JP3790125B2 - Container lid opening / closing mechanism - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a container lid opening / closing mechanism, and more particularly to an improvement in a container lid opening / closing mechanism that requires the formation of a hermetically sealed state in order to maintain the pressurized state in the container or to maintain the environment in the container.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, various methods are used to automate reaction processes such as antigen-antibody reactions, RNA and DNA tissue expression, and chip expression. In general, such treatment is often performed in a sealed space in order to efficiently perform the reaction in an optimal state. In particular, it is necessary to consider that the sample does not dry or foreign matter is mixed during the reaction process. In the case of a reaction process using a reagent, a heat treatment or the like may be performed in order to promote an efficient reagent reaction. Even in such a case, drying of the reagent or sample by heating occurs. Therefore, it is preferable to perform the reaction treatment in a completely sealed space.
[0003]
Such a reaction process is generally performed on a large number of samples at a time. That is, for example, a sample section or the like is attached to each of a plurality of slide glasses, and an appropriate amount of reagent is supplied by an automatic dispensing device. The slide glass is transported to a large processing tank (samples may be affixed and reagents may be dispensed in the processing tank), and then the processing tank is sealed using an open / close lid. The reaction process is started. This reaction process varies depending on the object to be treated and the method, but there may be a case where, for example, a treatment at a tank temperature of 65 ° C. for over ten hours is required.
[0004]
Usually, in order to establish such a sealed state of the treatment tank, a mechanism using a motor and a cam or an actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder (for example, hydraulic pressure or pneumatic pressure) is used to attach a strong lid to the upper opening of the treatment tank. It is done by wearing.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, when a large number of samples are to be processed at the same time, the processing tank is increased in size, and the upper opening is inevitably increased, which increases the size and weight of the lid used. As a result, a large actuator is required for attaching and detaching the lid. In general, a large hinge mechanism capable of supporting a large and heavy lid is used to open and close such a lid. Since this hinge mechanism has a cantilever structure, the pressing force against the lid to be supported becomes a moment load, and a strong structure is required. Therefore, when using a hinge mechanism, two types of actuators are required for opening and closing the lid and for pressing the lid. In particular, in order to ensure a pressing force for establishing sufficient sealing, there is a problem that a large output actuator for pressing is required and the opening / closing mechanism is enlarged. Moreover, in order to ensure sufficient sealing performance, it is necessary to use a sealing member, for example, an O-ring or the like, but it is necessary to use a large O-ring with an increase in the size of the lid. In this case, in order to sufficiently function the large O-ring, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient pressure for pressing the lid, and it is also necessary to increase the output of the pressing actuator. Furthermore, when heat treatment is required during the reaction process, the pressure in the tank increases due to the expansion of the air in the treatment tank, so it is necessary to ensure the pressure for pressing the lid in consideration of the increase in the pressure in the tank. Therefore, it is necessary to further increase the output of the pressing actuator. A configuration in which the lid is completely detachable and can be opened / closed and sealed with a single actuator is considered, but the use of a large actuator with a large output as described above is indispensable. Moreover, in order to continue the pressing state of a lid | cover, it is necessary to continue the drive of an actuator and a running cost will increase. In addition, it is necessary to use a highly reliable actuator in order to guarantee stable driving of the actuator for a long time, and it is necessary to constantly monitor, which leads to an increase in running cost.
[0006]
As described above, there is a problem that the opening / closing mechanism of the lid of the processing tank becomes large and the opening / closing operation and the management at the time of sealing become complicated, and the efficiency of the processing operation is lowered.
[0007]
Moreover, when a large actuator is required as described above or a large hinge is required, the system including the treatment tank is increased in size, and the space required for the arrangement is increased. In addition, since automatic dispensing devices and various analyzers are also arranged around the processing tank, the lid removed from the upper opening of the processing tank can be moved and stored so as not to interfere with the surrounding apparatus. It is necessary to secure the space to be opened, and to arrange and operate the opening / closing mechanism itself so as not to hinder the operation of the peripheral device. As a result, it is necessary to secure a lot of extra space around the processing tank, and there is a problem that the arrangement space of the entire system increases.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize opening and closing of a large lid by a simple and small driving mechanism. Another object of the present invention is to provide a container lid opening / closing mechanism capable of ensuring a sufficient pressing force of the lid. It is another object of the present invention to provide a container lid opening / closing mechanism having a simple structure that can easily secure a storage space when the lid is opened and does not require an unnecessarily large space for disposing the processing apparatus.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the present invention includes a lid that covers an upper opening of a container, a carriage that moves along a guide groove between an upper position of the upper opening and a retracted position shifted from the upper position. A plate for suspending the lid by the carriage, wherein an upper end of the plate is pivotally supported by the carriage and at least one link plate by which a lower end of the plate pivotally supports the lid; An attracting member that generates an attracting force that attracts the lid to the carriage and tilts the link plate with respect to the carriage, and when the carriage moves forward from the retracted position to the upper position, heads toward the upper opening of the lid. A first stopper that restricts forward movement while allowing downward movement, and the forward movement of the lid is regulated by the first stopper. After being, by forward movement of the carriage, the link plate wherein the lid and the upright is pushed into the upper opening, and characterized in that pivoting relative to the carriage of the plate is not affected by the shape of the guide groove To do.
