Plate changer for autosampler

Abstract

The plate changer for the automatic sampler of the present invention includes a plate storage and a conveying mechanism. The plate storage includes a setting window and a conveying window that are arranged opposite to each other. The plate storage also includes a plate stopper on the conveying window. When the sample plate inserted from the setting window reaches a specified position on the plate setting table in one direction, the plate stopper is arranged at an interference position that contacts the end face of the sample plate on the conveying window side, so that the sample plate stops. When the sample plate is taken out from the conveying window by the conveying mechanism, the plate stopper is arranged at a non-interference position that does not interfere with the conveying mechanism and the sample plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plate changer including a plate storage for holding a plurality of sample plates for samples to be analyzed by an analysis device such as a liquid chromatograph, and a transport mechanism configured to take out any sample plate stored in the plate storage. Background Art

[0002] In the analysis of liquid chromatograph, an automatic sampler is sometimes used to inject a plurality of samples into the analytical flow path of the liquid chromatograph. The automatic sampler sets a sample plate holding a plurality of sample bottles or samples at a predetermined position, automatically collects the samples held on the sample plate, and injects them into the analytical flow path of the liquid chromatograph (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] When there are a large number of samples to be analyzed by a liquid chromatograph, a plate changer is sometimes used to automatically replace a sample plate set in an automatic sampler. The plate changer includes a plate storage for storing a plurality of sample plates and a conveying mechanism for conveying the sample plates stored in the plate storage. The conveying mechanism takes out a sample plate from the plate storage and sets it in the automatic sampler, or stores a sample plate set in the automatic sampler in the plate storage.

[0004] By using the plate changer, the user can store multiple sample plates holding samples to be analyzed in the plate storage of the plate changer. The sample plates stored in the plate storage by the user are sequentially transported and set to the automatic sampler by the transport mechanism, and each sample is automatically analyzed sequentially.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-70695 Summary of the invention

[0008] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0009] In the plate changer as described above, the user inserts the sample plate from the window portion (setting window portion) on the front surface side of the plate storage and sets it on the plate setting table in the plate storage. At this time, there is a case where the user presses the sample plate too far into the plate storage and the sample plate falls from the plate setting table. In order to prevent this, it is considered to set a stopper on the back side of the plate storage to prevent the sample plate from falling. However, if such a stopper is set, when the conveying mechanism takes out the sample plate in the plate storage, the conveying mechanism or the sample plate and the stopper will interfere with each other, which affects the conveying mechanism from taking out the sample plate.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent a sample plate from falling when inserting the sample plate into a plate storage without affecting the transport mechanism taking out the sample plate from the plate storage.

[0011] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0012] The plate changer for the automatic sampler of the present invention includes a plate storage and a conveying mechanism. The plate storage includes a plate setting table for setting a sample plate, and is provided with a setting window and a conveying window. The setting window is used to insert the sample plate in one direction in a horizontal plane and set it on the plate setting table, and the conveying window is provided on the opposite side of the setting window across the plate setting table, and is used to take out the sample plate set on the plate setting table in the one direction. The conveying mechanism includes a gripping portion for gripping the sample plate, and the gripping portion grips and conveys the sample plate set on the plate setting table. Furthermore, the plate storage includes a plate stopper in the transport window portion, and when the sample plate inserted from the setting window portion reaches a specified position on the plate setting table in the one direction, the plate stopper is arranged at an interference position connected to the end face of the sample plate on the transport window portion side, so as to stop the sample plate, and the plate stopper is arranged at a non-interference position that does not interfere with the holding portion and the sample plate when the sample plate on the plate setting table is taken out from the transport window portion by the holding portion.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plate stopper includes: a vertical rod extending in a vertical direction; and a rotating plate holding one end of the vertical rod and capable of rotating in a horizontal plane, wherein the rotating plate rotates in the horizontal plane to move the vertical rod between the interference position and the non-interference position.

[0014] In this case, the plate stopper may include two rotating plates, and the rotating plates respectively hold the upper end and the lower end of the vertical rod.

[0015] The plate changer of the present invention may include a switch door for opening and closing the setting window portion. In the described situation, when the sample plate is set on the plate setting table, the switch door is opened, and thereafter the switch door is closed. That is, when the sample plate on the plate setting table is taken out by the conveying mechanism, the switch door becomes closed. Therefore, it is preferred that the vertical rod of the plate stopper is arranged in the interference position when the switch door is opened, and is arranged in the non-interference position after the switch door is closed. Thus, when the sample plate on the plate setting table is taken out by the conveying mechanism, the vertical rod of the plate stopper is arranged in the non-interference position, so that the vertical rod does not hinder the action of the conveying mechanism to take out the sample plate.

