JP2017087175A - Agitation device and analysis device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an agitation device that has a novel configuration capable of agitating liquid stored in a container and has little inconvenience.SOLUTION: The agitation device 17 includes: multiple rotary parts 306 respectively turning multiple agitation parts 200 that are respectively inserted into different containers to agitate liquid stored in the containers; a motor 301; and a rotation transmission part 300 for transmitting the rotation of the motor 301 to the multiple rotary parts 306 to turn the multiple rotary parts 306 in the same direction, for instance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a stirring device and an analysis device.

  Conventionally, an analyzer having a stirring unit is known (for example, Patent Document 1). For example, the stirring unit stirs a mixed solution of the specimen and the reagent.

JP 2004-251802 A

  In this type of stirrer and analyzer, it is meaningful if a new configuration with less inconvenience capable of stirring the liquid contained in the container can be obtained.

  A stirrer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes, for example, a plurality of rotating units that respectively rotate a plurality of stirring units that are inserted into different containers and stir the liquid contained in the containers, a motor, and the motor A rotation transmitting unit that transmits the rotation to the plurality of rotating units and rotates the plurality of rotating units in the same direction.

FIG. 1 is a schematic and exemplary plan view of an analyzer including the stirring device of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exemplary flowchart of an analysis procedure performed by an analyzer including the stirring device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic and exemplary perspective view of the stirring device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic and exemplary perspective view of a rotation transmission unit included in the stirring device of the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic and exemplary side view of a rotation transmission unit included in the stirring device of the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic and exemplary view showing the arrangement of the stirring device and the plurality of containers according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic and exemplary diagram showing the arrangement of the stirrer according to the embodiment and a plurality of containers, and is a diagram at a time after FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a schematic and exemplary view showing the arrangement of the stirrer according to the embodiment and a plurality of containers, and is a view at a time after FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic and exemplary view showing the arrangement of the stirrer according to the embodiment and a plurality of containers, and is a view at a time after FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic and exemplary view showing the arrangement of the stirrer according to the embodiment and a plurality of containers, and is a view at a time after FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a schematic and exemplary perspective view of a rotation transmission unit included in a stirring device according to a modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic and exemplary perspective view of a rotation transmission unit included in a stirring device according to another modification of the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are disclosed. The configuration and control of the embodiment shown below, and the operation and result (effect) brought about by the configuration and control are examples. The present invention can be realized by other than the configuration and control disclosed in the following embodiments, and various effects obtained by the basic configuration and control can be obtained.

<Overall configuration>
As shown in FIG. 1, the biochemical analyzer 1 includes a sample processing device 2 and an information processing device 3. The sample processing apparatus 2 obtains a reaction solution by reacting a sample such as serum, plasma, or urine with a reagent, and measures the absorbance of the reaction solution. Based on the absorbance measured by the sample processing device 2, the information processing device 3 obtains the amount of a sample component such as cholesterol. That is, the biochemical analyzer 1 analyzes a sample by a colorimetric analysis method. Such a biochemical analyzer 1 is used for, for example, examination of various examination items such as cholesterol level on a specimen. The biochemical analyzer 1 is an example of an analyzer.

  The information processing apparatus 3 includes a control unit, a storage unit, a display unit, an operation unit (all not shown), and the like. The control unit includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The information processing apparatus 3 is connected to the sample processing apparatus 2 so as to be communicable. The information processing apparatus 3 can be configured by a personal computer, for example.

  The sample processing apparatus 2 includes a housing 10, a sample store 11, a reagent store 12, a reaction tank 13, a sample dispensing unit 14, reagent dispensing units 15 and 16, a stirring device 17, a measuring unit 19, a cleaning unit 20, and A control unit 21 and the like are provided.

  The specimen storage 11 has a substantially circular rotating body 31 in plan view. The rotating body 31 is supported by the housing 10 so as to be rotatable around the rotation center axis O1 along the vertical direction of the housing 10. The rotating body 31 is rotated around the rotation center axis O1 by a drive mechanism (not shown). The rotating body 31 can hold a plurality of sample containers 32. The plurality of sample containers 32 are arranged around the rotation center axis O <b> 1 and set on the rotating body 31, and rotate integrally with the rotating body 31. In FIG. 1, a part of the plurality of sample containers 32 is shown. Moreover, the specimen store | warehouse | chamber 11 may have a some rotation support part which can be rotated mutually independently around the rotation center axis Ax1.

