Automatic continuous sampling device for non-destructive testing of noble metals

Abstract

This application discloses an automated continuous sample feeding device for non-destructive testing of precious metals, belonging to the technical field of precious metal testing equipment. It includes: a stepper motor; a rotating tray connected to the output of the stepper motor via a rotating shaft at its center, allowing it to rotate along the rotating shaft under the drive of the stepper motor; and a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance between the rotating tray and the X-ray fluorescence spectrometer along the ground normal direction. By driving the rotating tray to rotate around its central axis via the stepper motor, and cooperating with the height adjustment mechanism, automatic positioning of the sample and the X-ray fluorescence spectrometer is achieved, thereby enabling continuous sample feeding from the rotating tray. This replaces manual sample changing by opening the tray, improving testing efficiency and avoiding radiation exposure risks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of precious metal testing equipment, and specifically relates to an automatic continuous sample feeding device for non-destructive testing of precious metals. Background Technology

[0002] Non-destructive testing is one of the core technologies for the whole life cycle management of precious metals. The existing non-destructive testing equipment for precious metals is the X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, which has a low degree of automation, high requirements for sample placement, and requires frequent shutdowns and sample replacements during the testing process, which affects efficiency and increases instrument wear and tear.

[0003] The existing technology has the following drawbacks: the detection process using X-ray fluorescence spectrometer has low automation and poor efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the technical problems existing in the background art, this application provides an automatic continuous sample injection device for non-destructive testing of precious metals, comprising:

[0005] Stepper motor;

[0006] The rotating tray is connected to the output of a stepper motor via a rotating shaft at its center, and can rotate along the rotating shaft under the drive of the stepper motor.

[0007] The height adjustment mechanism is used to adjust the distance between the rotating tray and the X-ray fluorescence spectrometer along the ground normal direction.

[0008] Furthermore, a level is provided on the surface of the stepper motor to calibrate the levelness of the rotating tray in the first direction.

[0009] Furthermore, a second level is provided on the surface of the stepper motor to calibrate the levelness of the rotating tray in the second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, and the plane formed by the second direction and the first direction is parallel to the ground.

[0010] Furthermore, the height adjustment mechanism includes a column, a collar column, and a rotating nut;

[0011] The stepper motor is connected to the collar column via a connecting rod. The collar column is fitted onto the column. The rotating nut is threadedly connected to the collar column, and the collar column is driven to move up and down along the column direction by turning the rotating nut.

[0012] Furthermore, the connecting rod, column, collar column, and rotating nut are all two sets of symmetrical structures with the central axis of the stepper motor normal to the ground as the axis of symmetry.

[0013] Furthermore, the diameter of the rotating tray does not exceed 10 centimeters.

[0014] Furthermore, a base is provided at the bottom of the rotating tray, and the base is connected to the rotating tray by a bearing. The length of the base does not exceed 10 cm and the width does not exceed 10 cm.

[0015] Furthermore, the bottom surface of the rotating tray is provided with indexing positioning holes, and the corresponding position of the base is provided with a spring pin.

[0016] Furthermore, the rotating tray is equipped with multiple detachable sample cells via a quick-connect structure.

[0017] Furthermore, the quick-connect structure includes a fixing post with external threads on its outer surface, which is disposed on the rotating tray, and a nut sleeve embedded in the bottom of the sample cell.

[0018] In summary, the beneficial effects achieved by this application are as follows: by driving the rotating tray to rotate around the central axis with a stepper motor, and cooperating with the height adjustment mechanism, the sample and the X-ray fluorescence spectrometer are automatically positioned, thereby achieving continuous sample feeding of the rotating tray, replacing manual opening and sample changing, improving detection efficiency and avoiding the risk of radiation exposure.

[0019] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this application. In order to better understand the technical means of this application and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this application more obvious and understandable, specific embodiments of this application are given below. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of this application, the accompanying drawings used in this application will be briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without any creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a front view of an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the indexing positioning hole and spring pin structure according to an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the fixed column and nut sleeve structure according to an embodiment of this application.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Stepper motor; 11. Level No. 1; 12. Level No. 2; 2. Rotating tray; 3. Height adjustment mechanism; 31. Column; 32. Collar column; 33. Rotating nut; 34. Connecting rod; 4. Indexing positioning hole; 5. Spring pin; 6. Sample cell; 7. Fixing column; 8. Nut sleeve; 9. Base. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The embodiments of the technical solution of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this application and are therefore merely examples, and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application; the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims, and foregoing description of the drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0027] In the description of the embodiments of this application, technical terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish different objects and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number, specific order, or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

[0028] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0029] In the description of the embodiments in this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0030] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "multiple" refers to two or more (including two), similarly, "multiple sets" refers to two or more (including two sets), and "multiple pieces" refers to two or more (including two pieces).

