Disclosure of Invention
The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the invention proposes a detection device. And provides an automatic sample container transfer method for the detection device.
The technical scheme adopted for solving the technical problems is as follows:
in a first aspect, the present invention provides a detection apparatus comprising:
the device comprises a case, a first storage tank and a second storage tank, wherein an installation cavity is formed in the case, and a sample inlet for a sample container to enter and exit the installation cavity is formed in the case;
the detection device is arranged in the mounting cavity and comprises a detector, a detection sensing module and a detection chamber, wherein the detector is used for detecting a sample in the detection chamber, and the detection sensing module is configured to sense whether the sample container is positioned at a set position in the detection chamber and send out a detection indication signal;
the sample feeding device is arranged outside the mounting cavity and corresponds to one side of the sample inlet, and comprises a sample platform, a sample rack sensing module and a sample rack driving module, wherein the sample platform is used for bearing a sample rack, the sample rack is used for bearing a sample container, the sample rack driving module is used for driving the sample rack to move on the sample platform, and the sample rack sensing module is configured to sense the position of the sample rack on the sample platform and send a sample rack position indication signal;
The sampling device is connected to the chassis and comprises a sampling mechanism, a sampling induction module, a moving mechanism and a moving induction module, wherein the sampling mechanism is used for taking and placing the sample container and can enter and exit the chassis from the sampling port, the sampling induction module is configured to sense whether the sample container exists on the sampling mechanism and send out a sampling indication signal, the moving mechanism is used for driving the sampling mechanism to move between the sample platform and the detection chamber, and the moving induction module is configured to sense the position of the sampling mechanism and send out a sampling mechanism position indication signal;
And the controller is respectively connected with the detection device, the sample feeding device and the sample feeding device in a communication way, receives the indication signal, calculates and generates corresponding control signals according to a set program, and sends the control signals to each module.
As an improvement of the above technical solution, the detecting apparatus includes a plurality of the detecting devices that detect independently, and the moving mechanism may drive the sampling mechanism to move between the sample rack and the detecting chamber of each of the detecting devices.
As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the moving mechanism is configured to drive the sampling mechanism to move in a horizontal direction and move in a vertical direction, and the sample platform and each of the detecting devices are located below a path along which the sampling mechanism moves in the horizontal direction.
According to the technical scheme, the sample platform is provided with a sampling station, the moving mechanism can drive the sampling mechanism to move between the sampling station and the detection chamber, and when the sample rack moves to the sampling station, the sample rack position indication signal sent by the sample rack sensing module enables the controller to control the sampling mechanism to acquire a sample container from the sample rack of the sampling station.
As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the moving mechanism includes a horizontal moving assembly and a lifting assembly, the lifting assembly is used for driving the sampling mechanism to move along a vertical direction so as to be close to or far away from the sample platform or the detection chamber, one part of the horizontal moving assembly is located in the installation cavity, the other part of the horizontal moving assembly penetrates out of the sample inlet to the outside of the installation cavity, the horizontal moving assembly is used for driving the lifting assembly and the sampling mechanism to move along the horizontal direction so as to enter and exit the installation cavity, and the movement sensing module is configured to sense the position of the sampling mechanism moving along the horizontal direction and the position of the sampling mechanism moving along the vertical direction respectively, and send a sampling mechanism position indication signal to enable the controller to control the sampling mechanism to take and put the sample container.
As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the sampling mechanism includes a clamping assembly and a rotating assembly, the clamping assembly is used for clamping the sample container, and the rotating assembly is connected to the clamping assembly and is used for driving the clamping assembly to rotate.
As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the gripping assembly includes a jaw driving mechanism and a pair of jaws disposed in parallel and opposite to each other, where the jaw driving mechanism is used to drive the jaws to move so that a distance between two jaws is increased or decreased and kept parallel.
As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the movement sensing module includes a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors includes at least 2 horizontal position sensors and at least 2 vertical position sensors, the horizontal position sensors are disposed on a path along which the sampling mechanism moves in a horizontal direction, and the vertical position sensors are disposed on a path along which the sampling mechanism moves in a vertical direction.
As a further improvement of the technical scheme, the detection chamber comprises a main body and a light shielding door, wherein a detection cavity for containing a sample is formed in the main body, an opening for the sample container to enter and exit the detection cavity is formed in the main body, the light shielding door is connected with the main body and can be controlled to open or close the opening, and the light shielding door comprises:
the detector is connected to the main body and is used for detecting a sample in the detection cavity;
the detection sensing module also senses the opening and closing of the light shielding door and sends out a light shielding indication signal;
The controller responds to the detection indication signal and the shading indication signal to send a control signal to control the opening and closing of the shading door and the starting and stopping of the detector, and controls the sampling mechanism to execute sample taking and placing operation on each detection chamber.
In a second aspect, the present invention further provides an automatic sample container conveying method, which is applied to the above detection device, and the automatic sample container conveying method includes:
sample feeding, namely controlling the sample feeding device to move the sample rack to a sample feeding station according to the position indication signal of the sample rack;
The sample injection is carried out, namely the moving mechanism is controlled to drive the sampling mechanism to move to the sample rack for sampling operation and to move to the detection chamber for lofting operation according to the position indication signal of the sample rack and the detection indication signal;
Controlling the detector to detect the sample in the detection cavity according to the detection indication signal;
And (3) finishing the detection, controlling the moving mechanism to drive the sampling mechanism to move to the detection chamber for sampling operation and to move to the sample frame for lofting operation.
