JP3177290U - Nozzle structure of automatic dispensing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a nozzle structure for an automatic dispensing / dispensing apparatus in which the cleaning performance in a pipe and the positioning accuracy of the tip (nozzle) of the pipe are improved.
A nozzle portion 3d of an automatic dispensing / dispensing apparatus A includes a flexible mainstream pipe 31, a rigid tubular member 32 installed near the front end of the mainstream pipe 31, and a tubular member extending from the front end of the mainstream pipe 31. And a heat-shrinkable tube 33 coated so as to cover 32. The mainstream pipe 31 is composed of one piece from the suction / discharge mechanism 4 that performs the suction / discharge of the sample 7 through the mainstream pipe 31 to the distal end portion 3 a for separating and dispensing the sample 7. The heat-shrinkable tube 33 is covered and fixed by heat-shrinking.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a nozzle structure of an automatic dispensing / dispensing apparatus that automatically and quantitatively collects and dispenses specimens such as specimens, reagents, and samples to be measured as part of the functions of the analyzer.

  In general, the analyzer includes an automatic sorting / dispensing device having a function of automatically sorting and dispensing the sample. The automatic dispensing / dispensing device is a device that performs sample sorting and dispensing by the action of a suction / discharge mechanism having suction and discharge operation functions such as a syringe pump. The automatic dispensing / dispensing device connects a flexible pipe made of resin or the like to the suction / discharge mechanism, and drives the part (nozzle part) where the pipe is separated and dispensed three-dimensionally using the pipe. The sample is separated and dispensed by moving the end of the pipe to a predetermined dispensing position.

  The position of the sample is usually fixed to a sample rack (sample rack) at a predetermined position of the automatic sorting and dispensing apparatus. In order to move the nozzle portion at the tip of the pipe to the predetermined position, positioning accuracy for moving the tip of the pipe to the predetermined position is required. For this reason, a tubular member for holding a pipe is attached to the tip of the pipe of the automatic sorting and dispensing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a pipe of a conventional automatic sorting / dispensing apparatus, and is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a tip portion of a flexible pipe having a tip portion serving as a nozzle.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the nozzle portion 210 of the conventional automatic dispensing / dispensing apparatus 100, a tubular member 300 made of a rigid material that is not easily deformed is provided in the vicinity of the distal end portion of a flexible resin pipe 200. Thereby, it is formed by the front-end | tip part of the piping 200 arrange | positioned at the front end side of the tubular member 300. FIG. The tubular member 300 is a member that holds the vicinity of the distal end portion of the pipe 200, and there is a slight gap S between the pipe 200 and the tubular member 300. In addition, the clearance gap S is exaggerated and greatly described for convenience shown in FIG.

  The conventional automatic dispensing / dispensing apparatus 100 performs maintenance by periodically flowing a cleaning solution or pure water in order to clean the entire inside of the pipe 200 and the nozzle portion 210. However, the cleaning liquid or the reagent may be immersed in the tubular member 300 when cleaning the pipe 200 or when dispensing and dispensing the reagent. In this case, since there is a slight gap S between the pipe 200 and the outer tubular member 300, the sample and the cleaning liquid are sucked into the gap S due to a capillary phenomenon and accumulated, and the reagent components and the like are accumulated as dirt. Easy structure.

  Such dirt accumulated in the gap S has a problem that it is difficult to remove even if it is cleaned with a cleaning liquid. In addition, in the microanalysis of a sample, there is a problem in analyzing the sample by mixing the sample with a sample such as a specimen even if a slight amount of dirt is caused by the trace amount of the remaining sample.

  Therefore, the present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is an automatic dispensing / dispensing device that improves the cleaning performance in the piping and the positioning accuracy of the tip (nozzle) of the piping. An object is to provide a nozzle structure.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a nozzle structure of an automatic dispensing / dispensing device according to the present invention includes a flexible pipe, a rigid tubular member that is sheathed near the tip of the pipe, and the tubular from the tip of the pipe. And a heat-shrinkable tube that is covered so as to cover the member.

  According to such a configuration, the nozzle structure of the automatic dispensing / dispensing device has the heat shrinkable tube that is covered from the tip of the flexible pipe so as to cover the rigid tubular member that is sheathed near the tip of the pipe. Thus, the heat-shrinkable tube can be heat-shrinked and fixed to the pipe and the tubular member. For this reason, since piping can make it adhere | attach and fix the part by which a tubular member is sheathed with a heat-shrinkable tube, it can prevent that a sample etc. permeate | penetrate in the clearance gap with a tubular member. Moreover, since the piping can hold | maintain the nozzle part of a front-end | tip part with a heat-shrinkable tube, the positioning precision of the front-end | tip part of piping can be stabilized.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the nozzle structure of the automatic dispensing device which improved the washing | cleaning property in piping, and the positioning accuracy of the front-end | tip part (nozzle part) of piping can be provided.

