JP4416350B2 - Sample rack conveyor and automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sample rack transfer device of an automatic analyzer for clinical examination that performs blood and urine analysis of biological samples and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The sample rack transfer device of the automatic analyzer is driven by the drive cycle of the device regardless of the user's input timing. Therefore, a safe and reliable transfer device must be constructed at any time regardless of the time of loading. In recent years, it is common not only to use a single device but also to connect a plurality of devices or different types of devices with a belt line to automatically transport a sample rack. A transfer device having both sides is required. Possible sample rack transport methods include:
(1) A method in which the rear part of the sample rack is pressed and transferred by an extruding member. (2) A method of placing and transferring a sample rack on the belt is conceivable.
[0003]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-46073 discloses a method in which the above (1) and (2) are shared. That is, the moving members are respectively fixed at the same position of two parallel belts, and a plurality of sample racks on the belt are reliably transferred.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In order to make the sample rack transfer device compact, in the sample transport device comprising a rail member that slides the surface and transfers the sample rack, and an extrusion member that pushes the sample rack from the rear to transfer the sample rack, A conveying device in which the pushing member reciprocates on the same plane in the longitudinal direction of the rail member can be considered. With this structure, the vertical height of the device can be small.
[0005]
In this case, when the extruding member finishes extruding the sample rack and returns to the original position, the extruding member is placed in the longitudinal direction of the rail member around the rotation axis so as not to return the extruded sample rack to the original position. It is conceivable that a rotation operation is possible within a certain angle range, and when the pushing member returns, the pushing member is rotated by the lower end of the sample rack and retracted (see FIG. 2). The sample rack transport apparatus having such a structure operates without problems when only one sample rack is placed on the rail member. However, when the operator interrupts another sample rack on the rail, the sample rack that has been interrupted (coming later) pushes the pushing member from the rear as shown in FIGS. There was a possibility that the member would retract and the previous sample rack could not be pushed out.
[0006]
As another problem, when the sample rack input by the operator slides on the rail and moves to the end of the rail, the sample rack sensor provided at the end of the rail detects the sample rack, The sample rack transport device of the analyzer connected to the sample rack transport device starts transporting the sample rack for sample collection. That is, even if the analysis apparatus is not ready for analysis, the sample rack may be transported.
[0007]
In addition, if the rail member of the sample rack transport device and the rail member of the analyzer are different in height, there is a possibility that the sample rack may be staggered when moving from the transport device to the analyzer.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to provide a sample rack transport apparatus that is compact and does not cause problems such as failure to normally transport the rack during sample rack transport, and an automatic analyzer including the sample rack transport apparatus.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a sample transporting device for transporting a sample rack on which a test sample is placed, a rail member that slides the surface and transports the sample rack, and pushes the sample rack from the rear to An extruding member for transferring the sample rack, and the extruding member reciprocates on the same plane in the longitudinal direction of the rail member, wherein the extruding member is centered on the rotation axis. A sample having a structure capable of rotating within a range of a certain angle in the longitudinal direction of the member, and having a protruding portion that catches the sample rack at the end of the pushing member and prevents the pushing member from rotating any further. There is a feature in the rack transport device.
[0010]
Further, in the sample transport device that transports the sample rack on which the test sample is placed, a rail member that slides the surface to transport the sample rack, a push member that pushes the sample rack from the rear to transport the sample rack, And the push-out member is a transport system that reciprocates on the same plane in the longitudinal direction of the rail member, and there are more sample racks near the end of the rail member in the movement direction of the sample rack. A sample rack transport that is provided with a stopper that functions so as not to move toward the end side, and that the stopper is retracted at the start of movement of the push-out member toward the end side so that the sample rack can move to the end portion of the rail member. The device is unique.
