Sample stream switching system and method

Abstract

The application provides a sample flow transfer system and method, which comprises a main track and a plurality of sub-tracks, the sub-tracks and the main track have a branch outlet and a converging inlet; a plurality of groups of detectors, wherein the first group of detectors are respectively arranged at the converging inlets; the second group of detectors are respectively arranged at the branch outlets; the output signals of the plurality of groups of detectors are sent to a judgment module; a blocking unit is used for blocking the sample carriers on the main track at the branch outlets and the converging inlets and the sample carriers on the sub-tracks at the converging inlets as needed; the judgment module is used for judging whether there is a sample carrier on the main track between adjacent detectors in the first group of detectors and the second group of detectors, and the judgment result is sent to a controller; the adjacent detectors correspond to the converging inlets upstream and the branch outlets downstream respectively; the controller is used for issuing an instruction to the blocking unit to release the sample carriers blocked by the blocking unit on the main track or the sub-track when the judgment result is yes. The application has the advantages of automation, high work efficiency and the like.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to liquid detection, in particular to a sample flow transfer system and method. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the continuous development of automatic control technology and the proposal of China Manufacturing 2025, the flow transfer system is continuously moving towards intelligentization, automation and unmanned, and is widely used in fields such as logistics sorting, food processing and industrial manufacturing. For the flow transfer system, high throughput and continuous reliable operation are one of the key technologies.

[0003] The patent with application number 202010761439.1 discloses a sample flow transfer conveying line, which collects sample information through the installation of a bar code at a storage location and the installation of a code scanning head at the end of a forklift. This method can achieve high throughput, but the correctness of information collection mainly depends on the installation position of the bar code and the code scanning head. If the position deviates during sample movement, the code scanning will fail, resulting in missed detection of samples.

[0004] In addition, the sample flow transfer system using single-track single-direction transmission has a single sample flow transfer type and is easy to control, but lacks a buffer device and has low throughput. The device using bar codes, two-dimensional codes and cameras to collect sample information will miss detection and fail to obtain sample information due to environmental interference such as sample position deviation or insufficient light, resulting in abnormal sample flow transfer. SUMMARY

[0005] To solve the above problems in the prior art, the present application provides a sample flow transfer system.

[0006] The purpose of the present application is achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0007] The sample flow transfer system comprises a main track and a plurality of sub-tracks, and the sub-tracks and the main track have a branch port and a merging port; the sample flow transfer system further comprises:

[0008] a plurality of groups of detectors, wherein the first group of detectors are respectively arranged at the merging ports and are used to detect whether a sample carrier on the main track reaches the merging port; the second group of detectors are respectively arranged at the branch ports and are used to detect whether a sample carrier on the main track reaches the branch port; the third group of detectors are respectively arranged at the merging ports and are used to detect whether a sample carrier on the sub-track reaches the merging port; and the output signals of the plurality of groups of detectors are transmitted to a judgment module;

[0009] a blocking unit, which is used to block the sample carriers on the main track at the branch port and the merging port, and block the sample carriers on the sub-track at the merging port as needed;

[0010] A judging module is configured to judge whether there is a sample carrier on the main track between the adjacent detectors in the first group of detectors and the second group of detectors according to the output signals of the first group of detectors and the second group of detectors, and the judging result is transmitted to the controller; the adjacent detectors correspond to the merging port upstream and the branch port downstream, respectively;

[0011] A controller is configured to issue an instruction to the blocking unit to release the sample carrier blocked by the blocking unit on the main track or the auxiliary track when the judging result is yes.

[0012] The present application also aims to provide a sample flow transfer method, and the application aims to achieve the above-mentioned application by the following technical scheme:

[0013] The sample flow transfer method comprises the following steps:

[0014] The sample carrier moves along the main track, and the first group of detectors at the merging port detect the sample carrier; the second group of detectors adjacent to the merging port downstream output a detection signal;

[0015] A judging module is configured to judge whether there is a sample carrier on the main track between the adjacent detectors in the first group of detectors and the second group of detectors according to the output signals of the first group of detectors and the second group of detectors;

[0016] If the judging result is no, and there is no sample carrier on the auxiliary track at the merging port to enter the main track, the sample carrier at the merging port moves along the main track to the branch port downstream;

