Ether precise quantitative automatic feeding device and method for down residue detection

Abstract

The application discloses an ether precise quantitative automatic feeding device and method for down residual fat detection, and the device comprises a rack, an ether storage unit, a precise quantitative unit, a multi-station feeding unit, a soxhlet extraction unit, a water bath heating unit, a steam recovery unit and a control unit. The precise quantitative unit adopts a three-stage quantitative mode of coarse quantitative of a volumetric metering pump, feedback of a weighing sensor and fine supplement of a micro-dropping valve, cooperates with full-closed conveying and pressure balance design of a gas return pipe, realizes precise quantitative of the ether, and is high in quantitative precision. The multi-station feeding unit realizes multi-station rapid feeding through a multi-channel distribution valve, and is high in efficiency. The steam recovery unit cooperates with a concentration sensor to realize real-time monitoring, and ensures operation safety. The application solves the problems of low quantitative precision, serious volatilization, poor safety and low efficiency of ether feeding in the prior art, and can be widely applied to the field of down residual fat detection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of down detection technology, and in particular to an automatic ether feeding device and method for the precise quantitative detection of residual fat in down. Background Technology

[0002] Residual fat content in down is one of the important indicators for measuring down quality, directly affecting the cleanliness, odor, and performance of down.

[0003] Currently, the loading of ether in the detection of residual fat in down feathers mainly relies on manual operation. Operators need to measure a certain amount of ether using a graduated cylinder or pipette and then carefully add it to a round-bottom flask. This manual operation method has several problems: First, the quantitative accuracy is low; the accuracy of manually measuring ether is usually only ±1mL, which is insufficient for high-precision detection and directly affects the accuracy of the test results. Second, safety is poor; ether is a volatile, flammable, and explosive organic solvent with a low flash point and wide explosion limits. During manual operation, a large amount of ether evaporates, which not only endangers the respiratory health of operators but also poses a serious explosion hazard. Third, efficiency is low; manual operation is slow, with each sample loading process taking several minutes, making it difficult to meet the needs of batch testing. To address these issues, some automated ether feeding devices have emerged in the industry. For example, a six-axis robotic arm can be used to grip the ether mother bottle, tilt the bottle to pour the ether into the daughter bottle, and simultaneously use a weighing sensor to weigh the contents in real time until the target weight is reached.

[0004] However, this approach still has significant shortcomings in practical applications: The quantitative accuracy is still not ideal. The liquid outflow rate is affected by various factors such as the amount of liquid remaining in the bottle, the tilt angle, and the viscosity of the liquid when using the tilting pouring method. It is difficult to control precisely, especially when approaching the target weight. Controlling the last few drops of liquid is very difficult. The actual quantitative error is usually above 0.5g, which is difficult to achieve the high accuracy requirement of 0.1g. Ether is highly volatile. During the pouring process, ether is exposed to the air and evaporates in large quantities, which affects the accuracy of the metering and creates safety hazards, especially in the sealed protective enclosure where ether vapor can easily accumulate. The control is complex, requiring real-time adjustment of the tilt angle based on the weight of the remaining ether in the mother bottle; different batches of ether may require readjustment. The high cost of robotic arms, especially six-axis robotic arms, increases the overall cost of the equipment and hinders its widespread application. Fifth, multi-station efficiency is low. The robotic arm needs to operate at each station one by one. When multiple stations are inspected at the same time, the loading efficiency is not high. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing an automated device and method for precise quantitative feeding of diethyl ether for detecting residual fat in down feathers. The specific technical solution is as follows: An automatic ether-based precise quantitative feeding device for detecting residual fat in down feathers includes a frame, an ether storage unit, a precise quantitative unit, a multi-station feeding unit, a Soxhlet extraction unit, a water bath heating unit, a vapor recovery unit, and a control unit. The ether storage unit includes an ether mother bottle and a storage bottle holder, with the mother bottle sealed and placed on the holder. The precise quantitative unit includes a volumetric metering pump, a weighing sensor, a metering bottle, and a micro-drip valve. The inlet of the volumetric metering pump is connected to the ether mother bottle via a first pipeline, and the outlet is connected to the metering bottle via a second pipeline. The metering bottle is placed on the weighing sensor. The micro-drip valve is located on the second pipeline between the volumetric metering pump and the metering bottle. The multi-station feeding unit includes a multi-channel distribution valve, multiple feeding pipelines, and multiple round-bottom flask stations. The inlet of the multi-channel distribution valve is connected to the outlet of the metering bottle via a third pipeline, and the multiple outlets of the multi-channel distribution valve are respectively connected to the round-bottom flasks at the corresponding stations via the feeding pipelines. The Soxhlet extraction unit includes a Soxhlet extractor, a condenser, an extractor lifting module, and a condenser lifting module. The Soxhlet extractor is vertically and vertically positioned above the round-bottom flask via the extractor lifting module, and the condenser is vertically and vertically positioned above the Soxhlet extractor via the condenser lifting module. The water bath heating unit is located below the round-bottom flask and is used to heat the round-bottom flask. The vapor recovery unit includes a gas collection hood, a vacuum pump, and a waste gas treatment device. The gas collection hood is located above the Soxhlet extraction unit and is connected to the vacuum pump via a gas pipe. The vacuum pump is connected to the waste gas treatment device. The control unit is electrically connected to each functional component to control the coordinated operation of each unit.

