JP6251508B2 - Transport device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport apparatus that transports a specimen such as blood.

  Conventionally, a sample processing apparatus for processing a sample such as blood has been proposed. This type of sample processing apparatus includes a processing unit that processes a sample and a transport device that transports the sample to the processing unit. A conveyance device has been proposed that includes a sample holder that holds a sample and a conveyance path that conveys the sample holder to a processing unit. The specimen is accommodated in a container such as a test tube. The sample holder holds the test tube in a detachable manner.

  As a structure of the conveyance path, a structure using a conveyance belt has been proposed. This type of transport path includes a belt on which the sample holder is placed and a belt driving device that drives the transport belt.

  The conveyance belt is an endless belt formed in an annular shape as an example. The belt driving device rotates the conveyance belt so as to advance in the circumferential direction. When the transport belt is rotated, the sample holder moves in accordance with the movement of the transport belt. As a result, the specimen holder is transported (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 4522463

  In a sample processing apparatus, in general, a plurality of sample holders are placed on one transport belt so as to process a plurality of sample holders. For this reason, when a predetermined sample holder is stopped at a predetermined position on the transport path, a stopper or the like is used so that the driving of the transport belt is not stopped but only the predetermined sample holder is stopped at the predetermined position. It is done. The movement of the specimen holder is stopped by holding the specimen holder with the stopper. In this case, the transport belt is driven to transport another sample.

  For this reason, friction occurs between the driven conveyor belt and the specimen holder stopped by the stopper. Due to this friction, the conveyor belt is worn. When wear of the conveyor belt advances, the conveyor belt is replaced. If the frequency of replacement of the conveyor belt increases, the cost increases.

  An object of this invention is to provide the conveying apparatus which can suppress generation | occurrence | production of the abrasion accompanying conveyance of a to-be-conveyed object.

A transport apparatus according to the present invention includes a holder that accommodates an object to be transported and includes a first member, a travel wall portion on which the holder is placed, and a transport path that guides the movement of the holder. And a holder driving unit. The holder driving unit includes a second member that generates a first force in a direction away from the first member or a second force that pulls the first member between the first member and the first member; Moving means for moving the second member relative to the traveling wall along the traveling wall at a position away from the holder. The travel wall portion has a groove provided on the inner side in the width direction and extending along the transport path. The moving means moves the second member in the groove.
Another conveying apparatus according to the present invention accommodates an object to be conveyed and includes a holder having a first member, a conveying path for guiding the movement of the holder, and a direction away from the first member. A second member that generates a first force or a second force that pulls the first member between the first member and the second member at a position away from the holder; A holder driving unit including moving means for moving along the path. The said conveyance path is provided with the running wall part which has the groove | channel which is provided in the width direction inner side and extends along the said conveyance path while the said holder is mounted. The moving means moves the second member in the groove.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wear associated with the conveyance of an object to be conveyed.

The top view which shows a part of sample processing apparatus provided with the conveying apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of the processing apparatus of the same sample shown along the F2-F2 line shown in FIG. Sectional drawing of the processing apparatus of the same sample shown along the F3-F3 line shown in FIG. The bottom view of the wheel support part of the processing apparatus of the sample. The top view which shows one lane of the processing apparatus of the sample.

  A conveying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a part of a sample processing apparatus 10 including a transport apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the sample processing apparatus 10 includes a transport device 20 and a processing unit 100.

  The specimen 11 includes blood, for example, and is stored in a container such as a test tube 12. The test tube 12 is an example of a conveyed object. The processing unit 100 is configured to perform processing on the sample 11. The process is, for example, dispensing. In addition, the process performed in a process part is not limited to dispensing. Further, a working unit that performs a work necessary for the specimen other than the processing may be provided. FIG. 1 shows the vicinity of the processing unit 100 in the sample processing apparatus 10.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sample processing apparatus 10 taken along line F2-F2 shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a plurality of sample holders 30 are installed on a conveyance path 50 described later along the direction in which the conveyance path 50 extends. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sample processing apparatus 10 taken along line F3-F3 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows the front of the sample holder 30 installed in the transport path 50. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transport device 20 includes a sample holder 30, a transport path 50, a transport belt 60, a belt driving device 70, and a control device 90.

