A drawer type super microwave digestion cavity structure

Abstract

A drawer-type super microwave digestion chamber structure, belonging to the field of analytical instruments, is disclosed. The chamber comprises a furnace cavity with a side opening and a chamber door assembly. A sample holder is mounted on the chamber door assembly. The chamber door assembly is integrated with the furnace cavity via a linear slide rail and moves back and forth under the drive of a motor and lead screw. As the sample holder moves back and forth with the chamber door assembly, the chamber door assembly opens and closes. Under the control of an automatic control system, the chamber automatically closes the chamber door assembly and automatically pressurizes and heats for digestion. After the experiment, the chamber automatically depressurizes and cools, and automatically opens the chamber door assembly, achieving full automation of the experimental process. This design ensures that after the chamber door assembly opens, the sample holder is in a relatively open and easily accessible position, facilitating sample holder retrieval by a robotic arm, thus improving digestion efficiency. While ensuring system reliability, it also reduces the workload of operators and improves their working environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of testing or analyzing material properties by measuring the chemical or physical properties of materials, and particularly relates to a super microwave digestion cavity structure for digesting samples. Background Technology

[0002] Microwave digestion is the main method of sample pretreatment. After microwave digestion, the sample is treated with acid removal and volume adjustment, and then directly loaded onto AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrometry) or HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) for detection.

[0003] With the continuous increase in the amount of samples tested and the increasing demands for testing accuracy, repeatability and reliability, microwave digestion equipment has also developed various digestion principles to meet different needs.

[0004] Currently, there are three main types of digestion equipment: conventional multi-chamber digesters, single-chamber digesters, and pre-pressurized chamber digesters.

[0005] Among them, the pre-pressurized chamber digester is also known in the industry as a super microwave digester (abbreviated as ultra-micro). The ultra-micro chamber is basically cylindrical, with the opening facing upwards. A chamber sealing cap is located at the top to seal the chamber, and the cap can move up and down. During operation, a certain amount of water needs to be pre-added to the chamber. The sample rack is hung below the chamber sealing cap and can move up and down with it. The sample rack is used to hold test tubes containing samples. When the chamber sealing cap is closed, the lower half of the test tubes on the rack is immersed in the pre-filled water inside the chamber. During operation, it is necessary to... The cavity is pre-pressurized to approximately 4 MPa, and microwaves heat the water inside the cavity to ensure temperature uniformity between samples. The advantages of this type of digester are its pressure- and temperature-resistant cavity, allowing for batch processing of some difficult-to-digest samples. Operation is also simpler than ordinary microwave digestion equipment, requiring fewer cap-tightening actions. However, its up-and-down sliding cap opening mechanism and the structure where the sample rack hangs above the sealed cap not only necessitate a taller instrument design but also make sample rack placement and removal inconvenient, hindering the subsequent automation design of this type of product.

[0006] For example, a utility model patent with an authorization announcement date of November 14, 2017, and authorization announcement number CN 206638502 U, discloses "a microwave digestion system." This system includes a sealed container, which provides a reaction environment including high temperature and high pressure within its cavity during microwave digestion; and a digestion vessel connected to and placed within the cavity of the sealed container. The digestion vessel is a non-sealed structure and is connected to the cavity of the sealed container. In this technical solution, the reaction conditions, such as temperature and pressure, between the various digestion vessels can be kept highly consistent and can meet the requirements of ultra-high pressure digestion. However, the opening and closing of the sealed container requires manual intervention, which is inconvenient for the subsequent automated operation of this type of product. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a drawer-type super microwave digestion chamber structure. Instead of using a cylindrical structure with a lid, it adopts a drawer-like chamber structure with front / back or side-opening / closing modes. The sleeve, inner container, and sample holder are mounted on the chamber door. When the chamber door is opened or closed, the sample holder moves forward / backward or sideways along with the door. This allows for a smaller overall instrument, a larger operating space, and facilitates full automation of the experimental process, greatly simplifying the automated design of this type of product.

[0008] The technical solution of this invention is: to provide a drawer-type super microwave digestion cavity structure, characterized in that:

[0009] Set up a cavity;

[0010] The cavity includes a furnace cavity with a lateral opening and a cavity door assembly;

[0011] The cavity has a structure that allows for front, rear, or side opening.

[0012] The cavity door assembly is provided with at least one sample holder for placing sample tubes;

[0013] When the cavity door assembly is opened or closed, the sample holder moves back and forth or laterally along with the cavity door assembly;

[0014] A motor drive assembly, a lead screw assembly, a linear guide rail assembly, and an air connection are installed outside the cavity structure.

[0015] The cavity door assembly is connected to the furnace cavity as a whole via a linear slide rail assembly, and moves back and forth or laterally under the drive of the motor drive assembly and the lead screw assembly;

[0016] When the cavity door assembly is opened or closed, the sample holder moves back and forth or laterally along with the cavity door assembly;

[0017] The door is opened by moving forward and backward or sliding laterally, ensuring that the sample rack is in a relatively open and convenient position after the chamber door assembly is opened after the experiment. This facilitates the use of a robotic arm to pick up and put down the sample rack, improves digestion efficiency, reduces the labor intensity of operators, and improves the working environment of operators while ensuring system reliability.

[0018] Under the control of the automatic control system, the cavity structure can automatically close the cavity door assembly and automatically pressurize, heat and digest; after the experiment is completed, it can automatically depressurize and cool, and then automatically open the cavity door assembly, realizing the full automation of the experimental process.

