Soil particle size sample preparation apparatus

Abstract

The application relates to a soil particle size sample preparation device which comprises a main body, a centrifugal device, a liquid-solid interface identification device, a supernatant suction device and a reagent injection device; the main body is provided with a centrifugal cavity; the centrifugal device is arranged in the centrifugal cavity; the liquid-solid interface identification device is arranged in the centrifugal cavity in a vertically liftable mode through a first vertical driving mechanism and is configured to identify the interface between the supernatant and the precipitate in a centrifugal tube; the supernatant suction device is provided with a liquid taking needle which is arranged above the centrifugal tube in a vertically liftable mode through a second vertical driving mechanism and is configured to discharge the supernatant after solid-liquid separation in the centrifugal tube; and the reagent injection device is provided with an injection needle which is arranged above the centrifugal tube in a vertically liftable mode through a third vertical driving mechanism and is configured to inject reagents into the centrifugal tube. The application realizes the preparation of a soil particle size sample.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of soil science and technology, specifically relating to a soil particle size sample preparation device. Background Technology

[0002] Soil particle size distribution is a stable natural property of soil, including soil particle size, gradation, and particle group content. It is an important basis for soil engineering classification. The standard "Determination of Soil Particle Size - Pipette Method and Hydrometer Method" (HJ1068-2019) provides a standard method for measuring soil particle size distribution. As described in sections 5 and 8 of the standard, organic matter and insoluble salts such as gypsum can cause flocculation, while iron oxide and carbonates can interfere with particle dispersion, all of which affect the determination of soil particle size. Before measuring soil particle size, appropriate treatment methods are needed to remove these interfering substances. Since the chemical properties of the various types of interfering substances are different, corresponding reagents are required to remove them. To accelerate the preparation of soil particle size samples, after treating the soil samples with the corresponding reagents, centrifugation is necessary to form a supernatant from the previous reaction reagents. After removing the supernatant, subsequent reagents are added to continue removing interfering substances. Correspondingly, during the preparation of a soil particle size sample, the soil particle size sample needs to be transferred between the preparation station and the centrifuge multiple times, requiring the configuration of transfer equipment such as robotic arms, or manual operation. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of the above analysis, the present invention aims to provide a soil particle size sample preparation device to solve one or more of the above-mentioned problems existing in the prior art.

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is achieved as follows:

[0005] A soil particle size sample preparation device, comprising:

[0006] The main body has a centrifugal cavity;

[0007] A centrifuge device, located within the centrifuge chamber, is configured to cause the soil sample solution in the centrifuge tube to form a precipitate and a supernatant through centrifugation.

[0008] A liquid-solid interface identification device is configured to identify the interface between precipitate and supernatant in a centrifuge tube. The liquid-solid interface identification device has a laser light source and a laser receiver. The laser light source is horizontally oriented, and the distance between the laser light source and the laser receiver is greater than the diameter of the centrifuge tube. The laser light source and the laser receiver are vertically and vertically positioned in the centrifuge cavity and can be moved to both sides of the centrifuge tube via a first vertical drive mechanism.

[0009] The supernatant suction device has a liquid-collecting needle, which is vertically and vertically positioned above the centrifuge tube via a second vertical drive mechanism and is configured to discharge the supernatant after solid-liquid separation from the centrifuge tube.

[0010] A reagent filling device has a filling needle, which is vertically and vertically positioned above the centrifuge tube via a third vertical drive mechanism and is configured to fill the centrifuge tube with reagent.

[0011] Furthermore, the supernatant suction device also includes a suction pump, which provides suction power for discharging the supernatant;

[0012] The suction pump is a metering pump, capable of measuring the volume of the supernatant extracted from the centrifuge tube.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a controller, which is electrically connected to the centrifuge device, the liquid-solid interface identification device, the first vertical drive mechanism, the supernatant suction device, the second vertical drive mechanism, the reagent filling device, and the third vertical drive mechanism, so as to control the execution of centrifugation operation, identify the interface between precipitate and supernatant, discharge supernatant, and add reaction solvent according to a set program.

