JP2005249648A - Feeder of microplate with lid - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a feeder of a microplate with a lid capable of feeding separately one by one, a plurality of laminated microplates in the state where each lid is mounted. <P>SOLUTION: In this feeder of the microplate for feeding by taking out one by one from the microplates 10 with each lid in the laminated state where each lid 10b is mounted on each upper surface, a gripping member 30 is pressed onto the side face of microplates 10* with each lid on the uppermost stage among the microplates 10 with each lid in the laminated state supported by a support member, and the support member and the gripping member 30 are moved relatively in the mutually separating direction in the state where the microplates 10 with each lid on the next stage are fixed by a fixing member 40, to thereby separate the microplates 10 with each lid on the uppermost stage from the microplates 10 with each lid on the next stage. Hereby, the plurality of laminated microplates in the state where each lid 10b is mounted can be fed one by one separately. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for supplying a microplate with a lid for supplying a microplate with a lid having a plurality of wells for storing liquids and a lid mounted on the upper surface.

  In the field of drug discovery screening, biotechnology, etc., tests such as biochemical reactions of substances are carried out, and as a container for storing liquids such as chemicals and specimens for culturing and biochemical reactions in this test, A plate is used. Since these tests are usually systematically performed on a large number of samples, a plurality of microplates are subjected to processing operations such as dispensing operation and component analysis in one test.

  For this reason, a dedicated processing device that automatically performs such processing is provided with a microplate supply device that stocks a plurality of microplates and supplies them to the processing device one by one (for example, Patent Documents). 1 and 2). In the example shown in Patent Document 1, microplates are individually stored in storage shelves having a plurality of plate placement positions, and when supplied, the microplates are taken out one by one by a transfer robot and transferred to a processing apparatus.

  In the example shown in Patent Document 2, a plurality of microplates are handled in a stacked state. The stacked state of such microplates will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the stacked state of the microplate. In FIG. 30 (a), the microplate 10 has a shape in which a stepped portion 10c is provided on the upper surface side and a concave portion 10d is formed on the lower surface side to fit the stepped portion 10c. When stacking 10, a large number of microplates 10 can be stably stacked by fitting the stepped portion 10 c to the recess 10 d on the lower surface.

The stacked microplates 10 are housed in a vertical stocker, and when supplied to the microplate processing apparatus, the microplates 10 are separated and taken out one by one from the bottom in order to be transferred to the plate conveyor. . In this method, the tip of the holding claw is inserted into the gap S between the lower end portion of the next-stage microplate 10 existing in the stepped portion 10c of the lowermost microplate 10, and the lower end of the illustrated microplate 10 is inserted. Only the lowermost microplate 10 is separated by engaging and holding the holding claws with the part.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-223636 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-278611

  Since the upper surface of the well for storing liquid provided in the microplate 10 is in an open state, it was injected when storing the microplate 10 after the dispensing operation in which the liquid was injected into the well depending on the purpose of the test. For the purpose of isolating the liquid from the external atmosphere, as shown in FIG. 30B, the liquid may be handled with the lid 10b attached to the upper surface of the microplate 10.

  However, when such a microplate 10 with a lid is used as a supply target of the microplate supply apparatus shown in the above-described patent document example, there is the following inconvenience. First, in the example shown in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to individually place the microplate with the lid attached on the plate placement position of the placement shelf, which requires time and labor for preparation and collection of the microplate. Was.

  In the example shown in Patent Document 2, it is difficult to stably separate only one microplate 10 stacked with a lid from below. That is, as shown in FIG. 30 (b), in the state where the microplate 10 with the lid is stacked, the lid 10 b is already fitted from the outside to the stepped portion 10 c on the upper side of the microplate 10. It is difficult to stably separate the microplate as in the state without a lid, because it is possible to secure a clearance for engagement necessary for separating only the bottom microplate 10. .

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a microplate-with-lid supply device that can separately supply a plurality of stacked microplates with a lid attached thereto.

  The apparatus for supplying a microplate with a lid according to the present invention includes a vertically long stock portion that stores a plurality of microplates with a lid in a stacked state, and a support member that supports the plurality of microplates with a lid inside the stock portion in a stacked state. An elevating mechanism for elevating and lowering the support member inside the stock portion, and pressing the gripping member against the side surface of the microplate with the uppermost lid among the stacked microplates supported by the support member The gripping mechanism that grips the top plate, the gripping member that grips the topmost microplate with the lid, and the support member are moved relative to each other in a direction away from each other to thereby attach the topmost microplate with the topmost lid. Microplate separation means for separating from the microplate, and the uppermost stage separated by the microplate separation means And a micro-plate carrying out means for carrying out the microplate with a lid.

  According to the present invention, the gripping mechanism that presses and grips the gripping member against the side surface of the microplate with the uppermost lid among the stacked microplates with the lid supported by the support member, the support member, and the microplate The lid is attached by providing microplate separation means for separating the microplate with the uppermost lid from the microplate with the uppermost lid by moving the gripping member that grips the baseplate in a direction away from each other. In this state, a plurality of stacked microplates can be separated and supplied one by one.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a front view of a microplate processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the plate processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a microplate according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side view of the main part of the microplate supply and storage device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are diagrams according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the microplate supply and storage device, FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the microplate processing apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, and FIG. 18 are diagrams for explaining the plate supply operation in the microplate supply and storage device of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 19, FIG. 20, FIG. 21, FIG. Reference numeral 24 denotes a micro of embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a diagram for describing operation of the plate receiving operation in rate supply storage device.

