Plate storage device and plate storage method

Abstract

To provide a technique for minimizing the space required when storing a plate in a storage section. [Solution] In a testing apparatus (100), a plate (110) is stored in a storage section (101). A fork (510) has a stationary protrusion that stops the movement of an object. The storage section (101) has a support protrusion that supports the object from below. The fork (510) is brought close to the storage section (101) so that the bottom surface of the plate (110) on the mounting surface abuts against the support protrusion. The fork (510) is driven downward so that the bottom surface of the plate (110) is released from abutment with the support protrusion and placed on the stationary protrusion, and then the fork (510) is moved away from the storage section (101). The fork (510) is further moved away from the storage section (101) to move the plate (110) from the mounting surface to the storage section (101).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the storage of plates in storage sections. [Background technology]

[0002] Various studies have been conducted on transporting plates containing samples within an analyzer. For example, International Publication No. 2020 / 183662 (Patent Document 1) discloses a plate changer that supplies plates containing samples to an autosampler within an analyzer. The plate changer has a transport device that grips and transports the plates. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 183662 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described analytical device, a storage unit for storing plates is provided, and in order to store the plates in the storage unit, the plates are sometimes transported to the storage unit using a transport device. Because the transport device holds the plates, in order to store the plates in the storage unit, it is necessary to release the plate from its grip by the transport device. If a new device is installed in the analytical device to release the plate from its grip by the transport device, there is a concern that the space required for the analytical device will increase by the size of the new device.

[0005] The present invention has been devised in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a technique for minimizing the space required when storing plates in a storage section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A plate storage device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a holding section having a mounting surface, a drive section that drives the holding section, a control section that controls the drive section, and a storage section, wherein the holding section has a stationary protrusion that stops the movement of an object in a first orientation in a first direction on the mounting surface, and the storage section has a support protrusion that supports the object from below, and the control section controls the drive section to drive the holding section in a first orientation to abut the bottom surface of the end of the plate on the first orientation side of the mounting surface against the support protrusion, release the abutment between the bottom surface and the support protrusion, and further drive the holding section downward to place the bottom surface on the stationary protrusion, and then drive it in a second direction opposite to the first orientation, and further drive the holding section in the second orientation to move the plate from the mounting surface to the storage section.

[0007] A plate storage method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for storing a plate placed on a mounting surface of a holding unit in a storage unit in a plate storage device, wherein the holding unit has a stationary protrusion for stopping the movement of an object in a first orientation in a first direction on the mounting surface, and the storage unit has a support protrusion for supporting the object from below, the method comprising the steps of: driving the holding unit in a first orientation to abut the bottom surface of the end of the plate on the mounting surface on the first orientation side against the support protrusion; driving the holding unit downward to release the abutment between the bottom surface and the support protrusion and further placing the bottom surface on the stationary protrusion, and then driving it in a second direction opposite to the first orientation; and further driving the holding unit in the second orientation to move the plate from the mounting surface to the storage unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, techniques are provided for minimizing the space required when storing plates in a receptacle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a test device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a control unit 120. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the plate 110. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the plate 110 from the stage 160 to the container 101 by the transport unit 500. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the plate 110 from the stage 160 to the container 101 by the transport unit 500. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a fork 510. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a housing section 101. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a housing section 101. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container 1. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of movement of the plate 110 placed on the stage 160 to the fork 510. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of movement of the plate 110 placed on the stage 160 to the fork 510. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of movement of the plate 110 placed on the stage 160 to the fork 510. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of movement of the plate 110 placed on the stage 160 to the fork 510. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of movement of plate 110 placed on fork 510 to storage section 101. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of movement of plate 110 placed on fork 510 to storage section 101. FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of movement of plate 110 placed on fork 510 to storage section 101. FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of movement of plate 110 placed on fork 510 to storage section 101. FIG. [Figure 18]10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of movement of plate 110 placed on fork 510 to storage section 101. FIG. [Figure 19] 10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of movement of plate 110 placed on fork 510 to storage section 101. FIG. [Figure 20] 10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of movement of plate 110 placed on fork 510 to storage section 101. FIG. [Figure 21] 10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of movement of plate 110 placed on fork 510 to storage section 101. FIG. [Figure 22] 10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of movement of plate 110 placed on fork 510 to storage section 101. FIG. [Figure 23] 10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of movement of plate 110 placed on fork 510 to storage section 101. FIG. [Figure 24] 10 is a flowchart of a process for storing a plate 110 in a storage section 101. [Figure 25] 25 is a flowchart of a subroutine of a storage sequence (step S22 in FIG. 24). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, when numbers, quantities, etc. are mentioned, the scope of the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to those numbers, quantities, etc., unless otherwise specified. The same reference numerals are used for the same or equivalent parts, and redundant descriptions may not be repeated. It is intended from the beginning that the configurations in the embodiments may be used in appropriate combinations.

[0011] [Test equipment configuration] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a test device according to this embodiment, which is used, for example, for drug susceptibility testing.

