CN114371132A - Biochemical analyzer and reaction tube cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

A biochemical analyzer and a reaction tube cleaning device capable of reducing the number of useless wiping and increasing the service life of a reaction tube. The biochemical analyzer comprises: the reaction tube is used for accommodating a sample to be tested; a holding mechanism that holds the plurality of nozzles; and an external cleaning mechanism which is provided in the reaction tank and located outside the reaction tube, and wipes the outer wall of the reaction tube in conjunction with the operation of one of the plurality of nozzles held by the holding mechanism.

Description

Biochemical analyzer and reaction tube cleaning device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a biochemical analyzer and a reaction tube cleaning apparatus.

Background

A biochemical analyzer is widely used as a biochemical analysis device that measures a specific chemical component in a body fluid using a photoelectric colorimetric principle. With the use of the biochemical analyzer, stains may remain on the outer wall of the reaction tube, thereby affecting the detection effect. In order to remove stains on the outer wall of the reaction tube, it is a common practice to install a reaction tube cleaner in the reaction tank. The reaction tube cleaning device is mounted outside the passage formed when each reaction tube rotates, and the reaction tube cleaning device cleans the outer wall of the reaction tube as the reaction tube rotates. However, in actual use, a large force may be applied to one side of the reaction tube due to a deviation in the installation position of the reaction tube cleaner, and the reaction tube may be scratched. In addition, as long as the reaction tubes rotate, each reaction tube needs to pass through a reaction tube cleaner, and the service life of the reaction tubes is influenced year after year. In addition, the reaction tube cleaning device may be aged after a long time use at a high temperature, and the damage to the reaction tube after the aging is large.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a biochemical analyzer and a reaction tube cleaning apparatus that reduce the number of unnecessary wiping operations and increase the service life of a reaction tube.

The biochemical analyzer according to claim 1, comprising: the reaction tube is used for accommodating a sample to be tested; a holding mechanism that holds the plurality of nozzles; and an external cleaning mechanism which is provided in the reaction tank and located outside the reaction tube, and wipes the outer wall of the reaction tube in conjunction with the operation of one of the plurality of nozzles held by the holding mechanism.

According to the biochemical analyzer of claim 1, the outer walls of all the reaction tubes are not wiped without selection, but after the reaction tubes are used, the external cleaning mechanism is interlocked to wipe the outer walls of the reaction tubes to be wiped in accordance with the specific operation of the nozzles by performing a specific operation (for example, moving up and down in the reaction tubes or spraying water to the external cleaning device outside the reaction tubes) only for the reaction tubes to be wiped.

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 2, the external cleaning mechanism wipes the outer wall of the reaction tube in a manner of moving up and down along the height direction of the outer wall of the reaction tube.

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 3, the external cleaning mechanism wipes the outer wall of the reaction tube in a manner of moving along the circumference of the outer wall of the reaction tube.

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 4, the external cleaning mechanism wipes the outer wall of the reaction tube in conjunction with the movement of the first nozzle in the reaction tube.

According to the biochemical analysis device of claim 4, the external cleaning mechanism wipes the outer wall of the reaction tube as one of the plurality of nozzles, which is linked with the external cleaning mechanism, enters the reaction tube and moves in the reaction tube.

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 5, the one of the plurality of nozzles is a water jet nozzle which is located obliquely above the reaction tube, does not enter the reaction tube, and can jet water to the external cleaning mechanism, and the external cleaning mechanism wipes the outer wall of the reaction tube in linkage with the water jet of the water jet nozzle.

According to the biochemical analyzer of claim 5, the water is sprayed toward the external cleaning mechanism by the water spray nozzle located obliquely above the reaction tube to be cleaned, and the external cleaning mechanism cleans the outer wall of the reaction tube.

The biochemical analyzer according to claim 6, further comprising an internal washing mechanism including a magnetic nozzle held by the holding mechanism and movable in a vertical direction into and out of the reaction tube by a driving mechanism, wherein the magnetic nozzle is the one of the plurality of nozzles, and the external washing mechanism includes a magnetic wiper, and the internal washing mechanism and the external washing mechanism are attracted to each other by a magnetic force.

According to the biochemical analyzer of claim 6, the magnetic nozzle is inserted into the reaction tube to be cleaned, and the external cleaning mechanism is brought into close proximity to the magnetic nozzle by a magnetic force and is brought into contact with the outer wall of the reaction tube, and then, the external cleaning mechanism is cleaned in the vertical direction to clean the outer wall of the reaction tube. Aiming at the reaction tube which does not need to be wiped, the magnetic nozzle does not enter the reaction tube, so that the outer wall of the reaction tube is not wiped, the useless wiping times can be reduced, and the service life of the reaction tube is prolonged.

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 7, the magnetic nozzle has one of a magnet and a magnetic body, and is formed as a rod-like body extending in the up-down direction, an upper end of the magnetic nozzle is connected to the holding mechanism, and one of the magnet and the magnetic body is located at a lower portion of the magnetic nozzle.

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 8, the external cleaning mechanism further comprises a moving mechanism, the magnetic wiper is composed of an external wiper fixed to the reaction vessel and another of a magnet and a magnetic body, the moving mechanism holds the magnetic wiper, the external wiper of the magnetic wiper is disposed to face the outer wall of the reaction vessel with a gap therebetween, and the other of the magnet and the magnetic body is located on the opposite side of the external wiper from the reaction vessel. The rod-shaped body moves in the reaction tube, the magnetic wiper is moved toward the reaction tube by a magnetic force, and the magnetic wiper slides up and down along the outer wall of the reaction tube by the moving mechanism to wipe the reaction tube.

According to the biochemical analyzer of claim 7 or claim 8, the magnetic nozzle has one of a magnet and a magnetic body, and the external washing mechanism has the other of the magnet and the magnetic body, and when the magnetic nozzle enters the reaction tube, the magnetic force generated between the magnet and the magnetic body attracts the external washing mechanism to the outer wall of the reaction tube and contacts the outer wall. The external cleaning mechanism can wipe the outer wall of the reaction tube in the vertical direction as the magnetic nozzle on which the magnet or the magnetic body is disposed moves up and down in the reaction tube.

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 9, the built-in cleaning mechanism further includes a stopper that restricts a trajectory of the magnetic nozzle moving in the up-down direction so that the magnetic nozzle does not tilt.

According to the biochemical analysis device of the technical scheme 9, the limiting block is arranged on the magnetic nozzle, when the magnetic nozzle enters and exits the reaction tube, the limiting block can limit the moving track of the magnetic nozzle in the reaction tube, and the magnetic nozzle can be prevented from inclining due to the attraction of magnetic force.

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 10, the stopper is disposed on a part of the magnetic nozzle in a manner of covering the magnetic nozzle, and is made of a soft material, and the size of the stopper is not more than the inner diameter of the reaction tube.

According to the biochemical analyzer of claim 10, the stopper may be provided so as to directly cover the nozzle portion of the magnetic nozzle, or may be provided so as to cover the nozzle portion of the magnetic nozzle with a magnet (or a magnetic body) interposed therebetween. The size of the limiting block is smaller than or equal to the inner diameter of the reaction tube and is made of soft materials, so that the inner wall of the reaction tube cannot be damaged even if the limiting block is contacted with the inner wall of the reaction tube.

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 11, the built-in washing mechanism further includes a nozzle different from the magnetic nozzle, which can be moved into and out of the reaction tube to wash and dry the inner wall of the reaction tube.