[0014] Furthermore, the centrifuge device has a centrifuge rotor, which includes a rotor body and a plurality of hanging baskets for suspending centrifuge tubes. The hanging baskets are rotatably mounted on the rotor body. In addition, the hanging baskets are provided with snap rings for cooperating with limiting protrusions on the centrifuge tubes to fix and suspend the centrifuge tubes on the hanging baskets.

[0015] Furthermore, it also includes a fourth vertical drive mechanism and a support platform, the support platform being disposed within the centrifuge cavity and located below the centrifuge rotor; the fourth vertical drive mechanism is used to drive the support platform to move in the vertical direction, so that the support platform lifts the centrifuge tube and causes the limiting protrusion to disengage from the snap ring.

[0016] Furthermore, it also includes a reaction-accelerating device, which is disposed on the support platform to accelerate the reaction rate between the reaction reagents and the soil sample in the centrifuge tube.

[0017] Furthermore, the lower end of the centrifuge tube has a conical structure; the supporting part of the support platform is provided with a conical groove adapted to the conical structure; the reaction-promoting device is disposed in the conical groove, or at the opening of the conical groove.

[0018] Furthermore, the reagent filling device also includes multiple reaction reagent storage tanks and a multi-way valve;

[0019] The multi-way valve has multiple inlets and one outlet. Each inlet is connected to a reagent storage tank, and the outlet is connected to the inlet of the filling pump.

[0020] Furthermore, a conductivity meter is provided on the liquid collection needle, and the signal output terminal of the conductivity meter is connected to the controller.

[0021] Furthermore, it also includes a protective cover and an opening / closing actuator, the opening / closing actuator being used to drive the protective cover to open and close relative to the centrifugal cavity opening; the protective cover and / or the main body are provided with an exhaust hole, the exhaust hole being connected to a negative pressure exhaust device.

[0022] Furthermore, the controller is used to control the rotation of the drive motor to perform centrifugation on the soil sample in the centrifuge tube. After the centrifugation is completed and the drive motor stops, the controller controls the first vertical drive mechanism to move vertically, while simultaneously controlling the laser light source to emit light and receiving the output signal from the laser receiver. Based on the change characteristics of the output signal, the height of the solid-liquid separation surface of the centrifuge tube is determined, and the controller controls the second vertical drive mechanism to drive the liquid-taking needle to move to the solid-liquid separation surface at its lowest point. After controlling the second vertical drive mechanism to drive the filling needle to insert into the centrifuge tube, the controller controls the filling pump to run and add the reaction solvent to the centrifuge tube.

[0023] Furthermore, the controller is connected to the control terminal of the multi-way valve and is used to determine the connection status of the multi-way valve according to the sample processing progress.

[0024] Furthermore, the supernatant suction device also includes a waste liquid tank; the discharge port of the suction pump is directly connected to the waste liquid tank.

[0025] Furthermore, the reaction-promoting device is a heater and / or an ultrasonic oscillator.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the soil particle size preparation equipment provided by this utility model does not require gripping devices such as robotic arms to transfer centrifuge tubes between different workstations. Instead, it only uses the cooperation of a vertical drive mechanism and a centrifugal device to perform the filling and suction operations of liquid in the centrifuge tubes. This also avoids the problem of sample spillage caused by the robotic arm's inaccurate gripping of the centrifuge tubes, while reducing the overall manufacturing cost. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this specification or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in the embodiments of this specification. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 A partial top view of the soil particle size preparation device provided by this utility model;

[0029] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of section AA in the diagram.

