Automatic sample holding device for fermentation process

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of biological sample preservation, and discloses a kind of automatic sample preservation equipment of fermentation process, including sample preservation box and the box cover installed at the top opening of sample preservation box, the inside of the sample preservation box is respectively installed with peristaltic pump, water pump and air pump, one end of the peristaltic pump is sealingly connected with liquid delivery pipe, one end of the water pump is sealingly connected with cleaning pipe, one end of the air pump is sealingly connected with inflation tube, the opposite end of the liquid delivery pipe, cleaning pipe and inflation tube is sealingly connected with same four-way connector, main pipeline is also sealingly connected on the four-way connector, a plurality of sample preservation assemblies are installed on the main pipeline, one end of each sample preservation assembly is connected with sample preservation bottle, and sample preservation bottle is placed inside sample preservation box;Through the cooperation of peristaltic pump, liquid delivery pipe, main pipeline and sample preservation assembly, it is used for sample preservation to the inside of sample preservation bottle;Through the cooperation of water pump and cleaning pipe, main pipeline and sample preservation assembly are cleaned.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of biological sample retention technology, specifically to an automated sample retention device for fermentation processes. Background Technology

[0002] Fermentation process optimization serves as a bridge between laboratory results and industrial production, and is essential for superior strains to realize their potential commercial value. In the laboratory stage, superior strains obtained through genetic engineering or directed evolution often exhibit high-yield potential in optimal shake flasks or small fermenters. However, transferring this potential to large-scale industrial fermenters with complex compositions and potential physicochemical gradients inevitably presents significant challenges.

[0003] After each use, the sample retention equipment needs to be cleaned. However, currently, cleaning the sample retention equipment requires disassembling the sample retention equipment and then cleaning the disassembled sample retention equipment. This operation method is relatively complicated and increases the workload of the sample retention personnel.

[0004] Therefore, we propose an automated sample retention device for the fermentation process to solve the problems mentioned above. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to solve the technical problems mentioned above.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: An automatic sample retention device for a fermentation process includes a sample retention box and a lid installed at the top opening of the sample retention box. A peristaltic pump, a water pump, and an air pump are installed inside the sample retention box. One end of the peristaltic pump is sealed to a liquid delivery pipe, one end of the water pump is sealed to a cleaning pipe, and one end of the air pump is sealed to an air inflation pipe. The opposite ends of the liquid delivery pipe, cleaning pipe, and air inflation pipe are sealed to the same four-way connector. A first solenoid valve, a second solenoid valve, and a third solenoid valve are respectively installed at the ends of the liquid delivery pipe, cleaning pipe, and air inflation pipe near the four-way connector. A main pipe is also sealed to the four-way connector. Several sample retention components are installed on the main pipe. One end of each sample retention component is connected to a sample bottle, and the sample bottle is placed inside the sample retention box. The peristaltic pump, delivery tube, main pipeline, and sample retention assembly work together to retain samples inside the sample bottle. The system uses a water pump and cleaning pipes to clean the main pipeline and sample retention components. The air pump and inflation tube work together to push the sample stored in the main pipeline and the sample retention component, so that the sample flows into the sample bottle under pressure.

[0007] Furthermore: the sample retention assembly includes a tee connector installed on the main pipeline, a sampling tube is sealed to the tee connector, one end of the sampling tube is sealed to the conversion assembly, one end of the conversion assembly is sealed to the drain pipe, and the drain pipe is fixedly installed to the top of the sample retention bottle.

[0008] Furthermore, the connecting end of the tee connector is also sealed with a drain pipe, and the end of the drain pipe away from the tee connector is set downwards to discharge the wastewater after cleaning.

[0009] Furthermore, the drain ends of several of the drain pipes are sealed to the same main drain pipe, and the main drain pipe is installed inside the sample container.

[0010] Furthermore, the end of the main pipe away from the four-way connector is also sealed to the main drain pipe, and a fourth solenoid valve is installed at the end of the main pipe near the main drain pipe. The fourth solenoid valve is used to open or close the main drain pipe.

[0011] Furthermore, a fifth solenoid valve is installed on the tee connector, which is used to open or close the tee connector.

[0012] Furthermore: the conversion assembly includes a three-way connector, each end of which is fixed with a connection port. The three connection ports are fixedly connected to the same sealing ball at opposite ends, and the three connection ports are connected to the sealing ball at opposite ends. A ball core is rotatably mounted inside the sealing ball, and an "L"-shaped adjustment channel is opened on the ball core. A rotating shaft is fixed to the circumference of the ball core, and one end of the rotating shaft extends to the outside of the sealing ball and is fixed with a wrench.