[0017] If the judging result is no, and there is a sample carrier on the auxiliary track at the merging port to enter the main track, the sample carrier at the merging port is blocked by the blocking unit, the sample carrier on the auxiliary track is released, and enters the main track;

[0018] If the judging result is yes, the sample carriers on the main track and the auxiliary track at the merging port are blocked by the blocking unit.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present application has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The problems of sample carrier jamming, scanning device missing detection, poor fault tolerance, low single-track transmission flux, lack of re-inspection mechanism, and high labor intensity of manual sorting in the sample carrier flow transfer process are solved, unmanned operation is realized, the labor intensity of manual sample analysis is reduced, the fault tolerance of the system is improved, and high-flux flow transfer is realized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The disclosure of the present application will become more apparent with reference to the drawings. It is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the drawings are only used to illustrate the technical scheme of the present application, and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. In the drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 is a flow chart of a sample flow transfer method according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figure 1 The following description describes optional embodiments of the present application to teach those skilled in the art how to implement and reproduce the present application. Some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should understand that variations or alternatives from these embodiments will fall within the scope of the present application. Those skilled in the art should understand that the following features can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations of the present application. Thus, the present application is not limited to the following optional embodiments, but is only defined by the claims and their equivalents. Embodiment 1:

[0024] The sample flow transfer system according to an embodiment of the present application comprises:

[0025] a main track and a plurality of sub-tracks, the sub-tracks and the main track have a split port and a merging port, so that a sample carrier on the main track enters the sub-track through the split port, and a sample carrier on the sub-track enters the main track through the merging port; the structure and working mode of the main track and the sub-tracks are prior art in the art;

[0026] a plurality of groups of detectors, such as photoelectric sensors, wherein a first group of detectors is respectively arranged at the merging port, for detecting whether a sample carrier on the main track reaches the merging port; a second group of detectors is respectively arranged at the split port, for detecting whether a sample carrier on the main track reaches the split port; a third group of detectors is respectively arranged at the merging port, for detecting whether a sample carrier on the sub-track; the output signals of the plurality of groups of detectors are transmitted to a judgment module;

[0027] a blocking unit, for blocking a sample carrier on the main track at the split port and the merging port, and blocking a sample carrier on the sub-track at the merging port, as needed;

[0028] a judgment module, for judging whether there is a sample carrier on the main track between adjacent detectors in the first group of detectors and the second group of detectors, and transmitting the judgment result to a controller; the adjacent detectors correspond to an upstream merging port and a downstream split port, respectively;

[0029] a controller, for issuing an instruction to the blocking unit to release a sample carrier blocked by the blocking unit on the main track or the sub-track, when the judgment result is yes.

[0030] In order to move a sample carrier on the main track to the sub-track, further, the sample flow transfer system further comprises:

[0031] a shifting unit arranged at the shunt, for shifting the sample carrier on the main track to the sub-track;

[0032] the controller is configured to control the shifting unit according to the output signals of the first group of detectors.

[0033] In order to determine whether the sample on the main track belongs to the detection target of the detection device corresponding to the sub-track, further, the sample flow system further comprises:

[0034] a radio frequency tag arranged on the sample carrier;

[0035] a first group of readers arranged upstream of the first group of detectors respectively, for reading the radio frequency tag of the sample carrier on the main track, and a second group of readers arranged upstream of the third group of detectors respectively, for reading the radio frequency tag of the sample carrier on the sub-track;

[0036] the controller is configured to control the shifting unit according to the output signals of the first group of readers, and control the blocking unit for blocking the sample carrier on the sub-track according to the output signals of the second group of readers.

[0037] In order to simply and conveniently move the sample carrier on the main track to the sub-track, further, the shifting unit comprises:

[0038] a driving member for driving the shifting lever to rotate, and a rotating shaft of the shifting lever is between the main track and the sub-track.

[0039] In order to detect the sample entering the sub-track, further, the sample flow system further comprises:

[0040] a plurality of groups of detection devices, the detection device comprising a mechanical hand and an analyzer, the mechanical hand being used for grabbing the sample carrier on the sub-track blocked by the blocking unit;

[0041] The detection parameters of the plurality of groups of detection devices corresponding to the plurality of sub-tracks are different respectively.

