Dispensing probe device and automatic analyzer

Abstract

To provide a dispensing probe device and an automatic analyzer capable of suppressing reduction in the number of dispenses processed within a fixed period of time.SOLUTION: A first drive mechanism of a dispensing probe device moves a first support arm 114 in the vertical direction and rotates it in the horizontal direction. A second drive mechanism moves a second support arm 124 in the vertical direction and rotates it in the horizontal direction. A distance in the horizontal direction from the rotation center of the first support arm 114 to a second reagent probe 24A is longer than a distance in the horizontal direction from the rotation center of the second support arm 124 to a second reagent probe 24B. A sector having an arc trajectory drawn by one end of the second support arm 124, which is far from the rotation center, is enclosed within a sector having an arc trajectory of the second reagent probe 24A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing probe device and an automatic analyzer.

Background Art

[0002] An automatic analyzer is used for tests in various fields such as biochemical tests and blood transfusion tests, and performs analysis processing on a large number of specimens simultaneously. In addition, the automatic analyzer has a dispensing probe device that sucks and discharges, that is, dispenses, liquids such as specimens and reagents.

[0003] An automatic analyzer equipped with a dispensing probe device is described in, for example, Patent Document 1. The automatic analyzer described in Patent Document 1 includes two reagent dispensing arms 5 and 6. The two reagent dispensing arms 5 and 6 rotate on the same plane about a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction.

[0004] The reagent tray 10 rotates a plurality of reagent bits 3 along the outer track 1 and the inner track 2. Further, the reaction disk 20 rotates a plurality of reaction vessels along the outer circumference 21 and the inner circumference 22. The two reagent dispensing arms 5 and 6 suck the reagent from the plurality of reagent bits 3 of the reagent tray 10 and dispense the reagent into the plurality of reaction vessels of the reaction disk 20.

[0005] When the two reagent dispensing arms 5 and 6 approach the reagent tray 10, the reagent dispensing arm 5 located on the reagent tray 10 side rotates first, and then the reagent dispensing arm 6 rotates. Then, each of the reagent dispensing arms 5 and 6 sucks the reagent from the reagent bits 3 of the outer track 1 and the inner track 2 at the suction position.

[0006] When the two reagent dispensing arms 5 and 6 approach the reaction disk 20, the reagent dispensing arm 6 located on the reaction disk 20 side rotates first, and then the reagent dispensing arm 5 rotates. Then, each of the reagent dispensing arms 5 and 6 dispenses the reagent into the reaction vessels of the outer circumference 21 and the inner circumference 22 at the dispensing position.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Specification of Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 103376331 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0008] However, in the automatic analyzer described in Patent Document 1, since the two reagent dispensing arms 5 and 6 rotate on the same plane, the reagent dispensing arm that performs the rotation operation later cannot overtake the reagent dispensing arm that precedes it.

[0009] The reagent dispensing arm may perform a cleaning operation until a time exceeding one cycle has elapsed in the cleaning tank. For example, when the cleaning operation of the reagent dispensing arm 5 is not completed, even if the reagent dispensing arm 6 is capable of performing a dispensing operation, it is necessary to wait for the completion of the cleaning operation of the reagent dispensing arm 5. Therefore, the automatic analyzer described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the number of dispensings processed within a certain time decreases.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing probe device and an automatic analyzer that can suppress a decrease in the number of dispensings processed within a certain time in consideration of the above problems. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0011] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object of the present invention, a dispensing probe device reflecting one aspect of the present invention includes a first dispensing probe and a second dispensing probe extending in the vertical direction, a first support arm, a first drive mechanism, a second support arm, and a second drive mechanism. The first support arm supports the upper end of the first dispensing probe. The first drive mechanism moves the first support arm in the vertical direction and rotates it in the horizontal direction. The second support arm supports the upper end of the second dispensing probe. The second drive mechanism moves the second support arm in the vertical direction and rotates it in the horizontal direction. The horizontal distance from the rotation center of the first support arm to the first dispensing probe is longer than the horizontal distance from the rotation center of the second support arm to the second dispensing probe. A sector having an arc as the locus drawn by one end far from the rotation center of the second support arm is included in a sector having an arc as the orbit of the first dispensing probe. Note that the above dispensing probe device is one aspect of the present invention, and an automatic analyzer reflecting one aspect of the present invention is also configured in the same manner as the above dispensing probe device.

Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the automatic analyzer of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the number of dispensing operations processed within a certain period of time. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the description of the following embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the dispensing probe device and the automatic analyzer of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, common members are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0015] 1. First Embodiment <Configuration of Automatic Analyzer> FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment. The automatic analyzer 1 shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a biochemical analyzer that automatically measures the amount of a specific component contained in a biological sample such as blood or urine. The automatic analyzer 1 includes a measurement unit 1a and a control unit 1b.

[0016] The measurement unit 1a includes, for example, a sample turntable 2, a dilution turntable 3, a first reagent turntable 4, a second reagent turntable 5, and a reaction turntable 6. The measurement unit 1a also includes a dilution stirrer 11, a dilution washer 12, a first reaction stirrer 13, a second reaction stirrer 14, a multi-wavelength photometer 15, and a reaction vessel washer 16.

[0017] The measurement unit 1a further includes a specimen dispensing unit 21, a diluted specimen dispensing unit 22, a first reagent dispensing unit 23, a second reagent dispensing unit 24, and a plurality of probe washers. Furthermore, the measurement unit 1a may include a wash container holding unit (not shown here). The first reagent dispensing unit 23 and the second reagent dispensing unit 24 are specific examples of the dispensing probe device according to the present invention.

[0018] On the other hand, the control unit 1b includes a display unit 41, and further includes an input unit, a storage unit, and a control unit as will be described in detail later. Hereinafter, the details of these components will be described in the order of the measurement unit 1a and the control unit 1b.

[0019] <Measurement Unit 1a> [Sample Turntable 2] The sample turntable 2 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The sample turntable 2 holds a plurality of specimen containers P2 arranged in a plurality of rows along the circumferential direction. The sample turntable 2 rotates in the circumferential direction by a drive mechanism (not shown) to convey the plurality of held specimen containers P2 along the circumferential direction.

[0020] In each specimen container P2 held by the sample turntable 2, a specimen to be measured and a control specimen for accuracy control are stored as dispensing liquids. The sample turntable 2 conveys these various specimens to be measured to a predetermined position.

[0021] In addition to the specimen containers P2, the sample turntable 2 may hold a diluent container storing a diluent and a hemolytic agent container storing a hemolytic agent for performing hemolysis treatment. Further, the sample turntable 2 may have a function of cooling the held specimen containers P2 and other containers.

[0022] [Dilution turntable 3] The dilution turntable 3 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The dilution turntable 3 holds a plurality of dilution containers P3 storing a dispensing liquid arranged along the circumferential direction. The dilution turntable 3 rotates in the circumferential direction by a drive mechanism (not shown) to convey the plurality of held dilution containers P3 along the circumferential direction.

[0023] Into the dilution container P3 held by the dilution turntable 3, a specimen aspirated from the specimen container P2 arranged on the sample turntable 2 and diluted (hereinafter referred to as "diluted specimen") is injected as a dispensing liquid. Note that the automatic analyzer 1 may not include the dilution turntable 3.

[0024] [First reagent turntable 4 and second reagent turntable 5] The first reagent turntable 4 corresponds to the storage unit and the first turntable according to the present invention. The first reagent turntable 4 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The first reagent turntable 4 holds a plurality of first reagent containers P4 arranged in two rows along the circumferential direction. The inner line for arranging the plurality of first reagent containers P4 is defined as a reagent line 4A, and the outer line for arranging the plurality of first reagent containers P4 is defined as a reagent line 4B.

[0025] The first reagent turntable 4 rotates in the circumferential direction by a drive mechanism (not shown) to convey the held plurality of first reagent containers P4 along the circumferential direction. The first reagent is stored in the plurality of first reagent containers P4 as a dispensing liquid.

[0026] The second reagent turntable 5 corresponds to the storage unit and the first turntable according to the present invention. The second reagent turntable 5 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The second reagent turntable 5 holds a plurality of second reagent containers P5 arranged in two rows along the circumferential direction. The inner line for arranging the plurality of second reagent containers P5 is defined as a reagent line 5A, and the outer line for arranging the plurality of second reagent containers P5 is defined as a reagent line 5B.

[0027] The second reagent turntable 5 rotates in the circumferential direction by a drive mechanism (not shown) to convey the held plurality of second reagent containers P5 along the circumferential direction. The second reagent is stored in the second reagent container P5 as a dispensing liquid.

[0028] [Reaction turntable 6] The reaction turntable 6 corresponds to the second turntable according to the present invention. The reaction turntable 6 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The reaction turntable 6 holds a plurality of reaction containers P6 arranged in two rows along the circumferential direction. The inner line for arranging the plurality of reaction containers P6 is defined as a reaction line 6A, and the outer line for arranging the plurality of reaction containers P6 is defined as a reaction line 6B. The reaction turntable 6 rotates in the circumferential direction by a drive mechanism (not shown) to convey the held plurality of reaction containers P6 along the circumferential direction.

[0029] Into the reaction vessel P6, a diluted sample collected from the dilution vessel P3 of the dilution turntable 3, the first reagent collected from the first reagent vessel P4 of the first reagent turntable 4, or the second reagent collected from the second reagent vessel P5 of the second reagent turntable 5 are dispensed in predetermined amounts respectively. Then, in the reaction vessel P6, the diluted sample and the first reagent or the second reagent are stirred and a reaction occurs.

[0030] The reaction turntable 6 as described above has a thermostat (not shown). The thermostat constantly maintains the temperature of the reaction vessel P6 at a constant level. When the automatic analyzer 1 does not include the dilution turntable 3, the sample collected from the sample container P2 of the sample turntable 2 is dispensed into the reaction vessel P6 held by the reaction turntable 6.

[0031] [Dilution Stirring Device 11] The dilution stirring device 11 is arranged around the dilution turntable 3. The dilution stirring device 11 has a stirring mechanism and a drive mechanism for driving the stirring mechanism. The dilution stirring device 11 inserts the stirrer of the stirring mechanism into the dilution vessel P3 held by the dilution turntable 3 and stirs the sample to be measured and the diluent.

[0032] [Dilution Cleaning Device 12] The dilution cleaning device 12 is arranged around the dilution turntable 3. The dilution cleaning device 12 cleans the dilution vessel P3 after the diluted sample is aspirated by the dilution sample dispensing unit 22 described later.