[0006] Furthermore, the precise metering unit also includes a buffer bottle, which is disposed on the second pipeline between the volumetric metering pump and the micro-dispensing valve. A pressure sensor is mounted on the buffer bottle and is electrically connected to the control unit. The buffer bottle is used to stabilize the pipeline pressure and ensure the dispensing accuracy of the micro-dispensing valve.

[0007] Furthermore, a liquid outlet control valve is provided at the liquid outlet of the metering bottle. The liquid outlet control valve is electrically connected to the control unit and is used to control the output of the metered ether.

[0008] Furthermore, the top of the metering bottle is equipped with a sealing cap, which has a liquid inlet, a gas outlet, and a pressure balance hole. The liquid inlet is connected to the second pipeline, and the gas outlet is connected to the top space of the ether mother bottle through a return gas pipe. The return gas pipe returns the ether vapor that evaporates in the metering bottle to the mother bottle, which reduces the loss of ether vaporization and maintains the system pressure balance.

[0009] Furthermore, the multi-channel distribution valve is a rotary multi-channel distribution valve or an electromagnetic multi-channel distribution valve, which can realize sequential or simultaneous feeding of multiple workstations.

[0010] Furthermore, the round-bottom flask station is equipped with a flask positioning seat and a sealing joint, and the feeding pipeline is sealed to the mouth of the round-bottom flask through the sealing joint to ensure that the feeding process is sealed and leak-free.

[0011] Furthermore, the vapor recovery unit also includes a concentration sensor, which is installed inside the frame and electrically connected to the control unit to detect the concentration of ether vapor in real time, ensuring operational safety.

[0012] Furthermore, the water bath heating unit includes a water bath tank, a heating element, a temperature sensor, and a circulating water pump. The heating element, temperature sensor, and circulating water pump are all electrically connected to the control unit to achieve precise temperature control.

[0013] This invention also provides an automated method for precise quantitative feeding of ether for detecting residual fat in down feathers, comprising the following steps: S1. System initialization: The control unit resets each component, checks the status of each sensor, and confirms that there is enough diethyl ether in the diethyl ether master bottle; S2, First stage coarse metering: The control unit starts the volumetric metering pump to deliver diethyl ether from the diethyl ether mother bottle to the metering bottle at a large flow rate. When the weighing sensor detects that the weight of diethyl ether in the metering bottle reaches 90%-95% of the target weight, the control unit stops the volumetric metering pump. S3, Second Stage Precision Quantification: The control unit opens the micro-dropping valve and adds diethyl ether dropwise into the quantitative bottle at a small flow rate. At the same time, the weighing sensor detects the weight in real time. When 99% of the target weight is reached, the micro-dropping valve is controlled to reduce the dropping speed. When the target weight is reached, the micro-dropping valve is immediately closed. S4. Multi-station distribution: The control unit controls the multi-channel distribution valve to connect each station in sequence, and at the same time opens the liquid outlet control valve of the metering bottle, so that the metered ether is delivered to the round bottom flasks of each station through the feeding pipeline. S5. Extractor Installation: The control unit lowers the extractor lifting module to seal the Soxhlet extractor to the round-bottom flask; then it lowers the condenser lifting module to seal the condenser to the Soxhlet extractor. S6. Heating and Extraction: The control unit starts the water bath heating unit to heat the round-bottom flask in a water bath to begin fat extraction; at the same time, the vapor recovery unit is started to recover the volatile ether vapor. S7. Extraction complete: After the set extraction time is reached, the water bath heating unit stops heating, and the extractor lifting module and the condenser lifting module drive the Soxhlet extractor and the condenser to rise and reset respectively. S8. Calculation of residual fat: The extracted round-bottom flask is subjected to rotary evaporation to remove the ether, and then weighed to calculate the residual fat rate.

[0014] Furthermore, in step S2, the volumetric metering pump adopts a pulse control method, with each pulse delivering a fixed volume of diethyl ether, and the coarse metering is achieved by controlling the number of pulses.

[0015] Furthermore, in step S3, the micro-drop valve is a piezoelectric drop valve, which precisely controls the volume and dropping speed of each drop of ether by controlling the pulse width and frequency.