[0019] Specifically, a panel serving as a cavity door is provided at the cavity opening of the furnace chamber; a motor mounting plate is provided on the outside of the furnace chamber on the opposite side of the cavity opening; the motor mounting plate is parallel to the plane of the panel; a motor is mounted on the motor mounting plate, and a main synchronous pulley is mounted on the output shaft of the motor; two sets of linear slide rails and lead screws are provided between the motor mounting plate and the panel; the two sets of linear slide rails and lead screws are respectively located on both sides of the motor; the two ends of the linear slide rails are fixed to the opposite surfaces of the motor mounting plate and the panel; the lead screw is rotatably fixed between the motor mounting plate and the panel. The lead screw's head is inserted through the motor mounting plate, forming the drive end of the lead screw. Two synchronous pulleys are respectively fitted and fixed to the drive ends of the two lead screws. The main synchronous pulley on the motor output shaft and the driven synchronous pulleys on the lead screw drive ends are arranged in the same longitudinal plane. A synchronous belt is fitted between the main and driven synchronous pulleys to transmit the rotational force of the motor output shaft to the two lead screws. When the main synchronous pulley on the motor output shaft rotates, it drives the two driven synchronous pulleys to rotate via the synchronous belt, thereby driving the lead screws to rotate. For the entire microwave digestion cavity, the two sets of linear guide rails and lead screws are arranged in parallel.

[0020] Furthermore, the two sets of linear guide rails and lead screws are arranged horizontally and symmetrically between the motor mounting plate and the panel, with the motor output shaft as the central axis.

[0021] Specifically, the furnace cavity is a hollow cavity with an opening on the front or side; an exhaust vent is provided on the back of the furnace cavity to discharge acid gas and provide cooling; a threaded hole is provided on the back of the furnace cavity for fixing the waveguide cover plate; a temperature measuring hole is provided at the bottom of the furnace cavity for installing an infrared mounting base; an air vent is provided at the top of the furnace cavity for installing an air passage connector, which connects to a pre-pressurized air passage; grooves and threaded holes are provided on the left and right sides of the furnace cavity for installing linear slide rails.

[0022] Furthermore, a waveguide cover plate is provided inside the furnace cavity; the waveguide cover plate has heat dissipation holes that correspond to the exhaust holes on the back of the furnace cavity, which are used to exhaust acid gas inside the cavity and play a role in exhaust cooling.

[0023] Furthermore, a sealing cover is installed inside the furnace cavity; the sealing cover has an air hole in the center for the pre-pressurized air passage to pass through; an annular groove is provided on the lower end face of the sealing cover; a sealing ring is provided in the groove; a chamfer is provided at the front end of the sealing cover, so that when the inner can of the cavity door, which is used to support the sample rack and sample tube, retracts into the furnace cavity, the sealing ring in the groove is better flattened and does not deform.

[0024] Specifically, the cavity door assembly includes a panel and a cavity door; the panel has a central hole for installing a lead screw; the panel has a guide hole for inserting a shaft seal for guiding the guide rod; the panel also has a threaded hole for installing a shaft seal pressure plate to prevent the shaft seal from being pulled out; the cavity door has a large mounting hole for installing a guide rod; the cavity door has a small mounting hole for installing a fixing seat; the cavity door has an air inlet for cooling the interior of the furnace cavity through air cooling; it also has a cooling hole for directly blowing cooling gas onto the tank to accelerate cooling, and the heat is discharged through the exhaust hole on the back of the furnace cavity; the cavity door has a groove for inserting a sealing ring to seal and prevent acid gas from leaking out.

[0025] Specifically, a fixing seat is provided on the cavity door; a sleeve for supporting the inner can is provided in the fixing seat; a sample rack is provided in the inner can; the sample rack has a sample hole for placing sample tubes, and a step is provided at the bottom to better fix the sample tubes and prevent them from shaking; an installation handle is provided on the sample rack for easy gripping by the robotic arm.

[0026] Specifically, the drawer-type super microwave digestion cavity structure operates according to the following steps:

[0027] During the initial preparation stage, the cavity door is in the open position;

[0028] The sample tube containing the digestion solution is plugged with the sample tube cap and inserted into the sample hole of the sample holder. The sample holder is then placed into the inner container by grasping the handle, and together with the sleeve, they form the container body.

[0029] The entire device starts to run. The motor drives the synchronous belt to rotate the synchronous pulley of the lead screw. The lead screw then drives the guide rail fixing seat to move horizontally on the linear slide rail. The guide rod connected to the guide rail fixing seat also moves horizontally. The cavity door connected to the guide rod can then be slowly closed, pushing the tank into the furnace cavity 1 together.

[0030] During the process of pushing it into the furnace cavity, the chamfer at the front end of the sealing cover fits into the sealing ring, ensuring that the sealing ring is gradually flattened without deformation.

[0031] When the guide rail fixing seat touches the first micro switch, the cavity door is still a short distance away from the furnace cavity. The motor continues to rotate, and the compression spring mounted on the lead screw is compressed against the guide rail fixing seat to generate a reaction force. This can slow down the closing action of the cavity door and play a certain damping effect until the baffle touches the second micro switch, the motor stops, the cavity door closing step is completed, and the experiment can be carried out.

[0032] After the experiment is completed, first open the ball valve to release the gas. Once the gas pressure returns to normal, you can proceed with the cavity opening procedure.

[0033] Furthermore, the cavity opening step includes:

[0034] When the motor is started and reversed, the motor drives the synchronous belt to rotate the synchronous pulley of the lead screw. The lead screw then drives the guide rail fixing seat to move horizontally on the linear slide rail. The guide rod connected to the guide rail fixing seat also moves horizontally. The cavity door connected to the guide rod slowly opens, pulling the tank out of the furnace cavity together.

[0035] After the motor moves to the set number of steps, it stops working, and the cavity structure is fully open. At this time, the sample holder can be removed from the inner tank by grabbing the handle with the robotic arm, and then the next operation can be carried out.

[0036] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are:

[0037] 1. The technical solution of this invention features a cavity structure resembling a drawer, with a front-to-back or side-opening door. The sleeve, inner container, and sample holder are positioned on the cavity door. When the cavity door opens and closes, the sample holder moves forward, backward, or sideways along with the door, allowing for a smaller overall instrument and a larger operating space.

