Test bottle station switching device, control method thereof and automatic detection equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a test bottle station switching device and method and automatic detection equipment, the test bottle station switching device comprises a workbench, a turntable, an inner friction ring and a plurality of brackets, and the turntable is rotatably arranged on the workbench; the inner friction ring is fixedly arranged right above the turntable, and the inner friction ring is fixedly connected with the turntable through the base frame; the multiple brackets are fixedly connected to the workbench, each bracket is rotationally provided with a middle ring, the middle rings are arranged in the inner friction ring, and the outer circumferential wall of each middle ring abuts against the inner circumferential wall of the inner friction ring. The middle ring can drive the inner friction ring and the turntable to rotate synchronously through the friction force between the middle ring and the inner friction ring; wherein the middle ring is enclosed to form a manipulator channel, and the manipulator channel penetrates through the bracket. Therefore, the structure of the automatic detection equipment can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced; and the continuity of automation of the detection process is also ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of experimental equipment, and in particular to a test bottle station switching device and its control method, as well as automated testing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of automated experiments and analysis (such as wastewater sampling and testing), it is often necessary to accurately transfer and position the test bottles containing samples between different workstations. The specific process is as follows: first, a robotic arm moves the test bottle to the identification station for barcode scanning and identification, and then transfers it to the next workstation (such as the capping and sampling station) to carry out subsequent experimental operations.

[0003] Currently, existing technologies mostly employ a reciprocating swing arm device between adjacent workstations to achieve sample bottle repositioning. Upon receiving a repositioning command, the reciprocating swing arm device pushes the sample bottle from one workstation to another. While this solution can meet the requirement of sample bottle switching between adjacent workstations, it has significant drawbacks: Firstly, the additional reciprocating swing arm device and its associated power and control systems increase the structural complexity and manufacturing cost of the entire automated testing equipment. Secondly, the movement rhythm of this reciprocating swing arm device is difficult to coordinate efficiently with the main testing process, easily disrupting the continuity of the automated testing process and thus affecting the overall efficiency of the testing operation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a test bottle station switching device and its control method, as well as an automated testing equipment, that can solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this application provides the following technical solution: A test bottle station switching device, the test bottle station switching device comprising: Workbench; A turntable, which is rotatably mounted on the worktable; An inner friction ring is fixedly disposed directly above the turntable, and the inner friction ring is fixedly connected to the turntable via a base frame; Multiple brackets are fixedly connected to the worktable. Each bracket is rotatably mounted with an intermediate ring, which is disposed inside the inner friction ring. The outer peripheral wall of each intermediate ring abuts against the inner peripheral wall of the inner friction ring, so that the intermediate ring can drive the inner friction ring and the turntable to rotate synchronously through the friction between the intermediate ring and the inner friction ring. The intermediate ring encloses a robotic arm channel, which extends through the bracket.

[0006] In one embodiment, the bracket includes a support ring body with a boss on it, the boss being able to be inserted into and engaged with the corresponding intermediate ring, and causing the support ring body to abut against the corresponding intermediate ring; The robotic arm channel is configured to pass through the support ring.

[0007] In one embodiment, the test bottle station switching device further includes a friction strip disposed between the inner peripheral wall of the inner friction ring and the outer peripheral wall of the intermediate ring, for providing the intermediate ring with a frictional force that drives the inner friction ring to rotate synchronously.

[0008] In one embodiment, the number of intermediate rings is configured to be two, and the two intermediate rings are disposed on two symmetrical sides of the internal friction ring.

[0009] In one embodiment, the base frame includes multiple vertical beams, which are spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the inner friction ring, and the multiple vertical beams together serve to support the inner friction ring. The vertical beam is arranged perpendicular to the turntable.

[0010] In one embodiment, the turntable is rotatably mounted on the worktable via bearings.

[0011] This application also provides a test bottle station switching control method, applied to the test bottle station switching device described above, the test bottle station switching control method comprising the following steps: The robotic arm is controlled to grip the test bottle and move it through one of the intermediate rings, placing the test bottle on the turntable; Control the robotic arm to release its grip on the test bottle and detach from it; Control the robotic arm to close and rise until it extends into the middle ring directly above it; Control the robotic arm to open and tighten the middle ring; The robot arm is controlled to rotate, and the inner friction ring and turntable rotate synchronously through the intermediate ring.

[0012] This application also provides an automated testing device, including the test bottle station switching device described above.