[0030] Figure label:

[0031] 100-Main body; 101-Centrifuge chamber; 200-Centrifuge device; 210-Centrifuge rotor; 211-Rotor body; 212-Hanging basket; 220-Drive motor; 300-Liquid-solid interface identification device; 301-Laser light source; 302-Laser receiver; 400-Supernatant suction device; 401-Suction pump; 402-Liquid sampling needle; 403-Waste liquid tank; 510-First vertical drive mechanism; 520-Second vertical drive mechanism; 530-Third vertical drive mechanism; 540-Fourth vertical drive mechanism; 600-Reagent filling device; 601-Filling pump; 602-Filling needle; 603-Multi-way valve; 604-Reagent storage tank; 700-Support platform; 800-Heater; 900-Ultrasonic oscillator. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the implementation methods and features in the implementation methods in this disclosure can be combined, separated, interchanged, and / or rearranged. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0033] In the accompanying drawings, the dimensions and relative dimensions of components may be exaggerated for clarity and / or descriptive purposes. When exemplary embodiments can be implemented differently, a specific process sequence may be performed in a different order than that described. For example, two consecutively described processes may be performed substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order of their description. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same components.

[0034] When a component is referred to as being "on" or "above" another component, "connected to," or "joined to" another component, the component may be directly on, directly connected to, or directly joined to the other component, or there may be intermediate components. However, when a component is referred to as being "directly on" another component, "directly connected to," or "directly joined to" another component, there are no intermediate components. Therefore, the term "connection" can refer to a physical connection, an electrical connection, etc., and may or may not have intermediate components.

[0035] For descriptive purposes, this disclosure may use spatial relative terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “below,” “under,” “under,” “below,” “above,” “above,” “higher,” etc., which are relative to components, to describe the relationship between one component and another (other) component as shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0036] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well. Furthermore, when the terms “comprising” and / or “including” and variations thereof are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of the stated features, integrals, steps, operations, parts, components, and / or groups thereof, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, parts, components, and / or groups thereof. It should also be noted that, as used herein, the terms “substantially,” “about,” and other similar terms are used as approximate terms rather than as terms of degree, thus explaining the inherent biases in measurements, calculated values, and / or provided values ​​that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0037] Example 1

[0038] To enable more convenient and unattended automated preparation of soil particle size samples, this disclosure provides a new soil particle size sample preparation device.

[0039] Figure 1 This is a partial top view of the soil particle size preparation device provided in this embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of section AA in the figure. As shown in the figure, the soil particle size preparation equipment provided in this embodiment includes a main body 100, a centrifuge device 200, a liquid-solid interface identification device 300, a supernatant suction device 400, a first vertical drive mechanism 510, a second vertical drive mechanism 520, and a controller (the controller is not shown in the figure).

[0040] The main body 100 is the main body of the soil particle size preparation equipment, supporting other devices and mechanisms to form a unified whole. The shell of the main body 100 forms a centrifugal cavity 101 with an open top. The centrifugal cavity 101 is used to accommodate centrifugal devices such as the aforementioned centrifugal device 200 to ensure safety during centrifugation operations. As shown in the figure, the centrifugal cavity 101 is generally a cylindrical cavity.

[0041] Centrifuge device 200 is used to centrifuge soil particle size samples, causing the particles in the soil to settle and form a supernatant through centrifugation. Centrifuge device 200 includes a centrifuge rotor 210 and a drive motor 220, the output shaft of which is vertically arranged.

[0042] In this embodiment, at least the centrifugal rotor 210 of the centrifuge device 200 and the output shaft of the drive motor 220 are disposed within the centrifuge chamber 101. In practical applications, the centrifuge chamber 101 of the main body 100 has a mounting position for mounting the drive motor 220 and an output shaft through hole on its lower side. The drive motor 220 is mounted at the mounting position by fixing components such as bolts, and its output shaft extends into the centrifuge chamber 101 through the output shaft through hole. In practical applications, considering the need to control the centrifugation speed during the centrifugation process to achieve a reasonable centrifugation effect, the drive motor 220 is preferably a servo motor.

