JP2010091383A - Sample rack supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sample rack supply device supplying sample racks easily in a short time, even if the number of sample racks to be supplied varies. <P>SOLUTION: This sample rack supply device includes a tray part 31 holding sample racks at prescribed intervals in the transfer direction of a holding plate 22 in the arrayed state in the shortwise direction of the sample racks, including a guide part for guiding the sample racks in the longitudinal direction of the sample racks, and storing a plurality of sample racks to be supplied to a rack set part 21; and a placing part 41 provided on the side part of the rack set part 21 along the transfer direction of the rack set part 21, capable of placing the tray part 31 thereon. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction container, measures the absorbance of a reaction solution generated in the reaction container, and is used in an automatic analyzer for analyzing the sample, and transfers a sample rack containing the sample container The present invention relates to a sample rack supply device that supplies the sample rack to a rack set unit in the automatic analyzer.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an automatic analyzer that dispenses a specimen and a reagent into a reaction container and analyzes the specimen by measuring the absorbance of a reaction solution reacted in the reaction container is known. This automatic analyzer has a rack set unit for placing and transferring a sample rack containing a plurality of sample containers containing samples to be analyzed.

  In the rack set unit, a plurality of holding plates that hold individual sample racks in a standing state are arranged on the belt conveyor at equal intervals in order to prevent the sample racks from overturning. When supplying the sample racks to the rack set unit, the operator arranges each sample rack individually between the holding plates.

  On the other hand, there is known an automatic analyzer including a transport unit that places a tray in which a plurality of sample racks are collectively stored and moves the tray as it is. The tray has a holding plate similar to the plurality of holding plates arranged at equal intervals as described above, and moves on the transport unit in a state where a plurality of sample racks are accommodated between the holding plates. In this case, since a plurality of sample racks can be supplied for each tray, a large amount of sample racks can be easily supplied to the automatic analyzer (see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-9-196926

  However, an automatic analyzer that can supply sample racks individually with a holding plate formed on a belt conveyor has a problem in that it cannot supply a large amount of sample racks quickly. It is structurally difficult to supply a plurality of sample racks because the holding plate is provided on the belt conveyor.

  On the other hand, depending on the environment in which the automatic analyzer is used, there are cases where it is desired to supply sample racks individually, or to supply sample racks in batch units, and the number of sample racks to be supplied depending on the date and time. There is a demand for the emergence of an automatic analyzer capable of supplying a flexible sample rack.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides a sample rack supply device that can easily supply a sample rack in a short time even if the number of sample racks to be supplied changes. Objective.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the sample rack supply device of the present invention dispenses a specimen and a reagent into a reaction container, and measures the absorbance of the reaction solution that reacts in the reaction container. A plurality of holding plates, which are provided in an automatic analyzer for analyzing the sample and hold a plurality of sample containers containing sample containers arranged in the short direction of the sample rack at a predetermined interval in the transport direction of the sample rack. In the sample rack supply device that is arranged and supplies the sample rack to a rack set unit that mounts and transfers the sample rack between the holding plates, the sample rack is arranged in a short direction of the sample rack and the predetermined interval is arranged A guide portion for holding the sample rack and guiding the sample rack in the longitudinal direction of the sample rack. A tray unit that houses a sample rack, and a mounting unit that is provided on a side of the rack set unit along a transfer direction of the rack set unit and on which the tray unit can be mounted. To do.

  In the sample rack supply device according to the present invention, in the above invention, the tray portion is provided on a lower surface of the tray portion, and includes a foot portion that supports the tray portion. A storage portion for storing the foot portion corresponding to the shape of the portion, wherein the storage portion has a longitudinal direction of the sample rack accommodated in the tray portion and a longitudinal direction of the sample rack accommodated in the rack set portion. The tray portion is arranged on the placement portion so as to coincide with each other.

  Further, in the sample rack supply device according to the present invention, the accommodating portion is arranged so that the short-side direction placement position of the sample rack in the rack set portion matches the short-side direction placement position of the sample rack in the tray portion. The tray section can be arranged at a position shifted at the predetermined interval with respect to the transfer direction of the rack set section.

  Further, in the sample rack supply device according to the present invention, the mounting portion is rotatable about a predetermined axis, covers the rack set portion, and supplies the sample rack to the rack set portion by the tray portion. In this case, the mounting portion is rotated to form a mounting surface on which the tray portion is mounted.