[0010]
According to this configuration, the link plate that connects the carriage and the lid is raised by the stopper, so that the forward movement force of the carriage can be converted into the pressing movement of the lid. Movement and pressing operations can be performed. In addition, once the link plate is raised, even if the carriage forward movement is stopped, the standing state can be maintained, so that the movement does not need to be continued and stable pressing of the lid can be maintained. . As a result, the opening / closing mechanism itself can be configured simply.
[0011]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in the above configuration, the link plate is inclined with respect to the forward movement direction so that a lower end of the plate precedes an upper end of the plate.
[0012]
According to this configuration, the link plate subjected to the operation restriction by the stopper can be easily erected by the forward movement of the carriage.
[0013]
To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in the above configuration, the carriage is movable along a guide groove extending between the upper position and the retracted position, and the retracted position is It is formed at a position facing the side surface of the container, and the lid is accommodated along the side surface.
[0014]
According to this configuration, the lid can be retracted and stored on the side surface of the container without interfering with the operation of other devices.
[0015]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the lid has a second stopper for suppressing the link plate from standing up more than vertically.
[0016]
According to this configuration, it is possible to establish the standing state of the link plate without accurately performing the forward movement of the lid, and the lid opening / closing control is facilitated.
[0017]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in the above structure, the attraction member causes the lid to be in close contact with the carriage at least during the forward movement of the carriage.
[0018]
Here, the attraction member is formed of, for example, a tension spring or an elastic member. Note that the close contact in this case means a substantially close contact state, and it is not necessary that the entire surface of the lid and the carriage be in close contact. According to this configuration, the lid can be stably supported and transported when the carriage is advanced, and the lid can be prevented from coming into contact with the container during the advancement.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIGS. 1 to 3 show an explanatory view in which a part of the schematic structure of the sample processing apparatus 10 including the container lid opening / closing mechanism of the present embodiment is shown in a sectional view. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the lid 14 is removed from the processing tank 12 in which a sample or the like is actually stored in the processing apparatus 10 and is stored on the side surface of the processing tank 12, and FIG. FIG. 3 shows a state where the lid 14 has reached the position of the upper opening 12a (a state immediately before performing the sealing operation). In the case of the present embodiment, a fixing mechanism such as a slide glass on which a sample is placed and a holder storing the slide glass, a heating device for cooling the reagent processing, and a cooling device are provided inside and around the processing tank 12. Although a device, a shaking device, etc. are arranged, illustration is omitted.
[0021]
The opening / closing mechanism 16 of the lid 14 in the present embodiment is rotatably connected to the lid 14 that covers the upper opening 12 a of the processing tank 12, the carriage 18 that conveys the lid 14, and the lid 14 and the carriage 18. Link plates 20a and 20b that are connected so as to suspend the lid 14 from the lid, a spring (tension spring) 22 as an attracting member that pulls the lid 14 toward the carriage 18 in the transport state of the lid 14, and the link plate It includes at least a stopper 24 that abuts against 20a and raises the link plate 20a. The lengths of the link plates 20a and 20b are set to be longer than the distance between the connection when the carriage 18 and the lid 14 are in close contact, and the carriage 18 and the lid 14 that are in close contact with each other due to the pulling force of the spring 22 are set in a steady state. Connecting by tilting. Further, the link plate 20b rises indirectly in conjunction with the rise of the link plate 20a. The pulling means may be an elastic member having an elastic force other than the spring 22.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 4, the carriage 18 is a guide formed on fixed walls 26 (only the back side of the paper is shown with respect to the processing tank 12 in FIGS. 1 to 3) disposed on the left and right sides of the processing tank 12. It is configured to move along the groove 28. The guide groove 28 is located between the retracted position (the position in FIG. 1) where the lid 14 is accommodated and the upper position (the position in FIG. 3) of the upper opening 12a of the processing tank 12 shifted in parallel from the retracted position. In this guide groove 28, a roller 30 coaxially arranged on the carriage 18 side shaft that rotatably supports the link plates 20a and 20b is inserted, and the carriage 18 moves smoothly. ing. 1 to 3, the illustrated guide groove 28 is engaged with a roller 30 mounted on the shafts of the link plates 20 a and 20 b disposed on the back side of the carriage 18. The upper position and the retracted position may be in a positional relationship such that the upper position and the retracted position are located at both ends of the L shape as shown in FIG.
