An automatic colony counter

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of bacterial colony automatic counting instrument, it is related to microbiological research technical field, the bacterial colony automatic counting instrument described above includes support and support component, bracket is equipped with industrial camera, display screen and controller, industrial camera and display screen are electrically connected with controller, support component includes the tray of sliding installation on support, the light source for providing illumination to tray, by the tray of pulling formula, when placing culture dish, dislocation between culture dish and industrial camera, and then it is convenient to take and place culture dish, while it is favorable to reduce the height of device whole, reduce the size of equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of microbial research technology, and more specifically, to an automatic colony counter. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, in domestic colony counting, manual counting is inefficient, inaccurate, and inconsistent. Batch processing is time-consuming and prone to omissions / double counting due to subjective judgment and visual fatigue, resulting in inaccurate experimental data. Traditional equipment has low integration and large size, requiring external computers and other equipment for analysis and viewing. It is inconvenient to move and has complex operation and high threshold, making it only suitable for small sample laboratory scenarios. It cannot meet the large-scale testing needs of food hygiene, biomedicine and other fields. In particular, the petri dishes are located below the detection camera, which is inconvenient for operators to place and retrieve.

[0003] In conclusion, how to make petri dishes easier to place and remove is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an automatic colony counter that makes it easier to place and retrieve petri dishes by using a sliding tray, while also integrating and reducing the size of the device and expanding the application scenarios of the device.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0006] An automated colony counter, comprising:

[0007] A bracket is provided, on which an industrial camera, a display screen, and a controller are mounted, and the industrial camera and the display screen are both electrically connected to the controller.

[0008] A support assembly, the support assembly including a tray slidably mounted on the bracket and a light source for illuminating the tray.

[0009] Furthermore, the tray has a placement groove on the side facing the industrial camera that is coaxial with the camera lens of the industrial camera.

[0010] Furthermore, the light source is a ring-shaped shadowless lamp, and is coaxially arranged with the camera of the industrial camera.

[0011] Furthermore, the support component further includes:

[0012] A protective cover is mounted on the bracket. The tray and the light source are both located inside the protective cover. The protective cover has a shooting hole on the side closest to the industrial camera.

[0013] Furthermore, the support component further includes:

[0014] At least one slide rail, said slide rail being mounted inside the protective cover;

[0015] At least one slider is slidably mounted on the slide rail, and the tray is fixedly connected to the slider.

[0016] Furthermore, the support component further includes:

[0017] A detection element, used to detect the position of the tray on the slide rail.

[0018] Furthermore, the detection element is a displacement sensor, which is electrically connected to the controller, and the tray is provided with a detection plate that cooperates with the displacement sensor.

[0019] Furthermore, the support component further includes:

[0020] A locking element, used to fix the position of the tray.

[0021] Furthermore, the placement groove is provided with a fixing component.

[0022] Furthermore, the fixing member of this invention has a centering function.

[0023] The automatic colony counter provided by this utility model integrates a support component, an industrial camera, a display screen, and a controller, all mounted on a bracket to form an integrated structure. This eliminates the need for an external display, improving the ease of use. The industrial camera and display screen are electrically connected to the controller. The support component includes a tray that slides on the bracket and a light source for illuminating the tray. When placing a culture dish on the tray, the tray is pulled out to create a misalignment between the dish and the industrial camera, facilitating the handling and placement of the dish. This also helps reduce the overall height of the device, further minimizing its size. The colony count can be automatically completed by taking pictures and identifying the colonies using the industrial camera. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model 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 embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the device provided by this utility model;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the cross-section of the tray provided by this utility model.

[0027] Figures 1-2 In the accompanying drawings, the reference numerals include:

[0028] 1. Bracket; 2. Industrial camera; 3. Display screen; 4. Controller; 5. Support assembly; 501. Tray; 502. Light source; 503. Placement slot; 504. Protective cover; 505. Shooting hole; 506. Slide rail; 507. Slider; 508. Inspection piece. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0030] The core of this invention is to provide an automatic colony counter. By using a sliding tray, it makes it easier to place and retrieve petri dishes, while also integrating and reducing the size of the device and expanding its application scenarios.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 1 An automatic colony counter includes a bracket 1 and a support assembly 5. An industrial camera 2, a display screen 3 and a controller 4 are mounted on the bracket 1. The industrial camera 2 and the display screen 3 are electrically connected to the controller 4. The support assembly 5 includes a tray 501 that is slidably mounted on the bracket 1 and a light source 502 for providing illumination to the tray 501.

