Conveying device, analysis system, program for conveying device, and conveying method

Abstract

Provided is a transport device (102) for transporting a container (Z) containing a sample to an analysis device (101) in order to further improve workability, which is more convenient to use than in the prior art, the transport device (102) being provided with: a tray (10) on which a plurality of installation sites (11) at which the container (Z) is installed are provided; sensors (20) that are provided corresponding to the installation sites (11) and that acquire container information that is information obtained by installing the containers (Z); a transport unit (30) that picks up the container (Z) provided on the tray (10) and transports the container (Z) to an analysis device (101); and a transport control unit (42) that causes the transport unit (30) to pick up the containers in the pick-up order determined on the basis of the container information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport device, an analysis system, a program for a transport device, and a transport method. Background Art

[0002] For example, when analyzing particle size distribution or the like, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a sample placed in a container is introduced into a sample introduction space of an analysis device, and then the analysis is started.

[0003] This analysis device includes a transport unit called a turntable having a plurality of placement locations for placing containers on a circumference, and the turntable is rotated to sequentially transport the containers to above a sample input space, thereby automating the analysis.

[0004] However, although the conveyance of the containers is automated, the containers cannot be randomly placed in the vacant locations, and the containers must be arranged in the circumferential direction according to the order of analysis. This cannot be said to have achieved the level of automation required by the user.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-218048 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a conveying device that is easier to use than conventional ones and to further improve workability.

[0007] That is, the conveying device of the present invention conveys a container containing a sample to an analysis device, and is characterized in that it comprises: a tray provided with a plurality of setting positions for setting the container; sensors provided corresponding to the setting positions, respectively, for acquiring information obtained by setting the container, namely, container information; a conveying unit for picking up the container set on the tray and conveying the container to the analysis device; and a conveying control unit for causing the conveying unit to pick up the container in a picking order determined based on the container information.

[0008] According to the conveying device constructed in this way, since the picking order is determined based on the container information obtained by setting the container at the setting position of the tray, for example, if the time when the container is set is used as the container information, the order in which the containers are set can be determined as the picking order, and if the time when the sample is sampled in the container is used as the container information, the order in which the sample is sampled in the container can be determined as the picking order. That is, as long as the picking order is determined according to the container information design, the user only needs to set the container in an empty setting position, and then the container can be automatically transported to the analysis device according to the determined picking order. Therefore, it is more convenient to use than before and the operability is further improved.

[0009] However, when using the turntable described in the background art, the turntable must be stopped in order to set a new container on the rotating turntable. If the analysis is to be completed without stopping, all containers to be analyzed must be set on the turntable in advance before analysis, which reduces the degree of freedom during operation. Therefore, it is preferred that, after the conveyance unit starts conveying the containers to the analysis device, when a new container is set at the setting position of the tray, the conveyance control unit determines the picking order of the new container based on the container information of the new container. With such a configuration, even during analysis, for example, as long as a new container is placed on the tray, the container can be transported to the analysis device, thereby further improving the workability.

[0010] Preferably, the transport device further includes a second sensor, and the second sensor is different from the sensor and acquires analysis-related information including at least information related to the sample or information related to analysis conditions of the sample. With such a configuration, the sensors provided corresponding to the installation locations only need to be capable of detecting the presence or absence of a container, for example, so that the cost of the device can be reduced.

[0011] As a specific embodiment, there can be cited a mode in which the second sensor is provided corresponding to each of the installation locations or is used for a plurality of the containers.

[0012] For example, in previous particle size distribution measuring devices, since the analysis conditions set in the device, such as the refractive index and calculation parameters, vary depending on the sample, it is necessary to create a table of the analysis conditions set in the device in the order of the samples to be analyzed. If there are changes or additions to the samples, the table must be rewritten, and there is also a need for automation in this regard. Therefore, it is preferable that the container information include analysis conditions corresponding to the sample stored in the container. With such a configuration, the analysis conditions included in the container information can be output to the analysis device, thereby automatically setting the analysis conditions suitable for the sample stored in the container. This eliminates the need for creating and rewriting the above table, and further automates the analysis.