[0013] Furthermore: the sample retention box is equipped with a control motherboard, and the control motherboard is equipped with a timing module and a control module. The timing module and the control module are electrically connected by wires. The output terminal of the control module is electrically connected to the peristaltic pump and the fifth solenoid valve by wires respectively.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are: In this invention, the main pipeline is connected to a peristaltic pump, a water pump, and an air pump. When both the cleaning pipe on the water pump and the air inflator on the air pump are closed, the peristaltic pump, through the cooperation of the delivery pipe, the main pipeline, and the sample retention components, can perform sample retention processing into the sample bottle. When both the cleaning pipe on the water pump and the delivery pipe on the peristaltic pump are closed, the air pump, through the cooperation of the air inflator and the main pipeline, can squeeze the remaining liquid in the main pipeline and the sample retention components into the sample bottle, reducing waste. When both the delivery pipe on the peristaltic pump and the air inflator on the air pump are closed, the water pump can sequentially deliver the cleaning solution to the main pipeline and several sample retention components, thereby enabling comprehensive cleaning and providing convenience for the staff.

[0015] The present invention provides a main pipe and several sample retention components connected to the same drainage manifold. The wastewater in the main pipe and sample retention components can be discharged into the drainage manifold, so that the drainage manifold can discharge wastewater to a designated location, reducing the wastewater treatment process for sample retention personnel and providing further convenience. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a front view structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a top view of the structure of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the main drainage pipe and several sample retention components in this invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the sample retention component in this invention; Figure 5 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the conversion component in this invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the conversion component in this invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the system principle structure of the present invention.

[0017] The names corresponding to each mark in the diagram: 1. Sample container; 2. Container lid; 3. Peristaltic pump; 4. Water pump; 6. Liquid delivery pipe; 7. Cleaning pipe; 8. Inflation pipe; 9. First solenoid valve; 10. Second solenoid valve; 11. Third solenoid valve; 12. Main pipeline; 13. Sample retention assembly; 1301. T-connector; 1302. Sampling tube; 1303. Conversion assembly; 13031. T-fitting; 13032. Connection port; 13033. Sealing ball; 3034, Ball core; 13035, Adjustment channel; 13034, Ball core; 13035, Adjustment channel; 13036, Rotating shaft; 13037, Wrench; 1304, Drain pipe; 1305, Drain tube; 1306, Fifth solenoid valve; 14, Sample bottle; 15, Main drain pipe; 16, Fourth solenoid valve; 17, Control main board; 18, Timing module; 19, Control module; 20, Four-way connector. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] An automatic sample retention device for a fermentation process includes a sample retention box 1. A closable lid 2 is installed at the opening on the top of the sample retention box 1. The lid 2 serves to close the sample retention box 1.

[0020] The upper part of the sample retention box 1 is equipped with a peristaltic pump 3, a water pump 4, and an air pump (not shown in the figure); one end of the peristaltic pump 3 is sealed to a liquid delivery pipe 6, one end of the water pump 4 is sealed to a cleaning pipe 7, and one end of the air pump is sealed to an inflation pipe 8. The opposite ends of the liquid delivery pipe 6, the cleaning pipe 7, and the inflation pipe 8 are sealed to the same four-way connector 20; it should be noted that the ends of the liquid delivery pipe 6, the cleaning pipe 7, and the inflation pipe 8 near the four-way connector 20 are respectively equipped with a first solenoid valve 9, a second solenoid valve 10, and a third solenoid valve 11; through the first solenoid valve 9 and the second solenoid valve 11... The installation of valve 10 and the third solenoid valve 11 allows for individual control of the liquid delivery pipe 6, the cleaning pipe 7, and the air filling pipe 8. A main pipe 12 is also sealed to the four-way connector 20, and several sample retention components 13 are installed on the main pipe 12. Each sample retention component 13 is connected to a sample bottle 14, and the sample bottle 14 is placed inside the sample box 1 to allow for sample retention inside the sample bottle 14. It should be noted that several sample retention components 13 are also sealed to the same main drain pipe 15, so that wastewater from the several sample retention components 13 is discharged through the main drain pipe 15. Specifically: the pumping end of the water pump 4 is connected to the water storage tank installed in the sample box 1 through a pumping pipe in a sealed manner, which can ensure the water supply during the cleaning process.