As an improvement of the technical scheme, the sample injection method comprises the following steps:
The sample rack is internally provided with a plurality of sample containers which are distributed at intervals along the moving path of the sampling mechanism, a plurality of sampling positions are distributed at intervals along the moving path of the sampling mechanism, the distance between every two adjacent sampling positions is equal to the distance between every two adjacent sample containers, and the sampling mechanism is driven to move to one of the plurality of sampling positions each time so as to sample or discharge the sample containers at the sampling positions.
As an improvement of the above technical solution, the detecting device includes a plurality of detecting devices for independent detection, a state of no sample container in each detecting chamber is set as an idle state of the detecting chamber, a state of the sample container in the detecting chamber and the detector has completed detection is set as a completed state of the detecting chamber, and the state of each detecting chamber is monitored by the controller;
And controlling the sampling mechanism to move, carrying out sample injection operation on the detection chamber in an idle state, controlling the detector to carry out detection operation, and controlling the sampling mechanism to move, and carrying out sample discharge operation on the detection chamber in a finished state.
As an improvement of the above technical solution, a zero point position is set at any one of two ends of a moving path of the sampling mechanism, and when the detection device is started up or any one of the detection device, the sample feeding device and the sample feeding device is abnormal, the sampling mechanism is controlled to move to the zero point position and stand by.
The invention has at least the following beneficial effects:
The sample feeding device carries a sample container through the sample frame and can move the sample frame and sense the position to realize sample feeding of the sample container, the sample feeding device carries out sample taking and placing operation of the sample container on the sample frame and the detection chamber through the sampling mechanism and moves the sampling mechanism between the sample frame and the detection chamber through the moving mechanism so as to realize movement of the sample container, the sample feeding device can sense the position of the sampling mechanism to determine the position of the sample container, the detection device carries out automatic detection on the sample container fed into the detection chamber by the sample feeding device through the detector and the detection sensing module, and the controller calculates and generates corresponding control signals according to a set program and sends the control signals to the detection device, the sample feeding device and the sample feeding device so as to realize action control of all the devices. Therefore, the detection device can realize automatic conveying and automatic detection of the sample containers, reduces manual auxiliary operation, improves detection efficiency, and is suitable for continuous detection of multiple sample containers.
The automatic sample container conveying method is applied to the detection equipment, can realize automatic sample conveying, sample feeding, detection and sample discharging of the sample container, realizes automatic conveying of the sample container, and can effectively improve the detection efficiency.
Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
Detailed Description
The conception and the technical effects produced by the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the embodiments below to fully understand the objects, features and effects of the present invention. It is apparent that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, but not all embodiments, and that other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort are within the scope of the present invention based on the embodiments of the present invention.
In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, if an orientation description such as "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", etc. is referred to, it is merely for convenience of description and simplification of the description, and it is not indicated or implied that the apparatus or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be configured and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as limiting the present invention.
In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, if a feature is referred to as being "disposed", "fixed", "connected" or "mounted" on another feature, it can be directly disposed, fixed or connected to the other feature or be indirectly disposed, fixed or connected or mounted on the other feature. In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, if "several" is referred to, it means more than one, if "multiple" is referred to, it is understood that the number is not included if "greater than", "less than", "exceeding", and it is understood that the number is included if "above", "below", "within" is referred to. If reference is made to "first", "second" it is to be understood as being used for distinguishing technical features and not as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated or implicitly indicating the precedence of the technical features indicated.
Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a portion of the detection apparatus in fig. 1, and referring to fig. 1 and 2, a detection apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a chassis 100, a detection device 200, a sample feeding device 300, a sample feeding device 400, and a controller (not shown). The inside of the case 100 is provided with an installation cavity 102, the detection device 200 is arranged in the installation cavity 102, the case 100 is provided with a sample inlet 101 for a sample container 500 to enter and exit the installation cavity 102, the sample feeding device 300 is arranged outside the installation cavity 102 and corresponds to one side of the sample inlet 101, the sample feeding device 400 is connected to the case 100, the sample feeding device 300 is used for conveying the sample container 500 to the sample feeding device 400, the sample feeding device 400 is used for feeding the sample container 500 at the sample feeding device 300 to the detection device 200 in the installation cavity 102, the detection device 200 is used for detecting samples in the sample container 500, and the sample feeding device 400 can also discharge the sample container 500 at the detection device 200 to the sample feeding device 300, so that the conveying of the sample container 500 is realized. The controller is used for controlling the actions of the devices. Wherein:
The detection device 200 includes a detector 210, a detection sensing module, and a detection chamber 220, wherein the detector 210 is used for detecting a sample in the detection chamber 220, and the detection sensing module is configured to sense whether the sample container 500 is located at a set position in the detection chamber 220 and send out a detection indication signal.
The sample presentation device 300 comprises a sample platform 310 and a sample rack sensing module, a sample rack driving module, the sample platform 310 for carrying the sample rack 340, the sample rack 340 for carrying the sample containers 500, the sample rack driving module for driving the sample rack 340 to move over the sample platform 310, whereby the sample rack 340 can be moved to a position corresponding to the sample presentation device 400 for the sample presentation device 400 to acquire the sample containers 500 or to put the sample containers 500 back into the sample rack 340. The sample rack sensing module is configured to sense the position of the sample rack 340 on the sample platform 310 and to emit a sample rack position indication signal.