[0013] As a specific embodiment of the sensor, there can be cited a reading unit that acquires the container information by reading an identification code added to the container or a photographing unit that acquires the container information by photographing the container.

[0014] Preferably, the transport device has an interruption function that allows containers different from the containers picked up in the picking order to be preferentially transported to the analysis device regardless of the picking order. With such a structure, the order in which containers are picked up can be flexibly changed.

[0015] Preferably, the container information includes a file name when an analysis result of a sample stored in the container is stored. With such a structure, the manual input of a file name can be omitted, thereby achieving further automation of the analysis.

[0016] Preferably, the transport control unit obtains the container information obtained by the sensor and position information indicating the position of the installation location where the sensor is installed, and controls the transport unit using the picking order determined based on the container information and the position information. If this is done, a higher level of automation than ever before can be achieved with ease of design.

[0017] As a specific method for determining the picking order, there can be cited a method in which the container information includes a sampling time, wherein the sampling time is the time when the sample is sampled in the container, and the transport control unit determines the picking order by picking up the containers in a time series order starting from the container with the earliest sampling time.

[0018] In addition, as another method, the container information includes a detection time, wherein the detection time is the time when the sensor detects the container, and the conveying control unit determines the picking order by picking up the containers in time series order starting from the container with the earliest detection time.

[0019] Preferably, the transport device includes a notification unit, the notification unit being provided corresponding to each of the installation locations and notifying whether the sensor has acquired the container information. With such a configuration, it is possible to clearly understand at a glance whether the container information of the installed container has been acquired, thereby reducing work errors and the like.

[0020] The analysis system of the present invention is characterized by comprising the above-mentioned transport device and an analysis device for analyzing the physical properties of the sample, and can achieve the same effects as those of the above-mentioned transport device according to the above-mentioned configuration.

[0021] Preferably, the transport device and the analysis device are operated when the container is placed at the placement position of the tray. With such a configuration, for example, the transport unit and the analyzer can perform analysis in cooperation only after the container is placed on an empty tray, thereby eliminating the need for the user to press an analysis start button to start analysis.

[0022] Preferably, the analysis system includes a plurality of the analysis devices, the container information includes device information for identifying the analysis device to which the container is transported, and the transport unit transports the container to the analysis device indicated by the device information. With such a configuration, a sample to be analyzed can be automatically transported to an appropriate analyzing device among a plurality of analyzing devices.

[0023] One aspect of the analysis system is that the system can be switched to a learning analysis mode in which the analysis device analyzes the sample contained in the container and the analysis conditions used for the analysis are stored as the container information. With such a configuration, the setting of analysis conditions can be automated.

[0024] The program for a conveying device of the present invention is used for a conveying device, and is characterized in that the conveying device conveys a container containing a sample to an analysis device, and comprises: a tray, which is provided with a plurality of setting positions for setting the container; sensors, which are respectively provided corresponding to the setting positions, and obtain information obtained by setting the container, namely, container information; and a conveying unit, which picks up the container set on the tray and conveys the container to the analysis device, wherein the program for the conveying device enables a computer to function as a conveying control unit, and the conveying control unit enables the conveying unit to pick up the container in a picking order determined based on the container information.

[0025] The conveying method of the present invention conveys a container containing a sample to an analysis device, and is characterized in that the container is set at one of a plurality of setting locations set on a tray, and information obtained by setting the container, i.e., container information, is obtained by sensors respectively set corresponding to the setting locations, so that a conveying unit picks up the container set on the tray in a picking order determined based on the container information and conveys the container to the analysis device.

[0026] According to the above-mentioned program for the conveying device and the conveying method, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned conveying device can be achieved.

[0027] According to the present invention described above, it is possible to provide a conveying device that is easier to use than conventional ones, thereby achieving further improvement in workability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an analysis system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the analysis device according to this embodiment. Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram showing the surrounding structure of the installation location of this embodiment. Figure 4 This is a functional block diagram showing the functions of the control device according to the present embodiment. Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram for explaining an interrupt execution unit according to another embodiment. Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an analysis system according to another embodiment. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of display content of a display unit according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the conveying device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0030] <System Configuration of the Present Embodiment> like Figure 1 As shown, the transport device 102 of this embodiment transports the container Z containing the sample to the analysis device 101 , and constructs the analysis system 100 together with the analysis device 101 .

