CN116536135B

CN116536135B - Auxiliary device of PCR instrument and PCR instrument

Info

Publication number: CN116536135B
Application number: CN202310754358.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李帅; 廖杰; 王芳; 何伟; 何永照; 朱信; 王梓; 郭旻
Original assignee: Rocgene Tecnology Co
Current assignee: Rocgene Tecnology Co
Priority date: 2023-06-26
Filing date: 2023-06-26
Publication date: 2023-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2043-06-26
Also published as: CN116536135A

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides an auxiliary device of a PCR instrument and the PCR instrument. The auxiliary device comprises: a slip assembly disposed on at least one side of the reaction plate and adapted to be driven to slip in a lateral direction, and comprising: the sliding rail and the driving groove are arranged on one side of the sliding rail facing the reaction plate; and a jacking cam coupled in a receiving groove of a partition plate of the PCR instrument for placing the reaction plate, and comprising: a mounting shaft; a drive wheel disposed on a side of the mounting shaft facing the slip assembly and within the drive slot and adapted to rotate within the slide rail during sliding movement of the slide rail in a lateral direction to drive rotation of the mounting shaft about the rotational axis, and an eccentric disposed on a side of the mounting shaft facing the bulkhead eccentric with respect to the rotational axis, the eccentric configured to be capable of abutting the reaction plate during rotation with the drive wheel to lift the reaction plate off the bulkhead in a vertical direction perpendicular to the lateral direction. Therefore, the adhesive force between the reaction plate and the partition plate can be eliminated, and the reaction plate is convenient to remove.

Description

Auxiliary device of PCR instrument and PCR instrument

Technical Field

Example embodiments of the present application relate generally to the field of PCR instruments, and in particular, to an auxiliary device for a PCR instrument and a PCR instrument.

Background

The polymerase chain reaction (Polymerase chain reaction, PCR) is a molecular biological technique for amplifying specific DNA fragments, which can be seen as specific DNA replication in vitro, the greatest feature of PCR being the ability to increase minute amounts of DNA substantially. PCR instruments are an extremely important tool in molecular biology research. It has been widely used throughout the world in laboratories, for a wide variety of experimental applications such as molecular cloning, gene expression analysis, genotyping, sequencing and mutation.

After the reaction of the PCR instrument is finished, the reaction plate in which the test sample is mounted in the PCR instrument is easily tightly adhered to other components in the PCR instrument, so that it is inconvenient for a user or a manipulator to remove the reaction plate from the PCR instrument.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first aspect of the present application, an auxiliary device for a PCR instrument is provided. The device comprises: a sliding assembly disposed on at least one side of the reaction plate and adapted to be driven to slide in a lateral direction H, and comprising: a slide rail; the driving groove is arranged on one side of the sliding rail facing the reaction plate; and a jacking cam coupled in a receiving groove of a partition plate of the PCR instrument for placing the reaction plate, and comprising: the mounting shaft extends along the axial direction by taking the rotation axis as the axis; a drive wheel arranged on a side of the mounting shaft facing the slip assembly and located in the drive slot and adapted to rotate in the slide rail during sliding movement of the slide rail in the transverse direction H to drive the mounting shaft to rotate about the rotation axis, and an eccentric arranged eccentrically with respect to the rotation axis on a side of the mounting shaft facing the partition, the eccentric being configured to be able to abut the reaction plate during rotation with the drive wheel to lift the reaction plate away from the partition in a vertical direction V perpendicular to the transverse direction H.

In some embodiments, the mounting shaft is disposed within a mounting hole of a cover plate of the PCR instrument, the cover plate is coupled to the spacer, and the receiving slot and the mounting hole are aligned in an axial direction.

In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the eccentric perpendicular to the axis of rotation includes an arcuate segment and a straight segment connecting ends of the arcuate segment; the eccentric is arranged such that in an initial state, a planar portion of the eccentric corresponding to the straight segment abuts or is adjacent to the lower edge of the reaction plate, and a curved wall of the eccentric corresponding to the curved segment abuts the reaction plate to lift the reaction plate off the partition during rotation with the drive wheel.

In some embodiments, the angle of the arc segment is less than or equal to 180 °.

In some embodiments, the axis of the drive wheel is arranged radially offset from the axis of rotation.

In some embodiments, the drive slot is generally arcuate and includes: and a jacking section arranged to contact the driving wheel to drive the mounting shaft to rotate in a first direction during sliding movement of the sliding assembly in the transverse direction H, to thereby rotate from an initial state to a jacking state to lift the reaction plate off the partition.

In some embodiments, the drive slot further comprises: and a reset section disposed at a downstream end of the jacking section and in communication with the jacking section, the reset section being configured to contact the driving wheel to drive the mounting shaft to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction during sliding of the sliding assembly in the lateral direction H, to thereby rotate from the jacking state to the initial state to reset the reaction plate.

In some embodiments, the drive wheel comprises: a drive shaft coupled to the mounting shaft; and the first bearing is sleeved on the driving shaft and is suitable for rotating in the driving groove.

In some embodiments, the jacking cam further comprises: and a second bearing disposed between the mounting shaft and the mounting hole, the second bearing being coaxially coupled with the mounting shaft.

In some embodiments, the intersection of the planar portion of the eccentric and the curved wall is provided with a chamfer.

In some embodiments, the connection lines at both ends of the extending direction of the driving slot extend in the lateral direction H for driving the driving wheel in and out of the driving slot during sliding movement of the slide rail in the lateral direction H.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary device further comprises a torsion spring, a first end of which is fixedly coupled to the diaphragm, a second end of which is coupled to the eccentric and moves relative to the first end during rotation of the eccentric from the initial state to the raised state to deform the torsion spring such that the torsion spring provides a driving force for rotation of the eccentric from the raised state back to the initial state.

In some embodiments, the slip assembly further comprises a riser that is upstanding from at least one side of the reaction plate, and wherein the slide rail is coupled to the riser.

In a second aspect of the application, a PCR instrument is provided. The PCR instrument comprises: the thermal cover assembly being adapted to be moved in a transverse direction H from an idle position to an active position and comprising a thermal cover bottom plate adapted to be driven to abut the reaction plate when the thermal cover assembly is in the active position, and the auxiliary device mentioned in the first aspect above, wherein a sliding assembly of the auxiliary device is fixedly coupled with the thermal cover assembly, adapted to lift the reaction plate during movement of the thermal cover assembly from the active position to the idle position.

