Specimen rack

Abstract

To provide a specimen rack capable of stably holding a plurality of kinds of specimen containers having different outer diameters.SOLUTION: The specimen rack 2 has a rack body 20 provided with an insertion hole 41 into which a specimen container 3 is inserted from an upper opening, and a holding member 51 linearly contacting the outer peripheral surface of the specimen container 3 in the insertion hole 41 of the rack body 20, orthogonal to the axial center of the insertion hole, and holding the specimen container 3 by pressing in the axial center direction of the insertion hole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample rack for holding sample containers. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a sample rack that has a cylindrical insertion port (top opening) for inserting multiple test tubes (sample containers) and a spring (elastic part) that holds the test tubes installed inside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7132366 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the sample rack described in Patent Document 1, when test tubes with smaller outer diameters than the standard (for example, φ13 mm) are used in the same sample rack, the diameter (outer diameter) of the test tube is smaller than the diameter of the insertion opening of the sample rack through which the test tube is inserted, and therefore the springs provided in the sample rack cannot stably hold the test tube.

[0005] Furthermore, there are two methods for aspirating a fixed amount of sample using a dispensing probe (hereinafter referred to as the probe): a method of aspirating directly from a test tube, and a cup-on method in which a micro-cup containing the sample is placed on top of the test tube. In the cup-on method, as shown in Figure 33 of Patent Document 1, a φ13 mm test tube 15 placed on a sample rack is tilted, and the axial center O1 of the micro-cup 60 is displaced from the axial center O2 of the probe 70 depending on the length of the test tube 15.

[0006] Therefore, even if the amount of specimen SP is greater than the minimum filling amount of the microcup 60, if the liquid level drops due to repeated dispensing, the probe 70 may come into contact with the inner wall 60a of the microcup 60. Since the probe 70 detects the liquid level by the change in capacitance when it comes into contact with the liquid level, there is a risk that the liquid level will be erroneously detected if it comes into contact with the inner wall 60a of the microcup 60 before the liquid level.

[0007] If the liquid level is erroneously detected at a position higher than the actual liquid level, the suction of the specimen SP will begin from a position that does not reach the specimen SP, and the amount required for analysis will not be suctioned into the probe 70.

[0008] As a result, the amount of specimen SP required for analysis cannot be dispensed into the reaction cell, resulting in an erroneous diagnosis result. Furthermore, if the probe 70 remains in contact with the inner wall 60a of the microcup 60 even after the specimen SP has been aspirated, the tip of the probe 70 will be erroneously detected as being inside the specimen SP after the aspirated specimen SP, and the necessary alarm will not be generated.

[0009] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional art, and has as its object to provide a sample rack capable of stably holding a plurality of types of sample containers with different outer diameters. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The sample rack of the present invention, which solves the above problems, comprises: A sample rack capable of holding multiple types of sample containers with different outer diameters, a rack body provided with an insertion hole for inserting the sample container from an upper opening; The rack is characterized by having a holding member that makes linear contact with the outer surface of the specimen container within the insertion hole of the rack body, is perpendicular to the axial center of the insertion hole, and holds the specimen container by pushing it toward the axial center of the insertion hole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sample rack that can stably hold a plurality of types of sample containers with different outer diameters. Further features related to the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings. In addition, problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a top view showing an outline of the configuration of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which sample containers are held in the sample rack according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a specimen container. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] Left side view of the sample rack. [Figure 6] Top view of the sample rack. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an end view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a holding member. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing changes in shape of a holding member in response to the insertion of a sample container. [Figure 10] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the shapes of a leaf spring before and when a sample container is held; [Figure 11] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating stresses acting on a holding member and a sample rack. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the structure of a leaf spring whose both ends are fixed and supported within an insertion hole of a rack body. [Figure 13] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the shapes of a leaf spring before and when a sample container is held; [Figure 14] 10 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between a plurality of leaf springs arranged in an insertion hole and a sample container before being inserted into the insertion hole. FIG. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the structure of a leaf spring whose both ends are fixed and supported within an insertion hole of a rack body. [Figure 16]10 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between a pair of leaf springs arranged in an insertion hole and a sample container before being inserted into the insertion hole. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sample rack according to a second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship with the leaf spring before holding the sample container. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the state of a leaf spring that is deformed by holding a sample container. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a sample rack according to a third embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sample rack according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a left side view of a sample rack according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 24] 10A and 10B are top views showing a comparison of the configurations of the first embodiment and the fourth embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sample rack according to a reference example. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a top view of a sample rack according to a reference example. [Figure 27] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating stresses acting on sample containers in a sample rack according to a reference example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the Z direction in the drawings will be described as the up-down direction, the Y direction as the left-right direction, and the X direction as the front-rear direction, but these descriptions are for convenience of explanation and do not limit the posture and direction of operation of each component.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a top view showing the outline of the configuration of an automatic analyzer 1 according to the present invention. The automated analyzer 1 comprises a sample supply unit 12 having an inlet 12A and an outlet 12B for a sample rack 2, an analysis module 13 that dispenses a fixed amount of sample (specimen) 4 and performs measurement, a transport unit 14 that transports the sample rack 2, and a control unit 10 that controls the automated analyzer 1. Although the control unit 10 is shown in FIG. 1 installed inside the sample supply unit 12, it can be installed at any position on the automated analyzer 1. Alternatively, the control unit 10 may be installed outside the automated analyzer 1 and control the automated analyzer 1 by communicating with the automated analyzer 1.