[0043] The centrifugal rotor 210 is a component capable of suspending centrifuge tubes and rotating with the output. The centrifugal rotor 210 includes a rotor body 211 and multiple hanging baskets 212. The rotor body 211 is fixed to the output shaft of the drive motor 220 and includes multiple outwardly extending hanging arms. Horizontally opened pin mounting holes or pin engaging holes are provided on the hanging arms, extending perpendicularly to the output shaft of the drive motor 220. The hanging baskets 212 are mounted on the rotor body 211 by engaging with the aforementioned pin mounting holes or pin engaging holes via horizontally set pins, allowing the hanging baskets 212 to rotate relative to the pin mounting holes or pin engaging holes. During the operation of the drive motor 220, which drives the rotor body 211 to rotate, under the action of centrifugal force, the hanging baskets 212 rotate around the pins relative to the rotor body 211, changing from a vertical state to an inclined state. When centrifuge tubes are mounted on the hanging baskets 212, the centrifuge tubes also change from a vertical state to an inclined state. Correspondingly, when the centrifuge tube contains a soil particle size sample solution, the soil particle size sample solution will be centrifuged and precipitated as the basket 212 rotates, forming a precipitate and a supernatant.

[0044] The liquid-solid interface identification device 300 is used to identify the height of the interface between a soil sample solution in a centrifuge tube after centrifugation to form a precipitate and a supernatant. (It should be noted that the identification of the interface requires the action of the first vertical drive mechanism 510, which will be analyzed later.) The liquid-solid interface identification device includes a laser light source 301 and a laser receiver 302 arranged at relatively intervals. The laser light source 301 is horizontally oriented, meaning that the light emitted by the laser light source 301 illuminates the laser receiver 302 at a horizontal angle. The distance between the laser light source 301 and the laser receiver 302 is greater than the diameter of the centrifuge tube suspended on the basket 212, meaning that when the laser light source 301 is on one side of the centrifuge tube, the laser receiver 302 is on the other side. It should be noted that in order for the light emitted by the laser light source 301 to pass through the centrifuge tube (and the supernatant in the centrifuge tube), the centrifuge tube should be made of a transparent material. In practice, acid and alkali resistant materials such as glass and PP can be used.

[0045] The first vertical drive mechanism 510 is used to drive the aforementioned solid-liquid interface recognition device 300 to move vertically, thereby moving the laser light source 301 and the laser receiver 302 to both sides of the centrifuge tube. In actual use, in order to ensure accurate control and determination of the movement stroke (i.e., real-time height) of the solid-liquid interface recognition device 300, the first vertical drive mechanism 510 can use components such as ball screws that provide precise height feedback. In specific implementations, the aforementioned liquid-solid interface recognition device 300 is installed at the free end of the first vertical drive mechanism 510, allowing the aforementioned laser light source 301 and laser receiver 302 to move to both sides of the centrifuge tube. In specific implementations, the first vertical drive mechanism 510 can be installed inside the centrifuge cavity 101 (below the centrifuge rotor 210) or on the upper outer side of the centrifuge cavity 101 (above the centrifuge rotor 210).

[0046] The following analysis explains how the solid-liquid interface formed by centrifugation is achieved through the cooperation of the first vertical drive mechanism 510 and the liquid-solid interface recognition device 300. In this embodiment, the first vertical drive mechanism 510 drives the solid-liquid interface recognition device 300 to move vertically. During the aforementioned operation, the laser source 301 continuously emits laser light, causing the laser to irradiate the centrifuge tube from one side. When the laser source 301 irradiates the supernatant area, the laser energy emitted from the other side of the centrifuge tube and irradiating the laser receiver 302 is strong because the supernatant has a weak blocking effect on the laser. Conversely, when the laser source 301 irradiates the precipitate area, the laser energy emitted from the other side of the centrifuge tube and irradiating the laser receiver 302 is weak (or even no laser photons irradiate the laser receiver 302) because the precipitate has a strong blocking effect on the laser. Accordingly, the horizontal height of the solid-liquid separation interface can be determined by the change in the strength of the output signal of the laser receiver 302 combined with the displacement of the first vertical drive mechanism 510.

[0047] The supernatant suction device 400 is used to discharge the supernatant after solid-liquid separation. It includes a suction pump 401 and a sampling needle 402. The sampling needle 402 is mounted on a second vertical drive mechanism 520 and moves vertically under the drive of the second vertical drive mechanism 520. In this embodiment, the second vertical drive mechanism 520 is located directly above the centrifuge chamber 101 and directly opposite a position where a centrifuge tube is placed. When the second vertical drive mechanism 520 drives the sampling needle 402 to move downwards vertically, it allows the sampling needle 402 to be inserted into the centrifuge tube from the bottle opening. After the sampling needle is inserted into the centrifuge tube and below the surface of the supernatant, the suction pump 401 operates, and the corresponding supernatant can be discharged from the centrifuge tube.

