Automatic conveying system and method for sterilization process

Abstract

The invention provides an automatic conveying system for a sterilization process, and relates to the technical field of sterilization processes, and the system comprises a front area preheating conveying module which is used for detecting whether a plurality of to-be-sterilized goods meet preset requirements or not and judging whether each sterilized goods needs to be analyzed or not, to-be-sterilized goods meeting preset requirements are preheated and then conveyed to corresponding sterilization conveying modules, the number of the sterilization conveying modules is N, and N is larger than or equal to 1; the sterilization conveying module is used for sterilizing the to-be-sterilized goods conveyed by the front area preheating conveying module to obtain sterilized goods and conveying the sterilized goods to the rear area analysis conveying module; and the rear area analysis and conveying module is used for carrying out analysis processing on the sterilized goods needing to be subjected to analysis operation and conveying the sterilized goods subjected to analysis processing to a manual goods taking area. The sterilization device has the technical effect that the sterilization quality is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of sterilization technology, and in particular to an automatic conveying system and method for sterilization technology. Background Art

[0002] In the modern medical environment, ensuring the sterility of medical devices and items is the key to ensuring patient safety and preventing and controlling infections. However, with the expansion of medical institutions and the increase in medical needs, traditional sterilization methods face huge challenges in efficiency, consistency and traceability. How to improve processing efficiency, reduce human errors and achieve full control while ensuring sterilization quality has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently.

[0003] Currently, many medical institutions use semi-automated sterilization systems to meet this challenge. These systems usually include automated sterilization equipment and simple conveying devices, which can improve sterilization efficiency to a certain extent. However, traditional sterilization systems often lack intelligent pre-inspection and post-processing links, cannot automatically adjust processing parameters according to the characteristics of different items, and are difficult to achieve full-process monitoring and data tracking. Therefore, it is difficult for traditional sterilization systems to ensure the consistency and reliability of sterilization effects, resulting in the difficulty in effectively ensuring the quality of sterilization. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides an automatic conveying system and method for a sterilization process, which are used to improve the sterilization quality.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides an automatic conveying system for a sterilization process, the system comprising: a front-zone preheating conveying module, a sterilization conveying module and a rear-zone parsing conveying module; wherein the front-zone preheating conveying module is used to detect whether a plurality of goods to be sterilized meet preset requirements, and preheat the goods to be sterilized that meet the preset requirements and then convey them to the corresponding sterilization conveying modules, the number of the sterilization conveying modules is N, and N is greater than or equal to 1; the sterilization conveying module is used to sterilize the goods to be sterilized conveyed by the front-zone preheating conveying module to obtain sterilized goods, and convey the sterilized goods to the rear-zone parsing conveying module; the rear-zone parsing conveying module is used to determine whether the sterilized goods need to be parsed, parse the sterilized goods that need to be parsed, and convey the sterilized goods after parsing to the manual pickup area.

[0006] By adopting the above technical solution, by setting up the front zone preheating and conveying module to perform preset requirement detection and category identification on the goods to be sterilized, it can ensure that the system accurately judges the process requirements required for different categories of goods, and automatically matches the corresponding sterilization and analysis process procedures, avoiding the process confusion that may occur during manual adjustment, and improving the accuracy and reliability of process execution; at the same time, the preheating process can improve the subsequent sterilization efficiency. The front zone preheating and conveying module also has the function of judging whether the goods need to be analyzed, realizing the intelligent management of goods classification. The system is equipped with multiple sterilization conveying modules, which can flexibly configure the sterilization processing capacity according to actual needs, improving the adaptability and scalability of the system. The back zone analysis and conveying module specifically processes the sterilized goods that need to be analyzed, avoiding unnecessary analysis operations and improving processing efficiency. The entire system closely connects the preheating, sterilization, analysis and other processes through automated transportation, realizes the continuous automation of the entire sterilization process, reduces manual intervention, not only improves production efficiency, but also eliminates the risk of process confusion caused by manual operation, and effectively guarantees the sterilization quality.

[0007] Optionally, the front-zone preheating and conveying module includes: a detection unit, a judgment unit, a preheating unit and a classification unit; wherein the detection unit is used to detect the appearance and category of multiple goods to be sterilized, and obtain the appearance detection result and category detection result of each of the goods to be sterilized; the judgment unit is used to judge whether each of the goods to be sterilized meets the preset requirements and whether each of the sterilized goods needs to be parsed according to the appearance detection result of each of the goods to be sterilized, and convey the goods to be sterilized that meet the preset requirements to the preheating unit; the preheating unit is used to preheat the goods to be sterilized that meet the preset requirements, and there are multiple trays in the preheating unit, and the interval between each of the trays is a preset value; the classification unit is used to convey each of the goods to be sterilized to the corresponding sterilization conveying module according to the category detection result of each of the goods to be sterilized.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solutions, the detection unit's accurate detection of the appearance of the goods to be sterilized provides a reliable data basis for subsequent processing. The judgment unit performs intelligent screening based on these data to ensure that only goods that meet the preset requirements enter the sterilization process, effectively reducing the risk of sterilization failure. The multi-tray design and preset intervals of the preheating unit not only improve the preheating efficiency, but also ensure the uniformity of the preheating process, creating ideal conditions for subsequent sterilization. The classification unit performs intelligent classification and transportation according to the appearance of the goods, optimizes the resource allocation of different sterilization and transportation modules, and improves the overall processing efficiency.

