JP2010181380A - Dispensation mechanism having switch valve - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To change suction and discharge amounts in a plurality of disposable chips by making dispensing nozzle bodies having the respective disposable chips and a dispensing piston mechanism mutually independent to connect them by tubes and switch valves. <P>SOLUTION: A dispensation mechanism having the switch valves is constituted so as to be capable of altering the suction and discharge amounts of the respective disposable chips (51a and 51b) by connecting the first and second dispensing nozzle bodies (202 and 203) to the A-port (204A) and B-port (204B) of a switch valve body (204) having a plurality of the switch valves (205) and operating the dispensing piston (52C) of the drive device (210) connected to the switch valve body (204) through an inlet side tube (205A). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a dispensing mechanism having a switching valve, and in particular, a dispensing nozzle body having a plurality of disposable tips and a dispensing piston mechanism are connected to each other by a tube and a switching valve independently of each other, whereby suction in each disposable tip is performed. And a new improvement for enabling the discharge amount to be changed.

As a dispensing mechanism having this type of switching valve that has been conventionally used, for example, a mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1 described later can be cited.
That is, what is indicated by reference numeral 1 in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a casing whose overall shape is substantially box-shaped. As shown in FIG. 4, the casing 1 has first and second rotary clutches. 2, 3 and a drive motor 4 are provided.

A first pulley 5 is provided above the first clutch 2, and a timing pulley 6 is provided below the first pulley 2.
A second pulley 7 is provided above the second clutch 3, and a third pulley 8 is provided below the second pulley 3.

  The timing pulley 6 and the third pulley 8 are connected by a first timing belt 9, and the first pulley 5 is a fourth pulley above the pitch variable drive screw 10 that is rotatably provided on the casing 1. 11 and a second timing belt 12, and the second pulley 7 has a third timing belt 15 attached to a fifth pulley 14 at the top of a dispensing piston drive screw 13 rotatably provided in the casing 1. Are connected through.

  A connecting shaft holding block 16 is fixed to the pitch changing drive screw 10 on a nut screwed with the pitch changing drive screw 10, and the connecting shaft holding block 16 extends along the vertical direction of the casing 1. The first linear track 20 is provided so as to move up and down, that is, move up and down.

  A piston holding block 21 is fixed to a nut screwed to the dispensing piston drive screw 13 at the upper part of the dispensing piston drive screw 13, and the piston holding block 21 is attached to the casing 1 in its vertical direction. Are vertically movable, that is, can be moved up and down by a second linear track 22 provided along the line.

  The lower part of the pitch-variable drive screw 10 is rotatably held by a first bearing 24 provided on a holding plate 23 extending in the horizontal direction from the lower part of the casing 1, and downward from the connecting shaft holding block 16. A groove cam body 30 having a plurality of inclined groove cams 30a is connected to the lower end of the continuous shaft 25 provided toward the end via a connecting member 26.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the groove cam body 30 is composed of a pair opposed to each other. As shown in FIG. 5, each groove cam body 30 is constituted by a pair of connecting plates 31 so that the overall shape is a frame shape. The groove cam guide 32 provided on the inner side of the center of the connecting plate 31 is fixed to the casing 1 and protrudes forward and is formed at the center of the front plate 34 of the holding body 33 having an overall box shape. It is configured to engage with a groove cam guide linear track 35 formed in the vertical direction at a position so as to move up and down, that is, move up and down together with the connecting plate 31.

  The lower part of the dispensing piston drive screw 13 is rotatably supported by a second bearing 37 provided on the upper plate 36 of the holding body 33, and the dispensing piston provided on the piston holding block 21. The body 40 passes through the cylindrical guide 41 of the upper plate 36 and extends below the upper plate 36 and is connected to a horizontally long frame-shaped guide 42.

As shown in FIG. 5, the holding body 33 is provided with a rear plate 34a similarly to the front plate 34, and is similarly provided with the groove cam guide linear track 35 shown in FIG.
Accordingly, the connecting plate 31 is also provided as shown in FIG. 5, and the pair of groove cam bodies 30 are connected by the connecting plates 31. The mold is configured to be movable up and down outside the holding body 33.