[0016] Furthermore, in steps S2 and S3, during the quantitative process, the volatile gas in the metering bottle flows back to the ether mother bottle through the return pipe to maintain the system pressure balance.

[0017] Furthermore, in step S6, the concentration sensor detects the concentration of ether vapor in the rack in real time. When the concentration exceeds the set threshold, the control unit increases the pumping power of the vacuum pump and issues an alarm signal.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: First, it has high quantitative accuracy. It adopts a three-stage quantitative method of coarse quantitative measurement by volumetric metering pump + feedback by weighing sensor + fine compensation by micro-drop valve. The quantitative accuracy can reach within 0.05g, which is far higher than the 0.5g accuracy of existing technologies, and significantly improves the accuracy of test results. The entire process of transporting ether from the mother bottle to the round-bottom flask is carried out through a closed pipeline. The volatile gas in the metering bottle is returned to the mother bottle through the return gas pipe, which greatly reduces the loss of ether volatilization, improves the metering accuracy and operational safety. The graded dripping control balances efficiency and precision. The first stage involves rapid high-flow-rate addition to achieve 90% of the target volume, while the second stage involves precise micro-drip addition for compensation. This ensures both feeding speed and high-precision quantitative control. Multi-station parallel operation is highly efficient. The use of multi-channel distribution valves enables simultaneous feeding at multiple stations, which is several times more efficient than the operation of a robotic arm at each station. Active vapor recovery ensures high safety. It is equipped with a gas collection hood, a vacuum pump, and an exhaust gas treatment device, along with a concentration sensor for real-time monitoring, to ensure that the concentration of ether vapor is always within a safe range, effectively preventing the risk of explosion. It is simple to control and low in cost. It adopts a volumetric metering pump and solenoid valve control. Compared with the six-axis robotic arm solution, it has a simpler structure, lower cost, and is easier to maintain. Seventh, pressure balance design ensures accurate measurement. A return gas pipe is installed between the metering bottle and the mother bottle to maintain system pressure balance and avoid affecting measurement accuracy due to pressure changes. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Fig. 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention; Fig. 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure between the Soxhlet extraction unit and the water bath heating unit in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0021] Example This invention provides an automatic ether feeding device for precise quantitative measurement of residual fat in down feathers. Please refer to the following embodiment. Figs. 1-2 It includes a frame 10, an ether storage unit, a precise metering unit, a multi-station feeding unit, a Soxhlet extraction unit, a water bath heating unit, a steam recovery unit, and a control unit.

[0022] The frame 10 adopts an aluminum profile frame structure. A transparent safety guard is installed on the outside of the frame 10, and an openable safety door is installed on the guard. The safety door is equipped with a safety door lock switch. When the safety door is opened, the equipment automatically stops running to ensure operational safety. Adjustable feet are installed at the bottom of the frame 10 for adjusting the level of the equipment.

[0023] The ether storage unit 20 is located on the lower left side of the frame 10, and includes an ether mother bottle 21 and a storage bottle holder 22. The ether mother bottle 21 is made of brown glass, has a capacity of 5L, and is used to store ether solvent. The storage bottle holder 22 is made of stainless steel and is fixed to the base plate of the frame 10. The holder 22 has grooves that fit the bottom of the ether mother bottle 21 for positioning and securing it. The mouth of the ether mother bottle 21 is equipped with a sealing plug 23, which has multiple through holes for pipelines to pass through. The sealing plug 23 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which has good corrosion resistance and sealing performance.

[0024] The precise metering unit is the core component of this invention, used to achieve precise metering of diethyl ether. The precise metering unit includes a volumetric metering pump 31, a weighing sensor 32, a metering bottle 33, and a micro-drop valve 34. The volumetric metering pump 31 is a peristaltic pump or a diaphragm pump, preferably a high-precision peristaltic pump; The inlet of the volumetric metering pump 31 is connected to the ether mother bottle 21 via a first pipe 35. The inlet of the first pipe 35 is inserted to the bottom of the ether mother bottle 21 to ensure that all the ether in the bottle can be extracted. The first pipe 35 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, which has good resistance to organic solvent corrosion.

[0025] The outlet of the volumetric metering pump 31 is connected to the metering bottle 33 via the second pipeline 36.

[0026] A buffer bottle 37 is also installed on the second pipeline 36, located between the volumetric metering pump 31 and the micro-drip valve 34. The buffer bottle 37 is made of glass and is used to stabilize the pressure in the pipeline, eliminate pulsation of the volumetric metering pump 31, and ensure the stability of subsequent micro-drip addition. A pressure sensor 38 is installed on the top of the buffer bottle 37. The pressure sensor 38 is electrically connected to the control unit and is used to monitor the pipeline pressure in real time, and to promptly alarm when the pressure is abnormal.