First, the overall configuration of the microplate processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. The microplate processing device has a function to perform various processing such as dispensing processing and sample analysis processing for injecting and discharging samples and reagents in wells for microplates with multiple wells that contain liquids. Have. As shown in FIG. 1, the microplate processing apparatus has microplate supply and storage devices 1A,
1B is attached.

  The microplate supply and storage devices 1A and 1B supply the microplate 10 to be processed (see FIG. 2) to the microplate processing device 5, and collect the microplate 10 processed by the microplate processing device 5. And has a function of storing. The microplate supply and storage devices 1A and 1B have a symmetrical structure with respect to the microplate processing device 5, and the microplate 10 supplied from the microplate supply and storage device 1A is stored by the microplate supply and storage device 1B. Conversely, the microplate 10 supplied from the microplate supply / storage device 1B can be stored in the microplate supply / storage device 1A.

  Of course, when using the microplate supply and storage devices 1A and 1B having such a configuration, only the supply function of the microplate 10 or only the storage function may be used. In this case, the microplate supply and storage devices 1A and 1B function as a microplate supply device or a microplate storage device.

  In the present embodiment, the microplate 10 is a microplate with a lid having a lid 10b on the top surface as shown in FIG. 18, and the microplate 10 covers the top surface of the well with the lid 10b. Are laminated in a state where they are covered with, and individually separated from the laminated state. Of course, the microplate 10 with the lid 10b removed may be the target of supply and storage.

  The microplate supply and storage devices 1A and 1B have a configuration in which a first stock part 2 and a second stock part 3 capable of storing a plurality of microplates 10 in a stacked state are arranged in series in the vertical direction. A plate take-out / take-in mechanism 4 is disposed between the stock part 2 and the second stock part 3. The microplate processing apparatus 5 has a structure in which a processing apparatus 6 is placed on a base 5a. The microplate 10 is placed on the base 5a with respect to a processing unit 6a provided in the processing apparatus 6. A microplate transport mechanism 9 for transporting is disposed in the horizontal direction.

  Microplate unloading mechanisms 7 are arranged at both left and right ends of the microplate conveying mechanism 9. The microplate unloading mechanism 7 is connected to the plate unloading and unloading mechanism 4 and the matrix by a support table 8 that can move back and forth in the horizontal direction. The microplate 10 is transferred to and from the microplate transport mechanism 9. That is, the microplate carry-out mechanism 7 moves the support table 8 into the plate take-out / take-in mechanism 4 and positions it below the microplate 10 to be taken out, and then raises the support table 8 to support the microplate 10 from below. To do.

  Then, the support table 8 retreats from the plate take-out / take-in mechanism 4 and descends, so that the microplate 10 taken out from the plate take-out / take-in mechanism 4 is transferred to the microplate transport mechanism 9. Further, the microplate carry-out mechanism 7 performs the operation in the reverse order as described above, so that the microplate 10 received from the microplate transport mechanism 9 can be delivered to the plate take-out / take-in mechanism 4.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a first support member 11 that can be opened and closed by an opening and closing mechanism described later is provided below the first stock portion 2. The first support member 11 supports a plurality of microplates 10 stored in the first stock portion 2 in a stacked state, and can release the support of the microplates 10 and pass it up and down as will be described later. It is like that. That is, the first stock unit 2 has a support release mechanism that changes the state of the first support member 11 to a state in which the microplate 10 cannot be supported.

  The vertically long second stock portion 3 arranged in series in the vertical direction below the first stock portion 2 guides and stores the stacked microplate 10 by the width direction regulating guide member 3a disposed vertically. It has a possible structure, and includes a second support member 12 that supports the plurality of microplates 10 in a stacked state inside the second stock portion 3.

  The second support member 12 is guided in the vertical direction by the guide 15 via the elevating member 13 and is driven up and down by the elevating mechanism 14. The elevating mechanism 14 has a configuration in which a belt 16 stretched on two upper and lower pulleys 17 is arranged so as to be able to run in the vertical direction by a pulley 19 coupled to a rotating shaft of a motor 18 and the elevating member 13 is coupled to the belt 16. It has become. By rotating the motor 18, the second support member 12 is driven up and down via the lifting member 13, and moves up and down together with the stacked microplate 10 supported on the upper surface.

  The height level L1 of the lower end portion of the first support member 11 is supported by locking the bottom microplate 10 among the stacked microplates 10 stored in the first stock portion 2 (see FIG. 4). The supporting level is L1 (see the locking member 11a shown). Further, the height level L2 shown in FIG. 2 is the microplate carry-out level L2 for carrying out the uppermost microplate 10 out of the stacked microplates 10 stocked in the second stock section 3.

  The microplate unloading / collecting operation described later is performed by advancing the support table 8 provided in the microplate unloading mechanism 7 in the space between L1 and L2. The microplate unloading mechanism 7 and the gripping mechanism and microplate separating means described below transfer the microplate 10 located at the microplate unloading level L2 of the second stock portion 3 to the outside, and also transfer the microplate 10 from the outside to the second The microplate transfer means to deliver to the support member 12 is configured.

