Specimen lifting mechanism and specimen transport device

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a sample lifting / lowering mechanism and a sample conveying device able to transport a sample holder without tipping over the sample holder. In order to achieve said purpose, a sample lifting / lowering mechanism of the present invention comprises a sample holder carrying part for carrying the sample holder and able to rotate around a rotary shaft, and which lifts, lowers, and transports the sample holder loaded on the sample holder carrying part, wherein an operation in which the sample holder carrying part rotates around the rotary shaft is initiated after an operation in which the rotary shaft lifts or lowers is completed. Additionally, this sample conveying device comprises: a first conveying line that conveys the sample holder; a second conveying line that is disposed above or below the first conveying line and conveys the sample holder; and the sample lifting / lowering mechanism that, when the sample holder conveyed by the first conveying line has been loaded, lifts or lowers the sample holder and transports the sample holder to the second conveying line.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a specimen lifting mechanism and a specimen transport device. [Background technology]

[0002] In a sample testing system, in addition to an analyzer, multiple transport lines are provided for transporting samples. In particular, when the transport lines are provided vertically, a mechanism is required to raise and lower the samples from one transport line to the other.

[0003] Here, if the object to be transported is not limited to specimens, a technology that eliminates the need for a drive source dedicated to delivery when transporting an item between a transport mechanism and a transport line is known, for example, from Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses that when a loading section (lifting roller base) for an item (pallet) moves up and down and comes into contact with a stopper at a predetermined height, the loading section rotates around a fulcrum provided on the bottom surface of the loading section, and the inclination of the loading section causes the item to be transported out by its own weight. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-260523 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the loading unit rotates to transport an item, the fulcrum that serves as the axis of rotation rises or falls. That is, the rotation of the loading unit and the up-and-down movement of the rotation axis proceed in parallel, so depending on the timing of the transport of the item, the positional relationship between the loading unit and the transport line (destination) may be misaligned. In particular, when the object to be transported is a relatively small specimen holder, even a slight misalignment may cause the specimen holder to tip over.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a specimen lifting mechanism and a specimen transport device that can transport a specimen holder without tipping it over. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the specimen lifting mechanism of the present invention includes a specimen holder loading section that is rotatable about a rotation axis and that loads specimen holders, and lifts and unloads the specimen holders that have been loaded onto the specimen holder loading section, and after the rotation axis has completed its lifting and unloading operation, the specimen holder loading section starts rotating about the rotation axis. The specimen transport device of the present invention also includes a first transport line that transports specimen holders, a second transport line that is disposed above or below the first transport line and that transports the specimen holders, and the specimen lifting mechanism described above that lifts and unloads the specimen holders to the second transport line when the specimen holders transported by the first transport line are loaded. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a specimen lifting mechanism and a specimen transport device that can transport a specimen holder without tipping it over. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a top view showing the configuration of a sample testing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state before a sample holder is carried in the sample transportation device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state immediately after the specimen holder is carried in the specimen transportation device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a side view showing a state immediately after the drive base rises and the contactor comes into contact with the loading base in the specimen transport device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the state immediately after the drive base has further risen and the driven base has come into contact with the upper stopper in the specimen transport device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the state immediately after the drive base has further risen and reached the unloading position in the specimen transport device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state immediately after the specimen holder is carried out in the specimen transportation device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a side view showing a state immediately before the driven base is separated from the upper stopper as the drive base is lowered in the specimen transport device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the state immediately after the drive base has further lowered and the driven base has come into contact with the lower stopper in the specimen transport device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state in which the drive base has further lowered and reached the initial position in the specimen transport device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state before a sample holder is carried in the sample transportation device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state immediately after the specimen holder is carried in the specimen transportation device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state immediately after the drive base is lowered and the contactor comes into contact with the sample holder loading portion in the sample transportation device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the state immediately after the drive base has further lowered and the driven base has come into contact with the lower stopper in the specimen transport device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the state immediately after the drive base has further lowered and reached the unloading position in the specimen transport device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state immediately after the specimen holder is carried out in the specimen transportation device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state immediately before the drive base rises and the driven base separates from the lower stopper in the specimen transport device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state immediately after the drive base has further risen and the driven base has come into contact with the upper stopper in the specimen transport device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state in which the drive base has further risen and reached the initial position in the specimen transportation device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a top view showing the configuration of a sample testing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the sample testing system according to this embodiment includes a pre-processing device 1, a sample transport device 2, an analyzer 3, and a transport line 4. The pre-processing device 1 pre-processes the sample before the analyzer 3 analyzes it. Specifically, after an operator inserts a sample container containing the sample, the container undergoes processes such as centrifugation, uncapping, and dispensing according to the requested items. The pre-processing device 1 and the sample transport device 2 are connected to the transport line 4, and the pre-processed sample is transported to the sample transport device 2 via the transport line 4 together with a sample holder that supports the sample container.

