Conveying device

Abstract

To provide a conveying device that can improve conveying power. [Solution] The transport device 10 according to one embodiment has a feed member that moves along the transport path 31a and is configured to be able to arrange a plurality of holders, each equipped with a first magnet and a second magnet that generates an attractive force between itself and the first magnet.

Description

Technical Field

[0007]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device for a specimen container.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a conveying device that moves a specimen container such as a blood collection tube capable of accommodating a specimen such as blood along a predetermined conveying route. For example, as a conveying device, there is known a conveyor mechanism that conveys a holder holding a specimen container in a standing state by placing the holder on a belt and sending the belt.

[0003] In addition, in the conveyor mechanism, a configuration is also considered in which a magnet is incorporated on the holder side and a metal member is provided on the belt side, and the holder is conveyed by the magnetic force of the magnet in a non-contact state with the belt.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] As described above, in the configuration in which a magnet is provided on the holder, the magnetic force supplied depends on the size of the magnet that can be mounted on the holder, so there is a limit to the conveying force.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a conveying device that can improve the conveying force.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A conveying device according to one embodiment is configured to be capable of arranging a plurality of holders that hold a specimen container in a standing state and include a first magnet, and includes a second magnet that generates an attractive force with the first magnet, and a feeding member that moves along a conveying path.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the embodiment, a conveying device that can improve conveying force can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] An explanatory diagram of a sample processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A perspective view of the transport device of the same sample processing unit. [Figure 3] A perspective view of the transport device of the same sample processing unit. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view of the conveying device. [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of the conveying device. [Figure 6] A cross-sectional view of a conveying device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] A perspective view showing part of the configuration of the conveying device. [Figure 8] A perspective view showing part of the configuration of the conveying device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, a conveying device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In the figures, X, Y, and Z represent three mutually orthogonal directions. The X-axis corresponds to the conveying direction of the conveying path, the Y-axis to the width direction of the conveying path, and the Z-axis to the vertical direction, as shown in one example. Note that in each figure, the components are shown enlarged, reduced, or omitted as appropriate for explanatory purposes.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the sample processing device 1 comprises a plurality of transport devices 10, a processing unit 20, and a control unit 100. For example, the transport device 10 is a device that, under the control of the control unit 100, moves a sample holder 80 that holds a sample container 70 containing a sample along a predetermined transport path.

[0012] For example, the conveying device 10 is equipped with multiple conveyor mechanisms 30, and b is positioned at predetermined locations on the conveyor mechanisms 30.

[0013] The conveying device 10 may be provided as part of a processing device that performs various processing tasks such as analytical processing. For example, the conveying device 10 may be arranged in a continuous manner with the conveying path or processing unit of another processing device and have an interchangeable configuration. For example, by connecting the conveying paths of the conveying device 10 and a processing device having a conveying path with a common or interchangeable configuration, the conveying device 10 can be used as a unit.

[0014] As an example, the conveyor mechanism 30 is described below in which the conveying direction of each conveying path follows the first direction, the parallel direction follows the second direction intersecting the first direction, and the height direction follows the third direction intersecting the first and second directions.

[0015] The specimen container 70 subject to transport processing is, for example, a blood collection tube made of transparent glass or the like, and has a cylindrical shape with a cylindrical space inside for containing a specimen such as serum, and has an opening at the top. A stopper 71 is provided at the top opening. A label is attached to the outer surface of the specimen container 70 with adhesive or a bonding agent. The label displays a barcode as an information display section that shows various information such as the name, ward, various numbers indicating the attribute of the specimen, and identification information.

[0016] The sample holder 80 comprises a bottomed cylindrical retaining section 81 (tubular section) having a receiving hole for accommodating the bottom of the sample container 70, a plurality of retaining pins 82 extending upward from the retaining section 81, and a holder magnet 83 which is a first magnet. The retaining section 81 has a step 81a, such as an annular engagement groove, on its outer circumferential surface. This step 81a engages with a projection 32a formed on the inner wall of the guide rail 32 of each conveyor mechanism 30, thereby positioning the sample holder 80 on the conveyor cover 34 with a small gap G in between, and guiding the transport direction and position of the sample holder 80 to the guide rail 32. The material of the sample holder 80 is made of POM for the resin part and SUS303, 304 for the metal part.