[0032] It should be noted that the present invention also includes a control system, which consists of an industrial computer running the Ubuntu operating system. This control system is used to analyze the data acquired from the images and has the effect of eliminating interfering targets and counting their numbers.

[0033] In addition, in this embodiment of the utility model, the bracket 1 is composed of multiple vertical rods and a support plate. Specifically, the multiple vertical rods are arranged in parallel and are set perpendicular to the support plate. The vertical rods and the support plate are fixed by welding. The tray 501 is installed on one of the support plates, and the industrial camera 2 is installed on the other support plate.

[0034] Optionally, in some embodiments, the display screen 3 may be an industrial display screen 3, and may be mounted on the bracket 1 using a ball joint to enable the display screen 3 to rotate in multiple directions.

[0035] Optionally, in some embodiments, the industrial camera 2 has image acquisition and data analysis functions, and the industrial camera 2 includes a 1200W resolution lens and a 2000W pixel camera, which is beneficial to improving the image forming effect.

[0036] Optionally, in some embodiments, the industrial camera 2 is provided with a protective cover, which is fixed to the bracket 1. The industrial camera 2 is detachably mounted on the protective cover. The protective cover can protect the industrial camera 2 and reduce the occurrence of collisions with the industrial camera 2 during use, which is conducive to improving the service life of the industrial camera 2. Specifically, it can be installed on the protective cover in a bolt-removable manner to facilitate the replacement or maintenance of the industrial camera 2.

[0037] In this invention, the support component 5, industrial camera 2, display screen 3, and controller 4 are all mounted on the bracket 1 to form an integrated structure, avoiding the need for an external display and improving the ease of use of the device. The industrial camera 2 and display screen 3 are electrically connected to the controller 4. The support component 5 includes a tray 501 that is slidably mounted on the bracket 1 and a light source 502 for illuminating the tray 501. When placing a culture dish on the tray 501, the culture dish is misaligned with the industrial camera 2 by pulling out the tray 501, which facilitates the picking up and placing of the culture dish. At the same time, it helps to reduce the overall height of the device and further reduce the size of the equipment. The number of colonies can be automatically counted by taking pictures and recognizing them through the industrial camera 2.

[0038] Please refer to Figure 2 In some embodiments, the side of the tray 501 facing the industrial camera 2 is provided with a placement groove 503 that is coaxially arranged with the camera of the industrial camera 2. That is to say, the placement groove 503 on the tray 501 can facilitate the operator to position the petri dish, thereby improving the accuracy of the image captured by the industrial camera 2.

[0039] Optionally, in some embodiments, the placement groove 503 is a sunken groove provided on the tray 501, and the position of the culture dish can be fixed by placing it in the sunken groove.

[0040] Optionally, in some embodiments, the placement groove 503 is provided with an anti-slip or anti-collision pad. Specifically, a rubber pad or a silicone pad can be used to increase its friction, which is beneficial to improving the stability of the petri dish when it is placed.

[0041] Optionally, in some embodiments, the placement slot 503 can be configured with several different sizes according to actual use. When using different petri dishes, the placement slot 503 of the corresponding size can be replaced.

[0042] In other embodiments, a placement plate is detachably mounted on the tray 501, and a placement slot 503 is provided on the placement plate. Therefore, by setting up a number of placement plates and setting different sized placement slots 503 on the placement plates, different placement plates can be replaced during use to effectively fix different culture dishes.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 2 In some embodiments, the light source 502 is a ring-shaped shadowless lamp, which is set coaxially with the camera of the industrial camera 2. The shadowless lamp helps to improve the irradiation effect on the culture dish and avoids the shadows on the culture dish that may cause problems with image acquisition.