It is the schematic which shows the nozzle structure of the automatic dispensing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is process drawing which shows the manufacturing process of piping used for an automatic dispensing device, (a) is principal part schematic sectional drawing which shows the state which made the piping coat | cover the tubular member and the heat-shrinkable tube, (b) is The principal part schematic sectional drawing which shows a state when a heat-shrinkable tube is heat-shrinked, (c) is a principal part schematic sectional drawing which shows a state when the front-end | tip of piping is cut and completed. It is a principal part expanded sectional view which shows the connection part of piping and a nozzle in the conventional automatic sorting and dispensing apparatus.

Next, with reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2, the nozzle structure of the automatic dispensing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
Prior to the description of the automatic dispensing / dispensing apparatus A shown in FIG. 1, the sample 7 to be sorted and dispensed by the automatic dispensing / dispensing apparatus A will be described.

≪Sample composition≫
The sample 7 is a sample to be measured such as a specimen collected from a patient or the like, such as blood, spinal fluid, or urine, or a reagent used for testing, analysis, or examination. Hereinafter, the sample 7 will be described by taking the case of a specimen made of a liquid as an example.

≪Configuration of automatic dispensing equipment≫
As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic dispensing / dispensing apparatus A is provided in an analyzer (not shown) for analyzing the sample 7, and samples the sample 7 in the sorting container 1 or the sample 7 that has been sorted. Is dispensed into a dispensing container 2. The automatic sorting / dispensing apparatus A includes a sorting container 1 for storing a sample 7 to be sorted, a dispensing container 2 for storing a sample 7 sorted from the sorting container 1, and a sorting container 1. A pipe 3 that sucks and dispenses the sample 7 in the pipe and discharges it to the dispensing container 2; a suction and discharge mechanism 4 that causes the pipe 7 to suck and discharge the sample 7; and suction and discharge of the sample 7 in the pipe 3 An actuator 5 (drive mechanism) for moving a portion to be performed and a cleaning device 6 for cleaning the inside of the pipe 3 are provided.

≪Configuration of sorting container and dispensing container≫
The dispensing container 1 and the dispensing container 2 in which the sample 7 is accommodated are, for example, a cylindrical container with a bottom having an opening on the upper side, and are placed on the sample rack 8 of the automatic dispensing apparatus A. Yes. The number of sorting containers 1 and dispensing containers 2 may be increased as appropriate according to the number of samples 7 to be analyzed.

≪Piping configuration≫
As shown in FIG. 1, the pipe 3 is a pipe for dispensing and dispensing the sample 7 in the sorting container 1 and supplying the cleaning liquid 60, and the opening end on the front end side is connected by the actuator 5. The base end side is connected to the cylinder 42 and immersed in the cleaning liquid 60 in the cleaning liquid storage tank 61 while being moved and arranged in the sorting container 1 or the dispensing container 2. The pipe 3 is composed of a single mainstream pipe 31 from the three-way valve V to the tip 3a for dispensing and dispensing the sample 7, and no joint member is interposed. The pipe 3 has a nozzle part 3d in which a tip part 3a contacting the sample 7 is covered and fixed by a heat shrinkable tube 33, and a tubular member 32 is sheathed near the base end side of the tip part 3a of the pipe 3. Yes.

In this way, the pipe 3 is formed at the tip portion of the pipe 3, and has a nozzle portion 3d having an open end 3c (see FIG. 2C) at the tip, a mainstream pipe 31 constituting the main body of the pipe 3, When manufacturing the tubular member 32 sheathed in the vicinity of the front end portion of the mainstream pipe 31, the heat shrinkable tube 33 provided at the front end part, the branch pipe 34 connecting the mainstream pipe 31 and the cleaning device 6, and the pipe 3. And a fixing pipe 35 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) that is used for and attached and detached.
As shown in FIG. 2 (c), the nozzle portion 3 d is a sample contact portion that comes into contact with the sample 7 when the sample 7 is dispensed and dispensed. The heat-shrinkable tube 33 is heat-shrinked and firmly fixed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mainstream pipe 31 (pipe 3) is made of a flexible material such as a soft resin tube, and the vicinity of the tip is disposed through the actuator 5, and the tip is the sorting container 1 or It arrange | positions in the dispensing container 2, and the base end side is connected to the cylinder 42 via the three-way valve V.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tubular member 32 is a guide pipe made of a tube fitted in the vicinity of the distal end portion of the mainstream pipe 31, and made of a rigid material such as a hard resin pipe. The tubular member 32 has a grip portion 32b that is movably held by the actuator 5 at the outer peripheral portion on the base end side, and a nozzle portion 3d on the distal end side of the grip portion 32b is fitted in the heat shrinkable tube 33. ing.

