Container storage box, automatic analyzer, and container storage method

Abstract

The present invention is provided with: a container case (8) for holding a QC specimen container (4) containing a liquid; an annular retainer (9) configured so that a plurality of container cases (8) can be disposed; and a cooling device, the container case (8) comprising: a first cylindrical portion (8a) having a first diameter (d1); and a second cylinder section (8b) which is located vertically below the first cylinder section (8a) and has a second diameter (d2) smaller than the first diameter (d1), at least a portion of the second cylinder section (8b) is held so as to be exposed from the annular holder (9), and the cooling device cools at least the second cylinder section (8b) exposed from the annular holder (9).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container storage box suitable for an automatic analyzer for analyzing biological samples such as blood and urine, and in particular to a container storage box in which containers containing standard samples and precision control samples are individually placed in a housing for storage, an automatic analyzer, and a container storage method. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an automatic analyzer having a "reagent cooler box" whose interior is surrounded by a triple-wall structure. A cooled fluid (cooling water) circulates within the triple-wall structure, and air cooled by heat exchange (cooling air) is directly introduced into the reagent cooler box. This allows efficient cooling in a compact device. Furthermore, the cooled air is used to raise the pressure inside the reagent cooler box to above atmospheric pressure, thereby ejecting the cool air from a reagent suction hole to prevent outside air from flowing in through the hole, thereby suppressing condensation within the reagent cooler box.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-185980 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] Automatic analyzers are devices that automatically analyze biological samples such as blood and output the results. They are essential in hospitals and medical testing facilities. These automatic analyzers are required to perform a wider variety of tests in a shorter time.

[0008] Such automated analyzers require precision control using standard samples and precision control samples at startup each morning or when new reagents are added, placing a burden on the operator. Therefore, there is a need for automated analyzers that can achieve precision control without requiring the operator to add standard and precision control samples each time.

[0009] The automatic analyzer requires a storage box for storing standard samples and quality control samples. In addition, standard samples and quality control samples are sometimes collectively referred to as QC specimens or QC specimen samples.

[0010] Patent document 1 discloses a structure in which reagents used for reactions in an automatic analyzer are placed in containers according to the reagents in a storage device, and the containers are arranged in a reagent setting portion within a reagent cooling box (hereinafter also referred to as a cooling box). It also discloses a structure in which the interior of the reagent cooling box is kept cool at, for example, 5°C to 12°C to prevent deterioration of the reagents.

[0011] Since QC specimens vary depending on the analysis item, there are many types. Therefore, it is preferable that the storage box can store, for example, 100 or more specimens, and preferably has a structure that can reduce the size of the storage box by storing specimens at a high density and efficiently.

[0012] Here, in order to prevent the deterioration of QC samples, the incorporation of foreign matter, and concentration changes due to evaporation, it is preferable to store them in a cooled state. Furthermore, it is preferable to have a uniform temperature within the storage box with minimal temperature variations. Hereinafter, the storage box may be referred to as a cold storage box.

[0013] The structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a reagent cooler with a reagent container storage area for storing multiple reagent containers. It has a triple-walled structure with two compartments. Cooling water flowing through one compartment cools air passing through the other compartment, and this cool air is then fed into the reagent cooler for cooling. This structure is obviously complex, and there is room for improvement in cooling efficiency and reliability.

[0014] The present invention provides a container storage box, an automatic analyzer, and a container storage method that can achieve improved cooling efficiency of a sample in a container and improved reliability compared to conventional structures.

[0015] Solutions to Problems

[0016] The present invention includes multiple solutions to the above-mentioned problems. For example, it comprises: a container shell, which holds a container containing liquid; a retainer, which is configured to be able to arrange multiple container shells; and a cooling device, wherein the container shell includes: a first area, which has a first diameter; and a second area, which is located vertically below the first area and has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, at least a portion of the second area is held in a manner exposed from the retainer, and the cooling device cools at least the second area exposed from the retainer.

[0017] Effects of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, compared with the conventional structure, it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency of the sample in the container and improve the reliability. Other problems, structures and effects other than the above will become clear from the following description of the embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic plan view of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 It is a BB cross-sectional view of the container storage device according to the embodiment.

[0021] Figure 3 It is an AA cross-sectional view of the container storage device according to the embodiment.

[0022] Figure 4 These are four views showing the structure of the container shell and the lid according to the embodiment.

[0023] Figure 5 It is a CC cross-sectional view showing the structure of the container case and the lid body according to the embodiment.

[0024] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing the structure of a container case and a lid according to an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 7 It is a perspective view showing the opening and closing operation of the cover body according to the embodiment.

[0026] Figure 8 The present invention is a plan view and a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the container case and the cover according to the embodiment are arranged close to each other in the radial direction of the safe deposit box.

[0027] Figure 9 It is an FF cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the container case and the lid body according to the embodiment.

[0028] Figure 10 It is a FF cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the container case and the lid according to the embodiment, and is a diagram showing the fully opened state of the lid and the container removal operation.

[0029] Figure 11 It is a partial plan view showing the arrangement of the container case and the cover body in the safe deposit box according to the embodiment.

[0030] Figure 12 This is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of the container case and the lid body in the safe deposit box according to the embodiment.

[0031] Figure 13 It is a DD cross-sectional view showing the structure of the encoder according to the embodiment.

[0032] Figure 14 It is a partially exploded perspective view showing the arrangement and mounting structure of the rotating disk, the retainer member, and the container case of the safe deposit box according to the embodiment.

[0033] Figure 15 It is a plan view showing the structure of a holder member of a safety deposit box according to an embodiment.

[0034] Figure 16 It is a plan view showing the arrangement and mounting structure of the rotating disk, the retainer member, and the container case of the safe deposit box according to the embodiment.

[0035] Figure 17It is an AA cross-sectional view showing the structure of the safety deposit box and the flow of cold air according to the embodiment.

[0036] Figure 18 It is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the safety deposit box and the flow of cold air according to the embodiment.

[0037] Figure 19 This is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the flow of cool air when a container is taken out from the container case in the safety deposit box according to the embodiment.

[0038] Figure 20 It is an AA cross-sectional view showing the structure of the safety deposit box and the flow of cold air according to the embodiment.

[0039] Figure 21 This is another embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing a structure including a second holder member capable of supporting a different container shell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] use Figures 1 to 21 In the drawings used in this specification, identical or corresponding components are denoted by identical or similar reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions of these components may be omitted.

[0041] First, use Figure 1 The overall structure of the automatic analyzer 2 including the container storage device 1 will be described. Figure 1 It is a schematic plan view of the automatic analyzer 2 .

[0042] Figure 1 The automatic analysis device 2 of the present invention shown has the following devices, etc.: a container storage device 1, which stores the QC sample container 4 used for the measurement of the analysis device 3; the analysis device 3, which is a device for measuring the physical properties of the sample and needs to ensure the analysis accuracy based on the QC sample, etc.; a pretreatment device 5, which performs various pretreatments on the sample before the analysis of the sample by the analysis device 3; and a post-processing device, which performs various post-processings on the sample, etc. after the analysis of the sample.

[0043] The control device 6 includes, for example, a control computer, a drive circuit for each drive motor, a control circuit for a barcode reader, a storage device for read barcodes, a signal detection circuit for various sensors, a control circuit for a cooling device, a display circuit for a monitor, and the like, and controls various operations of the container storage device 1.

[0044] Furthermore, the analyzer 3, pre-processing device 5, post-processing device, and container storage device 1 that constitute the automated analyzer 2 may each include two or more, may be omitted as needed, or may be modified as appropriate depending on the system configuration. In such cases, they can also be connected to each other via the first transport path 7, allowing specimen containers, racks holding specimen containers, and the like to be moved and transferred.

[0045] Next, use appropriately Figure 2 、 Figure 3 as well as Figure 1 The structure of the container storage device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 2 It is a schematic plan view of the container storage device and is Figure 3 BB cross-sectional view, Figure 3 yes Figure 2 AA cross-sectional view.

[0046] In this embodiment, the holder is shown as a circular holder 9 that can arrange and secure the container housing 8 in a triple concentric arrangement. The container housing 8 is arranged concentrically on the circular holder 9 relative to the central axis 10 of the safe deposit box. However, the holder is not limited to a circular ring shape and can also be a disk or sector shape. Furthermore, the container housing 8 does not need to be held concentrically on the holder and can be arranged in other configurations. In the following description, the container may sometimes be referred to as a specimen container or a QC specimen container.

[0047] In the following description, up, down, left, right, front, and back directions are represented by Figures 1 to 3 The up, down, left, right, front, and back directions shown in FIG are used as a reference. In this embodiment, the front and back directions are the radial directions of the safe deposit box 11 along line AA and are perpendicular to the first transport path 7. The left and right directions are parallel to the first transport path 7, which is perpendicular to line AA.

[0048] pass Figure 2 and Figure 3 The schematic structure of the container storage device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The container storage device 1 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 12 , and a substantially cylindrical storage box 11 is provided inside the housing 12 .

[0049] use Figures 2 to 3 The structure of the safe deposit box 11 will be described. The safe deposit box 11 is cylindrically arranged around a vertically oriented central axis 10. To maintain a low temperature inside, for example, below 10°C, the outer cylindrical surface, top, and bottom surfaces of the safe deposit box 11 are covered with a heat insulating material 13 with low thermal conductivity. This is cooled by a cooling device 14 using, for example, low-temperature air. The heat insulating material 13 houses a rotating disk 16, which is rotatable about the rotating axis.

[0050] Inside the safe deposit box 11, a disc-shaped rotating disk 16 is mounted so as to rotate about a support shaft 15 coaxial with the safe deposit box's central axis 10. Rotating disk 16 is connected to a drive motor 18, such as a stepping motor, via a disk drive shaft 17 and a timing belt 19. Rotating disk 16 is capable of rotation and can be stopped at a predetermined angular position by a rotary encoder (hereinafter referred to as encoder 56) using an angle detection sensor 58. The detailed structure of this device will be described separately.

[0051] On the rotating disk 16, a plurality of container shells 8 are arranged concentrically and radially around the central axis of the storage box 11 via a ring holder 9. Each container shell 8 contains a liquid 86 containing a QC specimen sample (see Figure 5 In this embodiment, the container shell 8 is arranged along three concentric circles, namely, the outer circle 20c, the middle circle 20b, and the inner circle 20a.

[0052] Each container case 8 is fixed to the ring holder 9 by, for example, screw fastening or a so-called snap fastening utilizing elastic deformation of a resin member.

[0053] The annular retainer 9 is composed of concentric circles rotatable around a rotation axis, and is configured so that a plurality of container shells 8 can be arranged in a double or more concentric circle. The details of the structure will be described later.

[0054] A fixed disk 21 is provided in a gap between the rotating disk 16 and the heat insulating material 13 . The fixed disk 21 includes an outer cylindrical portion 21 a provided concentrically with the rotating disk 16 and located closer to the outer periphery than the rotating disk 16 , and a disk portion 21 b provided below the rotating disk 16 .

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown, in order to cool the inside of the safe deposit box 11 , a cooling device 14 is provided in connection with the bottom surface of the safe deposit box 11 .