  The tray portion is held in one of the guide directions of the stored sample rack in a closed state to suppress and hold the sample rack, and the open / close portion enables the sample rack to be sent in an open state. An opening / closing drive mechanism that enables the sample rack to be sent out by placing the opening / closing portion in a closed state by placing the tray portion on the placement portion.

  According to the present invention, the tray has a guide portion that is arranged in the short direction of the sample rack and holds the sample rack at a predetermined interval and guides the sample rack in the longitudinal direction of the sample rack, and accommodates a plurality of sample racks. The sample rack on the tray unit can be collectively fed by placing the unit on the placement unit provided on the side of the rack set unit along the transfer direction of the rack set unit. Since it can be directly supplied to the rack set unit, even if the number of sample racks to be supplied is changed, the sample racks can be supplied flexibly easily and in a short time.

  Hereinafter, a sample rack supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic analyzer using a sample rack supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an automatic analyzer 1 dispenses a specimen and a reagent into a specimen transfer mechanism 2 that supplies a specimen to be analyzed, and a reaction container 20, and reacts the reaction in the reaction container 20, and the absorbance of the reaction liquid. And a measurement mechanism 3 for measuring. The automatic analyzer 1 automatically analyzes a plurality of samples by the cooperation of these two mechanisms.

  The sample transfer mechanism 2 sequentially transfers sample racks 2b holding a plurality of sample containers 2a containing samples to be analyzed to the sample aspiration position. The sample in the transferred sample container 2a is dispensed by the sample dispensing mechanism 12 into the reaction container 20 arranged in the reaction tank 13.

  The measurement mechanism 3 includes a sample dispensing mechanism 12 that sucks a sample from the sample container 2a and discharges the sample into the reaction container 20 to perform dispensing, and dispensing, stirring, photometry, and the like of the sample and the reagent into the reaction container 20. A reaction tank 13 for transferring the reaction container 20 to a predetermined position for cleaning, a reagent container 14 for storing a plurality of reagent containers containing reagents to be dispensed in the reaction container 20, and a reagent container 14 A reagent dispensing mechanism 15 that sucks the reagent from the reagent container and discharges the reagent into the reaction container 20 to dispense, a stirring mechanism 16 that stirs the liquid dispensed in the reaction container 20, and a reaction container 20. A photometric mechanism 17 that measures the absorbance of the poured liquid, a cleaning mechanism 18 that cleans the reaction vessel 20 that has been measured by the photometric mechanism 17, and an intrusion of outside air and internal air that is outside by covering the measurement mechanism 3 Lid 19 which prevented it from flowing out Equipped with a.

  In the automatic analyzer 1 configured as described above, the sample dispensing mechanism 12 dispenses a sample from the sample container 2a at the sample aspirating position with respect to the plurality of reaction containers 20 that are sequentially transported, and the reagent dispensing mechanism. 15 dispenses the reagent from the reagent container of the reagent store 14. Thereafter, an analysis process is automatically performed in which the photometric mechanism 17 analyzes the specimen by measuring the absorbance of the reaction solution that reacts in the reaction vessel 20. Thereafter, the cleaning mechanism 18 cleans the reaction vessel 20 that has been measured by the photometric mechanism 17. Thereafter, the washed reaction vessel 20 is reused, and a plurality of analysis processes are continuously performed in a pipeline manner, whereby a series of analysis processes are continuously performed repeatedly.

  Next, a sample rack supply apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the rack setting unit 21 and the sample rack supply device 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the sample rack supply device 30 includes a tray unit 31 and a mounting unit 41, and a rack set unit that mounts the sample rack 2 b between the holding plates 22 and transfers it in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2. The sample rack 2 b is supplied to the 21.

  The rack setting unit 21 is realized by a belt conveyor, places the sample rack 2b on a circulating endless belt, and moves the sample rack 2b in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 when driven by a driving mechanism (not shown). The rack set unit 21 also includes a holding plate 22 that holds the sample rack 2b arranged in the short direction of the sample rack 2b. A plurality of holding plates 22 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the transfer direction in which the rack set unit 21 transfers the sample rack 2b, specifically, at a length interval in the short direction of the sample rack 2b, and mounted on the rack set unit 21. The sample rack 2b placed is prevented from overturning. The lid 23 prevents the entry of outside air by covering the rack set portion 21.

