Specimen conveyance system

Abstract

In the present invention, when a specimen holder that has passed through an opening from the upstream side of a first conveyance path and is included in a holder capture unit is conveyed to the downstream side of the first conveyance path, rotational driving of the holder capture unit is controlled so that the opening of the holder capture unit faces the downstream side of the first conveyance path. When the specimen holder that has passed through the opening from the upstream side of the first conveyance path and is included in the holder capture unit is conveyed to a second conveyance path, rotational driving of the holder capture unit is controlled so that the opening of the holder capture unit faces toward the second conveyance path side and is at an angle at which the specimen holder is pushed out from the inside of the holder capture unit to the second conveyance path side by a force component, in the opening direction along an inner surface of the holder capture unit, of a force applied to the specimen holder toward the downstream side by the first conveyance path. Through this configuration, space saving and cost reduction can be achieved.

Description

Sample Transport System

[0001] The present invention relates to a specimen transport system.

[0002] In clinical testing conducted in hospitals and testing facilities, samples such as blood and urine provided by patients are analyzed using an analyzer. In a sample testing automation system that automates the analysis process, samples are subjected to pretreatment such as centrifugation, uncapping, and dispensing prior to analysis by the analyzer, and the pretreated samples are transported to the analyzer. To transport samples in such a sample testing automation system, for example, a holder (so-called sample holder) capable of mounting sample containers containing samples one by one is used, and the sample containers mounted in this holder are transported to a desired location via a sample holder transport line.

[0003] A known prior art technique for transporting specimen holders is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a holder transport device including: a transport path that imparts a forward motion force to a plurality of holders for individually transporting a plurality of specimen containers; and a separation mechanism having a movable member that rotates about a vertical rotation axis set near the transport path, wherein a first position of the movable member is formed by rotation of the movable member in one direction and a second position of the movable member is formed by rotation of the movable member in the other direction, the movable member comprising: a front arm that retracts from the transport path during a first process of changing from the first position to the second position to allow forward motion of the nth holder, and advances onto the transport path to restrict forward motion of the n+1th holder during a second process of changing from the second position to the first position; and a rear arm that is provided downstream of the front arm and advances onto the transport path during the first process to restrict forward motion of the nth holder, and advances onto the transport path to allow forward motion of the nth holder during the second process.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-105509

[0005] In the above-described conventional technology, a row of holders, consisting of multiple holders continuously transported on a transport path, is separated and transported by using a mechanism that separates the leading holder in the row of holders and a mechanism that transfers the separated leading holder to another transport path that branches off from the transport path. However, the mechanism that separates each holder from the row of holders and the mechanism that transfers the leading holder to another transport path are separately provided at different positions on the transport path, and since the arrangement of the mechanisms involved in separating and transporting holders requires a large amount of space, including installation space for each mechanism and dead space between the mechanisms, there is room for improvement in terms of the arrangement space. Furthermore, the need for separate mechanisms for separating and transporting holders is expected to increase costs, and there is room for improvement in this regard as well.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a specimen transport system that can save space and reduce costs.