  The sample container 32 contains a sample. In addition, a barcode (not shown) indicating the identification information of the sample container 32 is attached to the sample container 32, and this barcode is not provided in the sample container 11 at a position facing the sample container 32. It is read by the illustrated barcode reader.

  The reagent storage 12 has a substantially circular rotating body 33 in plan view. The rotating body 33 is supported by the housing 10 so as to be rotatable about the rotation center axis O2 along the vertical direction of the housing 10. The rotating body 33 is rotated around the rotation center axis O2 by a drive mechanism (not shown). The rotating body 33 can hold a plurality of reagent containers 34. The plurality of reagent containers 34 are arranged around the rotation center axis O <b> 2, set on the rotating body 33, and rotate integrally with the rotating body 33. In FIG. 1, a part of the plurality of reagent containers 34 is shown.

  The reagent container 34 contains a reagent. The reagent container 34 is provided with a barcode (not shown) indicating the identification information of the reagent container 34, and this barcode is not provided in the reagent container 12 at a position facing the reagent container 34. It is read by the illustrated barcode reader.

  The reaction tank 13 has a substantially circular rotating body 35 in plan view. The rotating body 35 is supported by the housing 10 so as to be rotatable around the rotation center axis O3 along the vertical direction of the housing 10. The rotating body 35 is rotated around the rotation center axis O3 by a drive mechanism (not shown). The rotating body 35 is provided with a plurality of light transmissive reaction vessels 36. The plurality of reaction vessels 36 are arranged around the rotation center axis O <b> 3 and rotate integrally with the rotating body 35. In FIG. 1, a part of the plurality of reaction vessels 36 is shown. The reaction vessel 36 can be constituted by, for example, a cuvette. In the reaction container 36, a sample and a reagent are dispensed. The sample and the reagent react in the reaction container 36 to become a reaction solution. The inside of the reaction tank 13 is maintained at a temperature suitable for advancing the reaction between the specimen and the reagent.

  The sample dispensing unit 14 includes a pipette 37 and a drive mechanism 38. The pipette 37 is rotated around the rotation center axis Ax4 along the vertical direction of the housing 10 between the position above the sample storage 11 and the position above the reaction tank 13 by the drive mechanism 38. The pipette 37 is moved along the vertical direction of the housing 10 by the drive mechanism 38. Further, the pipette 37 is connected to a suction / discharge mechanism for performing a sample suction operation and a discharge operation. The sample dispensing unit 14 sucks the sample in the sample container 32 with the pipette 37 inserted in the sample container 32, and then inserts the pipette 37 into the reaction container 36, and the pipette 37 enters the reaction container 36. The specimen can be discharged (dispensed).

  The reagent dispensing units 15 and 16 have pipettes 39 and 40 and drive mechanisms 41 and 42, respectively. Pipettes 39 and 40 are driven by drive mechanisms 41 and 42, respectively, so that rotation center axes Ax5 and Ax6 along the vertical direction of the casing 10 are positioned between the position above the reagent storage 12 and the position above the reaction tank 13. Rotated around. The pipettes 39 and 40 are moved along the vertical direction of the housing 10 by the drive mechanisms 41 and 42. The pipettes 39 and 40 are connected to a suction / discharge mechanism for performing a reagent suction operation and a discharge operation. The reagent dispensing units 15 and 16 respectively suck the reagent in the reagent container 34 with the pipettes 39 and 40 inserted into the reagent container 34, and then insert the pipettes 39 and 40 into the reaction container 36. The reagent can be discharged (dispensed) from the pipettes 39 and 40 into the reaction container 36.

  The measurement unit 19 includes a light source unit 45 and a light receiving unit (not shown). The light source unit 45 is positioned outside the reaction vessel 13 and irradiates the reaction vessel 36 with light such as halogen light. The light receiving unit receives light that has passed through the reaction vessel 36 and measures the intensity of the received light. The measuring unit 19 obtains the absorbance of the reaction solution in the reaction vessel 36 based on the light intensity measured by the light receiving unit. The light source unit 45 is configured to be able to switch the wavelength of the emitted light. Therefore, the measurement part 19 can measure the light absorbency about the multiple types of light from which a wavelength mutually differs.

