Automatic sampling device
Patent Information
- Application Number
- TW114112900
- Authority / Receiving Office
- TW · TW
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-16
- Estimated Expiration
- 2045-04-01
Smart Images
Figure TWG2TA001080052_001 
Figure TWG2TA001080052_002 
Figure TWG2TA001080052_003
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] This case relates to sampling devices, and in particular to an automatic sampling device. [Previous Technology]
[0002] In manufacturing processes across various fields, different solutions are frequently used. In the semiconductor industry, various chemical solutions are commonly used in the manufacturing process. As semiconductor precision has advanced to the nanometer level, each step in the process significantly impacts the yield. To ensure yield, the quality requirements of the chemical solutions used in the process must be strictly controlled. Therefore, to ensure the quality (e.g., cleanliness) of the chemical solutions used in the process, the chemicals used must be tested regularly.
[0003] In order to sample the chemicals in the process, the samples are usually loaded into containers and sent to the testing party for testing. In order to ensure that the obtained samples are consistent with the samples used in the process, the containers must be cleaned before loading the samples to ensure that there are no other possible components remaining in the containers before the samples can be loaded.
[0004] The general sampling method involves manually cleaning the container before sampling. Even with a rigorously designed container cleaning process, slight differences can occur between the same operator and the same sampling procedure each time. This is even more pronounced when different operators perform the same procedure. Therefore, it is difficult to standardize the various steps in a typical sampling process, making it impossible to fully ensure the consistency between the obtained sample and the sample used in the process. This can affect the accuracy of subsequent testing and judgment results, hindering accurate judgment during solution control and potentially introducing uncertainty into the process. Therefore, improvements are needed. [Summary of the Invention]
[0005] This application provides an automatic sampling device suitable for automatically sampling from a transfer container, comprising a housing, a carrier module, a power module, a working module, and a controller. The carrier module includes a drive component and a support. The drive component is linearly displaceable within the housing along a first direction. The support is connected to the drive component and can rotate around the first direction under the drive component's influence. The power module is connected to the drive component to drive the drive component to move along the first direction. The working module is disposed on the displacement path of the carrier module and includes a cleaning unit, a sampling unit, and a bottle cap opening and closing unit, which are spaced apart. The controller is electrically connected to the drive unit and the working module.
[0006] In this way, the automatic sampling device can automatically complete the pre-sampling and sampling work within the casing, standardizing the sampling process. This not only avoids contamination during sampling but also improves sampling efficiency and ensures consistency. The carrier module carries the container and completes the automatic sampling work through linear displacement, which reduces the overall size of the automatic sampling device and improves its applicability to different environments.
[0007] In some embodiments, the direction perpendicular to the first direction is the second direction, and the power module and the load-bearing module are located in different positions in the second direction within the housing.
[0008] In some embodiments, the aforementioned housing further includes a first partition plate extending along a first direction and parallel to the load-bearing module. The first partition plate has an elongated hole extending along the first direction. The load-bearing module and the power module are located on opposite sides of the first partition plate, and the power module is connected to the drive unit through the elongated hole.
[0009] In some embodiments, the aforementioned load-bearing module further includes a housing, a drive unit housed within the housing, a support located outside the housing, and a power module connected to the housing.
[0010] In some embodiments, the aforementioned support includes a fixed base and a clamping member, the fixed base is connected to a driving member, and the clamping member is linearly displaceable along a first direction and disposed on one side of the fixed base.
[0011] In some embodiments, the aforementioned housing further includes a second partition, which is located on the same side of the first partition as the support module. One end of the second partition is connected to the first partition at an angle and has a passage. The working module is located on one side of the second partition.
[0012] In some embodiments, the aforementioned bearing module can be sequentially displaced along the first direction between the first position, the second position, the third position and the fourth position. When the bearing module is in the first position, the bearing seat is located on the other side of the second partition through the through-hole.
[0013] In some embodiments, the aforementioned automatic sampling device further includes a door panel and a drive assembly. The drive assembly is disposed in the housing, and the door panel is connected to the drive assembly. The drive assembly can drive the door panel to move in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction to open and close the passage.
[0014] In some embodiments, the aforementioned drive assembly includes a gear, a rack and a power source. The gear is rotatably disposed on the housing, the rack is fixed to the door panel along a third direction and meshes with the gear, and the power source is connected to the gear.
[0015] In some embodiments, the aforementioned bottle cap opening and closing unit includes a lifting module, a rotating module and a clamping module. The lifting module is fixed to the housing, the rotating module is connected to the lifting module, and the clamping module is connected to the rotating module.
[0016] In some embodiments, the aforementioned lifting module has a slide table that can slide along a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, and the rotating module is connected to the slide table.
[0017] In some embodiments, the aforementioned rotating module includes a motor and a drive shaft. The motor is fixed to the slide table, the drive shaft is connected to the motor and can rotate about a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the clamping module is connected to the drive shaft.
[0018] In some embodiments, the aforementioned clamping module includes a kit and two clamping members. The kit has a sleeve opening, and each clamping member of the clamping module is linearly displaceable and disposed on opposite sides within the sleeve opening.