[0038] 2. The technical solution of this invention, with its front, rear, and side-opening doors, ensures that after the experiment is completed and the chamber door is opened, the sample rack is in a relatively open and convenient position for retrieval and placement. Later, a robotic arm can be used to retrieve and place the sample rack. This significantly reduces the labor intensity of operators and improves their working environment while improving digestion efficiency and system reliability. It can be well applied to fully automated microwave digestion systems.

[0039] 3. The technical solution of the present invention has cooling holes on the cavity door and the fixed seat, which can be connected to external cooling gas to accelerate the cooling speed after the experiment and further improve the sample preparation efficiency;

[0040] 4. The technical solution of the present invention adopts an inner canister with a built-in sample tube structure, and nitrogen is automatically added to the inner canister for pressure sealing. The pressure is borne by the inner canister and the sleeve, and the test tube itself is not pressurized. Therefore, any type of sample tube can be used, including economical thin-walled quartz tubes, PTFE-TFM and disposable sample tubes, which greatly reduces costs. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 This is a side view of the super microwave digestion cavity of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 2 This is a top view schematic diagram of the super microwave digestion cavity of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 3a and Figure 3b This is a schematic diagram of the furnace cavity structure of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the waveguide cover plate of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing cap structure of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the panel of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the cavity door structure of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fixing base of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the sleeve of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the inner tank structure of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the sample holder of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the handle of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the sample tube cap of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the sample tube structure of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the infrared fixing base of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the motor fixing plate of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the guide rail fixing base of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 18This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first micro-motion support plate of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second micro-motion support plate of the present invention;

[0060] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the lead screw fixing seat of the present invention;

[0061] Figure 21 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the shaft seal pressure plate of the present invention;

[0062] Figure 22 This is a schematic diagram of the guide rod of the present invention;

[0063] Figure 23 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the baffle of the present invention;

[0064] Figure 24 This is a schematic diagram of the air passage structure of the pre-pressurized air passage of the present invention;

[0065] Figure 25 This is a schematic diagram showing the position and movement of each component when the cavity structure of the present invention is in the open state;

[0066] Figure 26 yes Figure 25 A three-dimensional oblique lateral schematic diagram;

[0067] Figure 27 This is a schematic diagram showing the position and movement of each component when the cavity structure of the present invention is in a closed state;

[0068] Figure 28 yes Figure 27 A three-dimensional oblique lateral schematic diagram.

[0069] In the diagram, 0 is the magnetron, 0a is the magnetron output antenna, 1 is the furnace cavity, 1-1 is the vent, 1-2 is the groove, 1-3 is the temperature measuring hole, 1-4 is the waveguide hole, 1-5 is the exhaust hole, 1-6 is the mounting hole, 1-7 is the threaded hole, and 1-8 is the cavity opening.

[0070] 2 is the waveguide cover, 2-1 is the heat dissipation hole, and 2-2 is the mounting hole.

[0071] 3 is the sealing cap, 3-1 is the vent, 3-2 is the chamfer, 3-3 is the groove, and 3-4 is the mounting hole.

[0072] 4 is the panel, 4-1 is the guide hole, 4-2 is the center hole, and 4-3 is the threaded hole.

[0073] 5 is the cavity door, 5-1 is the large mounting hole, 5-2 is the small mounting hole, 5-3 is the air inlet, 5-4 is the cooling hole, and 5-5 is the groove.

[0074] 6 is the fixed base, 6-1 is the threaded hole, 6-2 is the center hole, 6-3 is the air inlet end of the cooling hole, and 6-4 is the air outlet end of the cooling hole.

[0075] 7 is the sleeve, 7-1 is the center hole, and 7-2 is the step.

[0076] 8 is the inner tank, 8-1 is the boss, 8-2 is the groove, and 8-3 is the temperature measuring hole.

[0077] 9 is the sample holder, 9-1 is the center hole, 9-2 is the sample hole, and 9-3 is the step.

[0078] 10 is the handle, 10-1 is the groove, and 10-2 is the boss.

[0079] 11 is the sample tube cap, 11-1 is the boss, and 11-2 is the air passage.

[0080] 12 is a sample tube.

[0081] 13 is the infrared mounting base, 13a is the infrared temperature sensor, 13-1 is the mounting hole, and 13-2 is the center hole.

[0082] 14 is the motor mounting plate, 14-1 is the first mounting hole, 14-2 is the first center hole, 14-3 is the second mounting hole, 14-4 is the waist groove, 14-5 is the second center hole, and 14-6 is the threaded hole.

[0083] 15 is the guide rail fixing seat, 15-1 is the first threaded hole, 15-2 is the groove, and 15-3 is the second threaded hole.

[0084] 16 is the first micro-motion support plate, 16-1 is the waist groove, and 16-2 is the threaded hole.

[0085] 17 is the second micro-motion support plate, 17-1 is the mounting hole, and 17-2 is the threaded hole.

[0086] 18 is the lead screw fixing seat, 18-1 is the groove, 18-2 is the mounting hole, 18-3 is the arc groove, 18-4 is the threaded hole, 18-5 is the center hole, and 18-6 is the slot.

[0087] 19 is the shaft seal pressure plate, 19-1 is the mounting hole, 19-2 is the center hole, and 19-3 is the through hole.

[0088] 20 is the guide rod, 20-1 is the threaded hole, and 20-2 is the mounting hole.

[0089] 21 is a baffle, 21-1 is a threaded hole, and 21-2 is a center hole.

[0090] 22 is a linear guide rail, 23 is a lead screw, 24 is a motor, 25 is the main synchronous pulley, and 25-1 and 25-2 are the driven synchronous pulleys at the lead screw drive end; 26 is an air connection connector, 27 is a compression spring, 28 is a guide wheel, 29-1 is the first micro switch, and 29-2 is the second micro switch. Detailed Implementation

[0091] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0092] The drawer-type super microwave digestion cavity structure described in this patent is mainly used in fully automated microwave digestion instruments.