  The stirring device 17 has a stirring unit (not shown) that can be inserted into the reaction vessel 36. The stirrer 17 stirs the sample or reagent dispensed into the reaction vessel 36 by rotating a stirrer inserted in the reaction vessel 36.

  The cleaning unit 20 removes (discards) the reaction solution in the reaction container 36 and cleans the reaction container 36.

  The control unit 21 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The control unit 21 executes various calculations and control of each unit of the sample processing apparatus 2.

  The sample processing apparatus 2 configured as described above performs measurement processing. During the measurement process, the sample storage 11, the reagent storage 12, and the reaction tank 13 are subjected to the processing of the sample dispensing unit 14, the reagent dispensing units 15, 16, the stirring device 17, the measuring unit 19, and the washing unit 20. To be moved.

<Processing procedure>
As shown in FIG. 2, in the measurement process, the sample dispensing unit 14 dispenses a predetermined sample in the sample storage 11 into a predetermined reaction container 36 in the reaction tank 13 (step S1). Next, the reagent dispensing unit 15 dispenses the first reagent in the reagent storage 12 corresponding to the inspection item into the predetermined reaction container 36 (step S2). Next, the stirring device 17 stirs the inside of the predetermined reaction vessel 36 (step S3). Next, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the stirring, the measurement unit 19 measures the absorbance of the first reaction liquid obtained by the reaction between the sample and the first reagent in the predetermined reaction container 36. (Step S4). The measured absorbance is transmitted to the information processing device 3.

  Next, the reagent dispensing unit 16 dispenses the second reagent in the reagent storage 12 corresponding to the inspection item into the predetermined reaction container 36 (step S5). Next, the stirring device 17 stirs the inside of the predetermined reaction container 36 (step S6). Next, after a predetermined time has elapsed since stirring, the measurement unit 19 is obtained by the reaction of the first reaction liquid (specimen and first reagent) and the second reagent in the predetermined reaction container 36. The absorbance of the second reaction solution is measured (step S7). The measured absorbance is transmitted to the information processing device 3. Next, the cleaning unit 20 removes the second reaction liquid in the predetermined reaction container 36 and cleans the reaction container 36 (step S8). When two absorbances are obtained by such measurement processing, the information processing device 3 obtains the amount of the component of the specimen (for example, cholesterol value) based on the two absorbances. In addition, the process of step S1-step S8 is repeatedly performed for every sample and test item. The pipettes 37, 39, and 40 are cleaned by a cleaning unit (not shown) at a predetermined timing.

<Agitator>
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the stirring device 17. The stirring device 17 has a plurality of stirring units 200A and 200B. The plurality of agitating units 200A and 200B are inserted into separate containers 36, respectively, and agitate the liquid stored in each container 36. In the present embodiment, the stirring device 17 includes the two stirring units 200A and 200B, but the number of stirring units is not limited to two.

  The stirring unit 200 is configured in a bar shape or plate shape that is long in the vertical direction. The stirring unit 200 rotates about the rotation center Ax1 along the longitudinal direction, that is, the vertical direction. The stirring unit 200 may have a fin (not shown).

  The stirring device 17 is moved between a plurality of positions by a moving mechanism (not shown). The moving mechanism moves the stirring device 17 between three positions, for example, a processing position, a standby position, and a cleaning position, all not shown. The processing position is a position where the stirring unit 200 is in the container 36. The standby position is a position where the stirring unit 200 is out of the container 36, and is a position before or after the stirring unit 200 is inserted into the container 36. The container 36 (not shown) is opened upward, and the moving mechanism moves the stirring unit 200 downward and inserts it into the container 36. Therefore, the standby position is located above the processing position. Further, at the cleaning position, the plurality of stirring units 200 are cleaned with a cleaning liquid, for example, pure water.

  The stirring device 17 includes a motor 301 as a rotation source. The rotation of the motor 301 is transmitted to the plurality of agitation units 200 via a rotation transmission unit (not shown in FIG. 3) housed in the case 100.

