move, the first docking portion 21 drives the second sliding member 26 to slide relative to the first sliding member 25.

The specific structural composition and number of the first sliding member 25 and the second sliding member 26 are not limited, and may be set correspondingly according to practical application requirements. For example, the first slider 25 and the second slider 26 may be a component composed of a slider and a rail, a component composed of a guide groove and a guide protrusion, or a component composed of a slider, a rail, a guide groove, and a guide protrusion.

Further, in order to reduce the friction force applied to the first abutting portion 21 during the sliding process, it may be preferable that one of the first slider 25 and the second slider 26 is a sliding rail, and the other is a sliding block, and the sliding rail is disposed along a direction in which the connection driving assembly 22 drives the first abutting portion 21 to move. In order to ensure structural stability during movement, it is further preferred that the first slider 25 is a slide rail and the second slider 26 is a slide block.

Further, one of the first slider 25 and the second slider 26 may be a limiting plate having a guide groove, and the other is a guide protrusion, and the guide groove is disposed along a direction in which the connection driving assembly 22 drives the first docking portion 21 to move.

Wherein the guide groove is adapted to the shape and size of the guide protrusion, which is slidable in the guide groove to slide the first docking portion 21 with respect to the connection driving assembly 22. The guide groove and the guide protrusion are matched, so that the structure is simple, and if the guide groove is of a closed groove body structure, the movement of the guide protrusion can be limited, so that the first butt joint part 21 can be further limited relative to the sliding of the connection driving assembly 22.

Further, in order to enhance the stability of the connection mechanism 2 with the sample rack 4, the connection mechanism 2 may include a plurality of first docking portions 21, and correspondingly, each sample rack 4 includes a plurality of second docking portions 41 detachably connected to the plurality of first docking portions 21, respectively.

In this case, considering that the connection mechanism 2 and the sample holder 4 are connected only by one first docking portion 21 and one second docking portion 41, the stability of the connection between the connection mechanism 2 and the sample holder 4 may be low. Therefore, by providing a plurality of pairs of the first docking portions 21 and the second docking portions 41 which can form connection, so that the plurality of first docking portions 21 and the plurality of second docking portions 41 form connection one by one, the stability of connection between the connection mechanism 2 and the target storage rack can be improved, and shaking of the target storage rack during movement can be reduced.

Further, in order to ensure the synchronization of the movements of the plurality of first butting parts 21, the connection mechanism 2 may further include a first transverse plate 23, each of the plurality of first butting parts 21 is connected to the first driving mechanism 1 through the first transverse plate 23, and the first transverse plate 23 is connected to the first driving mechanism 1.

When the first driving mechanism 1 drives the first transverse plate 23 to move, the first abutting portions 21 can be driven to move together.

Further, referring to fig. 5, for the sake of simplifying the structure, only one connection driving assembly 22 may be provided, and the connection driving assembly 22 simultaneously drives the plurality of first docking portions 21 to move with respect to the plurality of second docking portions 41 through the linkage assembly 24 to connect or disconnect the plurality of first docking portions 21 to or from the plurality of second docking portions 41. Specifically, the connection mechanism 2 may further include a linkage assembly 24, the linkage assembly 24 is connected to at least two first docking portions 21, and the connection driving assembly 22 is connected to the linkage assembly 24; the linkage assembly 24 can drive the at least one first docking portion 21 to be connected with or disconnected from the at least one second docking portion 41 under the driving of the connection driving assembly 22.

The specific structural composition and size of the linkage assembly 24 are not limited, and can be set correspondingly according to practical application requirements. For example, the linkage assembly 24 may drive the first docking portions 21 to move relative to the second docking portion 41 via a rod-shaped connector, or the linkage assembly 24 may drive the first docking portions 21 to move relative to the second docking portion 41 via a plate-shaped connector, or the linkage assembly 24 may drive the first docking portions 21 to move relative to the second docking portion 41 via an assembly composed of a rod-shaped connector and a plate-shaped connector.

