Automatic sampling machine

Abstract

An automatic sampling machine has a machine case, a case door arranged on the machine case, a sampling chamber arranged in the machine case, and a bottle holding mechanism. The sampling chamber is divided into a sampling cavity and a transition cavity, the case door faces the transition cavity, a gate and a passing unit on the gate are arranged between the sampling cavity and the transition cavity. The bottle holding mechanism includes a driving unit, a driving rod connected to the driving unit, and a bottle holding seat providing a sampling bottle placement. The bottle holding seat is normally located in the transition cavity, and is located in the sampling cavity or the transition cavity based on the driving of the driving rod, the gate and the case door are not opened at the same time, so that the sampling cavity and the transition cavity are not communicated, when the bottle holding seat is in the transition cavity and the gate is about to close, the passing unit allows the driving rod to be located therein.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model provides an automatic sampling machine, and more particularly an automatic sampling machine that can effectively reduce sampling contamination. Background Technology

[0002] Patents from Taiwan, including TW M635474, TW M657907, TW M634295, CN114471775A, CN 114424067A, TW I616651, and TW I650555, disclose automated sampling technology. In practice, an automated sampling device extracts the required chemical solution and fills it into a sampling bottle, reducing the contact risks associated with manual extraction and preventing secondary contamination of the sample solution due to human error.

[0003] However, in practice, front-opening automatic sampling devices cannot guarantee the cleanliness of the sampling chamber. Although current automatic sampling devices are equipped with ventilation mechanisms to extract the gas in the sampling chamber and avoid pollution from impure gases, when the door of the automatic sampling device is opened, the sampling chamber becomes open, causing external gases to still flow into the sampling chamber, increasing the risk of contamination. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main purpose of this invention is to solve the problem that current automatic sampling devices still cannot reduce the pollution caused by external gas flowing into the sampling chamber.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides an automatic sampling machine, which includes a chassis, a door disposed within the chassis, a sampling chamber disposed within the chassis, and a bottle holding mechanism. The sampling chamber is divided into a sampling cavity and a transition cavity, with the door facing the transition cavity. A gate and a passage unit located on the gate are provided between the sampling cavity and the transition cavity. The bottle holding mechanism includes a drive unit, a drive rod disposed within the sampling cavity and connected to the drive unit, and a bottle holder disposed within the sampling cavity and driven by the drive rod, the bottle holder providing a place to hold a sampling bottle. The bottle holder is normally located within the transition cavity and is positioned in either the sampling cavity or the transition cavity based on the drive rod. The gate and the door do not open simultaneously, preventing communication between the sampling cavity and the transition cavity. When the bottle holder is in the transition cavity and the gate is about to close, the passage unit allows the drive rod to remain within it.

[0006] In one embodiment, the passage unit includes an opening and a closure disposed on the gate and capable of selectively closing the opening.

[0007] In one embodiment, the closure includes a body capable of closing the opening and a pivot arm pivotally mounted on the gate and capable of rotating the body relative to the opening.

[0008] In one embodiment, the gate has a plurality of gate panels, and the opening is formed by at least one of the plurality of gate panels.

[0009] In one embodiment, the automatic sampler has a bottle opening mechanism disposed in the sampling chamber and a liquid injection mechanism disposed in the sampling chamber. The bottle opening mechanism includes a motor, at least one linkage driven by the motor and capable of moving toward the bottle holding seat, and a bottle opening claw driven by the linkage and capable of providing bottle opening. The liquid injection mechanism includes at least one chemical liquid tube and one cleaning liquid tube.

[0010] In one embodiment, the automatic sampler has an exhaust mechanism disposed in the chassis and for at least evacuating the sampling chamber.

[0011] In one embodiment, the automatic sampler has an inert gas supply mechanism disposed in the chassis and supplying inert gas to at least the sampling chamber.