The biochemical analyzer according to claim 11, wherein the built-in washing means has a magnetic nozzle having a magnet (or a magnetic body) attached to a bottom thereof, and a nozzle other than the magnetic nozzle. The magnetic nozzle with the magnet (or magnetic body) arranged at the bottom is a magnetic nozzle capable of attracting an external cleaning mechanism to wipe the outer wall of the reaction tube, and the other nozzles are nozzles for cleaning and drying the inner wall of the reaction tube.

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 12, the magnetic nozzle having the built-in washing mechanism further includes a dried material connected to a lower portion of the magnet (or magnetic body), and the dried material moves up and down together with the magnet (or magnetic body) under the driving of the driving mechanism to dry the inner wall of the reaction tube.

According to the biochemical analyzer of claim 12, the magnetic nozzle is further provided with a dry substance below the magnetic nozzle, and the magnet (or magnetic substance) moves up and down together with the dry substance, thereby drying the inner wall of the reaction tube while wiping the outer wall of the reaction tube.

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 13, the built-in cleaning mechanism further includes another nozzle which is different from the magnetic nozzle and can move in and out of the reaction tube to clean the inner wall of the reaction tube.

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 13, the built-in washing mechanism includes a magnetic nozzle that is capable of performing a drying function by disposing a dried material below the built-in washing mechanism, and a nozzle that performs a washing function different from the magnetic nozzle. The magnetic nozzle is arranged in parallel with the other nozzles, and after the other nozzles having a cleaning function clean the reaction tube, the magnetic nozzle having the dried material arranged therein enters the reaction tube, dries the inner wall of the reaction tube, and simultaneously attracts an external cleaning mechanism to wipe the outer wall of the reaction tube.

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 14, the plurality of external cleaning mechanisms are provided at least on the front wall and the rear wall of the reaction tank, and wipe the front surface and the rear surface of the reaction tube.

The front and rear surfaces of the reaction tube are opposite surfaces of the reaction tube through which light passes in biochemical analysis. According to the biochemical analyzer of claim 14, the external cleaning mechanism is provided at least at the front wall and the rear wall of the reaction tank at a position where the front surface and the rear surface of the reaction tube can be cleaned, so that it is ensured that at least two surfaces of the reaction tube through which light passes are cleaned, and the photometric accuracy is improved.

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 15, when the internal washing mechanism includes a magnetic body and the external washing mechanism includes a magnet, the magnet provided on the front wall of the reaction tank and the magnet provided on the rear wall of the reaction tank have opposite polarities.

In the biochemical analysis device according to claim 16, the moving mechanism includes: the slide way is fixed on the reaction tank, one end of the first slide block is arranged in the slide way so as to be capable of moving back and forth along the extending direction of the slide way, the other end of the first slide block is partially overlapped with one end of the second slide block in the extending direction of the slide way and can relatively slide along the direction perpendicular to the extending direction, one end of the second slide block is connected to the slide way through the spring, and the other end of the second slide block is connected to the magnet (or the magnetic body).

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 17, the moving mechanism includes: the reaction tank comprises a reaction tank, a slide way and a spring, wherein one end part of the spring is fixed on the reaction tank, the other end part of the spring is fixed on the back side of the slide way, the elastic direction of the spring is perpendicular to the extending direction of the slide way, the slide way extends along the direction parallel to the reaction pipe, and the magnetic wiping object is arranged in the slide way and can move back and forth along the extending direction of the slide way.

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 18, the moving mechanism includes: a slide, a spring, and a stopper, one end of the stopper being fixed to the reaction tank, the other end being connected to the slide via the spring and stopping movement of the slide in a direction of an elastic force, the slide having: a first portion provided for the magnetic wiper in parallel with the reaction tube, a second portion connected to the spring and restrained by the stopper, and a third portion connecting the first portion and the second portion.

In any of the biochemical analyzers according to claims 16 to 18, the external washing mechanism may be attracted to and wiped off the outer wall of the reaction tube as the magnetic nozzle enters the reaction tube, and may be returned to an initial position spaced apart from the outer wall of the reaction tube as the magnetic nozzle leaves the reaction tube.

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 19, the one of the plurality of nozzles is a first nozzle which is located right above the reaction tube and which can move in and out of the reaction tube in the vertical direction, and the external cleaning mechanism includes: the reaction tube cleaning apparatus includes a connecting plate held by the holding mechanism and extending downward, the connecting plate being located on both sides of the first nozzle and aligned with the first nozzle, a guide groove having a lower end connected to the chain, a chain for guiding movement of the chain, and a wiper connected to a lower end of the chain, the wiper being interposed between the guide groove and the reaction tube, and wiping an outer wall of the reaction tube.

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 20, the guide groove is provided such that a distance between a lower portion and the reaction tube is smaller than that between an upper portion, and the distance between the lower portion and the reaction tube is equal to or smaller than a thickness of the wiper.

According to the biochemical analyzer of claim 19 or 20, the holding means holds the first nozzle and also holds the connecting plate, and when the first nozzle enters and exits the reaction tube, the connecting plate moves in the vertical direction together with the first nozzle, and guides the moving track of the chain connected to the connecting plate through the guide groove, thereby driving the wiper attached to the chain to wipe the outer wall of the reaction tube. This makes it possible to wipe the outer wall of the reaction tube in conjunction with the operation of one (first) of the plurality of nozzles held by the holding device.

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 21, the external washing mechanism includes a first external washing mechanism, and the first external washing mechanism includes: and a first magnetic wiper that is fixed to the reaction tank, is positioned directly below the water spray nozzle, and is rotated by water sprayed from the water spray nozzle, and is interposed between the reaction tube and the impeller such that a wiping surface thereof contacts the reaction tube and a magnetic surface thereof contacts the impeller.

In the biochemical analyzer according to claim 22, the external washing mechanism further includes the second external washing mechanism, the second external washing mechanism includes a second magnetic wiper disposed at a position facing the first magnetic wiper with the reaction tube therebetween such that a wiping surface thereof contacts the reaction tube and a magnetic surface thereof is fixed in the reaction vessel, and the first magnetic wiper and the second magnetic wiper have opposite magnetism.

According to the biochemical analyzer of claim 21 or 22, the impeller of the external cleaning mechanism drives the first magnetic wiper to rotate under the impact of water by the water spraying action of the water spray nozzle held by the holder, thereby wiping the outer wall of the reaction tube. Similarly, the outer wall of the reaction tube can be wiped in conjunction with the operation of the nozzle (water jet nozzle) held by the holding device.

The reaction tube cleaning device according to claim 23, comprising: a holding mechanism that holds the plurality of nozzles; and an external cleaning mechanism which is provided in the reaction tank and located outside the reaction tube, and wipes the outer wall of the reaction tube in conjunction with the operation of one of the plurality of nozzles held by the holding mechanism.

Effects of the invention

In the present invention, it is possible to wipe only the outer walls of the reaction tubes that need to be wiped, without wiping the outer walls of all the reaction tubes while the reaction tubes are rotated. Therefore, the number of useless wiping can be reduced, and the service life of the reaction tube can be prolonged.

Drawings

FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view showing a biochemical analyzer having a conventional reaction tube cleaning device, and FIG. 1B is a schematic view showing a holding mechanism for holding a nozzle in FIG. 1A.

Fig. 2A is a schematic plan view showing the biochemical analyzer according to the first embodiment, fig. 2B is a schematic view showing the structure of an external washing mechanism in the biochemical analyzer of fig. 2A, and fig. 2C is a schematic view showing the structure of an internal washing mechanism in the biochemical analyzer of fig. 2A.

FIGS. 3A to 3D show the process from the entrance to the exit of the magnetic nozzle having a magnet in the biochemical analyzer according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4A schematically shows a case where a magnet is attracted and displaced by a magnetic wiper of an external washing mechanism, and fig. 4B schematically shows a configuration of an internal washing mechanism having a stopper according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a built-in washing mechanism of a biochemical analyzer according to a third embodiment.

