JP2012123015A - Fraction collector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce energy consumption by a wire or a motor of minimum motion in a device for positioning a component along the X axis and the Y axis.SOLUTION: The device for disposing a component in the X and Y axial directions of the device, includes: first and second motors; a carriage for supporting the component; a lead screw to position the carriage on a first axis of the device; and a shaft with a key groove to position component on a second axis of the device. The first motor drives the lead screw, and the second motor drives the shaft with the key groove. In some embodiments described herein, the shaft with the key groove turns a first pulley, which is connected to a second pulley by a belt. The component to be positioned comes into contact with the belt and moves along a second axis of the device as the belt moves.

Description

[Cross reference for related applications]
Not applicable.

[Federation-supported research or development statement]
Not applicable.

[Transfer of reference materials submitted on compact disc]
Not applicable.

  The present invention relates generally to fraction collector technology, and more particularly to an XY fraction collector that has minimal movement of wires or motors to minimize energy use.

  Fraction collectors are typically used to collect liquid fractions from a chromatographic column or other separation means, but the composition changes as liquid emerges from the separation means. Typically, the fraction collector comprises a plurality of test tubes (tubes) for receiving a fraction of the liquid sample, as well as distribution means for directing the liquid sample fraction to the various test tubes. The fraction collector is used to distribute individual fractions of the liquid sample to individual test tubes so that the fraction or its contents are collected for further use.

  Known fraction collectors typically have one of two configurations. The so-called “XY collector” uses test tubes arranged in a rectangular shape, and a distributor moves linearly to distribute fractions to individual test tubes. In the second configuration, the test tubes are arranged in a circular turntable and rotate as the fractions are dispensed, whereby separate test tubes are dispensed so that each desired fraction is dispensed. To be presented.

  Although any of the above-described fraction collector configurations are commonly used, it is known to those skilled in the art that each has drawbacks. While a turntable fraction collector is convenient, an XY collector is preferred in some cases. For example, when filling a large number of test tubes, the XY collector makes better use of the bench space than a turntable collector. Furthermore, general-purpose containers such as microtiter plates generally have well-shaped depressions (wells) arranged in a rectangular XY pattern. For such containers, a turntable collector will result in a sample that cannot be dispensed.

  There are also disadvantages with respect to the XY collector. For example, as the distributor moves through a microtiter plate or a row of test tubes, the XY collector typically requires movement of the wire. This movement can lead to breakage of the wire, especially if it loses elasticity and becomes brittle over time. In addition, the carriage of such a dispenser generally has a motor provided with the first shaft so that the dispenser can move along the second axis after being properly positioned in the first axial direction. Must move along an axis. Movement of the fraction collector portion having the motor in the upper position may cause a motor position error, and the load of the motor used for positioning the carriage also increases, leading to an increase in energy consumption and failure of the motor. .

  Therefore, there is a need for a fraction collector that has no moving wires or motors, has minimal energy consumption, and has minute movement control in the axial direction.

  The present invention focuses on a device for positioning components along the X and Y axes of the device. The apparatus includes first and second motors, a carriage containing the components to be positioned, a lead screw for positioning the carriage along the first axis of the apparatus, and the components to be positioned. And a keyed shaft for positioning along the second axis of the device. The first motor drives a lead screw and the second motor drives a shaft with a keyway. In some embodiments described herein, the keyed shaft rotates a first pulley that is connected to a second pulley by a belt. The component to be positioned is attached to the belt and moves along the second axis of the device as the belt moves. The term “with keyway” as used with respect to a shaft with a keyway in the present specification, as will be described later, is a shaft with a groove or another shaft whose shaft configuration corresponds to the configuration of a first pulley (described later). As well as a flat shaft, and rotation of the keyed shaft results in rotation of the first pulley.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention focuses on the fraction collector and the component to be positioned is a distributor. The fraction collector preferably holds two motors and has a back part having a through hole for a lead screw and a flat shaft, a first front holding part having a through hole for the lead screw, and the flat A second front retainer having a through hole for the shaft and a base that provides additional stability to the device. In another preferred embodiment, the fraction collector includes a support shaft parallel to the lead screw, and the back surface portion and the front support portion have through holes that fit the support shaft. In the present embodiment, the carriage has a through-hole adapted to the support shaft, and is slidably engaged with the support shaft.