[0012] As disclosed in the foregoing description of the utility model, compared with the conventional technology, the present utility model has the following characteristics: The automatic sampling device of the present utility model divides the sampling chamber into a sampling cavity and a transition cavity, and a gate is provided between the sampling cavity and the transition cavity. The gate and the box door do not open simultaneously, preventing the sampling cavity from communicating with the transition cavity, preventing external contaminants from flowing into the sampling cavity through the box door, and preventing sampling vapor from escaping from the sampling cavity and polluting the environment. In addition, through the arrangement of the passage unit, when the bottle holder is located in the transition cavity, the drive rod does not affect the closing of the gate, preventing the sampling cavity from communicating with the transition cavity. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an automatic sampling machine according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0014] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram (a) of a sampling chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram (II) of a sampling chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram (iii) of a sampling chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the bottle holder located in the sampling chamber in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the gate opening in one embodiment of the present utility model;

[0019] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a bottle holder located in the transition cavity and the gate closed in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the sampling process according to an embodiment of the present invention (I);

[0021] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram (II) of the sampling process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram (III) of the sampling process according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a waste discharge system according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 12 This is a step diagram (a) of an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 13 This is a step diagram (II) of an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 14 This is a step diagram (III) of an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0027] [Symbol Explanation]

[0028] 20: Automatic Sampling Machine

[0029] 21: Chassis

[0030] 210: Independent Space

[0031] 22: Box door

[0032] 221: Visible Area

[0033] 222: Door lock sensor

[0034] 23: Sampling Room

[0035] 231: Sampling Chamber

[0036] 232: Transition cavity

[0037] 233: Gate

[0038] 234: Through Unit

[0039] 235: Opening

[0040] 236: Enclosure

[0041] 237: Ontology

[0042] 238: Pivot Arm

[0043] 240: Door panel

[0044] 242: Visible Area

[0045] 243: Inclined surface

[0046] 244: Waste discharge hole

[0047] 245: Control mechanism

[0048] 246: Track

[0049] 247: Drive motor

[0050] 248: Output shaft

[0051] 25: Bottle Holding Mechanism

[0052] 251: Drive Unit

[0053] 252: Drive lever

[0054] 253: Aquarius

[0055] 26: Ventilation mechanism

[0056] 27: Inert gas supply mechanism

[0057] 28: Bottle opening mechanism

[0058] 281: Motor

[0059] 282: Linkage

[0060] 283: Bottle Opener

[0061] 29: Injection Mechanism

[0062] 291: Chemical liquid pipe

[0063] 292: Cleaning fluid tube

[0064] 30: Waste Discharge Mechanism

[0065] 301: Waste Discharge Pipe

[0066] 302: Waste Liquid Collection Tank

[0067] 303: Liquid pumping motor

[0068] 80: Sampling bottle

[0069] 81: Bottle Cap

[0070] 82: Bottle body

[0071] 90: Sampling Method

[0072] 91: Step One

[0073] 911: Sub-step

[0074] 912: Sub-step

[0075] 92: Step Two

[0076] 921: Sub-step

[0077] 922: Sub-step

[0078] 923: Sub-step

[0079] 93: Step Three

[0080] 931: Sub-step

[0081] 94: Step Four Detailed Implementation

[0082] The detailed description and technical content of this utility model are now explained in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0083] Please see Figures 1 to 7 This utility model provides an automatic sampling machine 20, which has a housing 21, a door 22, a sampling chamber 23, and a bottle holding mechanism 25. The door 22 is disposed on the housing 21 and can pivot relative to the housing 21 to open or close the housing 21. The pivoting of the door 22 is based on the user's operation and is not controlled by the automatic sampling machine 20. The opening or closing of the door 22 determines the communication between the internal space of the housing 21 and the outside.

