Sample rack transfer device and automatic analysis device using the same

Abstract

The present application relates to a specimen rack transfer device (200) for transferring a specimen rack (4) capable of housing a plurality of specimen containers (5) in parallel in a long side direction, comprising: a transfer path (201) for transferring the specimen rack (4) in a direction orthogonal to the long side direction; a transfer arm (6) for pushing the specimen rack (4) from an upstream side to a downstream side of the transfer path (201); and a rack locking mechanism provided to the transfer arm (6) and configured to fix a relative position of the specimen rack (4) with respect to the transfer arm (6) at least in a transfer direction. Thus, vibration of the specimen rack during transfer can be suppressed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a specimen stent transport device and an automated analysis device using the specimen stent transport device. Background Technology

[0002] Automated analysis devices are used to perform qualitative or quantitative analysis of specific components contained in biological samples such as blood, urine, and bone marrow. They are essential in facilities such as hospitals and medical examination facilities that need to process a large number of patient samples in a short period of time.

[0003] In such an automated analysis device, multiple specimen containers holding the specimens of the analyte are transported by mounting them on a specimen holder. As a technology related to the transport of specimen holders, Patent Document 1 discloses, for example, a test tube holder transport device for transporting test tube holders, which includes a first track extending in a first horizontal direction and a second track extending in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first horizontal direction. The second track has at least one transport head that can move along both the first and second tracks. The transport head has at least one control pin configured to connect an infeed pusher for transporting the test tube holder from a holder carrier to a sampling area of ​​a diagnostic device and capable of translation in the second horizontal direction, an outfeed pusher for transporting the test tube holder from the sampling area of ​​the diagnostic device to a holder carrier, and the test tube holder to at least one of the test tube holders for transporting between different holder carriers and / or between different positions on the same holder carrier. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-114329 Summary of the Invention The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0005] In the aforementioned prior art, a conveyor arm moving in a direction perpendicular to the long side pushes a specimen holder that carries multiple specimen containers side-by-side along the long side. In this case, if only one specimen holder is provided on the holder tray, the specimen holder may vibrate in the direction of the conveyor arm's movement due to the reaction force after contact with the conveyor arm. In the aforementioned prior art, the lower part of the specimen holder has a T-shaped recess for tipping prevention, and tipping is prevented by engaging with a guide rail positioned along the conveyor arm's movement direction on the specimen holder's conveying path. However, the engagement between the guide rail and the T-shaped recess at the lower part of the specimen holder has an appropriate gap that does not impede the sliding movement of the specimen holder; therefore, vibration of the specimen holder cannot be prevented during the engagement of the guide rail and the T-shaped recess.

[0006] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a specimen stent transport device and an automatic analysis device using the specimen stent transport device, which can suppress vibration during specimen stent transport. Technical means for solving technical problems

[0007] This application includes several means to solve the above-mentioned problems. As one example, a specimen support transport device transports a specimen support that can carry multiple specimen containers for storing specimens side by side in the long side direction. It includes: a transport path for transporting the specimen support in a direction orthogonal to the long side direction; a transport arm for pushing the specimen support from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transport path; and a support locking mechanism disposed on the transport arm and fixing the relative position of the specimen support with respect to the transport arm at least in the transport direction. Invention Effects

[0008] According to the present invention, vibration during specimen stent transport can be suppressed. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a top view schematically showing the overall structure of the automatic analysis device. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the specimen stent transport device according to Embodiment 1. Figure 3 This is a side view that extracts and shows the conveyor arm together with the surrounding structure. It is a diagram obtained from the upstream side of the conveyor path when viewing the conveyor arm. Figure 4 It is a top view showing the bracket locking mechanism installed on the conveyor arm extracted and enlarged, and a partial perspective view showing a part of the bracket locking component as a perspective view. Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of the support locking mechanism that accompanies the movement of the conveyor arm. Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of the support locking mechanism that accompanies the movement of the conveyor arm. Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of the support locking mechanism that accompanies the movement of the conveyor arm. Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of the support locking mechanism that accompanies the movement of the conveyor arm. Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of the support locking mechanism that accompanies the movement of the conveyor arm. Figure 10 It is a top view that extracts and shows the conveyor arm and surrounding structure at the starting position of the conveying action. Figure 11This diagram illustrates the transport process performed by a transport arm when multiple specimen supports are closely arranged together on the transport path. Figure 12 This diagram illustrates the transport process performed by a transport arm when multiple specimen holders are spaced apart from each other along the transport path. Figure 13 This diagram illustrates the transport process performed by a transport arm when multiple specimen holders are spaced apart from each other along the transport path. Figure 14 This diagram illustrates the transport process performed by a transport arm when multiple specimen holders are spaced apart from each other along the transport path. Figure 15 This is a perspective view of the specimen stent transport device involved in Embodiment 2. Figure 16 This is a side view that extracts and shows the conveyor arm together with the surrounding structure. It is a diagram obtained from the upstream side of the conveyor path when viewing the conveyor arm. Figure 17 This is a side view showing the bracket locking mechanism installed on the conveyor arm extracted and enlarged. It is a side view observed from the left side in the direction of travel of the conveyor arm's conveying action. Figure 18 This is a side view showing the bracket locking mechanism installed on the conveyor arm extracted and enlarged. It is a side view viewed from the right side of the direction of travel of the conveyor arm's conveying action. Figure 19 This is a side view of the conveyor arm at the end of the conveyor, viewed from the upstream side. Figure 20 This is a side view of the conveyor arm at the starting position of the conveying action, viewed from the right side of the direction of travel. Detailed Implementation