[0027] The micro-drop valve 34 is installed on the second pipeline 36, located between the buffer bottle 37 and the metering bottle 33. The micro-drop valve 34 is a piezoelectric micro-drop valve, also known as a piezoelectric jet valve, which can precisely control the volume of each drop of liquid, with a minimum dropping volume of 0.1 μL and a dropping frequency of up to 1000 Hz.

[0028] The micro-drop valve 34 is electrically connected to the control unit, and precisely controls the dropping speed and volume per drop by controlling the pulse width and frequency. The outlet of the micro-drop valve is aligned with the mouth of the metering bottle 33 to ensure that all the ether dripped down falls into the metering bottle 33.

[0029] The metering bottle 33 is made of glass and has graduations for easy observation of the liquid level. The metering bottle 33 is placed on a weighing sensor 32. The weighing sensor 32 is a high-precision electronic balance. The weighing sensor 32 is fixed to the mounting plate of the frame 10 and electrically connected to the control unit for real-time monitoring of the weight of the metering bottle 33 and the ether within it.

[0030] The top of the metering bottle 33 is equipped with a sealing cap 331, which is made of polytetrafluoroethylene and fits tightly with the bottle mouth of the metering bottle 33. The sealing cap 331 has three through holes: a liquid inlet, a gas outlet, and a pressure balance hole. The liquid inlet is connected to the liquid outlet of the second pipeline 36 to allow diethyl ether to enter the metering bottle 33. The outlet is connected to the top space of the ether mother bottle 21 through the return pipe 39. The return pipe 39 returns the ether vapor volatilized in the metering bottle 33 back to the ether mother bottle 21, which reduces the loss of ether volatilization and maintains the system pressure balance, avoiding the impact of pressure changes on the measurement accuracy. A microporous filter membrane is installed on the pressure balance hole to balance the pressure inside and outside the bottle, while preventing a large amount of ether vapor from leaking out.

[0031] The bottom of the metering bottle 33 is equipped with a liquid outlet, and a liquid outlet control valve 332 is installed at the liquid outlet. The liquid outlet control valve 332 is a solenoid valve, electrically connected to the control unit, and is used to control the output of metered ether. The outlet of the liquid outlet control valve 332 is connected to the multi-channel distribution valve 42 through a third pipeline 41.

[0032] The multi-station feeding unit is used to distribute the metered diethyl ether into multiple round-bottom flasks. The multi-station feeding unit includes a multi-channel distribution valve 42, multiple feeding pipelines 43, and multiple round-bottom flask stations 44. This embodiment has three stations, corresponding to a three-channel Soxhlet extractor; however, other numbers can be set as needed, such as 6 or 8 stations.

[0033] The multi-channel distribution valve 42 is a rotary multi-channel distribution valve, also known as a rotary selector valve, which includes a common inlet and multiple outlets. Different outlet channels are selected by rotating the valve core.

[0034] The common inlet of the multi-channel distribution valve 42 is connected to the liquid outlet control valve 332 of the metering bottle 33 via a third pipeline 41, and the multiple outlets are respectively connected to the round-bottom flask 45 of the corresponding station via the feed pipeline 43. The multi-channel distribution valve 42 is electrically connected to the control unit, which controls the switching of the channels. In other embodiments, the multi-channel distribution valve 42 can also be an electromagnetic multi-channel distribution valve, i.e., multiple solenoid valves connected in parallel.

[0035] Each round-bottom flask station 44 is equipped with a flask positioning seat 441 and a sealing joint 442. The flask positioning seat 441 is made of stainless steel and is fixed to the water bath cover plate of the water bath heating unit for positioning and supporting the round-bottom flask 45.

[0036] The sealing connector 442, made of polytetrafluoroethylene, is positioned above the flask positioning seat 441. The feed pipe 43 passes through the sealing connector 442 and is inserted into the interior of the round-bottom flask 45. The sealing connector 442 and the mouth of the round-bottom flask 45 are sealed together to ensure that ether does not leak from the mouth during the feeding process.

[0037] The Soxhlet extraction unit is used for fat extraction. The Soxhlet extraction unit includes a Soxhlet extractor 51, a condenser 52, an extractor lifting module, and a condenser lifting module. In this embodiment, three sets of Soxhlet extractors 51 and condensers 52 are provided, corresponding to three workstations.

[0038] The Soxhlet extractor 51 is made of glass and includes an extraction tube, a siphon tube, and a connecting tube. Its structure is the same as that of a traditional Soxhlet extractor. It is used to place down samples and extract fat.