  Next, the overall operation of plate supply / storage performed in the microplate processing apparatus 5 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, rectangular frames 1A and 1B shown on both sides of the microplate processing apparatus 5 indicate stock portions provided in the microplate supply and storage apparatuses 1A and 1B, respectively. That is, these stock parts include a vertically long first stock part 2 for storing a plurality of microplates 10 in a stacked state, and a vertically long second stock part 3 arranged below the first stock part 2. In this configuration, they are arranged in series in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, in the first stock portion 2 of the microplate supply and storage device 1A, a plate laminate (hereinafter abbreviated as a laminate [10]) in which a plurality of microplates 10 are laminated. Installed. In addition, the microplate 10 located at the uppermost stage in the laminated body [10] is marked with a symbol 10 * to be distinguished from others. First, the laminated body [10] attached to the first stock part 2 is moved to the second stock part 3 in a laminated state by a microplate lifting / lowering means described later.

  Then, the laminate [10] is moved up and down in the second stock section 3 so that the uppermost microplate 10 * is positioned at the microplate unloading level L2, and this microplate 10 * is moved to the microplate unloading mechanism 7 shown in FIG. Take out by. That is, the microplate supply and storage devices 1A and 1B lower the plurality of microplates 10 stocked in the first stock part 2 in the stacked state and move them to the second stock part 3 so that the second stock part Among the plurality of microplates 10 moved to 3, a microplate lifting / lowering means for positioning the uppermost microplate 10 * at the microplate unloading level L 2 set in the second stock unit 3 is provided. .

The taken out microplate 10 is transported to a work position by the processing unit 6a by the microplate transport mechanism 9 as shown in FIG. 3B, where a predetermined processing operation such as a dispensing process is performed by the processing unit 6a. Is called. Then, the microplate 10 for which the processing operation has been completed is again transported to the right by the microplate transport mechanism 9 and is transferred to the microplate supply / storage device 1B by the microplate unloading mechanism 7.

  The delivered microplate 10 is sequentially taken from below into the first stock section 2 of the microplate supply and storage device 1B, and as shown in FIG. One process is completed by being stored in one stock unit 2. At this time, the microplate 10 * located in the uppermost stage in the state of being mounted on the first stock portion 2 of the microplate supply / storage device 1A is stored in the first stock portion 2 of the microplate supply / storage device 1B. Similarly, in the state where it is done, it is located at the uppermost stage.

  After that, when the next process is executed, the stacked body [10] is lowered from the first stock part 2 to the second stock part 3 in the microplate supply and storage device 1B, and similarly the uppermost stage. The microplate 10 is positioned at the microplate unloading level L2 and taken out by the microplate unloading mechanism 7. The microplate 10 is transported to the processing unit 6a by the microplate transport mechanism 9 and a predetermined processing operation is executed. Then, the microplate 10 is transported to the microplate supply / storage device 1A, and similarly the first of the microplate supply / storage device 1A. The stock part 2 is sequentially stored.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, the microplate carry-out mechanism 7 is provided integrally with the microplate processing apparatus 5, but the function of the microplate carry-out mechanism 7 is incorporated in the microplate supply and storage apparatuses 1A and 1B described below. But you can. In the above example, the microplate 10 is transported to the processing unit 6a via the microplate transporting mechanism 9, but the microplate 10 is transported directly to the working position by the processing unit 6a by the microplate unloading mechanism 7. May be.

  Next, the detailed structure of the microplate supply and storage devices 1A and 1B will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 respectively show the AA cross section, the BB cross section, the CC cross section, and the DD cross section in FIG. First, the cross-sectional shape of the first stock portion 2 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the first stock portion 2 has a structure in which elongated frame plates 2c and 2d are arranged in the vertical direction so as to surround the microplate 10 from the three directions when viewed in plan. Therefore, the microplate 10 can be mounted and taken out from the front side (see arrow). Inside the frame plates 2c and 2d, a width direction regulating guide member 2a and a loading direction position regulating guide member 2b are respectively attached in the vertical direction, and the microplate 10 accommodated in the first stock portion 2 is attached to these plates. Go up and down along the guide.

  Next, the structure of the plate takeout / intake mechanism 4 will be described. The plate take-out / take-in mechanism 4 has a structure in which a mechanism element described below is attached to support members 4a arranged at four corners (see FIG. 8). Two of these strut members 4a facing each other in the X direction are connected in the horizontal direction by a connection frame 4b at the upper part and a connection frame 4d at the lower part (see FIG. 5), and face each other in the Y direction. The two to be connected are connected at the upper part by a connecting frame 4c arranged in the Y direction (see FIG. 4).

First, the first support member 11 will be described. In FIG. 8, a pair of first support members 11 are disposed opposite to each other in the Y direction of the column member 4a. A bracket 22 is fixed to the column member 4a, and the first support member 11 is pivotally supported by a horizontal support pin 20 on the bracket 22 so as to be rotatable around the support pin 20. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first support member 11 is a frame-shaped member located in the XZ plane, and the lower end portion of the first support member 11 has a locking member 11 a protruding inward. Is provided. The locking member 11a is urged inward by a compression spring 21 interposed between the column member 4a and the back surface of the first support member 11, and the pair of locking members 11a facing each other is supported by the support pin 20. It opens and closes inward and outward in a manner that rotates around.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the connection frame 4 b is provided with a support release actuator 23 in which the rod 23 a is brought into contact with the upper portion of the first support member 11. 11a moves outwardly against the urging force of the compression spring 21. When the rod 23a is in an immersive state, the upper portion of the first support member 11 is pressed against the rod 23a by the urging force of the compression spring 21, and the first support member 11 is in an upright posture, the locking member 11a is As shown in FIG. 8, the lower surface of the microplate 10 can be locked to support the laminate [10] housed in the first stock portion 2.