[0019] In some embodiments, the automatic sampling device further includes two slider groups, which are respectively disposed on the side of the first partition away from the bearing module. Each slider group includes a plurality of sliders and a plurality of limiting members. Each slider is parallel to each other and at least partially overlaps. Each slider has a groove opened along the first direction. Each limiting member is slidably inserted into the groove of two adjacent sliders. The slider closest to the first partition is fixed to the bearing module, and the slider furthest from the first partition is fixed to the housing.
[0020] In some embodiments, the aforementioned housing further includes a fourth partition, which is disposed parallel to and spaced apart from the first partition on the side away from the bearing module, and each sliding plate group is located between the first partition and the fourth partition.
Implementation Method
[0021] Before this application is described in detail in various embodiments, please note that in the following description, the drawings of this application are only for illustration and are not necessarily drawn to scale, and not all details are necessarily presented in the drawings.
[0022] The orientation or similar terms used in this application, such as "front", "back", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", and "side", indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. They are only for the purpose of assisting in explanation and understanding, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and are not intended to limit this application.
[0023] The use of the quantifiers "a" or "an" for the elements and components described in this application is merely for convenience and to provide the general meaning of the scope of the invention; in this application, it should be interpreted as including one or at least one, and a single concept also includes plural cases, unless it clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "plural" means two or more.
[0024] The terms “combination”, “integration” or “assembly” used in this application mainly include the type of connection that allows the components to be separated without damaging them, or the connection that makes the components inseparable. These are terms that can be selected by those with ordinary knowledge in the art based on the material of the components to be connected or the assembly requirements.
[0025] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, Figure 1 is an overall appearance schematic diagram of one embodiment of the automatic sampling device of this application; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram drawn along section line 2-2 in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of one embodiment of the automatic sampling device of this application with the carrier module located in the first position and drawn along section line 3-3 in Figure 1. The automatic sampling device is adapted to automatically complete sampling in the transfer container C. In some embodiments, the automatic sampling device is capable of automatically loading the desired sample into the container C, the container C including a bottle body C1 and a cap C2 detachably disposed on the bottle body C1. In these embodiments, the desired sample may be a fluid-type chemical, but this application is not limited thereto.
[0026] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the automatic sampling device includes a housing 10, a support module 20, a power module 30, a working module 40, and a controller 50. The support module 20 includes a drive member 21 and a support 22. The drive member 21 is linearly displaceable within the housing 10 along a first direction D1. The support 22 is connected to the drive member 21 and is driven by the drive member 21 to rotate around the first direction D1. The power module 30 is connected to the drive member 21 to drive the drive member 21 to move along the first direction D1. The working module 40 is disposed on the displacement path of the support module 20 and includes a cleaning unit 41, a sampling unit 42, and a bottle cap opening and closing unit 43, which are spaced apart. The controller 50 is electrically connected to the drive member 21, the power module 30, and the working module 40.
[0027] In this way, the automatic sampling device can automatically complete the pre-sampling work and sampling work within the housing 10, standardizing the sampling process. In addition to avoiding contamination during sampling, it can also improve sampling efficiency and ensure the consistency of sampling work. The carrier module 20 carries the container C to complete the automatic sampling work in a linear displacement manner, which can reduce the overall size of the automatic sampling device and improve its applicability to different fields.
[0028] In some embodiments, the samples obtained by the automatic sampling device are chemicals, but this invention is not limited thereto. In these embodiments, since chemicals are frequently used in advanced processes in the semiconductor manufacturing industry, and with the miniaturization of integrated circuits, the cleanliness requirements for chemicals are very stringent. Therefore, the process line must regularly test the chemicals used to ensure that they do not contain impurities, impurities, or metal ions that may affect subsequent processes. In order to avoid contamination of the container C used to hold the chemicals during the transportation to the sampling operation, the container C is usually pre-filled with ultrapure water. The sampling operation must be carried out in sequence by opening the cap C2, pouring out the pure water, cleaning the container, and finally loading the chemicals and closing the cap C2. The chemical sampling is completed according to the aforementioned procedure.
[0029] Referring to Figure 1, the housing 10 is mainly used to carry the support module 20, the power module 30, and the working module, and to provide space for completing the automatic sampling work. In some embodiments, the housing 10 is a hollow box formed by walls 11, which define the internal space, where the sampling work and the pre-sampling work can be performed within the internal space of the housing 10. In some embodiments, the walls 11 may be configured with doors that can be opened and closed by the operator, transparent panels that allow the operator to observe the working status, control panels that allow the operator to operate, or various combinations thereof, and this invention is not limited thereto. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the housing 10 includes at least six walls 11, which are perpendicularly connected to each other to form a hollow six-sided cubic structure.
[0030] Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the support module 20 is mainly used to carry the container C and drive the container C to move linearly along the first direction D1 to complete the sampling of chemicals. The support 22 of the support module 20 is used to position the container C, and the drive component 21 can drive the support 22 to rotate around the first direction D1 to perform the work of pouring out pure water and cleaning the container C.