[0031] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the technical terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" 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 the embodiments of this application and simplifying the description, and are not intended to 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 limitations on the embodiments of this application.

[0032] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, technical terms such as "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0033] Reference Figure 1 This application provides an automated continuous sampling device for non-destructive testing of precious metals, comprising:

[0034] Stepper motor 1;

[0035] The rotating tray 2 is connected to the output end of the stepper motor 1 via a rotating shaft connected to its center, and can rotate along the rotating shaft under the drive of the stepper motor 1;

[0036] The height adjustment mechanism 3 is used to adjust the distance between the rotating tray 2 and the X-ray fluorescence spectrometer along the normal direction of the ground.

[0037] Multiple precious metal samples are placed on the rotating tray 2. The vertical position is locked under closed conditions by the precision thread mechanism or collar locking structure of the height adjustment mechanism 3. The vertical distance between the rotating tray 2 and the detection window of the X-ray fluorescence spectrometer is set at one time, avoiding the risk of radiation leakage caused by repeated opening and closing of the lid for adjustment.

[0038] Then, stepper motor 1 is started to drive rotating tray 2 to rotate around the central axis. Stepper motor 1 precisely controls the rotation angle and pause time by receiving electrical pulse signals to ensure that each sample is strictly aligned with the central axis of the detection window, thereby avoiding positioning deviation caused by manual sample changing, and allowing each sample to rotate sequentially to the bottom of the detection window.

[0039] After a single sample test is completed, stepper motor 1 automatically drives the tray to rotate to the next sample position, and the cycle continues until all samples are tested.

[0040] Reference Figure 1 Furthermore, in some embodiments, a level 11 is provided on the surface of the stepper motor 1 for calibrating the levelness of the rotating tray 2 in a first direction.

[0041] Within the technical framework of integrating the basic scheme and the newly added optimized scheme, the workflow and technical principle of the automatic continuous sampling device for non-destructive testing of precious metals are as follows:

[0042] Before the device is started, the level of the rotating tray 2 in the first direction (such as radial direction) is monitored by a level 11 set on the surface of the stepper motor 1, and the corresponding side of the rotating tray 2 is raised and lowered to level it by the height adjustment mechanism 3, thereby avoiding sample pose error caused by tray tilt, improving the consistency of X-ray incident angle, and thus improving the accuracy of detection data. After the device is started, the stepper motor 1 drives the rotating shaft to drive the rotating tray 2 to rotate, so that the samples enter the detection area of ​​the X-ray fluorescence spectrometer in sequence.

[0043] Reference Figure 1 Furthermore, in some embodiments, a second level 12 is provided on the surface of the stepper motor 1 for calibrating the levelness of the rotating tray 2 in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, and the plane formed by the second direction and the first direction is parallel to the ground.

[0044] The second level 12, which is added to the surface of the stepper motor 1, works in conjunction with the first level 11 to synchronously monitor and provide feedback on the horizontal status of the rotating tray 2 in the first direction (such as radial) and the second direction (such as tangential). This solves the defect that the single-direction level cannot detect the tilt in the orthogonal direction and further avoids sample pose deviation caused by tray tilt.

[0045] Reference Figure 1 Furthermore, in some embodiments, the height adjustment mechanism 3 includes a column 31, a collar column 32, and a rotating nut 33;

[0046] Stepper motor 1 is connected to collar post 32 via connecting rod 34. Collar post 32 is sleeved on column 31. Rotary nut 33 is threadedly connected to collar post 32, and the collar post 32 is driven to move up and down along column 31 by turning the rotary nut 33.

[0047] According to the tilt direction indicated by the level, the operator manually adjusts the level of the stepper motor 1, thereby adjusting the rotating tray 2 connected to the stepper motor 1. The operator manually loosens the rotating nut 33 in the height adjustment mechanism 3, so that the collar column 32 can be vertically raised and lowered along the outer surface of the column 31. The stepper motor 1 is rigidly connected to the collar column 32 through the connecting rod 34. The raising and lowering of the collar column 32 will cause the overall height of the stepper motor 1 and the rotating tray 2 to change. The position is fixed by locking the rotating nut 33, and the column 31, as a rigid guide component, ensures that there is no sway during the raising and lowering process, reducing the level error of the tray, thereby realizing the raising and lowering of the rotating tray 2 inside the X-ray fluorescence spectrometer.