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] <Implementation Method 1> Reference Figures 1 to 14 The following describes in detail Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 1 This is a top view schematically showing the overall structure of the automatic analysis device involved in this embodiment.

[0013] Figure 1The automatic analysis device 100 includes: a specimen stent insertion unit 1, which inserts a specimen stent 4 carrying a specimen container 5 containing a specimen; a specimen stent transfer unit 2, which transfers the specimen stent 4 from the specimen stent insertion unit 1 to the analysis unit 3; the analysis unit 3, which analyzes the specimen; and a specimen stent transfer device 200, which is disposed in the specimen stent insertion unit 1 and transfers the specimen stent 4 inserted into the specimen stent insertion unit 1 to the specimen stent transfer unit 2.

[0014] A specimen holder 4, which holds one or more specimen containers 5 containing specimens, is mounted on a holder tray 7 and positioned in the specimen holder insertion section 1. The specimen holder 4 inserted into the specimen holder insertion section 1 is propelled by the transfer arm 6 of the specimen holder transfer device 200 and transferred to the specimen holder transfer section 2, where it is positioned at a predetermined location in the analysis section 3. The analysis section 3 draws biological samples or other specimens from the specimen containers 5 held by the specimen holder 4 for analysis.

[0015] The support tray 7 is detachably mounted on the specimen support insertion section 1. With the support tray 7 detached from the specimen support insertion section 1, one or more specimen supports 4 are mounted on the support tray 7, and the support tray 7 with the specimen supports 4 is installed at a designated position in the specimen support insertion section 1, thereby inserting the specimen supports 4 into the specimen support insertion section 1. The support tray 7 can carry one or more specimen supports 4. When multiple specimen supports 4 are carried, the specimen supports 4 can be arranged in close contact with each other or spaced apart.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the specimen stent transport device involved in this embodiment. Figure 2 The image shows the specimen support during transport.

[0017] Figure 2 In this process, the specimen support transfer device 200 transfers specimen supports 4 that can hold one or more specimen containers 5 side by side in the long side direction. It includes: a transfer path 201 for transferring the specimen supports 4 in a direction orthogonal to the long side direction; a transfer arm 6 for pushing the specimen supports 4 from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transfer path 201; and a support locking mechanism disposed on the transfer arm 6 and fixing the specimen supports 4 relative to the transfer arm 6 at least in the transfer direction.

[0018] The conveyor arm 6 moves from the conveying start position 14 (indicated by the double-dotted line) to the conveying end position 15, thereby pushing the specimen holder on the conveying path 201 in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the plurality of specimen containers 5 arranged along the long side of the specimen holder 4 (i.e., a direction orthogonal to the long side direction). The specimen holder 4, mounted on the holder tray 7, is pressed by the conveyor arm 6 and thus inserted from the holder tray 7 into the device (specimen holder conveying unit 2).

[0019] The support tray 7 has a guide rail 8, which is configured to extend along the direction of movement of the conveyor arm 6. The guide rail 8 has a T-shaped cross-section and is slidably engaged with a T-shaped recess 16 provided at the bottom of the specimen support 4 to prevent tipping, thereby preventing the specimen support 4 from tipping over.