[0033] [First Reaction Stirring Device 13 and Second Reaction Stirring Device 14] The first reaction stirring device 13 and the second reaction stirring device 14 are arranged around the reaction turntable 6. The first reaction stirring device 13 and the second reaction stirring device 14 stir the diluted sample and the first reagent or the second reagent in the reaction vessel P6 held by the reaction turntable 6.

[0034] The first reaction stirring device 13 and the second reaction stirring device 14 each have a stirring mechanism and a driving mechanism for driving the stirring mechanism. The first reaction stirring device 13 and the second reaction stirring device 14 insert the stirrer of the stirring mechanism into the reaction vessel P6 held at a predetermined position on the reaction turntable 6, and stir the diluted sample (or sample) with the first reagent or the second reagent. Thereby, the reaction among the diluted sample, the first reagent, and the second reagent proceeds.

[0035] [Multi-wavelength photometer 15] The multi-wavelength photometer 15 is a specific example of the measurement unit according to the present invention. The multi-wavelength photometer 15 is arranged around the reaction turntable 6. The multi-wavelength photometer 15 optically measures the diluted sample that has reacted with the first reagent and the second reagent in the reaction vessel P6, and detects the reaction state of the diluted sample. The multi-wavelength photometer 15 outputs the amounts of various components in the sample as absorbance to the control unit 1b.

[0036] [Reaction vessel cleaning device 16] The reaction vessel cleaning device 16 is arranged around the reaction turntable 6. The reaction vessel cleaning device 16 cleans the inside of the reaction vessel P6 after the inspection is completed.

[0037] [Specimen dispensing unit 21] The specimen dispensing unit 21 is arranged around the sample turntable 2 and the dilution turntable 3. The specimen dispensing unit 21 includes a slender tubular specimen probe 21A extending in the vertical direction. The specimen dispensing unit 21 operates according to a preset measurement program. The specimen dispensing unit 21 inserts the tip of the specimen probe 21A into the specimen in the specimen container P2 held on the sample turntable 2 and aspirates a predetermined amount of the specimen.

[0038] In addition, the specimen dispensing unit 21 supplies a predetermined amount of diluent (e.g., physiological saline, pure water) into the specimen probe 21A. The specimen dispensing unit 21 inserts the tip of the specimen probe 21A into the dilution container P3 of the dilution turntable 3, and discharges the specimen aspirated from the specimen container P2 and a predetermined amount of diluent into the dilution container P3. As a result, the specimen to be measured diluted to a predetermined multiple concentration is injected into the dilution container P3.

[0039] When the automatic analyzer 1 does not include the dilution turntable 3, the specimen dispensing unit 21 inserts the tip of the specimen probe 21A into the reaction container P6 of the reaction turntable 6. Then, only the specimen aspirated from the specimen container P2, or the specimen aspirated from the specimen container P2 and a predetermined amount of diluent are discharged into the reaction container P6.

[0040] The specimen probe 21A is provided with a liquid level detection mechanism (not shown). The liquid level detection mechanism detects the contact between the tip of the specimen probe and the liquid level based on, for example, the capacitance between the liquid level and the tip of the specimen probe.

[0041] [Diluted Specimen Dispensing Unit 22] The diluted specimen dispensing unit 22 is disposed between the dilution turntable 3 and the reaction turntable 6. The diluted specimen dispensing unit 22 includes diluted specimen probes 22A and 22B. The diluted specimen probes 22A and 22B are each formed in a thin tubular shape extending in the vertical direction. The diluted specimen dispensing unit 22 operates according to a preset measurement program. Note that the automatic analyzer 1 that does not include the dilution turntable 3 does not need to include the diluted specimen dispensing unit 22.

[0042] The diluted sample dispensing unit 22 inserts the tips of the diluted sample probes 22A and 22B into different dilution containers P3 of the dilution turntable 3 respectively, and aspirates a predetermined amount of diluted sample. The diluted sample dispensing unit 22 inserts the tip of the diluted sample probe 22A into the reaction container P6 aligned with the reaction line 6A of the reaction turntable 6, and discharges the diluted sample aspirated from the dilution container P3 into the reaction container P6. Further, the diluted sample dispensing unit 22 inserts the tip of the diluted sample probe 22B into the reaction container P6 aligned with the reaction line 6B of the reaction turntable 6, and discharges the diluted sample aspirated from the dilution container P3 into the reaction container P6.

[0043] [First reagent dispensing unit 23] The first reagent dispensing unit 23 is disposed between the reaction turntable 6 and the first reagent turntable 4. The first reagent dispensing unit 23 includes first reagent probes 23A and 23B (see FIG. 2). The first reagent probe 23A corresponds to the first dispensing probe according to the present invention. The first reagent probe 23B corresponds to the second dispensing probe according to the present invention. The first reagent probes 23A and 23B are each formed in a thin tubular shape extending in the vertical direction. The first reagent dispensing unit 23 operates according to a preset measurement program.

[0044] The first reagent dispensing unit 23 inserts the tip of the first reagent probe 23A into the first reagent container P4 aligned with the reagent line 4A of the first reagent turntable 4, and aspirates a predetermined amount of the first reagent. Further, the first reagent dispensing unit 23 inserts the tip of the first reagent probe 23A into the reaction container P6 aligned with the reaction line 6A of the reaction turntable 6, and discharges the first reagent aspirated from the first reagent container P4.

[0045] The first reagent dispensing unit 23 inserts the tip of the first reagent probe 23B into the first reagent container P4 aligned with the reagent line 4B of the first reagent turntable 4, and aspirates a predetermined amount of the first reagent. Further, the first reagent dispensing unit 23 inserts the tip of the first reagent probe 23B into the reaction container P6 aligned with the reaction line 6B of the reaction turntable 6, and discharges the first reagent aspirated from the first reagent container P4.

[0046] [Second Reagent Dispensing Unit 24] The second reagent dispensing unit 24 is arranged between the reaction turntable 6 and the second reagent turntable 5. The second reagent dispensing unit 24 has the same configuration as the first reagent dispensing unit 23 and includes second reagent probes 24A and 24B (see Fig. 2). The second reagent probe 24A corresponds to the first dispensing probe according to the present invention. The second reagent probe 24B corresponds to the second dispensing probe according to the present invention. The second reagent dispensing unit 24 operates according to a preset measurement program.

[0047] The second reagent dispensing unit 24 inserts the tip of the second reagent probe 24A into the second reagent container P5 aligned with the reagent line 5A of the second reagent turntable 5 to aspirate a predetermined amount of the second reagent. Further, the second reagent dispensing unit 24 inserts the tip of the second reagent probe 24A into the reaction container P6 aligned with the reaction line 6A of the reaction turntable 6 and discharges the second reagent aspirated from the second reagent container P5.

[0048] The second reagent dispensing unit 24 inserts the tip of the second reagent probe 24B into the second reagent container P5 aligned with the reagent line 5B of the second reagent turntable 5 to aspirate a predetermined amount of the second reagent. Further, the second reagent dispensing unit 24 inserts the tip of the second reagent probe 24B into the reaction container P6 aligned with the reaction line 6B of the reaction turntable 6 and discharges the second reagent aspirated from the second reagent container P5.

[0049] [Probe Cleaning Device 31] The probe cleaning device 31 is arranged on the track of the specimen probe 21A of the specimen dispensing unit 21. The probe cleaning device 31 cleans the outer wall of the specimen probe 21A. The probe cleaning device 31 includes a cleaning water supply pipe and a cleaning tank. The cleaning water supply pipe supplies cleaning water in a shower form to the tip of the specimen probe 21A arranged above the cleaning tank. Thereby, the outer wall of the specimen probe 21A is cleaned.

[0050] [Probe Cleaning Devices 32A and 32B] The probe cleaning device 32A is disposed on the trajectory of the diluted sample probe 22A of the diluted sample dispensing unit 22. The probe cleaning device 32A cleans the outer wall of the diluted sample probe 22A. The probe cleaning device 32B is disposed on the trajectory of the diluted sample probe 22B of the diluted sample dispensing unit 22. The probe cleaning device 32B cleans the outer wall of the diluted sample probe 22B. The probe cleaning devices 32A and 32B include a cleaning water supply pipe and a cleaning tank.

[0051] [Probe cleaning devices 33A and 33B] The probe cleaning device 33A is disposed on the trajectory of the first reagent probe 23A of the first reagent dispensing unit 23. The probe cleaning device 33A cleans the outer wall of the first reagent probe 23A. The probe cleaning device 33B is disposed on the trajectory of the first reagent probe 23B of the first reagent dispensing unit 23. The probe cleaning device 33B cleans the outer wall of the first reagent probe 23B. The probe cleaning devices 33A and 33B each include a barrel-shaped cleaning tank, a cleaning water supply pipe provided on the inner wall side of the side surface of the cleaning tank, and a cleaning liquid ejection port provided on the inner wall side of the bottom surface of the cleaning tank. The respective cleaning water supply pipes of the probe cleaning devices 33A and 33B supply cleaning water in a shower shape to the tips of the first reagent probes 23A and 23B disposed at the upper part of the cleaning tank. The respective cleaning liquid ejection ports of the probe cleaning devices 33A and 33B have a cylindrical shape, eject cleaning liquid such as an alkaline detergent and an acid detergent from their upper ends, and are configured such that the first reagent probes 23A and 23B disposed above the cleaning liquid ejection ports can suck the cleaning liquid.

[0052] [Probe cleaning devices 34A and 34B] The probe cleaning device 34A is arranged on the orbit of the second reagent probe 24A of the second reagent dispensing unit 24. The probe cleaning device 34A cleans the outer wall of the second reagent probe 24A. The probe cleaning device 34B is arranged on the orbit of the second reagent probe 24B of the second reagent dispensing unit 24. The probe cleaning device 34B cleans the outer wall of the second reagent probe 24B. The probe cleaning devices 34A and 34B each include a barrel-shaped cleaning tank, a cleaning water supply pipe provided on the inner wall side of the side surface of the cleaning tank, and a cleaning liquid ejection port provided on the inner wall side of the bottom surface of the cleaning tank. The respective cleaning water supply pipes of the probe cleaning devices 34A and 34B supply cleaning water in a shower shape to the tips of the second reagent probes 24A and 24B arranged at the upper part of the cleaning tank. The respective cleaning liquid ejection ports of the probe cleaning devices 34A and 34B have a cylindrical shape, eject cleaning liquid such as an alkaline detergent and an acid detergent from the upper end thereof, and are configured such that the second reagent probes 24A and 24B arranged above the cleaning liquid ejection port can suck the cleaning liquid.