  The sample holder 30 is configured to accommodate the sample 11. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the sample holder 30 includes a holder main body 31, a test tube holding part 32, a wheel support part 33, a pair of front wheels 34, and a pair of rear wheels 35. ing. The holder body 31 has, for example, a cylindrical shape, and an accommodation hole portion 36 is formed at the upper end portion. The accommodation hole 36 opens at the upper end of the holder main body 31.

  The test tube holding part 32 includes a plurality of arm parts 37. The arm portions 37 are arranged at equal intervals along the periphery of the accommodation hole 36 in the accommodation hole 36 and extend in the vertical direction. The lower end portions of the arm portions 37 are fixed to each other. Each arm part 37 is integrally formed. Each arm portion 37 is formed of, for example, a metal member and has elasticity. A clamping part 38 is formed at the upper end of each arm part 37.

  The clamping portion 38 is formed by bending each arm portion 37 inward. Between the clamping parts 38 of each arm part 37 becomes narrow with respect to between other parts. The space between the holding portions 38 of each arm portion 37 is formed narrower than the test tube 12. When the test tube 12 is inserted into the test tube holding portion 32, the test tube 12 pushes the holding portions 38 apart. The arm portion 37 that is spread out tends to return to the inside due to elasticity. The test tube 12 is clamped by the elastic force of each arm portion 37.

  A wheel support portion 33 is formed at the lower end portion of the holder body 31. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the wheel support portion 33. As shown in FIG. 4, the wheel support portion 33 has a rectangular planar shape, for example. A front wheel housing hole 40 for housing the front wheel 34 is formed at the front end portion of the bottom wall portion 39 of the wheel support portion 33. A pair of front wheel receiving holes 40 are formed side by side in the width direction. A front wheel 34 is accommodated in each front wheel accommodation hole 40. Each front wheel 34 is freely rotatable. As an example of the support structure, the front wheel 34 is rotatably supported around an axle 41 fixed inside the wheel support portion 33.

  A rear wheel housing hole 42 for housing the rear wheel 35 is formed at the rear end portion of the bottom wall portion 39. A pair of rear wheel receiving holes 42 are formed side by side in the width direction. The rear wheel 35 is freely rotatable. As an example of the support structure, the rear wheel 35 is rotatably supported around an axle 43 that is fixed inside the wheel support portion 33. The sample holder 30 can move smoothly as the front wheel 34 and the rear wheel 35 rotate.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transport path 50 includes a plurality of lanes 51. The lanes 51 are arranged side by side in the width direction. Since each lane 51 has the same shape, one lane 51 will be described as a representative. FIG. 3 shows one lane 51. FIG. 2 shows a state where one lane 51 is cut at the center in the width direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lane 51 includes a pair of side wall parts 52, a traveling wall part 53, and a bottom wall part 54. The side wall portion 52 is fixed to the bottom wall portion 54. Both side wall portions 52 extend in the vertical direction so as to face each other. The side wall portions 52 are spaced apart so that the specimen holder 30 can be accommodated therebetween. The traveling wall portion 53 is provided between the center portions in the vertical direction of the side wall portions 52 and extends in the width direction. The sample holder 30 is placed on the traveling wall portion 53. Both front wheels 34 and both rear wheels 35 of the specimen holder 30 are placed on the traveling wall portion 53.

  In the sample holder 30, a step is formed between the wheel support portion 33 and the holder main body 31. A protruding portion 55 that protrudes inward is formed at the upper end portion of the side wall portions 52. The protrusion 55 extends in the direction in which the side wall 52 extends, that is, in the direction in which the conveyance path 50 extends.

