A kind of automatic sampler for floating algae

Abstract

The invention discloses an automatic sampler for floating algae, comprising a control device, an execution device and PC host computer software; the control device is electrically connected to the PC host computer software and the execution device respectively; the execution device comprises a peristaltic pump, a sampling mechanism, a cleaning cup, a guide rail slider, a horizontal motion module and a vertical motion module; the sampling mechanism comprises a sampling rack, a sampling needle module and a sampling needle clamped on the sampling needle module; the invention simplifies the sampling operation by using a peristaltic pump to perform continuous liquid flow sampling, thereby optimizing time and space costs; the sample container is placed inside the system housing, thereby protecting the sample from external contamination and improving the observation accuracy; sampling is performed through multiple channels at the same time, thereby saving sampling time and realizing free selection and observation of multiple groups of samples; the algae precipitation and aggregation are avoided by shaking the sampling rack, thereby avoiding the influence on the observation accuracy and the possible pipeline blockage problem.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of automatic sampling, in particular to an automatic sampler for phytoplankton. Background Art

[0002] The identification and counting of phytoplankton in water bodies is of great significance to the analysis, evaluation and protection of water environment. At present, microscopic observation of phytoplankton samples is an important means for algae researchers and monitors to identify and count algae. In the process of sample preparation and algae identification and counting, a lot of time and energy of algae researchers are needed, which reduces the efficiency of algae detection and its popularization and promotion ability. Therefore, as an important part of the automatic monitoring method of phytoplankton, it is of great significance to realize the automatic sampling of phytoplankton samples.

[0003] At present, the main method of sampling phytoplankton samples on the market is the automatic slide loading machine in the form of glass slides. It is still necessary to manually make a large number of glass slides and manually place them on the equipment, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive and has a lot to do with the operating habits of different people. It is difficult to meet the standardization and high-throughput requirements of subsequent automatic detection and identification of algae. In terms of automatic sampling function alone, the automatic samplers produced by most manufacturers are not suitable for microscopic observation of phytoplankton, or there are problems such as the sample container being exposed and easily contaminated, the sampling channel being single, the phytoplankton sample cannot be quickly still, and it is easy to condense into a mass, which will not only cause the sampling line to be blocked, but also affect the detection accuracy.

[0004] Therefore, it is an urgent need for algae researchers and testers to design an automatic sampling device for phytoplankton that has multiple channels for simultaneous sampling, can automatically and evenly mix phytoplankton samples, and can quickly stop in the pipeline for observation. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic sampler for phytoplankton to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art, realize multi-channel simultaneous sampling and injection, and the phytoplankton samples can be evenly mixed and can be quickly stopped in the pipeline for observation.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following solutions: The present invention provides a phytoplankton automatic sampler, including a control device, an execution device and a PC host computer software;

[0007] The control device is electrically connected to the PC host software and the execution device respectively; the execution device includes a peristaltic pump, a sampling mechanism, a cleaning cup, a guide rail slider, a horizontal motion module and a vertical motion module;

[0008] The sampling mechanism includes a sampling rack, a sampling needle module and a sampling needle clamped on the sampling needle module; the sampling rack is provided with a placement slot for placing a sampling test tube and a cleaning hole for communicating with the cleaning cup; a plurality of the placement slots and cleaning holes are provided; the sampling rack is installed on the guide rail slider and is moved by the control of the horizontal motion module and the vertical motion module; the sampling needle module is installed on the upper end of the vertical motion module; and the sampling needle is arranged above the sampling test tube and the two are arranged correspondingly; the sampling needle is connected to the peristaltic pump through a conveying pipeline.

[0009] Preferably, the phytoplankton automatic sampler provided by the present invention is a real-time control system, which cooperates according to the commands of the PC host software and the key operation commands to respectively control and obtain the operating status of the peristaltic pump, the two-axis motor platform, the clamping valve, and the light of the light button.

[0010] Furthermore, the shaking of the sampling rack can effectively prevent the sedimentation and aggregation of phytoplankton, making the phytoplankton sample more uniform and increasing the accuracy of the test results.

[0011] The sampling mechanism also includes a waste liquid cup, a pinch valve and a capillary glass tube; the peristaltic pump is also connected to the capillary glass tube and the waste liquid cup through a delivery pipeline; the pinch valve for controlling the on-off is provided on the delivery pipelines at the front end and the rear end of the capillary glass tube.

