Liquid supply system and method of cleaning residual liquid

Abstract

The application discloses a liquid supply system and a residual liquid cleaning method. The liquid supply system comprises a collector, a liquid output port and a plurality of liquid input ports, the plurality of liquid input ports are communicated with the liquid output port, one liquid input port is communicated with one liquid input pipeline, a liquid extraction device is communicated with the liquid output port, the collector has a central fluid channel, the central fluid channel is communicated with the plurality of liquid input ports, and one liquid input port in the plurality of liquid input ports is arranged on the central fluid channel. The technical scheme provided by the application has the advantages of simple structure and convenient residual liquid cleaning.

Description

Liquid supply system and residual liquid cleaning method

[0001] This application is a divisional application of a domestic patent application filed on April 7, 2020, with application number 202010266886.X. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of pipeline equipment, and in particular to a liquid supply system and a method for cleaning residual liquid. Background Technology

[0003] In production and daily life, there are scenarios where different reagents or solutions need to be mixed and prepared. In such cases, a liquid supply device is needed to deliver different liquids to the same receiving container for mixing.

[0004] In existing technologies, liquid supply devices typically use different pipes to add different liquids to a single receiving container for mixing. Each pipe is used to transport only one type of liquid, and the pipes are independent and not interconnected. With this design, if multiple liquids need to be mixed, the liquid supply device requires multiple pipes. However, this multi-pipe design necessitates a separate pump for each pipe, and the receiving container must also have multiple receiving structures to interface with these pipes, which obviously increases the complexity of the entire system design. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a liquid supply system and a method for cleaning up residual liquid.

[0006] The first aspect of this application provides a liquid supply system, the system comprising:

[0007] The collector has a liquid outlet and multiple liquid inlets, the multiple liquid inlets being connected to the liquid outlet; one liquid inlet is connected to a liquid inlet pipeline.

[0008] A liquid extraction device is connected to the liquid outlet.

[0009] The collector has a central fluid channel that is connected to the plurality of liquid inlets, one of which is located on the central fluid channel.

[0010] A second aspect of this application provides a method for cleaning up residual liquid. This method is applicable to a liquid supply system. The liquid supply system includes a collector and a liquid extraction device. The method includes:

[0011] Open the cleaning fluid input pipeline connected to the liquid inlet on the central fluid channel of the collector; wherein, the collector has a liquid outlet and multiple liquid inlets, and the multiple liquid inlets are connected to the liquid outlet; except for the liquid inlet on the central fluid channel, the liquid inlets connected to the remaining liquid inlets are all in a closed state.

[0012] Start the liquid extraction device to extract cleaning fluid, so that the cleaning fluid enters the liquid supply system from the liquid inlet on the central fluid channel and is discharged from the liquid outlet, so as to use the cleaning fluid to flush the pipeline in the liquid supply system.

[0013] A third aspect of this application provides a liquid supply system, the liquid supply system comprising a channel switching device, a liquid storage device, and a collector, wherein the channel switching device has multiple channels; the liquid storage device has multiple liquid storage tanks, the same number as the number of channels, and each of the liquid storage tanks is connected to each of the channels; the collector has multiple liquid inlets and a single liquid outlet, the same number as the number of channels, and each of the liquid inlets is connected to each of the channels, and the liquid outlet is simultaneously connected to each of the liquid inlets.

[0014] To achieve the above objectives, a fourth aspect of this application also provides a liquid filling method applied to a liquid supply system. The method includes: receiving a target liquid filling instruction; and controlling the operating state of each device in the liquid supply system according to the target liquid filling instruction to inject the target liquid into a receiving container. The liquid supply system includes a channel switching device, a liquid storage device, and a collector. The channel switching device has multiple channels; the liquid storage device has multiple liquid storage tanks, the same number as the number of channels, and each liquid storage tank is connected to each of the channels; the collector has multiple liquid inlets and a single liquid outlet, the same number as the number of channels, and each liquid inlet is connected to each of the channels, while the liquid outlet is simultaneously connected to each liquid inlet.

[0015] Therefore, the liquid supply system provided in this application gathers all the pipes in the liquid supply system through a collector in the liquid supply system, and then outputs the liquid in all the pipes through a single liquid outlet set in the collector. This achieves the purpose of adding different types of liquids to the receiving container through a single pipe outlet, which greatly simplifies the structure of the liquid supply pipeline. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the path switching device in one embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 2 is a three-view diagram of a path switching device in one embodiment of the present application, wherein Figure 2a is a front view of the path switching device, Figure 2b is a top view of the path switching device, and Figure 2c is a left view of the path switching device.

[0019] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure bar bracket in one embodiment provided in this application;

[0020] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the path switching device in one embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a path switching device in one embodiment provided in this application;

[0022] Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the path switching device when all paths are closed in one embodiment of the present application.

[0023] Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the path switching device when one path is in the open state according to one embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the path switching device in another embodiment provided in this application;

[0025] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the liquid supply system in one embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the collector in one embodiment provided in this application;

[0027] Figure 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the collector in one embodiment provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Terms used in this application to indicate spatial relative positions, such as “above,” “over,” “below,” “under,” “first end,” “second end,” “one end,” and “other end,” are used for ease of explanation to describe the relationship of one unit or feature relative to another unit or feature as shown in the accompanying drawings. The terms of spatial relative positions may be intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation other than those shown in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is flipped, a unit described as being “below” or “under” other units or features would be located “above” other units or features. Therefore, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or other orientations), and the spatially related descriptive terms used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0029] Furthermore, the terms "installation," "setup," "equipped with," "connection," "sliding connection," "fixed," and "sleeve connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be an internal connection between two devices, components, or parts. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0030] In production and daily life, there are scenarios where different reagents or solutions need to be mixed and prepared. In such cases, a liquid supply device is needed to deliver different liquids to a single receiving container for mixing. In existing technologies, liquid supply devices typically use different pipes to add different liquids to the same receiving container for mixing; that is, each pipe is used to deliver only one type of liquid, and the pipes are independent and not interconnected. With this design, if multiple liquids need to be mixed, the liquid supply device needs to have multiple pipes.

[0031] Currently available liquid supply devices consist of one pump corresponding to one pipeline, with a flow switching device controlling the pipeline's on / off state. The pump provides the extraction power, and when extraction is complete, the pump stops working, and the flow switching device shuts off the pipeline. After the flow switching device closes the pipeline, solution residue remains in the pipeline downstream of the device. This residue is prone to harboring mold and bacteria, posing hygiene and safety hazards and seriously affecting the equipment's future use. Furthermore, the multi-pipe design necessitates the installation of multiple receiving structures in the receiving container to interface with these pipelines, significantly increasing the complexity of the entire system design.

[0032] Existing flow switching devices often use valves, which utilize a movable valve core to open or close pipelines. Some valves employ mechanisms with multiple degrees of freedom. Because valves require multiple cooperating moving parts to switch pipelines or change the direction of liquid flow, the liquid inevitably flows through these parts. This introduces several unavoidable problems: 1. The gaps between moving parts need to be sealed, which complicates the structure and requires consideration of the lifespan reduction of seals due to frequent movement; 2. Friction between moving parts necessitates consideration of performance and lifespan degradation caused by friction, and friction debris can contaminate the entire pipeline system; 3. Some liquids contain micro-residues that may cause malfunctions in the valve's moving parts; 4. If the liquid is corrosive, how can we ensure that it does not chemically react with the moving parts? 5. If the valve is to be used in food or medical applications, the requirements for the materials and contamination resistance of the moving parts will be extremely high, leading to a sharp increase in cost.