[0015] The specimen 4 is a liquid such as blood or urine, and is contained in a cylindrical specimen container (cylindrical container) 3. In the automatic analyzer 1, the specimen container 3 containing the specimen 4 is transported while being housed in a specimen rack 2 in order to protect the specimen 4 and improve workability.

[0016] The sample rack 2 stores sample containers 3 containing samples 4. The sample rack 2 may be a multi-sample rack that can store multiple sample containers 3, or a single-sample rack that stores one sample container 3. In Figure 1, arrow D indicates the direction in which the sample rack 2 is transported.

[0017] The sample supply unit 12 is equipped with a barcode reader 15. The sample container 3 is equipped with a barcode label for sample identification. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a barcode label is affixed to the sample container 3. The barcode reader 15 can read the barcode label of the sample container 3 located at the barcode reading position 16. The control unit 10 identifies the sample 4 placed in the sample container 3 based on the information obtained from the barcode label read by the barcode reader 15, and assigns the sample 4 to a transfer destination analysis module 13 in the sample rack 2 according to the identified sample 4.

[0018] The transport unit 14 includes an input rack transport path 14B and an output rack transport path 14A. The input rack transport path 14B transports the sample rack 2 from the sample supply unit 12 to the analysis module 13. The output rack transport path 14A transports the sample rack 2 from the analysis module 13 to the sample supply unit 12. The input rack transport path 14B and the output rack transport path 14A can be configured, for example, by belts.

[0019] The analysis module 13 is equipped with a camera 5 and a light 6 on the side of the loading rack transport path 14B. The camera 5 is focused on the rack transport path 14B and captures images of the sample containers 3 and the samples 4 contained in the sample containers 3. The light 6 is installed on the same side of the rack transport path 14B as the camera 5 and illuminates the rack transport path 14B, irradiating light onto the sample containers 3. The light 6 may irradiate light onto the sample containers 3 only when the camera 5 captures an image of the sample containers 3.

[0020] The control unit 10 is configured by an electronic control device having, for example, a CPU, a memory, an I / O interface, etc. The control unit 10 controls the sample supply unit 12, the analysis module 13, the transport unit 14, the barcode reader 15, the camera 5, and the lighting 6. For example, the control unit 10 controls the transport unit 14 to transport the sample rack 2, the camera 5 to capture images of the sample containers 3, and the lighting 6 to irradiate the sample containers 3 with light.

[0021] The control unit 10 moves the sample rack 2 in pitch units, which will be described later, and stops the movement of the sample rack 2 at a position where the position of one of the sample containers 3 stored in the sample rack 2 coincides with the focal position 17 of the camera 5. The camera 5 is controlled by the control unit 10 to capture images of the sample container 3 at the focal position 17 of the camera 5 multiple times while the movement of the sample rack 2 is stopped. After capturing the image of the sample container 3, the control unit 10 moves the sample rack 2 in pitch units and stops the movement of the sample rack 2 at a position where the position of the next sample container 3 (the sample container 3 adjacent to the imaged sample container 3) coincides with the focal position 17 of the camera 5. The camera 5 captures images of the sample container 3 at the focal position 17 of the camera 5 multiple times while the movement of the sample rack 2 is stopped.

[0022] The control unit 10 repeats the above process, taking images of each sample container 3 multiple times with the camera 5 while the transport of the sample rack 2 is stopped, and obtains multiple images of the sample containers 3 stored in the sample rack 2 whose transport has stopped.

[0023] The automatic analyzer 1 may be equipped with a display device (not shown), and the automatic analyzer 1 may be connected to a display device.

[0024] First Embodiment FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which sample containers are held in a sample rack according to this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a sample container.

[0025] The sample rack 2 is configured to be able to accommodate and hold multiple types of sample containers 3 with different outer diameters. Figure 2 shows two sample containers 3A and 3B held in the sample rack 2. As shown in Figure 3, the two sample containers 3A and 3B have different outer diameters F1 and F2. In this embodiment, the outer diameter F1 of the sample container 3A is the smallest outer diameter that can be stably held in the sample rack 2, and the outer diameter F2 of the sample container 3B is the largest outer diameter that can be stably held in the sample rack 2. In the following description, the two sample containers 3A and 3B may be collectively referred to simply as sample containers 3.

[0026] The sample container 3 is made of a transparent or translucent glass or resin material. The sample container 3 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, a body 31 that extends along the axial direction (z direction) with a substantially constant outer diameter, and a hemispherical lower end 32 that closes the lower end of the body 31. The sample container 3 is inserted into and removed from the sample rack 2 by moving it along the axial direction. In the example shown in the figure, the sample containers 3A and 3B have the same axial length, but there are also examples in which the lengths are different.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sample rack, FIG. 5 is a left side view of the sample rack, and FIG. 6 is a top view of the sample rack.