[0007] The present application includes a plurality of means for solving the above-mentioned problems, and one example thereof is a specimen holder having a disk-shaped base portion arranged with a central axis facing up and down, and a specimen container holding portion formed above the base and coaxially with an outer diameter smaller than the base portion, for holding a specimen container in an upright position; a first transport path on which the specimen holder is placed and transported; a second transport path arranged branching off from the first transport path and transporting the specimen holder handed over from the first transport path side; The separation and branching mechanism is disposed at a branch point and separates one specimen holder at the head of a holder row made up of a plurality of specimen holders continuously transported on the first transport path, and transports the specimen holder to the first transport path or branches the specimen holder to the second transport path; and a control unit. The separation and branching mechanism is disposed above a position on the first transport path through which a base of the specimen holder passes, and at a position through which the specimen container holding portion of the specimen holder passes. The separation and branching mechanism has a substantially thick-walled cylindrical shape with a central axis oriented in a vertical direction, and a part of the substantially thick-walled cylindrical shape has a The control unit includes a holder capture unit having an opening formed therein through which the specimen container holding portion of the specimen holder transported along the first transport path can pass, and a drive unit that drives the holder capture unit to rotate in a circumferential direction in response to a control signal from the control unit. When the specimen holder contained in the holder capture unit is transported from the upstream side of the first transport path through the opening to the downstream side of the first transport path, the control unit controls the rotational drive of the holder capture unit so that the opening of the holder capture unit faces the downstream side of the first transport path, and when the specimen holder contained in the holder capture unit is transported from the upstream side of the first transport path through the opening to the second transport path, the control unit controls the rotational drive of the holder capture unit so that the opening of the holder capture unit faces the second transport path and is at an angle at which the specimen holder is pushed out from inside the holder capture unit toward the second transport path by a component of the force applied to the specimen holder toward the downstream side by the first transport path in the direction of the opening along the inner surface of the holder capture unit.

[0008] According to the present invention, space saving and cost reduction can be achieved.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a top view showing a sample testing automation system together with related components. FIG. 2 is a top view showing essential parts of a sample transport system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a separation and branching mechanism. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the relationship between the position and size of a holder capture unit in the separation and branching mechanism and a sample holder on a conveyor. FIG. 5 is a top view showing the relationship between the position and size of a holder capture unit in the separation and branching mechanism and a sample holder on a conveyor. FIG. 6 is a view showing how a sample holder is transported by the sample transport system. FIG. 7 is a view showing how a sample holder is transported by the sample transport system. FIG. 8 is a view showing how a sample holder is transported by the sample transport system. FIG. 9 is a view showing how a sample holder is transported by the sample transport system. FIG. 10 is a view showing how a sample holder is transported by the sample transport system. FIG. 11 is a top view showing essential parts of a sample transport system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a separation and branching mechanism. FIG. 13 is a view showing the relationship between the position and size of a holder capture unit in the separation and branching mechanism and a sample holder on a conveyor. FIG. 14 is a view showing how a sample holder is transported by the sample transport system. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the state of transport of a sample holder by a sample transport system, FIG. 1C are diagrams showing the state of transport of a sample holder by a sample transport system, and FIG. 1D are diagrams showing the state of transport of a sample holder by a sample transport system.

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

[0011] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a top view showing the sample testing automation system according to the present embodiment together with the related configuration.

[0013] 1, the sample testing automation system 1 is composed of a preprocessing system 2, a sample transport system 3, and a sample transfer device 4, and is connected to an analyzer 5. Each module of the sample testing automation system 1 is equipped with a transport line 6 that constitutes the sample transport system 3, and transports sample holders 12 (see FIG. 4 below) and samples. The preprocessing system 2 preprocesses samples before the analysis process in the analyzer 5. Specifically, after an operator places a sample container in the system, processes such as centrifugation, uncapping, and dispensing are performed depending on the requested item.

[0014] The pre-processed specimen is transported to a specimen transfer device 4 via a specimen transport system 3. The specimen transfer device 4 transfers the specimen container to a different transport body (such as a specimen rack) and transports the specimen to an analyzer 5. The analyzer 5 then performs an analysis process.

[0015] The sample transport system 3 appropriately transports the sample holders 12 (described later) using a belt conveyor or the like. The sample transport system 3 will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0016] 2 is a top view showing the main parts of the sample transport system 3. Note that Fig. 2 shows the branched portion of the transport line 6 in the sample transport system 3 when transporting the sample holder 12, and includes a cross section taken along line A-A in Fig. 4, which will be described later.

[0017] 2, the sample transport system 3 is provided with a first transport path 7 on which sample holders 12 are placed and transported by a belt, and a second transport path 8 branching off from the first transport path 7. At the branching point of the first transport path 7 to the second transport path 8, there is provided a separation and branching mechanism 10 having an opening 9 capable of accommodating a sample container holding portion 16, which is a part of the sample holder 12, and which accommodates the sample holder 12 transported from upstream of the first transport path in the opening 9, separates the sample holder 12 one by one from the front of the row of arranged sample holders 12, and transports them to the first transport path 7 or the second transport path 8, and the operation of the separation and branching mechanism 10 is controlled by a control unit 11 (see FIG. 3 below).