[0009] Optionally, the judgment unit is also used to transport the goods to be sterilized that do not meet the preset requirements to the alarm area and trigger an alarm prompt, suspend automatic transportation and switch to the manual processing channel until the goods to be sterilized that do not meet the preset requirements are manually processed and passed and are sent back to the conveyor line.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, when the goods to be sterilized that do not meet the preset requirements are detected, the judgment unit immediately transports them to the alarm area and triggers an alarm prompt to ensure that the problematic goods do not enter the normal sterilization process. At the same time, the system automatically pauses and switches to the manual processing channel. This mechanism not only prevents the potential risk of sterilization failure, but also provides a timely opportunity for manual intervention. After the manual processing is completed, the goods can re-enter the conveyor line to ensure the continuity and efficiency of the sterilization process. This design not only enhances the system's abnormal handling capabilities, but also realizes the seamless connection between automation and manual intervention, effectively improving the quality control level of the entire sterilization process, while maintaining the flexibility and adaptability of the system operation.

[0011] Optionally, the sterilization and conveying module includes: a receiving unit, a sterilization unit and a first shipping unit, wherein the receiving unit is used to receive the goods to be sterilized conveyed by the front-zone preheating and conveying module, and place the received goods to be sterilized in the sterilization unit, and the sterilization unit is provided with a plurality of trays, the interval between each tray is a set threshold, and the width of each tray is not greater than the width of the inner cavity of the sterilization unit; the sterilization unit is used to sterilize the goods according to the material and quantity of the goods to be sterilized; the first shipping unit is used to take out the sterilized goods in the sterilization unit, and use the track-guided vehicle corresponding to the sterilization and conveying module to enable the track-guided vehicle to transport the sterilized goods to the rear-zone analysis and conveying module, wherein the running track of the track-guided vehicle and the cabinet door of the sterilization unit are located at the same horizontal plane, and the shelf size of the track-guided vehicle is adapted to the size of the tray in the sterilization unit.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solutions, the receiving unit ensures that the goods to be sterilized enter the sterilization process smoothly, and the careful design of the tray inside the sterilization unit not only maximizes the space utilization, but also ensures the uniformity of the sterilization process. The sterilization unit performs personalized sterilization according to the material and quantity of the goods, which improves the accuracy of the sterilization effect. The seamless connection between the shipping unit and the rail-guided vehicle greatly improves the shipping efficiency and reduces the risk of damage during the transportation of goods.

[0013] Optionally, the rear-zone parsing and conveying module includes: a conveying unit, a parsing unit and a second shipping unit; wherein the conveying unit is used to perform image recognition on the sterilized goods, determine whether the sterilized goods need to be parsed according to the image recognition result, convey the sterilized goods that need to be parsed to the parsing unit, and directly convey the sterilized goods that do not need to be parsed to the shipping platform; the parsing unit includes at least one six-axis robotic arm, which is used to perform parsing operations on the sterilized goods that need to be parsed, and convey the parsed sterilized goods to the shipping platform through a conveyor belt; the six-axis robotic arm is equipped with a visual sensor for positioning and obstacle avoidance through visual guidance; the second shipping unit is used to aggregate the parsed sterilized goods and the sterilized goods that do not need to be parsed, and convey the aggregated goods to the manual pickup area in batches, and automatically generate a goods shipping plan according to the goods demand of the manual pickup area.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solutions, the intelligent judgment function of the conveying unit ensures that only sterilized goods that need to be parsed enter the parsing process, improving the processing efficiency of the system. The parsing unit uses a six-axis robotic arm with a visual sensor, which can not only accurately perform complex parsing operations, but also achieve positioning and obstacle avoidance through visual guidance, greatly improving the accuracy and safety of the parsing process. The intelligent aggregation and batch delivery function of the shipping unit, combined with the automatically generated cargo shipping plan, optimizes the manual pickup process and improves the overall shipping efficiency.

[0015] Optionally, the system also includes: a temperature and humidity sensor, which is used to monitor the temperature data and humidity data inside the front-zone preheating conveying module, the sterilization conveying module and the rear-zone analysis and conveying module. When the temperature data and / or the humidity data exceeds a preset safety range, an alarm signal is issued and an adjustment signal is generated to adjust the temperature and humidity of the corresponding module.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solutions and introducing temperature and humidity sensors, the precision control and environmental management capabilities of the entire sterilization system are further improved. The deployment of temperature and humidity sensors inside the front zone preheating conveying module, sterilization conveying module and rear zone analysis conveying module realizes real-time monitoring of environmental parameters of the entire sterilization process. This continuous monitoring not only ensures that the sterilization process is carried out under optimal temperature and humidity conditions, but also greatly improves the safety and reliability of the system.