[0048] Reference Figure 1 Furthermore, in some embodiments, the connecting rod 34, the column 31, the collar column 32, and the rotating nut 33 are all two sets of symmetrical structures with the central axis of the stepper motor 1 normal to the ground as the axis of symmetry.

[0049] According to the tilt direction indicated by the level, the operator manually loosens the rotating nut 33 in the height adjustment mechanism 3, allowing the collar column 32 to rise and fall vertically along the outer surface of the column 31. The stepper motor 1 is rigidly connected to the collar column 32 via the connecting rod 34. The rising and falling of the collar column 32 causes the stepper motor 1 and the rotating tray 2 to change their overall height. When radial tilt is detected, the left and right symmetrical rotating nuts 33 are loosened simultaneously, and the rotating tray 2 is adjusted to a horizontal state until the bubble in the double level is centered. The position is fixed by locking the rotating nuts 33, and the column 31, as a rigid guide component, ensures no swaying during the lifting process, reducing the levelness error of the tray and avoiding fluorescence signal attenuation caused by X-ray incident angle deviation due to tilt. At the same time, the symmetrical structure offsets unilateral stress through mechanical balance, avoiding mechanical deformation or vibration caused by uneven force during manual leveling, and improving leveling stability.

[0050] Reference Figure 1 Furthermore, in some embodiments, the diameter of the rotating tray 2 does not exceed 10 cm.

[0051] The miniature tray has lower rotational inertia and faster start-stop response, avoiding the cumulative error caused by the deceleration mechanism. In addition, precious metal samples are usually small, and the compact design can save detection space.

[0052] Reference Figure 1 Furthermore, in some embodiments, a base 9 is provided at the bottom of the rotating tray, and the base 9 is connected to the rotating tray by a bearing. The length of the base 9 does not exceed 10 cm and the width does not exceed 10 cm.

[0053] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2Furthermore, in some embodiments, the bottom surface of the rotating tray 2 is provided with an indexing positioning hole 4, and the base 9 is provided with a spring pin 5 at the corresponding position.

[0054] The spring-loaded pin 5 consists of a needle tube, a spring, and a needle shaft. Under the preload of the spring, the needle shaft can automatically insert into the indexing positioning hole 4. The indexing positioning hole 4 is evenly distributed in a ring on the bottom surface of the tray. The spring-loaded pin 5 is vertically fixed to the base 9. When the tray rotates to a preset angle, the ring-shaped indexing positioning hole 4 on the bottom surface of the tray aligns with the spring-loaded pin 5 at the corresponding position on the base 9, thereby achieving mechanical locking of the rotating tray 2. At the same time, it suppresses the slight vibration of the tray and counteracts the sway caused by the residual torque of the stepper motor 1 or the uneven weight of the sample, further ensuring the stability of the fluorescence signal.

[0055] Reference Figure 1 Furthermore, in some embodiments, the rotating tray 2 is provided with multiple detachable sample cells 6 via a quick-connect structure.

[0056] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 Furthermore, in some embodiments, the quick-connect mechanism includes a fixing post 7 with external threads on the outer surface of the rotating tray 2, and a nut sleeve 8 embedded in the bottom of the sample pool 6.

[0057] The operator aligns the nut sleeve 8 embedded in the bottom of the sample cell 6 with the external threaded fixing post 7 on the rotating tray 2 and presses it down vertically. The tapered guide surface on the inner wall of the nut sleeve 8 matches the chamfer on the top of the fixing post 7, guiding the initial engagement of the threads. Then, the operator manually rotates the sample cell 6 clockwise to make the external thread of the fixing post 7 and the internal thread of the nut sleeve 8 tightly engage, generating an axial locking force. This ensures that the sample cell 6 does not shift when the rotating tray 2 is mechanically locked, and no additional tools are required for installation.

[0058] In summary, the specific workflow of the automatic continuous sampling device for non-destructive testing of precious metals provided in this application embodiment is as follows: The operator observes the bubble positions of the first level 11 and the second level 12 on the surface of the stepper motor 1. The first level 11 monitors the radial levelness of the rotating tray 2, and the second level 12 monitors the tangential levelness. The two are orthogonally arranged and synchronously feed back the biaxial tilt state. Then, according to the direction indicated by the level, the operator manually and synchronously rotates the left and right rotating nuts 33 of the symmetrical height adjustment mechanism 3. After loosening the nuts, the collar column 32 rises and falls vertically along the outer surface of the column 31. The stepper motor 1 is rigidly connected to the collar column 32 through the connecting rod 34 and drives the rotating tray 2 to rise and fall as a whole. After leveling, the nuts are tightened to fix the position through thread self-locking, so as to realize the vertical height setting and horizontal calibration of the tray and the X-ray detection window under closed conditions.

