Automatic water sampler for collecting microplastic sediments in lake water

Abstract

The present invention discloses an automatic water quality sampler for collecting microplastic sediments in lake water bodies, comprising a floating roof, a counterweight block arranged under the floating roof, the upper end of the counterweight block fixedly connected to the upper plate, and the lower end fixedly connected to the lower plate, a plurality of rack columns arranged outside the counterweight block, a water sampling tube connected to the top of each rack column, the water sampling tube being inserted into the upper plate, a sediment sampling tube connected to the bottom of each rack column, the sediment sampling tube being under the lower plate, the rack column vertically slidingly connected to the lower plate, a sampling gear also being arranged on the lower plate, the sampling gear being able to move on the lower plate and engage with each rack column; the present invention enables the device to float on the sampling point for a long time through the setting of the floating roof, and realizes sampling at different time points by controlling the movement of the rack column through a motor, thereby eliminating the need for researchers to repeatedly travel back and forth between the sampling points, avoiding the high-load physical exertion of researchers caused by frequent travel back and forth between different sampling points, and reducing the time spent on commuting between sampling points.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of lake water treatment sampling, and specifically to an automatic water quality sampler for sampling microplastic sediments in lake water bodies. Background Art

[0002] Microplastics are found in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and oceans. The environmental hazards of microplastic pollution in lakes are influenced by their abundance, size, shape, and composition. The distribution and abundance of microplastics in lakes vary significantly between ice-covered and ice-free periods, with higher concentrations of microplastics in ice during the ice-covered period. In this context, research is needed to sample and measure the abundance, size, shape, and composition of microplastics in ice, water, and sediments at different times and periods.

[0003] Based on my country's water environment and lake wetland survey standards, and taking into account the distribution and hydrodynamic characteristics of the actual lake (Wulangsuhai Lake) sewage inlet, the lake was spatially gridded into a 2km x 2km square grid. Sample collection points were set at the intersections of the square grids. Plastic composition at different times has varying impacts on organisms in the environment. Different plastic components have varying toxicities and potential harm to organisms. Based on this, water samples were collected periodically at these collection points (e.g., 10-16 times at different times within a 36-hour period).

[0004] Currently, sampling during the ice-free season involves regularly traveling by boat to designated collection points, relying on manual labor to collect water and underwater sediment samples. To observe how microplastic concentrations at specific sampling points change over time, researchers must periodically repeat sampling at those locations. This requires frequent travel between sampling points, consuming significant time and effort, increasing labor intensity and impacting sampling efficiency and subsequent research.

[0005] Periodic repeated sampling is performed at designated collection points. Water and sediment collection cannot be completed simultaneously, and high-efficiency collection cannot be achieved. At the same time, the equipment must be small in size to facilitate transportation and underwater arrangement. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic water sampler for collecting microplastic sediments in lake water bodies to solve the problems raised in the above background technology.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: an automatic water quality sampler for collecting microplastic sediments in lake water, comprising a floating roof and a sampling assembly equipped with a plurality of rack columns, wherein each rack column is detachably connected to a water sampling tube on the top and a sediment sampling tube on the bottom, the water sampling tube is inserted into the upper plate, and the sediment sampling tube is located below the lower plate, the upper plate and the lower plate are fixedly connected, the rack columns are vertically slidably connected to the lower plate, and the lower plate is further provided with a sampling gear that can move along the circumference of the lower plate and can mesh with each rack column; the sampling gear is driven by a motor to drive the rack column to move along its axis;

[0008] The sampling gear is connected to the lower plate through an intermittent rotating assembly, and the intermittent rotating assembly includes a toggle plate with a guide strip set on the outer circle and an intermittent wheel with a plurality of intermittent shafts. The sampling gear is coaxially installed with the toggle plate. After the toggle plate rotates one circle, the guide strip on it contacts and toggles the intermittent shaft, so that the intermittent wheel drives the rotating gear coaxially connected with it to move on the ring gear, and the ring gear is fixedly connected to the lower plate. The intermittent rotating assembly is installed on a horizontal seat, and the horizontal seat is always slidably connected to the lower plate. The rotating gear moves on the ring gear to move the sampling gear to the next rack column.