[0020] Furthermore, the specimen support transfer device 200 is configured on the structural member 23, which includes: a motor 21 for moving the transfer arm 6 in the transfer direction of the specimen support 4; pulleys 22a and 22b respectively disposed at the upstream and downstream ends of the transfer path 201; a belt 24 suspended on the pulleys 22a and 22b; and a guide member 25 for guiding the movement of the transfer arm 6. The guide member 25 guides the transfer arm 6 so that it can maintain its posture relative to the transfer path 201 and move in the transfer direction of the specimen support 4. In addition, the transfer arm 6 is fixed to the belt 24, and the pulley 22a is rotated by the motor 21, thereby enabling the transfer arm 6 to move in the transfer direction of the specimen support 4.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a side view that extracts and shows the conveyor arm together with the surrounding structure. It is a diagram obtained from the upstream side of the conveyor path when viewing the conveyor arm. Figure 4 The top view shows the bracket locking structure set on the conveyor arm extracted and enlarged, while the partial perspective view shows a part of the bracket locking member 9 as a perspective view.

[0022] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the support locking mechanism includes: a support locking member 9, which is disposed at one end of the specimen support 4 in the direction of its long side, extending in the direction along the conveying path; and a base member 10, which rotatably holds the upstream end of the support locking member 9 relative to the conveying arm 6 in the horizontal direction. The base member 10 holds the support locking member 9 in a position close to the upper end of the specimen support 4.

[0023] The stent locking member 9 has a recess on the side of the specimen stent 4. The recess of the stent locking member 9 has: a structural part 9a, which is the deepest part of the recess and is configured to face the end of the specimen stent 4; a structural part 9b, which is configured to extend from the downstream end of the structural part 9a along the downstream side of the specimen stent 4; and a structural part 9f, which is configured to extend from the upstream end of the structural part 9a along the upstream side of the specimen stent 4.

[0024] The bracket locking mechanism 9 is subjected to a clockwise force from above by the elastic body 11 about the rotation axis of the base member 10. Therefore, near the upper end of the specimen bracket 4, the long side end of the specimen bracket 4 engages with the recess of the bracket locking member 9. At this time, the upstream side of the specimen bracket 4 is held by the structure 9f of the recess of the bracket locking member 9, and the downstream side of the specimen bracket 4 is held by the structure 9b of the recess of the bracket locking member 9. Thus, the relative position of the specimen bracket 4 with respect to the conveying arm 6 is fixed (locked state), preventing vibration of the specimen bracket 4 in the conveying direction. Furthermore, the end of the specimen bracket 4 is held by the structure 9a of the recess of the bracket locking member 9, thereby improving the stability of the specimen bracket 4 during conveying, i.e., improving the vibration prevention effect during the conveying of the specimen bracket 4.

[0025] The bracket locking member 9 and the base member 10 have stop structures 17a and 17b that contact each other. When viewed from above, the bracket locking member 9, which is subjected to a clockwise force by the elastic body 11 (torsion spring), is restricted from rotating at a specific position due to the contact of the stop structures 17a and 17b. In this embodiment, rotation is restricted by the stop structures 17a and 17b so that the bracket locking member 9 relative to... Figure 4 The position shown does not protrude towards the transmission path.

[0026] Furthermore, the bracket locking member 9 has a structural portion 9c, which is continuously formed from the end of the structural portion 9b on the side opposite to the structural portion 9a toward the downstream end of the bracket locking member 9.

[0027] If the conveyor arm 6 approaches the specimen holder 4 from a position away from the upstream side, the structural portion 9c of the holder locking member 9 contacts the end of the specimen holder 4 along its long side. The structural portion 9c slides at the end of the specimen holder 4 as the conveyor arm 6 moves downstream. The holder locking member 9 rotates counterclockwise around its rotation axis. When the conveyor arm 6 moves to a position abutting against the specimen holder 4, the structural portion 9b of the recess in the holder locking member 9 passes over the end of the specimen holder 4, thereby engaging the end of the specimen holder 4 along its long side with the recess in the holder locking member 9. That is, through the force generated between the conveyor arm 6 and the specimen holder 4 as the conveyor arm 6 moves, the holder locking mechanism achieves a locked state that fixes the relative position of the specimen holder 4 with respect to the conveyor arm 6.

[0028] Furthermore, the bracket locking mechanism 9 has a structure 9e protruding towards the conveying path side on the upstream side of the rotating shaft and a structure 9d protruding towards the opposite side of the conveying path.

[0029] If a force greater than the force applied by the elastic body 11 is applied from the downstream side of the structure 9d, the bracket locking member 9 rotates counterclockwise around the rotation axis. Therefore, the engagement between the bracket locking member 9 and the specimen bracket 4 is released, and the relative position of the specimen bracket 4 relative to the transfer arm 6 is not fixed (open state). Similarly, if a force greater than the force applied by the elastic body 11 is applied from the upstream side of the structure 9e, the bracket locking member 9 rotates counterclockwise around the rotation axis. Therefore, the engagement between the bracket locking member 9 and the specimen bracket 4 is released, and the relative position of the specimen bracket 4 relative to the transfer arm 6 is not fixed (open state).