[0012] The test device 100 captures an image of each of a plurality of observation points provided on a plate 110. At each of the plurality of observation points, an observation target obtained by bringing a test liquid containing bacteria, which is a biological agent, into contact with an agent is placed.

[0013] The test device 100 includes a control unit 120 , a microscope camera 140 , a stage 160 , a reading unit 180 , an incubator 20 , a storage unit 101 , and a transport unit 500 .

[0014] The control unit 120 controls each of the microscope camera 140 and the stage 160 based on the information read by the reading unit 180 in order to capture an image of each observation point on the plate 110 .

[0015] The microscope camera 140 includes an objective lens 142 , a focus change mechanism 144 , and an image sensor 146 .

[0016] The objective lens 142 magnifies a part of the plate 110 placed on the stage 160. The objective lens 142 is arbitrarily selected depending on the object to be observed.

[0017] The focus changing mechanism 144 changes the focus of the microscope camera 140. For example, the focus changing mechanism 144 changes the position of the objective lens 142 in the optical axis direction of the objective lens 142, thereby changing the focus of the microscope camera 140.

[0018] The image sensor 146 is a detector for capturing an image of the observation target magnified by the objective lens 142, and is, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor.

[0019] The stage 160 includes an imaging field of view changing mechanism 162 and an illumination device 164. The plate 110 is placed on the stage 160. The illumination device 164 is a transmitted illumination device, and irradiates the stage 160 with light for observation.

[0020] The imaging field of view changing mechanism 162 changes the imaging field of view of the microscope camera 140. The imaging field of view changing mechanism 162 includes an X-axis movement mechanism 162X and a Y-axis movement mechanism 162Y. The X-axis movement mechanism 162X moves the plate 110 placed on the stage 160 in the X-axis direction in FIG. 1. The Y-axis movement mechanism 162Y moves the plate 110 placed on the stage 160 in the Y-axis direction in FIG. 1.

[0021] The reading unit 180 reads the identification information of the plate 110. The reading unit 180 is, for example, a barcode reader, a QR code (registered trademark) reader, or a reader compatible with RF (Radio Frequency) tags, and is selected depending on the type of identification code attached to the plate 110. The reading unit 180 transmits the read identification information to the control unit 120.

[0022] Based on the identification information from the reading unit 180, the control unit 120 reads out the imaging conditions corresponding to the identification information, and controls the microscope camera 140 and the stage 160 based on the read-out imaging conditions to capture images of each observation point.

[0023] Specifically, the control unit 120 outputs observation point information indicating the position of the observation point to be imaged to the imaging field of view changing mechanism 162. The imaging field of view changing mechanism 162 moves the plate 110 in accordance with the output observation point information, and positions the observation point to be imaged within the imaging field of view of the microscope camera 140.

[0024] The control unit 120 issues a focus change instruction to the focus change mechanism 144 in accordance with the imaging conditions. At this time, the control unit 120 outputs a focus position at which the microscope camera 140 is focused on the observation point of the imaging target to the focus change mechanism 144. The focus change mechanism 144 sets the focus of the microscope camera 140 to the output focus position.

[0025] When the imaging field of view and focus of the microscope camera 140 are set, the control unit 120 issues an imaging instruction to the image sensor 146 and obtains image data. The control unit 120 obtains the number of bacteria, the shape of the bacteria, etc. as observation results from the image data.

[0026] The incubator 20 sets the plate 110 into which the test liquid has been pressed to a temperature suitable for culturing bacteria (for example, 37 degrees).

[0027] The storage section 101 stores plates 110, which are waste materials that have been observed and are no longer needed. The transport unit 500 includes a fork 510 on which the plate 110 is placed, and a drive unit 550 that drives the fork 510. The fork 510 constitutes an example of a holder that holds the plate. In the transport unit 500, the drive unit 550 drives the fork 510, thereby moving the plate 110 from the stage 160 to the storage unit 101. The drive unit 550 is controlled by the control unit 120.

[0028] In this embodiment, the testing device 100 including the storage section 101, the transport unit 500, and the driving section 550 constitutes an example of a plate storage device.

[0029] [Control device hardware configuration] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control unit 120. As an example, the control unit 120 is configured according to a general-purpose computer architecture.

[0030] The control unit 120 has, as its main components, a processor 122, a memory 124, an input / output interface (I / F) 126, an input device 127, and an output device 128. These units are connected to each other via a bus 121 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0031] The processor 122 is typically an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The processor 122 controls the operation of each unit of the test apparatus 100 by reading and executing a program stored in the memory 124. Specifically, the processor 122 realizes each process of the test apparatus 100 by executing the program. Note that although the example of FIG. 2 illustrates a configuration with a single processor, the control unit 120 may also be configured with multiple processors.

