Shifter and specimen transport system

Abstract

To provide a shifter and a specimen conveyance system with which it is possible to read rack identification indices using fewest possible reader devices and sending out to a corresponding conveyance line or inspection line.SOLUTION: A specimen conveyance system 10 comprises: a conveyance device 20 which includes a conveyance line 22 and an inspection line 23, each holding a plurality of specimens, for conveying a rack provided with a rack identification index along a plurality of inspection machines 15; first to third shifters 31A-31C including a reader device 40 provided on the upstream side of rack conveyance direction of each inspection machine 15, for receiving conveyed racks and sending out to one of the conveyance line 22 and the inspection line 23 in correspondence to the rack identification indices; a control device for outputting an indication to the shifter 31A, 31B or 31C for sending out racks to the conveyance line 22 or the inspection line 23, on the basis of the rack identification indices; a rack supply unit 24 for sending out racks to the conveyance line 22; and a rack recovery unit 25 for recovering racks that have had inspection finished.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a specimen conveyance system that holds a plurality of specimens, receives a rack provided with a rack identification index for each and sent on a conveyance line for conveying the plurality of racks in the rack length direction, and can send it out to a conveyance line or an inspection line arranged to cross or parallel to this, and uses this shifter to send out a rack on which a plurality of specimens are placed to a plurality of inspection machines, and collect the rack that has completed the inspection.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-unit analyzer capable of avoiding mis-conveyance of a rack and avoiding waste of reagents and specimens and waste of inspection time, and a rack conveyance control method thereof.

[0003] This multi-unit analyzer has a reading device that reads the identification index of the rack in a rack supply unit (stocking unit), and another reading device provided for each analysis unit, and compares the information read by the previous reading device with the information read by the reading device of the analysis unit to confirm whether the rack is correctly conveyed to the analysis unit. If not, it is configured to move the rack from the conveyance line to an overtaking line or a return line by a rack changer.

[0004] The overtaking line, conveyance line, and return line are arranged so as to be farther away from the analysis unit in this order.

[0005] The reading device for each analysis unit is a barcode reader fixed to the analysis unit, and is provided to read the rack identification index on the conveyance line over a long measurement distance across the overtaking line.

[0006] Therefore, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the reading device is more likely to make a reading error compared to the case of a short measurement distance that does not cross the overtaking line, and two reading devices are required for two readings, increasing the cost of the system. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-309743 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a shifter and a sample transport system that enable the rack identification index to be read with fewer errors over a short measurement distance using only a reading device installed on the shifter that shifts racks from a rack transport line to an inspection line. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This invention relates to a shifter installed in the middle of a transport line for transporting a plurality of racks, each holding a sample and equipped with a rack identification index, in the length direction of the racks. The shifter is capable of receiving racks sent from upstream and sending the racks to the transport line or a branch line arranged parallel to and adjacent to the transport line. The shifter comprises a single shifter conveyor positioned aligned with the transport line and forming a part of it, capable of receiving transported racks and sending them in the transport direction, and a reading device for reading the rack identification index on the received racks. Based on the information of the rack identification index read by the reading device, the shifter conveyor, with the racks on it, is moved laterally from a position aligned with the transport line and forming a part of it to a position aligned with the branch line and forming a part of it, thereby enabling the received racks to be sent from the shifter conveyor to the branch line in the transport direction. Furthermore, the rack sent downstream in the line direction from the middle of the branch line can be received, moved laterally, and sent onto the conveyor line. The above problem is solved by a shifter characterized by being configured in this way.