  In another aspect of the invention, two sensor assemblies are provided. The first sensor assembly is mounted to measure the amount of rotation of the lead screw so that the device can measure the amount of movement of the carriage (and hence of the distributor) along the first axis. The second sensor assembly is mounted to measure the amount of rotation of the flat shaft so that the device can measure the amount of movement of the distributor along the second axis.

  In a preferred embodiment of the invention, both sensor assemblies comprise a lead screw (in the case of the first sensor assembly) and an encoder disk attached to the flat shaft (in the case of the second sensor assembly). Yes. The sensor assembly also includes an optical sensor that can measure the amount of rotation of the encoder disk, thereby measuring the amount of rotation of the lead screw or the flat shaft.

  In a preferred embodiment, the present invention further comprises a waste container into which excess or unwanted sample can be dispensed.

  In another embodiment, the dispenser of the present invention is mounted for extraction as well as supplying a sample so that the sample can be transferred from one container to another by the apparatus. .

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fraction collector assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention as viewed from an oblique front. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fraction collector configured in accordance with the teachings of the present invention as viewed from the upper left diagonal. FIG. 3 is a left side view of a fraction collector constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a right side view of a fraction collector constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a fraction collector constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

  Referring to the drawings, like numerals represent like parts, and FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a fraction collector 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The fraction collector 10 includes a back support portion 12 to which a support shaft 14 is fixedly attached. The support shaft 14 extends from the back support portion 12 to the first front support portion 28, and the support shaft 14 is similarly fixedly attached to the first front support portion. Base 26 provides additional support for the device. As shown in FIG. 1, the back support 12 includes a plate that shields a part of the device 10 such as an optical sensor (described later) from damage caused by droplets or the like. These plates hide other features of the device and are not shown in FIGS. It is optional whether or not these plates are included in the apparatus of the present invention.

  A lead screw 16 is rotatably attached to the back support 12. The lead screw 16 is coupled to driving means such as a first motor 40 (shown in FIG. 2). The motor 40 applies power to rotate the lead screw 16 and thereby moves the carriage 20 along the Y axis. The carriage 20 is provided with a through hole with a groove (not shown) through which the lead screw 16 passes, and the carriage 20 is moved along the Y axis depending on whether the rotation of the lead screw 16 is clockwise or counterclockwise. Move forward or backward. The screw pitch of the lead screw 16 determines the sensitivity with which the carriage 20 can move along the lead screw 16. The thread pitch of the lead screw 16 may vary over a wide range, and any pitch that is suitable for a given purpose may be used. As an example, the thread pitch may vary between about 0.8 mm and about 30 mm. In one embodiment of the invention, the fraction collector 10 is used in conjunction with a 384 well plate, with a pitch of about 3 mm being preferred. If a 96-well plate is used instead of a 384-well plate, the lead screw 16 pitch is preferably increased to about 9 mm. Alternatively, when a container such as a microtiter plate such as a 1536 well plate has more wells such as a 1536 well plate, the degree of fine adjustment is increased. To increase, the pitch of the lead screw 16 is preferably reduced to about 1 mm or even about 0.8 mm. Although the above pitch values are suitable in a given example, other pitch values may be appropriate depending on the container described above. The present invention contemplates that any suitable pitch value is used regardless of the specific numerical values set herein.

  The flat shaft 18 is rotatably attached to the back support 12 and extends through the second through hole 36 of the carriage 20. The flat shaft 18 extends forward to the second front support portion 30 and is rotatably attached to the second front support portion. The flat shaft 18 is coupled to driving means such as a second motor 42, and this second motor provides power for rotating the flat shaft 18, thereby moving the distributor 24 along the X axis. . The carriage 20 includes a support shaft 14 and is fixedly attached thereto. The support shaft 22 is oriented perpendicular to the support shaft 14 and the flat shaft 18, and if it can be said that the support shaft 14 and the flat shaft 18 define the Y axis of the device 10, the support shaft 22 is The X axis of the device 10 will be defined. The distributor 24 is movably attached to the carrier 38, and the carrier is slidably attached to the support shaft 22. As the flat shaft 18 rotates in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the carrier 38 moves backward and forward along the X axis, as described below, thereby positioning the distributor 24 along this axis.

