WO2022091583A1

WO2022091583A1 - Container temperature adjustment device

Info

Publication number: WO2022091583A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/032750
Authority: WO
Inventors: 龍太渋谷
Original assignee: 株式会社島津製作所
Priority date: 2020-10-26
Filing date: 2021-09-07
Publication date: 2022-05-05
Also published as: JPWO2022091583A1

Abstract

Provided is a container temperature adjustment device in which a load on a drive part for moving a heating lid is reduced, whereby a risk that the device becomes out of order can be reduced. According to the present invention, a container-holding part holds a container. The container has a container body, and a lid part that is openable and closeable with respect to the container body. The container-holding part causes the temperature of the container to rise and fall. The heating lid is brought into contact with the lid part in a state in which the container body is closed, to heat the lid part. The drive part generates a drive force for moving the heating lid relative to the container-holding part. A motive power transmission part transmits the drive force generated by the drive part to the heating lid. The motive power transmission part has: a plate member (70) on which L-shaped grooves (71) are formed; and rollers (72) that are fitted into the L-shaped grooves (71) and can be moved in the L-shaped grooves (71). The movement of the rollers (72) in a horizontal direction allows the heating lid to press the lid part against the container body.

Description

Container temperature control device

The present disclosure relates to a container temperature control device that raises and lowers the temperature of a container containing a sample to be analyzed (blood, urine, nasopharyngeal swab, biological sample such as saliva, etc.).

Conventionally, there is an apparatus for analyzing genes contained in a sample using a polymerase chain reaction (hereinafter also referred to as “PCR”) (for example, Japanese Patent No. 4785862).

Japanese Patent No. 4785862

PCR is typically performed on a device that performs reagent transfer, temperature control, and optical detection in multiple containers. Genes are amplified by raising or lowering the temperature of the container containing the sample. The lid of the container is used to prevent the sample from evaporating in the container and change the reaction conditions, and because the lid of the container is the optical path for fluorescence measurement and the water droplets condensed on the lid do not block the optical path. A heat lid for heating the portion to a predetermined temperature is provided. In the conventional device, the operator manually presses the heat lid against the lid, but in order to improve work efficiency and reduce the risk of infection of the operator, it is considered to automate the movement of the heat lid. ing.

It is conceivable to drive the electric actuator to press the heat lid against the lid. However, PCR requires temperature control for a long period of time, and if the electric actuator is left driven during that period, power consumption increases and the electric actuator may malfunction or fail due to heat generation.

In this disclosure, a container temperature control device that can reduce the burden on the drive unit that moves the heat lid and reduce the risk of device failure is proposed.

The container temperature control device according to the present disclosure includes a container holding unit, a heat lid, a driving unit, and a power transmission unit. The container holder holds the container. The container has a container main body and a lid portion that can be opened and closed with respect to the container main body. The container holder also raises and lowers the temperature of the container. The heat lid comes into contact with the lid portion in which the container body is closed to heat the lid portion. The drive unit generates a driving force that moves the heat lid relative to the container holding unit. The power transmission unit transmits the driving force generated by the driving unit to the heat lid. The power transmission unit has a groove-forming member in which a groove is formed, and a movable member that is engaged with the groove and can move in the groove. The horizontal movement of the movable member causes the heat lid to press the lid toward the container body.

In the present disclosure, the heat lid presses the lid of the container toward the container body due to the horizontal movement of the movable member, so that even if the drive of the heat lid is stopped by the drive unit, the heat lid is used as the lid. It is possible to continue to generate a pressing force. It is not necessary to keep the drive unit driven while raising and lowering the temperature of the container, and the load on the drive unit can be reduced, so that power consumption can be reduced and the risk of malfunction or failure of the drive unit due to heat generation can be reduced. be able to.

It is a figure which shows the example of the structure of the analysis system schematically. It is a figure which looked at the holding device in a state where a container is installed from the direction along the Z axis. It is a figure which shows typically each process of the analysis process by an analysis apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the schematic structure of the conveyor of a heat lid. It is a perspective view of the heat lid conveyor seen from the angle different from FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the plate member shown in FIG. It is the first figure which shows the relative movement of a heat lid with respect to a temperature control part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relative position of a plate member and a roller in the arrangement of FIG. It is the 2nd figure which shows the relative movement of a heat lid with respect to a temperature control part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relative position of a plate member and a roller in the arrangement of FIG. It is a 3rd figure which shows the relative movement of a heat lid with respect to a temperature control part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relative position of a plate member and a roller in the arrangement of FIG. It is a 4th figure which shows the relative movement of a heat lid with respect to a temperature control part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relative position of a plate member and a roller in the arrangement of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will not be repeated.

