Automatic sample feeder and sample feeding method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses an automatic sample feeder which comprises a base, a first driving element, a moving seat, a motor, a sample disc, a second driving element and a plurality of sample feeding units, and an output shaft of the first driving element is connected with the moving seat; the motor is connected with the sample disc; each sample feeding unit comprises a round pipe, a rotor, a driving element, a bolt and a return spring, a bolt hole and a plurality of exhaust holes are circumferentially formed in the side wall of the round pipe, one end of the bolt is inserted into the round pipe from the bolt hole, the rotor is located in the round pipe and is connected through the bolt, one end of the return spring is connected with the bolt, and the other end of the return spring is connected with the movable seat; all the round pipes are distributed on a plurality of circles which are concentric; the second driving element is installed on the base and used for driving the plug pin to move in the direction away from the rotor, so that the rotor falls out of the round pipe under the gravity of the rotor and then enters a sample feeding pipe of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. The automatic sample feeder is small in size, high in sample changing speed and capable of containing a large number of samples, and the number of digits can be simply increased by increasing the number of turns.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers, and more specifically, relates to an automatic sample feeder and a sample feeding method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer is a magnetic analysis instrument that uses the difference in the properties of the nuclei of different elements to analyze substances. It is widely used in the structural determination of compounds, quantitative analysis and zoological research. Placing the sample to be tested (the sample includes the rotor and the sample tube supported by the rotor, and the sample tube contains the liquid to be tested) into the center of the magnet of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer is the prerequisite for nuclear magnetic measurement. Traditional nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers rely on operators to manually place the sample into the magnet.

[0003] In order to meet the needs of large-scale automated testing of samples, modern NMR spectrometers often use automatic sample changers to automatically put samples into and take them out of the magnet (commonly known as the sample in and sample out process). Automatic sample changers significantly improve the automation of NMR spectrometers, save a lot of manpower and machine time, and reduce errors caused by human operation. They are essential supporting devices for large-scale analysis of samples using NMR spectrometers. For automatic sample changers, the speed of sample replacement, the number of samples that can be supported, and operational reliability are the indicators that designers and users pay the most attention to.

[0004] Traditional automatic sample changers mainly have the following ways to achieve automatic sample change:

[0005] 1) By setting up a manipulator and a sample tray, the manipulator accurately positions itself on the sample tray to grab the sample at a specific position into the spectrometer sample tube. This method requires high positioning accuracy of the manipulator and reliability of the gripper, and is prone to positioning errors and loose gripper failures that result in the inability to grab the sample or the sample falling off; the manipulator of this method is usually large in size and requires additional space to place the specified number of samples. In addition, the manipulator has complex movements, is expensive, and has a slow sample change speed.

[0006] 2) A rotatable sample tray is set up, and a circle of samples is placed on the sample tray. The sample tray is rotated so that the sample at a specific position is directly aligned with the injection tube. The clamping mechanism is driven by a cylinder located outside the circle of samples to release the sample and the sample falls into the injection tube. In this way, the samples are arranged in a circle. To arrange a specified number of samples, the diameter of the circle needs to be increased, which occupies a larger area, and the space inside the circle is wasted, so a small number of samples can be placed.

[0007] 3) A chain sample tray that can be moved in a curve is provided. The sample tray moves to a position roughly aligned with the injection tube and uses an alignment device to completely align the sample with the injection tube, and then the sample is dropped into the injection tube. The positioning accuracy of the chain in this way is poor when it moves, and it is easy to be misaligned with the sample placement port, so that the sample cannot be placed in the injection tube. In addition, the curved chain is easy to get stuck, and the cost is relatively high.

[0008] In addition, the above-mentioned automatic sample changing devices do not have sample detection sensors on the sample tray or inside the magnet. When the working position is occupied, the sample can only be sampled to the found empty position by searching for empty positions one by one, and it is impossible to know whether there is a sample inside the magnet, which is prone to sample conflicts. Summary of the invention

[0009] In view of the above defects or improvement needs of the prior art, the present invention provides an automatic sample feeder and a sample feeding method thereof. The automatic sample feeder has a small size, a fast sample changing speed, can hold a large number of samples and has a low cost, and the sample feeding method has a high efficiency.

[0010] To achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic sample feeder, characterized in that it comprises a base, a first driving element, a moving seat, a motor, a sample tray, a second driving element and a plurality of sample feeding units, wherein:

[0011] The first driving element is installed on the base, and the output shaft of the first driving element is connected to the moving seat to drive the moving seat to move horizontally;

[0012] The motor is fixedly mounted on the moving seat, the sample tray is rotatably mounted on the moving seat, and the motor is connected to the sample tray to drive the sample tray to rotate;

[0013] Each of the sample delivery units comprises a round tube, a rotor, a latch and a return spring. The round tube is vertically mounted on the sample tray. Both the upper and lower ends of the round tube are open. A latch hole and a plurality of exhaust holes are circumferentially arranged on the side wall of the round tube, and the latch hole is located below all the exhaust holes. One end of the latch is inserted into the round tube from the latch hole. The rotor is located in the round tube and is received by the latch. One end of the return spring is connected to the latch and the other end is connected to the sample tray, so that the latch exiting the inner hole of the round tube moves toward the direction close to the rotor to receive the fallen rotor.

[0014] All the circular tubes are distributed on a plurality of circles and the circles are concentric, and the circular tubes on each circle are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction;

[0015] The second driving element is mounted on the base and is used to drive the latch to move in a direction away from the rotor, so that the rotor falls out of the round tube under its own gravity and then enters the sample inlet tube of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer.

[0016] Preferably, each of the sample delivery units further comprises a push rod that can move upward under the drive of the second driving element, the sample tray is respectively provided with a through hole at a position corresponding to each push rod, a boss is provided on the push rod, the lower end of the push rod passes through the through hole and the boss is received by the sample tray;

[0017] A pushing surface is arranged at the top end of the push rod, and the pushing surface is used to push the latch to move when the push rod moves upward, so that the latch moves in a direction away from the rotor.