  The carriage 20 of the fraction collector 10 is adapted to move along the Y axis of the device 10 by moving along the length direction of the lead screw 16. The lead screw 16 passes through a groove hole (not shown) of the carriage 20, and when the lead screw 16 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, the operation of the lead screw 16 with respect to the groove hole 32 of the carriage 20 causes the carriage to move. 2 performs a corresponding backward or forward movement along the length of the lead screw 16. Since the carriage 20 carries the distributor 24, the movement of the carriage 20 in the Y-axis direction of the apparatus 10 is equivalent to the movement of the distributor 24 in the Y-axis direction of the apparatus 10. The distributor 24 is attached to a carrier 38 that can move along the length of the support shaft 22 along the X axis of the device 10. The movement of the carrier 38, and thus the movement along the support shaft 22 of the distributor 24, is controlled by the rotation of the flat shaft 18.

  As clearly shown in FIG. 3, the flat shaft 18 extends through the first pulley 46 in a keyway fashion, ie, the flat structure of the flat shaft 18 meshes with a corresponding configuration of the first pulley 46. To do. When the flat shaft 18 rotates in the clockwise direction, the rotation causes the corresponding rotation in the same direction in the first pulley 46. Similarly, when the flat shaft 18 rotates counterclockwise, the rotation of the first pulley 46 coincides with the rotation direction of the flat shaft 18. In the illustrated apparatus 10 embodiment, a D-shaped flat shaft 18 is used, but it is contemplated that any suitable keyed shaft may be used.

  As clearly shown in FIG. 3, the operation of the first pulley 46 is interlocked with the second pulley 48 by the belt 44. Therefore, when the first pulley 46 is rotated in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction by the rotation operation of the flat shaft 18, the belt 44 transmits the movement to the second pulley 48. As a result, the second pulley 48 is Perform the corresponding rotation. The belt 44 is preferably a sturdy and treaded structure so that it can be accurately controlled by the rotation of the first and second pulleys 46,48. The first and second pulleys 46 and 48 are preferably provided with grooves adapted to receive the tread of the belt 44. The belt 44 is preferably constructed from a high grade rubber or synthetic polymer, although it is contemplated that any material may be used in the construction.

  The flat shaft 18 is preferably driven by a second motor 42 coupled thereto. The second motor 42 is preferably a stepping motor, but any motor may be used.

  The distributor 24 is attached so as to receive a pipe (not shown) at its upper end. The pipe supplies the sample fluid distributed to a container such as the microtiter plate 58 to the distributor 24. The fluid sample can come from a centrifuge, a chromatography column, or other source. In a preferred embodiment, the sample is supplied to the distributor 24 using flexible tubing that allows the carriage 20 to move in the X-axis and Y-axis directions of the device 10, but any use, including the use of metal tubing. Sample delivery methods can be utilized. The structure for supplying the sample to the distributor 24 may be movable with the operation of the distributor 24 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction of the apparatus 10, and may be applied to the apparatus 10 in any given application.

  In order to accurately dispense the liquid fraction from the distributor 24 into a container such as the microtiter plate 58, the apparatus 10 needs to have a method for positioning the distributor 24 in its X-axis and Y-axis directions. is there. In the preferred embodiment of the apparatus 10, the lead screw 16 and the flat shaft 18 are coupled to encoder disks 50 and 52, as clearly shown in FIGS. 16 and the flat shaft 18 rotate with the movement of each. The encoder disks 50 and 52 have notches along their edges. Next to the first encoder disk 50, a first optical sensor 54 is provided. The first optical sensor 54 is adapted to detect whether the notch of the encoder disk 50 has rotated within its field of view. Using this information, the device 10 can measure the amount of rotation of the lead screw 16 from the circumference of the encoder disk 50 and the arrangement of the notches on the disk edge, and thereby in the Y-axis direction of the device 10. The amount of carriage 20 movement either forward or backward along can be measured. Here, the combination of the optical sensor and the encoder disk is referred to as a sensor assembly.

  FIG. 1 shows support structures 62 and 64 and a waste tray 66. These aspects of the present invention may be included in the device 10 as an embodiment of the present invention, such as when the device is used as a single device. Figures 2-5 do not show these features of the present invention, and in many applications these structures will not be used. The use of these structures is optional in any application where the device is suitable.