Fig. 6A to 6C show a process from the time when the built-in washing mechanism of the biochemical analyzer according to the third embodiment enters the reaction tube to the time when the bottom of the reaction tube is dried.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an external washing mechanism of a biochemical analyzer according to a fourth embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an external washing mechanism of a biochemical analyzer according to a fifth embodiment.

Fig. 9A to 9C show the movement of the external washing mechanism of the biochemical analyzer according to the fifth embodiment from the time when the magnet enters the reaction tube to the time when the magnet descends to the bottom.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an external washing mechanism of a biochemical analyzer according to a sixth embodiment.

Fig. 11A to 11C show the movement of the external washing mechanism according to the sixth embodiment from the time when the magnet enters the reaction tube to the time when the magnet descends to the bottom.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a biochemical analyzer according to the seventh embodiment.

Fig. 13A is a schematic plan view showing a nozzle held by the holding mechanism of the eighth embodiment. Fig. 13B is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a biochemical analyzer according to the eighth embodiment.

Fig. 14A is a schematic plan view showing a nozzle held by the holding mechanism of the ninth embodiment. Fig. 14B is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a biochemical analyzer according to the ninth embodiment.

Fig. 15A to 15C show an operation mode of the biochemical analyzer according to the ninth embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below do not limit the present invention. In the following description, components having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be repeated only when necessary.

FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view showing a biochemical analyzer having a conventional reaction tube cleaning device. In the reaction tank of the biochemical analyzer, a plurality of reaction tubes are arranged along the circumference, and the reaction tube rotation path shown in FIG. 1 is formed when the reaction tubes are rotated. A holding mechanism for holding a plurality of nozzles is provided above a reaction vessel of a biochemical analyzer, and the nozzles held by the holding mechanism are driven by a driving mechanism to enter a reaction tube, whereby various treatments can be performed on the inner wall of the reaction tube. For example, as shown in fig. 1B, the conventional holding mechanism has 8 nozzles, and the nozzles numbered ((r) - (c)) clean the reaction tubes, and the nozzle numbered ((r)) dries the reaction tubes. In fig. 1A, only the reaction tubes corresponding to the plurality of nozzles (first to (b)) held by the holding mechanism are shown, and the illustration of the other reaction tubes in the circumferential direction is omitted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1A, a reaction tube cleaning device is also installed in the reaction tank. This is because the outer wall of the reaction tube may be stained after use, and therefore, the outer wall needs to be cleaned. The reaction tube cleaning device is positioned outside the passage formed when the reaction tubes rotate in order to clean the outer walls of the reaction tubes, and cleans the outer walls of the reaction tubes as the reaction tubes rotate. However, as described above, when the reaction tube cleaning device is used, the reaction tube may be scratched due to a deviation in the mounting position, or the service life of the reaction tube may be affected by cleaning all the reaction tubes without distinction between the reaction tubes that need to be cleaned and those that do not need to be cleaned (for example, are not used). Therefore, it is desired to provide a biochemical analyzer capable of reducing the number of useless wiping and improving the service life of the reaction tube.

The present invention provides a biochemical analyzer, comprising: the reaction tube is used for accommodating a sample to be tested; a holding mechanism that holds the plurality of nozzles; and an external cleaning mechanism which is provided in the reaction tank and located outside the reaction tube, and wipes the outer wall of the reaction tube in conjunction with the operation of one of the plurality of nozzles held by the holding mechanism.

The biochemical analyzer according to the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to some embodiments, but the embodiments are merely examples and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In the following embodiments, only the portions of the biochemical analyzer that exhibit the function of washing the reaction tubes will be described, and the description of the other portions will be omitted.

(first embodiment)

Fig. 2A is a schematic plan view showing the biochemical analyzer according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the biochemical analyzer according to the first embodiment includes a built-in washing mechanism 2 which is held by a holding mechanism 3 and moves into and out of a reaction tube in the vertical direction by the driving of a driving mechanism; and an external washing mechanism 1 which is arranged in the reaction tank and positioned outside the reaction tube, and washes the outer wall of the reaction tube in linkage with the movement of the internal washing mechanism 2 in the reaction tube, wherein the internal washing mechanism 2 and the external washing mechanism 1 are mutually attracted under the action of magnetic force. In fig. 2A, the built-in washing mechanism 2 and the holding mechanism 3 are shown in parallel with the reaction tube for the sake of illustration, but the built-in washing mechanism 2 and the holding mechanism 3 are actually positioned above the reaction tube.

Fig. 2B is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the external washing mechanism 1 in fig. 2A. Wherein reference numerals A and B denote a reaction tube and a reaction tank, respectively, and the reference numerals A and B are omitted hereinafter for the sake of simplicity of illustration.

The external cleaning mechanism 1 includes: a magnetic wiper 10 and a moving mechanism 13, wherein the magnetic wiper 10 is composed of an external wiper 11 and a magnetic body 12. The external wiper 11 is made of a material which causes little damage to the reaction tube and has a long service life, and for example, silicone rubber, a brush, a fiber cloth, or the like can be used.

The outer wiper 11 has a first surface and a second surface located on the opposite side of the first surface, and the outer wiper 11 is provided so that the first surface faces the outer wall of the reaction tube with a gap therebetween. The magnetic body 12 is disposed on the second surface side of the outer wipe 11 and is disposed in contact with the second surface. Thus, the magnetic body 12 is disposed on the surface of the external wiper 11 on the side opposite to the reaction tube.

The moving mechanism 13 is provided so as to be able to move the magnetic wiper 10 up and down toward the reaction tube by magnetic force in accordance with the movement of the rod-shaped body in the reaction tube. Here, the block diagram of the moving mechanism 13 is only schematically shown, and the structure of the moving mechanism 13 is not limited as long as the vertical and front-rear movement of the magnetic wiper 10 can be achieved.

Fig. 2B shows a case where the external washing mechanisms 1 are provided on the front and rear surfaces of the reaction tube, which are opposed to each other, because the front and rear surfaces of the reaction tube correspond to the two opposed surfaces of the reaction tube through which light passes during biochemical analysis, and the external washing mechanisms are provided at least on the front and rear walls of the reaction tank at positions where the front and rear surfaces of the reaction tube can be washed, so that at least the two surfaces of the reaction tube through which light passes can be washed. In fig. 2B, only the external washing mechanism 1 provided on the front wall of the reaction tank is denoted by a reference numeral, and the external washing mechanism 1 provided on the rear wall of the reaction tank has the same configuration, and therefore, the reference numeral is omitted. In the following description and the drawings, only the external washing mechanism 1 on the front wall of the reaction tank will be referred to, and the external washing mechanism 1 on the rear wall will be omitted. The external washing mechanism 1 may be provided on another surface of the reaction tube.

Fig. 2C is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the built-in washing mechanism in fig. 2A. In the first embodiment, the built-in washing mechanism 2 is a new magnetic nozzle having a magnet added to fig. 1B showing the conventional art. That is, the built-in cleaning mechanism 2 includes magnetic nozzles having magnets and nozzle portions denoted by ninthly, in addition to the nozzles (first to eighth) for cleaning and drying the inner wall of the reaction tube in the related art. The nozzle portion is a hollow rod-shaped body through which gas or liquid can flow, as with the nozzles, and the nozzle constituting the magnetic nozzle is referred to as a nozzle portion herein for distinction from the nozzles (i) to (b). The magnetic nozzle is one of the plurality of nozzles held by the holding mechanism and is capable of being interlocked with an external cleaning mechanism. The nozzles are arranged right above the reaction tube and can move in and out of the reaction tube in the vertical direction. In the nozzles (i) to (ninu), the nozzle (ninu) with the magnet held by the holding mechanism (3) is a magnetic nozzle, and the nozzles (i) to (viii) without the magnet held by the holding mechanism (3) are other nozzles.