[0031] First, the analyzing device 101 will be briefly described.

[0032] The analyzing device 101 analyzes the physical properties of a sample, and an example thereof is a particle size distribution measuring device that measures the particle size distribution of a sample.

[0033] like Figure 2 As shown, the particle size distribution measuring device 101 is a so-called diffraction / scattering type particle size distribution measuring device, which uses the light intensity distribution corresponding to the diffusion angle of the diffraction / scattered light generated when the particles are irradiated with light to be determined by the particle size according to the MIE scattering theory, and measures the particle size distribution by detecting the diffraction / scattered light.

[0034] Specifically, the particle size distribution measuring device 101 comprises: a laser device as a light source 3, which irradiates a laser to a sample in a pool 1 containing the sample via a lens 2; a plurality of light detectors 4, which detect the light intensity of diffracted / scattered light generated by the irradiation of the laser according to the diffusion angle; and a calculation unit 5, which receives the light intensity signal output from each light detector 4 and calculates the particle size distribution. In addition, the sample of the present embodiment is a powder, a gel-like substance or a solution, and is contained in the cell 1 in a state of being dispersed in a solvent (for example, an organic solvent such as water or ethanol).

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the analyzer 101 of this embodiment includes a housing C that accommodates the above-mentioned various components. A portion of the housing C that faces a sample introduction space S for introducing a sample can be opened, and the sample introduced into the sample introduction space S flows into the cell 1 .

[0036] A transport device 102 is provided next to the analyzer 101 . The transport device 102 transports a container Z containing a sample to the analyzer 101 so that the sample is automatically introduced into the sample introduction space S.

[0037] In addition, in this embodiment, the conveying device 102 has characteristics, so the details are described below.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, the transport device 102 includes: a tray 10 provided with containers Z storing samples; a sensor 20 provided on the tray 10 ; a transport unit 30 for transporting the containers Z to the analyzer 101 ; and a controller 40 for controlling the transport unit 30 .

[0039] The container Z is, for example, open at the top and closed at the bottom, and a plurality of containers Z having the same shape are prepared. In addition, different types of samples may be stored in the plurality of containers Z, or the same type of samples may be stored. In addition, the plurality of containers Z do not necessarily all have the same shape, and the shape is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be appropriately changed to various shapes.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, the tray 10 is provided with a plurality of installation locations 11 for installing the containers Z, and the installation locations 11 here are recessed portions for storing a part or all of the containers Z. In addition, the installation locations 11 are not limited to recessed portions as long as they have a container placement surface on which the containers Z can be placed, and may be, for example, convex portions or flat portions, etc., and various shapes such as a workbench shape, a trapezoidal shape, a flat plate shape, a block shape, or a box shape may be cited as the shape of the tray 10.

[0041] The sensor 20 obtains container information, which is information obtained by placing the container Z at the setting position 11, such as Figure 3 As shown, they are arranged corresponding to the respective arrangement locations 11 .

[0042] Each sensor 20 is configured to output the acquired container information to a controller 40 described later, and specifically, to output the acquired container information to the controller 40 in association with position information indicating the position (coordinates) of the installation location 11 where the sensor 20 is installed.

[0043] Each sensor 20 can detect the presence or absence of the container Z relative to each installation location 11 , and can detect the container Z itself or read information attached to the container Z in advance.

[0044] As the sensor 20 for detecting the container Z itself, for example, there can be cited a photographing unit for photographing the container Z, a light sensor for detecting the container Z using light, a contact sensor for detecting the container Z that has come into contact with it, a weight sensor for detecting the weight of the container Z, and a magnetic sensor for detecting an IC chip that is pre-set on the container Z.

[0045] When a photographing unit is used as the sensor 20, the image represented by the photographing data or the photographing time at which the photographing data is obtained (in other words, the detection time at which the container Z is detected) can be used as container information. When the above-mentioned various sensors 20 are used, for example, the detection time at which the container Z is detected can be used as container information.