[0013] Due to the application of the above solution, this application has the following advantages compared with the prior art: The test bottle station switching device and method claimed in this application, as well as the automated testing equipment, utilize the contact between the intermediate ring and the inner friction ring. This allows the robotic arm, which places test bottles onto the turntable through the robotic arm channel, to drive the inner friction ring and the turntable to rotate synchronously via the intermediate ring. This enables the transfer of test bottles placed on the turntable. On the one hand, it eliminates the need for a reciprocating swing arm device, simplifying the structure of the automated testing equipment and reducing manufacturing costs. On the other hand, it ensures the continuity of the automated testing process, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the automated testing equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the conventional technology, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the conventional technology will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the test bottle station switching device provided in this application.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional view from another perspective of the test bottle station switching device provided in this application.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the robotic arm holding the test bottle in this application.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the robotic arm passing through the robotic arm channel of the intermediate ring in this application.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure when the robotic arm grips and fixes the intermediate ring in this application.

[0020] Figure 6 A flowchart of the test bottle station switching control method provided in this application.

[0021] Reference numerals: 100, Test bottle station switching device; 10, Workbench; 20, Turntable; 30, Inner friction ring; 310, Inner peripheral wall; 31, Base frame; 311, Vertical beam; 40, Bracket; 41, Support ring body; 411, Boss; 42, Support; 50, Intermediate ring; 510, Outer peripheral wall; 501, Robotic arm passage; 200, Robotic arm; 210, Carrier; 220, Gripper; 300, Test bottle. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0023] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intermediate component. When a component is considered to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intermediate component present. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this application's specification are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0024] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature and the second feature are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "and / or" as used in this application includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0026] The test bottle station switching device 100 provided in this application is used to automatically transfer test bottles 300 between two stations. One station is equipped with a barcode scanner and a robotic arm 200 for picking up and placing test bottles 300, which is used to identify the test bottles 300; the other station is equipped with an automatic capping and sampling mechanism and a capping robotic arm (not shown in the figure), which is used to perform capping and sampling operations on the identified test bottles 300.

[0027] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, the test bottle station switching device 100 provided in this application includes a workbench 10, a turntable 20, an inner friction ring 30, and multiple brackets 40. The turntable 20 is rotatably mounted on the workbench 10. The inner friction ring 30 is fixedly mounted directly above the turntable 20 and is fixedly connected to the turntable 20 via a base frame 31. Multiple brackets 40 are fixedly connected to the workbench 10, and each bracket 40 is rotatably mounted with an intermediate ring 50. The intermediate ring 50 is located inside the inner friction ring 30, and the outer peripheral wall 510 of each intermediate ring 50 abuts against the inner peripheral wall 310 of the inner friction ring 30, so that the intermediate ring 50 can drive the inner friction ring 30 and the turntable 20 to rotate synchronously through the friction between the intermediate ring 50 and the inner friction ring 30. The intermediate ring 50 encloses a robotic arm channel 501, which passes through the bracket 40. It should be noted that the robotic arm 200 holding the test bottle 300 can extend downward through the robotic arm channel 501 of one of the intermediate rings 50 and realize the picking and placing of the test bottle 300 on the turntable 20; similarly, the switching robotic arm can also extend downward through the robotic arm channel 501 of the corresponding intermediate ring 50 and realize the opening action of the bottle cap on the test bottle 300.

[0028] Here, two intermediate rings 50 are configured, positioned symmetrically on opposite sides of the inner friction ring 30. This allows the test bottle 300 placed on the turntable 20 to rotate 180° under the influence of the intermediate rings 50 when the test bottle station switching device 100 is in operation. Of course, this is not a limitation; for those skilled in the art, the number of intermediate rings 50 can also be three, four, or even more, depending on the specific application requirements. This will not be elaborated upon here.

[0029] As can be seen from the above, the test bottle station switching device 100 of this application can utilize the contact between the intermediate ring 50 and the inner friction ring 30 to allow the robot arm 200, which places the test bottle 300 on the turntable 20 through the robot arm channel 501, to drive the inner friction ring 30 and the turntable 20 to rotate synchronously through the intermediate ring 50. This enables the transfer of the test bottle 300 placed on the turntable 20. On the one hand, it eliminates the need for a reciprocating swing arm device, simplifying the structure of the automated testing equipment and reducing manufacturing costs; on the other hand, it ensures the continuity of the automated testing process, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the automated testing equipment.