  Then, the locking member 11a is moved outward against the urging force of the compression spring 21 by projecting the rod 23a, so that the laminated body [10] in the first stock portion 2 is moved to the lower second stock. It can be moved to part 3. Therefore, the support release actuator 23 is a support release mechanism that changes the state of the first support member 11 to a state in which the microplate 10 cannot be supported.

  Furthermore, the inner surfaces of the opposing locking members 11a are tapered surfaces whose upper side is narrower than the lower side, so that the microplate 10 can be passed from the lower side to the first stock portion 2. ing. That is, when the microplate 10 positioned below the first support member 11 is pushed upward, the microplate 10 contacts the inner surface of the locking member 11 a and resists the biasing force of the compression spring 21. Push outwards.

  Thereby, the microplate 10 moves to above the locking member 11a. When the locking member 11a is moved inward by the compression spring 21 and the locking members 11a facing each other are closed, the lower surface of the microplate 10 is locked by the upper surface of the locking member 11a. The microplate 10 thus taken in from the outside can be moved and stored in the first stock portion 2 (see FIG. 29). At this time, the above-described operation is possible even in a state where a plurality of microplates 10 are already stored in the first stock unit 2, whereby the microplate 10 taken from the outside is stored in the first stock unit 2. Can be sequentially pushed up from below.

  Next, a gripping mechanism for the microplate 10 will be described. The gripping mechanism has a function of pressing the gripping member against the side surface of the uppermost microplate 10 * located at the microplate unloading level L2 in the second stock portion 3 and gripping it. 6 and 8, a guide rail 24 is arranged in the vertical direction on the side surface of the support member 4a, and a slider 25 slidably fitted to the guide rail 24 is coupled to a connecting member 26.

  The connecting member 26 is a frame member having a substantially portal shape in plan view, and a gripping member opening / closing actuator 28 is fixed to an extending portion 26a where the connecting member 26 extends in the X direction. As shown in FIG. 6, a gripping member 30 is coupled to a rod of the gripping member opening / closing actuator 28 via a vertical plate-like vertical arm 29. The gripping member opening / closing actuator 28 is driven in a state where the gripping member 30 coincides with the height level of the uppermost microplate 10 * of the laminate [10] supported by the second support member 12, whereby the gripping member 30 is pressed against the side surface of the microplate 10 * and gripped (see FIG. 18). That is, the gripping member 30 and the gripping member opening / closing actuator 28 constitute a gripping mechanism that presses and grips the gripping member 30 against the side surface of the uppermost microplate 10 * located at the microplate unloading level L2.

  The connecting member 26 is coupled to a rod 27a of a gripping member lifting / lowering actuator 27 disposed in a vertical posture inside the connecting frame 4c. By driving the gripping member lifting / lowering actuator 27 to project and retract the rod 27 a, the connecting member 26 moves up and down together with the gripping member opening / closing actuator 28, the vertical arm 29 and the gripping member 30. That is, the gripping member lifting / lowering actuator 27, the guide rail 24, the slider 25, and the connecting member 26 constitute a gripping member lifting / lowering mechanism.

  With the gripping member 30 gripping the microplate 10 *, the gripping member lifting actuator 27 is driven to raise the connecting member 26, so that the gripping member 30 gripping the microplate 10 * is attached to the second support member 12. It moves in the direction away from the supported laminate [10], whereby the uppermost microplate 10 * is separated from the next microplate 10. Therefore, the gripping member lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers the gripping member 30 moves the second support member 12 and the gripping member 30 that grips the microplate 10 in a direction away from each other, thereby moving the uppermost microplate 10. A microplate separating means for separating * from the next microplate 10 is configured.

  In order to separate the uppermost microplate 10 *, instead of raising the gripping member 30 that grips the microplate 10, the elevating mechanism 14 is driven to move the second support member 12 to the next and lower layers. You may make it descend | fall with [10]. In this case, the elevating mechanism 14 functions as a microplate separating means.

  The microplate 10 separated by the microplate separating means is supported by the support table 8 of the microplate unloading mechanism 7 and is unloaded from the plate unloading / taking mechanism 4. Therefore, the microplate unloading mechanism 7 is microplate unloading means for unloading the uppermost microplate 10 * separated by the microplate separating means described above. The microplate unloading means enters between the uppermost microplate 10 * separated by the microplate separating means and the next microplate 10 and supports the uppermost microplate 10 *. It is the composition provided with.

  In FIG. 6, a fixed member opening / closing actuator 38 is disposed in a horizontal posture on the upper surface of the connecting frame 4d, and the rod of the fixing member opening / closing actuator 38 is coupled to the fixing member 40 via a vertical plate-like vertical arm 39. Has been. By driving the fixing member opening / closing actuator 38 in a state where the fixing member 40 is positioned at the height level of the microplate 10 at the next stage of the uppermost microplate 10 * of the laminate [10], the microplate at the next stage is driven. 10 is fixed at its both sides by the fixing member 40 (see FIG. 18).

  This position fixing is performed when the uppermost microplate 10 * is separated by the gripping member 30. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the position of the microplate 10 in the subsequent stage from becoming unstable during the separation operation and causing problems such as displacement. In other words, in the present embodiment, when the uppermost microplate 10 * is separated, a fixing mechanism for temporarily fixing the next-stage microplate 10 is provided.