[0017] Optionally, the system also includes: a visual tracking module and a central control module; the visual tracking module includes a plurality of cameras, which are respectively arranged in the front-zone preheating conveying module, the sterilization conveying module and the rear-zone analysis conveying module, and are used to collect image information of the goods to be sterilized and the sterilized goods in the conveying process in real time, and transmit the collected image information to the central control module; the central control module is used to receive the image information transmitted by the visual tracking module, track and locate the goods to be sterilized and the sterilized goods throughout the process through an image analysis algorithm, monitor the circulation status of the goods, and if an abnormal state is found in the goods during the conveying process, a correction or shutdown instruction is issued to the corresponding functional module, and an sound and light alarm is triggered at the same time until the goods resume the normal conveying state.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solutions and introducing the visual tracking module and central control module, real-time monitoring and intelligent management of the entire sterilization process are achieved. The cameras of the visual tracking module are arranged in each key link of the system to ensure the full monitoring of the goods to be sterilized and the sterilized goods. The central control module uses advanced image analysis algorithms to achieve accurate tracking and positioning and status monitoring of the goods, greatly improving the reliability and safety of the system.

[0019] In a second aspect, the present application provides an automatic conveying method for a sterilization process, the method comprising: detecting whether a plurality of goods to be sterilized meet preset requirements and determining whether each of the sterilized goods needs to be parsed; preheating the goods to be sterilized that meet the preset requirements and then sterilizing them to obtain sterilized goods; parsing the sterilized goods that need to be parsed, and conveying the sterilized goods after the parsing process to a manual pickup area.

[0020] In summary, the present application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: Through the organic combination of the front zone preheating conveying module, the sterilization conveying module and the back zone analysis conveying module, the comprehensive optimization and intelligent management of the sterilization process are realized. The pre-inspection and preheating functions of the front zone preheating conveying module ensure the quality of the goods entering the sterilization process and improve the subsequent sterilization efficiency. The flexible sterilization conveying module design enhances the system's processing capacity and adaptability, and can meet the needs of medical institutions of different sizes. The intelligent judgment and processing functions of the back zone analysis conveying module further ensure the sterilization quality and provide personalized post-processing solutions for different types of sterilized goods. The automation and intelligent design of the entire system significantly improves the efficiency and consistency of the sterilization process, reduces human errors, ensures the consistency and reliability of the sterilization effect, and effectively guarantees the sterilization quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1It is a structural schematic diagram of an automatic conveying system for a sterilization process provided in an embodiment of the present application; Figure 2 It is a flow chart of an automatic conveying method for a sterilization process provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in this specification, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this specification will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments.

[0023] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, words such as "illustrative", "for example" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "illustrative", "for example" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "illustrative", "for example" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete way.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of an automatic conveying system for a sterilization process provided in an embodiment of the present application; the figure mainly includes three parts: a front zone preheating conveying module, a sterilization conveying module and a rear zone analysis conveying module.

[0025] In actual applications, the front zone preheating conveying module is provided with a detection unit, which can be a QR code scanner, a barcode scanner or an RFID reader, which is used to read the information identification carried on the goods to be sterilized. Since different categories of goods to be sterilized have differences in physical properties such as material, size, and temperature resistance, the required sterilization process parameters (such as temperature, pressure, time, etc.) and analytical processing requirements are also different. If manual judgment and adjustment of process parameters are adopted, confusion and errors are prone to occur. Therefore, a database of process parameters corresponding to different categories of goods is pre-stored in the controller of the system. After the detection unit reads the information identification of the goods to be sterilized, it automatically calls the corresponding process program according to the identification result, and then transports it to the corresponding sterilization conveying module, and controls the sterilization conveying module to perform the sterilization operation according to the matching process parameters.

[0026] The purpose of this step is to screen out goods suitable for sterilization and prevent unqualified goods from entering the subsequent process, thereby improving the operating efficiency and sterilization effect of the entire system. The detection unit uses advanced image recognition technology to quickly and accurately identify the size and shape of the goods. For goods that do not meet the requirements, the system will transport them to the alarm area and trigger an alarm prompt, suspend automatic transportation and switch to the manual processing channel. In addition, the detection unit can also determine whether each sterilized goods needs to be analyzed. This design not only ensures the automatic operation of the system, but also provides the necessary opportunity for manual intervention to deal with abnormal situations.

[0027] The goods that pass the inspection then enter the preheating unit for preheating. There are multiple trays in the preheating unit, and the intervals between the trays are kept at a preset value to ensure uniform heat distribution. The preheating process can not only improve the efficiency of subsequent sterilization, but also reduce temperature fluctuations during the sterilization process, thereby improving the consistency of the sterilization effect. After preheating, the classification unit transports the goods to the corresponding sterilization conveying module according to their appearance characteristics, realizing flexible classification processing.

[0028] The sterilization conveying module is the core of the whole system. It includes the receiving unit, the sterilization unit and the first delivery unit. The receiving unit is responsible for receiving the preheated goods and placing them accurately on the pallet in the sterilization unit. The design of the pallet in the sterilization unit takes into account the spacing and width restrictions to ensure that the heat and disinfectant in the sterilization process can fully contact each piece of goods. The sterilization unit automatically adjusts the sterilization parameters according to the material and quantity of the goods, realizing personalized sterilization treatment, which not only ensures the sterilization effect, but also avoids the damage of goods that may be caused by excessive sterilization. After the sterilization is completed, the first delivery unit takes out the sterilized goods and transports them to the rear area analysis and delivery module through the track-guided vehicle corresponding to the sterilization conveying module. The design of the track-guided vehicle takes into account the seamless docking with the sterilization unit. Its running track is located at the same level as the sterilization unit cabinet door, and the shelf size is adapted to the pallet in the sterilization unit. This design greatly improves the efficiency and accuracy of cargo transportation.