  The protrusion 55 overlaps in the vertical direction with respect to the step between the holder main body 31 and the wheel support portion 33 in a state where the sample holder 30 is placed on the traveling wall portion 53. For this reason, the specimen holder 30 is prevented from coming out of the transport path 50 when the protrusion 55 and the step contact each other. The protrusion 55 is formed so as not to come into contact with the sample holder 30 at the normal time. The protrusion 55 comes into contact with the step when the conveyance path 50 tries to extract the sample holder 30.

  A belt accommodation groove 56 is formed in the center of the traveling wall portion 53 in the width direction. The belt accommodation groove 56 penetrates the traveling wall portion 53 in the vertical direction. The belt receiving groove 56 extends together with the traveling wall portion 53.

  The space between the side wall portions 52 is divided into two in the vertical direction by the traveling wall portion 53. Above the traveling wall 53 is a traveling space in which the sample holder 30 travels. Below the traveling wall portion 53 is a belt accommodating space. The belt accommodating space accommodates the conveying belt 60 and a part of the belt driving device 70.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyance belt 60 is an endless belt. The belt driving device 70 includes a driving roller 71, a driven roller 72, a driving electric motor 73, and a transmission device 74. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing one lane 51. As shown in FIG. 5, the drive roller 71 is disposed at one end of the lane 51. The driven roller 72 is disposed at the other end of the lane 51. The driven roller 72 is rotatably supported by the side wall portions 52. In the other lanes 51, the driving roller 71 and the driven roller 72 are provided in the same manner.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the drive electric motor 73 is disposed below the conveyance path 50. As shown in FIG. 5, the output shaft 75 of the drive electric motor 73 protrudes to the side of the conveyance path 50. The transmission device 74 includes a transmission roller 76 and a transmission belt 77. The transmission roller 76 is disposed on the side where the output shaft 75 of the drive electric motor 73 protrudes with respect to the conveyance path 50, and is formed to be rotatable integrally with the drive roller 71 by the connecting shaft 110.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, one drive electric motor 73 and one transmission device 74 are used for the conveyance path 50. The driving roller 71 provided for each lane 51 is configured to rotate integrally with each other by a rotating shaft. Specifically, the drive rollers 71 provided in adjacent lanes 51 are connected to each other by a rotation shaft so as to rotate together. The rotation shaft passes through the side wall portion 52. For this reason, when the driving roller 71 provided in the lane 51 at one end is rotated via the connecting shaft 110, the driving roller 71 provided in the remaining lanes 51 is also rotated in accordance with the rotation of the driving roller 71.

  The transmission belt 77 is turned around the output shaft 75 and the transmission roller 76 of the drive electric motor 73. When the drive electric motor 73 is driven and rotated, the drive roller 71 rotates in each lane 51 via the transmission belt 77 and the transmission roller 76.

  The conveying belt 60 is an endless belt, and is turned around the driving roller 71 and the driven roller 72. As shown in FIG. 2, the conveying belt 60 is formed so that the upper surface thereof is horizontal. As an example, a mechanism for applying tension to the conveyance belt 60 may be provided. Due to this tension, the conveying belt 60 is stretched without sagging, and the upper surface of the conveying belt 60 becomes horizontal.

  Alternatively, a plurality of driven rollers 72 that are rotatably supported may be provided between the driving roller 71 and the driven roller 72. Since the conveying belt 60 is supported by the driving roller 71 and the plurality of driven rollers 72, the distance between the rollers in the conveying belt 60 is shortened, so that the upper surface of the conveying belt 60 is supported horizontally.

  The conveyor belt 60 is formed to rotate as the driving roller 71 rotates. For example, an engagement mechanism that engages with each other is formed on the peripheral surface of the drive roller 71 and the inner surface of the conveyance belt 60. By this engagement mechanism, the driving roller 71 and the conveying belt 60 are engaged, the conveying belt 60 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the driving roller 71, and the upper surface of the conveying belt 60 moves along the conveying path 50. To do.