  The heat-shrinkable tube 33 is fixed in a state where the heat-shrinkable tube 33 is heated and shrunk from the outer peripheral surface 3b of the distal end portion 3a of the mainstream pipe 31 to the outer peripheral surface 32a of the tubular member 32 so as to be in close contact therewith. The heat shrinkable tube 33 is made of, for example, Teflon (registered trademark) TFE, polyolefin, polyvinylidene fluoride, or the like, and can be used within a temperature range of about −155 ° C. to 175 ° C. The heat shrinkable tube 33 has, for example, an inner diameter of 2.40 mm to 3.60 mm before heat shrinkage and an inner diameter of 0.6 mm to 1.8 mm after heat shrinkage.

  The branch pipe 34 is a tube for sending the cleaning liquid 60 in the cleaning liquid storage tank 61 into the main flow pipe 31 via the three-way valve V. One end is disposed in the cleaning liquid storage tank 61 and the other end is a three-way valve. Connected to V.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, when the fixing pipe 35 is attached to the mainstream pipe 31 at the tip 3 a of the pipe 3 and the outer peripheral surface 3 b of the tubular member 32 by heat-shrinking the tube 33. In addition, it serves as a jig for preventing the mainstream pipe 31 from being deformed by being inserted into the mainstream pipe 31. The fixing pipe 35 is made of a hard tube or a rod-like member that is less likely to be deformed by heat than the heat shrinkable tube 33.

≪Configuration of suction / discharge mechanism≫
As shown in FIG. 1, the suction / discharge mechanism 4 is a device that sucks and discharges the sample 7 in the pipe 3, and includes a cylindrical cylinder 42 to which a proximal end of the mainstream pipe 31 is connected, and a cylinder 42. It is mainly comprised from the syringe pump 41 provided with piston 43 inserted so that advance / retreat was possible.
The syringe pump 41 sucks and separates the sample 7 into the pipe 3 from the open end 3c of the pipe 3 immersed in the sample 7 in the sorting container 1 when the suction pump 41 is operated. When the portion 3d is moved onto the dispensing container 2 by the actuator 5, the sample 7 in the pipe 3 is dispensed into the dispensing container 2 by the discharge operation of the piston 43.

≪Actuator configuration≫
The actuator 5 (drive mechanism) moves the nozzle portion 3d at the tip of the pipe 3 three-dimensionally in the vertical and horizontal directions (arrows X, Y, and Z directions) when sucking and discharging the sample 7. It is a device. The actuator 5 moves the nozzle portion 3d of the pipe 3 to a predetermined position where the sample 7 can be separated by being immersed in the sample 7 in the sorting container 1 mounted on the sample rack 8. Thus, the sampled sample 7 can be moved to a predetermined position where it can be dispensed into the dispensing container 2.

≪Configuration of cleaning equipment≫
The cleaning apparatus 6 is a cleaning liquid supply apparatus for supplying the cleaning liquid 60 to the pipe 3, and includes a cleaning liquid storage tank 61 that stores the cleaning liquid 60, and a cleaning liquid supply pump that sends the cleaning liquid 60 in the cleaning liquid storage tank 61 to the branch pipe 34. (Not shown) and the branch pipe 34 are provided.

  The three-way valve V is a switching valve installed at a location where the branch pipe 34 and the mainstream pipe 31 are joined. For example, the user can perform cleaning maintenance in the mainstream pipe 31 by periodically switching the three-way valve V and flowing the cleaning liquid 60 in the cleaning liquid storage tank 61 to the mainstream pipe 31.

≪Operation of automatic dispensing equipment≫
Next, the operation of the automatic dispensing / dispensing apparatus A according to the present invention will be described.
First, the manufacturing method of the piping 3 is demonstrated with reference to Fig.2 (a)-(c). As shown in FIG. 2A, first, the fixing pipe 35 is inserted into the distal end portion 3 a of the mainstream pipe 31.
Next, the tubular member 32 is externally fitted in the vicinity of the distal end portion of the mainstream pipe 31, and the heat shrinkable tube 33 is externally attached to the distal end side of the tubular member 32 and the distal end portion 3 a of the mainstream pipe 31. The heat-shrinkable tube 33 is placed so as to be in close contact with 32.

  In the state shown in FIG. 2A, the tip portion of the pipe 3 is heat-treated. As shown in FIG. 2B, the heat-shrinkable tube 33 that has been subjected to the heat treatment is shrunk by heat and is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface 3 b of the mainstream pipe 31. Thereafter, by pulling and pulling the fixing pipe 35 in the distal direction (arrow a direction), the distal end portion 3a of the pipe 3 is linearly solidified and fixed to each other.