Further, in order to ensure the success rate of the connection and disconnection of the first docking portion 21 and the second docking portion 41, it is preferable that the connection driving unit 22 is connected to one first docking portion 21, and the first docking portion 21 is connected to the other first docking portion 21 through the linkage unit 24. Specifically, the linkage assembly 24 connects the active docking portion 21a and the connection drive assembly 22; the driving butt joint part 21a is driven by the connection driving assembly 22 to drive the linkage assembly 24 and the driven butt joint part 21b to move, so that the driving butt joint part 21a and the driven butt joint part 21b are connected or disconnected with the plurality of second butt joint parts 41 one by one. The active abutment 21a is one of all the first abutments 21 connected to the linkage assembly 24. The driven abutting portion 21b is at least one other first abutting portion 21 except the driving abutting portion 21a among all the first abutting portions 21 connected to the linkage assembly 24.

The driving butt joint part 21a is driven by the connection driving assembly 22 to move relative to the second butt joint part 41, and simultaneously can drive the linkage assembly 24 and the driven butt joint part 21b to also move relative to the second butt joint part 41, so that the driven butt joint part 21b can also be connected or disconnected with the second butt joint part 41.

Further, the linkage assembly 24 may include a linkage rod (not shown), at least two first docking portions 21 are sequentially disposed along the length direction of the linkage rod, and one active docking portion 21a of all the first docking portions 21 is connected to the driving assembly 22 and the linkage rod, so that the active docking portion 21a can drive the other first docking portions 21 to form connection or disconnection with the second docking portion 41 through the linkage rod under the driving of the connection driving assembly 22. The rod-shaped linkage rod is adopted, the structure is simple, and the production, the processing and the assembly are convenient.

Alternatively, referring to fig. 3, in order to ensure that the sample racks 4 slide smoothly in the first horizontal direction, the sample rack driving device may further include fifth sliders 5 disposed in the first horizontal direction, each sample rack 4 including a sixth slider 42 slidably connected with the fifth sliders 5. When the first driving mechanism 1 drives the connecting mechanism 2 to drive the target storage rack and the first side storage rack to move along the movement direction, the sixth sliding piece 42 on the target storage rack and the first side storage rack moves along the movement direction relative to the fifth sliding piece 5.

Wherein the fifth slider 5 is adapted to the shape and size of the sixth slider 42. The specific structural composition and number of the fifth slider 5 and the sixth slider 42 are not limited, and may be set accordingly according to practical application requirements. For example, the fifth slider 5 and the sixth slider 42 may be a combination of a slider and a rail, a combination of a guide groove and a guide projection, or a combination of a slider rail and a guide groove and a guide projection.

Further, referring to fig. 4, the sample rack driving device may further include a mounting frame 3, a seventh slider 6, and an eighth slider 7, wherein the seventh slider 6 is connected to the connection mechanism 2, and the eighth slider 7 and the fifth slider 5 are both disposed on the mounting frame 3; the seventh slider 6 is slidably connected to the eighth slider 7, and one of the seventh slider 6 and the eighth slider 7 is disposed in the first horizontal direction; the first drive mechanism 1 drives the connection mechanism 2 and the seventh slider 6 to move in the movement direction with respect to the eighth slider 7.

Wherein smooth sliding of the connecting mechanism 2 in the first horizontal direction is ensured by providing the seventh slide 6 and the eighth slide 7, and a supporting force for the connecting mechanism 2 and the sample holder 4 is provided by providing the mounting frame 3. The specific structural composition and number of the seventh slider 6 and the eighth slider 7 are not limited, and may be set accordingly according to practical application requirements. For example, the seventh slider 6 and the eighth slider 7 may be a combination of a slider and a slide rail, or a combination of a guide groove and a guide projection, or a combination of a slider and a slide rail and a guide groove and a guide projection.

Alternatively, referring to fig. 2, in order to automatically move the connection mechanism 2, the first driving mechanism 1 may include a second motor 11 and a second transmission assembly 12, the second transmission assembly 12 connecting an output shaft of the second motor 11 and the connection mechanism 2 such that when the output shaft of the second motor 11 rotates, the second transmission assembly 12 drives the connection mechanism 2 to move in a moving direction. The power, shape and size of the second motor 11 are not limited, and can be set correspondingly according to practical application requirements.