[0048] Furthermore, the sample preparation apparatus in this embodiment also includes a third vertical drive mechanism 530 and a reagent filling device 600. The reagent filling device 600 includes a filling pump 601 and a filling needle 602 for filling the centrifuge tube with reaction reagents. Similar to the aforementioned second vertical drive mechanism 520, the third vertical drive mechanism 530 is used to drive the filling needle 602 to be inserted into the centrifuge tube from the bottle opening. The filling pump 601 is connected to the reagent storage tank 604 and is used to control the filling of reagents into the centrifuge tube.

[0049] As shown in the figure, the aforementioned second vertical drive mechanism 520 and third vertical drive mechanism 530 are fixed to the main body 100 by a support frame.

[0050] In this embodiment, the controller is used to control various devices and actuators to perform corresponding control operations. Specifically, after adding a preset weight of soil sample to the centrifuge tube and hanging the centrifuge tube on the basket 212, the controller controls the aforementioned devices or actuators to perform the following operations: (1) Control the third vertical drive mechanism to move, so that the filling needle 602 is inserted into the centrifuge tube, and then control the filling pump 601 to add a specific type of reaction solvent into the centrifuge tube. After adding the reaction solvent, the third drive mechanism is reversed, so that the filling needle 602 extends out of the centrifuge tube; (2) After waiting for the reaction solvent in the centrifuge tube and the soil sample to react for a period of time, the drive motor 220 is controlled to rotate to realize the centrifugation operation of the soil sample, forming a precipitate and supernatant after centrifugation; (3) After the centrifugation operation is completed and the centrifuge tube is restored to the vertical setting, the centrifuge tube is controlled to rotate to a specific position, and the first vertical control mechanism is controlled to move, controlling the laser emitter to emit laser light and receiving the receiving signal generated by the laser receiver 302. ; Determine the time point when the received signal undergoes typical changes, and take the height corresponding to the aforementioned typical change time point as the liquid level height or solid-liquid interface height, and according to the connection (that is, when the first vertical drive mechanism 510 drives the solid-liquid interface identification device to move up and down, it will identify the liquid level height and solid-liquid interface height in the centrifuge tube); then control the first vertical control mechanism to return to its original position; (4) control the second vertical control mechanism to move, so that the liquid-taking needle 402 is inserted into the centrifuge tube, and control the suction pump 401 to move when the height of the liquid-taking needle 402 reaches the liquid level height, so as to achieve liquid taking; at the same time, determine the operating power of the suction pump 401 according to the moving speed of the second digital display control mechanism and the cross-sectional area of ​​the centrifuge tube at the corresponding height; when the liquid-taking needle 402 moves to the solid-liquid interface height, stop the suction pump 401 to run, and control the second vertical control mechanism to move in the opposite direction, so that the liquid-taking needle 402 is pulled out of the centrifuge tube. Subsequently, by repeatedly executing the aforementioned (2)-(4), the removal of various impurities in the soil sample can also be achieved.

[0051] Based on the aforementioned structural analysis and action execution analysis, it can be understood that the soil particle size sample preparation equipment using the embodiments of this disclosure, after placing the centrifuge tube containing the soil sample on the hanging basket 212 of the centrifuge device 200, and then the controller controls the aforementioned device or actuator to operate sequentially, can realize the addition of corresponding types of reagents, chemical reaction, centrifugation operation and supernatant removal operation.