  The case 100 supports each part of the stirring device 17 such as the motor 301, the rotation transmission unit, and the stirring unit 200. The case 100 covers the rotation transmission unit. Therefore, the case 100 can also be called a support part or a cover.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rotation transmission unit 300. The rotation transmission unit 300 includes four gears 302, 303, 305A, and 305B.

  The gear 302 rotates integrally with a shaft (not shown in FIG. 4) of the motor 301 around the rotation center Ax2 of the motor 301. The gear 302 can be referred to as a drive gear.

  The gear 305A rotates integrally with the shaft 306A that rotates the stirring unit 200A around the rotation center Ax1A. The gear 305B rotates integrally with the shaft 306B that rotates the stirring unit 200B around the rotation center Ax1B. The gears 305A and 305B can be referred to as driven gears. The shafts 306A and 306B may be fixed to the stirring units 200A and 200B, or may be configured to be detachable from the stirring units 200A and 200B. In the case of a detachable configuration, the user can replace the stirring units 200A and 200B as necessary. The shafts 306A and 306B are an example of rotating parts.

  The gear 303 rotates around the rotation center Ax3. The gear 303 meshes with the gears 302, 305A, and 305B. The gear 303 is between the drive gear and the driven gear. Therefore, the gear 303 can be referred to as an idler gear or an intermediate gear. Since both the gears 305A and 305B mesh with the gear 303, they rotate in the same direction. The four rotation centers Ax1A, Ax1B, Ax2, and Ax3 are parallel.

  FIG. 5 is a side view of the stirring device 17. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the case 100 includes a first member 101 having wall portions 101a, 101b, and 101c and a second member 102 having wall portions 102a and 102b. The first member 101 and the second member 102 are coupled by a coupling tool 103 such as a screw.

  The wall 101a is orthogonal to the rotation centers Ax1A, Ax1B, Ax2, and Ax3, and extends in the horizontal direction. The wall 101a can be referred to as a bottom wall or a lower wall. The wall 101b extends in the vertical direction in parallel with the rotation centers Ax1A, Ax1B, Ax2, and Ax3. The wall 101b can be referred to as a side wall or a peripheral wall. The wall 101c is located above the wall 101a, is orthogonal to the rotation centers Ax1A, Ax1B, Ax2, and Ax3 and extends in the horizontal direction. The wall 101c can be referred to as a top wall.

  The wall 102a is orthogonal to the rotation centers Ax1A, Ax1B, Ax2, and Ax3 and extends in the horizontal direction. The wall 102a can be referred to as a bottom wall or a lower wall. The wall portion 102a separates the rotation transmitting unit 300 and the stirring unit 200 (container 36). Therefore, the wall 102a is an example of a partition wall. The wall 102b extends in the vertical direction in parallel with the rotation centers Ax1A, Ax1B, Ax2, and Ax3. The wall 102b can be referred to as a side wall or a peripheral wall.

  Each part of the rotation transmission unit 300 is supported by using openings 101d and 102c provided in the case 100. In the present embodiment, the openings 101d and 102c are both configured as through holes. Specifically, the motor 301, the shaft 303a that supports the gear 303, and the shafts 306A and 306B that support the gears 305A and 305B are inserted into the opening 101d provided in the wall 101c. A shaft 303a and shafts 306A and 306B are inserted into the opening 102c provided in the wall 102b. The shafts 303a, 306A, and 306B are supported on the edges of the openings 101d and 102c via bearings 307. The bearing 307 is, for example, a ball bearing. Of the end portions in the axial direction of the bearing 307, the end portion inside the case 100 is provided with a flange portion 307a projecting radially outward. The flange portion 307a covers the edges of the opening portions 101d and 102c provided in the wall portions 101c and 102a in the axial direction from the inside of the case 100. In other words, the flange portion 307a is formed between the edges of the openings 101d and 102c and the bearing 307, that is, between the openings 101d and 102c and the shaft 306, and from the case 100 to the outside of the case 100. To prevent foreign substances such as That is, the bearing 307 is an example of a suppressing member, and the flange portion 307a is an example of a suppressing portion.