Next, upper surface detection means for detecting the upper surface of the uppermost microplate 10 * among the plurality of microplates 10 supported in a stacked state on the second support member 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. To do. In FIG. 5, bearing members 31 a and 31 b that pivotally support the shaft member 32 so as to be rotatable and slidable are disposed on the side surface of the column member 4 a (located in the lower right portion in FIG. 8). The shaft member 32 includes a contact 33 in a direction extending inward from a position directly above the bearing member 31a, and a rotation lever 34 in a direction extending inward from a position directly above the bearing member 31b. 32 is fixedly provided. Both the contact 33 and the rotating lever 34 are
It can turn around the shaft member 32 and slide up and down.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a rod 36a of a contactor advancing / retreating actuator 36 (see also FIG. 4) coupled to the lower surface of the connecting frame 4b is in contact with the side surface of the rotating lever 34. By driving the contact advancing / retracting actuator 36 to project the rod 36a, the rotating lever 34 is moved to rotate the shaft member 32 about the axis. As a result, the contact 33 also rotates about the axis in the same manner, and the tip extends to the upper side of the laminate [10] supported by the second support member 12, so that the contact 33 can contact the microplate 10. Advance to a new position.

  When the second support member 12 is raised in this state, the upper surface of the uppermost microplate 10 * abuts against the contactor 33 and pushes it down, and the shaft member 32 comes into contact and is pushed up by the 33 and slides upward. To do. An upper surface detection sensor 35 is disposed on the lower surface of the connecting frame 4b above the shaft member 32. When the detection end 32a at the upper end of the shaft member 32 enters the detection range of the upper surface detection sensor 35, the upper surface detection is performed. The sensor 35 detects the detection end 32a.

  As a result, it is detected that the upper surface height of the uppermost microplate 10 * has reached a preset detection height level. This detected height level is related to the microplate carry-out level L2, and by controlling the lifting / lowering operation of the lifting mechanism 14 based on the detected height level, the uppermost microplate 10 * to be taken out is It is positioned at the microplate carry-out level L2. The rotation lever 34 is always urged clockwise by an urging mechanism (not shown), and the contactor 33 does not hinder the up-and-down movement of the microplate 10 in the normal time when the contactor advance / retreat actuator 36 is not driven. It is in.

  That is, in the above configuration, the upper surface detection means is a contact type detection means having a contact 33 that contacts the upper surface of the microplate 10, and the contact type detection means is configured such that the contact 33 contacts the upper surface of the microplate 10. The upper surface detection sensor 35 for detecting the movement is included. As will be described later, in the carry-out operation of the microplate 10, the control unit 41 described below is based on the height position of the second support member 12 when the upper surface detecting means detects the upper surface of the microplate 10. By controlling the lifting mechanism 14, the uppermost microplate 10 * is positioned at the microplate unloading level L2, that is, the gripping position by the gripping mechanism.

  As the upper surface detection means, non-contact type detection means (such as a reflection type sensor or a light shielding type sensor in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are combined) may be used. However, since the microplate is often made of a transparent material, it is expected that the optical non-contact detection means cannot accurately detect the upper surface of the microplate. Therefore, as the upper surface detection means, a contact type detection means capable of reliable detection irrespective of the material of the microplate as shown in the present embodiment is preferable.

  Next, the configuration of the control system will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the microplate supply and storage devices 1A and 1B have the same configuration, and only the configuration of the microplate supply and storage device 1A is clearly shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, a control unit 41 is a control device provided in the microplate processing apparatus 5, and operation of each element of the microplate supply and storage devices 1 </ b> A and 1 </ b> B along with operation control processing of the processing unit 6 a and the microplate transport mechanism 9. To control.

Here, the height detection processing unit 42, the microplate supply operation processing unit 43, and the microplate storage operation processing unit 44 in the control unit 41 are processing functions realized by executing a processing program stored in the control unit 41. Is shown. In these control processes, the number and dimensions of the microplate 10 to be processed (thickness dimension of the microplate 10) are input in advance.

  The height detection processing unit 42 performs the height detection processing of the microplate 10 by the above-described upper surface detection means. That is, in the state where the contactor advance / retreat actuator 36 is controlled to move the contactor 33 to the detection position, the lifting mechanism 14 is controlled to raise the second support member 12. Then, it is detected by the upper surface detection sensor 35 that the upper surface of the uppermost microplate 10 * of the laminate [10] held on the second support member 12 is in contact with the contactor 33. The height position of the second support member 12 is output as the upper surface height. This height detection process is executed by a command from the microplate supply operation processing unit 43 described below, and the detection result is transmitted to the microplate supply operation processing unit 43.

  The microplate supply operation processing unit 43 controls the lifting mechanism 14, the support release actuator 23, the gripping member opening / closing actuator 28, the gripping member lifting actuator 27, the fixed member opening / closing actuator 38, and the microplate unloading mechanism 7 to perform the following operations. Execute the process. That is, by controlling the elevating mechanism 14, the second support member 12 is lifted to perform an operation of transferring the plurality of microplates 10 supported by the first support member 11 to the second support member 12, By controlling the support release actuator 23, an operation of changing the first support member 11 to a state in which the microplate 10 cannot be supported is executed.

  Further, the microplate supply operation processing unit 43 controls the elevating mechanism 14 to move the plurality of microplates 10 that have been lowered and placed on the second support member 12 to the second stock unit 3, and then to By controlling the height position of the second support member 12 based on the height detection result by the height detection processing unit 42, the uppermost microplate 10 * of the plurality of microplates 10 is positioned at the microplate unloading level L2. The support release mechanism and the lifting mechanism 14 are actuated so that

  The microplate storage operation processing unit 44 controls the lifting mechanism 14, the gripping member lifting / lowering actuator 27, the gripping member opening / closing actuator 28, and the microplate unloading mechanism 7, so that the microplate unloading mechanism 7 externally removes the plate unloading mechanism 4. The operation of storing the microplate 10 carried into the first stock unit 2 from below is executed. In other words, the microplate storage operation processing unit 44 raises the second support member 12 and moves the elevating mechanism 14 so that the first support member 11 supports the microplate 10 delivered from the aforementioned microplate transfer means. Operate.

