JP2017040513A - Nozzle chip supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a nozzle chip supply device which transports a rack table while avoiding physical interference with other mechanisms.SOLUTION: An entry inhibition area 180 is defined by an X lane extending in an X direction (a horizontal direction orthogonal to a Y direction) right below a discharge stacker 62 within a transportable area for a table. The table which has taken out a rack is transported to a pick-up area 184a through a front-side Z route 182 and a lower-side Y route 184 and has nozzle chips picked up therefrom in the pick-up area. Thereafter, the table is transported along the lower-side Y route 184 in the Y direction so as to avoid the entry inhibition area 180 located right above the pick-up area 184a and then is transported along the front-side Z route 182 upward in a Z direction. Thereafter, the X lane (entry inhibition area 180) is moved downward in the Z direction, and then the table transports the empty rack to the discharge stacker 62 through an upper-side Y route 186 and a deep-side Z route 188.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

  The present invention relates to a nozzle tip supply device.

  An analyzer that analyzes a specimen (analyte) using an antibody-antigen reaction or the like is known. In the analyzer, in addition to the analysis mechanism and the measurement device, one or a plurality of nozzle devices (also referred to as dispensing devices) are mounted. The dispensing device sucks / discharges reagents, samples and other liquids. Conventionally, as a dispensing device, a type equipped with a nozzle that is repeatedly used after being washed, or a type that uses a replaceable nozzle tip has been proposed.

  In the latter type, the nozzle is generally composed of a nozzle base and a nozzle tip. The nozzle base is a pipe-shaped member made of, for example, metal, and is formed with a transparent resin at its tip, for example, and a nozzle chip having an opening is detachably mounted. In general, the nozzle tip is attached to the nozzle base by inserting the tip of the nozzle base into the opening of the nozzle tip.

  From the viewpoint of preventing contamination of other substances in the liquid sample, the nozzle tip needs to be replaced at every dispensing or every predetermined timing. That is, a large amount of nozzle tips are consumed. Therefore, nozzle tip supply devices for supplying nozzle tips to the nozzles have been proposed (Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

JP 2013-19711 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-83997

  In some cases, racks containing a plurality of nozzle chips are stacked and loaded into the nozzle chip supply device. In such a nozzle chip supply device, one rack is isolated from the loaded rack stack, and the one rack is transported to a predetermined position where the nozzle chips are picked up one by one.

  As a nozzle chip supply device of a type in which a rack stack is inserted, a first stacker that holds a rack stack containing a plurality of nozzle chips and a stack of empty racks from which nozzle chips are taken out are held. It is possible to adopt a structure in which the second stackers are arranged in the horizontal direction and the rack is transported in a space located below them.

  In such a nozzle supply device, if no other mechanism enters the area in which the rack is transported (the space in which the rack can move), the distance between the mechanisms is increased, or the mechanism moves with complicated movement. Adoption of a mechanism is required, and the entire size of the nozzle tip supply device is inevitably increased. Therefore, it is required to avoid unnecessary physical collisions between apparatuses while suppressing the scale of the entire apparatus.

  An object of the present invention is to convey a rack table while avoiding physical interference with other mechanisms in a nozzle chip supply device.

  A nozzle chip supply device according to the present invention includes a first stacker that holds a first stack of a plurality of racks that contain a plurality of unused nozzle chips, and a Y direction that is horizontal with respect to the first stacker. In the lower space existing below the first stacker and the second stacker, and the second stacker that holds the second stack composed of a plurality of racks that are vacated after the nozzle chip is removed. The rack that is movable in the Z direction, which is the vertical direction and the vertical direction, transports the rack taken out from the first stacker to the pickup area, and removes the rack that has become empty after taking out the nozzle chip from the pickup area. A rack table that transports the rack table and a control unit that controls transport of the rack table, the entry prohibition being formed in the lower space. Along a bypass path which bypasses the domain and a control unit for controlling such that the rack table is moved.

  According to the above configuration, the rack table can be transported while avoiding the entry prohibition area formed in the space below the first stacker and the second stacker, which are movable areas of the rack table. Since the rack table can be transported while avoiding the entry prohibition area, it is possible to adopt a structure in which another mechanism or the like enters the rack table transferable area, thereby making the nozzle tip supply device compact. Alternatively, an improvement in the conveyance processing speed is realized.

  Desirably, it further includes a chip transport mechanism that picks up nozzle chips from a rack in the pickup area and transports the nozzle chips in an X direction that is horizontal and orthogonal to the Y direction. The extending portion extends in the X direction, and the entry prohibition region is defined by a portion of the extending portion that has entered the lower space. Preferably, the tip transport mechanism is a tip holding portion that extends downward from the extending portion, and is inserted into an opening portion of the nozzle tip that opens upward in the vertical direction to generate a combined state, thereby generating the nozzle. It further has a chip holding part for holding a chip, and the extending part is an X rail for transporting the chip holding part in the X direction.

  Since the table cannot move in the X direction, the chip holding unit needs to be movable in the X direction up to just above the nozzle chips arranged along the X direction on the rack transported to the pickup area. That is, the entry prohibition area is defined in a shape extending in the X direction above the pickup area. On the other hand, because the transportable area of the rack table is provided in the space below the first stacker and the second stacker that hold the rack, the entry prohibition area is positioned below the first stacker and the second stacker. In other words, the entry prohibition area is located on the path between the table moving from the first stacker to the pickup area or from the pickup area to the second stacker. Therefore, it is necessary to move the table while avoiding the entry prohibition area.

  Preferably, the extending part is movable in the Z direction, and the control unit interlocks the movement of the extending part in the Z direction and the movement of the rack table, so that the rack table is moved in the Z direction. Move to bypass the prohibited area.

  When the extension part forming the entry prohibition area is movable, the rack table is transported while avoiding the entry prohibition area (extension part), and the extension part can be moved so as to avoid the rack table. It is. Thereby, a rack table can be conveyed more suitably.

  Preferably, the detour path includes a horizontal path portion corresponding to the pickup area, and extends from the one of the first stacker and the second stacker to the lower horizontal path. From one side vertical path extending in the Z direction, an upper horizontal path extending in the Y direction from the middle of the one side vertical path to below the other Z direction of the first stacker and the second stacker, and from the upper horizontal path And the other vertical path extending in the Z direction to the other of the first stacker and the second stacker.

  After removing the rack from the supply stacker, the rack table moves downward to the same height as the pickup area through one vertical path so as to avoid the entry prohibition area, and then picks up through the lower horizontal path from there. It is transported to the area. Since the entry prohibition area is located above the pickup area, the entry prohibition area exists immediately above the rack table when all the nozzle chips are taken out from the rack, so that the rack table is again conveyed along the lower horizontal path. Evacuate in the horizontal direction from the area directly below the entry prohibition area. The rack table is retracted from the area directly below the entry prohibition area, moves again through the vertical path on one side, and then is conveyed to the second stacker.

  Preferably, the control unit moves the extending unit downward in the Z direction before the rack table moves on the upper horizontal path.

  For example, when the X rail (that is, the entry prohibition area) is retracted upward while the rack table is moving on the lower horizontal path so that the chip holding portion protruding below the X rail does not interfere with the rack table. There is. As a result, an entry prohibition region may be defined on the upper horizontal path. In such a case, the entry prohibition region can be excluded from the upper horizontal path by moving the extending portion downward in the Z direction.

  According to the present invention, in the nozzle chip supply device, the rack table can be transported while avoiding physical interference with other mechanisms.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the analyzer which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the analyzer which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view of a nozzle tip supply apparatus and a dispensing apparatus. It is a front view of a nozzle tip supply apparatus and a dispensing apparatus. It is a perspective view of a rack holding part. It is a side view of a supply stacker. It is a rear view of a supply stacker. It is a perspective view of a rack holding part. It is a perspective view of a rack conveyance part. It is a figure which shows a mode that a support mechanism changes to an open state. It is an enlarged view of a table. It is a figure which shows a mode that a positioning member rotates. It is a perspective view of a chip conveyance part. It is XZ sectional drawing of a chip | tip holding unit. It is an enlarged view of an insert. It is a front view of a chip holding unit. It is a front view which shows the positional relationship of a table and X rail. It is a schematic diagram which shows the movement path | route of a table. It is a figure which shows the position of the table which descended after rack acquisition. It is a figure which shows the table in a pick-up area. It is a figure which shows the position of the table in the time of all the nozzle chips having been conveyed. It is a figure which shows the position of the table which moved to the Y-axis origin. It is a figure which shows the position of the table which moved to the Z-axis origin. It is a figure which shows the position of the table which moved to just under the discharge stacker. It is a front view showing the positional relationship between the rack and the X rail while the rack is moving on the upper Y path. It is a top view of a lane part. It is a front view of a lane part. It is a figure which shows a mode that the nozzle chip is arrange | positioned to X lane. It is a perspective view of a chip feed unit. It is a figure which shows the mode of a pushing member when the first nozzle tip is sent to the fitting position. It is a figure which shows the mode of the pushing member at the time of jamming.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

≪Whole device≫
1 and 2 are perspective views of an analysis system 10 according to the present embodiment. The analysis system 10 includes two analysis devices 12. The two analyzers 12 basically have the same configuration. The analysis system 10 includes an input display device 14 that is shared by two analysis devices 12 or provided across the two analysis devices 12.