  A gap between the edges of the openings 101d and 102c and the bearing 307 may be filled with a sealant, an adhesive, or the like. An O-ring or the like may be provided. In this case, a sealant, an adhesive, an O-ring, etc. are examples of the suppressing member.

  Further, the gears 303 and 305 may be helical gears, and the flange portion 307a may be pressed against the peripheral portions of the openings 101d and 102c in the wall portions 101c and 102a by the axial force generated by the meshing between them. . Specifically, for example, by fixing gears 303 and 305, which are helical gears, to the shafts 303a and 306, an axial force is generated on the shafts 303a and 306. The shafts 303a and 306 are provided with a step for pushing the bearing 307 in the axial direction, and the axial force generated by the meshing of the gears 303 and 305 is input to the bearing 307 through this step, and as a result, the flange portion 307a. Is pressed against the walls 101c and 102a. Therefore, when the gap between the flange portion 307a and the wall portions 101c and 102a is narrowed or the surface pressure of these facing portions is increased, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from passing through the gap. Note that the specifications of the shape, number, arrangement, etc. of the plurality of members constituting the case 100 are not limited to the examples of FIGS.

  6-10 is a figure which shows the outline | summary of a time-dependent operation | movement of the stirring apparatus 17 and the rotation support part 35. FIG. The rotation support part 35 of the reaction vessel 13 holds a plurality of containers 36 in a state of being arranged at a constant interval (angular interval) along the circumferential direction that is the transport direction. The rotation support part 35 of the reaction vessel 13 conveys the plurality of containers 36 stepwise and intermittently at predetermined time intervals. Specifically, for example, the rotation support unit 35 performs a step Sm of moving the container 36 by a predetermined distance during a predetermined movement time Δtm and a step Ss of stopping the container 36 during a predetermined stop time Δts. Repeat alternately. Here, the moving distance of the container 36 in step Sm is equal to the arrangement interval of the containers 36 in the rotation support portion 35. Further, the installation interval of the stirring positions P1, P2 by the stirring units 200A, 200B of the stirring device 17 is equal to or an integral multiple of the arrangement interval of the containers 36. In such a configuration, the rotation support unit 35 alternately repeats Step Sm and Step Ss, so that the rotation support unit 35 sequentially conveys the plurality of containers 36 to the stirring positions Pa and Pb, and each container 36. Can be positioned at the stirring position Pa after being positioned at the stirring position Pb. That is, in the present embodiment, all the liquids in the containers 36 are stirred by the stirring unit 200 a plurality of times, that is, twice in the present embodiment, for example. In addition, the stirring part 200 which stirred the liquid in the container 36 in step Ss is moved to the washing position from the processing position together with the stirring device 17 by the moving mechanism every time. At the cleaning position, the stirring unit 200 is cleaned. The rotation support unit 35 is an example of a transport mechanism. In addition, the conveyance direction may be not a circumferential shape but a linear shape.

  FIG. 6 shows a state where the container 36 is in a position before reaching the stirring positions Pa and Pb, and the stirring device 17 is in the standby position Po. The rotation support part 35 conveys the container 36 to the left side of FIG. 6 by one step of Step Sm, that is, a predetermined movement distance from the state of FIG. As a result, the state shown in FIG. 7 is obtained. In FIG. 7, the container 36A that is the first stirring is located at the stirring position Pb. 6 and 7, the stirring device 17 is located at the standby position Po.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the stirring device 17 is moved from the standby position Po to the processing position Pi by a moving mechanism (not shown), and is stored in the container 36A positioned at the stirring position Pb by the stirring unit 200B. The liquid is stirred. Next, as shown in FIG. 9, after the stirring device 17 is moved from the processing position Pi to the standby position Po by the moving mechanism and at least the stirring unit 200B comes out of the container 36A, the rotation support unit 35 From the state, the container 36 is conveyed to the left side of FIG. 8 by one step of Step Sm, that is, a predetermined movement distance. In the state of FIG. 9, the container 36A in which the liquid is stirred in the previous step Ss, that is, the container 36A that is the second stirring is located at the stirring position Pa, and the container 36B that is the first stirring is located at the stirring position Pb. Is done. In addition, the moving direction of the stirring apparatus 17 in FIGS. 6-10 is typical, The moving direction of the stirring apparatus 17 is not limited to a radial direction, For example, an up-down direction etc. may be sufficient.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the stirring device 17 is moved from the standby position Po to the processing position Pi by a moving mechanism (not shown), and is stored in the container 36A positioned at the stirring position Pa by the stirring unit 200A. The agitated liquid is agitated, and the agitator 200B agitates the liquid contained in the container 36B located at the agitation position Pb.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, the liquid stored in the container 36 is stirred by the plurality of stirring units 200 </ b> A and 200 </ b> B. Such a configuration and setting is effective when the time interval (= Δtm + Δts) for moving the container 36 is limited. Specifically, for example, in consideration of processing throughput, it may be preferable to set the time interval according to the tact time of other processing, for example, processing for removing liquid or processing for injecting liquid. However, there is a case where the liquid cannot be sufficiently stirred by one stirring at a time interval set by the tact time, that is, the stirring time is insufficient. Therefore, in this embodiment, a plurality of agitation units 200 are placed in each container 36 at different times, and the liquid agitated in a plurality of times to agitate the liquid contained in the container 36. It is long.