[0017] The holding pin 82 is, for example, a metallic pin member, and is bent such that a part thereof protrudes radially inward of the specimen holder 80. The holding pin 82 is elastically deformable. The specimen holder 80 holds the specimen container 70 in a standing posture with the opening and the plug 71 facing upward by pressing the outer peripheral surface of the specimen container 70 inserted into the holding cylinder portion 81 with the bent portions of the plurality of holding pins 82. The specimen holder 80 that holds the specimen container 70 is engaged between a pair of guide rails 32 and supported in a standing state, and is conveyed as the chain belt 36 moves.

[0018] The holder magnet 83 is, for example, a permanent magnet. For example, the holder magnet 83 is configured in a cylindrical shape. The holder magnet 83 is built into the bottom of the holding cylinder portion 81. For example, the holder magnet 83 is configured to have a polarity that generates an attractive force with the conveyor magnet 35. The specimen holder 80 is positioned directly above the conveyor magnet 35 by the attractive force between the holder magnet 83 and the conveyor magnet 35, and is pulled and moved in the conveying direction as the chain belt 36 moves.

[0019] The holder magnet 83 and the conveyor magnet are configured in a cylindrical shape so that an attractive force is evenly applied regardless of the state such as the rotational operation of the holder 80. Further, the magnetic force is controlled by the thickness of the magnet and set to a size that maintains an appropriate balance, thereby suppressing instantaneous movement due to sudden attraction.

[0020] The specimen holder 80 incorporates an RFID tag having unique number information linked to the specimen ID. For example, for the specimen holder 80 to be processed by the conveying device 10, the specimen ID and the information of the RFID tag in the specimen holder 80 are linked in advance.

[0021] The conveying device 10 includes a plurality of conveyor mechanisms 30. Each conveyor mechanism 30 constitutes a conveying path 31a along the first direction, and conveys the specimen holder 80 holding the specimen container 70 along the conveying path 31a.

[0022] The conveyor mechanism 30 includes a pair of guide rails 32, a feed member 33 provided between the guide rails 32, a cover 34, a conveyor magnet 35 which is a second magnet, and a stop arm 90.

[0023] A pair of guide rails 32 are installed at a constant width along a transport path extending in the X-axis direction in the figure. The guide rails 32 are made of a material that is compatible with the material of the specimen holder 80, for example, aluminum (anodized white).

[0024] The guide rail 32 has rail projections 32a that engage with grooves on the outer surface (outer circumference) of the holder 80. The pair of guide rails 32 are arranged on both sides of the specimen holder 80 to prevent the specimen holder 80 from tipping over or falling and to guide the transport direction. For example, the width dimension between the rail projections 32a of the pair of opposing members is formed to be smaller than the outer width of the specimen holder 80 and slightly larger than the inner width dimension of the step 81a, which is the engagement groove.

[0025] Each pair of guide rails 32 has a rail projection 32a that protrudes inward at its upper end, and this rail projection 32a at the upper end engages with a step 81a, such as an annular engagement groove, formed on the outer circumferential surface of the retaining cylinder portion 81.

[0026] The feed member 33 is, for example, a belt member or a chain member. In this embodiment, the feed member 33 comprises a chain belt 36, a feed roller 37 as a belt feed mechanism that engages with the chain belt 36, and a drive source 38 (drive unit) such as a motor that feeds the chain belt 36 by rotating the feed roller 37. The chain belt 36 is stretched in a loop shape over a circulating path having a forward path and a return path along the conveying direction. For example, the chain belt 36 is an endless member that moves along a loop-shaped circulating path having a forward path and a return path along the conveying direction. The chain belt 36 is provided along a loop-shaped circulating path that is connected by a forward path and a return path extending in the front-rear direction, and an arc-shaped connecting path that connects the forward path and the return path to each other at their front and rear ends.

[0027] The chain belt 36 is constructed by rotatably connecting a plurality of link pieces 36a via pins 36b. For example, a link piece 36a has holes at both ends into which pins 36b having shafts that extend in the width direction are inserted.

[0028] Each link piece 36a integrally has a pair of support pieces 36c extending in the width direction on the outside of the loop of the chain belt 36. The pair of support pieces 36c form a support surface along the conveying direction and the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. Therefore, the chain belt 36 has multiple support pieces 36c arranged in parallel at a predetermined pitch, forming a surface along the circulation path and the width direction.