[0012] The sample transport device 2 transfers the sample holders transported from the pretreatment device 1 to a different transport line 4 and transports them to the analyzer 3, and is equipped with a sample holder lifting mechanism 5 and a sample holder lowering mechanism 6. As will be described later, the sample transport device 2 further includes a first transport line and a second transport line disposed above or below the first transport line. For example, the sample transport device 2 lifts and lowers the sample holders transported from the first transport line using the sample lifting mechanism, and then transports them from the second transport line to the analyzer 3. The analyzer 3 analyzes the samples in the sample containers supported by the transported sample holders.

[0013] Hereinafter, a case where the sample lifting mechanism is a sample holder lifting mechanism 5 will be described in Example 1, and a case where the sample lifting mechanism is a sample holder lowering mechanism 6 will be described in Example 2. Here, in Example 1, the first transport line is the lower transport line 4a arranged below, and the second transport line is the upper transport line 4b arranged above. On the other hand, in Example 2, the first transport line is the upper transport line 4b arranged above, and the second transport line is the lower transport line 4a arranged below. Note that the sample holder lifting mechanism 5 and the sample holder lowering mechanism 6 are not limited to being installed in the sample transport device 2, but may also be installed in other modules such as the pretreatment device 1. [Example]

[0014] The first embodiment relates to a specimen transport device including a specimen holder lifting mechanism 5, and will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 10. FIG.

[0015] 2 to 10, the sample transport device 2 of this embodiment includes a lower transport line 4a (first transport line), an upper transport line 4b (second transport line), and a sample holder lifting mechanism 5. The lower transport line 4a transports the sample holder 10 in a direction approaching the sample holder lifting mechanism 5 (toward the left in each figure), and at its end, transports the sample holder 10 into the sample holder lifting mechanism 5. On the other hand, the upper transport line 4b transports the sample holder 10 out of the sample holder lifting mechanism 5 at its end, and transports the sample holder 10 in a direction away from the sample holder lifting mechanism 5 (toward the right in each figure).

[0016] Next, the configuration of the specimen holder lifting mechanism 5 will be described. The specimen holder lifting mechanism 5 is a delivery mechanism for the specimen holder 10, which is disposed adjacent to each transport line and lifts the specimen holder 10 carried in from the lower transport line 4a and carries it out to the upper transport line 4b. The specimen holder lifting mechanism 5 includes a specimen holder loading section 11, a driven base 15, a power supply section, lifting rails 22, a drive base 26, a lifting spring 33 (first elastic body), a lower stopper 23, an upper stopper 24, an initial position detection sensor 30, and a carry-out position detection sensor 31.

[0017] First, the specimen holder loading section 11 is composed of a loading surface 111, a holder stopper 112, a loading guide 113, a loading base 114, a first rotary spring attachment portion 18, and a holder detection sensor 37. The loading surface 111 is a surface on which the specimen holders 10 are loaded. The holder stopper 112 is a stopper that prevents the specimen holders 10 from falling or tipping over in the radial direction of the rotation trajectory. The loading guide 113 is a guide that prevents the specimen holders 10 from falling or tipping over in the axial direction of the rotation trajectory. The loading base 114 is a base that supports the loading surface 111 from below. The first rotary spring attachment portion 18 is a member for attaching one end of the rotary spring 19 to the loading base 114. The holder detection sensor 37 is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a specimen holder 10 on the specimen holder loading section 11.

