Sample supply device

Abstract

To provide a specimen supply device capable of improving processing efficiency.SOLUTION: The sample supply device includes a first storage space capable of storing a plurality of sample containers, a first auxiliary member provided in the first storage space, having a guide surface descending to one side, and configured to move up and down, a second storage space provided on one side of the first storage space, a second auxiliary member provided in the second storage space, having a guide surface descending to one side in a first direction, and configured to move up and down, a second lifting member arranged adjacent to one side of the second auxiliary member in the second storage space, having a guide surface descending to one side, and configured to move up and down, and a regulating member arranged adjacent to one side of the second lifting member when ascending, and having a holding portion configured to hold the sample container.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a specimen supplying device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in sample processing such as testing and analysis of samples such as blood and serum, sample containers are transported and various processes are performed by various detection devices installed on the transport path (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Application No. 2014-233954 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such sample processing, a supply device has been proposed that lifts randomly stacked sample containers one by one in a storage section, aligns their orientation, and supplies them to a predetermined destination through a discharge port. The supply device includes a lifting member that has an upper surface on which only one sample container can be placed and moves up and down, and an auxiliary member that stirs the multiple sample containers by moving up and down. The supply device aligns the orientation of each sample container and sequentially guides them to the discharge port at the top.

[0005] In such a supply device, if the outlet is positioned too high, it will take a long time to push up and the sample container will be large, while if the outlet is positioned too low, the number of sample containers that can be accommodated will be limited, making it difficult to ensure processing efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] a first supply unit including: a first storage unit that forms a first storage space capable of storing a plurality of sample containers; a first auxiliary member that is provided in the first storage space and has a guide surface that descends to one side in a first direction and moves up and down; and a first push-up member that is arranged adjacent to one side of the auxiliary member in the first storage space and has a guide surface that descends to one side and moves up and down; a second storage unit that has a second storage space provided on one side of the first storage space; a second auxiliary member that is provided in the second storage space and has a guide surface that descends to one side in the first direction and moves up and down; and a second supply unit that includes: a second push-up member that is arranged adjacent to one side of the second auxiliary member in the second storage space and has a guide surface that descends to one side and moves up and down; and a regulating member that is arranged adjacent to one side of the second push-up member when raised and has a holding portion that holds the sample container. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a specimen supplying device capable of improving processing efficiency is provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing the configuration of a sample processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a sample supplying device of the sample processing apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the state of the sample supplying device when it is lowered. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the state of the sample supplying device when it is lowered. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the sample supplying device. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the sample supplying device. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the sample supplying device. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the sample supplying device. [Figure 10]FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the shape of the upper end surface of the sample supplying device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [First embodiment] A sample supplying device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. Note that in each figure, the configuration is enlarged, reduced, or omitted as appropriate. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sample processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sample supplying device, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the same. FIGS. 4 and 5 are a perspective view and a side view showing the state of the sample processing device when lowered. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the sample processing device, and FIGS. 7 to 9 are explanatory views showing the operation of the sample supplying device. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the shape of the upper end surface of the sample supplying device. In the figures, X, Y, and Z indicate three different directions that are orthogonal to each other. For example, X along the lateral direction (left and right) is the second direction, Y along the front-rear direction is the first direction, and Z along the up-down direction is the third direction, and examples of postures along each of these directions are shown.

[0010] 1 to 6 is a device that supplies a plurality of specimen containers 11 in a predetermined position prior to various tests, and is used, for example, as one of the pre-treatment devices of an analyzer. The specimen supplying device 1 includes a first supplying unit 30, a second supplying unit 40, and a control unit 53.

[0011] The sample supply device 1 moves a plurality of randomly arranged sample containers 11 with vertical movement from the first storage space 31a of the first supply section 30 at the rear toward the discharge outlet 41c of the second supply section 40 at the front, which is on one side in the first direction, aligns the positions of the containers, and sends them one by one to a destination, such as a conveying device provided at the front, in a horizontal position with their axes aligned horizontally.

[0012] For example, as shown in Figure 1, at the destination of the specimen supply device 1, successor devices such as a transport device 101 that guides and transports the specimen container 11 along a predetermined transport direction, a holder transport device 102 that transports a holder 12 that holds the specimen container 11 in an upright position along a predetermined path, and an erection device 103 that rotates the specimen container 11 to stand it up and inserts it into the holder 12 are provided, and these constitute a processing device 100 that performs various processes on the specimen container 11.

[0013] 1 to 6, the specimen container 11 is a tube-shaped container made of, for example, a transparent resin material. The specimen container 11 is, for example, a test tube or a blood collection tube. The specimen container 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, an open top, and a space for accommodating a specimen therein.

[0014] A removable cap is provided on the opening at the top of the sample container 11 to close the opening. For example, a barcode containing identification information is affixed to the outer circumferential side of the sample container 11. The sample supplying device 1 is configured to process a variety of test tubes of different thicknesses and lengths. The sample container 11 can be any commonly used test tube, including test tubes with plastic or rubber stoppers in a variety of sizes, such as φ13×75 mm, φ13×100 mm, and φ16×100 mm. For example, the storage spaces 31a, 41a and the components 32, 33, 34, 42, 43, and 44 within the storage spaces 31a, 41a are configured such that the horizontal dimensions along the X direction are greater than the length of the sample container 11, allowing the sample container 11 to be stored along the X direction.

