Full-automatic oil integrated analyzer

Abstract

This invention relates to a fully automated integrated oil and fat analyzer, belonging to the field of analytical instrument technology. It includes a housing; the upper part of the housing is a working space, and the lower part is a material space; the working space is equipped with a sample rack for storing sample bottles, a cup rack for storing titration cups, several titration analysis chambers, and a robotic arm for transferring sample bottles and titration cups; the robotic arm includes a first robotic arm for removing titration cups from the cup rack and a second robotic arm for removing sample bottles from the sample rack and adding samples to the titration cups by squeezing; the titration cups are weighed on a balance for adding samples; the second robotic arm also transfers the titration cups containing the samples from the balance to the titration analysis chambers; the execution ends of the first and second robotic arms are equipped with grippers. This integrated analyzer can automate the entire oil and fat detection process, significantly improving work efficiency, and is especially suitable for the rapid detection of large batches of samples.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fully automated integrated oil and fat analyzer, belonging to the field of analytical instrument technology. Background Technology

[0002] Oil and fat testing is a crucial step in grain and oil quality inspection, food processing, and scientific research. Commonly used testing parameters include acid value, peroxide value, and fatty acid value. Currently, the determination of these indicators mainly relies on the titration analysis method specified in national standards. The basic procedure is as follows: The operator takes a titration cup, manually squeezes the sample bottle on a balance to add the oil sample, weighs it to the target weight, and then transfers it to the titration station. Using a burette, the titration reagent is manually added drop by drop. The endpoint is determined by visually observing the color change of the solution. The amount of reagent consumed is recorded, and the test results are calculated. After the test, the waste liquid must be manually poured out, and the titration cup must be washed and dried for future use.

[0003] The aforementioned traditional testing methods have the following shortcomings: First, the entire process relies entirely on manual operation, involving numerous steps and significant time consumption, making continuous batch operations difficult and resulting in low testing efficiency. Second, operators frequently need to handle and open reagent bottles, leading to prolonged exposure to harmful gases emitted by the titration reagents, posing significant occupational health and safety hazards. Third, sample weighing accuracy depends on manual squeezing control, and the titration endpoint relies entirely on visual observation. Different operators have varying vision, experience, and judgment standards, making it difficult to guarantee the accuracy and repeatability of the test data. Fourth, manual washing and natural air drying lack standardized procedures, making it easy for cleaning agent residues or previous sample residues to cause cross-contamination, and drying is time-consuming. Fifth, each operational step is performed at different workstations, requiring operators to frequently transfer samples, increasing operational complexity and the risk of sample confusion. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a fully automated integrated oil and fat analyzer to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: A fully automated integrated oil and fat analyzer includes a housing; the upper part of the housing is a working space, and the lower part is a material space; the working space is equipped with a sample rack for storing sample bottles, a cup rack for storing titration cups, several titration analysis chambers, and a robotic arm for transferring sample bottles and titration cups; the robotic arm includes a first robotic arm for removing titration cups from the cup rack and a second robotic arm for removing sample bottles from the sample rack and adding samples to the titration cups by squeezing; the titration cups are weighed on a balance to add samples; the second robotic arm also transfers the titration cups containing the samples from the balance to the titration analysis chambers; the execution ends of the first and second robotic arms are equipped with grippers.

[0006] A further improvement to the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: the upper end cover of the titration analysis chamber is equipped with a reagent dispensing nozzle, and the reagent dispensing nozzle is connected to a reagent bottle in the material space through a pipe, the pipe passing through a peristaltic pump; an optical sensor for determining the titration endpoint is installed in the titration analysis chamber.

[0007] A further improvement to the technical solution of the present invention is that multiple titration analysis chambers are provided, and the drip nozzles of different titration analysis chambers are connected to different reagent bottles, and different titration analysis chambers measure different parameters.

[0008] A further improvement to the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: a cleaning tank is provided in the working space, and a cleaning spray pipe is vertically arranged in the inclined tank; the cleaning tank is provided with a waste liquid outlet, and the waste liquid outlet is connected to a waste liquid tank through a pipe; the waste liquid tank is arranged in the material space.

[0009] A further improvement to the technical solution of the present invention is that two cleaning tanks are provided, one of which has a cleaning nozzle spraying cleaning agent, and the other has a cleaning nozzle spraying clean water.