[0023]
In addition, racks 34a and 34b (see also FIGS. 1 to 3) meshed with a pinion gear 32 connected to a motor that is a drive source mounted on the carriage 18 as shown in FIG. Has been. Therefore, the carriage 18 can run along the guide groove 28 by driving the motor. The motor mounted on the carriage 18 is preferably a motor with a brake. When the power is turned off, a motor configured to stop rotation and maintain its position is used. It is preferable. In addition, a stopper 24 is fixed to the fixed wall 26 so that the link plate 20a comes into contact with the carriage 18 when the carriage 18 moves to the upper position, and the link plate 20a stands up. The stopper 24 may be of any shape as long as the link plate 20a is urged to stand up. However, in order to promote a smooth erection operation, the abutment surface is preferably a curved surface, and urges a smoother erection. For this purpose, it is preferably formed by a roller or the like so as to be rotatable.
[0024]
FIG. 6 is a schematic structural view as seen from the upper surface side so that the positional relationship of each member described above can be more easily understood.
[0025]
That is, on both the left and right sides of the carriage 18, a shaft 36 that rotatably supports the upper end side of the link plates 20a and 20b protrudes, and is further inserted into the guide groove 28 on the outside of the link plates 20a and 20b. The roller 30 is also rotatably mounted. Further, a self-running motor 38 of the carriage 18 is fixed inside the carriage 18, and the driving force is transmitted to the pinion gear 32 via the gear train 38 a, and the rack 34 b (in the case of FIG. 6, the upper opening) The carriage 18 is self-propelled by rotating relative to the rack on the 12a side). The gear train 38a is arranged to rotationally drive a shaft 40 that supports a pair of pinion gears 32 that mesh with a rack 34b formed on the left and right fixed walls 26.
[0026]
Moreover, the shaft 42 which pivotally supports the lower end side of the link plates 20a and 20b so as to rotate freely also protrudes from the right and left of the lid 14. Therefore, in this embodiment, the lid 14 is suspended and held on the carriage 18 at four points.
[0027]
When the lid 18 and the link plates 20a, 20b move together with the carriage 18 in the forward movement (upward in FIG. 6) by the self-running operation of the carriage 18, the lower end of the plate of the link plate 20a (in relation to the lid 14). The first stopper 24 is fixed at a predetermined position of the fixed wall 26 so that the mating side abuts. Further, on the upper surface of the lid 14, when the lid 14 is moved to a position above the upper opening 12 a and then the direction of the link plate 20 a is changed so that the lid 14 is moved in the pressing direction by raising the link plate 20 a, the link plate 20 a A second stopper 44 for suppressing standing up above the vertical is fixed. The second stopper 44 is constituted by, for example, a bolt that can move forward and backward, and the stop position can be adjusted as appropriate. Normally, the position of the second stopper 44 can be fixed by a double nut or the like.
[0028]
The operation from just before the lid pressing of the lid opening / closing mechanism 16 configured as described above to completion will be described with reference to the operation schematic diagram of FIG. FIG. 7 shows only members necessary for the operation description.
[0029]
FIG. 7A shows a state in which the lid 14 is moved from the retracted position A (position of FIG. 1) to the upper position B (position of FIG. 3) while being suspended from the carriage 18. As is clear from FIG. Since a spring 22 that is a tension spring is disposed between the carriage 18 and the lid 14, the lid 14 is pulled close to the bottom surface side of the carriage 18. Note that the close contact between the carriage 18 and the lid 14 is to prevent the lid 14 from wobbling as the carriage 18 moves, and to prevent the bottom surface side of the lid 14 from coming into contact with the processing tank 12. However, it is sufficient that a substantially close contact state is formed, and there may be a portion that is not in contact with each other. The link plates 20a and 20b connecting the carriage 18 and the lid 14 are formed longer than the fixed point distance when the carriage 18 and the lid 14 are in close contact with each other. As shown in FIG. 7A, the lower end side of the link plates 20 a and 20 b is inclined with respect to the carriage 18 so that it precedes the forward movement direction of the carriage 18. This state is the same even when the carriage 18 is in the retracted position A.