  So far, a general structure that is one embodiment of the apparatus 10 has been described. Here, details of the operation of the apparatus 10 will be described. In particular, details of operation as one embodiment of the illustrated apparatus 10 are shown. However, the inventive concept underlying the present invention can be applied to various embodiments, and a general description of the operation of the illustrated apparatus 10 as one embodiment is that described herein. Whether or not it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, and may be applied to other embodiments of apparatus 10, and

  The embodiment of the device 10 in the figure is adapted for use with a 96 well microtiter plate as shown in FIG. For example, a liquid sample from a sample source such as a centrifuge or a chromatography column is directed to the upper end of the distributor 24. The liquid sample passes through the distributor 24 and exits from its lower end into a well in the microtiter plate 58. The apparatus 10 is preferably in electronic communication with a computer (not shown) and the user pre-enters retention times for the various fractions of sample dispensed into the wells of the microtiter plate 58. . In addition, the user may input the order of the wells to which the sample fraction is distributed into the computer. The distributor 24 is then positioned above the correct one of the 96 wells at the appropriate time so that the correct sample fraction is dispensed into the correct well. Furthermore, the time that the distributor 24 is positioned above a given well is allocated such that the entire fraction or a portion thereof is delivered to a particular well. The apparatus 10 uses the optical sensors 54 and 56 and the encoder disks 50 and 52 as described above to ensure that each sample fraction is delivered to the correct well. The exact position of the distributor 24 can be determined. Still further, the use of the optical sensors 54, 56 in combination with the encoder disks 50 and 52 ensures that the device 10 can check whether the distributor 24 has actually moved, eg, a lead screw Even if a signal is sent to one of the first and second motors 40 and 42 to rotate the 16 or flat shaft 18, the carriage 20 and thus the distributor 24 do not actually move due to a system failure. Reduce errors due to such situations. Since the device 10 knows the position of the distributor 24 at any given time, the device 10 can also provide information to the user regarding which wells contain misdistributed samples.

  In addition to relying on the user's hold time input, the device 10 can be used to measure time (and dispensed volume) by manual operation, volume measuring sensors or other suitable methods including absorbance read from the sample. ) To distribute. Many other arbitrary methods known in the art may be used.

  At various times during the sample uptake period, it may be desired to dispose of an amount of liquid sample supplied to the distributor 24. In such a case, the apparatus 10 can distribute the sample into the waste container 60 using a similar method of moving the distributor 24 and measuring its position as described above. In this way, it is not necessary to occupy any well of the limited number of microtiter plates 58 for some samples that are desired to be discarded.

  The apparatus of the present invention may be operable with a computer that allows a user to input certain information such as the type and quantity of containers into which samples are distributed, the order in which samples are distributed, and the like. For example, the user may program the device to continuously dispense the sample in the X-axis direction of the container or group of containers, and the device to dispense the sample in the Y-axis direction of the container or group of containers. May be programmed. The user may program the device to dispense to all containers (or all wells of a microtiter plate) as the sample moves in a given axial direction, one or more containers or The device may be programmed to jump over the well. In addition, the user can program the device so that the time of sample distribution to one container is longer than that of the next container. Any degree of customization that the user may desire may be programmed by the user regarding the order and configuration of the sample to be dispensed, or the retention time dispensed to a given container.

  The present invention is intended to be free of any restrictions with respect to the materials used in its construction. For example, the various shafts can be constructed of stainless steel, aluminum, or any other suitable material. Similarly, the base, back and front support can be constructed from metal or other suitable material such as carbon fiber. If it is intended to utilize the device of the present invention for certain chemical applications, the nature of the chemical used may specify the materials used for certain components of the present invention. The materials that may be used in a given application will be apparent to those skilled in the art. This specification contemplates that any suitable material may be used in the construction of any of the various parts of the present invention.