[0018] The specimen holder loading section 11 configured in this manner is connected to the driven base 15 by a horizontal rotation shaft 116 and is rotatable around the rotation shaft 116. The specimen holder loading section 11 is inclined upward toward the lower transport line 4a so that it can receive the specimen holder 10 from the lower transport line 4a when the specimen holder 10 is carried in. This makes it difficult for the specimen holder 10 to fall even when the specimen holder loading section 11 is rising.

[0019] The driven base 15 is composed of a driven block 21, a support column 32, a rotation spring second mounting portion 17, and a rotation stopper 20. The driven block 21 is a block that connects the driven base 15 to a lift rail 22 (described later) and guides the lifting and lowering movement of the driven base 15. The support column 32 extends downward and passes through a support column guide 38 of the drive block 25 (described later). The rotation spring second mounting portion 17 is a member for mounting the other end of the rotation spring 19 to the driven block 21. The rotation spring 19 (second elastic body) connects the rotation spring first mounting portion 18 and the rotation spring second mounting portion 17, thereby applying a force that rotates the sample holder loading portion 11 counterclockwise in each figure. The rotation stopper 20 is a stopper that limits the rotation range of the sample holder loading portion 11. Except when the specimen holder 10 is being carried out, the lower surface of the loading base 114 is in contact with the rotation stopper 20, and the specimen holder loading section 11 is kept in an inclined state.

[0020] The power supply unit is composed of an elevator motor 29 as a drive source, and an elevator belt 28 as a moving body that extends vertically and is raised and lowered by the elevator motor 29 .

[0021] The lift rail 22 is a rail that extends vertically in parallel with the lift belt 28, and is connected to the driven block 21 described above and a drive block 25 described below.

[0022] The drive base 26 is composed of a drive block 25, a belt holder 27, a support column guide 38, a bushing 34, a retaining ring 35, and a contact 36. The drive block 25 connects the drive base 26 to the lift rail 22 and guides the lifting and lowering movement of the drive base 26. The belt holder 27 secures the drive base 26 to the lift belt 28. This allows the drive base 26 to move up and down integrally with the lift belt 28 while being guided by the lift rail 22. The support column guide 38 extends toward the front of each figure and has a through-hole (not shown). The through-hole is large enough to allow the support column 32 to pass through but not the lift spring 33 (described below). The bushing 34 is fixed to a predetermined location near the bottom end of the support column 32 and is larger than the through-hole. Therefore, when the drive base 26 reaches a predetermined distance from the driven base 15, the upper surface of the bushing 34 comes into contact with the lower surface of the support column guide 38, preventing the drive base 26 from moving any further away. The retaining ring 35 serves to fix the bushing 34 to the support column 32. The contactor 36 extends upward from the drive base 26 and comes into contact with the lower surface of the loading base 114 of the specimen holder loading section 11.

[0023] The lifting spring 33 is inserted vertically into the outer diameter side of the support column 32, and is disposed between the upper surface of the support column guide 38 and the lower surface of the driven base 15, connecting the drive base 26 and the driven base 15. When the drive base 26 is in the initial position (the state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3), the lifting spring 33 has a free length and does not generate an elastic force that pushes up the driven base 15, and the lower surface of the driven base 15 comes into contact with a lower stopper 23, which will be described later, and the load of the driven base 15 is supported by the lower stopper 23.

[0024] The lower stopper 23 (loading stopper) is provided at a predetermined height and serves to restrict the upward and downward movement of the driven base 15 when the specimen holder 10 is loaded.

[0025] The upper stopper 24 (unloading stopper) is provided at a predetermined height above the lower stopper 23, and is a stopper that restricts the upward and downward movement of the driven base 15 when the specimen holder 10 is unloaded.

[0026] The initial position detection sensor 30 is a sensor that detects that the drive base 26 is in the initial position, i.e., that the drive base 26 is in the lowest position as shown in Figures 2 and 3 and is in a state where the specimen holder 10 can begin to be transported.