[0059] When loading the sample, the operator aligns the nut sleeve 8 embedded in the bottom of the sample cell 6 with the external threaded fixing post 7 on the rotating tray 2 and presses it down vertically. The tapered guide surface of the inner wall of the nut sleeve 8 and the chamfer at the top of the fixing post 7 guide the initial engagement of the thread. Then, the operator manually rotates the sample cell 6 clockwise to make the external thread and the internal thread of the nut sleeve 8 tightly engage, generating an axial locking force to fix the sample cell 6.

[0060] Start stepper motor 1 and drive rotating tray 2 to rotate via pulse signal. When the sample rotates to the detection window, the indexing positioning hole 4 at the bottom of the tray aligns with the spring pin 5. The pin shaft of the spring pin 5 is embedded in the indexing positioning hole 4 under pre-compression force to form a mechanical lock. Stepper motor 1 stops output and keeps the position fixed. X-ray fluorescence spectrometer scans the locked sample.

[0061] After a single sample test is completed, stepper motor 1 receives the next pulse sequence. Rotating tray 2 rotates slightly in the opposite direction to make the needle shaft inclined surface chamfered and fit with the indexing positioning hole 4. After the initial rotational external force overcomes the spring force, the ejector pin retracts and disengages from the indexing positioning hole 4. Rotating tray 2 continues to rotate to the next station to repeat the positioning.

[0062] After all tests are completed, the operator rotates sample cell 6 counterclockwise to disengage the threaded connection, lifts sample cell 6 to complete disassembly, and installs a new sample cell 6 through the same thread engagement process to enter the next test cycle.

[0063] It should be noted that this application is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The above embodiments are merely examples, and any embodiments with the same structure and effect as the technical concept within the scope of this application are included in the technical scope of this application. Furthermore, various modifications that can be conceived by those skilled in the art to the embodiments, and other ways of constructing by combining some of the constituent elements of the embodiments, without departing from the spirit of this application, are also included in the scope of this application.

Claims

1. An automatic continuous sampling device for non-destructive testing of precious metals, characterized in that, include: Stepper motor (1); The rotating tray (2) is connected to the output end of the stepper motor (1) via a rotating shaft connected to its own center, and can rotate along the rotating shaft under the drive of the stepper motor (1); The height adjustment mechanism (3) is used to adjust the distance between the rotating tray (2) and the X-ray fluorescence spectrometer along the ground normal direction.

2. The automatic continuous sampling device for non-destructive testing of precious metals according to claim 1, characterized in that, A level (11) is provided on the surface of the stepper motor (1) for calibrating the levelness of the rotating tray (2) in the first direction.

3. The automatic continuous sampling device for non-destructive testing of precious metals according to claim 2, characterized in that, The stepper motor (1) is provided with a second level (12) for calibrating the levelness of the rotating tray (2) in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, and the plane formed by the second direction and the first direction is parallel to the ground.

4. The automatic continuous sampling device for non-destructive testing of precious metals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The height adjustment mechanism (3) includes a column (31), a collar column (32), and a rotating nut (33); The stepper motor (1) is connected to the collar post (32) via a connecting rod (34). The collar post (32) is sleeved on the column (31). The rotating nut (33) is threadedly connected to the collar post (32), and the collar post (32) is driven to move up and down along the column (31) by turning the rotating nut (33).

5. The automatic continuous sampling device for non-destructive testing of precious metals according to claim 4, characterized in that, The connecting rod (34), column (31), collar column (32) and rotating nut (33) are two sets of symmetrical structures with the central axis of the stepper motor (1) normal to the ground as the axis of symmetry.

6. The automatic continuous sampling device for non-destructive testing of precious metals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the rotating tray (2) does not exceed 10 cm.

7. The automatic continuous sampling device for non-destructive testing of precious metals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating tray (2) is provided with a base (9) at the bottom. The base (9) is connected to the rotating tray (2) by a bearing. The length of the base (9) does not exceed 10 cm and the width does not exceed 10 cm.

8. The automatic continuous sampling device for non-destructive testing of precious metals according to claim 7, characterized in that, The bottom surface of the rotating tray (2) is provided with an indexing positioning hole (4), and the base (9) is provided with a spring pin (5) at the corresponding position.

9. The automatic continuous sampling device for non-destructive testing of precious metals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating tray (2) is equipped with multiple detachable sample cells (6) via a quick-connect structure.

10. An automatic continuous sampling device for non-destructive testing of precious metals according to claim 9, characterized in that, The quick-connect structure includes a fixing post (7) with external threads on the outer surface of the rotating tray (2) and a nut sleeve (8) embedded in the bottom of the sample pool (6).

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