In some embodiments, the PCR instrument further comprises: a drive member including an output shaft; the heat cover assembly is adapted to be driven to move in a lateral direction from an idle position to an operating position during movement of the output shaft in a first rotational direction, and further comprises: a thermal cover top plate coupled to the riser, and a transmission assembly coupled between the output shaft and the thermal cover assembly, and comprising: a link bracket is coupled to the thermal cover assembly and is adapted to move in a lateral direction from a first, away position to a proximate position during movement of the output shaft in a first rotational direction and after movement of the thermal cover assembly to the operating position.

In some embodiments, the transmission assembly includes: the guide rail is arranged in a transverse direction H, and the riser of the sliding assembly of the auxiliary device comprises a slider coupled to the guide rail.

In some embodiments, the transmission assembly further comprises: a front stopper disposed at a first end of the guide rail and adapted to block the riser after the heat cover assembly is moved to the working position; and a rear stopper disposed near a second end of the guide rail opposite the first end and adapted to block the riser after the thermal cover assembly is moved to the rest position.

In some embodiments, the PCR instrument further comprises a mounting frame comprising a mounting base; and a mounting frame disposed on the mounting base plate and adapted to dispose at least one of the guide rail, the front stopper, and the rear stopper.

By using the auxiliary device provided by the embodiment of the application, the driving wheel moves in the driving groove, the mounting shaft is driven to rotate by the relative displacement of the driving groove and the driving wheel, and the eccentric wheel coupled on the mounting shaft rotates to protrude out of the upper surface of the partition plate, so that the eccentric wheel pushes the reaction plate away from the partition plate. After the reaction plate is separated from the partition plate, the air pressure difference between the temperature control device below the reaction plate and the outside is eliminated, the adhesion force between the reaction plate and the surface of the partition plate is also eliminated, and a user or a manipulator can conveniently remove the reaction plate.

It should be understood that what is described in this section of the disclosure is not intended to limit the key features or essential features of the embodiments of the application, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the application. Other features of the present application will become apparent from the following description.

Drawings

The above and other features, advantages and aspects of embodiments of the present application will become more apparent by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, wherein like or similar reference numerals denote like or similar elements, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between a cover plate and a partition plate of a conventional PCR instrument;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall structure of a PCR apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the thermal cover device of the PCR instrument according to an embodiment of the present application, wherein the thermal cover assembly is in an idle position;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic structural view of a thermal cover device of a PCR instrument with a thermal cover assembly in an operating position and a thermal cover base plate in a raised position according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic structural view of a thermal cover device of a PCR instrument according to an embodiment of the present application, with a thermal cover bottom plate in a warming position;

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of an auxiliary device of an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the positional relationship between an auxiliary device and a partition board and between the auxiliary device and a cover board according to an embodiment of the application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an operation state of the auxiliary device lifting the reaction plate according to the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a lift-up cam structure of an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an initial state of the lift cam in the lift section according to the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a lifting state of a lifting cam according to an embodiment of the present application; and

fig. 12 is a schematic view showing an initial state of the lifting cam in the reset segment according to the embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. While the application is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, certain embodiments of the application with the understanding that the present application is to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. It should be understood that the drawings and embodiments of the application are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application.

In describing embodiments of the present application, the term "comprising" and its like should be taken to be open-ended, i.e., including, but not limited to. The term "based on" should be understood as "based at least in part on". The term "one embodiment" or "the embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment". The term "some embodiments" should be understood as "at least some embodiments". Other explicit and implicit definitions are also possible below. The terms "first," "second," and the like, may refer to different or the same object. Other explicit and implicit definitions are also possible below.

In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the vertical direction V refers to a direction parallel to the gravitational direction, and the lateral direction H is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the gravitational direction. The direction "up" may be understood as being opposite to the direction of gravity; the direction "down" may be understood as being in the same direction as the direction of gravity.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between a reaction plate 3 used in a PCR apparatus and a partition plate 4 of the PCR apparatus, as shown in fig. 1, the PCR apparatus is a key apparatus for implementing PCR technology, and when a user uses the PCR apparatus to perform molecular diagnostic detection on a sample to be detected, the user or a manipulator needs to place the reaction plate 3 with the sample to be detected in a frame-shaped area surrounded by a cover plate of the PCR apparatus, and make the reaction plate 3 be received by the partition plate 4 of the PCR apparatus, and then a thermal cover is pressed over the reaction plate 3 so that the reaction plate 3 is firmly fixed in a temperature control device. In the operation process of the PCR instrument, the temperature control device carries out the circulation treatment of heating and cooling on the reaction plate 3. After the completion of the treatment, the user or the robot arm needs to remove the reaction plate 3 from the PCR instrument. However, when the reaction plate 3 is removed, the reaction plate 3 itself is easily adhered closely to the components in the PCR instrument (particularly, the partition plate 4 of the PCR instrument), and the user or the robot has difficulty in handling the reaction plate 3 when removing it.

The inventors found that the reason for the adhesion of the reaction plate 3 to the partition plate 4 may be due to the cyclic treatment of heating and cooling the reaction plate 3 by the temperature control device during the operation of the PCR instrument, and a large amount of water vapor is generated during the process. The water vapor further fixes the reaction plate 3 in the temperature control device. When the detection is finished and the user or the manipulator needs to remove the reaction plate 3, the pressure applied to the reaction plate 3 by the thermal cover causes adhesion between the reaction plate 3 and the temperature control device and/or the partition plate 4, and the pressure applied to the reaction plate 3 by water vapor generated by the temperature control device causes the operation of removing the reaction plate 3 from the PCR instrument to be very difficult under the dual action.

