Sample hand shake automation device and sample preparation system including the same

Abstract

The present invention discloses a sample handshake automation device and a sample pretreatment system including the same, comprising a shake body in the form of a frame having a space formed inside and an open top, a shake block rotatably installed along the interior of the shake body and accommodating and clamping a plurality of sample containers, and a driving means for circulating rotation of the shake block in a horizontal state along the interior of the shake body, wherein the driving means comprises a first driving member hinged to a block hinge piece integrally formed at the bottom of the shake block, a second driving member hinged to one end of the first driving member and rotatably driven by a driving motor installed in the shake body, and a third driving member hinged to the other end of the first driving member and connected to the shake body to support the rotation of the first driving member.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sample pretreatment system for food analysis, and more specifically, to an automated sample handshake device that enables repetitive precision processing by automating the "sample shaking" process among various pretreatment processes (mixing, stirring, extraction, etc.). Background Technology

[0003] The pretreatment process for the analysis of food, agricultural products, fishery products, and environmental samples is considered one of the key steps that determine the accuracy and reproducibility of the analysis.

[0004] This pretreatment is a preparatory process prior to final analysis, performing the function of stably and quantitatively extracting target components (e.g., pesticide residues, heavy metals, organic compounds, etc.) from the sample and removing or separating disturbing substances.

[0005] Representative pretreatment processes performed at this time include homogenization, stirring, extraction, filtration, concentration, dilution, and centrifugation. In particular, for liquid samples or liquid-solid mixed samples, the 'shaking' process of mixing the sample by shaking it has a significant impact on the precision of analysis.

[0006] Conventional shaking methods and devices based on this can be broadly classified as follows.

[0007] Flat Platform Shaker: A device that shakes a tray containing multiple samples in a left-right or circular rotational manner. Generally, it can shake dozens of tubes simultaneously, but precise control of individual samples is difficult.

[0008] Vortex Shaker: A small device that induces rotary stirring by vibrating a single tube from below. The sample tube must be loaded manually, making it unsuitable for the automatic processing of multiple samples.

[0009] Arm-type shaking device: A structure that physically shakes samples by mounting a clamping device on the end of a robot arm; while adopted in some laboratory automation equipment, it is very expensive and difficult to customize.

[0010] While this traditional shaking method may be useful in certain environments, it has the following structural limitations in meeting the high efficiency, high precision, and automation requirements of the modern food analysis industry.

[0011] In other words, many shaking devices still require the manual loading and unloading of samples, making them unsuitable for mass processing. This results in problems such as increased user fatigue and a higher risk of contamination.

[0012] Furthermore, because it is difficult to quantify and standardize vibration intensity, time, and period, it is difficult to be certain whether the processing was performed under identical conditions. This significantly reduces the reliability of the analysis.

[0013] In addition, physical and electrical interfaces with other automation modules such as mixers, centrifuges, heat treatment units, and filters are not separately provided, making it difficult to integrate into the overall automation system.

[0014] Recently, robotic arms are widely used for sample handling, but conventional shakers are not integrated with these automated handling devices, resulting in a disconnection in the sample transfer and shaking processes.

[0015] Modern analytical preprocessing workstations are designed to enable automated processes ranging from automatic sample dispensing, mixing, extraction, filtration, and concentration by linking various modules within a single platform. However, separate automation modules responsible for the 'hand shaking' process on such platforms have rarely been proposed, and existing methods have relied solely on simple vibration modules or rotary shakers.

[0016] This limits the ability to ensure the quality of specific steps within the equipment (e.g., sample homogenization after liquid mixing), ultimately resulting in a structure that is disadvantageous for securing analytical accuracy and reproducibility. Furthermore, with the increasing demand in recent analytical laboratories to process hundreds of samples daily in a fully automated manner, a structure capable of performing processes such as shaking using robots or automation modules is essential. Prior art literature

[0018] Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0035421 Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2020-0118979 The problem to be solved

[0019] The embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to improve the sample handshake automation device described above, and aim to provide an automation device capable of stably shaking a sample by rotating a shake block including a sample container inside a shake body.

[0020] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an automated sample handshake device that can precisely control the intensity, amplitude, and time of shaking, thereby increasing the reliability of the pretreatment.