[0093] In this technical solution, the cavity structure no longer uses a cylindrical structure with a lid, but instead adopts a drawer-like cavity structure with front, rear, or side opening doors. The sleeve, inner container, and sample holder are mounted on the cavity door. When the cavity door is opened or closed, the sample holder moves back and forth or sideways along with the door, which makes the overall instrument smaller and provides more operating space.

[0094] Cooling holes are provided on the cavity door and the fixed base, allowing external cooling gas to be connected to accelerate the cooling speed after the experiment, thereby further improving the sample preparation efficiency.

[0095] The front, rear, and side opening doors ensure that the sample rack is in a relatively open and convenient position after the chamber door is opened during the experiment. The sample rack can be retrieved and placed by a robotic arm later. This not only improves digestion efficiency and ensures system reliability, but also greatly reduces the labor intensity of operators and improves their working environment. It can be well applied to fully automated microwave digestion systems.

[0096] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the microwave digestion cavity of the present invention is mainly composed of the following parts: furnace cavity 1, waveguide cover plate 2, sealing cover 3, panel 4, cavity door 5, fixing seat 6, sleeve 7, inner tank 8, sample rack 9, handle 10, sample tube cover 11, sample tube 12, infrared fixing seat 13, motor fixing plate 14, guide rail fixing seat 15, first micro-motion support plate 16, second micro-motion support plate 17, lead screw fixing seat 18, shaft seal pressure plate 19, guide rod 20, baffle 21, linear slide rail 22, lead screw 23, motor 24, main synchronous wheel 25, slave synchronous wheels 25-1 and 25-2 at the lead screw drive end, gas connector 26, compression spring 27, guide wheel 28, first micro switch 29-1 and second micro switch 29-2.

[0097] The connections or positional relationships between the above components are as follows:

[0098] The microwave digestion cavity includes a furnace cavity 1; the furnace cavity is a hollow cavity with cavity openings 1-8 provided on the front or side;

[0099] A panel 4 is provided at the opening of the furnace cavity;

[0100] A motor mounting plate 14 is installed on the outside of the furnace cavity on the opposite side of the cavity opening;

[0101] The motor mounting plate is set parallel to the plane where the panel is located;

[0102] A motor 24 is mounted on a motor mounting plate, and a main synchronous pulley 25 is mounted on the output shaft of the motor.

[0103] See Figure 2 As shown, two sets of linear slide rails 22 and lead screws 23 are provided between the motor mounting plate 14 and the panel 4; the two sets of linear slide rails 22 and lead screws 23 are respectively provided on both sides of the motor; or, in other words, the two sets of linear slide rails 22 and lead screws 23 are horizontally symmetrically provided between the motor mounting plate and the panel with the output shaft of the motor as the central axis.

[0104] The two ends of the linear guide rail 22 are fixed to the opposite surfaces of the motor mounting plate and the panel; the lead screw 23 is rotatably fixed between the motor mounting plate and the panel; the head end of the lead screw (at... Figure 2 The middle section (right end) is installed through the motor mounting plate, forming the drive end of the lead screw; at the drive ends of the two lead screws, two synchronous pulleys 25-1 and 25-2 are respectively mounted and fixed (see...). Figure 2 As shown in the image).

[0105] The main synchronous pulley on the motor output shaft and the driven synchronous pulley on the lead screw drive end are set in the same longitudinal plane; a synchronous belt (not shown in the figure) is fitted between the main synchronous pulley and the driven synchronous pulley to transmit the rotational force of the motor output shaft to the two lead screws; when the main synchronous pulley on the motor output shaft rotates, it drives the two driven synchronous pulleys to rotate through the synchronous belt, thereby driving the lead screw to rotate.

[0106] Furthermore, for the entire microwave digestion cavity, two sets of linear slide rails and lead screws are arranged in parallel.

[0107] The structure and function of each component are described in detail below:

[0108] 1) Furnace cavity 1:

[0109] See Figure 3a and Figure 3b As shown, waveguide holes 1-4 are provided at the rear end of furnace cavity 1 for introducing magnetron antenna 0a.

[0110] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 3bAs described above, a magnetron 0 is installed on one side of the furnace cavity, and its magnetron output antenna 0a is electromagnetically or microwave connected to the waveguide holes 1-4 of the furnace cavity. The microwave energy generated by the magnetron 0 is coupled through the magnetron output antenna 0a and introduced into the furnace cavity 1 through the waveguide holes 1-4.

[0111] The back of the furnace cavity is also equipped with exhaust vents 1-5, which can be connected to external exhaust devices such as centrifugal fans to exhaust acid gas from the cavity and play a role in exhaust cooling.

[0112] The threaded holes 1-7 on the back of the furnace cavity can be used to fix the waveguide cover plate 2; the temperature measuring hole 1-3 is provided at the bottom of the furnace cavity for installing the infrared mounting base 13; the air hole 1-1 is provided at the top of the furnace cavity for installing the air circuit connector and connecting the pre-pressurized air circuit; the left and right sides of the furnace cavity are provided with grooves 1-2 and threaded holes for installing the linear slide rail 22, and the bottom of both sides are also provided with mounting holes 1-6, which can be fixed to the instrument mounting bracket with screws.

[0113] The furnace cavity is made of corrosion-resistant metal materials such as 316L or titanium alloy, and is composed of a varying number of metal plates. Welding can be used to ensure the structural strength requirements of the furnace cavity. The inner surface of the furnace cavity is coated with Teflon for acid protection.

[0114] 2) Waveguide cover plate 2:

[0115] like Figure 4 As shown, the waveguide cover plate 2 is provided with mounting holes 2-2 and is fixed in the furnace cavity 1 by screws.

[0116] The waveguide cover plate is provided with heat dissipation holes 2-1, which correspond to the exhaust holes 1-5 on the back of the furnace cavity 1, and are used to exhaust acid gas in the cavity and play a role in exhaust cooling.

[0117] The waveguide cover plate 2 is made of materials such as PFA or PTFE, as long as the corrosion resistance, temperature resistance, strength and microwave penetration meet the requirements.

