Laboratory Beaker Transporter And Elevator

Abstract

Apparatus having a removable circular tray having a plurality of circular openings arranged in concentric circles to hold a plurality of beakers, and means to angularly advance the tray from beaker to beaker after elevating each beaker in sequence to a test position, at a beaker elevating station, and means to shift the tray laterally from one circle to another for repetition, at the conclusion of moving all the beakers in one circle through the test position.

Description

This invention relates to the automatic transport of a circular beaker tray and the sequential elevation of each beaker in the beaker tray to a test position.

A principal aspect of the invention is the operation of a beaker elevator in concert with the rotation of the beaker tray having beakers disposed along concentric circles and wherein the beaker tray is automatically rotated and moved so as to present each of the beakers sequentially at the elevator position. The elevator raises each beaker so that a sensor probe held in a fixed position is immersed in the liquid sample contained by the beaker. Thus, an important aspect of this concept involves the compatibility of the apparatus of the present invention with various test instruments the sensor probes of which can be suspended on a suitable test stand associated with the apparatus.

Additional features of the invention relate to provision for predetermining the length of time which each beaker will dwell in the elevated test position and provision for varying the preset dwell from zero dwell time to 5 minutes. This dwell time will be uniform for all beakers when the apparatus is operating in the automatic mode.

Another feature of the invention relates to the circular beaker tray being removable and portable, for loading in advance of actual placement on the device, the trays having concentric rows of apertures into which laboratory beakers may be set, the contents of which are to be tested by electronic or other sensor means.

The automatic operation of the device provides for movement of the beaker tray along the longitudinal axis of the device so that successive circular rows of beakers can be aligned under the test position after the testing of a row is completed.

The above and other novel features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is expressly understood that the drawings are employed for purposes of illustration only and are not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view with parts removed and taken substantially on the broken line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view taken substantially on the line 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 5--5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the tray mount, and

FIG. 7 is a wiring diagram of the control circuit.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 there will be seen a cabinet having a base 20, a control panel 22, a lower forward cover member 24, an upper rearward cover 26 and a back closure 28. Mounted on the base are two pairs of supports 30 and 32, supporting spaced parallel guide rods 34 and 36. Slidably disposed on the rods 34 and 36 are two pairs of pillow blocks 37 and 38 affixed to the underside of a movable subbase 40, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The subbase 40 is provided with a block 42 having a threaded aperture 44 through which extends a screw threaded shaft 46 coupled to a suitable forward and reverse motors 48 and 49, for the purpose of shifting the subbase along the guide rods 34 and 36.

Mounted on the subbase 40 is a bearing block 50 in which is freely rotatably mounted in bearings not shown, a turntable support plate 52 having a centering pin 54. The centering pin is provided with a threaded aperture 56. The plate is circular and provided with a keying boss 57.

The beaker tray comprises spaced circular members 60 and 62 secured together by a hub member 64 and spacer pins 66. The hub is adapted to be centered on the turntable support plate pin 54, and keyed to the boss 57 to establish a fixed angular relation between the tray and plate. The tray assembly is secured to the freely rotatable turntable 40 by a clamp screw 68 with a knurled handle 70 and manual crankpin 72, such screw being threaded into the aperture 56 of the pin 54. The screw is provided with a shoulder 74 for engaging the upper tray member 60 to hold the assembly securely upon and in keyed relation to the turntable plate 52. The members 60 and 62 have aligned apertures to receive a plurality of like beakers, and such apertures are disposed in uniformly spaced relation on concentric circles whereby each tray assembly may hold a substantial number of such beakers, there being provision for 50 in the tray shown. Each beaker has a peripheral flange or bead around its upper edge, which engages the rim of each aperture to position each beaker in its tray location.