[0053] <Control unit 1b> The control unit 1b is connected to the drive mechanisms of the respective components constituting the measurement unit 1a described above, the multi-wavelength photometer 15, and further a specimen supply device for supplying a specimen to the measurement unit 1a.

[0054] The specimen supply device has a supply unit, a recovery unit, a transport unit, and a barcode reader. The supply unit supplies a specimen rack containing a plurality of (for example, five) specimens to the measurement unit 1a. The recovery unit recovers the specimen rack after the dispensing process by the specimen dispensing unit 21. The transport unit transports the specimen rack from the supply unit to the recovery unit. The barcode reader is arranged between the supply unit and the specimen collection position.

[0055] When the operator inserts the specimen rack into the supply unit, the transport unit conveys the specimen rack to the barcode reading position of the barcode reader. The barcode reader reads the barcode information affixed to the specimen container. Subsequently, the transport unit conveys the specimen rack to the specimen collection position. When the dispensing process by the specimen dispensing unit 21 is completed, the transport unit conveys the specimen rack to the collection unit.

[0056] <First Reagent Dispensing Unit 23> Next, the detailed configuration of the first reagent dispensing unit 23 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first reagent dispensing unit 23.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 2, the first reagent dispensing unit 23 includes a base 101, a first dispensing mechanism 102, and a second dispensing mechanism 103. The base 101 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the vertical direction. The first dispensing mechanism 102 and the second dispensing mechanism 103 are attached to the base 101.

[0058] [First Dispensing Mechanism 102] The first dispensing mechanism 102 includes a first drive shaft 111, a first vertical drive unit 112, a first rotational drive unit 113, a first support arm 114, and a first reagent probe 23A. The first drive shaft 111, the first vertical drive unit 112, and the first rotational drive unit 113 correspond to the first drive mechanism according to the present invention.

[0059] The first drive shaft 111 is a round bar-shaped member extending in the vertical direction. The first drive shaft 111 is supported by the base 101 so as to be movable in the vertical direction and rotatable in the horizontal direction.

[0060] The first vertical drive unit 112 is disposed at the lower part of the base 101. The first vertical drive unit 112 moves the first drive shaft 111 in the vertical direction. The first vertical drive unit 112 has, for example, a motor, a rack, and a pinion. The rack and the pinion convert the rotational motion of the rotation shaft of the motor into a linear motion along the vertical direction of the first drive shaft 111. Note that, as the first vertical drive unit according to the present invention, other conversion mechanisms such as a ball screw and a belt and pulley mechanism may be employed instead of the rack and the pinion.

[0061] The first rotational drive unit 113 is disposed at the upper part of the base 101. The first rotational drive unit 113 rotates the first drive shaft 111 in the horizontal direction. The first rotational drive unit 113 has, for example, a motor and a toothed belt. The toothed belt transmits the rotation of the rotation shaft of the motor to the first drive shaft 111. Note that, as the first rotational drive unit according to the present invention, other transmission mechanisms such as a gear train may be employed instead of the toothed belt.

[0062] A rotating pulley (not shown) is attached to the first drive shaft 111. The toothed belt of the first rotational drive unit 113 is engaged with the rotating pulley. The rotating pulley is integrally formed with a spline nut (not shown). The spline nut guides the movement of the first drive shaft 111 in the vertical direction (axial direction) and transmits rotational torque to the first drive shaft 111. Thereby, the first drive shaft 111 is guided by the spline nut and moves in the vertical direction, and rotates together with the rotating pulley and the spline nut.

[0063] The first support arm 114 is formed of a substantially rectangular plate body that is long in the horizontal direction. One end portion in the longitudinal direction on the lower surface of the first support arm 114 is fixed to the upper end of the first drive shaft 111. The first support arm 114 moves in the vertical direction together with the first drive shaft 111, and rotates in the horizontal direction together with the first drive shaft 111. That is, the first support arm 114 moves in the axial direction of the first drive shaft 111 and rotates about the axis of the first drive shaft 111.

[0064] At the longitudinal other end of the lower surface of the first support arm 114, a first reagent probe 23A is detachably attached. The first reagent probe 23A is a dispensing probe for dispensing the first reagent contained in the first reagent container P4 into the reaction container P6.

[0065] The first reagent probe 23A is formed in a thin tubular shape extending in the vertical direction. One end of a tube 115 is connected to the upper end of the first reagent probe 23A. The tube 115 extends along the longitudinal direction of the first support arm 114. The other end of the tube 115 is connected to the first weighing pump 118 and the first cleaning pump 119 (see FIG. 9).

[0066] When the first weighing pump 118 is driven, the first reagent in the first reagent container P4 is sucked into the first reagent probe 23A. As a result, the sucked first reagent is accommodated in the first reagent probe 23A. Further, when the first weighing pump 118 is driven, the first reagent accommodated in the first reagent probe 23A is discharged. As a result, the first reagent in the first reagent probe 23A is dispensed into the reaction container P6.

[0067] The inside of the first reagent probe 23A and the inside of the tube 115 are filled with pure water as system water. Further, an air pocket is formed at the end of the first reagent probe 23A on the side opposite to the tube 115. The air pocket prevents the first reagent and pure water from mixing when the first reagent is sucked into the first reagent probe 23A. Note that the liquid pre-filled in the first reagent probe 23A and the tube 115 is not limited to non-conductive pure water, and conductive physiological saline or various other liquids may be filled.

[0068] A first liquid level detection sensor 134 (see FIG. 9) is connected to the first reagent probe 23A. The first liquid level detection sensor 134 detects the capacitance value of the first reagent probe 23A. The capacitance value detected by the first liquid level detection sensor 134 is output to the control unit 1b. The control unit 1b detects the contact between the first reagent probe 23A and the liquid (first reagent, cleaning liquid) based on the value detected by the first liquid level detection sensor 134 (sensor output value).

[0069] The vertical movement range of the first drive shaft 111 is preset. The upper end in the vertical movement range of the first drive shaft 111 is set at the vertical origin position of the first drive shaft 111 (hereinafter referred to as the "vertical origin position"). The lower end in the vertical movement range of the first drive shaft 111 is set at a position where the tip of the first reagent probe 23A does not contact the bottom of the first reagent container P4 of the first reagent turntable 4 and the bottom of the reaction container P6 of the reaction turntable 6. Note that the lower end in the vertical movement range of the first drive shaft 111 may be set at a position several millimeters below the bottom surface of the reaction container P6. In this case, the control unit 1b controls the first vertical drive unit 112 to stop the movement (descent) of the first drive shaft 111 at a predetermined position where the tip of the first reagent probe 23A does not contact the bottom surface of the reaction container P6. That is, the vertical movement range of the first drive shaft 111 may be set by the function of software.

[0070] In addition, the horizontal rotation range of the first drive shaft 111 is preset. When the first drive shaft 111 is located at one end in the rotation range, the first reagent probe 23A is located on the reagent line 4A of the first reagent turntable 4 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, when the first drive shaft 111 is rotated to one end of the rotation range and then lowered, the first reagent probe 23A is inserted into the first reagent container P4 arranged on the reagent line 4A. One end in the rotation range of the first drive shaft 111 is set at the horizontal origin position of the first drive shaft 111 (hereinafter referred to as the "horizontal origin position").

[0071] When one end of the first drive shaft 111 is located at the other end within the rotation range, the first reagent probe 23A is positioned on the reaction line 6A of the reaction turntable 6. Therefore, when the first drive shaft 111 is rotated to the other end of the rotation range and then lowered, the first reagent probe 23A is inserted into the reaction vessel P6 aligned with the reaction line 6A.

[0072] The rotation direction in which the first drive shaft 111 moves from the other end to one end within the horizontal movement range is defined as the first rotation direction. Also, the rotation direction in which the first drive shaft 111 moves from one end to the other end within the horizontal movement range is defined as the second rotation direction. In the present embodiment, the first rotation direction is counterclockwise when viewing the automatic analyzer 1 from above, and the second rotation direction is clockwise when viewing the automatic analyzer 1 from above.

[0073] [Second dispensing mechanism 103] The second dispensing mechanism 103 includes a second drive shaft 121, a second vertical drive unit 122, a second rotation drive unit 123, a second support arm 124, and a first reagent probe 23B. The second drive shaft 121, the second vertical drive unit 122, and the second rotation drive unit 123 correspond to the second drive mechanism according to the present invention.

[0074] The second drive shaft 121 is a round bar-shaped member extending in the vertical direction. The second drive shaft 121 is supported by the base 101 so as to be movable in the vertical direction and rotatable in the horizontal direction.

[0075] The second vertical drive unit 122 is disposed at the lower part of the base 101. The second vertical drive unit 122 moves the second drive shaft 121 in the vertical direction. The second vertical drive unit 122 includes, for example, a motor, a rack, and a pinion. The rack and the pinion convert the rotational movement of the rotation shaft of the motor into a linear movement along the vertical direction of the second drive shaft 121. Note that as the second vertical drive unit according to the present invention, other conversion mechanisms such as a ball screw and a belt and pulley mechanism may be employed instead of the rack and the pinion.

[0076] The second rotation driving unit 123 is disposed above the base 101. The second rotation driving unit 123 rotates the second drive shaft 121 in the horizontal direction. The second rotation driving unit 123 has, for example, a motor and a toothed belt. The toothed belt transmits the rotation of the rotation shaft of the motor to the second drive shaft 121. Note that, as the second rotation driving unit according to the present invention, other transmission mechanisms such as a gear train may be employed instead of the toothed belt.

[0077] The second support arm 124 is formed of a substantially rectangular plate body that is long in the horizontal direction. The length of the second support arm 124 in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the length of the first support arm 114 in the longitudinal direction. One end portion in the longitudinal direction on the lower surface of the second support arm 124 is fixed to the upper end of the second drive shaft 121. The second support arm 124 moves vertically together with the second drive shaft 121 and rotates horizontally together with the second drive shaft 121. That is, the second support arm 124 moves in the axial direction of the second drive shaft 121 and rotates about the axis of the second drive shaft 121.

[0078] The first reagent probe 23B is detachably attached to the other end portion in the longitudinal direction on the lower surface of the second support arm 124. The first reagent probe 23B is a dispensing probe that dispenses the first reagent stored in the first reagent container P4 into the reaction container P6.