[0028] The sample rack 2 has a rack body 20 having a flat, vertically elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape. The rack body 20 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material. The rack body 20 has a bottom surface 21 extending in the longitudinal direction (X direction) with a constant width, a front surface 22 and a rear surface 23 rising from one and the other short sides of the bottom surface 21 in the longitudinal direction, respectively, a left side surface 24 and a right side surface 25 rising parallel to each other from one and the other long sides of the bottom surface 21 in the width direction (Y direction) and extending in a plane between the front surface 22 and the rear surface 23 (along the X and Z directions), and an top surface 26 extending parallel to the bottom surface 21 between the upper ends of the front surface 22, the rear surface 23, the left side surface 24, and the right side surface 25.

[0029] The sample rack 2 is provided with a plurality of insertion holes 41 into which the sample containers 3 can be inserted from the top opening. These insertion holes 41 are arranged in a row at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the sample rack 2. In this embodiment, an example in which a plurality of insertion holes 41 are provided will be described, but the number of insertion holes 41 may be one.

[0030] The insertion hole 41 is formed to have a predetermined depth from an upper opening 26a that opens on the upper surface 26 toward the lower surface 21. A tapered cone-shaped conical surface 42a having the same center as the insertion hole 41 and a through hole 42b are formed on the bottom surface 42 of the insertion hole 41, so that the hemispherical lower end 32 of the sample container 3 can be placed in the center of the insertion hole 41 by abutting against the conical surface 42a. In this embodiment, an example is described in which the hemispherical lower end 32 of the sample container 3 abuts against the tapered cone-shaped conical surface 42a having the same center as the insertion hole 41. However, it is also possible to eliminate the tapered cone-shaped conical surface 42a and leave only the through hole 42b, and have the hemispherical lower end 32 of the sample container 3 abut against the upper edge of the through hole 42b. In addition, to prevent the specimen container 3 from rotating around the axis of the insertion hole 41, a non-slip material, for example, a rubber sheet material may be placed on the upper edge of the tapered cone-shaped conical surface 42a or the through-hole 42b to serve as a rubber seat.

[0031] Opening windows 43 and 44, which respectively communicate with the insertion holes 41, are formed on the left side surface 24 and the right side surface 25 of the sample rack 2. The opening windows 43 and 44 are formed with a constant width w along the height direction of the sample rack 2, from the top surface 26 to the bottom surface 42 of the insertion hole 41. The opening windows 43 and 44 are provided so that the side surfaces of the sample containers 3 inserted in the insertion holes 41 are exposed.

[0032] The width w of the opening windows 43, 44 is set to a size that allows the barcode label on the sample container 3 to be read by the barcode reader 15 and that allows the analysis module 13 to illuminate and image the sample 4 in the sample container 3. In this embodiment, the width is set to the same as the outer diameter F1 of the sample container 3A. The opening windows 43, 44 allow for viewing of almost the entire sample container 3 over the entire range in the ZX directions.

[0033] As described above, the sample rack 2 has opening windows 43, 44 and an insertion hole 41, and when viewed from the side as shown in Figure 5, it has a comb shape with a base extending downward in the X direction and multiple pillars lined up at predetermined intervals in the X direction and each protruding upward from the base.

[0034] The insertion holes 41 of the sample rack 2 are provided with holding members 51 that hold the sample containers 3 inserted into the insertion holes 41. The holding members 51 have a structure that allows them to stably hold any sample containers 3 having an outer diameter between F1 and F2.

[0035] The holding members 51 are arranged in pairs at positions facing each other with respect to the axial center of the insertion hole 41. In this embodiment, four holding members 51 are arranged for one insertion hole 41. As shown in Fig. 6, the four holding members 51 are arranged at positions having a predetermined angle θ with respect to an imaginary line in the X direction that passes through the axial centers of the multiple insertion holes 41, and in this embodiment, they are arranged at positions that form an angle of θ = ±30 degrees (deg) with the axial center of the insertion hole 41 as the center.

[0036] 7 is an end view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the holding member.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 8, the retaining member 51 has a leaf spring 510. The leaf spring 510 has a trapezoidal shape with one end supported on one axial side of the insertion hole 41 and the other end supported on the other axial side, and an intermediate portion disposed at a position close to the axial center of the insertion hole 41. As shown in Fig. 7, the leaf spring 510 has two ends abutting against recessed grooves 45 recessed in the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 41, and has a pair of inclined side portions 512, 514 that gradually protrude toward the axial center of the insertion hole 41 as they move toward each other from both ends along the axial center of the insertion hole 41, and a parallel portion 513 that extends parallel to the axial center of the insertion hole 41 at a position closer to the axial center of the insertion hole 41 than the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 41 and connects the pair of inclined side portions 512, 514.

[0038] The holding member 51 is fixed in the insertion hole 41 of the sample rack 2 with a fixed end 511 continuous with the inclined side portion 512 as a fulcrum. For example, the fixed end 511 is fixedly supported in the recessed groove 45 of the insertion hole 41 by passing a fixing material 501 such as resin through the through hole 511a. Meanwhile, the moving end 515 of the inclined side portion 514 is supported and moves along the axial center of the insertion hole 41 while abutting against the recessed groove 45. Although four holding members 51 are used for one insertion hole 41 as described above, this is not a limitation and a structure in which multiple members are integrated together is also possible.