[0027] The ejection position detection sensor 31 is a sensor that detects that the drive base 26 is in the ejection position, i.e., that the drive base 26 is in the highest position as shown in Figures 6 and 7 and is in a state where the ejection of the specimen holder 10 can be completed.

[0028] Next, we will explain the operation of the specimen holder lifting mechanism 5. Figures 2 to 6 show the process in which the drive base 26 lifts after the specimen holder loading section 11 loads the specimen holder 10, and Figures 7 to 10 show the process in which the drive base 26 lowers when the specimen holder loading section 11 is empty.

[0029] 2 is a side view showing the state before the specimen holder 10 is loaded in the specimen transport device according to the first embodiment. At this time, the drive base 26 is in the initial position, so the initial position detection sensor 30 is ON. Furthermore, since the specimen holder 10 has not yet been loaded into the specimen holder loading section 11, the holder detection sensor 37 is OFF. In addition, the unloading position detection sensor 31 is OFF.

[0030] 3 is a side view showing the state immediately after the sample holder 10 is loaded into the sample transport device according to the first embodiment. The sample holder 10 transported by the lower transport line 4a is placed on the rotary shaft 116 and the loading surface 111, and slides on the loading surface 111 to the left in the figure due to the inclination of the sample holder loading section 11. The sliding sample holder 10 comes into contact with a holder stopper 112 and stops. At this time, the holder detection sensor 37 is turned ON.

[0031] 4 is a side view showing the state immediately after the drive base 26 has risen and the contact 36 has come into contact with the loading base 114 in the sample transport device according to the first embodiment. When the lift motor 29 rotates counterclockwise from the state shown in FIG. 3, the drive base 26 rises together with the lift belt 28. At this time, the initial position detection sensor 30 is turned OFF. Furthermore, when the drive base 26 rises, the relative distance between the drive base 26 and the driven base 15 decreases, so the lift spring 33 contracts and the contact 36 comes into contact with the underside of the loading base 114.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the state of the sample transport device according to Example 1 immediately after the drive base 26 has further risen and the driven base 15 has come into contact with the upper stopper 24. When the lift motor 29 further rotates counterclockwise from the state shown in FIG. 4, the drive base 26 further rises together with the lift belt 28. At this time, the driven base 15 is pushed up by the elastic force of the lift spring 33, and the loading base 114 is pushed up by the contact 36, causing the sample holder loading unit 11 to also rise. Since the elastic force of the lift spring 33 is set to be smaller than the elastic force of the rotation spring 19, the sample holder loading unit 11 hardly rotates during the lifting operation of the driven base 15, and the inclined state is maintained. When the driven base 15 rises and comes into contact with the upper stopper 24 at a predetermined height, further lifting is restricted and the driven base 15 stops, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 5.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a side view showing the state immediately after the drive base 26 has further risen and reached the discharge position in the sample transport device according to the first embodiment. When the lift motor 29 further rotates counterclockwise from the state shown in FIG. 5, the drive base 26 further rises together with the lift belt 28. Even if the drive base 26 further rises after the driven base 15 contacts the upper stopper 24, the contact 36 of the loading base 114 continues to push up. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the heights of the driven base 15 and the rotation shaft 116 remain unchanged, but as the drive base 26 rises, the lift spring 33 contracts and the rotation spring 19 expands, causing the sample holder loading unit 11 to rotate clockwise around the rotation shaft 116. At this time, the discharge position detection sensor 31 is turned on.

[0034] Fig. 7 is a side view showing the state immediately after the sample holder 10 is carried out in the sample transport device according to Example 1. When the sample holder loading section 11 rotates and becomes inclined downward toward the upper transport line 4b, the sample holder 10 slides on the loading surface 111 toward the right in the figure and is carried out onto the upper transport line 4b as shown in Fig. 7. At this time, the holder detection sensor 37 is turned OFF.

[0035] When the removal of the specimen holder 10 is completed, the specimen holder lifting mechanism 5 rotates the lift motor 29 clockwise to lower the drive base 26 together with the lift belt 28 in order to load the next specimen holder 10 .