[0118] 3) Sealing cap 3:

[0119] like Figure 5 As shown, the sealing cover has mounting holes 3-4 and is fixed in the furnace cavity 1 by screws.

[0120] The sealing cap has an air hole 3-1 in the center for the pre-pressurization air passage to pressurize the inside of the inner tank 8.

[0121] The front end of the sealing cap has a chamfer 3-2, which can better flatten the sealing ring set in the groove 8-2 and prevent deformation when the inner tank 8 retracts into the furnace cavity 1.

[0122] The sealing cap can be made of materials such as PFA or PTFE, as long as it meets the requirements for corrosion resistance, temperature resistance, and strength.

[0123] 4) Panel 4:

[0124] See Figure 6 As shown, the panel has a center hole 4-2 for mounting a lead screw.

[0125] The panel is provided with guide hole 4-1, into which a shaft seal can be installed for sliding guidance of guide rod 20.

[0126] The panel is also provided with threaded holes 4-3 for installing shaft seal pressure plate 19 to prevent the shaft seal from being pulled out.

[0127] The panel material is made of corrosion-resistant metals such as 316L or titanium alloy.

[0128] 5) Cavity door 5:

[0129] See Figure 7 As shown, the cavity door is provided with a large mounting hole 5-1 for mounting the guide rod 20.

[0130] The cavity door is provided with a small mounting hole 5-2 for mounting the fixing seat 6.

[0131] The cavity door is equipped with an air inlet 5-3, which can dissipate heat inside the furnace cavity 1 through air cooling; it is also equipped with a cooling hole 5-4, which can be connected to external cooling gas to directly blow air onto the tank to dissipate heat and accelerate cooling. All heat is discharged through the exhaust hole 1-5 on the back of the furnace cavity 1.

[0132] The cavity door has a groove 5-5, into which a sealing ring can be inserted to seal and prevent acid gas from leaking out.

[0133] The cavity door is made of corrosion-resistant metal materials such as 316L or titanium alloy, and the surface is coated with Teflon to prevent acid damage.

[0134] 6) Fixture 6:

[0135] like Figure 8 As shown, the fixing seat has a threaded hole 6-1 and is fixed to the cavity door 5 by screws.

[0136] The mounting base has a center hole 6-2 for mounting the sleeve 7.

[0137] The front of the fixed base is provided with a cooling hole inlet 6-3, which corresponds to the cooling hole 5-4 of the cavity door 5. The rear is provided with a cooling hole outlet 6-4. The front cooling hole inlet can be connected to external cooling gas to directly blow air to dissipate heat from the tank. The heat is discharged from the rear cooling hole outlet, forming a circulation and accelerating cooling.

[0138] The mounting base can be made of materials such as PFA or PTFE, as long as the corrosion resistance, temperature resistance, strength and microwave penetration meet the usage requirements.

[0139] 7) Sleeve 7:

[0140] See Figure 9 As shown, the sleeve is fixed in the fixing seat 6 by a tight fit. The sleeve has a central hole 7-1 for installing the inner tank 8, and a step 7-2 for supporting the inner tank 8.

[0141] The sleeve material can be PEEK or similar materials, as long as the corrosion resistance, temperature resistance, strength and microwave penetration meet the requirements.

[0142] 8) Inner tank 8:

[0143] like Figure 10 As shown, a boss 8-1 is provided on the outer wall of the inner tank, which can be supported by the step 7-2 of the sleeve when inserted into the sleeve.

[0144] The inner wall of the inner tank has a groove 8-2, into which a sealing ring can be inserted to achieve a sealing effect and ensure vacuum pressure.

[0145] A temperature measuring hole 8-3 is located at the center of the bottom of the inner tank, which can better monitor the internal digestion temperature.

[0146] The inner tank can be made of materials such as PFA or PTFE, as long as the corrosion resistance, temperature resistance, strength and microwave penetration meet the requirements.

[0147] 9) Sample rack 9:

[0148] like Figure 11 As shown, the sample holder has a central hole 9-1 for mounting the handle 10.

[0149] The sample holder has a sample hole 9-2 for placing the sample tube 12, and a step 9-3 at the bottom to better fix the sample tube and prevent it from shaking.

[0150] The sample holder can be made of materials such as PFA or PTFE, as long as it meets the requirements for corrosion resistance, temperature resistance and strength.

[0151] 10) Handle 10:

[0152] See Figure 12 As shown, the groove 10-1 of the handle fits snugly into the center hole of the sample holder 9 to prevent it from slipping out. A boss 10-2 is provided above the handle to facilitate gripping by the robotic arm.

[0153] The handle material can be PFA or PTFE, as long as it is corrosion resistant, temperature resistant, and has sufficient strength to meet the usage requirements.

[0154] 11) Sample tube cap 11:

[0155] See Figure 13As shown, the sample tube cap has a protrusion 11-1, which can be held in place by the tube opening when inserted into the sample tube 12, and can also be easily pulled out.

[0156] The sample tube cap is equipped with an air passage 11-2 to facilitate the discharge of acid gas, prevent excessive pressure, and prevent condensate from dripping into the sample tube 12 and causing sample contamination.

[0157] The sample tube cap can be made of materials such as PFA or PTFE, as long as it meets the requirements for corrosion resistance, temperature resistance, and strength.

[0158] 12) Sample tube 12:

[0159] See Figure 14 As shown, the sample tube can be placed into the sample hole of the sample holder 9, and is better fixed by the bottom step to prevent shaking.

[0160] Sample tubes are generally cup-shaped, with the inside used to hold the digestion solution. The bottom is arc-shaped to facilitate the digestion solution and sample to gather together during the digestion process.

[0161] For sample tubes, economical thin-walled quartz tubes, PTFE-TFM, and disposable sample tubes can be selected, as long as their corrosion resistance, temperature resistance, strength, and microwave penetration meet the requirements.