[0021] The technical problems to be solved in the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems may be considered by those skilled in the art from the various embodiments described below. means of solving the problem

[0023] A sample handshake automation device and a sample pretreatment system including the same according to the concept of the present invention comprises a shake body in the form of a frame having a space formed inside and an open top, a shake block rotatably installed along the interior of the shake body and accommodating and clamping a plurality of sample containers, and a driving means for circulating rotation of the shake block in a horizontal state along the interior of the shake body, wherein the driving means comprises a first driving member hinged to a block hinge piece integrally formed at the bottom of the shake block, a second driving member hinged to one end of the first driving member and rotatably driven by a driving motor installed in the shake body, and a third driving member hinged to the other end of the first driving member and connected to the shake body to support the rotation of the first driving member.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the driving means may be installed in multiple numbers spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the shake body and the shake block.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shake block forming a space inside may include a plurality of insertion holes formed on the upper surface to allow the sample container to be inserted and mounted thereon, a clamping member that moves downward while supporting the lower surface of the sample container as the sample container is inserted, and a guide groove formed vertically for a certain length on the inner surface of the shake block to guide the downward movement of the clamping member and to restrict movement.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a hemispherical receiving groove is formed in the clamping member to receive the spherical lower surface of the sample container, and a cushioning pad is installed in the receiving groove. Effects of the invention

[0028] The sample handshake automation device and the sample pretreatment system including the same according to the present invention provide the following effects by achieving the above objective.

[0029] First, the entire process from clamping to shaking of the sample can be carried out automatically without human intervention.

[0030] Secondly, the same pretreatment quality can be ensured under quantified shake conditions.

[0031] Third, work efficiency can be maximized by reducing preprocessing time through sequential or parallel processing of multiple samples. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0033] FIG. 1 is an overall front view of a sample analysis pretreatment system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sample handshake automation device in the sample analysis pretreatment system of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a sample handshake automation device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a sample handshake automation device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of a sample handshake automation device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a shake block in a sample handshake automation device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 8 is a diagram showing the state in which a sample container is inserted and mounted in the shake block in Figure 7. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0034] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely preferred examples of the disclosed invention, and various modifications that may replace the embodiments and drawings of this specification may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0035] Identical reference numbers or symbols in each drawing of this specification represent parts or components that perform substantially the same function. The shapes and sizes of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0036] The terms used herein are for describing embodiments and are not intended to limit or / or restrict the disclosed invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not preclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0037] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as “first,” “second,” etc., as used herein may be used to describe various components, but said components are not limited by said terms, and said terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component. The term “and / or” includes a combination of a plurality of related described items or any one of a plurality of related described items.

[0038] Terms such as "...part," "...unit," and "module" as used in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Additionally, "one (a or an)," "one," "the," and similar related terms may be used in the context describing various embodiments (particularly in the context of the following claims) in both singular and plural forms, unless otherwise indicated in the specification or clearly contradicted by the context.

[0039] Terms such as "top," "bottom," "front," and "rear" used below are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and location of each component are not limited by these terms.

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0041] Here, FIG. 1 is an overall front view of a sample analysis pretreatment system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sample handshake automation device in the sample analysis pretreatment system of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a sample handshake automation device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of a sample handshake automation device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view showing the operation of a sample handshake automation device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a shake block in a sample handshake automation device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 8 is a state view in which a sample container is inserted and mounted in the shake block in FIG. 7.

[0042] First, the sample analysis pretreatment system incorporates national standard methods and pharmacopoeial methods, and the user can operate it by placing a sample container (10) on the equipment and selecting a preset workflow.

[0043] The sample analysis pretreatment system illustrated in FIG. 1 has a pretreatment body (100) and a plurality of base frames (104) installed on the pretreatment body (100), so that various processes for sample analysis can be performed continuously.

[0044] Wheels (102) are installed on the bottom surface of the above-mentioned pre-processing body (100) to enable movement, storage spaces (106) are provided on the upper and lower sides, and a display unit (108) including a control unit is installed on the upper side to enable on / off operation and device control.