[0044] Optionally, in some embodiments, the shadowless lamp can be installed on the bracket 1 by bolt fixing, and the shadowless lamp is electrically connected to the controller 4.

[0045] Please refer to Figure 2 In some embodiments, the support component 5 further includes a protective cover 504, which is mounted on the bracket 1. The tray 501 and the light source 502 are both located inside the protective cover 504. The protective cover 504 has a shooting hole 505 on the side near the industrial camera 2. That is, the tray 501 and the shadowless lamp are both placed inside the protective cover 504. When counting, the petri dish is completely inside the protective cover 504, which reduces the irradiation of the petri dish by the external light source 502, thereby reducing the influence of the external environment and improving the accuracy of counting.

[0046] Optionally, in some embodiments, the protective cover 504 has an opening on one side, through which the tray 501 can enter and exit the protective cover 504.

[0047] Optionally, in some embodiments, the interior of the protective cover 504 is provided with a black light-absorbing material to reduce the impact of light reflection.

[0048] Optionally, in some embodiments, the bottom of the tray 501 is provided with a backlight panel for clearer image acquisition when the petri dish is placed on the tray 501.

[0049] Please refer to Figure 2 In some embodiments, the support component 5 further includes at least one slide rail 506 and at least one slider 507. The slide rail 506 is installed inside the protective cover 504, and the slider 507 is slidably installed on the slide rail 506. The tray 501 is fixedly connected to the slider 507. That is to say, the stability and smoothness of the tray 501 when moving can be increased by the cooperation of the slider 507 and the slide rail 506.

[0050] Optionally, in some embodiments, two slide rails 506 and two sliders 507 are provided, and the two slide rails 506 are arranged in parallel.

[0051] Please refer to Figure 2 In some embodiments, the support component 5 further includes a detection element 508, which is used to detect the position of the tray 501 on the slide rail 506. The real-time position of the tray 501 is detected by the detection element 508, and the detection information is fed back to the controller 4. When the controller 4 receives the signal, it makes the next control program.

[0052] In the above embodiment, when the tray 501 slides out of the protective cover 504, the tray 501 is in the detached position. The detection element 508 feeds back the signal to the controller 4. When the controller 4 receives the signal, it makes a judgment that the tray 501 is detached and automatically turns off the lights and the industrial camera 2.

[0053] Optionally, in some embodiments, to further improve the automation level of the counting device, another detector is also provided inside the protective cover 504 to detect whether there is a petri dish on the tray 501. In practice, when a petri dish is placed on the tray 501, the detector transmits a signal to the controller 4. When the tray 501 enters the designated position of the protective cover 504, the detection element 508 feeds back a signal to the controller 4. After receiving the signal, the controller 4 makes a judgment that the tray 501 is in the designated position and determines that there is a petri dish on the tray 501. At this time, the controller 4 controls the light source to turn on and automatically controls the industrial camera 2 to perform image acquisition and the display screen 3 to display functions, further improving the automation level of the equipment and lowering the threshold for using the equipment.

[0054] Please refer to Figure 2 In some embodiments, the detection element 508 is a displacement sensor, which is electrically connected to the controller 4. The tray 501 is provided with a detection plate that cooperates with the displacement sensor, and the position of the tray 501 is detected by the displacement sensor.

[0055] In other embodiments, a micro switch can also be used as the detection element 508. Specifically, a micro switch is set inside the protective cover 504. When the tray 501 is fully inside the protective cover 504 and reaches the designated position, the micro switch is triggered. At this time, the controller 4 receives a signal that the tray 501 is in the designated position.

[0056] Optionally, in some embodiments, the support component 5 further includes a locking member for fixing the position of the tray 501. That is, by fixing the tray 501 in the counting position by the locking member, the situation of counting failure caused by the change in the position of the tray 501 during the counting process can be effectively avoided.

[0057] Optionally, in some embodiments, the locking element may be a stop bar. Specifically, the stop bar is slidably mounted on the protective cover 504 and is perpendicular to the tray 501. When the tray 501 enters the designated position, the sliding stop bar contacts the tray 501, thereby fixing the position of the tray 501.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the tray 501 is provided with a slot for inserting the stop bar into the slot when it plays a fixing role, so as to fix the position of the tray 501.