[0015] The first supply unit 30 includes a peripheral wall 31 as a first storage unit, a first guide member 32 (first guide unit), a first auxiliary member 33, a first boost member 34, and a drive unit 35 for raising and lowering.

[0016] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the peripheral wall portion 31 comprises a rear wall portion 301, a front wall portion 302, a pair of side wall portions 303, and an opening / closing lid 305, and together with a first guide member 32, a first auxiliary member 33, and a first push-up member 34 arranged at the bottom, forms a first storage space 31a inside which can store multiple sample containers 11.

[0017] The rear wall portion 301 is a vertical wall member extending in the vertical and horizontal directions. For example, an opening serving as the insertion port 31b is formed above the rear wall portion 301.

[0018] The front wall 302 is, for example, a vertical wall member disposed in front of and facing the rear wall 301, and extending in the vertical and horizontal directions. An outlet 31c is formed in the upper part of the front wall 302. The outlet 31c is an opening that communicates with the second storage space 41a of the second supply unit 40. The dimension of the front wall 302 in the X direction is greater than, for example, the length of the target sample container 11.

[0019] The side walls 303 are vertical wall members extending in the up-down and front-rear directions, and are provided on both sides of the first housing space 31a in the horizontal direction, which is the second direction. In each drawing, a part of the peripheral wall 31 is omitted to show the internal structure.

[0020] The opening / closing lid 305 is a plate member that is provided at the insertion port 31b and opens and closes the insertion port 31b by opening and closing the same. The opening / closing lid 305 is provided with an opening / closing sensor S1 that can detect the opening and closing of the opening / closing lid 305. The opening / closing sensor S1 detects the opening and closing of the opening / closing lid 305 and outputs the result to the control unit 53.

[0021] The first guide member 32 is provided at the rear portion inside the peripheral wall portion 31. For example, the first guide member 32 has an upper end surface 32a that is a guide surface that forms an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the front. The first guide member 32 forms a rear portion of the bottom surface of the first housing space 31a.

[0022] The first auxiliary member 33 is provided adjacent to the front side of the first guide member 32 on the inside of the peripheral wall portion 31. The first auxiliary member 33 forms part of the bottom of the first accommodation space 31a. The first auxiliary member 33 is connected to the drive unit 35, and is configured to be movable up and down by a predetermined stroke under the control of the control unit 53.

[0023] The first auxiliary member 33 is a block member formed in a trapezoidal cross section, and has an upper end surface 33a as a guide surface that slopes downward toward the front so that the conveying destination side is located at the bottom. For example, the height dimension of the first auxiliary member 33 is configured to be greater than the stroke amount of the lifting operation.

[0024] For example, a rear end surface 33b of the first auxiliary member 33 facing the front side of the first guide member 32 is formed with an uneven portion 33c having grooves and protrusions extending in the vertical direction.

[0025] The angle of inclination of the upper end surface 33 a of the first auxiliary member 33 is set to be the same as the angle of inclination of the upper end surface 32 a of the first guide member 32 .

[0026] When the first auxiliary member 33 is lowered, the upper end surface 33a is continuous in front of the upper end surface 32a of the first guide member 32 and is also continuous behind the upper end surface 34a of the first push-up member 34 in the lowered state. For example, when lowered, the upper end surface 33a of the first auxiliary member 33 and the upper end surface 32a of the first guide member 32 are flush and continuous, forming a sloped surface that slopes downward toward the front. For example, to promote forward movement of the sample container 11, the upper end surface 33a of the first auxiliary member 33 and the upper end surface 32a of the first guide member 32 are both configured as slopes with an inclination angle of 35° or more.

[0027] When the first auxiliary member 33 is raised, the upper end surface 33a is positioned above the upper end surface 32a of the first guide member 32, and is positioned at a height position below the upper end surface 34a of the first boost member 34 in the raised state.

[0028] The first auxiliary member 33 forms part of the bottom of the first storage space 31a, which holds a large number of specimen containers 11, and stirs the first storage space 31a behind the first lifting member 34 by raising and lowering it, encouraging the specimen containers 11 to move so that they are placed on the first lifting member 34 in a predetermined position.

[0029] The first boost member 34 is provided adjacent to the inner surface of the front wall 302. The first boost member 34 is connected to the drive unit 35 and configured to be movable up and down in a predetermined stroke at a predetermined timing under the control of the control unit 53. The first boost member 34 is a block member having an upper end surface 34a that slopes downward as a guide surface and having a width that allows the placement of a sample container 11. For example, the upper end surface 34a of the first boost member 34 is configured to have smaller dimensions in the front-to-rear direction and in the inclined direction than the upper end surface 34a of the auxiliary member 33.

[0030] For example, the dimension of the first boost member 34 in the front-rear direction is greater than the diameter of the sample container 11 but not greater than twice the diameter. The upper end surface 34a forms a curved or inclined surface that holds one sample container 11 in a position along the X direction, for example. In this embodiment, for example, the front portion of the upper end surface 34a forms a sloped surface that slopes downward toward the front, and the rear portion of the upper end surface 34a forms a curved surface whose rear edge protrudes upward. The inclination angle of the front portion of the upper end surface 34 of the first boost member 34 is smaller than the inclination angles of the upper end surfaces 32a, 33a of the first guide member 32 and the first auxiliary member 33. For example, the inclination angle of the inclined surface of the front portion of the first boost member 34 is approximately 11.3°. The rear end surface 34b of the first boost member 34, which faces the front side of the first auxiliary member 33, is formed with an uneven portion 34c having grooves or protrusions extending in the up-down direction.