[0039] Each Soxhlet extractor 51 has a frosted interface at its lower end for sealing connection with the mouth of the round-bottom flask 45; and a frosted interface at its upper end for sealing connection with the lower end of the condenser 52.

[0040] The condenser 52 is made of glass and consists of spherical or serpentine condenser tubes for condensing and refluxing ether vapor. An outlet is located at the top of the condenser 52, which is connected to the vapor recovery unit via a pipe. Cooling water inlet and outlet are located on the side wall of the condenser 52, and are connected to an external cooling water circulation system via flexible hoses.

[0041] The extractor lifting module is used to move the Soxhlet extractor 51 up and down, enabling connection and separation from the round-bottom flask 45. The extractor lifting module includes a first electric telescopic rod 531 and a first mounting plate 532. The first electric telescopic rod 531 is fixed to the mounting plate of the frame 10.

[0042] The first mounting plate 532 is fixedly connected to the output end of the first electric telescopic rod 531, and the three Soxhlet extractors 51 are fixed on the first mounting plate 532 by clamps. The first electric telescopic rod 531 is electrically connected to the control unit, and the Soxhlet extractors 51 are moved up and down by the extension and retraction of the output rod.

[0043] The condenser lifting module is used to move the condenser 52 up and down, enabling connection and separation from the Soxhlet extractor 51. The structure of the condenser lifting module is similar to that of the extractor lifting module, including a second electric telescopic rod 541 and a second mounting plate 542. The second electric telescopic rod 541 is fixed to the mounting plate of the frame 10, and its output rod is fixedly connected to the second mounting plate 542. The three condensers 52 are fixed to the second mounting plate 542 by clamps. The second electric telescopic rod 541 is electrically connected to the control unit, and its output rod extends and retracts to move the condenser 52 up and down. The stroke of the condenser lifting module 54 is 150 mm, and the repeatability is ±0.02 mm.

[0044] The water bath heating unit is located below the round-bottom flask 45 and is used to heat the round-bottom flask 45 in a water bath.

[0045] The water bath heating unit includes a water bath tank 61, a heating element 62, a temperature sensor, and a circulating water pump 63. The water bath tank 61 is made of stainless steel and contains deionized water. The heating element 62 is also made of stainless steel and is located at the bottom of the water bath tank 61, with a power of 2000W. The temperature sensor is a platinum resistance temperature sensor with an accuracy of ±0.1℃, used to detect the water bath temperature.

[0046] A circulating water pump 63 is located on one side of the water bath 61 to circulate the water and ensure uniform temperature. The heating element 62, temperature sensor, and circulating water pump 63 are all electrically connected to the control unit. The control unit controls the heating power of the heating element 62 based on feedback from the temperature sensor, achieving precise temperature control with an accuracy of ±0.5℃. The top of the water bath 61 is equipped with a cover plate with three round holes for the bottom of the round-bottom flask 45 to extend into the water bath.

[0047] The vapor recovery unit is used to recover and treat volatile ether vapor, ensuring operational safety. The vapor recovery unit includes a gas collection hood 71, a vacuum pump 72, a waste gas treatment device 73, and a concentration sensor 74. The gas collection hood 71 is made of stainless steel, is funnel-shaped, and is located above the Soxhlet extraction unit, covering the upper gas outlets of the three condensers 52.

[0048] The top of the gas collection hood 71 is connected to the air inlet of the suction pump 72 via an air pipe. The suction pump 72 is an explosion-proof diaphragm pump with a flow rate of 10 L / min and is electrically connected to the control unit. The air outlet of the suction pump 72 is connected to the waste gas treatment device 73. The waste gas treatment device 73 is filled with activated carbon adsorbent to adsorb ether vapor, and the purified gas is discharged outdoors.

[0049] The concentration sensor is a PID photoionization sensor, located in the upper space inside the rack 10, and electrically connected to the control unit. It is used to monitor the ether vapor concentration within the rack in real time. When the concentration exceeds the set safety threshold (e.g., 100 ppm), the control unit automatically increases the pumping power of the vacuum pump 72 and simultaneously issues an audible and visual alarm to alert the operator. When the concentration further increases to a dangerous threshold (e.g., 1000 ppm), the control unit automatically cuts off the power to the equipment, stopping all operations to ensure safety.

[0050] The control unit is located on the upper right side of the rack 10 and includes a PLC controller and an industrial touch screen. The PLC controller, a Siemens S7-1200 series or equivalent product, serves as the main controller of the equipment. It is electrically connected to the volumetric metering pump 31, weighing sensor 32, micro-drip valve 34, pressure sensor 38, liquid outlet control valve 332, multi-channel distribution valve 42, first electric telescopic rod 531, second electric telescopic rod 541, heating element 62, temperature sensor, circulating water pump 63, air pump 72, and concentration sensor, etc., to control the coordinated operation of each unit. The industrial touch screen is a 10-inch color touchscreen that communicates with the PLC controller for setting parameters, displaying operating status, and operation control. The control unit also includes electrical components such as a power module, relays, and contactors, integrated within the electrical control cabinet.