[0036] 8 is a side view showing the specimen transport device according to Example 1, in a state immediately before the drive base 26 descends and the driven base 15 separates from the upper stopper 24. When the drive base 26 starts to descend from the state shown in FIG. 7, the discharge position detection sensor 31 turns OFF. Furthermore, as the drive base 26 descends, the lift spring 33 gradually returns from its contracted state and the rotary spring 19 gradually returns from its extended state, so that the heights of the driven base 15 and the rotary shaft 116 are maintained.

[0037] Fig. 9 is a side view showing the specimen transport device according to Example 1 in a state immediately after the drive base 26 has further descended and the driven base 15 has come into contact with the lower stopper 23. When the drive base 26 further descends from the state shown in Fig. 8, the driven base 15 and the rotation shaft 116 also descend. When the driven base 15 descends and comes into contact with the lower stopper 23, which is at a predetermined height, further descent is restricted and the driven base 15 stops, resulting in the state shown in Fig. 9.

[0038] Fig. 10 is a side view showing a state in which the drive base 26 has further descended and reached the initial position in the specimen transport device according to Example 1. When the drive base 26 further descends from the state shown in Fig. 9, the relative distance between the drive base 26 and the driven base 15 increases, so that the contact 36 moves away from the loading base 114 and the lifting spring 33 stretches. Finally, as shown in Fig. 10, the drive base 26 returns to the initial position and the initial position detection sensor 30 turns ON.

[0039] As described above, in the specimen holder lifting mechanism 5 of this embodiment, when the drive base 26 rises in conjunction with the rotation of the lift motor 29, the driven base 15 supporting the specimen holder loading unit 11 also rises in conjunction with the rotation of the lift motor 29. After the rotation shaft 116 has completed its movement upward together with the driven base 15, the specimen holder loading unit 11 starts to rotate about the rotation shaft 116. Therefore, when the specimen holder 10 is unloaded by the rotation of the specimen holder loading unit 11, the positional deviation between the starting end of the upper transport line 4b, which is the destination of the specimen holder, and the end of the loading surface 111 of the specimen holder loading unit 11 on the upper transport line 4b side is reduced. As a result, the specimen holder 10 can be prevented from tipping over during unloading. In particular, since the rotation shaft 116 is located at the end of the loading surface 111 (on the upper transport line 4b side), the gap between the loading surface 111 and the upper transport line 4b during unloading is further reduced. Therefore, the specimen holder 10 can slide from the loading surface 111 onto the rotating shaft 116 and smoothly reach the upper conveying line 4b. [Example]

[0040] The second embodiment relates to a specimen transport device including a specimen holder lowering mechanism 6, and will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0041] 11 to 19, the sample transport device 2 of this embodiment includes an upper transport line 4b (first transport line), a lower transport line 4a (second transport line), and a sample holder lowering mechanism 6. The upper transport line 4b transports the sample holder 10 in a direction approaching the sample holder lowering mechanism 6 (toward the left in each figure), and at its end, transports the sample holder 10 into the sample holder lowering mechanism 6. On the other hand, the lower transport line 4a transports the sample holder 10 out of the sample holder lowering mechanism 6 at its end, and transports the sample holder 10 in a direction away from the sample holder lowering mechanism 6 (toward the right in each figure).

[0042] Next, the configuration of the specimen holder lowering mechanism 6 will be described. The specimen holder lowering mechanism 6 is a transfer mechanism for the specimen holder 10, which is disposed adjacent to each transport line and lowers the specimen holder 10 carried in from the upper transport line 4b and carries it out to the lower transport line 4a. Similar to the specimen holder lifting mechanism 5 of the first embodiment, the specimen holder lowering mechanism 6 includes a specimen holder loading unit 11, a driven base 15, a power supply unit, lift rails 22, a drive base 26, a lift spring 33 (first elastic body), a lower stopper 23, an upper stopper 24, an initial position detection sensor 30, and a carry-out position detection sensor 31. The configuration of the specimen holder lowering mechanism 6 is basically the same as that of the specimen holder lifting mechanism 5 of the first embodiment, so only the differences will be described here.