[0032] The memory 124 is realized by a storage device such as a nonvolatile memory such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), or a flash memory, or a magnetic disk. The memory 124 stores programs executed by the processor 122, data used by the processor 122, etc. Specifically, the memory 124 stores imaging conditions for imaging each observation point on each plate 110.

[0033] The input / output I / F 126 is an interface for exchanging various types of data between the focus changing mechanism 144, the image sensor 146, the imaging field of view changing mechanism 162, the reading unit 180, the optical sensor 151, the hall sensor 152, and the locking mechanism 153 and the control unit 120. The input / output I / F 126 is also an interface for exchanging various types of data between the transport unit 500 and the control unit 120.

[0034] The input device 127 is a device for receiving an instruction input from outside, and is typically a button, a keyboard, a microphone, and / or a touch sensor.

[0035] The output device 128 is a device for outputting information to the outside, and is typically a lamp, a speaker, and / or a display.

[0036] [plate] 3 is a plan view of the plate 110. The plate 110 includes a plate-like member 112 and a flow path structure.

[0037] The plate-shaped member 112 (dimension in the Z-axis direction) is made of an acrylic resin such as polymethyl methacrylate resin. The thickness of the plate-shaped member 112 is not particularly limited, but is set to, for example, 1 mm to 6 mm. An identification code 118 for individually identifying the plate 110 is attached to the plate-shaped member 112.

[0038] [Overview of plate movement from stage to storage area] 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating the movement of the plate 110 from the stage 160 to the storage section 101 by the transport unit 500. Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of the inside of the test apparatus 100 viewed from the Z-axis direction. Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of the inside of the test apparatus 100 viewed from the Y-axis direction.

[0039] 4 and 5, in the transport unit 500, the fork 510 is provided with a connecting member 540 that connects the fork 510 to the drive unit 550 (FIG. 1). Arrows R1, R2, and R3 are shown in FIG. 4, and arrows R3 and R4 are shown in FIG. 5. Arrows R1, R2, R3, and R4 indicate the direction in which the fork 510 is driven by the drive unit 550.

[0040] Arrow R1 represents the Y-axis direction. Fork 510 approaches stage 160 when driven in one direction (downward in FIG. 4) of the directions represented by arrow R1, and moves away from stage 160 when driven in the other direction (upward in FIG. 4).

[0041] The arrow R2 indicates the rotation direction. By rotating the fork 510 along the arrow R2, the orientation of the fork 510 is switched between a state in which it faces the stage 160 (the state shown in FIG. 4) and a state in which it faces the storage unit 101 (the state shown in FIG. 5).

[0042] Arrow R3 represents the X-axis direction. The fork 510 approaches the storage unit 101 when driven in one direction (leftward in FIGS. 4 and 5) of the directions represented by arrow R3, and moves away from the storage unit 101 when driven in the other direction (rightward in FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0043] Arrow R4 represents the Z-axis direction. When the fork 510 is driven in one direction (downward in FIG. 5) of the directions represented by arrow R4, it moves vertically downward, and when the fork 510 is driven in the other direction (upward in FIG. 5), it moves vertically upward.

[0044] [Fork structure] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the fork 510. As shown in FIG.

[0045] The fork 510 has a mounting surface 511 on which the plate 110 is placed. One end 590 of the fork 510 has a plurality of screw holes formed therein for connecting the fork 510 to the connecting member 540. The other end of the fork 510 has a notch 512 formed therein. The bottom surface of the plate 110 placed on the mounting surface 511 can come into contact with an object other than the fork 510 at the notch 512.

[0046] In Fig. 6, the fork 510 is intended to face the housing 101, and the housing 101 is intended to be located to the right of the fork 510. Thus, in Fig. 6, the arrow R31 represents one side of the direction represented by the arrow R3 in Figs. 4 and 5, and the arrow R32 represents the other side of the direction represented by the arrow R3 in Figs. 4 and 5.

[0047] In this embodiment, the arrow R31 represents an example of a first orientation of the first direction, and the arrow R32 represents an example of a second orientation of the first direction.

[0048] The mounting surface 511 has arms 512A and 512B on both sides thereof. The arms 512A and 512B face each other with a notch 512 interposed therebetween.

[0049] Each of arms 512A and 512B has a stationary protrusion 520 and receiving portions 521, 522, 523, and 524. In both arms 512A and 512B, stationary protrusion 520 and receiving portions 521, 522, 523, and 524 are arranged symmetrically. The structure of arm 512A will be described below as a representative of arms 512A and 512B.

[0050] Stationary protrusion 520 is located at the end of arm 512A in the direction indicated by arrow R31. The upper surface of arm 512A descends in two stages from stationary protrusion 520 along the direction indicated by arrow R32, and then ascends in two stages. Receiving portion 521 is located at a corner one stage below stationary protrusion 520. Receiving portion 522 is located at a corner one stage below receiving portion 521.

[0051] Receiving portion 523 is located at the corner of the portion where the upper surface of arm 512A rises again by one step. Receiving portion 524 is located at the corner of the portion where the upper surface of arm 512A rises again by one step.