<Configuration of analysis system 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of the analysis system 1 according to the present embodiment. The analysis system 1 is a device capable of fully automatic processing of measuring and analyzing gene amplification by PCR over time (real time). In the following, as shown in FIG. 1, the direction along the vertical direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) is the "Z-axis direction", and the directions perpendicular to the vertical direction and orthogonal to each other are the "X-axis direction" and Also referred to as "Y-axis direction".

The analysis system 1 includes an analysis device 2 and a terminal 3 capable of communicating with the analysis device 2. The terminal 3 is a general personal computer provided with a display, which is operated by an operator.

The analysis device 2 includes an inspection device 10, a control device 20, a temperature control device 30, and

mobile devices

4 and 5. The temperature control device 30 includes a holding device (holder) 40 configured to hold a plurality of containers 50 and the like. The holding device 40 includes a temperature control unit 41 and a holding unit 42. The temperature control unit 41 has a temperature control function (heating function and cooling function) by a temperature source 44 represented by a Pelche element, a heater, a cooling device, and the heat lid 45. The holding portion 42 does not have a temperature control function.

The moving device 4 includes an actuator (not shown) that moves the inspection device 10 in the horizontal direction (XY axis direction). The moving device 5 includes an actuator (not shown) that moves the holding device 40 in the horizontal direction (XY axis direction). The actuators of the

moving devices

4 and 5 operate according to a command from the control device 20. By horizontally moving at least one of the inspection device 10 and the holding device 40 by the

moving devices

4 and 5, the horizontal relative distance between the inspection device 10 and the holding device 40 can be adjusted. It should be noted that either one of the

moving devices

4 and 5 may be omitted.

The inspection device 10 includes an optical unit 11, a dispensing unit 12, an opening / closing unit 14, and an irradiation unit 16.

The dispensing unit 12 is provided with a syringe 13 to which a nozzle extending in the Z-axis direction is attached to the tip. Inside the nozzle, a plunger (not shown) that can move along the Z-axis direction is provided. The syringe 13 is configured to suck an amount of liquid corresponding to the stroke amount in the positive direction of the Z axis of the plunger and discharge a liquid amount corresponding to the stroke amount in the negative direction of the Z axis of the plunger. The dispensing unit 12 includes an actuator (not shown) for moving the syringe 13 in the Z-axis direction and an actuator (not shown) for stroking the plunger in the nozzle in the Z-axis direction. These actuators operate according to a command from the control device 20.

The opening / closing unit 14 includes an opening / closing mechanism having a protrusion for automatically opening / closing the lid of the container 50 by touching the lid of the container 50 held by the holding device 40. The opening / closing unit 14 operates according to a command from the control device 20.

The irradiation unit 16 considers that when the opening / closing unit 14 opens / closes the lid of the container 50, the sample may adhere to the protrusion of the opening / closing unit 14 and be mixed (contaminate) with the next sample. Contamination is prevented by irradiating the periphery of the protrusion with UV light (ultraviolet rays).

The optical unit 11 is a device that analyzes an infectious disease virus or a gene contained in a sample by detecting the fluorescence emitted from the sample when the sample in the container 50 is irradiated with excitation light. The optical unit 11 performs fluorescence detection for each of the three wavelengths of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and outputs the result to the control device 20. The optical unit 11 includes a light source that emits light (light emitting diode, etc.), a lens for irradiating the sample with light from the light source and collecting fluorescence of the sample, and a digital capable of detecting and analyzing the fluorescence emitted from the sample. Includes photodiodes that convert to data. A known configuration can be adopted for the optical unit 11.

Although not shown, the control device 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, an input / output buffer, and the like. When the control device 20 receives the analysis start command from the terminal 3, each part of the analysis device 2 (each unit in the inspection device 10,

mobile devices

4 and 5, temperature source 44 of the temperature control device 30, and heat lid 45) is preliminarily pressed. The infectious disease virus or gene contained in the sample is analyzed by controlling according to a predetermined procedure. The control device 20 displays the analysis result by the analysis device 2 on the display of the terminal 3.