  When stirring is performed a plurality of times in this way, the liquid in the container 36 once stirred is indicated by a broken arrow in FIG. 9 even after the stirring unit 200B in FIG. 8 exits the container 36A, for example. In some cases, the vehicle is turning due to inertia. The turning direction is the same as the rotation direction by the stirring unit 200B that performed the previous stirring. In such a state, if the stirring unit 200A that performs the next stirring process rotates in the opposite direction to the stirring unit 200B that performed the previous stirring, the liquid will swell, for example, the stirring effect Inconveniences such as reduction in the amount of liquid and splashing of liquid from the container 36 may occur. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the plurality of stirring units 200 are configured to rotate in the same rotation direction.

  In addition, as indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 9, the liquid in the container 36A once stirred is still swirling after the stirring unit 200B exits the container 36A due to inertia. The liquid in the container 36B that has never been stirred is not swirling. Therefore, the rotational speed of the stirring unit 200A that stirs the liquid in the container 36A once stirred is set higher than the rotational speed of the stirring unit 200B that stirs the liquid in the container 36B that has not been stirred. May be. Thereby, since the difference between the swirling speed of the liquid and the rotation speed of the stirring unit 200A can be reduced, for example, in the range where the liquid is further suppressed in the container 36 or the scattering is suppressed. There may be an effect that stirring of the liquid in the container 36 is promoted by a higher rotation speed. The rotation speed can be set relatively easily, for example, depending on the number of teeth of the gears 305A and 305B in the rotation transmission unit 300, that is, the gear ratio with the gear 303. The stirring unit 200A is an example of a second stirring unit, and the stirring unit 200B is an example of a first stirring unit. Further, the shaft 306A corresponding to the stirring unit 200A is an example of a second rotating unit, and the shaft 306B corresponding to the stirring unit 200B is an example of a first rotating unit. Note that the first rotating unit and the second rotating unit are not limited to the shafts 306A and 306B as long as they rotate integrally without the stirring units 200A and 200B and the transmission mechanism.

  As described above, the stirring device 17 according to the embodiment rotates the plurality of stirring units 200 in the same direction. Therefore, for example, when the liquid is stirred for the second and subsequent times by the stirring unit 200, it is possible to suppress the liquid from being rippled.

  In addition, the stirring device 17 of the embodiment includes a wall portion 102a (a partition wall) that separates the container 36 and the rotation transmission unit 300 from each other. Therefore, for example, foreign matter such as abrasion powder and dust from the rotation transmission unit 300 can be prevented from entering the container 36.

  In the stirring device 17 of the embodiment, the flange portion 307a provided on the bearing 307 between the edge of the opening 102c and the shaft 306 (rotating portion or stirring portion) suppresses foreign matter from entering the container 36. It functions as a suppressing member. Therefore, for example, with a relatively simple configuration, foreign matter such as abrasion powder and dust from the rotation transmission unit 300 can be suppressed from entering the container 36.

  In the stirring device 17 of the embodiment, the gears 303, 305A, and 305B included in the rotation transmission unit 300 can be helical gears, so that the flange portion 307a (suppression member) can be pressed against the wall portion 102a (partition wall). Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the container 36 through the gap between the flange portion 307a and the wall portion 102a and the opening portion 102c with a relatively simple configuration.