[0079] The first reagent probe 23B is the same as the first reagent probe 23A and is formed in a thin tubular shape extending in the vertical direction. One end of a tube 125 is connected to the upper end of the first reagent probe 23B. The tube 125 extends along the longitudinal direction of the second support arm 124. The other end of the tube 125 is connected to the second weighing pump 128 and the second cleaning pump 129 (see FIG. 9).

[0080] When the second weighing pump 128 is driven, the first reagent in the first reagent container P4 is sucked into the first reagent probe 23B. As a result, the sucked first reagent is accommodated in the first reagent probe 23B. Also, when the second weighing pump 128 is driven, the first reagent accommodated in the first reagent probe 23B is discharged. As a result, the first reagent in the first reagent probe 23B is dispensed into the reaction vessel P6.

[0081] The first reagent probe 23B and the tube 125 are filled with pure water as system water. Also, an air pocket is formed at the end of the first reagent probe 23B on the side opposite to the tube 125. The air pocket prevents the first reagent from mixing with the pure water when the first reagent is sucked into the first reagent probe 23B.

[0082] A second liquid level detection sensor 144 (see FIG. 9) is connected to the first reagent probe 23B. The second liquid level detection sensor 144 detects the capacitance value of the first reagent probe 23B. The capacitance value detected by the second liquid level detection sensor 144 is output to the control unit 1b. The control unit 1b detects the contact between the first reagent probe 23B and the liquid (first reagent, cleaning liquid) based on the value (sensor output value) detected by the second liquid level detection sensor 144.

[0083] The second drive shaft 121 is shorter than the first drive shaft 111. And the vertical movement range of the first drive shaft 111 is smaller than the vertical movement range of the first drive shaft 111. The upper end in the vertical movement range of the second drive shaft 121 is set at a position lower than the upper end in the vertical movement range of the first drive shaft 111.

[0084] The upper end within the vertical movement range of the second drive shaft 121 is set at the vertical origin position of the second drive shaft 121. The lower end within the vertical movement range of the second drive shaft 121 is set at a position where the tip of the first reagent probe 23B does not contact the bottom of the first reagent container P4 of the first reagent turntable 4 and the bottom of the reaction container P6 of the reaction turntable 6. Note that the lower end within the vertical movement range of the second drive shaft 121 may be set at a position several millimeters lower than the bottom surface of the reaction container P6. In this case, the control unit 1b controls the second vertical drive unit 122 to stop the movement (descent) of the second drive shaft 121 at a predetermined position where the tip of the first reagent probe 23B does not contact the bottom surface of the reaction container P6. That is, the vertical movement range of the second drive shaft 121 may be set by the function of software.

[0085] Also, the horizontal rotation range of the second drive shaft 121 is preset. When the second drive shaft 121 is located at one end within the rotation range, the first reagent probe 23B is located on the reagent line 4B of the first reagent turntable 4 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, when the second drive shaft 121 is rotated to one end of the rotation range and then lowered, the first reagent probe 23B is inserted into the first reagent container P4 arranged on the reagent line 4B.

[0086] On the other hand, when the second drive shaft 121 is located at the other end within the rotation range, the first reagent probe 23B is located on the reaction line 6B of the reaction turntable 6. Therefore, when the second drive shaft 121 is rotated to the other end of the rotation range and then lowered, the first reagent probe 23B is inserted into the reaction container P6 arranged on the reaction line 6B. Also, the other end within the rotation range of the second drive shaft 121 is set at the horizontal origin position of the second drive shaft 121.

[0087] Incidentally, the horizontal origin position of the second drive shaft 121 may be set at one end in the rotation range (the side where the first reagent probe 23B is located on the reagent line 4B), similar to the horizontal origin position of the first drive shaft 111. Further, the horizontal origin position of the first drive shaft 111 may be set at the other end in the rotation range (the side where the first reagent probe 23A is located on the reaction line 6A). Furthermore, the horizontal origin positions of the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 can be set at arbitrary positions in the rotation range.

[0088] In this way, the first reagent dispensing unit 23 can control the operations of the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 independently. Also, the first reagent dispensing unit 23 can control the suction and discharge operations of the first reagent probes 23A and 23B independently. As a result, the first reagent dispensing unit 23 can suppress a decrease in the number of dispenses processed within a certain time.

[0089] The second reagent dispensing unit 24 (see FIG. 1) has the same configuration as the first reagent dispensing unit 23. Note that the names of the dispensing probes of the second reagent dispensing unit 24 are the second reagent probes 24A and 24B. The second reagent probes 24A and 24B are the same members as the first reagent probes 23A and 23B of the first reagent dispensing unit 23.

[0090] <Orbits of Two Reagent Probes> Next, the orbits of the second reagent probes 24A and 24B will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the orbits of the second reagent probes 24A and 24B.

[0091] The orbits of the first reagent probes 23A and 23B of the first reagent dispensing unit 23 are the same as the orbits of the second reagent probes 24A and 24B of the second reagent dispensing unit 24. Therefore, here, as the orbits of the dispensing probes according to the present invention, the orbits of the second reagent probes 24A and 24B will be described as an example.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 3, the longitudinal length of the first support arm 114 of the second reagent dispensing unit 24 is longer than the longitudinal length of the second support arm 124. And the sector with an arc as the locus drawn by one end of the second support arm 124 in the longitudinal direction is included in the sector with an arc as the locus of the second reagent probe 24A attached to the first support arm 114. Thereby, the orbits of the second reagent probe 24A and the second reagent probe 24B do not intersect.

[0093] The first rotation height, which is the vertical position of the first support arm 114 when the first support arm 114 is rotated in the horizontal direction, is higher than the second rotation height, which is the vertical position of the second support arm 124 when the second support arm 124 is rotated in the horizontal direction. And the first support arm 114 at the first rotation height position does not contact the second support arm 124 at the second rotation height. Thereby, the second support arm 124 and the second reagent probe 24B do not interfere with the first support arm 114 and the second reagent probe 24A during horizontal rotation.

[0094] The longitudinal length La of the first support arm 114 is set to be not less than the length obtained by adding the diameter Dm of the second reagent probe 24A, the distance Dt between the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121, and the safety clearance d1 to the longitudinal length Lb of the second support arm 124. That is, the length La is set to a length that satisfies the following formula (1).

[0095] [Equation 1] La≧Lb+Dm+Dt+d1···(1)

[0096] The safety clearance d1 is a constant determined according to the amplitude when the second reagent probe 24A is displaced horizontally due to vibration of the first support arm 114 or the adjustment clearance required when manufacturing the automatic analyzer 1. The safety clearance d1 is a unique value corresponding to the type of the automatic analyzer.

[0097] Note that the central angle of the sector with the arc of the orbit of the first reagent probe 23A does not need to be equal to the central angle of the sector with the arc of the orbit of the second reagent probe 24A.

[0098] <Arrangement of two reagent probes> Next, the arrangement of the second reagent probes 24A and 24B will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the second reagent probes 24A and 24B.

[0099] The geometric conditions to be satisfied when arranging the second reagent probes 24A and 24B will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, first, a virtual line VL connecting the rotation center of the reaction turntable 6 and the rotation center of the second reagent turntable 5 is drawn. Next, a perpendicular line PL substantially perpendicular to the virtual line VL is drawn. The rotation centers of the first support arm 114 and the second support arm 124 are arranged on the perpendicular line PL. That is, the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 (see FIG. 2) are arranged on the perpendicular line PL.

[0100] The position where the perpendicular line PL is drawn is near the middle of the reaction turntable 6 and the second reagent turntable 5, and it is preferable that the lines connecting the two ends of the rotation ranges of the first support arm 114 and the second support arm 124 and their respective rotation centers form an isosceles triangle. Thereby, the rotation ranges of the first support arm 114 and the second support arm 124 can be reduced.

[0101] Also, the distance between the rotation center of the first support arm 114 and the rotation center of the second support arm 124 is set to a length such that the first support arm 114 and the second support arm 124 do not overlap when viewed from the vertical direction at both ends of the rotation ranges of the first support arm 114 and the second support arm 124. Thereby, even when the first support arm 114 and the second support arm 124 move vertically at one end or the other end of the rotation range, the first support arm 114 and the second support arm 124 do not interfere with each other.

[0102] Further, the lengths of the first support arm 114 and the second support arm 124 are set to satisfy the above formula (1). As a result, the sector formed by the locus described by one end of the second support arm 124 in the longitudinal direction is a circular arc and is included in the sector formed by the locus of the second reagent probe 24A attached to the first support arm 124 as a circular arc. As a result, if the first support arm 114 and the second support arm 124 are arranged at positions where they do not interfere with each other in the vertical direction, the first support arm 114 (second reagent probe 24A) and the second support arm 124 (second reagent probe 24B) can perform rotational movements that overtake each other.

[0103] <Airspace during rotational movement of reagent probe and support arm> Next, the airspace during the rotational movement of the reagent probe and the support arm will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the airspace during the rotational movement of the second reagent probes 24A and 24B and the support arms 114 and 124.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 5, the first drive shaft 111 and the first support arm 114 perform rotational movement after rising to the upper end in the vertical movement range of the first drive shaft 111 at both ends of the rotation range. Here, the airspace occupied by the first support arm 114 during rotational movement is defined as the first support arm airspace 201. Also, the airspace occupied by the second reagent probe 24A during rotational movement is defined as the probe A airspace 202.

[0105] The second drive shaft 121 and the second support arm 124 perform rotational movement after rising to the upper end in the vertical movement range of the second drive shaft 121 at both ends of the rotation range. Here, the airspace occupied by the second support arm 124 during rotational movement is defined as the second support arm airspace 211. Also, the airspace occupied by the second reagent probe 24B during rotational movement is defined as the probe B airspace 212.

[0106] The first support arm airspace 201 is set above the second support arm airspace 211. When viewed from the horizontal direction, the first support arm airspace 201 does not overlap with the second support arm airspace 211. Also, the probe A airspace 202 is set outside the second support arm airspace 211 and the probe B airspace 212 in the radial direction centered on the second drive shaft 121. Therefore, in the rotational movement, the first support arm 114 and the second reagent probe 24A do not interfere with the second support arm 124 and the second reagent probe 24B.

[0107] <Stroke of the drive shaft> Next, the strokes of the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the strokes of the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 6, the second reagent probes 24A and 24B are set to the same length. The second reagent probes 24A and 24B suck and discharge the second reagent at the lower end (hereinafter referred to as the "lower end position") in the vertical movement range of the first drive shaft 111 (first support arm 114) and the second drive shaft 121 (second support arm 124).

