Sample measuring device and sample transport device

Abstract

To provide a specimen measuring device with which the installation space of the device is reduced, and the work load of users pertaining to the handling of specimen racks is mitigated.SOLUTION: This specimen measuring device 300 comprises a measuring unit 10 that draws in a specimen from a specimen container 1 and measures the drawn-in specimen, and a specimen transport unit 20 that transports the specimen container 1 to the measuring unit 10. The specimen transport unit 20 includes a first transport unit 21 that is constituted so as to transport a plurality of specimen racks 2 holding a specimen container 1 on a first placement surface 21b, and a second transport unit 22 that is located upward of the first transport unit 21 and constituted so as to transport the plurality of specimen racks 2 on a second placement surface 22b. At least one of the first transport unit 21 and the second transport unit 22 is constituted so as to allow the specimen racks 2 to be loaded and unloaded by a user, while the first placement surface 21b and the second placement surface 22b are located at prescribed positions for transporting the specimen racks 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample measurement device and a sample transport device that include a sample transport unit that transports a sample rack to a measurement unit that measures a sample and collects the sample rack from the measurement device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a sample measurement system including a sample placement unit, a sample measurement unit, a sample transport path for transporting a sample rack from the sample placement unit to the sample measurement unit, a sample collection path provided at a position different in height from the sample transport path for collecting the sample rack from the sample measurement unit back to the sample placement unit, and a transfer mechanism for transferring the sample rack from the sample transport path to the sample collection path. The sample placement unit includes a cart for holding the sample rack, and the cart is housed inside the sample placement unit. The upper stage of the cart is a sample placement section on which a sample rack holding sample containers before measurement is placed, and the lower stage is a rack collection section on which a sample rack holding sample containers after measurement is collected. An inspection technician or the like who uses the sample measurement system pulls out the cart from the sample placement unit, places the sample rack on the upper stage of the cart, and takes out sample containers containing samples that have completed measurement from the lower stage of the cart.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it is necessary to pull out a cart from the specimen placement unit in order to install a specimen rack in the specimen placement unit or to remove a specimen rack from the specimen placement unit, which is cumbersome. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the user's workload related to the installation and retrieval of specimen racks.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a specimen measuring device and a specimen transport device that reduce the user's workload related to handling specimen racks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the specimen measuring device (300) according to the present invention, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a measuring unit (10) that aspirates a specimen from a specimen container (1) and measures the aspirated specimen, and a specimen transport unit (20) that transports the specimen container (1) to the measuring unit (10), wherein the specimen transport unit (20) includes a first transport unit (21) configured to transport a plurality of specimen racks (2) holding specimen containers (1) on the first transport unit (21b) which includes a first mounting surface (21b) on which specimen racks (2) can be placed, and a second transport unit (22) positioned above the first transport unit (21) which includes a second mounting surface (22b) on which specimen racks (2) can be placed, which includes a plurality of specimen racks (2) on the second mounting surface (22b), Each of the first transport unit (21) and the second transport unit (22) is configured to transport the sample rack (2) in the short-side direction of the sample rack (2). First transport section (21 )teeth With the first mounting surface (21b) and the second mounting surface (22b) positioned in predetermined locations for transporting the specimen rack (2), the user but Specimen rack (2) From the longitudinal direction of the sample rack (2) Putting in and taking out to do It is configured to allow The state in which the sample rack (2) is positioned for transport is a state in which the first mounting surface (21b) and the second mounting surface (22b) are positioned so that the sample rack (2) can be transferred by transport between them and the transport surface of an upstream or downstream transport device. The first transport unit (21) is configured such that, in a state in which the first mounting surface (21b) and the second mounting surface (22b) are positioned for transport, the user can insert and remove the sample rack (2) from the longitudinal direction of the sample rack (2) in an area different from the area in which the sample rack (2) is transferred by transport between it and the transport surface.

[0007] In the specimen measuring device (300) according to the present invention, the specimen transport unit (20) includes a first transport unit (21) configured to transport a plurality of specimen racks (2) holding specimen containers (1) on the first transport unit (21b), which includes a first mounting surface (21b) on which specimen racks (2) can be placed, and a second transport unit (22) positioned above the first transport unit (21) and including a second mounting surface (22b) on which specimen racks (2) can be placed, which includes a plurality of specimen racks (2) on the second mounting surface (22b), Each of the first transport unit (21) and the second transport unit (22) is configured to transport the sample rack (2) in the short-side direction of the sample rack (2). First transport section (21 )but With the first mounting surface (21b) and the second mounting surface (22b) positioned in predetermined locations for transporting the specimen rack (2), the user but Specimen rack (2) From the longitudinal direction of the sample rack (2) Putting in and taking out to do It is configured to enable The state in which the sample rack (2) is positioned for transport is a state in which the first mounting surface (21b) and the second mounting surface (22b) are positioned so that the sample rack (2) can be transferred by transport between them and the transport surface of an upstream or downstream transport device, and the first transport unit (21) is configured such that, in a state in which the first mounting surface (21b) and the second mounting surface (22b) are positioned for transport, the user can insert and remove the sample rack (2) from the longitudinal direction of the sample rack (2) in an area different from the area in which the sample rack (2) is transferred by transport between it and the transport surface. Therefore, the installation or retrieval of the specimen rack (2) can be easily performed without moving the first mounting surface (21b) and the second mounting surface (22b). Accordingly, the user's workload related to handling the specimen rack can be reduced.

[0008] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the specimen transport device (20) according to the present invention is a specimen transport device that transports a specimen container (1) to a measuring device (10) that aspirates a specimen from the specimen container (1) and measures the aspirated specimen, and comprises a first transport unit (21) which includes a first mounting surface (21b) on which specimen racks (2) can be placed and is configured to transport a plurality of specimen racks (2) holding specimen containers (1) on the first mounting surface (21b), and a second transport unit (22) which is positioned above the first transport unit (21) and includes a second mounting surface (22b) on which specimen racks (2) can be placed and is configured to transport a plurality of specimen racks (2) on the second mounting surface (22b), Preparation , Each of the first transport unit (21) and the second transport unit (22) is configured to transport the sample rack (2) in the short-side direction of the sample rack (2). First transport section (21 )teeth With the first mounting surface (21b) and the second mounting surface (22b) positioned in predetermined locations for transporting the specimen rack (2), the user but Specimen rack (2) From the longitudinal direction of the sample rack (2) Putting in and taking out to do It is configured to allow The state in which the sample rack (2) is positioned for transport is a state in which the first mounting surface (21b) and the second mounting surface (22b) are positioned so that the sample rack (2) can be transferred by transport between them and the transport surface of an upstream or downstream transport device. The first transport unit (21) is configured such that, in a state in which the first mounting surface (21b) and the second mounting surface (22b) are positioned for transport, the user can insert and remove the sample rack (2) from the longitudinal direction of the sample rack (2) in an area different from the area in which the sample rack (2) is transferred by transport between it and the transport surface.

[0009] In the sample transporting device (20) according to the present invention, the sample transport section includes: a first transport section (21) configured to transport a plurality of sample racks (2) holding sample containers (1) on a first placement surface (21b), the first transport section (21) including the first placement surface (21b) on which a sample rack (2) can be placed; and a second transport section (22) disposed above the first transport section (21), including a second placement surface (22b) on which a sample rack (2) can be placed, and configured to transport a plurality of sample racks (2) on the second placement surface (22b). Preparation , Each of the first transport unit (21) and the second transport unit (22) is configured to transport the sample rack (2) in the short-side direction of the sample rack (2). The first transport section (21 )but ), in a state where the first placement surface (21b) and the second placement surface (22b) are arranged at predetermined positions for transporting sample racks (2), allows a user to but put sample racks (2) in and take them out From the longitudinal direction of the sample rack (2) putting in and taking out to do is configured to enable The state in which the sample rack (2) is positioned for transport is a state in which the first mounting surface (21b) and the second mounting surface (22b) are positioned so that the sample rack (2) can be transferred by transport between them and the transport surface of an upstream or downstream transport device, and the first transport unit (21) is configured such that, in a state in which the first mounting surface (21b) and the second mounting surface (22b) are positioned for transport, the user can insert and remove the sample rack (2) from the longitudinal direction of the sample rack (2) in an area different from the area in which the sample rack (2) is transferred by transport between it and the transport surface. . Therefore, the installation or recovery work of sample racks (2) can be easily performed without moving the first placement surface (21b) and the second placement surface (22b). Accordingly, the user's work load related to handling sample racks can be reduced. Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sample measuring device and a sample transporting device that reduce the user's work load related to handling sample racks. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] [Figure 1] It is a schematic perspective view of the sample measuring device of the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a schematic perspective view showing a sample rack. [Figure 3] It is a schematic perspective view partially showing a sample transport section. [Figure 4] It is a schematic side view showing an enlarged upper portion of the sample transport section. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram comparing end surface shapes of the sample transport section at positions Qa, Qb and Qc shown in Fig. 4. [Figure 6] It is a perspective explanatory view for explaining the internal structure of a sample transport unit. [Figure 7] It is a perspective explanatory view of a second transport unit. [Figure 8] It is a perspective explanatory view of a first transport unit. [Figure 9] It is a perspective explanatory view of a feeding mechanism. [Figure 10] It is a perspective explanatory view of a third transport unit. [Figure 11] It is a perspective explanatory view of a table unit. [Figure 12] It is a perspective explanatory view of an arm unit. [Figure 13] It is a side explanatory view showing a state where a mounting table is at an origin position. [Figure 14] It is a side explanatory view showing a state where the mounting table is at an engagement switching position. [Figure 15] It is a side explanatory view showing a state where the mounting table is at a delivery position. [Figure 16] It is a schematic diagram showing a state where an engagement member is engaged with a first roller. [Figure 17] It is a side explanatory view showing a state where a second roller is on an inclined surface. [Figure 18] It is a schematic diagram showing a state where engagement between the engagement member and the first roller is released. [Figure 19] It is a perspective explanatory view of a first lifting unit. [Figure 20] It is a perspective explanatory view of a lifting mounting unit. [Figure 21] It is a first operation explanatory view of the sample transport unit. [Figure 22] It is a second operation explanatory view of the sample transport unit. [Figure 23] It is a third operation explanatory view of the sample transport unit. [Figure 24] It is a fourth operation explanatory view of the sample transport unit. [Figure 25] It is a fifth operation explanatory view of the sample transport unit. [Figure 26] It is a sixth operation explanatory view of the sample transport unit. [Figure 27]This is the seventh operational diagram of the specimen transport unit. [Figure 28] This is the eighth operational diagram of the specimen transport unit. [Figure 29] This is the ninth operational diagram of the specimen transport unit. [Figure 30] This is the first explanatory diagram illustrating rack transport from the third transport section of the specimen transport unit. [Figure 31] This is the second explanatory diagram illustrating rack transport from the third transport section of the specimen transport unit. [Figure 32] This is a plan view diagram illustrating the configuration of the measurement unit. [Figure 33] This is a schematic cross-sectional diagram illustrating the configuration of the measuring unit. [Figure 34] This is a block diagram showing the configuration involved in the control of the sample measurement device. [Figure 35] This is a flowchart to explain the operation of the sample measurement device. [Figure 36] This is a flowchart explaining the emergency sample rack dispatch process. [Figure 37] This is a flowchart illustrating the general sample rack dispatch process. [Figure 38] This is a flowchart to explain the rack retrieval process. [Figure 39] This is a flowchart to explain the sample measurement process. [Figure 40] This is a diagram illustrating the sample measurement process. [Figure 41] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the first modified example. [Figure 42] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the second modified example. [Figure 43] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the selection of destinations for transporting specimen racks. [Figure 44] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the transport route of the sample racks. [Figure 45] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the third modified example. [Figure 46] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the fourth modified example. [Figure 47] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the fifth modified example. [Figure 48] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the sixth modified example. [Figure 49] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the seventh modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the sample measuring device 300 comprises a measuring unit 10, a sample transport unit 20, and an analysis unit 400.

[0014] The measurement unit 10 is configured to aspirate a sample from the sample container 1 and measure the aspirated sample. Specifically, the measurement unit 10 is an immunoassay device that detects a test substance in the sample using an antigen-antibody reaction. The sample is serum or plasma.

[0015] The measuring unit 10 has a front surface 10a and a rear surface 10b, and a pair of sides 10c and 10d. The measuring unit 10 has a structure in which various mechanisms for measuring a sample are housed in a box-shaped casing, and the front surface 10a and rear surface 10b and the pair of sides 10c and 10d are the outer surfaces of the casing.

[0016] Hereinafter, in the horizontal plane, the lateral direction along the front surface 10a of the measuring unit 10 will be defined as the X direction, and one side and the other side of the X direction will be defined as the X1 direction and the X2 direction, respectively. In the horizontal plane, the front-rear direction along the sides 10c and 10d of the measuring unit 10 will be defined as the Y direction, with the far side (back surface 10b side) of the Y direction being defined as the Y1 direction and the near side (front surface 10a side) of the Y direction being defined as the Y2 direction. The vertical direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions will be defined as the Z direction, with the upward direction of the Z direction being defined as the Z1 direction and the downward direction being defined as the Z2 direction.

[0017] The sample transport unit 20 is configured to transport the sample container 1 to the measurement unit 10. In other words, the sample transport unit 20 is a sample transport device that aspirates a sample from the sample container 1 and transports the sample container 1 to a measurement device (measurement unit 10) that measures the aspirated sample.

[0018] The sample transport unit 20 is capable of accommodating a sample rack 2 that holds a sample container 1. The user installs the sample rack 2, which holds the sample container 1 before the sample is aspirated in the measurement unit 10, into the sample transport unit 20. The sample transport unit 20 is configured to transport the installed sample rack 2 toward the measurement unit 10. The sample transport unit 20 is configured to collect and store the sample rack 2 that holds the sample container 1 after the sample has been aspirated in the measurement unit 10 (hereinafter referred to as the sample rack 2 after sample aspiration). The sample rack 2 after sample aspiration is removed from the sample transport unit 20 by the user.

[0019] The sample transport unit 20 is positioned on the X1 side of the measurement unit 10, adjacent to one side (X1 side) 10c of the measurement unit 10. The sample transport unit 20 extends in the front-rear direction (Y direction) along the X1 side 10c of the measurement unit 10. The sample transport unit 20 has a front surface 20a and a back surface 20b, and a pair of sides 20c and 20d. The front surface 20a and the back surface 20b are the longitudinal (Y direction) end faces of the sample transport unit 20. The pair of sides 20c and 20d are the transverse (X direction) faces of the sample transport unit 20.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the specimen rack 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape including a pair of long side surfaces 2a and a pair of short side surfaces 2b. The direction in which the long side surfaces 2a extend is the longitudinal direction A of the specimen rack 2, and the direction in which the short side surfaces 2b extend is the short direction B of the specimen rack 2. The specimen rack 2 has a plurality of holding holes 2c that extend downward from the top surface. A specimen container 1 is held by inserting one specimen container 1 into one of the holding holes 2c. The plurality of holding holes 2c are provided in a straight line at intervals along the longitudinal direction A of the specimen rack 2. A barcode label 2d indicating identification information for identifying the specimen rack 2 is affixed to one of the long side surfaces 2a. An engagement groove 2e is formed at the bottom of the specimen rack 2, which engages with an engagement piece 36a (see Figure 6) of the lateral feeding mechanism 36, which will be described later.

[0021] The specimen container 1 is a cylindrical container with an open top and a closed bottom. The specimen collected from the subject is contained inside the specimen container 1. A barcode label 1b indicating identification information for identifying the specimen container 1 is affixed to the side of the specimen container 1. Each holding hole 2c is formed as a notch connected to one of the long sides 2a, so that the side of the specimen container 1 inserted into the holding hole 2c is partially exposed from the long side 2a. The user aligns the specimen container 1 so that the barcode label 1b on the specimen container 1 is exposed from the notch on the long side 2a, and then inserts the specimen container 1 into the holding hole 2c.

[0022] (Configuration of the specimen transport unit) As shown in Figure 1, the sample transport unit 20 includes a first transport unit 21, a second transport unit 22 positioned above the first transport unit 21, a third transport unit 23 positioned above the second transport unit 22, a first lifting unit 27, and a transport mechanism 29. Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view partially showing the sample transport unit 20. As shown in Figure 3, the sample transport unit 20 further includes the first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, the third transport unit 23, and a cover unit 24, which will be described later. The cover unit 24 is an exterior component of the sample transport unit 20.

[0023] The first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, and the third transport unit 23 are arranged in the vertical direction. In other words, the sample transport unit 20 has a three-tiered hierarchical structure.