[0052] 6, length L1 represents the distance from receiving portion 521 to receiving portion 523. Length L1 is shorter than the dimension of plate 110 placed on mounting surface 511. As a result, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 21, when one end of plate 110 is supported by receiving portion 523, the other end of plate 110 is positioned on stationary protrusion 520.

[0053] [Containment structure] 7 and 8 are diagrams schematically showing the structure of the storage unit 101. The storage unit 101 includes a frame 101A and a container 1. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the container 1. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the container 1 is attached to the frame 101A. The container 1 is detachable from the frame 101A. The container 1 includes a handle 2 and a main body 3. A user holds the handle 2 to attach the container 1 to the frame 101A or to remove the container 1 from the frame 101A.

[0054] As primarily shown in Figures 7 and 8, a space 3X represents the space inside the main body 3 of the container 1. Barriers 3A are arranged at each of the three corners inside the main body 3 (both the left and right front corners and the left rear corner). An opening 3Y is provided on the front side of the main body 3. The transport unit 500 stores the plate 110 inside the main body 3 through the opening 3Y. Figure 8 shows a state in which one plate 110 is stored inside the main body 3. A bottom surface 3Z represents the bottom surface of the space 3X.

[0055] An auxiliary member 60 is disposed at the top inside of the frame 101A. A support protrusion 61 is formed at the center of the upper end of the auxiliary member 60 by folding back a portion of the auxiliary member 60. The support protrusion 61 has enough strength to support from below at least a portion of the plate 110 placed on the mounting surface 511 of the fork 510. A guide member 62 is located at the center of the auxiliary member 60, formed by pulling out a portion of the auxiliary member 60. Shielding portions 63 are formed at both ends of the auxiliary member 60 by folding back a plate body that constitutes the auxiliary member 60.

[0056] [Transfer of plate from stage to fork] 10 to 13 are diagrams for explaining the flow of movement of plate 110 placed on stage 160 to fork 510. FIG.

[0057] First, referring to Fig. 10, undercut grooves 160A and 160B are formed in the stage 160. The plate 110 is placed above the undercut grooves 160A and 160B. The distance between the undercut grooves 160A and 160B corresponds to the distance between the arms 512A and 512B. As shown in Fig. 11, the fork 510 is driven to approach the stage 160 so that the arms 512A and 512B are accommodated in the undercut grooves 160A and 160B, respectively.

[0058] 12, the plate 110 is lifted by the forks 510. At this time, the end of the plate 110 abuts against the stationary protrusions 520.

[0059] 13, the fork 510 is driven to move away from the stage 160. Since the end of the plate 110 abuts against the stationary protrusion 520, the plate 110 is prevented from separating from the fork 510 even when only the fork 510 is driven.

[0060] That is, the stationary protrusion 520 functions to stop the movement of the plate 110 in the direction approaching the stage 160 (the opposite direction to the direction away from the stage 160).

[0061] [Transfer of plate from fork to container] 14 to 23 are diagrams illustrating the flow of movement of the plate 110 placed on the fork 510 toward the storage section 101. Each of FIGS. 14 to 23 shows two frames, such as frames A1 and A2 in FIG. 14. Of the two frames in each diagram, the left frame (for example, frame A1 in FIG. 14) shows the positional relationship between the fork 510, the plate 110, and the auxiliary member 60 and main body 3 in the storage section 101. The right frame (for example, frame A2 in FIG. 14) shows a schematic cross section along line AA in the left frame. Note that, for simplicity of explanation, the guide member 62 is omitted from FIGS. 14 to 23.

[0062] First, referring to FIG. 14 (frames A1 and A2), the fork 510 is driven in a direction approaching the storage section 101 (auxiliary member 60 and main body 3). The direction in which the fork 510 is driven is indicated by arrow R31. At this time, the bottom surface of the plate 110 is positioned above the support protrusion 61. The fork 510 is driven until the tip of the plate 110 is positioned above the support protrusion 61 (holding an umbrella shape on a horizontal plane).

[0063] Next, the fork 510 is driven downward (in the direction indicated by the arrow R41), whereby the bottom surface of the plate 110 comes into contact with the support protrusion 61, as shown in FIG.

[0064] The fork 510 is driven further downward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16 (frames C1 and C2), the leading edge of the plate 110 gets caught on the support protrusion 61 and cannot follow the downward moving fork 510. The rear edge of the plate 110 follows the fork 510. As a result, the plate 110 tilts.

[0065] Thereafter, the fork 510 is driven in a direction away from the storage portion 101 (the auxiliary member 60 and the main body 3). The direction in which the fork 510 is driven is indicated by an arrow R32. An inertial force acts on the plate 110. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17 (frames D1 and D2), the rear end of the plate 110 moves away from the receiving portion 524 and further moves beyond the receiving portion 523.

