JPH05126835A - Dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify a mechanism as a whole with a smooth motion of a dispensing probe by a method wherein a spline shaft and a round rack are formed at a part of a rotary shaft with the dispensing probe fixed thereon and the spline shaft is rotated by a first rotation drive means to move the round rack linearly by a second rotation drive means. CONSTITUTION:A spline shaft 4 and a round rack 6 are formed at a part of a rotary shaft 3 and a gear 5' is formed on the circumference of a spline bearing 4' to be connected to a gear 5 fixed on a motor 9 such as stepping motor. The round rack 6 is connected to a pinion 6' fixed on a motor 9' such as stepping motor.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is used in an automatic analyzer such as a clinical biochemical automatic analyzer, a sample measuring device such as a blood coagulation screening test, a blood coagulation measuring device for identifying or quantifying an abnormality of a coagulation factor. Dispensing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a sample measuring device such as an automatic analyzer or a blood coagulation measuring device, a dispenser such as a dispenser or a pipetter is provided with a sample container containing a sample and a reagent container containing a reagent. Qualitative analysis of each specimen sample by aspirating and transporting a prescribed amount of specimen sample or reagent, injecting it into another reaction container, and optically measuring the resulting amount and concentration of reactants or their changes over time. Performs analysis and quantitative analysis. This dispensing method is also called the single multi method,
It is characteristic that a small amount is taken out from a plurality of specimen samples, and reagents corresponding to a plurality of test items are also taken out little by little and reacted in another container.

In the dispensing device used in such a sample measuring device, a dispensing probe for dispensing a predetermined amount of specimen sample or reagent is fixed to a rotary shaft via a arm or the like, and the dispensing probe is A predetermined amount of liquid is carried by performing a rotational movement or a linear movement when moving among the sample container, the reagent container, and the reaction container.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an example of a conventional dispensing device. A dispensing probe 1 having a hollow structure for sucking a liquid is fixed to a rotary shaft 3 via an arm bar 2, and the rotary shaft 3 makes a rotary motion around its central axis, or The linear movement in the axial direction causes the dispensing probe 1 to perform a rotational movement or a linear movement. The dispensing probe 1 is a flexible tube (not shown).
It is connected to a suction device (not shown) such as a three-way valve (not shown) for switching the flow path or a cylinder pump via the, and liquid is sucked or injected by the control of the suction device.

In FIG. 3, a spline shaft 4 is integrally formed on a part of the rotary shaft 3, and the rotary shaft 3 is provided with respect to a spline bearing 4'fixed to a housing 50 by a bearing. A smooth linear motion can be performed in the direction. A gear 5'is formed on the outer circumference of the spline bearing 4 ', and is connected to the gear 5 fixed to the motor 9.

On the other hand, a ball screw 52 is fixed to the housing 50 via a bearing in parallel with the rotating shaft 3, and a gear 51 'rotating integrally with the ball screw 52 and a gear 51 fixed to the motor 9'. Are connected. When the ball screw 52 rotates, the nut 53, whose movement in the rotational direction is restricted by connecting with the rotating shaft 3, moves up and down.

Therefore, the vertical position of the dispensing probe 1 is controlled by the rotation control of the motor 9 ', and the rotational position of the dispensing probe 1 is controlled by the rotation control of the motor 9. In addition to this movement, by controlling a three-way valve, a suction device, etc., the dispensing probe 1 performs an operation of sucking and transporting a predetermined amount of the sample sample or reagent from the sample container or reagent container and injecting it into the reaction container. Is going.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of another example of a conventional dispensing device. The dispensing probe 1 having a hollow structure for sucking the liquid is fixed to the rotating shaft 3 via the arm 2 similarly to the one shown in FIG. The dispensing probe 1 performs a rotary motion or a linear motion by rotating around or by linearly moving in the axial direction. Further, the dispensing probe 1 is also connected to a three-way valve or a suction device via a pipe, similarly to FIG.

In FIG. 4, a gear 61 ′ that moves integrally is formed on the rotary shaft 3 and is connected to the gear 61 of the motor 9 fixed to the carrier 60. The rotating shaft 3 is fixed to the carrier 60 via a bearing, and can perform a smooth rotational movement.

On the other hand, the carrier 60 includes pulleys 65, 66.
The carrier 9 is fixed to the belt 64 passed to the carrier 6 and is rotated by the motor 9 ′ connected to the pulley 65.
0 moves up and down.

Therefore, the vertical position of the dispensing probe 1 is controlled by the rotation control of the motor 9 ', and the rotational position of the dispensing probe 1 is controlled by the rotation control of the motor 9. In addition to this movement, by controlling a three-way valve, a suction device, etc., the dispensing probe 1 performs an operation of sucking and transporting a predetermined amount of the sample sample or reagent from the sample container or reagent container and injecting it into the reaction container. Is going.