[0024] The first transport unit 21 is configured to transport multiple sample racks 2, each holding a sample container 1, in the short-side direction B of the sample racks 2 on the mounting surface. The second transport unit 22 is configured to transport multiple sample racks 2 in the short-side direction B of the sample racks 2 on the mounting surface. The third transport unit 23 is configured to transport the sample racks 2 in the short-side direction B of the sample racks 2 on the mounting surface.

[0025] In this embodiment, the first transport unit 21 is a rack retrieval unit that retrieves sample racks 2 holding sample containers 1 after sample aspiration by the measurement unit 10. The first transport unit 21 is capable of holding multiple sample racks 2 and is configured to store the sample racks 2 until they are removed by the user. The second transport unit 22 is a rack installation unit where sample racks 2 before sample aspiration by the measurement unit 10 are placed and the installed sample racks 2 are transported toward the measurement unit 10.

[0026] As a result, the rack retrieval unit (first transport unit 21) and the rack installation unit (second transport unit 22) are positioned to overlap when viewed from above. Therefore, compared to a case where each transport unit is arranged planarly at different positions, the installation area of ​​the device can be reduced, and the user's work position for installing and retrieving the sample racks 2 can be consolidated into a single location. Since the user does not need to move to multiple work positions, the user's work efficiency can be improved and the workload reduced.

[0027] Furthermore, by making the upper second transport section 22 of the first transport section 21 the rack installation section, the work of installing the sample rack 2 holding the sample container 1 to be measured can be performed at a higher position closer to the user's eye level. Therefore, when installing the sample rack 2, it is easy to check whether the wrong sample container 1 has been set in the sample rack 2.

[0028] The third transport unit 23 is capable of housing a sample rack 2. The third transport unit 23 is an interrupt sample housing unit. The third transport unit 23 houses a sample rack 2 that holds sample containers 1 which are subject to sample aspiration by the measurement unit 10 with priority over sample containers 1 held in the sample rack 2 housed in the second transport unit 22. The third transport unit 23 is configured to transport the installed sample rack 2 toward the measurement unit 10 with priority over the sample rack 2 housed in the second transport unit 22. The sample rack 2 housed in the third transport unit 23 holds sample containers 1 containing interrupt samples. Examples of interrupt samples include emergency samples, which are samples from a test subject; control samples, which contain predetermined amounts of predetermined components and are used for quality control of the measurement unit 10; and calibrators, which are used to create calibration curves for converting detection signals output from the measurement unit 10 to concentrations of predetermined components.

[0029] In other words, there are two types of samples that are subject to measurement by the measurement unit 10: general samples and emergency samples. The following describes the case where an emergency sample is an emergency sample. Normally, the user places a sample rack 2 holding a sample container 1 containing a general sample in the second transport unit 22 (rack installation unit). Multiple sample racks 2 can be installed in the second transport unit 22. The second transport unit 22 sequentially sends the installed sample racks 2 toward the measurement unit 10.

[0030] If an urgent sample that needs to be measured before the sample rack 2 installed in the second transport unit 22 is available, the user places the sample rack 2 holding the sample container 1 containing the urgent sample in the third transport unit 23 (interrupt sample placement unit). When the sample rack 2 is placed in the third transport unit 23, the dispatch of the sample rack 2 by the second transport unit 22 is temporarily stopped, and the third transport unit 23 prioritizes sending the installed sample rack 2 toward the measurement unit 10 (i.e., as an interruption process).

[0031] Since the second transport unit 22, which is the rack installation unit, and the third transport unit 23, which is the interrupt sample installation unit, are arranged vertically, the user can install a sample rack 2 holding an emergency sample in the third transport unit 23 from the same standing position as when installing a sample rack 2 holding a general sample in the second transport unit 22. As a result, the installation of a sample rack 2 holding an emergency sample becomes easier.

[0032] The first transport section 21, the second transport section 22, and the third transport section 23 are provided along the front-to-back direction of the measuring section 10, which is the shorter direction B, alongside the X1 side 10c of the pair of sides 10c and 10d of the measuring section 10.

[0033] The first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, and the third transport unit 23 are capable of installing the sample rack 2 in an orientation where the longitudinal direction A of the sample rack 2 faces the X direction and the short direction B faces the Y direction. Multiple sample racks 2 are installed in the second transport unit 22 and the first transport unit 21 so as to be aligned along the Y direction. The first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, and the third transport unit 23 are each configured to transport the sample rack 2 holding the sample container 1 in the short direction B (i.e., the Y direction) of the sample rack 2. In other words, the first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, and the third transport unit 23 are configured to hold and transport the sample rack 2 in an orientation where the longitudinal direction A of the sample rack 2 faces the width direction (X direction) and the short direction (B direction) of the sample rack 2 faces the transport direction (Y direction).

[0034] The third transport unit 23 is not used unless there are samples that need to be processed preferentially, and therefore is used less frequently than the second transport unit 22. The number of racks that can be installed in the third transport unit 23 is less than the number of racks that can be installed in the second transport unit 22. For example, the second transport unit 22 can install 25 racks, while the third transport unit 23 can install 1 rack. The number of racks that the first transport unit 21 can store is greater than or equal to the number of racks that can be installed in the second transport unit 22, for example, 30 racks.

[0035] Furthermore, the first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, and the third transport unit 23 each have a single transport lane CL for transporting the sample racks 2. In the second transport unit 22 and the first transport unit 21, the sample racks 2 are arranged in a straight line along the Y direction. This reduces the area occupied in the horizontal plane of the first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, and the third transport unit 23 compared to the case where the first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, and the third transport unit 23 have multiple lanes in the horizontal plane. As a result, the installation area of ​​the sample transport unit 20 can be effectively reduced.

[0036] In this configuration, where multiple transport units are arranged vertically, the upper second transport unit 22 may get in the way when installing or retrieving the sample rack 2 from the lower first transport unit 21.

[0037] Therefore, in this embodiment, at least the first transport unit 21 of the first transport unit 21 and the second transport unit 22 is configured such that the sample rack 2 can be inserted into and removed from the longitudinal direction A (X direction) of the sample rack 2 when the respective mounting surfaces (21b, 22b) of the first transport unit 21 and the second transport unit 22 are positioned at predetermined positions for transport as shown in Figure 1. The state of being positioned at predetermined positions for transport means that the mounting surfaces (21b, 22b) are positioned so that the sample rack 2 can be transferred between the transport surface of an upstream or downstream transport device. Furthermore, at least the first transport unit 21 of the first transport unit 21 and the second transport unit 22 is configured such that the sample rack 2 can be inserted into and removed from the longitudinal direction A (X direction) of the sample rack 2 while the sample transport unit 20 is in operation. The operation of the sample transport unit 20 means the period during which it transports the sample rack 2 holding the sample container 1 before sample aspiration to the sample aspiration position of the measurement unit 10, and retrieves the sample rack 2 holding the sample container 1 after sample aspiration has been performed from the sample aspiration position of the measurement unit 10. In other words, the previously retrieved sample rack 2 can be removed from the first transport unit 21 while the sample rack 2 installed in the second transport unit 22 or the third transport unit 23 is being transported out and retrieved to the first transport unit 21.

[0038] This allows for easy retrieval of the sample rack 2 from the first transport unit 21 without moving the respective mounting surfaces (21b, 22b) of the first transport unit 21 and the second transport unit 22. Furthermore, the retrieval of the sample rack 2 from the first transport unit 21 can be easily performed even while the sample transport unit 20 is in operation. With the above configuration, the sample measuring device 300 of this embodiment can reduce the installation area of ​​the device and reduce the user's workload related to the installation and retrieval of sample racks.

[0039] In this embodiment, both the first transport unit 21 and the second transport unit 22 are configured to allow the insertion and removal of sample racks 2 while their respective mounting surfaces (21b, 22b) are positioned in predetermined transport locations as shown in Figure 1. To this end, the cover portion 24 of the sample transport unit 20 is provided to leave at least a portion of the rack storage area 21a of the first transport unit 21 and the rack storage area 22a of the second transport unit 22 open to the outside without covering them. The rack storage area is a space in each transport unit capable of storing multiple sample racks 2.

[0040] Each of the first transport section 21 and the second transport section 22 has a pair of sides aligned with the shorter direction B, and includes mounting surfaces (21b, 22b) on which a plurality of sample racks 2 can be placed. Specifically, the first transport section 21 has a first mounting surface 21b extending in the Y direction, and a side 21c on the X1 side and a side 21d on the X2 side as shown in Figure 5. The second transport section 22 has a second mounting surface 22b extending in the Y direction, and a side 22c on the X1 side and a side 22d on the X2 side as shown in Figure 5. The sides 21d and 22d on the X2 side are the sides facing the measurement section 10.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4, the first mounting surface 21b of the specimen rack 2 in the first transport unit 21 is located at height H1. The second mounting surface 22b of the second transport unit 22 is located at height H2. The third mounting surface 23a of the third transport unit 23 is located at height H3. Heights H1 to H3 all refer to the height from the floor surface on which the specimen transport unit 20 is installed. The relationship between the heights of each mounting surface is height H1 < height H2 < height H3. For example, height H1 is approximately 65 cm and height H3 is approximately 105 cm. Although heights H1 to H3 are not limited, from the viewpoint of facilitating the installation and removal of the specimen rack 2, height H1 may preferably be 35 cm or more and 95 cm or less, more preferably 45 cm or more and 85 cm or less. From a similar viewpoint, height H3 may preferably be 75 cm or more and 135 cm or less, more preferably 85 cm or more and 125 cm or less.

[0042] The height range between the first mounting surface 21b of the first transport unit 21 and the lower surface of the second transport unit 22 is the rack storage area 21a where the sample racks 2 on the first mounting surface 21b are stored. The height range between the second mounting surface 22b of the second transport unit 22 and the lower surface of the third transport unit 23 is the rack storage area 22a where the sample racks 2 on the second mounting surface 22b are stored. Each of the rack storage areas 21a and 22a extends along the short-side direction B (Y direction) so that multiple sample racks 2 can be installed side by side in the short-side direction B.

[0043] <Mechanism for loading and unloading specimen racks from the side> As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the cover portion 24 is provided to cover the sample transport portion 20 while leaving an area of ​​the X1-side side 21c of the first transport portion 21 that corresponds to the entire length of the rack storage area 21a on the first mounting surface 21b open to the outside. In other words, the cover portion 24 has a shape that forms an open portion 24a on the X1 side of the rack storage area 21a, allowing the user to remove the sample rack 2 from the X1 side of the rack storage area 21a. The open portion 24a is a space included in the rack storage area 21a.

[0044] As a result, even in a configuration where the second transport unit 22 is positioned above the first transport unit 21, the sample rack 2 can be inserted into and removed from the first transport unit 21 from the side 21c while the sample transport unit 20 is in operation.

[0045] In this embodiment, a portion of the X1-side side 22c of the second transport unit 22, corresponding to a part of the rack storage area 22a, is left open and not covered by the cover unit 24. The cover unit 24 has a shape that forms an open portion 24b, which is a part of the rack storage area 22a on the X1 side, allowing the user to place the sample racks 2 from the X1 side of the rack storage area 22a. The open portion 24b is a space included in the rack storage area 22a. In this embodiment, 25 sample racks 2 can be placed in the rack storage area 22a, and a portion corresponding to 23 sample racks 2 on the Y2 side is left open and not covered by the cover unit 24. The size of the area that is left open and not covered by the cover unit 24 is not limited; it is sufficient if it is an area large enough to accommodate one or more sample racks 2. The size of the area may be, for example, 1 / 10 or more of the maximum number of sample racks 2 that can be placed in the rack storage area 22a (25 in this embodiment), or 1 / 5 or more, 1 / 4 or more, 1 / 3 or more, 1 / 2 or more, or 2 / 3 or more.

[0046] As a result, in this embodiment, even with the third transport unit 23 positioned above the second transport unit 22, the specimen rack 2 can be inserted into and removed from the second transport unit 22 from the side 22c, while the respective mounting surfaces (21b, 22b) of the first transport unit 21 and the second transport unit 22 are positioned in the predetermined transport positions shown in Figure 1.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4, the cover portion 24 of this embodiment is provided to open the rack storage area 21a of the first transport unit 21 over its entire length in the short direction B (Y direction). This allows the user to view and retrieve the sample racks 2 stored in the first transport unit 21 from any position in the rack storage area 21a of the first transport unit 21, from the long direction A (X direction) side.

[0048] The cover portion 24 is provided so as to leave a portion of the rack storage area 22a of the second transport unit 22 open in the short direction B (Y direction). This allows the user to place the sample rack 2 from the X1 side at any position in the rack storage area 22a of the second transport unit 22 that is not covered by the cover portion 24 and is open, and to visually confirm the placed sample rack 2. It is also easy to remove the sample rack 2 once it has been placed before it is transported.

[0049] The cover portion 24 may be provided to open a part of the rack storage area 21a of the first transport unit 21 in the short direction B (Y direction). Similarly, the cover portion 24 may be provided to open the rack storage area 22a of the second transport unit 22 along its entire length.

[0050] <Mechanism for loading and unloading specimen racks from the front and top> Furthermore, the first transport section 21, the second transport section 22, and the third transport section 23 all extend along the front-to-back direction (Y direction) of the measurement section 10, and are configured to allow the installation or removal of the sample rack 2 at their front end (Y2 side end).

[0051] In other words, the cover portion 24 is provided to further open the front ends (Y2 direction ends) of the rack storage areas 21a and 22a of the second transport portion 22 and the first transport portion 21, respectively. That is, the Y2 direction side of each of the rack storage areas 21a and 22a is open without being covered by the cover portion 24. As a result, the user can remove the sample rack 2 placed at the front end of the first transport portion 21 toward the Y2 direction. The user can also place the sample rack 2 toward the front end of the second transport portion 22 from the Y2 direction side.

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the front end of the second transport unit 22 is positioned further back (in the Y1 direction) than the front end of the first transport unit 21. The front end of the second transport unit 22 is positioned at a distance D2 further back than the front end of the first transport unit 21. The front end of the second transport unit 22 is shifted in the Y1 direction by the amount of four sample racks 2 compared to the Y2 side end of the rack storage area 21a of the first transport unit 21. The cover unit 24 is provided so as to be open without covering the top of the first transport unit 21 in the range between the front end of the first transport unit 21 and the front end of the second transport unit 22 in the front-rear direction (Y direction) (range of distance D2).

[0053] This ensures that a space is secured above the front end of the first transport section 21 that is not covered by the second transport section 22 and the cover section 24. Therefore, even when the second transport section 22 is provided above the first transport section 21, the sample rack 2 can be removed upwards from the front end of the first transport section 21, improving the work efficiency when retrieving the sample rack 2. In addition, since the top of the sample rack 2 is exposed and not covered at the front end of the first transport section 21, the visibility of the sample rack 2 when the user checks it is improved.

[0054] In this embodiment, the front end of the third transport unit 23 is positioned further back (in the Y1 direction) than the front end of the second transport unit 22. The front end of the third transport unit 23 is positioned at a distance D1 further back than the front end of the second transport unit 22. The front end of the third transport unit 23 is offset in the Y1 direction by the amount of five sample racks 2 from the Y2 side end of the rack storage area 22a of the second transport unit 22. The cover unit 24 is provided so as to be open without covering the top of the second transport unit 22 in the range between the front end of the second transport unit 22 and the front end of the third transport unit 23 in the front-rear direction (Y direction) (range of distance D1).

[0055] This ensures that a space is secured above the front end of the second transport section 22 that is not covered by the third transport section 23. Therefore, even when the third transport section 23 is provided above the second transport section 22, the sample rack 2 can be installed from above at the front end of the second transport section 22, improving the workability when installing the sample rack 2. In addition, since the top of the sample rack 2 is exposed and not covered at the front end of the second transport section 22, the visibility of the sample rack 2 when the user checks it is improved.

[0056] The sample transport unit 20 further includes a base 25 that supports the first transport unit 21 from below. The first transport unit 21 is provided on the base 25. The front end of the first transport unit 21 protrudes forward (towards Y2) in the front-rear direction relative to the base 25. This makes it easier for the user to reach the front end of the first transport unit 21, thus facilitating the retrieval of the sample rack 2 from the front end of the first transport unit 21.

[0057] Figure 5 is a schematic comparison diagram showing the XZ end face shapes of the sample transport unit 20 at positions Qa, Qb, and Qc in the Y direction shown in Figure 4. Position Qa is the position between the front end of the first transport unit 21 and the front end of the second transport unit 22. Position Qb is the position between the front end of the second transport unit 22 and the front end of the third transport unit 23. Position Qc is the position between the front end and the rear end of the third transport unit 23.

[0058] At position Qa, the rack storage area 21a of the first transport unit 21 is open to the outside in the X2, X1, and Z1 directions, without being covered by the cover unit 24. This is because the Y-direction positions of the front ends of the first transport unit 21 and the second transport unit 22 are offset from each other. As a result, the user can easily see and retrieve the sample racks 2, which are arranged within a range of 5 racks at the front end of the first transport unit 21, from any direction.