[0046] On the other hand, as a sensor 20 for reading information attached to the container Z, for example, a reading unit such as a reader can be cited, and the reading unit reads an identification code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code attached to the container Z. In the following embodiment, the case where the reading unit is used as the sensor 20 is described.

[0047] In this embodiment, if Figure 1 As shown, by adding an identification code to the container Z before being set at the setting location 11, and by reading the identification code with a reading unit, various information related to the sample can be acquired as container information.

[0048] like Figure 3 As shown, the sensor 20 of the reading unit is set corresponding to each setting position 11. For example, when the identification code is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the container Z, it only needs to be set on the inner peripheral surface surrounding the setting position 11. When the identification code is attached to the bottom surface of the container Z, it only needs to be set on the container loading surface of the setting position 11.

[0049] As the container information obtained by reading the identification code, in the present embodiment, the sampling time when the sample is sampled in the container Z is used. Alternatively, as another embodiment, a number indicating the order in which the samples stored in the container Z are analyzed or the reading time when the identification code is read (in other words, the detection time when the container Z is detected) may be used as the container information.

[0050] Furthermore, the container information of this embodiment includes the analysis conditions of the sample stored in the container Z. Such analysis conditions include the measurement conditions used by the computing unit 5 of the above-mentioned analysis device 101, and the measurement order related to the order and setting of the analysis. The measurement conditions include the physical property values ​​that are different for each sample, such as the refractive index of the sample, the number of repetitions of the calculation or the number of acquisitions of data, etc., and the measurement order includes the intensity or time of the ultrasonic wave applied to the sample, or the circulation speed of the sample, etc.

[0051] The container information includes a file name for storing the analysis results of the sample stored in the container Z. Examples of the file name include a file name that partially includes the name of the sample, the sampling time of the sample, or a number indicating the order in which the sample was analyzed.

[0052] Here, if Figure 3 As shown, the conveying device 102 of the present embodiment further includes a notification unit 50 for notifying the various sensors 20 as described above whether or not the container information has been acquired.

[0053] The notification unit 50 is provided corresponding to each installation location 11 , and notifies the sensor 20 of the acquisition of the container information by emitting light, sound, vibration, etc., for example.

[0054] As a form of the notification unit 50, a light source that is connected to the sensor 20 and switches the lighting state when the sensor 20 obtains the container information can be cited. More specifically, for example, a form that switches from one of a lighting state and an off state to the other or changes color can be cited.

[0055] The transport unit 30 picks up the container Z placed at the placement site 11 and transports it to the analysis device 101 . Specifically, the transport unit 30 transports the picked-up container Z to a predetermined target site such as above the sample introduction space S.

[0056] Specifically, if Figure 1 As shown, the conveying unit 30 is a conveying robot capable of three-dimensional motion, and in this embodiment is a so-called three-axis arm type conveying robot having three arms orthogonal to each other. However, the specific form of the conveying unit 30 is not limited thereto, and various types of conveying robots such as a conveying robot capable of two-dimensional motion and a multi-joint robot having multiple arms may also be used.

[0057] Furthermore, the transport unit 30 may be configured to tilt the container Z transported to a destination position set above the sample introduction space S, etc., to introduce the sample contained in the container Z into the sample introduction space S. As an example of the transport unit 30, for example, a transport unit having a gripping portion for gripping the container Z and being rotatable about a predetermined rotation axis may be cited.

[0058] The controller 40 is a shared or dedicated computer physically equipped with a CPU, a memory, an AD converter, etc., and is connected to the sensor 20 via wires or wirelessly, and can also communicate with the analysis device 101 via wires or wirelessly.

[0059] The controller 40 cooperates with the CPU and its peripheral devices according to the conveying device program stored in the memory, such as Figure 4 As shown, the analyzer 101 functions as a container information acquisition unit 41 that acquires container information output from the sensor 20 , a transport control unit 42 that controls the transport unit 30 , and an analysis condition setting unit 43 that sets analysis conditions in the analyzer 101 .

