Sample carrier and sample analysis system

Abstract

This sample carrier is used in a sample analyzer for extracting and analyzing a component, as a gas, generated by heating a measurement sample, and is detachably attached to a predetermined sample input position provided to the sample analyzer. The sample carrier comprises: a container body which has an accommodation chamber for accommodating the measurement sample therein, and which has formed on the bottom surface thereof a sample outlet port for discharging the measurement sample in the accommodation chamber; a bottom plate which is rotatably attached to a bottom part of the container body through a seal member, and on which through-holes are formed in a manner opening to the upper surface and the lower surface; and a distance adjustment mechanism for adjusting an inter-surface distance between the upper surface of the bottom plate and the bottom surface of the container body. The sample carrier is configured such that, by having one of the container body and the bottom plate rotate with respect to the other, the sample outlet port moves between: a predetermined sealed position where the sample outlet port is blocked by the upper surface of the bottom plate and the accommodating chamber is sealed airtight; and an open position where the sample outlet port opens to the through-holes of the bottom plate and the measurement sample can be discharged. The distance adjustment mechanism adjusts an inter-surface distance while the sample outlet port is moving between the sealed position and the open position so as to be longer than the inter-surface distance when the sample outlet port is at the sealed position.

Description

Sample transporter and sample analysis system

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample transport device for a sample analysis device that places a measurement sample in a crucible, heats and melts or burns the sample, and analyzes the measurement sample by measuring the gas components generated during the process, and a sample analysis system equipped with the sample transport device.

[0002] This type of sample analyzer measures the gas components, allowing it to analyze elements such as nitrogen (N), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) contained in the measurement sample, and in some cases molecules. The device shown in Patent Document 1 is designed to purge the crucible holding chamber, which houses and holds the crucible, with an inert gas when the measurement sample is heated in the crucible, to prevent reaction with oxygen in the atmosphere and resulting in measurement errors.

[0003] However, if the measurement sample is, for example, a highly reactive battery material, it may come into contact with the atmosphere during transport to the sample analyzer, causing the sample to be altered and preventing proper measurement.

[0004] To address this problem, Patent Document 2 describes a sample transporter that includes a container that has a storage chamber for storing a measurement sample and a sample outlet for discharging the measurement sample from the storage chamber, and a closing body that closes the sample outlet. This sample transporter is configured so that, when the closing body or container member is slid relatively to the sample outlet to open it, the sample outlet communicates with a sample inlet provided in the sample analyzer. Furthermore, this sample transporter is configured so that, when the container is mounted in the same position as the sample transporter, a purge gas inlet path is formed that introduces purge gas into the sample inlet at a positive pressure.

[0005] With this arrangement, it is possible to fill a sample transporter with, for example, an inert gas, store a measurement sample in the sample transporter, and transport the sample to the sample analyzer easily. Then, when the sample transporter is attached to the sample analyzer, a purge gas is introduced at positive pressure into the sample inlet, and when the sample inlet is open, the sample outlet communicating with the sample inlet is placed under a positive purge gas atmosphere. Therefore, even when the sample inlet is open, outside air is prevented from entering the storage chamber. The measurement sample can be loaded into the crucible from the open sample outlet through the sample inlet without being exposed to the outside air.

[0006] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-242152 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-255659

[0007] In the above-mentioned sample transport device, the space between the closure body and the storage member is made airtight using a sealing member such as an O-ring. However, when the closure body and the storage member are slid relative to each other to open the sample outlet, the O-ring wears and deteriorates due to the sliding, causing air to enter the storage chamber.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve all of the above problems at once, and its main object is to provide a sample transport device that can reduce wear on the sealing member that accompanies the opening operation of the sample outlet port.

[0009] That is, the sample transport device according to the present invention is used in a sample analyzer that extracts and analyzes components generated by heating a measurement sample as gas, and is detachably attached to a predetermined attachment position provided on the sample analyzer, and comprises a container body having an internal storage chamber for storing the measurement sample, a sample outlet formed on the bottom surface for discharging the measurement sample from the storage chamber, a bottom plate rotatably attached to the bottom of the container body, and a seal member between the top surface of the bottom plate and the bottom surface of the container body, which face each other. and a distance adjustment mechanism for adjusting the face-to-face distance between the container body and the bottom plate, and the container body is configured so that, by rotating one of the container body and the bottom plate relative to the other, the sample outlet port moves between a predetermined sealed position where it is blocked by the upper surface of the bottom plate and the storage chamber is airtightly sealed, and an open position where it is open to the through-hole of the bottom plate and the measurement sample can be discharged, and the distance adjustment mechanism adjusts the face-to-face distance while the sample outlet port is moving between the sealed position and the open position so that it is longer than the face-to-face distance when the sample outlet port is in the sealed position.