[0039] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the change in shape of the holding member in response to the insertion of a specimen container. As shown in FIG. 9(1), before contacting the specimen container 3, the flat spring 510 has a parallel portion 513 positioned protruding toward the axial center from the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 41. Then, as shown in FIG. 9(2), when the specimen container 3 is inserted, the inclined side portion 514 abuts against the hemispherical lower end portion 32 of the specimen container 3. Further insertion of the specimen container 3 from this position elastically deforms the flat spring 510, reducing the inclination of the inclined side portions 512 and 514, and pushing the parallel portion 513 in a direction away from the axial center of the insertion hole 41. Then, as shown in FIG. 9(3), the flat spring 510 deforms so that the height of the trapezoid decreases. The parallel portion 513 makes linear contact with the outer circumferential surface of the body portion 31 along the axial direction of the specimen container 3A, and presses the specimen container 3A perpendicular to the axial center of the insertion hole 41 toward the axial center of the insertion hole 41 with a predetermined pressing force.

[0040] Figure 10 shows the shape of the leaf spring before and after holding a sample container, with Figure 10(1) showing the shape before holding, Figure 10(2) showing the shape when holding sample container 3B, and Figure 10(3) showing the shape when holding sample container 3A.

[0041] The distance between the parallel portion 513 and the recessed groove 45 is largest at h0 before holding as shown in Fig. 10(1), followed by h2 when holding the sample container 3A as shown in Fig. 10(3), and then h1 when holding the sample container 3B as shown in Fig. 10(2). The leaf spring 510 can press the sample container 3 with a pressing force equal to or greater than a predetermined value that provides a holding force, as long as the sample container 3 has an outer diameter between F1 and F2.

[0042] When a sample container 3 is inserted into the sample rack 2, the leaf spring 510 elastically deforms, thereby pressing the sample container 3 perpendicular to the axial center of the insertion hole 41 and toward the axial center of the insertion hole 41, thereby applying a holding force to the sample container 3. Furthermore, because the leaf spring 510 elastically deforms, a holding force can be applied to any sample container 3, even if the sample containers 3 have different outer diameters, such as sample containers 3A and 3B.

[0043] 11 is a diagram illustrating the stress acting on the holding member and the sample rack. Although Fig. 11 shows a state in which the sample container 3A is inserted, the same applies to the case of the sample container 3B.

[0044] When the sample container 3A is inserted into the insertion hole 41, the leaf spring 510 receives a force and deforms in a direction away from the axial center of the insertion hole 41 toward the radially outward direction. When the leaf spring 510 deforms, the parallel portion 513 makes linear contact with the outer peripheral surface of the body portion 31 of the sample container 3A along the axial direction, applying a pressing force F in a direction perpendicular to the axial center of the insertion hole 41, which is the insertion direction of the sample container 3A. The lower end 32 of the sample container 3A abuts against the conical surface 42a and is positioned at the center of the insertion hole 41, and is held non-rotatably at the center of the insertion hole 41 by the frictional force between the conical surface 42a and the lower end 32. While the conical surface 42a is shown as an example of how the sample container 3A is held non-rotatably at the center of the insertion hole 41, a non-slip surface, such as a rubber sheet, may be attached to the surface where the parallel portion 513 contacts the sample container 3A, so that the sample container 3A is held non-rotatably by the frictional force between the sample container 3A and the non-slip surface.

[0045] Therefore, the sample container 3A is stably held so that the axial center of the body 31 of the sample container 3A coincides with the axial center of the insertion hole 41. The leaf spring 510 can elastically deform to apply a holding force to the sample container 3 even when a sample container 3 with a different outer diameter is inserted. Therefore, the sample rack 2 can stably hold any of a plurality of types of sample containers 3 with different outer diameters.

[0046] Figures 25 to 27 are reference examples that serve as the basis for explaining the effects of the sample rack of this embodiment, where Figure 25 is an oblique view of the sample rack of the reference example, Figure 26 is a top view of the sample rack of the reference example, and Figure 27 is a diagram explaining the stress acting on the sample containers in the sample rack of the reference example.

[0047] As shown in Figures 25 and 26, the sample rack 102 of the reference example has a rack body 120 having a flat, vertically elongated rectangular shape, and is provided with multiple insertion holes 141 for inserting and holding sample containers 3.

[0048] The insertion hole 141 is formed to have a predetermined depth from an upper opening 126a that opens on the top surface of the rack body 120 toward the bottom surface 121. A rubber seat 142 with a recess is disposed at the bottom end of the insertion hole 141, and by inserting the lower end 32 of the sample container 3, the sample container 3 is held at the axial center position of the insertion hole 141 and is prevented from rotating during transport.

[0049] An opening window 143 communicating with the insertion hole 141 is formed on the left side surface 124 of the rack body 120. The opening window 143 is formed along the height direction of the sample rack 2 from the upper surface 126 to above the rubber seat 142 at the lowest end of the insertion hole 141.

[0050] Although not shown, a partially open opening window 144 that communicates with the insertion hole 141 is provided on the right side surface 125 of the rack body 120. The opening window 144 on the right side surface 125 is smaller than the opening window 143 on the left side surface 124, and is sized to allow a portion of the specimen container 3 inserted in the insertion hole 141 to be partially exposed.

