Patent Description:
With the improvement of the living standard of people, pesticide residues, viruses, nutritional elements or other aspects of some edible food materials are usually required to be tested in daily life, so as to qualitatively or quantitatively obtain the conditions of the food materials. For example, due to the pesticide abuse problem, fruits, vegetables and agricultural and sideline products purchased daily by people may have the problem of excessive pesticide residue content, and if the problem of excessive pesticide residue content of the foods cannot be found in time, great harm may be caused after people ingest the foods. For another example, currently advocated breast feeding is best feeding for infants only when breast milk has normal nutritional value, but in cases of diseases, medicine taking, surgery or other cases of the mother, the milk secreted by the mother may have reduced content of nutritional elements and even produce viruses, thereby affecting the growth and health of the infants.

However, an existing testing system is generally independent, occupies space, and is inconvenient to store, and a user may forget to use a testing device after the testing device is stored, or does not take out the testing device for use due to bother. For this reason, there exist solutions in the prior art to integrate the testing system for pesticide residue testing on a refrigerator. The existing pesticide residue testing system integrated on the refrigerator tests gas volatilized from the food materials or condensed water flowing down from the food materials, and a gas collection device or a liquid collection device is required to be arranged, such that the structure is quite complex, occupied space is large to affect a normal storage space of the user, and the testing accuracy is quite low, thereby greatly influencing the use experience of the user. <CIT> discloses a refrigerator according to the preamble of claim <NUM> that can detect food security, including: household, food safety detection device and micro-fluidic chip, wherein food safety detection device is embedded in household, and micro-fluidic chip is detachably connected with food safety detection device. <CIT> discloses a biochip and a chip controls method. The biochip includes chip basal body, and quantitative sampling device, multiple reagent chambers and reactor in chip basal body is arranged in. <CIT> discloses a passive microfluidic control system, an on-chip power source using solid-propellant actuators, an integrated metallic microneedle for sampling, an on-chip calibration pouch for calibration buffer storage, a biosensor array for measuring clinically relevant parameters, a biochip socket for mechanical operations of a biochip sequence, and a handheld analyzer for controlling the microfluidic sequencing of the biochip and reading the output of the biosensors. <CIT> discloses a further prior art of a microfluidic apparatus for conducting biological testing.

An object of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art and to provide a refrigerator integrating a microfluidic testing system having a simple structure.

A further object of the present invention is to improve the operation convenience of replacement of a microfluidic biochip by a user.

Another object of the present invention is to dampen vibrations, reduce operational noises, and improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the microfluidic testing system.

In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a refrigerator, including a microfluidic testing system according to claim <NUM>, which is used for qualitatively or quantitatively testing a preset test parameter of a sample liquid, the microfluidic testing system including:.

According to the invention, the sample liquid driving device forms a fluid-tight connection with the communication port through a sealed docking mechanism; and
the communication port of the microfluidic biochip is fixedly provided with a plug pin protruding and extending outward, an internal flow channel of the plug pin is in sealed communication with the communication port, the plug pin is inserted into the inside of the sealed docking mechanism and forms a fluid-tight connection with the sealed docking mechanism, and the sealed docking mechanism is in fluid-tight connection with the sample liquid driving device, so that the sample liquid driving device is in sealed communication with the communication port.

Optionally, an end surface of an extended tip of the plug pin is a continuous and smooth hemispherical surface, and a pin hole of the plug pin for fluid communication with the sealed docking mechanism is formed on the circumferential side of a section of the plug pin located inside the sealed docking mechanism.

Optionally, the microfluidic testing system further includes:
a chip withdrawing mechanism used for operably releasing the support effect of the chip mounting mechanism on the microfluidic biochip, so as to release the microfluidic biochip.

Optionally, the chip mounting mechanism includes two oppositely arranged elastic clamping jaws, to apply opposite acting forces to the microfluidic biochip located between the two elastic clamping jaws, such that the microfluidic biochip is clamped between the two elastic clamping jaws; and
the chip withdrawing mechanism is configured to operably apply opposite acting forces to the two elastic clamping jaws to make the two elastic clamping jaws elastically deform in directions departing from each other, so as to release the clamping effect of the two elastic clamping jaws on the microfluidic biochip.

Optionally, the microfluidic testing system further includes:.

Optionally, the microfluidic biochip is provided above the sample stage, and the sample inlet is located at the bottom of the microfluidic biochip; and
the microfluidic testing system further includes a lifting mechanism for driving the sample stage to move up and down, such that the sample stage is switched between a testing position allowing the sample liquid in the sample cup placed on the sample stage to be in contact with the sample inlet and an initial position at a preset distance below the testing position.

Optionally, the sample liquid driving device is adjacently provided on the transverse side of the microfluidic biochip, and includes a suspended driving motor.

Optionally, the refrigerator further includes:.

The refrigerator according to the present invention includes the microfluidic testing system, and the microfluidic testing system includes the microfluidic biochip for providing testing conditions and testing environments, the chip mounting mechanism for mounting the microfluidic biochip, the sample liquid driving device for accurately controlling the sample liquid to flow into the microfluidic biochip, and the testing mechanism for executing a testing operation. The combination of the structure and the function of the four modules not only can smoothly execute the sample feeding and testing operations, but also can ensure the accuracy of a testing result by means of the accurate control over sample feeding. On this basis, each module has a quite simple structure, thus simplifying the structure of the microfluidic testing system, and preventing the microfluidic testing system from occupying too much space in the refrigerator.

Further, the microfluidic testing system further includes the chip withdrawing mechanism, and a user can release the support effect of the chip mounting mechanism on the microfluidic biochip by operating the chip withdrawing mechanism, such that the microfluidic biochip is released, the user can easily take out the microfluidic biochip or the microfluidic biochip can fall off under the action of the gravity thereof, thus simplifying the operation process of the user, and improving the operation convenience of replacement of the microfluidic biochip by the user.