[0018] Preferably, the latch is provided with a push rod hole, and the center of the push rod hole is vertically arranged;

[0019] The pushing surface is a conical surface that is smaller at the top and larger at the bottom, so as to extend into the push rod hole and contact the edge of the push rod hole to push the latch to move so as to move the latch in a direction away from the rotor.

[0020] Preferably, it also includes an electric slip ring and an encoder, the encoder is installed on the moving seat, and the encoder is connected to the sample plate through a transmission shaft to measure the angular displacement of the sample plate, the round tubes are numbered in sequence, and each round tube is assigned a unique encoder angular displacement value according to the number, the encoder is connected to the controller through a cable, the inner ring of the electric slip ring is installed on the transmission shaft, and the outer ring of the electric slip ring is fixed on the moving seat. The inner ring and outer ring of the electric slip ring are respectively fixed with a number of cables that are electrically connected when rotating, the cables fixed to the inner ring of the electric slip ring are connected to the photoelectric sensor, and the cables fixed to the outer ring of the electric slip ring are connected to the controller.

[0021] Preferably, the sample tray is provided with a photoelectric sensor and a color LED indicator light at a position corresponding to each round tube, and the detection head of the photoelectric sensor on each round tube is aligned with one of the exhaust holes to detect whether there is a rotor in the round tube, and each of the photoelectric sensors is connected to the controller through the electric slip ring and a cable fixed on the electric slip ring;

[0022] The color LED indicator light is an RGB three-color indicator light, which is used to display various colors composed of RGB, and:

[0023] When the photoelectric sensor detects that there is no rotor in the round tube and the round tube is in the non-working position, the color LED indicator light turns green;

[0024] When the round tube is in the working position, the colored LED indicator light turns red;

[0025] When the photoelectric sensor detects that there is a rotor in the round tube and the round tube is in a non-working position, then: if the rotor has not yet entered the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer for detection, the color LED indicator will be yellow; if the rotor has entered the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to complete the detection and has exited from the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer into the round tube, the color LED indicator will be green;

[0026] The position of the round tube on the sample tray that is aligned with the sample inlet tube of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer is the working position of the round tube, and other positions of the round tube on the sample tray are non-working positions of the round tube.

[0027] Preferably, a horizontal slide rail is provided on the base, and the movable seat is installed on the slide rail through a slider. A position sensor is also arranged on the base to obtain the horizontal movement position of the movable seat or the sample tray, so that the first driving element can control the movable seat to stay in the set position.

[0028] Preferably, two position sensors are further included, which are respectively arranged at the top and the bottom of the sampling tube to obtain the position of the rotor in the sampling tube.

[0029] Preferably, the outer wall of the rotor has a step so that compressed gas enters the sampling tube and blows upward on the step of the rotor, thereby applying an upward thrust to the rotor to make the rotor float out of the sampling tube and the circular tube aligned with the sampling tube. When the rotor floats to a height where the step is higher than the exhaust hole, the compressed gas that pushes the rotor to float is discharged from the exhaust hole, so that the rotor stays at a position corresponding to the exhaust hole.

[0030] According to another aspect of the present invention, a sample feeding method of the automatic sample feeder is also provided, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

[0031] S1, the controller receives the serial number of the round tube that needs to be sent to the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer in the non-working position, and reads the detection status of the photoelectric sensor on the round tube that needs to be sent to the non-working position. If the photoelectric sensor detects that there is a rotor in the round tube that needs to be sent to the non-working position, the process enters step S2. If the photoelectric sensor detects that there is no rotor in the round tube that needs to be sent to the non-working position, an error is reported and the process ends; wherein, the position of the round tube on the sample tray that is aligned with the sample inlet tube of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer is the working position of the round tube, and the other positions of the round tube on the sample tray are the non-working positions of the round tube;

[0032] S2, the controller reads the detection signals of the position sensor at the bottom of the injection tube of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer and the position sensor at the top of the injection tube, and detects whether there is a rotor at the bottom of the injection tube. If a rotor is detected at the bottom of the injection tube, the rotor at the bottom of the injection tube is first sent to the round tube at the working position and supported by a latch; if no rotor is detected at the bottom of the injection tube, the process proceeds to step S3;

[0033] S3, the controller controls the horizontal position of the moving seat and the rotation angle of the sample tray to move the round tube that needs to be sampled in the non-working position in step S1 to the working position;

[0034] S4, the controller controls the air valve of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to open, and the airflow passes through the sample inlet tube and enters the circular tube at the working position. The airflow exerts an upward thrust on the rotor in the circular tube to make the rotor float, thereby separating the rotor from the latch;

[0035] S5, the controller controls the second driving element to drive the latch to move horizontally, so that the latch moves in a direction away from the rotor;

[0036] S6, the controller controls the gas valve of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to gradually reduce the gas output, and the rotor enters the sample injection tube under the action of its own weight;

[0037] S7, the controller detects detection signals of the position sensor at the top of the injection tube and the position sensor at the bottom of the injection tube to determine whether the rotor reaches the bottom of the injection tube;

[0038] S8. If the rotor reaches the bottom of the injection tube, the process ends. If the rotor does not reach the bottom of the injection tube, steps S4 to S7 are repeated in a loop until the rotor successfully reaches the bottom of the injection tube.