[0045] Accordingly, according to the workflow, the sample container (10) is moved to the base frame (104) via an arm, the lid (14) is automatically separated from the sample container (10), and an accurate amount of extraction solvent (e.g., acetonitrile, etc.) is injected into the interior of the container body (12) of the sample container (10) which is opened by the lid (14).

[0046] Then, the extraction salt (Salt) applied differently depending on the type of sample is automatically injected into the container body (12) in succession.

[0047] Accordingly, a sample of a food type, an extraction solvent, and an extraction salt are automatically introduced into the main body of the container (12) in sequence from the sample container (10).

[0048] And the above sample container (10) is strongly shaken by a mechanical electric device using a handshake unit (200).

[0049] That is, the above hand shake section (200) helps to mix the feed evenly and increase extraction efficiency.

[0050] Following the handshake section (200), the upper and lower layers are separated by high-speed centrifugal force in the centrifuge (120), and only the upper liquid is automatically sucked in using a pipette and mixed with a liquid such as distilled water.

[0051] The above mixing maximizes extraction efficiency and ensures uniform liquid mixing by rapidly rotating the sample container (10) using a vortex stirrer (130).

[0052] Then, the mixed sample container (10) is transferred to a cartridge, and impurities are removed through a purification process, and the sample is prepared as a final sample that can be injected into an analytical instrument (LC-MS / MS, etc.).

[0053] Meanwhile, the present invention discloses an automated handshake unit (200) in which an extraction solvent and an extraction salt are sequentially introduced into a sample container in a sample analysis pretreatment system, and the introduced solution and the sample are mixed.

[0054] The handshake section (200) is as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4.

[0055] It largely includes a shake body (210), a shake block (220) rotatably installed along the interior of the shake body (210), and a driving means (300) for rotating the shake block (220) in a horizontal state along the interior of the shake body (210).

[0056] Before providing a detailed description, the sample container (10) described above may be composed of a container body (12) that forms a space inside and a lid (14) that closes the open top of the container body (12).

[0057] The shake body (210) has a rectangular frame shape and forms a space inside, and the top is open.

[0058] The above shake body (210) is installed on the base frame (104), and the shake block (220) is partially received and rotated in a circular manner in the open upward direction.

[0059] And before explaining the driving means (300) that rotates the shake block (220) in a horizontal state along the interior of the shake body (210), the shake block (220) is explained first.

[0060] The shake block (220) above is as shown in FIGS. 7 and FIGS. 8.

[0061] The shake block (220) also forms a space inside in a rectangular shape, and both sides can be open.

[0062] The shake block (220) is preferably smaller than the size of the shake body (210) and can be installed at approximately 1 / 2 of the interior of the shake body (210).

[0063] The shake block (220) may have a plurality of insertion holes (226) formed on its upper surface so that the sample container (10) can be inserted and mounted.

[0064] The insertion hole (226) is connected to the interior and may be formed in series and parallel, and may be slightly larger than the diameter of the container body (12) of the sample container (10).

[0065] And a plurality of clamping members (230) that move downward while supporting the lower surface of the sample container (10) as the sample container (10) is inserted into the shake block (220) may be installed.

[0066] As shown in the direction indicator in FIG. 2, the width of the clamping member (230) in the Y-axis direction may be equal to or slightly smaller than the width of the shake block (220), and guide projections (232) are formed on both sides in the Y-axis direction.

[0067] The above clamping member (230) can be installed in multiple numbers along the X-axis direction, that is, along the length direction.

[0068] That is, a clamping member (230) is installed in correspondence with one or two insertion holes (226) arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction, and the clamping member (230) can be installed in correspondence with the insertion holes (226) arranged side by side along the X-axis direction.

[0069] Accordingly, a guide projection (232) can be integrally formed protruding from each clamping member (230).

[0070] And on the upper surface of each clamping member (230), a receiving groove (234) may be formed at a position corresponding to the insertion hole (226).

[0071] The receiving groove (234) is a hemispherical shape that accommodates the spherical lower surface of the sample container (10) and supports the sample container (10).

[0072] Furthermore, a cushioning pad (236) may be installed on the above receiving groove (234).

[0073] The above cushioning pad (236) is made of rubber or urethane material to cushion the impact of the inserted container body (12) and increase the adhesion.