[0051] In the sample rack 102 of the reference example, the rubber seat 142 is disposed below the opening window 143, and the lower end 32 of the sample container 3 is inserted into the rubber seat 142, so it is not possible to image the inside of the lower end 32 of the sample container 3 from the left side through the opening window 143. Furthermore, the lower side of the opening window 143 on the left side is a side wall, and the size of the opening window 144 on the right side is also limited, so the conditions for external illumination become poor, which may affect the accuracy of detecting the liquid level and liquid property in the sample container 3.

[0052] A leaf spring 151 is attached to the insertion hole 141 of the sample rack 102 in order to hold the sample container 3 inserted in the insertion hole 141. The base end of the leaf spring 151 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 141, and has a cantilever structure in which the base end serves as a fulcrum and the tip protrudes toward the axial center of the insertion hole 141. The base end of the leaf spring 151 is supported on the upper part of the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 141, and the leaf spring 151 is arranged to extend obliquely with respect to the Z direction so as to move in a direction approaching the axial center of the insertion hole 141 as it moves downward in the insertion hole 141.

[0053] The leaf springs 151 are arranged in pairs at positions facing each other with respect to the axial center of the insertion hole 141, and four leaf springs 151 are arranged for one insertion hole 141. The four leaf springs 151 are arranged at intervals of 90 degrees (deg) from each other, as shown in FIG.

[0054] As shown in Figure 27, the leaf spring 151 has a cantilever structure in which its base end is fixed to the inner surface of the insertion hole 141 and gradually protrudes toward the axial center of the insertion hole 141 as it moves from the base end toward the rubber seat 142 at the lowest end of the insertion hole 141.

[0055] As shown in Figure 27(1), before a sample container 3 is inserted, the tips of the leaf springs 151 are positioned so that the distance between the tips of the opposing leaf springs 151 is smaller than the outer diameter of the sample container 3. Then, as shown in Figure 27(2), when a sample container 3 is inserted, the leaf springs 151 come into contact with the sample container 3 and elastically deform, pressing against the sample container 3 and holding the sample container 3 in the insertion hole 141 with a predetermined holding force. At the contact point between the leaf springs 151 and the sample container 3, the holding force exerted by the leaf springs 151 becomes a resultant force G having component forces Gx and Gz in the X and Z directions, respectively. The resultant force G acts obliquely with respect to the axial center of the sample container 3.

[0056] In this way, the leaf springs 151 of the sample rack 102 of the reference example cannot push the sample container 3 in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, i.e., the axial center of the insertion hole 141. Therefore, the holding forces input to the sample container 3 from the multiple leaf springs 151 become uneven, making it difficult to stably hold the sample container 3 in a position that coincides with the axial center of the insertion hole 141.

[0057] Furthermore, the contact between the tip of the leaf spring 151 and the sample container 3 is approximately point contact. Therefore, depending on the positioning accuracy and processing accuracy of the leaf spring 151, it may not be possible to apply a holding force to the sample container 3. Furthermore, because the tip of the leaf spring 151 contacts the cylindrical surface of the sample container 3, depending on the positioning accuracy, processing accuracy, molding accuracy, and insertion state of the leaf spring 151, the direction in which the holding force is applied may not coincide with the axial center of the insertion hole 141, and the centering of the sample container 3 may be impaired.

[0058] Furthermore, in the case of the sample rack 102 of the reference example, as shown in Figure 27(2), when a holding force is applied to the sample container 3 by inserting the sample container 3, a reaction force is generated at the base end of the leaf spring 151. Because the base end of the leaf spring 151 is located at a high position near the upper opening 126a on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 141, there is a risk that the reaction force of the leaf spring 151 will deform the shape of the rack body 120 of the sample rack 2. If the shape of the rack body 120 changes, the uprightness and centering of the sample container 3 relative to the rack body 120 will be impaired, which may affect the detection accuracy of the samples 4 in the sample container 3.

[0059] Therefore, it is necessary to ensure a certain level of rigidity for rack body 120, and it is not possible to make the shape of rack body 120 such that the rigidity is reduced, such as by widening the size of opening window 143 on left side surface 124 or opening window 144 on right side surface 125. Therefore, it is difficult to employ leaf spring 151 with a cantilever structure for a comb-shaped rack body 20 of this embodiment, which has large opening windows on both the left and right sides.

[0060] In contrast, the sample rack 2 of this embodiment is provided with a leaf spring 510 whose both ends are supported in the recessed groove 45 of the insertion hole 41. The leaf spring 510 can press the sample container 3 in a direction perpendicular to the axial center of the sample container 3, which is the insertion direction of the sample container 3. Therefore, the sample container 3 can be stably held in the insertion hole 41.

[0061] When the leaf spring 510 is deformed, it applies a pressing force F to the outer peripheral surface of the body 31 of the sample container 3A, and also applies a reaction force R to the sample rack 2. The leaf spring 510 has a structure in which both ends are supported by the recessed grooves 45 of the insertion holes 41, so the reaction force R that the leaf spring 510 applies to the sample rack 2 is distributed to two points, the fixed end 511 and the movable end 515, and becomes reaction forces Ra and Rb. In other words, the leaf spring 510, with its support structure at both ends, can distribute the reaction force R that the sample rack 2 receives to the upper and lower parts of the insertion holes 41 and transmit it as reaction forces Ra and Rb. Therefore, deformation of the rack body 20 can be suppressed, and the sample container 3 can be held in a position with high precision.