[0009] Preferably, a limit block is fixedly connected under the horizontal seat, and the limit block is also slidably connected in the limit groove. The limit groove is annular and is arranged on the lower plate. The intermittent wheel and the toggle plate are rotatably connected in the support box, and the support box is fixedly connected to the horizontal seat. The motor that drives the sampling gear is fixed on the horizontal seat.

[0010] Preferably, a winding shaft is rotatably connected in the floating roof, the winding shaft is driven by a motor, one end of a chain is fixedly connected to the winding shaft, and the other end of the chain is fixedly connected to a block. The chain can be wound around the winding shaft, and the block is fixedly connected to the upper disk.

[0011] Preferably, the clamping block is in a truncated cone shape, and a groove of a corresponding shape is provided inside the floating roof, and the clamping block can be inserted into the floating roof.

[0012] Preferably, the upper plate is provided with a plurality of circular holes, and permanent magnets are embedded around the circular holes.

[0013] Preferably, the upper end of the water sampling tube is fixedly connected to the water sampling tube limiting plate, the diameter of the water sampling tube limiting plate is larger than the circular hole on the upper plate, and the water sampling tube limiting plate is also embedded with a permanent magnet. The water sampling tube is slidably connected to the piston, the piston is fixedly connected to the upper end of the pull rod, the lower end of the pull rod is rotated to connect the nut, the nut is threadedly connected to the upper end of the water sampling tube connecting rod, and the lower end of the water sampling tube connecting rod is fixedly connected to the rack column.

[0014] Preferably, the sediment collection tube is hollow, and its upper end is inserted into the upper cap, and the lower end of the upper cap is fixedly connected to the middle part of the clamp, one end of the clamp is always rotated to connect the clamp bolt, and the other end of the clamp slides horizontally on the clamp bolt, and the clamp bolt is threadedly connected to the clamp nut, and the clamp tightly clamps the sediment collection tube, and the upper cap is fixedly connected to the lower end of the connecting rod of the sediment collection tube, and the upper end of the connecting rod of the sediment collection tube is fixedly connected to the rack column.

[0015] Preferably, the water sampling tube and the upper cap are both provided with a one-way valve.

[0016] Preferably, the middle parts of the upper plate and the lower plate are connected by a counterweight.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0018] The present invention enables the device to float at the sampling point for a long time through the setting of a floating roof, and realizes sampling at different time points by controlling the movement of the rack column through a motor, thereby eliminating the need for researchers to repeatedly travel back and forth between sampling points, significantly reducing the physical labor intensity during the sampling process, and avoiding the high-load physical exertion caused by researchers frequently traveling back and forth between different sampling points; reducing the time spent on commuting between sampling points, allowing researchers to focus more time on core research work.

[0019] The present invention installs the water sampling tube and the sediment sampling tube on the upper and lower ends of the rack column respectively to form a rod form. The downward movement of the rack column can achieve the functions of synchronously driving the water sampling tube to pump water and sample and the sediment sampling tube to sink and collect sediment. The simultaneous completion of water sampling and sediment sampling further improves the collection efficiency. At the same time, the rod form makes the equipment compact and convenient for transportation and underwater arrangement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of a single water sampling tube, a sediment sampling tube, and a rack column of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of a single water sampling tube, a sediment sampling tube, and a rack column from another angle of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the dial of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the floating roof of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram of the nut of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7Schematic diagram of the structure of the piston of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic structural diagram of the sampling gear of the present invention.