[0084] The sampling chamber 23 is located inside the chassis 21. The sampling chamber 23 is divided into a sampling cavity 231 and a transition cavity 232. The sampling cavity 231 is used for sampling operations. The chassis door 22 faces the transition cavity 232, which is located between the sampling cavity 231 and the external environment, serving as a transition area between them. A gate 233 and a passage unit 234 are provided between the sampling cavity 231 and the transition cavity 232. The opening and closing of the gate 233 is controlled by the automatic sampler 20. The passage unit 234 is located on the gate 233. The gate 233 and the passage unit 234 together determine the communication between the sampling cavity 231 and the transition cavity 232. Specifically, the sampling cavity 231 is not normally connected to the transition cavity 232; it only connects when the gate 233 is open.

[0085] The bottle-holding mechanism 25 includes a drive unit 251, a drive rod 252, and a bottle holder 253. The drive unit 251 is located inside the chassis 21 and is electrically driven. In one embodiment, the drive unit 251 is disposed in a separate space 210 adjacent to the sampling chamber 23. The drive rod 252 and the bottle holder 253 are disposed in the sampling chamber 231. The drive rod 252 is connected to the drive unit 251, and the bottle holder 253 provides a sampling bottle 80 for placement. The bottle holder 253 is connected to the drive rod 252 and can be driven by the drive rod 252. The bottle holder 253 is normally located in the transition chamber 232. The normal state of the bottle holder 253 refers to the initial state when the automatic sampler 20 is started, when the bottle holder 253 is not driven by the drive rod 252 and is not in a standby state where the sampling bottle 80 is placed. The bottle holder 253 can be displaced when driven, and can move along the axial direction of the drive rod 252, displacing between the sampling chamber 231 and the transition chamber 232. The bottle holder 253 can also rotate around the drive rod 252.

[0086] Please explain the sampling method 90 of the automatic sampler 20, and please use it in conjunction with... Figures 1 to 7 , Figure 12 Assuming that the automatic sampler 20 is not started at the beginning of the sampling method 90: Step 1 91: Start the automatic sampler 20. At this time, the drive rod 252 is located in the passage unit 234, and the bottle holder 253 is located in the transition cavity 232. Proceed to Step 2 92: After the sampling bottle 80 is placed into the bottle holder 253, open the gate 233, drive the drive rod 252 to move, causing the bottle holder 253 to move from the transition cavity 232 to the sampling cavity 231. After the bottle holder 253 is in the sampling cavity 231, close the gate 233, allowing the sampling bottle 80 to be sampled. Next, proceeding to step three 93, after the sampling bottle 80 has completed sampling, the gate 233 is opened, driving the drive rod 252 to move, causing the bottle holder 253 to return from the sampling chamber 231 to the transition chamber 232. The gate 233 is then closed, positioning the drive rod 252 within the passage unit 234. At this time, although the drive rod 252 is positioned within the passage unit 234, the passage unit 234 and the drive rod 252 cooperate to ensure that the sampling chamber 231 and the transition chamber 232 remain disconnected. Therefore, even if the door 22 is opened to remove the sampling bottle 80, there is still no communication between the outside of the automatic sampler 20 and the inside of the sampling chamber 231, thus preventing contamination.

[0087] As described above, the automatic sampling machine 20 of this invention, through the setting of the gate 233, ensures that the sampling chamber 231 and the transition chamber 232 remain disconnected. Furthermore, the gate 233 and the door 22 do not open simultaneously, reducing the direct inflow of external contaminants into the sampling chamber 231 via the transition chamber 232, and also reducing the flow of chemical vapors from the sampling chamber 231 to the outside via the transition chamber 232, thus minimizing environmental pollution. In addition, through the setting of the passage unit 234, when the drive rod 252 is positioned within the passage unit 234, the drive rod 252 does not affect the closing of the gate 233.