[0051] The present invention provides an automated method for precise quantitative feeding of ether for detecting residual fat in down feathers, comprising the following steps: S1. System initialization: Connect the equipment power supply, the control unit controls the reset of each component, and the extractor lifting module and condenser lifting module respectively drive the Soxhlet extractor 51 and condenser 52 to the highest position; The volumetric metering pump 31 and the micro-drip valve 34 are in the closed state; the multi-channel distribution valve 42 is in the initial position; the water bath heating unit stops heating; and the vacuum pump 72 runs at low speed. The control unit checks the status of each sensor, including the load cell 32, pressure sensor 38, temperature sensor, and concentration sensor, to confirm that the sensors are working properly.

[0052] Simultaneously, the weight of the ether mother bottle 21 is detected by the weighing sensor 32 to confirm that there is enough ether for testing. If the ether is insufficient, an alert signal is issued.

[0053] S2, First Stage Coarse Quantification: The operator sets the target weight of diethyl ether on the industrial touchscreen, for example, 50 mL (approximately 35 g) per station, totaling 105 g for three stations. After setting, the automatic feeding program is started. The control unit first starts the volumetric metering pump 31 to deliver diethyl ether from the diethyl ether mother bottle 21 to the quantitative bottle 33 at a high flow rate (e.g., 80 mL / min).

[0054] The volumetric metering pump 31 uses a pulse control method, delivering a fixed volume of ether per pulse, for example, 0.1 mL per pulse. By controlling the number of pulses, the volume of ether delivered can be precisely controlled.

[0055] Simultaneously, the weighing sensor 32 monitors the weight of the ether in the metering bottle 33 in real time and feeds the weight signal back to the control unit. When the weighing sensor 32 detects that the weight of the ether in the metering bottle 33 reaches 90%-95% of the target weight, for example, if the target weight is 105g, and it reaches 95-100g, the control unit controls the volumetric metering pump 31 to stop working, completing the first stage of coarse metering. In the coarse metering stage, due to the large flow rate and high speed, the target weight can be quickly approached, improving efficiency.

[0056] S3. Second Stage Precision Dosing: After the volumetric metering pump 31 stops, the control unit opens the micro-drop valve 34 to begin the second stage of precision dosing. The micro-drop valve 34 adds ether dropwise to the metering bottle 33 at a low flow rate, initially at 5-10 drops per second, with each drop approximately 0.05g. Simultaneously, the weighing sensor 32 detects the weight in real time at a higher sampling frequency (e.g., 100Hz) and feeds the weight signal back to the control unit. The control unit uses an existing PID control algorithm to adjust the dropping rate of the micro-drop valve 34 in real time based on the difference between the target weight and the current weight.

[0057] When the weight reaches 99% of the target weight, for example, when the target weight is 105g, and it reaches 103.95g, the control unit controls the micro-drop valve 34 to reduce the dropping speed to 1-2 drops per second for slow and precise replenishment.

[0058] When the weighing sensor 32 detects that the weight has reached the target weight of 105g, the control unit immediately closes the micro-drop valve 34, completing the precise metering process. This stepwise dripping method ensures both feeding speed and high-precision metering, with a metering accuracy within ±0.05g.

[0059] During the aforementioned quantitative process, the ether vapor volatilized in the metering bottle 33 flows back to the ether mother bottle 21 through the return pipe 39, maintaining system pressure balance. This reduces ether volatilization loss, improves quantitative accuracy, and prevents pressure rise in the metering bottle from affecting dosing accuracy. Simultaneously, a pressure sensor monitors the pressure in the buffer bottle 37 in real time to ensure stable pipeline pressure.

[0060] S4. Multi-station distribution: After quantitative distribution, the control unit controls the multi-channel distribution valve 42 to first connect the channel of the first station, and then opens the liquid outlet control valve 332 of the quantitative bottle 33. The quantitatively dispensed ether flows into the round-bottom flask 45 of the first station under gravity through the third pipeline 41, the multi-channel distribution valve 42, and the feeding pipeline 43. When the ether delivery of the first station is completed, the control unit controls the multi-channel distribution valve 42 to switch to the channel of the second station to continue delivering ether. This process continues until the ether delivery of all stations is completed. The amount of ether delivered at each station can be precisely controlled by controlling the delivery time or by weighing feedback. Due to the use of the multi-channel distribution valve, multiple stations can be loaded sequentially and quickly, which greatly improves efficiency compared to the operation of a robotic arm one by one.