[0029] The post-parsing and conveying module is responsible for the processing of goods after sterilization. The module first parses the goods that need to be sterilized through the conveying unit. This intelligent judgment process reduces unnecessary parsing operations and improves overall efficiency. For goods that need to be parsed, the parsing unit is equipped with at least one six-axis robotic arm with a visual sensor. The robotic arm achieves precise positioning and obstacle avoidance through visual guidance to ensure the accuracy and safety of the parsing operation. The parsed goods are transported to the shipping platform together with the goods that do not need to be parsed through the conveyor belt. The second shipping unit automatically generates a shipping plan based on the needs of the manual pickup area, realizing flexible shipping management.

[0030] Specifically, the front zone preheating and conveying module is used to detect whether multiple goods to be sterilized meet the preset requirements, and preheat the goods to be sterilized that meet the preset requirements and then convey them to the corresponding sterilization conveying module. The number of sterilization conveying modules is N, and N is greater than or equal to 1.

[0031] The goods to be sterilized first enter the detection area of ​​the preheating conveying module in the front area through a conveyor belt. This area is equipped with high-resolution industrial cameras and 3D laser scanners, forming an advanced detection unit. These devices can quickly and accurately capture the dimensions, material characteristics and surface conditions of each piece of goods to be sterilized. The detection data is then transmitted to the judgment unit running on an embedded processor or industrial computer, which compares the detection results with the preset requirements through specialized image analysis and decision-making software.

[0032] The preset requirements may include parameters such as the size range, weight limit, material type, etc. of the goods. These parameters are set according to the capacity and performance characteristics of the sterilization equipment, as well as the adaptability of different materials to the sterilization process. Through this strict screening, the system can ensure that the goods entering the sterilization process are suitable, thus avoiding problems such as sterilization failure or equipment damage that may be caused by unqualified goods.

[0033] For goods that do not meet the preset requirements, the system will immediately trigger an alarm mechanism and transport these goods to a special alarm area. This design not only ensures the continuous operation of the system, but also provides operators with the opportunity to deal with abnormal situations in a timely manner, reflecting the system's intelligence and human-machine collaboration.

[0034] The goods to be sterilized that meet the preset requirements are transported to the preheating unit for preheating. The preheating unit is an insulated box with a precise temperature control system, which is equipped with multiple layers of metal trays with adjustable spacing. This design ensures uniform distribution of heat during the preheating process, and each piece of goods can be fully and consistently preheated. The significance of the preheating process is: first, it can shorten the time for the goods to reach the target temperature during the subsequent sterilization process, thereby improving the sterilization efficiency; second, preheating can reduce temperature fluctuations during the sterilization process and ensure the consistency of the sterilization effect; finally, for goods made of certain special materials, preheating can also reduce the risk of thermal shock and protect the integrity of the goods.

[0035] After preheating, the goods are transported to the corresponding sterilization conveying module through the classification unit. The classification unit consists of a conveyor belt system with sorting function, which cooperates with servo motor and programmable logic controller (PLC) to achieve accurate classification. The system assigns the goods to different sterilization conveying modules according to their appearance characteristics, material properties or predetermined batch information. The number of sterilization conveying modules here is N (N≥1), and this design provides great flexibility. When N=1, the system is suitable for processing single type or small batch sterilization requirements; when N>1, the system can process multiple types of goods at the same time, or realize large-scale, high-efficiency parallel processing.

[0036] The front zone preheating and conveying module also quickly scans and analyzes the sterilized goods. The front zone preheating and conveying module also includes a high-speed industrial camera and a deep learning algorithm, which can quickly identify different types of sterilized goods and determine whether they need to be analyzed. This automated identification and judgment process not only improves efficiency, but also reduces the risk of errors and contamination caused by human judgment.

[0037] The sterilization conveying module is used to sterilize the goods to be sterilized conveyed by the front-zone preheating conveying module to obtain sterilized goods, and then convey the sterilized goods to the back-zone analysis and conveying module.

[0038] In one example, the sterilization conveying module is the core link in the entire sterilization process automatic conveying system. It undertakes the important task of effectively sterilizing the goods to be sterilized delivered by the front-zone preheating conveying module and delivering the sterilized goods to the back-zone analysis conveying module. The design and implementation of this module is directly related to the effect and efficiency of the entire sterilization process, so it needs to be carefully planned and executed.

[0039] In actual operation, the sterilization conveying module first receives the goods to be sterilized from the preheating conveying module in the front area through its receiving unit. The receiving unit can be a robotic arm or an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) equipped with a precise positioning system, which can accurately take the preheated goods from the conveyor belt and place them in the sterilization unit. This design not only improves the transfer efficiency, but also minimizes human intervention and reduces the risk of contamination.

[0040] The sterilization unit is the core component of the sterilization conveying module. It is usually composed of a sealed stainless steel cabinet, equipped with a steam generator, ozone generator or other types of sterilization medium generation devices. The design of the sterilization unit needs to consider multiple factors, including sterilization effect, energy efficiency, operational safety, etc. For example, for heat-sensitive medical devices, low-temperature plasma sterilization technology may be used; for high-temperature resistant instruments, high-pressure steam sterilization may be used. The sterilization unit is also equipped with precise temperature, humidity and pressure control systems. These systems can automatically adjust the sterilization environment parameters according to the characteristics and sterilization requirements of different goods to ensure the effectiveness and repeatability of the sterilization process.