[0029] A fixing plate 36d is attached across a pair of support pieces 36c provided on each piece 36a. The fixing plate 36d is configured as a rectangular plate that is long in the width direction of the conveyor path. A disc-shaped conveyor magnet 35 is attached to the front side of the center of the fixing plate 36d.

[0030] As an example, conveyor magnets 35 are attached to some of the fixed plates 36d that are arranged at equal intervals among the multiple fixed plates 36d.

[0031] The cover 34 is positioned between the guide rails 32, along the entire length in the first direction. The cover 34 is made of, for example, a resin material, and is a strip-shaped or plate-shaped member having a predetermined width and whose longitudinal direction is aligned with the conveying direction. The cover 34 is positioned outside the loop of the chain belt 36 and outside the conveyor magnet 35 provided on the bracket on the forward path. The cover 34 is positioned opposite the bottom surface of the sample holder 80, forming a mounting surface on the front side on which the sample holder 80 is placed. Note that in Figure 2, etc., the chain belt 36 and part of the cover 34 positioned on the back side are omitted from the illustration. For example, the cover 34 is made of a thin plate (0.5 mm) of SUS304. As an example, the bottom surface of the holder 80 is conveyed in a non-contact state with respect to the cover 34.

[0032] The conveyor magnets 35 are permanent magnets arranged in parallel on a chain belt 36. The multiple conveyor magnets 35 are fixed, for example, to fixing plates 36d mounted at predetermined intervals on the surface of the chain belt 36. The pitch of the conveyor magnets 35 can be set appropriately according to the processing conditions. For example, by aligning the pitch of the magnets 35 on the chain belt 36 with the distance in the transport direction of the sample holders 80, the sample holders 80 can be arranged and transported without gaps, thus enabling the transport of a large number of sample holders 80. For example, the pitch of the arrangement of the conveyor magnets 35 in the transport direction is, for example, less than twice the width W of the holder.

[0033] The magnetic orientation of the conveyor magnet 35 is set so that its north and south poles are facing opposite directions, in order to create a state of mutual attraction with the holder magnet 83 provided on the sample holder 80. In other words, the polarity is aligned on both the sample holder side and the conveyor belt side. For example, the holder magnet 83 and the conveyor magnet 35 are made of neodymium.

[0034] For example, Figure 5 As shown in Figure 5, when the south pole of the holder magnet 83 is positioned facing downwards, the north pole of the conveyor magnet 35 is positioned facing upwards. As shown, when the south pole of the holder magnet 83 is positioned facing downwards, the north pole of the conveyor magnet 35 is positioned facing upwards. The pair of magnets 35 and 83 positioned in this manner generate the attractive force necessary to move the sample holder 80 in the transport direction.

[0035] The feed roller 37 is located inside the loop of the chain belt 36 and supports the chain belt 36. The feed roller 37 is driven by a drive source 38 such as a motor and rotates, thereby feeding and moving the chain belt 36 in a predetermined feeding direction.

[0036] In each conveyor mechanism 30, the feed motion of the chain belt 36 transports the sample holders 80 that hold the sample containers 70. At this time, the projection 32a of the guide rail 32 engages with the step 81a of the sample holder 80, thereby restricting the transport direction and position of the sample holder 80.

[0037] The stopping arm 90 is provided, for example, at a predetermined location in the transport path 31a. The stopping arm 90 is configured to be movable between a restricting position in which it interferes with the holder 80 or sample container 70 being transported by entering the transport path 31a, and a retracted position in which it moves away from the transport path 31a. The stopping arm 90 is positioned at a predetermined timing by the control unit 100, so that it comes into contact with the holder 80 or sample container 70, restricting the position of the holder 80 or sample container 70 and stopping it.

[0038] The specimen holder 80, which holds the specimen container 70, is supported in an upright position between a pair of guide rails 32 and is transported as the chain belt 36 moves.

[0039] The processing unit 20 is a processing unit that performs various operations on sample containers, such as a transfer device, a sorting and column division device, or a capping and capping device, an imaging device, or a sorting device.

[0040] The transport device 10 configured as described above moves to a predetermined transport destination based on the sample information by moving the chain belt 36 located under the cover 34 positioned below the multiple sample holders 80 that hold the sample containers 70, under the control of the control unit 100.