  Each analyzer 12 is an apparatus for analyzing a specimen such as blood or urine using an antigen-antibody reaction. The analysis device 12 includes an analysis device, a measurement device, a dispensing device, and the like. In the dispensing apparatus, the specimen is dispensed into a plurality of cuvettes (containers). The analyzer 12 further includes a nozzle tip supply device that supplies each stocked nozzle tip to the dispensing device.

  In this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, the nozzle chip supply device includes a rack holding unit, a rack transport unit, a chip transport unit, and a lane unit. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the stacker unit 16 constituting a part of the rack transport unit is pulled out to the front side. The drawer operation of the stacker unit 16 will be described later. In FIG. 2, the illustration of the stacker unit 16 is omitted.

  In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the analysis system 10 is the X axis, the short direction (depth direction) is the Y axis, and the height direction (vertical direction) is the Z axis. The positive direction side of the Y axis is the back side of the analysis system 10, and the negative direction side of the Y axis is the near side. Further, in the present specification, the positive direction of the X axis may be described as the front side in the processing direction and the negative direction of the X axis may be described as the rear side in the processing direction because of the relationship of the nozzle chip transport direction.

≪Overview of nozzle tip supply device and dispensing device≫
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the nozzle tip supply device 30 and the dispensing device 32 arranged inside the analysis system 10. FIG. 4 is a front view of the nozzle tip supply device 30 and the dispensing device 32. An outline of the nozzle tip supply device 30 and the dispensing device 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

  The nozzle tip supply device 30 is a device that conveys unused nozzle tips 18 that have been thrown in by an operator to the vicinity of the dispensing device 32. The nozzle chip supply device 30 includes a rack holding unit 34 including the stacker unit 16, a rack transport unit 36, a chip transport unit 38, and a lane unit 40.

  The rack holding unit 34 includes a supply-side stacked body 42 in which a plurality of racks 20 in which a plurality of unused nozzle chips 18 are aligned and accommodated, and a rack 20 in which the nozzle chips 18 are taken out and are emptied are stacked. The discharge side laminated body 44 is held. The rack transport unit 36 takes out and transports one rack 20 from the supply-side stacked body 42 held by the rack holding unit 34. The chip transport unit 38 transports the plurality of nozzle chips 18 accommodated in the rack 20 transported by the rack transport unit 36 individually and sequentially to the lane unit 40. In the lane portion 40, the plurality of nozzle tips 18 are sent to a fitting position 46 that is a coupling position with a nozzle base portion 54 of a dispensing device 32 described later (that is, as a tip removal position). Each part of the nozzle tip supply device 30 will be described in detail later.

  The nozzle chip supply device 30 further includes a control unit for controlling the above-described units and a storage unit (all not shown) in which an operation program and the like are stored. The said control part controls each above-mentioned part based on the program memorize | stored in the memory | storage part.

  The nozzle tip 18 is made of resin or the like, has a conical shape, has a circular opening on the bottom surface, and the opening has a conical shape. The nozzle tip 18 is attached to the nozzle base by inserting the nozzle base into the opening.

  The dispensing device 32 includes a base 48, a columnar column 50 extending vertically upward from the base 48, a rotating unit 52 cantilevered by the column 50, and an end of the rotating unit 52 on the side opposite to the column 50. The nozzle base 54 extends vertically downward from the vicinity. The support | pillar 50 can be rotated in the circumferential direction, and the rotation part 52 rotates in a horizontal surface (XY surface) by the said rotational motion. Accordingly, the position of the nozzle base 54 is changed. Further, a part of the lower side of the column 50 can be accommodated in the base 48, and the accommodation length can be changed. That is, apparently the support column 50 can be expanded and contracted, whereby the rotating portion 52 moves in the vertical direction, that is, the nozzle base portion 54 moves in the vertical direction.

  As described above, the nozzle tip 18 is attached to the nozzle base 54 by the movement of the nozzle base 54. Specifically, the nozzle base 54 moves to the position just above the fitting position 46 by the rotational movement of the rotation unit 52. Thereafter, the nozzle base 54 moves downward, so that the tip of the nozzle base 54 is inserted into the opening of the nozzle tip 18 opened upward at the fitting position 46. As a result, the nozzle base 54 and the nozzle tip 18 are coupled. Thereafter, a dispensing process is performed.

  Hereinafter, each part of the nozzle tip supply apparatus 30 will be described in detail.

≪Rack holding part≫
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the rack holding portion 34. The rack holding unit 34 includes a stacker unit 16, a stacker unit support mechanism that supports the stacker unit 16 so as to be slidable between an operation position and a pull-out position, and a slide lock mechanism that restricts the slide movement of the stacker unit 16. It is comprised including.

<Stacker unit>
The stacker unit 16 includes a supply stacker 60 that holds the supply-side stack 42, a discharge stacker 62 that holds the discharge-side stack 44, a stacker base 64, and a handle 66.

  The supply stacker 60 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box-shaped member, in which a plurality of racks 20 accommodating a plurality of nozzle chips 18 are stacked in the vertical direction (that is, the supply-side stacked body 42) is held. Further, the rack from which the nozzle chip 18 is taken out is discharged to the discharge stacker 62. As a result, the discharge stacker 62 holds the discharge side stack 44 in which the empty racks 20 are stacked. Note that upper portions of the front side wall 60a and the rear side wall 60b of the supply stacker 60 on the front side in the processing direction are notched. The discharge stacker 62 is also provided with a similar notch. This makes it easier to load the supply side stack 42 into the supply stacker 60 and to take out the discharge side stack 44 from the discharge stacker 62.

  Unused nozzle chips 18 are accommodated in the rack 20 loaded into the supply stacker 60. Specifically, the plurality of nozzle chips 18 are accommodated in the rack 20 in such a posture that the opening portions face upward in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the nozzle chips 18 are arranged in a 14 × 14 matrix in one rack, that is, 196 nozzle chips 18 are accommodated in one rack.

  In the present embodiment, the supply stacker 60 can hold eight racks 20. Of course, a larger number of racks 20 may be held. The supply stacker 60 does not have a lower side surface, and is supported by the supply-side stacked body 42 by a support mechanism provided at the lower part of the supply stacker 60. The support mechanism is openable and closable, supports the supply-side stacked body 42 in the closed state, and allows the rack 20 positioned at the bottom of the supply-side stacked body 42 to move downward in the open state. That is, each rack 20 is taken out from the supply-side stacked body 42.

  In the present embodiment, as such a support mechanism, a support member 68 and a hinge 70 are provided at the lower part of the front side surface of the front side wall 60a of the supply stacker 60. The support member 68 is attached to the front side wall 60a via a hinge 70 having a torsion spring. Although not shown in FIG. 5, a support member 72 (see FIG. 6) is also attached to the lower part of the back side surface of the back side wall 60b via a hinge 74 having a torsion spring.

  FIG. 6 shows a side view (partially sectional view) of the supply stacker 60. The cross-sectional view of the rack 20 shown in FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram (the same applies to FIG. 10). The support member 68 has an arm portion 68a extending in one direction and a claw portion 68b that is a tip portion bent at a substantially right angle with respect to the arm portion 68a. Similarly, the support member 72 also has an arm portion 72a and a claw portion 72b that is a tip portion bent at a substantially right angle with respect to the arm portion 72a. In the state of FIG. 6 (as will be described later, this state is a “closed state”), the support member 68 has the arm portion 68a extending in the vertical direction and the claw portion 68b on the back side (that is, the inside of the supply stacker 60). ) To extend. Similarly, the support member 72 is arranged such that the arm portion 72a extends in the vertical direction and the claw portion 72b extends toward the front side (that is, inside the supply stacker 60).