[0028] In the figure: 1, floating roof, 101, winding shaft, 102, chain, 2, card block, 3, upper plate, 4, lower plate, 401, limit groove, 5, counterweight, 6, water sampling tube, 601, water sampling tube limit plate, 602, piston, 603, pull rod, 604, nut, 605, water sampling tube connecting rod, 7, sediment sampling tube, 701, upper cap, 702, clamping hoop, 703, clamping hoop bolt, 704, clamping hoop nut, 705, sediment sampling tube connecting rod, 8, rack column, 801, sampling gear, 9, rotating gear, 901, intermittent wheel, 902, intermittent shaft, 903, toggle plate, 904, horizontal seat, 905, limit block, 906, ring gear, 907, support box. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] See also Figure 1-8In order to solve the problem of researchers frequently traveling back and forth between different sampling points, the floating roof 1 is provided to allow the device to float at the sampling point for a long time, and the movement of the rack column 8 is controlled by a motor to achieve sampling at different time points, thereby eliminating the need for researchers to repeatedly travel back and forth between sampling points, significantly reducing the intensity of physical labor during the sampling process, and avoiding the high-load physical exertion of researchers caused by frequent travel back and forth between different sampling points; reducing the time spent on commuting between sampling points, so that researchers can focus more time on core research work. The present invention provides a technical solution: an automatic water quality sampler for collecting microplastic sediments in lake water bodies, comprising a floating roof 1, the floating roof 1 is made of a material that can float on the water surface, such as wood, foam plastic, inflatable material, etc. A counterweight block 5 is provided under the floating roof 1, the upper end of the counterweight block 5 is fixedly connected to the upper plate 3, and the lower end is fixedly connected to the lower plate 4, and also includes a sampling assembly equipped with a plurality of rack columns 8, each rack column 8 is detachably connected to a water sampling tube 6 on the top and a sediment sampling tube 7 on the bottom, the water sampling tube 6 Inserted on the upper plate 3, the sediment sampling tube 7 is located below the lower plate 4. The upper plate 3 and the lower plate 4 are fixedly connected. The rack column 8 is vertically slidably connected to the lower plate 4. The lower plate 4 is provided with an opening larger than the diameter of the rack column 8 to facilitate the sliding of the rack column 8. The lower plate 4 is also provided with a sampling gear 801 that can move along the circumference of the lower plate 4 and can mesh with each rack column 8. The sampling gear 801 is driven by a motor to drive the rack column 8 along its axis. If needed, an existing anchor assembly can be installed on the floating roof 1 to position the floating roof 1. The floating roof 1 is rotatably connected to the winding shaft 101, which is driven by a motor. One end of the chain 102 is fixedly connected to the winding shaft 101, and the other end of the chain 102 is fixedly connected to the block 2. The chain 102 can be wound around the winding shaft 101, and the block 2 is fixedly connected to the upper plate 3. The clamping block 2 is truncated cone-shaped, and a correspondingly shaped groove is provided inside the floating roof 1, allowing the clamping block 2 to be inserted into the floating roof 1. In this application, the motor and other electrical components are waterproofed. The motor is powered by a self-contained waterproof lithium battery. Alternatively, a battery powered by the floating roof 1 can be installed and connected to the underwater motor via wires. Alternatively, a solar power supply can be installed on the floating roof 1 and connected to the underwater motor via wires. Remote controllers such as GPS and satellite shake sensors can also be added as needed. Electrical components can be selected from existing models based on the operating conditions.Before use, install the water sampling tube 6, sediment sampling tube 7, and rack column 8 so that the rack column 8 is in the highest position. When in use, move multiple devices to the sampling point and put them into the corresponding water area. First, use hand support or a mechanical arm to fix the position of the floating roof 1, then start the winding shaft 101, the winding shaft 101 releases the block 2, and the device sinks under the action of the counterweight 5 until it sinks to the sampling height. Use the anchor assembly or insert a sediment sampling tube 7 to position the device to prevent it from floating away with the water. At this time, the preparation work is completed and the researchers can evacuate. After preparation, when sampling is needed, start the motor, the motor drives the sampling gear 801 to rotate, the sampling gear 801 causes the rack column 8 to descend, and the rack column 8 forms a negative pressure in the water sampling tube 6 to draw water in The water sampling tube 6 is collected, and at the same time, the rack column 8 drives the sediment sampling tube 7 to descend and insert it into the bottom sediment for sampling. When the rack column 8 reaches the maximum descending distance, the rotating gear 9 drives the sampling gear 801 to move to the next rack column 8. When the sampling gear 801 moves to the next rack column 8, the motor is stopped until the next sampling time is started again; the cycle operation is repeated until the sampling is completed; after the sampling is completed, the winding shaft 101 is rotated to retract the block 2, and the block 2 drives the water sampling tube 6 and the sediment sampling tube 7 below it to move upward, and the block 2 is stuck in the floating roof 1. At this time, the entire device can be taken away. After reaching the appropriate position, the water sampling tube 6 and the sediment sampling tube 7 are removed to take out the water samples and mud samples therein for research. At this time, the rack column 8 can also be removed for cleaning and storage.