[0039] Preferably, in step S2, the specific steps of sending the rotor at the bottom of the sample injection tube into the round tube at the working position and supporting it through the latch are as follows:

[0040] S2.1, determine whether there is a rotor in the round tube of the working position, if there is no rotor in the round tube of the working position, enter S2.2, if there is a rotor in the round tube of the working position, enter S2.3;

[0041] S2.2. This step specifically includes the following sub-steps:

[0042] S2.2.1, the second driving element drives the latch to move horizontally, so that the latch moves in a direction away from the rotor;

[0043] S2.2.2. The controller controls the air valve on the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to open, and the airflow from the air valve enters the injection tube to blow upward and push the rotor in the injection tube to float to the top of the round tube at the working position;

[0044] S2.2.3, the controller reads the position sensor at the bottom of the injection tube, the position sensor at the top of the injection tube and the photoelectric sensor on the round tube at the working position, and determines whether the rotor reaches the top of the round tube at the working position;

[0045] If the photoelectric sensor detects that the rotor has arrived, the second drive element moves so that the latch returns under the action of the return spring, the latch is inserted into the round tube, and then the air valve is closed, the rotor falls and is fixed in the round tube by the latch support;

[0046] If the photoelectric sensor detects that the rotor has not arrived, the air flow is pushed upward by cyclically closing and opening the air valve until the rotor reaches the top of the round tube at the working position, and the second drive element moves so that the latch returns to its original position under the action of the return spring and is inserted into the round tube, and then the air valve is closed, and the rotor falls and is fixed in the round tube by the latch support;

[0047] S2.3, including the following sub-steps:

[0048] S2.3.1. Read the detection signal of the photoelectric sensor corresponding to each round tube on the sample tray, and find the number of the round tube closest to the working position and without a rotor in the round tube;

[0049] S2.3.2, let the round tube found in step S2.3.1 move to the working position;

[0050] S2.3.3. Carry out the above step S2.2 to move the rotor at the bottom of the injection tube into the circular tube moved to the working position in step S2.2.2.

[0051] In general, the above technical solutions conceived by the present invention can achieve the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0052] 1) The present invention provides multiple circles of circular tubes, and can load samples inside the circular tubes, so that multiple circles of samples can be installed, so that the space of the sample tray can be fully utilized, thereby achieving a small volume and a significant increase in the number of samples, solving the problem that in the existing structure, the samples are arranged according to a single circle circumference, and the arrangement of a specified number of samples requires increasing the circle diameter, occupying a larger area, and the internal space of the circle is wasted, and the number of samples that can be placed is small. In addition, the present invention uses the movement of the pin on the circular tube to cooperate with the rotor to realize the feeding of the sample, solving the problem that the manipulator occupies a large space in the manipulator feeding method, and must use additional space to place the specified number of samples. In addition, in the multiple circles of circular tubes, each circular tube is provided with a pin that can be moved under the drive of the second drive element, and the second drive element does not affect the normal rotation of the sample tray and the circular tube, and will not cause conflict and interference.

[0053] 2) The present invention drives the movement of the latch by providing a latch and a corresponding second driving element. The latch can be reliably extended and reliably returned to its original position under the action of a return spring and reliably supports the rotor, thereby solving the problems of relatively low reliability of the manipulator in the existing structure, easy positioning errors, loose clamps, etc., which lead to the inability to grasp the sample or the sample falling off.

[0054] 3) The present invention drives the sample tray to rotate by a motor, and the first driving element drives the movable seat and the sample tray on the movable seat to move, thereby realizing accurate positioning of any circular tube of the sample tray and the sample position in the circular tube, and solving the problem that the positioning accuracy is poor when the chain moves, and it is easy to be unable to align with the sample injection tube, thereby making it impossible to put the sample into the sample injection tube of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer.

[0055] 4) The present invention combines the movement of the movable seat and the rotation of the sample plate. Adjacent circular tubes only need to rotate at a small angle, and adjacent circles only need to move horizontally a small distance, so that fast sample change can be achieved. The structure is simple and the cost is low, which solves the problem of complex robot movement and high cost of the robot and chain.

[0056] 5) The present invention arranges photoelectric sensors at each circular tube of the sample tray and position sensors at the bottom and top of the sample injection tube. The sample feeder knows the presence or absence of samples at all positions at any time, and uses this information to realize functions such as rapid query of empty positions and first taking out samples when there are samples in the sample injection tube of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to prevent sample conflicts. This solves the problem that the sample tray and the sample injection tube of the traditional sample feeder are not equipped with sample detection sensors, and when the working position is occupied, the sample can only be taken out to the found empty position by searching for empty positions one by one, and it is impossible to know whether there are samples in the sample injection tube, which is prone to sample conflicts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an automatic sample feeder of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the assembly of a sample tray and a moving seat of an automatic sample feeder of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sample tray and mobile seat assembly diagram;

[0060] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the round tube on the automatic sample feeder of the present invention being aligned with the sample injection tube;

[0061] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a pin-supported sample on a round tube;

[0062] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an encoder connected to an electric slip ring in the present invention;

[0063] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the base;

[0064] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of an automatic sample feeder of the present invention installed on a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer;

[0065] Fig. 9 The present invention discloses a flow chart of a sample feeding method of an automatic sample feeder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0067] Reference Figure 1 to Figure 7 , an automatic sample feeder, comprising a base 711, a first driving element 706, a moving seat 44, a motor 311, a sample tray 21, a second driving element 703 and a plurality of sample feeding units.

[0068] The first driving element 706 is installed on the base 711, and the output shaft of the first driving element 706 is connected to the moving seat 44 to drive the moving seat 44 to move horizontally; the base 711 of the present invention is used to install the sample feeder to the magnet 81 of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer as a base for installing other parts.