  Since the support member 68 is attached to the front side wall 60a via the hinge 70, the support member 68 is rotatable (butterfly type) around the hinge shaft 70a extending in the left-right direction (X-axis direction). Further, the support member 68 is urged clockwise in FIG. 6 by a torsion spring included in the hinge 70. That is, the claw portion 68b is biased in a direction to move to the inside of the supply stacker 60. In the state of FIG. 6, the position of the support member 68 is determined by the back side surface of the arm portion 68 a contacting the front side wall 60 a. In this state, the claw portion 68b wraps around the lower side of the supply stacker 60.

  Similarly to the support member 68, the support member 72 attached to the back side wall 60 b is also rotatable about the hinge shaft 74 a of the hinge 74. Further, the support member 72 is urged counterclockwise in FIG. 6 by a torsion spring included in the hinge 74. That is, the lower end portion of the support member 72 is urged in a direction to move inward of the supply stacker 60. The position of the support member 72 is determined by the front side surface of the arm portion 72a coming into contact with the back side wall 60b. In this state, the claw portion 72b wraps around the lower side of the supply stacker 60. Hereinafter, the state of the support members 68 and 72 shown in FIG. 6 is referred to as a “closed state”.

  In the closed state, a part of the upper side surface 68c of the claw portion 68b protrudes inward (Y-axis positive direction side) from the inner side surface of the front side wall 60a. Similarly, a part of the upper side surface 72c of the claw part 72b protrudes inward (Y-axis negative direction side) from the inner side surface of the back side wall 60b. The bottom surface of the rack 20 located on the lowermost side of the supply side laminate 42 is caught by the protruding portions of the upper side surfaces 68c and 72c, whereby the supply side laminate 42 is held by the supply stacker 60.

  The nail | claw part 68b has the inclined surface 68d which faces a lower side and a back | inner side. The nail | claw part 72b also has the inclined surface 72d which faces a lower side and this side. Its operation will be described later.

  Since the structure of the discharge stacker 62 is the same as that of the supply stacker 60, the description thereof is omitted.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the stacker base 64 is a flat metal plate extending in the depth direction. The supply stacker 60 and the discharge stacker 62 are arranged in the depth direction and attached to the stacker base 64 by a method such as screwing.

  The handle 66 is attached to the front side (in this embodiment, the front side surface) of the stacker base 64. The handle 66 is a portion that is gripped by the operator when the stacker base 64 is moved between the operating position and the pulled-out position.

  FIG. 7 shows a rear view of the supply stacker 60 as viewed from the back side (the discharge stacker 62 is omitted in FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 7, two rail engaging portions 76 are provided on the right side surface (side surface in the X-axis negative direction) of the stacker base 64. The two rail engaging portions 76 constitute a part of a stacker unit support mechanism described later. Further, a projecting piece 78 projecting downward in the vertical direction is provided at the lower portion of the supply stacker 60. The protruding piece 78 has an inclined surface 78a that faces the lower side and the right side (X-axis negative direction side). The operation of the protruding piece 78 will be described later.

<Stacker unit support mechanism>
FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the rack holding portion 34 in a state in which the stacker unit 16 is arranged at the drawing position. The stacker unit support mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The rack holding unit 34 includes a flat base plate 80 having substantially the same area as the stacker base 64 and extending in the depth direction. The base plate 80 is fixed to the frame of the analysis system 10 and is erected in the vertical direction. On the left side surface of the base plate 80, two stacker rails 82 extending in parallel with the depth direction are provided. The two rail engaging portions 76 provided on the right side surface of the stacker base 64 engage with the two stacker rails 82 (see FIG. 7), whereby the stacker unit 16 is moved in the depth direction by the two stacker rails 82. Is slidably supported. That is, the stacker unit 16 is supported so as to be movable between the operating position and the drawing position. As described above, in the present embodiment, the two stacker rails 82 and the two rail engaging portions 76 provided on the stacker base 64 constitute a stacker unit support mechanism.

  In a state where the stacker unit 16 is pulled out to the pull-out position, the operator performs the operation of loading the supply side stack 42 into the supply stacker 60 and the operation of discharging the discharge side stack 44 from the discharge stacker 62. Thereby, the input operation and the discharge operation become easier.

<Slide lock mechanism>
The rack holding unit 34 has a slide lock mechanism for restricting the slide movement of the stacker unit 16, particularly the movement from the operating position to the drawing position. In the present embodiment, the slide lock mechanism includes a lock solenoid 84 fixedly provided on the left side surface of the base plate 80. A predetermined current flows through the lock solenoid 84 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit, whereby the shaft 84a moves up and down. A shaft engagement hole (not shown) is provided on the right side surface of the stacker base 64, and the slide movement of the stacker unit 16 is restricted by engaging the shaft engagement hole with the shaft 84a. That is, in this embodiment, the lock solenoid 84 and the shaft engagement hole constitute a slide lock mechanism. The timing at which the slide movement of the stacker unit 16 is restricted will be described later.

  Here, referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 8, an operation of loading the supply-side laminate 42 and an operation of taking out the discharge-side laminate 44 with respect to the stacker unit 16 by an operator will be described. When the stacker unit 16 is in the operating position, it is disposed in the space 22 (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 2). The analysis system 10 is provided with a cover 24 that is provided so as to cover the space 22 and can be opened and closed. The contractor opens the cover 24 and pulls the stacker unit 16 to the pull-out position. The supplier stacks the supply-side laminate 42 to the supply stacker 60 and removes the supply-side laminate 42 from the discharge stacker 62. The discharge side stacked body 44 is taken out. FIG. 1 shows the stacker unit 16 in the drawer position. As shown in FIG. 1, the stacker unit 16 is pulled out to the drawer position, which is an open space, and the loading / unloading operation is performed. Therefore, the workability is improved.

  The analysis system 10 is configured such that the stacker unit 16 can be pulled out even when the internal device is operating, except for a predetermined timing, and the cover 24 can be always opened and closed. Therefore, even when the cover 24 is in the open state and the stacker unit 16 is in the pulled-out position, the internal device may be operating. In such a case, if the operator's hand enters the internal device, the internal device There is a risk of malfunction.

  Therefore, in the analysis system 10, on the side surface of the space 22, a vertical wall 26 (see FIG. 2) is provided as a partition plate for separating the space 22 from the internal space. Thereby, an operator's hand can be prevented from entering the internal space from at least the side surface of the space 22, and the operational stability of the analysis system 10 is improved. Note that such a partition plate is not provided on the lower surface of the space 22. This is because the rack 20 supplied to the stacker unit 16 is taken out from below the stacker unit 16 as described later.

≪Rack transport section≫
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the rack transport unit 36. Hereinafter, the rack transport unit 36 will be described with reference to FIG.

<Table>
The rack transport unit 36 includes a table 90 on which the rack 20 taken out from the supply stacker 60 is placed. The table 90 is a rectangular (substantially square) plate-like member in a plan view spreading on a horizontal plane (XY plane). The table 90 has an area equivalent to the bottom surface of the rack 20.

  A plurality of pedestals 92 on which the rack 20 is placed are provided at the edge of the table 90. In the present embodiment, two pedestals 92 are provided for each side of the table 90, that is, the table 90 has eight pedestals 92. Rollers 94 are respectively provided on two opposing side surfaces of the two pedestals 92 provided on the front side of the table 90. Similarly, rollers 94 are provided on the two pedestals 92 provided on the back side of the table 90, respectively. Further, the table 90 is provided with a positioning unit 96 for positioning the rack 20 placed on the table 90. Further, the table 90 is provided with a dog 98 that protrudes further toward the near side from the near side. The operations of the pedestal 92, the roller 94, the positioning unit 96, the dog 98, and the Y rail engaging portion will be described later.

  Further, the table 90 has a Y rail engaging portion (not shown) that engages with a Y rail 116 described later, and a Y belt engaging portion 100 that engages with a Y belt 118 described later.

<Table transport mechanism>
The rack transport unit 36 includes a table transport mechanism that transports the table 90 in the depth direction and the vertical direction. Hereinafter, an example of the table transport mechanism for realizing the movement of the table 90 will be described.

  The rack transport unit 36 has a base plate 102 that is fixed to the frame of the analysis system 10 and is erected in the vertical direction. The base plate 102 is rotated by a Z rail 104 extending vertically on the left side surface thereof, a rectangular through hole 106 extending vertically, a feed screw 108 extending vertically on the right side of the through hole 106, and a feed screw 108. A motor 110 is provided. The motor 110 is driven according to an instruction from the control unit.

  The rack transport unit 36 further includes a plate-like Z-axis movable body 112 extending in the depth direction. The Z-axis movable body 112 includes a Z rail engaging portion (not shown) that engages with the Z rail 104, a screw hole 114 engaged with the feed screw 108, a Y rail 116 that extends in the depth direction on the left side, and a table 90. A Y belt 118 for conveying the belt in the depth direction, and a motor 120 for feeding the Y belt 118. The motor 120 is driven in response to an instruction from the control unit.