Further, the sample liquid driving device is provided with the driving motor, and the driving motor is suspended and is not in contact with other structures, which prevents the vibration generated when the driving motor operates from being transmitted to the microfluidic biochip or other structures, thereby dampening the vibration of the whole microfluidic testing system, and reducing the operational noise of the microfluidic testing system. Since the driving motor has a high use frequency and high heat productivity, the suspended arrangement of the driving motor increases the surrounding space thereof to facilitate heat dissipation.

According to the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with drawings, those skilled in the art will better understand the aforementioned and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention.

Some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail in an exemplary rather than restrictive manner with reference to the drawings. Identical reference numerals in the drawings represent identical or similar components or parts. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:.

The present invention provides a refrigerator. <FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to <FIG>, the refrigerator <NUM> according to the present invention includes a cabinet <NUM> and a door <NUM>. The cabinet <NUM> internally defines a storage space for storing articles, and the door <NUM> is connected to the cabinet <NUM> and used for opening and/or closing the storage space of the cabinet.

Particularly, the refrigerator <NUM> further includes a microfluidic testing system <NUM>, the microfluidic testing system <NUM> is used for qualitatively or quantitatively testing a preset test parameter of a sample liquid; the preset test parameter may be, for example, a pesticide residue parameter for indicating whether a pesticide residue content exceeds the standard and/or a specific value of the pesticide residue content, a nutrient parameter for indicating whether a nutritional element meets the standard and/or a specific content of the nutritional element, a specific substance parameter for indicating whether a specific harmful substance (for example, a specific virus) exceeds the standard and/or a specific content thereof, or the like.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of the microfluidic testing system in an embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a schematic exploded structural diagram of the microfluidic testing system in an embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of an internal structure of the microfluidic testing system in an embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a schematic exploded structural diagram of the internal structure of the microfluidic testing system in an embodiment of the present invention. For ease of understanding, a sample cup <NUM> is also shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the microfluidic testing system <NUM> may include a microfluidic biochip <NUM>, a chip mounting mechanism <NUM>, a sample liquid driving device <NUM> and a testing mechanism <NUM>. It may be appreciated by those skilled in the art that specific selection of the microfluidic biochip <NUM> and the testing mechanism <NUM> used in the microfluidic testing system may vary when the preset test parameters tested by the microfluidic testing system vary. For example, when the microfluidic testing system is used for pesticide residue testing, the microfluidic biochip <NUM> thereof can be a microfluidic pesticide residue testing chip capable of providing testing conditions for a pesticide residue liquid, and the testing mechanism <NUM> thereof can be a pesticide residue testing mechanism capable of testing a pesticide residue parameter of the pesticide residue liquid.

<FIG> is a schematic sectional diagram of the microfluidic biochip in an embodiment of the present invention; the microfluidic biochip <NUM> has a sample inlet <NUM>, a communication port <NUM>, and a testing pool <NUM> formed in the microfluidic biochip, the sample inlet <NUM>, the testing pool <NUM>, and the communication port <NUM> being communicated in sequence by means of a micro-channel <NUM> to allow the sample liquid in contact with the sample inlet <NUM> to enter the micro-channel <NUM> and flow into the testing pool <NUM> by means of the micro-channel <NUM>. The micro-channel <NUM> in the present invention means a micro flow channel or a capillary flow channel having a flow area within a preset size range, so as to have a suitable capability of holding a liquid therein. The sample inlet <NUM> and the communication port <NUM> may be formed at an end portion of the microfluidic biochip <NUM>. Further, the sample inlet <NUM> and the communication port <NUM> are preferably formed at different end portions of the microfluidic biochip <NUM>.

The chip mounting mechanism <NUM> is used for mounting the microfluidic biochip <NUM> to provide supporting for the microfluidic biochip <NUM>.

The sample liquid driving device <NUM> is in sealed communication with the communication port <NUM> to promote the sample liquid in contact with the sample inlet <NUM> to flow into the micro-channel <NUM> and flow to the testing pool <NUM> through the micro-channel <NUM>, thereby precisely controlling the quantity and flow rate of the sample liquid entering the testing pool <NUM>.

The testing mechanism <NUM> is used for testing the testing pool <NUM>, so as to obtain the preset test parameter of the sample liquid. Specifically, the testing pool <NUM> may be provided therein with a testing reagent in advance, or the testing reagent may be manually or automatically added to the testing pool <NUM>, such that the testing mechanism <NUM> tests the testing pool <NUM> after the sample liquid in the testing pool <NUM> reacts with the testing reagent therein.

The refrigerator <NUM> according to the present invention includes the microfluidic testing system <NUM>, and the microfluidic testing system <NUM> includes the microfluidic biochip <NUM> for providing testing conditions and testing environments, the chip mounting mechanism <NUM> for mounting the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, the sample liquid driving device <NUM> for accurately controlling the sample liquid to flow into the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, and the testing mechanism <NUM> for executing a testing operation. The combination of the structure and the function of the four modules not only can smoothly execute the sample feeding and testing operations, but also can ensure the accuracy of a testing result by means of the accurate control over sample feeding. On this basis, each module has a quite simple structure, thus simplifying the structure of the microfluidic testing system <NUM>, and preventing the microfluidic testing system from occupying too much space in the refrigerator <NUM>.