[0031] The first lifting member 34 lifts up the sample container 11 as it moves up and down, and supplies the sample container 11 to the outlet 31c due to the inclination of the upper end surface 34a.

[0032] When the first boost member 34 is lowered, its upper end surface 34a is positioned adjacent to and in front of the upper end surface 34a of the auxiliary member 33, and is positioned opposite the rear side of the front wall 302. For example, when the first boost member 34 is lowered, the rear edge of the first boost member 34 that protrudes most upward is positioned contiguous with and at the same height as or slightly below the front edge of the upper end surface 33a of the first auxiliary member 33. The first boost member 34 forms a holding surface that slopes downward toward the front. The first boost member 34 is also positioned opposite the front wall 302. Therefore, when the first boost member 34 is lowered, the first boost member 34, the auxiliary member 33, and the front wall 302 form a groove-shaped recess whose longitudinal direction is aligned with the X direction and has a predetermined width in the front-to-rear direction.

[0033] When the first boost member 34 is raised, the upper end surface 34a rises to a position higher than the upper end surface 33a of the auxiliary member 33. The first boost member 34 has an upper end surface 34a that slopes downward at the front and a front wall portion 302, which form a groove-like recess whose longitudinal direction is along the X direction and has a predetermined width in the front and rear directions, and holds the sample container 11. In the front-to-back direction and the inclination direction of each inclined surface, the dimensions of the upper end surface 34 of the first boost member 34 are smaller than the dimensions of the upper end surface 33a of the first auxiliary member 33, and the dimensions of the upper end surface 33a of the first auxiliary member 33 are smaller than the dimensions of the first guide member 32.

[0034] The drive unit 35 includes a drive source such as an air cylinder, and moves the first auxiliary member 33 and the first boost member 34 up and down at predetermined timing under the control of the control unit 53.

[0035] The second supply section 40 includes a peripheral wall section 41 which is a second storage section, a second guide member 42 (second guide section), a second auxiliary member 43, a second push-up member 44, a drive section 45 for raising and lowering, an opening / closing door 46 which is a regulating member, and a drive section 47 for opening and closing.

[0036] The peripheral wall portion 41 comprises a front wall portion 402, a pair of side wall portions 403, and an opening / closing door 46, and together with a second guide member 42, a second auxiliary member 43, and a second push-up member 44 arranged at the bottom, forms a second storage space 41a inside which can store multiple sample containers 11.

[0037] The front wall 402 is a vertical wall member extending in the vertical and horizontal directions. An opening that serves as the discharge outlet 41c is formed in the upper part of the front wall 402. An opening / closing door 46 that opens and closes the discharge outlet 41c is rotatably provided on the upper edge of the discharge outlet 41c.

[0038] The side wall portions 403 are vertical wall members extending in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, and are provided on both sides in the lateral direction of the second accommodation space 41a.

[0039] For example, when the opening / closing door 46 is opened, the specimen container 11 held in the holder 46c on the back side of the opening / closing door 46 falls forward and is supplied to the destination below the discharge outlet 41c with its longitudinal direction aligned with the X direction.

[0040] The second guide member 42 is provided inside the peripheral wall portion 41. For example, the second guide member 42 has an upper end surface 42a serving as a guide surface that forms an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the front. The second guide member 42 forms a rear portion of the bottom surface of the second storage space 41a. For example, a sample detection sensor S2 that detects the presence and position of a sample container is provided at a predetermined location on the second guide member 42. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the rear end edge of the second guide member 42, which is located at the highest position, is located below the front end edge of the upper end surface 34a of the first boost member 34 when raised, as indicated by the dashed line in the figure. For example, the dimensions of the upper end surface 42a of the guide member 42 in the second supply unit 40 in the front-rear direction and the inclination direction are set smaller than the dimensions of the upper end surface 32a of the guide member 32 in the first supply unit 30.

[0041] The second auxiliary member 43 is provided adjacent to the front side of the second guide member 42 on the inside of the peripheral wall portion 41. The second auxiliary member 43 forms part of the bottom of the second accommodation space 41a. The second auxiliary member 43 is connected to a drive unit 45 and is configured to be movable up and down in a predetermined stroke.

[0042] The second auxiliary member 43 is a block member formed in a trapezoidal cross section, and has an upper end surface 43a as a guide surface that slopes downward toward the front. For example, the height dimension of the second auxiliary member 43 is configured to be greater than the stroke amount of the lifting operation.

[0043] For example, a rear end surface 43b of the second auxiliary member 43, which faces the front side of the second guide member 42, is formed with an uneven portion 43c having grooves and protrusions extending in the vertical direction.

[0044] The inclination angle of the upper end surface 43a of the second auxiliary member 43 is set to be the same as the inclination angle of the upper end surface 42a of the second guide member 42.