[0060] The container information acquisition unit 41 acquires various container information output from the sensor 20 , and outputs container information related to transport of the container Z among the container information to the transport control unit 42 , and outputs container information related to sample analysis to the analysis condition setting unit 43 .

[0061] The transport control unit 42 is configured to cause the transport unit 30 to pick up the container Z in a picking order determined based on the container information. Here, the picking order is determined based on the container information received from the container information acquisition unit 41 .

[0062] To explain more specifically, in the present embodiment, the sampling time of the sample is used as the container information, and the transport control unit 42 determines the picking order so that the containers Z are picked up in chronological order starting from the container with the earliest sampling time, for example.

[0063] Furthermore, when using numbers indicating the order in which samples stored in containers Z are analyzed as container information, the transport control unit 42 may determine the picking order so that containers Z are picked up in ascending order of the numbers. Furthermore, when the detection time when the container Z is detected is used as the container information, the transport control unit 42 may determine the picking order so that the containers Z are picked up in chronological order starting from the container with the earliest detection time, for example.

[0064] As described above, when the container information of this embodiment is associated with the position information of the sensor 20 that obtains the container information, the conveying control unit 42 obtains the container information and the position information associated with the container information, and controls the conveying unit 30 using the picking order and position information determined based on the container information.

[0065] However, even after the conveyance of the container Z starts, if there is a vacant setting position 11 of the tray 10, as long as a new container Z can be set in the vacant setting position 11, it is not necessary to pre-set all the containers Z before the analysis starts, which can improve the workability.

[0066] Therefore, in this embodiment, after the container Z starts to be transported to the analysis device 101 through the conveying unit 30, when a new container Z is set at the vacant setting position 11 of the tray 10, the conveying control unit 42 determines the picking order of the new container Z based on the container information of the set new container Z.

[0067] Specifically, when a container Z is set at the setting location 11, regardless of before analysis, after the transportation of the container Z starts, or during analysis, the sensor 20 set corresponding to the setting location 11 obtains container information and outputs the container information to the controller 40, and the transportation control unit 42 determines the picking order based on the container information.

[0068] The analysis condition setting unit 43 sets analysis conditions in the analysis device 101 based on the container information received from the container information acquisition unit 41 .

[0069] Specifically, the analysis condition setting unit 43 is configured to output the physical property values ​​of the sample such as the refractive index included in the container information to the analyzer 101 for setting, and also output other calculation parameters included in the container information to the analyzer 101 for setting.

[0070] The analysis condition setting unit 43 of the present embodiment obtains the picking order determined by the transport control unit 42 , and sequentially outputs the analysis conditions of the samples stored in the containers Z to the analyzer 101 according to the picking order. That is, the order in which the containers Z are picked up coincides with the order in which the analysis conditions of the samples stored in the respective containers Z are output to the analysis device 101 .

[0071] Thus, in the analysis device 101 , an analysis condition table in which analysis conditions for analyzing each sample are arranged in chronological order is created, and analysis conditions corresponding to the sample to be analyzed are set by referring to the analysis condition table.

[0072] In this configuration, the calculation unit 5 of the analysis device 101 calculates the particle size distribution of the particles contained in the container Z using the physical property values ​​and calculation parameters set by the analysis condition setting unit 43, and saves the analysis result with a predetermined file name.

[0073] Here, the analysis condition setting unit 43 of the present embodiment is configured to also output the file name of the analysis result included in the container information to the analysis device 101, and this file name is also included in the above-mentioned analysis condition table as data for analyzing each sample.

[0074] Thus, the calculation unit 5 refers to the file name corresponding to the analyzed sample from the analysis condition table, outputs the analysis result of the sample with the referenced file name, and stores it in a predetermined area of ​​the memory.

[0075] <Effects of the present embodiment> According to the conveying device 102 constructed in this way, based on the container information obtained by setting the container Z at the setting position 11 of the tray 10, the picking order is determined according to the time series order of the sampling time of the sample. Therefore, for the user, it is only necessary to set the container Z at the empty setting position 11, and then the container Z can be automatically conveyed to the analysis device 101 according to the determined picking order. Compared with the past, it is convenient to use and the operability is improved.