In a specific embodiment, when the testing mechanism <NUM> is a pesticide residue testing mechanism for testing the pesticide residue parameters of the pesticide residue liquid, an enzyme inhibition rate method can be used to rapidly and qualitatively test whether pesticide residues in the sample liquid exceed the standard. At this point, the microfluidic biochip <NUM> further includes a reaction pool <NUM> formed therein, and the reaction pool <NUM> is located on a main channel formed by sequentially communicating the sample inlet <NUM>, the testing pool <NUM>, and the communication port <NUM>, and is communicated between the sample inlet <NUM> and the testing pool <NUM>, such that the sample liquid firstly reacts with a reaction reagent in the reaction pool <NUM> and then flows into the testing pool <NUM>. The reaction pool <NUM> is communicated with the sample inlet <NUM> through the micro-channel <NUM>, and the reaction pool <NUM> is communicated with the testing pool <NUM> through the micro-channel <NUM>. The reaction reagent and the testing reagent for pesticide residue testing may be an enzyme reagent and a color developing agent respectively. The reaction pool <NUM> is configured to allow the sample liquid to react with the enzyme reagent therein, and the sample liquid after the reaction with the enzyme reagent flows into the testing pool <NUM> to react with the color developing agent in the testing pool <NUM>. The testing mechanism <NUM> may be selected as a photoelectric testing mechanism and may include a light source <NUM> and a photosensitive element <NUM> arranged on two opposite sides of the microfluidic biochip <NUM> respectively and directly facing the testing pool <NUM>, light emitted from the light source <NUM> is irradiated to the testing pool <NUM>, and light transmitted through the testing pool <NUM> is introduced into the photosensitive element <NUM>, which facilitates judgment of the change in an absorbance in the testing pool <NUM> using a light intensity signal received by the photosensitive element <NUM>, and then facilitates calculation of a pesticide residue inhibition rate. Further, the testing mechanism <NUM> further includes a heating sheet <NUM> for supplying heat to the testing pool <NUM> and a temperature controller <NUM> for controlling the heating power of the heating sheet <NUM> to be constant, such that the sample liquid and the testing reagent in the testing pool <NUM> can react sufficiently and rapidly.

In some embodiments, the sample liquid driving device <NUM> may be adjacently provided on the transverse side of the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, such that the compactness of the structural layout between the microfluidic biochip <NUM> and the sample liquid driving device <NUM> is guaranteed, and a liquid in the microfluidic biochip <NUM> flows or drops downwards along the microfluidic biochip <NUM> without contacting the sample liquid driving device <NUM> when the liquid leaks or is discharged, thereby avoiding the adverse effect on the sample liquid driving device <NUM>.

Further, the sample liquid driving device <NUM> may include a suspended driving motor <NUM>. That is, the driving motor <NUM> is connected to a supporting structure only by the top thereof, and is not in contact with other structures, such that the vibration generated during the operation of the driving motor <NUM> is prevented from being transmitted to the microfluidic biochip <NUM> or other structures, which not only prevents the adverse effect on the stability or performance of the microfluidic biochip <NUM> or other structures, but also dampens the vibration of the entire microfluidic testing system <NUM> and reduces the operational noise thereof. Furthermore, since the driving motor <NUM> has a high use frequency and high heat productivity, the suspended arrangement of the driving motor <NUM> increases the surrounding space thereof to facilitate heat dissipation.

Specifically, the sample liquid driving device <NUM> may form a negative pressure in the main channel by pumping air outwards, such that the sample liquid in contact with the sample inlet <NUM> is allowed to enter the main channel under the action of the negative pressure. <FIG> is a schematic sectional diagram of the sample liquid driving device, the microfluidic biochip and their connection structure in an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the sample liquid driving device <NUM> may be a micro injection pump, and further includes a vertically extending injector <NUM>, a lead screw <NUM>, a slider <NUM> and a piston <NUM>. The injector <NUM> is fixed on a bracket <NUM>, and the top of the injector <NUM> is in sealed communication with the communication port <NUM> on the top of the microfluidic biochip <NUM> through a connecting pipeline <NUM>. The lead screw <NUM> extends vertically and is connected with the driving motor <NUM> to be rotated under the driving of the driving motor <NUM>. The lead screw <NUM> penetrates through the slider <NUM>, and the slider is in threaded connection with the lead screw <NUM> to move up and down along the lead screw <NUM> with the rotation of the lead screw <NUM>. The piston <NUM> is provided inside the injector <NUM> and fixedly connected with the slider <NUM>, so as to be driven by the slider <NUM> to move in the up-down direction, such that the negative pressure is generated in the main channel when the piston moves downwards, and then, the sample liquid in contact with the sample inlet <NUM> is impelled to flow into the micro-channel and flow into the testing pool <NUM> through the micro-channel, and the sample liquid in the main channel is impelled to flow to the sample inlet <NUM> when the piston moves upwards.

The sample liquid driving device <NUM> may further include a position sensor, which is used to cooperate with the driving motor <NUM> to control the amount of displacement of the piston <NUM> in upward movement and/or downward movement, so as to realize the accurate control over sample feeding. Meanwhile, the amount of displacement of the piston <NUM> in upward movement and downward movement can be monitored in real time, such that the piston can perform fine pushing and pumping operations, and thus, the sample liquid entering the main channel is subjected to liquid pushing and liquid drawing actions in opposite directions on the premise that the sample liquid is guaranteed not to flow out through the communication port <NUM>, so as to promote more even mixture or a more sufficient reaction between the sample liquid in the testing pool <NUM> and the testing reagent therein, thus improving the accuracy of the testing result.

In some embodiments, the sample liquid driving device <NUM> forms a fluid-tight connection with the communication port <NUM> through a sealed docking mechanism <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the sealed docking mechanism <NUM> may include a sealed connecting piece <NUM> and an elastic pressing piece <NUM>. The sealed connecting piece <NUM> is connected between the microfluidic biochip <NUM> and the sample liquid driving device <NUM>, and is provided therein with a connection channel penetrating through the sealed connecting piece <NUM>. The elastic pressing piece <NUM> is used for applying an elastic acting force to the sealed connecting piece <NUM>, such that the sealed connecting piece <NUM> is simultaneously and hermetically docked with the sample liquid driving device <NUM> and the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, thereby enabling the sample liquid driving device <NUM> and the communication port <NUM> of the microfluidic biochip <NUM> to be in sealed communication through the connection channel inside the sealed connecting piece <NUM>. Thus, the elastic acting force can be applied to the sealed connecting piece <NUM> by the elastic pressing piece <NUM>, such that the sealed connecting piece <NUM> is promoted to be always kept in a state of being tightly and hermetically docked with the sample liquid driving device <NUM> and the microfluidic biochip <NUM> at the same time, and the problems of looseness, breakage, or the like, caused by long-time use of other docking mechanisms are avoided, thereby guaranteeing a long-term and reliable fluid-tight communication relationship between the sample liquid driving device <NUM> and the communication port <NUM> of the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, and improving the sealing effect therebetween.

