JPH07270429A - Auto-sampler - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To heighten the detection precision of a sample position, easily adjust the stopping position of a sample in a sample container holding table, and make it possible to use sample containers with different size only by replacing the table with another table suitable for the sample container position and the sample container. CONSTITUTION:An auto-sampler is one provide with a disk-like table 1 having a plurality of sample container holding parts and rotary apparatuses 13, 14, 16, 4 to rotate and shift each sample container in the table 1 to a sample collecting position 8 and a sample position distinguishing element 9 is characteristically installed directly on the table 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an autosampler, and more particularly to an autosampler in which the stop position of a disk-shaped table holding a sample container can be easily adjusted.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An autosampler that automatically collects many samples according to an arbitrary procedure and sends them to an analyzer is
It is very effective for automation and improvement of accuracy. for that reason,
Incorporated into an automated system of various analyzers such as liquid chromatograph, which adopts a flow injection analysis method that leads to a spectrophotometer equipped with a flow cell, an electrochemical detector, an atomic absorption spectrometer, etc. to quantify the substance to be detected in the sample. Has been.

In these autosamplers, a plurality of samples held on a table are selected in a certain procedure order, a sampling needle is put into the sample and sucked, and a part of the sucked sample is put into an analyzer for a specific volume. It is something to send.

Generally, a method of selecting a plurality of sample containers includes a disk table type in which a table holding a disk-shaped sample container is rotated to move a sample to a sample collection position, and a sample collection is performed without moving the sample container itself. There is known an XY scanning type in which a needle for performing is moved to a corresponding sample.

In particular, the former has an advantage that the mechanism is simple and the number of parts is small, such that a mechanism for converting the rotational motion of the motor into a linear motion is not necessary and a uniaxial drive mechanism is sufficient. Further, unlike the XY scanning type, the sample injection tube does not move over a wide range, so that the length from the sample collection destination to the sample weighing can be shortened and the required sample volume can be reduced.

[0006] Conventionally, in a disc table type auto sampler, in order to move the position of the hole-shaped sample container holding portion arranged on the table to the sample collecting position and stop it there, a comb type under table is provided. A disk having a plurality of slits is rotated integrally with the table, and the position of the slits is detected by a sensor such as a photo interrupter.

However, in this case, there is a drawback in that the position cannot be detected at all if the portion of the slit disk fixed to the holding portion of the table deviates even a little. Also, it is very difficult to adjust the slit position to match the sample sampling position accurately, and it is expensive to make each so that both the sample holding position on the table and the slit position on the slit disk are the same. Processing accuracy was required.

Particularly, in the conventional disc type auto sampler, since it is necessary to make the radius small so that the sample of the table can be accommodated inside, the intervals between the slits are shortened, so that the table axis of the slit disc is attached to the table shaft. A minute displacement when fixed causes a large displacement of the sampling position, so that it takes a lot of time for adjustment.

In general, when using sample containers of different sizes with the same autosampler, a method of preparing another table according to the target sample container can be considered. Since the slit disk to be attached was changed at the same time, and each time it was necessary to make delicate adjustments, the analyst himself could not easily replace the table according to the sample container.

[0010]

The present invention relates to an autosampler, and in particular, it is easy to adjust the stop position of a disk-shaped table for holding a sample container, and the sample container of a different size can be easily replaced by replacing it with a different table. To provide an auto sampler that can be used.

[0011]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a disk-shaped table having a plurality of sample container holders and sample position identifiers corresponding to the sample container holders, and a sampling position for each sample container held on the table. Rotating device to rotate and move to
And an auto sampler equipped with a detector for detecting the sample position identifier.

That is, the table itself for holding a plurality of samples is directly provided with a sample position identifier to integrate the functions of the conventional slit disk and table into a table.

[0013]

In the present invention, the sample container holding portion of the table may have any structure so long as it holds the sample container accurately at that position.
For example, this holding mechanism may be a hole into which the outer periphery of the sample container is inserted, and may be hung at the mouth of the upper end of the sample container, or another holding plate may be provided below the table to receive the bottom surface of the sample container. .

The sample position identifier is directly arranged on the table and can be provided outside or inside the sample container holding portion. Further, the sample position identifier is arranged on a straight line connecting the rotation center of the table and the center of the detector for detecting the sample position identifier when the sample container holding position is at the sample collecting position.

In the present invention, the sample holding position is detected by the sample position identifier on the table and the detector for detecting the sample position identifier. For example, a slit or a hole may be provided on the table as a sample position identifier, and the presence or absence of these slits or holes can be detected by a photo interrupter or the like having a pair of a light source and a photosensitizer.

In addition, the sample position identifier is convex or concave, and the presence or absence thereof is pressed against a mechanical switch to turn it on,
There is also a method of using a limiter switch that uses an OFF contact signal, and a method of using a magnet as the sample position identifier and detecting the presence or absence of these with a magnetic sensor such as a Hall element. However, the photo interrupter is preferably used in terms of responsiveness, detection accuracy, non-contact property, and the like.

When the detector is a photo interrupter,
The sample position identifier is a slit or hole having a narrow opening width, but when the opening is wide, the switching portion between the opening and the non-opening can be the sample position.

The photo interrupter can be of a transmissive type used through a table between the light source and the light receiver, or of a reflective type in which light reflected by the table of the light source is monitored by the light receiver.