  A string member 78 formed of a metal material is included in the conveyor belt 60. When the conveying belt 60 moves, the string member 78 also moves. Specifically, the conveying belt 60 includes an annular belt main body 79 formed of, for example, a resin having flexibility, and a plurality of ring members 78 formed in an annular shape accommodated in the belt main body 79. . The conveyance belt 60 is formed of, for example, an iron rubber belt.

  A range F31 in FIG. 3 shows the vicinity of the belt accommodation groove 56 in an enlarged manner. As shown in FIG. 3, the belt accommodation groove 56 is formed so as to face the substantially center in the width direction of the sample holder 30 installed in the conveyance path 50. The driving roller 71 and the driven roller 72 are disposed at a position where the conveying belt 60 is surrounded by the belt receiving groove 56.

  The width of the belt accommodating groove 56 is substantially the same as the width of the conveying belt 60. Specifically, the movement of the conveying belt 60 is not hindered between the edge of the belt accommodating groove 56 and the conveying belt 60. It is set so that a gap of a certain degree is formed. This gap is small.

  The upper surface 61 of the transport belt 60 is provided with respect to the transport path 50 so as not to contact the sample holder 30. As an example, the upper surface 61 of the conveyance belt 60 is disposed at a position lower than the upper surface of the traveling wall portion 53. For this reason, the transport belt 60 does not contact the sample holder 30. A magnet 80 is provided on the wheel support 33 of the specimen holder 30.

  The control device 90 controls driving of the processing unit 100 and the driving electric motor 73. As the transport belt 60 moves, the magnet 80 of the specimen holder 30 is attracted to the metal string member 78 of the transport belt 60 and moves by the magnetic force. When the sample holder 30 moves, the front wheel 34 and the rear wheel 35 rotate, so that the sample holder 30 moves smoothly.

  Further, the conveying belt 60 is surrounded by the belt receiving groove 56, so that the rotation path thereof is guided by the belt receiving groove 56.

  In the sample processing apparatus configured as described above, the transport belt 60 and the sample holder 30 do not contact each other. For this reason, it is suppressed that the conveyor belt 60 is worn. This point will be specifically described.

  In the case where the specimen holder 30 is moved by placing the specimen holder on the transport belt 60 and moving the transport belt 60, the contact between the transport belt 60 and the specimen holder 30 is in contact with each other. Parts are provided.

  With this structure, for example, when the movement of the sample holder 30 is stopped by the processing unit or the like being stopped by a stopper or the like, friction occurs between the moving conveyance belt 60 and the sample holder 30. Due to this friction, the conveyor belt 60 is worn.

  However, in this embodiment, the transport belt 60 is not in contact with the sample holder 30. The specimen holder 30 is attracted and moved to the string member 78 of the transport belt 60 by the magnetic force of the magnet 80. For this reason, it is suppressed that the conveyor belt 60 is worn.

  Further, in a structure in which the transport belt 60 and the sample holder 30 are not in contact with each other, a metal string member 78 and a magnet 80 are used as a structure for moving the sample holder 30 in accordance with the movement of the transport belt 60. ing. By adopting the structure using the string member 78 and the magnet 80 in this way, the configuration of the apparatus can be simplified. The magnet 80 is an example of a first member, and the string member 78 is an example of a second member.

  Further, since the sample holder 30 includes the front wheel 34 and the rear wheel 35, it is possible to suppress the wear of the sample holder 30 accompanying the movement.

  In addition, since the conveying belt 60 is accommodated in the belt accommodating groove 56, the movement of the conveying belt 60 is guided by the edge of the belt accommodating groove 56. This point will be specifically described. For example, if the movement track of the conveying belt 60 is greatly bent, it is conceivable that the conveying belt 60 is detached from the driving roller 71 and the driven roller 72 due to the bending. However, when the conveyance belt 60 is disposed so as to be surrounded by the belt accommodation groove 56 and the conveyance belt 60 is greatly bent in the width direction, the conveyance belt 60 contacts the edge of the belt accommodation groove 56. . The conveyance belt 60 is prevented from being bent by contacting the edge of the belt accommodation groove 56, and therefore, the conveyance belt 60 is prevented from being detached from the driving roller 71 and the driven roller 72.