[0042] The sample flow method of the embodiment of the present application is as shown in the figure, the sample flow method is: Figure 1

[0043] The sample carrier moves along with the main track, when the first group of detectors at the merging inlet detect the sample carrier, the second group of detectors at the shunt adjacent to the downstream of the merging inlet output a detection signal;

[0044] ​The judging module judges whether there is a sample carrier on the main track between the merging port and the downstream branch port according to the output signals of the first group of detectors and the second group of detectors;

[0045] If the judging result is no, and there is no sample carrier on the auxiliary track of the merging port to enter the main track, the sample carrier on the merging port moves along the main track to the downstream branch port;

[0046] If the judging result is no, and there is a sample carrier on the auxiliary track of the merging port to enter the main track, the sample carrier on the merging port is blocked by the blocking unit, the sample carrier on the auxiliary track is released, and enters the main track;

[0047] If the judging result is yes, the sample carriers on the main track and the auxiliary track of the merging port are blocked by the blocking unit.

[0048] In order to judge whether the sample on the main track belongs to the detection target of the detection device corresponding to the auxiliary track, further, the first group of readers reads the radio frequency tag of the sample carrier on the main track;

[0049] If it meets the detection target of the detection device corresponding to the auxiliary track, and the second group of detectors detects the sample carrier, the blocking unit at the branch port blocks the sample carrier;

[0050] When the displacement unit works normally, the blocking unit at the branch port releases the sample carrier, and the displacement unit moves the sample carrier to the auxiliary track.

[0051] In order to confirm again whether the sample belongs to the detection target of the detection device corresponding to the auxiliary track, further, the second group of readers reads the radio frequency tag of the sample carrier on the auxiliary track again;

[0052] If it meets the detection target of the detection device corresponding to the auxiliary track, the sample carrier stays on the auxiliary track and waits for detection;

[0053] If it does not meet the detection target, the sample carrier enters the main track through the merging port.

[0054] In order to simply and conveniently drive the sample carrier on the main track to the auxiliary track, further, the working mode of the displacement unit is:

[0055] Rotating the lever to push the sample carrier on the main track to the auxiliary track. Embodiment 2:

[0056] Application example of the sample flow system and method according to embodiment 1 of the application in laboratory batch water sample analysis.

[0057] In the application example, the main track comprises a first conveying belt in a ring shape, each sub-track comprises a second conveying belt arranged outside the first conveying belt; the sample container adopts a test tube, and the sample carrier adopts a test tube carrier; an electronic radio frequency tag is arranged on each sample carrier, and the tag contains information such as detection parameters; each sub-track and the main track have a branch port and a merging port, so that the sample carrier on the main track enters the sub-track through the branch port, and the sample carrier on the sub-track enters the main track through the merging port; a plurality of detection devices correspond to the sub-tracks respectively, each detection device comprises a mechanical hand and an analyzer, and the sample parameters output by each analyzer are different, such as ammonia nitrogen, COD, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, etc.

[0058] A plurality of detectors are used, which are photoelectric sensors, wherein the first group of detectors are respectively arranged at the merging ports, adjacent to the merging ports and upstream of the merging ports, for detecting whether the sample carriers on the main track reach the merging ports; the second group of detectors are respectively arranged at the branch ports, adjacent to the branch ports and upstream of the branch ports, for detecting whether the sample carriers on the main track reach the branch ports; the third group of detectors are respectively arranged at the merging ports, adjacent to the merging ports and upstream of the merging ports, for detecting whether the sample carriers on the sub-tracks reach the merging ports; the output signals of the plurality of detectors are transmitted to a judgment module;

[0059] The blocking units respectively adopt a combination of a pneumatic cylinder and a blocking rod, and are used for blocking the sample carriers on the main track at the branch ports and the merging ports and the sample carriers on the sub-tracks at the merging ports as needed;

[0060] The judgment module is used for judging whether there are sample carriers on the main track between adjacent detectors in the first group of detectors and the second group of detectors, and the judgment result is transmitted to a controller; the adjacent detectors correspond to the upstream merging ports and the downstream branch ports respectively;