[0031] Referring to Figure 3, in some embodiments, the drive element 21 is a motor used to drive the bearing 22 to rotate. In these embodiments, the drive element 21 may be, but is not limited to, a DC motor or an AC motor. In some embodiments where the drive element 21 is a DC motor, the drive element 21 may be, but is not limited to, a brushed DC motor or a brushless DC motor; in some embodiments where the drive element 21 is an AC motor, the drive element 21 may be, but is not limited to, an induction motor, a servo motor, a speed-regulating motor, a geared motor, or a high-efficiency motor. In some embodiments where the drive element 21 is a motor, the drive element 21 has a drive shaft 211, which can rotate about a first direction D1, and the bearing 22 is connected to the drive shaft 211. It is worth noting that the drive element 21 may be, but is not limited to, a single motor or a combination of a motor and a reducer. In some embodiments, the drive element 21 is a combination of a servo motor and a planetary reducer.
[0032] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, Figure 4 is a partial enlarged view of the circled area 4 in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of one embodiment of the support of the automatic sampling device of this application. In some embodiments, the support 22 includes a fixed base 221 and a clamping member 222, the clamping member 222 being displaceable along a first direction D1 on the fixed base 221 to clamp the bottle body C1 of the container C. In these embodiments, the drive shaft 211 of the drive member 21 is connected to the fixed base 221 of the support 22 and can drive the entire support 22 to rotate around the first direction D1.
[0033] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, in some embodiments, the fixing seat 221 of the support 22 has a first bearing portion 22111, and the clamping member 222 has a second bearing portion 2221. The first bearing portion 22111 of the fixing seat 221 rests against one side of the bottle body C1 of the container C, and the second bearing portion 2221 of the clamping member 222 rests against the opposite side of the bottle body C1 of the container C. In some embodiments, the first bearing portion 22111 and the second bearing portion 2221 are respectively arc-shaped to support the cylindrical container C.
[0034] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, in some embodiments, the fixing seat 221 of the support 22 has a first side wall 2211, a bottom 2212, and a second side wall 2213 connected in sequence. The first side wall 2211 and the second side wall 2213 are parallel to each other and are respectively connected to the opposite sides of the bottom 2212, so that the fixing seat 221 generally has a U-shaped appearance. It should be noted that the appearance of the fixing seat 221 is only for illustration and is not limited thereto. In these embodiments, the first bearing portion 22111 is located on the side of the first side wall 2211 facing the second side wall 2213. The support 22 further includes a connecting rod 223, and the second side wall 2213 further includes a through-hole 22131. The connecting rod 223 is displaceable along the first direction D1, passing through one end of the through-hole 22131 of the second side wall 2213 and extending partially toward the first side wall 2211. The clamping member 222 is disposed at the extended part of the connecting rod 223, so that the clamping member 222 is displaceable along the first direction D1 and disposed on the second side wall 2213. In this way, the other end of the through-hole 22131 of the second side wall 2213 of the support 22 can be connected to a pressure source, thereby driving the connecting rod 223 to move the clamping member 222 closer to the first side wall 2211 (as shown in Figure 4) or away from the first side wall 2211 of the fixed seat 221 (as shown in Figure 5) through gas / fluid, realizing the operation of clamping or releasing the container C.
[0035] The power module 30 is used to drive the drive member 21 to move along the first direction D1. In some embodiments, the power module 30 and the load-bearing module 20 are located at different positions in the second direction D2. Here, the power module 30 is a linear drive assembly. In one embodiment, the power module 30 includes a power component 31, a linear guide component 32, and a follower 33. The linear guide component 32 is connected to the power component 31 so that it can be driven by the power component 31 to move linearly along the first direction D1. The follower 33 is connected to the linear guide component 32 and the drive member 21 of the load-bearing module 20 so that it drives the drive member 21 to move linearly along the first direction D1 with the linear guide component 32. In some embodiments, the power module 30 can be disposed inside the housing 10 or outside the housing 10, and this invention is not limited to this.
[0036] Referring to Figure 2, in some embodiments, the power component 31 is a combination of a motor, a screw, and a nut. The motor is connected to the screw, which extends its length along a first direction D1, and the nut is screwed onto the screw. The motor drives the screw to rotate around the first direction D1. When the screw rotates, the nut screwed onto the screw is linearly displaced along the first direction D1. In these embodiments, the linear guide component 32 is a combination of a linear slide rail and a linear slider. The linear slide rail extends its length along the first direction D1, and the linear slider is slidably fitted onto the linear slide rail. The linear slider is connected to the nut of the power component 31. Thus, when the nut is linearly displaced along the first direction D1, the linear slider of the linear guide component 32 can be driven by the nut and guided by the linear slide rail to stably displace linearly along the first direction D1. In some embodiments, the follower 33 is a plate structure, which spans across the linear slider of the linear guide assembly 32 and the drive member 21 of the support module 20 in the second direction D2. In this way, the power module 30 can drive the drive member 21 of the support module 20 to move linearly along the first direction D1.
[0037] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the cleaning unit 41 and the bottle cap opening / closing unit 43 of the working module 40 are located at different positions in the first direction D1; while the cleaning unit 41 and the sampling unit 42 can be located at the same position in the first direction D1, or they can be located at different positions in the first direction D1. In this way, when the power module 30 drives the carrying module 20 to move along the first direction D1, the container C on the carrying module 20 can complete the work of cleaning the container C, sampling chemicals, and opening / closing the bottle cap C2 at the positions corresponding to the cleaning unit 41, the sampling unit 42, and the bottle cap opening / closing unit 43, respectively.