[0059] At positions Qb and Qc, the cover portion 24 is provided in the rack storage area 21a of the first transport unit 21 to cover one side (X2 side 21d) on the measurement unit 10 side, while leaving the other side (X1 side 21c) opposite to the measurement unit 10 open. This allows the user to view and remove the sample rack 2 stored in the first transport unit 21 from the X1 side. On the other hand, since the measurement unit 10 is positioned adjacent to the X2 side of the rack storage area 21a, the sample rack 2 is not inserted into or removed from the X2 side of the rack storage area 21a. Therefore, by limiting the insertion and removal of the sample rack 2 into and out of the rack storage area 21a to one side (X1 side) and deliberately covering the measurement unit 10 side (X2 side) side 21d with the cover portion 24, a structure for supporting the upper second transport unit 22 can be provided inside the cover portion 24 on side 21d.

[0060] At position Qb, the rack storage area 22a of the second transport unit 22 is open to the outside in the X2, X1, and Z1 directions, without being covered by the cover unit 24. This is because the Y-direction positions of the front ends of the second transport unit 22 and the third transport unit 23 are offset from each other. As a result, the user can easily see the sample racks 2 arranged within a range of 5 racks at the front end of the second transport unit 22 and retrieve them from any direction.

[0061] At position Qc, the cover portion 24 is provided in the rack storage area 22a of the second transport unit 22 to cover one side (X2 side 22d) on the measurement unit 10 side, while leaving the other side (X1 side 22c) opposite to the measurement unit 10 open. This allows the user to insert and remove the sample rack 2 from the X1 side to the second transport unit 22. On the other hand, since the measurement unit 10 is positioned adjacent to the X2 side of the rack storage area 22a, the sample rack 2 is not inserted or removed from the X2 side of the rack storage area 22a. Therefore, by limiting the insertion and removal of the sample rack 2 to one side (X1 side) of the rack storage area 22a and deliberately covering the measurement unit 10 side (X2 side) side 22d with the cover portion 24, a structure for supporting the upper third transport unit 23 can be provided inside the cover portion 24 on side 22d.

[0062] As described above, the rack storage area 21a of the first transport unit 21 and the rack storage area 22a of the second transport unit 22 are open at least on the X1 side 21c and 22c along substantially the entire length in the Y direction. Therefore, the first transport unit 21 and the second transport unit 22 can insert and remove sample racks 2 from the longitudinal direction A (see Figure 2) of the sample racks 2 while their respective mounting surfaces (21b and 22b) are positioned in the predetermined transport positions shown in Figure 1. This allows for the additional installation of sample racks 2 before sample aspiration, or the retrieval of sample racks 2 after sample aspiration, without moving the mounting surfaces (21b and 22b). Furthermore, the first transport unit 21 and the second transport unit 22 can insert and remove sample racks 2 from the longitudinal direction A of the sample racks 2, whether the sample transport unit 20 is in operation or not. This allows for the continuous transport of sample racks 2 to the measurement unit 10 by the sample transport unit 20 and the measurement of samples by the measurement unit 10, while simultaneously enabling the installation of additional sample racks 2 before sample aspiration and the retrieval of sample racks 2 after sample aspiration.

[0063] For example, if it is not possible to insert or remove sample racks 2 while the sample transport unit 20 is in operation, the sample racks 2 to be measured must be placed in the second transport unit 22 and measurement performed. After all sample racks 2 have been collected in the first transport unit 21, measurement by the sample measuring device 300 must be interrupted to remove the sample racks 2 from the first transport unit 21 and to install the next sample racks 2 in the second transport unit 22. After each operation is completed, measurement must be resumed. In contrast, in this embodiment, additional sample racks 2 can be installed and removed while the sample transport unit 20 is in operation. Therefore, more sample racks 2 than the maximum number that can be installed in the second transport unit 22 can be continuously subjected to measurement processing by the sample measuring device 300 without interrupting measurement.

[0064] As will be described later, the third transport unit 23 employs a configuration in which a mounting platform 23b on which a sample rack 2 can be installed is cantilevered from the X2 side. Therefore, the area above the rack storage region 22a of the second transport unit 22 is not covered by the third transport unit 23 except for the position where the mounting platform 23b is located (see Figure 3). As a result, the user can easily see and retrieve sample racks 2 located behind the five racks at the front end of the second transport unit 22 (towards Y1) from any direction. In addition, to prevent the user from accidentally dropping the sample rack 2 when installing it in the third transport unit 23, a partition plate extending horizontally may be provided between the third transport unit 23 and the second transport unit 22.

[0065] (Internal structure of the specimen transport unit) Figure 6 schematically shows the internal structure of the sample transport unit 20 with the cover 24 removed. The first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, and the third transport unit 23 are each assembled to the chassis 26. The base 25 corresponds to the lower part of the chassis 26.

[0066] The first transport unit 21 (rack retrieval unit) includes a first mounting surface 21b on which multiple sample racks 2 can be placed, and a moving mechanism 21e housed on the underside of the first mounting surface 21b for moving the sample racks 2 on the first mounting surface 21b. The user can place the sample racks 2 at any position on the first mounting surface 21b. Similarly, the second transport unit 22 (rack installation unit) includes a second mounting surface 22b on which multiple sample racks 2 can be placed, and a moving mechanism 22e housed on the underside of the second mounting surface 22b for moving the sample racks 2 on the second mounting surface 22b. The user can retrieve the sample racks 2 from any position on the second mounting surface 22b. The third transport unit 23 (interrupted sample installation unit) includes a mounting table 23b on which a sample rack 2 can be placed, and a mounting table moving mechanism 23c that cantilever-supports and moves the mounting table 23b from the side. This configuration allows the three work locations related to the installation and retrieval of sample rack 2 (the location for emergency samples, the location for general samples, and the location for retrieving the sample rack after measurement) to be consolidated into a single location, effectively reducing the user's workload related to the installation and retrieval of sample rack 2.

[0067] Furthermore, the sample transport unit 20 also includes a first lifting unit 27, a reading unit 28, and a transport mechanism 29.

[0068] The first lifting unit 27 is located at the rear end (Y1 direction end) of the chassis 26. The first lifting unit 27 is configured to move vertically between the first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, the third transport unit 23, and the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 32 of the transport mechanism 29 (described later) to transfer the sample racks 2. Specifically, the first lifting unit 27 receives the sample racks 2 from the second transport unit 22 and the third transport unit 23, and transfers the received sample racks 2 to the transport mechanism 29. The first lifting unit 27 receives the sample racks 2 with samples already aspirated from the transport mechanism 29, and transfers the received sample racks 2 to the first transport unit 21.

[0069] This allows the sample rack 2 to be transferred to each of the first transport unit 21, second transport unit 22, and third transport unit 23, which are located at different height positions, by moving the first lifting unit 27 up and down.

[0070] The sample transport unit 20 includes one first lifting unit 27. The first lifting unit 27 is configured to be movable between the respective transfer positions of the first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, and the third transport unit 23, the reading position of the reading unit 28, and the respective transfer positions of the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 32 of the transport mechanism 29, which will be described later.

[0071] The reading unit 28 is configured to read the identification information of the sample rack 2 and each sample container 1. The reading unit 28 is an optical reader that reads the identification information from the barcode label 2d of the sample rack 2 and the barcode label 1b of the sample container 1 (see Figure 2).

[0072] The reading unit 28 is located adjacent to the movement area of ​​the first lifting unit 27 in the Y1 direction. When the first lifting unit 27 receives a sample rack 2 from the second transport unit 22 or the third transport unit 23, it moves in the Z direction to position the received sample rack 2 at the reading position of the reading unit 28. As a result, the reading unit 28 reads the identification information of the sample rack 2 and each sample container 1.

[0073] The transport mechanism 29 is configured to receive the sample rack 2 from the first lifting unit 27 and transport it to the sample aspiration position P1, and to transport the sample rack 2 back to the first lifting unit 27 after sample aspiration. The transport mechanism 29 is adjacent to the X2 side of the movement area of ​​the first lifting unit 27 and extends in the X2 direction. That is, the transport mechanism 29 is adjacent to the back surface 10b (see Figure 1) of the measurement unit 10 and is provided to extend in the X direction along the back surface 10b.

[0074] The transport mechanism 29 includes a first transport path 31 adjacent to the movement area of ​​the first lifting unit 27. The transport mechanism 29 includes a second transport path 32 located below the first transport path 31 and adjacent to the movement area of ​​the first lifting unit 27. The transport mechanism 29 includes a second lifting unit 33 that moves vertically to transfer the sample rack 2 between the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 32.

[0075] In this embodiment, the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 32 each extend in the X direction. The first transport path 31 and the second transport path 32 each include a drive unit 34 and a transport belt 35 that is circulated by the drive unit 34. The drive unit 34 is, for example, a stepping motor. The first transport path 31 and the second transport path 32 are each configured to transport sample racks 2, which are placed on the upper surface of the transport belt 35, in the X direction by the circulating movement of the transport belt 35. Both the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 32 allow for the transfer of sample racks 2 between them and the first lifting unit 27 at the X1 side end, and allow for the transfer of sample racks 2 between them and the second lifting unit 33 at the X2 side end. The second lifting unit 33 has the same configuration as the first lifting unit 27 and allows for the transfer of sample racks 2 between them and each of the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 32.

[0076] As a result, the first lifting unit 27 and the transport mechanism 29 can transport the sample rack 2 from the second transport unit 22 and the third transport unit 23 to the sample aspiration position P1, and transport the sample rack 2 with samples aspirationed to the first transport unit 21. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide a separate transport mechanism 29 for each of the first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, and the third transport unit 23, the device configuration can be simplified and the device can be made smaller.

[0077] The sample aspiration position P1 by the measurement unit 10 is set on the first transport path 31. Therefore, the transport mechanism 29 transports the sample rack 2, which has been transferred from the first lifting unit 27 to the first transport path 31, to the sample aspiration position P1 on the first transport path 31.

[0078] The transport mechanism 29 includes a lateral feed mechanism 36 that engages with the sample rack 2 transported to the sample aspiration position P1 on the first transport path 31 and moves the engaged sample rack 2 in the X direction. The lateral feed mechanism 36 has an engagement switching unit 36b that moves an engagement piece 36a that engages with the sample rack 2 to a position where it engages with the sample rack 2 on the first transport path 31 and a position where it disengages, a linear motion mechanism 36c that moves the engagement switching unit 36b in the X direction, and a drive unit 36d that drives the linear motion mechanism 36c. The drive unit 36d is, for example, a stepping motor. The lateral feed mechanism 36 engages the engagement groove 2e of the sample rack 2 on the first transport path 31 with the engagement piece 36a and moves the sample rack 2 so that multiple holding holes 2c (see Figure 2) of the sample rack 2 are positioned one by one at the sample aspiration position P1. As a result, the lateral feeding mechanism 36 moves the multiple sample containers 1 held in each of the holding holes 2c of the sample rack 2 one by one to the sample aspiration position P1, and provides them for sample aspiration by the measurement unit 10.

[0079] While engaged with the lateral feeding mechanism 36, the sample rack 2 is not moved by the conveyor belt 35 of the first conveyor path 31. Therefore, while the lateral feeding mechanism 36 holds the first sample rack 2 at the sample aspiration position P1, the first conveyor path 31 can receive the second and subsequent sample racks 2 from the first lifting unit 27 and convey them to just before the sample aspiration position P1 (towards X1).

[0080] Once all sample containers 1 have been aspirated, the lateral feeding mechanism 36 releases the engagement between the engaging piece 36a and the sample rack 2. The transport mechanism 29 then transfers the sample rack 2, which has been aspirated, from the first transport path 31 to the second lifting unit 33, from the second lifting unit 33 to the second transport path 32, and from the second transport path 32 to the first lifting unit 27.

[0081] (Detailed configuration of each part of the specimen transport unit) Next, the configuration of each part of the sample transport unit 20 will be described in detail.

[0082] <Second transport section (rack installation section)> As shown in Figure 7, the second transport section 22 includes, as described above, a second mounting surface 22b and a moving mechanism 22e housed on the lower side of the second mounting surface 22b. The second mounting surface 22b is composed of a flat plate member extending in the Y direction. Figure 7 shows the structure of the moving mechanism 22e on the lower side of the second mounting surface 22b, with the second mounting surface 22b indicated by a dashed line.

[0083] The moving mechanism 22e has one claw portion 41 and the other claw portion 42, and is configured to move the sample rack 2 on the second mounting surface 22b in the Y1 direction by bringing the one claw portion 41 and the other claw portion 42 into contact with the sample rack 2 and moving them in the Y direction. The one claw portion 41 and the other claw portion 42 are positioned above the second mounting surface 22b on the X1 side and the X2 side.

[0084] On the other hand, the claw portion 41 is attached to a pivot shaft 41a that extends vertically from the X1 side of the second mounting surface 22b. The pivot shaft 41a is held by a slider 41b located below the second mounting surface 22b.

[0085] The moving mechanism 22e includes a guide shaft 43a, a first belt 43b, two driven pulleys 43c, a transmission shaft 43d, a drive pulley 43e, a second belt 43f, and a claw drive unit 43g as a mechanism for driving one claw portion 41.

[0086] The slider 41b is movably mounted on the guide shaft 43a and fixed in a predetermined position on the first belt 43b. The guide shaft 43a extends in the Y direction from the front end on the Y2 side to the rear end on the Y1 side of the second conveying section 22. The first belt 43b is stretched over two driven pulleys 43c and a pulley at one end of the transmission shaft section 43d.

[0087] A second belt 43f is stretched between the drive pulley 43e and the pulley at the other end of the transmission shaft 43d. The claw drive unit 43g rotates the drive pulley 43e, which is connected to the output shaft. The claw drive unit 43g is, for example, a stepping motor. The rotation of the drive pulley 43e rotates the transmission shaft 43d via the second belt 43f. The rotation of the transmission shaft 43d causes the first belt 43b to rotate in a circular motion. The circular motion of the first belt 43b causes the slider 41b, which is provided with one claw portion 41, to move along the guide shaft 43a in the Y1 and Y2 directions.

[0088] Therefore, by rotating the first belt 43b in a circular motion using the claw drive unit 43g, it is possible to move one claw 41 along the guide shaft 43a in the Y1 direction and the Y2 direction.

[0089] The configuration of the other claw portion 42 is the same as that of the one claw portion 41. That is, the other claw portion 42 is attached to a pivot shaft 42a that extends vertically from the X2 side of the second mounting surface 22b. The pivot shaft 42a is held by a slider 42b provided below the second mounting surface 22b.

[0090] The configuration of the mechanism that drives the other claw portion 42 is the same as the mechanism that drives the one claw portion 41. The moving mechanism 22e includes a guide shaft 44a, a first belt 44b, two driven pulleys 44c, a transmission shaft portion 44d, a drive pulley 44e, a second belt 44f, and a claw portion drive portion 44g as the mechanism that drives the other claw portion 42.

[0091] On the other hand, similar to the claw portion 41, the other claw portion 42 can be moved along the guide shaft 44a in the Y1 and Y2 directions by rotating the first belt 44b in a circular motion using the claw portion drive unit 44g.

[0092] When one claw portion 41 and the other claw portion 42 move from the front end on the Y2 side in the Y1 direction, the one claw portion 41 and the other claw portion 42 engage with the X1 side and the X2 side of the sample rack 2, respectively, and move the sample rack 2 in the Y1 direction.

[0093] When one claw portion 41 and the other claw portion 42 move in the Y2 direction from the rear end on the Y1 side, when they come into contact with the sample rack 2, the reaction force from the sample rack 2 causes them to rotate to an angular position where they do not engage with the sample rack 2, thereby moving in the Y2 direction without moving the sample rack 2.

[0094] As a result, the moving mechanism 22e can move the sample rack 2, which is installed on the second mounting surface 22b of the second transport unit 22, toward the rear end in the Y1 direction, and transfer the sample rack 2 to the first lifting unit 27 adjacent to the Y1 direction side of the second transport unit 22. The moving mechanism 22e is equipped with origin sensors 48a and 48b that detect the origin positions of one claw portion 41 and the other claw portion 42, respectively. The origin position is set at the end of the second transport unit 22 in the Y2 direction.