  The table 90 is attached to the Z-axis movable body 112. Specifically, the table 90 is supported by the Z-axis movable body 112 by engaging the Y rail engaging portion provided on the table 90 and the Y rail 116. Further, the Y belt engaging portion 100 and the Y belt 118 are engaged. In this state, when the motor 120 is driven and the Y belt 118 is fed, the table 90 moves in the depth direction accordingly.

  An optical axis sensor 122 is provided in the vicinity of the near end of the Z-axis movable body 112. The optical axis sensor 122 is used as a Y-axis origin sensor that sets the Y-axis origin of the position coordinates of the table 90. Specifically, the optical axis sensor 122 includes a pair of members (a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit). When the table 90 moves to the near side and the dog 98 enters between the pair of members of the optical axis sensor 122, the light in the light emitting section is blocked by the dog. The optical axis sensor 122 detects this and transmits a detection signal to the control unit. Based on the detection signal, the control unit sets the position of the table 90 at the timing when the detection signal is acquired as the Y-axis origin (the closest side of the movable range of the table 90).

  The movement of the table 90 in the vertical direction is realized by driving the motor 110. When the motor 110 is driven, the feed screw 108 is rotated accordingly. Since the screw hole 114 provided in the Z-axis movable body 112 is engaged with the feed screw 108, the Z-axis movable body 112 is guided by the Z rail 104 and moves in the vertical direction by the rotation of the feed screw 108. Thereby, each part including the Z-axis movable body 112 and the table 90 attached thereto moves integrally in the vertical direction.

  The rack transport unit 36 includes a manual transport mechanism for manually transporting the table 90 when the table 90 is stopped due to an emergency. In the present embodiment, the manual transport mechanism includes a rotary handle 124 provided at the innermost side of the rack transport unit 36 and an auxiliary belt 126 that is spanned between the rotary handle 124 and the feed screw 108. Yes. When the rotary handle 124 is rotated by the operator, the auxiliary belt 126 is fed accordingly, and the feed screw 108 is rotated accordingly. Thereby, the table 90 can be conveyed in the vertical direction. The movement of the table 90 in the depth direction is realized by the operator pushing or pulling the table 90 itself.

  In addition, the rack transport unit 36 includes a rack sensor for determining whether or not the rack 20 is placed on the table 90. In the present embodiment, a reflective sensor 128 is provided on the left side surface of the base plate 102 as a rack sensor. The reflective sensor 128 has a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and detects the presence or absence of the rack 20 based on whether or not the light received from the light emitting unit is reflected by the side surface of the rack 20. The reflective sensor 128 is also used as a Z-axis origin sensor that sets the Z-axis origin of the position coordinates of the table 90.

<Support member opening mechanism>
The rack transport unit 36 includes a support member opening mechanism that is provided in the supply stacker 60 and that shifts the support mechanism that supports the supply-side stacked body 42 to the open state. When the support mechanism is opened by the support member opening mechanism, the rack 20 can be taken out from the supply stacker 60.

  In the present embodiment, a roller 94 included in a pedestal 92 provided on the table 90 functions as a support member release mechanism. FIG. 10 shows a state where the roller 94 as the support member opening mechanism shifts the support members 68 and 72 as the support mechanism provided in the supply stacker 60 to the open state.

  When the rack 20 is taken out from the supply stacker 60, the table 90 is moved from directly below the supply stacker 60 in the vertical direction by the table transport mechanism. Then, the roller 94 provided on the table 90 comes into contact with the inclined surfaces 68d and 72d of the support members 68 and 72. Since the inclined surfaces 68d and 72d are inclined surfaces facing the lower side and the inner side, when the table 90 (that is, the roller 94) is further pushed upward from the contact state, the support members 68 and 72 are moved outward by the roller 94. Receives force acting on As a result, the support member 68 rotates about the hinge shaft 70a in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 10, and the support member 72 rotates about the hinge shaft 74a in the clockwise direction. That is, the claw portions 68b and 72b are moved outward from each other. As a result, there are no protruding portions to the inside of the upper side surfaces 68c and 72c of the claw portions 68b and 72b (this state is defined as an “open state”), and the entire supply side laminate 42 moves (falls) downward. It is placed on a pedestal 92 on the table 90.

  Thereafter, when the roller 94 is lowered along with the downward movement of the table 90 in the vertical direction, the support members 68 and 74 are shifted to the closed state by the urging force of the hinges 70 and 74. At this time, the protruding portions of the claw portions 68b and 72b to the inside of the upper side surfaces 68c and 72c are hooked on the lower surface of the second rack from the lower side of the supply-side stacked body 42 placed on the table 90, and above it. The plurality of racks 20 are held again by the support members 68 and 72. As a result, only one rack 20 located at the lowest position in the supply side stack 42 is taken out to the table 90.

<Table positioning mechanism>
The rack transport unit 36 has a positioning mechanism for positioning one rack 20 taken out from the rack holding unit 34 at a predetermined position on the table 90. When the rack 20 is positioned on the table 90, each of the nozzle chips 18 and the chips is picked up when a chip transport unit 38 described later picks up the nozzle chips 18 from the rack 20 placed on the table 90 one by one. The accuracy of alignment with the holding part is improved. Thereby, the supply error rate of the nozzle tip is further reduced. Hereinafter, an example of the positioning mechanism in the present embodiment will be described.

  An enlarged view of the table 90 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, each of the eight pedestals 92 provided on the table has an upper side surface 92 a facing upward in the vertical direction and an inclined surface 92 b facing the upper side and the inside of the table 90. Therefore, when the rack 20 is taken out from the supply stacker 60 (that is, when the rack 20 is dropped onto the table 90), the edge of the lower surface of the rack 20 abuts against the inclined surface 92b, so that the rack 20 is inside the table 90. Guided in the direction. Thereafter, the rack 20 is placed on the table 90 by the lower surface of the rack 20 abutting against the upper side surface 92a. Since the pedestal 92 is provided on each of the four sides of the lower surface of the rack 20, the rack 20 is placed near the center of the table 90 by the pedestal 92 on each side. That is, the rack 20 is positioned at the center position of the table 90 by the plurality of pedestals 92. Ideally, in a state where the rack 20 is placed on the pedestal 92, the four side surfaces of the rack 20 are in contact with the side surfaces 92c provided between the upper side surface 92a and the inclined surface 92b of each pedestal 92, respectively. Is.

  In a state where the rack 20 is placed on the pedestal 92, a gap may inevitably occur between the side surface of the rack 20 and the side surface 92 c of each pedestal 92 due to a dimensional error of the rack 20 or the table 90. is there. In such a case, the rack 20 can be shifted in the horizontal direction on the table 90 by the gap, that is, the position of the rack 20 on the table 90 can vary.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the position of the rack 20 is further accurately positioned by the positioning unit 96 provided on the table 90. The positioning unit 96 includes a rotating member 96c having an inclined surface 96a and a roller 96b facing the front side and the left side (X-axis positive direction), and a coil spring 96d. The rotating member 96c is attached to the table 90 so as to be rotatable around a shaft 96e provided along the right side of the table 90. The rotating member 96c is urged by a coil spring 96d in a direction of falling to the upper surface side of the table 90.

  FIG. 12 shows a rear view when the table 90 comes close to the supply stacker 60 from below to take out the rack 20 from the supply stacker 60. When the table 90 is close to the supply stacker 60, the roller 96b provided on the rotating member 96c contacts the inclined surface 78a of the protruding piece 78 provided below the supply stacker 60. Since the inclined surface 78a faces the lower side and the right side (X-axis negative direction), when the table 90 is further raised (that is, the roller 96b is further raised) after the roller 96b comes into contact with the inclined surface 78a, the roller 96b is The force acting in the right direction is received from the inclined surface 78a. Thereby, the rotation member 96c rotates around the shaft 96e in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. In this state, the rack 20 is dropped and placed on the pedestal 92. Thereafter, as the table 90 is lowered, the table 90 is rotated to fall to the left side (X-axis positive direction) by the biasing force of the coil spring 96d. By the rotation operation, the inclined surface 96 a pushes in the side surface of the rack 20 placed on the pedestal 92. Since the inclined surface 96a is an inclined surface facing the front side and the left side, the inclined surface 96a includes two pedestals 92A (see FIG. 11) provided on the front side of the table 90 and two pedestals 92B provided on the left side. Push the rack 20 to the side. Thereby, the position of the rack 20 is positioned with high accuracy.