[0016] As a mechanism for linking the plate stopper with the opening and closing action of the switch door, the following mechanism can be listed: it includes a shaft, which extends in the one direction and moves toward the conveying window portion in conjunction with the action when closing the switch door. When the switch door is closed, the shaft moves to the conveying window portion, pushes a part of the rotating plate of the plate stopper, rotates the rotating plate, and moves the vertical rod to the non-interference position.

[0017] Preferably, the rotating plate of the plate stopper is pushed by an elastic body in a direction to arrange the vertical rod in the interference position. Thus, as long as no external force acts on the rotating plate, the vertical rod is arranged in the interference position, and therefore, external force only needs to act on the rotating plate when the vertical rod is arranged in the non-interference position, and the mechanism for actuating the plate stopper becomes simple.

[0018] An example of the elastic body is a torsion spring.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, a stopper is further included for stopping the rotation of the rotating body in such a manner that the vertical rod stops in a state where the vertical rod is arranged at the interference position when the rotating plate is not pressed by the shaft.

[0020] [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] With regard to the plate changer for the automatic sampler of the present invention, since the plate storage is provided with a plate stopper at the transport window, when inserting the sample plate from the setting window of the plate storage, it is possible to prevent the user from over-pressing the sample plate and causing it to fall from the plate setting table. When the sample plate inserted from the setting window reaches a predetermined position on the plate setting table, the plate stopper is arranged at an interference position that contacts the end face of the transport window side of the sample plate, thereby stopping the sample plate. Furthermore, when the sample plate on the plate setting table is taken out from the transport window by the gripping portion of the transport mechanism, the plate stopper is arranged at a non-interference position that does not interfere with the gripping portion and the sample plate, so there is no situation where the plate stopper affects the action of the transport mechanism to take out the sample plate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of a plate changer as viewed from the front side.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a plate storage of a plate changer according to the same embodiment, as seen from the back side.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the board storage room, in which a mechanism for moving a board stopper is viewed from above, and is a view showing a state in which a switch door is open.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the board storage room in which a mechanism for moving a board stopper is viewed from above, and is a view of a state in which a switch door is closed.

[0026] [Explanation of Symbols]

[0027] 1: Plate changer

[0028] 2: Plate Vault

[0029] 4: Transportation organization

[0030] 6: Frame

[0031] 8: Board setting table

[0032] 10: Setting window

[0033] 12: Transport window

[0034] 14: Open and close the door

[0035] 16: Arm

[0036] 20, 22: Axis

[0037] 24: Plate stopper

[0038] 26: Vertical stick

[0039] 28: Rotating Plate

[0040] 30: Axis

[0041] 32: Torsion spring

[0042] 34: Stopper

[0043] 36: Shaft contact part

[0044] P: sample plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a plate changer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, the plate changer 1 includes a plate storage 2 and a conveying mechanism 4. The plate storage 2 is used to store and store a plurality of sample plates P in advance inside a frame 6. The sample plate P may be any plate used in an automatic sampler of an analysis device, such as a well plate having a plurality of holes for accommodating samples arranged on the upper surface, or a sample bottle plate having a plurality of holes for accommodating a plurality of sample bottles containing samples arranged on the upper surface.

[0047] The plate storage 2 includes a plurality of plate setting tables 8 for setting sample plates P. The plate setting tables 8 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction, and one sample plate P is set on each plate setting table 8. The plate storage 2 includes a setting window 10 on the front surface side and a conveying window 12 on the back surface side. The setting window 10 and the conveying window 12 are openings provided at positions of the frame 6 that face each other.

[0048] The setting window 10 is used for the user to set the sample plate P on the desired plate setting table 8, or to take out the sample plate P set on the plate setting table 8. A switch door 14 for opening and closing the setting window 10 is provided on the front surface of the plate storage 2. The sample plate P is set on the plate setting table 8 by sliding the sample plate P on the plate setting table 8 in one direction in the horizontal plane indicated by the arrow in the figure, that is, from the setting window 10 side to the transport window 12 side. The sample plate P is taken out from the plate setting table 8 by sliding the sample plate P in the opposite direction to the setting direction, that is, from the transport window 12 side to the setting window 10 side.

[0049] The transport window 12 is used for the transport mechanism 4 to place the sample plate P on a predetermined plate setting table 8 or to take out the sample plate P placed on the plate setting table 8 .