[0010] With this configuration, for example, a sample transporter with the sample outlet in the sealed position can be filled with an inert gas, for example, and the measurement sample can be stored in the storage chamber at a location other than the sample analyzer. The measurement sample can then be easily transported to the sample analyzer while the storage chamber is airtightly sealed. By attaching the sample transporter to a predetermined mounting position on the sample analyzer and rotating the container body or bottom plate so that the sample outlet is open, the stored measurement sample can be dropped through the through-hole in the bottom plate and inserted into the sample inlet of the sample analyzer. The distance adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the inter-face distance between the sample outlet and the sealed position so that it is longer than the inter-face distance when the sample outlet is in the sealed position. This reduces the frictional force between the bottom surface of the container body or the upper surface of the bottom plate and the surface of the seal member when the sample outlet is moved from the sealed position to the open position, thereby reducing wear on the seal member associated with the opening of the sample outlet.

[0011] In the sample transporter, it is preferable that the distance adjustment mechanism adjusts the inter-surface distance so that the upper surface of the bottom plate or the bottom surface of the container body is spaced apart from the surface of the sealing member while the sample outlet port is moving between the closed position and the open position. In this way, the frictional force acting on the surface of the sealing member during the opening operation of the sample outlet port can be further reduced, and wear of the sealing member can be further reduced.

[0012] In the sample transporter, it is preferable that the bottom plate is substantially disk-shaped, a recess into which the bottom plate is rotatably fitted is formed in the bottom surface of the container body, and the peripheral wall surface of the recess and the side peripheral surface of the bottom plate are in contact with each other via a sealing member. In this way, the side peripheral surface of the bottom plate and the peripheral wall surface of the recess into which the bottom plate is fitted are in contact with each other via the sealing member (i.e., sealed), so that air can be prevented from entering the storage chamber while the sample outlet is being moved from the sealed position to the open position, even if the gap between the bottom surface of the container body and the upper surface of the bottom plate is not sealed.

[0013] One example of the distance adjustment mechanism includes a rolling element sandwiched between the upper surface of the bottom plate and the bottom surface of the container body, a pair of recesses formed on the upper surface of the bottom plate and the bottom surface of the container body, and a groove formed in the upper surface of the bottom plate or the bottom surface of the container body, the groove being shallower than the recesses and extending from the recesses in the direction of rotation. When the sample outlet is in the sealed position, the pair of recesses are positioned opposite each other and the rolling elements are fitted into the pair of recesses, and the rolling elements roll along the grooves while the sample outlet moves between the sealed position and the open position. In this case, when the container body and the bottom plate are rotated relative to each other while the sample outlet is in the sealed position, the rolling elements fit into the grooves, which are shallower than the recesses, thereby increasing the inter-surface distance between the bottom surface of the container body and the upper surface of the bottom plate. Moreover, the recess connected to the grooves can function as a positioning mechanism for positioning the sample outlet in the sealed position or the open position.

[0014] Another aspect of the distance adjustment mechanism includes a protrusion provided on one of the side peripheral surface of the bottom plate or the peripheral wall surface of the recess, and an elongated hole provided on the other of the side peripheral surface of the bottom plate or the peripheral wall surface of the recess, extending along the circumferential direction, into which the protrusion fits, the elongated hole being formed so as to have different heights in the circumferential direction. In this case, since the heights of the elongated holes into which the protrusion fits vary in the circumferential direction, the surface-to-surface distance between the bottom surface of the container body and the upper surface of the bottom plate can be adjusted by rotating the container body and the bottom plate relative to each other.

[0015] It is preferable that the protrusion is located at one end of the oblong hole when the sample outlet is in the sealed position, and that the protrusion is located at the other end of the oblong hole when the sample outlet is in the open position. In this way, by aligning the positions where the protrusions abut on both ends of the oblong hole with the sealed position and the open position, the both ends of the oblong hole and the protrusions can function as a positioning mechanism that positions the sample outlet at the sealed position or the open position.