  A pair of guide rods 40a and 40b are planted and provided on both sides of the dispensing piston body 40 connected to the frame-shaped guide 42, and each guide rod 40a and 40b is provided on the upper plate 36. The frame-shaped guide 42 is positioned by projecting upwardly through a pair of guide bushes 41a and 41b.

  A plurality of horizontal bars 50, which are supported between the front plate 34 and the rear plate 34a and form a pitch variable linear track, are fixedly provided below the holding body 33. A plurality of cylinder blocks 52 each having a nozzle 51 having a disposable tip 51a at the lower portion are arranged side by side so as to be movable along the horizontal direction.

  A cam follower 52 a that engages with each of the inclined groove cams 30 a is provided at the upper part of each cylinder block 52, and a dispensing piston 53 is provided so as to be freely inserted. It is configured such that liquid can be sucked into the disposable chip 51d attached to or attached to each disposable chip 51d.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, the frame-shaped guide 42 includes a first guide piece 42 a and a second guide piece 42 b and has a gap D between the guide pieces 42 a and 42 b. A gap 60 is formed, and in this gap 60, a roller 61 made of a bearing rotatably provided on the upper part of each dispensing piston 53 is engaged so that it can move in the horizontal direction indicated by an arrow G. Are combined.
The interval D is configured to be a gap 60 that does not affect the dispensing amount as much as possible with respect to the outer diameter of the roller 61.

Next, the overall operation will be described. Before that, the operation of the dispensing robots 106 and 107 will be described. First, the state of FIG. 3 shows a state where the pitch of each nozzle 51 is the smallest when the groove cam body 30 is moved to the uppermost position with respect to each cylinder block 52 and the cylinder blocks 52 are joined to each other.
Next, when increasing each pitch of the nozzles 51 in the above-described state, first, based on a set pitch command set in advance by the control unit (not shown) with the second clutch 3 turned off. When the drive motor 4 is driven, the first pulley 5 rotates via the first clutch 2, and this rotation is caused by the pitch variable drive screw 10 rotating via the second timing belt 12 and the fourth pulley 11. To do.

Due to the rotation of the pitch varying drive screw 10, the connecting shaft holding block 16 is lowered, and the groove cam body 30 is simultaneously lowered via the connecting shaft 25 and the connecting member 26.
When the groove cam body 30 is lowered, each cam follower 52a of each cylinder block 52 engaged with each inclined groove cam 30a is moved outward along the groove cam shape of each inclined groove cam 30a. The drive of the drive motor 4 is stopped in a state where the 52 and the nozzle 51 are at the set pitch.

  Next, in the above-described state, when the first clutch 2 is turned off and the second clutch 3 is turned on, the drive motor 4 is driven via the first timing belt 9 to the third pulley 8, the second clutch 3, It is transmitted to the dispensing piston drive screw 13 via the second pulley 7, the third timing belt 15 and the fifth pulley 14, and the piston holding block 21 is moved up and down by the rotation of the dispensing piston drive screw 13.

Each dispensing piston 53 can move up and down with respect to each cylinder block 52 by raising and lowering the dispensing piston body 40 in conjunction with the piston holding block 21.
When the above-described dispensing pistons 53 are lifted while the disposable tips 51a of the nozzles 51 of the cylinder blocks 52 are immersed in a liquid tank (not shown), the liquid is sucked and the liquid is discharged. When the dispensing piston 53 is lowered after the suction, the liquid can be discharged from the disposable tip 51a of each nozzle 51, that is, the liquid can be dispensed to another location.
Therefore, in the configuration of each of the dispensing robots 106 and 107, the rotation of only one drive motor 4 using the pair of clutches 2 and 3 is selected as the drive screw 10 for variable pitch and the drive screw 13 for dispensing piston. Therefore, only one drive motor 4 can be used as a drive source to selectively perform two systems of dispensing and variable pitch.

JP 2007-139635 A

Since the conventional dispensing mechanism is configured as described above, the following problems exist.
That is, since the multi-channel nozzles are simultaneously lifted and lowered using one inclined groove cam, the suction and discharge amounts for each channel cannot be changed.
In addition, when using chips of different capacities with a single device, it is difficult to mount them, so a plurality of dispensing piston mechanisms must be used for each required volume.