≪Chip transfer part≫
When one rack 20 is taken out from the supply stacker 60 and placed on the table 90, the table 90 is transported to a pickup area described later. Thereafter, the nozzle chips 18 are conveyed one by one from the rack 20 to the lane section 40 by the chip conveying section 38 (see FIG. 3 or FIG. 4). Hereinafter, the chip conveyance unit 38 will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the chip transport unit 38. The chip transfer unit 38 includes a chip holding unit 140 for holding nozzle chips on the rack, and a chip holding unit transfer mechanism that transfers the chip holding unit 140 in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) and the vertical direction. ing.

<Chip holding unit transport mechanism>
The chip transport unit 38 is fixed to the frame of the analysis system 10 and the like, and has a support column 142 that is erected in the vertical direction. A Z rail 144 extending in the vertical direction, a feed screw (not shown) extending in the vertical direction, and a motor 146 for rotating the feed screw are attached to the support 142. The motor 146 is driven in accordance with an instruction from the control unit.

  The chip transport unit 38 further has a Z-axis movable body 148. The Z-axis movable body 148 includes a Z rail engaging portion (not shown) that engages with the Z rail 144, a screw hole (not shown) meshed with a feed screw of the support 142, and an X rail 150 that extends in the left-right direction. , An X belt 152 and a motor 154 for feeding the X belt 152. The motor 154 is driven by an instruction from the control unit.

  The chip holding unit 140 is attached to the Z-axis movable body 148. Specifically, the X-rail engaging portion (not shown) provided in the chip holding unit 140 and the X rail 150 are engaged, whereby the chip holding unit 140 is supported by the Z-axis movable body 148. Further, an X belt engaging portion (not shown) provided in the chip holding unit 140 and the X belt 152 are engaged. In this state, when the motor 154 is driven and the X belt 152 is sent, the chip holding unit 140 moves in the left-right direction accordingly.

  An optical axis sensor 156 is provided at the left end of the Z-axis movable body 148. The optical axis sensor 156 is used as an X-axis origin sensor that sets the X-axis origin of the position coordinates of the chip holding unit 140. Specifically, the optical axis sensor 156 includes a pair of members (light emitting unit and light receiving unit). When the chip holding unit 140 moves to the left side and a dog (not shown) provided in the upper unit 158 enters between a pair of members of the optical axis sensor 156, the optical axis sensor 156 is detected and the detection signal is controlled. Send to. Based on the detection signal, the control unit sets the position of the chip holding unit 140 at the timing when the detection signal is acquired as the X-axis origin.

  The movement of the chip holding unit 140 in the vertical direction is realized by driving the motor 146. When the motor 146 is driven, the feed screw of the support 142 is rotated accordingly. Since the screw hole provided in the Z-axis movable body 148 is engaged with the feed screw, the Z-axis movable body 148 is guided by the Z rail 144 and moves in the vertical direction by the rotation of the feed screw. As described above, the entire Z-axis movable body 148 moves in the vertical direction, whereby the chip holding unit 140 is moved in the vertical direction.

<Chip holding unit>
The tip holding unit 140 includes an upper unit 158 having the above-described X rail engaging portion and X belt engaging portion, and an insert 160 inserted into the nozzle tip 18.

  The insert 160 is made of metal or resin. Since the insert 160 is inserted into the opening of the nozzle tip to hold the nozzle tip, the shape thereof corresponds to the opening of the nozzle tip. In this embodiment, since the opening of the nozzle tip is circular, the horizontal section of the insert 160 is also circular.

  FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view of the chip holding unit 140. FIG. 14 shows a state where a part of the insert 160 is inserted into the opening 18 a of the nozzle tip 18. In this state, the insert 160 and the nozzle tip 18 are coupled, whereby the nozzle tip 18 is held by the tip holding unit 140. As described above, the opening 18a of the nozzle tip 18 has an inner diameter that continuously increases toward a circular opening (that is, vertically upward in a state of being accommodated in the rack 20), that is, a conical shape. It has become.

  The insertion body 160 includes an insertion portion 170 that is a portion to be inserted into the opening 18 a and a root portion 172 that is continuous with the insertion portion 170. The diameter of the root portion 172 is larger than the diameter of the insertion portion 170. The insertion body 160 is connected to the upper unit 158. As shown in FIG. 14, the insertion body 160 is allowed to be displaced in a certain vertical direction by a coil spring 174 that is an elastic body provided in the upper unit 158. By allowing the displacement in the vertical direction, the insertion body 160 is protected when the insertion body 160 hits somewhere, and when the insertion body 160 is inserted into the opening 18a, the insertion body 160 is opened. By reducing the impact applied to the portion 18a, the opening 18a can be contributed to protection (prevention of damage or deformation).

  FIG. 15 shows an enlarged view of the insert 160. The insertion portion 170 has a conical tip portion 170a, a cylindrical cylindrical portion 170b extending in the vertical direction with a constant diameter, and an annular protrusion 170c provided between the tip portion 170a and the cylindrical portion 170b. The tip portion 170a has a conical shape, that is, a tapered shape, which reduces the possibility that the insert 160 will hit the upper surface 18b of the nozzle tip 18 when the insert 160 is inserted into the nozzle tip 18. Yes. Thereby, protection of the nozzle tip 18 is achieved.

  The inner wall 18c of the nozzle tip 18 is provided with an annular groove 18d provided horizontally. The annular projection 170c is formed in a shape corresponding to the annular groove 18d, and the insertion portion 170 and the nozzle tip 18 are suitably coupled by the annular projection 170c being fitted into the annular groove 18d.

  A flange 18e that is wider than the other portions is provided at the upper end of the nozzle tip 18. In the coupled state, the lower surface of the root portion 172 and the upper surface 18b of the flange 18e are in contact with each other. This prevents the insertion portion 170 from being inserted further into the nozzle tip 18 and also serves to align the annular groove 18d and the annular protrusion 170c in the vertical direction. Note that not all of the upper surface 18b of the flange 18e is covered by the lower surface 172a of the root portion 172, but the lower surface 172a contacts only a part of the inner peripheral side of the upper surface 18b, and the outer peripheral side portion of the upper surface 18b is exposed. Yes. Later, when the combined state of the insertion portion 170 and the nozzle tip 18 is released, the exposed portion is used.

  The tip portion 170a connected to the lower side of the annular protrusion 170c has a diameter that is steeper and smaller than the opening portion 18a of the nozzle tip 18 in the downward direction. Therefore, in the coupled state, a gap is secured between the tip portion 170a and the inner wall 18c of the nozzle tip 18. That is, in the coupled state, the tip portion 170a does not contact the inner wall 18c. On the other hand, the cylindrical portion 170b connected above the annular protrusion 170c has a constant inner diameter as described above. Since the diameter of the opening 18a gradually increases upward, a gap is secured between the cylindrical portion 170b and the inner wall 18c in the coupled state. That is, in the coupled state, the cylindrical portion 170b does not contact the inner wall 18c.

  That is, in the coupled state, only the annular protrusion 170 c of the insertion portion 170 comes into contact with the nozzle tip 18. Thereby, the damage or deformation | transformation of the inner wall 18c by the insertion to the nozzle tip 18 of the insertion part 170 is prevented. Later, when the nozzle tip 18 is coupled to the nozzle base 54 (see FIG. 3 or 4) of the dispensing device 32, the outer surface of the nozzle base 54 is coupled so that it closely contacts the inner wall 18c of the nozzle tip. . For this reason, if the inner wall 18c of the nozzle tip 18 is damaged or deformed, the nozzle base 54 and the nozzle tip 18 may not be suitably coupled. That is, the nozzle base 54 and the nozzle tip 18 can be suitably coupled by preventing damage or deformation of the inner wall 18c.

  The insertion portion 170 is provided with a plurality of vertical slits 170d extending in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, four vertical slits 170d are provided. By providing the plurality of vertical slits 170d, a change in the diameter of the insertion portion 170 is allowed, and the insertion portion 170 can have an elastic force. When the insertion portion 170 receives a force from the outside toward the center thereof, the diameter thereof is displaced (shrinks), and an elastic restoring force for returning to the original diameter is generated. Thereby, the force which goes to an outer side direction can be produced in the cyclic | annular protrusion 170c. By adjusting the diameter of the insertion portion 170, the position of the annular protrusion 170c, and the like, the diameter of the insertion portion 170 is slightly reduced in a state where the annular protrusion 170c is fitted in the annular groove 18d. The elastic restoring force acting outwardly acts on the annular protrusion 170c. As a result, the annular protrusion 170c is pressed against the annular groove 18d, and the holding force of the nozzle tip 18 by the insertion portion 170 is strengthened.