[0038] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, in some embodiments, at the first direction D1 position, the cleaning unit 41 of the working module 40 is located at one end of the displacement path of the carrying module 20, and the bottle cap opening and closing unit 43 is located at the other end of the displacement path of the carrying module 20. In these embodiments, the sampling unit 42 includes a sampling head 421 and a sample providing module 422. The sampling head 421 is connected to the sample providing module 422, and the sample providing module 422 provides the sample to be tested and loads it into the container C through the sampling head 421.
[0039] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, in some embodiments, the number of sample providing modules 422 can be single or multiple. When the number of sample providing modules 422 is multiple, the number of sampling heads 421 corresponds to the number of sample providing modules 422. In this way, each sample providing module 422 can provide different samples to be loaded into the container C, and cross-contamination can be avoided.
[0040] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, when the number of sample providing modules 422 is multiple, the position of the sampling head 421 of the sampling unit 42 in the first direction D1 can be the same as that of the cleaning unit 41; the position of the sampling head 421 of the sampling unit 42 in the first direction D1 can also be different from that of the cleaning unit 41. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, one of the sampling heads 421 is in the same position as the cleaning unit 41 in the first direction D1; the sampling head 421 of the other sampling unit 42 is in a different position from that of the cleaning unit 41 in the first direction D1, and the sampling head 421 of this sampling unit 42 is located between the cleaning unit 41 and the bottle cap opening and closing unit 43.
[0041] It is worth noting that the aforementioned positional configuration of the working module 40 is only illustrative and is not limited to this in this case. That is to say, the user can change the positional configuration of the working module 40 according to the content of the sampling work, the spatial configuration of the housing 10, the configuration of pipelines, or various other requirements.
[0042] Referring to Figures 3, 6, and 7, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the carrier module in the second and third positions of one embodiment of the automatic sampling device of this application; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the carrier module in the fourth position of one embodiment of the automatic sampling device of this application. In some embodiments where the working module 40 includes a cleaning unit 41, a sampling unit 42, and a bottle cap opening and closing unit 43, the carrier module 20 can be sequentially displaced along the first direction D1 between the first position P1, the second position P2, the third position P3, and the fourth position P4. At the positions in the first direction D1, the second position P2 corresponds to the cleaning unit 41, the third position P3 corresponds to the sampling unit 42, and the fourth position P4 corresponds to the bottle cap opening and closing unit 43. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the second position P2 may be the same as the third position P3, or the second position P2 may be different from the third position P3.
[0043] Referring to Figure 3, in some embodiments, the cleaning unit 41 includes a nozzle 411 and a cleaning fluid supply module 412. The nozzle 411 is disposed inside the housing 10 and connected to the cleaning fluid supply module 412. The cleaning fluid supply module 412 provides cleaning fluid to clean the container C. In some embodiments, the cleaning fluid may be, but is not limited to, a high-oxidizing cleaning fluid (e.g., hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)) or ultrapure water (UPW). In some embodiments, the number of cleaning fluid supply modules 412 may be single or multiple. When the number of cleaning fluid supply modules 412 is multiple, each cleaning fluid supply module 412 is first connected to a control valve, and the control valve is then connected to the nozzle 411. Different cleaning fluids are provided for cleaning the container C through the control of the control valve.
[0044] The controller 50 is used to control the carrier module 20, the power module 30, and the working module 40 to automatically complete the chemical sampling operation. In some embodiments, the controller 50 may be, but is not limited to, an electronic device having various integrated circuits, logic, memory (including non-transitory media), and / or software, and is capable of receiving instructions, issuing instructions, and controlling operations. In some embodiments, the controller 50 may be, but is not limited to, a control chip, or a programmable logic controller (PLC) control circuit. In some embodiments, the controller 50 may be part of a computer or coupled to a computer, and the computer may be integrated into the automatic sampling device, coupled to the automatic sampling device, or wirelessly connected to the automatic sampling device.
[0045] As described above, when the automatic sampling device performs chemical sampling, the controller 50 specifically controls the operation of the carrying module 20, the power module 30, and the working module 40 as follows. First, the controller 50 controls the power module 30 to move the carrying module 20 to the first position P1 (as shown in Figure 3). Then, the controller controls the clamping member 222 of the bearing 22 of the carrying module 20 to move away from the fixed seat 221 (as shown in Figure 5), so that the bearing 22 can freely pick up and put the container C. At the same time, the controller 50 controls the drive member 21 to drive the bearing 22 to a bearing configuration with the bottom 2212 of the bearing 22 facing down.
[0046] In this state, the user / robot places the container C into the support 22 of the support module 20. Then, the controller 50 controls the clamping member 222 of the support 22 to move towards the fixed base 221 to clamp and position the container C (as shown in Figure 4). In some embodiments, the controller 50 may control the clamping of the support 22 based on the triggering of a manual switch. In other embodiments, a sensor is provided on the support 22, which can detect whether the support 22 is carrying the container C. The controller 50 can control the clamping of the support 22 based on the sensing signal from the sensor. Here, the sensor may be, but is not limited to, a light interrupter.