[0056] The cooling device 14 comprises: a cold air duct 24 formed in a roughly U shape, with one side of the duct covered by the heat insulating material 13 serving as an air intake port 22 for sucking air into the interior of the safe deposit box 11 where the QC specimen container 4 is located, and the other side serving as an air discharge port 23, connected to the bottom surface of the safe deposit box 11; a cold air supply fan 25a for introducing the air inside the safe deposit box 11 into the cold air duct 24 via the air intake port 22; a cold air supply fan 25b for blowing the air cooled in the cold air duct 24 into the interior of the safe deposit box 11 where the QC specimen container 4 is located via the air discharge port 23; and a cooling element 26.

[0057] Cooling fins 27 are provided on the inner wall of the cold air duct 24, projecting into the duct. These fins 27 are placed in contact with the low-temperature side of a cooling element 26, such as a Peltier element that generates a temperature difference when a voltage is applied. These fins 27 cool the air conveyed within the cold air duct 24. Furthermore, heat sinks 28, which are placed in contact with the high-temperature side of the cooling element 26, are positioned toward the outside of the cold air duct 24 and dissipate heat to the outside via an exhaust port 30 using a heat dissipation fan 29.

[0058] A shutter opening 32 is provided on a rearwardly directed radius of a drum-shaped upper cover 31 constituting the upper surface of the safe deposit box 11 .

[0059] The gate opening 32 of this embodiment has a generally rectangular shape, with one side oriented in the front-to-back direction and the other side being shorter and orthogonal to the other side. In this embodiment, the length of one side is sufficient to expose the container shells 8 located on the outer circumference 20c and the inner circumference 20a of the container shells 8 arranged in a triple concentric circle when viewed from above, while the length of the other side is sufficient to expose one of the container shells 8 when viewed from above. This opening dimension allows the QC sample container 4 to be placed in or removed from the container shells 8 using the container gripping device 33 described below. In the following description, one side of the gate opening 32 may be referred to as the long side, and the other side as the short side.

[0060] A gate 34 is provided at the gate opening 32, which is opened and closed by a gate opening and closing mechanism (not shown). An airtight sealant (not shown) is provided around the gate 34 to seal the gate opening 32 of the safe deposit box 11 from the gate 34. This prevents outside air from entering the cooled safe deposit box 11 when the gate 34 is closed.

[0061] By rotating the rotary disk 16 and stopping it at a position where the central axis of the QC sample container 4 stored in the predetermined container housing 8 installed in the storage box 11 coincides with the gate opening 32 , the predetermined QC sample container 4 can be arranged within the range of the gate opening 32 .

[0062] A lid opening and closing device 35 is provided adjacent to the shutter opening 32 and on the same radius as the central axis 10 of the safe deposit box 11. The lid opening and closing device 35 can act on a lid 36 provided on the upper surface of the container housing 8 stored in the safe deposit box 11 through the shutter opening 32 in the open state to open and close the lid 36.

[0063] The lid opening and closing device 35 has a cylindrical support rod 38 extending downward and rearward from the lower end of an opening and closing arm 37 that is movable in the front-back and up-down directions. Opening and closing hooks 39 extending symmetrically in the left-right direction are provided at the lower end of the support rod 38. The support rod 38 and opening and closing hooks 39 form a generally inverted T-shape when viewed from the front or rear.

[0064] The container gripping device 33 (gripper) has an opening and closing claw (gripping claw) 40 at its lower end that can grip and release the QC sample container 4 held in the container housing 8. The container gripping device 33 is supported by the second transport path 41 for movement in the front-to-back and vertical directions. With the lid 36 open, the container gripping device 33 can remove the QC sample container 4 from the storage box 11, move it to the first transport path 7, and place it on a container rack (not shown) located on the first transport path 7.

[0065] use Figures 4 to 7 Next, the structure of the container shell 8 and the cover 36 provided on the upper surface of the container shell 8 and the opening operation of the cover 36 by the cover opening and closing device 35 will be described. In addition, the container cover may be simply referred to as the cover.

[0066] Figure 4 36 is a four-view diagram showing the structure of the container shell 8 provided with a cover body 36. Figure 4 (a) is a top view, Figure 4 (b) is the rear view, Figure 4 (c) is a side view showing the fully open state of the cover 36, and the fully closed state of the cover 36 is indicated by a one-dot chain line. Figure 4 (d) is the main view.

[0067] Figure 5 It is a cross section CC of the container housing 8 and the lid 36 , showing the fully closed state of the lid 36 .

[0068] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of the container case 8 and the lid 36 , showing the fully closed state of the lid 36 .

[0069] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the operation of opening the cover 36 from the closed state by the action of the opening and closing hook 39 of the cover opening and closing device 35 as viewed from the rear upper part. Figures 4 to 7 , the QC sample container 4 is set in the container housing 8.

[0070] The container housing 8 has a generally stepped cylindrical shape with an opening 8c having a diameter d0 on its upper surface. This diameter d0 allows for insertion and removal of the QC sample container 4 held by the container holding device 33. The upper portion of the container housing 8 comprises a first cylindrical portion 8a having a larger first diameter d1. Vertically below the first cylindrical portion 8a is a second cylindrical portion 8b, concentric with the first cylindrical portion 8a and having a smaller second diameter d2. A step 42 is formed between the first and second cylindrical portions 8a, and is placed on a ring holder 9.

[0071] The first cylindrical portion 8a is configured such that the gripping claws 40 of the container gripping device 33 are inserted into the cylindrical gap between the outer periphery of the QC sample container 4 held therein and the inner periphery of the first cylindrical portion 8a, and the gripping claws 40 are opened and closed to grip and release the QC sample container 4. Therefore, an appropriate gap is required so that when the gripping claws 40 are lowered in the open position to grip the QC sample container 4, the gripping claws 40 do not contact either the upper end of the QC sample container 4 or the opening 8c in the upper surface of the container housing 8. Therefore, there is a limit to reducing the first diameter d1.

[0072] An annular sealing member 43 is provided on the lowermost surface of the second cylindrical portion 8b, i.e., the bottom surface of the housing. This sealing member 43 is formed of a soft material such as rubber and has an inner peripheral hole with a diameter slightly smaller than the outer cylindrical surface of the QC sample container 4. This sealing member 43 maintains an airtight seal with the outer cylindrical surface of the QC sample container 4 when the QC sample container 4 is inserted and retained in the container housing 8, and the lower end of the QC sample container 4 is exposed below the annular retainer 9.

[0073] The bottom disk portion 68 of the rotating disk 16 (see Figure 8 A retaining hole 69 supporting the lower end of the QC specimen container 4 is provided at a position corresponding to each QC specimen container 4 in the assembly, and the retaining hole 69 cooperates with the annular sealing component 43 to vertically retain the QC specimen container 4 in a non-contact state with the inner periphery of the container shell 8.

[0074] The container housing 8 has a cover support shaft 44 provided on the outer edge of the opening 8c on its upper surface. The cover 36 for opening and closing the opening 8c is pivotally supported around the cover support shaft 44 so as to be openable and closable. When the cover 36 is closed, a disc-shaped seal 45 provided on the lower surface of the cover 36 contacts the inner side of the opening 8c of the container housing 8, thereby hermetically sealing the interior of the container housing 8.

[0075] The cover support shaft 44 is provided with a housing hinge portion 46 and a lid hinge portion 47 between the cover support shaft 44 and the adjacent container housing 8'. This prevents interference with the adjacent container housing 8 when a container housing 8 of the same shape is positioned immediately in front of the container housing 8. The housing hinge portion 46 is formed by extending a portion of the container housing 8 forward, while the lid hinge portion 47 is formed by extending a portion of the cover 36 forward. Specifically, the gap between the adjacent container housing 8' is the narrowest minimum gap along the central axis, and the housings can be arranged with a spacing as close as approximately 1 mm, for example.

[0076] On the other hand, since container housing 8 is cylindrical, the distance between them increases as they move away from the central axis. Therefore, it is preferable that the maximum width W1 of housing hinge 46 is slightly smaller than the maximum diameter of the upper end of container housing 8, and that it be positioned within a range that does not interfere with the projection of the adjacent container housing 8' when viewed in plan. The maximum width W2 of lid hinge 47 is slightly smaller than the inner width of housing hinge 46, providing a gap in the left-right direction, allowing lid 36 to open and close freely about lid support shaft 44.

[0077] according to Figure 4 (c) will now describe an example of a preferred position for the lid support shaft 44. A seal 45 is provided. This seal 45 is configured to enter the container housing 8 through the opening 8c on the upper surface of the container housing 8 when the lid 36 is fully closed, abut against the inner circumference of the container housing 8, and maintain an airtight seal. When the lid 36 is fully open, the full opening angle is preferably set to 90 degrees or greater, for example, approximately 100 to 105 degrees, so that the seal 45 is located outside the opening 8c on the upper surface of the container housing 8 when viewed from above.

[0078] Opening the opening 8c on the upper surface of the container shell 8 in this manner can prevent the gripping claws 40 of the container gripping device 33 from becoming obstructed when inserting into the container shell 8 to grip the QC sample container 4, thereby improving the reliability of the loading and unloading operation of the QC sample container 4 and is therefore preferred.

[0079] Here, in order to set the full opening angle of the cover body 36 to, for example, about 100° to 105°, the frontmost part of the shell hinge part 46 of the container shell 8 is formed into a shape convex upward as a locking surface 48, and a part of the cover body 36 is set as a locking protrusion 49 that protrudes outward in the left and right directions. As long as the structure is set so that the locking protrusion 49 abuts against the locking surface 48 when the cover body is fully opened, it has the effect of maintaining the fully open state with high precision.

[0080] A hook receiving portion 50 for opening and closing the cover 36 by means of an opening and closing hook 39 is provided on the upper surface of the cover 36 which is substantially disc-shaped. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 5 ( a ), the hook receiving portion 50 has a substantially U-shape when viewed in a plan view, and the hook receiving portion end surface 51 on the rear surface is open.

[0081] The hook receiving portion end face 51 is as follows when viewed from behind Figure 4As shown in (b), an inverted T-shaped cover groove 53 is formed, and a shape is formed so that the inverted T-shaped support rod portion 38 and the opening and closing hook 39 can be inserted or pulled out. The shape of the cover groove 53 clamps the support rod portion 38, and the hook receiving portion 50 is symmetrical. The cover groove 53 is sometimes called a recessed portion. The rear end portion of the upper surface of the cover body 36 can also form a cover protrusion 52 parallel to the end surface 51 of the hook receiving portion. The rear end portion of the upper surface of the cover body 36 is a flat area 50a behind the end surface 51 of the hook receiving portion.

[0082] The support rod 38 moves horizontally forward from the region 50a through the hook receiving portion end surface 51 and is inserted into the front-to-rear cover groove 53 provided on the upper surface of the hook receiving portion 50. The opening and closing hook 39 is inserted between the upper surface of the cover body 36 and the upper surface 54 of the cover groove, which is parallel to the upper surface of the cover body. If the support rod 38 is pushed downward, the cover body 36 is closed. If the support rod 38 is raised with the opening and closing hook 39 located below the upper surface 54 of the cover groove, the cover body 36 is opened.

[0083] The hook receiving portion 50 is convex from the upper surface of the lid 36. The hook receiving portion 50 is shaped so as not to interfere with the lid 36 or the hook receiving portion 50 of the adjacent container case 8' when the lid 36 is fully opened.

[0084] If based on Figure 7 The series of opening actions of the cover 36 are described as follows:

[0085] (a) The opening and closing arm 37 is moved horizontally and lowered vertically, and the opening and closing hook 39 contacts the upper surface of the cover 36 in the area 50 a behind the hook receiving portion end surface 51 .