[0018] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the separation and branching mechanism, and Figs. 4 and 5 are a side view and a top view showing the relationship between the holder capture unit in the separation and branching mechanism and the position and size of the specimen holders on the conveyor.

[0019] As shown in Figure 4, the specimen holder 12 is composed of a disk-shaped base 14 with its central axis oriented vertically, and a specimen container holder 16 formed above the base 14 on the same axis with a smaller outer diameter than the base 14, for holding specimen containers 15 in an upright position. The base 14 is formed to be lower than the height from the transport surface of the conveyor 17 to the lower end of a holder capture unit 13 (described below) arranged on the transport path. The base 14 is also formed with a weight that lowers the center of gravity so that the entire specimen holder 12, including the specimen containers 15 held in the specimen container holder 16, can be kept stable on the conveyor 17. When a plurality of specimen holders 12 configured in this manner are arranged closely together on the conveyor 17, the bases 14 of the specimen holders 12 come into contact with each other at their sides, forming a gap B between the specimen container holders 16 of the specimen holders 12.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the separation and branching mechanism 10 includes a base 18, a holder capture unit 13 arranged on the branch point of the first conveying path 7 and the second conveying path 8, and a drive motor 19 that rotates the holder capture unit 13 in a direction horizontal to the conveying paths.

[0021] The holder capture section 13 is located above the position where the base 14 of the specimen holder 12 on the first transport path 7 passes, and at a position where the specimen container holding section 16 of the specimen holder 12 passes, and has an approximately thick cylindrical shape with its central axis facing in the vertical direction, and is configured by forming an opening 9 in part of the approximately thick cylindrical shape so that the specimen container holding section 16 of the specimen holder 12 transported on the first transport path 7 can pass through.

[0022] Specifically, the holder capture unit 13 includes a shaft 20 rotatably mounted on a base 18 with its central axis pointing up and down, a capture plate base 21 mounted on the lower end of the shaft 20, and a capture plate 22 mounted on the capture plate base 21 along a cylindrical outer periphery centered on the central axis of the shaft 20. When the shaft 20 is driven to rotate by a drive motor 19, the capture plate 22 moves circumferentially along the cylindrical outer periphery. The drive motor 19 can control the rotation angle based on a control signal from the control unit 11. The capture plate base 21 has a direction detection protrusion 23 extending radially outward. A sensor 24 is installed and fixed to the base 18 at a position through which the direction detection protrusion 23 passes as the holder capture unit 13 rotates circumferentially. A detection signal from the sensor 24 is sent to the control unit 11.

[0023] Here, the shape of the holder capture portion 13 including the capture plate 22 will be described in detail with reference to the shape of its cross section (cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 4).

[0024] As shown in Figure 5, the capture plate 22 has an inner surface 26, an outer surface 27, and an end 28 where the inner surface 26 and the outer surface 27 intersect, and the inner surface 26 of the opening 9 has a branch surface 29 extending from the end 28. The cross section of the capture plate 22 includes the arc-shaped holder capture portion 13 and the branch surface 29 that is V-shaped when the cross section of the capture plate 22 is viewed from above. In other words, the inner surface 26 of the holder capture portion 13 is composed of a capture surface whose cross section (line A-A cross section) in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the holder capture portion 13 is arc-shaped, and a pair of left and right branch surfaces 29 that extend linearly from both ends of the arc shape of the holder capture portion 13 to the opening 9, and the distance between the pair of left and right branch surfaces 29 is formed so as to narrow from the opening 9 toward the capture surface (rear side).