[0033] In one type of multi-source liquid supply device, each pipeline is equipped with a corresponding valve, and each valve has an independent control mechanism. This increases the manufacturing cost of the liquid supply device and also makes the entire device bulky. In another type of multi-source liquid supply device, multiple pipelines share a single valve, meaning that multiple pipelines converge at the valve, and the valve controls the flow of liquid in all pipelines. However, this structure of sharing a single valve can lead to cross-contamination of liquids from different pipelines.

[0034] Therefore, how to improve the liquid supply device to simplify the structure of the liquid supply pipeline has become an urgent issue to be addressed in this field.

[0035] To address the aforementioned problems, this application provides a liquid supply system. A collector within the system gathers all the liquid from the pipes, and then a single liquid outlet located in the collector discharges the liquid from all the pipes. This achieves the goal of adding different types of liquids to a receiving container through a single pipe outlet, simplifying the structure of the liquid supply pipeline. Furthermore, the liquid supply system provided by this application allows for the closure of the pipeline by mechanically compressing the elastic pipe, and the self-opening of the passage by utilizing the elastic deformation capability of the pipe itself. This method of opening and closing the pipeline ensures that the liquid in the pipeline does not come into contact with any moving parts, thus completely solving problems such as chemical reactions between the liquid and moving parts, and contamination between the liquid and moving parts. This significantly improves the reliability and safety of the liquid supply system.

[0036] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described in this application are only a part of the embodiments, not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments in this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0037] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, in one feasible embodiment, the passage switching device A includes a body 1, a pressure rod assembly 2, and a drive member 3. The body 1 has at least one passage 11. The pressure rod assembly 2 and the drive member 3 are disposed in the body 1, with the pressure rod assembly 2 located between the passage 11 and the drive member 3. One end of the pressure rod assembly 2 contacts the drive member 3, and the other end of the pressure rod assembly 2 contacts the passage 11. The drive member 3 can drive the pressure rod assembly 2 to move, and the movement of the pressure rod assembly 2 switches the open and closed state of the passage 11.

[0038] In one feasible implementation, the passage 11 can be constructed as a pipe structure disposed on the body 1, for example, by creating a hole through the body 1 through a drilling process, or by attaching a plastic pipe to the body 1 through an injection molding process or 3D printing technology.

[0039] The main body 1 has an internal space for accommodating and fixing the pressure rod assembly 2 and the driving member 3. When the pressure rod assembly 2 and the driving member 3 are simultaneously placed in the aforementioned internal space of the main body 1, the pressure rod assembly 2 is located between the passage 11 and the driving member 3, and the pressure rod assembly 2 is in contact with both the passage 11 and the driving member 3. When the passage 11 is in the open state, the driving member 3 can move under the action of an external force, thereby driving the pressure rod assembly 2 to move, so that the pressure rod assembly 2 can approach the passage 11 and eventually close the passage 11; when the passage 11 is in the closed state, the driving member 3 can move under the action of an external force, thereby driving the pressure rod assembly 2 to move away from the passage 11 and eventually open the passage 11.

[0040] It should be noted that the main body 1 may have only one passage 11, or multiple passages 11 may be provided as needed. One end of the passage 11 is connected to an external liquid supply device (not shown), so that the liquid provided by the external liquid supply device can flow through the passage 11 to the designated location. When the main body 1 has multiple passages 11, the passages 11 are separate from each other and do not communicate with each other.

[0041] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, in one feasible embodiment, the pressure rod assembly 2 includes a pressure rod bracket 21 and a pressure rod 22. The pressure rod bracket 21 has a guide rail 212. In practical applications, the pressure rod bracket 21 has a bracket wall 211, and a hole structure penetrating the bracket wall 211 is provided in the bracket wall 211, thereby forming the guide rail 212. The pressure rod 22 is disposed in the guide rail 212, and the pressure rod 22 can slide in the guide rail 212 under the action of external force. For example, when the driving member 3 moves, the driving member 3 can push the pressure rod 22 to slide in the guide rail 212.

[0042] The guide rail 212 is positioned on the support wall 211 corresponding to the passage 11. When the pressure rod 22 is placed in the guide rail 212, the pressure rod 22 is in angular contact with the passage 11; for example, the pressure rod 22 is substantially orthogonal to the passage 11. In other words, when setting the position of the guide rail 212 on the support wall 211, it needs to be determined based on the position of the passage 11 relative to the support wall 211, so that one end of the guide rail 212 can contact the passage 11, thereby allowing the pressure rod 22, which is located in the guide rail 212, to contact the passage 11. Thus, when the pressure rod 22 slides in the guide rail 212, the pressure rod 22 can approach or move away from the passage 11, ultimately switching the opening and closing state of the passage 11.

[0043] Optionally, the guide rail 212 can also be set on the outside of the support wall 211. For example, a section of pipe can be fixed to the outer surface of the support wall 211 by welding or screws, thereby forming the guide rail 212 through the pipe.

[0044] Optionally, there is a clearance between the drive member 3 and the pressure rod bracket 21 to reduce the resistance when the drive member 3 moves, and the number of guide rails 212 in the pressure rod bracket 21 is the same as the number of passages 11.

[0045] It should be noted that the cross-section of the guide rail 212 can be circular, rectangular, or other geometric shapes. The pressure rod 22 placed in the guide rail 212 has the same cross-sectional shape as the guide rail 212, and the area of ​​the cross-section of the pressure rod 22 is smaller than the area of ​​the cross-section of the guide rail 212. That is, when the pressure rod 22 is placed in the guide rail 212, there is a gap between the outer surface of the pressure rod 22 and the surface of the guide rail 212 to reduce the resistance when the pressure rod 22 slides in the guide rail 212.

[0046] Optionally, the outer surface of the pressure rod 22 may be provided with multiple protrusions, and the protrusions are in contact with the surface of the guide rail 212 to reduce the contact area between the pressure rod 22 and the guide rail 212, thereby further reducing the resistance when the pressure rod 22 slides in the guide rail 212.

[0047] In one feasible implementation, a flexible hose 111 is provided in the passage 11, and the side of the passage 11 facing the pressure rod bracket 21 is open, so that the flexible hose 111 abuts against the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22. In other words, a flexible hose 111, such as a silicone hose or TPE tube, can be placed in the passage 11. In this case, the passage 11 is used to accommodate and fix the flexible hose 111. The flexible hose 111 can functionally replace the passage 11, and the wall of the passage 11 has an opening on the side facing the pressure rod bracket 21, so that the outer surface of the flexible hose 111 at the opening position can contact the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 placed in the guide rail 212. In this way, the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 can enter the passage 11 from the opening position under the action of external force, thereby squeezing the side wall of the flexible hose 111 and finally sealing the flexible hose 111. It should be noted that the shape of the opening matches the outer contour of the first end 221 so that the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 can enter the opening and thus compress the elastic hose 111.

[0048] When the driving member 3 pushes the pressure rod 22 to slide in the guide rail 212, the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 will enter the opening and exert a squeezing effect on the elastic hose 111. As the pressure rod 22 continues to move, the deformation of the elastic hose 111 at the opening becomes larger and larger, and eventually forms a blockage at the opening. At this time, the liquid in the elastic hose 111 will not be able to flow, that is, the passage 11 is in a closed state.

[0049] In one feasible embodiment, the drive member 3 abuts against the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 so that the drive member 3 can press the pressure rod 22, and the side of the drive member 3 facing the second end 222 has a groove 31 so that the second end 222 can enter or exit the groove 31 when the drive member 3 moves.