[0076] Furthermore, after the conveying unit 30 starts conveying the container Z to the analyzing device 101, even if a new container Z is set at the setting position 11 of the tray 10, the conveying control unit 42 determines the picking order of the new container Z based on the container information of the new container Z. Therefore, for example, even during analysis, as long as a new container Z is set on the tray 10, the container Z can be automatically conveyed to the analyzing device 101, thereby improving operability.

[0077] Furthermore, since the container information includes analysis conditions corresponding to the sample stored in the container Z, the analysis condition setting unit 43 outputs the analysis conditions to the analyzer 101 for setting, and thus analysis conditions suitable for the sample stored in each container Z can be automatically set. This eliminates the need to manually create and rewrite the analysis condition table, thereby achieving further automation of the analysis.

[0078] Furthermore, since the container information includes the file name when the analysis result of the sample stored in the container Z is saved, the work of manually inputting the file name can be omitted, thereby achieving further automation of the analysis.

[0079] Furthermore, the conveyance control unit 42 controls the conveyance unit 30 using the picking order and position information determined based on the container information, thereby achieving a higher level of automation than before and simplifying the design.

[0080] Furthermore, since the notification means 50 are provided corresponding to the installation locations 11, respectively, it is possible to understand at a glance whether the container information of the installed container Z has been acquired.

[0081] <Other Implementation Methods> In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0082] For example, the transport device 102 may include an interruption function that allows a container Z different from a container Z picked up in the picking order to be preferentially transported to the analyzer 101 regardless of the picking order.

[0083] More specifically, as the conveying device 102 in this case, Figure 5 As shown, for example, there can be mentioned a conveying device including an interruption execution unit 60 such as a button provided at a location corresponding to each of the installation locations 11 and for exercising the interruption function.

[0084] In this structure, for example, when the operator operates the interruption execution unit 60, the interruption signal is input to the controller 40 via the interruption execution unit and received by the conveyance control unit 42. In addition, the conveyance control unit 42 may be configured to control the conveyance unit 30 so that the container Z set at the setting position 11 corresponding to the interruption execution unit that has been operated is conveyed to the next analysis device 101 regardless of the picking order that has been determined once. In addition, it may be configured so that after the conveyance of the interrupted container Z, the conveyance unit 30 is controlled again according to the determined picking order. According to such a configuration, the order of picking up the containers Z can be flexibly changed as needed.

[0085] Furthermore, for example, at an analysis site where the analysis conditions are almost unchanged, the analysis conditions may not be included in the container information. In this case, the controller 40 does not need to have the function as the analysis condition setting unit 43 described in the above embodiment, and does not need to be able to communicate with the analysis device 101 . Furthermore, the transport device 102 may be configured such that at least the transport unit 30 picks up the container Z in the picking order determined based on the container information and transports the container to the analyzer 101 .

[0086] Furthermore, the sensor 20 of the embodiment obtains the container information by reading the identification mark attached to the container Z, but if the sensor 20 has a shooting unit, it can also identify the appearance information of the container Z such as color or shape based on the shooting data obtained by shooting the container Z, and obtain the container information in association with the appearance information.

[0087] like Figure 6 As shown, the analysis system 100 of the present invention may include a plurality of analysis devices 101 of different or the same type. In this case, the container information may include device information for identifying the analyzing device 101 to which the container Z is transported, and the transport unit 30 may be configured to transport the container Z to the analyzing device 101 indicated by the device information. With such a configuration, a sample to be analyzed can be automatically transported to an appropriate analyzing device among the plurality of analyzing devices 101 .

[0088] Furthermore, the analysis system 100 of the present invention may be configured to be switchable to a learning analysis mode in which the analysis device 101 analyzes a sample contained in the container Z and analysis conditions used for the analysis are stored as container information. In this case, when the sample is analyzed in the learning analysis mode, physical property values ​​such as the refractive index of the sample and various calculation parameters set during the analysis can be stored as analysis conditions in, for example, an analysis condition storage unit provided in the analysis device 101 . Thus, the operator can create an identification code that can acquire the analysis conditions stored in the analysis condition storage unit as container information at an arbitrary timing and attach it to the container Z, thereby automating the setting of the analysis conditions.