[0041] After the sterilization process is completed, the sterilized goods need to be quickly transferred to the sterile area to prevent re-contamination. This task is completed by the first shipping unit, which can be a robotic arm with a telescopic mechanism, combined with a visual system to achieve precise pick-and-place. The design of the first shipping unit needs to pay special attention to aseptic operation. For example, UV disinfection lamps can be used to disinfect the robotic arm in real time, or disposable sterile covers can be used.

[0042] The operation of the entire sterilization conveying module is uniformly dispatched by the central control system. The system not only needs to coordinate the work of each unit in the module, but also maintain real-time communication with the front zone preheating conveying module and the back zone analytical conveying module to ensure the consistency and efficiency of the entire process. For example, when the sterilization unit is close to full load, the control system will notify the front zone preheating conveying module to postpone the delivery of new goods; when the sterilization process is about to be completed, the system will notify the back zone analytical conveying module in advance to prepare for receiving.

[0043] The design of the sterilization conveying module also fully considers the needs of traceability and quality control. Each sterilization unit is equipped with an independent data recording system that can record various parameters in the sterilization process in real time, such as temperature, pressure, humidity, sterilization time, etc. These data are not only used to monitor and adjust the sterilization process in real time, but also saved for subsequent quality audits and traceability. In addition, the system also integrates barcode or RFID technology to track the sterilization history of each batch of goods, effectively supporting quality management and risk control.

[0044] The rear area parsing and conveying module is used to parse the sterilized goods that need to be parsed, and convey the sterilized goods after parsing to the manual pickup area.

[0045] In one example, the post-processing analytical conveying module is the last key link in the automatic conveying system of the sterilization process. Its design and implementation are crucial to ensuring the integrity, effectiveness and availability of sterilized goods. The main task of this module is to receive the sterilized goods from the sterilization conveying module, determine whether analytical processing is required, perform necessary analytical operations, and finally transport the goods to the manual pickup area. This series of operations requires not only a high degree of accuracy and efficiency, but also strict compliance with aseptic operating procedures to prevent the sterilized goods from being contaminated again.

[0046] In actual operation, the post-analysis conveying module first receives the sterilized goods from the sterilization conveying module through its receiving unit. The receiving unit may be a robotic arm or an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) equipped with precision sensors and actuators, which can safely and accurately transfer the sterilized goods from the sterilization conveying module to the working area of ​​the post-analysis conveying module. This process needs to be carried out in a strictly controlled sterile environment to maintain the sterility of the sterilized goods.

[0047] Next, the conveying unit transports the sterilized goods that need to be parsed to the parsing unit. The parsing unit may be a six-axis industrial robot equipped with a visual sensor, such as ABB, KUKA or FANUC products. This robot has high flexibility and precision, and can perform various parsing operations according to the characteristics of different goods, such as unpacking, sorting, and reassembly. During the parsing process, each movement of the robot is carefully designed and optimized to ensure the accuracy of the operation and the integrity of the goods. At the same time, the entire parsing area is in a strictly controlled sterile environment, and the robot's end effector is disinfected before each operation to prevent cross contamination.

[0048] After the analysis is completed, the sterilized goods will be transported to the second shipping unit. The second shipping unit is an intelligent warehouse management system, including automatic sorting equipment, conveyor belt system and warehouse management software. This system can classify and store different types of sterilized goods according to preset rules, and manage inventory according to the first-in-first-out (FIFO) principle. When the goods need to be transported to the manual pickup area, the second shipping unit will automatically select the most suitable route to ensure that the goods can reach the designated location quickly and safely.

[0049] The operation of the entire back-end analytical conveying module is uniformly dispatched and monitored by the central control system. This system not only needs to coordinate the work of each unit within the module, but also maintain real-time communication with the sterilization conveying module to ensure the consistency and efficiency of the entire process. For example, when the analytical unit is close to full capacity, the control system will notify the sterilization conveying module to postpone the delivery of new sterilized goods; when the manual pickup area is about to be emptied, the system will arrange new goods delivery in advance.

[0050] In addition, the back-end parsing and conveying module also integrates a comprehensive data recording and tracking system. The entire process of each sterilized cargo from entering the module to being conveyed to the manual pickup area will be recorded in detail, including the receiving time, parsing operation details, storage location, shipping time, etc. These data are not only used to monitor and adjust the system operation in real time, but also provide an important basis for quality control and traceability. The system also supports docking with the hospital information system (HIS) and the operating room management system (OMS) to achieve full tracking of the use of sterilized cargo.

[0051] The system also includes: a temperature and humidity sensor, which is used to monitor the temperature data and humidity data inside the front-zone preheating conveying module, the sterilization conveying module and the rear-zone analysis conveying module. When the temperature data and / or humidity data exceeds the preset safety range, an alarm signal is issued and an adjustment signal is generated to adjust the temperature and humidity of the corresponding module.

[0052] In one example, in the sterilization process automatic conveying system, the introduction of temperature and humidity sensors is a crucial optimization measure, which can not only ensure the stability of the internal environment of each module of the system, but also effectively improve the sterilization effect and the quality of cargo preservation. Temperature and humidity sensors are installed in key positions of the front zone preheating conveying module, sterilization conveying module and rear zone analysis conveying module, forming a comprehensive environmental monitoring network to monitor the temperature and humidity data inside each module in real time.