[0010] This invention includes a transport line for transporting a plurality of racks, each equipped with a rack identification index and holding a sample, in the length direction of the racks, and an inspection line for transporting the racks, which is arranged adjacent to and parallel to the transport line and positioned to approach a plurality of inspection machines for sample analysis. The inspection line is provided facing the inspection machine and includes an inspection line module having the same length as the inspection machine in the line direction, and the transport line includes a transport line module having the same length in the line direction as the inspection machine, provided facing the inspection line module. A conveying device and on the conveying line Before Inspection line Adjacent to at least one of the upstream and downstream sides in the line direction of the module. The system comprises a plurality of shifters positioned at a certain location, a control device, a rack supply unit that sends racks holding samples to the transport line, and a rack retrieval unit that retrieves racks after analysis has been completed. The shifters are aligned with the transport line and form part of it, receiving the transported racks. That , Alternatively, the racks being transported, while aligned with the inspection line and forming part of it, The system comprises a single shifter conveyor capable of sending the racks in the transport direction, and a reading device for reading the rack identification index provided on the received racks. The shifter conveyor, with the racks placed on it, is maintained in a position aligned with the transport line and forming part of it, or is laterally movable to a position aligned with the inspection line and forming part of it. Based on the information of the rack identification index read by the reading device on the transported racks, the control device moves the shifter conveyor, with the racks placed on it, laterally from a position aligned with the transport line to a position aligned with the inspection line, and sends the received racks from the shifter conveyor to the inspection line or to the transport line. Furthermore, the system receives the rack that has been sent downstream in the line direction from the inspection line module and sends it to the inspection line or to the transport line. The above problem is solved by a sample transport system characterized by being configured to output instruction signals for giving instructions.

[0011] Here, the rack identification indicator consists of a barcode or a two-dimensional barcode, and the reading device consists of a barcode reader (BCR) or a two-dimensional code reader. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] This invention provides a shifter for shifting a rack for transporting a specimen from a branch point of a transport line to an inspection line or from an inspection line to a transport line, with a reading device for reading a rack identification index provided thereon. The reading device and the shifter move integrally, and the rack identification index of the rack on the shifter is read from a short distance, thus greatly reducing reading errors and enabling the identification of the rack identification index with a single reading operation, thereby reducing the number of reading devices.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] [Figure 1] Plan view schematically showing the specimen transport system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention [Figure 2A] Perspective view showing a rack, a specimen placed on the rack, and a first form of a rack identification index [Figure 2B] Perspective view showing a second form of the same rack identification index [Figure 2C] Perspective view showing a third form of the same rack identification index [Figure 3] Perspective view showing the whole of the specimen transport system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention [Figure 4] Enlarged perspective view showing a shifter and a reading device provided thereon in the same Embodiment 1 [[ID=2&4]] [Figure 5] Enlarged perspective view showing another reading posture mode of the reading device [Figure 6] Block diagram showing a control system in the same Embodiment 1 and the relationship between this control system and a transport device [Figure 7] Flowchart showing a transport process by the specimen transport system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention [Figure 8] Plan view schematically showing the specimen transport system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention [Figure 9] Plan view schematically showing the specimen transport system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] [Embodiment 1] Figure 1 ~As shown in FIG. 3, the specimen transport system 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention has transport lines 22 for transporting racks 12 (see FIGS. 2A to 2C) that each hold a plurality of specimens 13 and are provided with rack identification indicators 14, and an inspection line (branch line) 23 for transporting the racks 12 sent out laterally from the transport line 22. The transport device 20 includes a first to third shifters 31A to 31C equipped with a reading device 40, a control device 50 ( See Figure 6; details will be described later), a rack supply unit 24, and a rack collection unit 25. The reading device 40 is composed of first to third BCRs 41A to 41C (In Figure 1, these are shown as BCR1 to BCR3) which are barcode readers.

[0015] The inspection line 23 transports the rack 12 along the first to third inspection machines 15A, 15B, 15C for specimen analysis. The specimen 13 is analyzed while being held by the rack 12 when the rack 12 approaches the corresponding inspection machine 15A, 15B, or 15C and stops at the inspection points 16A, 16B, or 16C.

[0016] When collectively referring to the first to third inspection machines 15A to 15C, it is referred to as the inspection machine 15. When collectively referring to the first to third shifters 31A to 31C, it is referred to as the shifter 30.

[0017] The first to third shifters 31A to 31C are each provided on the upstream side in the rack transport direction of each of the first to third inspection machines 15A to 15C and include a shifter conveyor 30A for receiving the incoming rack 12. The shifter conveyor 30A is configured to move the rack 12 to align it with either the transport line 22 or the inspection line 23 without moving or while moving in the downstream position in the rack transport direction.