[0061] The controller is used for issuing an instruction to the blocking unit to release the sample carriers blocked by the blocking unit on the main track or the sub-track when the judgment result is yes;

[0062] A shifting unit is arranged at the branch port and is used for moving the sample carriers on the main track to the sub-track; the shifting unit comprises a shifting rod and a driving member, the driving member adopts a motor and is used for driving the shifting rod to rotate, and the rotation shaft of the shifting rod is between the main track and the sub-track;

[0063] A first group of readers and a second group of readers, the first group of readers are respectively arranged upstream of the first group of detectors, for reading the radio frequency tags of the sample carriers on the main track, and the second group of readers are respectively arranged upstream of the third group of detectors, for reading the radio frequency tags of the sample carriers on the sub-tracks;

[0064] The controller is configured to control the shifting unit according to the output signals of the first group of detectors, and to control the shifting unit according to the output signals of the first group of readers, and to control a blocking unit for blocking the sample carriers on the sub-track according to the output signals of the second group of readers.

[0065] The sample flow transferring method of the embodiment of the present application, i.e. the working method of the sample flow transferring system according to the embodiment, is shown in the following. Figure 1 The sample flow transferring method is shown in the following.

[0066] The first group of detectors at the merging port detect the sample carriers when the sample carriers move along the main track, and the second group of detectors at the downstream shunt port adjacent to the merging port output detection signals;

[0067] The judging module judges whether there are sample carriers between the merging port and the downstream shunt port on the main track according to the output signals of the first group of detectors and the second group of detectors. The judging method is that the sample carriers move at a constant speed along the main track downstream after leaving the first group of detectors, the distance between the adjacent first group of detectors and the second group of detectors is fixed, and the time when the sample carriers reach the second group of detectors is obtained. If the second group of detectors detects the sample carriers at the set time, the result of the judgment is yes, otherwise, the result of the judgment is no.

[0068] If the result of the judgment is no, and there are no sample carriers on the sub-track at the merging port that need to enter the main track, the sample carriers at the merging port move along the main track to the downstream shunt port;

[0069] If the result of the judgment is no, and there are sample carriers on the sub-track at the merging port that need to enter the main track, the sample carriers at the merging port are blocked by the blocking unit, the sample carriers on the sub-track are released, and enter the main track;

[0070] If the result of the judgment is yes, the sample carriers on the main track and the sub-track at the merging port are blocked by the blocking unit;

[0071] The first group of readers read the radio frequency tags of the sample carriers on the main track;

[0072] If the detection target of the detection device corresponding to the sub-track is met, and the second group of detectors detects the sample carriers, the blocking unit at the shunt port blocks the sample carriers;

[0073] When the shifting unit works normally, the blocking unit at the shunt port releases the sample carriers, and the shifting unit moves the sample carriers to the sub-track: the rotating lever moves the sample carriers on the main track to the sub-track, and then resets;

[0074] The second set of readers again reads the radio frequency tag of the sample carrier on the sub-track;

[0075] If the sample carrier meets the detection target of the detection device corresponding to the sub-track, the sample carrier stays on the sub-track and waits for detection;

[0076] If the sample carrier does not meet the detection target, the sample carrier is sent to the main track through the merging port. Embodiment 3

[0077] The application example of the sample flow transfer system and method according to Embodiment 1 in the analysis of batch water samples in a laboratory is different from Embodiment 2 in that:

[0078] A plurality of sub-tracks are arranged inside the annular main track, and a plurality of blocking units, displacement units, detectors, readers, and the like that match the plurality of sub-tracks are arranged, and the working manner is the same as that of Embodiment 2. Embodiment 4

[0079] The application example of the sample flow transfer system and method according to Embodiment 1 in the analysis of batch water samples in a laboratory is different from Embodiment 2 in that:

[0080] A plurality of sub-tracks are arranged inside the annular main track, and a plurality of blocking units, displacement units, detectors, readers, and the like that match the plurality of sub-tracks are arranged, and the working manner is the same as that of Embodiment 2.