[0030] In addition, in this embodiment, a torsion spring is shown as the elastic body 11, and the case in which the support locking member 9 is forced in the direction of the specimen support 4 by the torsion spring is illustrated. However, it is not limited to this. It is also possible to use other elastic bodies 11 such as compression springs, tension springs or rubber instead of torsion springs to apply force to the support locking member 9.

[0031] The operation of the specimen stent transport device 200 configured as described above will be explained.

[0032] Figures 5-9 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of the support locking mechanism that accompanies the movement of the conveyor arm.

[0033] like Figure 5 As shown, when the transfer arm 6 is located upstream of the specimen holder 4, the stop structures 17a and 17b are used to stop it at a specific position ( Figure 4 The rotation of the bracket locking member 9 is restricted, and the structure 9a of the recess of the bracket locking member 9 is arranged at a position consistent with the end of the specimen bracket 4.

[0034] like Figure 6 As shown, if the conveyor arm 6 approaches the specimen holder 4 from the upstream side, the wedge-shaped structure 9c provided at the downstream end of the holder locking member 9 first contacts the specimen holder 4. Consequently, the holder locking member 9 rotates counterclockwise around its rotation axis, and as the conveyor arm 6 moves downstream, the structure 9c slides at the end of the specimen holder 4, while the conveyor arm 6 moves downstream.

[0035] After that, as Figure 7 As shown, when the conveyor arm 6 reaches the side of the upstream side of the specimen holder 4, when viewed from above, the holder locking member 9 rotates clockwise due to the force of the elastic body 11, and the recess of the holder locking member 9 engages with the end of the specimen holder 4 in the long side direction.

[0036] After that, as Figure 8 As shown, the conveyor arm 6 and the specimen holder 4 remain engaged and move toward the conveying end position 15.

[0037] like Figure 9 As shown, if the conveyor arm 6 reaches the conveying end position 15, as the conveyor arm 6 moves, the downstream side of the structure 9d of the bracket locking member 9 contacts the locking release member 12 and is subjected to force. When viewed from above, the bracket locking member 9 rotates counterclockwise, and the engagement between the recess and the specimen bracket 4 is released (open state).

[0038] Furthermore, the structural part 9d contacts the locking release member 12 just before the transfer arm 6 reaches the transfer end position 15, thereby releasing the engagement between the bracket locking member 9 and the specimen bracket 4, and preventing them from engaging again as the transfer arm 6 moves from the transfer end position 15 to the transfer start position 14. Additionally, the configuration is such that the specimen bracket 4 is transferred to the specimen bracket transfer unit 2 before the transfer arm 6 reaches the transfer end position 15 and begins its return movement to the transfer start position 14.

[0039] Figure 10 It is a top view that extracts and shows the conveyor arm and surrounding structure at the starting position of the conveying action.

[0040] like Figure 10 As shown, at the start position 14 of the conveying action, the bracket locking member 9 moves to the start position 14 of the conveying action along with the movement of the conveying arm 6. The upstream side of the structure 9e of the bracket locking member 9 comes into contact with the interference prevention member 13 fixed to the device base and is subjected to force. When viewed from above, the bracket locking member 9 rotates counterclockwise and retreats to a position that does not interfere with the movement line of the bracket tray 7 during loading and unloading operations.

[0041] Figure 11This diagram illustrates the transport process performed by a transport arm when multiple specimen holders are closely arranged together along the transport path. Additionally, Figure 11 In the diagram, specimen scaffolds 4a to 4e are shown to distinguish the multiple specimen scaffolds.

[0042] like Figure 11 As shown, when the conveyor arm 6 approaches the specimen supports 4a-4e, the structural portion 9c of the support locking member 9 contacts the end of the specimen support 4a closest to the conveyor arm 6 along its long side, and rotates counterclockwise when viewed from above. Furthermore, when the conveyor arm 6 moves downstream and reaches the side of the specimen support 4a upstream, the end of the structural portion 9b of the recess of the support locking member 9, opposite to the structural portion 9a, contacts the end of the specimen support 4b adjacent to the downstream side of the specimen support 4a along its long side, and the support locking member 9 stops rotating. At this time, the end of the specimen support 4a along its long side does not engage with the recess of the support locking member 9, therefore, the relative position of the specimen support 4a relative to the conveyor arm 6 cannot be fixed (locked state). However, when multiple specimen supports 4a-4e are arranged in close contact with each other, vibrations generated in the conveying direction due to mutual interference are suppressed. In addition, in this embodiment, the case in which five specimen holders 4a to 4e are arranged in close contact is illustrated and explained. However, as long as two or more specimen holders are in close contact, vibration in the transmission direction is suppressed.