  Further, since the diameter change of the insertion portion 170 is allowed by the vertical slit 170d, the insertion portion 170 can be displaced in diameter even when the insertion portion 170 suddenly contacts the inner wall 18c of the nozzle tip 18. Therefore, damage to the inner wall 18c can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of vertical slits 170d are provided in the insertion portion 170 to generate an elastic restoring force to the outside in the annular protrusion 170c. However, the elastic protrusion outward in the annular protrusion 170c by other methods. A restoring force may be generated.

  FIG. 16 shows a front view of the chip holding unit 140. The upper unit 158 is provided with an optical axis sensor 162. The optical axis sensor 162 detects jamming (defective operation) of the chip holding unit 140. The optical axis sensor 162 includes a pair of members (a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit) like other optical axis sensors. During normal operation of the chip holding unit 140, an inverted L-shaped dog 176 connected to the insertion body 160 enters between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, and light from the light emitting unit is blocked by the dog 176. ing. When the entire insert 160 is pushed up, such as when the insert 160 hits somewhere, the dog 176 is pushed up accordingly, and the light from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit. Thereby, a defective operation (jamming) of the chip holding unit 140 is detected.

<Position relationship between table and chip transfer unit>
FIG. 17 is a front view showing the positional relationship between the table 90 and the chip transport unit 38, particularly the X rail 150. Since the table 90 cannot move in the left-right direction, the chip holding unit 140 is arranged so that the nozzle chips arranged in the rightmost row on the rack 20 are held in order to hold the nozzle chips 18 arranged in the rightmost row on the rack 20. It is necessary to move to just above 18 (position shown in FIG. 17). Therefore, the X rail 150 has entered the movable area of the table 90. Therefore, it is necessary to move the table 90 so as not to interfere with the X rail 150.

≪Table transport method≫
18 to 24 show side views (views from the left side) of the rack holding unit 34 and the rack transport unit 36. The movement path of the table 90 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the outline of the movement route of the table 90 in this embodiment will be described according to the schematic diagram shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram when the movement paths of the supply stacker 60, the discharge stacker 62, and the table 90 are viewed from the front in the processing direction. First, the entry prohibition area 180 shown in FIG. 18 will be described. The entry prohibition area 180 is an area where the table 90 and the X rail 150 may interfere with each other when the table 90 enters there. The entry prohibition area 180 is a conceptual area defined in the control unit. Of course, the entry prohibition area 180 is defined based on the position of the X rail 150. As described above, since the X rail 150 can move in the vertical direction, the entry prohibition area 180 can also move in the vertical direction. Since the control unit grasps the position of the X rail 150 because the motor 146 is driven by its own instruction to move the Z-axis movable body 148 in the vertical direction, the entry prohibition area is determined based on the position of the X rail 150. 180 positions can be defined. In the present embodiment, since the X rail 150 is disposed below the discharge stacker 62, the entry prohibition area 180 is defined below the discharge stacker 62.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the movement path of the table 90 in this embodiment is a front Z path 182 and a front Z path extending downward from the supply stacker 60 in the vertical direction (to a height equivalent to a pickup area 184a described later). A lower Y path 184 extending from the lower end of 182 to the rear side direction, an upper Y path 186 extending from the middle of the front Z path 182 (Z-axis origin in the present embodiment) to the rear side and directly below the discharge stacker 62, and an upper side A back side Z path 188 extending from the back side end of the Y path 186 in the vertical direction upward toward the discharge stacker 62 is included. Hereinafter, details of the movement route of the table 90 will be described.

  When one rack 20 is taken out from the supply stacker 60 and placed on the table 90, the entry prohibition area 180 does not exist vertically below the supply stacker 60. Therefore, the table 90 moves along the front Z path 182. It moves vertically down to the same height as the pickup area 184a. The state after the movement is shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the pickup area 184a is the lowest position of the movable range in the vertical direction of the table 90.

  When the X rail 150 is arranged vertically below the supply stacker 60, that is, when the entry prohibition area is defined immediately below the supply stacker 60, the table 90 from which the rack 20 is taken out from the supply stacker 60 is It descends to the Z-axis origin position, moves from there to the back side, that is, below the discharge stacker 62, and then moves downward from there vertically.

  That is, the table 90 from which the rack 20 is taken out from the supply stacker 60 moves to the same height as the pickup area 184a along a route that can avoid the entry prohibition area 180.

  Next, the table 90 moves to the pickup area 184a by moving the lower Y path 184 in the depth direction. Specifically, the innermost nozzle chip row 18 </ b> A on the rack 20 moves on the lower Y path 184 to a position immediately below the chip holding unit 140. The position of the table 90 after such movement is shown in FIG. When the tip holding unit 140 is moved in the left-right direction at this position and the nozzle tip row 18A is completely transported, the table 90 has the nozzle tip row 18B, which is adjacent to the nozzle tip row 18A, of the tip holding unit 140. Move to a position directly below. That is, it moves to the back side by one nozzle tip row. And in the said position, the chip | tip conveyance part 38 conveys all the nozzle chip rows 18B. By repeating this operation, all the nozzle chips 18 on the rack 20 are transported. The position of the table 90 when all the nozzle chips 18 on the rack 20 are conveyed is shown in FIG. That is, the pickup area 184a is from the position of the table 90 shown in FIG. 20 to the position of the table 90 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the position of the table 90 when the nozzle chip conveyance is completed is in the vicinity immediately below the discharge stacker 62. Therefore, if the table 90 is moved in the vertical direction as it is, the empty rack 20 is removed at the shortest movement distance. It can be conveyed to the discharge stacker 62. However, in this embodiment, since the entry prohibition area 180 exists in the middle of the route, the table 90 cannot rise as it is. Therefore, the table 90 once moves on the lower Y path 184 to the near side to the Y-axis origin. The position of the table 90 after such movement is shown in FIG. Since the chip holding unit 140 is provided so as to hang from the X rail 150 (that is, the chip holding unit 140 protrudes below the X rail 150), the table 90 moves along the lower Y path 184. During this time, the X rail 150 and the chip holding unit 140 are retracted as high as possible so that the table 90 and the chip holding unit 140 do not interfere with each other.

  Thereafter, the table 90 moves on the front side Z path 182 upward in the vertical direction and moves to the Z-axis origin. The position of the table 90 after such movement is shown in FIG. After that, the table 90 moves to the back side of the upper Y path 186 at the height of the Z-axis origin. However, as described above, the X rail 150 is retracted as much as possible to enter the upper Y path 186. The prohibited area 180 has interfered. Therefore, the control unit moves the X rail 150 downward in the vertical direction in order to move the entry prohibition area 180 from the upper Y path 186. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 23, the entry prohibition area 180 is moved downward in the vertical direction.

  As a result, the table 90 can move on the upper Y path 186, and as shown in FIG. 24, after moving the upper Y path 186 to the back side, the table 90 further moves the back side Z path 188 to the upper side for discharge. The empty rack 20 is discharged to the stacker 62. FIG. 25 is a front view showing the positional relationship between the table 90 and the X rail 150 while the table 90 is moving on the upper Y path 186. As shown in FIG. 25, when the table 90 moves on the upper Y path 186, it passes through the upper side of the X rail 150.

  Thus, in this embodiment, since the entry prohibition area 180 defined by a part (X rail 150) of the chip transfer unit 38 exists on the transfer route of the table 90, the table 90 includes the entry prohibition area 180. Move to avoid. Further, since the entry prohibition area 180 can be moved in the vertical direction by moving the X rail 150, the position can be moved according to the position of the table 90. Specifically, when the table 90 is moving on the lower Y path 184, the X rail 150 is arranged as high as possible, and the entry prohibition area 180 is set before the table 90 moves on the upper Y path 186. The X rail 150 is moved downward so as not to interfere with the upper Y path 186. That is, the interlocking between the table 90 and the entry prohibition area 180 prevents the two from interfering with each other. Thus, since the table 90 moves while avoiding the entry prohibition area 180, the transfer area of the table 90 and the transfer area of the chip holding unit 140 can be partially overlapped. It is made compact.

  The control unit moves the table 90 (and the X rail 150) as described above in accordance with the sequence indicated in the operation program stored in the storage unit. The timing at which the slide lock mechanism described above restricts the slide movement of the stacker unit 16 (see FIG. 8) is determined according to the sequence for moving the table 90. In the present embodiment, the slide movement of the stacker unit 16 is restricted during the execution of the sequence for moving the upper Y path 186 to the table 90. That is, it can be said that the slide lock mechanism restricts the slide movement of the stacker unit 16 according to the position of the table 90.