The embodiment of the application provides an auxiliary device of a PCR instrument, which is used for solving or at least partially solving the problems or other front-end problems existing in the traditional PCR instrument. The auxiliary device drives the jacking cam 2 to jack the reaction plate 3 away from the partition plate 4 along the vertical direction V by utilizing the sliding of the sliding component 1 along the transverse direction H, so that the partition plate 4 is separated from the reaction plate 3. After the separation of the baffle plate 4 and the reaction plate 3, on one hand, the adhesion force between the reaction plate 3 and the surface of the baffle plate 4 is eliminated, and on the other hand, the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the temperature control device is also eliminated, so that the reaction plate 3 is convenient for a later user to remove from the PCR instrument.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall structure of a PCR instrument according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 2, a PCR instrument according to an embodiment of the present application generally includes a thermal cover assembly 102 and an auxiliary device of the PCR instrument. In some embodiments, the thermal cover assembly 102 may be part of a thermal cover device that may also include a mounting bracket 105, a drive member 101, a transmission assembly 103, and the like. This will be explained one by one hereinafter.

Fig. 3, fig. 4, and fig. 5 respectively show internal structural schematic diagrams of a thermal cover device of a PCR instrument according to an embodiment of the present application in different working states. As shown in fig. 3-5, the mounting bracket 105 may include a mounting floor 1051 and a mounting frame 1052. The mounting frame 1052 is disposed on the mounting floor 1051 and includes a frame structure formed of transverse ribs and longitudinal ribs. The drive member 101, the transmission assembly 103 and the thermal cover assembly 102 may be mounted in the PCR instrument by a mounting bracket 105.

The driving part 101 may at least drive the thermal cover assembly 102 to slide in the lateral direction H, and the driving part 101 may for example comprise a stepper motor comprising an output shaft. The output shaft is capable of moving about its own axis in a first rotational direction (e.g., clockwise) and an opposite second rotational direction (e.g., counterclockwise) under the drive of a drive mechanism in the drive member 101.

The thermal cover assembly 102 can be driven from the rest position to the working position during movement of the output shaft of the power component 101 in the first rotational direction, and the thermal cover assembly 102 can be driven from the working position to the rest position during movement in the second rotational direction. That is, the thermal cover assembly 102 is movable between the rest position and the working position in the lateral direction H under the drive of the power member 101. In the rest position, the thermal cover assembly 102 exposes the baffle plate 4 to facilitate placement of the reaction plate 3 on the baffle plate 4 or removal of the reaction plate 3 from the baffle plate 4. In the operating position, the thermal cover assembly 102 shields the partition 4 and the reaction plate 3 to facilitate the amplification reaction of the sample in the reaction plate 3 and to facilitate detection. As shown in fig. 2, in some embodiments, the side of the thermal cover assembly 102 facing away from the partition 4 and the upper surface of the thermal cover top plate 1021 are also covered with the bin plate 6. The cartridge plate 6 is capable of isolating the sample from the external environment during sample amplification. The deck 6 may have an inverted U-shaped three-sided structure. The deck 6 may be integrally formed by stamping.

As shown in fig. 3 to 5, the thermal cover assembly 102 includes a thermal cover top plate 1021 and a thermal cover bottom plate 1022. According to an embodiment of the present application, the heat cover top plate 1021 and the heat cover bottom plate 1022 of the heat cover assembly 102 may also move together in the transverse direction H, i.e., there is no relative movement of the two in the transverse direction H. The thermal cover bottom plate 1022 is movable in the vertical direction V with respect to the thermal cover top plate 1021 so as to be able to abut the reaction plate 3. The hot cover base 1022 may include a heating plate and associated circuitry for generating a constant temperature, etc. The top wall of the bin plate 6 covers the top of the thermal cover top plate 1021 at the top.

The transmission assembly 103 is coupled between the output shaft of the drive member 101 and the thermal cover assembly 102, and includes a link bracket 1031 and a link 1032. The link bracket 1031 is coupled to the thermal cover top plate 1021, and the link 1032 is pivotably coupled between the link bracket 1031 and the thermal cover bottom plate 1022.

Fig. 6 shows an exploded view of the auxiliary device of an embodiment of the application. As shown in fig. 6, the auxiliary device comprises at least one glide assembly 1 moving in a transverse direction H relative to the PCR instrument and at least one lifting cam 2 coupled to the glide assembly 1. The lifting cam 2 is adapted to lift the reaction plate 3 of the PCR instrument upwards and separate it from the partition plate 4 of the PCR instrument during movement of the slide assembly 1 in the lateral direction H.

In some embodiments, the slip assembly 1 may include a riser 13 disposed on one side of the partition 4 of the PCR instrument. The uprights 13 are slidable in the transverse direction H and relative to the partition 4 from an operating position facing the partition 4 to an idle position offset from the partition 4. The side walls of the warehouse plate 6 are located outside the riser 13 and can cover the riser 13.

In some embodiments, the riser 13 is slidingly moved in the transverse direction H by a drive assembly 103 in the thermal cover device. As shown in fig. 3 to 5, in some embodiments, the riser 13 is fixedly coupled to the heat cover top plate 1021, so that the riser 13 and the heat cover assembly 102 can slide together in the transverse direction H under the rotation of the output shaft of the driving part 101 and the driving of the transmission assembly 103. In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 3, to facilitate movement of the riser 13 and the entire thermal cover assembly 102 in the lateral direction H, the drive assembly 103 may further include rails 1037, and the rails 1037 may be disposed on lateral ribs of the mounting frame 1052 of the PCR instrument mount 105 in the lateral direction H. The riser 13 may comprise a slider coupled to the rail 1037, the slider sliding on the rail 1037 in the transverse direction H, thereby ensuring the smoothness of the movement of the riser 13 in the transverse direction H.

After the thermal cover assembly 102 and riser 13 are moved to the operational position, the transmission assembly 103 may include a front stop 1039 in order to prevent further movement of the thermal cover assembly 102 and riser 13. The front stopper 1039 may be disposed at one end (hereinafter referred to as a first end) of the guide rail 1037 and can block further movement of the riser 13 when the riser 13 moves to the working position. Similarly, to prevent further movement of the thermal cover assembly 102 and riser 13 after movement of the thermal cover assembly 102 and riser 13 from the operational position to the rest position, the drive assembly 103 may further include a rear stop block 1040. Rear stop block 1040 may be disposed near a second end of rail 1037 opposite the first end for preventing further movement of riser 13 in moving to the rest position.