[0043] Figures 12-14 This diagram illustrates the transport process performed by a transport arm when multiple specimen holders are spaced apart from each other along the transport path. Additionally, Figure 11 In the diagram, specimen scaffolds 4a to 4c are shown to distinguish the multiple specimen scaffolds.

[0044] like Figure 12 As shown, when the conveyor arm 6 approaches the specimen holder 4a from the upstream side, the structural portion 9c of the holder locking member 9 contacts the end of the specimen holder 4a along its long side. The structural portion 9c slides at the end of the specimen holder 4a as the conveyor arm 6 moves downstream. The holder locking member 9 rotates counterclockwise around its rotation axis. When the conveyor arm 6 moves to a position abutting against the specimen holder 4a, the structural portion 9b of the recess of the holder locking member 9 passes over the end of the specimen holder 4a, thereby engaging the end of the specimen holder 4a along its long side with the recess of the holder locking member 9. At this time, the upstream side of the specimen holder 4a is held by the structural portion 9f of the recess of the holder locking member 9, and the downstream side of the specimen holder 4a is held by the structural portion 9b of the recess of the holder locking member 9. Therefore, the relative position of the specimen holder 4 with respect to the conveyor arm 6 is fixed (locked state), preventing the specimen holder 4 from vibrating in the conveying direction.

[0045] Next, as Figure 13 As shown, if the conveyor arm 6 moves further downstream, and the specimen holder 4a approaches the second specimen holder 4b when viewed from the side of the conveyor arm 6, then, similarly to when approaching the specimen holder 4a, the structural portion 9c of the holder locking member 9 contacts the end of the specimen holder 4b along its long side. The structural portion 9c slides at the end of the specimen holder 4b as the conveyor arm 6 moves downstream, and the holder locking member 9 rotates counterclockwise around its rotation axis. Furthermore, when the conveyor arm 6 moves downstream and the downstream side of the specimen holder 4a contacts the upstream side of the specimen holder 4b, the end of the structural portion 9b of the recess of the holder locking member 9, opposite to the side of the structural portion 9a, contacts the end of the specimen holder 4b along its long side, and the holder locking member 9 stops rotating. At this time, the end of the specimen holder 4a along its long side does not engage with the recess of the holder locking member 9, therefore, the relative position of the specimen holder 4a with respect to the conveyor arm 6 cannot be fixed (locked state). However, when multiple specimen supports 4a and 4b are in close contact with each other, the vibration generated in the transmission direction due to mutual interference is suppressed.

[0046] In addition, such as Figure 14 As shown, the conveyor arm 6 moves further downstream. When viewed from the side of the conveyor arm 6, the downstream side of the specimen holder 4b contacts the upstream side of the third specimen holder 4c. At this time, the end of the specimen holder 4a in the long side direction does not engage with the recess of the holder locking member 9. Therefore, it cannot be in a state where the relative position of the specimen holder 4a relative to the conveyor arm 6 is fixed (locked state). However, when multiple specimen holders 4a to 4c are in close contact with each other, the vibration generated in the conveying direction due to mutual interference is suppressed.

[0047] In this embodiment configured as described above, the specimen support transfer device 200 transfers a specimen support 4 that can hold multiple specimen containers 5 for specimens side by side in the long side direction. It includes: a transfer path 201 for transferring the specimen support 4 in a direction orthogonal to the long side direction; a transfer arm 6 for pushing the specimen support 4 from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transfer path 201; and a support locking mechanism provided on the transfer arm 6 and fixing the specimen support 4 relative to the transfer arm 6 at least in the transfer direction. Therefore, vibration during specimen support transfer can be suppressed.

[0048] Furthermore, the action of the recess of the bracket locking member 9 engaging with the end side of the specimen bracket 4 along the long side direction is performed indirectly as the transfer arm 6 moves. Therefore, without the need for a separate power source or mechanism to operate the bracket locking member 9, the vibration of the specimen bracket 4 can be suppressed with a simple structure.

[0049] In this embodiment, the vibration of the specimen holder 4 in the conveying direction is suppressed by engaging the recess of the bracket locking member 9 with the end of the specimen holder 4 along its long side. However, it is also possible to suppress the vibration of the specimen holder 4 by engaging the recess of the bracket locking member 9 with the upper surface of the specimen holder 4. In this case, the configuration is such that the rotation axis of the base member 10 is horizontally set so that the bracket locking member 9 can rotate in the vertical direction, and the recess of the bracket locking member 9 faces downwards. The rotation axis can be set along the direction of movement of the conveyor arm 6, or it can be set perpendicular to the direction of movement.