[0095] The second transport unit 22 is equipped with rack presence / absence sensors 45a, 45b, 45c, and 45d for detecting the presence or absence of a sample rack 2 installed on the second mounting surface 22b, and a rear end sensor 46 for detecting the presence or absence of a sample rack 2 immediately before the transfer position of the sample rack 2 (rear end). The rack presence / absence sensors 45a and 45b are the light-emitting and light-receiving parts of a transmissive optical sensor, and transmit and receive detection light so as to diagonally cross the upper half of the Y2 side of the second mounting surface 22b. Similarly, the rack presence / absence sensors 45c and 45d are the light-emitting and light-receiving parts of a transmissive optical sensor, and transmit and receive detection light so as to diagonally cross the upper half of the Y1 side of the second mounting surface 22b. The rack presence / absence sensors 45a, 45b, 45c, and 45d can detect the presence or absence of a sample rack 2 regardless of where the sample rack 2 is installed on the second mounting surface 22b. The rear end sensor 46 is a reflective optical sensor and is located at the rear end (Y1 side end) of the second mounting surface 22b.

[0096] Under the control of the control unit 211 (described later), when the sample rack 2 is detected by the rack presence sensors 45a to 45d, the second transport unit 22 moves the sample rack 2 in the Y1 direction toward the first lifting unit 27, which is located at the handover position with the second transport unit 22, using the moving mechanism 22e.

[0097] A rack-back mechanism 47 is provided at the rear end of the second transport section 22. The rack-back mechanism 47 has the function of returning the sample racks 2 that remained in the second transport section 22 without being transferred to the first lifting section 27 back in the Y2 direction by a predetermined safe distance from the rear end of the second transport section 22.

[0098] The rack-back mechanism 47 includes a pair of claws 47a that engage with the sample rack 2 to move the sample rack 2. When the moving mechanism 22e sends the sample rack 2 to the first lifting unit 27, the rack-back mechanism 47 retracts the pair of claws 47a below the second mounting surface 22b. After the sample rack 2 is transferred from the moving mechanism 22e to the first lifting unit 27, the rack-back mechanism 47 performs a retraction operation to return the sample rack 2 at the rear end of the second transport unit 22 in the Y2 direction. Specifically, the rack-back mechanism 47 moves the pair of claws 47a toward the Y2 direction, causing them to protrude from below the second mounting surface 22b to above the second mounting surface 22b through a notch 22b1 formed at the rear end of the second mounting surface 22b, thereby returning the sample rack 2 at the rear end of the second transport unit 22 in the Y2 direction. As a result, the sample rack 2 remaining in the second transport unit 22 retracts toward Y2 to a position where it is detected by the rear end sensor 46, preventing the sample rack 2 from falling from the rear end.

[0099] <First Transport Section (Rack Retrieval Section)> As shown in Figure 8, the first transport unit 21 includes, as described above, a first mounting surface 21b and a moving mechanism 21e housed on the lower side of the first mounting surface 21b. The first mounting surface 21b is composed of a flat plate member extending in the Y direction. Figure 8 shows the structure of the moving mechanism 21e on the lower side of the first mounting surface 21b, with the first mounting surface 21b indicated by a dashed line.

[0100] The moving mechanism 21e has one claw portion 51 and the other claw portion 52, and is configured to move the sample rack 2 on the first mounting surface 21b in the Y2 direction by engaging the one claw portion 51 and the other claw portion 52 with the sample rack 2 and moving them in the Y direction. The one claw portion 51 and the other claw portion 52 are positioned above the first mounting surface 21b on the X1 side and the X2 side.

[0101] On the other hand, the claw portion 51 is attached to a pivot shaft 51a that extends vertically from the X1 side of the first mounting surface 21b. The pivot shaft 51a is held by a slider 51b located below the first mounting surface 21b.

[0102] The moving mechanism 21e includes a guide shaft 53a, a first belt 53b, two driven pulleys 53c, a transmission shaft 53d, a drive pulley 53e, a second belt 53f, and a claw drive unit 53g as a mechanism for driving one claw portion 51.

[0103] The slider 51b is movably mounted on the guide shaft 53a and fixed in a predetermined position on the first belt 53b. The guide shaft 53a extends in the Y direction from the front end on the Y2 side to the rear end on the Y1 side of the first conveying section 21. The first belt 53b is stretched over two driven pulleys 53c and a pulley at one end of the transmission shaft section 53d.

[0104] A second belt 53f is stretched between the drive pulley 53e and the pulley at the other end of the transmission shaft 53d. The claw drive unit 53g rotates the drive pulley 53e, which is connected to the output shaft. The claw drive unit 53g is, for example, a stepping motor. The rotation of the drive pulley 53e rotates the transmission shaft 53d via the second belt 53f. The rotation of the transmission shaft 53d causes the first belt 53b to rotate in a circular motion. The circular motion of the first belt 53b causes the slider 51b, which is provided with one claw 51, to move along the guide shaft 53a in the Y1 and Y2 directions.

[0105] Therefore, by rotating the first belt 53b in a circular motion using the claw drive unit 53g, it is possible to move one claw 51 along the guide shaft 53a in the Y1 direction and the Y2 direction.

[0106] The configuration of the other claw portion 52 is the same as that of the one claw portion 51. That is, the other claw portion 52 is attached to a pivot shaft 52a that extends vertically from the X2 side of the first mounting surface 21b. The pivot shaft 52a is held by a slider 52b provided below the first mounting surface 21b.

[0107] The configuration of the mechanism that drives the other claw portion 52 is the same as the mechanism that drives the one claw portion 51. The moving mechanism 21e includes a guide shaft 54a, a first belt 54b, two driven pulleys 54c, a transmission shaft 54d, a drive pulley 54e, a second belt 54f, and a claw portion drive unit 54g as the mechanism that drives the other claw portion 52.

[0108] On the other hand, similar to the claw portion 51, the other claw portion 52 can be moved in the Y1 and Y2 directions along the guide shaft 54a by circulating and rotating the first belt 54b with the claw portion drive unit 54g.

[0109] When one claw portion 51 and the other claw portion 52 move from the rear end on the Y1 side in the Y2 direction, the one claw portion 51 and the other claw portion 52 engage with the X1 side and the X2 side of the sample rack 2, respectively, and move the sample rack 2 in the Y2 direction.

[0110] When one claw portion 51 and the other claw portion 52 move in the Y1 direction from the front end on the Y2 side, when they come into contact with the sample rack 2, the reaction force from the sample rack 2 causes them to rotate to an angular position where they do not engage with the sample rack 2, thereby moving in the Y1 direction without moving the sample rack 2.

[0111] As a result, the moving mechanism 21e can move the specimen rack 2, which is installed on the first mounting surface 21b of the first transport unit 21, toward the front end in the Y2 direction. The rear end of the first transport unit 21 is provided with origin sensors 57a and 57b that detect the origin positions of one claw portion 51 and the other claw portion 52 when moving the specimen rack 2 toward the front end in the Y2 direction.

[0112] The first transport unit 21 is provided with a reach detection unit 55 for detecting when the specimen rack 2, which is installed on the first mounting surface 21b, reaches the front end of the first mounting surface 21b. The reach detection unit 55 has a contact member 55a that contacts the specimen rack 2 when it reaches the front end of the first mounting surface 21b, and a contact sensor 55b that detects the movement of the contact member 55a. The contact member 55a is adjacent to the front side (Y2 side) of the front end of the first mounting surface 21b and protrudes above the first mounting surface 21b. When the specimen rack 2, which has been moved in the Y2 direction by the moving mechanism 21e, reaches the front end of the first mounting surface 21b, the contact member 55a is pushed in the Y2 direction by the specimen rack 2. The contact sensor 55b detects that the contact member 55a has been pushed in the Y2 direction.

[0113] The first transport unit 21 is provided with a feeding mechanism 56 that feeds the sample rack 2 on the first lifting unit 27 into the first transport unit 21. As shown in Figure 9, the feeding mechanism 56 comprises an operating plate 56a attached to a slider 56b, a guide rail 56c that supports the slider 56b so as to be movable in the Y direction, a retrieval drive unit 56d that moves the slider 56b in the Y direction, and a transmission mechanism. The operating plate 56a is provided in an L shape so as to avoid the movement area of ​​the first lifting unit 27 and wrap around to the rear (Y1 side) of the movement area. The engaging portion 56e at the tip of the operating plate 56a can contact the sample rack 2 installed on the first lifting unit 27 and push it out in the Y2 direction.

[0114] The transmission mechanism includes pulleys 56f and 56g arranged in the Y direction, and a drive belt 56h stretched between pulleys 56f and 56g. The recovery drive unit 56d rotates pulley 56f, thereby causing the drive belt 56h to rotate in a circular motion. A slider 56b is connected to a portion of the drive belt 56h and moves in the Y direction along the guide rail 56c as the drive belt 56h rotates in a circular motion. As a result, with the first lifting unit 27 positioned at the handover position with the first transport unit 21, the feeding mechanism 56 moves the operating plate 56a in the Y2 direction by the recovery drive unit 56d, thereby pushing the sample rack 2 held by the first lifting unit 27 in the Y2 direction by the operating plate 56a and moving it onto the first mounting surface 21b of the first transport unit 21.

[0115] Under the control of the control unit 211 (see Figure 34), which will be described later, when the first lifting unit 27 holding the sample rack 2 is positioned at the handover position with the first transport unit 21, the first transport unit 21 executes a feeding operation of the sample rack 2 using the feeding mechanism 56, and after the feeding operation is completed, the moving mechanism 21e performs a moving operation to move the sample rack 2 toward the front end in the Y2 direction.

[0116] The movement operation is performed until the arrival detection unit 55 detects that a sample rack 2 has reached the front end of the rack storage area 21a. If multiple sample racks 2 are present on the first mounting surface 21b, all sample racks 2 on the first mounting surface 21b are moved together, and the movement operation ends when the sample rack 2 located at the front on the Y2 side comes into contact with the contact member 55a. Therefore, the distance traveled in the Y2 direction from the origin position of one claw portion 51 and the other claw portion 52 to the end position of the movement operation changes according to the number of sample racks 2 present on the first mounting surface 21b. The fewer the number of sample racks 2 present on the first mounting surface 21b, the longer the movement distance of the one claw portion 51 and the other claw portion 52 becomes, and the more the number of sample racks 2 present on the first mounting surface 21b, the shorter the movement distance of the one claw portion 51 and the other claw portion 52 becomes.

[0117] Therefore, the control unit 211 can obtain the number of sample racks 2 stored in the first transport unit 21 based on the distance traveled by one claw unit 51 and the other claw unit 52 during the movement operation, that is, the amount of drive of the claw drive unit 53g and the claw drive unit 54g.

[0118] <Third Transport Section (Interruption Sample Placement Section)> As shown in Figure 10, the third transport unit 23 includes, as described above, a mounting table 23b on which the specimen rack 2 can be placed, and a mounting table moving mechanism 23c that cantilever-supports the mounting table 23b from the side and moves it.

[0119] The mounting platform movement mechanism 23c includes a guide rail 61a, a mounting platform drive unit 61b, and a transmission unit. The guide rail 61a, the mounting platform drive unit 61b, and the transmission unit are attached to the X2 side member 26a of the chassis 26 (see Figure 6). The guide rail 61a extends along the Y direction. The mounting platform drive unit 61b is, for example, a stepping motor. The transmission unit is a belt-pulley mechanism consisting of a belt 61c and pulleys 61d and 61e. The mounting platform drive unit 61b rotates the pulley 61d, thereby causing the belt 61c to circulate.

[0120] The mounting base 23b separately includes a table portion 62 and an arm portion 63, each configured to be movable in the Y direction. The table portion 62 has a slider 62a (see Figure 11) that is movably engaged with the guide rail 61a. The arm portion 63 has a slider 65a (see Figure 12) that is movably engaged with the guide rail 61a. Therefore, the mounting base 23b (table portion 62 and arm portion 63) is cantilevered from the X2 side by a side member 26a via the guide rail 61a. The chassis 26 is not provided on the X1 side of the mounting base 23b, and the X1 side of the mounting base 23b is a free end.

[0121] Of the table section 62 and the arm section 63, the arm section 63 is connected to a predetermined point on the belt 61c and is moved in the Y direction by the mounting platform drive unit 61b. The table section 62 is not connected to the belt 61c and can move integrally with the arm section 63 by engaging with it.

[0122] As shown in Figure 11, the table portion 62 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the X direction and includes an engaging member 62b and an engaging roller 62c. A slider 62a is provided at the X2 side end of the table portion 62.

[0123] The upper surface of the table section 62 constitutes the third mounting surface 23a of the third transport section 23. The table section 62 supports the lower surface of the specimen rack 2 from below. The table section 62 has a width in the Y direction corresponding to the width dimension of the specimen rack 2, and can accommodate one specimen rack 2.

[0124] The engaging member 62b has a wall-like shape that rises upward from the upper surface of the table portion 62 at the X2 side end of the table portion 62. The first roller 64b of the arm portion 63, which will be described later, engages with the engaging member 62b. The engaging roller 62c is provided on the lower surface side of the table portion 62 via a bracket at the X2 side end of the table portion 62.

[0125] As shown in Figure 12, the arm portion 63 includes a first member 64 and a second member 65. The first member 64 has an arm 64a, a first roller 64b, and a second roller 64c. The second member 65 has a slider 65a, a belt connecting portion 65b, and a biasing member 65c. The first member 64 and the second member 65 are connected so as to be able to move relative to each other vertically (in the Z direction) by the engagement of a guide 63a provided on the first member 64 and a slider 63b provided on the second member 65.

[0126] The arm 64a is positioned above the table section 62, that is, above the third mounting surface 23a of the third transport section 23. The arm 64a consists of a plate-shaped member formed to surround the specimen rack 2 placed on the third mounting surface 23a. Specifically, the arm 64a integrally has a front section 64a1 extending in the X direction, and side sections 64a2 and 64a3 extending towards the Y1 side from the X1 and X2 ends of the front section 64a1, respectively. Furthermore, the Y1 end portions of the side sections 64a2 and 64a3 each have bent portions 64a4 and 64a5 that are bent in directions opposite to each other. The X2 end of the arm 64a is attached to the first member 64.

[0127] When the specimen rack 2 is placed on the third transport section 23, the specimen rack 2 is placed on the third mounting surface 23a of the table section 62, passing from above the arm 64a and along the inner circumference of the arm 64a. As a result, the front portion 64a1 of the arm 64a faces the Y2 side of the specimen rack 2, and the bent portions 64a4 and 64a5 of the arm 64a face the Y1 side of the specimen rack 2.

[0128] The first roller 64b and the second roller 64c are spaced apart in the Y direction. The engaging member 62b of the table portion 62 is positioned on the Y1 side of the first roller 64b (between the first roller 64b and the second roller 64c), so that the first roller 64b is configured to engage with the engaging member 62b of the table portion 62. The second roller 64c has the function of engaging or disengaging the first roller 64b and the engaging member 62b by an engagement switching mechanism 66 (see Figure 10), which will be described later.

[0129] The second member 65 has a slider 65a on the X2 side. The belt connection portion 65b is fixed to the belt 61c (see Figure 10) of the mounting platform moving mechanism 23c. As a result, the entire arm portion 63 (second member 65 and first member 64) moves in the Y direction as the belt 61c moves. The biasing member 65c has one end attached to the first member 64 and the other end attached to the second member 65. The biasing member 65c biases the first member 64 downward (in the Z2 direction).

[0130] Returning to Figure 10, the third transport unit 23 is equipped with an engagement switching mechanism 66 that switches the engagement state between the table unit 62 and the arm unit 63. The engagement switching mechanism 66 is provided at the Y1 direction end adjacent to the first lifting unit 27, which is at the handover position with the third transport unit 23. The engagement switching mechanism 66 includes an inclined block 66a that operates the second roller 64c (see Figure 12) and a positioning member 66b that engages with the engagement roller 62c (see Figure 11).

[0131] The inclined block 66a has an inclined surface 66a1 that is inclined to become higher from the Y2 side end toward the Y1 direction, and a horizontal surface 66a2 that extends toward the Y1 direction from the Y1 side end of the inclined surface 66a1. The positioning member 66b has an engaging recess 66b1 and is rotatably mounted around a pivot axis 66b2.

[0132] In the engaged state (see Figure 16), when the engaging member 62b and the first roller 64b are engaged, as the arm portion 63 moves in the Y1 direction, the engaging member 62b is pushed in the Y1 direction by the first roller 64b, causing the table portion 62 and the arm portion 63 to move integrally in the Y1 direction. On the other hand, in the disengaged state (see Figure 18), when the engaging member 62b and the first roller 64b are not engaged, as the arm portion 63 moves in the Y1 direction, the arm portion 63 moves in the Y1 direction while the table portion 62 remains stationary. In the disengaged state, only the arm portion 63 moves in the Y1 direction by the mounting base drive unit 61b, and the table portion 62 does not move. The inclined block 66a switches the engagement state between the engaging member 62b and the first roller 64b.