[0030] In one embodiment, the turntable 20 is rotatably mounted on the worktable 10 via a bearing (not shown). By utilizing the structural characteristics of the bearing, the frictional resistance generated when the turntable 20 rotates on the worktable 10 can be reduced.

[0031] Here, the bearing is fitted around the outer periphery of the turntable 20 and is tightly fitted to both the turntable 20 and the worktable 10. Of course, this is not the only option. For those skilled in the art, multiple balls (not shown) can also be provided at the bottom of the turntable 20 so that the friction when the turntable 20 rotates on the worktable 10 is rolling friction, thereby reducing the frictional resistance experienced by the turntable 20 when rotating on the worktable 10. This will not be elaborated on here.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment, the base frame 31 includes multiple vertical beams 311, which are arranged perpendicular to the turntable 20; the multiple vertical beams 311 are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the inner friction ring 30, and the multiple vertical beams 311 are used together to support the inner friction ring 30.

[0033] In this embodiment, two vertical beams 311 are configured, positioned symmetrically on both sides of the inner friction ring 30. Specifically, they can be positioned on the outer side of the inner friction ring 30 and integrated with it. The vertical beams 311 can be fixed to the turntable 20 using welding or bolts. However, this is not a limitation; those skilled in the art can use three, four, or even more vertical beams 311, which will not be elaborated upon here. It should be noted that the presence of the vertical beams 311 in this embodiment does not affect the clamping and fixing of the test bottle 300 by the bottle clamping assembly in the automatic cap-opening sampling mechanism, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment, the bracket 40 includes a support ring 41 with a boss 411. The boss 411 can be inserted into and engaged with the corresponding intermediate ring 50, causing the support ring 41 to abut against the corresponding intermediate ring 50. In other words, the bracket 40 in this embodiment can stably support the intermediate ring 50 via its support ring 41. During this process, the insertion and engagement between the intermediate ring 50 and the boss 411 not only ensures the accurate positioning of the intermediate ring 50 during assembly but also makes the assembly process simpler and more reliable. It should be noted that the bracket 40 can be fixedly mounted on the worktable 10 via a bracket 42.

[0035] Here, the robotic arm channel 501 is set through the support ring 41.

[0036] In one embodiment, the test bottle station switching device 100 further includes a friction strip (not shown). The friction strip is disposed between the inner peripheral wall 310 of the inner friction ring 30 and the outer peripheral wall 510 of the intermediate ring 50. It is used to provide the intermediate ring 50 with a frictional force to drive the inner friction ring 30 to rotate synchronously, so that the intermediate ring 50 and the inner friction ring 30 can provide sufficient frictional force to ensure that the intermediate ring 50 can reliably drive the inner friction ring 30 to rotate synchronously when rotating, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the transmission.

[0037] Here, the friction strip is configured as a rubber strip, which can be fixed to the inner peripheral wall 310 of the inner friction ring 30 by adhesive bonding. Of course, it is not limited to this. For those skilled in the art, other equivalent friction enhancement methods can also be used. For example, the inner peripheral wall 310 of the inner friction ring 30 and the outer peripheral wall 510 of the intermediate ring 50 can be set as friction surfaces with a high coefficient of friction, and the intermediate ring 50 can reliably drive the inner friction ring 30 directly through the interaction between the two friction surfaces.

[0038] like Figure 6 As shown, this application also provides a test bottle station switching control method, applied to the test bottle station switching device 100 described above. The test bottle station switching control method includes the following steps: The robotic arm 200 is controlled to grip the test bottle 300 and move the test bottle 300 through one of the intermediate rings 50, placing the test bottle on the turntable 20; Control the robotic arm 200 to release its grip on the test bottle 300 and detach from the test bottle 300; Control the robotic arm 200 to close and rise until the robotic arm 200 extends into the middle ring 50 directly above it; Control the robotic arm to open 200 to tighten the middle ring 50; The robot arm 200 is controlled to rotate, which drives the inner friction ring 30 and the turntable 20 to rotate synchronously through the intermediate ring 50.

[0039] Here, the robotic arm 200 can specifically be a robotic arm structure for picking up and placing test bottles 300, or a robotic arm structure for opening test bottles 300. It should be noted that the robotic arm 200 of this application can be controlled by two carriers 210 respectively, controlling the relative or opposite movement of the two grippers 220 on each carrier 210 to grip or release the test bottle 300. This allows the robotic arm 200 to tension and fix the intermediate ring 50 by stretching the inner wall of the intermediate ring 50 through the outer tangent circles of its four grippers 220 when it is open.