  Next, the tray unit 31 of the sample rack supply device 30 will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the tray portion 31, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of the dotted line A shown in FIG. 3, and shows a perspective view in which the side plate 32 is broken.

  The tray portion 31 has a rectangular bottom plate 31a, is provided with the left and right side plates 32 and the rear plate 33 facing each other at the periphery of the bottom plate 31a, and is formed with the front and upper sides opened. The dimension of the bottom plate 31a in the front-rear direction has such a length that the sample rack 2b can be accommodated along the longitudinal direction (L), and the dimension in the left-right direction of the bottom plate 31a depends on the lateral direction of the plurality of sample racks 2b. It has a length that can be accommodated side by side along the direction. The tray unit 31 is arranged in the short direction (W) of the sample rack 2b and holds the sample rack 2b at a predetermined interval, specifically, at a length interval in the short direction (W) of the sample rack 2b. In addition, a guide portion 31b for guiding the sample rack 2b in the longitudinal direction (L) of the sample rack 2b is provided. Furthermore, the tray part 31 is provided on the lower surface of the bottom plate 31 a and includes a foot part 31 c that supports the tray part 31.

  The side plate 32 is bent and extended at a right angle from the upper end of the side plate toward the outer side, and then bent at a right angle downward and formed in a concave shape. An opening / closing part 34 and an opening / closing drive mechanism 35 are provided in the concave inner part of the side plate 32. In addition, the rear plate 33 is bent and extended outward from the upper end of the rear plate 33 so that the operator can hold it.

  The opening / closing part 34 includes a rotating plate 34a, a shaft 34b, and a holding part 34c. The rotating plate 34 a is penetrated by the shaft 34 b, is rotatable about the shaft 34 b, and is disposed in a concave shape formed by the side plate 32. The holding portion 34c is sandwiched between the right rotating plate 34a and the left rotating plate 34a, and is connected to the lower side of each rotating plate 34a. That is, the opening / closing part 34 is held in one direction in the guide direction of the sample rack 2b accommodated in the tray part 31 while suppressing the delivery of the sample rack 2b in the closed state, and accommodated in the tray part 31 in the open state. The sample rack 2b can be sent out. Specifically, the sample rack 2b is held between the holding portion 34c and the rear plate 33, and the sample rack 2b is prevented from sliding off from the tray portion 31.

  The opening / closing drive mechanism 35 includes a push-up portion 35a, a shaft 35b, and an elastic portion 35c. The push-up portion 35a is disposed in the concave shape formed by the side plate 32 while being penetrated by the shaft 35b. The elastic portion 35 c is realized by a leaf spring, and one end is connected to the push-up portion 35 a and the other end is connected to the side plate 32. In other words, the opening / closing drive mechanism 35 enables the sample rack 2b to be sent out by placing the tray portion 31 on the placement portion 41 so that the opening / closing portion 34 is opened. Specifically, the push-up part 35a pushes up the rotating plate 34a of the opening / closing part 34, and the holding part 34c is lowered, thereby enabling the sample rack 2b to be sent out.

  Next, the placement unit 41 of the sample rack supply device 30 will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the placement unit 41. FIG. 6 shows a state where the mounting portion 41 covers the front of the rack setting portion 21.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the placement portion 41 is provided on the side portion of the rack set portion 21 along the transfer direction of the rack set portion 21, and is formed so that the tray portion 31 can be placed thereon. In addition, the placement unit 41 includes an accommodation portion 42 that accommodates the foot portion 31 c corresponding to the shape of the foot portion 31 c of the tray portion 31. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the mounting portion 41 is rotatable about an axis O passing along the left-right direction of the front bottom surface of the rack set portion 21, covers the rack set portion 21, and When the sample rack 2b is supplied to the rack set unit 21 by the unit 31, the mounting unit 41 is rotated to form a mounting surface on which the tray unit 31 is mounted. That is, in use, the tray unit 31 can be mounted by tilting the mounting unit 41 horizontally with respect to the rack set unit.