[0133] The slider 62a of the table section 62 is positioned on the Y2 side relative to the slider 65a of the arm section 63. Therefore, when the arm section 63 moves in the Y2 direction, regardless of whether it is engaged or disengaged, the table section 62 is pushed by the arm section 63, causing the arm section 63 and the table section 62 to move together in the Y2 direction. An origin sensor 68 (see Figure 10) is provided at the Y2 direction end of the movement range of the mounting base 23b (table section 62 and arm section 63) to detect the mounting base 23b which is positioned at the origin.

[0134] As shown in Figure 13, the specimen rack 2 is placed on the third mounting surface 23a with the table portion 62 and the arm portion 63 in the origin position on the Y2 side. Once the specimen rack 2 is placed, the arm portion 63 is driven in the Y1 direction by the mounting platform drive unit 61b. At the origin position, the table portion 62 and the arm portion 63 are engaged, and the table portion 62 and the arm portion 63 move together as a single unit.

[0135] As shown in Figure 14, when the table section 62 and the arm section 63 reach just before the handover position at the Y1 direction end, the second roller 64c of the arm section 63 rides onto the inclined surface 66a1 of the inclined block 66a. As the second roller 64c is lifted in the Z1 direction, the entire first member 64 of the arm section 63 moves upward (in the Z1 direction) relative to the second member 65. Due to this movement of the first member 64 in the Z1 direction, as shown in Figures 16 to 18, the first roller 64b of the arm section 63 moves to a position above the upper end of the engaging member 62b of the table section 62. As a result, the engagement between the first roller 64b and the engaging member 62b is released. When the second roller 64c reaches the horizontal surface 66a2 of the inclined block 66a, the arm section 63 is in the released state. The position where the engaged state and the released state switch is called the engagement switching position. When moving further in the Y1 direction than this engagement switching position, only the arm section 63 moves in the Y1 direction.

[0136] Furthermore, when the arm portion 63 reaches the engagement switching position, as shown in Figures 16 to 18, the engagement roller 62c on the lower surface side of the table portion 62 comes into contact with the positioning member 66b, causing it to rotate counterclockwise, pushing the positioning member 66b away from its origin position. When the engagement roller 62c reaches the position of the engagement recess 66b1 of the positioning member 66b, the biasing force of the biasing member 66b3, which biases the positioning member 66b toward its origin position, causes the positioning member 66b to rotate clockwise, and the engagement roller 62c settles inside the engagement recess 66b1. As a result, the table portion 62, which was disengaged from the arm portion 63, engages with the positioning member 66b. When the table portion 62 is disengaged from the arm portion 63, it can move freely in the Y direction, but by engaging with the positioning member 66b, its position in the Y direction is fixed. As shown in Figure 14, the position where the table portion 62 and the positioning member 66b engage is set so that the sample rack 2 can be transferred between the table portion 62 and the first lifting unit 27 located at the transfer position.

[0137] As shown in Figure 15, after disengagement, the arm portion 63 is further driven in the Y1 direction by the mounting platform drive unit 61b. As a result, the arm 64a of the arm portion 63 moves in the Y1 direction from a position above the table portion 62 to a position above the first lifting unit 27. This arm 64a pushes the sample rack 2, which was installed on the table portion 62, in the Y1 direction and moves it onto the upper surface of the first lifting unit 27. In this way, the sample rack 2 installed on the third transport unit 23 is transferred to the first lifting unit 27 positioned at the transfer position.

[0138] At the handover position, the arm 64a is positioned above the first lifting unit 27. In this state, as the first lifting unit 27 moves downward in the Z2 direction, the sample rack 2 is transported in the Z2 direction, passing inside the arm 64a. After the sample rack 2 has passed the arm 64a, the arm 63 is driven in the Y2 direction by the mounting table drive unit 61b, returning the arm 63 and the table 62 to their origin positions. When moving in the Y2 direction from the handover position, the second roller 64c moves down the inclined surface 66a1 of the inclined block 66a, causing the entire first member 64 of the arm 63 to move downward (in the Z2 direction) relative to the second member 65. This movement of the first member 64 in the Z2 direction causes the first roller 64b of the arm 63 to move to a position below the upper end of the engaging member 62b of the table 62, and the first roller 64b and the engaging member 62b engage again. The first member 64 is reliably returned to the position where the first roller 64b and the engaging member 62b are engaged by the biasing force of the biasing member 65c.

[0139] After the table portion 62 and the arm portion 63 engage again, the arm portion 63 is driven in the Y2 direction by the mounting base drive unit 61b, causing the arm portion 63 to push the table portion 62 and move it integrally in the Y2 direction. At this time, the engaging roller 62c of the table portion 62 rotates the positioning member 66b counterclockwise, disengaging it from the inside of the engaging recess 66b1, and the engagement between the table portion 62 and the positioning member 66b is released.

[0140] With the above configuration, the sample rack 2 is transferred between the third transport unit 23 and the first lifting unit 27. As shown in Figure 10, the third transport unit 23 is provided with an optical rack sensor 67a that detects the sample rack 2 placed on the third mounting surface 23a at the origin position, and an optical rack sensor 67b that detects the sample rack 2 placed on the third mounting surface 23a just before the transfer position (engagement switching position).

[0141] Thus, unlike the second transport unit 22, which has a structure in which a moving mechanism 22e is installed on the lower side of the second mounting surface 22b, the third transport unit 23 has a structure in which a mounting table 23b, which is cantilevered to the side member 26a on the X2 side of the chassis 26, is moved by a mounting table moving mechanism 23c provided on the side member 26a. By making the mounting table moving mechanism 23c a cantilevered structure, the vertical thickness of the third transport unit 23 can be effectively reduced. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, the vertical thickness of the third transport unit 23 corresponds to the vertical dimension of the mounting table 23b, and the vertical thickness of the third transport unit 23 is smaller than the vertical thickness of the second transport unit 22. Since the thickness of the third transport unit 23, which is located on the upper side of the specimen transport unit 20, is reduced, the height dimension of the specimen transport unit 20 can be suppressed from increasing. In addition, the visibility of the specimen rack 2 can be improved when the user checks the specimen rack 2 installed in the specimen transport unit 20.

[0142] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, in the third transport unit 23, the mounting platform 23b is cantilevered from the X2 side. Therefore, the cover 24 only covers the X2 side of the third transport unit 23, and the X1 side of the third transport unit 23 is left open and uncovered over almost the entire range of movement of the mounting platform 23b, except for the handover position with the first lifting unit 27. As a result, the specimen rack 2 installed in the second transport unit 22, located below the third transport unit 23, can be easily seen from the X1 side.

[0143] <First elevator section> As shown in Figure 19, the first lifting unit 27 includes a vertically movable lifting mounting unit 71, a guide rail 72, a lifting drive unit 73, and a transmission unit 74. The guide rail 72, the lifting drive unit 73, and the transmission unit 74 are attached to a rear member 26b, which is part of the chassis 26 (see Figure 6). The guide rail 72 extends along the Z direction, and a slider 71a provided on the lifting mounting unit 71 is movably engaged with the guide rail 72. The lifting drive unit 73 is, for example, a stepping motor. The transmission unit 74 is a belt-pulley mechanism consisting of a belt 74a, pulleys 74b and 74c. The lifting drive unit 73 rotates the pulley 74b, causing the belt 74a, which is stretched between the pulleys 74b and 74c located vertically in the Z direction, to circulate. The lifting and lowering mounting section 71 is fixed to a portion of the belt 74a and moves along the guide rail 72 in the Z direction as the belt 74a circulates. As a result, the lifting and lowering mounting section 71 moves vertically (in the Z direction) by the lifting and lowering drive unit 73.

[0144] The specimen rack 2 is placed on the lifting and lowering mounting section 71. As shown in Figure 20, the lifting and lowering mounting section 71 includes a stopper 71b, a rack sensor 71c, and a lateral feed section 75.

[0145] The stopper 71b is provided so as to rise upward from the Y1 side end of the upper surface of the lifting and lowering mounting section 71. The stopper 71b comes into contact with the sample rack 2 that has been sent onto the lifting and lowering mounting section 71 in the Y1 direction from the second transport section 22 or the third transport section 23, and stops the sample rack 2. The rack sensor 71c is a transmissive optical sensor. The rack sensor 71c detects that the sample rack 2 has been placed on the lifting and lowering mounting section 71.

[0146] The lateral feed unit 75 includes a conveyor belt 75a that is driven to circulate in the X direction, a belt drive unit 75b, and a transmission unit 75c. The belt drive unit 75b is, for example, a stepping motor. The transmission unit 75c includes a pulley 75c1 attached to the output shaft of the belt drive unit 75b, a pulley 75c2 attached to the drive shaft of the conveyor belt 75a, and a transmission belt 75c3 stretched over the pulleys 75c1 and 75c2. The belt drive unit 75b rotates the drive shaft of the conveyor belt 75a via the transmission unit 75c. The conveyor belt 75a is exposed on the upper surface of the lifting and lowering mounting unit 71. The conveyor belt 75a is driven to circulate in the X1 or X2 direction by the belt drive unit 75b, thereby moving the specimen rack 2 placed on the lifting and lowering mounting unit 71 in the X direction.

[0147] Furthermore, the second lifting unit 33 shown in Figure 6 is equipped with a lifting and mounting unit similar to the lifting and mounting unit 71 of the first lifting unit 27. The sample rack 2 is transferred between the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 32 and the second lifting unit 33 by the lateral feed section of the lifting and mounting unit.

[0148] (Transportation operation of the sample rack) Next, we will explain the flow of the sample transport operation of the sample rack 2 by the sample transport unit 20.

[0149] As shown in Figure 21, the sample rack 2 is placed in the second transport unit 22 (rack installation unit) by the user. When supplying the sample rack 2 to the measurement unit 10 is started, as shown in Figure 22, the lifting and lowering mounting unit 71 of the first lifting unit 27 moves to the handover position P11 of the second transport unit 22. The second transport unit 22 moves the sample rack 2 in the Y1 direction by the moving mechanism 22e and hands over the sample rack 2 installed in the second transport unit 22 to the first lifting unit 27.

[0150] As shown in Figure 23, the first lifting unit 27, upon receiving the sample rack 2, moves the lifting and placing unit 71 to the reading position P12 of the reading unit 28. This reading position P12 is also the transfer position of the sample rack 2 between the first lifting unit 27 and the first transport path 31. The reading unit 28 reads the identification information of the sample rack 2 on the lifting and placing unit 71 and each sample container 1 held in the sample rack 2.

[0151] As shown in Figure 24, after reading the identification information, the first lifting unit 27 moves the sample rack 2 in the X2 direction using the lateral feeding unit 75 and sends it onto the first transport path 31. As shown in Figure 25, the first transport path 31 moves the sample rack 2 received from the first lifting unit 27 in the X2 direction to the sample aspiration position P1. The lateral feeding mechanism 36 sequentially positions each sample container 1 held in the sample rack 2 at the sample aspiration position P1. At the sample aspiration position P1, the measurement unit 10 sequentially aspirates the samples from each sample container 1 held in the sample rack 2.

[0152] After sample aspiration, the first transport path 31 moves the sample rack 2 with the sample aspiration completed in the X2 direction, as shown in Figure 26, and transfers it to the second lifting unit 33 which has moved to the transfer position P21. As shown in Figure 27, the second lifting unit 33, having received the sample rack 2, moves to the transfer position P22 on the second transport path 32. The second lifting unit 33 moves the sample rack 2 in the X1 direction and sends it onto the second transport path 32.

[0153] As shown in Figure 28, the second transport path 32 moves the sample rack 2 received from the second lifting unit 33 in the X1 direction. The first lifting unit 27 moves the lifting and placing unit 71 to the transfer position P13 with the second transport path 32. The second transport path 32 moves the sample rack 2 in the X1 direction and transfers it onto the first lifting unit 27 which has moved to the transfer position P13.

[0154] As shown in Figure 29, the first lifting unit 27, having received the sample rack 2, moves the lifting and placing unit 71 to the handover position P14 with the first transport unit 21. The first transport unit 21 uses the feeding mechanism 56 to move the sample rack 2 on the lifting and placing unit 71 to the first placing surface 21b in the Y2 direction and receives the sample rack 2 from the first lifting unit 27.

[0155] In this manner, the sample racks 2 installed in the second transport unit 22 are transported until they are returned to the first transport unit 21.

[0156] As shown in Figure 30, when the specimen rack 2 is placed on the third transport unit 23, the lifting and lowering mounting unit 71 of the first lifting unit 27 moves to the transfer position P15 of the third transport unit 23 shown in Figure 31, instead of the transfer position P11 of the second transport unit 22 shown in Figure 22. The third transport unit 23 moves the mounting platform 23b in the Y1 direction using the mounting platform moving mechanism 23c, and transfers the specimen rack 2 placed on the mounting platform 23b to the first lifting unit 27.

[0157] The operation after the sample rack 2 is transferred to the first lifting unit 27 is the same as the operation shown in Figures 23 to 29, so the explanation is omitted.

[0158] (Measurement part) Next, the configuration of the measuring unit 10 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 32.

[0159] The measurement unit 10 includes a measurement mechanism 110 for measuring a sample. The measurement mechanism 110 includes a sample dispensing unit 111, a container transfer unit 112, a container supply unit 113, reagent dispensing units (114a to 114e), a reagent cooler 115, a reaction unit 116, a BF separation unit 117, and a detection unit 118. The measurement mechanism 110 is housed in a first housing unit 121 (see Figure 33) within the housing 120. The housing 120 has a box-like shape capable of housing each of these parts of the measurement unit 10 inside.

[0160] The sample dispensing unit 111 aspirates the sample transported to the sample aspiration position P1 by the sample transport unit 20 and dispenses the aspirated sample into the container 3. The sample dispensing unit 111 is located at the Y1 side (rear side) end of the housing 120, near the corner on the X2 side. The sample dispensing unit 111 includes a pipette 111a for aspiration and dispensing, and a pipette moving mechanism 111b for moving the pipette 111a. The pipette moving mechanism 111b is configured to rotate the pipette 111a around a rotation axis 111c and to move the pipette 111a along the vertical direction. By rotating the sample dispensing unit 111 around the rotation axis 111c, the pipette 111a can be moved between the sample aspiration position P1 and the sample dispensing position P31 on the first transport path 31. The sample dispensing unit 111 moves the pipette 111a up and down, thereby moving the tip of the pipette 111a into the sample container 1 or retracting it from the sample container 1.

[0161] The sample dispensing unit 111 attaches a dispensing tip to the tip of the pipette 111a and aspirates a predetermined amount of sample from the sample container 1, which has been transported to the sample aspiration position P1, into the dispensing tip. The sample dispensing unit 111 dispenses the aspirated sample into the container 3 located at the sample dispensing position P31. After dispensing, the sample dispensing unit 111 removes the dispensing tip from the tip of the pipette 111a and discards it.

[0162] The container transfer unit 112 transfers the container 3. The container transfer unit 112 obtains an empty container 3 from the container supply unit 113 and transfers the container 3 to each processing position such as the sample dispensing unit 111, reagent dispensing unit 114, reaction unit 116, BF separation unit 117, and detection unit 118. The container transfer unit 112 consists of a catcher 112a that grips the container 3 and a moving mechanism that moves the catcher 112a. The moving mechanism is an orthogonal robot that can move in three orthogonal axes in the vertical and two horizontal directions. The moving mechanism may also include an arm mechanism that rotates horizontally around a rotation axis or a multi-joint robot mechanism.

[0163] The container supply unit 113 can store multiple unused containers 3. The container supply unit 113 supplies unused empty containers 3 to the container transfer unit 112 at a predetermined container supply position.

[0164] The reagent dispensing unit draws reagents from the reagent containers and dispenses the drawn reagents into container 3. The reagent dispensing unit includes a first reagent dispensing unit 114a for dispensing reagent R1 from reagent container 131, a second reagent dispensing unit 114b for dispensing reagent R2 from reagent container 132, and a third reagent dispensing unit 114c for dispensing reagent R3 from reagent container 133. The reagent dispensing unit 114 also includes a fourth reagent dispensing unit 114d for dispensing reagent R4 and a fifth reagent dispensing unit 114e for dispensing reagent R5. Reagent containers 131, 132, and 133 are housed in a reagent refrigerator 115.

[0165] The first reagent dispensing section 114a allows the pipette 114f to be moved between the aspiration position P32a for aspirating reagent R1 and the R1 reagent dispensing position P33a. The second reagent dispensing section 114b allows the pipette 114f to be moved between the aspiration position P32b for aspirating reagent R2 and the R2 reagent dispensing position P33b. The third reagent dispensing section 114c allows the pipette 114f to be moved between the aspiration position P32c for aspirating reagent R3 and the R3 reagent dispensing position P33c.