[0031] In order to realize sampling of the water sample tube 6 and the sediment sample tube 7 one by one according to the required time, the sampling gear 801 is connected to the lower plate 4 through an intermittent rotating assembly. The intermittent rotating assembly includes a toggle plate 903 with a guide strip set on the outer circle and an intermittent wheel 901 with a plurality of intermittent shafts 902. The guide strip is composed of an arc and two parallel oblique lines, such as Figure 4As shown, the sampling gear 801 is coaxially mounted with a toggle disk 903, the intermittent wheel 901 is fixedly connected to the rotating gear 9 through an axis, and the rotating gear 9 is meshed with the ring gear 906. After the toggle disk 903 rotates one circle, the guide bar on it contacts and toggles the intermittent shaft 902, so that the intermittent wheel 901 drives the rotating gear 9 coaxially connected thereto to move on the ring gear 906, so that every time the toggle disk 903 rotates one circle, the intermittent wheel 901 is toggled through an angle of the intermittent shaft 902, and the ring gear 906 is fixedly connected to the lower plate 4. The intermittent rotating assembly is mounted on the horizontal seat 904, and the horizontal seat 904 is always slidably connected to the lower plate 4. The rotating gear 9 moves on the ring gear 906 to move the sampling gear 801 to the next rack column 8. The intermittent wheel 901 and the toggle plate 903 are rotatably connected to the support box 907, which is fixedly connected to the horizontal base 904. The sampling gear 801 is driven by a motor, which is fixed to the horizontal base 904. The horizontal base 904 is always slidably connected to the lower plate 4. A limit block 905 is fixedly connected below the horizontal base 904. The limit block 905 is also slidably connected to the limit groove 401, which is annular and provided on the lower plate 4. When in use, start the motor, the motor drives the sampling gear 801 to rotate, the sampling gear 801 causes the rack column 8 to drop, and at the same time, the sampling gear 801 drives the toggle plate 903 to rotate. When the sampling gear 801 rotates one circle and the rack column 8 reaches the lowest position, the toggle plate 903 rotates one circle, and the toggle plate 903 drives the guide bar thereon to rotate one circle. The guide bar toggles the intermittent shaft 902 to move, and the intermittent shaft 902 drives the intermittent wheel 901 to rotate, so that the intermittent wheel 901 is toggled through an angle of the intermittent shaft 902, and the intermittent wheel 901 drives the rotating gear 9 to rotate. Since the ring gear 906 is fixed, the rotating gear 9 walks on the ring gear 906, and the rotating gear 9 drives the supporting box 907 to move. The supporting box 907 drives the horizontal seat 904 to move, and the horizontal seat 904 drives the limit block 905 to slide in the limit slot 401. The horizontal seat 904 drives the sampling gear 801 to leave the rack column 8 meshing with it and move to the next rack column 8. The rack column 8 is set to a cylindrical shape, and the tooth edge of the sampling gear 801 is set to be as follows Figure 8 When the teeth of the sampling gear 801 are misaligned with the rack column 8, the inclined surface provides a guide for the rack column 8, causing the rack column 8 to move slightly so that the rack column 8 and the sampling gear 801 can be meshed to avoid interference. The displacement of the rack column 8 is so small that it does not affect the sampling.