[0109] The first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 rotate horizontally at the upper end (hereinafter referred to as the "upper end position") in the vertical movement range, respectively. The upper end position of the first drive shaft 111 is higher than the upper end position of the second drive shaft 121. On the other hand, the stroke S1 of the first drive shaft 111 (first support arm 114) is longer than the stroke S2 of the second drive shaft 121 (second support arm 124). Therefore, it is possible to make the height positions of the vertical tips of the second reagent probes 24A and 24B the same when sucking and discharging the second reagent.

[0110] Incidentally, when cleaning the second reagent probe 24A with the probe cleaning device 34A, first, the first drive shaft 111 is rotated horizontally at the upper end position, and the second reagent probe 24A is disposed above the cleaning tank in the probe cleaning device 34A. At this time, the cleaning water supply pipe of the probe cleaning device 34A supplies cleaning water in a shower shape to the tip of the second reagent probe 24A disposed above the cleaning tank. Thereby, the second reagent probe 24A is cleaned.

[0111] Also, when cleaning the second reagent probe 24B with the probe cleaning device 34B, first, the second drive shaft 121 is rotated horizontally at the upper end position, and the second reagent probe 24B is disposed above the cleaning tank in the probe cleaning device 34B. At this time, the cleaning water supply pipe of the probe cleaning device 34B supplies cleaning water in a shower shape to the tip of the second reagent probe 24B disposed above the cleaning tank. Thereby, the second reagent probe 24B is cleaned.

[0112] The horizontal positions of the probe cleaning devices 34A and 34B are on the orbits of the second reagent probes 24A and 24B and are set within the rotation ranges of the second reagent probes 24A and 24B (drive shafts 111 and 121) (see FIG. 1). Further, the probe cleaning devices 34A and 34B are close to each other. Therefore, when simultaneously cleaning the second reagent probe 24A and the second reagent probe 24B, when viewed from the vertical direction, a part of the first support arm 114 and a part of the second support arm 124 overlap.

[0113] On the other hand, the vertical position of the probe cleaning device 34A is higher than the vertical position of the probe cleaning device 34B. In the present embodiment, the difference in the vertical positions of the probe cleaning devices 34A and 34B is equal to the vertical distance between the lower surface of the first support arm 114 at the upper end position of the first drive shaft 111 and the upper surface of the second support arm 124 at the upper end position of the second drive shaft 121. Therefore, during the cleaning of the second reagent probe 24A, the first support arm 114 is positioned at a height that does not interfere with the second support arm 124 during the cleaning of the second reagent probe 24B.

[0114] In the normal cleaning of each probe including the second reagent probes 24A and 24B, it is not necessary to move the probes up and down in the cleaning tank. The second reagent probes 24A and 24B are cleaned at the upper end positions within the vertical movement ranges of the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 respectively. Therefore, even when the normal cleaning of the second reagent probes 24A and 24B is performed simultaneously, the first support arm 114 and the second reagent probe 24B do not interfere with each other.

[0115] On the other hand, each probe may require intensive cleaning, which is a strong cleaning, to avoid contamination between specimens and reagents. In this case, the probe sucks the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid ejection port provided in the cleaning tank. And when causing the probe to suck the cleaning liquid, it is necessary to lower the probe in the cleaning tank and then raise it (move it up and down).

[0116] For example, during the normal cleaning of the second reagent probe 24B attached to the second support arm 124, the second reagent probe 24A attached to the first support arm 114 may be intensively cleaned. In this case, the second reagent probe 24A is moved up and down in the cleaning tank of the probe cleaning device 34A. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the vertically moving first support arm 114 from interfering with the second support arm 124.

[0117] Therefore, the vertical distance between the lower surface of the first support arm 114 when the first drive shaft 111 is disposed at the upper end position and the upper surface of the second support arm 124 when the second drive shaft 121 is disposed at the upper end position is set to the mutual interference avoidance distance Dc. The mutual interference avoidance distance Dc is an isolation distance set for the purpose of avoiding interference between the support arms 114 and 124 when cleaning the second reagent probes 24A and 24B in the probe cleaning devices 34A and 34B.

[0118] The mutual interference avoidance distance Dc is set to be equal to or greater than the length obtained by adding the safety clearance d2 to the depth Dp of the cleaning liquid ejection port. That is, the mutual interference avoidance distance Dc is determined by the following formula (2).

[0119] [Number 2] Dc≧Dp + d2 ···(2)

[0120] The depth Dp of the cleaning liquid ejection port is equal to the stroke of the second reagent probe 24A moving up and down to suck the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank. The depth Dp of the cleaning liquid ejection port is a unique value according to the type of the cleaning liquid ejection port. Also, the safety clearance d2 is a constant determined according to the height of protrusions such as piping tubes arranged on the second support arm 124 and the height of protrusions arranged on the lower surface of the first support arm 114. The safety clearance d2 is a unique value according to the types of the first support arm 114 and the second support arm 124.

[0121] In this embodiment, in normal cleaning, the second reagent probes 24A and 24B are configured to be cleaned without moving up and down in the cleaning tank. However, as a dispensing probe device according to the present invention, in order to improve the cleaning efficiency, in normal cleaning, the reagent probe may be configured to be cleaned by moving up and down in the cleaning tank. However, the descending distance of the reagent probe in the cleaning tank is set to be equal to or less than the depth Dp of the cleaning liquid ejection port.

[0122] <Origin position detection mechanism> Next, the origin position detection mechanism of the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the origin position detection mechanism of the first reagent dispensing unit 23. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the detected part for the rotation origin of the first reagent dispensing unit 23.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 7, the origin position detection mechanism of the first drive shaft 111 in the first reagent dispensing unit 23 is composed of a first vertical origin position detection sensor 131, a first horizontal origin position detection sensor 132, a detected part 116 for the vertical origin, and a detected part 117 for the rotation origin.

[0124] On the side surface of the base 101 (see FIG. 2) in the first reagent dispensing unit 23, sensor holding plates 130 and 140 are attached. The sensor holding plate 130 is disposed at a position facing the first drive shaft 111 in the horizontal direction. The sensor holding plate 130 holds a first vertical origin position detection sensor 131 and a first horizontal origin position detection sensor 132.

[0125] The detected part 116 for the vertical origin is attached to the first drive shaft 111 via a slider (not shown). The detected part 116 for the vertical origin is disposed at a position facing the first vertical origin position detection sensor 131 in the vertical direction. The detected part 116 for the vertical origin is formed in a flat plate shape having a plane substantially perpendicular to the horizontal direction. The detected part 117 for the rotation origin is fixed to a rotation pulley (not shown) of the first drive shaft 111. The detected part 117 for the rotation origin is disposed at a position facing the first horizontal origin position detection sensor 132 in the horizontal direction.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 8, the detected part 117 for the rotation origin is formed in a ring shape having a fitting hole 117a that fits onto the first drive shaft 111. The detected part 117 for the rotation origin has a slit 117b for detecting the horizontal origin position of the first drive shaft 111. The slit 117b is formed in a substantially rectangular shape extending radially from the outer peripheral surface of the detected part 117 for the rotation origin.

[0127] The first vertical origin position detection sensor 131 and the first horizontal origin position detection sensor 132 shown in FIG. 7 are, for example, transmissive photo sensors. The optical axis of the first vertical origin position detection sensor 131 extends in the horizontal direction. The first vertical origin position detection sensor 131 detects that the first drive shaft 111 is disposed at the vertical origin position when the optical axis is blocked by the detected part 116 for the vertical origin. The optical axis of the first horizontal origin position detection sensor 132 extends in the vertical direction. The first horizontal origin position detection sensor 132 detects that the first drive shaft 111 is disposed at the horizontal origin position when the optical axis passes through the slit 117b of the detected part 117 for the rotation origin.

[0128] The origin position detection mechanism of the second drive shaft 121 in the first reagent dispensing unit 23 is composed of a second vertical origin position detection sensor 141 (see FIG. 9), a second horizontal origin position detection sensor 142 (see FIG. 9), a detected part 126 for vertical origin (see FIG. 14), and a detected part 127 for rotation origin (see FIG. 14).

[0129] The second vertical origin position detection sensor 141 and the second horizontal origin position detection sensor 142 are the same sensors as the first vertical origin position detection sensor 131 and the first horizontal origin position detection sensor 132. The second vertical origin position detection sensor 141 and the second horizontal origin position detection sensor 142 are held by a sensor holding plate 140. The sensor holding plate 140 is arranged at a position facing the second drive shaft 121 in the horizontal direction.

[0130] The detected part 126 for vertical origin is the same as the above-mentioned detected part 116 for vertical origin, and the detected part 127 for rotation origin is the same as the detected part 117 for rotation origin. The detected part 126 for vertical origin is attached to the second drive shaft 121 via a slider (not shown). The detected part 127 for rotation origin is fixed to a rotation pulley (not shown) of the second drive shaft 121.

[0131] The second vertical origin position detection sensor 141 detects that the second drive shaft 121 is arranged at the vertical origin position when the optical axis is blocked by the detected part 126 for vertical origin. The second horizontal origin position detection sensor 142 detects that the second drive shaft 121 is arranged at the horizontal origin position when the optical axis passes through the slit of the detected part 127 for rotation origin.

[0132] Note that the origin position detection mechanism of the second reagent dispensing unit 24 is the same as the origin position detection mechanism of the first reagent dispensing unit 23 described above.

[0133] <Control System of the First Reagent Dispensing Unit 23> Next, a configuration example of the control system of the first reagent dispensing unit 23 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the first reagent dispensing unit 23.

[0134] The control unit 1b has, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Read Only Memory (ROM), and a Random Access Memory (RAM). The CPU reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM and expands them in the RAM. The CPU controls the operation of each drive mechanism of the measurement unit 1a according to the expanded program.

[0135] The ROM stores various processing programs for controlling the operation of each drive mechanism of the measurement unit 1a, parameters and table data necessary for the execution of the program, various files, etc. The RAM is composed of, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory. The RAM forms a work area for temporarily storing various processing programs, input or output data, parameters, etc., read from the ROM in various processes executed by the CPU.

[0136] The first up-down drive unit 112, the first rotation drive unit 113, the first weighing pump 118, the first cleaning pump 119, the second up-down drive unit 122, the second rotation drive unit 123, the second weighing pump 128, and the second cleaning pump 129 of the first reagent dispensing unit 23 are electrically connected to the control unit 1b. Although not shown in FIG. 9, drive units such as the first reagent turntable 4, the second reagent turntable 5, the reaction turntable 6, the specimen dispensing unit 21, and the second reagent dispensing unit 24 are electrically connected to the control unit 1b.