[0053] The necessity of this design stems from the strict requirements of the sterilization process on environmental conditions. In the front-zone preheating and conveying module, appropriate temperature and humidity conditions help the goods reach the best preheating state and prepare for the subsequent sterilization process. In the sterilization conveying module, the precise control of temperature and humidity is directly related to the success or failure of the sterilization effect. For example, in high-pressure steam sterilization, slight changes in temperature and humidity may lead to significant differences in sterilization effects. In the back-zone analytical conveying module, maintaining an appropriate temperature and humidity environment is essential to prevent the sterilized goods from being contaminated again and maintain their sterility.

[0054] In the specific implementation, the temperature and humidity sensors use high-precision digital sensors, which have the characteristics of high precision, low power consumption, and fast response, and can meet the needs of industrial applications. The sensors are connected to the central control system through the industrial bus to achieve real-time data transmission and analysis. The central control system constantly compares the temperature and humidity data collected by the sensor with the preset safety range. Once the data is detected to be out of range, the system will immediately take two key measures.

[0055] First, the system will send out an alarm signal. This alarm signal may be multi-level, including visual warnings on the operation interface, SMS or email notifications sent to managers, and sound and light alarms at the equipment site. This multiple alarm mechanism ensures that abnormal situations can receive timely attention and processing, minimizing potential risks.

[0056] Secondly, the system generates adjustment signals to automatically adjust the temperature and humidity of the corresponding modules. This process involves complex control algorithms such as PID (proportional-integral-differential) control or more advanced fuzzy control algorithms. For example, if the temperature is detected to be too high, the system may start additional cooling devices or reduce the heating power; if the humidity is too low, it may start a humidifier or adjust the ventilation system. This automatic adjustment can not only respond quickly to environmental changes, but also achieve precise temperature and humidity control to ensure that each module is always in the best working condition.

[0057] The introduction of temperature and humidity sensors has brought significant results. First, it has greatly improved the stability and reliability of the system. Through real-time monitoring and automatic adjustment, the system can maintain stable internal conditions under various external environmental changes, ensuring the consistency and effectiveness of the sterilization process. Secondly, it has improved the safety of the system. The timely alarm mechanism enables potential problems to be solved before substantial damage is caused, effectively reducing the risk of equipment failure and cargo damage. Furthermore, it optimizes energy utilization. Precise environmental control means that the system will only start the adjustment device when necessary, avoiding excessive heating or cooling, thereby saving energy consumption. Finally, it provides strong support for quality management. Detailed temperature and humidity records can not only be used for real-time monitoring, but also serve as an important basis for quality audits and problem tracing.

[0058] In addition, the data from the temperature and humidity sensors can be combined with other system parameters for deeper analysis and optimization. For example, by analyzing the relationship between temperature and humidity changes and energy consumption and sterilization effect, the system can continuously optimize its control strategy to achieve more efficient and economical operation.

[0059] The system also includes: a visual tracking module and a central control module; the visual tracking module includes a plurality of cameras, which are respectively arranged in the front-zone preheating conveying module, the sterilization conveying module and the rear-zone analysis conveying module, and are used to collect image information of the goods to be sterilized and the sterilized goods in the conveying process in real time, and transmit the collected image information to the central control module; the central control module is used to receive the image information transmitted by the visual tracking module, track and locate the goods to be sterilized and the sterilized goods throughout the process through the image analysis algorithm, monitor the circulation status of the goods, and if an abnormal state is found in the goods during the conveying process, a correction or shutdown instruction is issued to the corresponding functional module, and an audible and visual alarm is triggered at the same time until the goods resume the normal conveying state.

[0060] In one example, the visual tracking module consists of several high-resolution industrial-grade cameras, which are strategically located in key locations of the front-zone preheating conveyor module, sterilization conveyor module, and rear-zone analysis conveyor module. Each camera is equipped with an advanced image processing chip and a high-speed data transmission interface, which can capture high-definition images of the goods to be sterilized and the sterilized goods in real time during the entire conveying process. These cameras can not only work under various lighting conditions, but also have dustproof and waterproof characteristics to meet the special requirements of the sterilization environment.

[0061] The central control module is the "brain" of the entire system. It consists of a high-performance industrial computer and a specially developed software system. This module receives a large amount of image information from the visual tracking module and uses advanced image analysis algorithms, such as deep learning based target detection and tracking algorithms (such as YOLO, SSD or Faster R-CNN), to identify and track goods in real time. This algorithm can accurately identify different types of goods in complex backgrounds and maintain stable tracking during the movement of goods.

[0062] The main purpose of introducing these two modules is to achieve full monitoring and intelligent management of goods during the sterilization process. In traditional sterilization systems, the status of goods mainly relies on manual inspection or simple sensor monitoring, which has disadvantages such as low efficiency, prone to errors, and inability to respond in real time. The combination of visual tracking and central control modules can provide more comprehensive, accurate, and real-time information on the status of goods, thereby greatly improving the operating efficiency and reliability of the system.

[0063] The specific implementation process is as follows: First, the camera of the visual tracking module continuously captures the image information of the goods and transmits it to the central control module in real time through the high-speed network. The image analysis algorithm of the central control module immediately processes this information and identifies the type, location and status of each item. The system assigns a unique identifier to each item and continuously tracks this identifier throughout the sterilization process.