[0021] The end of the main pipe 12 away from the four-way connector 20 is also sealed to the drain main pipe 15 so that the cleaned wastewater is discharged through the drain main pipe 15. A fourth solenoid valve 16 is installed at the end of the main pipe 12 near the drain main pipe 15, and the fourth solenoid valve 16 is used to open or close the main pipe 12.

[0022] The sample retention assembly 13 includes a tee connector 1301 installed on the main pipe 12, and a fifth solenoid valve 1306 is installed on the tee connector 1301. The fifth solenoid valve 1306 allows for individual control of several sample retention assemblies 13. A sampling tube 1302 is also sealed to the tee connector 1301. A conversion assembly 1303 is sealed to one end of the sampling tube 1302 away from the tee connector 1301. A drain pipe 1304 is threaded onto one end of the conversion assembly 1303, and one end of the drain pipe 1304 is connected to the sample bottle 14, thereby enabling the delivery of sample liquid into the sample bottle 14. A drain pipe 1305 is sealed to the other end of the conversion assembly 1303, and the bottom end of the drain pipe 1305 is downward-facing and connected to the main drain pipe 15.

[0023] In detail: The conversion component 1303 includes a three-way connector 13031, with three connecting ports 13032 fixed at its three ends. The opposite ends of the three connecting ports 13032 are fixed to the same sealing ball 13033, and the three connecting ports 13032 are connected to the sealing ball 13033. A ball core 13034 is rotatably installed inside the sealing ball 13033. An "L"-shaped adjustment channel 13035 is opened inside the ball core 13034. When the ball core 13034 drives the adjustment channel 13035 to switch back and forth, the sample solution and the washing solution can flow to different positions. A rotating shaft 13036 is fixed on the ball core 13034. One end of the rotating shaft 13036 extends to the outside of the three-way connector 13031 and a wrench 13037 is fixed thereon. Through the cooperation of the wrench 13037 and the rotating shaft 13036, the ball core 13034 can be swung to achieve the function of back and forth adjustment.

[0024] It should be noted that: the sample retention box 1 is equipped with a control main board 17, and the control main board 17 is equipped with a timing module 18 and a control module 19. The timing module 18 and the control module 19 are electrically connected by wires. The output end of the control module 19 is electrically connected to the peristaltic pump 3 and the fifth solenoid valve 1306 through wires, respectively, thereby playing a control role.

[0025] Working principle: Before periodically retaining samples of the sample solution, the sample retention device needs to be adjusted so that the first solenoid valve 9 is in the open state, and the second solenoid valve 10 and the third solenoid valve 11 are in the closed state. Under normal circumstances, the fifth solenoid valve 1306 closest to the peristaltic pump 3 is in the open state, and the other fifth solenoid valves 1306 are in the closed state. When the dwell time reaches the set value of the timing module 17, the timing module 17 can transmit the information to the controller 18, and the controller 18 controls the peristaltic pump 3. The peristaltic pump 3 can extract the external liquid. The extracted liquid enters the interior of the main pipe 12 through the liquid delivery pipe 6. The liquid in the main pipe 12 flows into the interior of the sample bottle 14 through the open sample retention component 13, thereby completing the sampling work.

[0026] After a sample is deposited into the first sample bottle 14, the control module 18 closes the corresponding fifth solenoid valve 1306; the fifth solenoid valve corresponding to the second sample bottle 14 opens. After the specified time has elapsed, a sample is taken into the second sample bottle 14 in the same manner as described above; then the process is repeated in the same manner as described above.

[0027] After the periodic sample retention is completed, the third solenoid valve 11 is opened and the first solenoid valve 9 and the second solenoid valve 10 are closed, supplying air pressure into the interior of the inflation tube 8. The inflation tube 8 can supply air pressure into the interior of the corresponding sample retention component 13 through the main pipe 12, so that the residual liquid in the sample retention component 13 and the main pipe 12 can enter the corresponding sample bottle 14, preventing the sample liquid from being wasted.

[0028] If adjustments are made before cleaning, the second solenoid valve 10 is in the open state, all the fifth solenoid valves 1306 and the fourth solenoid valve 16 are in the open state, and the first solenoid valve 9 and the third solenoid valve 11 are in the closed state; then the sample retention assembly 13 is adjusted. When adjusting the sample retention component 13, the wrench 13037 is turned, and the wrench 13037 drives the ball core 13034 to rotate 180 degrees through the rotating shaft 13036, thereby enabling the adjustment channel 13035 inside the ball core 13034 to be rotated and adjusted, so that the sampling tube 1302 and the drain pipe 1305 are connected. Then, water pump 4 is turned on, and water pump 4 delivers cleaning fluid into the main pipe 12 through cleaning pipe 7; the cleaning fluid in the main pipe 12 can flow into the sampling pipe 1302, thereby playing a cleaning role; the cleaning fluid in the main pipe 12 can fall directly into the drain main pipe; the cleaning fluid in several sampling pipes 1302 flows into the drain main pipe 15 through drain pipe 1305, thereby playing a cleaning role.