[0012] Preferably, a pinch valve is provided on both sides of the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet of the delivery pipeline, which can ensure the stability of the sample stored in the capillary glass tube in the observation area while stopping the pumping liquid, thereby improving the efficiency and accuracy of the observation.

[0013] The execution device also includes an outer cover body, a first movable outer cover, a second movable outer cover and a movable cover plate; the first movable outer cover, the second movable outer cover and the movable cover plate can be detachably installed on the outer cover body; the first movable outer cover is arranged above the sampling needle module; the second movable outer cover is arranged above the peristaltic pump, the waste liquid cup and the cleaning cup; the movable cover plate is arranged above the sampling rack.

[0014] The outer cover body is also provided with an electric control button; the electric control buttons are provided in a plurality and operate independently; the electric control button is electrically connected to the control device through a multi-core cable; the electric control button is used to start, pause and reset the motion module.

[0015] Preferably, the electric control button can be configured to be illuminated, which is easy to operate and has an intuitive display.

[0016] The execution device is also provided with a two-axis motor platform as a power source; the sampling test tubes are arranged in at least one row, and each row is provided with a plurality of test tubes; the number of sampling test tubes in each row is the same as the number of sampling needles, and the arrangement method and spacing are the same.

[0017] Multiple sampling channels are set up to provide single sample and multi-sample injection methods, which can meet the injection needs of various occasions.

[0018] The control device includes a microprocessor unit, a signal processing board, a relay board and a motor driver; the control device is used to receive electrical signals transmitted by the PC host software and drive the two-axis motor platform and all motion modules in the actuator.

[0019] The PC host software is used to read the set parameters and real-time operation commands, control the start and stop of the peristaltic pump through the control device, drive the two-axis motor platform to switch between different samples, and automatically complete the sampling of phytoplankton samples.

[0020] The delivery pipeline is made of a silicone tube, and the inner diameter of the delivery pipeline is 0.7mm-1.3mm.

[0021] A drag chain is also provided; the cleaning cup is connected to the cleaning hole through a connecting pipe penetrating the inner cavity of the drag chain.

[0022] The present invention discloses the following technical effects: compared with the current manual sampling method, the device realizes the automatic sampling function of samples, saves manpower and improves efficiency; and the multi-channel sampling design provides single-sample and multi-sample sampling methods, which can meet the sampling needs of various occasions; and through the shaking of the sampling rack, the precipitation and aggregation of algae can be effectively avoided, making the phytoplankton algae sample more uniform, and increasing the accuracy of the detection results.

[0023] The movable and detachable shell makes the sample replacement operation very convenient, and the sample is placed inside the shell to effectively avoid external contamination; the liquid inlet and outlet ends of the delivery pipeline are also provided with pinch valves, which can ensure the stability of the capillary glass tube sample in the observation area while stopping the pumping liquid, thereby improving the efficiency and accuracy of the observation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative labor.

[0025] Figure 1 This is the overall appearance of the automatic sampler.

[0026] Figure 2 This is the layout diagram of the electromechanical execution part of the autosampler.

[0027] Figure 3 This is the overall functional structure diagram of the automatic sampler.

[0028] Figure 4 This is the overall functional module diagram of the automatic sampling control system.

[0029] Among them, 1-control device; 2-executing device; 3-horizontal motion module; 4-vertical motion module; 5-injection needle module; 6-peristaltic pump; 7-sampling rack; 8-sampling test tube; 9-injection needle; 10-waste liquid cup; 11-cleaning cup; 12-guide rail slider; 13-drag chain; 14-movable cover; 15-first movable outer cover; 16-second movable outer cover; 17-pinch valve; 18-electric control button; 19-PC host computer software; 20-capillary glass tube; 21-cleaning hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0032] The present invention provides a phytoplankton automatic sampler, comprising a control device 1, an execution device 2 and a PC host computer software 19;

[0033] The control device 1 is electrically connected to the PC host software 19 and the execution device 2 respectively; the execution device 2 includes a peristaltic pump 6, a sampling mechanism, a cleaning cup 11, a guide rail slider 12, a horizontal motion module 3 and a vertical motion module 4;

[0034] The sampling mechanism includes a sampling rack 7, a sampling needle module 5 and a sampling needle 9 clamped on the sampling needle module 5; the sampling rack 7 is provided with a placement slot for placing the sampling test tube 8 and a cleaning hole 21 for communicating with the cleaning cup 11; a plurality of placement slots and cleaning holes 21 are provided; the sampling rack 7 is installed on the guide rail slider 12, and is moved by the control of the horizontal motion module 3 and the vertical motion module 4; the sampling needle module 5 is installed on the upper end of the vertical motion module 4; and the sampling needle 9 is arranged above the sampling test tube 8 and the two are arranged correspondingly; the sampling needle 9 is connected to the peristaltic pump 6 through a conveying pipeline.