The sample injection device 400 includes a sampling mechanism 401, a sampling sensing module, a moving mechanism 440 and a moving sensing module, wherein the sampling mechanism 401 is used for taking and placing a sample container 500 and can enter and exit the chassis 100 from the sample inlet 101, the sampling sensing module is configured to sense whether the sample container 500 exists on the sampling mechanism 401 and send out a sampling indication signal, the moving mechanism 440 is used for driving the sampling mechanism 401 to move between the sample platform 310 and the detection chamber 220, the sampling mechanism 401 can sample or sample the sample rack 340 at a set position on the sample platform 310, and the moving sensing module is configured to sense the position of the sampling mechanism 401 and send out a position indication signal of the sampling mechanism 401.
The controller is respectively connected with the detection device 200, the sample feeding device 300 and the sample feeding device 400 in a communication way, receives the indication signals, calculates and generates corresponding control signals according to a set program, and sends the control signals to each module, so that the actions of each device are controlled, and the transfer control of the sample container 500 is realized. The controller is a feedback loop component widely used in industrial control application, and stores therein instructions for executing operations such as logic operation, sequential control, timing, counting, arithmetic operation, etc., and can generate corresponding control signals according to calculation of a set program, and the specific process and operation method for implementing operation control by the controller are easily implemented by those skilled in the art and are not described herein. Accordingly, the controller of the embodiment of the invention can calculate the signals input by the sensing modules and generate corresponding control signal output so as to control the actions of the devices.
As can be seen from the above description, in the detection apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention, the sample container 500 is carried by the sample rack 340 through the sample feeding device 300, and the sample rack 340 can be moved and the position is sensed, so as to realize automatic sample feeding of the sample container 500. The sample injection device 400 performs a sample container 500 taking and placing operation on the sample rack 340 and the detection chamber 220 through the sampling mechanism 401, and moves the sampling mechanism 401 between the sample rack 340 and the detection chamber 220 through the moving mechanism 440 to realize movement of the sample container 500, and the sample injection device 400 can also sense the position of the sampling mechanism 401 to determine the position of the sample container 500, thereby realizing automatic sample injection and sample discharge of the sample container 500. The detection device 200 automatically detects the sample container 500 fed into the detection chamber 220 by the sample feeding device 400 through the detector 210 and the detection sensing module. The controller can calculate and generate corresponding control signals according to a set program and send the control signals to the detection device 200, the sample feeding device 300 and the sample feeding device 400 so as to realize the action control of each device, thereby realizing the automatic transmission and automatic detection of the sample container 500, and the process does not need manual auxiliary operation, so that the detection efficiency can be improved.
In the detection device of the foregoing embodiment, the detection sensing module, the sample rack sensing module, the sampling sensing module, and the movement sensing module may include one or more sensors, respectively, to realize signal transmission.
In some embodiments, the testing apparatus includes a testing device 200 and the movement mechanism 440 can drive the sampling mechanism 401 between the sample rack 340 and the testing chamber 220 of the testing device 200 to effect transfer of the sample container 500 between the sample rack 340 and the testing chamber 220. During detection, the controller receives the detection indication signal sent by the detection sensing module and sends a control signal to control the start and stop of the detector 210 and/or control the corresponding action of the sample injection device 400, for example, when the sample container 500 is sensed to be positioned in the detection chamber 220, the detection sensing module sends a positive indication signal for indicating the detector 210 to detect, otherwise, sends a negative indication signal, the controller only controls the detector 210 to detect under the condition of receiving the positive indication signal, and the controller can indicate that the detector 210 in the detection state stops detecting or indicates that the detector 210 in the stop state keeps stopping when receiving the negative indication signal, and can also indicate the sample injection device 400 to inject sample into the detection chamber 220.
In some embodiments, the detection apparatus includes a plurality of detection devices 200 that are independently detected, and the movement mechanism 440 may drive the sampling mechanism 401 between the sample rack 340 and the detection chambers 220 of each detection device 200, so as to enable sample injection or sample discharge operations to each detection chamber 220, respectively. Therefore, the detection apparatus of the present embodiment can independently detect samples in a plurality of sample containers 500 at the same time, and can further improve the detection efficiency as compared with the detection apparatus having only one detection device 200. Specifically, in the detection apparatus having only one detection device 200, the sample feeding device 300 and the sample feeding device 400 can realize automatic transmission of the sample container 500, compared with the conventional detection apparatus, the detection efficiency can be improved to a certain extent, but in the transmission process of the sample container 500, the detection device 200 is in an idle state, after each detection, a complete sample discharging, sample laying-out, sampling and sample feeding operation is required to wait for each detection, so that the next detection can be performed, and a certain period of time is required for detecting the sample, so that the sample feeding device 400 is in the idle state during detection, and a certain time waste is formed. In the detection apparatus of this embodiment, a plurality of detection devices 200 for independent detection are provided, and the sampling mechanism 401 can move between the sample rack 340 and the detection chamber 220 of each detection device 200, so that the waiting time of the sample injection device 400 and each detection device 200 can be reduced, thereby further improving the detection efficiency.