[0166] The fourth reagent dispensing section 114d and the fifth reagent dispensing section 114e are located away from the reagent refrigerator 115. The fourth reagent dispensing section 114d and the fifth reagent dispensing section 114e are connected to reagent containers containing reagents R4 and R5, respectively, via liquid delivery tubes, and can dispense reagents into containers 3 that have been transported by the container transfer section 112.

[0167] The reagent cooler 115 has a container holding section 115b inside a case 115a with an insulated structure. The container holding section 115b holds the reagent containers. The case 115a uses a cooler to keep the reagents inside the reagent containers at a constant temperature suitable for storage. The top surface of the case 115a is provided with an openable and closable hole so that a pipette 114f can enter the inside of the case 115a at aspiration positions P32a, P32b, and P32c.

[0168] The container holding section 115b is formed to hold multiple reagent containers arranged in a circumferential direction. The container holding section 115b can independently rotate the concentric rows of multiple reagent containers in the circumferential direction. This allows the container holding section 115b to position a desired reagent container selected from the rows of reagent containers to be held at a position directly below each of the aspiration positions P32a to P32c. Reagent containers 131, 132, and 133, which contain reagents R1, R2, and R3, respectively, are set in the container holding section 115b.

[0169] The reaction unit 116 is equipped with a heater and a temperature sensor, and holds the container 3, heating the sample contained in the container 3 to induce a reaction. The heating causes the sample and reagent contained in the container 3 to react.

[0170] The BF separation unit 117 has the function of performing a BF separation process to separate the liquid phase and solid phase from the container 3. The BF separation unit 117 collects magnetic particles on which an immune complex (described later) has been formed using magnetic force, then sucks the liquid component from the container 3 using a suction tube and supplies a washing solution using a discharge tube. In this way, the BF separation unit 117 is configured to separate and remove unwanted substances contained in the liquid component of the container 3 from the magnetic particles on which the immune complex has been formed.

[0171] The detection unit 118 detects the light generated during the reaction between the labeled antibody bound to the antigen of the sample and the luminescent substrate using a photodetector, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the amount of light detected. The photodetector includes, for example, a photomultiplier tube.

[0172] As shown in Figure 33, the measuring unit 10 includes a first housing section 121, a second housing section 122 located below the first housing section 121, and a third housing section 123 located below the second housing section 122, all within the housing 120.

[0173] The first housing section 121 is a housing space that houses the measurement mechanism 110 (see Figure 32) that measures the sample. Although only the sample dispensing section 111 is shown in Figure 33, each part of the measurement mechanism 110 shown in Figure 32 is located within the first housing section 121 and the second housing section 122. The second housing section 122 is a housing space that further houses a part of the fluid circuit section 141 for operating the measurement mechanism 110. The fluid circuit section 141 is fluidically connected to the sample dispensing section 111, the first reagent dispensing section 114a, the second reagent dispensing section 114b, the third reagent dispensing section 114c, the fourth reagent dispensing section 114d, the fifth reagent dispensing section 114e, and the BF separation section 117, all of which are located in the first housing section 121. The fluid circuit section 141 includes a pump that supplies pressure for aspirating and discharging liquid in each dispensing section (111, 114a to 114e) and the BF separation section 117, and a valve that switches the flow path. The third housing section is a housing space that houses the fluid circuit section 141.

[0174] Here, the first transport path 31 of the sample transport unit 20 is positioned at a height above the second housing unit 122, and the second transport path 32 is positioned below the center of the second housing unit 122 and above the third housing unit 123. As a result, in the vertical direction (Z direction), more than half of the area of ​​the second housing unit 122 is located between the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 32. Also, the entire area of ​​the third housing unit 123 is located below the second transport path 32. Therefore, for example, when performing maintenance on the fluid circuit unit 141 housed in the second housing unit 122, the interior of the second housing unit 122 can be easily accessed from between the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 32. Also, when performing maintenance on the fluid circuit unit 141 housed in the third housing unit 123, the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 32 do not get in the way. Therefore, when performing maintenance on the measurement unit 10, it is not necessary to disassemble and reassemble the transport mechanism 29, and maintenance work can be performed efficiently.

[0175] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first transport unit 21 and the second transport unit 22 are positioned at different heights from the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 32. Similarly, the third transport unit 23 is positioned at different heights from the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 32.

[0176] Here, it is desirable that the height positions of each transport section (first transport section 21, second transport section 22, and third transport section 23) of the sample transport section 20 be set to a height that is easy for the user to work at. On the other hand, the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 32 serve as transport paths for the sample rack 2 to the measurement section 10, and therefore it is required that they be positioned at a height that is compatible with the device configuration of the measurement section 10 that performs sample aspiration. In this embodiment, a first lifting section 27 that can move up and down is provided between the first transport section 21, the second transport section 22, and the third transport section 23 and the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 32, so that the height positions of the first transport section 21, the second transport section 22, and the third transport section 23 can be set independently of the height positions of the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 32 (i.e., a height position that is compatible with the device configuration of the measurement section 10). Therefore, the height positions of the first conveying unit 21, the second conveying unit 22, and the third conveying unit 23 can be set to different height positions from those of the first conveying path 31 and the second conveying path 32, respectively, making them easier for the user to work with.

[0177] Specifically, the second transport unit 22 and the third transport unit 23 are positioned at a height above the first transport path 31, and the first transport unit 21 is positioned at a height above the second transport path 32. By setting the heights of the first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, and the third transport unit 23 to a higher position suitable for users to work while standing, the work efficiency of setting up and retrieving the sample rack 2 can be improved.

[0178] (Configuration related to the control of the sample measurement device) Next, we will explain the configuration related to the control of the sample measuring device 300.

[0179] As shown in Figure 34, the sample measuring device 300 includes a main control board 210 and a measurement control board 230 provided in the measuring unit 10, and a transport control board 220 provided in the sample transport unit 20.

[0180] The main control board 210 comprises a control unit 211, a communication unit 212, and a storage unit 213. The control unit 211 is configured with a processor consisting of a CPU or FPGA and memory, and controls the measurement unit 10 and the sample transport unit 20 by executing a control program stored in the storage unit 213. The storage unit 213 consists of semiconductor memory elements and stores the program executed by the control unit 211, identification information and measurement order data, and detection signal data acquired by the detection unit 118. The communication unit 212 includes an I / O interface and a communication interface for communicating with the sample transport unit 20 and the analysis unit 400.

[0181] The transport control board 220 includes an I / O circuit for acquiring signals from sensors provided in each part of the sample transport unit 20, a drive circuit for motors provided in each part of the sample transport unit 20, and a communication circuit with the main control board 210. The control unit 211 of the main control board 210 controls the operation of the first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, the third transport unit 23, the first lifting unit 27, the reading unit 28, the feeding mechanism 56, the first transport path 31, the second transport path 32, and the second lifting unit 33 via the transport control board 220. The control unit 211 acquires identification information for the sample rack 2 and the sample container 1 obtained from the reading unit 28 via the transport control board 220.

[0182] The measurement control board 230 includes sensor I / O circuits, motor and valve drive circuits, and communication circuits with the main control board 210 for controlling the operation of the measurement mechanism 110. The control unit 211 of the main control board 210 controls the operation of the measurement mechanism 110 via the measurement control board 230. The control unit 211 acquires detection signal data obtained by the detection unit 118 through the sample measurement process via the measurement control board 230.

[0183] The analysis unit 400 consists of a personal computer (PC), primarily comprising a main unit consisting of a CPU, ROM, RAM, solid-state drive (SSD), etc., a display unit consisting of an LCD display, and input devices consisting of a keyboard and mouse.

[0184] The analysis unit 400 is connected to the communication unit 212 of the main control board and the host computer 500 in a communicative manner. The analysis unit 400 acquires identification information read by the reading unit 28 of the sample transport unit 20 via the main control board 210. The analysis unit 400 is configured to acquire measurement orders for each sample in the sample container 1 held in the sample rack 2 by comparing the identification information with the host computer 500.

[0185] The analysis unit 400 transmits the acquired measurement order to the control unit 211 via the communication unit 212 of the main control board 210. In accordance with the transmitted measurement order, the control unit 211 controls the sample transport unit 20 and the measurement unit 10.

[0186] The control unit 211 transmits the detection signal obtained from the detection unit 118, which is obtained by measuring the sample in the sample container 1 using the measurement unit 10, to the analysis unit 400 via the communication unit 212. The analysis unit 400 is configured to analyze the content of the test substance in the sample based on the acquired detection signal. The analysis unit 400 also displays the analysis results on a display screen or transmits them to the host computer 500.

[0187] (Measurement operation of the sample measuring device) Next, the measurement operation of the sample measuring device 300 will be explained using Figure 35. The operation of the sample transport unit 20 and the measurement unit 10 is controlled by the control unit 211.

[0188] <Specimen Transport Department> In step S1, the control unit 211 determines whether or not the sample rack 2 has been placed on the third transport unit 23. If the rack sensor 67a detects the sample rack 2 placed on the mounting table 23b of the third transport unit 23, the control unit 211 proceeds to step S2.

[0189] In step S2, the control unit 211 executes emergency sample rack delivery processing. Emergency sample rack delivery processing involves sending the sample rack 2 from the third transport unit 23 to the first lifting unit 27, reading the identification information of the sample rack 2 and the sample container 1 with the reading unit 28, and handing over the sample rack 2 to the first transport path 31. Since the processing in step S2 is an interrupt process, the decision processing in step S1 is continuously executed even while steps S3 to S8 are being executed. If, during the execution of steps S3 to S8, it is determined in step S1 that the sample rack 2 has been placed in the third transport unit 23 (interrupt sample placement unit), then steps S3 to S8 are continued for the sample rack 2 that is the target of execution in steps S3 to S8, and in parallel, the processing in steps S2 and S5 to S8 is executed for the sample rack 2 placed in the third transport unit 23 (interrupt sample placement unit).

[0190] On the other hand, if in step S1 the sample rack 2 is not installed on the third transport unit 23, that is, if the rack sensor 67a does not detect the sample rack 2 on the mounting table 23b of the third transport unit 23, the control unit 211 proceeds to step S3.

[0191] In step S3, the control unit 211 determines whether or not a sample rack 2 is installed on the second transport unit 22. If the control unit 211 detects a sample rack 2 installed on the second mounting surface 22b of the second transport unit 22 using the rack presence sensors 45a to 45d, it proceeds to step S4.

[0192] In step S4, the control unit 211 executes the general sample rack delivery process. The general sample rack delivery process involves sending one sample rack 2 from the second transport unit 22 to the first lifting unit 27, reading the identification information of the sample rack 2 and sample container 1 with the reading unit 28, and handing over the sample rack 2 to the first transport path 31.

[0193] On the other hand, in step S3, if the sample rack 2 is not installed on the second transport unit 22, that is, if the sample rack 2 is not detected on the second mounting surface 22b of the second transport unit 22 by the rack presence sensors 45a to 45d, the control unit 211 terminates the process.

[0194] Therefore, when steps S1 to S4 detect that a sample rack 2 has been placed in either the second transport unit 22 or the third transport unit 23, a process is performed to send the sample rack 2 toward the sample aspiration position P1 of the measurement unit 10. When an emergency sample rack delivery process or a general sample rack delivery process is performed, the identification information of the delivered sample rack 2 and sample container 1 is read by the reading unit 28 and transmitted to the analysis unit 400.

[0195] After the emergency sample rack delivery process in step S2 or the general sample rack delivery process in step S4, the control unit 211 proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the control unit 211 controls the first transport path 31 to transport the sample rack 2 that has been placed on the first transport path 31 to the sample aspiration position P1. The control unit 211 uses the lateral feed mechanism 36 to place the next unaspirated sample container 1 at the sample aspiration position P1 each time a sample is aspirated from a sample container 1 placed at the sample aspiration position P1. Once all the sample containers 1 held in the sample rack 2 are placed at the sample aspiration position P1, the control unit 211 proceeds to step S6.

[0196] In step S6, the control unit 211 controls the transfer of the sample rack 2, which has had the sample aspirated, from the first transport path 31 to the second lifting unit 33. The control unit 211 controls the second lifting unit 33 to move it to the transfer position P21 between the first transport path 31 and the second lifting unit 33. Then, the control unit 211 controls the first transport path 31 to transport the sample rack 2 onto the second lifting unit 33.

[0197] In step S7, the control unit 211 controls the transfer of the sample rack 2, which has been handed over to the second lifting unit 33, from the second lifting unit 33 to the second transport path 32. The control unit 211 controls the second lifting unit 33 to move it to the transfer position P22 between the second transport path 32 and the second lifting unit 33. Then, the control unit 211 controls the second lifting unit 33 to move the sample rack 2 horizontally onto the second transport path 32.

[0198] In step S8, the control unit 211 performs a rack retrieval process for the sample rack 2 that has been passed to the second transport path 32. The rack retrieval process involves sending the sample rack 2 from the second transport path 32 to the first transport unit 21 via the first lifting unit 27. With the collection of the sample rack 2 in the first transport unit 21 in step S8, the transport process for one sample rack 2 is completed.

[0199] <Measurement part> In the measurement unit 10, in step S11, the control unit 211 obtains a measurement order from the analysis unit 400 based on the identification information read by the reading unit 28.

[0200] In step S12, the control unit 211 controls the sample in the sample container 1, which was transported to the sample aspiration position P1 in step S5, to be aspirated by the sample dispensing unit 111.

[0201] In step S13, the control unit 211 performs a sample measurement process on the aspirated sample using the measurement mechanism 110. As a result of the sample measurement process, detection signal data from the detection unit 118 is obtained.

[0202] In step S14, the control unit 211 controls the output of the obtained detection signal data to the analysis unit 400 via the communication unit 212. Based on the detection signal acquired from the measurement unit 10, the analysis unit 400 analyzes the content of the test substance in the sample and displays the analysis results on the display unit.

[0203] The sample measuring device 300 then performs its operational processing.

[0204] The control unit 211 repeats the process from step S1 to execute the transport process for the next sample rack 2. Therefore, when the user places multiple sample racks 2 together in the second transport unit 22, the processes from steps S4 to S8 are executed for the first sample rack 2 (Y1 direction side) of the second transport unit 22. The control unit 211 continues to execute the processes from steps S1 to S8 until there are no more sample racks 2 placed in the second transport unit 22.

[0205] The control unit 211 performs steps S11 to S14 for each of the multiple sample containers 1 held in the sample rack 2 and acquires detection signal data for each. When the next sample rack 2 is delivered by the sample transport unit 20, the control unit 211 performs steps S11 to S14 for each sample container 1 held in the new sample rack 2.

[0206] In this example, the transport process for a single sample rack 2 is illustrated as a single flow from the sending out to the retrieval of the sample rack 2. However, in reality, the transport processes for multiple sample racks 2 are executed in parallel with staggered timings. For example, while sample aspiration is being performed for a given sample rack 2 in step S5, the rack sending process for the next sample rack 2 (step S2 or S4) or the rack retrieval process for the previous sample rack 2 (step S8) may be executed.

[0207] (Emergency sample rack dispatch processing) Next, with reference to Figure 36, the emergency sample rack delivery process in step S2 of Figure 35 will be described. The emergency sample rack delivery process is performed by the control unit 211. The operation of the sample transport unit 20 will be described in Figures 21 to 31.

[0208] In step S21, the control unit 211 controls the lifting drive unit 73 to move the first lifting unit 27 to the handover position P15 of the third transport unit 23.

[0209] In step S22, the control unit 211 controls the mounting platform drive unit 61b to move the mounting platform 23b of the third transport unit 23 from the origin position to the transfer position P15 in the Y1 direction. When the rack sensor 71c of the lifting and lowering mounting unit 71 detects the sample rack 2, the control unit 211 stops driving the mounting platform drive unit 61b. As a result, the sample rack 2 is transferred from the third transport unit 23 to the first lifting and lowering unit 27. If the rack sensor 71c of the first lifting and lowering unit 27 does not detect the sample rack 2 even after the transfer operation, the control unit 211 performs a predetermined error processing.

[0210] In step S23, the control unit 211 controls the lifting drive unit 73 to move the first lifting unit 27 to the reading position P12 of the reading unit 28. In step S24, the control unit 211 controls the reading unit 28 to read the identification information of the sample rack 2 on the first lifting unit 27 located at the reading position P12 and the identification information of the sample container 1 held in the sample rack 2. Once the control unit 211 has obtained the identification information from the reading unit 28, it transmits the obtained identification information to the analysis unit 400 via the communication unit 212.

[0211] In step S25, the control unit 211 controls the belt drive unit 75b to move the sample rack 2 on the first lifting unit 27 onto the first transport path 31 using the lateral feed unit 75. As a result, the sample rack 2 on the first lifting unit 27 is transferred to the first transport path 31.

[0212] With the above steps complete, the emergency sample rack dispatch process is finished, and the process returns to step S5 and beyond.