In some embodiments, the drive assembly 103 may include a drive belt 1033 and a lead screw 1034. A drive belt 1033 is coupled between the lead screw 1034 and the output shaft of the drive member 101. In some embodiments, the drive belt 1033 may comprise a timing belt. Correspondingly, the end of the screw 1034 and the end of the output shaft of the driving member 101 may be provided with a transmission wheel capable of meshing with a timing belt. In this way, the impact on the reliability of the thermal cover device due to transmission slip can be avoided. In addition, the flexibility and the reliability of the whole heat cover device can be improved by adopting a transmission belt for transmission.

It should be understood, of course, that the above examples of transmission between the lead screw 1034 and the output shaft of the drive member 101 using the drive belt 1033 are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the application. Any suitable transmission is possible as long as it ensures that the screw 1034 and the output shaft of the drive member 101 are driven with a certain distance apart. For example, in some alternative embodiments, a gear box or other transmission may be used between the lead screw 1034 and the output shaft of the drive member 101.

To ensure a reliable connection between the lead screw 1034 and the output shaft of the drive member 101, the thermal cover device may further comprise a post 104 in some embodiments. As shown in fig. 3-5, the posts 104 may be disposed on a mounting floor 1051. In some embodiments, the end of the output shaft of the drive component 101 may be coupled to a corresponding location of the post 104 by a bearing or the like. Similarly, the end of the lead screw 1034 may also be coupled to a corresponding location of the column 104 by means of bearings or the like to ensure reliability and strength of the lead screw 1034. Of course, in some alternative embodiments, the output shaft of the drive member 101 and/or the end of the lead screw 1034 may not be coupled to the post 104, but merely adjacent to the post 104. The upright 104 and the mounting frame 1052 can be fastened and fixed by a suitable structure, thereby further improving the strength and reliability of the structure.

The link bracket 1031 includes a lead screw housing coupled to a lead screw 1034. As the screw 1034 rotates by the output shaft of the driving part 101, the screw housing can move along the screw 1034 on the screw 1034, thereby driving the link bracket 1031 to move. Through holes may be included in appropriate locations of the thermal cap assembly 102 for the threaded rods 1034 to pass therethrough to avoid interference between the thermal cap assembly 102 and the threaded rods 1034 during movement.

As shown in fig. 6, the slip assembly 1 further comprises a sliding rail 11. The slide rail 11 is coupled to the side of the riser 13 facing the partition 4 of the PCR instrument, so that the slide rail 11 can slide together with the riser 13 in the transverse direction H. The side of the slide rail 11 facing the PCR partition board 4 is also provided with a driving groove 12.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic diagram of the positional relationship between the auxiliary device and the partition 4 and the cover 5 according to the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the lifting cam 2 includes a mounting shaft 24, and a mounting hole 51 is formed in a cover plate 5 of the pcr instrument. The mounting shaft 24 is inserted into the mounting hole 51 and is rotatable about its own axis (hereinafter referred to as rotation axis) in the mounting hole 51. Both ends of the mounting shaft 24 protrude from the mounting holes 51, respectively. The end of the mounting shaft 24 facing the riser 13 is coupled with a driving wheel 21. The driving wheel 21 is arranged in the driving slot 12 and is adapted to rotate about the axis of the mounting shaft 24 with a sliding movement of the driving slot 12 in the transverse direction H, thereby bringing about a rotation of the mounting shaft 24 about the rotation axis. The end of the mounting shaft 24 facing away from the riser 13 is provided with an eccentric 22. Eccentric 22 is coupled eccentrically on the end face of mounting shaft 24 in the radial direction of mounting shaft 24.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing an operation state in which the lifting cam 2 lifts the reaction plate 3 according to the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 8, the eccentric 22 is disposed below the reaction plate 3, and the eccentric 22 rotates together with the mounting shaft 24, so that the lifting cam 2 rotates from the initial state to the lifted state. During this time, the side wall (hereinafter also referred to as a curved wall) of the eccentric 22 on the side away from the axis of the mounting shaft 24 in the radial direction of the mounting shaft 24 gradually rotates and abuts against the lower surface of the reaction plate 3 and applies an upward pushing force toward the reaction plate 3, thereby pushing the reaction plate 3 upward away from the partition plate 4. After the reaction plate 3 is separated from the partition plate 4, the air pressure difference between the inside and outside of the temperature control device below the reaction plate 3 is eliminated, and the adhesion force between the reaction plate 3 and the surface of the partition plate 4 is also eliminated.

In some embodiments, the initial state of the lifting cam 2 can be understood as: the eccentric 22 is entirely located below the lower surface of the edge of the reaction plate 3. For example, in an initial state, the eccentric 22 may contact the lower surface of the edge of the reaction plate 3 or be spaced apart from the lower surface of the edge of the reaction plate 3 by a distance less than a threshold value. The lifting state of the lifting cam 2 can be understood as: at least a portion of the eccentric 22 abuts against the lower surface of the edge of the reaction plate 3 and applies an upward abutment force toward the lower surface to raise the reaction plate 3. The specific structure of the eccentric 22 will be further described below.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary device may be provided with two slip assemblies 1. The two slip assemblies 1 are arranged on opposite sides of the partition 4, respectively. Correspondingly, the lifting cams 2 may be provided in two pairs, and correspondingly, two (i.e., a pair of) slide rails 11 may be provided on each of the risers 13. For example, each slip assembly 1 corresponds to a pair of lift cams 2, as shown in fig. 6. The pair of lift cams 2 are arranged at a predetermined distance apart in the lateral direction H, respectively. In this way, the two pairs of lift cams 2 can lift the vicinity of the four corners of the opposite sides of the reaction plate 3, respectively, thereby improving the stability of the reaction plate 3 when lifted.

Of course, it should be understood that the lifting cams 2 may be provided in two. The two lifting cams 2 and the corresponding sliding assemblies 1 can be arranged on the same side of the reaction plate 3, or can be respectively arranged on different sides of the reaction plate 3. In this way, each lifting cam 2 can lift the reaction plate 3 from one side during the sliding of the sliding assembly 1, thereby reducing the cost. In alternative embodiments, the auxiliary device may also have only one sliding assembly 1 arranged on one side of the partition 4 and a lifting cam 2 corresponding thereto.