[0162] 13) Infrared mounting bracket 13:

[0163] like Figure 15 As shown, the infrared mounting base has mounting holes 13-1 and is fixed to the bottom of the furnace cavity 1 with screws. The infrared mounting base has a central hole 13-2 for installing an infrared temperature sensor, which can monitor the internal digestion temperature of the inner tank 8.

[0164] The infrared mounting base can be made of materials such as PFA or PTFE, as long as it meets the requirements for corrosion resistance, temperature resistance, and strength.

[0165] 14) Motor mounting plate 14:

[0166] See Figure 16 As shown, the motor mounting plate has a first mounting hole 14-1, which is connected and fixed to the guide rail mounting base 15 by screws.

[0167] The motor mounting plate has a first center hole 14-2 for mounting the motor.

[0168] Two guide wheels are fixed at the second mounting hole 14-3 on the motor mounting plate, which can make the synchronous belt drive smoother.

[0169] The motor mounting plate has four grooves 14-4, whose positions can be adjusted to regulate the tension of the timing belt.

[0170] The motor mounting plate has a second center hole 14-5 for mounting the lead screw.

[0171] The motor mounting plate has threaded holes 14-6 for mounting the second micro-motion support plate 17.

[0172] The motor mounting plate is made of corrosion-resistant metal materials such as 316L stainless steel or titanium alloy.

[0173] 15) Guide rail fixing seat 15:

[0174] See Figure 17 As shown, the guide rail mounting base is provided with a first threaded hole 15-1, which is connected and fixed to the motor mounting plate 14 by screws.

[0175] The guide rail mounting base has a groove 15-2 and a threaded hole for mounting linear guide rails.

[0176] The guide rail mounting base is provided with a second threaded hole 15-3 for mounting the first micro-motion support plate 16.

[0177] The guide rail mounting base is made of corrosion-resistant metal materials such as 316L stainless steel or titanium alloy.

[0178] 16) First micro-motion support plate 16:

[0179] See Figure 18 As shown, the first micro-motion support plate has two waist grooves 16-1, which are fixed to the guide rail fixing seat 16 by screws. Its position can be adjusted so that the position of the first micro-motion switch 29-1 can be adjusted.

[0180] The first micro switch support plate is provided with a threaded hole 16-2 for installing the first micro switch 29-1.

[0181] The first micro-motion support plate is made of corrosion-resistant metal materials such as 316L or titanium alloy.

[0182] 17) Second micro-motion support plate 17:

[0183] See Figure 19 As shown, the second micro-motion support plate is provided with mounting holes 17-1 and is fixed to the motor mounting plate 14 by screws.

[0184] The second micro switch support plate is provided with a threaded hole 17-2 for installing the second micro switch 29-2.

[0185] The second micro-motion support plate is made of corrosion-resistant metal materials such as 316L or titanium alloy.

[0186] 18) Screw fixing seat 18:

[0187] like Figure 20 As shown, the lead screw fixing seat has a groove 18-1 and a mounting hole 18-2, and is connected and fixed to the linear slide rail by screws.

[0188] The lead screw fixing seat is provided with an arc groove 18-3 and a threaded hole 18-4, and is connected and fixed to the guide rod 20 by screws.

[0189] The lead screw fixing seat has a center hole 18-5, through which the lead screw can pass.

[0190] The lead screw fixing seat is provided with a slot 18-6 for limiting the lead screw nut, thereby allowing the lead screw fixing seat to move.

[0191] The lead screw fixing seat is made of corrosion-resistant metal materials such as 316L or titanium alloy.

[0192] 19) Shaft seal pressure plate 19:

[0193] See Figure 21 As shown, the shaft seal plate has mounting holes 19-1 and is fixed to the panel 4 by screws.

[0194] The shaft seal pressure plate has a central hole 19-2, through which the lead screw can pass.

[0195] The shaft seal pressure plate is provided with a through hole 19-3, through which the guide rod 20 can pass.

[0196] The shaft seal pressure plate is made of corrosion-resistant metal materials such as 316L or titanium alloy.

[0197] 20) Guide rod 20:

[0198] See Figure 22 As shown, the guide rod has a threaded hole 20-1 and is fixed to the cavity door 5 by screws.

[0199] The guide rod is provided with mounting holes 20-2 and is fixed to the lead screw fixing seat 18 by screws.

[0200] The guide rod is made of corrosion-resistant metals such as 316L stainless steel or titanium alloy.

[0201] 21) Baffle 21:

[0202] See Figure 23 As shown, the baffle has a threaded hole 21-1 and is fixed to the lead screw nut by a screw. The baffle also has a center hole 21-2 through which the lead screw can pass.

[0203] The baffle is made of corrosion-resistant metal materials such as 316L or titanium alloy.

[0204] A. The pre-pressurization air path of this technical solution:

[0205] See Figure 24 As shown, the pre-pressurized air circuit in this technical solution consists of a solenoid valve, a one-way valve, a four-way valve, a pressure sensor, and a ball valve. The entire air circuit connection is made of stainless steel rigid pipes.

[0206] When the solenoid valve is opened, the gas source begins to fill the tank. The gas passes through a one-way valve and then splits into three paths after passing through a four-way valve. One path enters the inner tank 8 through a connected gas connector to begin pressurization; another path connects to a pressure sensor to monitor the gas pressure in real time; and the last path connects to a ball valve, which can be opened to release the gas when the gas pressure is too high or after the experiment is completed. When the internal pressure of the inner tank 8 reaches the rated value, the solenoid valve is closed. The one-way valve can prevent gas backflow and ensure stable gas pressure. The entire process described above is the working principle of the pre-pressurization gas circuit in this technical solution.

[0207] B. The working process of this technical solution is described in [reference]. Figure 25 , Figure 26 , Figure 27 , Figure 28 As shown:

[0208] In the initial preparation stage, the cavity structure is as follows: Figure 26 As shown, it is in the open state.