[0059] Optionally, in some embodiments, a fixing member is provided in the placement groove 503 to fix the culture dish, so as to further improve the stability of the culture dish during the counting process.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the fixing member has several limiting rods, which are installed on the tray 501 to effectively fix the position of the culture dish.

[0061] Optionally, in some embodiments, the fixing component has a centering function. Specifically, the tray 501 is a hollow structure, and at least three strip-shaped holes are provided on the upper side of the tray 501. The three strip-shaped holes are all arranged along the radial direction of the placement groove 503. Limiting rods are slidably provided in the three strip-shaped holes. At the same time, three screws are rotatably installed in the tray 501. Nuts are threaded onto the screws, and the limiting rods are fixed to the corresponding nuts. A rotating rod is rotatably installed in the tray 501. The rotating rod and the three screws are meshed with a bevel gear structure. Therefore, by rotating one of the screws, the three screws can be controlled to rotate synchronously. At this time, the three limiting rods can be controlled to move synchronously along the radial direction of the placement groove 503, thereby achieving the centering effect of the culture dish, ensuring effective fixation, avoiding positional deviation of the culture dish during image acquisition, and thus improving the image acquisition accuracy of the industrial camera 2.

[0062] In other words, the key point of this utility model is that the support component 5, industrial camera 2, display screen 3 and controller 4 are all installed on the bracket 1, thus forming an integrated structure, avoiding the need for an external display and improving the convenience of using the device. The industrial camera 2 and display screen 3 are electrically connected to the controller 4. The support component 5 includes a tray 501 that is slidably installed on the bracket 1 and a light source 502 for providing light to the tray 501. When placing the culture dish on the tray 501, the culture dish and the industrial camera 2 are misaligned by the pull-out tray 501, which facilitates the picking up and placing of the culture dish. At the same time, it helps to reduce the overall height of the device and further reduce the size of the equipment.

[0063] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0064] The above provides a detailed description of the automatic colony counter provided by this utility model. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principle and implementation of this utility model. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core idea of ​​this utility model. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications to this utility model without departing from the principle of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An automatic colony counter, characterized in that, include: A bracket (1) is provided, on which an industrial camera (2), a display screen (3) and a controller (4) are mounted. The industrial camera (2) and the display screen (3) are electrically connected to the controller (4). The support assembly (5) includes a tray (501) slidably mounted on the bracket (1) and a light source (502) for illuminating the tray (501).

2. The automatic colony counter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tray (501) has a placement slot (503) on the side facing the industrial camera (2) that is coaxial with the camera of the industrial camera (2).

3. The automatic colony counter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light source (502) is a ring-shaped shadowless lamp and is set on the same axis as the camera of the industrial camera (2).

4. The automatic colony counter according to claim 2, characterized in that, The support component (5) also includes: A protective cover (504) is installed on the bracket (1). The tray (501) and the light source (502) are both located inside the protective cover (504). The protective cover (504) has a shooting hole (505) on the side near the industrial camera (2).

5. The automatic colony counter according to claim 4, characterized in that, The support component (5) also includes: At least one slide rail (506) is mounted inside the protective cover (504); At least one slider (507) is slidably mounted on the slide rail (506), and the tray (501) is fixedly connected to the slider (507).

6. The automatic colony counter according to claim 5, characterized in that, The support component (5) also includes: The detection element (508) is used to detect the position of the tray (501) on the slide rail (506).

7. The automatic colony counter according to claim 6, characterized in that, The detection component (508) is a displacement sensor, which is electrically connected to the controller (4). The tray (501) is provided with a detection plate that cooperates with the displacement sensor.

8. The automatic colony counter according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The support component (5) also includes: A locking element for securing the position of the tray (501).

9. The automatic colony counter according to claim 2, characterized in that, The placement slot (503) is equipped with a fixing component.

10. The automatic colony counter according to claim 9, characterized in that, The fastener has a centering function.

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