In some embodiments, the sample liquid driving device <NUM> is communicated with the communication port <NUM> through the connecting pipeline <NUM>. The communication port <NUM> may be formed on the top of the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, and the sample liquid driving device <NUM> may be adjacently provided on the transverse side of the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, so as to prevent the sample liquid driving device <NUM> from being adversely affected by liquid leakage which may be generated by the microfluidic biochip <NUM>. The connecting pipeline <NUM> may be communicated with the top of the sample liquid driving device <NUM> to be bridged between the sample liquid driving device <NUM> and the microfluidic biochip <NUM>.

Further, the sealed connecting piece <NUM> may include a first connection block <NUM> for being directly docked with the microfluidic biochip <NUM> and a second connection block <NUM> provided on a side of the first connection block <NUM> away from the microfluidic biochip <NUM>. The first connection block <NUM> and the second connection block <NUM> are hermetically connected by means of insertion, and the second connection block <NUM> and the connecting pipeline <NUM> are hermetically connected by means of insertion.

In some embodiments, the elastic pressing piece <NUM> may be a spring, one end of the spring abuts against a fixedly arranged end plate <NUM>, the other end of the spring abuts against the sealed connecting piece <NUM>, and the end plate <NUM> and the microfluidic biochip <NUM> are located on two opposite sides of the sealed connecting piece <NUM> respectively. Specifically, in a mounted state of the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, the spring is in a compressed state to generate the elastic acting force for urging the sealed connecting piece <NUM> to have a tendency to move towards the microfluidic biochip <NUM>. The number of the elastic pressing pieces <NUM> may be two or more, so as to increase the elastic acting force acting on the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, and to make the elastic acting force applied to the microfluidic biochip <NUM> more balanced, thereby avoiding inclination and further improving the sealed connection effect.

Further, the sealed docking mechanism <NUM> further includes a guide rod <NUM> sleeved with the spring to prevent the spring from being displaced. One end of the guide rod <NUM> is fixedly connected with the sealed connecting piece <NUM>, and the other end of the guide rod <NUM> is in contact with a Hall switch <NUM> after the microfluidic biochip <NUM> and the sealed connecting piece <NUM> are hermetically docked, such that the Hall switch <NUM> is prompted to generate a trigger signal for indicating that the microfluidic biochip <NUM> is mounted in place, so as to prompt a user, thus avoiding structural damage caused by excessive mounting of the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, and meanwhile improving the use experience of the user.

In order to improve the sealing performance between the sealed docking mechanism <NUM> and the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, the present application further provides the sealed docking mechanism <NUM> and the microfluidic biochip <NUM> according to another embodiment. <FIG> is a schematic exploded sectional diagram of the sealed docking mechanism and the microfluidic biochip in another embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a schematic enlarged diagram of part A in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the elastic pressing piece, the guide rod, or the like, of the sealed docking mechanism are not shown. In some other embodiments, a plug pin <NUM> protruding and extending outward is fixedly connected to the communication port <NUM> of the microfluidic biochip <NUM> in the present invention, an internal flow channel <NUM> of the plug pin <NUM> is in sealed communication with the communication port <NUM>, and the plug pin <NUM> is inserted into the inside of the sealed docking mechanism <NUM> and forms the fluid-tight connection with the sealed docking mechanism <NUM>. That is, the sealed docking mechanism <NUM> is simultaneously in fluid-tight connection with the sample liquid driving device <NUM> and the plug pin <NUM>, thus realizing a good sealed communication relationship between the sample liquid driving device <NUM> and the communication port <NUM> of the microfluidic biochip <NUM>.

Specifically, the plug pin <NUM> can be plugged into the sealed connecting piece <NUM> of the sealed docking mechanism <NUM>. The sealed connecting piece <NUM> in the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG> has a slightly different structure from the sealed connecting piece <NUM> of the embodiment shown in <FIG>. The bottom of the first connection block <NUM> of the sealed connecting piece <NUM> in the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG> may be provided with a through hole <NUM> for inserting the plug pin <NUM>, and the through hole <NUM> and the plug pin <NUM> may be hermetically matched by means of abutting contact or pressing contact. The plug pin <NUM> may be provided with a pin hole <NUM> for fluidly connecting the internal flow channel <NUM> thereof with the inside of the sealed docking mechanism <NUM>, and the pin hole <NUM> is formed in a section of the plug pin <NUM> located inside the sealed docking mechanism <NUM>; that is, the pin hole <NUM> of the plug pin <NUM> is located inside the sealed docking mechanism <NUM>, so as to guarantee a smooth and good fluid communication relationship therebetween, improve the sealing performance therebetween to a great extent, and avoid the problems of air leakage, liquid leakage, or the like, at the connection therebetween.

Further, in order to avoid damage to the sealed docking mechanism <NUM> after frequent insertion and removal of the plug pin <NUM>, the structural strength of the sealed docking mechanism <NUM> may be increased, which, however, has a higher requirement for a material of the sealed docking mechanism <NUM>, and even if a material having higher structural strength is adopted, the sealed docking mechanism <NUM> may still be structurally damaged after the plug pin <NUM> is inserted and removed a limited number of times. For this reason, the applicant of the present application improves the structure of the plug pin <NUM> from another perspective. Referring to <FIG>, an end surface <NUM> of an extended tip of the plug pin <NUM> is a continuous and smooth hemispherical surface, and the pin hole <NUM> of the plug pin <NUM> for fluid communication with the sealed docking mechanism <NUM> is formed on the circumferential side <NUM> of the section of the plug pin <NUM> located inside the sealed docking mechanism <NUM>. Thus, when the microfluidic biochip <NUM> provided with the plug pin <NUM> is hermetically docked with the sealed docking mechanism <NUM>, the contact surface between the plug pin <NUM> and the sealed docking mechanism <NUM> is a smooth spherical surface, such that friction between the plug pin <NUM> and the sealed docking mechanism <NUM> is reduced, the sealed docking mechanism <NUM> cannot be scratched or punctured, the sealed docking mechanism <NUM> is guaranteed to keep a good sealed docking function for a long time, the service life of the microfluidic testing system <NUM> is prolonged, and meanwhile, the requirement for the structural strength of the sealed docking mechanism <NUM> is reduced.