[0045] When the second auxiliary member 43 is lowered, the upper end surface 43a is continuous in front of the upper end surface 42a of the second guide member 42 and is disposed continuous behind the upper end surface 44a of the second push-up member 44 in the lowered state. For example, when lowered, the upper end surface 43a of the second auxiliary member 43 and the upper end surface 42a of the second guide member 42 are flush and continuous, forming a sloped surface that slopes downward toward the front. For example, to promote forward movement of the sample container 11, the upper end surface 43a of the second auxiliary member 43 and the upper end surface 42a of the second guide member 42 are both configured with an inclination angle of 35° or more.

[0046] When the second auxiliary member 43 is raised, its upper end surface 43a is positioned above the upper end surface 42a of the second guide member 42, and is positioned at a height position below the upper end surface 44a of the second push-up member 44 in the raised state.

[0047] The second auxiliary member 43 forms part of the bottom of the second storage space 41a containing a large number of sample containers, and by rising and falling, it stirs the second storage space 41a behind the second push-up member 44, encouraging the sample containers 11 to move to the push-up member in a predetermined position.

[0048] The drive unit 45 includes an electric drive source such as a motor, and moves the second auxiliary member 43 up and down at a predetermined timing under the control of the control unit 53.

[0049] The second boost member 44 is provided adjacent to the rear side of the front wall portion 402. The second boost member 44 is configured to be movable up and down by a drive unit 45. The second boost member 44 has a front-downwardly inclined upper end surface 44a serving as a guide surface. It is a block member having a width sufficient to accommodate one sample container 11 and a height dimension greater than the lift stroke. For example, the upper end surface 44a of the second boost member 44 is configured to be smaller than the upper end surface 44a of the auxiliary member 43 in the front-rear and tilt directions. For example, the dimension of the second boost member 44 in the front-rear direction is greater than the diameter of the sample container 11 but less than twice the diameter. The upper end surface 44a also forms a curved or inclined surface that holds one sample container 11 in an orientation along the X direction. For example, in this embodiment, the upper end surface 44a forms a curved surface inclined downward at the front side and with the rear edge protruding upward. The inclination angle of the tip of second boost member 44 is shallower than the inclination angles of upper end surfaces 42a, 44a of second guide member 42 and second auxiliary member 43. For example, the inclination angle of the inclined surface of the tip of second boost member 44 with respect to the XY plane perpendicular to the up-down direction is 11.4°.

[0050] The second booster member 44 pushes up the sample container 11 as it moves up and down, and supplies it to the outlet 41c due to the inclination of the upper end surface 44a. For example, the rear end surface 44b of the second booster member 44 is formed with an uneven portion 44c having multiple rows of grooves formed in the vertical direction.

[0051] When the second boost member 44 is lowered, the upper end surface 44a is positioned so as to be continuous with the upper end surface 43a of the second auxiliary member 43.

[0052] When the second boost member 44 is lowered, its upper end surface 44a is positioned adjacent to and in front of the upper end surface 43a of the auxiliary member 43, and is positioned opposite the rear side of the front wall 402. For example, when the second boost member 44 is lowered, the rear edge of the second boost member 44 that protrudes most upward is continuous with the front side of the front edge of the upper end surface 43a of the second auxiliary member 43, and is positioned at the same height as or slightly below, forming a holding surface that slopes downward toward the front. The second boost member 44 is also positioned opposite the front wall 402. Therefore, when the second boost member 44 is lowered, a groove-shaped recess whose longitudinal direction is along the X direction and has a predetermined width in the front-to-rear direction is formed between the auxiliary member 43 and the front wall 402 by the second boost member 44.

[0053] When the second boost member 44 rises, its upper end surface 44a rises to a position higher than the upper end surface 43a of the second auxiliary member 43. The second boost member 44 has its upper end surface 44a, which slopes downward at the front, and its front wall portion 402, forming a groove-like recess whose longitudinal direction is along the X direction and which has a predetermined width in the front-to-rear direction, and which holds the sample container 11. Note that the dimensions of the upper end surface 44 of the second boost member 44 in the front-to-rear direction and in the tilt direction are smaller than the dimensions of the upper end surface 43a of the second auxiliary member 43, and the dimensions of the upper end surface 43a of the second auxiliary member 43 are smaller than the dimensions of the second guide member 42. Furthermore, as an example, in this embodiment, the first guide member 32 is longer than the second guide member 42, the first auxiliary member 33 and the second auxiliary member 43 are configured to be the same size, and the first boost member 34 and the second boost member 44 are configured to be the same size, and therefore the transport distance of the sample container 11 in the second supply unit 40 is configured to be shorter than the transport distance of the sample container 11 in the first supply unit 30. Furthermore, for example, the stroke of the lifting operation of the second boost member 44 is shorter than the stroke of the lifting operation of the first boost member 34.

[0054] The drive unit 45 includes an electric drive source such as a motor, and moves the second auxiliary member 43 and the second boost member 44 up and down at predetermined timing under the control of the control unit 53.

[0055] The opening / closing door 46 is provided at the discharge port 41c formed in the front wall portion 402. The opening / closing door 46 is attached to the second storage portion so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis 46a along the X direction at the top of the front end portion of the second storage portion.