[0011]
Furthermore, a sample rack transport device comprising: a rail member that slides the surface to transport the sample rack; and a push member that transports the sample rack by pushing the sample rack on which the test sample is placed from the rear, and the sample transport In an automatic analyzer comprising: a rail member connected to a device and transporting the sample rack; and an analyzer connected to the rail member and analyzing a sample by separating a sample placed on the sample rack; The rail member of the sample rack transport device is characterized by an automatic analyzer that extends to the far end of the rail member of the analyzer in the direction of travel of the sample rack.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of a mechanism for transporting a rack on which a sample is placed.
[0014]
FIGS. 2 to 4 show problems of a member that pushes out a conventional rack, and FIG. 5 shows countermeasures.
[0015]
6 and 7 show a form in which the rack is pushed down to the dispensing line when the user inserts the rack, and FIG. 8 shows a form in which the rack is prevented from being pushed into the dispensing line by the stopper.
[0016]
9 to 11 show the operation principle of the stopper itself, and FIGS. 12 to 16 show the overall operation principle of the rack stopper mechanism. FIG. 17 shows the wobbling and falling of the rack due to the difference in level between the input line and the dispensing line, and FIG. 18 shows the contents of improvement by unifying the input line and the dispensing line with respect to FIG.
[0017]
The outline of the apparatus is described with reference to FIG.
[0018]
The rack 5 on which the container 6 on which the sample put into the loading line 1 by the user is placed is pushed by the member 7 that pushes out the rack by the user's analysis start operation of the apparatus and reaches the dispensing line 2. The rack 5 on which the container 6 on which the sample that has reached the dispensing line 2 is placed is recognized by the dispensing line rack arrival sensor 10, and the conveyance of the dispensing line 2 starts. This apparatus can accept an arbitrary number of racks by the user based on the recognition by the dispensing line rack arrival sensor 10.
[0019]
The rack 5 on which the container 6 on which the sample that has been dispensed and conveyed by the dispensing line 2 is placed is dispensed and measured by the dispensing mechanism 4 and outputs data required by the user. The rack 5 on which the container 6 on which the dispensed and measured samples are placed is discharged to the discharge line 3 by the discharge lever 9.
[0020]
Next, the danger to the device due to the user's rack loading action and the countermeasures will be described.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a commonly used mechanism for moving a rack 5 by ejecting a member 7 that pushes the rack from the bottom surface of the input line 1.
[0022]
The member 7 that pushes out the rack has a structure that falls rightward and does not fall leftward, and keeps the protrusion from the bottom surface of the loading line 1 vertical when it is impossible by a spring force. When the member 7 that pushes out the rack pushes in the direction A, the rack 5 is pushed. When the member 7 moves in the reverse direction, if there is an additional rack 5 there, it collapses and is hidden.
[0023]
When the rack 5 is additionally loaded by the user as shown in FIG. 3, the force in the B direction acts on the member 7 pushing out the rack by the additional rack 5, and the member 7 pushing out the rack is hidden as shown in FIG. You will not be able to press 5.
[0024]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, a hook 11 for the rack 5 is provided at the tip of the member 7 that pushes out the rack so that the rack 5 can be caught by the edge of the rack 5 while the rack 5 is pushed, and the rack 5 is pushed. Has a structure in which the member 7 for pushing out the rack serves as a stopper against the addition of the rack 5 by the user.
[0025]
FIG. 6 shows an example in which a user puts one rack 5 on which a container 6 on which a sample is placed is placed in the loading line 1.
[0026]
The user pushes the rack 5 to the place where the dispensing line rack arrival sensor 10 is recognized as shown in FIG. 7 without receiving any restraint when the rack 5 is inserted, and the dispensing conveyance by the apparatus occurs automatically. End up.
[0027]
This was countered by providing a stopper 8 as shown in FIG. The operation principle of the stopper 8 is shown in FIGS.
[0028]
FIG. 9 shows the effective state of the stopper 8, in which the tip that serves as a stopper for the rack 5 protrudes from the bottom surface of the charging line 1. The stopper 8 is connected to the stopper holding member 12 via the stopper rotating shaft 16, and maintains the protruding state of the tip of the stopper 8 by the action of the force in the C direction due to the weight of the weight 13, and is perpendicular to the tip of the stopper 8. When a downward force D is applied, it is lighter than the weight of the rack and cannot be hidden, and when pressed in the A direction, it does not hide.