It should be noted that the extended tip of the plug pin <NUM> means an end of the plug pin <NUM> extending into the sealed docking mechanism <NUM>. Further, the pin hole <NUM> may be formed at the circumferential side of a section of the plug pin <NUM> close to the extended tip thereof, and thus, the fluid communication relationship between the plug pin <NUM> and the sealed docking mechanism <NUM> may be guaranteed even if the section of the plug pin <NUM> inserted into the sealed docking mechanism <NUM> is not long.

Still further, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the plug pin <NUM> is inserted into the microfluidic biochip <NUM> through the communication port <NUM>, and a starting end of the plug pin <NUM> extending into the microfluidic biochip <NUM> is open to be communicated with the micro-channel <NUM>, so as to be communicated with the communication port <NUM>. The matching interface between the plug pin <NUM> and the communication port <NUM> can be sealed by sealing gum <NUM> to enhance the sealing performance between the plug pin <NUM> and the microfluidic biochip <NUM>.

In some alternative embodiments, the plug pin <NUM> and the microfluidic biochip <NUM> may also be integrally formed.

In some embodiments, the microfluidic testing system <NUM> further includes a chip withdrawing mechanism <NUM> used for operably releasing the support effect of the chip mounting mechanism <NUM> on the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, so as to release the microfluidic biochip <NUM>. Thus, the user can release the support effect of the chip mounting mechanism <NUM> on the microfluidic biochip <NUM> by operating the chip withdrawing mechanism <NUM>, such that the microfluidic biochip <NUM> is released, the user can easily take out the microfluidic biochip <NUM> or the microfluidic biochip <NUM> can fall off under the action of the gravity thereof, thus simplifying an operation process of the user, and improving the operation convenience of replacement of the microfluidic biochip <NUM> by the user.

Further, the chip withdrawing mechanism <NUM> may be exposed outside the refrigerator <NUM> to facilitate the user to carry out a chip withdrawing operation, and no matter how compact the structural layout of the microfluidic testing system <NUM> itself and the overall structural layout generated after the microfluidic testing system is integrated in the refrigerator are, a detaching operation of the microfluidic biochip <NUM> is not affected, thereby improving the use experience of the user.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of the microfluidic biochip, the chip mounting mechanism, and the chip withdrawing mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the chip mounting mechanism <NUM> may include two oppositely arranged elastic clamping jaws <NUM>, to apply opposite acting forces to the microfluidic biochip <NUM> located between the two elastic clamping jaws <NUM>, such that the microfluidic biochip <NUM> is clamped between the two elastic clamping jaws <NUM>. The chip withdrawing mechanism <NUM> is configured to operably apply opposite acting forces to the two elastic clamping jaws <NUM> to make the two elastic clamping jaws <NUM> elastically deform in directions departing from each other, so as to release the clamping effect of the two elastic clamping jaws <NUM> on the microfluidic biochip <NUM>.

Specifically, the chip withdrawing mechanism <NUM> may include a cantilever button <NUM> suspended on one side of the microfluidic biochip <NUM> and an abutting block <NUM> protruding and extending towards the microfluidic biochip <NUM> from the inner side of the cantilever button <NUM> towards the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, and the abutting block <NUM> abuts against the oppositely arranged inner sides of the two elastic clamping jaws <NUM> at the same time, so as to apply outward acting forces to the inner sides of the two elastic clamping jaws <NUM> by the abutting block <NUM> when the cantilever button <NUM> is subjected to an acting force towards the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, such that the two elastic clamping jaws <NUM> elastically deform towards outer side directions departing from each other. That is, when the microfluidic biochip <NUM> is required to be disassembled, the user is only required to press the cantilever button <NUM> to release the clamping effect of the two elastic clamping jaws <NUM> on the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, so as to release the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, and the operation is quite simple and convenient; the chip withdrawing mechanism <NUM> has a quite simple structure and a quite ingenious design.

The two opposite side surfaces of the abutting block abutting against the inner sides of the two elastic clamping jaws <NUM> respectively are oppositely inclined towards the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, so as to guarantee the smoothness of the pressing operation of the cantilever button <NUM> and avoid the phenomena of blockage, or the like. Specifically, the abutting block may substantially have a shape of an isosceles trapezoid, the lower base of the isosceles trapezoid is connected to the cantilever button <NUM>, and two waists of the isosceles trapezoid abut against the inner sides of the two elastic clamping jaws <NUM> respectively.

In some embodiments, the microfluidic testing system <NUM> further includes a sample stage <NUM>, the sample stage <NUM> is used for placing the sample cup <NUM>, and the sample cup <NUM> is used for containing the sample liquid. The sample stage <NUM> is configured to be controllably or operatively moved to transport the sample cup <NUM> placed thereon by the sample stage <NUM> to a position allowing the sample liquid in the sample cup <NUM> to be in contact with the sample inlet <NUM> of the microfluidic biochip <NUM>. Thus, sample loading of the microfluidic biochip <NUM> is realized. The user is only required to place the sample cup <NUM> on the sample stage <NUM>, or after placing the sample cup <NUM> on the sample stage <NUM>, the user moves the sample stage <NUM> to a position where the sample liquid is in contact with the sample inlet <NUM> of the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, such that a sample loading operation is quite convenient, and time and labor are saved. In addition, in the present application, the sample stage <NUM> is configured to be movable, thus omitting complex structures, such as a sample liquid delivery pump, a delivery pipeline, a sampling needle, or the like, such that the microfluidic testing system <NUM> has a quite simple structure, and thus is prevented from occupying too much space of the refrigerator.