[0047] In some embodiments where the bearing 22 is clamped by gas / fluid drive, the controller 50 controls the displacement of the clamping member 222 by controlling the regulation of the gas / fluid pressure source, thereby controlling whether or not to clamp.
[0048] After container C is clamped and positioned on the support 22 of the support module 20, the controller 50 controls the power module 30 to move the support module 20 to the fourth position P4 (as shown in Figure 7). In this state, the position of the support 22 of the support module 20 in the first direction D1 overlaps with the position of the cap opening and closing unit 43. Then, the controller 50 controls the cap opening and closing unit 43 to open the cap C2 of container C.
[0049] After the cap C2 of container C is opened, the controller 50 controls the power module 30 to move the bearing module 20 to the second position P2 (as shown in Figure 6). In this state, the position of the support 22 of the bearing module 20 in the first direction D1 overlaps with the position of the cleaning unit 41 and the sampling unit 42. Here, the controller 50 controls the drive member 21 of the bearing module 20 to rotate, thereby driving the support 22 to rotate, so that the container C on the support 22 is in a bottle-mouth downward state. Here, the contents originally loaded in the container C are poured out. Then the controller 50 controls the cleaning unit 41 to clean the inside of the bottle body C1 from the bottle mouth of the container C.
[0050] After cleaning inside the bottle body C1 of container C, when the sampling head 421 of sampling unit 42 overlaps with the cleaning unit 41 in the first direction D1 (i.e., the second position P2 is the same as the third position P3) (as shown in Figure 6), controller 50 can continue to control sampling unit 42 to output the required sample into container C. When the sampling head 421 of sampling unit 42 does not overlap with the cleaning unit 41 in the first direction D1 (i.e., the second position P2 is different from the third position P3), controller 50 controls power module 30 to drive bearing module 20 to move from the second position P2 to the third position P3. In this state, the position of the support 22 of the support module 20 overlaps with the position of the sampling unit 42 in the first direction D1. Here, the controller 50 controls the drive 21 of the support module 20 to rotate, thereby driving the support 22 to rotate so that the bottle mouth faces upward to face the sampling unit 42. Then, the controller 50 controls the sampling unit 42 to output the sample to be filled into the container C.
[0051] After the sample is filled into container C, the controller 50 controls the power module 30 to move the bearing module 20 to the fourth position P4 (as shown in Figure 7). In this state, the position of the bearing 22 of the bearing module 20 in the first direction D1 overlaps with the position of the cap opening and closing unit 43. Then, the controller 50 controls the cap opening and closing unit 43 to close the cap C2 of container C.
[0052] After the sample is filled into container C and the cap C2 is closed, the controller 50 controls the power module 30 to move the bearing module 20 to the first position P1 (as shown in Figure 3). In this state, the operator / robot can remove the container C, which has been filled with the sample, from the first position P1 to complete the sampling work.
[0053] Referring to Figure 1, in some embodiments, the controller 50 may, but is not limited to, control the time it takes for the power module 30 to move the carrying module 20 to complete the transfer between different positions, and control the activation of the cleaning unit 41, the sampling unit 42, and the bottle cap opening and closing unit 43 according to the displacement time, but this invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the automatic sampling device further includes a display M, and the controller 50 is electrically connected to the display M. The user can manually control each step of the transfer and sampling work through the display M.
[0054] It is worth noting that the aforementioned sampling workflow is only for illustrative purposes. In some specific embodiments, the sampling workflow controlled by the controller 50 can be adjusted as needed. For example, the stop position of the carrying module 20 can be increased to distinguish between the position where the carrying module 20 drives the container C to pour out its original contents and the position where the cleaning work is carried out, thereby further reducing the contamination between different work areas.
[0055] Referring to Figures 2 and 8, Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the automatic sampling device of this application, drawn along section line 8-8 in Figure 1. In some embodiments, the housing 10 further includes a first partition 12, which extends along a first direction D1 between two opposing wall surfaces 11. The support module 20 and the working module 40 are located in the space on one side of the first partition 12, and the power module 30 is located in the space on the other side of the first partition 12. In these embodiments, the first partition 12 has an elongated hole 121 extending along the first direction D1, which penetrates the first partition 12. The power module 30 is connected to the drive member 21 of the support module 20 through the elongated hole 121. In this way, the first partition 12 can separate the power module 30 from the working module 40 and the carrying module 20, so as to prevent the cleaning fluid or sample from splashing onto the power module 30 during the sampling operation and causing damage to the power module 30. In addition, since the power module 30 may contain components made of metal, the separation by the first partition 12 can reduce the metal particles that may be generated by the power module 30 to contaminate the sample and improve the sampling accuracy.
[0056] Referring to Figures 3 and 9, Figure 9 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another embodiment of the automatic sampling device of this application from another perspective. In some embodiments, the housing 10 further includes a second partition 13, one end of which is angularly connected to the first partition 12 and has a passage 131. The second partition 13 and the support module 20 are located on the same side of the first partition 12, and the working module 40 is located on one side of the second partition 13. In this way, the support 22 of the support module 20 can enter the other side of the second partition 13 through the passage 131, so that the other side of the second partition 13 can be used as an area for taking container C. Since the area for taking container C must be open and connected to the outside of the housing 10, in these embodiments, the working module 40 is isolated in the area for taking container C, thereby preventing various sources of contamination outside the housing 10 from contaminating the space where the sampling work is carried out during the process of taking container C. In these embodiments, when the support module 20 is in the first position P1, the support 22 is located on the other side of the second partition 13 through the port 131.