In the following, with reference to fig. 3 to 5, it will be described how the movement of the thermal cover assembly 102 and the slip assembly 1 is achieved by the driving member 101 and the transmission assembly 103, and how the lifting cam 2 lifts the reaction plate 3 away from the partition plate 4 when the slip assembly 1 moves.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the thermal cover assembly 102 and the vertical plate 13 in the rest position, and as mentioned above, the position of the reaction plate 3 in the PCR instrument is substantially unobstructed when the thermal cover assembly 102 is in the rest position, and a user can conveniently take and place the reaction plate 3. Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of the thermal cover assembly 102, the riser 13 in an operative position, wherein the thermal cover base plate 1022 is also in an uppermost position (hereinafter referred to as a raised position) in the vertical direction V, when the thermal cover assembly 102 is located above the reaction plate 3 containing the sample to be tested, but is not yet in contact with the reaction plate 3. Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of the thermal cover bottom plate 1022 in the thermal cover assembly 102 in the lowermost position (hereinafter referred to as the warming position) in the vertical direction V, when the thermal cover bottom plate 1022 abuts against the top of the reaction plate 3, so that the heating plate in the thermal cover bottom plate 1022 can perform constant temperature heating of the sample and the top.

During the movement of the thermal cover assembly 102 from the rest position to the working position, the riser 13 moves synchronously with the thermal cover assembly 102, so that the drive wheel 21 enters the drive slot 12. The driving wheel 21 moves in the driving groove 12 and drives the mounting shaft 24 to rotate, so that the lifting cam 2 performs a lifting movement on the reaction plate 3, and then the reaction plate 3 falls back onto the partition plate 4 again. When the heat cover assembly 102 moves to the working position, the heat cover bottom plate 1022 moves toward the reaction plate 3 and presses against the reaction plate 3 to heat or insulate the reaction plate 3.

The output shaft of the drive member 101 does not stop rotating after the thermal cover assembly 102 reaches the operating position shown in fig. 4, but continues to rotate in the first rotational direction. With continued rotation of the output shaft of the drive member 101 in the first rotational direction, the link bracket 1031 will move from the first, away position shown in fig. 4, in the lateral direction H toward the thermal cover assembly 102 to the proximal position shown in fig. 5, as the thermal cover assembly 102 has stopped further movement in the lateral direction H. During movement of the link bracket 1031 from the first, distal position to the proximal position, the thermal cover base plate 1022 in the thermal cover assembly 102 is moved in a vertical direction V from the raised position shown in fig. 4 to the warming position shown in fig. 5 by the link 1032. During movement of the link bracket 1031 from the first, away position to the approximated position, the deck 6 can be driven to move the screening position from the open position. In the shielding position, the cartridge plate 6 covers the thermal cover assembly 102 and the sample in the reaction plate 3, thereby isolating the sample from the external environment.

In correspondence with the above-described procedure, after the amplification is completed, the link support 1031 can be driven to move from the approaching position shown in fig. 5 to the first distant position shown in fig. 4 by merely driving the output shaft to move in the second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. During this time, the link 1032 moves the thermal cover bottom plate 1022 from the warming position to the raised position.

With further rotation of the output shaft in the second rotational direction, the heat cover assembly 102 and the sliding assembly 1 are driven by the link bracket 1031 to move from the working position shown in fig. 4 to the idle position shown in fig. 3. During this time, the slide rail 11 moves relatively to the lift cam 2, and the driving wheel 21 passes through the driving groove 12. The driving groove 12 drives the driving wheel 21 to rotate around the mounting shaft 24, and the lifting cam 2 works to lift and fall back the reaction plate 3 so as to eliminate the adhesive force between the reaction plate 3 and the partition plate 4, thereby facilitating the removal of the reaction plate 3 by a user or a manipulator.

As shown in fig. 7 and 8, in some embodiments, the partition board 4 is further provided with a receiving groove 41, and a side of the receiving groove 41 facing the reaction plate 3 is provided with an opening. The eccentric 22 is arranged in the receiving groove 41. When the jacking cam 2 is in the initial state, the eccentric wheel 22 is completely accommodated below the opening of the accommodating groove 41; when the lifting cam 2 is in the lifting state, at least part of the eccentric wheel 22 protrudes out of the opening of the accommodating groove 41, and pushes the reaction plate 3 away from the partition plate 4.

In some embodiments, the shape of a cross section of the eccentric 22 perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the mounting shaft 24 (hereinafter referred to as a cross section) may include an arc segment and at least one straight line segment for connecting the ends of the arc segment, wherein the arc segment is located on a side of the cross section away from the axis of rotation. When the eccentric wheel 22 is in the initial state, the curved wall corresponding to the arc section of the cross section on the eccentric wheel 22 is positioned below the lower edge of the reaction plate 3; at the same time, the flat portion of the eccentric 22 corresponding to the straight line segment of the cross section is arranged to abut against or be adjacent to the lower edge of the reaction plate 3.

For example, in some embodiments, the cross section of the eccentric 22 may be a sector or an arch centered on the axis of the mounting shaft 24, and during the rotation of the jacking cam 2 from the initial state to the jacking state, the curved wall of the eccentric 22 corresponding to the arc segment in the cross section of the eccentric 22 gradually rotates to abut against the reaction plate 3 and jack the reaction plate 3 away from the partition plate 4.

In some alternative embodiments, the arc segment in the cross section of the eccentric 22 is axially flush with the outer surface of the mounting shaft 24. That is, the radius of the arc segment is equal to the radius of the mounting shaft 24, and the angle of the arc segment (i.e., the central angle to which the arc segment corresponds) in the cross-section of the eccentric 22 may be less than 180 °. In other alternative embodiments, the eccentric 22 may also be semi-circular in cross-section. That is, in some embodiments, the angle of the arc segment may be equal to 180 °.

In some embodiments, the joints of the flat surface parts of the eccentric wheel 22 corresponding to the straight line segments in the cross section and the curved surface walls corresponding to the curved line segments in the cross section are chamfered, so that the lifting of the lifting cam 2 on the reaction plate 3 is more stable.

