JP2594965B2 - Device for opening or closing the lid of the sample container - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an opening / closing device that can automatically open or close a lid of a sample container or close a lid. For example, the present invention relates to an automatic opening and closing device for a sample container suitable for a DNA pretreatment operation.

[Prior Art] With the progress of genetic engineering in recent years, the determination of the nucleotide sequence of a gene (DNA) has become increasingly important. However, this sequencing procedure is burdensome for scientific researchers. For example, to determine all 2.9 billion bp human genes, it takes more than a year for 30,000 researchers to work simultaneously. It is said that even if there is a material to be determined, such as a human gene, it cannot be easily manipulated. Therefore, development of an apparatus capable of automatically performing so-called DNA pretreatment operations such as enzymatic reaction and purification operation of DNA, which requires a large amount of work in the base sequence determination operation, is awaited. Significant effects can be expected, such as an increase in speed, an increase in intellectual production by reducing the burden on researchers, and an improvement in process reliability. The present invention is useful for the above-mentioned automatic sample processing apparatus, in which a small amount of DNA sample can be easily handled, and the lid of a plastic container formed integrally with a fittable lid capable of withstanding a centrifugal acceleration of the order of 10,000 G is opened and closed. Related to the device.

As an apparatus for handling a small amount of a liquid sample similar to the pretreatment operation of a DNA sample, there has been an automatic chemical analyzer.
Such a conventional apparatus has a function of performing automatic operations such as dispensing and reacting a sample reagent. (For example,
(See JP-A-59-119267 and JP-B-61-56784) [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the above-mentioned DNA pretreatment operation, the sample volume handled is as small as 1 μ to 200 μ and the acceleration is in the order of 10,000 G. Since it is necessary to avoid contaminating enzymes and reagents, plastic containers made of disposable polypropylene, etc., which are integrally formed with a small, fittable lid that can withstand high-speed centrifugation, are suitable. It is. However, in a conventional automatic chemical analyzer,
A sample container with a lid was not handled, and no consideration was given to the method of opening and closing the lid required when handling the plastic container described above.

First, FIG. 8 shows a schematic structure of a target sample container and an opening / closing operation state of the lid. In FIG. 8, the container 1 has a lid.
1a, a connecting portion 1b between the main body and the lid, an overhang portion 1c to be pulled when opening the lid, a fitting portion 1d, and a container main body 1e. When the lid of the container 1 is opened and closed, the lid 1a
And the overhang portion 1c passes through a substantially circular orbit 102. Conventionally, such opening and closing operations of the container have been performed manually. Specifically, when opening the lid, the user lifts the overhang 1c upward with a thumb or the like so as to hook the overhang 1c. At this time, in order to avoid the problem of contamination, care was taken to prevent a finger or the like from touching the fitting portion 1d. When closing the lid, recognize the position of the open lid, close the lid gradually with your finger,
When 1d came into contact with the container body 1e, the lid was closed by pushing it firmly. After the lid is opened, the stop position of 1a varies slightly, but during dispensing work and when the lid is closed, the position of lid 1a is always checked by the eyes of the operator, so lid 1a
You no longer need to control the stop position.

From the above, the main points of the opening / closing operation of the sample container are summarized as follows.

When the lid is opened, the overhanging portion 1c is pulled to open the lid, but at this time, the lid opening mechanism does not contact the fitting portion 1d.

After opening the lid, perform the liquid dispensing operation and the lid closing operation.If the stop position of the lid varies, create a system that can detect the position of the lid and respond flexibly according to it. If it is not easy to detect the error, it is necessary to fix the stop position of the lid and form a system that can simplify the next operation. In the manual operation, it is considered that the former system is configured using human eyes. The latter system may be appropriate for automation.

When closing the lid, the lid, the tip of which is located on any one of the tracks 102, is moved along the rotation axis 101 of the lid, and the fitting portion 1d is smoothly inserted into the container body 1e.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic sample container opening and closing device that can easily open and close the above-mentioned container lid.

[Means for solving the problem]

The above object is achieved by a configuration in which the lid is opened and closed by a rotation mechanism having a rotation axis substantially coaxial with a rotation axis generated when the lid of the container is opened and closed.

[Action]

When opening the lid 1a of the sample container,
Then, a lid having a rotation axis substantially coaxial with the rotation axis 101 generated when the lid 1a of the container is opened and closed is driven to open the lid. In this device, there is no risk of contamination because the lid opening mechanism does not contact the fitting portion 1d. Next, a liquid dispensing operation, a lid closing operation, and the like are performed. Since the opening degree of the lid can be controlled, the dispensing operation and the lid closing operation can be performed without particularly detecting the position of the lid.

When closing the lid, the lid whose tip is located within a certain range on the track 102 is moved in accordance with the rotation axis 101 of the lid, and the fitting portion 1d is smoothly inserted into the container body 1e.