[0086] (b) The opening and closing arm 37 is horizontally moved in a direction approaching the cover support shaft 44. The opening and closing hook 39 is inserted into the hook receiving portion 50.

[0087] (c) The opening and closing arm 37 is raised. The lid 36 is opened via the hook receiving portion 50 by the raising of the opening and closing hook 39 .

[0088] (d) The opening and closing arm 37 is moved horizontally toward the cover support shaft 44 to fully open the cover 36.

[0089] Through the above-described operation, the lid 36 can be brought from the closed state to the fully opened state.

[0090] Next, according to Figures 8 to 10 , the positional relationship between the container shells 8 when the container shells 8 are arranged in a straight line on the center line on the radius of the triple concentric circles will be described.

[0091] Figure 8 (a) is a plane graph, Figure 8(b) is a left side view, in which the annular retainer 9 and the rotating disk 16 outside the container shell 8 are represented in cross section. Figure 9 It is from Figure 8 (b) A longitudinal sectional view showing the container housing 8 in section. The front portion is close to the central axis of the rotating disk 16, and the rear portion is close to the outer periphery of the rotating disk 16. Figure 10 is with Figure 9 In the same longitudinal sectional view, the lid 36 of the container case 8 disposed on the middle circumference 20b is in the fully opened state.

[0092] Figure 8 The state shown is as follows: the center distance between the container shell 8 arranged on the inner circumference circle 20a arranged at the front and the container shell 8 arranged on the middle circumference circle 20b is the minimum value L1, for example, the container shell 8 is arranged with a "minimum gap" of about 1 mm.

[0093] In this case, the cover body support shaft 44 of the container shell 8 arranged on the middle circumference circle 20b, or the cover hinge part 47 and the shell hinge part 46 constituting the cover body support shaft 44, overlap with the container shell 8 arranged on the inner circumference circle 20a when viewed from the side, and the front end of the shell hinge part 46 of the container shell 8 arranged on the middle circumference circle 20b is located forward of the rear end part of the container shell 8 arranged on the inner circumference circle 20a or the cover protrusion 52 of the cover body 36.

[0094] That is, the front end of the shell hinge portion 46 arranged on the middle circle 20b and the rear end of the container shell 8 or the cover protrusion 52 of the cover body 36 arranged on the inner circle 20a have overlapping areas "OL" when viewed from the side, and are arranged on the same radius line of the concentric circles.

[0095] By arranging the container cases 8 having the shape around the cover support shaft 44 close to each other in the front-rear direction, the arrangement density of the container cases 8 is increased, and the diameter of the rotary disk 16 is reduced, thereby miniaturizing the storage box 11.

[0096] However, this close arrangement is limited to a case where the container shells 8 arranged adjacent to each other are arranged on the same line in the front-back direction, in other words, in the opening direction of the lid body 36 .

[0097] In addition, further, Figure 10 As shown, the dimensional relationship is set as follows: even when a pair of container shells 8, 8 arranged on the middle circle 20b and the inner circle 20a are close to each other and arranged at a distance L1 (first radial interval), when the cover body 36 of the container shell 8 arranged on the middle circle 20b is fully opened, the hook receiving parts 50 arranged on the upper surface of the cover body 36 do not interfere with each other.

[0098] exist Figures 8 to 10, the distance between the container shell 8 arranged on the middle circumference circle 20b and the container shell 8 arranged on the outer circumference circle 20c is a distance L2 (second radial spacing) greater than the minimum value L1. Therefore, the configuration is such that, in the container shells 8 adjacent to each other at the first radial spacing, the cover support shaft 44 and the adjacent shell overlap when viewed from the side, and in the container shells 8 adjacent to each other at the second radial spacing, a gap is formed between the cover support shaft 44 and the adjacent shell when viewed from the side. In other words, the container shell 8 arranged outside the first circle (inner circumference circle 20a) and on the same radial line of the concentric circle (middle circumference circle 20b) is configured so that the circumference closer to the first circle is closer than the circumference of the second circle (outer circumference circle 20c).

[0099] Specifically, in a pair of container shells 8 and 8 arranged at a distance L2 by being arranged on the outer circumference 20c and the middle circumference 20b, the lid support shaft 44 of the container shell 8 arranged on the outer circumference 20c, or the lid hinge portion 47 and the housing hinge portion 46 constituting the lid support shaft 44, are separated from the container shell 8 arranged on the middle circumference 20b by a gap, when viewed from the side. The front end of the housing hinge portion 46 arranged on the outer circumference 20c is located further rearward than the rear end of the container shell 8 arranged on the middle circumference 20b or the lid protrusion 52 of the lid 36. In other words, a gap, or "gap," is created between the front end of the housing hinge portion 46 arranged on the outer circumference 20c and the rear end of the container shell 8 arranged on the middle circumference 20b or the lid protrusion 52 of the lid 36.

[0100] According to this configuration, the container shell 8 arranged on the outer circle 20c and the container shell 8 arranged on the middle circle 20b will not interfere with each other even if they are not necessarily arranged in alignment along a straight line in the front-to-back direction, that is, the opening direction of the cover body 36. Therefore, they can be arranged at a position moved in the direction of the arrow relative to the "center line", that is, a position offset relative to the middle circle.

[0101] like Figure 10 As shown, the cover 36 is configured to open toward the center of the concentric circles. Figure 10 In the figure, the dot-dash line shows the fully open state toward the rear of the container storage device 1, i.e., toward the outer periphery of the rotating disk 16. When the lid 36 is opened in this manner, the maximum radius of the rotating disk 16 increases from outer diameter 55a to outer diameter 55b. In other words, a structure in which the lid 36 is opened toward the front, i.e., toward the central axis of the rotating disk 16, is suitable for miniaturizing the rotating disk 16 and, in turn, the storage box 11.

[0102] Figure 11 An example is shown in which container shells 8, 8, and 8 of the same shape are arranged on three concentric circles: an inner circumference circle 20a, a middle circumference circle 20b, and an outer circumference circle 20c. Figure 11 It is a plan view showing a portion of a state where container shells 8 are arranged in a triple manner on the rotating disk 16 .

[0103] exist Figure 11 , container shells 8 are arranged every 12° on the inner circumference circle 20a and the middle circumference circle 20b, and container shells 8 are arranged every 9° on the outer circumference circle 20c. That is, an example is shown in which three container shells 8 are arranged on the inner circumference and the middle circumference, and four container shells 8 are arranged on the outer circumference every 36°.

[0104] On the "center line", the container shells 8, 8, 8 arranged on the inner circle 20a, the middle circle 20b, and the outer circle 20c are Figure 8 Likewise, they are arranged on a straight line.

[0105] On the inner circle 20a and the middle circle 20b, the container shells 8 and 8 are arranged on a circumference with a minimum spacing, or radius difference of distance L1. The radius R1 of the inner circle 20a is calculated as the radius that allows adjacent container shells 8 to be evenly spaced, a predetermined number N1 (an integer), with a minimum spacing, for example, of approximately 1 mm. If the diameter of the container shells 8 is d and the minimum spacing between adjacent container shells is δ, the circumferential length is calculated as (π × R1 × 2) = (d + δ) × N1. The arrangement radius of the middle circle 20b is (R1 + L1). Since the number of container shells 8 arranged on the middle circle 20b and the inner circle 20a is equal, it is N1.

[0106] If the radius difference between the outer circle 20c and the middle circle 20b is also L1, then the configuration radius on the outer circle 20c is (R1+2×L1), and the number of container shells 8 configured on the inner circle 20a, the middle circle 20b, and the outer circle 20c are all equal, and the total number is (3×N1).

[0107] Here, if the radius difference between the middle circle 20b and the outer circle 20c is set to L2 (>L1), and the container shells 8 arranged on the middle circle 20b and the shell hinge parts 46 of the container shells 8 arranged on the outer circle 20c are arranged at a distance so as not to interfere with each other, then the number of container shells 8 arranged on the outer circle 20c can be increased compared to the number on the inner circle 20a or the middle circle 20b.

[0108] That is, if the arrangement radius of the outer circle 20c is (R1+L1+L2) and the number of container shells 8 arranged is N2 (>N1) (an integer), then a maximum number of N2 containers can be arranged such that the circumferential length {π×(R1+L1+L2)×2}≥{(d+δ)×N2} is satisfied. In other words, the larger the radius of the outer circle 20c, the larger the circumference, and the larger the number of containers can be arranged.

[0109] In this way, it is set to set up a first pair (a pair of inner circle 20a and middle circle 20b) and a second pair (a pair of middle circle 20b and outer circle 20c), wherein the above-mentioned first pair is a pair of concentric circles arranged adjacent to each other at a first radial interval, and the number of container shells 8 that can be arranged on the circumference of each circle is equal, and the above-mentioned second pair is a pair of concentric circles arranged adjacent to each other at a second radial interval wider than the first radial interval, and the number of container shells 8 that can be arranged on the circumference of each circle is different. In addition, when the number of container shells 8 that can be arranged on the circumference of the first circle (inner circle 20a, middle circle 20b) in the concentric circles is defined as the first configuration number, and the number of container shells 8 that can be arranged on the circumference of the second circle (outer circle 20c) in the concentric circles that is arranged on the outside of the first circle is defined as the second configuration number, the second configuration number is greater than the first configuration number.

[0110] In this embodiment, the total number of container shells 8 is (2×N1+N2).

[0111] In this manner, when the number N2 of containers arranged on the outer circle 20c is greater than the number N1 of containers arranged on the middle circle 20b, the container shells 8 on the middle circle 20b and the container shells 8 on the outer circle 20c do not necessarily need to be arranged in a straight line. They may be arranged in a straight line or deviate from a straight line. Hereinafter, the arrangement in a straight line will sometimes be referred to as an in-phase arrangement or an in-phase arrangement. Furthermore, the arrangement deviated from a straight line will sometimes be referred to as an out-of-phase arrangement.

[0112] If the inner circle 20a, the middle circle 20b, and the outer circle 20c are all arranged out of phase with each other, the radius difference between the inner circle 20a and the middle circle 20b, and the radius difference between the middle circle 20b and the outer circle 20c are both L2 (>L1), so the outer circle 20c is enlarged, and there is a limit to the miniaturization of the safe deposit box 11.

[0113] That is, by, for example, arranging the inner circle 20a and the middle circle 20b in phase with each other and arranging the middle circle 20b and the outer circle 20c out of phase with each other, it is possible to suppress the increase in the radius of the outer circle 20c to a level that prevents interference with the hinge portion of the lid while increasing the number of container shells 8 that are arranged, thereby having the effect of improving the arrangement efficiency of the container shells 8 and miniaturizing the safe deposit box 11.

[0114] As another embodiment, it can be constructed so that the inner circle 20a and the middle circle 20b are arranged in phase and the number of arrangements on the middle circle 20b is larger than the number of arrangements on the inner circle 20a, and the middle circle 20b and the outer circle 20c are arranged in phase and the number of arrangements on the middle circle 20b and the outer circle 20c are equal.

[0115] Thus, by combining in-phase and out-of-phase arrangements in a three or more concentric circle arrangement, it is possible to achieve both miniaturization of the safe deposit box 11 and an increase in the number of container shells 8 that can be arranged. Furthermore, since container shells 8, 8, 8 of the same shape can be arranged on the inner circumference 20a, the middle circumference 20b, and the outer circumference 20c, parts can be standardized, thereby facilitating production, maintenance, and parts management.