[0050] The conveying mechanism 4 is moved in the horizontal plane and in the vertical direction on the back side of the plate storage 2 by a driving mechanism not shown. The conveying mechanism 4 includes a pair of arms 16 that are parallel to each other and extend horizontally. The two arms 16 extend parallel to the sliding direction of the sample plate P in the plate storage 2. The conveying mechanism 4 can variably adjust the interval between the two arms 16, and can sandwich the sample plate P between the two arms 16 to hold the side of the sample plate P. The two arms 16 constitute a holding portion for holding the side of the sample plate P.

[0051] The transport mechanism 4 inserts two arms 16 into the plate storage 2 from the transport window 12 side of the plate storage 2, grasps the side of the sample plate P set on the plate setting table 8 in the plate storage 2, and slides the sample plate P, thereby taking it out of the plate storage 2 and transporting it to a specified transport destination. The transport destination of the sample plate P is, for example, an automatic sampler for a liquid chromatograph. In addition, the transport mechanism 4 transports the sample plate P that has completed the sample processing to the plate storage 2, inserts the sample plate P from the transport window 12, and sets it on the specified plate setting table 8 in the plate storage 2.

[0052] Although not described in detail in the above embodiment, the plate storage 2 may include a temperature control mechanism (not shown) such as a heater or a Peltier element to control the temperature of the sample plate P stored in the housing 6 to a preset temperature.

[0053] like Figure 2 As shown, the plate storage 2 includes a plate stopper 24 at the transport window 12. When the sample plate P is inserted from the setting window 10 onto the plate setting table 8, the plate stopper 24 contacts the end surface of the sample plate P on the transport window 12 side, thereby preventing the sample plate P from falling off the plate setting table 8. The plate stopper 24 includes a vertical rod 26 extending in the vertical direction between the upper end and the lower end of the plate storage 2; and a rotating plate 28 ( Figure 2 Only the rotating plate 28 on the lower end side is shown in the figure, which is arranged at the upper and lower ends of the plate storage 2, respectively holding the upper and lower ends of the vertical rod 26, and can rotate in a horizontal plane.

[0054] The plate stopper 24 is linked to the opening and closing operation of the door 14 of the installation window 10 of the plate storage 2, so as to move the vertical rod 26. The upper end and the lower end of the plate storage 2 are respectively provided with a shaft 20 and a shaft 22 extending in the horizontal direction from the installation window 10 toward the transport window 12 (see FIG. Figure 1 ). In the state where the switch door 14 of the setting window portion 10 is opened ( Figure 1 ), the ends of the shafts 20 and 22 on the side of the setting window portion 10 protrude toward the front side of the plate storage warehouse 2, and by closing the switch door 14, the shafts 20 and 22 are pushed by the switch door 14 and move toward the conveying window portion 12 side, thereby configuring the vertical rod 26 at a position different from the position when the switch door 14 is opened.

[0055] The vertical rod 26 of the plate stopper 24 is arranged at a position in contact with the end face on the conveying window portion 12 of the sample plate P inserted into a specified position on the plate setting table 8 when the switch door 14 of the setting window portion 10 is opened (hereinafter referred to as the interference position), and is arranged at a position that does not interfere with the movement of the arm 16 of the conveying mechanism 4 for removing the sample plate P from the plate setting table 8 after the switch door 14 is closed (hereinafter referred to as the non-interference position).

[0056] Reference Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 , the operating principle of the plate stopper 24 is described. In addition, Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 2 shows the structure of the lower end side of the plate storage 2, and the structure of the upper end side of the plate storage 2 is the same.

[0057] The rotating plate 28 holding the vertical rod 26 is pivotally supported by the shaft 30 in a manner that allows it to rotate in a horizontal plane. A torsion spring 32 as an elastic body is installed on the shaft 30, and the rotating plate 28 is pushed in a direction (clockwise in the figure) to arrange the vertical rod 26 in the interference position by the torsion spring 32. A stopper 34 is set on the ground where the rotating plate 28 is arranged, so that the rotation of the rotating plate 28 stops at a position where the vertical rod 26 is arranged in the interference position. As a result, in a state where no external force acts on the rotating plate 28, that is, in a state where the switch door 14 is open ( Figure 3 Thus, when the sample plate P inserted from the setting window 10 onto the plate setting table 8 reaches a predetermined position, the vertical rod 26 interferes with the sample plate P, thereby preventing the sample plate P from falling toward the conveying window 12 side (the upper side in the figure).