Referring to fig. 2 and 3, taking a detection apparatus having 2 detection devices 200 for independent detection as an example, the sample injection device 400 first injects samples into the detection chamber 220 (denoted as a first detection chamber) of one of the detection devices 200, and when the first detection chamber performs sample detection, the sample injection device 400 moves the sampling mechanism 401 from the position of the first detection chamber to the position of the sample rack 340 to obtain a next sample container 500, and injects samples into the detection chamber 220 (denoted as a second detection chamber) of the other detection device 200, so that the waiting time of the detection chamber 220 is effectively reduced, the sample injection device 400 alternately injects and discharges samples into the first detection chamber and the second detection chamber, and the unit time utilization rate of the sample injection device 400 is also improved. Through reasonable beat setting, can also make first detection room accomplish the detection when sampling device 400 accomplishes the introduction to the second detection room (or in the shorter time), sampling device 400 can directly remove the sampling mechanism 401 that is located second detection room department this moment to first detection room and acquire the sample container 500 that detects the completion to remove to in the sample frame 340, reduced the empty load removal of sampling mechanism 401, can effectively improve the intensity of each device action, thereby improve detection efficiency. In practical implementation, the number of the detection devices 200 can be reasonably configured according to specific detection time, travel of the sampling mechanism 401 and other factors, so as to reduce idle waiting time of the devices, thereby improving efficiency.
Fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of the detection device 200, referring to fig. 6, in some embodiments, the detection chamber 220 includes a main body 221 and a light shielding door 223, a detection cavity 222 for accommodating the sample container 500 is formed in the main body 221, the main body 221 is provided with an opening 224 for allowing the sample container 500 to enter and exit the detection cavity 222, and the light shielding door 223 is connected to the main body 221 and can controllably open or close the opening 224. The detector 210 is connected to the main body 221, and is configured to detect a sample in the detection cavity 222, and the detection sensing module further senses opening and closing of the light shielding door 223, and can implement opening and closing sensing of the light shielding door 223 at the opening 224 through the photoelectric switch, and send out a light shielding indication signal. The controller responds to the detection indication signal and the shading indication signal to send a control signal to control the opening and closing of the shading door 223 and the starting and stopping of the detector 210, and control the sampling mechanism 401 to perform a sample taking and placing operation on each detection chamber 220. Thereby realizing the cooperation between the opening and closing operations of the light shielding door 223, the opening and stopping operations of the detector 210, and the sample feeding and discharging operations of the sampling mechanism 401.
Fig. 7 is a schematic structural view of the sample presentation apparatus 300, fig. 8 is a schematic structural view of a part of the internal structure of the sample presentation apparatus 300 in fig. 7, referring to fig. 1 to 3, and fig. 7 and 8, in some embodiments, the sample platform 310 is provided with a sampling station 313, and the moving mechanism 440 may drive the sampling mechanism 401 to move between the sampling station 313 and the detection chamber 220, so as to be able to transfer the sample container 500 between the detection chamber 220 and the sample rack 340 located at the sampling station 313. When the sample rack 340 moves to the sampling station 313, the sample rack position indication signal from the sample rack sensing module causes the controller to control the sampling mechanism 401 to take sample containers 500 from the sample rack 340 of the sampling station 313. During sample feeding, the controller receives the sample rack position indication signal sent by the sample rack sensing module and sends out a control signal to control corresponding actions of the sample rack driving module and/or the sample feeding device 400, for example, when the sample rack 340 moves to the sampling station 313, the sample rack sensing module sends out a positive indication signal that the sample rack 340 is located at the sampling station 313, otherwise, sends out a negative indication signal, the controller receives the positive indication signal and controls the sample feeding device 400 to sample or sample the current sample rack 340, and the controller can control the sample driving module to act to move the sample rack 340 to the sampling station 313 when receiving the negative indication signal.
In some embodiments, referring to fig. 1 and 2, a plurality of sample racks 340 may be accommodated on the sample platform 310, the sample sensing module may sense the sample racks 340 at a plurality of positions on the sample platform 310, for example, a loading station for loading the sample racks 340 may be further provided on the sample platform 310, a position sensor may be provided at the sampling station 313 and the loading station, and by sensing at the plurality of positions, the sampling station 313 may be confirmed whether the sample racks 340 are provided so as to instruct the sample rack driving module to move the corresponding sample racks 340 to the sample feeding position, and the loading station may be confirmed whether the sample racks 340 are provided so as to issue a prompt to load the sample racks 340 to the loading position of the sample platform 310, so as to ensure continuous sample feeding.
Referring to fig. 7 and 8, the sample platform 310 may further include a carrying plate 311, the sample rack driving module is located below the carrying plate 311, and the sample rack driving module includes a sample rack driving assembly 320 and a stirring assembly 330, where the stirring assembly 330 is connected to the sample rack driving assembly 320, and the stirring assembly 330 has a plurality of stirring claws, the carrying plate 311 is provided with a strip hole 312 through which the stirring claw passes, and the strip hole 312 extends along a moving direction perpendicular to the sampling mechanism 401, so that the stirring assembly 330 can pass through the carrying plate 311 from bottom to top, and the stirring assembly 330 is driven by the sample rack driving assembly 320 to move, so as to push the sample rack 340 to move. Sample rack drive assembly 320 may employ a belt conveyor mechanism with a pusher assembly 330 coupled to the belt to enable the back and forth movement of the fingers through the reciprocation of the belt to push sample rack 340.