[0074] Meanwhile, a guide groove (222) of a certain length in a vertical direction may be formed on the inner surface of the shake block (220) to guide the movement of the guide projection (232) formed integrally with the clamping member (230) and to restrict the movement.

[0075] The above guide groove (222) may also be formed in multiple numbers along the X-axis direction of FIG. 2, corresponding to the guide projection (232) of the clamping member (230).

[0076] Additionally, a stopper (222a) is formed at the end of each guide groove (222) having a certain length, and a guide projection (232) is positioned on the stopper (222a), thereby limiting the insertion length of the sample container (10) to be inserted.

[0077] Furthermore, it includes a driving means (300) that rotates the shake block (220) in a horizontal state along the interior of the shake body (210).

[0078] The above driving means (300) is again as in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4.

[0079] A block hinge piece (224) is formed integrally at the bottom of the shake block (220), and a first driving piece (310) is hinge-coupled so that the block hinge piece (224) can rotate.

[0080] For convenience of explanation, the first driving member (310) is formed in the shape of “┗┓” with reference to FIG. 5, and a block center hinge (311) is formed in the center that is connected to the block hinge member (224). One end bent into an “ㄱ” shape is referred to as the block downward hinge (312), and the other end bent into an “ㄴ” shape is referred to as the block upward hinge (313).

[0081] Accordingly, a second driving member (320) is connected and installed to the above block lower hinge (312).

[0082] The second driving member (320) is in the form of a straight bar, with one end hinged to the block lower hinge (312), and the other end connected to the driving motor (330) installed on the shake body (210) to receive driving force.

[0083] The drive motor (330) is capable of forward and reverse rotation, receives power from an external source, and is installed on the outer periphery of the shake body (210).

[0084] A gear tooth (334) is formed on the motor shaft (332) extending from the above-mentioned drive motor (330), and a second drive member (320) is engaged with the gear tooth (334) to receive power.

[0085] And a third driving member (340) is hinge-coupled to the other end of the first driving member (310), that is, the block upper hinge (313), to support the rotation of the first driving member (310) and connected to the shake body (210).

[0086] The third driving member (340) is also hinged to the block upper hinge (313) in the form of a straight bar, and the other end is hinged to the shake body (210).

[0087] The above-described driving means (300) may be installed in multiple numbers spaced apart along the X-axis direction, that is, the length direction, of the shake body (210) and the shake block (220).

[0088] As described, two driving means (300) are installed spaced apart, but two or more may be installed depending on the length of the shake body (210) and the shake block (220).

[0090] The operation of the sample handshake automation device according to the present invention, configured as described above, is explained with reference to FIG. 5 or FIG. 6.

[0091] The sample container (10) is grasped by the arm (109) and inserted into the insertion hole (226) of the shake block (220).

[0092] As the sample container (10) held in the arm (109) is inserted into the insertion hole (226), the lower surface of the sample container (10) is received in the receiving groove (234) of the clamping member (230), and the clamping member (230) descends along the guide groove (222). The guide projection (232) of the descending clamping member (230) is positioned on the catch (222a) of the guide groove (222) to restrict movement, and the clamping of the sample container (10) received in the receiving groove (234) of the clamping member (230) can be stably achieved.

[0093] Furthermore, the cushioning pad (236) on the receiving groove (234) can prevent damage to the sample container (10) and increase the clamping force.

[0094] As described above, as the sample container (10) is inserted and mounted into the insertion hole (226) in sequence along the X-axis direction, a plurality of clamping members (230) can also be moved downward in sequence.

[0095] Here, the two arms (109) are simultaneously inserted into the insertion hole (226) of the shake block (220) as described above, and the clamping member (230) can be lowered accordingly. However, in some cases, when one sample container (10) is inserted into the insertion hole (226) and the clamping member (230) is lowered, the other sample container (10) can be positioned in the receiving groove (234) of the lowered clamping member (230).

[0096] Next, when a sample container (10) is positioned in each insertion hole (226) of the shake block (220), the shake block (220) is rotated horizontally along the interior of the shake body (210) by the driving means (300).

[0097] That is, the second driving member (320) rotates as the motor shaft (332) and the gear teeth (334) installed on the motor shaft (332) rotate due to the driving of power applied to the driving motor (330).