[0012]

However, in the conventional dispensing device shown in FIG. 3, when a force for vertically moving the rotary shaft 3 acts, the vector of the force is the vector of the rotary shaft 3. It is not the same as the central axis direction, but the same as the moving direction of the nut 53 installed at a certain distance from the rotating shaft 3. Therefore, a moment proportional to the distance between the rotating shaft 3 and the nut 53 acts on the connecting member 55 of the rotating shaft 3,
Since a component of force different from the axial component of the rotating shaft 3 is generated, an unreasonable force is applied to the bearing for fixing the casing 50, and the rotating shaft 3 does not move smoothly. It was

If the moving direction of the rotary shaft 3 and the axis of the ball screw 52 are not parallel, the nut 53 moves to cause the rotary shaft 3 and the ball screw 52 to be deformed, so that the rotary shaft 3 and the ball screw 52 are not deformed. Since it is necessary to install the axes of the screws 52 in perfect parallel, there is a problem that this adjustment is very difficult.

Further, in the conventional dispensing apparatus shown in FIG. 4, since the carrier 60 is equipped with the force transmission mechanism to the motor 9 and the rotating shaft 3, the weight of the carrier 60 to be moved becomes large, and the belt 64 is moved. There is a problem that the load on the motor and the motor 9'is large.

Further, since the motor 9 is mounted on the moving carrier 60, the electric wire for supplying the electric power to the motor 9 also moves, which causes a problem such as a wire breakage or a short circuit accident by being caught by another member. was there.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention applies a force in the same direction as the direction of the rotation axis when vertically moving the rotation shaft to which the dispensing probe is fixed. An object is to provide a dispensing device that operates.

[0017]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the dispensing device of the present invention has a dispensing probe fixed to a rotary shaft, which performs a rotary motion or a linear motion to achieve a predetermined amount. In a dispensing apparatus for transporting a liquid, a spline shaft and a round rack are formed on a part of a rotary shaft, a spline shaft is rotated by a first rotation driving unit, and a round rack is formed by a second rotation driving unit. Characterized by linear movement.

[0018]

According to the above construction, the spline shaft and the round rack are formed on a part of the rotating shaft, the spline shaft is rotated by the first rotation driving means, and the round rack is rotated by the second rotation driving means. By moving linearly, the vector of the force for the vertical movement of the rotating shaft becomes the same as the rotating shaft direction, so that the force component in the other direction does not act on the rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft moves. Becomes smooth. Therefore, the dispensing probe fixed to the rotating shaft can perform a smooth dispensing operation.

Further, since it is not necessary to move a heavy member such as a motor together, the strength design of the drive mechanism is relaxed, and the dispenser can be made lighter or smaller.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention. A dispensing probe 1 having a hollow structure for sucking a liquid is fixed to a rotary shaft 3 via an arm 2, and the rotary shaft 3 makes a rotary motion around its central axis, or The linear movement in the axial direction causes the dispensing probe 1 to perform a rotational movement or a linear movement. The dispensing probe 1 is connected to a suction device (not shown) such as a three-way valve (not shown) for switching flow paths or a cylinder pump via a flexible pipe (not shown). Cage,
The liquid is sucked or injected by controlling the suction device.

A spline shaft 4 and a round rack 6 are formed on a part of the rotary shaft 3, and the rotary shaft 3 has its axis with respect to a spline bearing 4'fixed to a casing 8 by a bearing. A smooth linear motion can be performed in the direction. The slide shaft 7 fixed to the housing 8 slides on the inner surfaces of the rotating shaft 3 and the spline shaft 4 to regulate the blurring of the rotating shaft 3 and the spline shaft 4.

A gear 5'is provided on the outer circumference of the spline bearing 4 '.
Is formed and is connected to a gear 5 fixed to a motor 9 such as a stepping motor. The round rack 6 is a pinion 6 fixed to a motor 9'such as a stepping motor.
′, The pinion 6 ′ rotates and the round rack 6 moves up and down, so that the rotating shaft 3 moves up and down smoothly.

Therefore, the rotation control of the motor 9'controls the vertical position of the dispensing probe 1, and the rotation control of the motor 9 controls the rotational position of the dispensing probe 1. In addition to this movement, by controlling a three-way valve, a suction device, etc., the dispensing probe 1 performs an operation of sucking and transporting a predetermined amount of the sample sample or reagent from the sample container or reagent container and injecting it into the reaction container. It can be carried out.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of an example of a sample measuring device in which the dispensing device of the present invention is used. Plasma, blood,
The sample container 31 in which sample samples such as urine, lymph, and body fluid are stored is placed on the sampler 13, while the reagent container 32 in which reagents corresponding to the test items are stored is placed on the reagent tray 12. It has been placed. These sample specimens and reagents are kept cool at a temperature of 5 ° C to 10 ° C as necessary to prevent alteration.