Claims

1. An automatic sample retention device for a fermentation process, comprising a sample retention box (1) and a box cover (2) installed at the top opening of the sample retention box (1), characterized in that: The sample box (1) is equipped with a peristaltic pump (3), a water pump (4) and an air pump. One end of the peristaltic pump (3) is sealed to a liquid delivery pipe (6), one end of the water pump (4) is sealed to a cleaning pipe (7), and one end of the air pump is sealed to an inflation pipe (8). The opposite ends of the liquid delivery pipe (6), the cleaning pipe (7) and the inflation pipe (8) are sealed to the same four-way connector (20). The liquid delivery pipe (6), the cleaning pipe (7) and the inflation pipe (8) are respectively equipped with a first solenoid valve (9), a second solenoid valve (10) and a third solenoid valve (11) at the ends of the liquid delivery pipe (6), the cleaning pipe (7) and the inflation pipe (8) near the four-way connector (20). A main pipe (12) is also sealed to the four-way connector (20). Several sample retention components (13) are installed on the main pipe (12). One end of each sample retention component (13) is connected to a sample bottle (14), and the sample bottle (14) is placed inside the sample box (1). The peristaltic pump (3), delivery pipe (6), main pipeline (12) and sample retention assembly (13) are used to retain samples into the sample bottle (14); The water pump (4) and the cleaning pipe (7) are used to clean the main pipe (12) and the sample retention assembly (13); The air pump and the air filling tube (8) are used to push the sample stored in the main pipe (12) and the sample retention component (13) so that the stored sample flows into the sample retention bottle (14) under pressure.

2. The automatic sample retention device for the fermentation process according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sample retention component (13) includes a three-way connector (1301) installed on the main pipe (12), a sampling tube (1302) is sealed and connected to the three-way connector (1301), one end of the sampling tube (1302) is sealed and connected to the conversion component (1303), one end of the conversion component (1303) is detachably sealed and connected to a drain pipe (1304), and the drain pipe (1304) is fixedly installed at the top of the sample bottle (14).

3. The automatic sample retention device for the fermentation process according to claim 2, characterized in that: The connection end of the tee connector (1301) is also sealed with a drain pipe (1305), and the end of the drain pipe (1305) away from the tee connector (1301) is set downwards to discharge the wastewater after cleaning.

4. An automatic sample retention device for a fermentation process according to claim 3, characterized in that: The drain ends of several drain pipes (1305) are sealed to the same drain manifold (15), and the drain manifold (15) is installed inside the sample box (1).

5. An automatic sample retention device for a fermentation process according to claim 4, characterized in that: The end of the main pipe (12) away from the four-way connector (20) is also sealed to the main drain pipe (15), and a fourth solenoid valve (16) is installed at the end of the main pipe (12) near the main drain pipe (15). The fourth solenoid valve (16) is used to open or close the main drain pipe (15).

6. An automatic sample retention device for a fermentation process according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: A fifth solenoid valve (1306) is installed on the tee connector (1301), which is used to open or close the tee connector (1301).

7. An automatic sample retention device for a fermentation process according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The conversion assembly (1303) includes a three-way connector (13031), each end of which is fixed with a connection port (13032). The three connection ports (13032) are fixedly connected to the same sealing ball (13033) at opposite ends, and the three connection ports (13032) are connected to the sealing ball (13033) at opposite ends. A ball core (13034) is rotatably mounted inside the sealing ball (13033), and an "L"-shaped adjustment channel (13035) is opened on the ball core (13034). A rotating shaft (13036) is fixed on the circumferential surface of the ball core (13034), and one end of the rotating shaft (13036) extends to the outside of the sealing ball (13033) and a wrench (13037) is fixed thereon.

8. An automatic sample retention device for a fermentation process according to claim 7, characterized in that: The sample retention box (1) is equipped with a control motherboard (17), and the control motherboard (17) is equipped with a timing module (18) and a control module (19). The timing module (18) and the control module (19) are electrically connected by wires. The output end of the control module (19) is electrically connected to the peristaltic pump (3) and the fifth solenoid valve (1306) by wires respectively.

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