[0050] The second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 is located opposite to the first end 221, that is, the first end 221 and the second end 222 are located at the two ends of the pressure rod 22, respectively. When the pressure rod 22 is placed in the guide rail 212, the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 is in contact with the elastic hose 111, and the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 is in contact with the drive member 3. Thus, when the driving member 3 moves, it can apply a force to the second end 222, thereby pushing the pressure rod 22 to move in the guide rail 212. Since the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 is in contact with the elastic hose 111 at this time, as the rotating body 3a pushes the pressure rod 22 to slide in the guide rail 212, the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 can squeeze the elastic hose 111, causing the part of the elastic hose 111 in contact with the first end 221 to deform. As the pressure rod 22 continues to move, the deformation of the elastic hose 111 becomes larger and larger, and eventually forms a blockage at the part in contact with the first end 221. At this time, the liquid in the elastic hose 111 will not be able to flow, that is, the passage 11 is in a closed state.

[0051] The driving member 3 has a groove 31 on the side facing the second end 222. That is, a groove 31 recessed into the driving member 3 is provided on the outer surface of the driving member 3, and the groove 31 is located on the side surface of the driving member 3 that contacts the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22. The groove 31 is constructed to accommodate the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22, and when the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 is located in the groove 31, the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 can be pushed out of the groove 31 with the movement of the driving member 3. As shown in Figures 5 and 8, the cross-section of the groove 31 can be constructed as an arc or an approximately trapezoidal shape, so that the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 can slide out of the groove 31 under the action of external force.

[0052] The pressure rod 22 and the slide 31 are configured to satisfy the following conditions: when the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 is completely located in the slide 31, the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 contacts the outer surface of the elastic hose 111, but the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 does not cause elastic deformation at the part of the elastic hose 111 that contacts the first end 221; when the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 is completely withdrawn from the slide 31, the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 will abut against the outer surface of the drive member 3, and the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 will squeeze the part of the elastic hose 111 that contacts the first end 221 to complete closure.

[0053] As shown in Figure 7, assuming the second end 222 of a pressure rod 22 is located in the groove 31, the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 is in contact with the outer surface of the elastic hose 111. However, the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 does not cause elastic deformation at the contact point between the elastic hose 111 and the first end 221, allowing the liquid in the elastic hose 111 to flow freely. As the driving member 3 moves, the groove 31 applies a force to the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22, causing the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 to exit from the groove 31. In other words, the driving member 3 pushes the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 out of the groove 31. As the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 exits from the groove 31, the pressure rod 22 will continue to move toward the elastic hose 111, causing the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 to exert a squeezing effect on the elastic hose 111. When the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 is completely exited from the groove 31, the part of the elastic hose 111 that contacts the first end 221 is blocked. At this time, the liquid in the elastic hose 111 will not be able to flow, that is, the passage 11 is closed.

[0054] When the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 is not located in the groove 31, the part of the elastic hose 111 that contacts the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 is in a closed state. Since an object undergoing elastic deformation has the tendency to return to its original shape, the part of the elastic hose 111 that contacts the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 will apply an elastic force to the first end 221. This elastic force causes the pressure rod 22 to tend to move away from the elastic hose 111. Since the outer surface of the drive member 3 abuts against the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 at this time, the drive member 3 will prevent the pressure rod 22 from moving away from the elastic hose 111, and the pressure rod 22 will remain stationary in the guide rail 212. As the drive unit 3 moves, when the slide groove 31 on the drive unit 3 moves to a position opposite to the guide rail 212, the slide groove 31 can provide space for the movement of the pressure rod 22. At this time, the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 will enter the slide groove 31 under the elastic force applied by the elastic hose 111, that is, the pressure rod 22 moves away from the elastic hose 111. The part of the elastic hose 111 that contacts the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 will open, so that the liquid in the elastic hose 111 can resume flow, that is, the passage 11 is opened.

[0055] In one feasible embodiment, the length of the pressure rod 22 is greater than the length of the guide rail 212, such that when the pressure rod 22 is placed in the guide rail 212, the first end 221 and the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 can protrude from the guide rail 212. The cross-sectional width of the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 is not less than the diameter of the elastic hose 111, so that when the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 compresses the elastic hose 111, the first end 221 can apply force along the entire radial dimension of the elastic hose 111 to achieve a better sealing effect on the elastic hose 111.

[0056] It should be noted that, in order to reduce the resistance when the second end 222 moves in the groove 31, in practical applications, a pulley structure can be provided at the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 to change sliding friction into rolling friction.

[0057] Please refer to Figures 1 to 7. In this embodiment, the driving member 3 is a rotating body 3a, and the rotating body 3a is rotatably disposed in the body 1. For example, the rotating body 3a can be constructed with the following structure: the rotating body 3a is a cylinder, and the cylinder can rotate around its central axis in the body 1 under the drive of an external force, while the outer surface of the cylinder has an inwardly recessed groove 31.

[0058] The pressure rod bracket 21 has a bracket hole 213 that matches the outer contour of the rotating body 3a, and the diameter of the bracket hole 213 is not less than the diameter of the rotating body 3a, so that the rotating body 3a can be placed in the bracket hole 213. When the rotating body 3a is placed in the bracket hole 213, the inner circumferential surface 2131 of the bracket hole 213 contacts the outer surface of the rotating body 3a. Thus, when the rotating body 3a rotates to a position where the slide groove 31 is not opposite to the guide rail 212, the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 can be pushed by the rotating body 3a, thereby pushing the pressure rod 22 to slide in the guide rail 212, and causing the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 to move towards the elastic hose 111, so as to exert a squeezing effect on the elastic hose 111, and finally causing the part of the elastic hose 111 in contact with the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 to be blocked, and the elastic hose 111 is closed; or, when the rotating body 3a rotates to a position where the slide groove 31 is opposite to the guide rail 212, the slide groove 31 can provide space for the movement of the pressure rod 22. At this time, the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 will enter the slide groove 31 under the elastic force applied by the elastic hose 111, and the part of the elastic hose 111 in contact with the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 will be opened, so that the liquid in the elastic hose 111 can resume flow, that is, the elastic hose 111 is opened.

[0059] In one feasible embodiment, the body 1 includes a front fixing frame 12 and a rear fixing frame 13. The rear fixing frame 13 has a circular hole 131 for positioning the rotating body 3a, that is, when the rotating body 3a is placed in the body 1, the rotating body 3a is located in the circular hole 131. Extending outward from the center of the circular hole 131, a plurality of fixing holes 1311 are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the circular hole 131. A plurality of fixing pipes 1211 corresponding to the plurality of fixing holes 1311 are provided in the front fixing frame 12, so that when the front fixing frame 12 and the rear fixing frame 13 are connected, the plurality of fixing holes 1311 and the plurality of fixing pipes 1211 can be connected simultaneously, thereby forming a plurality of passages 11. In other words, the position of the fixed pipe 1211 on the front fixed frame 12 corresponds one-to-one with the position of the fixed hole 1311 on the rear fixed frame 13. Furthermore, when the front fixed frame 12 and the rear fixed frame 13 are assembled together, the fixed pipe 1211 and the fixed hole 1311 can be combined together to form the passage 11.

[0060] It should be noted that each of the above-mentioned passages 11 can contain one flexible hose 111, and the diameters of the flexible hoses 111 placed in each passage 11 can be different. When the passage 11 is used to place the flexible hose 111, the diameter of the fixing hole 1311 and the diameter of the fixing pipe 1211 can also be different. The diameters of the fixing hole 1311 and the fixing pipe 1211 only need to be not less than the diameter of the flexible hose 111 placed therein.

[0061] Optionally, the front fixing frame 12 and the rear fixing frame 13 each have a plurality of hooks (not shown). When the front fixing frame 12 and the rear fixing frame 13 are assembled together, the plurality of hooks can be combined with each other to fix the front fixing frame 12 and the rear fixing frame 13 into a whole.