[0069] The motor 311 is fixedly mounted on the moving seat 44 , and the sample tray 21 is rotatably mounted on the moving seat 44 . The moving seat 44 drives the sample tray 21 to move horizontally, and the motor 311 is connected to the sample tray 21 to drive the sample tray 21 to rotate. As a preferred solution, a horizontal slide rail 705 is provided on the base 711, and the movable seat 44 is installed on the slide rail 705 through a slider 308. A position sensor 710 is also arranged on the base 711 to obtain the horizontal position of the movable seat 44 or the sample tray 21, so as to facilitate the first driving element 706 to control the movable seat 44 to move horizontally and stay at the set position. Preferably, there are two position sensors 710 on the base 711, one position sensor 710 is used to obtain the position where the inner circle of the sample tray 21 is aligned with the injection tube 42 after the movable seat 44 moves horizontally to the left, and the other position sensor 710 is used to obtain the position where the outer circle of the sample tray 21 is aligned with the injection tube 42 after the movable seat moves horizontally to the right, so as to facilitate the first driving element 706 to control the movable seat 44 to stop after the horizontal movement. When the sample tray 21 is set to more circles, the number of position sensors 710 increases accordingly, and corresponds to the position where each circle of the sample tray 21 is aligned with the injection tube 42 after the movable seat 44 moves horizontally.

[0070] Each of the sample delivery units includes a circular tube 303, a rotor 51, a push rod 701, a latch 56 and a return spring 55. The circular tube 303 is vertically mounted on the sample tray 21. The upper and lower ends of the circular tube 303 are open. A latch hole 53 and a plurality of exhaust holes 301 are circumferentially arranged on the side wall of the circular tube 303, and the latch hole 53 is located below all the exhaust holes 301. One end of the latch 56 is inserted into the circular tube 303 from the latch hole 53. The rotor 51 is located in the circular tube 303 and is supported by the latch 56. One end of the return spring 55 is connected to the latch 56 and the other end is connected to the sample tray 21, so that the latch 56 exiting the inner hole of the circular tube 303 moves toward the direction close to the rotor 51 to support the fallen rotor 51. All the latch holes 53 and the exhaust holes 301 are located above the sample tray 21 and are exposed.

[0071] All the circular tubes 303 are distributed on multiple circles and these circles are concentric, and the circular tubes 303 on each circle are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction; the circular tubes 303 on the sample tray 21 of the present invention are preferably divided into two circles and the circular tubes 303 in each circle are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction; each circular tube 303 has a circle of exhaust holes 301 at the upper end, and the present invention preferably has six exhaust holes 301 of the same size and evenly spaced at the upper end of the circular tube 303, and a latch hole 53 is provided below these exhaust holes 301. If the rotor 51 is driven to float up by blowing compressed air, the exhaust holes 301 can be exhausted after the rotor 51 moves upward beyond the height of the exhaust holes 301, so as to prevent the rotor 51 from moving upward too far and rushing out of the circular tube 303.

[0072] The second driving element 703 is mounted on the base 711 and is used to drive the latch 56 to move in a direction away from the rotor 51, so that the rotor 51 falls out of the round tube 303 under its own gravity and enters the sample inlet tube 42 of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. The second driving element 703 can directly drive the latch 56 to move, or indirectly drive the latch 56 to move through an intermediate component.

[0073] The base 711 has a support plate 708, on which a slide rail 705, a positioning block 707, a first driving element 706 and two position sensors 710 are fixed. The slide rail 705 is connected to the slider 308 on the moving seat 44, and the positioning block 707 limits the moving stroke of the slider 308, thereby limiting the sample tray 21.

[0074] The motor 311 is preferably connected to the sample tray 21 through a bevel gear mechanism, and the motor 311 is preferably a DC motor 311. The sample tray 21 is preferably installed on the moving seat 44 through a cross roller bearing 65. The moving seat 44 includes a sample tray support seat 309, a connecting block 46 and a motor bracket 45 that are fixedly connected together. The motor 311 is installed on the motor bracket 45, and the first driving element 706 is installed below the support plate 708. The connecting plate fixed on the output shaft of the first driving element 706 is fixedly connected to the connecting block 46. The output shaft of the first driving element 706 can be telescopically moved to drive the moving seat 44 and the sample tray 21 on the moving seat 44 to move horizontally.

[0075] Further, the present invention also includes an electric slip ring 61 and an encoder 64, the encoder 64 is mounted on the moving seat 44, and the encoder 64 is connected to the sample tray 21 through a transmission shaft 62, so as to measure the angular displacement of the sample tray 21, and the round tubes 303 are numbered in sequence, and the round tubes 303 are assigned unique encoder angular displacement values ​​according to the numbers, and the encoder 64 is connected to the controller through a cable. The inner ring of the electric slip ring 61 is fixedly mounted on the transmission shaft 62, and the outer ring of the electric slip ring 61 is fixed on the moving seat 44. The inner ring and the outer ring of the electric slip ring 61 are respectively fixed with a plurality of cables that are electrically connected when rotating, the inner ring cable of the electric slip ring is connected to the photoelectric sensor 710, and the outer ring cable of the electric slip ring is connected to the controller.

[0076] The bevel gear mechanism includes a first bevel gear 306 and a second bevel gear 310 that mesh with each other. The bottom of the sample tray 21 is fixed to the upper end of the outer ring of the cross roller bearing 65, and the first bevel gear 306 is fixed to the lower end of the outer ring of the cross roller bearing 65. The rotation of the first bevel gear 306 will drive the sample tray 21 to rotate; the lower end of the inner ring of the cross roller bearing 65 is fixedly installed with a hollow sample tray support seat 309, and the other end of the sample tray support seat 309 is fixed on the moving seat 44; the moving seat 44 is installed with a motor bracket 45, and a motor 311 is fixed on the motor bracket 45. The second bevel gear 310 is installed on the output shaft of the motor 311, meshing with the first bevel gear 306. The movable seat 44 is combined; two sets of parallel sliders 308 are installed under the movable seat 44, and a positioning baffle 43 is installed on the side of the sample tray 21; the movable seat 44 also includes an encoder seat 63, which is fixed to the upper end of the inner ring of the cross roller bearing 65, and an encoder 64 is installed in the encoder seat 63; the rotating shaft of the encoder 64 is connected to one end of the transmission shaft 62, and the other end of the transmission shaft 62 is connected to the sample tray 21; the inner ring of the electric slip ring 61 is installed on the transmission shaft 62, and the outer ring of the electric slip ring 61 is positioned at an angle by a screw installed on the encoder seat 63 to prevent the outer ring of the electric slip ring 61 from rotating.