In the present invention, a photo interrupter having a high light intensity, a high directivity and a small malfunction due to external light is preferably used. If there is a risk of being used in an environment where extremely extraneous light is present, a shielding material that intercepts extraneous light entering the light receiver can be appropriately provided so as to prevent erroneous detection. For example, the lower side of the table of the auto sampler is covered with a plate so that external light from below is substantially blocked. Further, in the transmissive photointerrupter, the table surface is brought as close as possible to the light receiving surface and the opening area of the slit or hole of the sample position identifier is made small so that erroneous detection due to external light can be prevented. Further, a shielding material can be arranged above the table. Similarly, when using a reflection type photo interrupter, it is desirable to use one that is less affected by external light. Further, when the reflection type photo interrupter is arranged with respect to the turntable, it is preferable to arrange the reflection type photointerrupter below the table because it is less likely to be affected by external light.

The rotating device for rotating the table is
A motor and, if necessary, a reduction gear are combined to transmit their rotations to the table. Examples thereof include a method of directly fixing the rotation shaft to the table and a method of once rotating via a pulley and a timing belt.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings, but of course the present invention is not limited thereto. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the autosampler of the present invention. 1A is a view from above and FIG. 1B is a view from a side surface.

The table 1 has a plurality of hole-shaped sample container holding portions 2, and the sample container 11 can be placed if necessary. The table 1 is fixed on a shaft that is rotated by a motor 13 and a reduction gear 14 by a fixture 4 on a table installation stand 17, and is rotated along an arrow 5 that indicates the rotation direction of the table. A slit 9 is engraved as a sample position identifier on the outside of each sample container holding portion 2 of the table 1. When the table 1 is rotated, the slit 9 arrives at the position of the transmissive photo interrupter 3 and the transmissive photo interrupter 3 is reached. The light from the light source of the interrupter 3 passes through the slit and reaches the light receiver to detect the sample position.

The rotating device below the table 1 is installed inside the top plate 15 and the side plate 16 provided on the outer periphery of the table. In actual sampling, a needle 12 connected to a tube 7 is supported by a needle support 6 and moves in a direction of an arrow 10 indicating a horizontal moving direction of the needle and an arrow 20 indicating a vertical moving direction of the needle. . For example, the needle 12 above the washing container 18 advances above the sampling position 8 and then injects the needle into the sample solution in the sample container 11 to suck and collect the sample.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing another example of the autosampler of the present invention. 2C is a view from above, and FIG. 2D is a view from the side. In the figure, the reflection type photo interrupter 23 has a light source and a light receiver integrated with each other and is provided under the table 21 to detect the presence or absence of the slit 29. Further, above the reflection type photo interrupter 23 and above the table 21, the upper surface plate 3 is covered so as to cover the slit 29.
5 are provided.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a conventional autosampler. 3E is a view from above, and FIG. 3F is a side view. In the figure, below the table 41, a slit disk 61 having a slit 49 that rotates in the same manner as the table 41 is arranged.

[0026]

The autosampler of the present invention makes it easy to adjust the sample position on the disk-shaped table that holds the sample container, and to increase the accuracy of sample position detection. Further, there is an advantage that the sample containers of different sizes can be easily used only by replacing the sample containers with different tables having different shapes and sizes.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an autosampler of the present invention. 1A is a view from above and FIG. 1B is a view from a side surface.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing another example of the autosampler of the present invention. 2 (c) is a view from above,
(D) is a side view.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a conventional autosampler. 3E is a view from above, and FIG. 3F is a side view.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Table, 2 ... Sample container holding part, 3 ... Transmission type photointerrupter, 4 ... Fixing device, 5 ... Arrow which shows the rotation direction of a table, 6 ... Needle support body, 7 ... Tube, 8 ... Sampling position, 9 ... slits, 10 ... arrows indicating the horizontal movement direction of the needle, 11 ... sample container, 12 ... needle, 13 ... motor, 14 ... reduction gear, 15 ... top plate, 16 ... side plate, 17 ... table setting table, 18 ... Washing container, 19 ... Waste pipe, 20 ... Arrow indicating vertical movement direction of needle, 21
... table, 22 ... sample container holding part, 23 ... reflective photointerrupter, 24 ... fixing device, 25 ... arrow indicating the direction of rotation of the table, 26 ... needle support, 27 ... tube, 2
8 ... Sampling position, 29 ... Slit, 30 ... Arrow showing the horizontal movement direction of needle, 31 ... Sample container, 32 ... Needle, 33 ... Motor, 34 ... Reduction gear, 35 ... Top plate, 36 ... Side plate, 37 ... table setting table, 38 ... washing container, 39 ... waste liquid pipe, 40 ... arrow showing vertical moving direction of needle, 41 ... table, 42 ... sample container holding part, 4
3 ... Transmission type photo interrupter, 44 ... Fixing device, 45 ...
Arrow indicating the direction of rotation of the table, 46 ... Needle support, 47 ... Tube, 48 ... Sampling position, 49 ... Slit,
50 ... Arrows indicating the horizontal movement direction of needle, 51 ... Sample container, 52 ... Needle, 53 ... Motor, 54 ... Reduction gear, 55 ... Top plate, 56 ... Side plate, 57 ... Table setting table, 58 ... Washing container, 59 ... Waste pipe, 60 ... Arrow showing vertical movement direction of needle, 61 ... Slit disk.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A disk-shaped table having a plurality of sample container holders and sample position identifiers corresponding to the sample container holders,
An autosampler comprising a rotating device for rotating and moving each sample container held on the table to a sample collection position, and a detector for detecting the sample position identifier.