[0062] Optionally, the front mounting bracket 12 has a sidewall 1212 extending vertically outward from the base 121, such that when the front mounting bracket 12 and the rear mounting bracket 13 are mated, the sidewall 1212 can close the space between the front mounting bracket 12 and the rear mounting bracket 13 from the outside, thereby constructing the front mounting bracket 12 and the rear mounting bracket 13 as a closed whole.

[0063] In one feasible implementation, the circular hole 131 can also be used to position the pressure rod bracket 21 in the body 1, that is, the pressure rod bracket 21 is fixed in the body 1 with the bracket hole 213 and the circular hole 131 concentric. In this way, when the pressure rod bracket 21 and the rotating body 3a are placed in the body 1 at the same time, the center position of the bracket hole 213 on the pressure rod bracket 21 will coincide with the center position of the rotating body 3a and the center position of the circular hole 131. Since multiple passages 11 are arranged in the circumferential direction around the circular hole 131, the rotating body 3a can control the opening and closing state of all passages 11 by rotating the rotating body 3a.

[0064] In one feasible implementation, the path switching device A is further provided with an angle sensor (not shown). The angle sensor is connected to the rotating body 3a. When the rotating body 3a rotates, the angle sensor can measure the rotation angle of the rotating body 3a relative to the guide rail 212, and thus obtain the angle of the slide groove 31 on the rotating body 3a relative to the guide rail 212.

[0065] Optionally, a magnetic sensor (not shown) is provided on the outer surface of the rotating body 3a, and a magnet (not shown) is provided at one end of each guide rail 212 near the outer surface of the rotating body 3a. Thus, when the rotating body 3a rotates, the rotation angle of the rotating body 3a relative to the guide rail 212 can be determined by detecting the magnetism of the magnet by the magnetic sensor.

[0066] The working principle of the path switching device A will be explained below with reference to Figures 6 and 7, taking the driving component 3 as a rotating body 3a as an example.

[0067] The pressure rod bracket 21 and the rotating body 3a are placed in the body 1 at the same time. The center of the bracket hole 213 on the pressure rod bracket 21 coincides with the center of the rotating body 3a and the center of the circular hole 131. Multiple passages 11 are arranged in the circumferential direction around the circular hole 131, and an elastic hose 111 is placed in each passage 11. A pressure rod 22 is placed in each guide rail 212.

[0068] As shown in Figure 6, the groove 31 on the rotating body 3a is located in a position not opposite to any guide rail 212. At this time, the pressure rods 22 in each guide rail 212 are squeezed by the outer surface of the rotating body 3a, thereby causing each elastic hose 111 to be squeezed to a blocked state by the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22, that is, the passage 11 is closed, and the liquid in the elastic hose 111 cannot flow. Since an object that has undergone elastic deformation has the tendency to return to its original shape, the part of the elastic hose 111 that contacts the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 will apply an elastic force to the first end 221. This elastic force causes the pressure rod 22 to tend to move away from the elastic hose 111. Since the outer surface of the rotating body 3a abuts against the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 at this time, the rotating body 3a will prevent the pressure rod 22 from moving away from the elastic hose 111, and the pressure rod 22 will remain stationary in the guide rail 212.

[0069] Driven by an external force, the rotating body 3a begins to rotate. When the rotating body 3a rotates to a position where the slide groove 31 is opposite to one of the guide rails 212, as shown in Figure 7, the slide groove 31 provides space for the pressure rod 22 placed in the guide rail 212 to move. Therefore, the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 can enter the slide groove 31 under the elastic force applied by the elastic hose 111, that is, the pressure rod 22 moves away from the elastic hose 111. The part of the elastic hose 111 that contacts the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 will open, allowing the liquid in the elastic hose 111 to resume flow, that is, the passage 11 is opened. In this way, by controlling the rotation angle of the rotating body 3a, the slide groove 31 on the rotating body 3a can be opposite to different guide rails 212, thereby opening different elastic hoses 111, that is, opening different passages 11.

[0070] The process of closing passage 11 is the reverse of the process of opening passage 11. Assume that the rotating body 3a rotates to a position where the slide 31 is opposite to one of the guide rails 212, at which point passage 11 corresponding to that guide rail 212 is in the open state. The rotating body 3a begins to rotate. As the slide 31 rotates, it applies force to the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 placed in the guide rail 212, causing the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 to exit from the slide 31. During the process of the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 exiting the slide 31, the pressure rod 22 continues to move towards the elastic hose 111, causing the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 to exert a squeezing effect on the elastic hose 111. When the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 is completely withdrawn from the slide 31, the part of the elastic hose 111 that contacts the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 becomes blocked. At this point, the liquid in the elastic hose 111 cannot flow, that is, passage 11 is closed.

[0071] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of the path switching device A in another embodiment of this application. In this embodiment, the driving member 3 is a push rod 3b, and the push rod 3b is slidably connected to the pressure rod 22 so that when the push rod 3b moves, the push rod 3b can drive the pressure rod 22 to move; an elastic hose 111 is placed in the path 11, and the elastic hose 111 is arranged in the body 1 in a direction generally perpendicular to the movement direction of the push rod 3b.

[0072] The pressure rod 22 is placed in the guide rail 212 on the pressure rod bracket 21. The first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 contacts the elastic hose 111, and the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 contacts the push rod 3b. The side of the push rod 3b that contacts the second end 222 has an inwardly recessed groove 31. Under the action of external force, the push rod 3b can make linear reciprocating motion, thereby allowing the groove 31 on the push rod 3b to slide between different pressure rods 22.

[0073] It should be noted that when the push rod 3b moves in a straight line under the action of an external force, the side of the push rod 3b facing the pressure rod 22 always keeps in contact with the second end 222 of each pressure rod 22, and the sliding groove 31 on the push rod 3b covers the entire pressure rod 22 when the push rod 3b moves in a straight line.

[0074] Optionally, the path switching device A is also equipped with a position sensor (not shown). The position sensor is connected to the push rod 3b. When the push rod 3b makes a linear reciprocating motion, the position sensor can measure the position of the push rod 3b relative to the guide rail 212, and thus obtain the position of the slide groove 31 on the push rod 3b relative to the guide rail 212.

[0075] Optionally, the path switching device A is further provided with a drive device 4. The output shaft (not shown) of the drive device 4 is connected to the drive component 3. When the drive device 4 is working, the drive device 4 can drive the drive component 3 to move through the output shaft. The drive device 4 can be a servo motor, a stepper motor, or a linear drive motor, etc.

[0076] This application also provides a path switching method, which is applied in a path switching device. The path switching device includes a body, a pressure rod assembly, and a driving component. The method includes:

[0077] Obtain the initial position of the drive component relative to the pressure bar assembly;

[0078] Calculate the target displacement of the driving component based on the target identification position and initial position of the target path;

[0079] The drive component moves according to the target displacement, so that the drive component drives the pressure rod assembly to move and switches the opening and closing state of the target passage.

[0080] In one feasible embodiment, the body 1 has at least one passage 11, and a pressure rod assembly 2 is disposed in the body 1, located between the passage 11 and the driving member 3. One end of the pressure rod assembly 2 contacts the driving member 3, such that when the driving member 3 moves, the driving member 3 drives the pressure rod assembly 2 to move. The other end of the pressure rod assembly 2 contacts the passage 11, so as to switch the open and closed state of the passage 11 by the movement of the pressure rod assembly 2. The specific implementation structure of the passage switching device A can be found in the relevant content of the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0081] The passage switching method will be described below with reference to Figures 6 and 7. In this case, the driving component is a rotating body 3a, which is connected to the angle sensor. Assuming that the slide groove 31 on the rotating body 3a is located in a position that is not opposite to any guide rail 212, the pressure rods 22 in each guide rail 212 are squeezed by the outer surface of the rotating body 3a, thereby causing each elastic hose 111 to be squeezed to a closed state by the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22, that is, all passages 11 are closed.