[0064] The central control module determines whether the flow of goods is normal by analyzing the movement trajectory, speed and position changes of the goods. For example, if the movement speed of a certain item suddenly slows down or stops, the system will immediately determine it as an abnormal state. Alternatively, if the goods deviate from the preset delivery path, the system will also identify this abnormality.

[0065] Once an abnormal state is detected, the central control module will immediately take the following measures: Send correction instructions to the corresponding functional modules. For example, if the goods deviate on the conveyor belt, the system will instruct the conveyor belt to adjust the speed or direction to correct the goods back to the normal position.

[0066] If the correction is ineffective or a more serious abnormality is encountered, the system will issue a shutdown command to suspend the operation of related modules to prevent the abnormal condition from further deteriorating.

[0067] At the same time, an audible and visual alarm is triggered, and on-site operators are reminded of abnormal conditions through display screens, sirens, etc.

[0068] The system will continue to monitor abnormal goods until the problem is resolved and the goods return to normal delivery status.

[0069] Based on the above system, the present application also discloses an automatic conveying method for sterilization process, such as Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 This is a flow chart of an automatic conveying method for a sterilization process provided in an embodiment of the present application, which specifically includes S101-S103.

[0070] S101, detecting whether a plurality of goods to be sterilized meet preset requirements and determining whether each sterilized goods needs to be analyzed.

[0071] S102, preheating the goods to be sterilized that meet the preset requirements and then sterilizing them to obtain sterilized goods.

[0072] S103, performing parsing on the sterilized goods that need parsing, and transporting the parsed sterilized goods to a manual pickup area.

[0073] In one example, the automated delivery method for sterilization processes is a carefully designed multi-step process designed to ensure the sterility of medical devices and items while improving the efficiency and reliability of the entire process. This method includes three key steps: testing, sterilization, and aeration, each of which plays a vital role in the entire process.

[0074] First of all, detecting whether multiple goods to be sterilized meet the preset requirements and judging whether each sterilized goods needs to be analyzed are the starting point of the entire process and the first line of defense for quality control. The importance of this step is to ensure that only items suitable for sterilization can enter the subsequent process, thereby ensuring the sterilization effect and preventing equipment damage. At this stage, the system uses the high-definition camera of the visual tracking module to capture the image of the goods and analyzes it through the advanced image recognition algorithm of the central control module. The system checks the type, packaging integrity, size and weight, identification information and humidity status of the goods to ensure that they meet the preset sterilization requirements and determine whether they need to be analyzed. This intelligent detection method not only improves the accuracy and efficiency of detection, but also lays the foundation for the consistency and reliability of the entire sterilization process.

[0075] Next, the goods to be sterilized that meet the preset requirements are preheated and sterilized to obtain sterilized goods, which is the core link of the entire process. The introduction of the preheating process is based on scientific considerations, because proper preheating can significantly improve the efficiency and uniformity of sterilization. In the front zone preheating conveying module, the goods are heated to a temperature close to the sterilization temperature, which can reduce the temperature gradient during the sterilization process and ensure that the heat can be evenly distributed to all parts of the items. Preheating can also reduce the formation of condensed water in the sterilization chamber, further improving the sterilization effect. After preheating, the goods will be automatically transported to the sterilization conveying module for sterilization. During this process, temperature and humidity sensors continuously monitor environmental parameters to ensure that the entire process is carried out under optimal conditions. At the same time, the visual tracking module monitors the location and status of the goods throughout the process. If any abnormality is found, the system will respond immediately, such as issuing an alarm or adjusting parameters. This precise control and full-process monitoring not only improves the sterilization effect, but also greatly increases the reliability and traceability of the process.

[0076] Finally, the sterilized goods that need to be parsed are parsed and transported to the manual pickup area, which is a key link to ensure the safe use of sterilized items. The introduction of this step is based on the consideration of different sterilization methods and different item characteristics. For example, some items sterilized by high-pressure steam may need to be cooled and dried, while some items sterilized by gas need to be gas parsed to remove residues. The central control module automatically determines whether each item needs parsing based on the previously identified type of goods and the sterilization method used. For items that need to be parsed, the system will transport them to the back-area parsing and conveying module for processing. During the parsing process, the temperature and humidity sensors continue to play a role to ensure the suitability of the parsing environment. The visual tracking module continuously monitors the status of the items to ensure the integrity of the parsing process. After the parsing is completed, the system will transport the items to the manual pickup area and generate a detailed processing report, including the full process data of sterilization and parsing.