[0030]
FIG. 7B shows a state in which the carriage 18 has arrived at the upper position B. In this state, the carriage 18, the lid 14, the link plates 20a and 20b, and the spring 22 are the same as those in FIG. 7A, but are fixed to the fixed wall 26 when the carriage 18 reaches the upper position B. The lower end side of the plate of the carriage 20a is in contact with the first stopper 24 thus made. Therefore, the lid 14 does not advance from this position even if the forward movement of the carriage 18 is continued. That is, the lid 14 arrives at a position that completely covers the upper opening 12a of the processing tank 12 and stops moving forward.
[0031]
In the state of FIG. 7B, the link plate 20 a only abuts against the stopper 24, and the forward movement of the carriage 18 itself is not restricted. Therefore, the carriage 18 further continues the forward movement by driving the motor 38. As described above, since the link plate 20a is in contact with the first stopper 24 at the lower end side of the link plate 20a, the link plate 20a starts to stand as shown in FIG. At this time, the link plate 20b having the same shape is also erected so as to be interlocked. Since the carriage 18 is restricted from moving in the vertical direction by the guide groove 28, the lid 14 moves downward against the attractive force of the spring 22 by the standing of the link plates 20 a and 20 b. At this time, since the movement of the link plate 20a is limited by the first stopper 24, the lid 14 descends vertically toward the upper opening 12a of the processing tank 12. The length of the link plates 20a and 20b in the longitudinal direction is such that the lid 14 is pressed against the processing tank 12 against the carriage 18 whose movement in the vertical direction is restricted by the guide groove 28, and is arranged around the upper surface opening 12a. The length is set such that the O-ring (not shown) is crushed until it reaches the optimum function state and descends to a position where the sealing performance of the treatment tank 12 can be maintained. As a result, after the link plates 20a and 20b stand up, the lid 14 is pushed down by the rigidity of the link plates 20a and 20b and the rigidity of the fixed wall 26 via the carriage 18, thereby securing a stable large pressing force. be able to. The link plates 20a and 20b further move forward after the carriage 18 contacts the first stopper 24, so that the link plates 20a and 20b perform the same operation and action as the toggle mechanism (power-increasing mechanism). The pressure is greatly expanded.
[0032]
The link plate 20a is restricted by the stopper 24 from moving on the lower end side of the plate, and is restricted by the second stopper 44 when the upper end side of the plate rises substantially vertically. As a result, the carriage 18 and the lid 14 are separated by the maximum distance determined by the length of the link plates 20a and 20b in the longitudinal direction, and the lid 14 is pressed against the upper opening 12a of the processing tank 12 with the maximum pressing force. At this time, since the link plates 20a and 20b are erected in a substantially vertical position, the internal pressure of the treatment tank 12 is increased, and even if a force for pushing up the lid 14 is applied, the link plates 20a and 20b are not tilted and maintained in an erected state. can do. Further, by restricting the rising of the link plates 20a and 20b with the second stopper 44, the transport and pressing operation of the lid 14 can be easily controlled without performing high-precision motor control including forward movement of the carriage 18. It can be carried out.
[0033]
Since the carriage 18 is fixed by the engagement of the rack 34b and the pinion gear 32, the carriage 18 moves even if the pressure in the processing tank 12 increases, and the pressing force of the lid 14 decreases. There is no end. Further, as described above, by adding a brake function to the motor 38, the movement of the carriage 18 can be more reliably prevented.
[0034]
When removing the lid 14 from the upper opening 12a, when the carriage 18 is moved to the retracted position A side by rotating the motor 38 of the carriage 18 in the reverse direction to the forward movement, the tension of the spring 22 causes The lid 14 is pulled up. Further, when the carriage 18 is moved backward, the state sequentially shifts to the state shown in FIGS. 2 and 1 and the cover 14 can be retracted and stored. When the lid 14 is stored in the state shown in FIG. 1, there is no member constituting the opening / closing mechanism above the upper opening 12a, so that other processing operations such as dispensing processing and sample loading processing are easy. Can be done.
[0035]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform a transporting motion between the retracted position A and the upper position B of the lid 14 and a pressing motion with respect to the upper opening 12a using a single driving source. Further, by using a drive mechanism using a rack, a pinion gear or the like, even with a small output motor 38, it is possible to realize sufficient conveyance and pressing operation of the large lid 14, and downsizing of the entire opening / closing mechanism 16. Can contribute.