<Variation of rotation transmission unit>
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a rotation transmission unit 300A according to a modification. As is clear from FIG. 11, the rotation transmission unit 300 </ b> A uses a belt pulley mechanism to transmit the rotation of the motor 301 to the gear 303. The belt pulley mechanism includes a drive pulley 308a, a driven pulley 308b, and a belt 308c. The drive pulley 308a rotates integrally with the shaft of the motor 301. The driven pulley 308b rotates integrally with the gear 303. The belt 308c is stretched between the drive pulley 308a and the driven pulley 308b, and transmits rotation from the drive pulley 308a to the driven pulley 308b. Even with such a configuration, the same operations and effects (results) as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a rotation transmission unit 300B according to another modification. As is clear from FIG. 12, the rotation transmission unit 300 </ b> B uses a belt pulley mechanism to transmit the rotation of the motor 301 to the gear 303. The belt pulley mechanism includes drive pulleys 309a and 310a, driven pulleys 309b and 310b, and belts 309c and 310c. The drive pulleys 309a and 310a rotate integrally with the shaft of the motor 301. The driven pulley 309b rotates integrally with the shaft 306A and the stirring unit 200A. The driven pulley 310b rotates integrally with the shaft 306B and the stirring unit 200B. The belt 309c is bridged between the drive pulley 309a and the driven pulley 309b, and transmits rotation from the drive pulley 309a to the driven pulley 309b. The belt 310c is stretched between the drive pulley 310a and the driven pulley 310b, and transmits rotation from the drive pulley 310a to the driven pulley 310b. Even with such a configuration, the same operations and effects (results) as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was illustrated, the said embodiment is an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. The above embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, combinations, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The above embodiments are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof. In addition, the configuration and shape of each embodiment and each modification may be partially exchanged. In addition, specifications (structure, type, direction, angle, arrangement, position, number, shape, size, length, width, thickness, height, etc.) of each configuration and shape, etc. are changed as appropriate. can do. For example, the present invention can be applied to an analysis apparatus other than a biochemical analysis apparatus or an apparatus other than an analysis apparatus. Moreover, the rotation transmission part and the stirring part of the present invention can be implemented with various specifications (number, size, shape, etc.).

  17 ... Stirrer 36, 36A-36D ... Container, 101d, 102c ... Opening, 102a ... Wall (partition), 200 ... Stirrer, 200A ... Stirrer (second stirrer), 200B ... Stirrer ( First stirring unit), 300, 300A, 300B ... rotation transmission unit, 301 ... motor, 303, 305A, 305B ... gear (helical gear), 306 ... shaft (rotating unit), 306A ... shaft (second rotating unit) , 306B ... shaft (first rotating part), 307 ... bearing (suppressing member), 307a ... flange part (suppressing part).

Claims (7)

A plurality of rotating portions that respectively rotate a plurality of stirring portions that are inserted into separate containers and stir the liquid contained in the containers;
A motor,
A rotation transmitting unit that transmits the rotation of the motor to the plurality of rotating units and rotates the plurality of rotating units in the same direction;
A stirring device. The rotation transmitting unit is located above the container;
2. The stirring device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of openings through which the plurality of rotating portions or the plurality of stirring portions respectively penetrate, and including a partition that separates the container and the rotation transmitting portion.   The stirrer according to claim 2, further comprising a suppressing member that suppresses foreign substances from passing from the rotation transmitting unit to the container side through the gap between the edge of the opening and the rotating unit or the stirring unit. .   The stirring device according to claim 3, wherein the rotation transmission unit includes a helical gear that presses the suppression member against the partition wall by an axial force. The plurality of stirring parts include a first stirring part and a second stirring part for stirring the liquid stirred in the first stirring part,
The plurality of rotating units includes a first rotating unit that rotates the first stirring unit and a second rotating unit that rotates the second stirring unit. The stirring apparatus as described in any one.   The stirring device according to claim 5, wherein the rotation transmission unit rotates the second rotation unit at a higher rotation speed than the first rotation unit.   The analyzer provided with the stirring apparatus any one of Claims 1-6.

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