〔Example〕

First, the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram of the mechanism as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of transport of the container carrier 2a, and FIG. 2 is a diagram of the same mechanism as viewed along the transport direction. This container lid opening mechanism is a lid 1a of the container 1 whose container direction is adjusted and is oriented in a predetermined direction.
The hook member 11 for hooking the overhanging portion 1c, the fixing members 13a and 13b for fixing the hook member 11 so as to interlock with the movement of the gears 12a and 12b, and meshing with the gears 12a and 12b. Gear 14, a motor 15 for rotating the gear 14, the gear
12a and 12b, and a holding member 16 for holding the motor 15 and the like. The lid opening mechanism operates as follows. Before the container 1 is transferred by the transfer table 2a, the lid catching member 11 is moved to the second position.
The container 1 is positioned at the lower right, so that when the container 1 is transported, the tip of the lid hooking member 11 is located below the overhang portion 1c of the lid 1a. Next, the motor 15 is rotated for a predetermined time to rotate the gear 14 rightward in FIG. Then, the gears 12a and 12b rotate to the left in FIG. 2, so that the lid hooking member 11 fixed to the gears 12a and 12b
Draw a circular orbit to the left as shown by the arrow in the figure. Since the rotation axis of this circular orbit substantially coincides with the rotation axis formed when the lid 1a opens and closes, not only can the lid 1a be easily opened using this mechanism, but also the lid hooking member The tip of 11 does not contact the fitting portion 1d that makes a circular motion. After sufficiently opening the lid 1a of the container, the motor 15 is stopped, and the container 1 is sent to the next mechanism. This method has an advantage that the opening degree of the lid can be controlled so as to be convenient for the next operation. In order to facilitate the opening operation of the lid or to reduce the possibility that the direction of the container 1 is shifted, as shown in FIG.
It is preferable to separately provide a fixing mechanism 29 for fixing.

Next, a method of closing the container lid will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a view of the container lid closing mechanism as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the container transport direction, and FIG. 4 is a view of the container lid closing mechanism as viewed along the container transport direction. The container lid closing mechanism includes a lid pushing-down member 17 for pushing down the lid 1a, a fixing member 18 for fixing the lid pushing-down member 17 in association with the movement of the gears 19a, 19b, and a fixing for fixing the gears 19a, 19b to the pushing-down member 17. It comprises members 20a and 20b, a gear 21 meshing with the gears 19a and 19b, a motor 22 for rotating the gear 21 (partially omitted in the drawing), and a holding member 23 for holding the gear, motor and the like. The lid closing mechanism operates as follows. Lid
Before the container 1 with the open 1a is conveyed by the carrier 2a, the lid push-down member 17 is positioned on the left side in FIG. Next, after the container 1 is conveyed, the motor 22 is rotated for a predetermined time to rotate the gear 21 to the left in FIG.
Then, the gears 19a and 19b rotate rightward in FIG. 4, so that the push-down member 17 fixed to the gears 19a and 19b draws a circular trajectory rightward as shown by the arrow in FIG. Since the rotation axis of this circular orbit substantially coincides with the rotation axis that the lid 1a makes when opening and closing, the lid can be closed easily even if the opening of the lid 1a is slightly varied. It is easy to fit.

Next, another embodiment of the lid opening method will be described with reference to FIG. The container lid opening mechanism includes a claw 24a, an elastic member 24,
b, a fixing member 24c for fixing the elastic member 24b, the direction of which is adjusted, and a lid hooking member 24 for hooking the overhanging portion 1c of the lid 1a of the container 1 facing a predetermined direction, a worm wheel 25a, and a worm wheel. The lid comprises a guide member 25b on which the 25a moves, a worm 25c that rotates to move the worm wheel 25a, a worm rotation motor 25d that rotates the worm 25c, and a power transmission shaft 25e that transmits the rotational power of the motor 25d to the worm 25c. A lid hooking member driving mechanism 25 for driving the hooking member 24 and a holding table 26 are provided.
The lid opening mechanism operates as follows. Container 1 is the carrier 2a
2, the claw 24a is positioned above the container in FIG. 2, and when the container 1 is conveyed, the motor 24d is rotated for a predetermined time to pull the claw 24a on the lid overhanging portion 1c of the container 1. Stop 24d. Next, the rotation direction of the motor 24d is switched to drive in the opposite direction. At this time, since the worm wheel 24a rotates leftward along the guide member 24b, the claw 24a draws a circular orbit in the leftward direction as shown by the arrow in FIG. Since the rotation axis of this circular orbit substantially coincides with the rotation axis formed when the lid 1a opens and closes, the lid 1a can be easily opened using this mechanism. In addition, the front end of the lid hooking member 24 does not contact the fitting portion 1d because of the circular movement, and the opening degree of the lid can be controlled so as to be convenient for the next operation. Same as the example.