[0018] The first to third BCRs 41A to 41C are configured to read the rack identification indicators 14 of the racks 12 received by each of the first to third shifters 31A to 31C and transported from the upstream side.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2A, when reading the rack identification index 14A provided on the rear end face of the rack 12 in the direction of travel, the reader device 40 is mounted so that, as shown in Figure 4, the reading beam is directed parallel (vertically) to the barcode sequence which is long in the height direction, and the reading beam emission surface is long in the vertical direction and at a 45° angle to the side of the rack 12. Reading is performed when the front end of the rack 12 reaches the downstream end of the shifter 30 in the transport direction and stops.

[0020] Furthermore, when reading rack identification indicators 14B provided on the side of the rack 12 parallel to the direction of travel, as shown in Figure 2B or Figure 2C, the reading beam of the reading device 40 is mounted on the upper surface of the shifter 30 in a position and height that illuminates the side of the rack 12 on the shifter conveyor 30A for a long distance in the direction of the barcode sequence, as shown in Figure 5.

[0021] The control device 50 is configured to output an instruction to the shifter 30 to align it to either the transport line 22 or the inspection line 23, based on the information of the rack identification index 14 read by the reading device 40 (details will be described later).

[0022] The rack supply unit 24 is configured to send racks 12 holding samples to the transport line 22 according to instructions from the control device 50, and the rack retrieval unit 25 is configured to retrieve racks 12 after analysis has been completed. Reference numeral 24A in Figures 1 and 3 indicates a rack transfer device for loading racks 12 into the rack supply unit 24.

[0023] Details of the control device 50 will now be described. As shown in Figure 6, the control device 50 is configured to include an inspection machine control unit 52, a transport control unit 54, and a storage unit 56.

[0024] The inspection machine control unit 52 exchanges signals with the first inspection machine 15A to the third inspection machine 15C, and these first inspection machine 15A to the third inspection machine 15C are configured to perform inspection of the sample 13 based on signals from the inspection machine control unit 52.

[0025] In Figure 6, reference numeral 60 indicates an input / output device, which represents an input means to the control device 50, such as a keyboard, a display for showing output, or a printer.

[0026] The transport control unit 54 is configured to output control signals to the rack supply unit 24, the transport line 22, the inspection line 23, the rack retrieval unit 25, the first to third shifters 31A to 31C, and the end shifter 32, and is also configured to receive read signals from the first to third BCRs 41A to 41C, each of the first to third shifters 31A to 31C.

[0027] In this example, the reader 40 is configured to read rack identification indices 14, 14A, and 14B, which consist of barcodes. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rack identification indices may be replaced with two-dimensional identification indices, such as QR codes (registered trademark), which can also be read.

[0028] In this embodiment, the transport line 22 and the inspection line 23 are modularized, and a transport device unit is formed by combining one transport line module, one inspection line module, and one shifter with a reading device, and each transport unit can be added to, removed from, or replaced on the line.

[0029] In detail, the transport line 22 is composed of first to third transport line modules 22A, 22B, and 22C, each having the same length in the line direction facing the first to third inspection machines 15A to 15C, respectively, and first to third shifters 31A to 31C, adjacent to the upstream side of these first to third transport line modules 22A to 22C in the rack transport direction, arranged alternately in the rack transport direction.

[0030] Furthermore, the inspection line 23 is composed of multiple inspection line modules 23A to 23C, all having the same length in the transport direction, and positioned parallel to the transport line 22 and between the first to third inspection machines 15A to 15C and the transport line modules 22A to 22C.

[0031] In Figure 1, the labels 16A, 16B, and 16C indicate inspection points set at the center of each inspection line module 23A to 23C. On each inspection line module 23A to 23C, when the center of the rack 12 aligns with inspection points 16A, 16B, and 16C, the inspection is initiated by an instruction signal from the inspection machine control unit 52 to the inspection machine 15.