[0058] In addition, the dotted line 8a is a plate guide provided on the plate setting table 8. The plate guide 8a is used to support both sides of the sample plate P so that the sample plate P inserted from the setting window 10 is arranged in a correct posture. Figure 1 ) When entering the plate setting table 8 from the transport window 12 to remove the sample plate P, it moves to a position where it avoids interfering with the movement of the arm 16 by contacting the arm 16, for example, a position below the upper surface of the plate setting table 8.

[0059] The rotating plate 28 is provided with a shaft contact portion 36 that is always in contact with the end of the shaft 22 on the conveying window portion 12 side. Figure 4 As shown, after the switch door 14 of the setting window 10 is closed, the switch door 14 moves the shaft 22 toward the conveying window 12 side (upper side in the figure), and the shaft contact portion 36 is pushed by the shaft 22 and moves toward the conveying window 12 side. As a result, the rotating plate 28 rotates and the vertical rod 26 moves to a position near the side surface in the plate storage 2, that is, a non-interference position. At this time, the position of the vertical rod 26 is a position that does not interfere with the movement of the arm 16 of the conveying mechanism 4 that is about to take out the sample plate P from the plate storage 2 or the sample plate P taken out from the plate storage 2.

[0060] In addition, the structure of the plate stopper for preventing the sample plate P from falling is not limited to the structure of the above embodiment. For example, the rotating plate 28 of the plate stopper 24 in the above embodiment may be driven by a motor, and the plate stopper 24 may be operated according to the operation of the conveying mechanism 4, or a sensor for detecting the open / close state of the door 14 may be provided to link the operation of the plate stopper 24 with the open / close state of the door 14. In addition, when the arm 16 of the conveying mechanism 4 enters the plate storage 2, a part of the plate stopper may contact the arm 16, and the plate stopper may be linked with the movement of the arm 16, so that the plate stopper moves from the interference position to the non-interference position.

Claims

1. A plate changer for an automatic sample injector, comprising: A plate storage warehouse, including a plate setting table for setting sample plates, a setting window portion and a conveying window portion, wherein the setting window portion is used to insert the sample plate in one direction in a horizontal plane and set it on the plate setting table, and the conveying window portion is provided on the opposite side of the setting window portion across the plate setting table, and is used to take out the sample plate set on the plate setting table in the one direction; The transport mechanism includes a gripping portion for gripping the sample plate, and the gripping portion grips and transports the sample plate placed on the plate setting table. The plate storage includes a plate stopper on the transport window, and when the sample plate inserted from the setting window reaches a predetermined position on the plate setting table in the one direction, the plate stopper is arranged at an interference position contacting an end surface of the sample plate on the transport window side, so as to stop the sample plate. The plate stopper is arranged at a non-interference position that does not interfere with the gripping portion and the sample plate when the sample plate on the plate setting table is taken out from the transport window by the gripping portion. The plate stopper includes: a vertical rod extending in a vertical direction; and a rotating plate holding one end of the vertical rod and being rotatable in a horizontal plane, wherein the rotating plate rotates in the horizontal plane to move the vertical rod between the interfering position and the non-interfering position. 2 . The plate changer for an automatic sample injector according to claim 1 , wherein the plate stopper comprises two rotating plates, and the rotating plates respectively hold the upper end and the lower end of the vertical rod.

3. The plate changer for the automatic sample injector according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a switch door for opening and closing the setting window portion, The vertical rod of the plate stopper is arranged at the interference position when the switch door is opened, and is arranged at the non-interference position after the switch door is closed.

4. The plate changer for the automatic sampler according to claim 3, comprising a shaft, the shaft extending in the one direction and moving toward the transfer window portion in conjunction with the action of closing the switch door, When the opening and closing door is closed, the shaft moves toward the conveying window portion, presses a portion of the rotating plate of the plate stopper, rotates the rotating plate, and moves the vertical rod to the non-interference position. 5 . The plate changer for an automatic sample injector according to claim 4 , wherein the rotating plate of the plate stopper is urged by an elastic body in a direction in which the vertical rod is arranged at the interference position. 6 . The plate changer for an automatic sample injector according to claim 5 , wherein the elastic body is a torsion spring.

7. The plate changer for the automatic sampler according to claim 5 further comprises a stopper, wherein the stopper stops the rotation of the rotating plate in such a manner that the vertical rod stops in the state arranged at the interference position when the rotating plate is not pushed by the shaft.

8. The plate changer for an automatic sampler according to claim 6, further comprising a stopper, which stops the rotation of the rotating plate in such a way that the vertical rod stops in a state arranged at the interference position when the rotating plate is not pushed by the shaft.

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