[0061] S5. Extractor Installation: After all stations have finished feeding ether, the operator places the filter paper tube containing the down sample into the Soxhlet extractor 51 and then closes the safety guard door. The control unit first controls the rotation of the first electric telescopic rod 531 of the extractor lifting module, which drives the first mounting plate 532 and the three Soxhlet extractors 51 to slowly descend via the first lead screw guide mechanism 532. When the lower frosted interface of the Soxhlet extractor 51 contacts the mouth of the round-bottom flask 45, the extractor lifting module continues to descend a short distance, using gravity to ensure a tight seal between the frosted interfaces.

[0062] Then, the control unit controls the rotation of the second electric telescopic rod 541 of the condenser lifting module, which, through the second lead screw guide mechanism 542, drives the second mounting plate 542 and the three condensers 52 to slowly descend, so that the lower frosted interface of the condenser 52 is sealed and connected to the upper frosted interface of the Soxhlet extractor 51. After the extractor and condenser are installed in place, the control unit confirms that the installation is in place through the position sensor.

[0063] S6. Heating Extraction: After installation, the control unit activates the water bath heating unit. Heating tube 62 begins heating the water in the water bath 61, and circulating water pump 63 starts simultaneously to ensure water flow and uniform temperature. A temperature sensor monitors the water bath temperature in real time, and the control unit controls the heating power of heating tube 62 based on temperature feedback to stabilize the water bath temperature at the set value, typically 50-60℃. Water bath heating causes the ether in the round-bottom flask 45 to evaporate. The ether vapor rises and enters the Soxhlet extractor 51, dissolving the fat in the down sample, and then flows back to the round-bottom flask 45 through a siphon.

[0064] This process is repeated to extract fat from the down sample. Simultaneously, uncondensed ether vapor is discharged from the top of condenser 52, collected by gas collection hood 71, and transported to waste gas treatment device 73 by vacuum pump 72. A concentration sensor monitors the ether vapor concentration within the rack in real time. When the concentration exceeds a set threshold, the control unit automatically increases the suction power of vacuum pump 72 and simultaneously issues an alarm signal to ensure operational safety.

[0065] S7. Extraction Complete: After the set extraction time (usually 4-6 hours) is reached, the control unit 80 stops the water bath heating unit. Then, the condenser lifting module 54 is controlled to raise and reset the condenser 52, and the extractor lifting module 53 is controlled to raise and reset the Soxhlet extractor 51. The operator opens the safety guard door and removes the round-bottom flask 45.

[0066] S8. Calculation of Residual Fat: Place the extracted round-bottom flask 45 in a rotary evaporator to evaporate and remove the ether solvent. Then, place the round-bottom flask in a drying oven to dry to constant weight. After removal, cool to room temperature in a desiccator and weigh using an analytical balance. Calculate the weight of the fat based on the weight difference before and after extraction, and then divide by the weight of the down sample to obtain the residual fat percentage.

[0067] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic ether feeding device for precise quantitative measurement of residual fat in down feathers, characterized in that, include: The rack is used to support the various functional components; An ether storage unit includes an ether mother bottle and a storage bottle holder, wherein the ether mother bottle is sealed and placed on the storage bottle holder; The precise metering unit includes a volumetric metering pump, a weighing sensor, a metering bottle, and a micro-dropping valve. The inlet of the volumetric metering pump is connected to the ether mother bottle through a first pipeline, and the outlet is connected to the metering bottle through a second pipeline. The metering bottle is placed on the weighing sensor, and the micro-dropping valve is located on the second pipeline and between the volumetric metering pump and the metering bottle. A multi-station feeding unit includes a multi-channel distribution valve, multiple feeding pipelines, and multiple round-bottom flask stations. The inlet of the multi-channel distribution valve is connected to the outlet of the metering bottle through a third pipeline, and the multiple outlets of the multi-channel distribution valve are respectively connected to the round-bottom flasks of the corresponding stations through the feeding pipelines. The Soxhlet extraction unit includes a Soxhlet extractor, a condenser, an extractor lifting module, and a condenser lifting module. The Soxhlet extractor is vertically and vertically mounted above the round-bottom flask via the extractor lifting module, and the condenser is vertically and vertically mounted above the Soxhlet extractor via the condenser lifting module. A water bath heating unit is provided below the round-bottom flask for heating the round-bottom flask.