[0035] The sampling mechanism also includes a waste liquid cup 10, a pinch valve 17 and a capillary glass tube 20; the peristaltic pump 6 is also connected to the capillary glass tube 20 and the waste liquid cup 10 through a delivery pipeline; the delivery pipelines at the front and rear ends of the capillary glass tube 20 are also provided with a pinch valve 17 for controlling the on-off.

[0036] The actuator 2 also includes an outer cover body, a first movable outer cover 15, a second movable outer cover 16 and a movable cover plate 14; the first movable outer cover 15, the second movable outer cover 16 and the movable cover plate 14 are all detachably mounted on the outer cover body; the first movable outer cover 15 is arranged above the sampling needle module 5; the second movable outer cover 16 is arranged above the peristaltic pump 6, the waste liquid cup 10 and the cleaning cup 11; the movable cover plate 14 is arranged above the sampling rack 7.

[0037] The outer cover body is also provided with an electric control button 18; there are several electric control buttons 18 and they operate independently; the electric control button 18 is electrically connected to the control device 1 through a multi-core cable; the electric control button 18 is used to start, pause and reset the motion module.

[0038] The actuator 2 is also provided with a two-axis motor platform as a power source.

[0039] The control device 1 includes a microprocessor unit, a signal processing board, a relay board and a motor driver; the control device 1 is used to receive the electrical signal transmitted by the PC host software 19 and drive the two-axis motor platform and all motion modules in the actuator 2.

[0040] The PC host software 19 is used to read the set parameters and real-time operation commands. By controlling the start and stop of the peristaltic pump 6 of the control device 1, it drives the two-axis motor platform to switch between different samples, and can also automatically complete the sampling of phytoplankton samples.

[0041] The conveying pipeline adopts a silicone tube, and the inner diameter of the conveying pipeline is 0.7mm-1.3mm.

[0042] A drag chain 13 is also provided; the cleaning cup 11 is connected to the cleaning hole 21 through a connecting pipe penetrating the inner cavity of the drag chain 13 .

[0043] The operation steps of the present invention are as follows:

[0044] 1 Equipment self-check: After starting the power supply, the control device 1 performs a self-check to obtain whether the connection status with the PC host software 19 and the peristaltic pump 6 is normal.

[0045] 2 State initialization; the peristaltic pump 6 stops, the vertical motion module 4 and the horizontal motion module 3 stop, the pinch valve 17 is closed, and the light of the electric control button 18 is turned off.

[0046] 3 position homing; the vertical motion module 4 and the horizontal motion module 3 move in a fixed direction in sequence until the limit switch in the actuator 2 is triggered. When the microprocessor in the control device 1 collects the trigger signal, it controls the stepper motor to stop and sets the current position to the initial zero position.

[0047] 4 Put the phytoplankton sample in; send the "put in phytoplankton sample" command through the PC host software 19 or manually press the key representing the command on the device housing, and the horizontal motion module 3 can be moved to move the sampling rack 7 to the bottom of the movable cover 14. The horizontal motion module 3 will stay at the current position for a long enough time to facilitate manual placement of the sample, and then open the movable cover 14 to put the sampling test tube 8 containing the phytoplankton sample to be tested into the sampling rack 7. The horizontal motion module 3 will automatically reset after the residence time under the "put in phytoplankton sample" command expires, and the movable cover 14 is closed.

[0048] 5 PC host software 19 parameter setting, if you want to perform intelligent automatic sampling, this step is a collection of the following steps, which enables the phytoplankton automatic sampler to run according to the set parameters such as pump speed, pump sample time, pump sample group number sequence and pump sample channel selection of different group numbers until all sampling work is completed.