  The dispensing mechanism according to the present invention includes a first dispensing nozzle body having a plurality of first disposable tips, and a switching device having a plurality of switching valves respectively connected to the first disposable tips via a first outlet tube. A valve body, a cylinder block having a plurality of cylinders each connected to each switching valve via an inlet tube, a plurality of dispensing pistons connected to each cylinder, and each dispensing piston. A piston holding block for holding, and a driving device for operating each of the dispensing pistons via the piston holding block, and suction and discharge in each disposable tip by opening and closing each switching valve And a plurality of second valves connected to the switching valves of the switching valve body via a second outlet tube. A second dispensing nozzle body having a disposable tip, and by opening and closing each switching valve, the amount of suction and discharge in each disposable tip of each dispensing nozzle body can be changed, The drive device includes a support unit having a linear track for linearly guiding the piston holding block, a ball screw provided in the support unit for linearly moving the piston holding block, and a coupling to the ball screw And a drive motor connected via the.

Since the dispensing mechanism according to the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
That is, a first dispensing nozzle body having a plurality of first disposable tips, a switching valve body having a plurality of switching valves respectively connected to the first disposable tips via a first outlet tube, A cylinder block having a plurality of cylinders each connected to the switching valve via an inlet tube, a plurality of dispensing pistons connected to each of the cylinders, and a piston holding unit for holding each of the dispensing pistons And a drive device for operating each of the dispensing pistons via the piston holding block, and changing the amount of suction and discharge in each first disposable tip by opening and closing each switching valve. By being able to change the amount of suction and discharge for each channel, ie each disposable chip, It is possible to respond to the many requests in the stand of the dispensing mechanism.
And a second dispensing nozzle body having a plurality of second disposable tips connected to each switching valve of the switching valve body via a second outlet tube, by opening and closing each switching valve, Since the amount of suction and discharge in each disposable tip of each dispensing nozzle body can be changed, more channels can be sucked and discharged than before.
The drive device includes a support unit having a linear track for linearly guiding the piston holding block, a ball screw provided in the support unit for linearly moving the piston holding block, and a coupling to the ball screw The multi-channel disposable chip can be simultaneously or individually discharged and sucked from a remote location.

It is a block diagram which shows the dispensing mechanism which has a switching valve by this invention. It is an arrow A figure of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the conventional dispensing mechanism. It is arrow A figure of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the principal part of FIG. It is an arrow B figure of FIG. It is the C section enlarged view of FIG.

  According to the present invention, a dispensing nozzle body having a plurality of disposable tips and a dispensing piston mechanism are made independent from each other and connected by a tube and a switching valve, so that the amount of suction and discharge in each disposable tip can be changed. An object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing mechanism having a switching valve.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a dispensing mechanism having a switching valve according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Note that the same or equivalent parts as in the conventional example will be described using the same reference numerals.
What is indicated by reference numeral 200 in FIG. 1 is a dispensing nozzle mechanism. This dispensing nozzle mechanism 200 mainly includes a first dispensing nozzle body 202, a second dispensing nozzle body 203, and a switching valve body 204. It is configured.

  The switching valve body 204 is composed of a plurality of switching valves 205 having an A port 204A and a B port 204B. Since each switching valve 205 is formed with an A port 204A and a B port 204B, it is a two-port type. It is configured.

Each first outlet tube 206 connected to each A port 204A of each switching valve 205 of the switching valve body 204 is connected to each first nozzle 51 of the first dispensing nozzle body 202, and each first nozzle A first disposable chip 51 a is connected to 51.
Each first disposable chip 51a constitutes multi-channels A to H, and these multi-channels A to H are in communication with the multi-channel A to H indications of the respective switching valves 205.

Each second outlet tube 206A connected to each B port 204B of each switching valve 205 of the switching valve body 204 is connected to each second nozzle 52 of the second dispensing nozzle body 203, and each second nozzle. A second disposable chip 51 b is connected to 52.
Each second disposable chip 51b constitutes multi-channels I to P, and these multi-channels I to P are in communication with the multi-channels I to P of each switching valve 205.

  Each switching valve 205 of the switching valve body 204 is independently connected to each cylinder 52B of the cylinder block 52A of the driving device 210 of the dispensing piston mechanism 201 via the inlet tube 205A, and is connected to each cylinder 52B. A dispensing piston 52C is provided so as to be freely accessible.