It should be noted that, referring to fig. 1 and 2, the sample rack 340 may carry a plurality of sample containers 500, and the plurality of sample containers 500 may be disposed in a set manner according to an actual conveying direction, for example, the sample rack 340 may be disposed in a row along a moving path of the sampling mechanism 401 with a plurality of positioning portions (such as a detent or a slot) for positioning the sample containers 500, and thus, the plurality of sample containers 500 may be disposed in a row along the moving path of the sampling mechanism 401. When the sample rack driving module moves the sample rack 340 to the sampling station 313, the plurality of sample containers 500 are arranged along the moving path of the sampling mechanism 401, the sampling mechanism 401 can move to a position corresponding to any sample container 500 to obtain the sample container 500 at the position, so as to perform sample injection detection, and the detected sample container 500 can be discharged to an idle positioning part in the sample rack 340 for sample injection, so that the detected sample container 500 is recovered, and the sampling mechanism 401 can be continuously moved to any sample container 500 position to be detected, so that the sample container 500 at the position is obtained and injected into the idle detection device 200 for detection. Therefore, the detection device can be suitable for continuous detection of the multi-sample container 500, and the detection efficiency is effectively improved.
In addition, the sample platform 310 may carry a plurality of the sample racks 340, and the plurality of sample racks 340 are arranged side by side along the moving direction, so that the sample rack driving module drives the sample racks 340 to move to the sampling station 313 as required, so as to sample the sample containers 500 in the sample racks 340, or replace the sample containers 500 after detection in the sample racks 340, after the detection of the sample containers 500 in the current sample rack 340 is completed and recovered, the sample rack 340 is moved out of the sampling station 313 by the sample rack driving module, and then the next sample rack 340 is moved to the sampling station 313, so as to continue the sample detection, thereby realizing the continuous detection of the sample containers 500 in multiple rows. The detection apparatus may also be adapted for sample racks 340 in which a plurality of rows of sample containers 500 are disposed side by side in a single sample rack 340, the plurality of rows of sample containers 500 being disposed side by side along a moving direction of the sample rack 340, the sample containers 500 in each row being disposed in a row along a moving path of the sampling mechanism 401, so that the sample rack driving module drives the sample rack 340 to move the sample container 500 of one row to the sampling station 313 as required to sample and sample the sample container 500 of the row, and after the sample container 500 of the current row is detected and recovered, the sample containers 500 of any other row of the sample rack 340 are moved to the sampling station 313 to continue the sample detection until the sample rack 340 is removed from the sampling station 313 by the sample rack driving module after the plurality of rows of sample containers 500 in the current sample rack 340 are all detected and recovered, and then the next sample rack 340 is moved to the sampling station 313 to continue the sample detection.
In the above embodiment, the sampling mechanism 401 includes the gripping assembly 410, and the gripping assembly 410 has a gripping jaw capable of gripping the sample container 500 for gripping the sample container 500. The sampling mechanism 401 may be configured to clamp the sample container 500 by the clamping assembly 410, and the sampling sensing module may be configured to sense whether the clamping assembly 410 clamps the sample container 500 during sample injection or sample discharge, so that the controller receives the sampling indication signal sent by the sampling sensing module and sends out a control signal to control the moving mechanism 440 to drive the sampling mechanism 401 to move and/or sample discharge of the sampling mechanism 401, for example, when the clamping assembly 410 of the sampling mechanism 401 acquires the sample container 500, the sampling sensing module sends out a positive indication signal that the sampling mechanism 401 has acquired the sample container 500, and otherwise sends out a negative indication signal. The controller receives the positive indication signal and controls the moving mechanism 440 to drive the sampling mechanism 401 of the acquired sample container 500 to move to the detection chamber 220 from the position of the sample rack 340 to sample, or to move the sample container 500 to the sample rack 340 from the detection chamber 220 to sample, and when the clamping component 410 of the sampling mechanism 401 does not acquire the sample container 500, the controller receives the negative indication signal and controls the moving mechanism 440 to move the sampling mechanism 401 to any other position to sample. The position of the sampling mechanism 401 is sensed by the motion sensing module.
During sampling, the controller receives the position indication signal of the sampling mechanism 401 sent by the movement sensing module, and sends a control signal to control the sampling mechanism 401 to perform sampling or lofting, and controls the moving mechanism 440 to drive the sampling mechanism 401 to move to a set position, for example, a position of the sampling mechanism 401 corresponding to the sampling station 313 may be defined as a sampling position 453, a position of the sampling mechanism corresponding to the detecting chamber 220 may be defined as a detecting position 454, and when the sampling mechanism 401 moves to the sampling position 453 or the detecting position 454, the movement sensing module sends a positive indication signal that the sampling mechanism 401 reaches the set position, otherwise sends a negative indication signal. The controller receives the positive indication signal and controls the sampling mechanism 401 to perform sampling or lofting operations. The movement sensing module may include a plurality of sensors including at least 2 position sensors disposed on the movement path of the sampling mechanism 401, thereby enabling sensing of at least 2 positions in the movement path. For example, 2 position sensors are included for sensing 1 detection position 454 and 1 sampling position 453, the remaining positions being calculated by the controller from the position signals.