[0057] Referring to Figures 3 and 8, in some embodiments where the cleaning unit 41 includes a nozzle 411, the housing 10 further includes a platform 16 disposed within the housing 10 and perpendicular to the first partition 12 and the second partition 13. In these embodiments, the platform 16 is located at a lower position within the housing 10. Therefore, the nozzle 411 of the cleaning unit 41 can be mounted on the platform 16 to perform cleaning work on the container C in a stable posture.
[0058] In some embodiments, the nozzle 411 of the cleaning unit 41 is rotatably mounted on the platform 16. When the cleaning fluid supply module 412 outputs cleaning fluid, the nozzle 411 rotatably outputs cleaning fluid to thoroughly clean the container C. In other embodiments, the nozzle 411 may be fixedly mounted on the platform 16. In these embodiments, the nozzle 411 has a through-hole surrounding its outer surface, so that when the cleaning fluid supply module 412 outputs cleaning fluid, the cleaning fluid can be output along the through-hole surrounding the outer surface of the nozzle 411, thereby thoroughly cleaning the container C.
[0059] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, in some embodiments, platform 16 is a mesh plate. This prevents the original contents poured out of container C or the cleaning fluid output during the cleaning process from accumulating on platform 16, thus avoiding the possibility of various working solutions or samples generated during the sampling process accumulating on platform 16 and contaminating the sampling process. In some embodiments where housing 10 includes platform 16, housing 10 further includes a tray 17, which is disposed inside housing 10 and located below platform 16. This allows tray 17 to receive various working solutions or samples falling through platform 16 and then discharge them centrally for easy cleaning. In some embodiments, tray 17 has a slope 171, which is inclined relative to platform 16. This allows various working solutions or samples falling from platform 16 to automatically collect at a lower level after being collected in tray 17, improving the convenience of cleaning.
[0060] Referring to FIG10, FIG10 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the cleaning unit of the automatic sampling device of this application. In some embodiments, the cleaning unit 41 further includes a drying module 413. In these embodiments, the nozzle 411 is connected to the drying module 413 through a control valve, and the drying module 413 can output a drying medium. The drying medium is, for example, but not limited to, air or pure nitrogen. Here, after the cleaning unit 41 cleans the container C by outputting cleaning liquid from the nozzle 411 through the cleaning liquid supply module 412, the drying module 413 can be controlled by the control valve to output the drying medium to the container C, and the container C is dried by the drying medium. In this way, it is ensured that there is no cleaning liquid residue in the container C, and the sample can be loaded in a dry state, ensuring the accuracy of the obtained sample.
[0061] Referring to Figures 3, 6, and 7, in some embodiments, the automatic sampling device further includes a door panel 61 and a drive assembly 62. The drive assembly 62 is disposed on the housing 10, and the door panel 61 is connected to the drive assembly 62. The drive assembly 62 can drive the door panel 61 to move along a third direction D3 perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 to open and close the passage 131 of the second partition 13. In this way, after the container C is placed on the support 22 of the carrying module 20, the passage 131 can be closed to prevent contamination of the working space where the working module 40 is located by contamination sources from outside the housing 10.
[0062] Referring to Figures 3, 6, and 7, in some embodiments, the driving component 62 includes a gear 621, a rack 622, and a power source 623. The gear 621 is rotatably mounted on the housing 10. The rack 622 extends along a third direction D3 and is fixed to the door panel 61 and meshes with the gear 621. The power source 623 is connected to the gear 621. Thus, when the power source 623 is activated, it drives the gear 621 to rotate. When the gear 621 rotates, it drives the rack 622 to move linearly along the third direction D3, thereby causing the door panel 61 to open and close the passage opening 131. In these embodiments, the gear 621 is rotatably mounted on the housing 10 about a second direction D2.
[0063] Referring to Figures 3, 6, and 7, in some embodiments, the housing 10 further includes a third partition 14, which is angularly connected to one end of the first partition 12 and the second partition 13, and the third partition 14 can distinguish spaces within the housing 10 located at different third-direction D3 positions. In these embodiments, the third partition 14 is perpendicular to the first partition 12, and the gear 621 and the power source 623 are located on the side of the third partition 14 away from the second partition 13. The third partition 14 has a through cut 141, and the door piece 61 can be displaced along the third-direction D3 and accommodated in the cut 141 to be displaced between the two sides of the third partition 14. Here, the gear 621 and the power source 623 can be separated in the placement space of the container C, and the displacement of the door piece 61 can also be limited by the cut 141 and stably displaced along the correct path.
[0064] Referring to Figure 3, in some embodiments, the carrier module 20 further includes a housing 23, the drive component 21 is housed within the housing 23, the support 22 is located outside the housing 23, the drive shaft 211 of the drive component 21 extends out of the housing 23 and connects to the support 22, and the power module 30 is connected to the housing 23. In this way, the drive component 21 can be isolated from the sampling space, preventing cleaning fluid or sample from being sprayed or contaminated during sampling, ensuring stable operation of the drive component 21. In some embodiments, the housing 23 is made of a non-metallic material, thereby preventing the housing 23 from generating metal particles that contaminate the sample.