Further, to ensure the stability of the transmission, the second transmission assembly 12 may include a first transmission wheel 12a, a second transmission wheel 12b, and a first transmission belt 12c, wherein an output shaft of the second motor 11 is connected to an end surface of the first transmission wheel 12a, and the first transmission belt 12c is connected to the connection mechanism 2. The first transmission belt 12c is sleeved on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first transmission wheel 12a and the second transmission wheel 12b, and the first transmission wheel 12a and the second transmission wheel 12b are sequentially arranged along the first horizontal direction, so that when the output shaft of the second motor 11 rotates, the first transmission wheel 12a drives the first transmission belt 12c to rotate, and further drives the connecting mechanism 2 to move along the first horizontal direction or the direction opposite to the first horizontal direction.

Wherein the first driving wheel 12a, the second driving wheel 12b and the first driving belt 12c are used for jointly converting the rotation motion of the output shaft of the second motor 11 into the linear motion of the connecting mechanism 2. In addition, the specific types, sizes and materials of the first driving wheel 12a, the second driving wheel 12b and the first driving belt 12c are not limited, and can be set correspondingly according to practical application requirements. For example, the first and

second drive wheels

12a, 12b may be sprockets or pulleys, and the first drive belt 12c may be a chain or belt, respectively.

Further, in order to smoothly move the connection mechanism 2, the first driving mechanism 1 may be connected thereto at different positions of the connection mechanism 2 and drive the movement thereof. Specifically, referring to fig. 4, the first driving mechanism 1 may further include a third transmission assembly 13, the third transmission assembly 13 and the second transmission assembly being sequentially disposed along the second horizontal direction; the second horizontal direction is a direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction (e.g., y direction in fig. 4). The third transmission assembly 13 is connected with the output shaft of the second motor 11 and the connection mechanism 2, so that when the output shaft of the second motor 11 rotates, the second transmission assembly 12 and the third transmission assembly 13 jointly drive the connection mechanism 2 to move along the movement direction.

The specific structural composition of the third transmission assembly 13 may be the same as that of the second transmission assembly 12, or may be different from that of the second transmission assembly 12. The third transmission assembly 13 and the second transmission assembly 12 can jointly drive the connecting mechanism 2 to move along the movement direction. For the convenience of production and processing, the specific structural composition of the third transmission assembly 13 may be preferably the same as that of the second transmission assembly 12, that is, the third transmission assembly also includes a fourth transmission wheel (not shown), a fifth transmission wheel (not shown) and a third transmission belt (not shown), where the fourth transmission wheel and the fifth transmission wheel are sequentially arranged along the first horizontal direction, an output shaft of the second motor 11 is connected with an end surface of the fourth transmission wheel, and the third transmission belt is connected with the connection mechanism 2.

Further, the first driving mechanism 1 may further include a connection shaft 14, the connection shaft 14 being disposed along the second horizontal direction. The connecting shaft 14 is connected with the output shaft of the second motor 11, and the second transmission assembly 12 and the third transmission assembly 13 are connected at two ends of the connecting shaft 14, so that when the output shaft of the second motor 11 rotates, the connecting shaft 14 drives the second transmission assembly 12 and the third transmission assembly 13 to rotate together.

Wherein, because the output shaft length of the second motor 11 is limited, the transmission distance of the output shaft of the second motor 11 can be prolonged by arranging the connecting shaft 14, thereby further facilitating the position design and assembly of the second transmission assembly 12 and the third transmission assembly 13. The second transmission assembly 12 and the third transmission assembly 13 may be connected at both ends of the connection shaft 14. The connection position and direction of the output shaft of the second motor 11 and the connection shaft 14 are not limited, and both may be directly connected or indirectly connected, only so that the rotational movement of the output shaft of the second motor 11 can be transmitted to the connection shaft 14. When the output shaft of the second motor 11 rotates, the drive connection shaft 14 rotates and transmits the rotation to the second transmission assembly 12 and the third transmission assembly 13.

Further, in order to reduce the space occupation in the direction parallel to the output shaft of the second motor 11, referring to fig. 2 to 4, the first driving mechanism 1 may further include a fourth transmission assembly 15, the fourth transmission assembly 15 connecting the output shaft of the second motor 11 and one end of the connection shaft 14, the second motor 11 and the connection shaft 14 being stacked in the direction perpendicular to the second horizontal direction.

Wherein the rotation of the output shaft of the second motor 11 can be transmitted to the connecting shaft 14 by providing the fourth transmission assembly 15. The stacking arrangement of the second motor 11 and the connecting shaft 14 in the direction perpendicular to the second horizontal direction means that the two are not sequentially arranged along the second horizontal direction, that is, the lengths of the two in the second horizontal direction are coincident, so that the total length occupied by the two in the second horizontal direction is smaller than the sum of the lengths occupied by the two separately.