  The driving device 210 is constituted by a block-shaped main body 211, the cylinder block 52 </ b> A is provided on the upper portion of the main body 211, and each dispensing piston 52 </ b> C is a straight line provided on the main body 211. The track 212 is connected to a piston holding block 213 that can reciprocate linearly.

  A drive motor 4 is provided below the piston holding block 213 via a support unit 214 and a coupling 215, and a ball screw 216 supported by the support unit 214 and rotated by the drive motor 4 is connected to the piston holding block 213. After being screwed with a ball screw nut 217 provided at the lower part of 213, it extends above the piston holding block 213.

  FIG. 2 shows an arrow A in FIG. 1, and each dispensing piston 52C inserted in each cylinder 52B provided in the cylinder block 52A is watertight by a seal 52D provided in the cylinder block 52A. Configured.

In the above-described configuration, when suctioning an equal amount of sample (liquid) or the like to each disposable tip 51a, 51b of each dispensing nozzle body 202, 203, each switching valve 205 of the switching valve body 204 By opening all the ports 204A and 204B of the channels A to P and driving the drive motor 4, the dispensing pistons 52C of the drive device 210 are operated, and all the channels A to B of the disposable chips 51a and 51b are operated. An equal amount of suction in P can be performed.
In the above-described case, the case where suction is performed has been described. However, in the case of discharge, the operation state is the same except that the operation direction of each of the dispensing pistons 52C is reversed. .

Further, when changing the suction and discharge amount for each specific channel in each of the channels A to P in each of the disposable chips 51a and 51b, the opening / closing and dispensing pistons 52C for only the preset channels of the respective switching valves 205 are used. The amount of suction and discharge can be changed by varying the stroke operation.
Further, the suction and discharge amounts can be easily changed by controlling the stroke of the dispensing piston 52C so as to change the suction amount of only a specific channel.
In addition, the opening / closing control in each channel AP of each switching valve 205 of the switching valve body 204 is configured to be controlled by a control device (not shown).

  The dispensing mechanism having a switching valve according to the present invention is not limited to DNA reagent solutions, and can be applied to dispensing of reagent solutions such as general chemicals and foods.

4 drive motor 51 first nozzle 51a first disposable tip 51b second disposable tip 52 second nozzle 52A cylinder block 52B cylinder 52C dispensing piston 200 dispensing nozzle mechanism 201 dispensing piston mechanism 202 first dispensing nozzle body 203 first 2-dispensing nozzle body 204 Switching valve body 204A A port 204B B port 205 Switching valve 205A Inlet tube 206 First outlet tube 206A Second outlet tube 210 Drive device 211 Main body 212 Linear track 213 Piston holding block 214 Support unit 215 Coupling 216 Ball screw 217 Ball screw nut

Claims (3)

A first dispensing nozzle body (202) having a plurality of first disposable tips (51a), and a plurality of switches connected to the first disposable tips (51a) via first outlet tubes (206), respectively. A switching valve body (204) having a valve (205), and a cylinder block (52A) having a plurality of cylinders (52B) each connected to each switching valve (205) via an inlet tube (205A), A plurality of dispensing pistons (52C) connected to each cylinder (52B), a piston holding block (213) for holding each dispensing piston (52C), and the piston holding block (213) A driving device (210) for operating each of the dispensing pistons (52C) via,
A dispensing mechanism having a switching valve, wherein the amount of suction and discharge in each disposable tip (51a, 51b) can be changed by opening and closing each switching valve (205).   Second dispensing nozzle body (203) having a plurality of second disposable tips (51b) connected to each switching valve (205) of the switching valve body (204) via a second outlet tube (206A). The amount of suction and discharge in each disposable tip (51a, 51b) of each dispensing nozzle body (202, 203) can be changed by opening and closing each switching valve (205). A dispensing mechanism having the switching valve according to Item 1.   The drive device (210) includes a support unit (214) having a linear track (212) for linearly guiding the piston holding block (213) and the piston holding block (214) provided in the support unit (214). 213), a ball screw (216) for linearly moving, and a drive motor (4) connected to the ball screw (216) via a coupling (215). A dispensing mechanism having the switching valve described.

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