[0066] Thereafter, the fork 510 is driven in a direction approaching the storage portion 101 (the auxiliary member 60 and the main body 3). The direction in which the fork 510 is driven is indicated by an arrow R31. At this time, as shown in FIG. 18 (frames E1 and E2), the rear end of the plate 110 abuts against the receiving portion 523.

[0067] Thereafter, the fork 510 is driven downward. The rear end of the plate 110 is blocked by the receiving portion 523. As a result, as shown in FIG. 19 (frames F1 and F2), the inclination of the plate 110 with respect to the fork 510 (the mounting surface 511) increases as the fork 510 descends.

[0068] When the fork 510 is further driven downward, the tip of the plate 110 separates from the support protrusion 61 as shown in FIG. 20 (frames G1 and G2). Then, the tip of the plate 110 falls onto the fork 510. The length from the stationary protrusion 520 to the receiving portion 523 is shorter than the dimension of the plate 110, as described with reference to FIG. 6. Therefore, the tip of the plate 110 rests on the stationary protrusion 520 as shown in FIG. 21 (frames H1 and H2).

[0069] That is, the leading edge of the plate 110 passes over the stationary protrusion 520 due to the flow described with reference to FIGS.

[0070] 14 to 23, for the sake of simplicity, the guide member 62 (FIGS. 7 and 8) is not shown. The tip of the plate 110 passes through a location facing the guide member 62 as it falls onto the fork 510. The position of the tip of the plate 110 in the direction of the arrow R32 can be adjusted by the guide member 62 so that the rear end of the plate 110 reliably abuts against the receiving portion 523.

[0071] 22 (frames I1 and I2), the fork 510 is driven in a direction away from the storage section 101 (auxiliary member 60 and main body 3). The direction in which the fork 510 is driven is indicated by an arrow R32.

[0072] At this time, the barrier 3A inside the main body 3 is positioned closer to the rear end of the plate 110 in the direction indicated by arrow R32. When the fork 510 is driven in the direction indicated by arrow R32, the plate 110 tries to follow the fork 510 due to friction, but is blocked by the barrier 3A. As a result, as shown in FIG. 23 (frames J1 and J2), the plate 110 falls toward the bottom surface 3Z of the main body 3 without following the fork 510. FIG. 23 shows a state in which one plate 110 is positioned on the bottom surface 3Z and a new plate 110 falls on top of that plate 110.

[0073] 23, the falling distance of the plate 110 is shown as a distance FD. The distance FD represents the distance from the upper surface of the fork 510 (the upper surface of the stationary protrusion 520) to the upper surface of the plate 110, which is already positioned on the bottom surface 3Z.

[0074] The distance FD is preferably adjusted to be equal to or less than the dimension (WS) of the plate 110 in the direction of the arrow R3. That is, the height of the fork 510 when the fork 510 starts to move in the direction of the arrow R32 in FIG. 22 (the "plate release height" described with reference to FIG. 24) is preferably adjusted so that the distance FD is equal to or less than the dimension WS. This prevents the plate 110 from rotating excessively in the direction indicated by the arrow RX in the frame J2 when the plate 110 is dropped. If solution remains in the plate 110, splashing of the solution in the plate 110 is prevented by preventing the plate 110 from rotating excessively.

[0075] [Processing flow] 24 is a flowchart of a process for storing the plate 110 in the storage section 101. In one implementation example, the process of FIG. 24 is performed in the control section 120 by the processor 122 executing a given application program. As an example that is not intended to be limiting, in one implementation example, the process of FIG. 24 is started after initialization of the test apparatus 100 when the power is turned on.

[0076] 24, in step S10, the control unit 120 determines whether or not an instruction to reset the number of plates 110 already stored in the storage unit 101 has been received. As a non-limiting example, in one implementation, this instruction is input by operating the input device 127 (e.g., a reset button). In another implementation, if a sensor that detects plates 110 is mounted on the bottom surface 3Z of the main body, the control unit 120 treats a signal indicating that the sensor has not detected plates 110 as an instruction to reset the number of plates 110. If the control unit 120 determines that the instruction has been received (YES in step S10), the control proceeds to step S12; otherwise (NO in step S10), the control proceeds to step S14.

[0077] In step S12, the control unit 120 sets the value N of a counter for the number of plates 110 already stored in the storage unit 101 to 0, and proceeds to step S14. The counter is stored in the memory 124, for example.

[0078] In step S14, control unit 120 reads the value N of the counter, and advances the control to step S16.

[0079] In step S16, the control unit 120 determines whether an instruction to transport the plate 110 has been received. As an example that is not intended to be limiting, in one implementation, this instruction is input from another application program being executed by the control unit 120. More specifically, the control unit 120 executes a process for plate observation separate from the process of FIG. 24 . When the observation of a certain plate is completed, the observation process inputs an instruction to transport the plate to the application program corresponding to the process of FIG. 24 . In another implementation, the user inputs an instruction to transport the plate by operating the input device 127.