[0065] Referring to FIG3, in some embodiments, the cleaning unit 41 has a plurality of nozzles 411, one of which is rotatably mounted on the platform 16, and another nozzle is rotatably mounted on the housing 23 of the supporting module 20. Thus, the nozzle 411 mounted on the platform 16 can clean the bottle body C1 of the container C, while the nozzle 411 on the housing 23 can clean the bottle cap C2 held on the cap opening / closing unit 43, thereby thoroughly cleaning the bottle body C1 and the bottle cap C2 of the container C.
[0066] Referring to Figures 8, 11 to 14, Figure 11 is a second cross-sectional view from another perspective of one embodiment of the automatic sampling device of this application; Figure 12 is a third cross-sectional view from another perspective of one embodiment of the automatic sampling device of this application; Figure 13 is a partial enlarged view of the circled area 13 in Figure 8; Figure 14 is a partial enlarged view of the circled area 14 in Figure 11. In some embodiments, the bottle cap opening and closing unit 43 includes a lifting module 431, a rotating module 432 and a clamping module 433. The lifting module 431 is fixed to the housing 10, the rotating module 432 is connected to the lifting module 431, and the clamping module 433 is connected to the rotating module 432. In this way, the lifting module 431 can drive the rotating module 432 to move closer to the container C (as shown in Figure 8) or away from the container C (as shown in Figure 12) along the third direction D3. When it is close to the container C, the clamping module 433 can clamp the bottle cap C2 on the container C (as shown in Figures 8 and 13) or release the bottle cap C2 (as shown in Figures 11 and 14). The rotating module 432 rotates to open and close the bottle cap C2, thus completing the work of opening or locking the bottle cap C2.
[0067] Referring to Figures 8, 11 to 14, in some embodiments, the lifting module 431 has a slide 4311, which can slide along a third direction D3, and the rotating module 432 is connected to the slide 4311 so as to be driven by the slide 4311 to move along the third direction D3.
[0068] Referring to Figures 8, 11 to 14, in some embodiments, the rotating module 432 includes a motor 4321 and a drive shaft 4322. The motor 4321 is fixed to the slide table 4311, and the drive shaft 4322 is connected to the motor 4321 and can rotate about a third direction D3. The clamping module 433 is connected to the drive shaft 4322. Thus, the clamping module 433 can clamp the bottle cap C2. When the motor 4321 of the rotating module 432 operates, it can drive the bottle cap C2 to rotate via the drive shaft 4322 and the clamping module 433 to complete the opening or locking of the bottle cap C2. In some embodiments, to meet the configuration requirements of different spaces, the drive shaft 4322 that drives the bottle cap C2 to rotate can be the shaft of the motor 4321 itself, or it can be a drive shaft 4322 that is independent of the motor 4321 but connected between the shaft of the motor 4321 and the clamping module 433. In some embodiments where the drive shaft 4322 is independent of the motor 4321 and connected between the rotating shaft of the motor 4321 and the clamping module 433, the rotating shaft of the motor 4321 and the drive shaft 4322 can be connected by a bevel gear, thereby allowing the motor 4321 to be positioned in different directions and improving the applicability of space utilization.
[0069] Referring to Figures 8, 11 to 14, in some embodiments, the clamping module 433 includes a kit 4331 and two clamping members 4332. The kit 4331 has a sleeve 43311, and each clamping member 4332 is linearly displaceable and disposed on opposite sides within the sleeve 43311. Thus, the clamping module 433 can cover the bottle cap C2 of the container C with the sleeve 43311 of the kit 4331, and each clamping member 4332 can be linearly displaced to clamp and position itself on or release the bottle cap C2. In some embodiments, each clamping member 4332 may be configured to be linearly displaced by gas / fluid drive, but this is not limited thereto.
[0070] Referring to Figures 9 and 15, Figure 15 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the circled area 15 in Figure 9. In some embodiments, the automatic sampling device further includes two slider groups 70, respectively disposed on the side of the first partition 12 away from the support module 20. Each slider group 70 includes a plurality of sliders 71 and a plurality of limiting members 72. The sliders 71 are parallel to each other and at least partially overlap each other, and each slider 71 has a groove 711 opened along the first direction D1. Each limiting member 72 is slidably disposed in the groove 711 of two adjacent sliders 71. The slider 71 closest to the first partition 12 is fixed to the support module 20, and the slider 71 furthest from the first partition 12 is fixed to the housing 10. The sliders 71 of each slider group 70 furthest from the first partition 12 are respectively fixed at both ends of the housing 10 in the first direction D1. In this way, when the bearing module 20 is linearly displaced along the first direction D1, the bearing module 20 can synchronously drive each sliding plate group 70, so that each sliding plate group 70 synchronously blocks the elongated hole 121 of the first partition 12 as the bearing module 20 is displaced. In this way, the space on both sides of the first partition 12 can remain isolated during the displacement of the bearing module 20, avoiding contamination of the space where the sampling work is performed.