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, the capture plate base 21 of the holder capture unit 13 is positioned so that it is higher than the height from the transport surface of the conveyor 17 to the upper ends of the sample holders 12 placed on the transport path. The holder capture unit 13 and the opening 9 are formed to be wider than the diameter of the sample container holding portion 16 of the sample holder 12. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the inner surface of the capture plate 22 is formed to be large enough to encompass the sample container holding portion 16 of the sample holder 12. The outer diameter of the capture plate 22, in other words, the outer diameter of the cylindrical region through which the capture plate 22 passes as the holder capture unit 13 rotates about the axis 20, is formed to be smaller than the outer periphery of the sample container holding portion 16 of the adjacent sample holder 12 when the capture plate 22 encompasses one sample container holding portion 16 of a plurality of adjacently arranged sample holders 12 (as shown in Figures 4, 5, etc.). Therefore, when the holder capture portion 13 is rotated around the axis 20 in this state (as shown in Figures 4, 5, etc.), one circumferential end of the capture plate 22 is shaped to pass through the gap B formed between adjacent specimen holders 12.

[0026] Next, the basic operation of the sample transport system 3 will be described.

[0027] 6 to 10 are diagrams showing how the specimen holder is transported by the specimen transport system.

[0028] 2 , the sample transport system 3 is first set in a state in which the opening 9 of the holder capture unit 13 in the separation / diverging mechanism 10 faces the upstream side of the first transport path 7 of the conveyor 17. In this state, the conveyor 17 is driven and a sample holder 12 is placed on the upstream side of the first transport path of the separation / diverging mechanism 10. The sample holder 12 is then transported downstream by the conveyor 17 and captured into the opening 9 of the holder capture unit 13. Then, the sample container holding unit 16 of the sample holder 12 comes into contact with the inner surface 26 of the capture plate 22 of the holder capture unit 13, and the sample holder 12 stops against the frictional force from the belt 25 acting on the base 14 (loading state).

[0029] If multiple specimen holders 12 are further placed on the upstream side of the separation and branching mechanism 10, the base 14 of each specimen holder 12 will come into contact with the base 14 of the specimen holder 12 on the downstream side and will stop against the frictional force from the belt 25, creating a holder row consisting of multiple specimen holders 12.

[0030] The separation and branching mechanism 10 can separate the specimen holder 12 from the front of the holder row, select a branching transport path, and transport the specimen holder 12 depending on the rotation direction of the drive motor 19. Here, the separation and branching operation of the specimen holder 12 in this embodiment will be explained by dividing it into two patterns: "transport (branching) to the second transport path 8" and "transport to the first transport path 7."

[0031] First, the separation and branching operation for "transporting (branching) the specimen holder 12 to the second transport path 8" will be described.

[0032] As shown in Figure 6, when the specimen holder 12 is to be separated and branched into the second transport path 8, the opening 9 of the holder capture unit 13 is rotated 90° (in the forward direction) toward the second transport path 8 around the axis 20 by the drive motor 19 from the loaded state (see Figure 2) in which the specimen holder 12 has been taken into the holder capture unit 13. The capture plates 22 are arranged so as to be at least opposite positions on the outer periphery of the cylindrical shape, so that the specimen container holding portion 16 of the specimen holder 12 remains in contact with the inner periphery of the capture plate 22 of the holder capture unit 13, while one circumferential end of the capture plate 22 passes through the gap B formed between the specimen holder 12 inside the holder capture unit 13 and the adjacent specimen holder 12 on the upstream side (see Figure 5).

[0033] At this time, when the specimen holder 12 is transported to the second transport path 8, the drive motor 19 is rotated 90° from the time of transport-in, so that a predetermined inclination θ (θ>0) is generated between a plane perpendicular to the transport direction of the first transport path 7 and the V-shaped inclined branching surface 29. Therefore, a reaction force acting on the branching surface 29 and the specimen holder 12 is generated at an inclination in the θ direction from the transport direction, and the specimen holder 12 is pushed out toward the second transport path 8 by a force (F sin θ) generated in the direction of the second transport path (transport-out state).