[0010] A further improvement to the technical solution of the present invention is that a tilting robotic arm is provided for pouring the liquid in the titration cup into the cleaning tank after the test is completed; the execution end of the tilting robotic arm is provided with a gripper, and the gripper can rotate the titration cup to tilt.

[0011] A further improvement to the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: the titration cup is placed upside down on the cup holder; in use, the first robotic arm takes out the titration cup upside down and places it on the tilting robotic arm, and the tilting robotic arm puts the titration cup upright for use.

[0012] A further improvement to the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: a plurality of cup hole seats are provided on the cup holder, and drying blow holes are provided in the cup hole seats.

[0013] A further improvement to the technical solution of the present invention is that a cleaning agent tank and a clean water tank are also provided in the material space, and are respectively connected to the cleaning spray pipe through a pump and a pipeline.

[0014] A further improvement to the technical solution of the present invention is that a number of bottle hole seats are provided on the sample rack, and the bottle hole seats can be heated and kept warm.

[0015] Due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the technical effects achieved by this invention are as follows: This integrated analyzer automates the entire oil and fat testing process, significantly improving work efficiency. Through the coordinated operation of three robotic arms—a first robotic arm, a second robotic arm, and a tilting robotic arm—along with automatic tilting, weighing, titration, and cleaning / drying functions, the entire operation process, from cup picking, sample addition, weighing, titration to cleaning and recovery, is fully realized without manual intervention. The parallel arrangement of multiple titration analysis chambers allows the instrument to simultaneously analyze multiple samples, multiplying the detection throughput, making it particularly suitable for rapid analysis of large batches of samples.

[0016] The integrated analyzer of this invention, after achieving fully automated operation throughout the entire process, significantly reduces operator contact with chemical reagents, thus ensuring occupational health. Most titration reagents used in oil and fat testing are volatile, irritating, or corrosive. In traditional manual operations, operators inevitably come into frequent contact with reagents and inhale volatile gases. This technical solution entrusts all steps involving contact with chemical reagents to a robotic arm that automatically completes the process within a sealed working space and titration analysis chamber. Waste liquid disposal and cleaning are also automatically handled by the robotic arm and directly discharged into a sealed waste liquid container. Operators only need to place sample bottles and reagent bottles before the test begins; no contact with any chemical reagents is required throughout the entire testing process, effectively avoiding the harm to the human body from reagent volatiles.

[0017] The integrated analyzer of this invention improves the accuracy and repeatability of test results. It achieves precise sample weighing through real-time feedback control of a balance, precisely controls reagent addition through a peristaltic pump, and automatically determines the titration endpoint using an optical sensor, eliminating subjective errors caused by individual experience and variations in conditions during manual operation. Standardized procedures ensure consistency and repeatability of test results across different batches.

[0018] The integrated analyzer of this invention uses an upside-down storage method for the titration cup to prevent dust from falling in. After each cleaning, it is dried with hot air through a drying nozzle. The cleaning tank is divided into two independent stations: cleaning with cleaning agent and rinsing with clean water. This ensures that the titration cup is always in a clean and dry state, effectively avoiding cross-contamination caused by repeated use. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is the front view of the present invention; The components include: 1. Box body; 2. Sample rack; 3. Cup rack; 4. Titration analysis chamber; 5. First robotic arm; 6. Second robotic arm; 7. Balance; 8. Top cover; 9. Cleaning tank; 10. Cleaning nozzle; and 11. Tilting robotic arm. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this invention easier to understand, the invention will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0021] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "front end", "rear end", "both ends", "one end", "the other end", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0022] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "equipped with," "connected," etc., should be interpreted broadly. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0023] The fully automated integrated oil and fat analyzer of the present invention is used to test oil products and can detect commonly used parameters including acid value, peroxide value, and fatty acid value.

[0024] like Figures 1-2 As shown, the integrated analyzer mainly consists of a housing 1. The internal space of housing 1 is divided into two independent spaces, upper and lower. The upper space is the working space, which is the main area for sample loading, weighing, titration analysis, and cleaning operations. The lower space is the material space, used to centrally store auxiliary containers such as reagent bottles, cleaning agent containers, purified water containers, and waste liquid containers. The front of housing 1 is equipped with a transparent observation window and an openable operating door, facilitating operators to observe the internal operation of the instrument and to manually intervene in the items within the working space.