[0052] In specific implementation, a reasonable solution reaction reagent filling strategy is formulated according to the provisions of HJ1068-2019, and the aforementioned filling strategy is deployed into the controller. The soil sample preparation equipment can then be used to realize the automated preparation of soil particle size samples. As analyzed above, the embodiment of this disclosure does not use gripping devices such as robotic arms to transfer centrifuge tubes between different workstations. Instead, it only uses the vertical drive mechanism and the centrifugation device 200 to perform the filling and aspiration operations of the liquid in the centrifuge tubes. There is no need to deploy a complex robotic arm, and the problem of sample spillage caused by the robotic arm's inaccurate gripping of the centrifuge tubes can also be avoided.

[0053] In practical applications, by properly setting the height of the centrifuge tubes and the operation of the centrifuge device 200, spillage of soil samples during centrifugation can be avoided. More preferably, the centrifuge tubes are equipped with a cap that is self-sealing but allows the liquid collection needle 402 and the filling needle 602 to pass through (e.g., a cap formed by a one-way valve), to prevent the solution from spilling during centrifugation.

[0054] In practical applications, to ensure the dynamic balance of the centrifuge device 200 during centrifugation, the weight of the centrifuge tubes needs to be within a reasonable error range (e.g., the weight deviation of each centrifuge tube should not exceed 0.1g). However, due to the different material components in the soil sample, the volume of the precipitate and the volume of the supernatant are not the same. If the liquid-solid separation surface is determined according to the method described above, the weight change of the centrifuge tubes caused by the extraction of the supernatant, as well as the potential disruption of the dynamic balance caused by the aforementioned weight change, also need to be considered.

[0055] To address the aforementioned issues, the suction pump 401 in this embodiment is configured as a metering pump. During the process of the sampling needle 402 being inserted into the supernatant surface and the suction pump 401 performing aspiration, the suction pump 401 generates a metering signal indicating the volume of supernatant extracted from the centrifuge tube and sends this signal to the controller. The controller can determine the volume of supernatant extracted from the centrifuge pump based on the metering signal. Correspondingly, during the process of adding reaction reagents to the centrifuge tube using an actual filling device, the controller determines the amount of reaction reagent to be added to the centrifuge tube in the next filling operation based on the volume of the supernatant. In specific implementations, considering that the specific gravity differences between different types of reaction reagents are not significant, the controller can directly use the volume of the extracted supernatant as the volume of reaction reagent to be added to the centrifuge tube.

[0056] Referring to HJ1068-2019, to remove different types of interfering substances such as organic matter, gypsum, iron oxide, and carbonates, corresponding types of reaction reagents are needed to react with these substances in the soil sample. These different types of reaction reagents are stored in separate reaction reagent storage tanks 604. To achieve the addition of various reaction reagents using a third vertical drive mechanism 530 and a reagent adding device 600, the reagent adding device 600 also includes a multi-port valve 603. The multi-port valve 603 is a multi-inlet, one-outlet valve, and during operation, only one inlet and one outlet can be connected. Each inlet of the multi-port valve 603 is directly connected to a reaction reagent storage tank 604, and the outlet of the multi-port valve 603 is directly connected to the inlet of the adding pump 601. In addition, the controller is connected to the control terminal of the multi-way valve 603, and determines the connection status of the multi-way valve 603 according to the sample processing progress. Specifically, it controls which inlet and outlet of the multi-way valve 603 are directly connected according to the type of solution to be added next time.

[0057] According to the HJ1068-2019 standard, in the process of removing soluble salts, gypsum, iron oxide, and carbonates, the removal of the corresponding impurities is considered complete only when the conductivity of the supernatant is less than 40 mS / m. To determine the type of reaction reagent to be added to the centrifuge tube in the next step according to the aforementioned standard, a conductivity meter is also installed on the sampling needle 402, and the signal output terminal of the conductivity meter is connected to the controller. During the sampling operation of the sampling needle 402 on the supernatant formed by the first reaction reagent, the controller determines the type of the second reaction reagent to be added later based on the real-time conductivity generated by the conductivity meter, and determines the connection status of the multi-way valve 603 based on the type of the second reaction reagent. Specifically, if the real-time conductivity is lower than the conductivity corresponding to the end standard of the first reaction reagent reaction, the second reaction reagent is the reaction reagent required to remove the next type of impurity; if the real-time conductivity is higher than the conductivity corresponding to the end standard of the first reaction reagent reaction, the second reaction reagent is still the aforementioned first reaction reagent.