[0049] 6 Pipeline cleaning; through the "pipeline cleaning" command of the PC host software 19, the pinch valve 17 is opened, the horizontal motion module 3 is moved so that the position of the cleaning hole 21 is directly below the injection needle 9, the injection needle module 5 on the vertical motion module 4 absorbs the cleaning liquid in the cleaning hole 21, and the peristaltic pump 6 sends the cleaning liquid into the pipe for cleaning. The waste liquid after cleaning enters the waste liquid cup 10, the peristaltic pump 6 is turned off, the pinch valve 17 is closed, and the vertical motion module 4 is reset.

[0050] 7 Mixing the phytoplankton sample; through the "mix phytoplankton sample" command of the PC host software 19, or the key representing the command on the device housing, the horizontal motion module 3 is moved to shake the phytoplankton sample in the sampling tube 8, and the phytoplankton sample in the sampling tube 8 is mixed.

[0051] 8. Absorb phytoplankton samples; through the "absorb phytoplankton samples" command of the PC host software 19 and the settings of the relevant injection group number sequence and channel selection as well as the various pump sample parameter settings, the pinch valve 17 is opened, the sampling rack 7 on the horizontal motion module 3 is moved to the set injection group number position, the vertical motion module 4 moves, driving the multiple groups of sampling needles 9 of the sampling needle module 5 to extend into the sampling test tube 8 at the same time, the peristaltic pump 6 is started, and the phytoplankton sample is delivered to the capillary glass tube 20 in the replaceable observation device under the eyepiece according to the set pump speed and time. After stopping the peristaltic pump, the pinch valve 17 is immediately closed, and the sampling needle module 5 is reset.

[0052] 9 repeats the sampling; after the above sampling group number absorbs the phytoplankton sample and detects it, repeat the above 6 pipeline cleaning and 7 mixing phytoplankton sample actions; move the horizontal motion module 3, the sampling needle module 5 is located directly above the position of the next sequence sampling test tube 8 set according to the sampling group number, and the vertical motion module 4 moves to drive the multiple groups of sampling needles 9 of the sampling needle module 5 to simultaneously extend into the sampling test tube 8 to absorb the phytoplankton sample in the above step 8. Continue to repeat this step 9 to repeat the sampling work until the phytoplankton sample in the sampling test tube 8 in all the sampling group numbers is sampled and detected.

[0053] 10 Carry out the pipeline cleaning in step 6 above.

[0054] 11 Pipeline vacuuming; through the "pipeline vacuuming" command of the PC host software 19 and the set parameters such as the flow rate and time of the extracted air, the clamp valve 17 and the peristaltic pump 6 are opened, and the peristaltic pump 6 and the clamp valve 17 are closed after the vacuuming time expires.

[0055] In another embodiment of the present invention, 15 placement slots are provided and divided into 5 rows with 3 slots provided in each row, and 3 cleaning holes 24 are provided.

[0056] In one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 As shown. The hardware layer of the phytoplankton automatic sampler consists of a control device 1 and an execution device 2. The control device 1 includes a microprocessor unit, a signal processing board, a relay board and a motor driver, which can drive the two-axis motor platform in the execution device 2, control the start of the peristaltic pump 6, the pumping liquid flow rate and time and receive feedback status information, obtain the information of the electric control button 18 and control the operation of the clamping valve 17 and the light of the electric control button 18. The computer software layer includes a support software component and a user interface. The support software component is a motion control module that interacts with the control device 1. By reading the parameters set in the user interface and real-time operation commands, it can control the start and stop of the peristaltic pump 6, drive the two-axis motor platform to switch between samples of different group numbers, and automatically complete the sampling of phytoplankton samples.

[0057] The phytoplankton automatic sampler provided by the present invention is a real-time control system, which cooperates according to the commands of the PC host software 19 and the operation commands of the electric control button 18 to control and obtain the operating status of the peristaltic pump 6, the two-axis motor platform, the clamping valve 17, and the light of the electric control button 18 respectively.