[0080] In step S18, the control unit 120 identifies the height of the position on the main body 3 at which the plate 110 newly accommodated in the accommodation unit 101 will fall.

[0081] In one implementation example, the height of the "drop position" corresponds to the height of the "bottom" of the storage section 101 (main body 3) and is based on the number of plates 110 already stored in the storage section 101. The number of plates 110 already stored in the storage section 101 can be specified as the value of the counter. If the number is 0, the height of the bottom surface 3Z is specified as the height of the drop position. If the number is M, the value obtained by adding the product of the thickness of one plate 110 and the number M of plates to the height of the bottom surface 3Z is specified as the height of the drop position. Note that the counter value is read out if it was read in step S14.

[0082] In step S20, the control unit 120 determines the plate release height (the height of the fork 510 when the fork 510 starts to be driven in the direction of the arrow R32 in FIG. 22) and the distance by which the fork 510 is driven downward.

[0083] More specifically, first, the control unit 120 determines the plate release height based on the height of the drop position identified in step S18. For example, the position where the height of the upper surface of the stationary protrusion 520 is lower than the plate release height by a given distance is determined as the plate release height.

[0084] Then, the control unit 120 determines the distance from the initial height of the fork 510 (for example, the height of the fork 510 in FIG. 14) to the plate release height as the distance for driving the fork 510 downward.

[0085] In step S22, the control unit 120 executes a storing sequence for storing the plate 110 placed on the fork 510 in the storage unit 101. The details of the storing sequence will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0086] In step S24, the control unit 120 updates the value of the counter (the number of plates 110 already stored in the storage unit 101) by adding 1, and then returns the control to step S10.

[0087] Fig. 25 is a flowchart of the subroutine of the storing sequence (step S22 in Fig. 24). The contents of the storing sequence will be described below with reference to Figs. 14 to 23 in addition to Fig. 25.

[0088] In step S2200, control unit 120 drives fork 510 to move closer to storage unit 101, as described with reference to Fig. 14. The direction in which fork 510 moves closer to storage unit 101 is an example of the first orientation of the first direction.

[0089] In step S2202, control unit 120 drives fork 510 to move down as described with reference to FIGS.

[0090] In step S2204, control unit 120 drives fork 510 to move away from storage unit 101, as described with reference to Fig. 17. The direction in which fork 510 moves away from storage unit 101 is an example of the second direction of the first direction.

[0091] In step S2206, control unit 120 drives fork 510 to approach container 101, as described with reference to FIG.

[0092] In step S2208, the control unit 120 drives the fork 510 to lower as described with reference to Figures 19 to 21. In one implementation example, the control in step S2208 causes the fork 510 to lower to the "plate release height" determined in step S20.

[0093] In step S2210, control unit 120 drives fork 510 to move away from storage unit 101, as described with reference to Figures 22 and 23. As a result, plate 110 placed on fork 510 is stored in storage unit 101. Thereafter, control unit 120 returns the control to Figure 24.

[0094] As described above with reference to FIGS. 14 to 23 and 24 and 25 , the plate 110 placed on the fork 510 is stored in the storage unit 101, so that it is not necessary to install a stage such as the stage 160 having the relief grooves 160A and 160B formed in the storage unit 101. This makes it possible to avoid an increase in the size of the storage unit 101. Furthermore, when storing the plate 110 in the storage unit 101, no special device is required to move the tip of the plate 110 over the stationary protrusion 520 (for example, a device such as a crane that lifts the plate 110 from the fork 510 and transports it to the storage unit 101). This also makes it possible to avoid an increase in the size of the storage unit 101. By avoiding an increase in the size of the storage unit 101, an increase in the manufacturing cost of the testing apparatus 100 can be suppressed.

[0095] The above is merely an example regarding the storage of plates 110. The plate release height does not have to be determined for each storage of a plate. For example, the plate release height may be determined each time a certain number of plates are stored (for example, every time 10 plates are stored). It is preferable that the value of the plate release height be determined so that the fewer the number of plates already stored in the storage section 101, the lower the plate release height.

[0096] Furthermore, the number of plates 110 already stored in the storage section 101 may be managed by other methods (for example, a weight sensor provided on the bottom surface 3Z) instead of being managed as the counter value.

[0097] [Aspect] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0098] (Item 1) A plate storage device according to one embodiment includes a holding unit having a mounting surface, a drive unit that drives the holding unit, a control unit that controls the drive unit, and a storage unit, wherein the holding unit has a stationary protrusion that stops the movement of an object in a first orientation in a first direction on the mounting surface, and the storage unit has a support protrusion that supports the object from below, and the control unit controls the drive unit to drive the holding unit in the first orientation to bring the bottom surface of the end of the plate on the mounting surface facing the first orientation into contact with the support protrusion, release the contact between the bottom surface and the support protrusion, and further drive the holding unit downward to place the bottom surface on the stationary protrusion, and then drive the holding unit in a second orientation opposite to the first orientation, and further drive the holding unit in the second orientation to move the plate from the mounting surface to the storage unit.