[0088] Please refer to the following: Figures 2 to 8 In one embodiment, the passage unit 234 includes an opening 235 and a closure 236. The opening 235 allows the drive rod 252 to be placed therein, and when the gate 233 is closed, it does not affect the extension of the drive rod 252 from the sampling chamber 231 into the transition chamber 232. The closure 236 is disposed on the gate 233 and can selectively close the opening 235. For example, the closure 236 is controlled by an external mechanism. When the drive rod 252 is not in the opening 235, the closure 236 is controlled by the external mechanism to close the opening 235.

[0089] In another example, the closure 236 can also close the opening 235 using its own structure. In one embodiment, the closure 236 includes a body 237 that can close the opening 235, and a pivot arm 238 pivotally mounted on the gate 233. The body 237 has a certain weight. When the drive rod 252 is not in the opening 235, the pivot arm 238 is acted upon by the weight of the body 237, causing the body 237 to close the opening 235. Similarly, when the drive rod 252 is in the opening 235, the positions of the drive rod 252 and the body 237 interfere, causing the body 237 to be pushed by the drive rod 252, causing the body 237 to rotate moderately relative to the gate 233 about the pivot point between the pivot arm 238 and the gate 233, thereby allowing the drive rod 252 to pass through the opening 235. It should be understood that, since the body 237 has a certain weight, the body 237 rotates relative to the gate 233 in a swing manner. The swing amplitude of the body 237 is such that it does not interfere with the position of the drive rod 252 and is sufficient to position the drive rod 252 in the opening 235.

[0090] In another embodiment, the passage unit 234 further includes at least one seal (not shown) disposed within the opening 235 and used to seal the gap between the opening 235 and the drive rod 252. In one embodiment, each of the at least one seal may be an elastic element or a rubber element, etc. There are many implementations of the at least one seal; any embodiment in which the at least one seal is used to block the communication between the sampling chamber 231 and the transition chamber 232 falls within the scope of this invention.

[0091] In another embodiment, the gate 233 has multiple door panels 240. When the gate 233 is closed, these door panels 240 can contact each other, and these door panels 240, together with the passage unit 234, restrict the communication between the sampling chamber 231 and the transition chamber 232. Furthermore, there are many possible arrangements for the opening 235; any arrangement formed by at least one of these door panels 240 is within the scope of this invention. In this embodiment, there are two door panels 240, and the opening 235 is formed by the two door panels 240.

[0092] In another embodiment, the gate 233 of this invention is electrically driven and has a control mechanism 245. The control mechanism 245 includes at least one track 246 disposed on the gate panels 240 and at least one drive motor 247 disposed on the track 246. The at least one drive motor 247 has an output shaft 248. When the at least one drive motor 247 is started, the output shaft 248 causes the gate panels 240 to move along the at least one track 246. Thus, the gate 233 can be controlled to open or close.

[0093] In addition, please see Figure 1 The automatic sampling machine 20 of this invention has at least one door lock sensor 222, which is located at least on the door 22 and is used to ensure that the door 22 is closed. The gate 233 is opened only when the door lock sensor 222 detects that the door 22 is closed. In another embodiment, the door 22 and the gate 233 respectively have a viewing area 221 and 242 for the user to view the current working status of the automatic sampling machine 20.

[0094] On the other hand, to effectively reduce the communication between the gas inside the sampling chamber 231 and the outside, in one embodiment of the automatic sampling machine 20 of this invention, the automatic sampling machine 20 has an exhaust mechanism 26, which is disposed in the housing 21 and at least evacuates the sampling chamber 231. In another embodiment, the automatic sampling machine 20 has an inert gas supply mechanism 27, which is disposed in the housing 21 and at least supplies inert gas to the sampling chamber 231.