[0043] In this embodiment, the upper stopper 24 serves as the carry-in stopper, and the lower stopper 23 serves as the carry-out stopper. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the initial position detection sensor 30 is located higher than the carry-out position detection sensor 31. Furthermore, the contactor 36 in this embodiment extends downward from the drive base 26 and is configured to contact the upper surface of the portion extending from the specimen holder loading unit 11 toward the right in each figure. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a tension spring is used as the lifting spring 33. The support column 32, support column guide 38, bushing 34, and retaining ring 35 provided in the specimen holder lifting mechanism 5 of the first embodiment are not provided in the specimen holder lowering mechanism 6 of this embodiment.

[0044] Next, the operation of the specimen holder lowering mechanism 6 will be described. Figures 11 to 15 show the process in which the drive base 26 descends after the specimen holder loading section 11 loads the specimen holder 10, and Figures 16 to 19 show the process in which the drive base 26 ascends when the specimen holder loading section 11 is empty.

[0045] 11 is a side view showing the state before the specimen holder 10 is loaded in the specimen transport device according to the second embodiment. At this time, the drive base 26 is in the initial position, so the initial position detection sensor 30 is ON. Furthermore, since the specimen holder 10 has not yet been loaded into the specimen holder loading section 11, the holder detection sensor 37 is OFF. In addition, the unloading position detection sensor 31 is OFF.

[0046] 12 is a side view showing the state immediately after the sample holder 10 is loaded into the sample transport device according to Example 2. The sample holder 10 transported by the upper transport line 4b is placed on the rotating shaft 116 and the loading surface 111, and slides on the loading surface 111 to the left in the figure due to the inclination of the sample holder loading section 11. The sliding sample holder 10 comes into contact with a holder stopper 112 and stops. At this time, the holder detection sensor 37 is turned ON.

[0047] 13 is a side view showing the state immediately after the drive base 26 descends and the contact 36 comes into contact with the sample holder loading section 11 in the sample transport device according to the second embodiment. When the lift motor 29 rotates clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 12, the drive base 26 descends together with the lift belt 28. At this time, the initial position detection sensor 30 is turned OFF. Furthermore, when the drive base 26 descends, the relative distance between the drive base 26 and the driven base 15 decreases, so the lift spring 33 contracts and the contact 36 comes into contact with the upper surface of the sample holder loading section 11.

[0048] FIG. 14 is a side view showing the state of the sample transport device according to the second embodiment immediately after the drive base 26 has further descended and the driven base 15 has contacted the lower stopper 23. When the lift motor 29 further rotates clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 13, the drive base 26 further descends together with the lift belt 28. At this time, the driven base 15 is pressed down by the elastic force of the lift spring 33, and the loading base 114 is pressed down by the contact 36, so that the sample holder loading unit 11 also descends. Note that the elastic force of the lift spring 33 is set to be smaller than the elastic force of the rotation spring 19, so that the sample holder loading unit 11 hardly rotates during the downward movement of the driven base 15 and maintains its inclined state. When the driven base 15 descends and contacts the lower stopper 23 at a predetermined height, further descent is restricted and the driven base 15 stops, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 14.

[0049] 15 is a side view showing the state immediately after the drive base 26 has further descended and reached the discharge position in the specimen transport device according to Example 2. When the lift motor 29 further rotates clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 14, the drive base 26 further descends together with the lift belt 28. In this way, even if the drive base 26 further descends after the driven base 15 contacts the lower stopper 23, the contact 36 of the sample holder loading unit 11 continues to press down. Then, as shown in Fig. 15, the heights of the driven base 15 and the rotary shaft 116 remain unchanged, and as the drive base 26 descends, the lifting spring 33 contracts and the rotary spring 19 expands, causing the sample holder loading unit 11 to rotate clockwise around the rotary shaft 116. At this time, the discharge position detection sensor 31 turns ON.