[0040] Specifically, when the robotic arm 200, holding the test bottle 300, lowers it onto the turntable 20 via the robotic arm channel 501 of the intermediate ring 50, the overall size of the robotic arm 200, including the test bottle 300, is smaller than the robotic arm channel 501. Thus, when the four grippers 220 of the robotic arm 200 rise into the corresponding intermediate ring 50, they can open and clamp and fix the intermediate ring 50. Afterward, the robotic arm 200 can drive the rotation of the intermediate ring 50 by synchronously rotating the two carriers 210.

[0041] Specifically, such as Figures 3 to 5As shown, the robot arm 200 grips the test bottle 300 through the robot arm channel 501 of the intermediate ring 50 and places it on the turntable 20. At this time, the overall outer dimensions of the robot arm 200 and the test bottle 300 it grips are smaller than the aperture of the robot arm channel 501. Subsequently, the robot arm 200 rises so that its gripper 220 enters the inner side of the corresponding intermediate ring 50, opens the gripper 220 and clamps and fixes it to the inner wall of the intermediate ring 50. After that, the robot arm 200 drives its supporting component to rotate, which in turn drives the intermediate ring 50 to rotate, thereby realizing the switching of work positions.

[0042] In addition, this application also provides an automated testing device, including the test bottle station switching device 100 described above.

[0043] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0044] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the patent protection scope of this application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A test bottle station switching device, characterized in that, The test bottle station switching device (100) includes: Workbench (10); A turntable (20) is rotatably mounted on the worktable (10); An inner friction ring (30) is fixedly disposed directly above the turntable (20), and the inner friction ring (30) is fixedly connected to the turntable (20) via a base frame (31); Multiple brackets (40) are fixedly connected to the worktable (10). Each bracket (40) is rotatably mounted with an intermediate ring (50). The intermediate ring (50) is disposed inside the inner friction ring (30), and the outer peripheral wall (510) of each intermediate ring (50) abuts against the inner peripheral wall (310) of the inner friction ring (30), so that the intermediate ring (50) can drive the inner friction ring (30) and the turntable (20) to rotate synchronously through the friction between the intermediate ring (50) and the inner friction ring (30). The intermediate ring (50) encloses and forms a robotic arm channel (501), which is provided through the bracket (40).

2. The test bottle station switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bracket (40) includes a support ring (41), on which a boss (411) is provided. The boss (411) can be inserted and engaged with the corresponding intermediate ring (50), and the support ring (41) abuts against the corresponding intermediate ring (50). The robotic arm channel (501) is provided through the support ring (41).

3. The test bottle station switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The test bottle station switching device (100) also includes a friction strip, which is disposed between the inner peripheral wall (310) of the inner friction ring (30) and the outer peripheral wall (510) of the intermediate ring (50), and is used to provide friction force for the intermediate ring (50) to drive the inner friction ring (30) to rotate synchronously.

4. The test bottle station switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of intermediate rings (50) is configured to be two, and the two intermediate rings (50) are arranged on two symmetrical sides of the internal friction ring (30).

5. The test bottle station switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base frame (31) includes multiple vertical beams (311), which are spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the inner friction ring (30), and the multiple vertical beams (311) are used together to support the inner friction ring (30). The vertical beam (311) is arranged perpendicular to the turntable (20).

6. The test bottle station switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The turntable (20) is rotatably mounted on the worktable (10) via bearings.

7. A method for controlling the switching of test bottle workstations, applied to the test bottle workstation switching device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The test bottle (300) station switching control method includes the following steps: The control robot (200) grips the test bottle (300) and drives the test bottle (300) through one of the intermediate rings (50), placing the test bottle (300) on the turntable (20); Control the robotic arm (200) to release its grip on the test bottle (300) and detach from the test bottle (300); Control the robotic arm (200) to close and rise until the robotic arm (200) extends into the middle ring (50) directly above it; Control the robotic arm (200) to open and tighten the intermediate ring (50); Control the rotation of the robotic arm (200), which drives the inner friction ring (30) and the turntable (20) to rotate synchronously through the intermediate ring (50).

8. An automated testing device, characterized in that, Includes the test bottle station switching device (100) as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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