[0062] Furthermore, the leaf spring 510 can suppress deformation of the rack body 20 due to the reaction force R, so that the sample rack 2 can be shaped (the comb shape described above) with large opening windows 43, 44 on the left side surface 24 and the right side surface 25 of the rack body 20. The opening windows 43, 44 are formed along the height direction of the sample rack 2 from the top surface 26 to the bottom surface 42 of the insertion hole 41, allowing the side surfaces of the sample containers 3 inserted in the insertion holes 41 to be largely exposed. Therefore, almost the entire sample containers 3 can be viewed across the entire ZX direction through the opening windows 43, 44, enabling highly accurate analysis by the analysis module 13.

[0063] The leaf spring 510 can press the parallel portion 513 against the outer peripheral surface of the body portion 31 of the sample container 3 in a linear contact along the axial center of the sample container 3. Therefore, when the sample container 3 is held in the insertion hole 41, a holding force can be reliably applied to the sample container 3 in a direction perpendicular to the axial center without being affected by the positioning accuracy and processing accuracy of the leaf spring 510.

[0064] In the above-described embodiment, a leaf spring 510 having a double-end support structure in which one end is fixedly supported and the other end is movably supported is described as an example of the holding member 51, but the holding member 51 may be configured to make linear contact with the outer surface of the body 31 of the specimen container 3 and be pushed in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the specimen container 3.

[0065] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the structure of a leaf spring whose both ends are fixed and supported within an insertion hole in the rack body. The leaf spring 520 has a lower end portion 521 fixed to the groove 45 at the bottom of the insertion hole 41, an upper end portion 525 fixed to the groove 45 at the top of the insertion hole 41, a pair of inclined edge portions 522, 524 that gradually protrude toward the axial center of the insertion hole 41 as they move from the lower end portion 521 and the upper end portion 525 in directions approaching each other along the axial center of the insertion hole 41, and a parallel portion 523 that extends parallel to the axial center of the insertion hole 41 at a position closer to the axial center of the insertion hole 41 than the inner surface of the insertion hole 41 and connects the pair of inclined edge portions 522, 524.

[0066] Figure 13 shows the shape of the leaf spring before and when holding a sample container, where Figure 13(1) shows the shape before holding, Figure 13(2) shows the shape when holding sample container 3B, and Figure 13(3) shows the shape when holding sample container 3A.

[0067] The distance between the parallel portion 513 and the recessed groove 45 is largest at h0 before holding as shown in Fig. 13(1), followed by h4 when holding the specimen container 3A as shown in Fig. 13(3), and then h3 when holding the specimen container 3B as shown in Fig. 13(2). The leaf spring 520 can bring the parallel portion 523 into linear contact with the body portion 31 of the specimen container 3 with a pressing force equal to or greater than a predetermined value that provides a holding force, provided the specimen container 3 has an outer diameter between F1 and F2.

[0068] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between a plurality of leaf springs 520 arranged in the insertion hole 41 and the specimen container 3 before being inserted into the insertion hole 41. As shown in FIG.

[0069] Four leaf springs 520 are arranged in one insertion hole 41, and the specimen container 3 is inserted from above into a space surrounded by these four leaf springs 520.

[0070] The distance between the opposing parallel portions 523 is smaller than the outer diameter of the sample container 3. Because the distance between the opposing parallel portions 523 is smaller than the outer diameter of the sample container 3, when the sample container 3 is inserted or removed, each leaf spring 520 deforms outward in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the sample container 3.

[0071] The elastic deformation of the leaf spring 520 allows a holding force to be applied to any specimen container 3, even if the specimen containers 3 have different outer diameters, such as specimen containers 3A and 3B. At this time, the holding force acts at multiple points or linearly in a direction perpendicular to the axial center of the insertion hole 41 and in the axial direction of the insertion hole 41.

[0072] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the structure of a plate spring 530 having both ends fixedly supported within the insertion hole 41 of the rack body 20. As shown in FIG.

[0073] The leaf spring 530 has a lower end portion 531 fixed to the groove 45 at the bottom of the insertion hole 41, an upper end portion 535 fixed to the groove 45 at the top of the insertion hole 41, a pair of inclined edge portions 532, 534 that gradually protrude toward the axial center of the insertion hole 41 as they move from the lower end portion 531 and the upper end portion 535 in directions approaching each other along the axial center of the insertion hole 41, and a parallel portion 533 that extends parallel to the axial center of the insertion hole 41 at a position closer to the axial center of the insertion hole 41 than the inner surface of the insertion hole 41 and connects the pair of inclined edge portions 532, 534.

[0074] A slit portion 536 is provided at the center of the width of the leaf spring 530, extending between the parallel portion 533 and the pair of inclined side portions 532, 534. The slit portion 536 has a width that allows a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the body portion 31 of the sample container 3 to fit in when the outer circumferential surface of the body portion 31 is brought into contact with the slit portion 536.