[0034] In addition, this state can also be said to be a state in which the rotational drive of the holder capture portion 13 is controlled so that the specimen holder 12 is pushed out from inside the holder capture portion 13 toward the second transport path 8 by a component force in the opening direction along the inner surface of the holder capture portion 13 of the force applied to the specimen holder 12 downstream by the first transport path 7.

[0035] Then, when the opening 9 of the holder capture section 13 in the separation and branching mechanism 10 faces the downstream side of the second transport path 8, the specimen holder 12 is transported out of the holder capture section 13 through the opening 9 of the holder capture section 13 and transported to the downstream side of the second transport path 8 by the belt 25 (separated state).

[0036] At this time, the specimen holder 12 on the upstream side of the first transport path 7 of the holder capture unit 13 stops against the frictional force from the belt 25 acting on the base 14 as the specimen container holding unit 16 comes into contact with the upstream side of the outer periphery of the holder capture unit 13. Also, the bases 14 of the specimen holders 12 placed on the upstream side of the separating / branching mechanism 10 come into contact with the bases of the specimen holders 12 on the downstream side, and stop against the frictional force from the belt 25 (see FIG. 6).

[0037] Then, from this state (separation state), as shown in Figure 7, the drive motor 19 rotates the holder capture portion 13 around the axis 20 by the same amount in the opposite direction (negative rotation direction) to the rotation direction when separating and branching to the second conveying path 8, so that the opening 9 of the holder capture portion 13 in the separation and branching mechanism 10 faces the upstream side of the conveyor 17 (the direction detection protrusion 23 is detected by the sensor 24), and the next-leading specimen holder 12 in the row of holders that was connected upstream of the holder capture portion 13 on the first conveying path 7 is taken inside through the opening 9 of the holder capture portion 13 (loading state).

[0038] Next, the separation and branching operation for "transporting the specimen holder 12 to the first transport path 7" will be described.

[0039] 8, when the specimen holder 12 is to be separated and diverted to the first transport path 7, from the loaded state in which the specimen holder 12 has been taken into the holder capture unit 13 (see FIGS. 2 and 7), the drive motor 19 rotates the opening 9 of the holder capture unit 13 about the axis 20 toward the downstream side of the first transport path 7 (in the negative rotation direction). As in the separation and diverting operation to the second transport path 8, the capture plates 22 are arranged so as to be at least opposite positions on the outer periphery of the cylindrical shape. Therefore, while the specimen container holding portion 16 of the specimen holder 12 remains in contact with the inner periphery of the capture plate 22 of the holder capture unit 13, one circumferential end of the capture plate 22 passes through the gap B formed between the specimen holder 12 inside the holder capture unit 13 and the adjacent specimen holder 12 on the upstream side (during separation).

[0040] Then, as shown in Figure 9, when the opening 9 of the holder capture section 13 in the separation and branching mechanism 10 faces the downstream side of the first transport path 7, the specimen holder 12 is transported out of the holder capture section 13 through the opening 9 of the holder capture section 13 and transported to the downstream side of the first transport path 7 by the belt 25 (transport state, separation state).

[0041] At this time, similar to the separation and branching operation to the second transport path 8, the specimen holder 12 on the upstream side of the holder capture unit 13 on the first transport path 7 stops against the frictional force from the belt 25 acting on the base 14 as the specimen container holding unit 16 comes into contact with the upstream side of the outer periphery of the holder capture unit 13. Also, the bases 14 of the multiple specimen holders 12 placed on the upstream side of the separation and branching mechanism 10 come into contact with the bases 14 of the specimen holders 12 on the downstream side, and stop against the frictional force from the belt 25 (see FIG. 9).

[0042] Then, from this state (export state, separation state), as shown in Figure 10, the drive motor 19 rotates the holder capture portion 13 around the axis 20 in the opposite direction (forward rotation) to the rotation direction when separating and branching to the first conveying path 7, so that the opening 9 of the holder capture portion 13 in the separation and branching mechanism 10 faces the upstream side of the first conveying path 7 (the direction detection protrusion 23 is detected by the sensor 24), and the next-leading specimen holder 12 in the holder row that was connected upstream of the holder capture portion 13 on the first conveying path 7 is taken into the holder capture portion 13 through the opening 9 of the holder capture portion 13 (loading state).