  The accommodating part 42 arranges the tray part 31 on the mounting part 41 so that the longitudinal direction of the sample rack 2b accommodated in the tray part 31 and the longitudinal direction of the sample rack 2b accommodated in the rack set part 21 coincide. . In addition, the accommodating portion 42 is arranged in the transfer direction of the rack set portion 21 so that the short-side direction arrangement position of the sample rack 2b in the rack set portion 21 and the short-side direction arrangement position of the sample rack 2b of the tray portion 31 coincide. On the other hand, the tray part 31 is provided so as to be arranged at a position shifted at predetermined intervals. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the mounting portion 41 is provided with a plurality of accommodating portions 42 at intervals of the holding plates 22 of the rack set portion 21, and the tray portions 31 are mounted at intervals of the holding plates 22. Can be placed. In this case, even if the sample rack 2b is already accommodated between the holding plates 22 of the rack set unit 21, a plurality of sample racks 2b can be mounted by placing the tray unit 31 in an empty space between the holding plates 22. It can be supplied to the rack set unit 21.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the above-described sample rack supply apparatus 30 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the sample rack 2b is accommodated between the guide portions 31b in the tray portion 31 in a state where the opening / closing portion 34 is opened by the opening / closing drive mechanism 35 (state A1).

  Then, in order to supply the sample rack 2b accommodated in the tray part 31 to the rack set part 21, the tray part 31 is conveyed to the mounting part 41 (state A2). At this time, the sample rack 2b is prevented from slipping off from the tray portion 31 by holding down the sample rack 2b accommodated in the tray portion 31 while the opening / closing portion 34 is closed.

  Thereafter, the foot portion 31c of the tray portion 31 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 42 of the placement portion 41 (state A3). At this time, the tray portion 31 is placed on the placement portion 41 so that the longitudinal direction of the sample rack 2b accommodated in the tray portion 31 and the longitudinal direction of the sample rack 2b accommodated in the rack set portion 21 coincide. Thus, the sample rack 2b can be supplied without being obstructed by the holding plate 22 on the rack set portion 21.

  Thereafter, the opening / closing part 34 is opened from the closed state by placing the tray part 31 on the placing part 41 (state A4). At this time, the sample rack 2b can be sent out toward the rack set portion 21 in the arrow direction shown in the drawing.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 9, the operation of the opening / closing part 34 and the opening / closing drive mechanism 35 will be described in detail. First, when the tray part 31 is placed on the desk 100, the push-up part 35a of the opening / closing drive mechanism 35 compresses the elastic part 35c by its own weight (state B1). At this time, the push-up part 35a pushes up the rotating plate 34a with the shaft 35b as a fulcrum, so that the holding part 34c is lowered, so that the sample rack 2b can be accommodated in the tray part 31.

  Thereafter, when the tray part 31 is lifted, the weight of the tray part 31 applied to the elastic part 35c is released, and the elastic part 35c is restored (state B2). At this time, when the push-up portion 35a is lowered, the rotating plate 34a is also lowered, the holding portion 34c holds the sample rack 2b, and the sample rack 2b is prevented from sliding off from the tray portion 31.

  Then, the tray part 31 is mounted on the mounting part 41 (state B3). At this time, by accommodating the foot portion 31c of the tray portion 31 in the accommodating portion 42, the longitudinal direction of the sample rack 2b accommodated in the tray portion 31 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the sample rack 2b accommodated in the rack set portion 21. Thus, the tray unit 31 can be arranged on the mounting unit 41.

  Thereafter, when the tray part 31 is placed on the placement part 41, the push-up part 35a of the opening / closing drive mechanism 35 compresses the elastic part 35c by its own weight (state B4). At this time, the push-up portion 35a pushes up the rotating plate 34a with the shaft 35b as a fulcrum, so that the holding portion 34c is lowered, so that the sample rack 2b can be delivered to the rack set portion 21.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the tray portion 31 having the guide portions 31b arranged at predetermined intervals is placed on the placement portion 41 provided on the side portion of the rack set portion 21 along the transfer direction of the rack set portion 21. Accordingly, one or a plurality of sample racks 2b can be easily and quickly supplied from the tray unit 31 to the rack set unit 21, and as a result, a series of analysis processing times can be shortened.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the sample rack 2b is supplied, the rack set unit 21 may be driven or stopped. When the rack set unit 21 is driven, the holding plate 22 moves in the transfer direction of the sample rack 2b. However, since the moving time of the holding plate 22 is about 5 seconds per time, the sample rack 2b Is not obstructed by the holding plate 22.

  In the above-described embodiment, the sample rack supply device 30 supplies the sample rack 2b to the rack set unit 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sample rack 2b accommodated in the rack set unit 21 may be recovered. It may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the placement unit 41 may be capable of being pulled out from under the rack set unit 21. In this case, the placement unit 41 is accommodated between endless belts on the belt conveyor of the rack set unit 21 when not in use, and is pulled out of the rack set unit 21 when used to place the tray unit 31 thereon. A placement surface can be formed and the tray portion 31 can be placed thereon.