2. The automatic ether feeding device for precise quantitative measurement of residual fat in down as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A vapor recovery unit includes a gas collection hood, a vacuum pump, and a waste gas treatment device. The gas collection hood is located above the Soxhlet extraction unit. The gas collection hood is connected to the vacuum pump via a gas pipe. The vacuum pump is connected to the waste gas treatment device. The control unit is electrically connected to the volumetric metering pump, weighing sensor, micro-drop valve, multi-channel distribution valve, extractor lifting module, condenser lifting module, water bath heating unit and air pump, respectively, for controlling the coordinated operation of each unit; The precise metering unit also includes a buffer bottle, which is disposed on the second pipeline between the volumetric metering pump and the micro-drop valve. A pressure sensor is disposed on the buffer bottle and is electrically connected to the control unit. A liquid outlet control valve is disposed at the liquid outlet of the metering bottle and is electrically connected to the control unit.

3. The automatic ether feeding device for precise quantitative measurement of residual fat in down as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The quantitative bottle is equipped with a sealing cap on top, which has a liquid inlet, an air outlet, and a pressure balance hole. The liquid inlet is connected to the second pipeline, and the air outlet is connected to the top space of the ether mother bottle through a return air pipe. The multi-channel distribution valve is a rotary multi-channel distribution valve or an electromagnetic multi-channel distribution valve. The round-bottom flask station is equipped with a flask positioning seat and a sealing joint. The feeding pipeline is sealed to the mouth of the round-bottom flask through the sealing joint.

4. The automatic ether feeding device for precise quantitative measurement of residual fat in down as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The vapor recovery unit also includes a concentration sensor, which is located inside the frame and electrically connected to the control unit for detecting the concentration of diethyl ether vapor.

5. The automatic ether feeding device for precise quantitative measurement of residual fat in down feathers according to claim 4, characterized in that, The water bath heating unit includes a water bath tank, a heating element, a temperature sensor, and a circulating water pump. The heating element, temperature sensor, and circulating water pump are all electrically connected to the control unit.

6. An automated method for precise quantitative feeding of ether for detecting residual fat in down feathers, characterized in that, The automatic ether feeding device for precise quantitative measurement of residual fat in down as described in claim 5 includes the following steps: S1. System initialization: The control unit resets each component, checks the status of each sensor, and confirms that there is enough diethyl ether in the diethyl ether master bottle; S2, First stage coarse metering: The control unit starts the volumetric metering pump to deliver diethyl ether from the diethyl ether mother bottle to the metering bottle at a large flow rate. When the weighing sensor detects that the weight of diethyl ether in the metering bottle reaches 90%-95% of the target weight, the control unit stops the volumetric metering pump. S3, Second Stage Precision Quantification: The control unit opens the micro-dropping valve and adds diethyl ether dropwise into the quantitative bottle at a small flow rate. At the same time, the weighing sensor detects the weight in real time. When 99% of the target weight is reached, the micro-dropping valve is controlled to reduce the dropping speed. When the target weight is reached, the micro-dropping valve is immediately closed. S4. Multi-station distribution: The control unit controls the multi-channel distribution valve to connect each station in sequence, and at the same time opens the liquid outlet control valve of the metering bottle, so that the metered ether is delivered to the round bottom flasks of each station through the feeding pipeline. S5. Extractor Installation: The control unit lowers the extractor lifting module to seal the Soxhlet extractor to the round-bottom flask; then it lowers the condenser lifting module to seal the condenser to the Soxhlet extractor. S6. Heating and Extraction: The control unit starts the water bath heating unit to heat the round-bottom flask in a water bath to begin fat extraction; at the same time, the vapor recovery unit is started to recover the volatile ether vapor. S7. Extraction complete: After the set extraction time is reached, the water bath heating unit stops heating, and the extractor lifting module and the condenser lifting module drive the Soxhlet extractor and the condenser to rise and reset respectively. S8. Calculation of residual fat: The extracted round-bottom flask is subjected to rotary evaporation to remove the ether, and then weighed to calculate the residual fat rate.

7. The method for precise quantitative automatic feeding of ether for detecting residual fat in down as described in claim 6, characterized in that, In step S2, the volumetric metering pump adopts a pulse control method, with each pulse delivering a fixed volume of diethyl ether. The coarse metering is achieved by controlling the number of pulses.

8. The method for precise quantitative automatic feeding of ether for detecting residual fat in down as described in claim 7, characterized in that, In step S3, the micro-drop valve is a piezoelectric drop valve, which precisely controls the volume and dropping speed of each drop of ether by controlling the pulse width and frequency.

9. The method for precise quantitative automatic feeding of ether for detecting residual fat in down as described in claim 8, characterized in that, In steps S2 and S3, during the quantitative process, the volatile gas in the metering bottle flows back to the ether mother bottle through the return pipe to maintain the system pressure balance.

10. The method for precise quantitative automatic feeding of ether for detecting residual fat in down according to claim 9, characterized in that, In step S6, the concentration sensor detects the concentration of ether vapor in the rack in real time. When the concentration exceeds the set threshold, the control unit increases the pumping power of the vacuum pump and issues an alarm signal.

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