[0056] The opening / closing door 46 is configured to be switchable between a closed position in which it closes the discharge outlet 41c along the front wall portion 402 and an open position in which its lower end side opens the discharge outlet 41c by moving outward from the front wall portion 402. For example, the opening / closing door 46 is connected to the control unit 53 via a drive unit 47 having a drive mechanism such as an air cylinder, and rotates at a predetermined timing under the control of the control unit 53 to open and close the discharge outlet 41c.

[0057] The opening and closing door 46 includes a plate portion 46b and a holding portion 46c provided on the rear side of the plate portion 46b.

[0058] Plate portion 46b is configured in a rectangular plate shape, and when closed, is disposed along front wall portion 402 to block discharge opening 41c. When open, plate portion 46b is oriented such that its lower edge is spaced outward from front wall portion 402, thereby opening discharge opening 41c.

[0059] The holding portion 46c includes, for example, a bottom plate portion 46d that protrudes rearward from the lower edge of the rear surface of the plate portion 46b, and a guide protrusion 46e. The bottom plate portion 46d is a plate-like member whose longitudinal direction extends along the X direction below the discharge port 41c, and forms a receiving surface that is perpendicular to the Z axis in the closed state.

[0060] The guide protrusion 46e is a protrusion that protrudes inward from the rear surface of the plate portion 46b at a position spaced upward from the bottom plate portion 46d in a predetermined direction toward the inside of the storage portion. For example, the guide protrusion 46e has a guide surface 46f that protrudes at an angle rearward and upward. In the closed state, the guide surface 46f, the bottom plate portion 46d, and the upper edge of the front wall portion 402 form a space that can hold one specimen container 11.

[0061] The holding portion 46c forms a space that opens toward the inside of the storage portion between the bottom plate portion 46d and the guide protrusion 46e on the back side of the opening / closing door 46. The holding portion 46c opens to the upper end surface side on the back side of the discharge port 41c, and a receiving portion 46g is formed as a space that can hold only one specimen container 11 in a lateral orientation. For example, the receiving portion 46g is formed in the shape of a groove that opens rearward and extends lateral.

[0062] That is, the receiving portion 46g is disposed in front of the upper end surface 44a of the boost-up member 44, which is inclined forward when raised, and is a space capable of holding a single sample container 11 resting on the upper end surface 44a in a lateral orientation. For example, the receiving portion 46g is formed by a gap formed between the upper edge 402a of the front wall portion 402, which is the lower edge of the discharge port 41c, and the surface of the guide protrusion 46e, and the facing distance Gz in the vertical direction (Z direction) between the upper edge 402a of the front wall portion 402 and the surface of the guide protrusion 46e is configured to be approximately the diameter of the sample container 11. For example, the facing distance Gz is greater than the diameter of the sample container 11 but less than twice the diameter. Furthermore, the width of the receiving portion 46g in the front-rear direction, i.e., for example, the facing distance Gy in the front-rear direction (Y direction) between the lower end of the guide protrusion 46e and the lower edge of the discharge port 41c, is configured to be greater than the radius of the sample container 11. In addition, the surface of the guide protrusion 46e is configured to a shape that matches the shape of the specimen container 11 in order to hold the specimen container 11, and may further be provided with, for example, a pressing protrusion 46h that protrudes toward the outer surface of the specimen container 11.

[0063] That is, the holder 46c is configured to be able to hold only one specimen container 11, in other words, to accommodate only one specimen container. For this reason, even if two or more specimen containers 11 are placed on the lift-up member 44, only one specimen container 11 moves to the holder 46c, and then as the lift-up member 44 descends, the other specimen containers 11 also descend. Therefore, the holder 46c constitutes a restricting member that restricts the number and orientation of specimen containers 11 that can be placed.

[0064] For example, a specimen sensor S3 is provided near the opening / closing door 46, which detects the presence or absence of a specimen container 11 at the discharge port 41c on the back side of the opening / closing door 46 and outputs the result to the control unit 53.

[0065] The drive unit 47 includes an electric drive source such as a motor, and opens and closes the opening / closing door 46 at a predetermined timing under the control of the control unit 53 .

[0066] The control device 50 is connected to a plurality of devices and a plurality of sensors S1, S2, S3. The control device 50 includes a memory unit 51 that stores various information, and a control unit 53 (data processing unit) that performs data processing such as calculation and judgment based on identification information and controls the operation of each unit. The control unit 53 has a processing circuit including, for example, a processor, and controls each unit to realize various functions of the sample supplying device 1 in accordance with an operating system or an application program.

[0067] A sample supply method (sample processing method) according to this embodiment will now be described. As the sample supply processing, a process is performed in which a plurality of randomly inserted sample containers 11 are transported one by one to a destination such as a transport path. Each process is controlled by the control unit 53, and a series of processes are performed sequentially on the plurality of sample containers 11.

[0068] 2 to 9, the first storage space 31a stores a plurality of specimen containers 11. The specimen containers 11 are randomly inserted through the insertion port 31b by manual operation after blood collection, for example.

[0069] 4 and 5, the bottom surface is formed by the first guide member 32, the first auxiliary member 33, and the first boost member 34. This bottom surface descends from the inlet 31b side toward the front wall 302 where the outlet 31c is formed, and the randomly inserted sample containers 11 are collected at the bottom and front side. For example, the upper end surface 33a of the first auxiliary member 33 is arranged to extend further forward and downward from the lower end edge of the first guide member 32, and the upper end surface 34a of the first push-up member 34 is arranged to extend forward and downward from the front end of the upper end surface 34a.