Claims

1. A sample flow transfer system comprising a main track and a plurality of sub-tracks, the sub-tracks and the main track having a split and a merge therebetween; characterized in that, The sample flow transfer system further comprises: a plurality of groups of detectors, wherein the first group of detectors are respectively arranged at the merging ports and used to detect whether there is a sample carrier on the main track reaching the merging port; the second group of detectors are respectively arranged at the branch ports and used to detect whether there is a sample carrier on the main track reaching the branch port; the third group of detectors are respectively arranged at the merging ports and used to detect whether there is a sample carrier on the auxiliary track; and output signals of the plurality of groups of detectors are transmitted to a judging module; a blocking unit, which is used to block the sample carriers on the main track at the branch port and the merging port and the sample carriers on the auxiliary track at the merging port as needed; the judging module, which is used to judge whether there is a sample carrier on the main track between adjacent detectors in the first group of detectors and the second group of detectors according to the judging result, and transmit the judging result to a controller; the adjacent detectors correspond to the merging port upstream and the branch port downstream respectively; the controller, which is used to issue an instruction to the blocking unit to release the sample carrier blocked by the blocking unit on the main track or the auxiliary track when the judging result is yes; a shifting unit, which is arranged at the branch port and used to move the sample carrier on the main track to the auxiliary track; the controller, which is used to control the shifting unit according to the output signal of the second group of detectors; a radio frequency tag, which is arranged on the sample carrier; a first group of readers and a second group of readers, wherein the first group of readers are respectively arranged upstream of the first group of detectors and used to read the radio frequency tag of the sample carrier on the main track; and the second group of readers are respectively arranged upstream of the third group of detectors and used to read the radio frequency tag of the sample carrier on the auxiliary track; the controller, which is used to control the shifting unit according to the output signal of the first group of readers and control the blocking unit for blocking the sample carrier on the auxiliary track according to the output signal of the second group of readers.

2. The sample flow-through system of claim 1, wherein, The shifting unit comprises: a shifting lever and a driving member, wherein the driving member is used to drive the shifting lever to rotate, and the rotation axis of the shifting lever is between the main track and the auxiliary track.

3. The sample flow-through system of claim 1, wherein, The sample flow transfer system further comprises: a plurality of groups of detection devices, wherein the detection device comprises a mechanical hand and an analyzer, and the mechanical hand is used to grab the sample carrier on the auxiliary track blocked by the blocking unit; the detection parameters of the plurality of groups of detection devices corresponding to the plurality of auxiliary tracks are different respectively.

4. The sample flow-through system of claim 1, wherein, The sample carrier carries a beaker or a test tube.

5. A sample flow transfer method based on the system of claim 1, which comprises: when the first group of detectors at the merging port detect the sample carrier, the second group of detectors at the branch port downstream adjacent to the merging port output a detection signal; the judging module judges whether there is a sample carrier on the main track between the merging port and the branch port downstream of the merging port according to the output signals of the first group of detectors and the second group of detectors; if the judging result is no and there is no sample carrier on the auxiliary track at the merging port to enter the main track, the sample carrier at the merging port moves along the main track to the branch port downstream; and the sample carrier on the main track is moved to the auxiliary track by the shifting unit. If the result is no, and there is a sample carrier on the sub-track at the merging-inlet that needs to enter the main track, the sample carrier at the merging-inlet is blocked by the blocking unit, the sample carrier on the sub-track is released, and enters the main track; If the result is yes, the sample carriers on the main track and the sub-track at the merging-inlet are blocked by the blocking unit.

6. The sample flow-through method of claim 5, wherein, The first group of readers reads the radio frequency tag of the sample carrier on the main track; If the detection target of the detection device corresponding to the sub-track is met, and the second group of detectors detects the sample carrier, the blocking unit at the shunt releases the sample carrier, and the shifting unit moves the sample carrier to the sub-track. When the shifting unit is working normally, the blocking unit at the shunt releases the sample carrier, and the shifting unit moves the sample carrier to the sub-track.

7. The sample flow-through method of claim 6, wherein, The second group of readers reads the radio frequency tag of the sample carrier on the sub-track again; If the detection target of the detection device corresponding to the sub-track is met, the sample carrier stays on the sub-track and waits for detection; If the detection target is not met, the sample carrier enters the main track through the merging-inlet.

8. The sample flow-through method of claim 6, wherein, The working mode of the shifting unit is: Rotating the shifting lever to shift the sample carrier on the main track to the sub-track.

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