[0077] The output shaft of the second driving element 703 can drive the latch 56 to move horizontally in many existing ways. For example, the latch 56 can be pushed to move horizontally by an intermediate piece such as a rotatable lever or a connecting rod slider mechanism; or the output shaft of the second driving element 703 can also be vertically downward, and the latch 56 can be moved horizontally by the inclined surface on the intermediate piece and the structure on the latch 56. However, the intermediate piece needs to be withdrawn from the rotation area of ​​the round tube 303 in time and cannot interfere with the normal rotation of the round tube 303 on the sample tray 21.

[0078] As a preferred solution of the present invention, each of the sample delivery units also includes a push rod 52 that can move upward under the drive of the second driving element 703, and the sample tray 21 is respectively provided with a through hole at a position corresponding to each push rod 52, and a boss is provided on the push rod 52, and the lower end of the push rod 52 passes through the through hole and the boss is supported by the movable seat 44.

[0079] A pushing surface 57 is disposed at the top end of the push rod 52 , and the pushing surface 57 is used to push the latch 56 to move in a direction away from the rotor 51 when the push rod 52 moves upward.

[0080] The output shaft of the second driving element 703 is fixedly mounted on the driving element fixing seat 702, on which the push rod 701 and the guide rod 704 are respectively mounted, and the guide rod 704 is movably mounted on the moving seat 44. The push rod 701 can move upward to contact the bottom end of the push rod 52, thereby pushing the push rod 52 to move upward. The push rod 701 moves downward under the drive of the second driving element 703 and can be separated from the bottom end of the push rod 52. The push rod 52 falls under the action of its own weight and is received by the moving seat 44, and then the latch 56 can move back and forth in the direction close to the rotor 51 under the action of the return spring 55. The boss provided on the push rod 52 facilitates the push rod 52 to be received by the moving seat 44. Then, only one second driving element 703 is required. After each sample delivery unit rotates to the position corresponding to the second driving element 703, the second driving element 703 can drive the push rod 52 to move upward to allow the latch 56 to move horizontally in the direction away from the rotor 51.

[0081] The latch 56 is provided with a push rod hole 54, the center of which is vertically arranged; the pushing surface 57 is a conical surface with a small top and a large bottom, so as to extend into the push rod hole 54 and contact the hole edge of the push rod hole 54 and push the latch 56 to move away from the rotor 51. When the sample delivery unit does not deliver samples, the return spring 55 makes the latch 56 extend into the inside of the circular tube 303 to support the rotor 51 with the sample tube. At this time, the push rod hole 54 deviates from the center line of the conical surface of the push rod 52 below. When it is the turn of the sample delivery unit to deliver samples, the push rod 52 is introduced into the push rod hole 54, forcing the push rod hole 54 to align with the central axis of the push rod 52. The latch 56 withdraws from the inside of the circular tube 303, causing the rotor 51 with the sample to lose support, and the rotor 51 will fall downward under the action of its own weight. Regardless of whether a sample is being delivered or not, the push rod 7 is always extended into the push rod hole 54, with the center line of the conical surface being aligned or not aligned with the center of the push rod hole 54, and the pushing surface is always in contact with the edge of the push rod hole 54 to prevent the latch 56 from rotating and causing the push rod hole 54 to deviate from the push rod 52.

[0082] Further, the sample tray 21 is provided with a photoelectric sensor 710 and a color LED indicator 22 at a position corresponding to each round tube 303. The detection head of the photoelectric sensor 710 on each round tube 303 is aligned with one of the exhaust holes 301 to detect whether there is a rotor 51 in the round tube 303. Each of the photoelectric sensors 710 is connected to the controller through the electric slip ring 61.

[0083] The color LED indicator light 22 is a RGB three-color indicator light, which can display various colors composed of RGB, and:

[0084] When the photoelectric sensor 710 detects that there is no rotor 51 in the round tube 303 and the round tube 303 is in the non-working position, the color LED indicator 22 is displayed in green;

[0085] When the round tube 303 is in the working position, the color LED indicator 22 is displayed in red;

[0086] When the photoelectric sensor 710 detects that there is a rotor 51 in the circular tube 303 and the circular tube 303 is in a non-working position, then: if the rotor 51 has not yet entered the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer for detection, the color LED indicator 22 is displayed in blue; if the rotor 51 has entered the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to complete the detection and has exited from the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer into the circular tube 303, the color LED indicator 22 is displayed in green;

[0087] The position of the round tube 303 on the sample tray 21 that is aligned with the sample inlet tube 42 of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer is the working position of the round tube 303 , and the other positions of the round tube 303 on the sample tray 21 are the non-working positions of the round tube 303 .

[0088] Furthermore, two position sensors are provided respectively at the top and the bottom of the sampling tube 42 to obtain the position of the rotor 51 in the sampling tube 42 and to assist in confirming whether the rotor 51 has entered the sampling tube 42 or has left the sampling tube 42 .

[0089] The outer wall of the rotor 51 has a step so that the compressed gas can enter the sample injection tube 42 and blow upward on the step of the rotor 51, thereby applying an upward thrust to the rotor 51 to make the rotor 51 float out of the sample injection tube and enter the round tube 303 aligned with the sample injection tube. When the rotor 51 floats to a height where the step is higher than the exhaust hole 301, the compressed gas that pushes the rotor 51 to float is discharged from the exhaust hole 301, so that the rotor 51 stays at a position corresponding to the exhaust hole 301. The airflow acts on the step of the outer wall of the rotor 51 but not on the sample tube held by the rotor 51, so that the sample tube will not rush upward out of the rotor 51 when blowing.