[0209] The sample tube 12, which contains digestion solution, is plugged with the sample tube cap 11 and inserted into the sample hole of the sample holder 9. The robotic arm uses the gripping handle 10 to place the sample holder 9 into the inner container 8, which together with the sleeve 7 forms the container body.

[0210] The entire device starts to operate. The motor drives the synchronous belt to rotate the synchronous pulley of the lead screw. The lead screw then drives the guide rail fixing seat 15 to move horizontally on the linear slide rail. The guide rod 20 connected to the guide rail fixing seat 15 also moves horizontally. The cavity door 5 connected to the guide rod 20 can then slowly close, pushing the tank into the furnace cavity 1 together.

[0211] During the process of pushing it into the furnace chamber 1, the chamfer at the front end of the sealing cover 3 fits into the sealing ring, which can gradually flatten the sealing ring without causing deformation.

[0212] When the guide rail fixing seat 15 touches the first micro switch 29-1, the cavity door 5 is still a short distance away from the furnace cavity 1. The motor continues to rotate, and the compression spring mounted on the lead screw is compressed against the guide rail fixing seat 15 to generate a reaction force. This slows down the closing action of the cavity door 5 and provides a certain damping effect until the baffle 21 touches the second micro switch 29-2, at which point the motor stops, the cavity door closing step is completed, and the experiment can be carried out.

[0213] After the experiment is completed, first open the ball valve to release the gas. Once the gas pressure returns to normal, you can proceed with the cavity opening procedure.

[0214] When the motor is started and reversed, the motor drives the synchronous belt to rotate the synchronous pulley of the lead screw. The lead screw then drives the guide rail fixing seat 15 to move horizontally on the linear slide rail. The guide rod 20 connected to the guide rail fixing seat 15 also moves horizontally. The cavity door 5 connected to the guide rod 20 can then be slowly opened, and the tank can be pulled out of the furnace cavity 1 together.

[0215] After the motor moves to the set number of steps, it stops working, and the cavity structure is fully open. At this time, the robotic arm can grab the handle 10 and move the sample holder 9 out of the inner tank 8 before proceeding to the next step.

[0216] In summary, the main inventive points of this invention are: the cavity structure adopts a drawer-like form with front-to-back or side-opening doors. When the cavity door opens and closes, the sample holder moves forward, backward, or sideways along with the door, which allows for a smaller overall instrument and a larger operating space. The cavity structure can automatically close the cavity door, automatically pressurize, heat, and digest, and automatically depressurize and cool after the experiment, then automatically open the cavity door again, achieving full automation of the experimental process. The front-to-back and side-opening doors ensure that the sample holder is in a relatively open and easily accessible position after the experiment, allowing for subsequent handling by a robotic arm, further enhancing automation. Additionally, cooling holes are provided on the cavity door and the mounting base, allowing for the connection of external nitrogen gas to accelerate cooling after the experiment, further improving sample processing efficiency.

[0217] In the technical solution of this invention, the drawer-type super microwave digestion cavity has the following characteristics:

[0218] 1. The cavity structure adopts a drawer-like cavity with front, back, or side opening doors.

[0219] The sleeve, inner container, and sample holder are mounted on the cavity door. When the cavity door is opened or closed, the sample holder moves back and forth or sideways along with the door, which can make the overall instrument smaller and the operating space larger.

[0220] 2. The front, rear, and side opening doors ensure that the sample rack is in a relatively open and convenient position after the chamber door is opened after the experiment is completed.

[0221] Later, a robotic arm can be used to pick up and put down the sample rack, which can greatly reduce the labor intensity of operators and improve the working environment of operators while improving digestion efficiency and ensuring system reliability. It can be well applied to fully automatic microwave digestion instruments.

[0222] 3. Cooling holes are provided on the cavity door and the fixed base, which can be connected to nitrogen gas to accelerate the cooling speed after the experiment and further improve the sample preparation efficiency.

[0223] 4. The cavity structure adopts an insert-type tube cap seal and automatically adds nitrogen for pressure sealing, so any type of sample tube can be used, including economical thin-walled quartz tubes, PTFE-TFM and disposable sample tubes, which greatly reduces costs.

[0224] This invention can be widely used in the design and manufacture of super microwave digestion cavity structures.

Claims

1. A drawer-type super microwave digestion cavity structure, characterized in that: Set up a cavity; The cavity includes a furnace cavity with a lateral opening and a cavity door assembly; The cavity has a structure that allows for front, rear, or side opening. The cavity door assembly is provided with at least one sample holder for placing sample tubes; When the cavity door assembly is opened or closed, the sample holder moves back and forth or laterally along with the cavity door assembly; A motor drive assembly, a lead screw assembly, a linear guide rail assembly, and an air connection are installed outside the cavity structure. The cavity door assembly is connected to the furnace cavity as a whole via a linear slide rail assembly, and moves back and forth or laterally under the drive of the motor drive assembly and the lead screw assembly; When the cavity door assembly is opened or closed, the sample holder moves back and forth or laterally along with the cavity door assembly; The door is opened by moving forward and backward or sliding laterally, ensuring that the sample rack is in a relatively open and convenient position after the chamber door assembly is opened after the experiment. This facilitates the use of a robotic arm to pick up and put down the sample rack, improves digestion efficiency, reduces the labor intensity of operators, and improves the working environment of operators while ensuring system reliability. Under the control of the automatic control system, the cavity structure can automatically close the cavity door assembly and automatically pressurize, heat and digest; after the experiment is completed, it can automatically depressurize and cool, and then automatically open the cavity door assembly, realizing the full automation of the experimental process.