[0116] The method of calculating the appropriate number of arrangements for each concentric circle will be described in detail later.

[0117] In addition, in the double concentric circle configuration, in the case of the same phase configuration, the same number of container shells 8 as the container shells 8 that can be configured on the inner circumference side are also configured on the outer circumference. If the container shells 8 arranged adjacent to the inner circumference are configured in a manner so that the circumferential gap between each other is minimized, the position or configuration radius (inner radius + L1) of the container shells 8 on the outer circumference is determined, and therefore the size of the safe deposit box 11 is roughly uniquely determined.

[0118] On the other hand, if the configuration is out of phase, the configuration radius of the container shell 8 on the outer peripheral side is (inner peripheral radius + L2), so the diameter size of the safe deposit box 11 is larger than that of the same phase configuration, but more container shells 8 can be configured along the outer peripheral configuration circle than the inner periphery, so the number of container shells 8 that can be accommodated can be increased, the installation efficiency can be improved, and the density can be increased.

[0119] Then, refer to Figure 12 and Figure 11 , which shows a preferred example of a triple concentric circle arrangement of the container shell 8.

[0120] Figure 12 This is a plan view showing a method in which 30 container shells 8 are arranged at equal angles, i.e., every 12°, on the inner circle 20a and the middle circle 20b, respectively, and 40 container shells 8 are arranged at equal angles, i.e., every 9°, on the outer circle 20c. The total number of container shells 8 in this embodiment is 100. Here, the rearward radial direction of the rotating disk 16 is defined as the "origin" direction of the rotating disk 16. In this "origin" direction, the container shells 8 of the inner circle 20a, the middle circle 20b, and the outer circle 20c are arranged in a straight line.

[0121] Container shells 8 are arranged every 12° on inner circle 20a and middle circle 20b, and every 9° on outer circle 20c. Thus, container shells 8 on inner circle 20a, middle circle 20b, and outer circle 20c are arranged on a straight line every 36°, which is the least common multiple of 12 and 9. In other words, the same arrangement pattern repeats every 36° throughout the 360° rotation of rotating disk 16, for a total of ten times. The number of container shells 8 arranged within one arrangement pattern is 1 / 10 of the total number of container shells 8 arranged within each of inner circle 20a, middle circle 20b, and outer circle 20c. Therefore, there are three container shells 8 each on inner circle 20a and middle circle 20b, and four on outer circle 20c.

[0122] Next, use Figure 13 The structure of the encoder 56 for measuring the rotation angle will be described. The encoder 56 is provided to accurately stop the rotating disk 16 when it rotates to move the container housing 8 to the predetermined position of the gate opening 32. The encoder 56 includes an encoder disk 57 formed of a substantially double number of concentric circles, angle detection sensors 58 corresponding to each circumference, such as transmission-type optical sensors, and an origin detection sensor 59.

[0123] The encoder disk 57 rotates integrally with the rotating disk 16. An origin light shielding portion 60 is provided at a predetermined location on the inner circumference of the encoder disk 57. When the rotating disk 16 is at the origin angle, the origin light shielding portion 60 shields the origin detection sensor 59 from light, enabling detection of the origin angle position of the rotating disk 16.

[0124] N pairs of slits 61 (forming gaps) and light shielding portions 62 are alternately arranged at regular angular intervals in a comb-like pattern on the outer periphery of encoder disk 57. As encoder disk 57 rotates, light is transmitted and blocked repeatedly. Angle detection sensor 58 counts these repetitions to detect the rotation angle of rotating disk 16. In this configuration, the angle φ formed between adjacent slits 61 represents the resolution of encoder 56.

[0125] Here, in the case where the encoder disk 57 is made of resin, for example, if the circumferential width of the light-shielding portion 62 on the outer peripheral side does not have a normal wall thickness, for example, a size of about 2.5 mm to 3 mm or more, it is possible to be damaged. Therefore, there is a limit to the number of slits N per circle of the encoder disk 57.

[0126] As an example, if the diameter of encoder disk 57 is 200 mm, the circumference is 628 mm. If the widths of slits 61 and light shielding portion 62 are equal and 3 mm, the number of slits per circle is approximately 104. If the width is 2.5 mm, the number of slits N is approximately 125. Here, as an example, if the number of slits N is 120, which is a divisor of 360°, then slits are provided every angle φ = 3°, and this value is the angular resolution of encoder 56.

[0127] In order to ensure the strength of the light shielding portion 62 as described above, it is preferable that the angular resolution is not excessively reduced.

[0128] Furthermore, the number of slits 61 that can be provided along the circumference of encoder disk 57 is proportional to the circumference, that is, proportional to the diameter. Therefore, to increase the number of slits N, the diameter of encoder disk 57 must be increased. In other words, to miniaturize safe deposit box 11, it is preferable to also reduce the diameter of encoder disk 57. Therefore, it is most preferable to reduce the number of slits N while increasing the number of items that can be stored in container housing 8.

[0129] Alternatively, if the number of container shells 8 arranged on the inner circle 20a, the middle circle 20b, and the outer circle 20c is equal and radially arranged in a straight line at predetermined angles, then only one slit 61 of the encoder 56 corresponding to each predetermined angle is required, thus reducing the number of slits N. For example, if the number of container shells 8 arranged on the inner circle 20a, the middle circle 20b, and the outer circle 20c is 30, and they are arranged at 12° intervals, for a total of 90 container shells 8, then only 30 slits are required at 12° intervals. However, due to the longer circumference of the outer circle 20c, the circumferential gaps between the container shells 8 on the outer circle 20c increase, resulting in increased wasted space. Therefore, there are limits to the miniaturization of the safe deposit box 11 and the improvement of its storage efficiency.

[0130] In this embodiment, 30 of these are arranged at 12° intervals on the inner circle 20a and the middle circle 20b, respectively, and 40 are arranged at 9° intervals on the outer circle 20c. The greatest common divisor of 12° and 9° is 3°. Therefore, if the resolution of the encoder 56 is set to 3°, the encoder 56 can detect the angular positions corresponding to all container housings 8. In other words, the container housing 8 can be moved to the position of the gate opening 32, and the QC sample container 4 in the container housing 8 can be loaded and unloaded using the container gripping device 33.

[0131] The number N of the slits of the encoder 56 is 120, which is the least common multiple of the number of slits arranged on the circumference, 30 and 40. In this case, the resolution of the encoder is 360 / 120=3°.

[0132] As described above, in this embodiment, the container shells 8 are arranged in a straight line at intervals of 36° on the inner circumference 20a, the middle circumference 20b, and the outer circumference 20c. If the encoder disk 57 is configured so that when the container shells 8 are aligned along the gate opening 32, the angle detection sensor 58 detects and positions the rotating disk 16, stopping it. This allows simultaneous positioning of the three container shells 8 by detecting only one slit 61 by the angle detection sensor 58. This is also highly efficient and helps reduce the number of slits N in the encoder 56.

[0133] It is preferably configured so that, when the origin is detected, the container shells 8 of the inner circumference 20a, the middle circumference 20b, and the outer circumference 20c are aligned in a straight line at the gate opening 32. That is, at the origin, without rotating the rotary disk 16, the opening and closing operation of the lid 36 by the lid opening and closing device 35 and the loading and unloading operation of the QC sample container 4 by the container gripping device 33 can be confirmed for the container shells 8 of the inner circumference 20a, the middle circumference 20b, and the outer circumference 20c. This allows for routine initialization and operation confirmation upon power-on in a short period of time.

[0134] Here, as an example, the relationship between the number of container shells 8 arranged on each circumference and the angular resolution of the encoder 56 when the container shells 8 are arranged in double or triple concentric circles will be described using the case of triple concentric circles as an example.

[0135] As described above, a combination of configuration numbers that can reduce the number of slits N in encoder 56 is preferred. The number of slits N in encoder 56 is the least common multiple of the number of containers arranged on each of the three circumferences. In other words, a combination of configuration numbers that can reduce the least common multiple of the number of containers arranged on each circumference is preferred. It goes without saying that for such a combination of configuration numbers, the prime factors shared by each configuration number are common, and the smaller the prime factors themselves, the smaller the least common multiple.

[0136] Here, if the arrangement number is determined solely by the minimum prime factor of 2, then the number of arrangements on the outer circumference is twice that on the inner circumference when arranged out of phase. For example, starting from the inner circumference, the number of arrangements N is 16, 16, 32, or 32, 32, 64. In this case, the arrangement number N differs by one on the inner and outer circumferences. Therefore, the outer circumference 20c is significantly larger than the inner circumference 20a and the middle circumference 20b. This results in a larger safe deposit box 11, and miniaturization has its limits.

[0137] In other words, since the number N of inner circles 20a and middle circles 20b can only be configured as 1 / 2 of the number of outer circles 20c, the gaps on the circumferences of the container shells 8 arranged on the inner side become larger. Compared with the configuration radius, the total number of container shells 8 that can be stored becomes smaller, and the efficiency is not high.

[0138] The number N of slits in the encoder 56 is equal to the number of slits arranged on the outer circumference 20 c , so the number is small. However, the total number of container housings 8 that can be stored is small, making it unsuitable for miniaturization of the safe deposit box 11 and inefficient.

[0139] Therefore, it is preferable to base the calculation on a monotonically increasing sequence with only 2 and 3 prime factors rather than on a sequence with only 2 prime factors.

[0140] As described above, a sequence a(n) is used, in which every two consecutive identical values ​​are monotonically increasing, and multiple consecutive values ​​of this sequence a(n) are associated with each other in ascending order from the inner circumference. By multiplying these values ​​by a constant coefficient K, the number of container shells 8 to be arranged and the resolution of encoder 56 can be determined. Since the sequence a(n) consists of only 2 and 3 prime factors, the increase in the least common multiple (LCM) is minimized even as n increases, which effectively prevents the resolution of encoder 56 from being too low.

[0141] In addition, in three or more concentric circles, in-phase arrangements and out-of-phase arrangements are alternately generated on adjacent circumferences.

[0142] When it is generalized, M and K are set as integers, and the values ​​obtained by multiplying M consecutive values ​​including mutually different values ​​in the sequence a(n) in which only 2 and 3 are set as prime factors and every two identical values ​​are continuous and monotonically increasing by K are set as the number of M-fold concentric container shells 8 to be arranged, and the container shells 8 are arranged on the circumference in order from the inner circumference in order from small to large values, thereby achieving the above-mentioned effect.

[0143] In this embodiment, a preferred configuration of a container housing 8 having a built-in QC sample container 4 and a lid 36 on its upper surface has been described. However, the component placed on the ring holder 9 is not limited to the container housing 8. A bottomed container having a lid having the same structure as described above on its upper surface and containing a liquid such as a sample or reagent may also be used. Alternatively, the lid 36 may not be provided.

[0144] Furthermore, the container shells 8 do not all need to be identical. For example, the container shells 8 or the shapes of the containers arranged on the inner periphery and the outer periphery may be different.

[0145] exist Figure 12 In the example shown where the number of container shells 8 arranged from the inner circumference is 30, 30, and 40, for a total of 100, as described above, the same arrangement pattern is repeated every 36° for a total of ten times in 360° of the rotating disk 16.

[0146] Therefore, the following method can be adopted: the annular retainer 9 used to retain the container shell 8 on the rotating disk 16 is set as a retainer component 63 divided into ten parts in a roughly fan-shaped shape at an angle of 36°, rather than an integrated component, and each retainer component 63 holds ten container shells 8 respectively.