  Details relating to the various components of the fraction collector, such as the mounting method of the parts, the use of ball bearings, etc. are not described herein. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, that various components can be designed in the fraction collector of the present invention. Further, since the control method of the stepping motor or the like is well known, details of the electric or electronic drive circuit are not described in the present specification. The same is true for any software component that can be used in various aspects of the invention. Once the present invention is understood, providing software in various forms to control the operation of the device can be readily accomplished by those skilled in the art.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, upon reading this disclosure, that various modifications of the present invention are possible without departing from the scope of the invention described herein. Such variations include, but are not limited to, types of drive means for various moving shafts, arrangements and positions of various motors and shafts, and the like. By way of example and not limitation, the flat shaft and support shaft of the device of the present invention may be interchanged with respect to their relative positions. Furthermore, the lead screw and the support shaft may be interchanged without departing from the scope of the present invention. In order to increase the resolution of the apparatus in the Y-axis direction, a threaded extension nut 32 may be added to the carriage 20 as a passage for the lead screw 16. Still further, a single lead screw and support shaft may be installed in the center of the device to control a dual carriage, one extending in either direction from the lead screw and support shaft, and as a result The operation of the device of the present invention is performed in succession. The apparatus described herein may be a tandem installation controlled by the same lead screw and flat shaft extending one in front of the other and extending. The number and variety of modifications to the apparatus of the present invention are diverse and wide, and such modifications are also intended to be within the scope of the present invention. The specific embodiments described herein are for purposes of illustration only and the present invention is limited only by the accompanying claims.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below.