FIG. 2 is a view of the holding device 40 with the container 50 installed as viewed from the direction along the Z axis. The holding device 40 extends along the XY plane and has an array surface in which a plurality of containers 50 are arranged in a two-dimensional manner. The inspection device 10 and the holding device 40 are configured to be relatively movable two-dimensionally along the arrangement plane of the holding device 40 by the moving

devices

4 and 5.

The containers 50 arranged on the arrangement surface of the holding device 40 include a PCR container (reaction container) 51 containing a liquid (a sample to which each reagent is added) to be a target of a thermal cycle, and a reagent container 52 containing each reagent. And a sample container 54 containing a single sample.

The PCR container 51 is arranged in four sets in the Y-axis direction, with four

PCR containers

51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d arranged one-dimensionally along the X-axis direction as one set.

The reagent container 52 is arranged in four sets in the Y-axis direction, with four

reagent containers

52a, 52b, 52c, 52d arranged one-dimensionally along the X-axis direction as one set. The reagent container 52a contains a sample treatment liquid in advance. The reaction solution is pre-filled in the reagent container 52b. The reagent container 52c is preliminarily filled with a primer / probe liquid (a liquid containing the primer and the probe). The reagent container 52d is pre-filled with an enzyme solution. The four

reagent containers

52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d are provided (commercially available) as a set of reagents in a state in which at least the amount of reagents required for analysis of one sample is pre-encapsulated.

Four sample containers 54 are arranged one-dimensionally along the Y-axis direction. In the analysis device 2 according to the present embodiment, four samples can be analyzed at one time by putting different samples in the four sample containers 54 arranged in the Y-axis direction.

At the place where each container 50 (PCR container 51, reagent container 52, sample container 54) is arranged in the holding device 40, a step (hole or recess) into which a part of each container 50 can be inserted along the Z-axis direction is inserted. ) Is formed. By inserting each container 50 into the corresponding step, the positions of each container 50 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are fixed.

A dispensing tip 53 for dispensing the sample and the reagent is arranged in the region between the reagent container 52 and the sample container 54 in the holding device 40. The dispensing tip 53 is used by being attached to the nozzle of the syringe 13.

In the present embodiment, the dispensing tip 53 includes a long tip 53a used for the sample container 54 and a short tip (trace tip) 53b used for the PCR container 51 and the reagent container 52. The dispensing tip 53 is arranged in four sets in the Y-axis direction, with one long tip 53a and two short tips 53b arranged one-dimensionally along the X-axis direction as one set.

The PCR container 51 to be the target of the thermal cycle is arranged in the temperature control section 41 having a temperature control function, and the other reagent container 52, the dispensing tip 53, and the sample container 54 are arranged in the holding section 42 having no temperature control function. Will be done.

Further, the holding device 40 is provided with a tip disposal unit 43 for discarding the used dispensing tip 53. When the dispensing tip 53 fitted to the nozzle of the syringe 13 is removed from the nozzle, the nozzle is moved upward by hooking the upper end of the dispensing tip 53 on the lower surface of the recess of the tip discarding portion 43. The dispensing tip 53 is removed from and discarded.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, each container 50 has a container main body and a lid portion that can be opened and closed with respect to the container main body. Each container 50 is a resin molded product in which the lid and the container body are integrated.

<Analysis processing>
The operator sets each container 50 (PCR container 51, reagent container 52 and sample container 54) and the dispensing chip 53 (long chip 53a and short chip 53b) in the holding device 40, and starts analysis for starting analysis. When the command is input to the terminal 3, the analysis process by the analysis device 2 is started.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing each process of analysis processing by the analysis device 2. In the analysis process, steps S1 to S6 are executed in this order.

First, in step S1, a process (sample injection) of dispensing 5 μL of the sample into the PCR container 51b is performed. Specifically, the control device 20 first mounts a long tip 53a on the nozzle of the syringe 13, collects 25 μL of the sample from the sample container 54, and dispenses 25 μL of the sample into the PCR container 51a. 12 and

mobile devices

4 and 5 are controlled.

Next, the control device 20 controls the dispensing unit 12 and the moving

devices

4 and 5 so that the long tip 53a is discarded by the tip disposal unit 43.

Next, the control device 20 attaches the short tip 53b to the nozzle of the syringe 13, collects 5 μL of the sample from the PCR container 51a, and dispenses the sample 5 μL into the PCR container 51b. , 5 is controlled.