Of course, according to the above embodiment, more position sensors may be provided on the moving path of the sampling mechanism 401, so that the sampling mechanism 401 can be sensed at more positions. In some embodiments, the movement sensing module may sense the sampling mechanism 401 at a plurality of sampling positions 453 on the movement path of the sampling mechanism 401, for example, in a case where a plurality of sample containers 500 are disposed in a row along the movement path of the sampling mechanism 401 in the sample rack 340, a plurality of sensing points may be disposed on the movement path of the sampling mechanism 401, positions of the sensing points respectively correspond to positions of the respective sample containers 500, and a position sensor may be disposed at each sensing point, thereby performing position sensing on the sampling mechanism 401 at the plurality of sampling positions 453 so as to control movement of the sampling mechanism 401 and sampling and lofting operations at the respective positions according to the sampling mechanism 401 position indication signal.
In some embodiments, the movement sensing module may set sensing points only at two sampling positions 453 on the movement path of the sampling mechanism 401, so as to sense the sampling mechanism 401, where the two positions respectively correspond to positions at two ends of the rows of sample containers 500, the sampling mechanism 401 can respectively acquire the sample containers 500 at the two ends at the two sampling positions 453, when the sampling mechanism 401 reaches the two sampling positions 453, the movement sensing module senses and sends corresponding indication signals, and the sampling position 453 between the two positions on the movement path of the sampling mechanism 401 can be determined by controlling the count of the movement mechanism 440, so that the structure and control are simplified. Similarly, in the case where a plurality of detection chambers 220 are provided in the detection apparatus 200 along the movement path of the sampling mechanism 401, a plurality of detection positions 454 described above may be sensed on the movement path of the sampling mechanism 401, and each detection position 454 corresponds to the position of each detection chamber 220, whereby the sampling mechanism 401 is sensed from the plurality of detection positions 454, so that the sampling and lofting operations of the sampling mechanism 401 at the corresponding positions are controlled according to the position indication signal of the sampling mechanism 401.
Fig. 3 is a side view of fig. 2, fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the sample injection device 400 of fig. 1, and referring to fig. 1 to 4, in some embodiments, the sample injection device 400 may further include a mounting frame 450. The mounting frame 450 is used to connect with the chassis 100, the sampling mechanism 401 is movably connected to the mounting frame 450, and the moving mechanism 440 is used to drive the sampling mechanism 401 to move relative to the mounting frame 450, thereby realizing the movement of the sample container 500. Fig. 3 and 4 show the sampling mechanism 401 in two different positions of the mounting frame 450, respectively. The mounting frame 450 is provided with a plurality of setting positions along the transport path of the sample container 500, the plurality of setting positions including the sampling position 453 and the detection position 454, and the moving mechanism 440 can drive the sampling mechanism 401 to move to each setting position with respect to the mounting frame 450. The plurality of setting positions described above include at least one detection position 454 and at least one sampling position 453, and thus, the sample container 500 is sampled and placed by the movement mechanism 440 driving the sampling mechanism 401 to move to the sampling position 453 and the detection position 454 relative to the mounting frame 450, and the movement of the sample container 500 is achieved by the movement of the sampling mechanism 401, so that the sample container 500 is transferred between the sample frame 340 and the detection chamber 220, and the mechanized sample feeding and sample discharging of the sample container 500 are achieved. Compared with the conventional sample injection mode through the movement of the carrier, the method does not need personnel auxiliary operation, can be suitable for continuous sample injection detection, and can effectively improve detection efficiency. In addition, the mounting frame 450 can be provided with a sample introduction slide rail 451 and a sliding block which is slidably connected to the sample introduction slide rail 451, the sampling mechanism 401 is connected to the sliding block, the sample introduction slide rail 451 is parallel to the conveying path of the conveying belt mechanism 430, and the sampling mechanism 401 can be connected to the sliding block, so that the sample introduction slide rail 451 can slide relatively, and the moving stability of the sampling mechanism 401 is ensured.
In some embodiments, the moving mechanism 440 in the sample injection device 400 is used for driving the sampling mechanism 401 to move along the horizontal direction and move along the vertical direction, and the sample platform 310 and each detecting device 200 are located below the path along which the sampling mechanism 401 moves along the horizontal direction, so that the space in the vertical direction can be effectively utilized to form a longitudinal structural layout, and the occupied area in the horizontal direction is reduced. And the sample platform 310 and the detection devices 200 form a layout consistent with the moving path of the sampling mechanism 401, and the sampling mechanism 401 can reach the positions corresponding to the sample platform 310 and the detection devices 200 by moving along the horizontal direction, so that the structure is simple and convenient to control. The movement sensing module is configured to sense the position of the sampling mechanism 401 moving in the horizontal direction and the position of the sampling mechanism 401 moving in the vertical direction respectively, and send a position indication signal of the sampling mechanism 401 to enable the controller to control the sampling mechanism 401 to take out the sample container 500. For example, the movement sensing module senses that the sampling mechanism 401 moves in the horizontal direction to reach the position corresponding to the sample platform 310 or each detection device 200, sends a position indication signal of the sampling mechanism 401 to enable the controller to control the lifting assembly 430 to drive the sampling mechanism 401 to move in the vertical direction for sampling or lofting operation, and the movement sensing module senses that the sampling mechanism 401 moves away from the sample platform 310 or each detection device 200 in the vertical direction to a set position, and sends a position indication signal of the sampling mechanism 401 to enable the controller to control the horizontal movement assembly 441 to drive the sampling mechanism 401 to move horizontally.