2. The drawer-type super microwave digestion cavity structure according to claim 1, characterized in that... The furnace cavity opening is provided with a panel that serves as a cavity door; A motor mounting plate is installed on the outside of the furnace cavity on the opposite side of the cavity opening; The motor mounting plate is set parallel to the plane where the panel is located; A motor is mounted on a motor mounting plate, and a main synchronous pulley is mounted on the output shaft of the motor. Between the motor mounting plate and the panel, there are two sets of linear slide rails and lead screws; the two sets of linear slide rails and lead screws are respectively located on both sides of the motor. The two ends of the linear guide rail are fixed to the opposite surfaces of the motor mounting plate and the panel; The lead screw is rotatably fixed between the motor mounting plate and the panel; The lead screw has its head end inserted through the motor mounting plate, forming the drive end of the lead screw; Two synchronous pulleys are respectively mounted and fixed at the drive ends of the two lead screws; The main synchronous pulley on the motor output shaft and the driven synchronous pulley on the lead screw drive end are set in the same longitudinal plane; a synchronous belt is fitted between the main synchronous pulley and the driven synchronous pulley to transmit the rotational force of the motor output shaft to the two lead screws; When the main synchronous pulley on the motor output shaft rotates, it drives the two slave synchronous pulleys to rotate via the synchronous belt, which in turn drives the lead screw to rotate. For the entire microwave digestion cavity, two sets of linear slide rails and lead screws are set in parallel.

3. The drawer-type super microwave digestion cavity structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The two sets of linear guide rails and lead screws are arranged horizontally and symmetrically between the motor mounting plate and the panel, with the motor output shaft as the central axis.

4. The drawer-type super microwave digestion cavity structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The furnace cavity is a hollow cavity with an opening on the front or side; Vent holes are provided on the back of the furnace cavity to exhaust acid gas from the cavity and to provide ventilation and cooling. Threaded holes for fixing waveguide cover plates are provided on the back of the furnace cavity; A temperature measuring hole for installing an infrared mounting base is provided at the bottom of the furnace cavity; The furnace cavity is equipped with air holes for installing air passage connectors, which are connected to the pre-pressurized air passage. Grooves and threaded holes are provided on the left and right sides of the furnace cavity for installing linear guide rails.

5. The drawer-type super microwave digestion cavity structure according to claim 4, characterized in that... A waveguide cover plate is installed inside the furnace cavity; The waveguide cover plate has heat dissipation holes that correspond to the exhaust holes on the back of the furnace cavity, which are used to exhaust acid gas from the cavity and play a role in exhaust cooling.

6. The drawer-type super microwave digestion cavity structure according to claim 2, characterized in that... A sealing cover is installed inside the furnace cavity; The sealing cap has an air hole in the center for the pre-pressurized air passage to vent. An annular groove is provided on the lower end face of the sealing cap; a sealing ring is provided in the groove; A chamfer is provided at the front end of the sealing cap so that when the inner can of the cavity door, which is used to support the sample rack and sample tube, retracts into the furnace cavity, the sealing ring set in the groove is better flattened and does not deform.

7. The drawer-type super microwave digestion cavity structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cavity door assembly includes a panel and a cavity door; The panel has a central hole for mounting a lead screw; The panel has guide holes for inserting shaft seals for sliding guidance of the guide rod; The panel is also provided with threaded holes for installing shaft seal pressure plates to prevent the shaft seal from being pulled out, and the cavity door is provided with large mounting holes for installing guide rods; The cavity door is provided with small mounting holes for mounting a fixing seat; The cavity door is equipped with air inlets, which can dissipate heat from the inside of the furnace cavity through air cooling; It is also equipped with cooling holes, which can be connected to external cooling gas to directly blow air onto the tank to dissipate heat and accelerate cooling. The heat is discharged through the exhaust holes on the back of the furnace cavity. The cavity door has a groove to accommodate a sealing ring, which seals the cavity and prevents acid gas from leaking out.

8. The drawer-type super microwave digestion cavity structure according to claim 1, characterized in that... A fixing seat is provided on the cavity door; A sleeve for supporting the inner tank is provided in the fixed seat; A sample rack is installed inside the inner tank; The sample holder has a sample hole for placing sample tubes and a step at the bottom to better secure the sample tubes and prevent them from shaking. The sample holder is equipped with an installation handle for easy gripping by the robotic arm.

9. The drawer-type super microwave digestion cavity structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drawer-type super microwave digestion cavity structure operates according to the following steps: During the initial preparation stage, the cavity door is in the open position; The sample tube containing the digestion solution is plugged with the sample tube cap and inserted into the sample hole of the sample holder. The sample holder is then placed into the inner container by grasping the handle, and together with the sleeve, they form the container body. The entire device starts to run. The motor drives the synchronous belt to rotate the synchronous pulley of the lead screw. The lead screw then drives the guide rail fixing seat to move horizontally on the linear slide rail. The guide rod connected to the guide rail fixing seat also moves horizontally. The cavity door connected to the guide rod can then be slowly closed, pushing the tank into the furnace cavity 1 together. During the process of pushing it into the furnace cavity, the chamfer at the front end of the sealing cover fits into the sealing ring, ensuring that the sealing ring is gradually flattened without deformation. When the guide rail fixing seat touches the first micro switch, the cavity door is still a short distance away from the furnace cavity. The motor continues to rotate, and the compression spring mounted on the lead screw is compressed against the guide rail fixing seat to generate a reaction force. This can slow down the closing action of the cavity door and play a certain damping effect until the baffle touches the second micro switch, the motor stops, the cavity door closing step is completed, and the experiment can be carried out. After the experiment is completed, first open the ball valve to release the gas. Once the gas pressure returns to normal, you can proceed with the cavity opening procedure.

10. The drawer-type super microwave digestion cavity structure according to claim 9, characterized in that: The cavity opening step includes: When the motor is started and reversed, the motor drives the synchronous belt to rotate the synchronous pulley of the lead screw. The lead screw then drives the guide rail fixing seat to move horizontally on the linear slide rail. The guide rod connected to the guide rail fixing seat also moves horizontally. The cavity door connected to the guide rod slowly opens, pulling the tank out of the furnace cavity together. After the motor moves to the set number of steps, it stops working, and the cavity structure is fully open. At this time, the sample holder can be removed from the inner tank by grabbing the handle with the robotic arm, and then the next operation can be carried out.

Images