[0071] In some embodiments, the slide 71 closest to the first partition 12 is fixed to the outer surface of the housing 23 of the support module 20.
[0072] In some embodiments, the housing 10 further includes a fourth partition 15, which is disposed parallel to and spaced apart from the side of the first partition 12 away from the support module 20. This allows each slider assembly 70 to slide between the first partition 12 and the fourth partition 15, improving the smoothness of operation of each slider assembly 70. In these embodiments, the sliders 71 of each slider assembly 70 furthest from the first partition 12 are respectively fixed to the fourth partition 15. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]
[0073] Figure 1 is an overall appearance schematic diagram of one embodiment of the automatic sampling device of this application. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram drawn along section line 2-2 in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the bearing module of one embodiment of the automatic sampling device of this application located in the first position and drawn along section line 3-3 in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a partial enlarged view of circled area 4 in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of one embodiment of the support of the automatic sampling device of this application. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the bearing module of one embodiment of the automatic sampling device of this application located in the second and third positions. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the bearing module of one embodiment of the automatic sampling device of this application located in the fourth position. Figure 8 is another perspective view of one embodiment of the automatic sampling device of this application, drawn along section line 8-8 in Figure 1. Figure 9 is another perspective view of one embodiment of the automatic sampling device of this application. Figure 10 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the cleaning unit of the automatic sampling device of this application. Figure 11 is another perspective view of one embodiment of the automatic sampling device of this application. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view from another perspective of one embodiment of the automatic sampling device of this application. Figure 13 is a partial enlarged view of the circled area 13 in Figure 8. Figure 14 is a partial enlarged view of the circled area 14 in Figure 11. Figure 15 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of the circled area 15 in Figure 9.
Claims
1. An automatic sampling device suitable for automatically sampling a container, comprising: a housing; a carrying module, comprising: a driving member linearly displaceable within the housing along a first direction; and a support connected to the driving member to rotate about the first direction, wherein the support includes a fixed base and a clamping member, the fixed base being connected to the driving member, and the clamping member being displaceably disposed on one side of the fixed base; a power module connected to the driving member to drive the driving member to move along the first direction; a working module disposed on the displacement path of the carrying module, comprising a cleaning unit, a sampling unit, and a bottle cap opening and closing unit, the cleaning unit, the sampling unit, and the bottle cap opening and closing unit being spaced apart; and a controller electrically connected to the driving member, the power module, and the working module.
2. The automatic sampling device as described in claim 1, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to a second direction, and the power module and the load-bearing module are located at different positions in the second direction within the housing.
3. The automatic sampling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a first partition extending along the first direction and parallel to the support module, the first partition having an elongated hole extending along the first direction, the support module and the power module being located on opposite sides of the first partition, the power module being connected to the drive unit through the elongated hole.
4. The automatic sampling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier module further includes a housing, the drive unit is housed in the housing, the support is located outside the housing, and the power module is connected to the housing.
5. The automatic sampling device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the housing further includes a second partition, one end of which is angularly connected to the first partition and has a passage opening, the second partition and the support module being located on the same side of the first partition, and the working module being located on one side of the second partition.
6. The automatic sampling device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bearing module can be sequentially displaced along the first direction between a first position, a second position, a third position and a fourth position, and when the bearing module is in the first position, the bearing seat is located on the other side of the second partition through the passage.
7. The automatic sampling device as described in claim 6 further includes a door panel and a drive assembly, with a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the drive assembly being disposed on the housing, the door panel being connected to the drive assembly, and the drive assembly being capable of driving the door panel to move along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction to open or close the passage.
8. The automatic sampling device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the driving component includes a gear, a rack and a power source, the gear being rotatably disposed on the housing, the rack being fixed to the door panel and meshing with the gear along the third direction, and the power source being connected to the gear.
9. The automatic sampling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottle cap opening and closing unit includes a lifting module, a rotating module and a clamping module, the lifting module being fixed to the housing, the rotating module being connected to the lifting module, and the clamping module being connected to the rotating module.
10. The automatic sampling device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lifting module has a slide that is slidable along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the rotating module is connected to the slide.
11. The automatic sampling device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the rotating module includes a motor and a drive shaft, the motor is fixed to the slide, the drive shaft is connected to the motor and is rotatable about a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and the clamping module is connected to the drive shaft.
12. The automatic sampling device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the clamping module comprises a kit and two clamping members, the kit having a sleeve, and each of the clamping members of the clamping module being linearly displaceable and disposed on opposite sides within the sleeve.
13. The automatic sampling device as described in claim 3 further comprises two slider groups, respectively disposed on the side of the first partition away from the bearing module, each slider group comprising a plurality of sliders and a plurality of limiting members, each slider being parallel to each other and at least partially overlapping, and each slider having a groove formed along the first direction, each limiting member being slidably disposed within the grooves of two adjacent sliders, wherein... The slide closest to the first partition is fixed to the bearing module, and the slide furthest from the first partition is fixed to the housing.
14. The automatic sampling device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the housing further includes a fourth partition, the fourth partition being disposed parallel to and spaced apart from the first partition on the side away from the support module, and each of the slide groups being located between the first partition and the fourth partition.