[0077] The above is only an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure cannot be limited thereto. That is, any equivalent changes and modifications made according to the teachings of the present disclosure are still within the scope of the present disclosure. After considering the specification and practicing the disclosure here, those skilled in the art will easily think of other embodiments of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any modification, use or adaptation of the present disclosure, which follows the general principles of the present disclosure and includes common knowledge or customary technical means in the technical field not recorded in the present disclosure. The description and examples are only regarded as exemplary, and the scope and spirit of the present disclosure are defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An automatic conveying system for sterilization process, characterized in that: The system comprises: a front zone preheating conveying module, a sterilization conveying module and a rear zone analysis conveying module; wherein, The front zone preheating and conveying module is used to detect whether a plurality of goods to be sterilized meet preset requirements and determine whether each of the sterilized goods needs to be analyzed, and to preheat the goods to be sterilized that meet the preset requirements and convey them to the corresponding sterilization conveying module. The number of the sterilization conveying modules is N, and N is greater than or equal to 1; The sterilization conveying module is used to sterilize the goods to be sterilized conveyed by the front-zone preheating conveying module to obtain sterilized goods, and convey the sterilized goods to the rear-zone analysis conveying module; The rear area parsing and conveying module is used to perform parsing on the sterilized goods that need to be parsed, and convey the sterilized goods after the parsing to the manual pickup area.

2. The automatic conveying system for sterilization process according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front zone preheating and conveying module includes: a detection unit, a judgment unit, a preheating unit and a classification unit; wherein, The detection unit is used to detect the appearance and category of multiple goods to be sterilized, and obtain the appearance detection result and category detection result of each of the goods to be sterilized; The judging unit is used to judge whether each of the goods to be sterilized meets preset requirements and whether each of the sterilized goods needs to be analyzed according to the appearance inspection results of each of the goods to be sterilized, and to transport the goods to be sterilized that meet the preset requirements to the preheating unit; The preheating unit is used to preheat the goods to be sterilized that meet the preset requirements. There are multiple trays in the preheating unit, and the interval between each tray is a preset value; The classification unit is used to transport each of the goods to be sterilized to the corresponding sterilization transport module according to the category detection result of each of the goods to be sterilized.

3. The automatic conveying system for sterilization process according to claim 2, characterized in that: The judgment unit is also used to transport the goods to be sterilized that do not meet the preset requirements to the alarm area and trigger an alarm prompt, suspend automatic transportation and switch to the manual processing channel until the goods to be sterilized that do not meet the preset requirements are sent back to the conveyor line after manual processing.

4. The automatic conveying system for sterilization process according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sterilization and conveying module includes: a receiving unit, a sterilization unit and a first delivery unit, wherein: The receiving unit is used to receive the goods to be sterilized delivered by the front zone preheating delivery module, and place the received goods to be sterilized in the sterilization unit. The sterilization unit is provided with a plurality of trays, the interval between each tray is a set threshold, and the width of each tray is not greater than the width of the inner cavity of the sterilization unit; The sterilization unit is used to perform sterilization according to the material and quantity of the goods to be sterilized; The first shipping unit is used to take out the sterilized goods in the sterilization unit, and use the track-guided vehicle corresponding to the sterilization conveying module to enable the track-guided vehicle to convey the sterilized goods to the rear-area analysis and conveying module, wherein the running track of the track-guided vehicle and the cabinet door of the sterilization unit are located on the same horizontal plane, and the shelf size of the track-guided vehicle is adapted to the size of the pallet in the sterilization unit.

5. The automatic conveying system for sterilization process according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rear zone analysis and conveying module includes: a conveying unit, an analysis unit and a second delivery unit; wherein, The conveying unit is used to convey the sterilized goods that need to be parsed to the parsing unit, and directly convey the sterilized goods that do not need to be parsed to the shipping platform; The analysis unit includes at least one six-axis robot arm, which is used to perform analysis operations on the sterilized goods that need to be analyzed, and transport the sterilized goods after analysis to the shipping platform through a conveyor belt; the six-axis robot arm is equipped with a visual sensor, which is used to achieve positioning and obstacle avoidance through visual guidance; The second shipping unit is used to aggregate the sterilized goods after analysis and the sterilized goods that do not need analysis, and transport the aggregated goods to the manual pickup area in batches, and automatically generate a goods shipping plan according to the goods demand of the manual pickup area.

6. The automatic conveying system for sterilization process according to claim 1, characterized in that: The system also includes: a temperature and humidity sensor, which is used to monitor the temperature data and humidity data inside the front-zone preheating and conveying module, the sterilization and conveying module, and the rear-zone analysis and conveying module. When the temperature data and / or the humidity data exceed a preset safety range, an alarm signal is issued and an adjustment signal is generated to adjust the temperature and humidity of the corresponding module.

7. The automatic conveying system for sterilization process according to claim 1, characterized in that: The system also includes: a visual tracking module and a central control module; The visual tracking module includes a plurality of cameras, which are respectively arranged in the front zone preheating conveying module, the sterilization conveying module and the rear zone analysis conveying module, and are used to collect image information of the goods to be sterilized and the sterilized goods in the conveying process in real time, and transmit the collected image information to the central control module; The central control module is used to receive the image information transmitted by the visual tracking module, track and locate the goods to be sterilized and the sterilized goods throughout the entire process through an image analysis algorithm, monitor the circulation status of the goods, and if any abnormal state of the goods is found during the transportation process, send a correction or shutdown instruction to the corresponding functional module, and trigger an audible and visual alarm at the same time until the goods resume normal transportation status.

8. An automatic conveying method for a sterilization process, characterized in that: The method comprises: Detecting whether a plurality of goods to be sterilized meet preset requirements and determining whether each of the sterilized goods needs to be analyzed; Preheating the goods to be sterilized that meet the preset requirements and then sterilizing them to obtain sterilized goods; The sterilized goods that need to be parsed are parsed, and the sterilized goods after the parsing are transported to the manual pickup area.

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