[0082] Using an angle sensor, the controller (not shown) can determine the position of the rotating body 3a relative to the guide rail 212, and then obtain and record the initial position of the slide groove 31 on the rotating body 3a relative to the guide rail 212. When the operator needs to open a certain passage 11 (i.e., the target passage), the controller can calculate the target displacement of the rotating body 3a based on the target marker position of the target passage and the aforementioned initial position. In this embodiment, the target marker position is the position of the guide rail 212 corresponding to the target passage on the pressure rod bracket 21, and the target displacement is the angle of rotation required for the rotating body 3a to rotate the slide groove 31 to be directly opposite the guide rail 212. Once the controller calculates the target displacement, it can control the drive device 4 (e.g., a servo motor) to start working, thereby controlling the drive device 4 to drive the rotating body 3a to rotate by a specified angle. After the rotating body 3a has rotated by the specified angle, the controller can control the drive device 4 to stop working. At this time, the slide groove 31 on the rotating body 3a is aligned with the guide rail 212. The slide groove 31 can provide space for the pressure rod 22 placed in the guide rail 212 to move. Therefore, the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 can enter the slide groove 31 under the elastic force applied by the elastic hose 111. That is, the pressure rod 22 moves away from the elastic hose 111, and the part of the elastic hose 111 that contacts the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 will open, so that the liquid in the elastic hose 111 can resume flow, that is, the target passage is opened.

[0083] Since the outer surface of the rotating body 3a has only one groove 31, at any given time, when the rotating body 3a opens one passage 11, the other passages 11 must be closed. That is, when the rotating body 3a opens another passage 11 that is different from the target passage, the target passage must be closed.

[0084] The path switching method is explained below with reference to Figure 8. In this case, the driving component is push rod 3b, which is connected to the position sensor. Assuming that the groove 31 on push rod 3b is located in a position that is not opposite to any guide rail 212, the pressure rod 22 in each guide rail 212 is squeezed by the outer surface of push rod 3b, thereby causing each elastic hose 111 to be squeezed to a closed state by the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22, that is, all passages 11 are closed.

[0085] Using a position sensor, the controller (not shown) can determine the position of the push rod 3b relative to the guide rail 212, and thus obtain and record the initial position of the groove 31 on the push rod 3b relative to the guide rail 212. When the operator needs to open a certain passage 11 (i.e., the target passage), the controller can calculate the target displacement of the push rod 3b based on the target marker position of the target passage and the aforementioned initial position. In this embodiment, the target marker position is the position of the guide rail 212 corresponding to the target passage on the pressure rod bracket 21, and the target displacement is the distance that the push rod 3b needs to move to move the groove 31 to be directly opposite the guide rail 212. Once the controller calculates the target displacement, it can control the drive device 4 (e.g., a linear drive motor) to start working, thereby controlling the drive device 4 to drive the push rod 3b to move a specified distance. After the push rod 3b has moved a specified distance, the controller can control the drive device 4 to stop working. At this time, the groove 31 on the push rod 3b is aligned with the guide rail 212. The groove 31 can provide space for the pressure rod 22 placed in the guide rail 212 to move. Therefore, the second end 222 of the pressure rod 22 can enter the groove 31 under the elastic force applied by the elastic hose 111. That is, the pressure rod 22 moves away from the elastic hose 111, and the part of the elastic hose 111 that contacts the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 will open, so that the liquid in the elastic hose 111 can resume flow, that is, the target passage is opened.

[0086] In one embodiment, before obtaining the initial position of the drive member relative to the lever assembly, the method further includes:

[0087] Calibrate the zero position of the drive unit relative to the lever assembly;

[0088] Based on the zeroing position, the identification position of each pathway on the ontology is determined.

[0089] Since the positions of each passage 11 on the body 1 are fixed, and the positions of the guide rails 212 on the pressure rod bracket 21 are set according to the positions of the passages 11 on the body 1, once the positions of the passages 11 on the body 1 are determined, the positions of the guide rails 212 on the pressure rod bracket 21 are also determined. At this time, the zero position of the driving component 3 relative to the pressure rod assembly 2 can be calibrated, that is, the zero position of the driving component 3 relative to the guide rails 212 can be calibrated. Taking Figure 5 as an example, the position of the first guide rail 212 on the pressure rod bracket 21 from the left side of the figure can be set as the zero position of the rotating body 3a relative to the pressure rod assembly 2. Then, based on this zero position and according to the distribution of the other guide rails 212 on the pressure rod bracket 21, the positions of each guide rail 212 can be calibrated. Since each guide rail 212 corresponds to one passage 11, the positions of each passage 11 on the body 1 (i.e., the marking positions) can be determined by the positions of the guide rails 212.

[0090] Therefore, the technical solution provided in this application can close the pipe by squeezing the elastic pipe with mechanical components, and open the passage by utilizing the elastic deformation capability of the elastic pipe itself. In this way, the liquid in the pipe does not have to come into contact with any moving parts. Problems such as chemical reactions between the liquid and moving parts, and contamination between the liquid and moving parts can be completely solved, which can greatly improve the reliability and safety of the liquid supply system.

[0091] Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of the liquid supply system in one embodiment of this application.

[0092] In this embodiment, the liquid supply system includes a channel switching device A, a liquid storage device B, and a collector C. The channel switching device A has multiple channels 11, and the liquid storage device B has multiple liquid storage tanks 5, the same number as the channels 11. Each liquid storage tank 5 is connected to each channel 11, that is, each liquid storage tank 5 is connected to one channel 11 in the channel switching device A. The collector C has multiple liquid inlets 6, the same number as the channels 11, and a single liquid outlet 7. Each liquid inlet 6 is connected to each channel 11, and the liquid outlet 7 is simultaneously connected to each liquid inlet 6. That is, each liquid inlet 6 is connected to one channel 11 in the channel switching device A, and all liquid inlets 6 share the liquid outlet 7.

[0093] In one feasible implementation, the channel switching device A has multiple channels 11, and the channel switching device A can control the opening and closing state of each channel 11. Each liquid storage tank 5 can be equipped with a corresponding air pump (not shown), which pumps the liquid in the liquid storage tank 5 into the channel 11 connected to the liquid storage tank 5, thereby allowing the liquid in the liquid storage device B to enter the channel 11 and be transported to the collector C through the channel 11. The specific implementation structure of the channel switching device A can be found in the relevant content of the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0094] In this way, each liquid inlet 6 in the collector C can be connected to a storage tank 5 in the storage device B via passage 11. Liquids from different storage tanks 5 can flow to the liquid inlet 6 of the collector C via different passages 11, and then enter the internal cavity of the collector C through the liquid inlet 6. In practical applications, the liquid inlet 6 and the liquid outlet 7 can be connected by a pipe installed inside the collector C, as shown in Figure 11. Through the liquid outlet 7, liquids from different storage tanks 5 can ultimately enter a liquid mixing vessel (not shown) through the same liquid outlet 7, allowing different liquids to be mixed in the liquid mixing vessel.

[0095] When liquid in a certain passage 11 enters the liquid mixing vessel through the liquid outlet 7, the passage switching device A can close that passage 11. At this time, there will be residual solution in the pipeline behind the passage switching device A, that is, from the part where the flexible hose 111 contacts the first end 221 of the pressure rod 22 to the liquid outlet 7 of the collector C. There will be residual liquid in this pipeline. These residues are prone to the growth of mold, bacteria, etc., posing a health and safety hazard. Therefore, it is necessary to consider cleaning the residual liquid in the pipeline.