In addition, 25 μL of the sample is collected with the long chip 53a and temporarily dispensed into the PCR container 51a, and then 5 μL of the sample is collected from the PCR container 51a instead of the short chip 53b and dispensed into the PCR container 51b. This is to accurately dispense 5 μL of the sample into the PCR container 51b. That is, the plunger provided inside the nozzle of the syringe 13 is thin because it basically corresponds to the short tip 53b that dispenses a small amount, and with the same stroke amount, the dispensing accuracy is high when the long tip 53a is used. It may be reduced and accurate results may not be obtained. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a sample is once collected with the long chip 53a, 25 μL, which is more than 5 μL, is dispensed into the PCR container 51a different from the PCR container 51b, and then replaced with the short chip 53b. Exactly 5 μL is collected from the PCR container 51a and dispensed into the PCR container 51b. As a result, a small amount of 5 μL of the sample can be accurately dispensed into the PCR container 51b.

In the next step S2, a process of adding 5 μL of the sample treatment solution to the PCR container 51b is performed. Specifically, the control device 20 first collects 5 μL of the sample treatment liquid from the reagent container 52a, dispenses 5 μL of the sample treatment liquid into the PCR container 51b, and reciprocates (up and down) the syringe 13 to enter the PCR container 51b. The dispensing unit 12 and the moving

devices

4 and 5 are controlled so as to stir.

Next, the control device 20 controls the dispensing unit 12 and the moving

devices

4 and 5 so that the short tip 53b is discarded by the tip discarding unit 43.

In the next step S3, a process of heating and quenching the PCR container 51b is performed. Specifically, the control device 20 heats the PCR container 51b to maintain the sample temperature in the PCR container 51b at 90 ° C. for 5 minutes, and then quenchs the PCR container 51b to control the sample temperature in the PCR container 51b. The temperature control unit 41 is controlled so as to return to 20 ° C. (normal temperature).

The PCR container 51b is inserted into a step in which the upper surface of the temperature control portion 41 is recessed. The temperature control portion 41 is a metal plate having excellent thermal conductivity, and is made of, for example, aluminum. The temperature control unit 41 is in thermal contact with the temperature source 44. The temperature source 44 heats and cools the temperature control unit 41 according to a preset program, whereby the sample temperature in the PCR container 51b is controlled. This allows the sample to be subjected to a predetermined temperature profile suitable for the reaction.

The heat lid 45 is in thermal contact with the lid of the PCR container 51b with the container body closed. The heat lid 45 is a metal plate to which a heating source such as a seat heater is attached. When the heating source heats the lid, the liquid is vaporized in the PCR container 51b to change the reaction conditions and prevent dew condensation from occurring on the lid.

In the next step S4, a process of adding each reagent to the PCR container 51b is performed. Specifically, the control device 20 first collects 7.8 μL of the reaction solution from the reagent container 52b and moves it to the dispensing unit 12 so as to dispense it into the reagent container 52d containing 2.4 μL of the enzyme in advance. It controls the

devices

4 and 5.

Next, the control device 20 collects 7.8 μL of the primer / probe solution from the reagent container 52c, dispenses it into the reagent container 52d, and stirs the inside of the reagent container 52d by reciprocating (up and down movement) of the syringe 13. Note Controls the unit 12 and the moving

devices

4 and 5. At this point, the amount of the reagent mixture contained in the reagent container 52d is 18 μL.

Next, the control device 20 collects 15 μL of the reagent mixture from the reagent container 52d, dispenses 15 μL of the reagent mixture into the PCR container 51b, and stirs the inside of the PCR container 51b by reciprocating (up and down) the syringe 13. , Controls the dispensing unit 12 and the moving

devices

4 and 5.

In the next step S5, the thermal cycle treatment of the PCR container 51b is performed. Specifically, the control device 20 maintains the liquid temperature in the PCR container 51b at 42 ° C. for 10 minutes to cause a reverse transfer reaction, and then maintains the liquid temperature in the PCR container 51b at 95 ° C. for 1 minute. The temperature control unit 41 is controlled so as to activate the enzyme.

Next, the control device 20 maintains the liquid temperature in the PCR container 51b at 95 ° C. for 5 seconds and then maintains the liquid temperature in the PCR container 51b at 60 ° C. for 30 seconds to perform an amplification process for amplifying the gene. The temperature control unit 41 is controlled. This amplification process is carried out for 45 cycles.