[0147] In this way, the annular retainer 9 is arranged on the circumference of the rotating disk 16 and is divided into each of the areas formed by setting boundaries in a manner that intersects the circumference. At this time, each area is preferably formed by dividing the circumference of the rotating disk 16 into an integer N equal parts from the rotation axis toward the outer peripheral side.

[0148] The boundary line 64 between adjacent retainer members 63 is preferably shaped to connect the container shells 8 adjacent to each of the inner circumference 20a and the middle circumference 20b and the container shells 8 adjacent to each of the outer circumference 20c.

[0149] Each retainer member 63 is provided with ten arrangement holes for holding ten container shells 8. The ten arrangement holes are arranged concentrically, with three holes spaced 12° apart on each of the inner circle 20a and the middle circle 20b, and four holes spaced 9° apart on the outer circle 20c. A set of holes in the retainer member 63 is provided, wherein the holes in the inner circle 20a, the middle circle 20b, and the outer circle 20c are arranged in a straight line on the radii of the concentric circles.

[0150] Alternatively, the 360° circumference can be formed by repeating the arrangement pattern twice and dividing the holder member 63 into five parts in a substantially fan-shaped shape at an angle of 72°. In this case, each holder member 63 holds 20 container shells.

[0151] As such, if the retainer components 63 are fan-shaped, each retainer component 63 can be made smaller than the integral annular retainer 9. Therefore, particularly when the retainer components 63 are formed from resin, shrinkage and deformation during molding are minimized, making it easier to achieve component precision. Furthermore, if each retainer component 63 is formed of the same shape, component commonality can be achieved, resulting in various advantages in manufacturing, which is more preferable.

[0152] If the boundary lines 64 of adjacent holder members 63 have a gap of, for example, about 0.5 mm and have no vertically overlapping portions, only one holder member 63 can be independently attached to and detached from the rotary disk 16 .

[0153] Therefore, when the holder member 63 needs to be replaced for some reason, it can be replaced without affecting other holder members 63 , thereby achieving an effect of facilitating maintenance work and completing the work in a short time.

[0154] Furthermore, the container housing 8 can be configured to be attachable to and detachable from the annular holder 9 while maintaining its arrangement space, and can be configured to be attachable to and detachable from the annular holder 9 independently of other container housings 8 .

[0155] Then, refer to Figures 14 to 17 、 Figures 8 to 12 , the structures of the retainer component 63 and the rotating disk 16 are described.

[0156] Figure 14 It is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the rotary disk 16 and the structure for fastening the holder member 63 to the rotary disk 16. The structure of screws or clips for fastening the container case 8 to the holder member 63 is omitted for the sake of convenience.

[0157] In this embodiment, the retainer member 63 is configured as follows: the retainer member 63 is divided into ten substantially fan-shaped sections at 36° intervals, with each retainer member 63 holding ten container shells 8. The container shell 8 is configured so that the QC sample containers 4 held therein can be vertically loaded and unloaded relative to the container shell 8 by the container gripping device 33. During loading and unloading, the QC sample containers 4 are loaded and unloaded by overcoming the friction between the sealing member 43 provided on the container shell 8 and the QC sample containers 4. Therefore, to prevent the container shell 8 from shifting or tilting due to friction during loading and unloading, the retainer member 63 must be mounted with sufficient rigidity while ensuring high precision to reliably grip the QC sample containers 4 by the container gripping device 33.

[0158] The rotating disk 16 is constructed such that the innermost peripheral mounting surface 65 is fastened to the upper surface of the disk drive shaft 17 by screws (not shown). The rotating torque of the drive motor 18 is transmitted to the disk drive shaft 17 while being decelerated via the timing belt 19, and the rotating disk 16 rotates together with the disk drive shaft 17. The lower end of the disk drive shaft 17 is a disk-shaped encoder disk 57, as shown in FIG. Figure 13 As shown, a pair of slits 61 and light shielding portions 62 and an origin light shielding portion 60 are provided.

[0159] Since the cylindrical portion 66 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the mounting surface 65 and is vertically thick and rises from the mounting surface 65 , the rigidity is high and the strength can be ensured.

[0160] The outer peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 66 extends downward in a cylindrical shape, and becomes an inner cylindrical wall surface 67 that forms the inner wall surface of a region that accommodates the container case 8 on the inner peripheral side.

[0161] The rotating disk 16 also includes: an annular bottom disk portion 68, which is connected to the bottom of the inner cylindrical wall 67; a disk outer cylindrical wall 70, which rises upward in a cylindrical shape from the outer periphery of the bottom disk portion 68 to form the outer wall of the area that accommodates the container shell 8 on the outer peripheral side; and an outer flange portion 71, which is set above the disk outer cylindrical wall 70 to have a diameter larger than the diameter of the disk outer cylindrical wall 70 and extends upward.

[0162] An opening is provided between adjacent container shells 8 on the inner circumference from the inner cylindrical wall 67 to the upper surface of the columnar portion 66 , serving as a rotary disk air intake 72 for sucking cooling air into the rotary disk 16 to cool the storage box.

[0163] The inner cylindrical wall 67 also has cylindrical positioning pins 75a for positioning the retaining part 63, extending upward between adjacent rotating disk air intake ports 72. An inner circumferential threaded boss 76 for fastening the retaining part 63 by screws is provided in the portion between adjacent rotating disk air intake ports 72 that does not have the positioning pins 75a.

[0164] In this embodiment, three retainer members 63 are disposed on the inner periphery of the container housing 8, so the inner circumferential threaded bosses 76 are provided at two locations across the positioning pins 75a. Thus, in each region formed by the retainer members 63 constituting the annular retainer 9, the retainer members 63 are fixed to the rotating disk 16 at a plurality of first positions (the inner circumferential threaded bosses 76 and the screws 95) on the innermost circumference.

[0165] Furthermore, the case where there are two first positions (the inner circumferential threaded boss 76 and the screw 95 ) has been described, but the first position may be one, or three or more, and is not particularly limited.

[0166] The positioning pin 75a and the inner threaded boss 76 are provided along the inner cylindrical wall surface 67 having high rigidity, and thus have high positional accuracy and high rigidity.

[0167] Between the middle circumference 20b and the outer circumference 20c, in the gap between the container shell 8 disposed on the middle circumference 20b and the outer circumference 20c, two outer circumferential threaded bosses 77, 77 are provided for each retainer member 63. The outer circumferential threaded bosses 77 stand upright on the bottom disk portion 68 of the rotating disk 16 and have a height sufficient to secure the retainer member 63. As an example, the upper surface of the outer circumferential threaded bosses 77 may be at the same height as the upper surface of the inner circumferential threaded bosses 76. The inner circumferential threaded bosses 76 and the outer circumferential threaded bosses 77 are provided with downwardly directed internal threads that enable threaded fastening.

[0168] Thus, in each region formed by each retainer component 63 constituting the annular retainer 9, the retainer component 63 is fixed to the rotating disk 16 not only at the first position but also at multiple second positions (outer peripheral threaded bosses 77 and screws 95) on the outer peripheral side of the first position.

[0169] Preferred arrangement positions of these outer peripheral thread bosses 77 , 77 will be described later.

[0170] Furthermore, the case where the second positions (outer peripheral threaded boss 77 and screw 95) are two has been described. However, similar to the first position, the second position may be one or three or more, and is not particularly limited.

[0171] However, from the viewpoints of manufacturability and maintainability, it is desired to securely fix the cable without increasing the number of screw fastening locations, and therefore, it is desirable to have two first and / or second locations.

[0172] The disk outer cylindrical wall surface 70 is provided with an opening corresponding to the container case 8 disposed on the outer periphery. This opening serves as a rotary disk outlet 78 for discharging cooling air from the outside toward the inside of the rotary disk 16 to cool the inside of the storage box 11 .

[0173] Positioning pins 75 b are provided between the outer periphery of the rotary disk 16 and the container case 8 arranged on the outer periphery 20 c , forming a pair with the positioning pins 75 a . The positioning pins 75 b are used to position the holder member 63 .

[0174] The outer peripheral flange portion 71 is provided with two claw receiving holes 90 for each retainer member 63 , for example. The claw receiving holes 90 are provided with hooking claws 88 , which are projections provided further toward the outer periphery from the outer periphery 63 c of the retainer member.

[0175] Ribs 87 a are radially erected upward from the upper surface of the bottom disk portion 68 , and the inner peripheral sides of the ribs 87 a are in contact with the inner cylindrical wall surface 67 .

[0176] Furthermore, ribs 87 b may be radially erected downward from the lower surface of the bottom disk portion 68 .

[0177] use Figure 15 and Figure 9 The cross-sectional view of exemplifies the shape of the holder member 63 .

[0178] Figure 15 This is a plan view of retainer member 63. Retainer member 63 has a roughly 36° sector shape, obtained by dividing the circumference of annular retainer 9 into ten parts. The inner circumference is an arcuate retainer member inner circumference 63b, and the outer circumference is an arcuate retainer member outer circumference 63c. Retainer member 63 can be formed from, for example, polyacetal (POM) resin.

[0179] In this embodiment, the retainer component 63 is provided with ten shell retaining holes 91 for retaining the container shell 8. Three A1, A2, and A3 are provided at intervals of 12° on the inner circle 20a, three B1, B2, and B3 are provided at intervals of 12° on the middle circle 20b, and four C1, C2, C3, and C4 are provided at intervals of 9° on the outer circle 20c. Here, A1, B1, and C1 are arranged in a straight line on the radius of the concentric circle with the support shaft 15 serving as the central axis of the rotating disk 16. The interval between the inner circle 20a and the middle circle 20b, that is, the interval between A1 and B1 is Figure 8 The distance between the inner circle 20b and the outer circle 20c, that is, the distance between B1 and C1 is L2.

[0180] Furthermore, three plate-like tongues 92a and 92b are provided, projecting further inward from the inner circumference 20a located at the innermost side of the roughly fan-shaped retainer member 63. A positioning pin receiving hole 93a corresponding to the positioning pin 75a provided on the rotating disk 16 is provided in the central tongue 92a, adjacent to A2 in the housing retaining hole 91. The diameter of the positioning pin receiving hole 93a is slightly larger than that of the positioning pin 75a, so as not to hinder the attachment and detachment of the retainer member 63 from the rotating disk 16 from above. Furthermore, the retainer member 63 is configured to achieve the required mounting accuracy when being mounted on the rotating disk 16.

[0181] The tongue-shaped portions 92b, 92b, which are adjacent to A1 and A3 in the housing retaining hole 91 and project from the inner periphery 63b of the retainer member toward the central axis, are provided with threaded holes 94b1, 94b2 corresponding to the inner circumferential threaded bosses 76, 76. The threaded holes 94b1, 94b2 are configured to be fastened to the rotating disk 16 by screws 95. These inner circumferential threaded bosses 76, 76 and the threaded holes 94b1, 94b2 are arranged on a circumference having a radius R1 (sometimes referred to as a "first radius") from the central axis of rotation of the rotating disk 16.

[0182] A positioning pin receiving hole 93b is provided on the lower surface of the rotating disk 16 between C2 and C3 in the housing retaining hole 91 arranged on the outer circumference 20c, at a position corresponding to the positioning pin 75b. The positioning pin receiving hole 93b is in the shape of an oblong hole with a longitudinal direction toward the support shaft 15. The width of the oblong hole is slightly larger than the diameter of the positioning pin 75b, which does not hinder the attachment and detachment of the retainer component 63 from the top relative to the rotating disk 16, and is configured to achieve the required installation accuracy when the retainer component 63 is installed on the rotating disk 16. Because the positioning pin receiving hole 93b is in the shape of an oblong hole, even if there is an error in the distance between the positioning pin 75a and the positioning pin 75b on the rotating disk 16 and the distance between the positioning pin receiving hole 93a and the positioning pin receiving hole 93b on the retainer component 63, they can still be reliably fitted.