  The microplate supply and storage devices 1A and 1B are configured as described above. Hereinafter, the microplate supply operation for supplying the microplate 10 from the microplate supply and storage devices 1A and 1B to the microplate processing device 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 shows a state immediately after the stacked body [10] in which a plurality of microplates 10 are stacked is put into the first stock unit 2. At this time, the first supporting member 11 is in a supporting state capable of supporting the microplate 10, and the lower surface of the lowermost microplate 10 is locked by the locking member 11a. At this time, the second support member 12 positioned below is in an empty state in which the microplate 10 is not supported.

Next, a control command is issued from the microplate supply operation processing unit 43 to the elevating mechanism 14. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the second support member 12 rises and supports the laminated body [10] supported by the first support member 11 from below, so that the lowermost microplate 10 is The laminate [10] is raised until it is separated from the upper surface of the locking member 11a, and the second support member 1 is moved.
Reload to 2. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the support release actuator 23 is driven to move the locking member 11a outward to open the first support member 11, and the first support member 11 supports the laminate [10]. Make it impossible. Next, after the second support member 12 is lowered and the stacked body [10] is moved to the second stock part 3, the operation of the support release actuator 23 is stopped, and the first support member 11 is moved. Is returned to a state in which the microplate 10 can be supported.

  Thereafter, height detection processing by the height detection processing unit 42 is executed. First, the contact 33 is advanced to the detection position, and then the search operation for raising the second support member 12 at a low speed is performed. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13, if the upper surface of the uppermost microplate 10 * abuts against the contact 33, the shaft member 32 moves upward and the upper surface detection sensor 35 detects the detection end 32a. The search operation is terminated. Then, the detection result is transmitted to the microplate supply operation processing unit 43 and returned to the processing by the microplate supply operation processing unit 43.

  Next, the height position of the uppermost microplate 10 * is adjusted to a position where the gripping member 30 can grip based on the machine parameters and the dimension information (thickness dimension) of the microplate 10 input in advance. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the gripping member opening / closing actuator 28 is driven to close the gripping member 30, and as shown in FIG. 18A, the side surface 10a of the uppermost microplate 10 * is gripped and the fixing member The opening / closing actuator 38 is driven to hold and fix the next-stage microplate 10 by the fixing member 40, and the contactor 33 is retracted to the normal position.

  Thereafter, the gripping member elevating actuator 27 is driven to raise the gripping member 30 as shown in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 18B, the uppermost microplate 10 * is separated from the following microplate 10. Next, the support table 8 is entered into the space between the lower surface of the uppermost microplate 10 * and the upper surface of the microplate 10 at the next stage, and the support table 8 is raised to support the lower surface of the microplate 10. Next, the gripping member opening / closing actuator 28 is driven to release gripping by the gripping member 30, and the support table 8 is retracted as shown in FIG. 16 to carry out the microplate 10. Then, the holding member 30 is lowered and the fixing of the microplate 10 by the fixing member 40 is released.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 17, the second support member 12 is raised by the thickness of the microplate 10, and the microplate 10 located in the next stage is held by the holding member 30, that is, the microplate transport level. Located at L2. Thereafter, the state returns to the state shown in FIG. 14, and thereafter, the same operation as described above is repeatedly executed. Instead of raising the second support member 12 based on the dimensional information of the microplate 10, a height detection process by the height detection processing unit 42 may be executed each time.

  The above-described microplate supply operation includes a step of raising the second support member 12 and transferring the plurality of microplates 10 supported by the first support member 11 to the second support member 12, and a support release mechanism. The step of operating to change the state of the first support member 11 to a state where the support of the microplate 10 is impossible, and the second support member 12 is lowered to replace the plurality of microplates 10 with the second plate. A step of moving to the stock unit 3; a step of positioning the uppermost microplate 10 * of the plurality of microplates 10 by controlling the height position of the second support member 12; The microplate 10 located at the plate carry-out level L2 is transferred to the outside by the microplate transfer means. Tsu has become a form that includes a flop.

The method further includes a step of detecting the upper surface of the uppermost microplate 10 * by the upper surface detecting means after the plurality of stacked microplates 10 are mounted on the second support member 12, and the upper surface detecting means detects the upper surface of the microplate 10 *. By controlling the lifting mechanism 14 on the basis of the height position of the second support member 12 when the upper surface of 10 is detected, the uppermost microplate 10 * is positioned at the microplate unloading level L2. .

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 19 to 24, a microplate storage operation for storing the microplate 10 delivered from the outside in the first stock portion 2 will be described. In FIG. 19, the already stored microplate 10 is locked to the first support member 11 by two locking members 11a, and the second support member 12 and the gripping member 30 stand by at a predetermined height position. doing.

  Next, a new microplate storage operation by the microplate storage operation processing unit 44 is started, and the support table 8 that supports the microplate 10 on the upper surface as shown in FIG. 20 has the first support member 11 and the second support member. Enter between 12 and 12. Next, when the gripping member opening / closing actuator 28 is driven and the microplate 10 is gripped by the gripping member 30, the support table 8 is retracted, and then the second support member 12 is lifted as shown in FIG. The holding of the microplate 10 * by 30 is released, and the lower surface of the microplate 10 is supported by the second support member 12. As a result, the microplate 10 is transferred from the microplate transfer means to the second support member 12.