[0029]
In FIG. 10, when the stopper holding member 12 holding the stopper 8 moves in the A direction, the stopper 8 rotates in the E direction at the edge 15 of the hole of the charging line 1 and is hidden.
[0030]
That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the stopper holding member 12 reciprocates in the F direction, so that the stopper 8 enters and exits due to the weight of the weight 13 and the action of the edge 15 of the charging line 1.
[0031]
FIG. 12 to FIG. 16 show an overall schematic diagram of the rack stopper mechanism when the user puts the rack.
[0032]
FIG. 12 shows a state in which the member 18 that holds the member 7 that pushes out the rack fixes the stopper holding member 12 by a magnetic force via the magnet 19 and holds the stopper 8 in an effective state.
[0033]
Since the stopper 8 is in an effective state, the pushing of the rack is restricted at a position where the stopper 8 does not cause a problem with respect to the user's rack insertion.
[0034]
The slide guide hole 21 provided in the insertion line 1 is a hole for guiding the reciprocating motion of the stopper holding member 12, and the guide shaft 17 of the stopper holding member fixed to the stopper holding member 12 passes through the slide guide hole 21. It has a reciprocating structure.
[0035]
The arc-shaped cutouts provided at the lower ends of both ends of the slide guide hole 21 move by vibration when the stopper holding member 12 is not restrained by the magnetic force of the magnets 19 and 20, and the stopper 8 enters and exits irregularly. This is to prevent this.
[0036]
FIG. 13 shows the release of the stopper 8 by the movement of the holding member 18 of the member 7 for pushing out the rack.
[0037]
When the member 7 for pushing out the rack and its holding member 18 move in the A direction, the stopper holding member 12 also moves in the A direction by the magnetic force of the magnet 19, and the stopper 8 is hidden by the principle of the stopper 8 described in FIG. It will be canceled.
[0038]
FIG. 14 shows a state in which the holding member 18 and the magnet 19 of the member 7 are split because the force for driving the holding member 18 of the member 7 exceeds the magnetic force of the magnet 19.
[0039]
13 and 14, the member 7 that pushes out the rack is in a state of pushing the rack 5, and this is a member that pushes out the rack by the action of the hook 11 provided on the member 7 that pushes out the rack as described in FIG. 5. Since 7 serves as a stopper, it does not suffer from adverse effects such as excessive pushing of the rack due to the additional loading of the rack 5 and hiding of the member 7.
[0040]
FIG. 15 shows a state in which the holding member 18 of the member 7 pushing out the rack has fully advanced its stroke.
[0041]
The holding member 18 of the member 7 is in contact with the magnet 20 and is in a state of being restrained by the magnetic force of the magnet 20. Here, as shown in FIG. 16, the holding member 18 of the member 7 moves in the H direction by a predetermined distance and the stopper holding member 12 also moves in the H direction by the magnetic force of the magnet 20 as shown in FIG. The stopper function becomes effective.
[0042]
At this time, the rack is present immediately after the rack has been pushed just above the stopper 8, but the stopper 8 is moved by the weight of the rack as in the case of receiving the load in the D direction shown in FIG. 9. The rack is hidden until the rack disappears, and the stopper becomes effective when the rack disappears.
[0043]
That is, when there is still a rack, even if the rack is loaded, the rack still exists, so that the rack cannot be pushed too much. Even when the rack disappears, the stopper 8 becomes effective at that time, so that the rack cannot be pushed too much.
[0044]
The holding member 18 that pushes the rack moves in the return direction as it is, but the stopper 8 is still effective at that time, and the state is shifted to FIG.
[0045]
17 and 18 show measures for preventing the rack 5 from wobbling and falling due to the difference in level between the input line 1 and the dispensing line 2. FIG.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 17, in general, there is a step between the input line 1 and the dispensing line 2 when the rack 5 is transported from the input line 1 to the dispensing line 2 of the automatic analyzer. This is because if there is no level difference, the rack may be caught and fall down.