[0050] <Implementation Method 2> Reference Figures 15-20 The following describes Embodiment 2 of the present invention in detail. In the figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in Embodiment 1, and descriptions are omitted.

[0051] In this embodiment, the specimen holder is held from both ends along the long side by a bracket locking mechanism, thereby suppressing the vibration of the specimen holder relative to the conveying arm in the conveying direction.

[0052] Figure 15 This is a perspective view of the specimen stent transport device involved in this embodiment. Figure 15 The image shows the specimen support during transport.

[0053] Figure 15 In the present invention, the specimen support transfer device 200A transfers specimen supports 4 that can hold one or more specimen containers 5 side by side in the long side direction. The device includes: a transfer path 201 for transferring the specimen supports 4 in a direction orthogonal to the long side direction; a transfer arm 6 for pushing the specimen supports 4 from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transfer path 201; and a support locking mechanism disposed on the transfer arm 6 for fixing the specimen supports 4 relative to the transfer arm 6 at least in the transfer direction.

[0054] The conveyor arm 6 moves from the conveying start position 14 (indicated by the double-dotted line) to the conveying end position 15, thereby pushing the specimen holder on the conveying path 201 in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the plurality of specimen containers 5 arranged along the long side of the specimen holder 4 (i.e., a direction orthogonal to the long side direction). The specimen holder 4, mounted on the holder tray 7, is pressed by the conveyor arm 6 and thus inserted from the holder tray 7 into the device (specimen holder conveying unit 2).

[0055] Figure 16 This is a side view showing the conveyor arm along with its surrounding structure, taken from the upstream side of the conveyor path. Furthermore, Figure 17 and Figure 18This is a side view showing the bracket locking mechanism installed on the conveyor arm extracted and enlarged. Figure 17 This is a side view taken from the left side of the direction of travel of the conveyor arm's conveying motion. Figure 18 This is a side view viewed from the right side of the direction of travel. Figure 18 A partial perspective view showing a portion of the bracket locking member 92 as a perspective view.

[0056] like Figure 16 As shown, the conveyor arm 6 has support locking components 91 and 92 on the left and right sides of the travel direction.

[0057] The support locking member 91 is rotatably held relative to the transfer arm 6 by the base member 10a. The support locking member 91 is composed of a structural portion 91a at the upper part of the rotation shaft and a structural portion 91b at the lower part of the rotation shaft, and is rotatably held relative to the rotation shaft provided along the travel direction. The support locking member 91 is configured to bend outward at the position of the rotation shaft; if the structural portion 91a swings towards the specimen support 4, the structural portion 91b protrudes outward, and if the structural portion 91b swings towards the specimen support 4, the structural portion 91a protrudes outward. A friction member 20a is disposed on the specimen support 4 side of the structural portion 91a of the support locking member 91, so that it faces the end of the specimen support 4 in the long side direction. When viewed from the rear in the travel direction, the support locking member 91 is subjected to clockwise force by the elastic body 11a, and through the rotation of the support locking member 91, the specimen support 4 is pressed from the end side in the long side direction by the friction member 20a.

[0058] Furthermore, a stop member 18a is disposed below the support locking member 91 of the conveyor arm 6. This stop member 18a is configured to rotate in the same direction as the travel direction of the conveyor arm. When the structure 91b of the support locking member 91 exerts a force against the elastomer 11a and moves toward the specimen support 4, the stop member 18a moves to a position adjacent to the outer side of the structure 91b, thereby restricting the rotation of the support locking member 91 toward the specimen support 4. At this time, the friction member 20a of the support locking member 91 is fixed in a position away from the specimen support 4 (open state).

[0059] Furthermore, the stop member 18a is composed of an elastic body 11c in Figure 17 From the perspective of [the object], force is applied in a clockwise direction. As the conveyor arm 6 moves, the lower protrusion of the stop member 18a contacts the specimen holder 4, and the stop member 18a rotates counterclockwise, thereby releasing the restriction of the stop member 18a on the holder locking member 91. If the stop member 18a rotates and releases the restriction, the holder locking member 91 rotates, and the friction member 20a abuts against the specimen holder 4 (locked state).