[0025] The workspace is equipped with a sample rack 2, a cup rack 3, a titration analysis chamber 4, a balance 7, a cleaning tank 9, and several robotic arms.

[0026] Sample rack 2 is used to store sample vials and can hold multiple vials. Sample rack 2 can have various structural forms. Specifically, sample rack 2 can be a turntable structure, installed in one side of the workspace. Sample rack 2 is driven by a rotary drive mechanism located at its bottom, and can rotate intermittently around a vertical axis to rotate the sample vials at a designated position to the vial retrieval station. Sample rack 2 is provided with several vial holders, all of which are evenly arranged along the circumference. Each vial holder is a cylindrical structure with an open top, and its inner diameter is adapted to the outer diameter of the sample vial for vertical insertion and fixation of the sample vial. Heating elements are provided at the bottom and inside the side walls of the vial holders. The heating elements of each vial holder are electrically connected to a temperature control module, allowing independent heating and heat preservation of each vial holder. Alternatively, sample rack 2 can be a rectangular structure, installed in one side of the workspace. The rectangular structure is generally flat and cuboid, with several vial holders arranged side by side along its length. Each vial holder is also a cylindrical structure with an open top for vertical insertion and fixation of the sample vial. The rectangular base has slide rails on both sides, and corresponding grooves are provided inside the housing 1 to cooperate with the slide rails, allowing the rectangular base to be pulled out horizontally from the front of the housing 1. Each bottle hole seat inside the rectangular base also has a heating and heat preservation function. Heating elements are provided in the bottom and side walls, and each heating element is electrically connected to the temperature control module, which can independently heat and keep the temperature of each bottle hole seat to prevent grease from solidifying.

[0027] The cup holder 3 is installed in the front area of ​​the workspace. It is a flat plate with several cup holders arranged in an array. Each cup holder has a round hole open at the top, the diameter of which matches the outer diameter of the titration cup. The titration cup is placed upside down on the cup holder 3, with the rim facing down and the bottom facing up, protruding from the upper surface of the cup holder 3. Each cup holder has a drying vent at its bottom (where the rim is inserted to its deepest point) to dry the cleaned sample cup.

[0028] Titration analysis chambers 4 are located in the middle rear area of ​​the working space, and multiple chambers 4 are arranged side-by-side horizontally. Each titration analysis chamber 4 is an independent, sealed chamber, with an upper cover 8 at the top for controlling the opening and closing of the chamber. Typically, the upper cover 8 is designed with a sliding opening and closing mechanism. The internal space of each titration analysis chamber 4 matches the external dimensions of the titration cup to accommodate the cup containing the sample. A reagent dispensing nozzle is fixedly mounted on the upper cover 8, vertically downwards and penetrating the cover 8, with its lower outlet located directly above the mouth of the titration cup. The reagent dispensing nozzle is connected to a reagent bottle in the material space via a flexible infusion tube. A peristaltic pump is installed on the infusion tube, and the pump head squeezes the flexible tube to drive the reagent flow. Each titration analysis chamber 4 is connected to a different reagent bottle, meaning that each chamber uses a different titrating reagent for determining different parameters of the oil. Each titration analysis chamber 4 is also equipped with an optical sensor, which is fixedly mounted on the side wall of the chamber with its detection end facing the titration cup. Because reagents are added sequentially during the titration process, the color of the sample changes during this process. The titration endpoint is determined by observing the color change throughout the sample. The optical sensor can accurately capture this color change at the titration endpoint.

[0029] Balance 7 is located in the central area of ​​the workspace, near the titration analysis chamber 4. Balance 7 is an electronic analytical balance, with its upper surface serving as a weighing platform. The weighing data from balance 7 is communicated with the instrument's control module via a data cable.