[0075] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the pair of leaf springs 530 arranged in the insertion hole 41 and the specimen container 3 before it is inserted into the insertion hole 41. As shown in FIG.

[0076] Two leaf springs 530 are arranged facing each other in one insertion hole 41, and the sample container 3 is inserted from above between these two leaf springs 530. The sample container 3 is inserted so as to be sandwiched between the slit portions 536 of the two facing leaf springs 530. At this time, the parallel portions 533 apply a holding force to the sample container 3 by deformation including torsion.

[0077] The distance between the opposing parallel parts 533 is smaller than the outer diameter of the sample container 3. Therefore, when the sample container 3 is inserted or removed, each leaf spring 530 deforms outward in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the sample container 3.

[0078] The elastic deformation of the leaf spring 530 allows a holding force to be applied to any specimen container 3, even if the specimen containers 3 have different outer diameters, such as specimen containers 3A and 3B. In this case, the holding force acts at multiple points or linearly in a direction perpendicular to the axial center of the specimen container 3.

[0079] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0080] Figure 17 is an oblique view of a sample rack in the second embodiment, Figure 18 is a diagram showing the positional relationship with the leaf spring before holding a sample container, and Figure 19 is a diagram showing the state of the leaf spring deformed by holding a sample container.

[0081] A distinctive feature of this embodiment is that the holding member 61 is configured to wrap around and contact the outer circumferential surface of the body 31 of the specimen container 3, and press in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the specimen container 3. The same components as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0082] The insertion hole 41 of the specimen rack 2A is provided with a holding member 61 that holds the specimen container 3 inserted into the insertion hole 41. The holding member 61 has a structure that can stably hold any specimen container 3 having a size between the outer diameters F1 and F2.

[0083] The holding members 61 are arranged in pairs at positions facing each other with respect to the axial center of the insertion hole 41 at the upper and lower parts of the insertion hole 41. In the present embodiment, four holding members 61 are arranged for one insertion hole 41. The number of holding members 61 is not limited to the above example and may be more or less.

[0084] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the holding member 61 has a leaf spring 611. The leaf spring 611 has a pair of bases 612 that are fixed to the concave grooves 45 of the insertion hole 41 while being spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the insertion hole 41, a pair of support legs 613 that project in a direction of separating from each other as they move from the pair of bases 612 toward the axial center of the insertion hole 41, and a curved surface portion 614 that is curved in a substantially arc shape and connects between the pair of support legs 613.

[0085] FIG. 19(1) shows the initial shape of the leaf spring 611 before holding the specimen container 3. The radius of curvature of the curved surface portion is R1. FIG. 19(2) shows the deformed state of the leaf spring 611 when the small-diameter specimen container 3A is inserted into the insertion hole. The radius of curvature of the curved surface portion 614 is R2. FIG. 19(3) shows the deformed state of the leaf spring 611 when the large-diameter specimen container 3B is inserted into the insertion hole. The radius of curvature of the curved surface portion 614 is R3. The radius of curvature of the curved surface portion 614 satisfies the relationship R2 < R1 < R3 in the initial shape, when holding the specimen container 3A, and when holding the specimen container 3B.

[0086] When the specimen container 3 is inserted between a pair of opposing leaf springs 611 in the insertion hole 41, the specimen container 3 exerts a pressing force on the leaf springs 611 as shown by arrow F. At this time, the leaf spring 611 deforms as shown by arrow C, so that the curved surface portion 614 makes linear or planar contact with the outer circumferential surface of the body portion 31 of the specimen container 3 along the circumferential direction, thereby holding the specimen container 3.

[0087] For example, in the case of a sample container 3A, as shown in Figure 19(2), the contact hole elastically deforms so that the radius of curvature becomes R2, which is smaller than R1, and in the case of a sample container 3B, as shown in Figure 19(3), the contact hole elastically deforms so that the radius of curvature becomes R3, which is larger than R1, and each contacts the sample container 3 in a linear or planar manner in the circumferential direction so as to wrap around the outer circumferential surface of the sample container 3. Therefore, a holding force can be reliably applied to the sample container 3 in a direction perpendicular to the axial center.

[0088] The elastic deformation of the leaf spring 611 allows it to apply a holding force to any specimen container 3, even if the specimen containers 3 have different outer diameters, such as specimen containers 3A and 3B. At this time, the holding force acts perpendicular to the axial center of the insertion hole 41 and in a circumferential linear or planar manner in the axial direction of the insertion hole 41.

[0089] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0090] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a sample rack in the third embodiment, and FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the structure of a holding member. A feature of this embodiment is that a plunger 711 is used as the holding member 71.

[0091] The plunger 711 has a cylindrical body 712 fixed to the rack main body 20, a holder 713 supported by the body 712 so as to be reciprocatable and which holds the sample container 3, a coil spring 714 stored in the body 712 and which urges the holder 713 in the protruding direction, and a spring stop member 715 which adjusts the spring length of the coil spring 714 and is fixed to the body 712. The holder 713 has a shaft 713a supported by the body 712, and a contact portion 713b which is bent at the tip of the shaft 713a and extends downward into the insertion hole 41 along the axial direction of the insertion hole 41.