In the next step S6, three-wavelength fluorescence detection is performed. Specifically, the control device 20 is a temperature control unit so as to perform three-wavelength fluorescence detection on the liquid in the PCR container 51b in a state where the liquid temperature in the PCR container 51b is 60 ° C. after the amplification treatment. It controls 41 and the optical unit 11. The three-wavelength fluorescence detection is performed every time the amplification process is performed. The result of the three-wavelength fluorescence detection (the result of the analysis process by the analysis device 2) is displayed on the display of the terminal 3.

<Conveyor configuration of heat lid 45>
Next, a conveyor that moves the heat lid 45 relative to the temperature control unit 41 will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a conveyor for the heat lid 45. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the conveyor of the heat lid 45 as viewed from a different angle from that of FIG.

The conveyor of the heat lid 45 mainly includes an X-axis drive motor 61, an X-axis moving unit 62, a Z-axis drive motor 65, and a Z-axis moving unit 66.

The X-axis drive motor 61 generates a driving force that moves the heat lid 45 in the X-axis direction. The X-axis drive motor 61 may be, for example, a servo motor. The X-axis moving portion 62 has a rack portion 64. The rack portion 64 meshes with a pinion gear connected to the output shaft of the X-axis drive motor 61. The pinion gear rotates in response to the driving force generated by the X-axis drive motor 61, and the rack portion 64 moves in the X-axis direction. As the rack portion 64 moves in the X-axis direction, the X-axis moving portion 62 moves in the X-axis direction as a whole.

The Z-axis drive motor 65 generates a driving force that moves the heat lid 45 in the Z-axis direction. The Z-axis drive motor 65 may be, for example, a servo motor. The Z-axis drive motor 65 may be the same motor as the X-axis drive motor 61, or may be a motor different from the X-axis drive motor 61. The Z-axis moving portion 66 has a rack portion 68. The rack portion 68 meshes with a pinion gear connected to the output shaft of the Z-axis drive motor 65. The pinion gear rotates in response to the driving force generated by the Z-axis drive motor 65, and the rack portion 68 moves in the Z-axis direction. As the rack portion 68 moves in the Z-axis direction, the Z-axis moving portion 66 moves in the Z-axis direction as a whole.

The temperature control unit 41 corresponds to the container holding unit in the embodiment that holds the container 50 and raises or lowers the temperature of the container 50. The X-axis drive motor 61 and the Z-axis drive motor 65 correspond to the drive unit in the embodiment in which the heat lid 45 is relatively moved with respect to the temperature control unit 41.

A guide hole 63 extending in the Z-axis direction is formed in the X-axis moving portion 62. The Z-axis moving portion 66 has a fitting portion 67 that fits into the guide hole 63. The fitting portion 67 moves in the Z-axis direction along the guide hole 63. The guide hole 63 and the fitting portion 67 guide the movement of the Z-axis moving portion 66 in the Z-axis direction.

A flat plate member 70 is attached to the heat lid 45. The plate member 70 is fixed to the heat lid 45. The plate member 70 is configured to be movable integrally with the heat lid 45. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the plate member 70 shown in FIG.

The plate member 70 is formed with an L-shaped groove 71 having a substantially L-shape. The L-shaped groove 71 shown in FIG. 6 penetrates the plate member 70 in the thickness direction, but the L-shaped groove 71 does not necessarily have to penetrate the plate member 70. The L-shaped groove 71 may have a groove shape in which the surface of the plate member 70 is recessed. The plate member 70 corresponds to the groove forming member of the embodiment.

The L-shaped groove 71 has a first groove portion 73 substantially extending along the X-axis direction and a second groove portion 74 substantially extending along the Z-axis direction. The second groove portion 74 extends substantially along the vertical direction. The first groove portion 73 extends substantially along the X-axis direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and substantially extends in the horizontal direction. The lower end of the second groove 74 communicates with the first groove 73, whereby the L-shaped groove 71 has a substantially L-shaped shape. A part of the floor surface of the first groove portion 73 is inclined upward with respect to the horizontal direction. The L-shaped groove 71, more particularly the first groove portion 73, has an inclined floor surface 75 that is inclined upward with respect to the horizontal direction.

The roller 72 shown in FIG. 6 is provided on the Z-axis moving portion 66. The roller 72 is rotatably attached to a metal plate constituting the Z-axis moving portion 66. The roller 72 is engaged with the L-shaped groove 71. The roller 72 is arranged in the L-shaped groove 71. The roller 72 shown in FIG. 6 is located at the upper end of the second groove portion 74 of the L-shaped groove 71.