[0070] As a supply process, the control unit 53 repeats the raising and lowering operations of the boost members 34, 44 and the auxiliary members 33, 44 at predetermined time intervals. The control unit 53 also opens and closes the opening and closing door 46 based on the detection results of the sensors. Figures 2 and 3 show a state in which the first boost member 34 and the first auxiliary member 33 of the first supply unit 30 are lowered, and the second auxiliary member 43 and the second boost member 44 of the second supply unit 40 are raised. Figures 4 and 5 show a state in which the boost members 34, 44 and the auxiliary members 33, 43 are lowered.

[0071] As a specific example, as a first supply process, the control unit 53 first detects that the insertion at the insertion port 31b has been completed and the opening / closing cover 305 of the insertion port has been closed, and controls the next operation to automatically start. That is, when the control unit 53 detects with the opening / closing sensor S1 that the user has closed the door after insertion, it drives the drive unit 35 to start the lifting operation of the members 33, 34 in the first supply unit 30.

[0072] In the first supply unit 30, a large number of sample containers 11 randomly stacked on the front wall 302 side within the first storage space 31a are agitated by partially raising and lowering the bottom surface due to the lifting and lowering action of the first auxiliary member 33. This lifting and lowering action causes the randomly arranged sample containers 11 facing in various directions to move sequentially toward the upper end surface 34a of the first boost member 34. That is, due to the action of gravity and the agitation action, the sample containers 11 move forward and downward and are sent to the upper end surface 34a of the lowered first boost member 34. For example, the first boost member 34 has a groove-like shape along the X direction, the width of one side of the sample container 11, and the sample containers 11 are guided forward toward the front wall 302 by the upper end surfaces 33a, 34a that slope downward.

[0073] The upper end surface 34a of the first boost member 34 is angled downwards and is wide enough to accommodate one sample container 11. Therefore, sample containers 11 are often supplied one at a time to the second supply unit 40 on the first boost member 34. However, depending on the arrangement of the sample containers 11, two or more sample containers 11 may be temporarily placed on the upper end surface 34a, or none may be placed at all. When the first boost member 34 rises, any excess sample containers 11 not placed on the upper end surface 34a are swung backward. By repeatedly raising and lowering the members 33 and 34 in this manner, the sample containers can be sequentially fed to the discharge port 31c while aligning them in the X direction.

[0074] When the first booster member 34 rises with the sample container 11 still on it, the sample container 11 falls and is supplied into the second storage space 41a from a discharge port 31c that opens on the front side of the upper end surface 34a when the first booster member 34 is raised. For example, the postures of the multiple sample containers 11 in the second storage space 41a are aligned to a certain extent in the first supply unit 30 in a previous process, and many of the sample containers 11 are arranged horizontally.

[0075] As part of the supply process in the second supply section 40, when the sample detection sensor S2 detects that a sample container 11 has been sent from the first supply section 30, the control section 53 drives the drive section 45 to start the raising and lowering operation of the members 43 and 44.

[0076] In the second supply unit 40, the sample containers 11 supplied onto the second guide member 42, which is tilted downward at the front, are collected at the front and bottom by gravity. Then, the bottom portion is partially raised and lowered by the lifting and lowering operation of the second auxiliary member 43, and the second storage space 41a is stirred. This lifting and lowering operation moves the multiple sample containers 11, which are randomly arranged and facing in various directions, toward the upper end surface 44a of the second boost member 44. That is, due to the action of gravity and the stirring operation, the sample containers 11 move toward the front and bottom and are sent to the upper end surface 34a of the first boost member 34, which is in a lowered state. For example, the second lifting member 44 has a forward-sloping upper end surface 44a that is the width of one section of the sample container 11 and whose longitudinal direction is along the X direction, and guides the sample container 11 toward the front wall portion 402 or the opening / closing door 46 side of the discharge outlet 41c, so that the second lifting member 44 transports the sample container 11 to the holding portion 46c on the back side of the opening / closing door 46.

[0077] The upper end surface 44a of the second lifting member 44 is angled downwards and its width in the front-to-back direction is sufficient to accommodate one sample container 11. Therefore, in most cases, one sample container 11 is placed on the second lifting member 44 and delivered to the outlet 41c. However, depending on the arrangement of the sample containers 11, two or more sample containers 11 may temporarily be placed on the upper end surface 44a. On the other hand, there may be cases where no sample containers 11 are placed on the second lifting member 44, and the sample containers 11 fall into the space behind. As the second lifting member 44 rises, the excess sample containers 11 that are not placed on the upper end surface 44a are swung backward, and only the sample containers 11 that are placed on the upper end surface 44a are delivered to the outlet 41c in an orientation along the X direction. In this way, by repeatedly raising and lowering the members 43 and 44, the sample containers 11 can be delivered to the outlet 41c in an orientation along the X direction.

[0078] As shown in Figures 7 to 9, at the outlet 41c, the sample container 11 is guided to the holder 46c of the opening / closing door 46. The holder 46c opens on the rear upper end surface 44a side, which is inside the second storage section, and has a groove that holds only one sample container 11 in a horizontal position. For example, the opening of the holder 46c is sized to hold only one sample container 11, so the sample containers 11 placed on the upper end surface 44a, which slopes downward toward the front, are sent to the holder 46c one by one, or in some cases, none of them are sent at all. Note that sample containers 11 that are not sent to the holder 46c fall when the second booster member 44 descends.