[0183] That is, by fitting the positioning pin 75a into the positioning pin receiving hole 93a and fitting the positioning pin 75b into the positioning pin receiving hole 93b, the retainer member 63 can be positioned with high precision relative to the rotating disk 16. Furthermore, since the positioning pin receiving hole 93a is provided along the inner cylindrical wall surface 67 of the rotating disk 16, the positioning accuracy is high and the strength is also high, thereby achieving the effect of being able to position the retainer member 63 with high precision.

[0184] In the area surrounded by B1 and B2 of the center housing retaining holes 91 and C1 and C2 of the outer housing retaining holes 91, and in the area surrounded by B3 of the center housing retaining hole 91 and C3 and C4 of the outer housing retaining holes 91, threaded holes 94a1 and 94a2 are provided at positions corresponding to the outer threaded bosses 77 and 77 provided on the rotating disk 16, respectively, to enable threaded fastening of the retainer member 63. These outer threaded bosses 77 and 77 and the threaded holes 94a1 and 94a2 are arranged on a circumference that is within a radius R2 (sometimes referred to as the "second radius") from the rotation center axis of the rotating disk 16. Here, (second radius) > (first radius).

[0185] Here, the preferred arrangement of the positions of the screw holes 94a1 and 94a2 and the screw holes 94b1 and 94b2 will be described.

[0186] When fastening the retainer member 63 with screws, it is preferred that all of the housing retaining holes 91 are reliably and firmly fixed. To this end, it is preferred that threaded holes be provided adjacent to the housing retaining holes 91, and it is preferred that there be no other openings such as holes or narrow portions with weak strength between the housing retaining holes 91 and the threaded holes.

[0187] The threaded hole 94b1 provided on the inner circumference of the retainer member 63 is arranged adjacent to A1 and A2 of the housing retaining hole 91, with no other holes or narrowed portions between the threaded hole 94b1 and the housing retaining hole 91. Similarly, the threaded hole 94b2 is arranged adjacent to A2 and A3 of the housing retaining hole 91, with no other holes or narrowed portions between the threaded hole 94b2 and the housing retaining hole 91.

[0188] The threaded holes 94a1 corresponding to the outer peripheral threaded bosses 77 , 77 are arranged in an area surrounded by B1 , B2 in the middle peripheral shell retaining holes 91 and C1 , C2 in the outer peripheral shell retaining holes 91 , and are therefore arranged adjacent to B1 , B2 , C1 , and C2 in the shell retaining holes 91 .

[0189] The screw hole 94 a 2 is provided in a region surrounded by C3 and C4 of the outer peripheral case holding hole 91 and B3 of the mid-peripheral case holding hole 91 , and is therefore arranged adjacent to B3 , C3 , and C4 of the case holding holes 91 .

[0190] That is, the seven shell retaining holes B1, B2, B3, C1, C2, C3, and C4 arranged at the middle and outer peripheries in the shell retaining hole 91 are all adjacent to any one of the threaded holes 94a1 and 94a2, and all the container shells 8 can be firmly and accurately fixed to the rotating disk 16 via the retainer component 63, so it is preferred.

[0191] As an example of different screw hole positions, a case where a screw hole is provided at the screw hole replacement position 94 c will be described.

[0192] In this case, while B2 and B3 of the mid-circumference housing retaining holes 91 and C3 of the outer circumference housing retaining hole 91 are adjacent to the threaded hole replacement position 94c, the narrow portion between B3 and C3 of the housing retaining holes 91 is sandwiched between C4 of the housing retaining hole 91 and the threaded hole replacement position 94c, leaving room for improvement in strength. Furthermore, the distance between the threaded hole replacement position 94c and C4 of the housing retaining hole 91 is greater than the distance between the threaded hole 94a and C4 of the housing retaining hole 91. Therefore, even when the screw 95 is tightened at the threaded hole replacement position 94c, there is room for more reliably suppressing the lifting of C4 of the housing retaining hole 91.

[0193] Compared with this example, selecting a position in the retainer component 63 adjacent to the shell retaining hole 91 to set the threaded holes 94a1 and 94a2 for fastening has a significant effect, and can improve the fixing strength and accuracy of the container shell 8 through the retainer component 63, so it is preferred.

[0194] As a further example of the threaded hole position, consider setting the first position to two positions that are equally spaced from A1, A2, B1, and B2 in the shell retaining hole 91 and positions that are equally spaced from A2, A3, B2, and B3 in the shell retaining hole 91, and setting the second position to two positions near the hooking claw portion 88.

[0195] As described above, the retainer component 63 is fastened to the rotating disk 16 at two locations on the inner circumferential threaded boss 76 located at the "first radius" on the inner circumferential side, and at two locations on the outer circumferential threaded boss 77 located at the "second radius" on the outer circumferential side. Although the outer circumferential threaded boss 77 has a cantilevered column structure rising from the bottom circular disk portion 68 of the rotating disk 16, by fastening its upper end to the retainer component 63, it can be securely fixed to the inner circumferential threaded boss 76 via the retainer component 63. Furthermore, since the upper ends of the two outer circumferential threaded bosses 77 are fastened to the same retainer component 63, the rotating disk 16 and retainer component 63 have a highly rigid structure similar to a so-called frame structure through four screws, capable of holding the container housing 8 with high precision. This results in a highly reliable rotating disk structure that is difficult to deform and easily maintains dimensional accuracy.

[0196] The threaded holes 94a1 and 94a2 on the outer circumference are located on the inner circumference side of the container housing 8, which is arranged on the outer circumference circle 20c. Therefore, the structure is such that a plurality of claw-shaped hooking claws 88 that protrude further toward the outer circumference are arranged on the outer circumference 63c of the retainer member, which is located on the outer circumference side of the container housing 8. The outer circumferential flange portion 71 provided on the outermost circumference of the rotating disk 16 is provided with holes, namely claw receiving holes 90, which can be engaged with the hooking claws 88. When the retainer member 63 is set at a predetermined position on the rotating disk 16, the hooking claws 88 are engaged with the claw receiving holes 90, thereby preventing the retainer member outer circumference 63c from floating upward relative to the rotating disk 16.

[0197] According to this structure, the following effects are achieved: the retainer component 63 can be more firmly fixed to the rotating disk 16 by fastening with screws, and in particular, sufficient rigidity can be obtained to prevent deformation and bending relative to the vertical forces when loading and unloading the QC specimen container 4 from the container shell 8 via the container holding device 33.

[0198] Then, refer to Figures 16 to 20 、 Figure 3 and Figure 14 Next, the flow of cooling air inside the storage box 11 by the cooling device 14 and the cooling of the container housing 8 and the QC sample container 4 will be described.

[0199] Figure 16It is a plan view of the rotating disk 16 , additionally showing the boundary line 64 of the holder member 63 and the arrangement of the second cylindrical portion 8b (second diameter), which is a cylindrical thin portion protruding downward from the holder member 63 in the container case 8 within the safe deposit box 11 .

[0200] Figure 17 is with Figure 3 This is a partial enlarged view of the AA cross-sectional view of the container storage device. For the purpose of explanation, the cold air outlet 23 and the air intake 22 are aligned with the rotation center axis of the storage box 11. Figure 3 The left and right are recorded in reverse order, but their functions are the same.

[0201] Figure 18 It is an exploded perspective view showing the heat insulating material 13 of the safe deposit box 11, the rotating disk 16, the fixed disk 21 provided between the heat insulating material 13 and the rotating disk 16, and the flow of cold air.

[0202] Figure 19 It is a cross-sectional view for explaining the flow of cold air when the QC sample container 4 is pulled out vertically upward from the container case 8 .

[0203] Figure 20 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing the flow of cooling air when the rotary disk 16 rotates.

[0204] First, the flow of cool air when the rotary disk 16 is stopped will be described.

[0205] like Figure 3 As shown, in the cooling device 14, cold air cooled by the cooling element 26 is blown into the internal space of the safe deposit box 11 from an outlet 23 provided in the safe deposit box 11 and arranged on the outer peripheral side of the circumference of the rotating disk 16, which is vertically below the ring retainer 9, and air is sucked from an air intake 22 provided in the safe deposit box 11 and arranged on the inner peripheral side of the circumference of the rotating disk 16, thereby generating a circulating flow flowing from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side in the safe deposit box 11.

[0206] like Figure 18 As shown, the heat insulating material 13 is generally cylindrical, with its outer circumference extending vertically upward to form an outer circumferential fixing portion 73 supporting the outer circumference of the fixed disk 21. The inner circumference extends vertically upward to form an inner circumferential fixing portion 74 supporting the inner circumference of the fixed disk 21. Furthermore, a separating wall 79 is provided on the outer circumference of the inner circumferential fixing portion 74 as a partition wall that contacts the upper surface with the bottom surface of the fixed disk 21 and contains the air inlet 22 within the region between the inner circumferential fixing portion 74 and the separating wall 79. The air outlet 23 is provided in the region between the separating wall 79 and the outer circumferential fixing portion 73, i.e., outside the region between the inner circumferential fixing portion 74 and the separating wall 79.

[0207] Since cold air is discharged from the discharge port 23 into the interior of the heat insulating material 13, the area on the outer peripheral side of the partition wall 79 becomes a positive pressure portion 80, which is maintained at a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. Since cold air is sucked from the air intake port 22, the area on the inner peripheral side of the partition wall 79 becomes a negative pressure portion 81, which is lower than atmospheric pressure.

[0208] Since the fixed disk 21 is maintained at a positive pressure outside the separation wall 79, cold air flows into the interior of the fixed disk 21 from the discharge opening 83 provided in the outer peripheral portion 82 of the fixed disk. Due to the presence of the discharge opening 83, the vertically lower portion of the second cylindrical portion 8b of the container shell 8 and the vertically lower portion of the annular retainer 9 are open.

[0209] The fixed disk 21 is maintained at a negative pressure on the inner side of the separation wall 79, so that the cold air flowing from the discharge opening 83 into the interior of the fixed disk 21 is sucked from the intake opening 85. The intake opening 85 is arranged in the range of the fixed disk 21 that is closer to the inner periphery than the separation wall 79, and is an opening arranged on the side of the cylindrical portion 84 of the fixed disk that protrudes in a cylindrical shape.

[0210] The cold air flowing into the interior of the fixed disk 21 from the discharge opening 83 provided in the outer periphery of the fixed disk 82 flows into the interior of the rotating disk 16 from the rotating disk discharge port 78 provided in the outer periphery of the rotating disk 16 to cool the container case 8 .

[0211] like Figure 16 As shown, a container shell 8 with an outer circumference of 20c is provided just inside the rotating disk outlet 78 on the outer periphery of the rotating disk 16, so that the cold air flowing in from the rotating disk outlet 78 flows along the container shell 8 with an outer circumference of 20c and flows into the interior of the rotating disk 16.

[0212] The cold air that has cooled the container shell 8 is sucked from the rotating disk air inlet 72 provided in the cylindrical portion 66 on the inner peripheral side of the rotating disk 16 , and is sucked from the air inlet 22 provided in the heat insulating material 13 through the air inlet opening 85 provided in the inner peripheral portion of the fixed disk 21 .