  In addition, when the operator adds a new sample rack 2b as necessary, the sample rack 2b is added between the empty holding plates 22 of the rack set unit 21 without using the sample rack supply device 30. Since it is possible, the sample rack 2b can be easily added.

  Moreover, when accommodating the tray part 31, as shown in FIG. 10, you may accommodate the tray part 31 in piles. In this case, since the foot portion 31c of the tray portion 31 enters the inside of the left and right side plates 32 of the tray portion 31, the tray portion 31 stacked on the tray portion 31 does not move left and right and can be stably stored. It is possible to save the space for the 31 accommodation locations.

It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the automatic analyzer in which the sample rack supply apparatus concerning this invention is used. It is a perspective view which shows the sample rack supply apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the tray part of the sample rack supply apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is the principal part enlarged view of a tray part, and is the perspective view which fractured | ruptured one part. It is a perspective view which shows the mounting part of the sample rack supply apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the mounting part of the sample rack supply apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention closed. It is a top view which shows the plane of a sample rack supply apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows operation | movement of a sample rack supply apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of the opening / closing part and opening / closing drive mechanism of a sample rack supply apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows accommodation of a tray part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 2 Specimen transfer mechanism 2a Specimen container 2b Sample rack 3 Measurement mechanism 12 Specimen dispensing mechanism 13 Reaction tank 14 Reagent storage 15 Reagent dispensing mechanism 16 Stirring mechanism 17 Photometric mechanism 18 Washing mechanism 19, 23 Lid 20 Reaction container 21 Rack set portion 22 Holding plate 30 Sample rack supply device 31 Tray portion 31a Bottom plate 31b Guide portion 31c Foot portion 32 Side plate 33 Rear plate 34 Opening and closing portion 34a Rotating plates 34b and 35b Shaft 34c Holding portion 35 Opening and closing drive mechanism 35a Push-up portion 35c Elastic portion 41 placement unit 42 accommodation unit 100 desks

Claims (5)

A sample rack containing a plurality of specimen containers is provided in an automatic analyzer that dispenses specimens and reagents into a reaction container, measures the absorbance of a reaction solution that reacts in the reaction container, and analyzes the specimen. A plurality of holding plates arranged and held in the short direction of the sample rack are arranged at a predetermined interval in the transfer direction of the sample rack, and the rack set unit for mounting and transferring the sample rack between the holding plates In the sample rack supply device for supplying the sample rack,
A plurality of guides that are arranged in the short direction of the sample rack and hold the sample rack at the predetermined interval and guide the sample rack in the longitudinal direction of the sample rack, and are supplied to the rack set unit A tray section for accommodating a sample rack of
A placement unit provided on a side of the rack set unit along a transfer direction of the rack set unit, and capable of placing the tray unit;
A sample rack supply device comprising: The tray portion is provided on a lower surface of the tray portion, and includes a foot portion that supports the tray portion,
The mounting portion includes a housing portion that accommodates the foot portion corresponding to the shape of the foot portion,
The storage unit arranges the tray unit on the mounting unit so that the longitudinal direction of the sample rack stored in the tray unit and the longitudinal direction of the sample rack stored in the rack set unit coincide with each other. The sample rack supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a sample rack supply apparatus.   The storage portion is arranged at the predetermined interval with respect to the transfer direction of the rack set portion so that a short-side direction placement position of the sample rack in the rack set portion matches a short-side placement position of the sample rack in the tray portion. The sample rack supply device according to claim 2, wherein the tray unit can be arranged at a position shifted every time.   The mounting unit is rotatable about a predetermined axis and covers the rack set unit. When the sample rack is supplied to the rack set unit by the tray unit, the mounting unit is rotated. The sample rack supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a mounting surface on which the tray unit is mounted is formed. The tray section is
An opening / closing part that holds the sample rack in a closed state while suppressing the delivery of the sample rack in one of the guide directions of the stored sample rack, and enables the delivery of the sample rack in an open state;
An opening / closing drive mechanism that enables the sample rack to be sent in a state in which the opening / closing part is opened from a closed state by placing the tray part on the placing part;
The sample rack supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

Images