  Then, the second support member 12 is further raised, and the upper end portion of the microplate 10 is raised along the tapered surface of the locking member 11a as shown in FIG. Thereby, the locking member 11a is pushed outward, as shown in FIG. When the microplate 10 moves above the locking member 11a, the locking member 11a returns to a position where the lower surface of the microplate 10 can be locked.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 24, when the second support member 12 is lowered, the microplate 10 is locked by the locking member 11a, and the newly delivered microplate 10 is moved together with the already-stored microplate 10. It is supported by the first support member 11. That is, the above-described microplate storage operation is delivered from the microplate transfer means by raising the second support member 12 by transferring the microplate 10 to the second support member 12 by the microplate transfer means. And a step of supporting the microplate 10 on the first support member 11.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 25 is a side view of an essential part of the microplate supply and storage device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 26 and 27 are operation explanatory diagrams of the plate supply operation in the microplate supply and storage device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 are operation explanatory views of the plate storing operation in the microplate supply and storage device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 25 shows a plate take-out / take-in mechanism 4A of the microplate storage / supply device of the second embodiment. The plate take-out / take-in mechanism 4A is configured by removing the microplate 10 gripping mechanism from the plate take-out / take-in mechanism 4 in the first embodiment. The microplate carry-out mechanism 7A is configured by adding a gripping mechanism for the microplate 10 to the microplate carry-out mechanism 7 in the first embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, the microplate carrying means is provided with a holding mechanism for the microplate 10.

As shown in FIG. 25, an elevating drive unit 51 is disposed on a horizontal moving mechanism 50 that can move horizontally in the X direction, and a horizontal arm 52 is coupled to the elevating drive unit 51. A gripping member opening / closing mechanism 53 is provided at the tip of the horizontal arm 52, and a gripping member 54 is attached to the opening / closing arm 53 a of the gripping member opening / closing mechanism 53. By driving the elevating drive unit 51, the horizontal arm 52 is raised and lowered, and thereby the gripping member 54 is raised and lowered. Therefore, the raising / lowering drive part 51 is a holding member raising / lowering mechanism. Further, by driving the gripping member opening / closing mechanism 53, the open / close arm 53a expands and contracts in the horizontal direction, whereby the microplate 10 can be gripped by the gripping member 54. That is, the gripping member 54 and the gripping member opening / closing mechanism 53 constitute a gripping mechanism.

  26 and 27 show the microplate supply operation. In FIG. 26, the second support member 12 of the second stock portion 3 holds the laminated body [10], and the uppermost microplate 10 * is held by the holding member 54 of the microplate unloading mechanism 7A. Yes. The next-stage microplate 10 is fixed in position by a fixing member 40 of a fixing mechanism similar to that of the first embodiment. Next, as shown in FIG. 27, the elevation drive unit 51 of the microplate carry-out mechanism 7 </ b> A is driven to raise the microplate 10 held by the holding member 54 and separate from the next-stage microplate 10.

  That is, in the second embodiment, the microplate separating means is a gripping member lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers the gripping member 54, and this gripping member lifting mechanism is provided in the microplate transporting means. As in the first embodiment, when the uppermost microplate 10 * is separated, a fixing mechanism for temporarily fixing the next microplate 10 is provided.

  Next, the microplate storage operation will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 28, two already stored microplates 10 are held on the first support member 11, and the microplate 10 to be newly stored is a gripping member 54 below the first support member 11. Is carried in by the microplate carrying-out mechanism 7A. Further, the lower surface of the microplate 10 is supported by the second support member 12. Then, after the microplate 10 is supported by the second support member 12, the gripping by the gripping member 54 is released and the microplate unloading mechanism 7A is retracted.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 28, similarly to the operation shown in FIG. 22 of the first embodiment, the microplate 10 is pushed up by the second support member 12 to move the microplate 10 to above the locking member 11a. Locking is performed by the locking member 11a. Thereby, the microplate 10 carried in by the microplate carrying-out mechanism 7 </ b> A is sequentially stored in the first stock unit 2.

  With the configuration described in the first and second embodiments, the microplate supply and storage device of the present invention has the effects described below. First, in the microplate supply and storage devices 1A and 1B, the stock portion for storing the microplate 10 is used as the vertically long first stock portion 2 and the second stock portion 3 capable of storing the stacked microplate in the vertical direction. By adopting a serial arrangement, a compact microplate supply and storage device with a small exclusive area is realized, and the first stock is located at an easy height for mounting and removing the microplate 10 by the operator. It can be performed in a stacked state in the section 2.

  As a result, when a test is performed on a large number of microplates, the troublesome work required in a conventional apparatus having a stocking unit of a mounting shelf type, that is, plate mounting on the mounting shelf when replenishing and collecting microplates is performed. The work of placing and removing the microplates individually at the placement position can be greatly simplified, and workability and operability can be improved.

Also, a microplate lifting / lowering means that can support and release the support of the stacked microplate 10 in the first stock portion 2 and can move up and down while supporting the stacked microplate 10 in the second stock portion 3. And a configuration including a microplate transfer means capable of delivering to the outside of the microplate located at the microplate unloading level L2 of the second stock unit 3 is employed.

  As a result, the microplate 10 accommodated in the first stock unit 2 is moved to the second stock unit 3 to supply the microplate 10 sequentially from the uppermost microplate 10 to the outside, and from the outside. The microplate storage operation of sequentially storing the microplates 10 in the first stock unit 2 can be performed by the same apparatus.