≪Lane part≫
26 shows a plan view of the lane portion 40, and FIG. 27 shows a front view of the lane portion 40. As shown in FIG. FIG. 28 is a plan view of the lane portion 40 and shows a state in which the nozzle chip 18 is arranged in the lane portion 40. In FIG. 28, illustration of some members of the lane portion 40 is omitted. Hereinafter, the lane part 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 to 28.

<Lane>
The lane portion 40 has a pair of guide members 190 extending in parallel in the left-right direction. By providing the pair of guide members 190 at a predetermined interval, an X lane 192 extending in the left-right direction is formed between the pair of guide members 190. The distance between the pair of guide members 190 is set to be slightly shorter than the diameter at the upper end portion of the nozzle tip 18 so that the nozzle tip 18 enters and is preferably disposed in the X lane 192. As a result, the flange 18 e (see FIG. 15) provided at the upper end of the nozzle tip 18 is caught by the pair of guide members 190, so that the nozzle tip 18 is disposed in the X lane 192. The nozzle chips 18 transported by the chip transport unit 38 are arranged in a row in the X lane 192 (see FIG. 28). One or a plurality of nozzle chips 18 arranged in the X lane 192 are sent to the front side in the processing direction by a chip feed unit described later. In the X lane 192, one or more nozzle chips 18 are sent to the front side in the processing direction in a fixed posture. Specifically, it is sent in a posture in which the opening of the nozzle tip 18 faces upward in the vertical direction.

  As described above, the nozzle tip 18 disposed in the X lane 192 is sent to the front side in the processing direction with the lower surface of the flange 18e and the upper surfaces of the pair of guide members 190 being in contact with each other. Therefore, at least the upper surfaces of the pair of guide members 190 are used to reduce the friction coefficient so that the friction force generated between the flange 18e and the pair of guide members 190 can be reduced and the nozzle tip 18 can be fed more suitably. It is preferable that the treatment is performed. Specifically, it is preferable that the pair of guide members 190 is formed of a material having a small friction coefficient, or at least the upper surface is subjected to a surface treatment for reducing the friction coefficient.

  The foremost portion (that is, the left end portion) of the X lane 192 in the processing direction is the fitting position 46, and the nozzle tip 18 is coupled to the nozzle base 54 (see FIG. 3) of the dispensing device 32 at the fitting position 46.

<Chip lifting prevention member>
The lane portion 40 has a chip floating prevention member that prevents one or more nozzle chips 18 arranged in the X lane 192 from floating above the X lane 192 by a certain amount (that is, moving upward by a certain amount). . The tip floating prevention member prevents the nozzle tip 18 from floating from the X lane 192, and thus prevents the nozzle tip 18 from dropping from the X lane 192.

  The chip floating prevention member is provided above the X lane 192 in the vertical direction. The chip floating prevention member is provided such that its lower end is located above the X lane 192 in the vertical direction and is located at a slight distance from the upper end of the X lane 192 (that is, the upper side surfaces of the pair of guide members 190).

  In the present embodiment, an upper arrangement member 194 is provided as a chip floating prevention member. The upper arrangement member 194 is a member having a vertical plane and a horizontal plane, having an inverted L-shaped vertical section and extending in the left-right direction. The upper arrangement member 194 is arranged such that the lower end of the vertical plane is located immediately above the X lane 192.

<Chip sensor>
The lane unit 40 has a chip sensor for detecting the number of nozzle chips 18 arranged in the X lane 192. In the present embodiment, two chip sensors 196a and 196b are provided. Specifically, the chip sensor 196a detects whether or not the nozzle chip 18 is arranged at the arrangement position of the ninth nozzle chip 18 counted from the fitting position 46 that is the forefront of the X lane 192 in the processing direction. Since the nozzle chips 18 are always packed and sent to the front side in the processing direction by a chip feed unit, which will be described later, if the chip sensor 196a detects the presence of the nozzle chips, nine nozzle chips 18 are arranged and packed in the X lane 192. You can see that Similarly, the chip sensor 196b detects whether or not the nozzle chip 18 is arranged at the arrangement position of the sixteenth nozzle chip 18 counted from the fitting position 46.

<Chip remover>
The lane part 40 has a chip remover for removing the nozzle chip 18 conveyed to the position immediately above the X lane 192 by the chip holding unit 140 from the chip holding unit 140. The chip holding unit 140 removed by the chip remover is disposed at an insertion position 198 as a chip receiving position in the X lane 192.

  In the present embodiment, as such a chip remover, a sheet metal 200 having a U-shaped notch is provided immediately above the rear side in the processing direction of the X lane 192, specifically, directly above the insertion position 198. Yes. The sheet metal 200 has a flat plate shape and is provided substantially horizontally. A state in which the nozzle tip 18 coupled to the tip holding unit 140 is hooked on the U-shaped notch of the sheet metal 200 from the lower side, that is, the outer peripheral side exposed portion of the upper surface 18b of the nozzle tip 18 (flange 18e) (see FIG. 15). When the tip holding unit 140 moves vertically upward in a state where the lower surface of the sheet metal 200 abuts, the nozzle tip 18 is removed from the tip holding unit 140 and dropped. As a result, the nozzle chip 18 is disposed at the insertion position 198 in a state where the opening portion faces upward in the vertical direction.

<Chip feed unit>
The lane portion 40 has a tip feed unit for feeding one or more nozzle tips 18 arranged in the X lane 192 to the fitting position 46 side. FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the chip feeding unit 210 in the present embodiment.

  The tip feed unit 210 is fixed to a frame or the like of the analysis system 10, and touches and pushes the base 212 erected vertically, the X-axis movable body 214 attached to the base 212, and the nozzle tip 18. It is comprised including the pushing member 216 which is the member of this.

  The base 212 is a flat member that extends in the left-right direction. On the front side surface of the base 212, an X rail 218 extending in the left-right direction and an X belt 220 extending in the left-right direction are provided. In addition, a motor 222 for driving the X belt 220 is provided on the inner side surface. The motor 222 is driven in accordance with instructions from the control unit. Further, an optical axis sensor 224 is attached near the right end of the X rail 218. The optical axis sensor 224 is a sensor for identifying the X axis origin of the position of the X axis movable body 214.

  The X-axis movable body 214 is a light that detects the posture of the X rail engaging portion (not shown) that engages with the X rail 218, the belt engaging portion (not shown) that engages with the X belt 220, and the pressing member 216. The shaft sensor 226 is included. The optical axis sensor 226 includes two sets of light emitting units and light receiving units.

  The pushing member 216 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped member extending in the vertical direction in a normal operation state, and is attached to the X-axis movable body 214 so as to be rotatable about the shaft 228 in the XZ plane. Specifically, the push member 216 can be rotated in a direction in which the upper end of the push member 216 is tilted to the right side from a standing posture in which the push member 216 extends in the vertical direction.

  A coil spring 230 is provided between the lower end portion of the pressing member 216 and the X-axis movable body 214. The coil spring 230 applies a biasing force to the push member 216 so as to maintain the standing posture of the push member 216. That is, the coil spring 230 urges the lower end portion of the push member 216 in the right direction.

  The upper end portion of the pressing member 216 has a depth length smaller than that of other portions, and the upper end portion is inserted into the X lane 192 (see FIG. 28) from below.

  Further, a tip contact portion 232 that contacts the nozzle tip 18 is provided on the left side surface of the push member 216 (that is, the front side surface in the processing direction). The chip contact portion 232 has an inclined surface 232a facing the front side and the front side in the processing direction, and an inclined surface 232b facing the front side and the back side in the processing direction. That is, the horizontal cross section is V-shaped with an opening on the front side in the processing direction.

  Furthermore, a dog 234 that moves in conjunction with the rotational movement of the push member 216 is attached to the push member 216.

  Hereinafter, the feeding operation of the nozzle tip 18 by the tip feeding unit 210 will be described. First, in the initial state, the X-axis movable body 214 is disposed at the origin position of the X-axis. In this state, the push member 216 is on the right side of the insertion position 198 (see FIG. 28), that is, on the rear side in the processing direction.

  In this state, when the nozzle tip 18 is disposed at the insertion position 198, the control unit drives the motor 222 to move the push member 216 in the left direction. Then, the pressing member 216 and the nozzle tip 18 come into contact with each other. The pushing member 216 contacts the nozzle tip 18 at three points. Specifically, the upper end of the left side surface of the pressing member 216 contacts the side surface of the flange 18e (see FIG. 15) of the nozzle tip 18, and the inclined surfaces 232a and 232b contact the side portion of the conical nozzle tip 18. In such a contact state, the pushing member 216 moves to the left side (front side in the processing direction), so that the nozzle tip 18 is sent to the front side in the processing direction. In the feeding state, the pushing member 216 maintains an upright posture. The tip feed unit 210 can send not only one nozzle tip 18 but also a plurality of nozzle tips 18 together.