[0047]
Even if the mechanical accuracy is improved, the level difference can be reduced, but it cannot be eliminated.
[0048]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18, the rack conveyance surface of the input line 1 is extended to the back of the dispensing line 2 to eliminate steps in the path of the input line 1, thereby preventing the rack from wobbling and falling.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a compact and safer sample rack transport apparatus. In addition, an analysis apparatus to which this transport device is applied can perform a compact and smooth analysis.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall schematic view of a mechanism for transporting a rack on which a sample is placed.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a mechanism of a member that pushes out a rack.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the influence of an additional rack on a member that pushes out a rack.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of disabling a function by an additional rack of members that push out the rack.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of countermeasures against harmful effects caused by an additional rack.
FIG. 6 shows an example of adding an additional rack.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a failure example due to the addition of a rack.
8 is a schematic view in which the problem of FIG. 7 is solved by a stopper.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a stopper structure.
FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the operating principle of the stopper.
FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the operating principle of the stopper.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of the entire stopper.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of hiding a stopper.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of hiding a stopper.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of hiding a stopper.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a stopper activation operation.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a level difference between a charging line and a dispensing line.
18 is an explanatory diagram in which measures are taken by eliminating the step in FIG. 17;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Input line, 2 ... Dispensing line, 3 ... Discharge line, 4 ... Dispensing mechanism, 5 ... Rack, 6 ... Container on which sample is placed, 7 ... Member which pushes out rack, 8 ... Stopper, 9 ... Discharge lever, 10 ... Dispensing line rack arrival sensor, 11... Hook provided on 8, 12. Stopper holding member, 13. Weight, 14. Stopper projection hole, 15. Edge of stopper projection hole, 16. , 18 ... Rack extrusion protrusion holding member, 19, 20 ... Magnet, 21 ... Slide guide hole of stopper holding member.

Claims (5)

A sample rack on which a test sample is placed;
A loading line for transporting the sample rack loaded by sliding the surface;
A dispensing line that receives the sample rack on the input line and transports the sample rack in a direction orthogonal to the input line;
An extruding member having a protruding portion that is hooked with a part of the sample rack;
A stopper projection hole located between the charging line and the dispensing line;
A sample rack transport device comprising a stopper that enters and exits from the stopper projecting hole and restricts transport of the sample rack on the input line,
The stopper is operated in conjunction with the push-out member to switch a restriction state for the transport of the sample rack on the input line ,
As the pushing member starts pushing and conveying the sample rack on the loading line, the stopper portion releases the restriction state on the sample rack on the loading line,
As the pushing member finishes transporting the configuration rack to a predetermined position on the input line and moves back to the initial position, the stopper unit activates the restriction state for the sample rack on the input line. A sample rack transport apparatus characterized by: The sample rack transport device according to claim 1, wherein
An extruding portion holding member that supports the extruding member and slides in the longitudinal direction of the charging line;
A stopper holding member that supports the stopper and slides in the longitudinal direction of the charging line, and
The sample rack transport apparatus, wherein the pushing portion holding member and the stopper portion holding member have magnetic force generating means for sliding the stopper holding member with a magnetic force as the pushing portion holding member slides . The sample rack transport device according to claim 2 ,
As the stopper holding member slides, the contact state of the stopper and the edge of the stopper projection hole changes, and a rotating shaft that rotates the stopper;
A sample rack transport apparatus comprising: a weight for controlling a rotation posture so that the stopper enters and exits from the stopper protruding hole by rotation of the stopper . The sample rack transport device according to claim 2,
The extrusion unit is connected to the extrusion unit holding member through a rotation shaft, and rotates at a certain angle in the longitudinal direction of the input line around the rotation shaft . In the sample rack conveyance device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The end portion of the rail member in the input line is a back end portion of the rail member in the dispensing line in the sample rack traveling direction .

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