[0090] Reference Figure 8 According to another aspect of the present invention, a sample feeding method of the automatic sample feeder is also provided, comprising the following steps:

[0091] S1, the controller receives the serial number of the circular tube 303 in the non-working position that needs to deliver samples to the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, and reads the detection condition (detection state) of the photoelectric sensor 710 on the circular tube 303 in the non-working position that needs to deliver samples, and determines whether there is a rotor in the circular tube 303 in the non-working position. If the photoelectric sensor 710 detects that there is a rotor 51 in the circular tube 303 in the non-working position that needs to deliver samples, then the process enters step S2 to deliver the rotor 51 in the circular tube 303 into the sample injection tube 42 of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. If the photoelectric sensor 710 detects that there is no rotor 51 in the circular tube 303 that needs to deliver samples, then an error is reported and the process ends; wherein, the position of the circular tube 303 on the sample tray 21 that is aligned with the sample injection tube 42 of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer is the working position of the circular tube 303, and the other positions of the circular tube 303 on the sample tray 21 are the non-working positions of the circular tube 303;

[0092] S2, the controller reads the detection signals of the position sensor at the bottom of the injection tube 42 of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer and the position sensor at the top of the injection tube 42, and detects whether there is a rotor 51 at the bottom of the injection tube 42. If the rotor 51 is detected at the bottom of the injection tube 42, the rotor 51 at the bottom of the injection tube 42 is first sent to the circular tube 303 at the working position and supported by the latch 56; a driving device can be set in the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to drive the rotor 51 to move vertically upward into the circular tube 303 at the working position;

[0093] If it is detected that there is no rotor 51 at the bottom of the injection tube 42, the process proceeds to step S3;

[0094] S3, the controller controls the horizontal position of the movable seat 44 and the rotation angle of the sample tray 21 to deliver the round tube 303 that needs to be delivered in the non-working position in step S1 to the working position, which can be achieved by the rotation of the motor 311 and / or the extension and retraction of the first driving element 706;

[0095] S4, the controller controls the air valve of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to open, and the airflow passes through the sample inlet tube 42 and enters the circular tube 303 at the working position. The airflow exerts an upward thrust on the rotor 51 in the circular tube 303 to make the rotor 51 float, thereby separating the rotor 51 from the latch 56, making it easier for the latch 56 to move away from the rotor 51;

[0096] S5, the controller controls the second driving element 703 to drive the latch 56 to move horizontally, so that the latch 56 moves in a direction away from the rotor 51;

[0097] S6, the controller controls the gas valve of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to gradually reduce the gas output, and the rotor 51 enters the sample injection tube 42 under the action of its own weight;

[0098] S7, detect the detection signals of the position sensor at the top of the sampling tube 42 and the position sensor at the bottom of the sampling tube 42, and determine whether the rotor 51 has successfully reached the bottom of the sampling tube 42. If successful, the process ends; if unsuccessful, steps 4 to 7 are repeated in a loop (opening and closing the air valve multiple times) until the rotor 51 successfully reaches the bottom of the sampling tube 42.

[0099] As a preferred solution, the present invention uses air blowing to send the rotor 51 at the bottom of the injection tube 42 into the round tube 303 at the working position. In step S2, the specific steps of sending the rotor 51 at the bottom of the injection tube 42 into the round tube 303 at the working position and supporting it through the latch 56 are as follows:

[0100] S2.1, determine whether there is a rotor 51 in the round tube 303 of the working position, if there is no rotor 51 in the round tube 303 of the working position, enter S2.2, if there is a rotor 51 in the round tube 303 of the working position, enter S2.3:

[0101] S2.2. This step specifically includes the following sub-steps:

[0102] S2.2.1, the second driving element 703 drives the latch 56 to move horizontally, so that the latch 56 moves in a direction away from the rotor 51;

[0103] S2.2.2. The controller controls the air valve on the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to open, and the airflow from the air valve enters the injection tube 42 to blow upward and push the rotor 51 in the injection tube 42 to float to the circular tube 303 at the working position;

[0104] S2.2.3, the controller reads the position sensor at the bottom of the injection tube 42, the position sensor at the top of the injection tube 42 and the photoelectric sensor 710 on the round tube 303 at the working position, and determines whether the rotor 51 reaches the top of the round tube 303 at the working position;

[0105] If the photoelectric sensor 710 detects that the rotor 51 has arrived, the second driving element 703 moves so that the latch 56 returns under the action of the return spring 55, the latch 56 is inserted into the round tube 303, and then the air valve is closed, and the rotor 51 falls and is supported and fixed in the round tube by the latch 56;

[0106] If the photoelectric sensor 710 detects that the rotor 51 has not arrived, the air valve is closed and opened cyclically to allow the airflow to push the rotor 51 upward until the rotor 51 reaches the top of the round tube 303 at the working position, and the second driving element 703 moves so that the latch 56 returns to its original position under the action of the return spring 55 and is inserted into the round tube 303, and then the air valve is closed, and the rotor 51 falls and is supported and fixed in the round tube by the latch 56;

[0107] S2.3, including the following sub-steps:

[0108] S2.3.1. Read the detection signal of the photoelectric sensor 710 corresponding to each round tube 303 on the sample tray 21, and find the number N of the round tube 303 closest to the working position and without the rotor 51 in the round tube 303. 空 ;

[0109] S2.3.2, moving the round tube 303 found in step S2.3.1 to the working position;

[0110] S2.3.3, perform the above step S2.2, and move the rotor 51 at the bottom of the injection tube 42 into the circular tube 303 that has moved to the working position in step S2.2.2.

[0111] The first driving element 706 can be selected from a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, an electric cylinder or an electric push rod, and the second driving element 703 can be selected from a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, an electric cylinder or an electric push rod. When there are two circles of round tubes 303 on the sample tray 21, the positioning blocks 707 correspond to the limit positions of horizontal movement of the outer circle of the round tube 303 and the limit positions of horizontal movement of the inner circle of the round tube 303 respectively; when the round tube 303 exceeds two circles, the positioning blocks 707 correspond to the limit positions of horizontal movement of the outermost circle and the innermost circle respectively; when the round tube 303 exceeds two circles, the first driving element 706 is an electric cylinder and is equipped with an encoder 64 for accurately controlling the moving position of the moving seat 44.