[0099] According to the plate storage device described in paragraph 1, a technique is provided for minimizing the space required when storing plates in the storage section.

[0100] (Clause 2) In the plate storage device described in paragraph 1, the holding portion has a receiving portion that receives the end of the plate at a portion that is a distance from the stationary protrusion in the first direction that is shorter than the dimension of the plate, and the control portion may drive the holding portion in the second direction to abut the bottom surface of the end of the plate on the first orientation side on the placement surface against the support protrusion, and then control the drive portion to drive the holding portion in the first direction to abut the end of the plate against the receiving portion.

[0101] According to the plate storage device described in Section 2, the end of the plate is stopped by the receiving portion, which allows the bottom surface of the plate to be more reliably placed on the stationary protrusion.

[0102] (Clause 3) In the plate storage device described in paragraph 1 or 2, the storage section may further include a guide member below the support protrusion that guides the plate toward the second orientation, and the control section may drive the holding section downward to cause the holding section to pass through a location opposite the guide member.

[0103] According to the plate storage device described in the third aspect, the position of the plate in the first direction can be appropriately adjusted by the guide member.

[0104] (Clause 4) In the plate storage device described in any one of clauses 1 to 3, the control unit may further drive the holding unit in the second direction after driving the holding unit downward until the distance from the stationary protrusion to the holding unit becomes shorter than the dimension of the plate in the first direction.

[0105] According to the plate storage device described in the fourth aspect, excessive rotation of the plate can be prevented when the plate is moved from the placement surface to the storage section.

[0106] (Clause 5) The plate storage device described in clause 4 may further include a memory that stores a count value of the plates stored in the storage section, and the control unit may determine, based on the count value, a distance to drive the holding section downward before further driving the holding section in the second direction.

[0107] According to the plate storage device described in the fifth aspect, excessive rotation of the plate when moving from the placement surface to the storage section can be more reliably prevented.

[0108] (Clause 6) In the plate storage device described in any one of clauses 1 to 5, the storage section may have a barrier for the plate, and when the holding section is further driven in the second direction, the plate may move into the storage section without following the holding section by abutting against the barrier.

[0109] According to the plate storage device described in item 6, the plate can be more reliably moved from the placement surface of the holder to the storage section.

[0110] (Clause 7) A plate storage method according to one embodiment is a method for storing a plate placed on a placement surface of a holding unit in a storage unit in a plate storage device, wherein the holding unit has a stationary protrusion for stopping the movement of an object in a first orientation in a first direction on the placement surface, and the storage unit has a support protrusion for supporting the object from below, and may include the steps of: driving the holding unit in the first orientation to bring the bottom surface of the end of the plate on the placement surface facing the first orientation into contact with the support protrusion; driving the holding unit downward and then in a second orientation opposite to the first orientation to release the contact between the bottom surface and the support protrusion and place the bottom surface on the stationary protrusion; and further driving the holding unit in the second orientation to move the plate from the placement surface to the storage unit.

[0111] According to the plate storage method described in item 7, a technique is provided for minimizing the space required when storing plates in the storage section.

[0112] (Clause 8) In the plate storage method described in clause 7, the holding portion has a receiving portion that receives the end of the plate at a portion that is a distance from the stationary protrusion in the first direction that is shorter than the dimension of the plate, and the plate storage method may further include a step of driving the holding portion in the first direction to abut the end of the plate against the receiving portion after the holding portion is driven in the second direction to abut the bottom surface of the end of the plate on the placement surface on the first orientation side against the support protrusion.

[0113] According to the plate storage method described in item 8, the end of the plate is stopped by the receiving portion, which allows the bottom surface of the plate to rest more securely on the stationary protrusion.

[0114] (Clause 9) In the plate storage method described in clause 7 or clause 8, the storage section may further include a guide member below the support protrusion that guides the plate toward the second orientation, and the plate storage method may include causing the holding section to pass through a location opposite the guide member when driving the holding section downward.

[0115] According to the plate storage method described in Section 9, the position of the plate in the first direction can be appropriately adjusted by the guide member.

[0116] (Clause 10) In the plate storage method described in any one of clauses 7 to 9, the step of further driving the holding part in the second direction may be performed after the holding part has been driven downward until the distance from the stationary protrusion to the holding part becomes shorter than the dimension of the plate in the first direction.

[0117] According to the plate storage method described in the tenth aspect, excessive rotation of the plate when it is moved from the placement surface to the storage section can be prevented.

[0118] (Item 11) The plate storage method described in Item 10 may further include a step of reading out a count value of the plates stored in the storage section, and a step of determining, based on the count value, a distance to drive the holding section downward before further driving the holding section in the second direction.

[0119] According to the plate storage method described in item 11, excessive rotation of the plate when it is moved from the placement surface to the storage section can be more reliably prevented.