[0213] That is, the cold air cools the surface of the container case 8 while flowing from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side.

[0214] Cold air flows from the outer circumference of rotating disk 16 toward the inner circumference, cooling container shell 8 while doing so. Therefore, the temperature rises slightly as the inner circumference approaches the downstream side. Meanwhile, the interior of rotating disk 16 is a cylindrical space, with the inner circumference shorter than the outer circumference. Therefore, according to the law of conservation of mass, the cold air flowing from the outer circumference to the inner circumference of rotating disk 16 accelerates in the radial direction, increasing its flow rate. The inner circumference, where the flow rate increases closer to the surface, has a higher thermal conductivity. Therefore, even if the temperature of the cold air rises slightly closer to the inner circumference, the thermal conductivity increases. This allows for a safe deposit box 11 with a small temperature difference within container shell 8 caused by the positioning of the inner and outer circumferences, i.e., a small difference between the inner and outer circumferences, resulting in uniform cooling capacity.

[0215] Here, if Figure 17 As shown, part of the cold air flowing into the rotating disk 16 from the discharge opening 83 provided on the outer periphery of the fixed disk 21 passes through the narrow gap between the inner wall of the outer cylindrical portion 21 a of the fixed disk 21 and the outer periphery of the rotating disk 16 and flows into the upper portion of the retainer member 63 .

[0216] On the other hand, most of the cold air flows into the container case 8 along the outer peripheral side through the discharge opening 83 of the fixed disk 21 , and flows into the region below the holder member 63 .

[0217] The area above the retainer member 63 is a first area having a larger diameter (first diameter d1) of the container shell 8, and is Figure 11 As can be seen from the plan view shown, the gaps between the container shells 8 are small, so the flow path of the cold air is narrow and the flow path resistance is large, so the flow rate of the cold air is small.

[0218] The area below the retainer member 63 is a second area having a smaller diameter (second diameter d2) of the container shell 8, and as shown in FIG. Figure 16 As shown, the gaps between the container shells 8 are large, so the flow path of the cold air is wide and the flow path resistance is small, so the flow rate of the cold air is large.

[0219] After the cold air separated from the upper and lower parts of the retainer component 63 cools the container shell 8, it returns to the cooling device 14 from the air intake port 22 of the insulation material 13 via the rotating disk air intake port 72 set on the inner peripheral side of the rotating disk 16 and the air intake opening 85 set on the fixed disk 21.

[0220] Here, if Figure 9As shown, liquid 86, such as a QC specimen sample, is stored in a QC specimen container 4 held within a container housing 8. If the maximum liquid level of liquid 86 is set to, for example, the same level as that of the retainer member 63, the area of ​​liquid 86 is approximately the second region corresponding to the narrower diameter portion of the container housing 8. Since the distance between the outer surface of the QC specimen container 4 and the inner surface of the container housing 8 is approximately 1 mm, for example, the thermal conductivity between the outer surface of the container housing 8 and the surface of liquid 86 on the inner surface of the container is high, minimizing temperature differences and enabling efficient cooling of liquid 86. Thus, by allowing cold air to flow preferentially and in greater quantities in the region below the retainer member 63, liquid 86 can be cooled more efficiently.

[0221] Furthermore, the QC specimen container 4 is supported by a sealing member 43 provided at the lower end of the container housing 8, i.e., the second cylindrical portion 8b. The lower end of the container housing 8, i.e., the second cylindrical portion 8b, or the region of the QC specimen container 4 below the sealing member 43, is exposed to the space within the rotating disk 16. In other words, the liquid 86 within the QC specimen container 4, located substantially below the sealing member 43, is directly cooled by the cold air supplied from the cooling device 14 along with the second cylindrical portion 8b exposed from the annular holder 9. Therefore, there is little temperature difference between the cold air and the liquid 86. Consequently, the liquid 86 within the QC specimen container 4 can be efficiently cooled, a temperature difference between the cold air and the liquid 86 is minimized, and the liquid 86 is reliably cooled, making it suitable for long-term storage.

[0222] Next, use Figure 19 The flow of cold air when the QC sample container 4 is taken upward from the container case 8 by the gripping claws 40 of the container gripping device 33 is shown.

[0223] As described above, the QC sample container 4 is held while the cylindrical side surface is kept airtight by the annular sealing member 43 at the lower end of the container case 8 .

[0224] Here, the control device 6 controls the container gripping device 33 to move the QC sample container 4 held in the container case 8 above the sealing member 43 while gripping the QC sample container 4 , thereby removing the QC sample container 4 from the container case 8 .

[0225] Figure 19 (a) shows a state where the gripping claw 40 descends into the large diameter portion of the container housing 8 and grips the QC sample container 4. Figure 19 (b) in the figure shows a state where the gripping claw 40 rises and moves the QC sample container 4 upward H1, so that the bottom of the QC sample container 4 moves to above the sealing member 43. Figure 19(c) shows a state where the gripping claws 40 are further raised to move the QC sample container 4 upward H1 , and the bottom of the QC sample container 4 is moved above the step portion of the container case 8 .

[0226] When the QC sample container 4 is moved upward H1, Figure 19 (a) to Figure 19 In the state (b) in FIG, the side of the QC sample container 4 moves to the upper side of the sealing member 43, so that the QC sample container 4 acts as a piston, and the cold air near the bottom of the rotating disk 16 flows from the sealing member 43 into the container shell 8. Figure 19 In the state (c), the small diameter portion of the container shell 8 is substantially filled with the cold air near the bottom surface of the rotating disk 16 .

[0227] This phenomenon is significant because the inner diameter of the second region of the container housing 8 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the QC sample container 4, and the gap is very small. After the QC sample container 4 is removed, the air inside the container housing 8 is filled with the cold air near the bottom surface, which is the lowest temperature in the air inside the rotating disk 16. If the lid 36 is closed using the lid opening and closing device 35 after the QC sample container 4 is removed, the air that temporarily flowed into the container housing 8 will largely remain inside the container housing 8, thereby suppressing temperature increases.

[0228] When the QC specimen container 4 is returned to the container shell 8, if the lid opening and closing device 35 is used again to open the lid 36, and after the QC specimen container 4 is inserted through the container holding device 33, the lid opening and closing device 35 is used again to close the lid 36, the interior of the container shell 8 is filled with cold air, which can suppress the temperature rise and maintain the liquid 86 in the QC specimen container 4 at a low temperature. Therefore, it is suitable for long-term storage of the specimen and is preferred.

[0229] Next, a description will be given of the flow of cooling air when rotating the rotary disk 16. The bottom disk portion 68 of the rotary disk 16 is provided with radial ribs 87a and 87b.

[0230] A plurality of ribs 87a are provided radially from the central axis on the side of the bottom disk portion 68 of the rotating disk 16 where the annular retainer 9 and the like are located. A plurality of ribs 87b are provided radially from the central axis on the side of the bottom disk portion 68 of the rotating disk 16 where the fixed disk 21 and the like are located. With this structure, the ribs 87a and 87b function as a so-called centrifugal fan. When the rotating disk 16 is rotated, the cold air near the bottom disk portion 68 flows along the ribs 87a and 87b from the inner circumference to the outer circumference due to centrifugal force, as indicated by arrow V.

[0231] As described above, the cold air from the cooling device 14 is at positive pressure on the outer peripheral side of the separation wall 79, so that the cold air always flows from the outer periphery to the inner periphery as shown by arrow U regardless of whether the rotating disk 16 is stopped or rotating.

[0232] On the other hand, due to the rotation of the rotary disk 16 , a cold air flow is additionally generated in the vicinity of the bottom disk portion 68 , flowing in the opposite direction from the inner periphery to the outer periphery, and the positive pressure on the outer periphery side is further increased.

[0233] Therefore, the cold air flow in the space between the bottom disk portion 68 and the retainer member 63 flows from the outer periphery to the inner periphery near the upper surface retainer member 63, while the cold air flow in the reverse direction flows from the inner periphery to the outer periphery near the bottom disk portion 68. Figure 20 The cold air vortex 96 shown stirs the cold air in the space between the bottom disk portion 68 and the retainer member 63. This has the effect of evening out the temperature distribution of the cold air within the rotating disk 16 and reducing temperature variations. Furthermore, the cold air near the bottom directly cools the QC sample containers 4 protruding from the lower end of the container housing 8, thereby effectively cooling both the QC sample containers 4 and the liquid within them.

[0234] Furthermore, the container shells 8 rotate along with the rotating disk 16 via the holder member 63, thereby generating eddies on the downstream side of each container shell 8, further stirring the cold air. The rapid movement of the cold air relative to the container shells 8 thins the temperature boundary layer on the surface of the container shells 8, further reducing the temperature difference between the cold air and the surface of the container shells 8. This accelerates the cooling of the container shells 8, thereby further improving the cooling of the QC sample containers 4 within the container shells 8 and the liquid 86 within the QC sample containers 4.

[0235] As described above, the outer peripheral side of the rotating disk 16 is made to have positive pressure and the inner peripheral side is made to have negative pressure through the cooling device 14, so that the amount of air discharged from the discharge port 23 that flows vertically below the annular retainer 9 is larger than the amount of air that flows vertically above the annular retainer 9, and a cold air flow from the outer periphery to the inner periphery is stably generated in the rotating disk 16. On the other hand, when the rotating disk 16 rotates, a reverse flow from the inner periphery to the outer periphery is generated near the bottom surface of the rotating disk 16 by the effect of the radially arranged ribs 87a and 87b, so that the rotating disk 16 is intermittently rotated and stopped, and the internal temperature can be uniformed by utilizing the flow effect of the cold air vortex 96.

[0236] according to Figure 21 , another embodiment is described. Figure 21 It means that Figure 12Similarly, the retainer parts 63, which are divided into sectors at every 36° angle, are arranged in a circular shape and screwed in a plan view. The difference from the embodiment is that the retainer parts 63 are not all of the same shape, but are mixed with a second retainer part 63a that can hold the second container shell 97 with a larger diameter. Figure 21 In the example of FIG, only one second retainer member 63a is provided, but the number is not limited to one and a plurality of second retainer members may be provided. Alternatively, third retainer members capable of retaining third container shells having different diameters may be provided in combination.

[0237] With the above configuration, container housings 8 containing QC specimen containers 4 of different sizes can be mixed and stored in the storage box 11 , thereby enabling storage of various QC specimens and providing a storage box 11 with great expandability.

[0238] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0239] The container storage device 1 of the present embodiment described above comprises: a container shell 8, which holds a QC specimen container 4 containing a liquid; a ring holder 9, which is configured to accommodate a plurality of container shells 8; and a cooling device, wherein the container shell 8 includes: a first cylindrical portion 8a, which has a first diameter d1; and a second cylindrical portion 8b, which is located vertically below the first cylindrical portion 8a and has a second diameter d2 smaller than the first diameter d1, at least a portion of the second cylindrical portion 8b is maintained so as to be exposed from the ring holder 9, and the cooling device cools at least the second cylindrical portion 8b exposed from the ring holder 9.

[0240] In this way, since the structure is to cool the thin-diameter second cylindrical portion 8b below the container shell 8, the area in the QC specimen container 4 where the liquid 86 mainly exists can be efficiently cooled in a state with fewer intermediate objects (a part of the QC specimen container 4, a part of the second cylindrical portion 8b of the container shell 8), thereby achieving improved cooling efficiency, and since cooling is performed more reliably, improved cooling reliability can also be achieved.