Further, in order to smoothly transfer the rotational movement of the output shaft of the second motor 11 to the connection shaft 14, referring to fig. 2 to 4, the fourth transmission assembly 15 includes a third transmission wheel 15a and a second transmission belt 15b, an end surface of the third transmission wheel 15a is connected to the first end of the connection shaft 14, and the second transmission belt 15b is sleeved on the first end of the output shaft of the second motor 11 and an outer circumferential surface of the third transmission wheel 15 a. When the output shaft of the second motor 11 rotates, the second belt 15b drives the third driving wheel 15a and the connecting shaft 14 to rotate.

The third driving wheel 15a and the second driving belt 15b are used for transmitting the rotation motion of the output shaft of the second motor 11 to the connecting shaft 14, so that the connecting shaft 14 further drives the third driving assembly 13 to rotate. In addition, the specific structural composition of the third driving wheel 15a and the second driving belt 15b is not limited, and the corresponding arrangement can be performed according to the actual application requirements. For example, the third drive wheel 15a may be a pulley and, correspondingly, the second drive belt 15b a belt.

As can be seen from the description of the above embodiments of the present application, the sample rack driving device provided in the embodiments of the present application forms a connection with one target storage rack in all sample racks 4 through the connection mechanism 2, and under the driving of the first driving mechanism 1, the connection mechanism 2 drives the target storage rack and the first side storage rack to move by a preset distance along the movement direction, so that an access space is formed between the target storage rack and the second side storage rack. The second driving mechanism drives the picking and placing mechanism to move to the abutting position of the access space, so that the picking and placing mechanism can further take out the sample box positioned in the target placing space or store the sample box in the target placing space. Compared with the prior art, the sample rack driving device is simpler in structure and lower in production and manufacturing cost.

Example two

As shown in fig. 1 to 5, the present embodiment discloses a sample cartridge low-temperature storage apparatus including a sample rack driving device, a refrigerator (not shown), and a plurality of sample racks 4 as described in embodiment one; the refrigerator is internally provided with a freezing space for accommodating the sample rack 4; the plurality of sample racks 4 are sequentially arranged along the first horizontal direction, and the plurality of sample racks 4 are all positioned in the freezing space; each sample rack 4 has at least one support member on which a sample placing space is provided, and each sample placing space communicates with the outside along one side or both sides of the first horizontal direction.

In the present embodiment, the inside of the refrigerator has a freezing space accommodating a plurality of sample holders 4, and a low temperature environment can be generated in the freezing space. Wherein, the low temperature environment refers to an environment with the temperature of-80 ℃ or below-80 ℃, and the preservation of the biological sample in the environment can reduce the biochemical reaction of the biological sample and maintain the stability of various components in the biological sample. The sample rack driving means is for driving the movement of the sample rack 4.

In this embodiment, in order to store more sample cartridges in the refrigerator, a plurality of sample racks 4 may be placed in the refrigerator, and the plurality of sample racks 4 are sequentially arranged in the first horizontal direction (e.g., x direction in fig. 1).

Optionally, in order to conveniently store the sample cartridge in the sample placement space or take the sample cartridge out of the sample placement space, the sample cartridge cryogenic storage device further includes a second driving mechanism (not shown) and a pick-and-place mechanism (not shown), the second driving mechanism being connected to the pick-and-place mechanism.

The taking and placing mechanism is used for taking out the sample box in the target placing space or storing the sample box in the target placing space. The specific structure composition of the picking and placing mechanism is not limited, and the picking and placing mechanism can be correspondingly arranged according to actual application requirements. For example, the pick-and-place mechanism may include a blade or a jaw so that the sample cartridge may be accessed by reciprocation of the blade or by clamping movement of the jaw.

Further, the second driving mechanism is used for providing driving force for the picking and placing mechanism so that the picking and placing mechanism moves to the abutting position in the access space. The specific structural composition of the second driving mechanism and the manner of generation of the driving force are not limited. For example, the second drive mechanism may be a manually driven assembly or an electrically or magnetically driven assembly.