[0092] When the specimen container 3 is inserted into the insertion hole 41, the tip of the holder 713 of the plunger 711 comes into contact with the specimen container 3 and moves in the axial direction of the body 712 according to the outer diameter of the specimen container 3, and the enclosed coil spring 714 urges the holder 713 perpendicular to the axial center of the insertion hole 41 and toward the axial center of the insertion hole 41, thereby applying a holding force to the specimen container 3. The abutment portion 713b of the holder 713 makes linear contact with the body portion 31 of the specimen container 3 along the axial direction of the insertion hole 41. Therefore, the plunger 711 can reliably apply a holding force perpendicular to the axial center of the insertion hole 41 and toward the axial center of the insertion hole 41.

[0093] The plunger 711 can apply a holding force to any specimen container 3, even if the specimen containers 3 have different outer diameters, such as specimen containers 3A and 3B. At this time, the holding force acts perpendicular to the axial center of the insertion hole 41 and in the axial direction of the insertion hole 41.

[0094] In this embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the plunger 711 is arranged separately at the top and bottom of the insertion hole 41, but this is not limited to this. For example, multiple plungers 710 may be arranged vertically at a predetermined interval, or may be arranged in one location in the vertical direction.

[0095] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0096] Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a sample rack in the fourth embodiment, Fig. 23 is a left side view of the sample rack in the fourth embodiment, and Fig. 24 is a top view showing a comparison of the configurations of the first embodiment and this embodiment. Figs. 24(1a) to (1c) are top views of the sample rack in the first embodiment, and Figs. 24(2a) to (2c) are top views of the sample rack in this embodiment.

[0097] A feature of this embodiment is that the sample rack 2B has protrusions 46 at the upper ends of the opening windows 43 and 44 that protrude in the directions in which they approach each other.

[0098] In the first embodiment, the opening windows 43, 44 are formed with a constant width w along the height direction of the sample rack 2B from the upper surface 26 to the bottom surface 42 of the insertion hole 41. The width w of the opening windows 43, 44 is larger than the outer diameter F1 of the sample container 3A, as shown in Figure 24 (1c). Therefore, there is a possibility that the sample container 3 held in the insertion hole 41 may slip through the opening windows 43, 44.

[0099] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 24(2a) to (2c), protrusions 46 are provided at the upper ends of the opening windows 43, 44. The protrusions 46 protrude in directions approaching each other, and the distance between them is configured to be narrower than the outer diameter F1 of the specimen container 3A. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the specimen container 3 held in the insertion hole 41 from slipping through the opening windows 43, 44.

[0100] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention as defined in the claims. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 2, 2A, 2B... Sample rack; 3, 3A, 3B... Sample container; 20... Rack body; 26a... Upper opening; 31... Body; 41... Insertion hole; 42... Bottom surface; 43, 44... Opening window; 51, 61, 71... Holding member

Claims

1. A sample rack capable of holding multiple types of sample containers with different outer diameters, a rack body provided with an insertion hole for inserting the sample container from an upper opening; A sample rack characterized by having a holding member that makes linear contact with the outer surface of the sample container within the insertion hole of the rack body, is perpendicular to the axial center of the insertion hole, and holds the sample container by pushing it toward the axial center of the insertion hole.

2. 2. The sample rack according to claim 1, wherein the holding members are arranged in pairs at positions facing each other with the axial center of the insertion hole interposed therebetween.

3. 3. The sample rack according to claim 2, wherein the holding member has a leaf spring that linearly contacts the outer circumferential surface of the sample container along the axial center of the sample container.

4. The sample rack of claim 3, wherein the leaf spring has a trapezoidal shape with one end supported on one axial side of the insertion hole and the other end supported on the other axial side, and with an intermediate portion positioned close to the axial center of the insertion hole.

5. The leaf spring is a pair of inclined side portions that gradually protrude toward the axial center of the insertion hole as they move from the one end and the other end in a direction approaching each other along the axial center of the insertion hole; The sample rack according to claim 4, characterized in that it has a parallel portion that extends parallel to the axial center of the insertion hole at a position closer to the axial center of the insertion hole than the inner surface of the insertion hole and connects between a pair of inclined side portions.

6. 6. The sample rack according to claim 5, wherein the one end of the leaf spring is fixedly supported within the insertion hole and the other end is movably supported within the insertion hole.

7. 6. The sample rack according to claim 5, wherein both the one end and the other end of the leaf spring are fixedly supported within the insertion hole.

8. 6. The sample rack according to claim 5, wherein the leaf spring has a slit portion cut out between the parallel portion and the pair of inclined side portions.

9. 3. The sample rack according to claim 2, wherein the holding member has a leaf spring that makes linear or planar contact with the outer circumferential surface of the sample container along the circumferential direction.

10. The leaf spring is a pair of base portions fixed to the inside of the insertion hole and spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the insertion hole; a pair of support legs that protrude in directions that separate and open from each other as they move from the pair of base portions toward the axial center of the insertion hole; a curved surface portion that is curved in a substantially arc shape and connects the pair of support legs; The sample rack according to claim 9, further comprising:

11. 3. The sample rack according to claim 2, wherein the holding member has a plunger that makes linear contact with the outer circumferential surface of the sample container along the axial center of the sample container.

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