[1]
An apparatus for positioning a component in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction,
A first motor;
A lead screw coupled to the first motor and extending in a first axial direction of the device;
A second motor;
A keyed shaft coupled to the second motor and extending in a first axial direction of the device;
A carriage portion that is screw-engaged to move in the length direction of the lead screw, and is further slidably engaged to move in the length direction of the shaft with the keyway;
A shaft portion fixedly attached to the carriage and defining a second axis of the device that is perpendicular to the first axis;
A positionable portion positioned in the first and second axial directions of the device, wherein the positionable portion is slidably attached to the shaft portion;
The positionable portion is operably coupled to the keyed shaft such that rotation of the keyed shaft causes the positionable portion to move in the length direction of the shaft portion;
A device characterized by that.
[2] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the positionable portion comprises a distributor that distributes a fraction of a liquid sample to a container.
[3] A claim, further comprising a support shaft parallel to the lead screw, wherein the carriage portion is slidably engaged with the support shaft for movement in the longitudinal direction of the support shaft. The apparatus according to 1.
[4] The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the positionable portion comprises a distributor that distributes a fraction of a liquid sample to a container.
[5] A first sensor assembly for measuring the amount of rotation by coupling with the lead screw, and a second sensor assembly for measuring the amount of rotation by coupling with the shaft with key groove. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising.
[6] The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the positionable portion comprises a distributor that distributes a fraction of a liquid sample to a container.
[7] The first sensor assembly includes a first encoder disk fixedly attached to the lead screw, and a first optical sensor for measuring a rotation amount of the first encoder disk. And
The second sensor assembly includes a second encoder disk fixedly attached to the key grooved shaft, and a second optical sensor for measuring a rotation amount of the second encoder disk. Become
The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the apparatus is capable of measuring the position of the positionable portion in the first axial direction and the second axial direction based on rotation amounts of the first and second encoder disks.
[8] The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the positionable portion comprises a distributor that distributes a fraction of a liquid sample to a container.
[9] It further includes a back surface portion to which the first and second motors are fixedly attached, and the back surface portion has a first through hole through which the lead screw extends through at least a part thereof. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the back portion further comprises a second through-hole through which the keyed shaft extends through at least a portion thereof.
[10] The apparatus further includes a support shaft parallel to the lead screw, and the carriage portion is slidably engaged with the support shaft for movement in the longitudinal direction of the support shaft, and the back surface 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the portion has a third through hole through which the shaft extends through at least a portion thereof.
[11] It further includes a first front support portion having a first through hole through which the lead screw extends through at least a portion thereof, and the first front support portion passes through at least a portion of the first front support portion. The support shaft further includes a second through hole extending, and the first front support portion is positioned at a distal end of the lead screw and a distal end of the support shaft with respect to the back surface portion. The device of claim 10.
[12]
And further including a second front support portion having a through hole through which the keyway shaft extends at least a portion thereof, the second front support portion being connected to the back surface portion of the keyway shaft. The device of claim 11, wherein the device is positioned at a distal end of the device.
[13] The method of claim 12, further comprising a base fixedly attached to and extending from the back surface, wherein the base is fixedly attached to the first and second front supports. apparatus.
[14] A first sensor assembly for measuring the amount of rotation by coupling with the lead screw, and a second sensor assembly for measuring the amount of rotation by coupling with the shaft with the key groove. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:
[15] The first sensor assembly includes a first encoder disk fixedly attached to the lead screw, and a first optical sensor for measuring a rotation amount of the first encoder disk. And
The second sensor assembly includes a second encoder disk fixedly attached to the key grooved shaft, and a second optical sensor for measuring the rotation amount of the second encoder disk. Become
The apparatus may measure the position of the positionable portion in the first axial direction and the second axial direction based on the rotation amounts of the first and second encoder disks.
An apparatus according to claim 14.
[16] The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the distributor is mounted to extract the liquid sample from the container in addition to supplying the liquid sample to the container.
[17] The apparatus according to claim 16,
A first pulley, the operation of which is interlocked with the shaft with the keyway, such that the rotation of the shaft with the keyway causes a corresponding rotation of the first pulley;
A belt portion whose operation is interlocked with the first pulley such that rotation of the first pulley causes a corresponding movement of the belt portion;
A second pulley, wherein the belt is operated in conjunction with the second pulley so that movement of the belt causes a corresponding rotation of the second pulley;
The positionable portion is fixedly attached to the belt portion such that movement of the belt portion causes movement of the positionable portion.
[18]
A fraction collector,
A back portion having a first through hole and a second through hole;
A first motor fixedly attached to the back surface;
A lead screw extending through at least a portion of the first through hole in the back portion and rotatably attached to the back portion, extending in the first axial direction of the fraction collector; The lead screw is coupled to the first motor;
A second motor fixedly attached to the back surface;
A shaft with a keyway, extending through at least a portion of the second through hole in the back portion and rotatably attached to the back portion, extending in the first axial direction of the fraction collector; The shaft with keyway is coupled to the second motor, and the shaft with keyway;
A carriage portion having a threaded bore that is threadedly engaged with the lead screw in order to move in the longitudinal direction of the lead screw, and is in sliding engagement with the key grooved shaft in order to move in the longitudinal direction A carriage portion further having a through-hole,
A shaft portion fixedly attached to the carriage portion and defining a second axis of the fraction collector, wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis;
A positioning portion positioned in the first and second axial directions of the fraction collector, wherein the positioning portion is slidably attached to the shaft portion, and rotation of the key grooved shaft is the positioning portion. A positioning part comprising a distributor for distributing the fraction of the liquid sample into the container. The positioning part is operably coupled to the shaft with the keyway so as to cause movement along the shaft part. When,
A first sensor assembly comprising: a first encoder disk fixedly attached to the lead screw; and a first optical sensor for measuring the amount of rotation of the lead screw;
A second sensor assembly comprising: a second encoder disk fixedly attached to the key grooved shaft; and a second optical sensor for measuring the amount of rotation of the key groove shaft;
A base portion fixedly attached to the back portion and extending therefrom, wherein the base portion is fixedly attached to the first and second front support portions; and
Comprising a fraction collector.
[19] The fraction collector according to claim 18,
A first pulley, the operation of which is interlocked with the shaft with the keyway, such that the rotation of the shaft with the keyway causes a corresponding rotation of the first pulley;
A belt portion whose operation is interlocked with the first pulley such that rotation of the first pulley causes a corresponding movement of the belt;
A second pulley, wherein the belt is operated in conjunction with the second pulley so that movement of the belt causes a corresponding rotation of the second pulley;
The positionable portion is a fraction collector fixedly attached to the belt portion such that movement of the belt portion causes movement of the positionable portion.
[20] Further comprising a support shaft parallel to the lead screw, wherein the carriage portion is slidably engaged with the support shaft for movement in the longitudinal direction of the support shaft, 20. A fraction collector according to claim 19, wherein the back portion has a third through-hole through which the shaft extends through at least a portion thereof.
[21] The fraction collector of claim 20, wherein the distributor is mounted to extract a liquid sample from the container in addition to supplying the liquid sample to the container.