[0112] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 7After the automatic sample feeder of the present invention is installed on the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer 81, the connecting plate on the output shaft of the second driving element 703 extends out, pushing the movable seat 44 to move horizontally to the right, so that the sample tray 21 also moves to the right, and the positioning block 707 on the right side of the base limits the slider 308 to ensure that the center of the tube mouth of the sample tube 42 is aligned with the center of one of the round tubes 303 on the outer ring of the sample tray 21, and then the round tube 303 is in the working position. The output shaft of the motor 311 rotates to drive the second bevel gear 310, the first bevel gear 306 and the sample tray 21 to rotate in turn, and the rotation of the sample tray 21 drives the transmission shaft 62 to rotate, and then drives the inner ring of the electric slip ring 61 and the rotating shaft of the encoder 64 to rotate in turn. The encoder 64 will detect the angle of the sample tray 21 in real time and feedback it to the control system. The controller then corrects the position error to achieve closed-loop control of the entire system and ensure the accuracy of the alignment of the round tube 303 with the sample tube 42. When the round tube 303 is precisely aligned with the sample injection tube 42, the output shaft of the second driving element 703 extends out, pushing the driving element fixing seat 702 and the push rod 701 upward in turn. The guide rod 704 prevents the push rod 701 from angular deflection during the up and down movement. The push rod 701 moves upward to push the push rod 52 to move upward and insert into the push rod hole 54, forcing the latch 56 to move right. The latch 56 completely withdraws from the inner cavity of the round tube 303 and shrinks into the latch hole 53 of the round tube 303. The rotor 51 loses its support and, under the action of the airflow from the air valve of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer (the air valve is connected to the compressed air tank), gradually and slowly falls from the round tube 303 into the sample injection tube 42. After the nuclear magnetic resonance test is completed, the rotor 51 is under the action of the airflow from the air valve The rotor 51 is supported by the rotor 51 and the sample tube 303 is supported by the motor 311. The ...

[0113] When the analysis of the samples in the outer circle of the sample tray 21 is completed, the connecting plate of the first driving element 706 retracts, pushing the sample tray 21 to the left, and the positioning block 707 on the left limits the slider 308 to ensure that the center of the tube mouth of the injection tube 42 is aligned with the circle where the center of one of the circular tubes 303 in the inner circle of the sample tray 21 is located. The motor 311 drives the sample tray 21 to rotate, and the analysis of the samples in each circular tube 303 in the inner circle of the sample tray 21 is completed according to the above process.

[0114] It will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic sample feeder, It is characterized in that It includes a base, a first driving element, a moving seat, a motor, a sample tray, a second driving element and a plurality of sample delivery units, wherein: The first driving element is installed on the base, and the output shaft of the first driving element is connected to the moving seat to drive the moving seat to move horizontally; The motor is fixedly mounted on the moving seat, the sample tray is rotatably mounted on the moving seat, and the motor is connected to the sample tray to drive the sample tray to rotate; Each of the sample delivery units comprises a round tube, a rotor, a latch and a return spring. The round tube is vertically mounted on the sample tray. Both the upper and lower ends of the round tube are open. A latch hole and a plurality of exhaust holes are circumferentially arranged on the side wall of the round tube, and the latch hole is located below all the exhaust holes. One end of the latch is inserted into the round tube from the latch hole. The rotor is located in the round tube and is received by the latch. One end of the return spring is connected to the latch and the other end is connected to the sample tray, so that the latch exiting the inner hole of the round tube moves toward the direction close to the rotor to receive the fallen rotor. All the circular tubes are distributed on a plurality of circles and the circles are concentric, and the circular tubes on each circle are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction; The second driving element is mounted on the base and is used to drive the latch to move in a direction away from the rotor, so that the rotor falls out of the round tube under its own gravity and then enters the sample inlet tube of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer.

2. An automatic sample feeder according to claim 1, It is characterized in that Each of the sample delivery units further comprises a push rod that can move upward under the drive of the second driving element, the sample tray is respectively provided with a through hole at a position corresponding to each push rod, a boss is provided on the push rod, the lower end of the push rod passes through the through hole and the boss is received by the sample tray; A pushing surface is arranged at the top end of the push rod, and the pushing surface is used to push the latch to move when the push rod moves upward, so that the latch moves in a direction away from the rotor.

3. An automatic sample feeder according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The latch pin is provided with a push rod hole, and the center of the push rod hole is vertically arranged; The pushing surface is a conical surface that is smaller at the top and larger at the bottom, so as to extend into the push rod hole and contact the edge of the push rod hole to push the latch to move so as to move the latch in a direction away from the rotor.

4. An automatic sample feeder according to claim 1, It is characterized in that It also includes an electric slip ring and an encoder, the encoder is installed on the moving seat, and the encoder is connected to the sample plate through a transmission shaft to measure the angular displacement of the sample plate, each of the round tubes is numbered in sequence, and the round tubes are assigned a unique encoder angular displacement value according to the number, the encoder is connected to the controller through a cable, the inner ring of the electric slip ring is installed on the transmission shaft, and the outer ring of the electric slip ring is fixed on the moving seat. The inner ring and outer ring of the electric slip ring are respectively fixed with a number of cables that are electrically connected when rotating, the cables fixed to the inner ring of the electric slip ring are connected to the photoelectric sensor, and the cables fixed to the outer ring of the electric slip ring are connected to the controller.