The roller 72 is movable relative to the plate member 70 in the X-axis direction by the driving force generated by the X-axis drive motor 61. The roller 72 is movable relative to the plate member 70 in the Z-axis direction by the driving force generated by the Z-axis drive motor 65. The roller 72 can move in the L-shaped groove 71. The roller 72 is configured to be movable relative to the plate member 70 along the L-shaped groove 71. The roller 72 is rotatable relative to the plate member 70. The roller 72 corresponds to the movable member in the embodiment.

The power transmission in the embodiment in which the X-axis moving unit 62, the Z-axis moving unit 66, the plate member 70, and the roller 72 transmit the driving force generated by the X-axis drive motor 61 and the Z-axis drive motor 65 to the heat lid 45. It constitutes a part.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a pair of plate members 70 are attached to two facing edges of the heat lid 45. A roller 72 is engaged with each plate member 70 as in FIG. The power transmission unit has a pair of plate members 70 and rollers 72. A pair of plate members 70 and rollers 72 support the heat lid 45 from both sides.

<Relative movement of heat lid 45 with respect to temperature control unit 41>
Next, the relative movement of the heat lid 45 with respect to the temperature control unit 41 will be described. FIG. 7 is a first diagram showing the relative movement of the heat lid 45 with respect to the temperature control unit 41. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the relative positions of the plate member 70 and the rollers 72 in the arrangement of FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 7, the heat lid 45 has a heater portion 46, a support portion 47, and a spring portion 48. The heater portion 46 is a main body portion of the heat lid 45 that comes into contact with the lid portion of the container 50 to heat the lid portion as described later. The support portion 47 supports the heater portion 46 from above via the spring portion 48. The heater portion 46 is suspended from the support portion 47 by a spring portion 48. The conveyor of the heat lid 45 described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 exerts a driving force on the support portion 47 to move the support portion 47 in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction.

From the arrangement shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the heat lid 45 moves upward. The control device 20 (FIG. 1) transmits a control signal to the Z-axis drive motor 65 to drive the Z-axis drive motor 65. The Z-axis moving unit 66 moves upward in response to the driving force generated by the Z-axis drive motor 65. The roller 72 moves upward together with the Z-axis moving portion 66. The roller 72 exerts an upward stress on the plate member 70, so that the plate member 70 moves upward. The heat lid 45 moves upward together with the plate member 70.

The heat lid 45 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is arranged below the upper end of the temperature control unit 41. The upwardly moved heat lid 45 shown in FIG. 7 is arranged above the upper end of the container held by the temperature control unit 41.

During the upward movement of the heat lid 45 shown in FIG. 7, the roller 72 remains positioned at the upper end of the second groove portion 74 of the L-shaped groove 71, as shown in FIG. By suppressing the relative movement of the roller 72 with respect to the plate member 70, it is possible to stably move the heat lid 45 in the upward direction.

FIG. 9 is a second diagram showing the relative movement of the heat lid 45 with respect to the temperature control unit 41. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the relative positions of the plate member 70 and the rollers 72 in the arrangement of FIG.

From the arrangement shown in FIG. 7, the heat lid 45 moves in the horizontal direction. The control device 20 transmits a control signal to the X-axis drive motor 61 to drive the X-axis drive motor 61. The X-axis moving unit 62 moves in the horizontal direction in response to the driving force generated by the X-axis drive motor 61. Along with the X-axis moving portion 62, the Z-axis moving portion 66 and the roller 72 move in the horizontal direction. The roller 72 exerts a horizontal stress on the plate member 70, so that the plate member 70 moves in the horizontal direction. The heat lid 45 moves horizontally together with the plate member 70.

The heat lid 45 that has moved in the horizontal direction is arranged above the temperature control unit 41. Since the heat lid 45 moves upward above the upper end of the temperature control unit 41 and above the upper end of the container, the horizontal movement of the heat lid 45 with the temperature control unit 41 or the container It is not hindered by the interference of.

During the horizontal movement of the heat lid 45 shown in FIG. 9, the roller 72 remains positioned at the upper end of the second groove 74 of the L-shaped groove 71, as shown in FIG. By suppressing the relative movement of the roller 72 with respect to the plate member 70, it is possible to stably move the heat lid 45 in the horizontal direction.