Further, the microfluidic biochip <NUM> may be provided above the sample stage <NUM>, and the sample inlet <NUM> is located at the bottom of the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, which facilitates the sample inlet <NUM> coming into contact with the sample liquid in the sample cup <NUM> placed on the sample stage <NUM>. The microfluidic testing system <NUM> further includes a lifting mechanism <NUM> for driving the sample stage <NUM> to move up and down, such that the sample stage <NUM> is switched between a testing position allowing the sample liquid in the sample cup <NUM> placed on the sample stage <NUM> to be in contact with the sample inlet <NUM> and an initial position at a preset distance below the testing position. That is, the sample stage <NUM> may be automatically lifted and lowered by the lifting mechanism <NUM>, thus further simplifying the operation of the user, and improving the automation degree of the microfluidic testing system.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of the lifting mechanism and the sample stage in a disassembled state in an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the lifting mechanism <NUM> may include a lifting motor <NUM>, a transmission lead screw <NUM>, and a nut <NUM>. The lifting motor <NUM> is used to output a driving force. The transmission lead screw <NUM> is vertically provided and connected with an output shaft of the lifting motor <NUM> to be rotated under the driving of the lifting motor <NUM>. The transmission lead screw <NUM> penetrates through the nut <NUM>, and the nut is in threaded connection with the transmission lead screw <NUM> to move up and down along the transmission lead screw <NUM> with the rotation of the transmission lead screw <NUM>. The sample stage <NUM> is fixedly connected with the nut <NUM> so that the nut <NUM> drives the sample stage <NUM> to move up and down.

Further, the lifting mechanism <NUM> further includes a slide rail <NUM> and a slider <NUM>. The slide rail <NUM> is provided beside the transmission lead screw <NUM> in parallel with the transmission lead screw <NUM>, the slider <NUM> is movably provided on the slide rail <NUM>, and the sample stage <NUM> is fixedly connected with the slider <NUM>, and thus the sample stage <NUM> is guided to move up and down through the cooperation of the slide rail <NUM> and the slider <NUM>. Specifically, the slider <NUM> is driven to move synchronously when the sample stage <NUM> moves in the up-down direction under the action of a driving module, the slider <NUM> is limited on the slide rail <NUM>, and the slide rail <NUM> has guiding and limiting effects on the movement of the slider <NUM>, such that the sample stage <NUM> is indirectly guided and limited, the sample stage <NUM> is prevented from being shifted or jammed in a moving process, and the movement stability of the sample stage <NUM> is improved. Specifically, the sample stage <NUM> may include a horizontal connecting plate <NUM> through which the transmission lead screw <NUM> penetrates and which is fixedly connected with the nut <NUM>, and a vertical connecting plate <NUM> extending upwards perpendicular to the horizontal connecting plate <NUM>, the vertical connecting plate <NUM> being fixedly connected with the slider <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the lifting mechanism <NUM> further includes a limit switch <NUM>, and the limit switch <NUM> is provided close to an upper portion of the transmission lead screw <NUM> to cause the lifting motor <NUM> to stop operation when the sample stage <NUM> moves upwards to touch the limit switch <NUM>. The position of the limit switch <NUM> is set such that the sample stage <NUM> is located at the testing position thereof when the lifting motor <NUM> stops operation under the trigger of the limit switch <NUM>. The sample stage <NUM> may be kept at the testing position thereof when the lifting motor <NUM> does not operate. In the present application, the testing position of the sample stage <NUM> is positioned by the limit switch <NUM>, the positioning is accurate, and the problem that the sample stage <NUM> exceeds the testing position thereof and continues to move to cause structural damage to the sample stage <NUM>, the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, or the like, can be avoided.

In some embodiments, the sample stage <NUM> may include a support stage <NUM> and an oscillator <NUM>. The support stage <NUM> is used for supporting the sample cup <NUM>. Specifically, the support stage <NUM> may be a horizontally placed support plate, and a groove for placing the bottom of the sample cup <NUM> therein may be provided on the support plate, so as to prevent the sample cup <NUM> from toppling or shaking during the moving process of the sample stage <NUM>, thereby improving the stability of the placement of the sample cup <NUM>. The support stage <NUM> is fixedly connected with the horizontal connecting plate <NUM>.

The oscillator <NUM> is provided at the support stage <NUM>, and is used to oscillate the sample cup <NUM> after the sample cup <NUM> is placed on the support stage <NUM>, such that a buffer liquid and a sample in the sample cup <NUM> are fully mixed to generate the sample liquid, thereby fully dissolving a to-be-tested substance on the sample into the buffer liquid to obtain the sample liquid with a suitable concentration. The buffer liquid may be pre-loaded into the sample cup <NUM> by means of manual addition or may be automatically delivered to the sample cup <NUM> by a driving device after the sample cup <NUM> is placed on the sample stage <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the sample stage <NUM> further includes a weighing sensor <NUM>, and the weighing sensor <NUM> is provided below the support stage <NUM> for weighing the weight of the sample in the sample cup <NUM>, thereby allowing a buffer liquid driving device <NUM> to deliver a preset quantity of the buffer liquid matched with the weight of the sample to the sample cup <NUM>. In general, the sample is extracted at will by a home user, for example, a small vegetable leaf is torn off at will, and therefore, in order to guarantee the accuracy of a measurement result, the quantity of the buffer liquid input into the sample cup <NUM> is required to be matched with the quantity of the sample, so as to generate the sample liquid with a proper concentration. In the present application, the weight of the sample can be automatically and accurately obtained by the weighing sensor <NUM> provided below the support stage <NUM>, such that the buffer liquid driving device <NUM> is automatically controlled to input the matched quantity of the buffer liquid into the sample cup <NUM>, thus guaranteeing the accuracy of the measurement result, avoiding various problems of inconvenient use, a complex operation, a large error, or the like, caused by manual weighing of the sample by the user, and further improving the automation degree of the microfluidic testing system and the use experience of the user.