[0079] When the sample sensor S3 detects the sample container 11, the control unit 53 determines that the sample container 11 is set in the holder 46c at the discharge port 41c, stops the lifting operation, and drives the drive unit 47 to open the door 46. When the door 46 opens, the sample container 11 is discharged from the door 46 through the discharge port 41c that opens on the front side of the upper end surface 44a when raised, and drops and is supplied to the supply destination.

[0080] On the other hand, when the opening and closing door 46 is closed and the specimen sensor S3 is OFF, the control unit 53 again raises and lowers the members 43 and 44, and continues the raising and lowering operation until the specimen sensor S3 is turned ON.

[0081] As described above, by repeating the raising and lowering operations of the members 33, 34, 43, 44 and the opening and closing operation of the door 46, the movement of the sample containers 11 is promoted by the raising and lowering members 33, 43 in the first supply unit 30 and the second supply unit 40, and the sample containers 11 are sequentially sent one by one to the upper end faces 34a, 44a of the push-up members 34, 44. By repeating this operation, the randomly stored sample containers 11 are aligned one by one at regular time intervals so that their longitudinal directions are aligned in the X direction, and are automatically sent to the supply position.

[0082] If the control unit 53 determines, for example, based on the supply status, that sample containers have been accumulated for a predetermined time, it stops the lifting operation of the first supply unit 30, thereby stopping the pushing-up operation and stopping the supply of samples. In other words, the supply process continues until a predetermined amount of sample containers are accumulated.

[0083] Furthermore, the control unit 53 repeats the rising and falling, and when the specimen sensor S3 remains in the OFF state for a certain period of time or a certain number of times, it determines that there is no specimen container 11 to be supplied, and stops the supply operation.

[0084] For example, a transport device 101 such as a belt conveyor type transport mechanism is provided at the supply destination outside the discharge port 41c. The transport path of the transport device 101 is a passage for the sample containers 11 formed on the transport belt, and is set along the X direction in the figure. The transport device 101 is configured to be able to transport the sample containers 11 in a horizontal position along a predetermined transport path including a position directly below the opening / closing door 46.

[0085] When members 33, 34, 43, and 44 are raised and lowered, the specimen container 11 placed on the rear member slides against the members 33, 34, 43, and 44 that are raised and lowered at the front. However, since the rear end surfaces of these members 33, 34, 43, and 44 are formed with uneven portions 33c, 34c, 43c, and 44c such as grooves that run along the raising and lowering direction, friction caused by movement in the raising and lowering direction can be reduced.

[0086] According to the sample supplying device 1 and sample processing method of this embodiment, the efficiency of the supplying process can be improved by using a two-stage mechanism.

[0087] For example, if the number of specimen containers 11 in the supply units 30, 40 becomes too large, the specimen containers 11 will be stacked in different orientations and tangled with each other, reducing the probability that specimen containers 11 will be placed one by one on the second lifting member 44, and the supply speed will decrease. Therefore, it is preferable that the number of specimen containers 11 stacked in the second storage space 41a of the second supply unit 40, which is the discharge side, is small. According to this embodiment, by using two stages, even if a large number of specimen containers are loaded, the number of specimen containers 11 in the second supply unit 40 can be limited, making it easier to ensure processing efficiency. Furthermore, a shorter lifting and lowering stroke of the second boost member 44 in the second supply section 40 on the discharge side can improve processing efficiency, but according to this embodiment, by supplying materials in two stages, the lifting and lowering stroke of the second boost member 44 in the second supply section 40 can be set to a short value.

[0088] Furthermore, in the specimen supplying device 1, the specimen detection sensor S2 detects the amount of specimen containers 11 and the supply process can be adjusted according to the state of the specimen containers 11, so that the number of specimen containers can be limited to an appropriate range.

[0089] Furthermore, the two-stage design of the specimen supplying device 1 alleviates restrictions on the height position from the inlet 31b to the outlet 41c, making it possible to reduce the size of the device. Therefore, for example, specimens can be automatically supplied from the first supplying section 30, which is set at a low installation height, to the second supplying section 40, which is set at a higher installation height than the first supplying section 30.

[0090] Furthermore, by increasing the dimension of the first supply section 30 side of the two-stage configuration and increasing the depth, the dimension and depth of the second supply section 40 can be reduced. Therefore, the two-stage configuration prevents a decrease in the automatic supply speed and enables processing at even higher speeds.

[0091] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, since processing speed is more important for the second supply section 40 than for the first supply section 30, an air drive mechanism is used for the first supply section 30 and an electric drive mechanism is used for the second supply section 40, thereby ensuring processing speed and reducing costs at the same time.

[0092] Furthermore, by forming uneven portions 33c, 34c, 43c, and 44c on the rear end surfaces of the lifting members 33, 34, 43, and 44, the contact area of ​​the specimen container 11 can be reduced, preventing the specimen container 11 from getting caught in the gaps between the members. In particular, when rubber stoppers are used, reducing friction is effective, preventing entanglement.