[0058] The present invention creates a multi-channel sample liquid fully automatic injection system suitable for microscopic observation of phytoplankton. In the injection and delivery pipeline, phytoplankton is observed through a replaceable capillary glass tube of fixed specifications, ensuring the consistency of the total observable area and thickness; the sampling operation is simple by using a peristaltic pump to perform continuous liquid flow sampling, optimizing time and space costs; the sample container is placed inside the system housing, and the sample can be opened and replaced after the sample observation is completed, so that the sample in the container is protected from contamination by external air suspended matter, improving the observation accuracy, and reducing the cleaning and maintenance frequency required for the sample carrying device; through multi-channel simultaneous sampling, sampling time is saved, and multiple groups of samples can be freely selected for observation; the use of automatic control technology in conjunction with a mechanical clamp valve can quickly stop the flow of phytoplankton in the pipeline for rapid observation; the shaking of the sampling rack prevents algae from precipitating and aggregating, affecting the observation accuracy and causing pipeline blockage; through the cleaning structure and the waste liquid recovery structure, the pipeline can be quickly cleaned, facilitating the observation of multiple samples.

[0059] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0060] The embodiments described above are only descriptions of the preferred modes of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Without departing from the design spirit of the present invention, various modifications and improvements made to the technical solutions of the present invention by ordinary technicians in this field should all fall within the protection scope determined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A phytoplankton automatic sampler, characterized in that: include: Control device (1), execution device (2) and PC host software (19); The control device (1) is electrically connected to the PC host software (19) and the execution device (2) respectively; the execution device (2) comprises a peristaltic pump (6), a sampling mechanism, a cleaning cup (11), a guide rail slider (12), a horizontal motion module (3) and a vertical motion module (4); The sampling mechanism comprises a sampling frame (7), a sampling needle module (5) and a sampling needle (9) clamped on the sampling needle module (5); the sampling frame (7) is provided with a placement slot for placing a sampling test tube (8) and a cleaning hole (21) for communicating with the cleaning cup (11); a plurality of the placement slots and cleaning holes (21) are provided; the sampling frame (7) is installed on the guide rail slider (12) and is moved by the control of the horizontal motion module (3) and the vertical motion module (4); the sampling needle module (5) is installed on the upper end of the vertical motion module (4); and the sampling needle (9) is arranged above the sampling test tube (8) and the two are arranged correspondingly; the sampling needle (9) is connected with the peristaltic pump (6) through a conveying pipeline; The sampling mechanism further comprises a waste liquid cup (10), a pinch valve (17) and a capillary glass tube (20); the peristaltic pump (6) is also connected to the capillary glass tube (20) and the waste liquid cup (10) through a delivery pipeline; the pinch valve (17) for controlling on-off is also provided on the delivery pipelines at the front end and the rear end of the capillary glass tube (20); The execution device (2) further comprises an outer cover body, a first movable outer cover (15), a second movable outer cover (16) and a movable cover plate (14); the first movable outer cover (15), the second movable outer cover (16) and the movable cover plate (14) are all detachably mounted on the outer cover body; the first movable outer cover (15) is arranged above the sampling needle module (5); the second movable outer cover (16) is arranged above the peristaltic pump (6), the waste liquid cup (10) and the cleaning cup (11); the movable cover plate (14) is arranged above the sampling rack (7); The execution device (2) is also provided with a two-axis motor platform as a power source; the sampling test tubes (8) are provided in at least one row, and each row is provided with a plurality of test tubes; the number of the sampling test tubes (8) in each row is the same as the number of the sampling needles (9), and the arrangement method and spacing are the same.

2. The phytoplankton automatic sampler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer cover body is also provided with an electric control button (18); a plurality of the electric control buttons (18) are provided and operate independently; the electric control button (18) is electrically connected to the control device (1) via a multi-core cable; the electric control button (18) is used to start, pause and reset the motion module.

3. The phytoplankton automatic sampler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control device (1) comprises a microprocessor unit, a signal processing board, a relay board and a motor driver; the control device (1) is used to receive electrical signals transmitted by the PC host software (19) and drive the two-axis motor platform and all motion modules in the actuator (2).

4. The phytoplankton automatic sampler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The PC host software (19) is used to read the set parameters and real-time operation commands, control the start and stop of the peristaltic pump (6) through the control device (1), drive the two-axis motor platform to switch between different samples, and automatically complete the sampling of phytoplankton samples.

5. The phytoplankton automatic sampler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The delivery pipeline is made of a silicone tube, and the inner diameter of the delivery pipeline is 0.7mm-1.3mm.

6. The automatic sampler for phytoplankton according to claim 1, characterized in that: A drag chain (13) is also provided; the cleaning cup (11) is connected to the cleaning hole (21) through a connecting pipe that penetrates the inner cavity of the drag chain (13).

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