[0041] The control unit 100 includes a processor that controls the operation of each part based on various data and calculation / decision results. Specifically, the control unit 100 controls the conveyor mechanism 30 at predetermined timings. By controlling the transport operation and the various mechanisms of the processing unit 20, the sample container is transported and other processes are performed.

[0042] For example, the control unit 100 controls the feed rollers 37 to operate multiple conveyor mechanisms 30. The sample holder 80 is pulled and transported by magnets as the chain belt 36 moves.

[0043] Then, for example, when it reaches a processing point, the sample holder 80 or sample container 70 is stopped by a position regulating member such as a stop arm 90. At this time, the sample holder 80 stops against the magnetic force, so the holder magnet 83 and the conveyor magnet 35 are positioned at different locations. At this time, the chain belt 36 may continue to operate.

[0044] In the transport device 10 configured as described above, magnets 35 are placed at regular intervals on the feed members such as the chain belt 36 of the conveyor mechanism 30 that transports the sample holder 80. As a result, the attractive force of the two magnets 83 and 35 allows for powerful attraction and transport. Therefore, the sample holder 80 can be transported non-contact at high speed as the conveyor mechanism 30 moves. In other words, the attractive force can be increased by mutual attraction between the conveyor magnets 35 and the holder magnets 83 provided on the sample holder 80, making it possible to move the sample holder 80 even at an increased transport speed.

[0045] Furthermore, the conveyor magnets 35 are positioned opposite each other on the underside (backside) of the cover 34 with a predetermined gap between them, meaning they can be transported without contact, thus suppressing wear.

[0046] For example, in a comparative example, in a configuration where magnets are placed only on the holder side and metal members are placed on the belt side, the sample holder is transported at a position slightly behind the position of the metal member on the transport belt in the direction of travel. However, in the above embodiment, by placing magnets on the transport belt as well, mutual attraction improves tracking performance, the positional accuracy on the transport conveyor can be improved, and the transported object can be moved to a predetermined position.

[0047] By arranging magnets on the transport belt at regular intervals to match the size of the sample holders, multiple sample holders can be transported at high speed even when they are lined up in close proximity in series.

[0048] For example, even if the leading sample holder 80 of a series of closely aligned sample holders moving along a conveyor belt is stopped externally by interfering with the stopping arm 90, the subsequent sample holders 80 will also remain stopped because the magnetic force of their own magnets 35 alternately attracts the metal member 39 (magnetic material) on the conveyor belt and the magnets on the conveyor belt, resulting in the holder bottom surface not being in contact with the conveyor belt surface.

[0049] Furthermore, when stopping each holder 80, the chain belt 36 should continue to feed without stopping, thereby maintaining the processing speed without affecting the processing of the upstream holder 80 in the conveying process. Therefore, it is preferable to avoid stopping the conveying belt as much as possible during the conveying operation.

[0050] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the components can be modified and implemented in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0051] For example, in another embodiment, as shown in Figures 6 to 8, a conveyor mechanism 30A may be constructed in which a metal member 39, acting as a magnetic material, is placed between magnets 35 arranged at regular intervals on a chain belt 36. For example, the distance between the metal member 39 and the magnets 35 is smaller than the width W of the holder. In the conveyor mechanism 30A, conveyor magnets 35 are provided on the surface of the chain belt 36, and a metal member 39, acting as a magnetic material, is provided between a plurality of adjacent magnets 35. For example, the metal member 39 is configured as a rectangular plate smaller than the width of the chain belt 36.

[0052] As an example, in this embodiment, the fixed plates 36d in the first embodiment are arranged at a predetermined pitch that is less than or equal to half the pitch of the holder 80 arrangement, and conveyor magnets 35 are provided on half of the fixed plates 36d, which are arranged every other one, and the remaining half of the fixed plates 36d become metal members 39.

[0053] In this embodiment, the magnetism increases in the order of chain belt 36 material < metal member 39 < magnet 35. In the conveyor mechanism 30A, when the chain belt 36 is driven in the transport direction, the metal member 39 moves simultaneously with the magnet 35. Therefore, even if only the leading sample holder 80 is externally stopped in a series-to-close alignment to perform various processing operations on the chain belt 36, the subsequent sample holders 80 can remain stopped in a non-contact state due to the alternating attraction of the magnetic force of their own magnets 83 between the metal member 39 (magnetic material) on the chain belt 36 and the magnet 35 on the chain belt 36. When the external stopping means for the leading sample holder is released, the transport movement can be resumed due to the magnetic force with the magnet 35 on the chain belt 36.