The upper member 60 of each tray is provided with a circular edge 80 for frictional drive from a motor driven friction drive wheel 82, having a motor 84 mounted on the underside of a plate 86 pivoted as at 88 on a support 85 mounted on the subbase 40. The support 85 and plate 86 have posts 87 and 89 connected by a tension spring 90 to resiliently urge the friction wheel in frictional drive relation with the drive edge 80 of the member 60. Drive of the motor and friction wheel are moved out of engagement with the tray rim by the energization of a solenoid 92 disposed in the support below the plate, the solenoid actuating a lever 94, pivoted at 96, and the upper end of which engages the plate 86 to swing the plate 86 counterclockwise (FIG. 3) out of contact with the member 60 against the urge of spring 90.

A beaker elevating platform 100 is disposed at a test station beneath the tray assembly and is adapted to be aligned with any one of the beaker apertures in any one of the concentric circles, by rotating or shifting of the tray assembly, as by shifting the subbase 40 along the ways or guide rods, through actuation of motor 48 and the screw 46. The elevating platform is shown as circular and mounted on the end of a shaft 102 vertically slidable with a beaker thereon in a guide 104 affixed to the side of the elevator assembly housing 106, which is in turn affixed to the base 20. The beaker is adapted to be lifted so as to immerse test probes such as P, mounted in fixed relation as on an arm 18 affixed to the upper cover 26.

The rod 104 is lifted and lowered by a lever 108 pivoted to the side of the housing 106 as at 110, the lever having a pin and slot connection 112 to the lower end of rod 104. The other end of the lever has a long slot 114 into which projects the crankpin 116 driven by an elevator drive motor 118. The lever at its upper and lower end travel positions engage limit switches 120 and 122. The motor rotates through a partial revolution to lift the elevator, and through the balance of a revolution to lower the elevator. The crankpin 116 is on a disk 117 having a cam 119 adapted to actuate a sequence switch 121 as the elevator approaches its lowered position.

The longitudinal movement of the subbase 40 along guides 34 and 36 actuates, through a cam or other means 124 limit switches 126, 128, 130 and 132. The spacing of switches 128, 130 and 132 correspond to the radial distance between the outer, intermediate and inner circular centerlines of the three circular rows of beaker apertures in the tray members 60 and 62.

The plate 53 is provided with three circular concentric rows of apertures 132, 134 and 136, and angular spacing of which in each row exactly corresponds to the angular spacing of each of the beaker apertures in the beaker tray. Such apertures, act as cams to actuate limit switches 138, 140 and 142 mounted on the base 40. The plate 53 has an arm 144 adapted to actuate a limit switch 146, also mounted on the subbase 40, such limit switch serving to indicate the start of and completion of a complete revolution of the tray, and being oriented with the tray by reason the key 57.

Referring to the circuit diagram, and with the tray in the load and remove position, on closing "power on" switch 150, the "power on" lamp 152 lights, and the cycle end and cycle repeat lamp 154 lights by reason of closed upper contacts of switch 127. In addition, the tray drive solenoid 92 is energized through an over temperature protective switch 93 to retract the drive wheel away from the tray periphery. This facilitates manual rotation of the tray to the initial position so as to align the number 1 beaker for transfer or transport into the test slot, and as arm 144 actuates switch 146 in passing to the initial position, the ready light 156 and relay 158 are energized through closed center contacts of switch 126, closed contacts 160 of thermal time delay switch 162, and the bottom contacts of switch 146, which completes a circuit through leads 164, 166 and 168. It will be seen that relay 158 is connected to ground 172 through lead 170 and closed upper contacts 171 of deenergized cycle end relay 250.

Energization of relay 158 opens contacts 159 to open the circuit to the tray drive solenoid and closes the lower of contact 159 for hold in of relay 158. The friction wheel thereby engages the tray periphery and holds the tray in the initial position.