Fig. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the structure of the lifting cam 2 of the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 9, in some embodiments, the driving wheel 21 is arranged eccentrically at an end of the mounting shaft 24 in a radial direction of the mounting shaft 24, i.e., an axis of the driving wheel 21 is disposed offset from an axis (i.e., a rotation axis) of the mounting shaft 24. So that when the lifting cam 2 rotates around the rotation axis, the movement locus of the axis of the driving wheel 21 is a circle or at least a partial arc with the rotation axis as the center and the distance of the axis of the driving wheel 21 from the rotation axis as the radius. Accordingly, the driving groove 12 of the slide rail 11 may be arranged in an arc adapted to the movement track of the driving wheel 21. When the slide rail 11 moves in the transverse direction H, the driving groove 12 and the driving wheel 21 are relatively displaced, and the upper side wall or the lower side wall of the driving groove 12 abuts against the driving wheel 21, so that the driving wheel 21 can be driven to rotate around the axis of the mounting shaft 24.

Fig. 10, 11 and 12 are schematic views showing the state of the lifting cam 2 at different positions in the driving groove 12. As shown in fig. 10-12, in some embodiments, the drive slot 12 includes a jacking section 121. During movement of the thermal cover assembly 102 from the operating position to the rest position, the slide rail 11 slides in the transverse direction H, while the drive wheel 21 moves within the lifting section 121 of the drive slot 12. The jacking cam 2 is rotated from an initial state to a jacking state, so that the eccentric 22 is rotated to protrude the upper surface of the partition plate 4, and the reaction plate 3 is jacked up.

Further, as shown in fig. 10-12, in some embodiments, the drive slot 12 may also include a reset segment 122. The reset segment 122 communicates with one end of the lifting segment 121 facing the transverse direction H, so that the drive wheel 21 can be continuously moved by the lifting segment 121 into the reset segment 122 when the slide rail 11 moves in the transverse direction H. As the slide rail 11 slides in the lateral direction H, the driving wheel 21 rotates from the raised state to the initial state in a second direction (e.g., clockwise) opposite to the first direction within the reset segment 122. At this time, the eccentric 22 is retracted below the upper surface of the partition plate 4, and the reaction plate 3 falls down and is supported by the partition plate 4. Although the reaction plate 3 falls back over the partition plate 4 again, the condition of adhesion of the reaction plate 3 to the partition plate 4 is reduced due to the lifting of the reaction plate 3 by the lifting cam 2, thereby facilitating the removal of the reaction plate 3 by the user directly or indirectly (e.g., using a robot). The specific process of the driving movement of the lifting cam 2 will be further described below.

As can be seen from the above, the sliding rail 11 slides continuously in the transverse direction H, and the driving wheel 21 moves in the lifting section 121 and the reset section 122 in sequence. The direction of rotation of the mounting shaft 24 when the drive wheel 21 moves in the lifting section 121 is opposite to the direction of rotation of the mounting shaft 24 when the drive wheel 21 moves in the return section 122. For example, as the slide rail 11 slides in the lateral direction H, the drive wheel 21 rotates in the counterclockwise direction to the lifted state about the mounting shaft 24 while the lift cam 2 rotates in the clockwise direction back to the original state about the mounting shaft 24 when the lift section 121 moves, and after the drive wheel 21 enters the reset section 122.

In some embodiments, the direction of deviation of the driving wheel 21 with respect to the rotation axis of the mounting shaft 24 is the same as the direction of deviation of the eccentric 22 with respect to the rotation axis, i.e. the driving wheel 21 and the eccentric 22 are located on the same side of the rotation axis in the radial direction. In this case, the corresponding driving groove 12 is in the form of a downward-opening peak as a whole, and the connection point of the jacking section 121 and the return section 122 is located at the highest point in the driving groove 12 in the vertical direction V, i.e., the case shown in fig. 10 to 12.

In some alternative embodiments, the direction of deviation of the driving wheel 21 with respect to the rotation axis of the mounting shaft 24 and the direction of deviation of the eccentric 22 with respect to the rotation axis may also be opposite, i.e. the driving wheel 21 and the eccentric 22 are located on opposite sides of the rotation axis in the radial direction. In this case, the corresponding driving groove 12 is entirely in the shape of a trough with an opening upward, and the connection point of the jacking section 121 and the reset section 122 is located at the lowest point in the driving groove 12 in the vertical direction V.

At this time, as the slide rail 11 moves in the lateral direction H, the driving wheel 21 abuts against the upper side wall of the jacking section 121 in the jacking section 121, thereby driving the mounting shaft 24 to rotate and causing the eccentric wheel 22 to gradually protrude from the upper surface of the partition plate 4. When the driving wheel 21 moves from the lifting section 121 to the reset section 122, the lower side wall of the reset section 122 abuts against the driving wheel 21, thereby pushing the driving wheel 21 to reversely rotate to an initial state.

The specific movement process of the lifting cam 2 in the auxiliary device according to the application will be described hereinafter mainly by way of example in the case shown in fig. 10 to 12. When the thermal cover assembly 102 is in the operating position, the eccentric 22 is in the initial position. In the initial position, the planar portion of the eccentric 22 abuts or is adjacent to the lower edge of the reaction plate 3. During the movement of the heat cover assembly 102 from the working position to the rest position, the slide rail 11 moves in the transverse direction H, the driving wheel 21 first moves in the jacking section 121, and the peripheral surface of the driving wheel 21 abuts against the lower side wall of the jacking section 121, so that the lower side wall of the jacking section 121 pushes the driving wheel 21 to rotate and drives the mounting shaft 24 to rotate around the rotation axis along with the movement of the driving groove 12 in the transverse direction H. Rotation of the mounting shaft 24 about the axis of rotation rotates the eccentric 22. Since the driving wheel 21 and the eccentric 22 are both radially offset with respect to the rotation axis, the above-mentioned rotation of the driving wheel 21 in the jacking section 121 drives the curved wall of the eccentric 22 gradually into contact with, abutting against and exerting an upward jacking force against the reaction plate 3, whereby the reaction plate 3 is lifted a distance from the partition plate 4, whereby the adhesion between the reaction plate 3 and the partition plate 4 is eliminated.

As the slide rail 11 continues to move in the transverse direction H, the drive wheel 21 moves to the reset segment 122 of the drive slot 12. The driving wheel 21 is abutted against the upper side wall of the reset segment 122, and the lifting cam 2 reversely rotates around the rotation axis under the action of the thrust of the upper side wall of the reset segment 122 and the gravity of the driving wheel 21 and the eccentric wheel 22, so that the lifting cam 2 rotates from the lifting state to the initial state.