In this specification, each embodiment is described in a progressive manner, and the same or similar parts of each embodiment are referred to each other, and each embodiment mainly describes differences from other embodiments.

The foregoing is merely an example of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Many modifications and variations of this application will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. which are within the spirit and principles of the present application are intended to be included within the scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A sample rack driving device, which is characterized by comprising a first driving mechanism and a connecting mechanism;

the connecting mechanism is positioned at the outer sides of the plurality of sample racks which are sequentially arranged along the first horizontal direction, and the first driving mechanism is connected with the connecting mechanism;

after the connecting mechanism is connected with one target storage rack in all the sample racks, the first driving mechanism drives the connecting mechanism to drive the target storage rack and the first side storage rack to move a preset distance along the moving direction so as to form an access space between the target storage rack and the second side storage rack;

wherein the movement direction is the first horizontal direction or a direction opposite to the first horizontal direction; the first side storage rack is all the sample racks positioned behind the target storage rack along the movement direction; the second side storage rack is one of the sample racks adjacent to the front of the target storage rack in the moving direction.

2. The sample rack drive of claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism comprises a first docking portion and a connection drive assembly connected to the first docking portion, each sample rack comprising a second docking portion removably connected to the first docking portion.

3. The sample rack drive device according to claim 2, wherein one of the first docking portion and the second docking portion includes a connection protrusion, and the other includes a connection hole;

the connecting driving assembly comprises a first motor, and the connecting mechanism further comprises a transmission assembly, wherein the transmission assembly is respectively connected with an output shaft of the first motor and the first butt joint part; or,

the connecting driving assembly comprises an electric cylinder, and the moving end of the electric cylinder is connected with the first butt joint part.

4. The sample rack drive of claim 2, wherein the connection mechanism further comprises a first slide connected to the connection drive assembly and a second slide connected to the first interface; the first sliding piece is connected with the second sliding piece in a sliding mode, and one of the first sliding piece and the second sliding piece is arranged along the direction that the connection driving assembly drives the first butt joint part to move.

5. The sample rack drive of claim 2, wherein the connection mechanism comprises a linkage assembly and a plurality of first abutments, the linkage assembly being connected to the plurality of first abutments and to the connection drive assembly; each sample rack comprises a plurality of second butting parts which are detachably connected with the plurality of first butting parts respectively; the linkage assembly drives at least two first butt joint parts and at least two second butt joint parts to form connection or disconnection under the drive of the connection driving assembly.

6. The sample rack drive of claim 1, wherein the first drive mechanism comprises a second motor and a second drive assembly, the second drive assembly comprising a first drive wheel, a second drive wheel, and a first drive belt, wherein,

the first driving wheel and the second driving wheel are sequentially arranged along the first horizontal direction, an output shaft of the second motor is connected with the end face of the first driving wheel, and the first driving belt is connected with the connecting mechanism; the first transmission belt is sleeved on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first transmission wheel and the second transmission wheel.

7. The sample rack driving device according to claim 1, wherein the first driving mechanism comprises a second motor, a second transmission assembly and a third transmission assembly, which are sequentially arranged along a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction; the output shaft of the second motor is connected with the second transmission assembly and the third transmission assembly respectively, and the second transmission assembly and the third transmission assembly are connected with the connecting mechanism respectively.

8. The sample rack drive of claim 7, wherein the first drive mechanism further comprises a connecting shaft disposed along the second horizontal direction; the connecting shaft is connected with an output shaft of the second motor, and the second transmission assembly and the third transmission assembly are respectively connected with two ends of the connecting shaft.

9. The sample rack drive of claim 8, wherein the first drive mechanism further comprises a fourth transmission assembly, wherein the fourth transmission assembly connects an output shaft of the second motor and one end of the connecting shaft, the second motor and the connecting shaft being stacked in a direction perpendicular to the second horizontal direction.

10. A sample cartridge cryogenic storage device comprising the sample rack drive apparatus of any one of claims 1-9, a refrigerator, and a plurality of the sample racks; the refrigerator is internally provided with a freezing space for accommodating the sample rack; the plurality of sample frames are sequentially arranged along the first horizontal direction, and the plurality of sample frames are positioned in the freezing space; each sample rack is provided with at least one supporting piece, a sample placing space is formed in each supporting piece, and one side or two sides of each sample placing space along the first horizontal direction are communicated with the outside.