Upon depressing the cycle start switch 180, relay 182 is energized, closing contacts 184 to complete a hold in circuit through leads 166 and 168, and close contacts 186 to energize forward transport motor 48, to drive the screw and move the turntable to position I wherein the number 1 beaker is centered in the test slot 14. As the transport leaves the load position, contacts of switches 126 and 127 are opened, and the contacts of switch 252 shifted to ground position. Relay 158 being energized, its contacts 159 provide an alternate circuit to motor 48 through closed upper contacts of switches 232 and 128, switch 128 being the transport actuated switch for row I. Upon the transport of the number 1 beaker to the test slot position, switch 128 and 229 are shifted to open the motor 48 circuit and close a circuit to beaker position switch 138, which is cammed to the up position by rotation of the tray at each beaker position in Row I. In the up position, switch 138 closes a circuit through closed manual rotate switch 198, and closed cycle interrupt switch 200.

When the "power on" switch 150 was closed, relay 202 was energized through closed elevator lower position switch contacts 204, closing contacts 206 and hold contacts 203. The shifting of switch 128 completes a circuit through its lower contacts, to energize the elevator motor 118, via 138, 198, 200, 212 and 216 which operates to open switch 204 and close switch 208 and open tray drive switch 210. This deenergizes relay 202, opening switch 206, while establishing an alternate circuit through contacts 208 to elevator motor 118, which proceeds to raise the beaker elevator to the up position whereat switch 212 closes the circuit to relay 214 which opens a circuit to motor 118. Switch 212 also energizes signal lamp 218. At the same time, contacts 220 are closed and may be used for any purpose such as to complete a probe circuit or energize a recorder. After the predetermined time delay, contacts 216 close reenergizing the elevator motor, reopening switch 212 that opens the circuit to timer 214, whereupon the elevator lowers to the lowered position, whence contacts 208 are opened and tray motor drive contacts 210 are closed.

As the elevator approaches its lowered position, cam 119 on the elevator motor crank disk 117 actuates sequence switch 121 to energize relay 222, shifting the upper contacts 224 to the lower position and locking the relay in by closing contacts 223, thereby energizing the tray drive motor 84 sufficiently to shift contacts 138 to the lower contact, which thereupon deenergizes relay 222 to restore the contacts 224 to the upper position, the motor 84, now being energized through closed lower contacts of switch 138. The tray thereby advances to the next beaker position whereupon switch 138 is cammed to the up position and the elevator sequence repeats.

When the 23 beakers in the outer row have each sequentially passed the elevator station 14, the arm 144 actuates switch 146 to complete a circuit through normally closed contacts 160, heater 162 having been energized prior to actuation of switch 146. This energizes relay 230 through closed contacts of switch 229, closing hold in contacts 232 of relay 230, and closing contacts 234 to motor 48, which is then energized through closed contacts 236. As the tray is shifted to bring the intermediate row of beakers into position for sequential testing, the cam 124 actuates switches 130 and 236 opening contacts 236 to cut off power to motor 48, and at the same time closing the lower contact 236 to complete a circuit to beaker position switch 140, which if in the down position, energizes tray drive motor 84 until cammed to the up position corresponding to the presence of a beaker at the elevating or test station 14. This commences the sequential elevate and rotate cycle, until the tray has been rotated 360.degree. to actuate peripheral switch 146. Thereupon through the energization of relay 240, the tray is shifted to the inner row and the sequence of operations repeated.

When the tray has rotated 360.degree., the peripheral switch 146 is again closed. Since contacts of switch 242 are closed, power is supplied to reverse motor 49. At the same time relay 250 is energized and locked in to supply power to motor 49 until cam 124 actuates switch 126, and opens the circuit to ground through the opening of switch 252. At this time, cycle end lamp 154 is energized. When relay 250 is energized the contact 171 are opened, opening the circuit to ground 172, to deenergize relays 158, 230 and 240. If cycle repeat switch 260 is manually closed, the complete cycle will repeat, since relay 158 will be energized. Otherwise the tray may be removed, the tray drive wheel being retracted when relay 158 becomes deenergized.