5. An automatic sample feeder according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The sample tray is provided with a photoelectric sensor and a color LED indicator light at a position corresponding to each round tube. The detection head of the photoelectric sensor on each round tube is aligned with one of the exhaust holes to detect whether there is a rotor in the round tube. Each of the photoelectric sensors is connected to the controller through the electric slip ring and the cable fixed on the electric slip ring. The color LED indicator light is an RGB three-color indicator light, which is used to display various colors composed of RGB, and: When the photoelectric sensor detects that there is no rotor in the round tube and the round tube is in the non-working position, the color LED indicator light turns green; When the round tube is in the working position, the colored LED indicator light turns red; When the photoelectric sensor detects that there is a rotor in the round tube and the round tube is in a non-working position, then: if the rotor has not yet entered the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer for detection, the color LED indicator will be yellow; if the rotor has entered the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to complete the detection and has exited from the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer into the round tube, the color LED indicator will be green; The position of the round tube on the sample tray that is aligned with the sample inlet tube of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer is the working position of the round tube, and other positions of the round tube on the sample tray are non-working positions of the round tube.

6. The automatic sample feeder according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The base is provided with a horizontal slide rail, and the movable seat is installed on the slide rail through a slider. A position sensor is also arranged on the base to obtain the horizontal moving position of the movable seat or the sample tray, so that the first driving element can control the movable seat to stay in the set position.

7. An automatic sample feeder according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The invention also comprises two position sensors which are respectively arranged at the top and the bottom of the sampling tube so as to obtain the position of the rotor in the sampling tube.

8. An automatic sample feeder according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The outer wall of the rotor has a step so that the compressed gas can enter the injection tube and blow upward on the step of the rotor, thereby applying an upward thrust to the rotor to make the rotor float out of the injection tube and enter the circular tube aligned with the injection tube. When the rotor floats to a height where the step is higher than the exhaust hole, the compressed gas that pushes the rotor to float is discharged from the exhaust hole, so that the rotor stays at a position corresponding to the exhaust hole.

9. A sample feeding method of an automatic sample feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 8, It is characterized in that The following steps are involved: S1, the controller receives the serial number of the round tube that needs to be sent to the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer in the non-working position, and reads the detection status of the photoelectric sensor on the round tube that needs to be sent to the non-working position. If the photoelectric sensor detects that there is a rotor in the round tube that needs to be sent to the non-working position, the process enters step S2. If the photoelectric sensor detects that there is no rotor in the round tube that needs to be sent to the non-working position, an error is reported and the process ends; wherein, the position of the round tube on the sample tray that is aligned with the sample inlet tube of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer is the working position of the round tube, and the other positions of the round tube on the sample tray are the non-working positions of the round tube; S2, the controller reads the detection signals of the position sensor at the bottom of the injection tube of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer and the position sensor at the top of the injection tube, and detects whether there is a rotor at the bottom of the injection tube. If a rotor is detected at the bottom of the injection tube, the rotor at the bottom of the injection tube is first sent to the round tube at the working position and supported by a latch; if no rotor is detected at the bottom of the injection tube, the process proceeds to step S3; S3, the controller controls the horizontal position of the moving seat and the rotation angle of the sample tray to move the round tube that needs to be sampled in the non-working position in step S1 to the working position; S4, the controller controls the air valve of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to open, and the airflow passes through the sample inlet tube and enters the circular tube at the working position. The airflow exerts an upward thrust on the rotor in the circular tube to make the rotor float, thereby separating the rotor from the latch; S5, the controller controls the second driving element to drive the latch to move horizontally, so that the latch moves in a direction away from the rotor; S6, the controller controls the gas valve of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to gradually reduce the gas output, and the rotor enters the sample injection tube under the action of its own weight; S7, the controller detects detection signals of the position sensor at the top of the injection tube and the position sensor at the bottom of the injection tube to determine whether the rotor reaches the bottom of the injection tube; S8. If the rotor reaches the bottom of the injection tube, the process ends. If the rotor does not reach the bottom of the injection tube, steps S4 to S7 are repeated in a loop until the rotor successfully reaches the bottom of the injection tube.

10. The sample feeding method of the automatic sample feeder according to claim 9, It is characterized in that In step S2, the specific steps of sending the rotor at the bottom of the injection tube into the round tube at the working position and supporting it through the latch are as follows: S2.1, determine whether there is a rotor in the round tube of the working position, if there is no rotor in the round tube of the working position, enter S2.2, if there is a rotor in the round tube of the working position, enter S2.3; S2.

2. This step specifically includes the following sub-steps: S2.2.1, the second driving element drives the latch to move horizontally, so that the latch moves in a direction away from the rotor; S2.2.

2. The controller controls the air valve on the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to open, and the airflow from the air valve enters the injection tube to blow upward and push the rotor in the injection tube to float to the top of the round tube at the working position; S2.2.3, the controller reads the position sensor at the bottom of the injection tube, the position sensor at the top of the injection tube and the photoelectric sensor on the round tube at the working position, and determines whether the rotor reaches the top of the round tube at the working position; If the photoelectric sensor detects that the rotor has arrived, the second drive element moves so that the latch returns under the action of the return spring, the latch is inserted into the round tube, and then the air valve is closed, the rotor falls and is fixed in the round tube by the latch support; If the photoelectric sensor detects that the rotor has not arrived, the air flow is pushed upward by cyclically closing and opening the air valve until the rotor reaches the top of the round tube at the working position, and the second drive element moves so that the latch returns to its original position under the action of the return spring and is inserted into the round tube, and then the air valve is closed, and the rotor falls and is fixed in the round tube by the latch support; S2.3, including the following sub-steps: S2.3.

1. Read the detection signal of the photoelectric sensor corresponding to each round tube on the sample tray, and find the number of the round tube closest to the working position and without a rotor in the round tube; S2.3.2, let the round tube found in step S2.3.1 move to the working position; S2.3.

3. Carry out the above step S2.2 to move the rotor at the bottom of the injection tube into the circular tube moved to the working position in step S2.2.2.

Images