  When the nozzle tip 18 is sent to the fitting position 46, or when a plurality of nozzle tips 18 are sent, the head (that is, the frontmost in the processing direction) nozzle tip 18 is sent to the fitting position 46, the optical axis It is detected by sensor 226.

  FIG. 30 shows a state of the pressing member 216 when the leading nozzle tip 18 is sent to the fitting position 46. When the leading nozzle tip 18 reaches the fitting position 46, the plurality of nozzle tips 18 that have been sent cannot be sent further forward in the processing direction, so that the pushing member 216 is moved to the lower end side (from the shaft 228 by the X belt 220). (Lower side) is pulled to the left side, while the upper end side (upper side of the shaft 228) receives a repulsive force acting from the nozzle tip 18 to the right side. Thereby, the pushing member 216 rotates clockwise in FIG. Accordingly, the dog 234 attached to the push member 216 also rotates in the clockwise direction, and the light from the light emitting unit 226a of the optical axis sensor 226 blocked by the dog 234 in the normal state is received by the corresponding light receiving unit. . As a result, it is detected that the nozzle tip 18 has been sent to the fitting position 46, or that the leading nozzle tip 18 has been sent to the fitting position 46 when a plurality of nozzle tips 18 have been sent.

  Thereafter, before the next nozzle tip 18 is disposed at the insertion position 198, the pushing member 216 moves again to the X-axis origin. Thereafter, by repeating the above process, the nozzle chips 18 are successively sent to the front side in the process direction.

The optical axis sensor 226 can also detect jamming of the pressing member 216. FIG. 31 shows the push member 216 in the jammed state. When the pushing member 216 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 31 by a predetermined angle or more by pushing the upper end portion of the pushing member 216 to the right side for some reason, the dog 234 is moved largely from the normal position to the left side. The light from the light emitting unit 226b of the axis sensor 226 is blocked. When the light from the light emitting unit 226b is no longer received by the corresponding light receiving unit, the control unit determines that jamming has occurred in the pressing member 216, and performs the operation of the chip feed unit 210 (that is, driving of the motor 222). Stop.

  The nozzle tip 18 sent to the fitting position 46 is then coupled to the nozzle base 54 (see FIG. 3) of the dispensing device 32 and used in the dispensing process.

≪Summary≫
As described above, according to the nozzle chip supply device 30 according to the present embodiment, the plurality of unused nozzle chips 18 are accommodated in the rack 20, and the rack holding unit 34 in a state where the plurality of racks 20 are stacked. Therefore, the area for arranging the plurality of nozzle chips 18 waiting for supply can be reduced. Specifically, a plurality of racks 20 can be held with an installation area equivalent to one rack 20.

  Further, by isolating one rack 20 selected from the supply-side stacked body 42, the upper space of the rack 20 is opened. As a result, the chip transport unit 38 can take out the nozzle chip 18 from the rack 20.

  In addition, since the plurality of nozzle chips 18 waiting to be supplied are aligned in the rack 20 with the openings facing upward, the chip transport unit 38 preferably transports the nozzle chips 18 from the rack 20. be able to. Further, in the lane portion 40, the plurality of nozzle tips 18 are aligned (rearranged) and sent to the fitting position 46 in a fixed posture. Therefore, the nozzle base portion 54 of the dispensing device 32 is preferably connected to each nozzle tip 18. Can be combined. Thereby, the supply error rate of the nozzle chip 18 is reduced.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment which concerns on this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Analysis system, 12 Analysis apparatus, 14 Input display apparatus, 16 Stacker unit, 18 Nozzle chip, 18A Nozzle chip row, 18B Nozzle chip row, 18a Opening part, 18b Upper surface, 18c Inner wall, 18d Annular groove, 18e Flange, 20 racks , 22 space, 24 cover, 26 vertical wall, 30 nozzle tip supply device, 32 dispensing device, 34 rack holding unit, 36 rack transport unit, 38 chip transport unit, 40 lane unit, 42 supply side laminate, 44 discharge side Laminated body, 46 fitting position, 48 base, 50 strut, 52 rotating part, 54 nozzle base, 60 supply stacker, 60a front side wall, 60b back side wall, 62 discharge stacker, 64 stacker base, 66 handle, 68 support member, 68a Arm, 68b Claw, 68c Upper side , 68d inclined surface, 70 hinge, 70a hinge shaft, 72 support member, 72a arm portion, 72b claw portion, 72c upper side surface, 72d inclined surface, 74 hinge, 74a hinge shaft, 76 rail engaging portion, 78 protruding piece, 78a Inclined surface, 80 Base plate, 82 Stacker rail, 84 Lock solenoid, 84a Shaft, 90 Table, 92 Base, 92a Upper surface, 92b Inclined surface, 92c Side surface, 94 Roller, 96 Positioning unit, 96a Inclined surface, 96b Roller, 96c Rotating member, 96d coil spring, 96e axis, 98 dog, 100 belt engaging part, 102 base plate, 104 Z rail, 106 through hole, 108 feed screw, 110 motor, 112 Z axis movable body, 114 screw hole, 116 Y Rail, 118 Y belt, 120 Motor, 122 Optical axis sensor, 124 Rotating handle, 126 Auxiliary belt, 128 Reflective sensor, 140 Chip holding unit, 142 Post, 144 Z rail, 146 motor, 148 Z axis movable body, 150 X rail, 152 X belt, 154 motor, 156 Optical axis sensor, 158 Upper unit, 160 Insert, 162 Optical axis sensor, 170 Insertion part, 170a Tip part, 170b Cylindrical part, 170c Annular projection, 170d Vertical slit, 172 Root part, 172a Lower surface, 174 Coil spring, 176 Dog, 180 entry prohibition area, 182 front Z path, 184 lower Y path, 184a pickup area, 186 upper Y path, 188 back Z path, 190 guide member, 192 X lane, 194 upper arrangement member, 196a chip sensor, 196 Chip sensor, 198 insertion position, 200 sheet metal, 210 chip feed unit, 212 base, 214 X axis movable body, 216 push member, 218 X rail, 220 X belt, 222 motor, 224 optical axis sensor, 226 optical axis sensor, 226a Light emitting part, 226b Light emitting part, 228 shaft, 230 coil spring, 232 chip contact part, 232a inclined surface, 232b inclined surface, 234 dog.

Claims (6)

A first stacker that holds a first stack of a plurality of racks containing a plurality of unused nozzle chips;
A second stacker for holding a second stack of a plurality of racks arranged in the Y direction, which is horizontal with respect to the first stacker, and emptied after the nozzle chip is removed;
In the lower space existing below the first stacker and the second stacker, the rack can be moved in the Y direction and the Z direction which is the vertical direction, and the rack taken out from the first stacker is transported to the pickup area. A rack table that transports the rack that has become empty after the nozzle chip is removed from the pickup area to the second stacker;
A control unit for controlling the transport of the rack table, the control unit for controlling the rack table to move along a detour path that detours an entry prohibition area formed in the lower space;
A nozzle tip supply device comprising: A chip transport mechanism for picking up nozzle chips from a rack in the pickup area and transporting the nozzle chips in an X direction that is horizontal and orthogonal to the Y direction;
The chip transport mechanism has an extending portion extending in the X direction,
The entry prohibition region is defined by a portion of the extension portion that has entered the lower space.
The nozzle tip supply device according to claim 1, wherein: The tip transport mechanism is a tip holding portion that extends downward from the extending portion, and is a tip that holds the nozzle tip by being inserted into an opening portion of the nozzle tip that is opened upward in the vertical direction to generate a combined state. A holding portion;
The extending portion is an X rail for conveying the chip holding portion in the X direction.
The nozzle tip supply device according to claim 2, wherein The extending portion is movable in the Z direction,
The control unit moves the rack table so as to bypass the entry prohibition region by interlocking the movement of the extension unit in the Z direction and the movement of the rack table.
The nozzle tip supply apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The detour route is
A lower horizontal path including a horizontal path portion corresponding to the pickup area and extending in the Y direction;
One side vertical path extending in the Z direction from one of the first stacker and the second stacker to the lower horizontal path;
An upper horizontal path extending in the Y direction from the middle of the one side vertical path to the other lower Z direction of the first stacker and the second stacker;
The other vertical path extending in the Z direction from the upper horizontal path to the other of the first stacker and the second stacker;
The nozzle tip supply device according to claim 4, comprising: The control unit moves the extending unit downward in the Z direction before the rack table moves on the upper horizontal path.
The nozzle tip supply device according to claim 5, wherein