[0095] On the other hand, please see Figure 2 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 The automatic sampling machine 20 has a bottle opening mechanism 28 and a liquid injection mechanism 29, both of which are located within the sampling chamber 231 and operate on the sampling bottle 80 respectively. The bottle opening mechanism 28 is used to open the sampling bottle 80. The bottle opening mechanism 28 includes a motor 281, at least one connecting rod 282 connected to the motor 281, and a bottle opening claw 283 connected to the at least one connecting rod 282. The at least one connecting rod 282 can be moved toward the bottle holder 253 after being driven by the motor 281. The bottle opening claw 283 can hold a bottle cap 81 of the sampling bottle 80 and can unscrew the bottle cap 81 after being driven by the at least one connecting rod 282 to open the bottle. At the same time, the bottle opening claw 283 can also tighten the bottle cap 81. The liquid injection mechanism 29 is used to perform the liquid injection operation of the sampling bottle 80. The liquid injection mechanism 29 includes at least one chemical liquid tube 291 and one cleaning liquid tube 292. Each of the at least one chemical liquid tube 291 supplies a chemical liquid to be sampled, and the cleaning liquid tube 292 supplies clean water, such as deionized water.

[0096] In another embodiment, please refer to Figure 8 and Figure 11 The automatic sampling machine 20 has a waste discharge mechanism 30, which is located inside the housing 21 and at the bottom of the housing 21 and is connected to the sampling chamber 231. The waste discharge mechanism 30 includes at least one waste discharge pipe 301 connected to the sampling chamber 231, a waste liquid collection tank 302 connected to the at least one waste discharge pipe 301, and a liquid pumping motor 303 connected to the waste liquid collection tank 302. The waste discharge pipe 301 is located at the bottom of the sampling chamber 231, so that the waste liquid flows to the waste liquid collection tank 302 by gravity through the waste discharge pipe 301. After the liquid pumping motor 303 is started, it can draw the waste liquid in the waste liquid collection tank 302 and discharge it outward. In another embodiment, the sampling chamber 23 has at least one inclined surface 243 located at the bottom of the sampling cavity 231, the inclined direction of which is towards the connection between the at least one waste pipe 301 and the sampling cavity 231. In this embodiment, the sampling chamber 23 has at least one waste discharge hole 244 connecting the waste discharge mechanism 30 and the sampling cavity 231, the at least one waste discharge hole 244 being located on the at least one inclined surface 243.

[0097] Continuing from the above, the sampling method of this utility model 90 will be further described. Please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figures 1 to 10 , Figure 13In one embodiment, at the initial stage of the sampling method 90, the bottle holder 253 may also be located in the sampling chamber 231. When the automatic sampler 20 is started, the bottle holder 253 is driven by the drive rod 252 and moved from the sampling chamber 231 to the transition chamber 232. In another embodiment, step 91 of this invention has a sub-step 911: when the automatic sampler 20 is started, the exhaust mechanism 26 inside the automatic sampler 20 is activated to at least evacuate the sampling chamber 231. In another embodiment, step 91 has a sub-step 912: when the automatic sampler 20 is started, the inert gas supply mechanism 27 inside the automatic sampler 20 is activated to at least supply inert gas to the sampling chamber 231. After the inert gas supply mechanism 27 has finished working, the exhaust mechanism 26 is activated. In this embodiment, the inert gas supply mechanism 27 and the exhaust mechanism 26 do not work simultaneously. The exhaust mechanism 26 is started only after the inert gas supply mechanism 27 has finished working.

[0098] Furthermore, in step two 92, during sampling, the bottle opening mechanism 28 unscrews and holds the cap 81 of the sampling bottle 80, and then drives the bottle holding mechanism 25 to turn the sampling bottle 80 toward the chemical liquid tube 291 of the liquid injection mechanism 29, so as to fill the sampling bottle 80 with the chemical liquid to be sampled.