[0120] (Clause 12) In the plate storage method described in any one of clauses 7 to 11, the storage section may have a barrier for the plate, and when the holding section is further driven in the second direction, the plate may move into the storage section without following the holding section by abutting against the barrier.

[0121] According to the plate storage method described in item 12, the plate can be more reliably moved from the placement surface of the holder to the storage section.

[0122] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. Furthermore, it is intended that each technique in the embodiments can be implemented alone or, if necessary, in combination with other techniques in the embodiments to the extent possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 1 container, 2 handle, 3 main body, 3A barrier, 3X space, 3Y opening, 3Z bottom surface, 20 incubator, 60 auxiliary member, 61 support protrusion, 62 guide member, 63 shielding portion, 100 test device, 101 storage portion, 101A frame body, 110 plate, 112 plate-shaped member, 118 identification code, 120 control unit, 121 bus, 122 processor, 124 memory, 127 input device, 128 output device, 140 microscope camera, 160 stage, 160A, 160B relief groove, 500 transport unit, 510 fork, 511 mounting surface, 512A, 512B arm, 520 stationary protrusion, 540 connecting member, 550 drive unit, 590 end portion.

Claims

1. a holding portion having a mounting surface; a drive unit that drives the holding unit; a control unit that controls the drive unit; a storage section, the holding portion has a stationary protrusion that stops movement of the object in a first orientation in a first direction on the placement surface, the storage section has a support protrusion that supports the object from below, The control unit controls the drive unit to driving the holding portion in the first direction to bring a bottom surface of an end portion of the plate on the mounting surface on the first direction side into contact with the support protrusion; driving the holding portion downward to release the contact between the bottom surface and the support protrusion and place the bottom surface on the stationary protrusion, and then driving the holding portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction; The plate storage device further drives the holding portion in the second direction to move the plate from the placement surface to the storage portion.

2. the holding portion has a receiving portion that receives an end of the plate at a portion that is spaced apart from the stationary protrusion by a distance shorter than a dimension of the plate in the first direction; 2. The plate storage device of claim 1, wherein the control unit drives the holding unit in the second orientation to abut the bottom surface of the end of the plate on the placement surface on the first orientation side against the support protrusion, and then controls the drive unit to drive the holding unit in the first orientation to abut the end of the plate against the receiving portion.

3. the accommodation portion further includes a guide member below the support protrusion that guides the plate toward the second orientation, 3. The plate storage device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit drives the holding unit downward to cause the holding unit to pass through a location facing the guide member.

4. 3. The plate storage device of claim 1, wherein the control unit drives the holding unit further in the second direction after driving the holding unit downward until the distance from the stationary protrusion to the holding unit is shorter than the dimension of the plate in the first direction.

5. a memory for storing a count value of the plates accommodated in the accommodation unit; The plate storage apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the control unit determines, based on the count value, a distance by which the holding unit is driven downward before the holding unit is further driven in the second direction.

6. the receiving portion has a barrier to the plate; 3. The plate storage device according to claim 1, wherein when the holding portion is further driven in the second direction, the plate abuts against the barrier and moves to the storage portion without following the holding portion.

7. A method for storing a plate placed on a placement surface of a holder in a storage unit in a plate storage device, comprising: the holding portion has a stationary protrusion for stopping movement of the object in a first orientation in a first direction on the placement surface, the storage section has a support protrusion that supports the object from below, driving the holding portion in the first direction to bring a bottom surface of an end portion of the plate on the mounting surface that faces the first direction into contact with the support protrusion; driving the holding portion downward to release the bottom surface from the support protrusion and place the bottom surface on the stationary protrusion, and then driving the holding portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and further driving the holding portion in the second direction to move the plate from the placement surface to the storage portion.

8. the holding portion has a receiving portion that receives an end of the plate at a portion that is spaced apart from the stationary protrusion by a distance shorter than a dimension of the plate in the first direction; 8. The plate storage method of claim 7, further comprising a step of driving the holding portion in the second direction to abut the bottom surface of the end of the plate on the first orientation side on the mounting surface against the support protrusion, and then driving the holding portion in the first direction to abut the end of the plate against a receiving portion.

9. the accommodation portion further includes a guide member below the support protrusion that guides the plate toward the second orientation, 9. The plate storage method according to claim 7, wherein when the holder is driven downward, the holder is caused to pass through a location facing the guide member.

10. 9. The plate storage method according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the step of further driving the holding portion in the second direction is performed after the holding portion has been driven downward until the distance from the stationary protrusion to the holding portion is shorter than the dimension of the plate in the first direction.

11. reading out the count value of the plates accommodated in the accommodation unit; The plate storage method according to claim 10, further comprising: determining, based on the count value, a distance by which the holding portion is to be driven downward before being further driven in the second direction.

12. the receiving portion has a barrier to the plate; 9. The plate storage method according to claim 7, wherein when the holding portion is further driven in the second direction, the plate moves to the storage portion without following the holding portion by abutting against the barrier.

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