[0137] The first vertical drive unit 112 moves the first drive shaft 111 in the vertical direction according to the drive control signal supplied from the control unit 1b. The first rotational drive unit 113 rotates the first drive shaft 111 in the horizontal direction according to the drive control signal supplied from the control unit 1b. The first weighing pump 118 sucks the first reagent into the first reagent probe 23A according to the drive control signal supplied from the control unit 1b. Also, the first weighing pump 118 discharges the first reagent from the first reagent probe 23A according to the drive control signal supplied from the control unit 1b.

[0138] The second vertical drive unit 122 moves the second drive shaft 121 in the vertical direction according to the drive control signal supplied from the control unit 1b. The second rotational drive unit 123 rotates the second drive shaft 121 in the horizontal direction according to the drive control signal supplied from the control unit 1b. The second weighing pump 128 sucks the first reagent into the first reagent probe 23B according to the drive control signal supplied from the control unit 1b. Also, the second weighing pump 128 discharges the first reagent from the first reagent probe 23B according to the drive control signal supplied from the control unit 1b.

[0139] The first vertical origin position detection sensor 131, the first horizontal origin position detection sensor 132, the first liquid level detection sensor 134, and the first probe collision detection sensor 135 of the first reagent dispensing unit 23 are electrically connected to the control unit 1b.

[0140] The first vertical origin position detection sensor 131 detects that the first drive shaft 111 is disposed at the vertical origin position, and transmits the detection result to the control unit 1b. The first horizontal origin position detection sensor 132 detects that the first drive shaft 111 is disposed at the horizontal origin position, and transmits the detection result to the control unit 1b.

[0141] The first liquid level detection sensor 134 detects the capacitance value of the first reagent probe 23A, and transmits the detection result to the control unit 1b. The first probe collision detection sensor 135 detects that the first reagent probe 23A has come into contact with other equipment such as the first reagent container P4, and transmits the detection result to the control unit 1b.

[0142] The control unit 1b is electrically connected to the second vertical origin position detection sensor 141, the second horizontal origin position detection sensor 142, the second liquid level detection sensor 144, and the second probe collision detection sensor 145 of the first reagent dispensing unit 23.

[0143] The second vertical origin position detection sensor 141 detects that the second drive shaft 121 is disposed at the vertical origin position, and transmits the detection result to the control unit 1b. The second horizontal origin position detection sensor 142 detects that the second drive shaft 121 is disposed at the horizontal origin position, and transmits the detection result to the control unit 1b.

[0144] The second liquid level detection sensor 144 detects the capacitance value of the first reagent probe 23B, and transmits the detection result to the control unit 1b. The second probe collision detection sensor 145 detects that the first reagent probe 23B contacts other components such as the first reagent container P4, and transmits the detection result to the control unit 1b.

[0145] <Origin position return process> Before starting the analysis operation (measurement operation), the automatic analyzer 1 performs the origin position return process for the first reagent dispensing unit 23 and the second reagent dispensing unit 24. In the origin position return process, the driving of the first vertical driving unit 112, the second vertical driving unit 122, the first rotational driving unit 113, and the second rotational driving unit 123 is controlled to dispose the first drive shaft 111 (the first support arm 114) and the second drive shaft 121 (the second support arm 124) at the origin positions (the vertical origin position and the horizontal origin position).

[0146] [First example] Next, a first example of the origin return process of the first reagent dispensing unit 23 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a first example of the origin return process of the first reagent dispensing unit 23.

[0147] When starting the first example of the origin return process, the control unit 1b controls the driving of the first vertical drive unit 112 and the second vertical drive unit 122 to raise the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 (S1). Next, after the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 reach their respective vertical origin positions, the control unit 1b stops the driving of the first vertical drive unit 112 and the second vertical drive unit 122 to stop the upward movement of the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 (S2).

[0148] Next, the control unit 1b controls the driving of the first rotation drive unit 113 to rotate the first drive shaft 111 in the first rotation direction (S3). The first rotation direction is counterclockwise in FIG. 1 and is the direction in which the first drive shaft 111 moves toward the horizontal origin position. Next, after the first drive shaft 111 reaches the horizontal origin position, the control unit 1b stops the driving of the first rotation drive unit 113 to stop the rotation operation of the first drive shaft 111 (S4).

[0149] Next, the control unit 1b controls the driving of the second rotation drive unit 123 to rotate the second drive shaft 121 in the second rotation direction (S5). The second rotation direction is clockwise in FIG. 1 and is the direction in which the second drive shaft 121 moves toward the horizontal origin position. Next, after the second drive shaft 121 reaches the horizontal origin position, the control unit 1b stops the driving of the second rotation drive unit 123 to stop the rotation operation of the second drive shaft 121 (S6). After the process of step S6, the control unit 1b ends the first example of the origin return process.

[0150] Steps S5 and S6 described above may be executed before steps S3 and S4. Also, step S5 described above may be executed simultaneously with step S3. Thereby, the time required for the origin return process can be shortened.

[0151] [Intersection of Two Dispensing Probes] Next, the state in which the first support arm 114 and the second support arm 124 intersect will be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first support arm 114 and the second support arm 124 of the first reagent dispensing unit 23 intersect.

[0152] As described above, the first reagent probes 23A and 23B are such that the sector formed by the locus traced by one end in the longitudinal direction of the second support arm 124 is an arc and is included in the sector formed by the locus of the second reagent probe 24A attached to the first support arm 114 and having an arc as its orbit. And at a position where the first support arm 114 and the second support arm 124 do not contact each other in the vertical direction, the first support arm 114 and the second support arm 124 rotate in the horizontal direction. Therefore, when the first support arm 114 and the second support arm 124 during the dispensing operation are viewed from above, the middle part in the longitudinal direction of the first support arm 114 and the middle part in the longitudinal direction of the second support arm 124 do not intersect.

[0153] By the way, in maintenance, the user or the operator performing maintenance inspection may move the drive shafts 111 and 121 and the support arms 114 and 124. In this case, it is assumed that the first support arm 114 and the second support arm 124 will be in a cross arrangement state where they intersect unintentionally. As shown in FIG. 11, when the support arms 114 and 124 are in the cross arrangement state, the first support arm 114 is located below the second support arm 124.

[0154] In the cross arrangement state, when the first example of the above-described origin return process is executed, when the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 are raised in step S1, first, the second drive shaft 121 reaches the vertical origin position and stops. After that, the first drive shaft 111 continues to move upward, but the first support arm 114 pushes up the second support arm 124 from below. That is, the first support arm 114 collides with the second support arm 124. The collision between the support arms 114 and 124 causes a device failure and thus needs to be avoided.

[0155] [Second Example] Next, a second example of the origin return process of the first reagent dispensing unit 23 will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a second example of the origin return process of the first reagent dispensing unit 23.

[0156] In the second example of the origin return process, it is detected whether it is in the cross arrangement state. And in the second example of the origin return process, when it is in the cross arrangement state, an error is output, and when it is not in the cross arrangement state, the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 are arranged at the origin positions.

[0157] When starting the second example of the origin return process, the control unit 1b turns on the excitation of the first drive shaft 111 (S11). That is, the control unit 1b turns on the excitation of the first vertical drive unit 112 and the first rotational drive unit 113. Next, the control unit 1b turns on the excitation of the second drive shaft 121 (S12). That is, the control unit 1b turns on the excitation of the second vertical drive unit 122 and the second rotational drive unit 123.

[0158] Next, the control unit 1b controls the driving of the first vertical drive unit 112 and the second vertical drive unit 122 to raise the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 (S13). Next, the control unit 1b determines whether the first drive shaft 111 reaches the vertical origin position first (S14).

[0159] In step S14, when it is determined that the first drive shaft 111 reaches the vertical origin position first (S14 is YES), after the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 each reach the vertical origin position, the control unit 1b stops the driving of the first vertical drive unit 112 and the second vertical drive unit 122 and stops the raising operation of the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 (S15).

[0160] When the first drive shaft 111 reaches the vertical origin position first, the first support arm 114 is positioned above the second support arm 124. Therefore, even if the second drive shaft 121 is raised after the upward movement of the first drive shaft 111 is stopped, the second support arm 124 will not collide with the first support arm 114.

[0161] Next, the control unit 1b controls the drive of the first rotation drive unit 113 to rotate the first drive shaft 111 to the horizontal origin position (S16). Next, the control unit 1b controls the drive of the second rotation drive unit 123 to rotate the second drive shaft 121 to the horizontal origin position (S17). After the process of step S17, the control unit 1b ends the second example of the origin return process.

[0162] In step S14, when it is determined that the first drive shaft 111 has not reached the vertical origin position first (S14 is NO), after the second drive shaft 121 reaches the vertical origin position, the control unit 1b stops the drives of the first vertical drive unit 112 and the second vertical drive unit 122, and stops the upward movement of the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 (S18).

[0163] Next, the control unit 1b turns off the excitation of the first drive shaft 111 (S19). That is, the control unit 1b turns off the excitation of the first vertical drive unit 112 and the first rotation drive unit 113. Next, the control unit 1b controls the drive of the second vertical drive unit 122 to lower the second drive shaft 121 by a certain amount from the horizontal origin position (S20).

[0164] Next, the control unit 1b turns off the excitation of the second drive shaft 121 (S21). That is, the control unit 1b turns off the excitation of the second vertical drive unit 122 and the second rotation drive unit 123. Next, the control unit 1b turns on the excitation of the first drive shaft 111 (S22). Subsequently, the control unit 1b controls the drive of the first vertical drive unit 112 to raise the first drive shaft 111 (S23).

[0165] Next, the control unit 1b determines whether the first drive shaft 111 reaches the vertical origin position first (S24). In step S24, when it is determined that the first drive shaft 111 reaches the vertical origin position first (S24 is YES), the control unit 1b stops the drive of the first vertical drive unit 112 to stop the upward movement of the first drive shaft 111, and turns on the excitation of the second drive shaft 121 (S25). When the first drive shaft 111 reaches the vertical origin position first, the first support arm 114 is located above the second support arm 124.

[0166] Next, the control unit 1b controls the drive of the second vertical drive unit 122 to raise the second drive shaft 121 to the vertical origin position (S26). Next, the control unit 1b controls the drive of the first rotation drive unit 113 to rotate the first drive shaft 111 to the horizontal origin position (S27). Next, the control unit 1b controls the drive of the second rotation drive unit 123 to rotate the second drive shaft 121 to the horizontal origin position (S28). After the process of step S28, the control unit 1b ends the second example of the origin return process.