[0050] Fig. 16 is a side view showing the state immediately after the sample holder 10 is carried out in the sample transport device according to Example 2. When the sample holder loading section 11 rotates and becomes inclined downward toward the lower transport line 4a, the sample holder 10 slides on the loading surface 111 toward the right in the figure and is carried out to the lower transport line 4a as shown in Fig. 16. At this time, the holder detection sensor 37 is turned OFF.

[0051] When the removal of the specimen holder 10 is completed, the specimen holder lowering mechanism 6 rotates the lifting motor 29 counterclockwise to raise the drive base 26 together with the lifting belt 28 in order to load the next specimen holder 10 .

[0052] 17 is a side view showing the specimen transport device according to Example 2, in a state immediately before the drive base 26 rises and the driven base 15 separates from the lower stopper 23. When the drive base 26 starts to rise from the state shown in FIG. 16, the discharge position detection sensor 31 turns OFF. Furthermore, as the drive base 26 rises, the lift spring 33 gradually returns from its contracted state and the rotary spring 19 gradually returns from its extended state, so that the heights of the driven base 15 and the rotary shaft 116 are maintained.

[0053] Fig. 18 is a side view showing the specimen transport device according to Example 2, immediately after the drive base 26 has further risen and the driven base 15 has come into contact with the upper stopper 24. When the drive base 26 rises further from the state shown in Fig. 17, the driven base 15 and the rotation shaft 116 also rise. When the driven base 15 rises and comes into contact with the upper stopper 24, which is at a predetermined height, further rise is restricted and the driven base 15 stops, resulting in the state shown in Fig. 18.

[0054] Fig. 19 is a side view showing a state in which the drive base 26 has further risen and reached the initial position in the sample transport device according to Example 2. When the drive base 26 rises further from the state shown in Fig. 18, the relative distance between the drive base 26 and the driven base 15 increases, so that the contact 36 moves away from the sample holder loading section 11 and the lifting spring 33 stretches. Finally, as shown in Fig. 19, the drive base 26 returns to the initial position and the initial position detection sensor 30 turns ON.

[0055] As described above, in the specimen holder lowering mechanism 6 of this embodiment, when the drive base 26 descends in conjunction with the rotation of the lifting motor 29, the driven base 15 supporting the specimen holder loading unit 11 also descends in conjunction with the rotation of the drive base 26. After the rotation shaft 116 has completed its downward movement together with the driven base 15, the specimen holder loading unit 11 begins to rotate about the rotation shaft 116. Therefore, when the specimen holder 10 is transported out by the rotation of the specimen holder loading unit 11, the positional deviation between the starting end of the lower transport line 4a, which is the destination of the specimen holder 10, and the end of the loading surface 111 of the specimen holder loading unit 11 on the lower transport line 4a side is reduced. As a result, the specimen holder 10 can be prevented from tipping over during transport. In particular, since the rotation shaft 116 is located at the end of the loading surface 111 (on the lower transport line 4a side), the gap between the loading surface 111 and the lower transport line 4a during transport is further reduced. Therefore, the specimen holder 10 can slide from the loading surface 111 onto the rotating shaft 116 and smoothly reach the lower conveying line 4a. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1...pretreatment device, 2...specimen transport device, 3...analyzer, 4...transport line, 4a...lower transport line, 4b...upper transport line, 5...specimen holder lifting mechanism, 6...specimen holder lowering mechanism, 10...specimen holder, 11...specimen holder loading section, 15...follower base, 17...rotation spring second mounting section, 18...rotation spring first mounting section, 19...rotation spring, 20...rotation stopper, 21...follower block, 22...lifting rail, 23...lower stopper, 24... Upper stopper, 25... drive block, 26... drive base, 27... belt holder, 28... lifting belt, 29... lifting motor, 30... initial position detection sensor, 31... discharge position detection sensor, 32... support, 33... lifting spring, 34... bush, 35... retaining ring, 36... contact, 37... holder detection sensor, 38... support guide, 111... loading surface, 112... holder stopper, 113... loading guide, 114... loading base, 116... rotation axis

Claims

1. a specimen holder loading section for loading specimen holders; a driven base to which the specimen holder loading section is rotatably connected via a rotation shaft; a driving base to which the driven base is connected via a first elastic body; a contact extending from the drive base and contacting the specimen holder loading portion; a stopper for ejection, provided at a predetermined height, for restricting the elevation of the driven base when the specimen holder is ejected.