The movement sensing module may include a plurality of sensors including at least 2 horizontal position sensors and at least 2 vertical position sensors, the horizontal position sensors being disposed on a path along which the sampling mechanism 401 moves in a horizontal direction, thereby enabling sensing of at least 2 positions in the horizontal direction. For example, a horizontal position sensor may be provided at 1 detection position 454 and 1 sampling position 453, so that the sampling mechanism 401 is position-sensed at the 1 detection position 454 and 1 sampling position 453, and the remaining positions may be calculated by the controller according to the position signal. The vertical position sensor is provided on a path along which the sampling mechanism 401 moves in the vertical direction, thereby enabling sensing of at least 2 positions in the vertical direction. For example, 2 sensing positions may be disposed at intervals on a path along which the sampling mechanism 401 moves in the vertical direction, so that the sampling mechanism 401 can clamp the sample container 500 in the sample rack 340 or the detection chamber 220 when moving in the vertical direction to the sensing position located below, and the sampling mechanism 401 can be away from the sample rack 340 or the detection device 200 when moving in the vertical direction to the sensing position located above, so that interference between the sampling mechanism 401 or the sample container 500 during horizontal movement is avoided. The 2 sensing positions on the path along which the sampling mechanism 401 moves in the vertical direction may be provided with vertical position sensors, respectively, to realize sensing of the 2 vertical positions.
The moving mechanism 440 may include a horizontal moving assembly 441 and a lifting assembly 430, the lifting assembly 430 being configured to drive the sampling mechanism 401 to move in a vertical direction toward or away from the sample platform 310 or the detection chamber 220, a portion of the horizontal moving assembly 441 being located within the mounting cavity 102 and another portion being threaded out of the mounting cavity 102 from the sample inlet 101, the horizontal moving assembly 441 being configured to drive the lifting assembly 430 and the sampling mechanism 401 to move in a horizontal direction into and out of the mounting cavity 102, thereby enabling the sample container 500 to be transferred between the sample holder 340 and the detection chamber 220. The horizontal movement assembly 441 drives the sampling mechanism 401 and the lifting assembly 430 to move in the horizontal direction to reach the sampling position 453 or the detection position 454, the lifting assembly 430 drives the sampling mechanism 401 to move in the vertical direction at the sampling position 453 to approach the sample platform 310 so as to sample or loft the sample rack 340 on the sampling station 313 of the sample platform 310, or away from the sample platform 310 so as to avoid interference with the sample rack 340 when the horizontal movement assembly 441 drives the sampling mechanism 401 to move horizontally, and the lifting assembly 430 drives the sampling mechanism 401 to move in the vertical direction at the detection position 454 to approach the detection device 200 so as to sample or loft the detection chamber 220 of the detection device 200, or away from the detection device 200 so as to avoid interference with the detection device 200 when the horizontal movement assembly 441 drives the sampling mechanism 401 to move horizontally.
In some embodiments, the sampling mechanism 401 includes a gripping component 410 and a rotating component 420, where the gripping component 410 has a clamping jaw capable of clamping the sample container 500, and is used for clamping the sample container 500, and the rotating component 420 is connected to the gripping component 410 and is used for driving the gripping component 410 to rotate, so that the sample container 500 can be sampled, and the sample container 500 can be rotated by a set angle to obtain a required pose, so as to facilitate sample injection detection, and further facilitate optimizing the structural layout of the detection device, improving the motion precision, and simplifying the spatial structure. Specifically, in the detection apparatus of some embodiments, the sample container 500 adopts a card structure, that is, the dimensions of the thickness of the sample container 500 are significantly smaller than the length and width dimensions, and the sample container 500 needs to enter the detection chamber 220 for detection in a set pose due to the layout of the detection device 200 and other devices, structural members, etc. inside the casing 100. For example, it is necessary that the sample container 500 enters the detection chamber 220 in a posture in which the thickness direction is perpendicular to the conveyance direction and the width direction coincides with the conveyance direction. In this case, if the sampling mechanism 401 is not provided with the rotating unit 420, the sample stage 310 needs to send samples to the sample container 500 in this position, and in order to achieve continuous transfer of the multiple sample containers 500, the sample stage 310 needs to arrange a plurality of sample containers 500 in a row along the moving direction of the sampling mechanism 401, that is, the sample containers 500 are arranged in the width direction of the sample containers 500, so that a large space needs to be occupied in the moving direction of the sampling mechanism 401, and the moving path required by the sampling mechanism 401 is also long.
To solve the above problems, some inspection apparatuses arrange a plurality of sample containers 500 in a column in the above-mentioned pose along a direction perpendicular to a moving path of the sampling mechanism 401, and each time sampling, the sample rack 340 is moved by a sample rack 340 driving mechanism along a direction perpendicular to the moving path of the sampling mechanism 401 to correspond one of the column of sample containers 500 to the sampling mechanism 401 at the sampling position 453, so that continuous sample feeding and sample feeding of the sample containers 500 can be achieved, and the density of the sample containers 500 can be improved, and the occupied area and the moving path of the sampling mechanism 401 can be reduced. However, with the detection apparatus of this arrangement, when each sample container 500 is sampled, the sample rack 340 driving mechanism is required to drive the sample rack 340 to move to the position where the sample container 500 reaches the position corresponding to the clamping component 410 of the sampling mechanism 401, so that the dimension of the required movement in the process of conveying the sample container 500 is increased, and errors are easily superimposed in multiple movements, so that the sampling failure is caused by the reduced precision.