[0096] In one feasible implementation, the liquid supply system further includes a liquid draining device D, which is positioned between the channel switching device A and the collector C, and located on any of the pipelines formed by the passage 11 and the liquid inlet 6. That is, since each liquid inlet 6 is connected to a passage 11, for any given liquid inlet 6, when it is connected to a passage 11, the liquid inlet 6 and the passage 11 can be considered as a single pipeline segment, and the liquid draining device D is positioned on this pipeline segment.

[0097] It should be noted that, since each liquid inlet 6 is connected to a passage 11, the liquid supply system contains multiple such pipes, the same number as the number of liquid inlets 6. In practical applications, any one of these pipes can be selected to house the liquid venting device D; this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0098] In one feasible implementation, the liquid storage tank 5 connected to the passage 11 where the liquid drain device D is located stores a first liquid, and the remaining liquid storage tanks 5 store liquids different from the first liquid. That is, for the passage 11 where the liquid drain device D is located, the liquid storage tank 5 connected to that passage 11 stores one type of liquid (i.e., the first liquid), while the remaining liquid storage tanks 5 in the liquid storage device B store liquids of a different type than the first liquid. For example, the liquid storage tank 5 connected to the passage 11 where the liquid drain device D is located stores clean water, while the remaining liquid storage tanks 5 store liquids such as salt water, sugar water, and soy sauce.

[0099] The liquid evacuation device D has three external ports (two for input and one for output) and an internal reversing valve. This reversing valve and the three external ports configure the liquid evacuation device D as a two-position three-way valve. The first port D1 (for input) of the liquid evacuation device D is connected to the pipeline near the flow switching device A. The second port D2 (for output) is connected to the pipeline near the liquid inlet 6. The third port D3 (for input) is open to the outside air. Since the liquid evacuation device D is located between the pipeline formed by the liquid inlet 6 and the flow passage 11, this section of pipeline can be considered as being divided into two sections by the liquid evacuation device D. In other words, taking the liquid draining device D as a reference standard, this section of pipeline is divided into a section of pipeline between the flow switching device A and the liquid draining device D (denoted as pipe 1), and a section of pipeline between the liquid inlet 6 and the liquid draining device D (denoted as pipe 2). The first interface D1 of the liquid draining device D is connected to pipe 1, and the second interface D2 of the liquid draining device D is connected to pipe 2.

[0100] Optionally, the liquid venting device D can be a two-position three-way solenoid valve, which switches the connection between the two input ports and the output port by turning the coil on and off, and one of the input ports is connected to the outside air.

[0101] By controlling the operating position of the reversing valve in the liquid evacuation device D, the liquid evacuation device D can control the opening and closing state of the pipeline it is located in, and can introduce outside air into pipe 2. After the liquid evacuation device D introduces outside air into pipe 2, the liquid supply system can use the introduced air to blow away the residual liquid in the pipeline, thereby cleaning the pipeline. How to use the liquid evacuation device D to clean the pipeline will be described later.

[0102] Optionally, the liquid evacuation device D may not be installed on the pipeline consisting of passage 11 and liquid inlet 6, but instead connected to a specific liquid inlet 6 via a separate pipeline. For example, the liquid evacuation device D can be a one-way valve, with its inlet connected to outside air and its outlet connected to a specific liquid inlet 6 via a separate pipeline. In this way, the liquid evacuation device D can also introduce outside air into the liquid supply system and use the introduced air to purge residual liquid from the pipeline, thereby cleaning the pipeline.

[0103] In one feasible implementation, the liquid supply system is further provided with a liquid extraction device E, which is connected to the liquid outlet 7 in the collector C, and further connected to each passage 11 in the liquid supply system. The liquid extraction device E can generate negative pressure and transmit this negative pressure to each passage 11 of the liquid supply system through the liquid outlet 7, thereby drawing liquid from the storage tank 5 or outside air into the passage 11, and discharging the extracted liquid or gas from the liquid outlet 7 through the passage 11.

[0104] Optionally, the liquid extraction device E can be a vacuum pump or a peristaltic pump. When the liquid extraction device E is a peristaltic pump, the liquid extraction device E is connected to the liquid outlet 7 in the collector C through a flexible hose. The peristaltic pump pumps the liquid by alternately squeezing and releasing the flexible hose, and the flow rate of the liquid can be precisely controlled.

[0105] Referring to Figures 10 and 11, in one feasible implementation, the collector C is provided with a central fluid channel 8, on which a liquid inlet 6 is provided, and the central fluid channel 8 is simultaneously connected to the remaining liquid inlets 6. That is, when there are multiple liquid inlets 6 in the collector C, one of the liquid inlets 6 is located on the central fluid channel 8, while the remaining liquid inlets 6 in the collector C are not located on the central fluid channel 8, but are simultaneously connected to the central fluid channel 8. This means that the aforementioned remaining liquid inlets 6 are simultaneously connected to the liquid inlet 6 located on the central fluid channel 8.

[0106] In practical applications, each of the above-mentioned liquid inlets 6 is connected to the liquid outlet 7 through a pipe installed inside the collector C. This ensures that when liquid enters the collector C from each liquid inlet 6, it can eventually flow out through the liquid outlet 7, thus achieving the purpose of adding different types of liquids to the receiving container through a single pipe outlet.

[0107] Since liquid flow is maintained by an energy gradient, when the liquid flow rate decreases to near zero (e.g., the pipe is closed), the change in pressure gradient within the pipe causes the liquid to flow in the opposite direction, resulting in backflow. Because the flow path switching device A in the liquid supply system can close or open flow path 11, when a flow path 11 completes its liquid delivery and is closed by the switching device A, backflow will occur in that flow path 11. This backflow prevents the liquid supply system from accurately controlling the volume of liquid being dispensed. In scenarios requiring precise control of the dispensed liquid volume, such as pharmaceuticals, biological products, and chemical experiments, this deficiency is unacceptable. Therefore, it is necessary to consider how to solve the problem of liquid backflow.

[0108] In one feasible implementation, the collector C is further provided with a check valve structure 9, which can prevent backflow of liquid entering the collector C. Since each liquid inlet 6 is connected to the liquid outlet 7 through a pipe provided inside the collector C, the check valve structure 9 can be provided on the pipe between the liquid outlet 7 and the liquid inlet 6, that is, the check valve structure 9 is provided between the pipe formed by the liquid outlet 7 and each liquid inlet 6.

[0109] In practical applications, the collector C can be equipped with multiple pipes. One end of each pipe is connected to a liquid inlet 6, and the other end of each pipe is connected to a liquid outlet 7, meaning all pipes converge at the liquid outlet 7. A check valve 9 can be installed below each liquid inlet 6. The check valve 9 can be constructed such that the diameter of a section of pipe between the liquid inlet 6 and the liquid outlet 7 suddenly increases, causing this section to expand into a barrel-shaped structure. By increasing the cross-sectional area of ​​the pipe, the pressure in the pipe changes as the liquid flows through the check valve 9, thus offsetting the pressure change when the pipe is closed, ultimately preventing backflow of liquid into the collector C.

[0110] Optionally, only one check valve structure 9 can be set in the collector C. In this case, the pipelines where each liquid inlet 6 is located in the collector C need to first converge at the check valve structure 9, and then connect to the liquid outlet 7 through the check valve structure 9.