  In the present embodiment, the magnet 80 and the string member 78 are used as an example of means for pulling each other between the sample holder 30 and the transport belt 60. Thus, a magnet and a metal attracted to the metal were used. As another example, a magnet may be used for the conveyance belt 60 instead of the string member 78. In this case, the magnet provided on the conveyor belt 60 is an example of the second member. Alternatively, the transport belt 60 may be provided with a magnet, and the specimen holder 30 may be provided with a metal that is attracted to the magnet. In this case, the metal provided in the specimen holder 30 is an example of a first member.

  In short, it is only necessary to provide one of the materials having the property of being attracted to each other on the conveyance belt 60 and the other on the sample holder 30 so that the sample holder 30 moves in accordance with the movement of the conveyance belt 60. One is an example of the second member, and the other is an example of the first member.

  Alternatively, one of the two materials having the property of repelling each other may be provided on the transport belt 60 and the other may be provided on the sample holder 30. One is an example of the second member, and the other is an example of the first member. An example of this structure is a pair of magnets that repel each other. With this structure, when the transport belt 60 moves, the specimen holder 30 moves due to the repulsive force acting between the magnets.

  The front wheel 34 and the rear wheel 35 are examples of wheels. The belt driving device 70 is an example of a holder driving unit. The conveyor belt 60 is an example of a moving unit.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, you may delete some components from all the components shown by embodiment mentioned above.
The invention described in the initial claims of the present application will be appended below.
[1]
A holder that accommodates the object to be conveyed and includes the first member;
A conveyance path for guiding the movement of the holder;
A second member that generates a first force in a direction away from the first member or a second force that pulls the first member between the first member and the second member; A holder driving unit comprising: a moving unit that moves along the transport path at a position away from the holder;
A conveying apparatus comprising:
[2]
The transport path includes a traveling wall portion having a groove on which the holder is placed and which is provided on the inner side in the width direction and extends along the transport path,
The moving means moves the second member in the groove.
The conveying apparatus as set forth in [1], wherein
[3]
The moving means includes a belt disposed in the groove and to which the second member is fixed.
The conveying apparatus according to [2], which is characterized in that
[4]
The holder includes a wheel that contacts the traveling wall.
The transport apparatus according to [2] or [3], wherein

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Test tube (conveyed object), 34 ... Front wheel (wheel), 35 ... Rear wheel (wheel), 50 ... Conveyance path, 52 ... Traveling wall part, 60 ... Conveyance belt (moving means), 70 ... Belt drive Device (holder drive unit), 78 ... string member (second member), 80 ... magnet (first member).

Claims (4)

A holder that accommodates the object to be conveyed and includes the first member;
A conveyance path having a traveling wall portion on which the holder is placed, and guiding the movement of the holder;
A second member that generates a first force in a direction away from the first member or a second force that pulls the first member between the first member and the second member; A holder driving unit comprising: a moving unit that moves the traveling wall unit along the traveling wall unit at a position away from the holder ;
The traveling wall portion has a groove provided on the inner side in the width direction and extending along the conveyance path,
The transfer device is characterized in that the moving means moves the second member in the groove . A holder that accommodates the object to be conveyed and includes the first member;
A conveyance path for guiding the movement of the holder;
A second member that generates a first force in a direction away from the first member or a second force that pulls the first member between the first member and the second member; A holder driving unit comprising: a moving unit that moves along the transport path at a position away from the holder;
The transport path includes a traveling wall portion having a groove on which the holder is placed and which is provided on the inner side in the width direction and extends along the transport path,
It said moving means includes a transport device of the second member, and wherein the moving the groove. The transport apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the moving unit includes a belt disposed in the groove and to which the second member is fixed. The said holder is equipped with the wheel which contacts the said traveling wall part. The conveying apparatus of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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