Next, another embodiment of the container lid closing method will be described with reference to FIG. This container lid closing mechanism is a lid 1a of the container 1.
Lid push-down member 27, worm wheel 28
a, a guide member 28b to which the worm wheel 28a moves, a worm 28c to rotate and move the worm wheel 28a,
A worm rotation motor 28d for rotating the worm 28c, a power transmission shaft for transmitting the rotational power of the motor 28d to the worm 28c
The cover push-down member drive mechanism 28 for driving the cover push-down member 27 and the holding table 29. The lid closing mechanism operates as follows. Before the container 1 is transferred by the transfer table 2a, the lid push-down member 27 is positioned on the left side in FIG. Then, after the container 1 is transported, the motor 28d
Is rotated for a predetermined time and the lid pushing-down member 27 is
Rotate to the right as shown by the arrow along b, and push down the lid 1a of the container 1. Since the rotation axis of this circular orbit is almost the same as the rotation axis that the lid 1a makes when opening and closing, the lid can be easily closed even if the opening degree of the lid 1a varies slightly, and the lid can be closed again. Is easy to fit. Next, the motor 28d is stopped, its rotation direction is switched, and it is driven in the opposite direction to pull up the pushing member 27.

The mechanism shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 has an advantage in manufacturing that a mechanism other than the lid hooking member 24 and the lid pushing down member 27 at the tip of the worm wheel can be shared.

Finally, a part of the sample automatic processing apparatus used in the present invention will be described with reference to the schematic view of FIG. This apparatus mounts a container 1 having a lid, the container 1 on a carrier 2a, fixes the carrier 2a to a linear pulse motor 2c with a guide member 2b, and drives the linear pulse motor 2c to move the carrier 2a. Container transporter 2 for transporting (a transporter for transporting a container containing a liquid to be sucked and a transporter for transporting a container for discharging a liquid are provided), and a chip transporter 4 for transporting a dispensing tip 3 (structure) Is the same as the container transporter 2), a chip discarding hole 5 for discarding the dispensing tip 3, a dispensing mechanism holding member 6c fixed to the linear pulse motor 6b using a guide member 6a, and a dispensing tip 3. The tip 6d has a built-in plunger (not shown) for sucking and discharging the liquid, a motor 6e for vertically driving the plunger, a coupling 6f, a ball screw 6g, a bearing member 6h, and a vertically moving plunger. Mechanism similar to A dispensing device 6 for dispensing a liquid into the container 1 comprising a motor 6i for vertically driving the tip 6d, a coupling (not shown), a ball screw (not shown), and a bearing member (not shown). Friction member 7a to be brought into contact with the upper part of
The friction member rotation motor 7b, a container rotation stop member (not shown) for stopping the rotation of the container using the overhanging portion of the lid of the container 1, the friction member 7a, the friction member rotation motor 7b, and the container rotation stop member. A vertical drive mechanism (not shown) for moving up and down, a container direction adjusting mechanism 7 including a holding table 7c for supporting the above-mentioned mechanism, a container lid opening mechanism 8 for opening the lid of the container 1, and a container lid for closing the lid of the container 1. It comprises a closing mechanism 9 and a controller 10 for controlling all the mechanism systems. In addition, as a mechanism for transporting the transport table 2a, a combination of a pulse motor and a ball screw may be considered in addition to the linear pulse motor. In this apparatus, first, the direction of the sample container 1 is adjusted using the container direction adjusting mechanism 7, and then the container lid opening mechanism 8 is adjusted.
Open the lid with. In this state, the container 1 is transported to the dispensing device 6, and the sample reagent is dispensed. After this, the container lid closing mechanism 9
, And close the lid. The container with the lid closed proceeds to the next operation, for example, centrifugation operation, mixing operation, temperature control, or dispensing operation of another sample. Since the following operation is not directly related to the present invention, the description is omitted.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, the automatic opening and closing device for a sample container according to the present invention can easily and highly reliably open and close a plastic container made by integrally forming a fittable lid.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 and 2 are configuration diagrams of an embodiment of a lid opening mechanism, FIGS. 3 and 4 are configuration diagrams of an embodiment of a container lid closing mechanism, and FIG. 5 is another embodiment of a lid opening mechanism. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of a container lid closing mechanism, FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a part of an automatic sample processing apparatus using the container opening / closing mechanism,
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sample container. 1 ... container, 2 ... conveyor, 8 ... container lid opening mechanism, 9
…… Container lid closing mechanism, 11… Lid catch member, 12 ……
Gears, 14 ... Gears, 15 ... Motor, 17 ... Lid pushing down member, 24 ... Lid catching member, 25 ... Lid catching member driving mechanism, 27 ... Lid pushing down member.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shinpei Suzuki 2-6-2 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Within Hitachi Electronics Engineering Co., Ltd. (56) References Open to the public Showa 59-98363 (JP, U) Open to the public Showa 57-185964 (JP, U) Actually open Showa 61-92873 (JP, U)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A device for opening or closing a lid of a container having a connection part which can be connected with a lid which can be fitted and one end of the container, wherein another opening which is substantially coaxial with the rotation width of the lid which occurs when the lid is opened or closed. An apparatus for opening or closing a lid of a sample container, wherein the lid is opened or closed by a rotating mechanism having a rotating shaft.