[0093] Furthermore, in each supply unit 30, 40, the upper end surfaces of the guide members 32, 42 and auxiliary members 33, 43 are inclined at an angle of 35° or more, making it easier to collect the sample containers 11 at the front, while the lift-up members 34, 44 are set at a gentler angle, thereby achieving both good holding and reduced friction. Furthermore, even if multiple sample containers 11 are placed on the lift-up members 34, 44 of each supply unit 30, 40, the number of sample containers 11 can be restricted by the opening / closing door 46 so that the sample containers 11 are discharged one by one from the discharge port 41c.

[0094] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented by appropriately changing the shape, material, arrangement, etc. of each part. For example, in the above-described embodiments, an example of a two-stage system is shown, but this is not limited to this, and the number of supply parts may be increased to three or more, such as a three-stage system or a four-stage system. In this case, it is also possible to further lower the input port. Moreover, the guide members 32 and 42 may be omitted.

[0095] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the components can be modified in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention. The components illustrated in the above embodiments may be deleted, or the shape, structure, material, etc. of each component may be changed. Various inventions can be created by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1... Supply device, 11... Sample container, 12... Holder, 102... Transport device, 30... Supply section, 31... Peripheral wall section, 31a... Accommodation space, 31b... Inlet port, 31c... Outlet port, 32... Guide member, 32a... Upper end surface, 33... Auxiliary member, 33a...upper end surface, 33b...rear end surface, 33c...uneven part, 34...push-up member, 34a...upper end surface, 34b...rear end surface, 34c...uneven part, 35...drive part, 40...supply part, 41...peripheral wall part, 41a...accommodation space, 41c...discharge port, 42 ...guide member, 42a...upper end surface, 43...auxiliary member, 43a...upper end surface, 43c...uneven portion, 44...push-up member, 44a...upper end surface, 44b...rear end surface, 44c...uneven portion, 45...drive unit, 46...opening / closing door, 47...drive unit, 50...control device, 51...memory unit, 53...control unit, 301...rear wall portion, 302...front wall portion, 303...side wall portion, 305...opening / closing lid, 402...front wall portion, 403...side wall portion, S1...opening / closing sensor, S2...sample detection sensor, S3...sample sensor.

Claims

1. a first storage section that forms a first storage space that can store a plurality of sample containers; a first auxiliary member provided in the first accommodation space, having a guide surface that descends to one side in a first direction, and that moves up and down; a first boost member that is disposed adjacent to one side of the first auxiliary member in the first accommodation space, has a guide surface that descends to one side, and moves up and down; a first supply unit comprising: a second housing portion having a second housing space provided on one side of the first housing space; a second auxiliary member provided in the second accommodation space, having a guide surface that descends to one side in the first direction, and that moves up and down; a second boost member that is disposed adjacent to one side of the second auxiliary member in the second accommodation space, has a guide surface that descends to one side, and moves up and down; a second supply unit comprising: a regulating member disposed adjacent to one side of the second lifting member when raised, the regulating member having a holding portion for holding the sample container; A specimen supplying device comprising:

2. the first supply unit is disposed on the other side of the first auxiliary member in the first accommodation space and includes a first guide unit having a guide surface with one side lowered, a guide surface of the first guide portion, a guide surface of the first auxiliary member when lowered, and a guide surface of the first boost-up member when lowered form a bottom of the first accommodating space that lowers to one side; the second supply unit is disposed on the other side of the second auxiliary member in the second accommodation space and includes a second guide unit having a guide surface with one side lowered, a guide surface of the second guide portion, a guide surface of the second auxiliary member when lowered, and a guide surface of the second push-up member when lowered form a bottom of the second accommodation space that lowers to one side; The specimen supplying device according to claim 1 .

3. 2. The sample supplying device of claim 1, wherein the regulating member extends in a predetermined direction, is capable of holding one sample container, and has a groove-shaped receiving portion that opens toward the second lifting member on one side of the second lifting member when raised.

4. the restricting member is an opening / closing door that opens and closes a discharge port formed on one side of the second storage section, The specimen supplying device according to claim 3 , wherein the holding portion is provided inside the opening and closing door.

5. The specimen supplying device according to claim 2 , wherein the guide surface is an upper end surface having an inclined or curved surface that slopes downward on one side in the first direction.

6. The guide surface of the first boost member has a dimension in the first direction smaller than that of the guide surface of the first auxiliary member. the guide surface of the second boost member has a smaller dimension in the first direction than the guide surface of the second auxiliary member; a length of the guide surface of the second guide portion is shorter than a length of the guide surface of the first guide portion; 3. The specimen supplying device according to claim 2, wherein the stroke of the lifting and lowering operation of the second lifting member is smaller than the stroke of the lifting and lowering operation of the first lifting member.

7. 3. The specimen supplying device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of grooves or protrusions are formed along the lifting direction on the surface of the first lifting member, the first auxiliary member, the second lifting member, or the second auxiliary member on the other side in the first direction.

8. The specimen supplying device according to claim 2 , wherein the raised position of the first boost member is disposed above the raised position of the first auxiliary member.

9. a control unit that raises and lowers the first boost member, the first auxiliary member, the second boost member, or the second auxiliary member at a predetermined timing; The specimen supplying device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit controls the lifting and lowering operation of the first supply unit based on a supply status of specimen containers on the second guide unit.

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