[0058] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in this embodiment, the supernatant suction device 400 includes, in addition to the aforementioned suction pump 401 and suction needle, a waste liquid tank 403. The discharge port of the suction pump 401 is directly connected to the waste liquid tank 403. It is conceivable that the supernatant extracted by the supernatant suction device 400 is discharged into the waste liquid tank 403 to avoid pollution problems caused by direct discharge.

[0059] As previously analyzed, the hanging basket 212 in this embodiment is used to install and fix centrifuge tubes, ensuring the stability of the connection during centrifugation. In one specific embodiment, the structure for directly fixing centrifuge tubes on the hanging basket 212 is a snap-fit ​​ring, which engages with a limiting protrusion on the centrifuge tube and achieves suspension and fixation of the centrifuge tube under its own weight. Furthermore, the preparation device also includes a fourth vertical drive mechanism 540, a support platform 700, and a reaction-promoting device. The support platform 700 and the fourth vertical drive mechanism are located on the lower side of the centrifuge tubes. The fourth vertical drive mechanism 540 drives the support platform 700 to move vertically, causing the support platform 700 to lift the centrifuge tubes and disengage the limiting protrusion from the snap-fit ​​ring. The reaction-promoting device is located on the support platform 700 and is used to accelerate the reaction rate between the reaction reagents and the soil sample inside the centrifuge tubes.

[0060] In specific implementation, the reaction-promoting device can be a heater 800 and an ultrasonic oscillator 900. During the heating of the centrifuge tube and the soil sample and reaction solvent within it using the heater 800, if the retaining protrusion and the retaining ring are kept in contact, heat will be conducted to the rotor body 211 through the retaining protrusion and the retaining ring. Consequently, the heating power of the heater 800 needs to be increased to maintain the centrifuge tube at the target temperature. Similarly, if the retaining protrusion and the retaining ring are kept in contact, the vibration generated by the ultrasonic oscillator will be transmitted to the rotor body 211 and the drive motor 220 through the retaining protrusion and the retaining ring. Prolonged operation may damage the structure and dynamic balance characteristics of the drive motor 220. However, by using the aforementioned support platform 700 and the fourth vertical drive mechanism 540 to lift the centrifuge tube, the direct contact between the retaining protrusion and the retaining ring is broken, thus isolating heat and ultrasonic vibration waves from the conduction through the retaining protrusion and the retaining ring, thereby avoiding the aforementioned problems.

[0061] In specific implementations, in some embodiments, to ensure that the centrifuge tube remains upright (especially under ultrasonic vibration) after the support platform 700 lifts it without tilting, the lower end of the centrifuge tube is configured as a conical structure. The corresponding support platform 700 has a conical groove adapted to the conical structure at the lower part of the centrifuge tube in its supporting portion. The aforementioned reaction-promoting device is disposed within the conical groove or at the opening of the conical groove, allowing direct contact with the centrifuge tube.

[0062] Furthermore, to ensure safety during centrifugation and prevent spillage of soil samples and liquids due to equipment malfunctions, thus guaranteeing personnel safety, the soil particle size sample preparation equipment may also include a protective cover and an opening / closing actuator. The opening / closing actuator is used to control the opening and closing of the protective cover relative to the opening of the centrifuge chamber 101. Before and during centrifugation operations controlled by the controller, the controller controls the opening / closing actuator to achieve the engagement of the protective cover with the opening of the centrifuge chamber 101.

[0063] Referring to the HJ1068-2019 standard, hydrogen peroxide is required to remove organic matter from soil samples during sample preparation. This process may generate a large amount of foam and potentially harmful gases. To prevent bubble formation and to quickly expel these harmful gases, vents are provided on the protective cover or main body 100. Furthermore, the soil particle size sample preparation equipment also includes a negative pressure exhaust device. This device is connected to the vents and is activated during the hydrogen peroxide removal process to expel gases from the centrifuge chamber 101 and remove foam generated during the hydrogen peroxide reaction using negative pressure.