[0032] To facilitate water sampling, the upper plate 3 is provided with several circular holes, surrounded by permanent magnets. The upper end of the water sampling tube 6 is fixedly connected to a water sampling tube stopper 601. The diameter of this stopper 601 is larger than the circular hole in the upper plate 3, and a permanent magnet is also embedded in this stopper 601. A piston 602 is slidably connected to the water sampling tube 6, which is fixedly connected to the upper end of a pull rod 603. The lower end of the pull rod 603 is rotatably connected to a nut 604. This nut 604 is threadedly connected to the upper end of a water sampling tube connecting rod 605, the lower end of which is fixedly connected to a rack column 8. During use, the water sampling tube stopper 601 and the upper plate 3 are attracted together by the magnets. Sampling can be performed by threading the nut 604 onto the upper end of the water sampling tube connecting rod 605. After sampling is completed, the nut 604 is loosened and the water sampling tube 6 is withdrawn upward.

[0033] To facilitate mud sampling, the sediment sampling tube 7 is hollow, with its upper end inserted into an upper cap 701. The lower portion of the upper cap 701 is fixedly connected to the center of a clamping hoop 702. One end of the clamping hoop 702 is constantly connected to a clamping bolt 703, while the other end slides horizontally on the clamping bolt 703. The clamping bolt 703 is threadedly connected to a clamping nut 704, tightening the clamping hoop 702 against the sediment sampling tube 7. To achieve a seal, the inner diameter of the upper cap 701 can be tapered, narrower at the top and wider at the bottom. This allows the sediment sampling tube 7 to be inserted into the upper cap 701 and tightened by the clamping hoop 702 to form a seal. The upper cap 701 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the sediment sampling tube connecting rod 705, the upper end of which is fixedly connected to the rack column 8. Both the water sampling tube 6 and the upper cap 701 are equipped with one-way valves. When the sampling gear 801 drives the rack column 8 to descend, and the rack column 8 drives the pull rod 603 in the water sampling tube 6 to descend, the pull rod 603 drives the piston 602 to descend, and the piston 602 moves downward to form a negative pressure in the water sampling tube 6. Water is drawn into the water sampling tube 6 from the one-way valve at the top of the water sampling tube 6. Due to the action of the one-way valve, the water entering the water sampling tube 6 will not flow back out of the water sampling tube 6, thereby realizing the storage of the sampled water in the water sampling tube 6. When the rack column 8 drives the sediment collection tube 7 downward and inserts it into the underwater sediment, the sediment enters the sediment collection tube 7, squeezing the air inside and expelling it through the one-way valve on the upper cap 701. This one-way valve can only discharge air outward, not inward. After the sediment is collected, the sediment seals the lower end of the sediment collection tube 7, while the upper end of the sediment collection tube 7 is sealed by the one-way valve provided on the upper cap 701. This creates a negative pressure in the sediment collection tube 7, realizing the sediment storage function of the sediment collection tube 7. During use, the sediment collection tube 7 is clamped with the clamp 702 to carry out sampling. After sampling is completed, the clamp nut 704 is turned to loosen the clamp 702 and the sediment collection tube 7 is ready.