[0032] On the upstream side of each inspection line module 23A to 23C in the rack transport direction, shift spaces 33A to 33C are provided for the first shifter 31A to the third shifter 31C to move away from the transport line 22.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, an end shifter 32 is positioned on the exit side of the inspection line module 23C adjacent to the third inspection machine 15C. Under normal circumstances, this end shifter 32 sends the racks 12 coming out of the inspection line module 23C directly to the rack retrieval unit 25. When racks 12 are sent out from the third inspection machine 15C, the end shifter 32 is shifted towards the inspection line module 23C to receive the incoming racks 12, and then shifts further towards the transport line module 22C to be retrieved by the rack retrieval unit 25.

[0034] Furthermore, if the number of racks 12 passing through the inspection line module 23C within one inspection lot is greater than the number passing through the transport line module 22C, the rack retrieval unit 25 may be aligned with the inspection line module 23C, and the end shifter 32 may be shifted to the inspection line module 23C side in its normal state.

[0035] In this embodiment, the rack identification indicator 14 provided on the rack 12 may be a rack identification indicator 14A attached to the rear end face of the rack 12 in the transport direction, as shown in Figure 2A; a rack identification indicator 14B provided on the side of the rack 12 on the inspection machine side, as shown in Figure 2B; or rack identification indicators 14A and 14B provided on the rear end face and side of the rack 12, as shown in Figure 2C. The term "rack identification indicator 14" is a general term for rack identification indicator 14A and / or rack identification indicator 14B.

[0036] Next, referring to Figure 7 (flowchart), the process of transporting the rack 12 in the sample transport system 10 according to the above embodiment will be explained.

[0037] First, in step S101, the transport control unit 54 instructs the rack supply unit 24 to send out the rack 12, and the process proceeds to the next step S102. In step S102, the rack is transported from the delivery conveyor 23D along the transport line 22 towards the first shifter 31A.

[0038] In step S103, when rack 12 is transported to the first shifter 31A, in the next step S104, rack information (rack identification index) is read by the first BCR 41A on the first shifter 31A, and the process proceeds to step S105.

[0039] In step S105, the transport control unit 54 analyzes the read rack information to determine whether or not there is an inspection by the first inspection machine 15A. If the result is No, the process proceeds to step S106; if Yes, the process proceeds to step S107 and the first inspection routine begins.

[0040] In the first inspection routine, in step S107, the first shifter 31A shifts the rack from the transport line 22 to the inspection line 23, sending the rack to the inspection line module 23A of the first inspection machine 15A.

[0041] In the next step S108, the transport control unit 54 confirms the rack's arrival at the inspection point 16A, and in the next step S109, the inspection machine control unit 52 instructs the first inspection machine 15A to start the inspection.

[0042] The inspection is completed in step S110, and the process returns to step S111.

[0043] In step S111, the rack 12 is transported to the second shifter 31B, and in step S112, the second BCR 41B on the second shifter 31B reads the rack information.

[0044] In the next step S113, the transport control unit 54 determines, based on the information read by the second BCR 41B, whether or not the rack 12 is subject to inspection by the second inspection machine 15B. If the result is No, the process proceeds to the next step S114.

[0045] If the result is Yes, the process proceeds to the second inspection routine, where steps S115 to S118 are performed, similar to steps S107 to S110 of the first inspection routine, and then the process returns to step S119. Steps S115 to S118 are the same as steps S107 to S110 of the first inspection routine, so their explanation is omitted.

[0046] In step S119, the rack is transported to the third shifter 31C, and the process proceeds to step S120. In step S120, the rack information is read at the third BCR41C on the third shifter 31C, and the process proceeds to step S121.

[0047] In step S121, the transport control unit 54 determines whether or not the rack 12 is to be inspected by the third inspection machine 15C based on the information read by the third BCR 41C. If the result is No, the process proceeds to step S122.

[0048] If the result is Yes, proceed to the third inspection routine, perform steps S123 to S126, and then proceed to step S127. Steps S123 to S126 are the same as steps S107 to S110 in the first inspection routine, so their explanation is omitted.

[0049] In step S122, the rack is transported to the conveyor belt of the transport line 22, and in the next step S127, the rack 12 reaches the end shifter 32.

[0050] The end shifter 32 shifts the racks coming out of the conveyor line to the inspection line 23. After the third inspection routine, the racks proceed to step S128, passing through the end shifter 32 in their designated position, where they are retrieved in the rack stocker of the rack retrieval unit 25, thus completing the process.