[0060] The bracket locking member 92 is rotatably held relative to the conveyor arm 6 by an auxiliary base member 19 mounted on the base member 10b. Like the bracket locking member 91, the bracket locking member 92 is rotatably held relative to a rotation axis configured along the travel direction. A friction member 20b is disposed on the specimen holder 4 side of the bracket locking member 92, such that it faces the end of the specimen holder 4 in the long side direction. When viewed from the rear in the travel direction, the bracket locking member 92 is subjected to counterclockwise force by the elastic body 11b, and through the rotation of the bracket locking member 92, the specimen holder 4 is pressed from the end side in the long side direction by the friction member 20b.

[0061] Furthermore, a stop member 18b is disposed below the support locking member 92 of the conveyor arm 6. This stop member 18b is configured to rotate in the same direction as the travel direction of the conveyor arm. The support locking member 92 has a stop structure 17c on the side of the rotation axis. When the support locking member 92 is moving away from the specimen support 4 against the force exerted by the elastomer 11b, the stop member 18b interferes with the stop structure 17c, thereby restricting the rotation of the support locking member 92 toward the specimen support 4. At this time, the friction member 20b of the support locking member 92 is fixed in a position away from the specimen support 4 (open state).

[0062] Furthermore, the stop member 18b is composed of an elastic body 11d in Figure 18 From the perspective of [the object], a force is applied in a counterclockwise direction. As the conveyor arm 6 moves, the lower protrusion of the stop member 18b contacts the specimen holder 4, and the stop member 18b rotates clockwise. This releases the interference of the stop member 18b with the stop structure 17c of the holder locking member 92, thus releasing the restriction. If the stop member 18b rotates and the restriction is released, the holder locking member 92 rotates, and the friction member 20b abuts against the specimen holder 4 (locked state). That is, through the force generated between the conveyor arm 6 and the specimen holder 4 as the conveyor arm 6 moves, the holder locking mechanism becomes a locked state that fixes the relative position of the specimen holder 4 with respect to the conveyor arm 6.

[0063] In addition, in this embodiment, compression springs and torsion springs are shown as elastic bodies 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d, but it is not limited to these, and other elastic bodies such as tension springs and rubber may also be used.

[0064] The friction members 20a and 20b provided on the bracket locking members 91 and 92 are components with a high coefficient of friction, such as rubber. By rotating the bracket locking members 91 and 92 toward the specimen holder 4, the specimen holder 4 is clamped and held from both sides along the long side. Similar to Embodiment 1, the bracket locking members 91 and 92 move to the end of the transfer position 15 while maintaining the holding state.

[0065] Figure 19This is a side view of the conveyor arm at the end of the conveyor, viewed from the upstream side.

[0066] like Figure 19 As shown, at the end position 15 of the transfer, the locking release members 121a and 121b are fixed in a V-shape when viewed from above. The bracket locking member 91 on the left side of the travel direction contacts the locking release member 121a as the transfer arm 6 moves, and rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the upstream side, separating the friction member 20a from the specimen holder 4. The bracket locking member 92 on the right side of the travel direction contacts the locking release member 121b as the transfer arm 6 moves, and rotates clockwise when viewed from the upstream side, separating the friction member 20b from the specimen holder 4. Through these actions, the gripping state of the specimen holder 4 is released.

[0067] If the contact between the specimen support 4 and the lower protrusions of the stop members 18a and 18b is lost due to the movement of the conveyor arm 6 from the end position 15 to the start position 14, or the movement of the specimen support 4 by the next conveyor mechanism provided in the specimen support conveyor section 2, the stop members 18a and 18b will rotate in the direction of the force applied by the elastic bodies 11c and 11d, respectively, and interfere with the structure 91b of the support locking member 91 and the stop structure 17c of the support locking member 92, respectively. As a result, the support locking members 91 and 92 are fixed at both ends away from the specimen support 4, and the conveyor arm 6 maintains this position and moves towards the start position 14.

[0068] Figure 20 This is a side view of the conveyor arm at the starting position of the conveying action, viewed from the right side of the direction of travel.

[0069] like Figure 20 As shown, the auxiliary base member 19 of the support locking member 92 on the right side of the travel direction is configured to rotate relative to the base member 10b in the same direction as the travel direction of the conveyor arm. The auxiliary base member 19 in... Figure 20 From the perspective of the auxiliary elastic body 26, a force is applied clockwise. As the conveyor arm 6 moves to the start position 14 of the conveying action, the auxiliary base member 19 comes into contact with the interference prevention member 131 fixed to the device base and rotates counterclockwise. The bracket locking member 92 rises upward along with the auxiliary base member 19 as the auxiliary base member 19 rotates.

[0070] When the conveyor arm 6 is at the start position 14 of the conveying operation, the support locking member 91 on the left side of the travel direction does not interfere with the movement line of the support tray 7 during loading and unloading operations. In addition, the support locking member 92 on the right side of the travel direction also rotates and avoids interfering with the movement line of the support tray 7 during loading and unloading operations as the conveyor arm 6 moves to the start position 14 of the conveying operation.