A plurality of reaction vessels 34 such as cuvettes are loaded on the reaction table 11, and a measuring means (not shown) is provided for each reaction vessel. The reaction table 11 linearly moves along a linear guide 41 such as a rail by a linear drive mechanism (not shown) such as a chain or a ball screw, and repeatedly moves to a predetermined position according to an instruction of a program incorporated in the apparatus control unit. It is possible.

The operation of the sample measuring apparatus 10 will be described below in accordance with the measuring procedure. A plurality of new reaction vessels 33 are arranged in the reaction vessel supply unit 20, and the reaction vessel loading means 16 conveys the reaction vessels 33 one by one and moves the reaction table 11 to move the reaction table 1
1 is loaded in a portion where there is no reaction container.

Next, after the sample injection means 15 using the dispensing apparatus of the present invention sucks a predetermined amount of sample sample from the sample container 31, the reaction table 11 and the sample injection means 15 move and the reaction table 11 The probe of the sample injection means 15 is stopped in the new upper reaction container 34, and the aspirated sample sample is injected into the reaction container 34.

Next, the reagent injecting means 14 using the dispensing device of the present invention selects a predetermined reagent container 32 according to the instruction of the device control section, and aspirates a predetermined amount of reagent from the container, and then the reaction table. 11 and the reagent injecting means 14 move, the probe of the reagent injecting means 14 stops in the reaction container 34 in which the sample specimen is previously injected, and the aspirated reagent is injected into the reaction container 34.

Simultaneously with the injection of the reagent, the measuring means for the reaction container 34 starts the measurement. The reaction table 11 moves and the reaction container after the measurement is discharged from the position of the reaction container discharging means 17. The discharged reaction container is conveyed, put into the discharge port 18, and stored in the reaction container storage unit 21. In addition, in the empty place of the reaction table 11,
A new reaction vessel will be loaded.

[0030]

As described above in detail, in the dispensing device of the present invention, the spline shaft and the round rack are formed in a part of the rotating shaft, and the spline shaft is rotated by the first rotation driving means, When the circular rack is linearly moved by the second rotation driving means, the vector of the force for the vertical movement of the rotary shaft is the same as that in the rotary shaft direction, so that the dispensing probe performs a smooth dispensing operation. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to accurately control the vertical position and the rotational position of the dispensing probe,
An unreasonable force does not act on the driving mechanism of the dispensing probe, wear of each component is reduced, and a dispensing device with few failures and a long life can be obtained.

Further, since the spline shaft and the round rack are integrally formed, mechanical adjustment between the mechanism for carrying out the rotational movement and the mechanism for carrying out the linear movement becomes unnecessary. Also,
Since the dispenser has a small number of bearings and the entire mechanism is simple, it is possible to reduce the weight or size of the dispenser, and further contribute to downsizing and cost reduction of the sample measuring device using the dispenser.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of a dispensing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of an example of a sample measuring device in which the dispensing device of the present invention is used.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an example of a conventional dispensing device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of another example of a conventional dispensing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Dispensing probe 2 Arms 3 Rotating shaft 4 Spline shaft 4'Spline bearing 5, 5'Gear 6 Round rack 6'Pinion 7 Slide shaft 8 Housing 9, 9'Motor 10 Sample measuring device 11 Reaction table 12 Reagent tray 13 Sampler 14 Reagent Injecting Means 15 Specimen Injecting Means 16 Reaction Vessel Loading Means 17 Reaction Vessel Ejecting Means 18 Ejection Port 20 Reaction Vessel Supplying Section 21 Reaction Vessel Storage 22 Data Input Means 23 Display Device 31 Specimen Vessel 32 Reagent Vessel 33, 34 35 reaction vessel 41 linear guide 50 housing 51, 51 ', 61, 61' gear 52 ball screw 53 nuts 54, 55 connecting member 60 carrier 62 shaft 63, 63 'fixing member 64 belt 65, 66 pulley

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A dispensing device which carries a predetermined amount of liquid by a dispensing probe fixed to a rotary shaft performing a rotary motion or a linear motion, wherein a spline shaft is provided at a part of the rotary shaft. And a round rack, wherein the spline shaft is rotated by a first rotation driving means, and the round rack is linearly moved by a second rotation driving means.