[0098] According to the operation of the second driving member (320), the first driving member (310) connected to the block lower hinge (312) rotates, and the third driving member (340) connected to the block upper hinge (313) of the first driving member (310) is supported by the shake body (210) to enable rotational driving.

[0099] And the block hinge piece (224) of the shake block (220), which is connected to the block center hinge (311) of the first driving piece (310), is installed so that the shake block (220) rotates 360° in a horizontal state.

[0100] As the shake block (220) moves up and down and rotates in a circular motion around the block hinge piece (224), the sample and liquid of the sample container (10) located in the insertion hole (226) of the shake block (220) can be mixed, and furthermore, the intensity and time of shaking can be controlled according to the preset rotational force of the drive motor (330), and the amplitude can be controlled according to the length of the first drive piece (310).

[0101] As described above, when the mixing of the sample container (10) contained in the shake block (220) is completed, the sample container (10) inserted from the insertion hole (226) is withdrawn to the arm (109) and transferred to the next process.

[0102] At this time, the clamping member (230) included in the shake block (220) moves up and down along the guide groove (222) along with the sample container (10) and is positioned in contact with the insertion hole (226), and then waits for the sample container (10) to be inserted.

[0103] As described above, the entire process from clamping to shaking of the sample can be performed automatically without human intervention.

[0104] In addition, the same pretreatment quality can be ensured under quantified shake conditions.

[0105] In addition, work efficiency can be maximized by reducing preprocessing time through sequential or parallel processing of multiple samples.

[0106] Specific embodiments have been illustrated and described above. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art may make various modifications without departing from the essence of the technical concept of the invention as described in the following claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0108] 10 : Sample container 12 : Container body 14: Lid 100 : Preprocessor main body 102 : Wheels 104 : Base frame 106 : Storage space 108 : Display unit 109 : Arm 120 : Centrifuge 130 : Vortex stirrer 200 : Handshake unit 210 : Shake main body 220 : Shake Block 222 : Guide Home 222a : Stopper 224 : Block hinge piece 226 : Insertion hole 230 : Clamping member 232 : Guide projection 234 : Receiving groove 236 : Cushioning pad 300 : Driving means 310: First driving member 311: Block center hinge 312 : Block downward hinge 313 : Block upward hinge 320 : Second drive unit 330 : Drive motor 332 : Motor shaft 334 : Gear tooth 340: Third driving part

Claims

Claim 1 The device comprises a shake body in the form of a frame having an internal space and an open top, a shake block rotatably installed along the interior of the shake body and having a plurality of insertion holes formed on its upper surface to accommodate a sample container inserted into the insertion holes, and a driving means for driving the shake block to rotate 360° horizontally along the interior of the shake body, while causing the shake block to move up and down around a block hinge piece. The driving means, which is installed in multiple numbers spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the shake body and the shake block, comprises a first driving piece having a "┗┓" shape that is hinge-coupled to the block hinge piece integrally formed at the bottom of the shake block via a block central hinge and has a block downward hinge at one end and a block upward hinge at the other end, and a driving motor formed on the motor shaft of a driving motor installed in the shake body that is hinge-coupled to the block downward hinge of the first driving piece. The invention includes a second driving member that is rotationally driven by meshing with a gear tooth, and a third driving member that is hinge-coupled to the block-upper hinge of the first driving member and connected to the shake body to support the rotation of the first driving member; the shake block includes a clamping member that moves downward while supporting the lower surface of the sample container upon insertion of the sample container, and a guide groove formed vertically on the inner surface of the shake block to guide the downward movement of the clamping member and restrict movement by including a stopper; the clamping member has a hemispherical receiving groove formed to accommodate the spherical lower surface of the sample container, and a cushioning pad made of rubber or urethane is installed along the inner circumference of the receiving groove; guide projections are integrally formed protruding from both sides of the clamping member, and the stopper is formed at the end of the guide groove; as the sample container is inserted into the insertion hole, the clamping member descends along the guide groove, and the A sample handshake automation device characterized by limiting the insertion length of the sample container and maintaining a clamping state by catching the guide projection on the stopper of the guide groove end and stopping the descent. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete

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