[0111] This application also provides a liquid dispensing method, the method being applied to a liquid supply system, the method comprising:

[0112] Receive the target liquid filling command;

[0113] According to the target liquid injection command, the working status of each device in the liquid supply system is controlled so as to inject the target liquid into the receiving container;

[0114] In one feasible implementation, the liquid supply system includes a channel switching device A, a liquid storage device B, and a collector C. The channel switching device A has multiple channels 11; the liquid storage device B has multiple liquid storage tanks 5, the same number as the channels 11, and each liquid storage tank 5 is connected to each channel 11; the collector C has multiple liquid inlets 6, the same number as the channels 11, and a single liquid outlet 7, with each liquid inlet 6 connected to each channel 11 and the liquid outlet 7 simultaneously connected to each liquid inlet 6.

[0115] In one feasible implementation, the liquid supply system further includes a liquid draining device D, which is disposed between the channel switching device A and the collector C, and located on any of the pipelines consisting of the channel 11 and the liquid inlet 6.

[0116] In one feasible implementation, the liquid supply system further includes a liquid extraction device E, which is connected to the liquid outlet 7.

[0117] The working principle of the liquid supply system will be explained below with reference to Figures 4, 9 and 10.

[0118] The liquid storage device B has multiple liquid storage tanks 5, each of which is connected to one of the passages 11 in the passage switching device A. Assume that one of the liquid storage tanks 5 contains cleaning fluid (for ease of understanding, the liquid storage tank 5 containing cleaning fluid will be referred to as the cleaning fluid tank, the passage 11 in the passage switching device A connected to the cleaning fluid tank will be referred to as the cleaning pipe, and the liquid inlet 6 on the collector C connected to the cleaning pipe will be referred to as the cleaning fluid inlet). The liquid draining device D is set between the passage switching device A and the collector C, and is located on the pipeline formed by the cleaning pipe and the cleaning fluid inlet. The cleaning fluid inlet is located on the central fluid channel 8, and the liquid outlet 7 on the collector C is connected to the peristaltic pump.

[0119] When the liquid supply system needs to inject liquid from a storage tank 5 (non-cleaning liquid tank) into a liquid mixing vessel (i.e., the liquid supply system receives a target liquid filling command), the liquid supply system can control the operating status of each device in the liquid supply system to inject the target liquid into the receiving container. Specifically, the liquid supply system can control the path switching device A to open the path 11 connected to the storage tank 5. Due to the special structure of the path switching device A, all remaining paths 11 will be closed at this time. Then, the liquid supply system controls the liquid venting device D to close the third interface D3, so that outside air cannot enter the liquid supply system through the liquid venting device D.

[0120] After completing the above preparations, the liquid supply system controls the peristaltic pump to start working, drawing air out of the liquid supply system to create negative pressure in the liquid supply system. Since other passages 11 are closed and outside air cannot enter the liquid supply system through the liquid venting device D, the liquid in the storage tank 5 will be drawn into the passage 11 connected to it, and enter the cavity of the collector C through the liquid inlet 6 connected to the passage 11. Then, it will flow through the pipe inside the collector C to the liquid outlet 7, and flow into the peristaltic pump pipeline through the liquid outlet 7. Finally, the liquid in the storage tank 5 will be injected into the mixing vessel through the pipeline in the peristaltic pump.

[0121] Because peristaltic pumps can precisely control the flow rate of liquid, the liquid supply system can control the volume of liquid injected into the mixing vessel via the peristaltic pump. After the peristaltic pump injects the specified volume of liquid into the mixing vessel, the liquid supply system controls the peristaltic pump to stop working, and the liquid supply system completes the liquid injection process. At this time, the liquid supply system can control the channel switching device A to adjust all channels 11 to the closed state, and then control the liquid venting device D to open the third port D3 and connect the third port D3 to the second port D2, thereby introducing outside air into the liquid supply system to restore the internal pressure of the liquid supply system.

[0122] After the liquid supply system completes the liquid injection, residual liquid will remain in the pipes inside the collector C and in the peristaltic pump. Therefore, once the pressure inside the liquid supply system recovers, the liquid supply system can control the liquid venting device D to keep the third interface D3 open and control the peristaltic pump to restart, so as to continue to draw outside air into the liquid supply system, thereby using the drawn-in air to blow away the residual liquid in the liquid supply system.

[0123] To further clean the residual liquid in the liquid supply system, cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank can be drawn into the liquid supply system to flush the pipelines. Once the pressure inside the liquid supply system is restored, or after the residual liquid has been blown away with air for a period of time, the liquid supply system can control the liquid drain device D to close the third port D3 and connect the first port D1 and the second port D2. Then, it controls the path switching device A to open the cleaning pipe connected to the cleaning fluid tank. Due to the special structure of the path switching device A, all remaining passages 11 will be closed at this time.

[0124] After completing the above preparations, the liquid supply system controls the peristaltic pump to start working, drawing air out of the liquid supply system to create negative pressure. Since all other passages 11 are closed, and outside air cannot enter the liquid supply system through the liquid venting device D, the cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid tank will be drawn into the cleaning pipe and flow through pipe 1, the liquid venting device D, and pipe 2, finally entering the central fluid channel 8 through the cleaning fluid inlet. Since the central fluid channel 8 is also connected to the remaining liquid inlets 6, the cleaning fluid entering the central fluid channel 8 will be diverted to the pipes corresponding to the remaining liquid inlets 6, then converged through the pipes inside the collector C to the liquid outlet 7, and flow into the peristaltic pump's pipeline through the liquid outlet 7. Finally, the cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid tank will be injected into the mixing vessel through the pipeline in the peristaltic pump.

[0125] As the cleaning fluid flows through the various pipes in the collector C and the peristaltic pump during the above-mentioned flow process, the cleaning fluid can rinse away the residual liquid in the collector C and the peristaltic pump.

[0126] After the cleaning fluid has flushed away the residual liquid in the collector C and the peristaltic pump, the liquid supply system can control the path switching device A to close all paths 11. Then, it controls the liquid venting device D to open the third port D3 and connect the third port D3 to the second port D2, thereby introducing outside air into the liquid supply system to restore the internal pressure. Afterward, the liquid supply system can wait for the next instruction to inject liquid from the storage tank 5 into the liquid mixing vessel. Upon receiving the liquid injection instruction, it repeats the above operation, thus achieving the purpose of injecting different types of liquids into the receiving container through a single pump and a pipe outlet.

[0127] The following section provides a detailed explanation of the channel switching device A and the liquid supply system, using specific application scenarios as examples.

[0128] Application Scenario 1

[0129] In automatic cooking machines, operators need to add different seasonings at different times. If the seasonings are added manually, the operator needs to constantly monitor the machine's operation and frequently open or close the lid, which is cumbersome and can easily cause burns. In this case, it is advisable to add the aforementioned liquid supply system to the automatic cooking machine, which can automatically add different seasonings.

[0130] The operator can prepare different seasonings, such as salt, chicken essence, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, chili oil, vinegar, sugar, and water, into liquids of a certain concentration and store them in different storage tanks 5. Each storage tank 5 is connected to a passage 11 in the passage switching device A. Each passage 11 in the passage switching device A is connected to a liquid inlet 6 in the collector C. The collector C has a unique liquid outlet 7, which is connected to the cooking pot in the automatic cooking machine. In one implementation, each storage tank 5 can be equipped with a corresponding air pump, which pumps the seasonings from the storage tank 5 into the passage 11 connected to it. In another implementation, a peristaltic pump can be installed on the pipe of the liquid outlet 7 of the collector C to extract the seasonings from each storage tank 5.

[0131] In practical applications, silicone hoses can be used as passage 11, with one end connected to the storage tank 5 and the other end connected to the liquid inlet 6 in the collector C. Before the automatic cooking machine starts working, all passages 11 in the passage switching device A are in a closed state, that is, all silicone hoses are squeezed to a blocked state by the pressure rod 22 in the passage switching device A. At this time, liquid seasoning cannot flow through the silicone hoses to the liquid inlet 6 of the collector C.