[0043] In the present embodiment configured as described above, one separating / branching mechanism 10 of the sample transport system 3 separates one sample holder 12 at the front (most downstream side) of a holder row made up of a plurality of sample holders 12 placed on the belt 25 of the first transport path 7, and selectively transports the sample holder 12 downstream of the first transport path 7 or downstream of the second transport path 8 as necessary, thereby saving space and reducing costs. Also, the configuration for controlling the mechanism can be simplified.

[0044] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0045] This embodiment shows a case where the holder capture portion has a different shape from that of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0046] Fig. 11 is a top view showing the main parts of the sample transport system according to this embodiment, including the branched portion of the transport line 6 in the sample transport system 3 when transporting the sample holder 12, and includes a cross section taken along line A-A in Fig. 4 shown in the first embodiment.

[0047] Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the separation and branching mechanism, and Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the holder capture unit in the separation and branching mechanism and the position and size of the specimen holder on the conveyor.

[0048] Here, the shape of the holder capture portion 13 including the capture plate 22 will be described in detail with reference to the shape of its cross section (cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 4).

[0049] In the first embodiment, the capture plate 22 has an arc-shaped holder capture portion 13 and a V-shaped branch surface 29 (see FIG. 5), whereas in the present embodiment, the cross section taken along line A-A as viewed from above the inner surface of the opening 9 is U-shaped, as shown in FIG. 13. In other words, the inner surface 26 of the holder capture portion 13 is composed of a capture surface whose cross section (line A-A cross section) in a plane perpendicular to the central axis is arc-shaped, and a pair of left and right branch surfaces 29 that extend linearly from both ends of the arc-shaped holder capture portion 13 to the opening 9, and the pair of left and right branch surfaces 29 are formed so as to be parallel to each other.

[0050] Next, the basic operation of the sample transport system 3 in this embodiment will be described.

[0051] 14 to 18 are diagrams showing how the specimen holder is transported by the specimen transport system of this embodiment.

[0052] 11 , the sample transport system 3 is first set in a state where the opening 9 of the holder capture unit 13 in the separation and branching mechanism 10 faces the upstream side of the first transport path 7 of the conveyor 17. In this state, the conveyor 17 is driven and a sample holder 12 is placed on the upstream side of the first transport path of the separation and branching mechanism 10. The sample holder 12 is then transported downstream by the conveyor 17 and taken into the opening 9 of the holder capture unit 13. Then, the sample container holding unit 16 of the sample holder 12 comes into contact with the inner surface 26 of the capture plate 22 of the holder capture unit 13, and the sample holder 12 stops against the frictional force from the belt 25 acting on the base 14 (loading state).

[0053] If multiple specimen holders 12 are further placed on the upstream side of the separation and branching mechanism 10, the base 14 of each specimen holder 12 will come into contact with the base 14 of the specimen holder 12 on the downstream side and will stop against the frictional force from the belt 25, creating a holder row consisting of multiple specimen holders 12.

[0054] The separation and branching mechanism 10 can separate the specimen holder 12 from the front of the holder row, select a branching transport path, and transport the specimen holder 12 depending on the rotation direction of the drive motor 19. Here, the separation and branching operation of the specimen holder 12 in this embodiment will be explained by dividing it into two patterns: "transport (branching) to the second transport path 8" and "transport to the first transport path 7."

[0055] First, the separation and branching operation for "transporting (branching) the specimen holder 12 to the second transport path 8" will be described.