  Accordingly, when a plurality of operations are repeated for the same microplate, the microplates supplied from one side of the two microplate supply / storage devices are stored in the microplate supply / storage device on the other side. The stacking order of the microplates can always be kept constant. Therefore, the restacking operation required in the conventional apparatus, that is, the operation of rearranging the stacking order of the microplates in each stacker becomes unnecessary, and the efficiency of the test operation can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the microplate supply and storage device of the present invention, when the microplates are taken out one by one from the stack of microplates, the uppermost microplate is separated and taken out, so a lid is attached to the upper surface. Even when the target microplate is used, the mask plate can be stably separated and supplied.

  The microplate supply device of the present invention has an effect that a plurality of stacked microplates can be separated and supplied one by one with the lid attached, and the lid with the lid attached to the upper surface It is useful for an apparatus for supplying a microplate with a plate.

The front view of the microplate processing apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention The side view of the plate processing apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention Overall operation explanatory diagram of the microplate processing apparatus of Embodiment 1 of the present invention The principal part side view of the microplate supply accommodation apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention Partial sectional view of the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Partial sectional view of the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Partial sectional view of the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Partial sectional view of the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention The block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the microplate processing apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. Operation explanatory diagram of plate supply operation in the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Operation explanatory diagram of plate supply operation in the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Operation explanatory diagram of plate supply operation in the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Operation explanatory diagram of plate supply operation in the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Operation explanatory diagram of plate supply operation in the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Operation explanatory diagram of plate supply operation in the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Operation explanatory diagram of plate supply operation in the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Operation explanatory diagram of plate supply operation in the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Operation explanatory diagram of plate supply operation in the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Operation explanatory diagram of plate storing operation in the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Operation explanatory diagram of plate storing operation in the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Operation explanatory diagram of plate storing operation in the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Operation explanatory diagram of plate storing operation in the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Operation explanatory diagram of plate storing operation in the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Operation explanatory diagram of plate storing operation in the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Side view of the main part of the microplate supply and storage device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Operation explanatory diagram of plate supply operation in the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 2 of the present invention Operation explanatory diagram of plate supply operation in the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 2 of the present invention Operation explanatory diagram of plate storing operation in the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 2 of the present invention Operation explanatory diagram of plate storing operation in the microplate supply and storage device of Embodiment 2 of the present invention Cross-sectional view of the stacked state of the microplate

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A Microplate supply / storage device 1B Microplate supply / storage device 2 1st stock part 3 2nd stock part 4 Plate take-out taking-in mechanism 5 Microplate processing apparatus 6a Processing unit 7 Microplate unloading mechanism 8 Advance / retreat table 9 Microplate conveyance Mechanism 10 Microplate 10b Lid 11 First Support Member 12 Second Support Member 14 Lifting Mechanism 27 Grip Member Lifting Actuator 28 Grip Member Open / Close Actuator 30 Grip Member 33 Contact 35 Upper Surface Detection Sensor 38 Fixed Member Open / Close Actuator 40 Fixed Member 51 Lifting drive unit 53 Gripping member opening / closing mechanism 54 Gripping member

Claims (10)

  A vertically long stock part for storing a plurality of microplates with lids in a stacked state, a support member for supporting a plurality of microplates with lids in a stacked state inside the stock part, and the support member inside the stock part A lifting mechanism that moves up and down, a gripping mechanism that presses and grips a gripping member against a side surface of the microplate with the uppermost lid among the stacked microplates with the lid supported by the support member, and the uppermost lid A microplate separation means for separating the uppermost lidded microplate from the next lidded microplate by relatively moving the gripping member gripping the attached microplate and the support member in a mutually separating direction; and A micro-pump that unloads the microplate with the uppermost lid separated by the microplate separating means Supply device lidded microplates, characterized in that a chromatography preparative unloading means.   The upper surface detecting means for detecting the upper surface of the uppermost lidded microplate inside the stock portion, and the elevation of the support member when the upper surface detecting means detects the upper surface of the microplate. 2. The apparatus for supplying a microplate with a lid according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the mechanism to position the microplate with the uppermost lid at a gripping position by the gripping mechanism.   3. The apparatus for supplying a microplate with a lid according to claim 2, wherein the upper surface detecting means is a contact type detecting means having a contact that contacts the upper surface of the microplate.   4. The apparatus for supplying a microplate with a lid according to claim 3, wherein the contact detection means includes a sensor for detecting that the contact has moved in contact with the upper surface of the microplate.   The microplate carry-out means is inserted between the uppermost lidded microplate separated by the microplate separating means and the next lidded microplate to support the uppermost lidded microplate. The apparatus for supplying a microplate with a lid according to claim 1, comprising:   2. The apparatus for supplying a microplate with a lid according to claim 1, wherein the microplate separating means is a gripping member lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the gripping member.   The apparatus for supplying a microplate with a lid according to claim 6, further comprising a fixing mechanism for temporarily fixing the microplate with a lid at the next stage when the microplate with a lid at the uppermost stage is separated.   The apparatus for supplying a microplate with a lid according to claim 1, wherein the gripping mechanism is provided in the microplate carrying-out means.   9. The microplate with lid according to claim 8, wherein the microplate separating means is a gripping member lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the gripping member, and the gripping member lifting mechanism is provided in the microplate transporting means. apparatus. The apparatus for supplying a microplate with a lid according to claim 9, further comprising a fixing mechanism for temporarily fixing the microplate with a lid of the next stage when separating the microplate with the uppermost lid.

Images