Returning to fig. 6, in some embodiments, to facilitate the rotation of the lifting cam 2 within the reset segment 122, a torsion spring 23 is also coupled to the eccentric 22 for driving the lifting cam 2 to rotate to an initial state. One end (hereinafter referred to as the second end) of the torsion spring 23 is coupled to the end surface of the eccentric 22 facing away from the mounting shaft 24, and the other end (hereinafter referred to as the first end) is coupled to the partition 4 of the PCR instrument. In the middle of the torsion spring 23, an easily deformable section, such as an arc arch or the like, may be provided. When the lifting cam 2 is rotated from the initial state to the lifted state, the second end moves relative to the first end, and the torsion spring 23 (particularly, the easily deformable portion thereof) is twisted to be deformed. In this way, when the driving wheel 21 moves from the lifting section 121 to the return section 122, the torsion spring 23 can provide a torque of reverse rotation to the lifting cam 2, so that the lifting cam 2 is rotated from the lifting state to the initial state.

In some embodiments, the lines on both ends of the extension direction of the driving groove 12 extend in the lateral direction H. Both ends of the driving groove 12 are opened in the lateral direction H. During movement of the slide rail 11 in the transverse direction H, the drive wheel 21 can move in and out of the drive slot 12. The lifting cam 2 is in an initial state when the driving wheel 21 enters the driving groove 12 and when the driving wheel 21 leaves the driving groove 12, so that the driving wheel 21 can enter the driving groove 12 and rotate around the mounting shaft 24 along with the movement of the driving groove 12 when the slide rail 11 reciprocates in the transverse direction H or the direction opposite to the transverse direction H.

As shown in fig. 9, in some embodiments, the drive wheel 21 may include a drive shaft 211 coupled to an end of the mounting shaft 24 and a first bearing 212 coaxially sleeved over the drive shaft 211. The inner ring of the first bearing 212 is coupled with the driving shaft 211, and the outer ring is abutted on the upper side wall or the lower side wall of the driving groove 12, so that when the side wall of the driving groove 12 pushes the driving wheel 21 to rotate around the axis of the mounting shaft 24, the friction force between the side wall of the driving groove 12 and the driving wheel 21 can be reduced by the first bearing 212, and the rotation and the reset of the jacking cam 2 are facilitated.

In some embodiments, the lifting cam 2 further includes a second bearing 25 coaxially sleeved outside the mounting shaft 24, an inner ring of the second bearing 25 is coupled with the mounting shaft 24, and an outer ring of the second bearing 25 abuts against an inner wall of the mounting hole 51. The arrangement of the second bearing 25 reduces the friction between the mounting shaft 24 and the cover plate 5 when rotating around the axis of the mounting shaft, improves the stability of rotation and resetting of the jacking cam 2, reduces the abrasion between the cover plate 5 and the mounting shaft 24, and prolongs the service life of the auxiliary device of the reaction plate 3.

The above description of the jacking segment 121 and the reset segment 122 is illustrative only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application, and in some embodiments, the jacking segment 121 and/or the reset segment 122 may be linear. In other embodiments the lifting section 121 and/or the reset section 122 may also be a multi-section fold line. It should be understood that any structure that can drive the driving wheel 21 to rotate around the mounting shaft 24 by abutting the side wall against the driving wheel 21 can be used in the embodiments of the present application.

In some embodiments, the drive wheel 21 and the mounting shaft 24 may be coaxially disposed. The rotation of the mounting shaft 24 may be based on the frictional force applied to the driving wheel 21 by the upper side wall or the lower side wall of the driving groove 12 when the driving groove 12 is relatively displaced from the driving wheel 21. For example, the entire extending direction of the driving groove 12 is parallel to the transverse direction H, and the peripheral surface of the driving wheel 21 is in close contact with the upper side wall or the lower side wall of the driving groove 12.

In this case, the driving wheel 21 may not use a bearing any more, but increase friction with the upper side wall and the lower side wall. For example, in the case where the driving wheel 21 is disposed coaxially with the mounting shaft 24, when the slide rail 11 slides along the vertical plate 13 in the lateral direction H, the driving wheel 21 is relatively displaced in contact with the upper side wall of the lifting section 121 of the driving groove 12 in a manner similar to the manner in which the driving wheel 21 is eccentrically disposed with the mounting shaft 24, and the friction force applied to the peripheral surface of the driving wheel 21 by the upper side wall of the lifting section 121 drives the driving wheel 21 to rotate in the first direction, thereby driving the rotation shaft 24 and the eccentric 22 to rotate. Rotation of the eccentric 22 causes the curved section to push against the reaction plate 3 and lift the reaction plate 3 off the partition 4, thereby eliminating the adhesive force.

With further forward movement of the slide rail 11, the drive wheel 21 enters the reset segment 122 of the drive slot 12. In the reset segment 122, the drive wheel 21 is in contact with and relatively displaced from the lower sidewall of the reset segment 122. The friction force applied to the peripheral surface of the driving wheel 21 by the lower side wall of the reset segment 122 drives the driving wheel 21 to rotate along the second direction, thereby driving the rotating shaft 24 and the eccentric wheel 22 to rotate. Rotation of the eccentric 22 will move the curved section downwardly away from the reaction plate 3.

In summary, by using the auxiliary device according to the embodiment of the application, the reaction plate 3 can be lifted away 4 a distance during the movement of the thermal cover assembly from the working position to the idle position to eliminate the adhesive force, thereby facilitating the taking and placing of the subsequent reaction plate 3 and improving the working efficiency.