It should be noted that, in some alternative embodiments, the sample stage <NUM> may be fixed, and the microfluidic pesticide residue testing chip <NUM> may be configured to be movable, which can also facilitate the sampling operation.

In some embodiments, the microfluidic testing system <NUM> further includes a buffer liquid bottle <NUM> and the buffer liquid driving device <NUM>. The buffer liquid bottle <NUM> is used for containing the buffer liquid. The buffer liquid driving device <NUM> is communicated with the buffer liquid bottle <NUM> to controllably drive the buffer liquid in the buffer liquid bottle <NUM> into the sample cup <NUM> placed on the sample stage <NUM>, such that the buffer liquid is mixed with the sample in the sample cup <NUM> to generate the sample liquid. Specifically, the buffer liquid bottle <NUM> is communicated with the buffer liquid driving device <NUM> through an inlet pipe <NUM>. An outlet pipe <NUM> of the buffer liquid driving device <NUM> extends to the sample stage <NUM>. This arrangement is adopted mainly for a solid sample as a tested sample, and the buffer liquid is required to dissolve the to-be-tested substance on the solid sample to form the sample liquid; or, the sample is a liquid sample, but has a too high concentration, and the sample is required to be diluted using the buffer liquid to produce the sample liquid. For example, during pesticide residue testing, the tested sample is usually a solid food residue piece, such as a skin, a leaf, or the like, the sample is required to be placed in the buffer liquid, and the pesticide residue on the sample is dissolved in the buffer liquid to form the sample liquid.

Specifically, the buffer liquid driving device <NUM> may be a peristaltic pump, a diaphragm pump or other suitable types of driving devices. The peristaltic or diaphragm pump generates large vibrations in the radial direction thereof when in operation, and in order to prevent the vibrations from being transmitted to the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, an elastic damping piece <NUM> may be provided on the radial outer side of the peristaltic or diaphragm pump. The elastic damping piece <NUM> may be fitted over the buffer liquid driving device <NUM> and supported in a housing <NUM> by the clamping effect of the bracket <NUM> and a fixed block <NUM>, and the fixed block <NUM> may be fixed on a support plate <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the microfluidic testing system <NUM> further includes the housing <NUM>, the chip mounting mechanism <NUM>, the sample liquid driving device <NUM>, the testing mechanism <NUM>, and at least a part of the microfluidic biochip <NUM> being arranged within the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is provided with a first structural connecting piece <NUM> for being connected with the cabinet or the door of the refrigerator <NUM>, and a first electrical connecting piece <NUM> for forming an electrical connection between the microfluidic testing system <NUM> and an electrical control device of the refrigerator <NUM>, so as to allow the microfluidic testing system <NUM> to be mounted to the cabinet or the door of the refrigerator <NUM> as a whole.

Further, the housing <NUM> is provided with an operation stage <NUM> opened towards the front side thereof, and the sample stage <NUM> is at least partially located in the operation stage <NUM> to facilitate the user to perform operations of placing the sample cup <NUM>, taking out the sample cup <NUM>, or the like, in the operation stage <NUM>. A water disposal pan <NUM> located below the sample stage <NUM> may be provided in the operation stage <NUM> to receive a possibly dripping liquid, thereby preventing contamination of the operation stage <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the microfluidic testing system <NUM> further includes a circuit board <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, and a switch button <NUM>, and the circuit board <NUM> is provided within the housing <NUM> and electrically connected with the first electrical connecting piece <NUM> on the housing <NUM>. The electrical components of the microfluidic testing system <NUM> (for example, the lifting mechanism <NUM>, the buffer liquid driving device <NUM>, the sample liquid driving device <NUM>, the testing mechanism <NUM>, the display device <NUM>, the switch button <NUM>, or the like) are all electrically connected to the circuit board <NUM> directly or indirectly. The display device <NUM> is provided on the front side of the housing <NUM> and electrically connected to the circuit board <NUM> for displaying the testing result of the testing mechanism <NUM>. The switch button <NUM> is provided on the front side of the housing <NUM> and electrically connected to the circuit board <NUM> for activating and/or deactivating the testing function of the microfluidic testing system <NUM>. That is, the user can start, pause, or stop the testing function of the microfluidic testing system <NUM> by operating the switch button <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the housing <NUM> may include a rear shell <NUM> at the rear side and a front panel <NUM> connected to the front side of the rear shell <NUM>. An accommodating cavity is defined between the rear shell <NUM> and the front panel <NUM> after the rear shell and the front panel are assembled. The support plate <NUM> and the bracket <NUM> are further provided in the accommodating cavity of the housing <NUM>. The support plate <NUM> is fixedly connected to the rear shell <NUM>, and at least a part of the structure of the lifting mechanism <NUM> (for example, the non-movable part of the lifting mechanism) and the buffer liquid driving device <NUM> are fixed on the support plate <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> is fixedly connected to the front side of the support plate <NUM>, and the microfluidic biochip <NUM> and the sample liquid driving device <NUM> are directly or indirectly supported on the bracket <NUM>. Thus, the lifting mechanism <NUM>, the buffer liquid driving device <NUM>, the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, and the sample liquid driving device <NUM> can be stably supported by the support plate <NUM> and the bracket <NUM> in the accommodating cavity formed between the rear shell <NUM> and the front panel <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the lifting mechanism <NUM> may be provided on the transverse side of the sample stage <NUM>, the buffer liquid driving device <NUM> may be provided on one side of the microfluidic biochip <NUM> in the transverse direction and located above the lifting mechanism <NUM>, the sample liquid driving device <NUM> is located on the other side of the microfluidic biochip <NUM> in the transverse direction, and the buffer liquid bottle <NUM> is located on a side of the sample liquid driving device <NUM> away from the microfluidic biochip <NUM>. For the microfluidic biochip <NUM>, the sample stage <NUM>, the lifting mechanism <NUM>, the buffer liquid driving device <NUM>, the sample liquid driving device <NUM> and the buffer liquid bottle <NUM> with such a layout, the size features of each module in the vertical direction and the transverse direction are fully utilized, such that the layout of the modules is more compact, and the occupied space is reduced as much as possible. Moreover, the modules are only arranged side by side in the vertical direction and the transverse direction, such that the thickness of the microfluidic testing system <NUM> in the front and rear direction is reduced as much as possible, and the microfluidic testing system is more suitable for being integrated on the refrigerator.