[0064] Compared with the prior art, the soil particle size preparation equipment provided in this embodiment does not require gripping devices such as robotic arms to transfer centrifuge tubes between different workstations. Instead, it only uses the cooperation of a vertical drive mechanism and a centrifugal device to perform the filling and suction operations of liquid in the centrifuge tubes. This also avoids the problem of sample spillage caused by the robotic arm not accurately gripping the centrifuge tubes, while reducing the overall manufacturing cost.

[0065] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of this application. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A soil particle size sample preparation device, characterized in that, include: The main body has a centrifugal cavity; A centrifuge device, located within the centrifuge chamber, is configured to cause a soil sample solution in a centrifuge tube to form a precipitate and a supernatant through centrifugation. A liquid-solid interface identification device is configured to identify the interface between precipitate and supernatant in a centrifuge tube. The liquid-solid interface identification device has a laser light source and a laser receiver. The laser light source is horizontally oriented, and the distance between the laser light source and the laser receiver is greater than the diameter of the centrifuge tube. The laser light source and the laser receiver are vertically and vertically positioned in the centrifuge cavity and can be moved to both sides of the centrifuge tube via a first vertical drive mechanism. The supernatant suction device has a liquid-collecting needle, which is vertically and vertically positioned above the centrifuge tube via a second vertical drive mechanism and is configured to discharge the supernatant after solid-liquid separation from the centrifuge tube. A reagent filling device has a filling needle, which is vertically and vertically positioned above the centrifuge tube via a third vertical drive mechanism and is configured to fill the centrifuge tube with reagent.

2. The soil particle size sample preparation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supernatant suction device also includes a suction pump, which provides suction power for discharging the supernatant; the suction pump is a metering pump, which can measure the volume of the supernatant extracted from the centrifuge tube.

3. The soil particle size sample preparation equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a controller, which is electrically connected to the centrifuge device, the liquid-solid interface identification device, the first vertical drive mechanism, the supernatant suction device, the second vertical drive mechanism, the reagent filling device, and the third vertical drive mechanism, so as to control the execution of centrifugation operation, identify the interface between precipitate and supernatant, discharge supernatant, and add reaction solvent according to a set program.

4. The soil particle size sample preparation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The centrifuge device has a centrifuge rotor, which includes a rotor body and a plurality of hanging baskets for suspending centrifuge tubes. The hanging baskets are rotatably mounted on the rotor body. Furthermore, the hanging baskets are provided with snap rings for cooperating with limiting protrusions on the centrifuge tubes to fix and suspend the centrifuge tubes on the hanging baskets.

5. The soil particle size sample preparation device according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a fourth vertical drive mechanism and a support platform, the support platform being disposed within the centrifuge cavity and located below the centrifuge rotor; the fourth vertical drive mechanism is used to drive the support platform to move vertically, so that the support platform lifts the centrifuge tube and causes the limiting protrusion to disengage from the snap ring.

6. The soil particle size sample preparation device according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a reaction-accelerating device, which is set on the support platform to accelerate the reaction rate between the reaction reagents and the soil sample in the centrifuge tube.

7. The soil particle size sample preparation device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The lower end of the centrifuge tube has a conical structure; the supporting part of the support platform is provided with a conical groove adapted to the conical structure; the reaction-promoting device is located in the conical groove or at the opening of the conical groove.

8. The soil particle size sample preparation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reagent filling device also includes a filling pump, multiple reagent storage tanks, and a multi-way valve; the multi-way valve has multiple inlets and an outlet, each inlet is connected to one of the reagent storage tanks, and the outlet is connected to the inlet of the filling pump.

9. The soil particle size sample preparation device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The liquid collection needle is equipped with a conductivity meter, and the signal output terminal of the conductivity meter is connected to the controller.

10. The soil particle size sample preparation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a protective cover and an opening / closing mechanism, the opening / closing mechanism being used to control the opening and closing of the protective cover relative to the opening of the centrifugal cavity; The protective cover and / or the main body are provided with an exhaust port, which is connected to a negative pressure exhaust device.

Images