[0054] For example, the metal member 39 contains magnetic iron. For example, by arranging the metal member 39 at half a pitch between magnets, it can act like a brake when the belt is running while the holder is stopped, reducing the vibration of the sample. The relationship between the magnetic attraction force of the holder magnet and the metal member 39 is set such that the magnetic attraction force of the metal member 39 is less than the magnetic attraction force of the belt magnet.

[0055] According to this embodiment, the metal member 39 between the magnets 35 improves the effect of the magnetic force as seen from the holder-side magnet 83. In other words, if there is no metal member 39, the holder-side magnet 83 will only receive magnetic force at the locations of the conveyor magnets 35 on the conveyor side, and the interval at which it receives magnetic force will widen. As a result, the magnetic force will be interrupted at locations where there are no magnets 35. For example, when the sample holder 80 is externally stopped on the chain belt 36 for transport processing, if the chain belt 36 is continuously advanced, the conveyor magnets 35 will move sequentially along the transport direction, and it is conceivable that the sample holder 80 may temporarily move backward in the opposite direction of transport, pulled by the magnets 35 coming from behind, with the magnetic force completely interrupted. In contrast, according to this embodiment, by providing metal member 39 between multiple magnets 35, a weak magnetic force can be generated between the holder magnet 83 and the metal member 39, and the holder magnet 83 will always be subjected to the alternating strong magnetic force of the conveyor magnets 35 and the weak magnetic force of the metal member 39. Therefore, the phenomenon of the object being pulled backward by the magnet 35 coming from behind, as described above, can be suppressed.

[0056] For example, the sample containers 70 to be sorted may be of the same type, or the configuration may be such that different types of sample containers 70 are sorted. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the chain belt 36 continues to feed without stopping when the holder 80 is stopped by the stop arm 90, but this is not the only example. For example, depending on the processing content and conditions, the holder 80 may be stopped by stopping the feed movement of the chain belt 36.

[0057] Furthermore, the specific configuration of each part in the above embodiment is not limited to what is shown. For example, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which each conveyor mechanism 30 is equipped with a feed roller 37 as a belt feed mechanism, but a configuration in which multiple chain belts 36 are driven by a common belt feed mechanism is also possible. In addition, the conveying direction of multiple rows of conveyor mechanisms can be set arbitrarily, for example, the conveyor mechanisms 30 may be arranged in opposite directions, or the configuration may include bending sections or lifting / lowering sections that change the conveying direction.

[0058] In addition, the components exemplified in the above embodiments may be deleted, or the shape, structure, material, etc., of each component may be changed. Various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of the multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 1...Sample processing device, 10...Conveying device, 20...Processing unit, 30...Conveyor mechanism, 30A...Conveyor mechanism, 31a...Conveyor path, 32...Guide rail, 32a...Rail projection, 35...Conveyor magnet, 36...Chain belt, 37...Feed roller (belt feeding mechanism), 38...Drive source, 39...Metal component, 70...Sample container, 71...Stopper, 80...Sample holder, 81...Holding cylinder part, 81a...Step, 82...Holding pin, 83...Holder magnet, 90...Stop arm, 100...Control unit.

Claims

1. The holder is configured to hold the specimen container in an upright position and is equipped with a first magnet, and allows for the arrangement of multiple holders. A second magnet is provided that generates an attractive force between itself and the first magnet, and a feed member moves along the transport path, A conveying device having

2. The system includes a drive unit for driving the feed member, The holder has a cylindrical portion having a receiving hole for accommodating the bottom of the sample container. The first magnet is provided at the bottom of the cylindrical portion, The second magnet is arranged in multiples along the transport path in the feed member. The conveying device according to claim 1.

3. The conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising a cover disposed between the feeding member and the holder.

4. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the feeding member comprises a metal member provided between a plurality of second magnets arranged along a conveying path.

5. The aforementioned feeding member comprises a belt member or a chain member. The conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising guide rails arranged along the conveying path on both sides of the feed member, engaging with the outer circumference of the holder, and supporting the holder with a predetermined gap from the feed member.

Images