[0056] 14, when the specimen holder 12 is to be separated and branched into the second transport path 8, the opening 9 of the holder capture unit 13 is rotated (in the forward direction) by the drive motor 19 around the axis 20 toward the second transport path 8 from the loaded state (see FIG. 11) in which the specimen holder 12 has been taken into the holder capture unit 13. The capture plates 22 are arranged so as to be at least opposite positions on the outer periphery of the cylindrical shape, so that the specimen container holding portion 16 of the specimen holder 12 remains in contact with the inner periphery of the capture plate 22 of the holder capture unit 13, while one circumferential end of the capture plate 22 passes through the gap B formed between the specimen holder 12 inside the holder capture unit 13 and the adjacent specimen holder 12 on the upstream side (see FIG. 13).

[0057] At this time, when the specimen holder 12 is transported to the second transport path 8, the separation and branching mechanism 10 is rotated and controlled so that the plane perpendicular to the transport direction of the first transport path 7 and the branching surface 29 have a predetermined inclination θ (θ > 0). As a result, a reaction force acting on the branching surface 29 and the specimen holder 12 is generated at an inclination in the θ direction from the transport direction, and the specimen holder 12 is pushed toward the second transport path 8 by a force (F sin θ) generated toward the second transport path (transport state).

[0058] In addition, this state can also be said to be a state in which the rotational drive of the holder capture portion 13 is controlled so that the specimen holder 12 is pushed out from inside the holder capture portion 13 toward the second transport path 8 by a component force in the opening direction along the inner surface of the holder capture portion 13 of the force applied to the specimen holder 12 downstream by the first transport path 7.

[0059] In the present embodiment, the cross section of the capture plate 22 taken along line A-A is due to the holder capture portion 13 being semicircular and the branching surface 29 being a horizontal plane extending horizontally from the end of the semicircular shape. Therefore, in order to achieve the predetermined inclination θ (θ>0), the rotation angle of the drive motor 19 must be set larger than in the first embodiment. The advantages of the U-shaped cross section of the inner surface of the holder capture portion 13 in this embodiment include ease of manufacture due to the simple cross section of the holder capture portion 13 and ease of calculation of the angle θ during transfer. The disadvantage is that the rotation angle of the drive motor 19 is larger than in the first embodiment, which increases the time required from loading to unloading the specimen holder 12.

[0060] Then, when the opening 9 of the holder capture section 13 in the separation and branching mechanism 10 faces the downstream side of the second transport path 8, the specimen holder 12 is transported downstream of the second transport path by the belt 25 and is transported out of the holder capture section 13 through the opening 9 of the holder capture section 13 (separated state).

[0061] At this time, the specimen holder 12 on the upstream side of the first transport path 7 of the holder capture unit 13 stops against the frictional force from the belt 25 acting on the base 14 as the specimen container holding unit 16 comes into contact with the upstream side of the outer periphery of the holder capture unit 13. Also, the bases 14 of the multiple specimen holders 12 placed on the upstream side of the separating / branching mechanism 10 come into contact with the bases of the specimen holders 12 on the downstream side, and stop against the frictional force from the belt 25 (see FIG. 14 ).

[0062] Then, from this state (separation state), as shown in Figure 15, the drive motor 19 rotates the holder capture portion 13 around the axis 20 by the same amount in the opposite direction (negative rotation direction) to the rotation direction during branching, so that the opening 9 of the holder capture portion 13 in the separation and branching mechanism 10 faces the upstream side of the conveyor 17 (the direction detection protrusion 23 is detected by the sensor 24).Then, the specimen holder 12 is transported by the belt 25 to the downstream side of the second transport path 8, and the next-leading specimen holder 12 in the holder row consisting of multiple connected specimen holders 12 is taken inside through the opening 9 of the holder capture portion 13 (loading state).

[0063] The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0064] The present embodiment configured as above can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0065] <Notes> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and includes various modifications and combinations within the scope of the present invention. For example, although the present invention has been described with reference to an example in which a first transport path branches into a second transport path (two branches), a configuration in which three or more branches are formed may also be used. Furthermore, the angle at which the transport path branches is not limited to a right angle, but may be an acute angle or an obtuse angle. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the inner surface of the holder capture portion may be an arc whose both ends coincide with the opening. Furthermore, the sample holder or sample container holding portion may be polygonal rather than circular. Furthermore, the present invention has been described with reference to an example in which a sample holder is transported alone, but it is also possible to transport the sample holder while holding a sample container.