[0213] (General sample rack dispatch processing) Next, with reference to Figure 37, the general sample rack delivery process in step S4 of Figure 35 will be described. The general sample rack delivery process is performed by the control unit 211.

[0214] In step S31, the control unit 211 controls the lifting drive unit 73 to move the first lifting unit 27 to the handover position P11 of the second transport unit 22.

[0215] In step S32, the control unit 211 controls the claw drive unit 43g and claw drive unit 44g of the second transport unit 22 to move one claw 41 and the other claw 42 from the front end on the Y2 side toward the Y1 direction. When the rack sensor 71c of the lifting and placing unit 71 detects the sample rack 2, the control unit 211 stops driving the claw drive unit 53g and claw drive unit 54g. As a result, the sample rack 2 is transferred from the second transport unit 22 to the first lifting and lowering unit 27. If the rack sensor 71c does not detect the sample rack 2 even after the transfer operation, the control unit 211 performs a predetermined error processing.

[0216] In step S33, the control unit 211 activates the rack back mechanism 47. As a result, if multiple sample racks 2 are installed in the second transport unit 22, the second and subsequent sample racks 2, excluding the first sample rack 2 that has been handed over to the first lifting unit 27, are returned in the Y2 direction by a predetermined safety distance by the pair of claws 47a of the rack back mechanism 47. If the second sample rack 2 is not detected by the rear end sensor 46 even after the rack back mechanism 47 is activated, the control unit 211 performs predetermined error processing.

[0217] The processing in steps S34 to S36 is the same as the processing in steps S23 to S25 of the emergency sample rack delivery process, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0218] With the above steps complete, the general sample rack dispatch process is finished, and the process returns to step S5 and beyond.

[0219] (Rack retrieval process) Next, with reference to Figure 38, the rack retrieval process in step S8 of Figure 35 will be described. The rack retrieval process is performed by the control unit 211.

[0220] In step S41, the control unit 211 controls the lifting drive unit 73 to move the first lifting unit 27 to the handover position P13 of the second transport path 32.

[0221] In step S42, the control unit 211 controls the second transport path 32 to transport the sample rack 2 on the second transport path 32 to the first lifting unit 27 in the X1 direction. When the rack sensor 71c of the lifting and mounting unit 71 detects the sample rack 2, the control unit 211 stops the operation of the second transport path 32. As a result, the sample rack 2 is transferred from the second transport path 32 to the first lifting unit 27. If the rack sensor 71c does not detect the sample rack 2 even after the transfer operation, the control unit 211 performs a predetermined error processing.

[0222] In step S43, the control unit 211 controls the lifting drive unit 73 to move the first lifting unit 27 to the handover position P14 of the first transport unit 21.

[0223] In step S44, the control unit 211 controls the recovery drive unit 56d of the feeding mechanism 56 to move the sample rack 2 from the first lifting unit 27 to the first transport unit 21. This transfers the sample rack 2 from the first lifting unit 27 to the first transport unit 21. If the sample rack 2 is still detected by the rack sensor 71c even after the feeding mechanism 56 is operated, the control unit 211 performs a predetermined error processing.

[0224] In step S45, the control unit 211 controls the claw drive unit 53g and claw drive unit 54g of the first transport unit 21 to move one claw 51 and the other claw 52 from the origin position on the Y1 side in the Y2 direction. As a result, the sample rack 2 is transported from the position where it was fed by the feeding mechanism 56 toward the front end of the first transport unit 21.

[0225] The first transport unit 21 transports the sample rack 2 that has been sent in in the Y2 direction. When the sample rack 2 presses against the contact member 55a and the movement of the contact member 55a is detected by the arrival detection unit 55, the control unit 211 stops driving the claw drive unit 53g and the claw drive unit 54g. If the movement of the contact member 55a is not detected by the arrival detection unit 55 even when the claw drive unit 53g and the claw drive unit 54g are driven, the control unit 211 performs a predetermined error processing.

[0226] The control unit 211 acquires the amount of drive of the claw drive unit 53g and claw drive unit 54g from the origin position to the position detected by the arrival detection unit 55, and based on the acquired amount of drive, it acquires the number of sample racks 2 stored in the first transport unit 21.

[0227] In step S46, the control unit 211 determines whether the number of acquired sample racks 2 matches a preset upper limit. If the number of sample racks 2 stored in the first transport unit 21 has not reached the upper limit, the rack retrieval process ends, and the transport process for this sample rack 2 ends.

[0228] When the number of sample racks 2 stored in the first transport unit 21 reaches the upper limit, the control unit 211 proceeds to step S47. In step S47, the control unit 211 notifies the analysis unit 400 via the communication unit 212 that the number of sample racks 2 stored in the first transport unit 21 has reached the upper limit, and then terminates the rack retrieval process.

[0229] Furthermore, if the number of sample racks 2 reaches the upper limit, the analysis unit 400 will display guidance information on the display unit prompting the user to perform an operation such as removing sample racks 2 from the first transport unit 21. This allows the user to understand from the display screen of the analysis unit 400 that it is necessary to remove sample racks 2 from the first transport unit 21.

[0230] (Sample measurement processing) Next, with reference to Figures 39 and 40, the sample measurement process in step S13 of Figure 35 will be described. The sample measurement process is performed by the control unit 211. As an example of immunoassay, we will describe an example in which the test substance 151 contained in the sample is hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).

[0231] In step S51, the control unit 211 controls the dispensing of reagent R1 into container 3. The control unit 211 controls the container transfer unit 112 to transfer container 3 to the R1 reagent dispensing position P33a, and the first reagent dispensing unit 114a to dispense reagent R1 into container 3.

[0232] In step S52, the control unit 211 controls the dispensing of the sample into container 3. The control unit 211 causes the container transfer unit 112 to transfer container 3 to the sample dispensing position P31. The control unit 211 rotates the sample dispensing unit 111, which aspirated the sample in step S12, to the sample dispensing position P31, and dispenses the aspirated sample into container 3 at the sample dispensing position P31. As shown in Figure 40, the R1 reagent contains a capture substance that reacts with and binds to the test substance 151 in the sample. For example, the capture substance is a biotin-modified antibody (biotin antibody).

[0233] In step S53, the control unit 211 controls the container transfer unit 112 to transfer container 3 to the R2 reagent dispensing position P33b, and the second reagent dispensing unit 114b to dispense the R2 reagent into container 3. After dispensing the R2 reagent, the control unit 211 causes the container transfer unit 112 to transfer container 3 to the reaction unit 116. In the reaction unit 116, the control unit 211 heats container 3 for a predetermined time. As shown in Figure 40, the R2 reagent contains magnetic particles 152 that bind to the capture substance. The magnetic particles 152 are, for example, magnetic particles (StAvi-bound magnetic particles) to which streptavidin that binds to biotin is immobilized. As a result of heating, the test substance 151 and the capture substance bind to the magnetic particles 152.

[0234] In step S54, the control unit 211 controls the BF separation unit 117 to perform the primary BF separation process. First, the control unit 211 has the container transfer unit 112 transfer the container 3 to the BF separation unit 117. The BF separation unit 117 is controlled to perform the primary BF separation process on the sample in the container 3. As shown in Figure 40, the primary BF separation process removes unwanted components such as unreacted captured substances from the container 3.

[0235] In step S55, the control unit 211 controls the transfer of container 3 to the R3 reagent dispensing position P33c by the container transfer unit 112, and the dispensing of the R3 reagent into container 3 by the third reagent dispensing unit 114c. After dispensing the R3 reagent, the control unit 211 causes container 3 to be transferred to the reaction unit 116 by the container transfer unit 112. In the reaction unit 116, the control unit 211 heats container 3 for a predetermined time. As shown in Figure 40, the R3 reagent contains a labeling substance 153, which reacts with and binds to the test substance 151. The labeling substance 153 is, for example, an ALP (alkaline phosphatase) labeled antibody. As a result of heating, an immunocomplex 154 containing the test substance 151, the labeling substance 153, and the capture substance is formed on the magnetic particles 152.

[0236] In step S56, the control unit 211 controls the BF separation unit 117 to perform a secondary BF separation process. First, the control unit 211 has the container transfer unit 112 transfer the container 3 to the BF separation unit 117. The BF separation unit 117 is controlled to perform a secondary BF separation process on the sample in the container 3. As shown in Figure 40, the secondary BF separation process removes unwanted components such as unreacted labeled substances 153 from the container 3.

[0237] In step S57, the control unit 211 controls the dispensing of the R4 reagent into container 3. The control unit 211 causes container 3 to be transferred to the fourth reagent dispensing unit 114d by container transfer unit 112, and the fourth reagent dispensing unit 114d to dispense the R4 reagent into container 3. The R4 reagent contains a buffer solution. The immunocomplex 154 bound to the magnetic particles 152 in container 3 is dispersed in the buffer solution.

[0238] In step S58, the control unit 211 controls the dispensing of reagent R5 into container 3. The control unit 211 causes container 3 to be transferred to the fifth reagent dispensing unit 114e by the container transfer unit 112, and the fifth reagent dispensing unit 114e to dispense reagent R5 into container 3. After dispensing reagent R5, the control unit 211 causes container 3 to be transferred to the reaction unit 116 by the container transfer unit 112. In the reaction unit 116, the control unit 211 heats container 3 for a predetermined time. As shown in Figure 40, reagent R5 contains a chemiluminescent substrate. The buffer solution contained in reagent R4 has a composition that promotes the reaction between the label (enzyme) of the labeling substance 153 contained in the immunocomplex 154 and the substrate. By heating, light is generated when the substrate reacts with the label.

[0239] In step S59, the control unit 211 controls the detection process of the immune complex 154. The control unit 211 causes the container 3 to be transferred to the detection unit 118 by the container transfer unit 112. The control unit 211 causes the detection unit 118 to measure the intensity of light produced by the reaction of the substrate with the label. The detection signal from the detection unit 118 is output to the control unit 211. The control unit 211 transmits the detection signal data from the detection unit 118 to the analysis unit 400 via the communication unit 212.

[0240] After detection is complete, in step S60, the container transfer unit 112 is controlled to remove the measured container 3 from the detection unit 118 and dispose of it at the waste port.

[0241] Based on the above, the measurement unit 10 performs the sample measurement process.

[0242] [Differentiation] It should be noted that the embodiments and examples disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than by the above-described embodiments and examples, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0243] (First variation) For example, in the first embodiment described above, an example has been shown in which both the sample rack 2 placed in the third transport unit 23 (interrupt sample placement unit) and the sample rack 2 placed in the second transport unit 22 (rack placement unit) are transported to the first transport unit 21 (rack collection unit) after sample aspiration, but in the first modification, the sample rack 2 placed in the third transport unit 23 may be returned to the third transport unit 23 after sample aspiration.

[0244] As shown in FIG. 41, after the sample rack 2 holding an aspirated urgent sample is transferred from the second transport path 32 to the first lifting / lowering unit 27, in the first modification, the first lifting / lowering unit 27 moves to the transfer position P15 with the third transport unit 23.

[0245] At this time, as shown in FIG. 15, in the third transport unit 23, the arm unit 63 is pre-arranged at the transfer position P15 of the first lifting / lowering unit 27 by the mounting table driving unit 61b. Therefore, when the first lifting / lowering unit 27 reaches the transfer position P15, the sample rack 2 on the first lifting / lowering unit 27 is inserted into the arm 64a of the arm unit 63 from below.

[0246] Thereafter, when the third transport unit 23 moves the arm unit 63 in the Y2 direction via the mounting table driving unit 61b, the sample rack 2 is pushed by the bent portions 64a4 and 64a5 (see FIG. 12) of the arm 64a, and the sample rack 2 is transferred from the first lifting / lowering unit 27 to the table unit 62. Thereafter, the third transport unit 23 moves the arm unit 63 in the Y2 direction to the origin position of the front end portion shown in FIG. 13 via the mounting table driving unit 61b.

[0247] Thus, in the first modified example, the first lifting unit 27 moves to a transfer position with the first transport path 31 (reading position P12 (see Figure 24)) in order to transfer the sample rack 2 received from the third transport unit 23 to the first transport path 31, and moves to a transfer position P15 with the third transport unit 23 in order to transfer the sample rack 2 received from the second transport path 32 to the third transport unit 23. This makes it possible to return the sample rack 2 holding the emergency sample to the third transport unit 23 instead of the first transport unit 21. Therefore, the user can easily distinguish between the sample rack 2 for general samples installed in the first transport unit 21 and the sample rack 2 for emergency samples and retrieve them from the sample transport unit 20.

[0248] (Second variation) In the second modified example shown in Figure 42, the measurement unit 10 includes a first measurement unit 11 that aspirates a sample from the sample container 1 and measures the aspirated sample, and a second measurement unit 12 that aspirates a sample from the sample container 1 and measures the aspirated sample. In other words, the sample measuring device 300 is equipped with two measuring devices.

[0249] In one example, the first measuring unit 11 and the second measuring unit 12 are the same measuring device. In another example, the first measuring unit 11 and the second measuring unit 12 are different measuring devices, and the measurement items measured by the first measuring unit 11 and the measurement items measured by the second measuring unit 12 are partially or completely different.

[0250] The transport mechanism 29 can transport the sample rack 2 to the sample aspiration position P1a of the first measurement unit 11 via the first transport path 31, the second transport path 32, and the second lifting unit 33.

[0251] In the second modified example, the transport mechanism 29 further includes a third transport path 91 adjacent to the movement area of ​​the second lifting unit 33, a fourth transport path 92 positioned below the third transport path 91 and adjacent to the movement area of ​​the second lifting unit 33, and a third lifting unit 93 that moves vertically to transfer the sample rack 2 between the third transport path 91 and the fourth transport path 92. The sample aspiration position P1b of the second measuring unit 12 is set on the third transport path 91. The configurations of the third transport path 91, the fourth transport path 92, and the third lifting unit 93 are substantially the same as the configurations of the first transport path 31, the second transport path 32, and the second lifting unit 33, respectively.

[0252] The first measuring unit 11 is configured to aspirate a sample from a sample container 1 held in a sample rack 2 on the first transport path 31, and the second measuring unit 12 is configured to aspirate a sample from a sample container 1 held in a sample rack 2 on the third transport path 91.

[0253] As a result, the sample rack 2 can be transferred between the first transport path 31 or the second transport path 32 and the third transport path 91 or the fourth transport path 92 via the second lifting section 33. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide the first transport section 21, the second transport section 22, and the third transport section 23 for the first measurement section 11 and the second measurement section 12, respectively, thus suppressing an increase in installation area even when multiple measurement sections 10 are provided.

[0254] As shown in Figure 43, in the second modified example, the control unit 211 controls the supply destination of the sample rack 2 from among the first measurement unit 11 and the second measurement unit 12 based on the identification information read by the reading unit 28. That is, after the sample rack 2 is handed over to the first lifting unit 27 from the second transport unit 22 or the third transport unit 23, and the identification information of the sample rack 2 and each sample container 1 is read by the reading unit 28 at the reading position P12, the control unit 211 transmits the read identification information to the analysis unit 400. The analysis unit 400 compares the identification information with the host computer 500, obtains a measurement order corresponding to the identification information, and transmits the obtained measurement order to the control unit 211. Based on the obtained measurement order, the control unit 211 selects whether to transport the sample rack 2 on the first lifting unit 27 to the sample aspiration position P1a of the first measurement unit 11 or to the sample aspiration position P1b of the second measurement unit 12. The control unit 211 controls the transport of the sample rack 2 to the selected destination.

[0255] This allows the sample rack 2 installed in the second transport unit 22 or the third transport unit 23 to be transported to the appropriate supply destination among the first measurement unit 11 and the second measurement unit 12, based on the identification information.

[0256] In the second modified example, as shown in Figure 44, while the first measurement unit 11 is performing sample aspiration on a sample container 1 held in a sample rack 2 on the first transport path 31, other sample racks 2 are transported to the third transport path 91 via the second transport path 32 and the second lifting unit 33. As a result, sample aspiration is performed on the sample containers 1 held in the other sample racks 2 by the second measurement unit 12. As shown in Figure 43, if sample aspiration is not being performed by the first measurement unit 11 on the first transport path 31, the sample racks 2 can be transported to the third transport path 91 via the first transport path 31 and the second lifting unit 33.

[0257] In the second modified example shown in Figure 42, the first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, and the third transport unit 23 are arranged adjacent to the X1-side side of the first measuring unit 11, which is one of the first measuring units 11 and the second measuring unit 12 that are aligned in the X direction. The positions of the first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, and the third transport unit 23 are not limited to the example in Figure 42.

[0258] (Third variation) In the third modified example shown in Figure 45, the first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, and the third transport unit 23 are arranged adjacent to the X2-side surface of the first measuring unit 11, which is one of the first measuring units 11 and the second measuring unit 12 that are aligned in the X direction.