[0051] The process of transporting the racks described above is also an embodiment of a rack sorting method in which a plurality of racks, each equipped with a rack identification index, traveling along a transport line are sorted into the transport line or an inspection line branching off from the transport line by a shifter positioned in the middle of the transport line and equipped with a reading device for reading the rack identification index. The subject of this method is a rack sorting method characterized by including a transport step of transporting the racks to the shifter via the transport line; a reading step of reading the rack identification index provided on the racks transported to the shifter using the reading device provided on the shifter; a control step of outputting an instruction signal to the shifter based on the information of the rack identification index read in the reading step, indicating whether to send the racks to the transport line or the inspection line; and a sorting step of sorting the racks to the transport line or the inspection line by the shifter.

[0052] [Example 2] In the above embodiment 1, the first to third inspection machines 15A to 15C are arranged in a straight line, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in embodiment 2 in Figure 8, the transport line 22 and the inspection line 23 may be bent at a right angle between the first inspection machine 15A and the second inspection machine 15B, depending on the arrangement of the inspection machines 15, the shape of the installation space, etc.

[0053] In this case, swivel-type conveyors 26 and 27, whose conveying direction can be changed by 90°, are installed in the middle of the transport line 22 and inspection line 23, with inlet conveyors 26A and 27A at the front and outlet conveyors 26B and 27B at the rear. These also serve as the transport line module 22A and the inspection line module 23A, respectively.

[0054] In Embodiment 1, one inspection line module 23A, 23B, 23C, one transport line module 22A, 22B, 22C, one shifter 30, and one reading device 40 attached thereto, each corresponding to one inspection machine 15, constitute a transport device unit 21A, 21B, 21C. Multiple transport device units 21A, 21B, 21C are arranged between the rack supply unit 24 and the rack retrieval unit 25 in a manner that allows for replacement, addition, or reduction.

[0055] Furthermore, in this Example 2 and the following Example 3, the same parts as in Example 1 will be referred to using the same reference numerals as in Figure 1, and their explanation will be omitted.

[0056] [Example 3] In Example 1, a shift space 33 is provided between the first and second inspection machines 15A and 15B, and between the second and third inspection machines 15B and 15C. B ,33 C Although a shift space and shifter are provided, this may be used, for example, as in Embodiment 3 shown in Figure 9, when rack 12 that has finished inspection by the first inspection machine 15A is always to be inspected by the second inspection machine 15B, in which case the inspection lines of the two inspection machines 15A and 15B may be directly connected without providing a shift space and shifter. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10…Specimen transport system 12... Rack 13… Sample 14, 14A, 14B... Rack identification indicators 15…Inspection machine 15A...First inspection machine 15B... Second inspection machine 15C…3rd inspection machine 16A~16C... Inspection points 20…Conveyor equipment 21A, 21B, 21C... Conveyor unit 22... Conveyor line 22A, 22B, 22C… Conveyor line modules 23... Inspection line (branch line) 23A, 23B, 23C… Inspection line modules 23D... Sending conveyor 24... Rack supply section 24A... Rack transfer device 25... Rack retrieval section 26, 27... Rotating conveyor 26A, 27A... Inlet conveyor 26B, 27B... Outbound conveyor 30... Shifta 30A... Shifter conveyor 31A...First Shifter 31B... Second Shifter 31C...3rd Shifter 32... End Shifter 33A~33C... Shift space 40...Reading device 41A...1st BCR 41B...2nd BCR 41C…3rd BCR 50…Control device 52...Inspection machine control unit 54…Conveyor Control Unit 56...Storage section 60… Input / Output Devices

Claims

1. A shifter is provided in the middle of a transport line for transporting multiple racks, each holding a sample and equipped with a rack identification index, in the length direction of the rack, and is capable of receiving racks sent from upstream and sending the racks to the transport line or a branch line arranged adjacent to and parallel to the transport line, A single shifter conveyor is positioned in alignment with the aforementioned transport line, forming part of it, and is capable of receiving the transported racks and sending them out in the transport direction. The system includes a reading device for reading the rack identification index in the received rack, A shifter is characterized in that, based on information of rack identification indicators read by the reading device, the shifter conveyor on which the racks are placed is moved laterally from a position that aligns with the transport line and forms part of it to a position that aligns with the branch line and forms part of it, the received racks can be sent from the shifter conveyor to the branch line in the transport direction, and the shifter is configured to receive the racks that have been sent downstream in the line direction from the middle of the branch line, move them laterally, and send them onto the transport line.