The magnetic nozzle and the other nozzles are held in parallel by the holding mechanism 3, and the magnetic nozzle has a magnet at a lower portion thereof than the other nozzles. In fig. 2C, the magnetic nozzle composed of the nozzle portion and the magnet is formed into a rod-like body. In the magnetic nozzle, the magnet is provided on the outer periphery of the nozzle portion so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle portion without blocking the nozzle portion, for example. Thus, the magnet can be made to have no influence on the function of the nozzle portion.

The magnetic nozzle provided in the built-in washing mechanism 2 extends in the vertical direction, and the upper end thereof is connected to the holding mechanism 3.

When the magnetic nozzle with the magnet moves toward the reaction tube and enters the reaction tube, the magnetic wiper 10 with the magnet approaches the reaction tube by magnetic force and slides along the outer wall of the reaction tube to wipe.

The operation of magnetically wiping the outer wall of the reaction tube will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

FIGS. 3A to 3D show the progress of the magnetic nozzle having a magnet from entering the reaction tube to exiting the reaction tube.

When it is necessary to wipe the outer wall of a certain reaction tube, as shown in FIG. 3A, the magnetic nozzle having the magnet is moved to the upper side of the reaction tube and enters the reaction tube from the upper side. When the distance between the magnet and the magnetic body is more than a predetermined distance, the magnetic body and the outer wall of the reaction tube keep a fixed interval.

As shown in fig. 3B, when the magnetic nozzle with the magnet enters the reaction tube and the distance between the magnet and the magnetic body is less than the predetermined distance, the magnetic body drives the external wiper to approach the magnet until the external wiper sticks to the outer wall of the reaction tube.

Then, as shown in fig. 3C, as the magnet moves inside the reaction tube, the magnetic wiper outside the reaction tube moves in conjunction with the movement of the magnet, and wipes along the outer wall of the reaction tube.

Next, as shown in fig. 3D, when the magnetic nozzle having the magnet is moved upward of the reaction tube and the distance between the magnet and the magnetic body is longer than the minimum distance between the magnet and the magnetic body capable of generating a magnetic force, the magnetic wiper is returned to the initial position, that is, the position where the magnetic wiper is kept at a fixed interval from the outer wall of the reaction tube by the moving mechanism.

Thereby completing the wiping process of the outer wall of the reaction tube.

The washing process of the outer wall of the reaction tube is generally performed after the washing process of the inner wall of the reaction tube, and for example, after the inside of the reaction tube is washed and dried by another nozzle, the outer wall of the reaction tube is wiped by a magnetic nozzle having a magnet. However, the procedure is not limited to this, and the outer wall may be wiped without cleaning and drying the inside.

With the biochemical analyzer according to the first embodiment, only the outer wall of the reaction tube to be wiped can be wiped, and the reaction tube not to be wiped can not be wiped. Therefore, the number of useless wiping can be reduced, and the service life of the reaction tube can be prolonged.

(second embodiment)

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the lower portion of the magnet of the second embodiment further includes a stopper for preventing the magnet from shifting.

Fig. 4A schematically shows a case where a magnet is attracted and displaced by a magnetic body of an external washing mechanism, and fig. 4B schematically shows a configuration of the internal washing mechanism with a stopper according to the second embodiment.

As described in the first embodiment, the internal cleaning mechanism includes the magnetic nozzle including the magnet and the nozzle portion, the external cleaning mechanism includes the magnetic wiper including the external wiper and the magnetic body, and the moving mechanism. It is known that a magnet in an internal washing mechanism is attracted by a magnetic body in an external washing mechanism during a descent process. If the holding mechanism for holding the magnetic nozzle having the magnet is displaced above the reaction tube, or if there is a difference in the distance between the external cleaning mechanism located on the front surface and the rear surface of the reaction tube and the reaction tube, the magnet in the magnetic nozzle is attracted by the magnetic body of the external cleaning mechanism and displaced, as shown in fig. 4A, and the magnetic nozzle is tilted.

In order to prevent the magnetic nozzle from being inclined, it is conceivable to attach a stopper to the front end of the magnet as shown in fig. 4B. The limit block can limit the up-and-down moving track of the magnetic nozzle, so that the magnetic nozzle is not inclined.

In addition, in order to reliably restrict the moving trajectory of the magnetic nozzle, it is preferable that the stopper be sized slightly smaller than or equal to the inner diameter of the reaction tube. The limiting block is made of soft materials and is made of materials which cannot damage the inner wall of the reaction tube, such as organic silica gel, a hairbrush, fiber cloth and the like.

Further, although fig. 4B shows that the stopper is provided at the lower portion of the magnetic nozzle so as to cover the lower end of the magnet, the stopper may be provided at other portions of the magnetic nozzle, for example, the stopper may be provided at the nozzle portion, as long as the movement locus of the magnetic nozzle can be restricted.

Further, as in the first embodiment, the biochemical analyzer according to the second embodiment can wipe only the outer wall of the reaction tube that needs to be wiped, and does not wipe the reaction tube that does not need to be wiped. Thus, the number of useless wiping operations can be reduced and the service life of the reaction tube can be increased.

(third embodiment)

The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the built-in cleaning mechanism of the third embodiment does not add a new magnetic nozzle to the built-in cleaning mechanism of fig. 1B, but adds a magnet as a magnetic nozzle to a nozzle that performs a drying function.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of a built-in washing mechanism according to a third embodiment.

In fig. 5, the nozzles numbered (r) - (c) are not modified, and a magnet may be attached to the nozzle part numbered (r) along the structure shown in fig. 1B. The nozzle (b) having a drying function originally includes a nozzle part and a dried material. In the present embodiment, the nozzle (b) is configured as a magnetic nozzle by attaching a magnet between the nozzle part and the dried material, and the magnetic nozzle (b) is formed as a rod-like body extending in the vertical direction, as in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the internal washing mechanism 2 of the third embodiment includes not only the nozzles (r) to (c) for washing the inner wall of the reaction tube in fig. 1B, which is a conventional technique, but also a magnetic nozzle (B) for simultaneously performing a drying operation and an attraction operation to an external washing device.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the nozzle having the magnet held by the holding mechanism 3 is assumed to be a magnetic nozzle, and the nozzle having no magnet held by the holding mechanism 3 is assumed to be another nozzle. As shown in the right side view of fig. 5, the magnetic nozzle includes a nozzle portion, a magnet, and a dried object in this order from top to bottom. In the present embodiment, the magnet is also provided so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle portion. Thus, the magnet does not affect the function of the nozzle portion. In this embodiment, the drying object is blown or extracted with moisture through the nozzle portion, thereby keeping the drying object dry.

In order to reliably dry the bottom of the reaction tube, it is necessary to dispose the dried material at the lower end of the magnetic nozzle, that is, to dispose a laminate of a magnet and the dried material at the lower end of the magnetic nozzle, with the dried material being disposed below the magnet. By having the drying material on one magnetic nozzle, the drying of the inside of the reaction tube and the wiping of the outer wall can be performed simultaneously.

Fig. 6A to 6C show a process from the time when the built-in washing mechanism according to the third embodiment enters the reaction tube to the time when the bottom of the reaction tube is dried.