[0099] In addition, the sampling method 90 of this invention cleans the sampling bottle 80 before the sampling operation. In one embodiment, step two 92 includes a sub-step 921: driving the bottle opening mechanism 28 in the automatic sampler 20 to open and hold the bottle cap 81 of the sampling bottle 80, injecting the chemical liquid in the chemical liquid tube 291 of the liquid injection mechanism 29 into one bottle body 82 of the sampling bottle 80, then driving the bottle opening mechanism 28 to screw the bottle cap 81 on, driving the drive rod 252 to drive the bottle holder 253 and the sampling bottle 80 to rotate, and then opening the bottle cap 81 again with the bottle opening mechanism 28, and driving the bottle holder 25 to pour out the liquid in the sampling bottle 80 before sampling. In this embodiment, the drive rod 252 can drive the bottle holder 253 and the sampling bottle 80 to rotate sequentially in the counterclockwise and clockwise directions. Furthermore, step two 92 includes a sub-step 922: driving the drive rod 252 to invert the bottle holder 253 and the sampling bottle 80 and leave them to stand for a period of time, thereby allowing the chemical liquid to thoroughly clean the inside of the bottle cap 81 of the sampling bottle 80.

[0100] In another embodiment, step two 92 includes a sub-step 923: before the bottle cap 81 is opened, the outside of the sampling bottle 80 is rinsed with the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tube 292 of the liquid injection mechanism 29, and then the sampling bottle 80 is dried by the inert gas supply mechanism 27.

[0101] In addition, the sampling method 90 of this utility model also cleans the sampling bottle 80 after sampling is completed. In one embodiment, the sampling method 90 includes step three 93, which includes a sub-step 931: tightening the bottle cap 81 with the bottle opening mechanism 28, driving the cleaning liquid tube 292 of the liquid injection mechanism 29 to clean the outside of the sampling bottle 80, and then drying the sampling bottle 80 with the inert gas supply mechanism 27.

[0102] On the other hand, please see Figure 14 In step four 94, the box door 22 can only be opened after the gate 233 is closed. In this embodiment, the box door 22 is controlled by the door lock sensor 222. In step two 92, when the gate 233 is open, the door lock sensor 222 prevents the box door 22 from being opened. In step four 94, the door lock sensor 222 allows the box door 22 to be opened.

Claims

1. An automatic sampling machine, comprising a chassis and a door disposed within the chassis, characterized in that, The automated sampling machine includes: A sampling chamber is located inside the chassis. The sampling chamber is divided into a sampling cavity and a transition cavity. The chassis door faces the transition cavity. A gate and a passage unit located on the gate are provided between the sampling cavity and the transition cavity. A bottle holding mechanism includes a drive unit, a drive rod disposed in the sampling chamber and connected to the drive unit, and a bottle holding seat disposed in the sampling chamber and driven by the drive rod, the bottle holding seat providing a place for a sampling bottle; The bottle holder is normally located in the transition cavity and is positioned in the sampling cavity or the transition cavity based on the drive rod. The gate and the box door do not open at the same time, so that the sampling cavity and the transition cavity are not connected. When the bottle holder is in the transition cavity and the gate is about to close, the passage unit allows the drive rod to be in the cavity.

2. The automatic sampling machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The passage unit includes an opening and a closure element disposed on the gate and capable of selectively closing the opening.

3. The automatic sampling machine as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The closure includes a body capable of closing the opening and a pivot arm pivotally mounted on the gate and capable of rotating the body relative to the opening.

4. The automatic sampling machine as described in any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that, The gate has multiple gate panels, and the opening is formed by at least one of the multiple gate panels.

5. The automatic sampling machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The automatic sampler has a bottle opening mechanism and a liquid injection mechanism disposed in the sampling chamber. The bottle opening mechanism includes a motor, at least one linkage driven by the motor and capable of moving toward the bottle holding seat, and a bottle opening claw driven by the linkage and capable of opening the bottle. The liquid injection mechanism includes at least one chemical liquid tube and one cleaning liquid tube.

6. The automatic sampling machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The automatic sampler has an exhaust mechanism located in the housing that evacuates air from at least the sampling chamber.

7. The automatic sampling machine as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The automatic sampler has an inert gas supply mechanism located in the chassis and supplying inert gas to at least the sampling chamber.

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