2. Each rack is provided with a rack identification index, and the system includes a transport line for transporting multiple racks that hold samples in the length direction of the racks, and an inspection line arranged adjacent to and parallel to the transport line, at a position approaching multiple inspection machines for sample analysis, wherein the inspection line is provided facing the inspection machines and includes an inspection line module having the same length in the line direction as the inspection machine, and the transport line includes a transport device that includes a transport line module having the same length in the line direction as the inspection machine, provided facing the inspection line module. A plurality of shifters are provided on the transport line at positions adjacent to at least one of the upstream and downstream sides in the line direction of the inspection line module, Control device and The system comprises a rack supply unit that sends racks holding samples onto the transport line, and a rack retrieval unit that retrieves racks after analysis has been completed. The shifter comprises a single shifter conveyor capable of receiving racks transported in a state aligned with the transport line and forming part of it, or receiving racks transported in a state aligned with the inspection line and forming part of it, and sending them out in the transport direction, and a reading device for reading the rack identification index provided on the received rack, and the shifter conveyor, with the racks placed on it, is capable of being maintained in a position aligned with the transport line and forming part of it, or is capable of being moved laterally in a position aligned with the inspection line and forming part of it. The control device is configured to output an instruction signal to instruct, based on the information of the rack identification index of the conveyed rack read by the reading device, to move the shifter conveyor laterally from a position where it is aligned with the transport line to a position where it is aligned with the inspection line with the rack placed on it, and to send the received rack from the shifter conveyor to the inspection line or to the transport line, and to receive the rack sent downstream in the line direction from the inspection line module and send it to the inspection line or to the transport line.

3. In claim 2, The sample transport system is characterized in that the transport line is configured by arranging transport line modules having the same line length as the inspection machine and the shifters alternately in the line direction, the shifters are provided at a position adjacent to the upstream side of the transport line module in the line direction, at a position between two transport line modules, or at a position adjacent to the downstream side of the transport line module in the line direction, the inspection line is configured by arranging a plurality of inspection line modules having the same line length as the transport line module and the shifters when positioned on the inspection line alternately in the line direction, and a shift space is provided at the upstream side of the rack transport direction of each inspection line module, where the shifter conveyor is moved laterally from the transport line by the shifter, thereby forming part of an inspection line that aligns with and is continuous with the inspection line.

4. In claim 3, The inspection line comprises a plurality of inspection line modules having the same line-direction length as the transport line module, the inspection line modules and the shifter, and a shift space having the same line-direction length; an upstream inspection line module and a downstream inspection line module facing an upstream inspection machine and a downstream inspection machine adjacent to the inspection line in the direction of the inspection line, and an upstream transport line module and a downstream transport line module, respectively, are connected in the direction of the inspection line; the shift space is provided at an upstream position in the inspection line direction of the inspection line modules other than the downstream inspection line module; and the shifter conveyor is configured to align with the inspection line and become part of it when moved laterally from the transport line by the shifter.

5. In claim 4, A sample transport system characterized in that a transport device unit is configured with one inspection line module, one transport line module, one shifter, and one reading device attached thereto, each corresponding to one of the inspection machines, and multiple transport device units are arranged between a rack supply unit and a rack retrieval unit so as to be replaceable, added, or reduced.

6. In any of claims 2 to 4, A specimen transport system characterized by being provided with an end shifter that can be selectively connected to the rack discharge end of the transport line and the inspection line at the terminal end of the rack transport direction, and is configured to guide all received racks to the rack retrieval section.

7. In any of claims 2 to 4, A sample transport system characterized in that the shifter, upon receiving the rack to be inspected by the inspection machine from the transport line, sends the rack only to the inspection line, and the shifter downstream in the rack transport direction of the shifter is configured to receive the rack sent out from the inspection machine and return it to the transport line.

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