At this time, there is a step at the joint between the tip of the heat-shrinkable tube 33 and the outer peripheral surface 3b of the tip 3a of the mainstream pipe 31. Since the level difference causes accumulation of dirt, cutting is performed by cutting the tip using a tube cutter (not shown) or the like, and the tip of the pipe 3 is smoothed as shown in FIG. To do. In this way, the nozzle portion 3d is formed at the tip portion of the pipe 3.
In addition, when the clearance gap S exists in the joint of the heat contraction tube 33 and the mainstream piping 31, the joint part may be weld-processed, and you may make it join. Further, the location at which the pipe 3 is cut is not limited to the distal end of the heat shrinkable tube 33, and may be a portion in the middle of the proximal end side (tubular member 32 side) of the distal end of the heat shrinkable tube 33. Good.

  In this way, the pipe 3 performs a process of thermally shrinking the heat shrinkable tube 33 that is externally attached to the distal end portion 3 a of the mainstream pipe 31, and further cuts the distal end portion 3 a of the pipe 3 to connect the distal end of the heat shrinkable tube 33. In addition, the step 7 and the gap S with respect to the outer peripheral surface 3b of the tip 3a of the mainstream pipe 31 are eliminated, and a joint member that easily accumulates dirt is not used. Therefore, the cleaning performance of the pipe 3 and the nozzle portion 3d can be improved.

  In addition, the pipe 3 formed as shown in FIG. 2C has a tubular member 32 closely fixed between the mainstream pipe 31 and the heat-shrinkable tube 33 on the proximal end side with respect to the distal end portion 3a. When the sample 7 (see FIG. 1) is separated and dispensed, the sample 7 has a structure in which it is difficult to immerse, so that the sample 7 can be prevented from adhering to the tubular member 32.

Moreover, since the rigid tubular member 32 made of a hard material can be supported so that the distal end portion of the mainstream piping 31 is not bent by inserting the distal end portion of the flexible mainstream piping 31 made of a soft material, It fulfills the function of improving the positioning accuracy of the tip 3a of the mainstream pipe 31.
Furthermore, the front-end | tip part of the mainstream piping 31 and the nozzle part 3d are supported so that it may not deform | transform by being covered with the heat-shrinkable tube 33 which carried out heat shrinkage.
As a result, the actuator 5 that moves the distal end portion 3a (nozzle portion 3d) of the pipe 3 in the three-dimensional direction has improved the positioning accuracy of the distal end portion 3a of the pipe 3 so that the distal end portion 3a of the pipe 3 is accurately It is possible to move to a proper position.

  In addition, the pipe 3 is formed by fixing the tip 3a of the mainstream pipe 31 and the tip of the tubular member 32 with a heat shrinkable tube 33 without using an adhesive or a fixture. The structure of the tip 3a and the nozzle 3d can be simplified.

[Modification]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the technical idea, and the present invention extends to these modifications and changes. Of course. Hereinafter, modifications of the embodiment will be described.

  In the above-described embodiment, a sample made of a liquid is described as an example of the sample 7, but a gas may be used. In this case, when the sorting container 1, the dispensing container 2 and the cleaning liquid storage tank 61 are sealed containers, the sample 7 made of gas can be sorted and dispensed.

In the case where the heat shrinkable tube 33 is thermally contracted and fixed to the outer peripheral surface 3b of the mainstream piping 31, the outer peripheral surface 3b of the distal end portion 3a of the mainstream piping 31 and the distal end portion of the heat shrinkable tube 33 are necessary. The outer peripheral surface 3b of the distal end portion 3a of the mainstream pipe 31 and the inner wall of the distal end portion 3a of the heat shrinkable tube 33 may be tightly fixed by interposing an adhesive between the inner wall of 3a.
In this way, the heat shrinkable tube 33 can be externally fitted to the mainstream pipe 31 in a state where the mainstream pipe 31 and the heat shrinkable tube 33 are securely adhered to each other without the gap S, so that the sample 7 enters the gap S. Can be prevented.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sorting container 2 Dispensing container 3 Piping 3a Tip part 3b, 32a Outer peripheral surface 3d Nozzle part 4 Suction / discharge mechanism 5 Actuator (drive mechanism)
7 Sample 31 Mainstream piping (piping)
32 Tubular member 33 Heat shrinkable tube A Automatic dispenser

Claims (2)

Flexible piping,
A rigid tubular member sheathed near the tip of the pipe;
And a heat-shrinkable tube coated so as to cover the tubular member from the tip of the pipe.   The pipe is composed of a single pipe from a suction / discharge mechanism that sucks and discharges the sample through the pipe to a tip part that separates and dispenses the sample, and heat-shrinks the heat-shrinkable tube at the tip part of the pipe. The nozzle structure of the automatic dispensing / dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle structure is fixed by coating.

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