[0089] Furthermore, if Figure 7 As shown, the analysis system 100 may also have a function as a display unit that displays the container information of each sample and the analysis result of the sample on a display or the like in a manner that allows comparison. As a specific embodiment of the display unit, for example, container information such as sampling time is displayed in a table, and analysis results of samples associated with each container information are displayed on the same screen as the table.

[0090] Furthermore, in the embodiment, a reading unit such as a reader for reading an identification code such as a QR code is set respectively corresponding to the setting position 11, but a common reading unit that is used for multiple containers Z can also be pre-set, and a sensor 20 for obtaining container information can be set separately corresponding to the setting position 11 separately from the reading unit.

[0091] Furthermore, the conveying device 102 of the present invention may include a second sensor for reading information previously added to the container Z separately from the sensor 20, and a reading unit for reading an identification code may be used as the second sensor.

[0092] The second sensor acquires analysis-related information such as information on the sample stored in the container and information on analysis conditions, separately from the container information acquired by the sensor 20 .

[0093] In this case, the second sensors may be provided corresponding to the installation locations 11 respectively, similarly to the sensor 20 , or a single second sensor commonly used for a plurality of containers Z may be provided.

[0094] As an example of the operation when the second sensor is also used for a plurality of containers Z, the following case can be cited.

[0095] First, the user sequentially places a plurality of containers Z containing samples to be measured on the placement portion 11 of the tray 10 .

[0096] Thus, a sensor 20 such as a photographing unit, a contact sensor, a weight sensor or a magnetic sensor detects a container Z set at the setting location 11, and transmits container information representing the situation to the controller 40 in association with position information representing the position (coordinates) of the setting location 11 where the sensor 20 is set.

[0097] Next, the conveyance control unit 42 of the controller 40 causes the conveyance unit 30 to pick up the container Z in the picking order determined based on the container information.

[0098] At this time, the transport control unit 42 controls the transport unit 30 so as to transport the picked-up container Z to the second sensor before the sample is put into the analyzer 101 .

[0099] Thus, the second sensor reads an identification code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code attached to the container Z, acquires the analysis-related information, and outputs the analysis-related information to the analysis condition setting unit 43 of the controller 40 or the analyzer 101 .

[0100] Thereafter, the transport control unit 42 controls the transport unit 30 to transport the container Z to a loading position near the analyzer 101 , and loads the sample in the container Z into the sample loading space of the analyzer 101 .

[0101] According to such a configuration, since the second sensor is also used for a plurality of containers Z, analysis-related information can be acquired from each container Z while reducing the number of second sensors.

[0102] Furthermore, an imaging unit capable of imaging the entire tray 10 may be provided, and the position information of the container installed in the installation location 11 may be acquired based on the imaging data acquired by the imaging unit.

[0103] Furthermore, the container information may include information related to pretreatment required before analyzing the sample. In this embodiment, the conveying unit 30 may be configured to perform pretreatment (for example, treatment of mixed water, etc.) on the sample contained in the container Z before conveying the container Z picked up from the tray 10 to the analysis device 101 based on the container information.

[0104] Furthermore, the transport unit 30 and the analysis device 101 may be configured to start operating when the container Z is set at the setting position X of the tray 10 . Specifically, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which a container Z is set on an empty tray 10 or a tray 10 in which no new container Z has been set for a predetermined time, and when the container information of the container Z is obtained, the conveying unit 30 starts conveying the container Z according to a picking order determined based on the container information, and the analyzing device 101 starts analyzing the sample contained in the conveyed container Z using the analyzing conditions contained in the same container information. With such a configuration, the user only needs to place the container Z on the tray 10 , and then the transport unit 30 and the analyzer 101 cooperate to perform analysis, so that the user can even save the task of pressing an analysis start button for starting analysis.