[0071] In addition, in this embodiment, when multiple specimen holders 4 are mounted on the support tray 7 in close contact with each other, or when multiple specimen holders 4 are arranged on the support tray 7 with gaps between each other, the support locking members 91 and 92 keep only the specimen holder 4 closest to the transfer arm 6. Therefore, the different states of the specimen holders 4 mounted on the support tray 7 do not affect the function of the locking structure.

[0072] The other structures are the same as in Implementation Method 1.

[0073] In this embodiment configured as described above, the same effects as in embodiment 1 can also be obtained.

[0074] <Postscript> Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes various modifications or combinations without departing from its spirit. Additionally, the present invention is not limited to having all the structures described in the above embodiments, but also includes structures obtained by deleting a portion of those structures.

[0075] For example, it can be configured as in Embodiment 1, using a bracket locking member having a recess that engages with the end of the specimen bracket 4 instead of the bracket locking members 91 and 92 in Embodiment 2. Label Explanation

[0076] 1. Specimen stent placement section 2. Specimen stent transfer section 3. Analysis Department 4. 4a~4e specimen stents 5 specimen containers 6 Conveyor Arms 7. Support tray 8 guide rails 9 Bracket locking components 9a~9f structural sections 10, 10a, 10b base components 11, 11a~11d elastomers 12, 121a, 121b Locking Release Components 13, 131 Interference Avoidance Components 14. Starting position of the teleportation action 15. End of teleportation location 16 T-shaped recess 17a~17c Stop structure 18a, 18b stop components 19 Auxiliary base components Friction components 20a and 20b 21 electric motors 22a, 22b pulleys 23 Structural components 24 belts 25. Guiding components 26. Auxiliary elastomer 91, 92 Bracket locking components 91a, 91b structural sections 100 Automatic Analysis Device 200, 200A Specimen Stent Transfer Device 201 Teleportation Path.

Claims

1. A specimen stent transport device, A specimen transport device for transporting multiple specimen containers that can be arranged side-by-side along the long side, characterized in that it includes: A transport path for transferring the specimen holder in a direction orthogonal to the long side direction; A conveyor arm that pushes the specimen holder from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveying path; A bracket locking mechanism is provided on the conveyor arm and fixes the relative position of the specimen bracket with respect to the conveyor arm at least in the conveying direction. as well as A locking release mechanism is provided at the downstream end of the conveying path at the end of the conveying process. When the conveying arm moves to the end of the conveying process, this mechanism acts on the support locking mechanism to set the specimen support to an open state where its relative position to the conveying arm is not fixed. The bracket locking mechanism is in an open state, where the relative position of the specimen bracket relative to the conveying arm is not fixed, at a position on the upstream side of the conveying arm relative to the conveying path. When the conveyor arm moves from the upstream side of the conveying path to a position where it abuts against the specimen holder, it is in a locked state that fixes the relative position of the specimen holder with respect to the conveyor arm. The force generated between the conveyor arm and the specimen holder as the conveyor arm moves in the conveying direction causes the holder locking mechanism to be in a locked state that fixes the relative position of the specimen holder with respect to the conveyor arm.

2. The specimen stent transfer device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It has a support tray configured to hold one or more of the specimen holders and is detachably mounted on the transport path.

3. The specimen stent transfer device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a bracket locking and avoidance mechanism, which is located at the beginning position of the conveying action at the upstream end of the conveying path. When the conveying arm moves to the beginning position of the conveying action, the bracket locking mechanism is activated to avoid the movement path of the bracket tray during loading and unloading relative to the conveying path.

4. The specimen stent transport device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a guide rail, which is configured to extend along the transport direction of the specimen holder in the transport path, slidably engage with the specimen holder, and guide the movement of the specimen holder in the transport direction.

5. The specimen stent transport device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a guide rail, which is configured to extend along the transport direction of the specimen holder on the support tray, slidably engage with the specimen holder, and guide the movement of the specimen holder in the transport direction.

6. An automatic analysis device, characterized in that, include: The specimen insertion unit is used to insert a specimen holder that contains a specimen container into the specimen holder. The specimen holder is transferred from the specimen holder insertion section to the specimen holder transfer section of the analysis section; An analytical unit that performs analysis on the specimen; as well as The specimen stent transfer device according to claim 1 is disposed in the specimen stent insertion part, and transfers the specimen stent inserted into the specimen stent insertion part to the specimen stent conveying part.

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