[0030] Two cleaning tanks 9 are located on one side of the workspace, arranged side-by-side. Each cleaning tank 9 is a box-shaped structure with an open top and an inclined bottom wall. A waste liquid outlet is located at the lowest point of the inclined surface. The waste liquid outlet is connected to a waste liquid tank in the material space via a drainage pipe. Each cleaning tank 9 has a vertically installed cleaning spray pipe 10, extending upwards from the center of the bottom of the cleaning tank 9, with its top end higher than the edge of the upper open end. Several spray holes are formed on the wall of the cleaning spray pipe 10, distributed circumferentially and axially. The cleaning spray pipes 10 in the two cleaning tanks 9 are connected to the cleaning agent tank and the clean water tank in the material space via independent supply pipes, each equipped with a pump. When cleaning the titration cup, it is first cleaned with cleaning agent in one cleaning tank, and then transferred to the other cleaning tank for cleaning with clean water.

[0031] The robotic arm comprises a first robotic arm 5, a second robotic arm 6, and a tilting robotic arm 11, all three mounted on the surface of the worktable. Each robotic arm has a gripper at its actuating end. The gripper of the first robotic arm 5 has a multi-finger, open-joint structure, with an adjustable opening distance between the two fingers, used to grip the outer wall of the titration cup. The gripper of the second robotic arm 6 also has a multi-finger, open-joint structure, with an integrated compression push plate. Driven by a micro-motor, the compression push plate reciprocates along the gripping direction of the gripper, applying pressure to the body of the sample vial held in the gripper. The gripper of the tilting robotic arm 11 has a rotatable structure, with a rotary drive motor mounted at the base of the gripper, driving the entire gripper to rotate within a range of 0° to 270° around a horizontal axis, causing the held titration cup to tilt or invert accordingly.

[0032] The material storage space contains several reagent bottles, a cleaning agent tank, a purified water tank, and a waste liquid tank. Each reagent bottle is connected to a reagent dispensing nozzle on the upper cap 8 of the corresponding titration analysis chamber 4 via a delivery pipeline. The reagent bottles contain different reagents, which are used as needed for different tests. The cleaning agent tank is connected to a cleaning spray nozzle 10 in one of the cleaning tanks 9 via a first supply pipeline and a first pump. The purified water tank is connected to a cleaning spray nozzle 10 in another cleaning tank 9 via a second supply pipeline and a second pump. The waste liquid tank is connected to the waste liquid outlets of both cleaning tanks 9 via a drain pipeline.

[0033] The titration cup is equipped with a magnetic stirring rotor, which allows the sample to be stirred inside the titration analysis chamber.

[0034] During operation, the control system can detect which positions on the sample rack and cup rack are vacant, and perform precise picking and placing when needed.

[0035] The working process of the instrument is explained below.

[0036] Initially, sample bottles containing oil samples are inserted into the bottle holders of sample rack 2, and clean, dry titration cups are placed upside down in the cup holders of cup rack 3. At the start of the test, the first robotic arm 5 moves to the designated cup holder on cup rack 3, vertically removes the titration cup from the holder, and then moves to the tilting robotic arm 11, handing it over to its grippers. The tilting robotic arm 11 grips the titration cup and rotates it 180°, turning the upside-down cup upright. Then, the second robotic arm 6 moves to sample rack 2, removes the sample bottle from the holder, and moves it above the mouth of the upright titration cup. At this point, the tilting robotic arm 11 places the upright titration cup on the weighing platform of balance 7. The grippers of the second robotic arm 6 clamp the sample bottle, and a pusher plate is pushed from the bottom of the bottle towards the mouth, squeezing out the oil sample and dripping it into the titration cup below. The balance 7 monitors the weight of the sample in the titration cup in real time. When the preset target weight is reached, the second robotic arm 6 stops squeezing. The second robotic arm 6 returns the sample vial to its original vial holder. Subsequently, the second robotic arm 6 removes the titration cup containing the sample from the balance 7 and transfers it to the titration analysis chamber 4, closing the chamber door. The upper cover 8 descends, allowing the reagent dispensing nozzle to extend into the titration cup. The peristaltic pump starts, injecting the titrant from the reagent vial into the titration cup through the dispensing nozzle. Simultaneously, the optical sensor monitors the color change of the solution in the cup in real time. When the color abruptly changes to the titration endpoint, the peristaltic pump stops, and the instrument records the amount of reagent consumed.