[0105] As the analysis device 101, in the embodiment, an example of a particle size distribution measuring device using static light scattering is given, but it is not limited to this, and it may also be a particle size distribution measuring device using dynamic light scattering, a particle size distribution measuring device using a particle tracking method, an X-ray analysis device, a Raman spectroscopic analysis device, or the like, a device that changes the analysis conditions according to the sample.

[0106] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Description of reference numerals:

[0107] 100: analysis system; Z: container; 101: device; C: shell; S: sample introduction space; 102: conveying device; 10: tray; 11: installation position; 20: sensor; 30: conveying unit; 40: controller; 41: container information acquisition unit; 42: conveying control unit; 43: analysis condition setting unit; 50: notification unit.

Claims

1. A transport device for transporting a container containing a sample to an analysis device, characterized in that: have: A tray having a plurality of locations for arranging the containers; Sensors are provided corresponding to the respective installation positions, and acquire information obtained by installing the container, namely, container information; a conveying unit that picks up the container placed on the tray and conveys the container to the analyzing device; and The conveyance control unit causes the conveyance unit to pick up the container in a picking order determined based on the container information.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that After the transport unit starts transporting the container to the analysis device, when a new container is placed at the placement position of the tray, the transport control unit determines a picking order of the new container based on the container information of the new container.

3. The conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The transport device further includes a second sensor that is different from the sensor and acquires analysis-related information including at least information related to the sample or information related to analysis conditions of the sample.

4. The conveying device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second sensor is provided corresponding to each of the installation locations or is used for a plurality of the containers.

5. The conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The container information includes analysis conditions corresponding to the sample stored in the container.

6. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The sensor is a reading unit that obtains the container information by reading an identification code attached to the container, or a photographing unit that obtains the container information by photographing the container.

7. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The transport device has an interruption function that allows containers different from the containers picked up in the picking order to be preferentially transported to the analysis device regardless of the picking order.

8. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The container information includes a file name for storing the analysis result of the sample stored in the container.

9. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The transport control unit acquires the container information obtained by the sensor and position information indicating the position of the installation location where the sensor is installed, and controls the transport unit using the picking order determined based on the container information and the position information.

10. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The container information includes a sampling time, which is a time when the sample is sampled in the container. The transport control unit determines the picking order so as to pick up the containers in chronological order starting from the container with the earliest sampling time.

11. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The container information includes a detection time, which is the time when the sensor detects the container. The transport control unit determines the picking order so that the containers are picked up in chronological order starting from the container with the earliest detection time.

12. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The transport device includes a notification unit, which is provided corresponding to each of the installation locations and notifies whether the sensor has acquired the container information.

13. An analysis system, characterized in that: have: The delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 12; and The analyzing device analyzes the physical properties of the sample.

14. The analysis system according to claim 13, characterized in that The transport device and the analysis device are operated when the container is placed at the placement position of the tray.

15. The analysis system according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The analysis system comprises a plurality of the analysis devices. The container information includes device information, and the device information is used to identify the analysis device to which the container is transported. The transport unit transports the container to the analysis device indicated by the device information.

16. The analysis system according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that The analysis system can be switched to a learning analysis mode in which the sample contained in the container is analyzed by the analysis device, and analysis conditions used for the analysis are stored as the container information.

17. A program for a conveying device, used for a conveying device, characterized in that: The conveying device conveys a container containing a sample to an analysis device, and comprises: a tray provided with a plurality of placement locations for placing the container; a sensor provided corresponding to each of the placement locations and acquiring information obtained by placing the container, namely, container information; and a conveying unit, which picks up the container placed on the tray and conveys the container to the analysis device. The program for the conveying device causes a computer to function as a conveying control unit that causes the conveying unit to pick up the container in a picking order determined based on the container information.

18. A method for transporting a container containing a sample to an analysis device, characterized in that: placing the container at one of a plurality of placement locations on the tray, The information obtained by installing the container, that is, container information, is obtained by using sensors installed corresponding to the installation locations. The conveying unit is caused to pick up the containers placed on the tray in a picking order determined based on the container information and convey the containers to the analyzing device.

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