As shown in fig. 6A, when the inside of a certain reaction tube is dried, a magnetic nozzle having a nozzle portion, a magnet, and a dried material is moved to the upper side of the reaction tube and enters the reaction tube from the upper side. When the distance between the magnet and the magnetic body is more than a predetermined distance, the magnetic body and the outer wall of the reaction tube keep a fixed interval.

As shown in fig. 6B, when the magnet on the magnetic nozzle enters the reaction tube and the distance between the magnet and the magnetic body in the magnetic wiper is less than the predetermined distance, the magnetic body drives the external wiper to approach the magnet until the external wiper sticks to the outer wall of the reaction tube.

Next, as shown in fig. 6C, as the magnet moves inside the reaction tube, the magnetic wiper outside the reaction tube moves in conjunction with the movement of the magnet, wipes along the outer wall of the reaction tube, and the inner wall of the reaction tube is dried as the dried material at the lower end of the magnetic nozzle moves inside the reaction tube, and when the dried material reaches the bottom of the reaction tube, the bottom of the reaction tube is also dried.

Thus, according to the third embodiment, the wiping of the outer wall of the reaction tube and the drying of the inside of the reaction tube can be performed simultaneously.

The wiping process of the outer wall of the reaction tube and the drying process of the inside are generally performed after the washing process of the inner wall of the reaction tube, for example, after the inside of the reaction tube is washed by other nozzles, the washing of the outer wall of the reaction tube and the drying of the inside are simultaneously performed by a magnetic nozzle having a nozzle portion, a magnet, and a drying object. However, the procedure is not limited to this, and wiping of the outer wall and drying of the inside may be performed separately without cleaning the inside.

With the biochemical analyzer according to the third embodiment, it is also possible to wipe only the outer wall of the reaction tube that needs to be wiped, and not to wipe the reaction tube that does not need to be wiped. Thus, the number of useless wiping operations can be reduced and the service life of the reaction tube can be increased.

(fourth embodiment)

In the first to third embodiments, the built-in washing device in the biochemical analyzer is mainly used, and several modifications are described. In the fourth embodiment, a description will be given of several modifications, mainly of an external washing device in a biochemical analyzer.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an external washing mechanism according to a fourth embodiment.

The external washing mechanism 1 of the fourth embodiment includes, in the same manner as the external washing mechanism 1 of the first embodiment: a magnetic wipe 10 and a moving mechanism 13. The magnetic wiper 10 has the same structure as that of the first embodiment in the fourth, fifth, and sixth embodiments, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted. Here, only the configuration of the moving mechanism 13, the connection relationship between the moving mechanism 13 and the magnetic wiper 10, and the connection relationship between the moving mechanism 13 and the reaction vessel, which are not described in detail in the first embodiment, will be described.

As shown in fig. 7, the moving mechanism 13 has a first slider 14, a second slider 15, a spring 16, and a slide 17, and the slide 17 has a surface side on which the first slider 14 is mounted and a back side which is the side opposite to the surface side. The back surface side is fixed inside the reaction tank via a fixing device, and the fixing method shown in fig. 7 is only an example and is not limited thereto.

The slide 17 extends in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the outer wall of the reaction tube, and the extending direction of the slide 17 is defined as the Y direction. One end of the first slider 14 is disposed in a track formed on the front surface side of the slide 17 so as to be capable of reciprocating in the Y direction which is the extending direction of the slide 17, the first slider 14 and the slide 17 are disposed perpendicular to each other, and the extending direction of the first slider 14 is defined as the X direction. The other end of the first slider 14 and the one end of the second slider 15 partially overlap in the Y direction, which is the extending direction of the slide 17, and are slidable in the X direction relative to each other, the one end of the second slider 15 is connected to the rail on the front surface side of the slide 17 via a spring 16, and the other end of the second slider 15 is fixed to the magnetic body 12 on the side opposite to the external wiper 11, perpendicular to the magnetic body 12.

With the above structure, the magnetic body 12 of the external washing mechanism 1 is attracted to the outer wall of the reaction tube by magnetic force when the magnet 21 of the internal washing mechanism 2 enters the reaction tube, and moves up and down along the outer wall of the reaction tube with the movement of the magnet 21 in the reaction tube, and drives the external wiper to wipe the outer wall of the reaction tube. Throughout the wiping process, the spring 16 is stretched. When the magnet 21 with the built-in washing mechanism 2 is removed from the reaction tube and the distance between the magnet and the magnetic body is longer than a predetermined distance, the magnetic wiper 10 returns to the initial position spaced apart from the outer wall of the reaction tube by the restoring force of the spring.

Thus, the biochemical analyzer according to the fourth embodiment can wipe only the outer wall of the reaction tube that needs to be wiped, and does not wipe the reaction tube that does not need to be wiped. Therefore, the number of useless wiping can be reduced, and the service life of the reaction tube can be prolonged.

(fifth embodiment)

The fifth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that, in order to secure the strength of the external washing mechanism, the slide is provided not in the vicinity of the reaction tank but in the vicinity of the magnetic wiper, and the spring is fixed to the reaction tank instead of the slide.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an external washing mechanism according to a fifth embodiment.

As shown in fig. 8, the moving mechanism 13 has a slide 17M and a spring 16M. The chute 17M has a surface side on which the magnetic wiper 10 is mounted and a back side opposite to the surface side, on which the rail is provided. In the magnetic wiper 10 including the external wiper 11 and the magnetic body 12, the surface of the magnetic body 12 opposite to the external wiper 11 is attached to the rail on the surface side of the slide rail 17M so that the magnetic wiper 10 can move freely in the vertical direction. The back surface side of the chute 17M is fixed in the reaction tank via a spring 16M. In other words, one end of the spring 16M is fixed to the reaction tank, and the other end is fixed to the back surface side of the chute 17M.

The spring force direction of the spring 16M, i.e., the X direction, is perpendicular to the extending direction of the slide 17M, the slide 17M extends in a direction parallel to the reaction tube, and the lower end of the slide 17M is in contact with the bottom of the reaction tank and is slidable in the X direction with respect to the bottom of the reaction tank.

In fig. 8, 2 springs 16M are provided between the back surface side of the chute 17M and the reaction tank, but the number thereof is not limited thereto and may be adjusted as needed. In addition, the type of the spring 16M is not limited.

Fig. 9A to 9C show the movement of the external washing mechanism according to the fifth embodiment from the time when the magnet enters the reaction tube to the time when the magnet descends to the bottom.

As shown in fig. 9A, when the external washing mechanism according to the fifth embodiment is used, when the magnet enters the reaction tube from above the reaction tube and the distance between the magnet and the magnetic body is longer than a predetermined distance, a fixed interval is maintained between the magnetic body and the outer wall of the reaction tube.

As shown in fig. 9B, when the magnet enters the reaction tube and the distance between the magnet and the magnetic body is less than a predetermined distance, the magnetic body is attracted toward the reaction tube by the magnetic force, and the spring is stretched. At this time, since the magnetic material is fixed to the slide, the slide is pulled toward the reaction tube in the direction of the arrow in the figure and slides along the bottom of the reaction vessel until the magnetic wiper hits the outer wall of the reaction tube.

Next, as shown in fig. 9C, after the magnetic wiper comes into contact with the outer wall of the reaction tube, the slide is held at a fixed position in the X direction, and the spring is held in a stretched state. At this time, the magnetic wiper outside the reaction tube moves in conjunction with the movement of the magnet, and can move in the vertical direction along the rail on the front surface side of the slide rail to wipe the outer wall of the reaction tube.

Finally, when the magnet is removed from the reaction tube, the slide and the magnetic wiper are restored to the original position together under the restoring force of the spring.

With the above configuration, when the magnet of the internal cleaning mechanism enters the reaction tube, the magnetic body of the external cleaning mechanism can be attracted to the outer wall of the reaction tube by magnetic force, and the outer wall of the reaction tube is wiped up and down in accordance with the movement of the magnet in the reaction tube, and when the magnet of the internal cleaning mechanism leaves the reaction tube, the external cleaning mechanism returns to the initial position spaced apart from the outer wall of the reaction tube.

Thus, the biochemical analyzer according to the fifth embodiment can wipe only the outer wall of the reaction tube that needs to be wiped, and does not wipe the reaction tube that does not need to be wiped. Therefore, the number of useless wiping can be reduced, and the service life of the reaction tube can be prolonged.

(sixth embodiment)

The sixth embodiment is the same as the fifth embodiment in that the slide is provided in the vicinity of the magnetic wiper in order to secure the strength of the external washing mechanism, and is different from the fifth embodiment in that the moving mechanism of the sixth embodiment includes a stopper in addition to the slide and the spring, and the stopper is fixed to the reaction vessel instead of the spring.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an external washing mechanism according to the sixth embodiment.

As shown in fig. 10, the moving mechanism 13 includes: a slide way 17C, a spring 16C and a stopper 18C, one end of the stopper 18C is fixed on the reaction tank, and the other end is connected to the slide way 17C via the spring 16C and stops the movement of the slide way in the elastic force direction.

Specifically, the chute 17C includes: a first portion 17C1 parallel to the reaction tube for the magnetic wiper 10 to be disposed, a second portion 17C2 connected to the spring 16C and restrained by a stopper, and a third portion 17C3 connecting the first portion 17C1 to the second portion 17C 2. The stopper 18C has a first portion 18C1 fixed to the reaction tank and perpendicular to the reaction tank and a second portion 18C2 connected to the spring 16C and parallel to the reaction tank. The spring 16C is disposed between the second portion of the stop 18C2 and the second portion of the slide 17C2, and the spring 16C is perpendicular to the second portion of the slide 17C2 relative to the second portion of the stop 18C 2.

The side of the first portion 17C1 of the chute opposite the second portion 17C2 has a track along which the magnetic wipes 10 are disposed and slide so that the magnetic wipes 10 can be moved up and down.

Fig. 11A to 11C show the movement of the external washing mechanism according to the sixth embodiment from the time when the magnet enters the reaction tube to the time when the magnet descends to the bottom.

As shown in fig. 11A, when the external washing mechanism according to the sixth embodiment is used, when the magnet enters the reaction tube from above the reaction tube and the distance between the magnet and the magnetic body is longer than a predetermined distance, a fixed interval is maintained between the magnetic body and the outer wall of the reaction tube.

As shown in fig. 11B, when the magnet enters the reaction tube and the distance between the magnet and the magnetic body is less than a predetermined distance, the magnetic body is attracted toward the reaction tube by the magnetic force. Since the magnetic body is fixed in the slide, the slide as a whole is pulled toward the reaction tube in the direction of the arrow in the figure until the magnetic wiper hits the outer wall of the reaction tube. At this point, the spring is compressed between the second portion of the stop and the second portion of the slide.

Next, as shown in fig. 11C, after the magnetic wiper comes into contact with the outer wall of the reaction tube, the slide is held at a fixed position in the X direction, and the spring is held in a compressed state. At this time, the magnetic wiper outside the reaction tube moves in conjunction with the movement of the magnet, and can move in the vertical direction along the rail on the front surface side of the slide rail to wipe the outer wall of the reaction tube.

Finally, when the magnet is removed from the reaction tube, the slide and the magnetic wiper are restored to the original position together under the restoring force of the spring.

Thus, the biochemical analyzer according to the sixth embodiment can wipe only the outer wall of the reaction tube that needs to be wiped, and does not wipe the reaction tube that does not need to be wiped. Therefore, the number of useless wiping can be reduced, and the service life of the reaction tube can be prolonged.

(seventh embodiment)

As described above, in the first to sixth embodiments, the case where the magnetic nozzle has a magnet and the magnetic wiper has a magnetic body has been described, but the magnetic nozzle may have a magnetic body and the magnetic wiper may have a magnet.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a biochemical analyzer according to the seventh embodiment.

As shown in fig. 12, a magnetic nozzle of the built-in washing mechanism uses a magnetic material instead of a magnet. In addition, a magnet is used instead of a magnetic body in a magnetic wiper of an external washing mechanism. In this case, however, it is to be noted that, in order to reliably generate the magnetic force, the polarities of the magnets provided on the front wall of the reaction tank and the magnets provided on the rear wall of the reaction tank need to be opposite. In fig. 12, the polarity of the magnets on the front wall of the reaction tank is the N-pole, and the polarity of the magnets on the rear wall of the reaction tank is the S-pole.

By adopting the configuration of the seventh embodiment, it is also possible to wipe only the outer wall of the reaction tube that needs to be wiped, and not wipe the reaction tube that does not need to be wiped. Therefore, the number of useless wiping can be reduced, and the service life of the reaction tube can be prolonged.

Although fig. 12 illustrates the same configuration as that of the fifth embodiment, the configuration in which the magnetic nozzle has a magnetic body and the magnetic wiper has a magnet is also applicable to the other embodiments described above.

(eighth embodiment)

Fig. 13A is a schematic plan view showing a nozzle held by the holding mechanism of the eighth embodiment. Fig. 13B is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a biochemical analyzer according to the eighth embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the external cleaning mechanism can also be configured to wipe the outer wall of the reaction tube in conjunction with the operation of one of the plurality of nozzles held by the holding mechanism.

In the eighth embodiment, the nozzles held by the holding mechanism include nozzles for water injection denoted by numeral ninthly in addition to the nozzles (first to (r) — that clean and dry the inner wall of the reaction tube in the related art. And the nozzle is one of the plurality of nozzles linked with the external cleaning mechanism.

Nozzles (i) to (ii) are provided directly above the reaction tube and arranged side by side with each other, and can enter the reaction tube as necessary. The nozzle ninthly to the nozzles (1) to (viii) are not arranged side by side, and are not arranged directly above the reaction tube but arranged above an outer region of the reaction tube, that is, arranged obliquely above the reaction tube. The nozzle ninthly sprays water from above the impeller in an external cleaning mechanism to be described later to rotate the impeller without entering the inside of the reaction tube. The nozzle which does not enter the reaction tube is also referred to as a water jet nozzle. In this embodiment, the external cleaning mechanism includes a first external cleaning mechanism and a second external cleaning mechanism. The first external cleaning mechanism comprises a base, a rotating shaft, an impeller and a first magnetic wiper. In the first external washing mechanism, the base is fixed to the reaction tank so as to extend in the vertical direction, but the form is not limited as long as the base can fix the rotating shaft and the impeller. A base, a rotating shaft, an impeller and a first magnetic wiper are sequentially arranged from the inner wall of the reaction tank to the reaction tube. The impeller is formed in a disk shape, for example, and is fixed to the base through the rotation shaft, and the impeller is positioned directly below the nozzle ninthly and is rotated by the water ejected from the nozzle ninthly. The impeller is clamped between the base and the magnet, a first magnetic wiper is arranged on one side of the impeller close to the reaction tube, and the first magnetic wiper is clamped between the reaction tube and the impeller in a mode that a wiping surface contacts the reaction tube and a magnetic surface contacts the impeller. The first magnetic wiper is composed of, for example, a magnet and a wiper, and the wiper may be a brush, a sponge, or the like capable of wiping. When the impeller is impacted by water flow and rotates, the magnet and the wiper arranged on the magnet are driven to rotate together. The length of the wiper is set to, for example, half the height of the outer wall of the reaction tube, so that the entire height area of the reaction tube can be wiped when the wiper rotates.