[0036]
In the case of this embodiment, an example is shown in which the lid 14 is suspended and pressed by a total of four link plates, two on the left and right, but the number and arrangement position of the link plates can be reduced if the lid 14 can be pressed in a balanced manner. The selection can be made as appropriate, and the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained. For example, one link plate may be arranged at the center of the lid 14, or a total of six link plates, three pairs on the left and right, may be arranged. However, when the pressing balance of the lid 14 is taken into consideration, it is desirable to arrange at least one or a pair of link plates in the central portion (complete central portion of the lid or the center of both sides of the lid 14). In addition, when using a plurality of link plates, in order to easily balance the pressing of the lid 14, for example, an engagement portion between the link plate and the lid other than the center is allowed to play and is first pressed at the central portion. Then, it is preferable to press with another link plate so as to perform auxiliary pressing.
[0037]
In the present embodiment, the shape of the carriage, lid, link plate, fixed wall, etc. is an example, and the carriage is regulated in its forward movement at a predetermined position, and the lid is moved to the upper opening of the container by the standing operation of the link plate. If it is the structure to press, the shape can be selected suitably and the effect similar to this embodiment can be acquired.
[0038]
In this embodiment, an example is described in which the lid opening / closing mechanism is applied to a sample processing apparatus that performs tissue expression of antigen-antibody reaction, RNA, DNA, etc., but a container that needs to establish a sealed state If it is, it is applicable and the same effect as this embodiment can be acquired. In particular, it functions well in the case of a sealed container in which the pressure in the container increases.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even when a large lid that covers the upper opening of the container is used, the lid can be opened and closed simply and with a small output by the drive mechanism. In addition, it is possible to obtain a container lid opening / closing mechanism that can secure a sufficient pressing force of the lid. Furthermore, it is possible to easily obtain a storage space when the lid is opened, and it is possible to obtain a container lid opening / closing mechanism having a simple structure that does not require more space than necessary for arranging the processing apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic structure of a sample processing apparatus including a container lid opening / closing mechanism according to the present invention, and is an explanatory view showing a state where a lid is removed from a processing tank and stored in a side surface; It is.
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic structure of a sample processing apparatus including a container lid opening / closing mechanism according to the present invention, and illustrates a state in which the lid is moving to cover the upper opening of the processing tank with the lid; FIG.
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic structure of a sample processing apparatus including a container lid opening / closing mechanism according to the present invention, and is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where a lid has reached the position of an upper opening.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a fixed wall of a container lid opening / closing mechanism according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between a carriage and a rack of a container lid opening / closing mechanism according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a container lid opening / closing mechanism according to the present invention as viewed from the upper surface side.
FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the pressing operation of the lid of the container lid opening / closing mechanism according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Processing apparatus, 12 Processing tank, 12a Top opening, 14 Lid, 16 Opening / closing mechanism, 18 Carriage, 20a, 20b Link plate, 22 Spring, 24 1st stopper, 26 Fixed wall, 28 Guide groove, 30 Roller, 32 Pinion gear , 34a, 34b Rack, 44 Second stopper.

Claims (5)

A lid covering the top opening of the container;
A carriage that moves along a guide groove between an upper position of the upper opening and a retracted position shifted from the upper position;
A plate for suspending the lid by the carriage, wherein an upper end of the plate is pivotally supported by the carriage and at least one link plate by which a lower end of the plate pivotally supports the lid;
An attracting member that generates an attracting force for attracting the lid to the carriage and tilts the link plate with respect to the carriage;
A first stopper that regulates forward movement while allowing downward movement toward the upper opening of the lid when the carriage moves forward from the retracted position to the upper position;
With
After the forward movement of the lid is restricted by the first stopper, the link plate rises and the lid is pressed against the upper opening by the forward movement of the carriage .
The link pivot relative to the carriage plate is not affected by the shape of the guide groove, the container characterized by the this cover opening and closing mechanism. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein
The link plate is
A container lid opening / closing mechanism, wherein the lower end of the plate is inclined with respect to the forward movement direction such that the lower end of the plate precedes the upper end of the plate. In the mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The carriage is movable along a guide groove extending between the upper position and the retracted position;
The container retracting mechanism is characterized in that the retracted position is formed at a position facing the side surface of the container, and the lid is accommodated along the side surface. In the mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The lid has a second stopper that suppresses the link plate from rising more than vertical, and the lid opening / closing mechanism of the container is characterized in that: The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The container lid opening / closing mechanism characterized in that the attraction member causes the lid to be in close contact with the carriage at least during the forward movement of the carriage.

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