[0132] The operator can input seasoning information into the controller of the liquid supply system. This information includes, but is not limited to, the type, concentration, and volume of seasonings contained in each storage tank 5. Once the automatic cooking machine starts operating, the controller can receive instructions from it. For example, if the automatic cooking machine needs to add salt, it can send an instruction to the controller. Upon receiving this instruction, the controller can locate the storage tank 5 containing the salt solution (hereinafter referred to as the salt storage tank) based on the pre-input seasoning information. It then controls the flow switching device A to open the silicone hose connected to the salt storage tank. Simultaneously, the peristaltic pump on the liquid output port 7 of the collector C starts operating, creating negative pressure in the silicone hose. This draws the salt solution into the collector C, and ultimately into the cooking pot via the liquid output port 7. When the automatic cooking machine detects that the salt solution has been added to the cooking pot, it can send a waiting command to the controller of the liquid supply system, which in turn enables the controller to reset the channel switching device A, and the channel switching device A will close all the silicone hoses again.

[0133] Therefore, by controlling the opening and closing states of different silicone hoses through the channel switching device A, the liquid supply system can add different seasonings to the cooking pot according to the instructions of the automatic cooking machine, and different seasonings are transported through different pipes, avoiding contamination of the seasonings. Simultaneously, a peristaltic pump is installed on the pipeline at the liquid output port 7 of the collector C. This allows for precise extraction of seasonings, enabling precise control of the dish's flavor; furthermore, a single peristaltic pump can control the extraction of all seasonings, simplifying the device's structure and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0134] Therefore, the liquid supply system provided in this application controls the opening and closing states of all pipes in the liquid supply system through the channel switching device A, then gathers all the pipes in the liquid supply system through the collector C, and finally outputs the liquid from all the pipes through the liquid extraction device E via the single liquid output port 7 located in the collector C. This achieves the purpose of adding different types of liquids to the receiving container through a single pipe outlet, greatly simplifying the structure of the liquid supply pipeline. Simultaneously, the liquid supply system provided in this application can also clean up residual liquid in the liquid supply system through the combined action of the liquid draining device D and the channel switching device A.

[0135] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A liquid supply system, characterized in that, include: The collector has a liquid outlet and multiple liquid inlets, the multiple liquid inlets being connected to the liquid outlet via multiple pipelines; A liquid inlet is connected to a liquid inlet line; A liquid extraction device is connected to the liquid output port; wherein the collector has a central fluid channel, which is connected to the plurality of liquid input ports, and one of the plurality of liquid input ports is disposed on the central fluid channel; the pipeline formed by the liquid output port and any one of the plurality of liquid input ports except the one disposed on the central fluid channel is U-shaped; the central fluid channel is located in the middle of the U-shaped pipeline and is located on the liquid input port side of the U-shaped pipeline; the central fluid channel is connected to multiple pipelines between the plurality of liquid input ports and the liquid output port, and the liquid input port of the central fluid channel can be connected to outside air or cleaning fluid.

2. The liquid supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Of the plurality of liquid inlets: except for one liquid inlet located on the central fluid channel, the remaining liquid inlets are located on one side of the central fluid channel and are spaced apart along the length of the central fluid channel.

3. The liquid supply system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The collector has a backflow prevention structure located between the liquid outlet and the plurality of liquid inlets.

4. The liquid supply system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The anti-reverse structure is provided below the plurality of liquid inlets.

5. The liquid supply system according to claim 4, characterized in that, Of the plurality of liquid inlets: except for one liquid inlet located on the central fluid channel, each of the remaining liquid inlets is provided with a corresponding check valve structure below it.

6. The liquid supply system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The check valve structure has three ports: the first port of the check valve structure is connected to a liquid inlet, the second port is connected to the central fluid channel, and the third port is connected to the liquid outlet.

7. The liquid supply system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The anti-reverse structure is a barrel-shaped pipe; the top of the barrel has the first port, the bottom of the barrel has the third port, and the second port is provided on the barrel wall; the second port is close to the bottom of the barrel.

8. The liquid supply system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The central fluid channel is located above the check valve structure.

9. The liquid supply system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It also includes a liquid draining device; the liquid draining device is a two-position three-way solenoid valve, and has a first interface, a second interface and a third interface; the first interface is used to connect to the cleaning fluid; the second interface is connected to the liquid inlet on the central fluid channel; the third interface is connected to the outside air.

10. The liquid supply system according to claim 9, characterized in that, It also includes a liquid storage device; the liquid storage device includes multiple liquid storage tanks; each of the multiple liquid inlets is connected to a liquid storage tank; one of the multiple liquid storage tanks is a cleaning liquid tank, used to hold cleaning liquid; the first interface is connected to the cleaning liquid tank; the liquid inlet on the central fluid channel is connected to the cleaning liquid tank through the pipeline between the second interface and the first interface.

11. A method for cleaning residual liquid, characterized in that, A liquid supply system is applicable, the liquid supply system including a collector and a liquid extraction device; the method includes: opening a cleaning fluid input pipeline connected to a liquid inlet on a central fluid channel of the collector; wherein the collector has a liquid outlet and multiple liquid inlets, the multiple liquid inlets being connected to the liquid outlet via multiple pipelines; except for the liquid inlet on the central fluid channel, the liquid inlets connected to the remaining liquid inlets are all in a closed state; activating the liquid extraction device to extract cleaning fluid or air, so that the cleaning fluid or air enters from the liquid inlet on the central fluid channel into the multiple pipelines between the multiple liquid inlets and the liquid outlet, and exits from the liquid outlet, so as to use the cleaning fluid or air to flush or purge the pipelines in the liquid supply system; wherein the pipeline formed by the liquid outlet and any of the multiple liquid inlets except for one liquid inlet on the central fluid channel is U-shaped; the central fluid channel is located in the middle of the U-shaped pipeline and is located on the liquid inlet side of the U-shaped pipeline.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The liquid supply system also includes a liquid draining device; the liquid draining device is a two-position three-way solenoid valve, and has a first interface, a second interface and a third interface; the first interface is used to connect to the cleaning fluid; the second interface is connected to the liquid inlet on the central fluid channel; The third interface is connected to the outside air; Before and / or after starting the liquid extraction device to extract the cleaning fluid, the method further includes: closing the first interface so that the cleaning fluid input pipe connected to the liquid input port on the central fluid channel is in a closed state, opening the third interface; triggering the liquid extraction device to start to extract air; and shutting down the liquid extraction device after completing the residual liquid purging work.

13. An automatic cooking machine, characterized in that, include: Vegetable pot; And the liquid supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 above.

14. A method for operating an automatic cooking machine, characterized in that, An automatic cooking machine has a liquid supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 10; the method includes: when seasoning needs to be added, sending an instruction to the liquid supply system to add the seasoning, causing the liquid supply system to operate, so as to put the seasoning from the storage tank into the cooking pot through the liquid outlet of the collector; after the liquid supply system completes the injection of seasoning, the liquid input pipelines connected to the remaining liquid input ports, except for the liquid input port on the central fluid channel, are all closed, and the liquid extraction device is activated: drawing in outside air through one liquid input port on the central fluid channel to blow out residual seasoning; before and / or after blowing out residual seasoning, introducing cleaning fluid through one liquid input port on the central fluid channel, entering the multiple pipelines between the multiple liquid input ports and the liquid outlet, and discharging from the liquid outlet, so as to use the cleaning fluid to flush the pipelines in the liquid supply system.

Images