In the detection device of the embodiment of the present invention, the rotational movement of the gripping assembly 410 is increased by the rotating assembly 420, so that the pose of the sample container 500 can be changed, and therefore, the sample platform 310 is not limited by the pose required for detection when delivering samples, referring to fig. 1 and 2, the sample containers 500 can be arranged in rows along the moving direction of the sampling mechanism 401, the thickness direction of the sample containers 500 is consistent with the moving direction of the sampling mechanism 401, and since the thickness dimension of the card-type sample containers 500 is small, densely arranged sample containers 500 can be formed in the moving direction of the sampling mechanism 401, the occupied space is greatly reduced, and the alignment of each sample container 500 can be realized by the movement of the sampling mechanism 401, without the need of multiple movement alignment of the sample rack 340, thereby improving the movement precision and facilitating the simplification of the structure.
In some embodiments, the clamping assembly 410 includes a jaw driving mechanism and a pair of jaws disposed in parallel and opposite to each other, where the jaw driving mechanism is used to drive the jaws to move so that the distance between the two jaws increases or decreases and keep parallel, and is adapted to clamp the sample container 500 in a card-type structure, and the sample sensing module senses whether the sample container 500 is clamped in the clamping assembly 410, so as to send a sampling indication signal to the controller. The sampling sensing module may be implemented by simple material detection, for example, an inductor (such as a photoelectric sensor) is disposed between the clamping pieces for detecting whether a material exists between the clamping jaws, and a clamping piece position inductor is disposed on a moving path of the clamping pieces and located at a clamping position (a position when the sample container 500 is clamped between the clamping pieces) for sensing whether the clamping pieces are located at the clamping position.
As can be seen from the above description, the detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention can realize automatic transmission and automatic detection of the sample container 500 through the sample feeding device 300, the sample feeding device 400, the detection device 200 and the controller during the sample detection process, thereby reducing manual assistance and effectively improving efficiency.
An embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention provides a method for automatically transferring a sample container applied to the above-mentioned detecting apparatus, referring to fig. 1 to 8, the method comprising:
sample feeding, namely controlling the sample feeding device 300 to move the sample rack 340 to the sample feeding station 313 according to the sample rack position indication signal;
sample injection, namely controlling a moving mechanism 440 to drive a sampling mechanism 401 to move to a sample rack 340 for sampling operation and to a detection chamber 220 for sample injection operation according to the sample rack position indication signal and the detection indication signal;
Controlling the detector to detect the sample in the detection cavity 222 according to the detection indication signal;
and (3) after the sample is discharged, controlling the moving mechanism 440 to drive the sampling mechanism 401 to move to the detection chamber 220 for sampling operation and to move to the sample rack for sample discharging operation.
In the above method, a sample introduction method may be adopted in which a plurality of sample containers 500 are arranged in the sample rack 340 at intervals along the moving path of the sampling mechanism 401, a plurality of sampling positions 453 are arranged at intervals along the moving path of the sampling mechanism 401, and the sampling mechanism 401 is driven to move to one of the plurality of sampling positions 453 at a time to introduce or withdraw samples from the sample containers 500 at the sampling positions 453. Therefore, the alignment of the positions of the sample containers 500 of the sampling mechanism 401 and the sample rack 340 can be realized by moving the sampling mechanism 401, the structure is simplified, and the interval between the adjacent sampling positions 453 is equal to the interval between the adjacent sample containers 500, so that the movement of the sampling mechanism 401 can realize accurate movement by calculating the steps of the stepping motor, and the control method is simplified.
In the above method, when the inspection apparatus includes a plurality of inspection devices 200 for independent inspection, the state in which the inspection chamber 220 of each inspection device 200 has no sample container 500 is set as the idle state of the inspection chamber 220, the state in which the inspection chamber 220 has the sample container 500 and the inspection by the inspection device 210 is set as the completed state of the inspection chamber 220, and the state of each inspection chamber 220 is monitored by the controller. During sample injection, the sampling mechanism 401 is controlled to move to perform sample injection operation on the detection chamber 220 in an idle state and to control the detector 210 to perform detection operation, and the sampling mechanism 401 is controlled to move to perform sample injection operation on the detection chamber 220 in a finished state, so that a plurality of sample containers 500 are respectively injected into different detection chambers 220 by the sampling mechanism 401 to perform detection, each sample container 500 is independently detected, and the sample is respectively discharged by the sampling mechanism 401 after the detection is finished, and the detection efficiency can be effectively improved.
In the above method, the zero point position 456 may be set at any one of the two ends of the moving path of the sampling mechanism 401, and when the detection device is turned on, or when any one of the detection device 200, the sample feeding device 200, and the sample feeding device 400 is abnormal, the sampling mechanism 401 may be controlled to move to the zero point position 456 and stand by for self-inspection or manual inspection. A zero position 456 is provided with an inductor to confirm that the sampling mechanism 401 has reached the zero position 456.
From the above, the detection device of the present invention can realize automatic transfer and automatic detection of the sample container, and reduce manual auxiliary operations, thereby improving detection efficiency, and being suitable for continuous detection of multiple sample containers. The automatic sample container conveying method is applied to the detection equipment, can realize automatic sample conveying, sample feeding, detection and sample discharging of the sample container, and can effectively improve the detection efficiency.
The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes can be made within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention and features of the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict.