JP2003222632A - Laterally transferring device of sample rack and sample rack supplying device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sample rack transferring mechanism having a structure resistant to step-out and damage even when other external force is applied while transferring a sample rack. <P>SOLUTION: The sample rack laterally transferring device comprises a transferring path 12 connecting a transfer starting unit 12A, a processing unit 12B, and a transfer terminating unit 12C; and a laterally transferring mechanism transferring a sample rack and arranged on the transferring path. The transferring path comprises a flat table 14 and side walls 20, 21 guiding a transferring direction. The table is provided with notches 15, 16, 17 along the transferring path. The laterally transferring mechanism comprises a slider arranged under the table and capable of moving along the transferring path, and a transfer driving unit for the slider. The slider is provided with a protrusion 53 capable of taking two states: a state where it protrudes from the notch over the table such that it becomes capable of abutting on the sample rack, or a state where it is immersed under the table such that the abutting state is released. The protrusion is configured such that it is immersed under the condition that external force other than the direction of transferring sample rack is applied. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sample rack for performing sample processing (various processes such as pretreatment, analysis, inspection and preparation) using a sample rack that holds a plurality of sample containers in a row. The present invention relates to a sample rack lateral transporting device that laterally transports samples in the column direction and a sample rack supply device that uses the sample rack lateral transporting device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a blood analyzer or the like, a sample rack capable of holding samples in a plurality of sample containers in order to analyze a large number of samples is used for storage and transfer. There is. Further, in these devices, since it is required to improve the processing capacity and save labor, an automatic sample rack transporting device capable of automatically transporting the sample rack to perform the processing is attached.

As an example of a conventional sample rack transport device,
First, there is the one described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-154834. In this device, the sample rack placed on the stocker is sent to the transport start position, the transport device sends it from the transport start position to the inspection unit, and after the inspection in the inspection unit is finished, the transport device finishes the transport from the inspection unit. It is to send to the position.

The transport mechanism used in this transport device will be described. In the sample rack used in this transport apparatus, a concave portion corresponding to each sample position is formed at the bottom of the sample rack. A lever that performs rotational movement is attached to the bottom surface of the transport path.When this lever rotates and faces upward, the lever enters the concave portion of the sample rack and moves the sample rack a certain distance as the lever rotates. Then, the lever separates from the sample rack. When the lever is further rotated and the lever is turned upward again, the operation of moving the sample rack a predetermined distance by inserting the lever into the recess next to the previous recess is repeated. Thus, the sample rack can be intermittently transported so that the sample can be processed while the sample rack is stopped.

[0005] As a second conventional example, an actual exploitation 63
There is one described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 141455/1989. In this device, the sample rack is placed on a conveyor on a belt and is transported.

[0006]

Among the above-mentioned conventional examples,
In the first example, it is necessary to form as many recesses as the number of samples held in the sample rack. Also, if external force is applied to the sample rack that is engaged with the lever due to other sample racks entering the transport path when the lever is in the recess, the lever may lose step or be damaged. become.
On the other hand, in the case of the second example, when an external force is applied to the sample rack, a position shift easily occurs, so that it becomes difficult to detect the position of the sample container.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sample rack transporting device which can transport a sample rack reliably without providing one or no recess formed in the sample rack.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a transport mechanism having a structure in which out-of-step or damage is unlikely to occur even if another external force is applied during transport of the sample rack.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is directed to a sample rack that holds a plurality of sample containers arranged in a row in a row direction in which the sample containers are arranged from the rack transport start portion. Direction and convey to the processing section,
Further, a sample rack lateral transport device that transports the sample rack from the processing unit to the rack transport end unit that finishes transporting the sample rack,
The sample rack lateral transport device consists of a transport path that connects the rack transport start section, the processing section, and the rack transport end section, and a horizontal transport mechanism that transports the sample rack on the transport path. A sample rack can be placed on the transport path. A flat table and a side wall that guides so that the transport direction is a linear direction that coincides with the column direction in which the sample containers on the sample rack are arranged, and the table has a notch formed along the transport path. The horizontal transport mechanism
It consists of a slider under the table and movable along the transport path, and a transport drive unit for driving the slider to move forward and backward along the transport path, and the slider can contact the sample rack on the table. The protrusion is attached to the protrusion so that it can take two states, that is, the state of protruding from the notch above the table and the state of being buried under the table so that the contact state with the sample rack is released. Is attached with an urging member for urging it to be in a protruding state when an external force other than the sample rack transport direction is not applied, and for burying it when an external force other than the sample rack transport direction is applied. ing.

According to the sample rack lateral transfer apparatus of the present invention, the rack transfer start section for starting the transfer of the sample rack to be processed, the processing section for processing the sample held in the sample rack, and the processing section A transport path of the sample rack that connects the rack transport end portion that terminates the transport of the sample rack after performing the above is formed.

The transport path is formed on a table on which a sample rack can be placed. Then, the transport direction of the sample racks in the transport path should be aligned with the lateral direction that is the column direction of the sample containers on the sample rack (the longitudinal direction of the sample racks in which the samples are arranged in a row is called the lateral direction). It is formed in a straight line. That is, in the state where the sample rack is set at the rack transport start portion, a linear sample rack transport path is formed in the longitudinal direction of the sample rack at that position.

Further, a linear notch is formed on the table surface along the conveying path. The lateral transport mechanism for transporting the sample rack on the transport path is composed of a slider that is under the table and movable along the transport path, and a transport drive unit for driving the slider forward and backward along the transport path. .

In this transport drive unit, the slider is placed on the rail, and the driving force from the motor is transmitted to the slider by a power transmission mechanism such as a belt so that the slider can move forward and backward on the rail.

The slider is provided with a protrusion that can assume two states. That is, the first state of protruding from the notch of the table surface onto the table so as to be able to contact the sample rack on the table can be taken, and the contact state with the sample rack is released. A protrusion, which is buried under the table and can assume a second state, is attached to the slider.

A biasing member is attached to the protrusion. The urging member urges the protrusion so that the protrusion protrudes from the table when no external force other than the conveying direction is applied to the protrusion, and an external force against the urging member is applied in a direction other than the conveying direction. And is buried. That is, when an external force against the biasing member is applied to the protrusion, the protrusion is buried.

Then, the sample rack to be processed is set at the rack transport start portion, and the projection attached to the slider of the lateral transport mechanism takes the first state of projecting on the table, whereby the projection and the sample rack are placed. And abut. If a concave portion (one place) is provided on the bottom of the sample rack, the abutting position can be brought into contact with the concave portion by the protrusion portion. Further, when the concave portion is not provided, the sample rack may be brought into contact with the side wall surface (the side wall surface on the rear side with respect to the traveling direction) of the sample rack.

When the transport drive section of the horizontal transport mechanism is driven in this state, the slider moves, and the sample rack is pushed by the protrusion of the slider and moves along the transport path. When an external force other than the transport direction acts on the protrusion while the sample rack is being transported or when the sample rack is not placed, if the external force exceeds the drag force of the biasing member, the protrusion will be buried. . Therefore, the protrusion is not damaged.

Two protrusions are attached to the slider with an interval longer than the length of the sample rack in the column direction, and these protrusions are linked by a link mechanism so as to interlock between the protruding state and the buried state. You may do it. further,
Two protrusions are attached to the slider, of which the first protrusion conveys the sample rack placed on the rack conveyance start portion toward the processing unit, and the second protrusion conveys to the processing unit. The sample rack may be transported to the rack transport end portion. As a result, two sample racks can be placed on the transport path at the same time and efficiently transported.

Further, there is provided a start stocker on which a sample rack to be sent to the rack transfer start section is mounted, and a sample rack sending mechanism for sending the sample rack mounted on the start stocker to the rack transfer start section. When the sample rack stocked in the start stocker enters the transport path and comes into contact with the protrusions, the protrusions have a force to resist the biasing member and transition from the protrusion state to the buried state. The start stocker side of the protrusion may be an inclined surface so as to work. With this, when another sample rack enters the transport path from the start stocker and an external force acts on the protrusion, a force against the biasing member is easily applied and the protrusion can be embedded.

In addition, when the slider transports the previous sample rack and then returns to the rack transport start portion for transporting the subsequent sample rack, the sample rack existing in the transport path comes into contact with the projecting portion. In addition, the return direction side of the protrusion may be an inclined surface so that the force for the protrusion to move from the protruding state to the buried state acts against the biasing member. As a result, even if the slider moves backward toward the transport start portion while another sample rack has entered the rack transport start portion, a force against the biasing member is easily applied to the protrusion portion Can be buried.

Further, the slider is provided with a marker for detecting a position corresponding to each sample container position of the sample rack which is transported as the slider moves, and a sensor for detecting the marker is attached to the processing section. May be attached, and the transport drive unit may include a control unit that performs control for intermittently repeating forward movement and stop every time the sensor detects the marker. As a result, the slider can perform processing by stopping the sample rack at each sample position.

Further, in the sample rack supply device of the present invention made to solve the above problems, the sample rack for arranging and holding a plurality of sample containers in a row is arranged in the column direction in which the sample containers are lined up from the rack transport start portion. A sample rack lateral transport device that transports the sample horizontally to the processing unit and then transports it from the processing unit to the rack transport end unit that finishes transporting the sample rack and a sample rack that sends it to the rack transport start unit are placed. A start stocker, a sample rack feeding mechanism for feeding the sample racks placed on the start stocker to the rack transport start section, and a sample rack sending mechanism for unloading the sample rack transported to the rack transport end section from the rack transport end section And a sample rack supply device including an end stocker for mounting the sample rack carried out by the sample rack sending mechanism. Thus, the sample rack lateral transport device is composed of a transport path connecting the rack transport start section, the processing section, and the rack transport end section, and a horizontal transport mechanism for transporting the sample rack on the transport path. It consists of a flat table that can be placed and a side wall that guides the transport direction to a linear direction that matches the row direction of the sample containers on the sample rack.The table also has notches along the transport path. The lateral transport mechanism is formed of a slider that is under the table and movable along the transport path, and a transport drive unit that drives the slider to move forward and backward along the transport path. Of the sample rack so that the sample rack can be brought into contact with the sample rack and the state where the sample rack is buried under the table so that the state of contact with the sample rack can be released. A protruding part is attached, and the protruding part is urged so as to be in a protruding state when an external force other than the sample rack transport direction is not applied, and it is buried when an external force other than the sample rack transport direction is applied. A biasing member is attached to

According to the present invention, the sample rack placed on the start stocker is sent to the rack transport start portion by the sample rack sending mechanism. The sample rack that has been sent to the rack transfer start section is subjected to processing while being horizontally transferred by the horizontal transfer mechanism, and then sent to the rack transfer end section. The sample rack transported to the rack transport end section is sent to the end stocker by the sample rack sending mechanism. As a result, a plurality of sample racks can be continuously supplied and unloaded. At that time, even if the detection rack is forcibly manually inserted into the transport path and external force is applied to the projection, the projection is easily buried and is not damaged.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, a sample rack supply device for a blood analyzer will be described as an example. The sample rack 2 used in this sample rack supply device has a plurality of holes 3 formed in a row as shown in FIG. 3 so that a plurality of samples contained in a sample container 4 can be held side by side in the holes 3. is there. A through hole 5 is formed on the side surface of the sample rack 2 so that the side surface of the held sample container 4 can be seen. When the sample is analyzed, the optical measurement can be performed by irradiating the measurement light so as to pass through the through hole 5.

Further, a concave portion 6 is formed on the bottom surface of the sample rack 2 so that the projections 53 and 54 of the lateral transport mechanism 50, which constitutes the sample rack transporting device described later, enter the concave portion 6 and contact the concave side surface 7. It has become.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a sample rack lateral transporting apparatus for a blood analyzer and a sample rack supplying apparatus including this sample rack lateral transporting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The sample rack supply device 10 includes a start stocker 11 for stocking a plurality of sample racks 2 before analysis, a transport path 12 for transporting each sample held in the sample rack 2, An end stocker 13 for stocking a plurality of sample racks 2 for which analysis has been completed is formed in a “U” shape. Start stocker 1
1, the transport path 12, the end stocker 13 is a sample rack 2
It is formed on a continuous flat table surface so that it can be fed while sliding.

Of these, a portion including the transport path 12 and a lateral transport mechanism 50, which will be described later, for laterally transporting the sample rack 2 in the transport path 12 is particularly called a "sample rack lateral transport device".

The transport path 12 starts from the rack transport start section 12A and goes through the analysis section 12B to the rack transport end section 1
It is formed linearly up to 2C. The rack transport starting section 12A is connected to the start stocker 11,
The sample racks 2 stocked in the start stocker 11 are sent to the position of the rack transport start section 12A.

The rack transport end section 12C is connected to the end stocker 13, and the sample rack 2 sent to the rack transport end section 12C is carried out to the end stocker 13.

Side walls 20 and 21 are provided so that the width of the analysis section 12B in the middle of the transport path 12 matches the width of the sample rack in the vertical direction (short direction of the sample rack), and the sample rack 2 is in the horizontal direction of the sample rack. The guide is provided so that the sample can be fed straight along (long direction of the sample rack).

Start stocker 11 and end stocker 1
3, the side walls 22, 23, 24, 25 are formed so that the widths of the sample racks 3 match the length of the sample rack in the longitudinal direction, and the sample racks 2 can be stocked in a line in the vertical direction. There is.

Both side walls 22, 23 of the start stocker 11
A cutout 15 is formed in the cutout 15, and a claw portion 33 of a sample rack feeding mechanism 30 described later is attached so as to project from the cutout 15 into the start stocker 11.
Then, the claw portion 33 moves and the sample rack 2 stocked in the start stocker 11 is pushed, so that the sample rack 2 can be moved toward the rack transport start portion 12A.

A sensor 112 (for example, a sensor using a mechanical switch) for detecting the presence / absence of the sample rack 2 is attached to the rack transfer start section 12A, and the sample rack 2 transfers the sample rack 2 to the control section 110 described later. Tells if it exists at the location.

A notch 16 is formed along the transport path 12 on the bottom surface (table surface) of the transport path 12. The notch 16 is formed so that a first protrusion 53 and a second protrusion 54 of a lateral transport mechanism 50, which will be described later, of the “sample rack lateral transport device” project and are pushed by these protrusions 53, 54. As a result, the sample rack 2 in the transport path 12 moves from the rack transport start portion 12A to the rack transport end portion 12C.

Side wall 20C on the far side of the end stocker 13
A notch 17 is formed in (a side wall surface of the rack transport end portion 12C opposite to the end stocker 13 side), and a pair of levers 10 of a sample rack delivery mechanism 100 described later is formed.
2, 103 can be projected from the notch 17. Then, by being pushed by the levers 102 and 103, the sample rack 2 sent to the rack transport end portion 12C is carried out from the rack transport end portion 12C to the end stocker 13 side.

A sensor 114 (for example, a sensor using a mechanical switch) for detecting the presence / absence of the sample rack 2 is attached to the rack transport end section 12C, and the sample rack 2 transport end section 12C is attached to a control unit 110 described later. Tells if it exists at the location.

A measurement light source 18 and a light receiving unit 19 are attached to the analysis unit 12B in the middle of the transport path 12 so as to form a pair, and optical measurement of a sample can be performed.

When the "sample rack lateral transport device" is used in the analyzer, an analyzer 12B is provided in the middle of the transport path 12, but it is used in the pretreatment device. Depending on the purpose of the device, it may be changed to the pretreatment unit, the inspection unit in the case of the inspection device, and the preparation unit in the case of the preparation device. Further, a plurality of processes may be continuously executed, as in the case where the pretreatment unit and the analysis unit are continuously provided.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the three sample rack transport mechanisms inside the sample rack supply device of FIG. The sample rack 2 is transported by the sample rack feeding mechanism 30 that transports the sample rack 2 in the start stocker 11 to the rack transport start section 12A, and the lateral transport that transports the sample rack 2 from the rack transport start section 12A to the rack transport end section 12C. The mechanism 50 (the horizontal transport mechanism 50 and the transport path 12 configure a “sample rack horizontal transport device”) and the sample rack delivery mechanism 100 that transports the sample rack 2 at the rack transport end portion 12C.

The sample rack feeding mechanism 30 includes the rail 3
A stage 32 that can move forward and backward on 1
Notch 15 fixed on stage 32 (see FIG. 1)
The claw portion 33 is attached so as to project into the start stocker 11, the motor 34 serving as a drive source, and the power transmission mechanism 35 for transmitting the driving force of the motor 34 to the stage 32. Although various types of mechanisms can be used as the power transmission mechanism 35, in this embodiment, the rotational driving force of the motor 34 is transmitted to the belt by using a pulley and a belt, and the stage 32 is attached to a part of the belt. The stage 32 is used so that the stage 32 can be moved forward and backward.

Then, as the stage 32 moves forward, the claw portion 33 moves the sample rack 2 stocked in the start stocker 11 toward the rack transport start portion 12A.

The lateral transport mechanism 50 mainly comprises a slider 51.
And a transport drive unit 52 that drives the slider 51. The slider 51 is provided with a first protrusion 53 and a second protrusion 54, and these protrusions 53, 54
It is mounted so as to protrude from the notch 16 (see FIG. 1) in the inner wall 2. The first protrusion 53 and the second protrusion 54 are attached to the slider 51 with a space therebetween so that the sample rack 2 can be inserted therebetween.

Then, the slider 5 is moved by the transport driving unit 52.
1 moves, so that the protrusions 53 and 54 move the conveyance path 1
The sample rack 2 on the upper side 2 is transported to the rack transport end portion 12C. The detailed configuration of the lateral transport mechanism 50 will be described later.

The sample rack delivery mechanism 100 is attached to the back of the side wall surface 20C (see FIG. 1) on the back side of the rack transport end portion 12C. Sample rack sending mechanism 10
At 0, a pair of levers 102 and 103 for pushing out the sample rack 2 to the end stocker 13 is attached to the rack transport end portion 12C on the opposite side of the end stocker 13. The levers 102 and 103 are the support shaft 104 and
It is supported by 105, and the support shafts 104, 105 are connected by a belt 106. And one support shaft 10
4, the motor 107 is directly connected, and when the support shaft 104 rotates due to the rotation of the motor 107, the support shaft 105 rotates in conjunction with this and the two levers 102 and 103 rotate at the same time. You can do it. By the rotation of the levers 102 and 103, the sample rack 2 is pushed out from the rack transport end portion 12C and is carried out to the end stocker 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation of each of the three transport mechanisms, that is, the sample rack feed transport mechanism 30, the lateral transport mechanism 50, and the sample rack transport mechanism 100 is controlled by the controller 110. The control unit 110 executes control based on a program stored in the memory in advance, and is configured by a known computer device including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM.

The control unit 110 includes a rack transport start unit 1
2A and whether or not the sample rack exists in the rack transport end portion 12C is confirmed by the signals from the sensors 112 and 114.
Controls the operation of one transport mechanism.

Next, the detailed structure of the lateral transport mechanism 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6
[Fig. 4] is a front view, a plan view, and a right side view showing the overall structure of the lateral transport mechanism 50. Further, FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show the slider 51.
3 is a left side view, a plan view, and a right side view of FIG. Also, in FIG.
FIG. 11 shows the first protrusion 53 and the second protrusion 5 of the slider 51.
4 is a perspective view for explaining a mounting position relationship and an operation of No. 4 of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the lateral transport mechanism 50 is used.
Is composed of a slider 51 and a conveyance drive unit 52.
The transport drive unit 52 includes an upper surface 55, a left side surface 56, and a right side surface 57.
A base 58 having three surfaces, a rail 59 fixed on the upper surface 55 for moving the slider 51, a left side surface 5
6, a main pulley 60 and a sub-pulley 61, a belt 62 connecting the main pulley 60 and the sub-pulley 61, and a connecting fitting 6 for connecting the belt 62 and the slider 51.
3. The motor 64 is directly connected to the rotary shaft of the main pulley 60.

The rail 59 supports a bearing mechanism 65 attached to the lower portion of the slider 51, and the bearing mechanism 65 allows the slider 51 to move smoothly.

Then, as the motor 64 rotates,
Belt 6 stretched between main pulley 60 and sub pulley 61
2 is moved, and the slider 51 is also moved at the same time via the connecting fitting 63 fixed to the belt 62.

Further, an optical sensor 66 for position detection is attached to the transport drive section 52, and the markers 51 and 76 attached to the slider 51 are detected to detect the slider 51.
The stop position of can be detected. A cover 67 is attached to cover the upper portion of the optical sensor 66 to prevent ambient light from entering the optical sensor 66.

The signal of the optical sensor 66 is sent to the control unit 110, and the control unit 110 makes the slider 51 based on this signal.
The transport and stop of are repeated.

Next, the detailed structure of the slider 51 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, the slider 51 includes a left frame 71 forming a side surface, a right frame 72, a U-shaped bottom plate 73 forming a bottom surface, a marker plate 74 fixed to the bottom plate 73, and a marker plate 74. A marker 75 and a marker 76 (76a to 76f) that are formed at regular intervals in
A first protrusion 53, a second protrusion 54, a first support shaft 77 that supports the first protrusion 53, and a second support that supports the second protrusion 54, which are attached between the left frame 71 and the right frame 72. A shaft 78, a spring support member 79 in which a part of the bottom plate 73 is bent into the left frame 71 and the right frame 72, a coil spring 80 suspended between the spring support member 79 and the first protrusion 53, and a first protrusion. A link bar 81 for interlocking the portion 53 and the second protrusion 54, a first link shaft 82 for connecting the link bar 81 and the first protrusion 53, and a link bar 81 for connecting the second protrusion 54. Second link shaft 83,
The rotation range of the first protrusion 53 is limited, and the rotation range of the first stopper 84 and the second protrusion 54 for fixing the frames 71 and 72 is limited.
Second stopper 85 for fixing 2 is formed.

A bearing mechanism 65 is attached to the lower surface of the U-shaped bottom plate 73 so as to sandwich the rail 59 of the transport drive unit 52 (see FIG. 6), and the slider 51 can move smoothly on the rail. Is done.

Markers 75, 7 formed on the marker plate 74
6a to 76f are configured to be able to block the optical path of the position detecting optical sensor 66 (see FIG. 4) attached to the transport driving unit 52, and when the slider 51 moves to shield the optical sensor 66 from light. The optical sensor 66 is adapted to detect a marker. Markers 76a to 76f
Is the inter-marker distance corresponding to the distance between the sample containers of the detection rack 2 to be transported, and when the optical sensor 66 detects the movement of one pitch (one marker is called one pitch). In the sample rack 2, the sample container position is moved to the adjacent one.

Further, only the leading marker 75 is wider than the other markers 76a to 76f, and when the marker 75 is detected by the optical sensor 66, the slider 51 comes to the origin position, that is, the rack transport start portion 12A. Is detected.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the first protrusion 5
3 is rotatably supported on the upper side of the frames near the rear ends 86 of the frames 71 and 72 by a first support shaft 77. on the other hand,
The second protrusion 54 is rotatably supported on the upper side of the frame near the front ends 87 of the frames 71 and 72 by a second support shaft 78.

The first link shaft 82 of the first protrusion 53 and the second link shaft 83 of the second protrusion 54 are connected to each other by the link bar 81, so that the second protrusion 54 is the first protrusion. The rotation operation similar to that of the portion 53 is performed.

On the first link shaft 82 of the first protrusion 53,
The coil spring 80 is suspended between the spring support member 79 and the first protrusion 53 rotates about the first support shaft 77 due to the urging force of the coil spring 80, and a part of the first protrusion 53 is removed. It abuts on the first stopper 84, and at that time, a part of the protruding portion 53 protrudes from the upper surface 88 of the frames 71, 72.

Similarly, the second projecting portion 54 moves in conjunction with the first projecting portion 53 by the link bar 81, so that part of the second projecting portion 54 projects from the upper surface 88 of the frames 71 and 72. ing.

Next, the shapes of the first protrusion 53 and the second protrusion 54 will be described. The first protrusion 53 is the coil spring 8
In a state where the first protrusion 84 abuts on the first stopper 84 by the urging force of 0 and protrudes from the upper surface 88 of the frames 71 and 72, the advancing direction side surface 89 of the first projecting portion 53 stands vertically, and the concave side surface of the sample rack 2 is formed. 7 (see FIG. 3) can be pressed. Further, the side surface 9 on the right frame 72 side
0 stands also vertically.

On the other hand, an inclined surface 91 is formed from the upper surface of the protrusion of the first protrusion 53 toward the side opposite to the traveling direction, and when an external force in the lateral direction is applied from the side of the rear end 86, it resists the urging force. The protrusion 53 rotates around the first support shaft 77 to rotate the frame 7
Can be buried in 1, 72

Similarly, an inclined surface 92 is formed on the left frame 71 side from the upper surface of the protrusion, and the left frame 7 is formed.
When a force is applied from the one side direction, the protrusion 53 rotates around the first support shaft 77 as an axis against the biasing force and is embedded in both frames 71, 72. Thus left frame 71
The inclined surface is provided on the side and the inclined surface is not provided on the right frame 72 side so as to have an asymmetrical shape. The direction in which the external force is likely to be applied is the left frame 71 side into which the sample rack 2 is fed. This is because it was adapted to this.

Further, with respect to the second protrusion 54, the side surface 93 in the advancing direction and the side surface 94 on the right frame side are perpendicular to each other, and the inclined surface 95 from the upper surface of the protrusion in the direction opposite to the advancing direction.
Is formed, and an inclined surface 96 is also formed on the left frame 71 side from the upper surface of the protrusion.

Next, the operation when the sample rack 2 is continuously supplied by the sample rack supply device will be described with reference to FIG. The operation performed here is performed by the control unit 110 executing a program stored in advance.

FIG. 12A shows the first sample rack 2 of the sample racks 2 placed on the start stocker 11.
A is in a state of being sent to the transport path 12. 12
(B) is a state in which the sample rack 2A is sent to the analysis unit and the samples are sequentially analyzed. 5 for sample rack 2A
Two specimens are mounted, and the lateral conveyance for 6 pitches is performed by the detection of the marker 76 by the optical sensor 66. When the 6-pitch conveyance is completed, the slider 51 returns to the origin position. In FIG. 12C, after the slider 51 has returned to the origin, the next sample rack 2B is the rack transport start portion 12 of the transport path 12.
It has been sent to A. In FIG. 12D, the slider 51 is set to the origin after the sample rack 2A that has been sent to the transport path 12 and the sample rack 2B that has been sent to the transport path 12 are simultaneously transported by 6 pitches in the same procedure. This is a state in which the next sample rack 2C is about to be sent to the rack transport start unit 12A. FIG. 12E shows the slider 51.
Returns to the origin, and the feeding mechanism 1 on the end stocker 13 side
00, the previous sample rack 2A is carried out to the end stocker 13, and at the same time, the third sample rack 2C is sent to the rack transport start unit 12A.

FIGS. 13A to 13E show the sample rack lateral transport device (transport path 12 and lateral transport mechanism 50) when the horizontal transport mechanism 50 transports the sample racks 2 one after another.
It is a figure explaining the state of. The operation here is also the control unit 11.
Executed by 0. FIG. 13A shows a state in which the slider 51 has reached the origin position (the rack transport start portion 12A in FIG. 1). The sample rack 2A that has already entered the transport path 12 and is being transported, and the sample rack 2B that has been sent from the start stocker 11 to the rack transport start unit 2A this time are set (state in FIG. 12C).

With the slider 51 at the origin position,
The inclined surface 91 of the first protruding portion 53 contacts the right end of the notch 16 of the table 14, whereby the first protruding portion 53 rotates against the biasing member 80,
It will be buried under the table. The second protrusion 54 is also buried because it is connected by the link bar 81.

The slider 51 has advanced a little,
As shown in (b), when the first projecting portion 53 separates from the table 14 and is not in contact with the table 14, the first projecting portion 53 comes to protrude from the notch 16, and the concave portion provided on the lower surface of the sample rack 2B. Enter 6. Similarly, in the previous sample rack 2A as well, the second protrusion 54 enters the recess 6 provided on the lower surface of the sample rack 2A.

When it further advances, as shown in FIG. 13C, the sample racks 2A and 2B are pushed forward by being pushed by the first protrusion 53 and the second protrusion 54. Each time the optical sensor 66 detects the marker 76, the conveyance is sequentially stopped, the predetermined analysis is performed, and then the conveyance is continued again, so that the samples being conveyed are analyzed one after another.

The slider 51 advances until all the samples on the sample rack 2B have been analyzed. Finally, the previous sample rack 2A is moved to the rack transport end section 1
2C (see FIG. 12 (d)). FIG.
(D) is a state when the sample rack 2A is sent to the rack transporting end portion 12C. At this time, the sample rack 2B
Is at the position where the sample rack 2A was located in FIG. 13 (a).

In order to transport the third sample rack 2C, the slider 51 moves backward and returns to the origin. At this time, the first protrusion 53 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the sample rack 2B during movement.
Since the first protrusion 53 is rotated by the rotation of the first protrusion 53 against the biasing force of the coil spring 80, the slider can be returned to the original position without any problem. Similarly, with respect to the second protrusion 54, the second protrusion 54 is resisted against the biasing force of the coil spring 80 via the link bar 81.
It becomes buried by rotating.

FIG. 13E shows the state where the slider 51 has returned to the origin. In this state (in which the protrusions 53 and 54 are buried), the third sample rack 2C enters the rack transport starter 12A. The sample racks 2 are sequentially transported by repeating the same operation thereafter.

The first projection 53 and the second projection 54 also have an inclined surface 92 on the surface facing the start stocker 11 side.
Since 96 is formed, even if the sample rack 2 is forcibly pushed into the transport path 12 to come into contact with the first protrusion 53 and the second protrusion 54 before the slider 51 returns to the origin, the coil Since the sunk state is easily established against the biasing force of the spring 80, no problem occurs.

In the above embodiment, the sample rack 2 is provided with the concave portion 6 on the bottom surface, but the concave portion 6 is not always necessary, and the place where it abuts against the first projecting portion 53 and the second projecting portion 54. It may be the side wall surface on the rear side of the sample rack 2.

Further, although two protrusions are provided in the above embodiment, the number of protrusions may be one, or conversely, three or more.

[0078]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably transport the sample rack without providing one or at least one recess formed in the sample rack. Further, even if another external force is applied during transportation of the sample rack, the structure is such that out-of-step or damage is unlikely to occur.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a sample rack supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a transport mechanism of a sample rack supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a sample rack used in the device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the configuration of a lateral transport mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the configuration of a lateral transport mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a right side view showing the configuration of a lateral transport mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a left side view showing the configuration of the slider.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing the configuration of a slider.

FIG. 9 is a right side view showing the configuration of the slider.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the positional relationship and operation of the protrusions attached to the slider.

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining the positional relationship and operation of the protrusions attached to the slider.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a sample rack transport state by the sample rack transport apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a sample rack transport state by a horizontal transport mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

2: Sample rack 4: Sample container 10: Sample rack supply device 11: Start stocker 12: Transport path 12A: Rack transport start section 12B: analysis unit (processing unit) 12C: Rack transport end part 13: End stocker 14: Table 15, 16, 17: Notches 18: Light source for measurement 19: Light receiving part 20, 21: Side wall 30: Sample rack feeding mechanism 33: Claw 50: Horizontal transport mechanism 51: slider 52: Transport drive unit 53: First protrusion 54: Second protrusion 58: Base 59: Rail 60: Main pulley 61: Sub pulley 62: Belt 63: Connection fitting 64: Motor 66: Optical sensor 71: Left frame 72: Right frame 74: Marker plate 75, 76 (a to f): Marker 77, 78: Support shaft 79: Spring support plate 80: Coil spring 81: Link bar 82, 83: Link shaft 84, 85: Stopper 91, 92, 95, 96: inclined surface 100: Sample rack sending mechanism 102, 103: lever 110: control unit 112, 114: Sensor

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A sample rack, which holds a plurality of sample containers arranged in a row, is transported from a rack transport start part to a lateral direction, which is the row direction in which the sample containers are lined up, and sent to the processing part, and further the sample from the processing part. A sample rack lateral transport device that transports a rack to a rack transport end part, which is on a transport path and a transport path connecting a rack transport start part, a processing part, and a rack transport end part. It consists of a horizontal transport mechanism that transports the sample rack, and the transport path has a flat table on which the sample rack can be placed, and the transport direction is a linear direction that matches the column direction in which the sample containers on the sample rack are arranged. The table is provided with a side wall, and a notch is formed in the table along the transport path.The lateral transport mechanism includes a slider that is under the table and movable along the transport path, and the slider. Along with a transport drive unit for driving the sample rack on the table so that the slider can be brought into contact with the sample rack on the table and the state where the slider is in contact with the sample rack. A protrusion that can take two states, that is, a state of being buried under the table so as to be released, is attached, and the protrusion is biased to be in a protruding state when an external force other than the sample rack transport direction is not applied. In addition, the sample rack lateral transporting device is characterized in that a biasing member is attached so that the biasing member is placed in a buried state in the state where an external force other than the sample rack transporting direction is applied. 2. A slider is provided with two of said protrusions at an interval longer than the length of the sample rack in the column direction,
The sample rack lateral transport device according to claim 1, wherein these projecting portions are linked by a link mechanism so as to interlock with each other so as to take a projecting state and a buried state. 3. A slider is provided with two of said protrusions, of which a first protrusion conveys a sample rack placed on a rack transport starter toward a processing unit, and a second protrusion. The sample rack lateral transport device according to claim 2, wherein the sample rack transported to the processing section is transported to the rack transport end section. 4. A start stocker on which a sample rack is placed, and a sample rack feeding mechanism for feeding the sample rack placed on the start stocker to a rack transport start portion, and further, the projection portion has a start stocker. When the mounted sample rack enters the transport path and contacts the protrusion, the protrusion starts so that the protrusion acts against the biasing member to transition from the protruding state to the buried state. The sample rack lateral transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stocker side is an inclined surface. 5. The sample rack existing in the transport path comes into contact with the protrusion when the slider transports the previous sample rack and then returns to the rack transport start section for transporting the subsequent sample rack. 2. The sample rack according to claim 1, wherein the return direction side of the protrusion is an inclined surface so that a force for the protrusion to move from the protruding state to the buried state acts against the biasing member. Horizontal transport device. 6. A marker for detecting a position corresponding to each sample container position of a sample rack transported along with the movement of the slider is attached to the slider, and a sensor for detecting the marker is attached to the processing unit. 2. The sample rack lateral transporting device according to claim 1, wherein the transport driving unit includes a control unit that performs control for intermittently repeating forward movement and stop every time the sensor detects the marker. . 7. A sample rack, which holds a plurality of sample containers arranged in a row, is transported from a rack transport start portion in the lateral direction, which is the row direction in which the sample containers are lined up, and sent to the processing unit, and the sample is further transported from the processing unit. A sample rack lateral transport device that transports the rack to the rack transport end part, a start stocker that mounts the sample rack that is sent to the rack transport start part, and a sample rack that is mounted on the start stocker at the rack transport start part Sample rack feeding mechanism for feeding the sample rack to the rack, the sample rack feeding mechanism for discharging the sample rack transported to the rack transport end portion from the rack transport end portion, and the end stocker for mounting the sample rack transported by the sample rack transport mechanism. A sample rack supply device comprising: a sample rack lateral transport device, It consists of a transport path that connects the sending end part and a lateral transport mechanism that transports the sample rack on the transport path. The transport path is a flat table on which the sample rack can be placed and the sample container on the sample rack in the transport direction. Side wall that guides in a linear direction that corresponds to the row direction, and the table has a cutout along the transport path.The horizontal transport mechanism is under the table and runs along the transport path. It consists of a movable slider and a transport drive unit for driving the slider forward and backward along the transport path.The slider is moved from the notch to above the table so that it can contact the sample rack on the table. A protrusion that can take two states, a protruding state and a state where the sample rack is buried under the table so that the contact state with the sample rack is released, is attached. A sample rack is provided with an urging member for urging it to be in a protruding state when no force is applied and for burying it in a state where an external force other than the sample rack transport direction is applied. Supply device.