FIG. 11 is a third diagram showing the relative movement of the heat lid 45 with respect to the temperature control unit 41. FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the relative positions of the plate member 70 and the rollers 72 in the arrangement of FIG.

From the arrangement shown in FIG. 9, the heat lid 45 moves downward. The control device 20 transmits a control signal to the Z-axis drive motor 65 to drive the Z-axis drive motor 65. The Z-axis moving unit 66 moves downward in response to the driving force generated by the Z-axis drive motor 65. The roller 72 moves downward together with the Z-axis moving portion 66. As shown in FIG. 12, the roller 72 moves from the upper end to the lower end of the second groove portion 74 of the L-shaped groove 71. The roller 72 located at the lower end of the second groove portion 74 of the L-shaped groove 71 exerts a downward stress on the plate member 70, so that the plate member 70 moves downward. The heat lid 45 moves downward together with the plate member 70.

The downwardly moved heat lid 45, specifically the heater portion 46, shown in FIG. 11 is in contact with the lid portion of the container. The heater portion 46 is mounted on the lid portion of the container by its own weight. During the movement of the heat lid 45 shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, the heater portion 46 is maintained in a state of being suspended from the support portion 47 by the spring portion 48. During the movement of the heat lid 45 shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, the relative position of the heater portion 46 with respect to the support portion 47 does not change.

FIG. 13 is a fourth diagram showing the relative movement of the heat lid 45 with respect to the temperature control unit 41. FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the relative positions of the plate member 70 and the rollers 72 in the arrangement of FIG.

The control device 20 transmits a control signal to the X-axis drive motor 61 to drive the X-axis drive motor 61. The X-axis moving unit 62 moves in the horizontal direction in response to the driving force generated by the X-axis drive motor 61. Along with the X-axis moving portion 62, the Z-axis moving portion 66 and the roller 72 move in the horizontal direction. The roller 72 moves relative to the plate member 70 along the first groove portion 73 of the L-shaped groove 71.

The inclined floor surface 75 of the first groove portion 73 is inclined upward with respect to the moving direction of the roller 72 moving in the first groove portion 73. A force in the Z-axis direction from the roller 72 that moves in the horizontal direction to the plate member 70 as the roller 72 passes through the inclined floor surface 75 so that the roller 72 rises on the inclined floor surface 75 of the first groove portion 73. Works. Specifically, a downward force acts on the plate member 70. By the action of this force, the plate member 70 moves downward. The support portion 47 moves downward together with the plate member 70.

The horizontal movement of the roller 72 causes the plate member 70 and the support portion 47 to move downward, so that the relative position of the heater portion 46 with respect to the support portion 47 changes. The support portion 47 is close to the heater portion 46, and the spring portion 48 is contracted. As the length of the spring portion 48 becomes smaller, a downward elastic force acts from the spring portion 48 to the heater portion 46. The heat lid 45 shown in FIG. 13, specifically, the heater portion 46 is pressed against the container. The heat lid 45 (heater portion 46) presses the lid portion of the container downward. The heat lid 45 (heater portion 46) presses the lid portion of the container toward the container body. The moving direction of the roller 72 due to the driving force of the X-axis drive motor 61 and the direction in which the heat lid 45 (heater portion 46) presses the lid portion of the container toward the container body are different.

Both the X-axis drive motor 61 and the Z-axis drive motor 65 stop in the state shown in FIG. 14 in which the roller 72 has passed the inclined floor surface 75. The X-axis drive motor 61 and the Z-axis drive motor 65 have a locking function of holding the output shaft while stopped. It is avoided that the position of the heat lid 45 shifts while the X-axis drive motor 61 and the Z-axis drive motor 65 are stopped. As a result, with the drive of the heat lid 45 by the X-axis drive motor 61 and the Z-axis drive motor 65 stopped, the force of the heat lid 45 pressing the lid portion of the container toward the container main body remains acting.

[Aspect]
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above-described exemplary embodiments are specific examples of the following embodiments.

(Clause 1) The container temperature control device according to one aspect includes a container holding unit, a heat lid, a driving unit, and a power transmission unit. The container holder holds the container. The container has a container main body and a lid portion that can be opened and closed with respect to the container main body. The container holder also raises and lowers the temperature of the container. The heat lid comes into contact with the lid portion in which the container body is closed to heat the lid portion. The drive unit generates a driving force that moves the heat lid relative to the container holding unit. The power transmission unit transmits the driving force generated by the driving unit to the heat lid. The power transmission unit includes a groove-forming member in which a groove is formed and a movable member that is engaged with the groove and can move in the groove. The horizontal movement of the movable member causes the heat lid to press the lid toward the container body.