[0259] (Fourth variation) In the fourth modified example shown in Figure 46, the sample transport unit 20 includes two first transport units 321a and 321b. Similarly, the sample transport unit 20 includes two second transport units 322a and 322b.

[0260] On the X1 side of the first measuring unit 11, the third transport unit 23, the first transport unit 321a, and the second transport unit 322a are arranged vertically. On the X2 side of the second measuring unit 12, the first transport unit 321b and the second transport unit 322b are arranged vertically.

[0261] In the fourth modified example, the first transport unit 321a and the second transport unit 322a on the X1 side are both rack installation units that can accommodate a sample rack 2 and transport the installed sample rack 2 toward the measurement unit 10. The first transport unit 321b and the second transport unit 322b on the X2 side are both rack retrieval units that retrieve the sample rack 2 holding the sample container 1 after the sample has been aspirated by the measurement unit 10. The third transport unit 23 is an interrupted sample installation unit.

[0262] Thus, the first transport unit and the second transport unit, which are arranged vertically, may both be configured as either a rack installation unit or a rack retrieval unit, and perform the same function. In this case, since multiple rack installation units or multiple rack retrieval units are arranged vertically, the number of sample racks 2 that can be installed in the sample transport unit 20 can be increased without increasing the installation area of ​​the device. In the fourth modified example, the number of sample racks 2 that can be installed and the number of sample racks 2 that can be stored are increased by the two rack installation units (first transport unit 321a and second transport unit 322a) and the two rack retrieval units (first transport unit 321b and second transport unit 322b), respectively, so that more samples can be measured in batch processing. In other words, the frequency of additional installation and retrieval of sample racks 2 can be reduced.

[0263] In the fourth modified example, the sample rack 2, which has been transferred from the third transport unit 23 and either of the two rack installation units (first transport unit 321a and second transport unit 322a) to the first lifting unit 27, is transported to either the sample aspiration position of the first measurement unit 11 on the first transport path 31 or the sample aspiration position of the second measurement unit 12 on the third transport path 91, and is used for sample aspiration. After sample aspiration, the sample rack 2 is transferred to the third lifting unit 93 and collected to either of the two rack retrieval units (first transport unit 321b and second transport unit 322b).

[0264] Thus, in the fourth modified example, the area where the user performs the installation of the sample rack 2 is concentrated in three transport units (third transport unit 23, first transport unit 321a, and second transport unit 322a) located vertically on the X1 side of the first measurement unit 11, and the area where the user performs the retrieval of the sample rack 2 is concentrated in two transport units (first transport unit 321b and second transport unit 322b) located vertically on the X2 side of the second measurement unit 12. This improves the work efficiency of the installation of the sample rack 2.

[0265] (Fifth variation) In the fifth modified example shown in Figure 47, the positions of the rack installation section and the rack retrieval section are different from those in the fourth modified example described above.

[0266] On the X1 side of the first measurement unit 11, a third transport section 23 and two rack recovery sections (the first transport section 321b and the second transport section 322b) are arranged in the vertical direction. On the X2 side of the second measurement unit 12, two rack placement sections (the first transport section 321a and the second transport section 322a) are arranged in the vertical direction.

[0267] (Sixth Modification) Further, in the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the first transport section 21, the second transport section 22, and the third transport section 23, three sections in total, are arranged vertically; however, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0268] In the sixth modification shown in FIG. 48, the sample transport section 20 includes two first transport sections 321a and 321b, and two second transport sections 322a and 322b. On the other hand, in the sixth modification, the third transport section 23 corresponding to the third layer is not provided.

[0269] The first transport section 321a and the second transport section 322a are both arranged in the vertical direction so as to be adjacent to the side surface on the X2 side of the first measurement unit 11. This constitutes a first unit having a two-layer hierarchical structure in which the second transport section 322a is arranged above the first transport section 321a. In the sixth modification, the first transport section 321a is a rack placement section, and the second transport section 322a is an interrupt sample placement section.

[0270] Then, the first transport section 321b and the second transport section 322b are both arranged in the vertical direction so as to be adjacent to the side surface on the X1 side of the second measurement unit 12. This constitutes a second unit having a two-layer hierarchical structure in which the second transport section 322b is arranged above the first transport section 321b. In the sixth modification, both the first transport section 321b and the second transport section 322b are rack recovery sections.

[0271] Rack lifting sections 327a are provided at the Y1 direction ends of the first transport section 321a and the second transport section 322a. Rack lifting sections 327b are provided at the Y1 direction ends of the first transport section 321b and the second transport section 322b. A straight rack transport path 329 is provided extending from the rack lifting section 327a in the X1 direction, passing through the sample aspiration positions P1a and P1b of the first measurement section 11 and the second measurement section 12, and extending to the rack lifting section 327b.

[0272] The rack lifting unit 327a is configured to move vertically to the respective height positions of the first transport unit 321a and the second transport unit 322a to receive the sample rack 2, and to move vertically to the height position of the rack transport path 329 to send the sample rack 2 onto the rack transport path 329.

[0273] The rack lifting unit 327b is configured to move vertically to the height position of the rack transport path 329 to receive the sample rack 2 from the rack transport path 329, and to move vertically to the respective height positions of the first transport unit 321b and the second transport unit 322b to hand over the sample rack 2 to either the first transport unit 321b or the second transport unit 322b.

[0274] Alternatively, the first transport section 321a and the second transport section 322a of the first unit may be configured as a rack retrieval section and an interrupted sample placement section, and the first transport section 321b and the second transport section 322b of the second unit may be configured as a rack retrieval section and a rack placement section.

[0275] (Seventh variation) In the embodiments and their respective modifications described above, examples were shown in which lifting sections were provided to move the specimen rack 2 vertically, such as the first lifting section 27, the second lifting section 33, the third lifting section 93, the rack lifting section 327a, and the rack lifting section 327b. However, as shown in the seventh modification in Figure 49, it is not necessary to provide lifting sections.

[0276] In the seventh modified example shown in Figure 49, the first transport unit 321a and the second transport unit 322a are arranged on the X2 side relative to the first measuring unit 11 and the second measuring unit 12. The first transport unit 321b and the second transport unit 322b are arranged on the X1 side relative to the first measuring unit 11 and the second measuring unit 12. The first transport unit 321a and the second transport unit 322a are the rack installation unit and the interrupted sample installation unit, respectively. The first transport unit 321b and the second transport unit 322b are both rack retrieval units.

[0277] An upper transport path 329a is provided in the upper section so as to span the upper second transport section 322a and the second transport section 322b. Below the upper transport path 329a, a lower transport path 329b is provided in the lower section so as to span the lower first transport section 321a and the first transport section 321b.

[0278] The upper transport path 329a extends in the X1 direction from the Y1 side end of the second transport section 322a, passing through the upper suction positions P2a and P2b of the first measuring section 11 and the second measuring section 12, respectively, and extending to the Y1 side end of the second transport section 322b.

[0279] The lower transport path 329b extends in the X1 direction from the Y1 side end of the first transport section 321a, passing through the lower suction positions P3a and P3b of the first measuring section 11 and the second measuring section 12, respectively, and extending to the Y1 side end of the first transport section 321b.

[0280] The first measuring unit 11 can aspirate a sample from the sample container 1 at an upper aspiration position P2a and a lower aspiration position P3a by moving the sample dispensing unit 111 in the vertical direction. The second measuring unit 12 can aspirate a sample from the sample container 1 at an upper aspiration position P2b and a lower aspiration position P3b by moving the sample dispensing unit 111 in the vertical direction.

[0281] As a result, the sample rack 2 installed in the second transport unit 322a is subjected to sample aspiration at the upper aspiration position P2a or P2b via the upper transport path 329a of the upper level, and then transported to the second transport unit 322b. The sample rack 2 installed in the first transport unit 321a is subjected to sample aspiration at the lower aspiration position P3a or P3b via the lower transport path 329b of the lower level, and then transported to the first transport unit 321b.

[0282] In the above embodiments and modified examples, a two-tiered structure is shown in which the first and second transport units are arranged vertically, or a three-tiered structure is shown in which the first, second, and third transport units are arranged vertically. However, a four-tiered or more-tiered structure is also possible.

[0283] In the above embodiment, the first transport unit 21 and the second transport unit 22 were configured to transport the sample rack 2 in the short direction of the sample rack 2, allowing the user to insert and remove the sample rack 2 from the long direction of the sample rack 2. However, the first transport unit 21 and the second transport unit 22 may also be configured to transport the sample rack 2 in the long direction of the sample rack 2, allowing the user to insert and remove the sample rack 2 from the short direction of the sample rack 2.

[0284] In the above embodiment, the first transport unit 21 and the second transport unit 22 were configured to transport the sample rack 2 in the short direction of the sample rack 2, allowing the user to insert and remove the sample rack 2 from the longitudinal direction of the sample rack 2. However, the X1 side of the first transport unit 21 and the second transport unit 22 may be covered with a cover unit along the entire length in the Y direction. Even in this case, the user can still insert and remove the sample rack 2 at the front end (Y2 side end) of the first transport unit 21 and the second transport unit 22.

[0285] In the above embodiment, the first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, and the third transport unit 23 were arranged from bottom to top in that order, but the order of arrangement is not limited. Also, in the first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, and the third transport unit 23, the front end of the first transport unit 21 was closest to Y2, the front end of the third transport unit 23 was closest to Y1, and the second transport unit 22 was located between them, but their arrangement relationship is not limited, and it is sufficient that at least two of the front ends of the first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, and the third transport unit 23 are offset in the front-rear direction.

[0286] In the above embodiments and modifications, the measurement unit 10 is shown as an immunoassay device that detects a test substance in a sample using an antigen-antibody reaction. However, the measurement unit 10 may be other types of devices such as a biochemical analyzer, a blood coagulation analyzer, a urine analyzer, or a blood cell counter. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0287] 1: Sample container, 2: Sample rack, 10: Measurement unit (measuring device), 10a: Front, 10b: Back, 10c: Side, 10d: Side, 20: Sample transport unit (sample transport device), 21, 321a, 321b: First transport unit, 21a: Rack storage area, 21b: First mounting surface, 21c: Side, 21d: Side, 22, 322a, 322b: Second transport unit, 22a: Rack 22b: Second mounting surface, 22c: Side view, 22d: Side view, 23: Third transport section, 23a: Third mounting surface, 24: Cover section, 27: First lifting section, 29: Transport mechanism, 31: First transport path, 32: Second transport path, 33: Second lifting section, 300: Sample measuring device, A: Longitudinal direction, B: Short direction, CL: Transport lane, P1, P1a, P1b: Sample aspiration position

Claims

1. A measuring unit that aspirates a sample from a sample container and measures the aspirated sample, The measurement unit is further equipped with a sample transport unit for transporting the sample container, The specimen transport unit includes a first transport unit configured to transport a plurality of specimen racks holding specimen containers on the first transport unit, which includes a first transport surface on which specimen racks can be placed, and a second transport unit positioned above the first transport unit, which includes a second transport surface on which specimen racks can be placed, and is configured to transport a plurality of specimen racks on the second transport unit. Each of the first transport unit and the second transport unit is configured to transport the sample rack in the short-side direction of the sample rack. The first transport unit is configured such that, with the first and second mounting surfaces positioned in predetermined locations for transporting the sample rack, the user can insert and remove the sample rack from the longitudinal direction of the sample rack. The state in which the sample rack is positioned at a predetermined location for transport is a state in which the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface are positioned so that the sample rack can be transferred by transport between them and the transport surface of an upstream or downstream transport device. The first transport unit is configured such that, in the state described above where the first and second mounting surfaces are positioned at predetermined locations for transport, the user can insert and remove the sample rack from the longitudinal direction of the sample rack in an area different from the area in which the sample rack is transferred by transport between the transport surfaces. Sample measuring device.

2. The specimen measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the first transport unit and the second transport unit is configured to allow the user to insert and remove the specimen rack from the longitudinal direction of the specimen rack while the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface are positioned in the predetermined positions.

3. Each of the first and second transport sections has a pair of sides aligned with the shorter direction, The specimen measuring apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the specimen transport unit includes a cover unit that covers the specimen transport unit, while leaving at least a portion of the pair of sides of the first transport unit that corresponds to the rack storage area on the first mounting surface open to the outside.

4. The rack storage area extends along the shorter direction so that multiple sample racks can be installed side by side in the shorter direction. The sample measuring device according to claim 3, wherein the cover portion is provided to open the rack storage area of ​​the first transport portion over the entire length of the rack storage area in the short direction.

5. The measuring unit has a front and a back, and a pair of side surfaces. The first transport unit and the second transport unit are provided alongside either of the pair of sides of the measuring unit, along the front-to-back direction of the measuring unit, which is the shorter direction. The sample measuring device according to claim 3, wherein the cover portion is provided in the rack storage area of ​​the first transport portion to cover one side on the measuring portion side, and to leave at least a part of the other side opposite to the measuring portion open.

6. The sample measuring device according to claim 5, wherein the cover portion is provided to further open the front ends of the rack storage areas of the first transport portion and the second transport portion, respectively.

7. The front end of the second conveying section is positioned further back than the front end of the first conveying section. The specimen measuring device according to claim 5, wherein the cover portion is provided so as to be open without covering the upper part of the first transport portion in the range between the front end of the first transport portion and the front end of the second transport portion in the front-rear direction.

8. The specimen transport unit further includes a third transport unit positioned above the second transport unit, The front end of the third transport section is positioned further back than the front end of the second transport section. The specimen measuring device according to claim 7, wherein the cover portion is provided so as to be open without covering the upper part of the second transport portion in the range between the front end of the second transport portion and the front end of the third transport portion in the front-rear direction.

9. The first transport unit is a rack retrieval unit that retrieves the sample rack holding the sample containers from which the samples have been aspirated by the measurement unit. The second transport unit is a rack installation unit for installing the sample rack before the sample is aspirated by the measurement unit. The specimen measuring apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the third transport unit is an interrupt specimen placement unit that can install the specimen rack and transports the installed specimen rack toward the measuring unit with priority over the rack placement unit.

10. The specimen measuring apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the specimen transport unit further includes a first lifting unit that moves vertically between the first transport unit and the second transport unit to receive the specimen rack.

11. The specimen transport unit further includes a transport mechanism that receives the specimen rack from the first lifting unit and transports it to the specimen aspiration position, and transports the specimen rack to the first lifting unit after specimen aspiration. The sample measuring apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the transport mechanism includes a first transport path adjacent to the movement area of ​​the first lifting unit, a second transport path positioned below the first transport path and adjacent to the movement area of ​​the first lifting unit, and a second lifting unit that transfers the sample rack between the first transport path and the second transport path.

12. The specimen measuring device according to claim 11, wherein each of the first transport unit and the second transport unit is positioned at a different height from each of the first transport path and the second transport path.

13. One of the first transport unit and the second transport unit is a rack installation unit for installing the sample rack before the sample is aspirated by the measurement unit. The sample measuring apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the other of the first transport unit and the second transport unit is a rack retrieval unit for retrieving the sample rack holding the sample containers from which the samples have been aspirated by the measuring unit.

14. The first transport unit is the rack retrieval unit, The specimen measuring apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the second transport section is the rack installation section.

15. The sample measuring apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first transport unit and the second transport unit are both a rack installation unit for installing the sample rack before the sample is aspirated by the measuring unit, and a rack recovery unit for recovering the sample rack holding the sample container after the sample has been aspirated by the measuring unit.

16. The specimen measuring apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the first transport unit and the second transport unit has a single transport lane for transporting the specimen rack.

17. A sample transport device that transports a sample container to a measuring device that aspirates a sample from the sample container and measures the aspirated sample, A first transport unit includes a first mounting surface on which a sample rack can be placed, and is configured to transport a plurality of sample racks holding the sample containers on the first mounting surface, The system comprises a second transport unit positioned above the first transport unit and including a second mounting surface on which the sample racks can be placed, and configured to transport a plurality of the sample racks on the second mounting surface, Each of the first transport unit and the second transport unit is configured to transport the sample rack in the short-side direction of the sample rack. The first transport unit is configured such that, with the first and second mounting surfaces positioned in predetermined locations for transporting the sample rack, the user can insert and remove the sample rack from the longitudinal direction of the sample rack. The state in which the sample rack is positioned at a predetermined location for transport is a state in which the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface are positioned so that the sample rack can be transferred by transport between them and the transport surface of an upstream or downstream transport device. The first transport unit is configured such that, in the state described above where the first and second mounting surfaces are positioned at predetermined locations for transport, the user can insert and remove the sample rack from the longitudinal direction of the sample rack in an area different from the area in which the sample rack is transferred by transport between the transport surfaces. Specimen transport device.

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