[0066] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to those having all of the configurations described in the above embodiments, and includes those in which some of the configurations are omitted. Furthermore, the above-described configurations, functions, etc. may be realized in part or in whole by designing, for example, an integrated circuit. Furthermore, the above-described configurations, functions, etc. may be realized in software by a processor interpreting and executing a program that realizes each function.

[0067] 1...Sample testing automation system, 2...Pretreatment system, 3...Sample transport system, 4...Sample transfer device, 5...Analyzer, 6...Transport line, 7...First transport path, 8...Second transport path, 9...Opening, 10...Separation and branching mechanism, 11...Control unit, 12...Sample holder, 13...Holder capture unit, 14...Base, 15...Sample container, 16...Sample container holding unit, 17...Conveyor, 18...Base, 19...Drive motor, 20...Shaft, 21...Capture plate base, 22...Capture plate, 23...Direction detection protrusion, 24...Sensor, 25...Belt, 26...Inner surface, 27...Outer surface, 28...End, 29...Branching surface

Claims

1. A specimen holder having a disk-shaped base with a central axis facing up and down, and a specimen container holding portion formed above the base and coaxially with an outer diameter smaller than that of the base, for holding a specimen container in an upright position; a first transport path on which the specimen holder is placed and transported; a second transport path arranged branching off from the first transport path and transporting the specimen holder handed over from the first transport path; a separation and branching mechanism arranged at a branching point on the first transport path to the second transport path, for separating a specimen holder at the head of a holder row consisting of a plurality of specimen holders transported continuously on the first transport path, and transporting the specimen holder to the first transport path or branching off to the second transport path; and a control unit, wherein the separation and branching mechanism comprises: the holder capture section is provided above a position on the first transport path through which a base of the specimen holder passes and at a position through which the specimen container holding section of the specimen holder passes, the holder capture section having a substantially thick-walled cylindrical shape with a central axis oriented in the vertical direction and an opening formed in a part of the substantially thick-walled cylindrical shape through which the specimen container holding section of the specimen holder transported along the first transport path can pass; and a drive section which drives and rotates the holder capture section in a circumferential direction in response to a control signal from the control section, wherein the control section controls the rotational drive of the holder capture section so that the opening of the holder capture section faces the downstream side of the first transport path when the specimen holder contained in the holder capture section is transported from the upstream side of the first transport path through the opening to the downstream side of the first transport path, A specimen transport system characterized in that, when the specimen holder contained in the holder capture unit is transported from the upstream side of the first transport path through the opening to the second transport path, the rotational drive of the holder capture unit is controlled so that the opening of the holder capture unit faces the second transport path and the specimen holder is pushed out from inside the holder capture unit toward the second transport path by a component of the force applied to the specimen holder toward the downstream side by the first transport path in the direction of the opening along the inner surface of the holder capture unit.

2. A specimen transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner surface of the holder capture portion comprises a capture surface having an arc-shaped cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the holder capture portion, and a pair of left and right branching surfaces extending linearly from both ends of the arc-shaped portion of the holder capture portion to an opening, and the distance between the pair of left and right branching surfaces is formed so as to narrow from the opening toward the capture surfaces.

3. A specimen transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner surface of the holder capture portion comprises a capture surface having an arc-shaped cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the central axis, and a pair of left and right branching surfaces extending linearly from both ends of the arc-shaped holder capture portion to an opening, the pair of left and right branching surfaces being formed so as to be parallel to each other.

4. A specimen transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner surface of the holder capture portion is formed to comprise a capture surface having an arc-shaped cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the central axis, and a branch surface extending in a straight line or curved manner from both ends of the arc-shaped holder capture portion to an opening.

5. A specimen transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner surface of the holder capture portion is formed so that its cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the central axis is an arc shape whose both ends coincide with the opening.

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