[0167] In step S24, when it is determined that the first drive shaft 111 has not reached the vertical origin position first (S24 is NO), the control unit 1b detects that the second drive shaft 121 has reached the vertical origin position (S29).

[0168] The fact that the second drive shaft 121 with the excitation turned off reaches the vertical origin position means that the second support arm 124 attached to the second drive shaft 121 has been pushed up by the first support arm 114. Therefore, the control unit 1b can detect that it is in the cross arrangement state in step S29.

[0169] The control unit 1b stops the drive of the first vertical drive unit 112 to stop the upward movement of the first drive shaft 111, and outputs a cross arrangement error indicating that it is in the cross arrangement state to a display control unit (not shown) (S30). When receiving the cross arrangement error, the display control unit causes the display unit 41 (see FIG. 1) to display that it is in the cross arrangement state. When the user or the operator performing maintenance and inspection sees the display unit 41 and recognizes that it is in the cross arrangement state, the user or the operator manually cancels the cross arrangement state.

[0170] [Third Example] Next, a third example of the origin return process of the first reagent dispensing unit 23 will be described with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a third example of the origin return process of the first reagent dispensing unit 23.

[0171] In the third example of the origin return process, the cross arrangement state is canceled, and the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 are returned to the origin positions. Therefore, when executing the third example of the origin return process, at least the setting of the horizontal rotation range of the second drive shaft 121 is canceled. As a result, the second drive shaft 121 can rotate 360°.

[0172] As described with reference to FIG. 3, when performing the dispensing operation, the second support arm 124 rotates within a sector having an arc as the orbit of the second reagent probe 24A attached to the first support arm 114. However, when canceling the cross arrangement state, the second support arm 124 exceptionally moves outside the sector having an arc as the orbit of the second reagent probe 24A.

[0173] When starting the third example of the origin return process, the control unit 1b controls the drives of the first vertical drive unit 112 and the second vertical drive unit 122 to raise the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 (S41). Next, the control unit 1b determines whether the first drive shaft 111 has reached the vertical origin position first (S42).

[0174] In step S42, when it is determined that the first drive shaft 111 has reached the vertical origin position first (S42 is YES), the control unit 1b stops the driving of the first vertical drive unit 112 and the second vertical drive unit 122, and stops the upward driving of the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 (S43).

[0175] When the first drive shaft 111 reaches the vertical origin position first, the first support arm 114 is located above the second support arm 124. Therefore, even if the first drive shaft 111 is rotated in the horizontal direction, the first support arm 114 will not collide with the second support arm 124.

[0176] Next, the control unit 1b controls the driving of the first rotation drive unit 113 to rotate the first drive shaft 111 in the first rotation direction (S44). The first rotation direction is counterclockwise in FIG. 1 and is the direction in which the first drive shaft 111 moves toward the horizontal origin position. Next, after the first drive shaft 111 reaches the horizontal origin position, the control unit 1b stops the driving of the first rotation drive unit 113 and stops the rotation operation of the first drive shaft 111 (S45).

[0177] Next, the control unit 1b controls the driving of the second vertical drive unit 122 to raise the second drive shaft 121 (S46). Next, after the second drive shaft 121 reaches the vertical origin position, the control unit 1b stops the driving of the second vertical drive unit 122 and stops the upward movement of the second drive shaft 121 (S47).

[0178] Next, the control unit 1b controls the driving of the second rotation drive unit 123 to rotate the second drive shaft 121 in the second rotation direction (S48). The second rotation direction is clockwise in FIG. 1 and is the direction in which the second drive shaft 121 moves toward the horizontal origin position. Next, after the second drive shaft 121 reaches the horizontal origin position, the control unit 1b stops the driving of the second rotation drive unit 123 and stops the rotation operation of the second drive shaft 121 (S49). After the process of step S19, the control unit 1b ends the third example of the origin return process.

[0179] In step S42, when it is determined that the first drive shaft 111 has not reached the vertical origin position first (S42 is NO), the control unit 1b stops the driving of the first vertical drive unit 112 and the second vertical drive unit 122, and stops the upward driving of the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 (S50).

[0180] Next, the control unit 1b controls the driving of the second rotation drive unit 123 to rotate the second drive shaft 121 in a direction in which the first reagent probe 23B of the second support arm 124 moves away from the first support arm 114 (S51).

[0181] In step S51, when the first reagent probe 23B of the second support arm 124 is located on one end side of the rotation range with respect to the first support arm 114, the control unit 1b rotates the second drive shaft 121 (second support arm 124) to one end side of the rotation range. Then, the control unit 1b rotates the second drive shaft 121 until it reaches the other end of the rotation range beyond one end of the rotation range. As a result, the first reagent probe 23B rotates around the end on the rotation center side of the first support arm 114, and the second support arm 124 moves away from the first support arm 114. As a result, the cross arrangement state is eliminated.

[0182] In step S51, when the first reagent probe 23B of the second support arm 124 is located on the other end side of the rotation range with respect to the first support arm 114, the control unit 1b rotates the second drive shaft 121 (second support arm 124) to the other end side of the rotation range. Then, the control unit 1b rotates the second drive shaft 121 until it reaches one end of the rotation range beyond the other end of the rotation range. As a result, the first reagent probe 23B rotates around the end on the rotation center side of the first support arm 114, and the second support arm 124 moves away from the first support arm 114. As a result, the cross arrangement state is eliminated.

[0183] Next, after the second drive shaft 121 reaches one end or the other end of the rotation range, the control unit 1b stops driving the second rotation drive unit 123 to stop the rotation operation of the second drive shaft 121 (S52). Next, the control unit 1b controls the drive of the first vertical drive unit 112 to raise the first drive shaft 111 (S53). Next, after the first drive shaft 111 reaches the vertical origin position, the control unit 1b stops driving the first vertical drive unit 112 to stop the raising operation of the first drive shaft 111 (S54).

[0184] Next, the control unit 1b controls the drive of the first rotation drive unit 113 to rotate the first drive shaft 111 in the first rotation direction (S55). Next, after the first drive shaft 111 reaches the horizontal origin position, the control unit 1b stops driving the first rotation drive unit 113 to stop the rotation operation of the first drive shaft 111 (S56). After the process of step S56, the control unit 1b proceeds to the process of step S48.

[0185] Cables and tubes pass through the drive shafts 111 and 121. Therefore, after eliminating the cross arrangement state, it is preferable to eliminate the twist of the cables in the second drive shaft 121. Therefore, after executing the third example of the origin return process, the second drive shaft 121 is rotated once more in the opposite direction to eliminate the twist of the cables.

[0186] In the second example of the origin return process described above (see FIG. 12), in step S30, a cross arrangement error was output to a display control unit (not shown). However, after the process of step S29, steps S51 to S58, step S48, and step S49 in the third example of the origin return process may be executed. Thereby, the first reagent dispensing unit 23 can eliminate the cross arrangement state and return the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 to the origin positions.

[0187] 2. Second Embodiment <Configuration of Automatic Analyzer> The part where the configuration of the automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment differs from that of the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment is the origin position detection mechanism. Therefore, here, the origin position detection mechanism according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16, and the description of the configuration overlapping with that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0188] <Origin position detection mechanism> FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the origin position detection mechanism of the first reagent dispensing unit 23. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the second drive shaft 121 is arranged at the upper and lower origin positions. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the second drive shaft 121 when the support arms 114 and 124 are in a cross arrangement state.

[0189] The origin position detection mechanism of the first drive shaft 111 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first drive shaft 111 according to the first embodiment. That is, the origin position detection mechanism of the first drive shaft 111 according to the second embodiment is composed of a first upper and lower origin position detection sensor 131, a first horizontal origin position detection sensor 132, a detected part 116 for upper and lower origin positions, and a detected part 117 for rotational origin (see FIG. 7).

[0190] As shown in FIG. 14, the origin position detection mechanism of the second drive shaft 121 according to the second embodiment is composed of a second upper and lower origin position detection sensor 141, a second horizontal origin position detection sensor 142, a cross-check sensor 143, a detected part 126 for upper and lower origin positions, and a detected part 127 for rotational origin. The second upper and lower origin position detection sensor 141, the second horizontal origin position detection sensor 142, the detected part 126 for upper and lower origin positions, and the detected part 127 for rotational origin are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0191] As shown in FIG. 15, the second upper and lower origin position detection sensor 141 detects that the second drive shaft 121 is arranged at the upper and lower origin positions when the optical axis is blocked by the detected part 126 for upper and lower origin positions. Further, the second horizontal origin position detection sensor 142 detects that the second drive shaft 121 is arranged at the horizontal origin position when the optical axis passes through the slit of the detected part 127 for rotational origin.

[0192] The cross-check sensor 143 is held by a sensor holding plate 140 (see FIG. 2) together with the second vertical origin position detection sensor 141 and the second horizontal origin position detection sensor 142. The detected portion 126 for the vertical origin is arranged at a position facing the first vertical origin position detection sensor 141 and the cross-check sensor 143 in the vertical direction.

[0193] The cross-check sensor 143 is, for example, a transmissive photosensor. The optical axis of the cross-check sensor 143 extends in the horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 16, the cross-check sensor 143 detects that the second drive shaft 121 is arranged at the cross-check position when the optical axis is blocked by the detected portion 126 for the vertical origin. The cross-check position is set above the vertical origin position. The second drive shaft 121 is arranged at the cross-check position when the second support arm 124 is pushed up by the first support arm 114.

[0194] <Control system of the first reagent dispensing unit 23> Next, a configuration example of the control system of the first reagent dispensing unit 23 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control system of the first reagent dispensing unit 23 according to the second embodiment.

[0195] The configuration of the control system of the first reagent dispensing unit 23 according to the second embodiment is obtained by adding the cross-check sensor 143 to the configuration of the control system of the first reagent dispensing unit 23 according to the first embodiment. The cross-check sensor 143 detects that the second drive shaft 121 is arranged at the cross-check position and transmits the detection result to the control unit 1b.

[0196] <Origin return process> Next, the origin return process of the first reagent dispensing unit 23 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the origin return process of the first reagent dispensing unit 23 according to the second embodiment.

[0197] In the origin return process of the first reagent dispensing unit 23 according to the second embodiment, it is detected whether it is in the cross arrangement state, and if it is in the cross arrangement state, an error is output. If it is not in the cross arrangement state, the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 are arranged at the origin positions.