[0037] After titration, the door opens, and the second robotic arm 6 removes the titration cup containing waste liquid from the titration analysis chamber 4. It then transfers the waste liquid to the pouring robotic arm 11, whose grippers rotate to tilt the cup and pour it into the cleaning tank 9. The waste liquid flows into a waste container through the waste liquid outlet. After pouring, the first robotic arm 5 moves the empty titration cup into the first cleaning tank 9 and inverts it onto the cleaning nozzle 10 for cleaning with a cleaning agent. Then, the first robotic arm 5 moves the empty titration cup to the second cleaning tank 9 for cleaning with clean water. After cleaning, the first robotic arm 5 places the titration cup back into the cup holder 3. Hot air is blown into the cup through the drying nozzle in the cup holder to dry the titration cup for later use.

[0038] In summary, the fully automated integrated oil and fat analyzer of the present invention achieves full automation of the oil and fat detection process through the orderly arrangement of various functional areas within the workspace, the division of labor and cooperation between the first robotic arm 5, the second robotic arm 6, and the tilting robotic arm 11, combined with the weighing of the balance 7, the automatic titration of the titration analysis chamber 4, and the cleaning and drying of the cleaning tank 9.

[0039] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed. The scope of protection of this invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A fully automated integrated oil and fat analyzer, characterized in that: The box includes a housing (1); the upper part of the housing (1) is a working space and the lower part is a material space; the working space is equipped with a sample rack (2) for storing sample bottles, a cup rack (3) for storing titration cups, several titration analysis chambers (4) and a robotic arm for transferring sample bottles and titration cups; the robotic arm includes a first robotic arm (5) for taking the titration cups out of the cup rack (3) and a second robotic arm (6) for taking the sample bottles out of the sample rack (2) and adding the sample to the titration cups by squeezing; the titration cups are weighed and the sample is added on a balance (7); the second robotic arm (6) also transfers the titration cups containing the sample from the balance (7) to the titration analysis chambers (4); the execution ends of the first robotic arm (5) and the second robotic arm (6) are equipped with grippers.

2. The fully automated integrated oil and fat analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper cover (8) inside the titration analysis chamber (4) is equipped with a reagent dispensing nozzle, and the reagent dispensing nozzle is connected to the reagent bottle in the material space through a pipe, which passes through a peristaltic pump; the titration analysis chamber (4) is equipped with an optical sensor for determining the titration endpoint.

3. The fully automated integrated oil and fat analyzer according to claim 2, characterized in that: Multiple titration analysis chambers (4) are set up. Different titration analysis chambers (4) have different dropper nozzles connected to different reagent bottles. Different titration analysis chambers (4) measure different parameters.

4. The fully automated integrated oil and fat analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: A cleaning tank (9) is set in the work space, and a cleaning spray pipe (10) is set vertically in the cleaning tank (9); a waste liquid outlet is set in the cleaning tank (9), and the waste liquid outlet is connected to a waste liquid tank through a pipe; the waste liquid tank is set in the material space.

5. The fully automated integrated oil and fat analyzer according to claim 4, characterized in that: Two cleaning tanks (9) are provided. One cleaning tank (9) has a cleaning nozzle (10) that sprays cleaning agent, and the other cleaning tank (9) has a cleaning nozzle (10) that sprays clean water.

6. The fully automated integrated oil and fat analyzer according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that: A pouring robot arm (11) is also provided for pouring the liquid in the titration cup into the cleaning tank (9) after the test is completed; the execution end of the pouring robot arm (11) is provided with a gripper, and the gripper can rotate the titration cup to pour.

7. The fully automated integrated oil and fat analyzer according to claim 6, characterized in that: The titration cup is placed upside down on the cup holder (3); when in use, the first robotic arm (5) takes the titration cup upside down and puts it on the tilting robotic arm (11), and the tilting robotic arm (11) puts the titration cup upright before use.

8. The fully automated integrated oil and fat analyzer according to claim 7, characterized in that: Several cup hole seats are set on the cup holder (3), and drying blow holes are set in the cup hole seats.

9. The fully automated integrated oil and fat analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material space is also equipped with a cleaning agent tank and a clean water tank, which are connected to the cleaning spray pipe (10) through a pump and a pipeline, respectively.

10. The fully automated integrated oil and fat analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: Several bottle hole seats are set on the sample rack (2), and the bottle hole seats can be heated and kept warm.

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