The horizontal movement of the movable member causes the heat lid to press the lid of the container toward the container body, so that even if the drive of the heat lid is stopped by the drive unit, a force that presses the heat lid against the lid is generated. You can continue. It is not necessary to keep the drive unit driven while raising and lowering the temperature of the container, and the load on the drive unit can be reduced, so that power consumption can be reduced and the risk of malfunction or failure of the drive unit due to heat generation can be reduced. be able to.

(Item 2) In the container temperature control device according to item 1, the groove may have an inclined floor surface that inclines upward with respect to the horizontal movement direction of the movable member.

When the movable member moves horizontally and passes through the inclined floor surface, the groove forming member moves downward relative to the movable member. A downward force acts on the heat lid due to the movement of the groove forming member. As a result, the heat lid can press the lid of the container toward the container body.

(Section 3) In the container temperature control device according to paragraph 2, the movable member may be rotatable relative to the groove forming member.

By rotating the movable member instead of sliding it with respect to the groove forming member, the frictional force generated between the movable member and the groove forming member can be reduced, and the movable member can move smoothly in the groove. The energy loss due to the relative displacement of the movable member with respect to the groove forming member can be reduced, and the heat lid can be efficiently moved by the driving force generated by the driving unit.

(Item 4) In the container temperature control device according to item 2, the power transmission unit has a pair of groove forming members and a movable member, and the pair of groove forming members and the movable member hold a heat lid from both sides. You may support it.

By arranging the groove forming member and the movable member in this way, the power transmission unit can stably support the heat lid from both sides.

(Clause 5) In the container temperature control device according to paragraph 1, the groove has a first groove portion extending in the horizontal direction and a second groove portion extending in the vertical direction, and the lower end portion of the second groove portion is the first. It may have an L-shaped shape that communicates with the groove portion.

When the heat lid is moved upward and when the heat lid is moved horizontally, the movable member is located at the upper end of the second groove portion, so that the relative displacement of the movable member with respect to the groove forming member can be suppressed. As a result, the heat lid can be moved stably.

The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

1 analysis system, 2 analysis device, 3 terminal, 4, 5 mobile device, 10 inspection device, 11 optical unit, 12 dispensing unit, 13 syringe, 14 opening / closing unit, 16 irradiation unit, 20 control device, 30 temperature control device, 40 holding device, 41 temperature control part, 42 holding part, 43 chip disposal part, 44 temperature source, 45 heat lid, 46 heater part, 47 support part, 48 spring part, 50 container, 51 PCR container, 52 reagent container, 53 Dispensing chip, 54 sample container, 61 X-axis drive motor, 62 X-axis moving part, 63 guide hole, 64, 68 rack part, 65 Z-axis drive motor, 66 Z-axis moving part, 67 fitting part, 70 plate member , 71 L-shaped groove, 72 rollers, 73 1st groove, 74 2nd groove, 75 inclined floor surface.

Claims

A container holding portion that holds a container having a container body and a lid that can be opened and closed with respect to the container body, and raises and lowers the temperature of the container.
A heat lid that heats the lid by contacting the lid with the container body closed.
A driving unit that generates a driving force for moving the heat lid relative to the container holding unit, and a driving unit.
It is provided with a power transmission unit that transmits the driving force generated by the drive unit to the heat lid.
The power transmission unit has a groove-forming member in which a groove is formed and a movable member that is engaged with the groove and can move in the groove.
A container temperature control device in which the heat lid presses the lid portion toward the container body by the horizontal movement of the movable member.
The container temperature control device according to claim 1, wherein the groove has an inclined floor surface that inclines upward with respect to the horizontal movement direction of the movable member.
The container temperature control device according to claim 2, wherein the movable member can rotate relative to the groove forming member.
The power transmission unit has a pair of the groove forming member and the movable member.
The container temperature control device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pair of the groove forming member and the movable member support the heat lid from both sides.
The groove has a first groove portion extending in the horizontal direction and a second groove portion extending in the vertical direction, and the lower end portion of the second groove portion has an L-shaped shape communicating with the first groove portion. The container temperature control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.