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for positioning components along the X and Y axes, and to a fraction collector technique, which can reduce energy usage with a minimum of moving wires or motors. It can be used effectively as a collector.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Fraction collector 12 Back surface support part 14,22 Support shaft 16 Lead screw 18 Shaft with key groove 20 Carriage 24 Distributor 26 Base 28 First front support part 30 Second front support part 36 First through hole 38 Carrier 40 First motor 42 Second motor 44 Belt 46 First pulley 48 Second pulley 50, 52 Encoder disk 54, 56 Optical sensor

Claims (16)

An apparatus for positioning components in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction,
A first motor fixedly attached to the device;
A lead screw coupled to the first motor and extending along a first axis of the device;
A carriage portion threadedly engaged with the lead screw, wherein the rotation of the lead screw by the first motor moves the carriage portion along the first axis; and
A shaft portion fixedly attached to the carriage portion and forming a second axis of the device that is perpendicular to the first axis;
A second motor fixedly attached to the device;
A keyed shaft coupled to the second motor and extending along the first axis;
The shaft having a key groove is a first pulley that is inserted in a key groove method, and the carriage unit and the carriage for movement along the first axis due to rotation of the lead screw by the first motor A first pulley slidably engaged with the keyway shaft;
A second pulley carried by the carriage unit, wherein the operation along with the first pulley is interlocked by a belt along the second axis, and the shaft with the keyway is rotated by the second motor. A second pulley that is converted into motion of the belt;
A positionable portion slidably attached to the keyway shaft portion and fixedly attached to the belt, wherein movement of the belt is on the second axis of the positionable portion. A positionable portion that causes a corresponding movement along
A device characterized by that.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the positionable portion comprises a distributor that distributes a fraction of a liquid sample to a container.   The carriage further comprises a support shaft parallel to the lead screw, the carriage portion slidably engaging the support shaft for movement along the first axis. The apparatus according to 1.   4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the positionable portion comprises a distributor that distributes a fraction of a liquid sample to a container.   A first sensor assembly for measuring the amount of rotation by coupling with the lead screw, and a second sensor assembly for measuring the amount of rotation by coupling with the shaft with key groove. The apparatus according to claim 1.   6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the positionable portion comprises a distributor that distributes a fraction of a liquid sample to a container. The first sensor assembly includes a first encoder disk fixedly attached to the lead screw, and a first optical sensor for measuring a rotation amount of the first encoder disk,
The second sensor assembly includes a second encoder disk fixedly attached to the key grooved shaft and a second optical sensor for measuring the amount of rotation of the second encoder disk. ,
The apparatus may measure the position of the positionable portion along the first axis and the second axis based on the rotation amounts of the first and second encoder disks.
The apparatus according to claim 5.   8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the positionable portion comprises a distributor that distributes a fraction of a liquid sample to a container.   The first and second motors further include a back surface portion to which the first and second motors are fixedly attached, and the back surface portion has a first through hole through which the lead screw extends through at least a part thereof, and the back surface portion The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portion further comprises a second through hole through which the keyed shaft extends through at least a portion thereof.   And further comprising a support shaft parallel to the lead screw, wherein the carriage portion slidably engages the support shaft for movement along the first axis, and the back portion is at least its The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a third through-hole through which the support shaft extends.   And further comprising a first front support having a first through hole through which the lead screw extends through at least a portion thereof, the first front support having at least a portion thereof through which the support shaft extends. A second through hole extending; the first front support portion being positioned at a distal end of the lead screw and a distal end of the support shaft relative to the back surface portion; The apparatus according to claim 10.   And further comprising a second front support having a through hole through which the keyed shaft extends at least a portion thereof, the second front support being keyed with respect to the back surface. 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the device is positioned at the distal end of the shaft.   The base of claim 12, further comprising a base fixedly attached to and extending from the back portion, the base being fixedly attached to the first and second front supports. The device described.   A first sensor assembly for measuring the amount of rotation by coupling with the lead screw, and a second sensor assembly for measuring the amount of rotation by coupling with the shaft with key groove. The apparatus of claim 13. The first sensor assembly includes a first encoder disk fixedly attached to the lead screw, and a first optical sensor for measuring a rotation amount of the first encoder disk,
The second sensor assembly includes a second encoder disk fixedly attached to the key grooved shaft and a second optical sensor for measuring the amount of rotation of the second encoder disk. ,
The apparatus may measure the position of the positionable portion along the first and second axes based on the amount of rotation of the first and second encoder disks.
The apparatus according to claim 14.   16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the distributor is mounted for extracting a liquid sample from the container in addition to supplying the liquid sample to the container.

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