The second external washing means is disposed at a position facing the first external washing means with the reaction tube interposed therebetween. The second external cleaning mechanism comprises a base, a rotating shaft and a second magnetic wiper. In the second external washing mechanism, the base is fixed to the reaction vessel so as to extend in the vertical direction, but the form is not limited as long as the base can fix the rotating shaft and the impeller. A base, a rotating shaft and a second magnetic wiper are sequentially arranged from the inner wall of the reaction tank to the reaction tube. Compared with the first external cleaning mechanism, the second external cleaning mechanism is not provided with an impeller, and the second magnetic wiper is fixed on the base of the reaction tank through the rotating shaft. That is, the second magnetic wiper is disposed at a position facing the first magnetic wiper across the reaction tube so that the wiping surface contacts the reaction tube and the magnetic surface is fixed in the reaction tank. The second magnetic wiper is also composed of, for example, a magnet and a wiper, and the wiper may be a brush or a sponge that can perform a wiping function.

The second magnetic wipes in the second external cleaning mechanism are opposite in magnetism to the first magnetic wipes in the first external cleaning mechanism. When the magnetism of the first magnetic wiping object is the N pole, the magnetism of the second magnetic wiping object is the S pole, and when the magnetism of the first magnetic wiping object is the S pole, the magnetism of the second magnetic wiping object is the N pole. In this case, it is not necessary to limit the magnetic poles of the magnets, and the second magnetic wiper may rotate together with the first magnetic wiper.

Because the polarity of the first magnetic wiper is opposite to that of the second magnetic wiper, when the first magnetic wiper rotates along with the impeller, the second magnetic wiper rotates along with the first magnetic wiper based on the action of magnetic force, and wipes the outer wall of the reaction tube in a manner of rotating around the circumference. The wipes provided on the second magnetic wipe may be constructed the same as the wipes provided on the first magnetic wipe.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the outer walls of the reaction tubes on both sides can be cleaned by spraying water only to the external cleaning mechanism on one side.

In addition, in this embodiment, the on/off of water in the flow path of the nozzle ninthly can be controlled. Therefore, the outer wall of the reaction tube can be wiped by turning on the water in the flow path only when the reaction tube to be wiped reaches a predetermined position, and the outer wall of the reaction tube can be wiped without turning on the water in the flow path for the reaction tube not to be wiped, so that the number of useless wiping can be reduced and the service life of the reaction tube can be prolonged.

(ninth embodiment)

Fig. 14A is a schematic plan view showing a nozzle held by the holding mechanism of the ninth embodiment. Fig. 14B is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a biochemical analyzer according to the ninth embodiment.

In the first to eighth embodiments, the case where the outer wall of the reaction vessel is wiped by magnetic force is described. However, the outer wall of the reaction tank may be wiped without using a magnetic force.

In the present embodiment, the external cleaning mechanism can also be configured to wipe the outer wall of the reaction tube in conjunction with the operation of one of the plurality of nozzles held by the holding mechanism.

In a ninth embodiment, an external washing mechanism includes: connecting plate, guide slot, chain and wiper. The chain is a member that can move freely in the bent guide groove and applies a predetermined pressing force to the wiper, and examples thereof include a hinge having deformation and restoration capabilities, a member that can be bent or folded other than the hinge, for example, a titanium alloy material having elasticity, and a member such as a wire having predetermined rigidity and predetermined bending capabilities.

In the ninth embodiment, one of the plurality of nozzles arranged in the holding mechanism is a first nozzle which is positioned directly above the reaction tube and which can move in and out of the reaction tube in the vertical direction. The first nozzle is a nozzle linked with an external cleaning mechanism. In this embodiment, a case where the first nozzle is a nozzle having dry cotton attached to the lower portion thereof is exemplified, and the reaction tube is dried when the first nozzle enters the reaction tube. However, the first nozzle may be a nozzle that performs another function as long as the first nozzle can be interlocked with the external cleaning mechanism.

The holding mechanism is provided with 2 connecting plates extending downward from the lower surface of the holding mechanism in addition to the plurality of nozzles arranged in line. The 2 connection plates are disposed on opposite sides with the first nozzle on the holding mechanism interposed therebetween. One end of a chain is arranged at the lower end of each connecting plate, and a wiping object for wiping is arranged at the other end of the chain.

By arranging the 2 connection plates and the first nozzle on the same plane, the external cleaning mechanism can wipe the outer wall of the reaction tube into and out of which the first nozzle is inserted based on the movement of the first nozzle, in other words, the movement of the first nozzle into and out of the reaction tube is selected as the reaction tube to be wiped, and the outer wall of the selected reaction tube is wiped by the wiper.

A guide groove for guiding the movement locus of the chain and the wiper is disposed in the reaction tank. The side of the guide groove opposite to the reaction tube is provided with an opening, the chain is positioned in the guide groove, and the wiper connected with the chain is positioned outside the guide groove and is contacted with the outer wall of the reaction tube. The wiper is sandwiched between the guide groove and the outer wall of the reaction tube and is connected to the other end of the chain via the opening.

The lower part of the guide groove is arranged closer to the reaction tube than the upper part of the guide groove. The relative position of the lower part of the guide groove and the reaction tube determines the wiping force. When the lower part of the guide groove is close to the reaction tube, the pressing force is large. When the lower part of the guide groove is far away from the reaction tube, the pressing force is small. In order to reliably wipe the outer wall of the reaction tube, the distance between the lower part of the guide groove and the reaction tube should be equal to or less than the thickness of the wiper. The lower part of the guide groove extends in the vertical direction in parallel with the reaction tube by a certain height, which is a range in which the reaction tube can be wiped by the wiper and is required to satisfy the light irradiation requirement in the biochemical analysis.

The upper part of the guide groove is arranged in a path through which the 2 connecting plates move up and down, and when the connecting plates descend, the lower ends of the connecting plates enter the guide groove.

The middle part of the guide groove connects the lower part and the upper part of the guide groove and inclines from one side close to the reaction tube to one side far away from the reaction tube. Thereby, the wipe with wiping completed can be returned from the pressed state to the non-pressed state and taken out from the upper portion of the guide groove.

Fig. 15A to 15C show an operation mode of the biochemical analyzer according to the ninth embodiment. The driving mechanism is, for example, a lifting mechanism, and can drive the first nozzle, the connecting plate, the chain and the wiper to move in the vertical direction.

Fig. 15A shows a case where the first nozzle enters the bottom of the reaction tube and the wiper is at the bottom of the outside of the reaction tube. Fig. 15B shows a case where the wiper is in the middle of the outside of the reaction tube as the first nozzle moves. Fig. 15C shows a case where the wiper is located at the upper part of the outside of the reaction tube when the first nozzle does not enter the inside of the reaction tube.

When the elevating mechanism descends, the wiper wipes from the upper portion of the reaction tube to the lower portion of the reaction tube in the order of fig. 15C to 15A, and when the elevating mechanism ascends, the wiper wipes from the lower portion of the reaction tube to the upper portion of the reaction tube in the order of fig. 15A to 15C. With the above-described configuration of the ninth embodiment, the outer wall of the reaction vessel can be cleaned as the first nozzle enters the reaction tube. In the reaction tube which does not need to be wiped, the built-in cleaning mechanism does not enter the reaction tube, so that the wiping of the outer wall of the reaction tube is not performed, the useless wiping times can be reduced, and the service life of the reaction tube can be prolonged.