[0034] While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, and that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automatic water sampler for collecting microplastic sediments in lake water, comprising a floating top (1), characterized in that: It also includes a sampling assembly equipped with a plurality of rack columns (8), each rack column (8) is detachably connected to a water sampling tube (6) on the top and a sediment sampling tube (7) on the bottom, the water sampling tube (6) is inserted into the upper plate (3), the sediment sampling tube (7) is located below the lower plate (4), the upper plate (3) and the lower plate (4) are fixedly connected, the rack column (8) is vertically slidably connected to the lower plate (4), and the lower plate (4) is further provided with a sampling gear (801) that can move along the circumference of the lower plate (4) and can mesh with each rack column (8); the sampling gear (801) drives the rack column (8) to move along its axis direction through the drive of the motor; The sampling gear (801) is connected to the lower plate (4) through an intermittent rotating assembly, and the intermittent rotating assembly includes a toggle plate (903) with a guide bar set on the outer circle and an intermittent wheel (901) with a plurality of intermittent shafts (902). The sampling gear (801) is coaxially mounted with the toggle plate (903). After the toggle plate (903) rotates one circle, the guide bar on it contacts and toggles the intermittent shaft (902), so that the intermittent wheel (901) drives the rotating gear (9) coaxially connected to it to move on the ring gear (906). The ring gear (906) is fixedly connected to the lower plate (4). The intermittent rotating assembly is installed on a horizontal seat (904). The horizontal seat (904) is always slidably connected to the lower plate (4). The rotating gear (9) moves on the ring gear (906) to move the sampling gear (801) to the next rack column (8).

2. The automatic water sampler for collecting microplastic sediments in lake water according to claim 1, characterized in that: The horizontal seat (904) is fixedly connected to a limit block (905) below, and the limit block (905) is also slidably connected to the limit groove (401). The limit groove (401) is annular and is arranged on the lower plate (4). The intermittent wheel (901) and the toggle plate (903) are rotatably connected to the support box (907). The support box (907) is fixedly connected to the horizontal seat (904). The motor driving the sampling gear (801) is fixed on the horizontal seat (904).

3. The automatic water sampler for collecting microplastic sediments in lake water according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The floating roof (1) is rotatably connected to a winding shaft (101), which is driven by a motor. One end of a chain (102) is fixedly connected to the winding shaft (101), and the other end of the chain (102) is fixedly connected to a clamping block (2). The chain (102) can be wound around the winding shaft (101), and the clamping block (2) is fixedly connected to the upper disk (3).

4. The automatic water sampler for collecting microplastic sediments in lake water according to claim 3 is characterized in that: The clamping block (2) is in a truncated cone shape, and a groove of a corresponding shape is provided inside the floating roof (1), so that the clamping block (2) can be inserted into the floating roof (1).

5. The automatic water sampler for collecting microplastic sediments in lake water according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper plate (3) is provided with a plurality of circular holes, and permanent magnets are embedded around the circular holes.

6. The automatic water sampler for collecting microplastic sediments in lake water according to claim 5, characterized in that: The upper end of the water sampling tube (6) is fixedly connected to the water sampling tube limiting piece (601), the diameter of the water sampling tube limiting piece (601) is larger than the circular hole on the upper plate (3), and a permanent magnet is also embedded in the water sampling tube limiting piece (601). The water sampling tube (6) is slidably connected to the piston (602), and the piston (602) is fixedly connected to the upper end of the pull rod (603). The lower end of the pull rod (603) is rotatably connected to the nut (604), and the nut (604) is threadedly connected to the upper end of the water sampling tube connecting rod (605). The lower end of the water sampling tube connecting rod (605) is fixedly connected to the rack column (8).

7. The automatic water sampler for collecting microplastic sediments in lake water according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sediment collection tube (7) is hollow, and its upper end is inserted into the upper cap (701). The lower end of the upper cap (701) is fixedly connected to the middle part of the clamp (702). One end of the clamp (702) is always rotated to connect the clamp bolt (703). The other end of the clamp (702) slides horizontally on the clamp bolt (703). The clamp bolt (703) is threadedly connected to the clamp nut (704). The clamp (702) clamps the sediment collection tube (7). The upper cap (701) is fixedly connected to the lower end of the sediment collection tube connecting rod (705). The upper end of the sediment collection tube connecting rod (705) is fixedly connected to the rack column (8).

8. The automatic water sampler for collecting microplastic sediments in lake water according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The water sampling tube (6) and the upper cap (701) are both provided with a one-way valve.

9. The automatic water sampler for collecting microplastic sediments in lake water according to claim 1, characterized in that: The middle parts of the upper plate (3) and the lower plate (4) are connected via a counterweight (5).

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