A cycle reset switch 280 is provided to permit returning the tray to the extended position when switch 146 is closed. The manual rotate switch 198 bypasses the position switches 138, 140 and 142 to apply power directly to the tray drive motor 84 while interrupting the power to the elevator motor 118. The time delay relay 214 is provided with means for selecting any time interval within a wide range, a manual control 282 being provided for this purpose, which control, as will be understood in the art, introduces resistance in series with the heater element of relay 214 to delay its temperature rise. The cycle interrupt switch 200 permits holding the elevator in up position to adjust the prober. A jack 284 connected to the circuit closed by contacts 220 may be provided for convenience in connecting in additional apparatus requiring energization during the test period. A manual elevator lifter switch 286 is provided, preferably in a remote location to permit manual actuation of the elevator motor, should there be a malfunction, and the lifter be jammed in the up position. Also provided are a relay test switch 288 and four signal lamps 290, so that each relay may be individually tested by closing its respective switch 288.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there is provided test apparatus for 50 beakers, that is automatic from the time the tray is applied and the apparatus set in motion. As many trays as desired may be provided for loading with beakers, and as each tray test is completed, a new tray is added. The apparatus is portable and may be plugged into any convenient source of power through plug 296.

If desired, a time delayed cycle repeat switch 300 may be provided, actuated by a time motor indicated at 302, which can be energized by a switch 304. It will be seen that the repeat switch 300 is in parallel with manually operated switch 260.

Although the invention has been described in reference to processing a plurality of beakers, for convenience, it will appear that the invention may be applied to other sample containers.

While a single form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. As various changes in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, reference will be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In a motor driven laboratory beaker transporter and elevator a rotatable, portable circular beaker holder tray to facilitate advanced loading and in which there are concentric rows of apertures into which sample containers can be set for sequential testing, a movable subbase having a turntable spindle supporting the tray for rotation, a drive motor assembly mounted on the subbase and adapted to drive the tray uniformly step by step to move concentric rows of beakers in the tray for successive testing test probes, and having step by step control means including camlike means rotating with and corresponding angularly with each tray aperture for controlling each step of the step movement of the tray and stationary cam follower means.

2. A motor driven laboratory beaker transporter and elevator, comprising a base, a subbase slidably supported thereon, for translatory movement, a turntable support spindle on said subbase, a circular tray rotatably mounted on said spindle, having means for supporting a plurality of beakers in at least two concentric rows, power means mounted on the subbase for rotating the tray, power means for moving the subbase, a beaker elevator mounted on the base and adapted for alignment with said beaker supporting means to elevate a beaker to a test position and lower the beaker, means energizing and deenergizing said tray rotating power means, means for energizing said elevator means upon deenergizing said tray power means, and energizing said tray power means upon deenergizing said beaker elevator, means responsive to a full rotation of said tray to energize said subbase power means to transport the tray the distance between said rows, and means for initiating operation of said energizing and deenergizing means for said tray drive means, and the elevator energizing means.

3. A motor driven laboratory beaker transporter and elevator according to claim 2 having means to automatically sequentially move all of said beaker support means past said elevator means, and means for manually rotating said tray, for manually moving the subbase, and for actuating the elevator independent of said automatic means.

4. In a motor driven laboratory beaker transporter and elevator, a rotatable, portable circular beaker holder tray to facilitate advanced loading and in which there are concentric rows of apertures into which sample containers can be set for sequential testing, a movable subbase having a turntable spindle supporting the tray for rotation, a drive motor assembly mounted on the subbase and adapted to drive the tray uniformly step by step to move concentric rows of beakers in the tray for successive testing test probes, a beaker elevator disposed below a concentric row of tray apertures for raising beakers one at a time to a fixed test position, sensing probe means above the elevator at a height to project into a beaker upon being lifted to the test position, means for sequencing the tray of beakers through one cycle, and means for causing said last-named means to repeat the cycle.

5. A combination in accordance with claim 19 having a timer associated with said repeat means to delay the operation of the repeat means.