Although the biochemical analyzer has been described in several modifications, the configuration shown in the drawings is merely an example and is not limited to the configuration of the biochemical analyzer shown in the drawings. The gist of the present invention also includes combinations of the respective constituent elements of the biochemical analyzer, additions, omissions, and modifications of the constituent elements, and the like. The present invention also includes a reaction tube cleaning apparatus including an internal cleaning mechanism and an external cleaning mechanism according to each of the embodiments and modifications thereof.

Claims (23)

1. A biochemical analyzer is characterized by comprising:

the reaction tube is used for accommodating a sample to be tested;

a holding mechanism that holds the plurality of nozzles; and

and an external cleaning mechanism which is provided in the reaction tank and located outside the reaction tube, and wipes the outer wall of the reaction tube in conjunction with the operation of one of the plurality of nozzles held by the holding mechanism.

2. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 1,

the external cleaning mechanism wipes the outer wall of the reaction tube in a mode of moving up and down along the height direction of the outer wall of the reaction tube.

3. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 1,

the external cleaning mechanism wipes the outer wall of the reaction tube in a mode of moving along the circumference of the outer wall of the reaction tube.

4. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 1,

the external cleaning mechanism wipes the outer wall of the reaction tube in conjunction with the movement of one of the plurality of nozzles in the reaction tube.

5. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 1,

the one of the plurality of nozzles is a water spray nozzle which is positioned obliquely above the reaction tube, cannot enter the reaction tube and can spray water to the external washing mechanism,

the external cleaning mechanism is linked with the water spray of the water spray nozzle to wipe the outer wall of the reaction tube.

6. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 1,

also comprises a built-in cleaning mechanism which is provided with a cleaning device,

the built-in washing mechanism includes a magnetic nozzle which is held by the holding mechanism and can move in and out of the reaction tube in the vertical direction by being driven by a driving mechanism, the magnetic nozzle being the one of the plurality of nozzles,

the external cleaning mechanism is provided with a magnetic wiper,

the internal cleaning mechanism and the external cleaning mechanism attract each other under the action of magnetic force.

7. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 6,

the magnetic nozzle has one of a magnet and a magnetic body, and is formed into a rod-shaped body extending along the vertical direction,

the upper end of the magnetic nozzle is connected to the holding mechanism, and in the magnetic nozzle, one of the magnet and the magnetic body is located at the lower part of the magnetic nozzle.

8. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 7,

the external cleaning mechanism is also provided with a moving mechanism,

the magnetic wiper is composed of an external wiper and the other of the magnet and the magnetic body,

the moving mechanism is fixed in the reaction tank and holds the magnetic wiper,

the outer wiper of the magnetic wipers is disposed to face the outer wall of the reaction tube with a gap therebetween, and the other of the magnet and the magnetic body is located on the opposite side of the outer wiper from the reaction tube,

the rod-shaped body moves in the reaction tube, the magnetic wiper is moved toward the reaction tube by a magnetic force, and the magnetic wiper slides up and down along the outer wall of the reaction tube by the moving mechanism to wipe the reaction tube.

9. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 7,

the built-in washing mechanism further comprises a limiting block, and the limiting block limits the track of the magnetic nozzle moving along the vertical direction so that the magnetic nozzle is not inclined.

10. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 9,

the limiting block is arranged on one part of the magnetic nozzle in a mode of coating the magnetic nozzle and is made of soft materials, and the size of the limiting block is smaller than or equal to the inner diameter of the reaction tube.

11. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 7,

the built-in washing mechanism further includes a nozzle different from the magnetic nozzle for washing and drying the inner wall of the reaction tube.

12. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 7,

the magnetic nozzle is also provided with a dry object which is connected below one of the magnet and the magnetic body, and moves up and down together with one of the magnet and the magnetic body under the driving of the driving mechanism to dry the inner wall of the reaction tube.

13. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 12,

the built-in washing mechanism further includes a nozzle different from the magnetic nozzle for washing the inner wall of the reaction tube.

14. The biochemical analysis device according to any one of claims 1 to 13,

the external cleaning mechanisms are provided in plurality, are provided at least on the front wall and the rear wall of the reaction tank, and wipe the front surface and the rear surface of the reaction tube.

15. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 14,

in the case where the internal washing mechanism includes a magnetic body and the external washing mechanism includes a magnet, the magnet provided on the front wall of the reaction tank and the magnet provided on the rear wall of the reaction tank have opposite polarities.

16. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 8,

the moving mechanism includes: a first slide block, a second slide block, a spring and a slide way,

the slide way is fixed on the reaction tank,

one end portion of the first slider is disposed in the slide so as to be capable of reciprocating in an extending direction of the slide, and the other end portion of the first slider partially overlaps with one end portion of the second slider in the extending direction of the slide and is capable of relatively sliding in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction,

the one end of the second slider is connected to the slide via the spring, and the other end of the second slider is connected to one of the magnet and the magnetic body.

17. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 8,

the moving mechanism includes: a slide way and a spring, wherein the slide way is arranged on the upper end of the slide way,

one end part of the spring is fixed on the reaction tank, the other end part of the spring is fixed on the back side of the slideway, the elastic direction of the spring is vertical to the extending direction of the slideway,

the slide extends along the direction parallel with the reaction tube, and the magnetic wiper is arranged in the slide and can reciprocate along the extending direction of the slide.

18. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 8,

the moving mechanism includes: a slide way, a spring and a stop block,

one end part of the block is fixed on the reaction tank, the other end part of the block is connected to the slide way through the spring and blocks the slide way from moving in the elastic force direction,

the slide has: a first portion provided for the magnetic wiper in parallel with the reaction tube, a second portion connected to the spring and restrained by the stopper, and a third portion connecting the first portion and the second portion.

19. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 4,

the one of the plurality of nozzles is a first nozzle which is positioned right above the reaction tube and can move in and out of the reaction tube along the vertical direction,

the external washing mechanism comprises: a connecting plate, a guide groove, a chain and a wiper,

the connecting plate is held by the holding mechanism and extends downward, is positioned at two sides of the first nozzle and is arranged on the same plane with the first nozzle, the lower end of the connecting plate is connected with the chain,

the guide groove guides the movement of the chain,

the wiper is connected to the lower end of the chain, is clamped between the guide groove and the reaction tube, and wipes the outer wall of the reaction tube.

20. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 19,

the guide groove is provided such that the distance between the lower portion and the reaction tube is smaller than the upper portion, and the distance between the lower portion and the reaction tube is equal to or less than the thickness of the wiper.

21. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 5,

the external washing mechanism comprises a first external washing mechanism, and the first external washing mechanism comprises: an impeller and a first magnetic wiper, wherein the first magnetic wiper is arranged in the impeller,

the impeller is fixed in the reaction tank and positioned just below the water spray nozzle, and is rotated by the water sprayed from the water spray nozzle,

the first magnetic wiper is interposed between the reaction tube and the impeller so that a wiping surface contacts the reaction tube and a magnetic surface contacts the impeller.

22. The biochemical analysis device according to claim 21,

the external cleaning mechanism further comprises a second external cleaning mechanism comprising a second magnetic wiper,

the second magnetic wiper is disposed at a position facing the first magnetic wiper across the reaction tube so that a wiping surface thereof is in contact with the reaction tube and a magnetic surface thereof is fixed to the reaction vessel,

the first magnetic wipe is opposite in magnetism from the second magnetic wipe.

23. A reaction tube cleaning device is characterized by comprising:

a holding mechanism that holds the plurality of nozzles; and

and an external cleaning mechanism which is provided in the reaction tank and located outside the reaction tube, and wipes the outer wall of the reaction tube in conjunction with the operation of one of the plurality of nozzles held by the holding mechanism.

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