2. 2. The specimen lifting mechanism according to claim 1, When the drive base moves up and down, before the driven base contacts the discharge stopper, the driven base is pushed up or down by the elastic force of the first elastic body, and the specimen holder loading portion is pushed up or down by the contact, so that the specimen holder loading portion also moves up or down; After the driven base comes into contact with the discharge stopper, the lifting and lowering of the driven base is regulated by the discharge stopper, while the contact of the sample holder loading section continues to push up or down, causing the sample holder loading section to rotate around the rotation axis.

3. 3. The specimen lifting mechanism according to claim 2, a second elastic body connecting the driven base and the specimen holder loading portion; After the driven base comes into contact with the discharge stopper, the first elastic body contracts and the second elastic body expands as the drive base moves up and down.

4. 4. The specimen lifting mechanism according to claim 3, The specimen lifting mechanism has an elastic force of the first elastic body smaller than that of the second elastic body.

5. 3. The specimen lifting mechanism according to claim 2, a stopper for loading the specimen holder into the chamber, the stopper being provided at a predetermined height and configured to restrict the vertical movement of the driven base when the specimen holder is loaded into the chamber; When the drive base moves up and down, before the driven base contacts the carry-in stopper, the contactor contacts the specimen holder loading portion, A specimen lifting mechanism in which, after the driven base comes into contact with the carry-in stopper, the contactor moves away from the specimen holder loading portion.

6. 6. The specimen lifting mechanism according to claim 5, When the drive base is in an initial position, the driven base is in contact with the carry-in stopper, and the contact is spaced apart from the specimen holder loading portion; A specimen lifting mechanism in which, when the drive base is at the unloading position, the driven base is in contact with the unloading stopper and the first elastic body is contracted.

7. 7. The specimen lifting mechanism according to claim 6, an initial position detection sensor that detects that the drive base is in an initial position; The specimen lifting mechanism further comprises an unloading position detection sensor that detects that the drive base is in the unloading position.

8. a first conveyance line for conveying the specimen holder; a second conveyor line disposed above or below the first conveyor line and configured to convey the specimen holder; a specimen lifting mechanism that, when the specimen holder transported by the first transport line is carried in, lifts and lowers the specimen holder and transports the specimen holder to the second transport line, The specimen lifting mechanism includes: a specimen holder loading section for loading specimen holders; a driven base to which the specimen holder loading section is rotatably connected via a rotation shaft; a driving base to which the driven base is connected via a first elastic body; a contact extending from the drive base and contacting the specimen holder loading portion; a transfer stopper provided at a predetermined height to restrict the rising and falling of the driven base when the specimen holder is transferred out.

9. The specimen transport device according to claim 8, When the drive base moves up and down, before the driven base contacts the discharge stopper, the driven base is pushed up or down by the elastic force of the first elastic body, and the specimen holder loading portion is pushed up or down by the contact, so that the specimen holder loading portion also moves up or down; After the driven base comes into contact with the discharge stopper, the rising and falling of the driven base is regulated by the discharge stopper, while the contact of the sample holder loading section continues to push up or down, causing the sample holder loading section to rotate around the rotation axis.

10. The specimen transport device according to claim 8 or 9, When the specimen holder is transported from the first transport line to the specimen holder loading unit, the specimen holder loading unit is inclined upward toward the first transport line, When the sample holder is transported from the sample holder loading section to the second transport line, the sample holder loading section is inclined downward toward the second transport line.

11. The specimen transport device according to claim 8 or 9, The specimen transport device has a rotation axis at the end of the loading surface of the specimen holder loading section on the second transport line side.

12. 10. A sample analysis system comprising: the sample transport device according to claim 8; and an analyzer that analyzes the sample transported from the sample transport device.

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