Further, a partition <NUM> extending transversely may be provided between the buffer liquid driving device <NUM> and the lifting mechanism <NUM> to avoid that a leaked liquid possibly generated by the buffer liquid driving device <NUM> drops on the lifting mechanism <NUM> to affect the normal operation of the lifting mechanism <NUM>. The partition <NUM> may be fixed on the support plate <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the microfluidic testing device <NUM> is provided on the door <NUM>, such that the operation is convenient, the original storage space in the cabinet <NUM> cannot be occupied, and the storage capacity of the refrigerator <NUM> cannot be influenced.

<FIG> is a schematic exploded structural diagram of the door in an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, a hollowed window <NUM> is provided on the front side of the door <NUM>, and the sample stage <NUM> of the microfluidic testing system <NUM> is exposed on the front side of the door <NUM> through the hollowed window <NUM>, such that the user can be allowed to place the sample cup on the sample stage <NUM> without opening the door <NUM>, thus avoiding the problem that cold leakage is serious due to the door <NUM> being required to be opened during each test, guaranteeing the heat preservation performance of the refrigerator <NUM>, and saving energy consumption.

Specifically, the door <NUM> may include a panel <NUM> for forming a front portion thereof, a door liner <NUM> for forming a rear portion thereof, and a foamed heat insulation layer (not shown) provided between the panel <NUM> and the door liner <NUM>, and the hollowed window <NUM> is formed in the panel <NUM>. A pre-embedded box <NUM> is pre-embedded between the panel <NUM> and the door liner <NUM> before the foamed heat insulation layer is formed, and the microfluidic testing system <NUM> is provided in the pre-embedded box <NUM>. That is, the pre-embedded box <NUM> is pre-provided between the panel <NUM> and the door liner <NUM> before the door <NUM> is foamed, so as to reserve a space for mounting the microfluidic testing system <NUM> between the panel <NUM> and the door liner <NUM>.

Further, the pre-embedded box <NUM> is attached to a rear surface of the panel <NUM>, and the front side of the pre-embedded box <NUM> is open and directly faces the hollowed window <NUM>, such that the microfluidic testing system <NUM> is allowed to be mounted in the pre-embedded box <NUM> from front to back through the hollowed window <NUM>, thus improving the mounting convenience of the microfluidic testing system <NUM>.

Specifically, the pre-embedded box <NUM> can be provided with a second structural connecting piece <NUM> matched and connected with the first structural connecting piece <NUM> and a second electrical connecting piece <NUM> electrically connected with the first electrical connecting piece <NUM>, and the second electrical connecting piece <NUM> is electrically connected with the electrical control device of the refrigerator <NUM>. Thus, the microfluidic testing system <NUM> is mounted on the door <NUM> as a whole by arranging the corresponding structural connecting pieces and electrical connecting pieces on the pre-embedded box <NUM> and the housing <NUM>, such that the whole microfluidic testing system <NUM> is connected with the refrigerator <NUM> in terms of both structure and circuit. Thus, an assembly process of the microfluidic testing system <NUM> is simplified, and the disassembly or maintenance of the microfluidic testing system <NUM> is facilitated.

The refrigerator <NUM> according to the present application is a refrigerator in a broad sense, and includes not only a so-called refrigerator in a narrow sense, but also a storage device having a refrigerating, freezing or other storage function, for example, a refrigerating box, a freezer, or the like.

Claim 1:
A refrigerator (<NUM>), comprising a microfluidic testing system (<NUM>) used for qualitatively or quantitatively testing a preset test parameter of a sample liquid, the microfluidic testing system (<NUM>) comprising:
a microfluidic biochip (<NUM>) which is provided with a sample inlet (<NUM>), a communication port (<NUM>) and a testing pool (<NUM>) formed inside the microfluidic biochip (<NUM>), wherein the sample inlet (<NUM>), the testing pool (<NUM>) and the communication port (<NUM>) are in sequential communication by means of a micro-channel (<NUM>); and
a chip mounting mechanism (<NUM>) used for mounting the microfluidic biochip (<NUM>);
characterized in that the microfluidic testing system (<NUM>) further comprises:
a sample liquid driving device (<NUM>) in hermetic communication with the communication port (<NUM>), so as to promote the sample liquid in contact with the sample inlet (<NUM>) to flow into the micro-channel (<NUM>) and flow to the testing pool (<NUM>) via the micro-channel (<NUM>); and
a testing mechanism (<NUM>) used for testing the testing pool (<NUM>) to obtain the preset test parameter of the sample liquid;
wherein a negative pressure in a main channel is formed by the sample liquid driving device (<NUM>) by pumping air outwards, such that the sample liquid in contact with the sample inlet (<NUM>) is allowed to enter the main channel under the action of the negative pressure;
wherein the sample liquid driving device (<NUM>) forms a fluid-tight connection with the communication port (<NUM>) through a sealed docking mechanism (<NUM>); and
the communication port (<NUM>) of the microfluidic biochip (<NUM>) is fixedly provided with a plug pin (<NUM>) protruding and extending outward, an internal flow channel (<NUM>) of the plug pin (<NUM>) is in sealed communication with the communication port (<NUM>), the plug pin (<NUM>) is inserted into the inside of the sealed docking mechanism (<NUM>) and forms a fluid-tight connection with the sealed docking mechanism (<NUM>), and the sealed docking mechanism (<NUM>) is in fluid-tight connection with the sample liquid driving device (<NUM>), so that the sample liquid driving device (<NUM>) is in sealed communication with the communication port (<NUM>).