[0198] When starting the origin return process according to the second embodiment, the control unit 1b turns on the excitation of the first drive shaft 111 (S61). That is, the control unit 1b turns on the excitation of the first vertical drive unit 112 and the first rotation drive unit 113. Next, the control unit 1b turns on the excitation of the second drive shaft 121 (S62). That is, the control unit 1b turns on the excitation of the second vertical drive unit 122 and the second rotation drive unit 123.

[0199] Next, the control unit 1b controls the driving of the first vertical drive unit 112 and the second vertical drive unit 122 to raise the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 (S63). Next, the control unit 1b determines whether the first drive shaft 111 reaches the vertical origin position first (S64).

[0200] In step S64, when it is determined that the first drive shaft 111 reaches the vertical origin position first (S64 is YES), after the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 reach the vertical origin positions respectively, the control unit 1b stops the driving of the first vertical drive unit 112 and the second vertical drive unit 122 and stops the rising operation of the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 (S65).

[0201] Next, the control unit 1b controls the driving of the first rotation drive unit 113 to rotate the first drive shaft 111 to the horizontal origin position (S66). Next, the control unit 1b controls the driving of the second rotation drive unit 123 to rotate the second drive shaft 121 to the horizontal origin position (S67). After the process of step S67, the control unit 1b ends the origin return process according to the second embodiment.

[0202] In step S64, when it is determined that the first drive shaft 111 has not reached the vertical origin position first (S64 is NO), the control unit 1b stops driving the first vertical drive unit 112 and the second vertical drive unit 122 after the second drive shaft 121 reaches the vertical origin position, and stops the upward movement of the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 (S68).

[0203] Next, the control unit 1b turns off the excitation of the second drive shaft 121 (S69). That is, the control unit 1b turns off the excitation of the second vertical drive unit 122 and the second rotational drive unit 123. Next, the control unit 1b controls the drive of the first vertical drive unit 112 to raise the first drive shaft 111 (S70).

[0204] Next, the control unit 1b determines whether the first drive shaft 111 has reached the vertical origin position first (S71). In step S71, when it is determined that the first drive shaft 111 has reached the vertical origin position first (S71 is YES), the control unit 1b stops driving the first vertical drive unit 112 and stops the upward movement of the first drive shaft 111, and turns on the excitation of the second drive shaft 121 (S72). When the first drive shaft 111 reaches the vertical origin position first, the first support arm 114 is located above the second support arm 124.

[0205] Next, the control unit 1b controls the drive of the second vertical drive unit 122 to raise the second drive shaft 121 to the vertical origin position (S73). Next, the control unit 1b controls the drive of the first rotational drive unit 113 to rotate the first drive shaft 111 to the horizontal origin position (S74). Next, the control unit 1b controls the drive of the second rotational drive unit 123 to rotate the second drive shaft 121 to the horizontal origin position (S75). After the process of step S75, the control unit 1b ends the origin return process according to the second embodiment.

[0206] In step S71, when it is determined that the first drive shaft 111 has not reached the vertical origin position first (S71 is NO), the control unit 1b detects that the second drive shaft 121 has reached the cross-check position (S76).

[0207] The fact that the second drive shaft 121 with excitation turned off reaches the cross-check position means that the second support arm 124 attached to the second drive shaft 121 has been pushed up by the first support arm 114. Therefore, the control unit 1b can detect in step S76 that it is in the cross arrangement state.

[0208] The control unit 1b stops the drive of the first vertical drive unit 112 to stop the upward movement of the first drive shaft 111, and outputs a cross arrangement error indicating that it is in the cross arrangement state to a display control unit (not shown) (S77). When receiving the cross arrangement error, the display control unit causes the display unit 41 (see FIG. 1) to display that it is in the cross arrangement state. When the user or the operator performing maintenance inspection sees the display unit 41 and recognizes that it is in the cross arrangement state, they manually eliminate the cross arrangement state.

[0209] In the origin return process according to the second embodiment described above, in step S77, a cross arrangement error was output to a display control unit (not shown). However, after the process of step S76, steps S51 to S58, step S48, and step S49 in the third example of the origin return process according to the first embodiment may be executed. Thereby, the first reagent dispensing unit 23 can eliminate the cross arrangement state and return the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 121 to the origin positions.

[0210] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention described in the claims. For example, the above-described embodiments have described the present invention in an easy-to-understand and detailed manner, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to having all the configurations described. Also, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Further, it is possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration.

[0211] In the first and second embodiments described above, the horizontal positions of the probe cleaning devices 34A and 34B are set on the trajectories of the second reagent probes 24A and 24B and within the rotation ranges of the second reagent probes 24A and 24B (drive shafts 111 and 121). However, the probe cleaning device for cleaning the probes of the dispensing probe device according to the present invention may be set outside the rotation range related to the dispensing operation of the probe as long as it is on the trajectory of the probe.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0212] 1... Automatic analyzer, 1a... Measuring unit, 1b... Control unit, 2... Sample turntable, 3... Dilution turntable, 4... First reagent turntable, 5... Second reagent turntable, 6... Reaction turntable, 11... Dilution stirrer, 12... Dilution washer, 13... First reaction stirrer, 14... Second reaction stirrer, 15... Multiwavelength photometer, 16... Reaction vessel washer, 21... Specimen dispensing unit, 22... Diluted specimen dispensing unit, 23... First reagent dispensing unit, 23A... First reagent probe, 23B... First reagent probe 24... Second reagent dispensing unit, 24A... Second reagent probe, 24B... Second reagent probe 31, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B, 34A, 34B... Probe washers, 101... Base, 102... First dispensing mechanism, 103... Second dispensing mechanism, 111... First drive shaft, 112... First vertical drive unit, 113... First rotational drive unit, 114... First support arm, 116... Detected part, 116a... Fitting hole, 116b... Notch, 118... First weighing pump, 119... First wash pump, 121... Second drive shaft, 122... Second vertical drive unit, 123... Second rotational drive unit, 124... Second support arm, 128... Second weighing pump, 129... First wash pump, 131... First vertical origin position detection sensor, 132... First horizontal origin position detection sensor, 134... First liquid level detection sensor, 135... First probe collision detection sensor, 141... Second vertical origin position detection sensor, 142... Second horizontal origin position detection sensor, 143... Cross-check sensor, 144... Second liquid level detection sensor, 145... Second probe collision detection sensor, 201... First support arm airspace, 202... Probe A airspace, 211... Second support arm airspace, 212... Probe B airspace

Claims

1. A first dispensing probe and a second dispensing probe extending in the vertical direction, a first support arm supporting the upper end of the first dispensing probe, a first drive mechanism for moving the first support arm in the vertical direction and rotating it in the horizontal direction, a second support arm supporting the upper end of the second dispensing probe, a second drive mechanism for moving the second support arm in the vertical direction and rotating it in the horizontal direction, and the horizontal distance from the rotation center of the first support arm to the first dispensing probe is longer than the horizontal distance from the rotation center of the second support arm to the second dispensing probe, a sector in which an arc is formed by the end far from the rotation center of the second support arm is included in a sector in which an arc is formed by the trajectory of the first dispensing probe A dispensing probe device.

2. A first rotation height, which is the vertical position of the first support arm when the first support arm is rotated in the horizontal direction, is higher than a second rotation height, which is the vertical position of the second support arm when the second support arm is rotated in the horizontal direction, the first support arm located at the first rotation height does not contact the second support arm located at the second rotation height The dispensing probe device according to Claim 1.

3. The first dispensing probe is washed by moving it up and down in a washing tank of a first probe washing device arranged on an orbit, the second dispensing probe is washed by moving it up and down in a washing tank of a second probe washing device arranged on an orbit, the vertical distance between the first support arm located at the first rotation height and the second support arm located at the second rotation height is set to a distance at which the first support arm when washing the first dispensing probe and the second support arm when washing the second dispensing probe do not interfere with each other The dispensing probe device according to Claim 2.

4. The difference in the vertical position between the first probe washing device and the second probe washing device is equal to the vertical distance between the first support arm located at the first rotation height and the second support arm located at the second rotation height The dispensing probe device according to Claim 3.

5. The first dispensing probe and the second dispensing probe suck the liquid in a plurality of first containers held on a first turntable rotating in the horizontal direction and discharge it into a plurality of second containers held on a second turntable rotating in the horizontal direction. The rotation center of the first support arm and the rotation center of the second support arm are arranged on a perpendicular line that is substantially perpendicular to an imaginary line connecting the rotation center of the first turntable and the rotation center of the second turntable. The dispensing probe device according to claim 1.

6. The perpendicular line is arranged at a position where a line connecting both ends of the rotation ranges of the first support arm and the second support arm and their respective rotation centers forms an isosceles triangle. The dispensing probe device according to claim 5.

7. A first support arm airspace, which is an area in the air occupied when the first support arm rotates, is set above a second support arm airspace, which is an area in the air occupied when the second support arm rotates. The dispensing probe device according to claim 1.

8. A storage unit having a plurality of containers in which a liquid is stored, A dispensing probe device for dispensing the liquid, A measuring unit for measuring the liquid dispensed by the dispensing probe device, and is provided with The dispensing probe device is A first dispensing probe and a second dispensing probe extending in the vertical direction, A first support arm that supports the upper end of the first dispensing probe, A first drive mechanism that moves the first support arm in the vertical direction and rotates it in the horizontal direction, A second support arm that supports the upper end of the second dispensing probe, A second drive mechanism that moves the second support arm in the vertical direction and rotates it in the horizontal direction, and is provided with The horizontal distance from the rotation center of the first support arm to the first dispensing probe is longer than the horizontal distance from the rotation center of the second support arm to the second dispensing probe. A sector having an arc as the locus drawn by one end far from the rotation center of the second support arm is included in a sector having an arc as the orbit of the first dispensing probe. Automatic analyzer.

9. It further includes a control unit that controls the driving of the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism. The control unit performs a home return process of arranging the first support arm and the second support arm at their respective origin positions. The origin position in the vertical direction of the first support arm is higher than the origin position in the vertical direction of the second support arm. The automatic analyzer according to claim 8.

10. In the home return process, after arranging the first support arm at the origin position in the vertical direction, the first support arm is arranged at the origin position in the horizontal direction, and after arranging the second support arm at the origin position in the vertical direction, the second support arm is arranged at the origin position in the horizontal direction. The automatic analysis apparatus according to claim 9.

11. The dispensing probe device has a cross-check sensor that detects a cross arrangement state in which the first support arm is positioned below the second support arm and the first support arm and the second support arm intersect when viewed from above. The automatic analysis apparatus according to claim 10.

Images