[0241] In addition, the cooling device has a cooling element 26 that generates cold air, an outlet 23 that discharges the cold air generated by the cooling element 26 toward the area where the second cylinder 8b is located, and an air intake 22 that inhales the air that passes through the area where the second cylinder 8b is located. Therefore, cooling can be performed without taking in external air, thereby further improving the cooling efficiency.

[0242] In addition, there is a rotating disk 16, which holds the ring retainer 9 on its circumference and is configured to rotate freely around the rotation axis, and the discharge port 23 is arranged on the outer circumference side of the circumference of the rotating disk 16. Alternatively, there is a rotating disk 16, which holds the ring retainer 9 on its circumference and is configured to rotate freely around the rotation axis, and the air intake port 22 is arranged on the inner circumference side of the circumference of the rotating disk 16. As a result, the flow of cooling air in the rotating disk 16 mainly flows from the outer circumference to the inner circumference, which has the effect of reducing the temperature difference of the container shell 8 caused by the configuration position of the inner and outer circumferences, and can generate a more uniform air flow, thereby achieving further improvement in cooling reliability.

[0243] Furthermore, the discharge port 23 is arranged vertically below the annular retainer 9, thereby allowing the cold air to flow preferentially between the bottom surface of the rotating disk 16 and the annular retainer 9, thereby more effectively cooling the bottom of the container shell 8, thereby further improving the cooling efficiency.

[0244] In addition, the amount of air discharged from the discharge port 23 that flows vertically below the annular retainer 9 is greater than the amount of air that flows vertically above the annular retainer 9. Therefore, most of the cold air flows in the area below the retainer part 63, thereby being able to cool the liquid 86 in the QC specimen container 4 more efficiently.

[0245] Furthermore, it also has: an insulating material 13, which accommodates the rotating disk 16 so as to rotate freely around the rotating axis; and a fixed disk 21, which is arranged between the rotating disk 16 and the insulating material 13, and the insulating material 13 has: an outer peripheral fixing portion 73, which is arranged on the outermost peripheral side, extends vertically upward and supports the outer peripheral portion of the fixed disk 21; an inner peripheral fixing portion 74, which is arranged on the innermost peripheral side, extends vertically upward and supports the inner peripheral portion of the fixed disk 21; and a separation wall 79, which contacts the upper surface with the bottom surface of the fixed disk 21, and is arranged to include an air intake port 22 within its area and an air discharge port 23 outside its area in the outer periphery of the inner peripheral fixing portion 74, so that the following structure can be easily realized: the cooling air supplied from the air discharge port 23 can be more efficiently supplied to the area of ​​the liquid 86, and the cooled air can be discharged.

[0246] In addition, the second cylindrical portion 8b of the container shell 8 and the annular retainer 9 are open in the vertical direction below, and the QC specimen container 4 is retained so that at least a portion of the portion exposed in the second cylindrical portion 8b of the container shell 8 is exposed from the open annular retainer 9. This enables the area in the QC specimen container 4 that mainly holds the liquid 86 to be cooled in a state where only the container is clamped, thereby achieving a structure that maximizes the cooling efficiency.

[0247] Furthermore, a rotating disk 16 is provided, which holds the annular retainer 9 on its circumference and is configured to rotate freely about a rotation axis. Ribs 87a and 87b are radially formed on the lower portion of the rotating disk 16. As the rotating disk 16 rotates, a flow in the opposite direction of the circulating flow from the inner circumference to the outer circumference is generated near the bottom disk portion 68. This generates a cold air vortex 96 in the radial cross section, stirring the cold air in the space between the bottom disk portion 68 and the retainer member 63 and thus uniformizing the temperature inside the storage box 11. This provides a highly reliable container storage device 1 with minimal temperature unevenness and significantly improved cooling performance.

[0248] The container housing 8 further comprises: a container holding device 33 capable of holding and releasing the QC sample container 4 and attaching and detaching the QC sample container 4 to and from the container housing 8; a control device 6 for controlling the operation of the container holding device 33; and a sealing member 43 interposed between at least a portion of the second cylindrical portion 8b of the container housing 8 and the QC sample container 4 held in the container housing 8. The control device 6 controls the container holding device 33 to move the QC sample container 4 held in the container housing 8 to a position closer to the container housing 8. The sealing component 43 is moved upward, thereby removing the QC specimen container 4 from the container shell 8. Therefore, when the QC specimen container 4 is removed upward from the container shell 8 by the holding claw 40 of the container holding device 33, the QC specimen container 4 acts as a piston, and cold air near the bottom surface of the rotating disk 16 flows into the container shell 8 from the sealing component 43, thereby maintaining the state of filling the container shell 8 with cold air. Therefore, it has the effect of suppressing the temperature rise in the container shell 8 and more efficiently maintaining the liquid 86 in the QC specimen container 4 at a low temperature.

[0249] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and encompasses various variations. For example, the above-described embodiments are examples described in detail to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention to include all of the described structures. Furthermore, a portion of the structure of a particular embodiment may be replaced with a structure of another embodiment, and a structure of another embodiment may be added to a structure of a particular embodiment. Furthermore, with respect to a portion of the structure of each embodiment, other structures may be added, deleted, or replaced.

[0250] Explanation of symbols

[0251] 1—Container storage device (container storage box), 2—Automatic analyzer, 3—Analyzer (analyzer), 4—QC sample container (container), 5—Pretreatment device, 6—Control device (control unit), 7—First transport path, 8—Container shell, 8a—First cylinder (first area), 8b—Second cylinder (first area), 8c—Opening (opening), 9—Annular holder (holder), 10—Center axis of storage box, 11—Storage box, 12—Casing, 13—Insulation material (jacket), 14—Cooling device, 15—Support, 16

[0252] —rotating disk (holder holding disk), 17—disc drive shaft, 18—drive motor, 19—timing belt, 20a—inner circumference, 20b—middle circumference, 20c—outer circumference, 21—fixed disk, 21a—outer cylindrical portion, 21b—disc portion, 22—air intake port (cooling device), 23—exhaust port (cooling device), 24—cold air duct, 25a, 25b—cold air supply fan (cooling device), 26—cooling element (cooling device, cold air generating portion), 27—cooling fins, 28—heat sink, 29—heat dissipation fan, 30—exhaust port, 31 —Drum-shaped upper cover, 32—gate opening, 33—container holding device (container holding mechanism), 34—gate, 35—cover opening and closing device, 36—cover body (cover portion), 37—opening and closing arm, 38—support rod portion, 39—opening and closing hook, 40—opening and closing claw (holding claw), 41—second conveying path, 42—step portion, 43—sealing component, 44—cover body support shaft (cover support shaft), 45—sealing member, 46—housing hinge portion, 47—cover hinge portion, 48—locking surface, 49—locking protrusion, 50—hook receiving portion, 51—hook receiving portion end surface, 52—cover protrusion, 53

[0253] — cover groove, 54 — cover groove upper surface, 55a, 55b — outer diameter, 56 — encoder, 57 — encoder disk, 58

[0254] —Angle detection sensor, 59 —Origin detection sensor, 60 —Origin light shielding unit, 61 —Slit, 62

[0255] —Light-shielding portion, 63—holder component, 63a—second holder component, 63b—inner periphery of the holder component, 63c—outer periphery of the holder component, 64—boundary line, 65—mounting surface, 66—cylindrical portion, 67—inner cylindrical wall, 68—bottom disc portion, 69—holding hole, 70—disc outer cylindrical wall, 71—outer peripheral flange portion, 72—rotating disc suction port, 73—outer peripheral fixing portion, 74—inner peripheral fixing portion, 75a, 75b—positioning pin (positioning component), 76—inner peripheral threaded boss, 77—outer peripheral threaded boss, 78—rotating disc Discharge port, 79—separation wall, 80—positive pressure part, 81—negative pressure part, 82—peripheral part of the fixed disk, 83—discharge opening, 84—cylindrical part of the fixed disk, 85—intake opening, 86—liquid, 87a, 87b—rib, 88—hook claw part, 90—claw receiving hole, 91—shell retaining hole, 92a, 92b—tongue-shaped part, 93a, 93b—locating pin receiving hole, 94a1, 94a2, 94b1, 94b2—threaded hole, 94c—threaded hole replacing position, 95—screw, 96—cold air vortex, 97—second container shell.

Claims

1. A container storage box, characterized in that: have: a container housing that holds a container containing a liquid; a holder configured to be capable of arranging a plurality of the container shells; as well as cooling device, The container shell includes: a first region having a first diameter; and a second region located vertically below the first region and having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. At least a portion of the second region is held so as to be exposed from the holder, The cooling device cools at least the second region exposed from the holder.

2. The container storage box according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling device includes: a cold air generating unit that generates cold air; an outlet that discharges the cold air generated by the cold air generating unit toward an area where the second area exists; and an air intake that takes in air that has passed through the area where the second area exists.

3. The container storage box according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a retainer holding plate that holds the retainer on its circumference and is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis. The discharge port is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the circumference of the retainer holding disk.

4. The container storage box according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a retainer holding plate that holds the retainer on its circumference and is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis. The air intake port is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the circumference of the retainer holding disk.

5. The container storage box according to claim 2, characterized in that: The discharge port is provided vertically below the retainer.

6. The container storage box according to claim 5, characterized in that: Of the air discharged from the discharge port, an amount of air flowing vertically below the retainer is greater than an amount of air flowing vertically above the retainer.

7. The container storage box according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: Also features: a housing for accommodating the retainer holding disk so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis; and a fixing plate disposed between the retainer retaining plate and the sheath, The sheath has: an outer peripheral fixing portion, which is provided on the outermost peripheral side and extends upward in the vertical direction to support the outer peripheral portion of the fixed plate; an inner peripheral fixing portion, which is provided on the innermost peripheral side and extends upward in the vertical direction to support the inner peripheral portion of the fixed plate; as well as The separation wall has its upper surface in contact with the bottom surface of the fixed plate, and includes the air intake port within its area and the air discharge port outside its area on the outer periphery of the inner periphery fixing portion.

8. The container storage box according to claim 1, wherein: The second region of the container shell is open in the vertical direction below and the retainer is open in the vertical direction below. The container is held so that at least a portion of the portion exposed in the second region of the container housing is exposed from the opened holder.

9. The container storage box according to claim 1, wherein: It also includes a retainer holding plate that holds the retainer on its circumference and is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis. Ribs are radially formed on a lower portion of the retainer holding plate.

10. The container storage box according to claim 1, wherein: Also features: a container holding mechanism capable of holding and releasing the container, and loading and unloading the container relative to the container housing; a control unit that controls the movement of the container holding mechanism; and a sealing member interposed between at least a portion of the second region of the container housing and the container held in the container housing, The control unit controls the container gripping mechanism to move the container above the sealing member while gripping the container held in the container case, thereby removing the container from the container case.

11. An automatic analysis device, characterized in that have: The container storage box according to claim 1; and An analysis unit performs analysis using the liquid contained in the container.

12. A method for storing a container in a container storage box, the container storage box comprising: a container housing that holds the container containing the liquid; and A holder configured to be able to accommodate a plurality of said container shells, The container storage method is characterized in that: The container shell comprises: a first region having a first diameter; and a second region located vertically below the first region and having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, At least a portion of the second region is held so as to be exposed from the holder, At least the second region exposed from the holder is cooled.

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