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

Claims

1. An auxiliary device for a PCR instrument, comprising:

-a sliding assembly (1) arranged on at least one side of the reaction plate (3) and adapted to be driven to slide in a transversal direction (H), and comprising:

a slide rail (11);

a drive slot (12) arranged on one side of the slide rail (11) facing the reaction plate (3); and

-a riser (13), the riser (13) being erected on at least one side of the reaction plate (3), and wherein the slide rail (11) is coupled to the riser (13); and

a lifting cam (2) coupled in a receiving space (41) of a partition plate (4) of the PCR instrument for placing the reaction plate (3), and comprising:

a mounting shaft (24) extending in the axial direction with the rotation axis as the axis;

a driving wheel (21) arranged at a side of the mounting shaft (24) facing the sliding assembly (1) and located in the driving groove (12), and adapted to rotate in the sliding rail (11) during sliding of the sliding rail (11) in the lateral direction (H) to drive the mounting shaft (24) to rotate about the rotation axis, and

-an eccentric (22) arranged eccentrically with respect to the rotation axis on the side of the mounting shaft (24) facing the partition (4), the eccentric (22) being configured to be able to abut the reaction plate (3) during rotation with the driving wheel (21) to lift the reaction plate (3) off the partition (4) in a vertical direction (V) perpendicular to the transverse direction (H).

2. Auxiliary device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mounting shaft (24) is arranged within a mounting hole (51) of a cover plate (5) of the PCR instrument, the cover plate (5) being coupled with the partition plate (4), and the receiving groove (41) and the mounting hole (51) being aligned in the axial direction.

3. Auxiliary device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the eccentric (22) perpendicular to the rotation axis comprises an arc segment and a straight segment connecting the ends of the arc segment;

the eccentric (22) is arranged such that in an initial state, a planar portion of the eccentric (22) corresponding to the straight line segment abuts or is adjacent to a lower edge of the reaction plate (3), and a curved wall of the eccentric (22) corresponding to the curved line segment abuts the reaction plate (3) to lift the reaction plate (3) off the partition plate (4) during rotation with the driving wheel (21).

4. A supplemental device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the angle of the arc segment is less than or equal to 180 °.

5. An auxiliary device according to claim 3, characterized in that the axis of the driving wheel (21) is arranged radially offset from the axis of rotation.

6. Auxiliary device according to claim 5, characterized in that said driving slot (12) is curved as a whole and comprises:

a lifting section (121) arranged such that, during sliding movement of the sliding assembly (1) in a lateral direction (H), the lifting section (121) is in contact with the driving wheel (21) to drive the mounting shaft (24) to rotate in a first direction to thereby rotate from the initial state to a lifted state to lift the reaction plate (3) off the partition plate (4).

7. The auxiliary device according to claim 6, wherein the drive slot (12) further comprises:

-a resetting section (122) arranged at a downstream end of the jacking section (121) and in communication with the jacking section (121), the resetting section (122) being configured such that, during a sliding movement of the sliding assembly (1) in the lateral direction (H), the resetting section (122) is in contact with the driving wheel (21) to drive the mounting shaft (24) to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction, to thereby rotate from the jacking state to the initial state to reset the reaction plate (3).

8. Auxiliary device according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the driving wheel (21) comprises:

A drive shaft (211) coupled to the mounting shaft (24); and

and a first bearing (212) sleeved on the driving shaft (211) and suitable for rotating in the driving groove (12).

9. Auxiliary device according to claim 2, characterized in that said lifting cam (2) further comprises:

a second bearing (25) arranged between the mounting shaft (24) and the mounting hole (51), the second bearing (25) being coaxially coupled with the mounting shaft (24).

10. Auxiliary device according to any of claims 3-7, characterized in that the intersection of the planar portion of the eccentric (22) with the curved wall is provided with a chamfer.

11. Auxiliary device according to any of claims 1-7, characterized in that the line connecting the two ends of the direction of extension of the drive slot (12) extends in the transverse direction (H) for the drive wheel (21) to enter and exit the drive slot (12) during sliding movement of the slide rail (11) in the transverse direction (H).

12. The auxiliary device of claim 6 or 7, further comprising:

-a torsion spring (23), a first end of which torsion spring (23) is fixedly coupled to the partition (4), a second end of which torsion spring is coupled to the eccentric (22) and moves relative to the first end during rotation of the eccentric (22) from the initial state to the raised state to deform the torsion spring, such that the torsion spring provides a driving force for rotation of the eccentric (22) back from the raised state to the initial state.

13. A PCR instrument, comprising:

a thermal cover assembly (102) adapted to be moved in a transverse direction (H) from an idle position to an operating position, and comprising a thermal cover floor (1022), said thermal cover floor (1022) being adapted to be driven to abut a reaction plate (3) when said thermal cover assembly (102) is in said operating position, and

the auxiliary device of any one of claim 1 to 12,

wherein the sliding assembly (1) of the auxiliary device is fixedly coupled with the thermal cover assembly (102) and is adapted to lift the reaction plate (3) during movement of the thermal cover assembly (102) from the working position to the rest position.

14. The PCR instrument of claim 13, further comprising:

a drive member (101) including an output shaft;

the thermal cover assembly (102) is adapted to be driven to move in a transverse direction (H) from the rest position to the working position during movement of the output shaft in a first rotational direction, and further comprises:

a thermal cover top plate (1021) coupled to the riser (13) of the slip assembly (1), and

-a transmission assembly (103) coupled between the output shaft and the thermal cover assembly (102) and comprising: a link bracket (1031) is coupled to the thermal cover assembly (102) and is adapted to move in the lateral direction (H) from a first, distant position to a proximate position during movement of the output shaft in the first rotational direction and after movement of the thermal cover assembly (102) to the operative position.

15. The PCR instrument as claimed in claim 14, wherein the transmission assembly (103) comprises:

a guide rail (1037) arranged along the transverse direction (H) and

wherein the riser (13) of the glide assembly (1) of the auxiliary device comprises a slider coupled to the rail (1037).

16. The PCR instrument of claim 15, wherein the drive assembly (103) further comprises:

-a front stopper (1039) arranged at a first end of the guide rail (1037) and adapted to block the riser (13) after the heat cover assembly (102) has been moved to the working position; and

a rear stopper (1040) is disposed adjacent a second end of the rail (1037) opposite the first end and adapted to block the riser (13) after the thermal cover assembly (102) is moved to the rest position.

17. The PCR instrument of claim 16, further comprising a mounting bracket (105), the mounting bracket (105) comprising:

a mounting base plate (1051); and

-a mounting frame (1052) arranged on the mounting base plate (1051) and adapted to arrange at least one of the rails (1037), the front stop blocks (1039) and the rear stop blocks (1040).