[0016] In a specific embodiment of the sample transporter, the sample outlet and the through-hole are formed at positions offset from the rotation axis by approximately the same distance, and by rotating the container body and the bottom surface relative to each other, the positions of the sample outlet and the through-hole can be made to overlap or be offset from each other.

[0017] Furthermore, it is preferable that the sealing member interposed between the upper surface of the bottom plate and the bottom surface of the container body is disposed so as to surround both the sample outlet port and the through-hole in a plan view from the rotation axis direction. In this way, the sample outlet port and the through-hole in the sealed position are not separated by the sealing member in a plan view, so that the measurement sample rolling (or being dragged) along the upper surface of the bottom plate during the opening operation does not get caught on the sealing member or grease. This allows the measurement sample to be inserted into the sample insertion port in a relatively clean state.

[0018] The sealing member interposed between the upper surface of the bottom plate and the bottom surface of the container body may be disposed so as to surround the sample outlet port in the sealed position and to separate the sample outlet port from the through-hole in a plan view from the rotation axis direction. In this way, the sealing member can be made smaller than when it surrounds both the sample outlet port and the through-hole, thereby reducing material costs.

[0019] When the sample outlet and the through-hole are separated by a seal member in this manner, if the measurement sample introduced into the storage chamber is on the upper surface of the bottom plate, the moving measurement sample may get caught on the seal member and be damaged during the opening operation. Therefore, it is preferable that the sample transporter further includes a sample holding mechanism that holds the measurement sample at a position higher than the bottom surface within the storage chamber. In this way, the measurement sample introduced into the storage chamber can be opened while being held at a position higher than the upper surface of the bottom plate, without being placed on the upper surface of the bottom plate, thereby preventing damage to the measurement sample.

[0020] A specific example of such a sample holding mechanism is one that is composed of a through hole formed in the container body so that one end opens to the outer surface of the container body and the other end opens to the side wall surface of the storage chamber, and a cylindrical rod member that is rotatably inserted into the through hole and has a storage recess formed on the circumferential surface of its tip located within the storage chamber, in which the measurement sample is stored.

[0021] It is preferable that the mounting position of the sample analyzer is provided with a holding portion consisting of a convex or concave portion, and that the underside of the bottom plate is provided with a concave or convex portion that fits into the holding portion. In this way, the position of the bottom plate is fixed by setting the sample transporter so that it fits into the holding portion at the mounting position, and the sample outlet can be moved from the closed position to the open position by gripping and turning the container body with one hand.

[0022] Furthermore, the sample transporter preferably has a sample inlet formed on the top surface of the container body for introducing the measurement sample into the storage chamber, and further includes a lid for covering the container body, and a stopper portion extending downward for plugging the sample inlet is provided on the back surface of the lid at a position corresponding to the sample inlet. In this way, after the measurement sample is stored in the storage chamber, the inside of the storage chamber can be pressurized by the line portion by closing the lid, and the intrusion of air from outside into the storage chamber can be further prevented.

[0023] The present invention also provides a sample analysis system that includes a sample analyzer that extracts and analyzes components generated by heating a measurement sample as gas, and the sample transport device of the present invention described above that is detachably attached to a predetermined mounting position on the sample analyzer. With this configuration, the same effects as those of the sample transport device of the present invention described above can be achieved.

[0024] According to the present invention as described above, it is possible to provide a sample transporter that can reduce wear on the sealing member that accompanies the opening operation of the sample outlet port.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a sample analysis system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a sample transporter of the same embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a sample transporter of the same embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a sample transporter of the same embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of an intermediate jig of the same embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view and a plan view schematically showing the sample transporter of the same embodiment, in which the sample outlet is in a sealed position. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view and a plan view schematically showing the sample transporter of the same embodiment, in which the sample outlet is between a sealed position and an open position. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view and a plan view schematically showing the sample transporter of the same embodiment, in which the sample outlet is in an open position. FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a sample transporter of a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a sample transporter of the same embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram explaining an elongated hole portion of a distance adjustment mechanism of the same embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram explaining a distance adjustment mechanism of the same embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view and a plan view schematically showing the sample transporter of the same embodiment, in which the sample outlet is in a sealed position. 1A and 1B are a cross-sectional view and a plan view, respectively, showing a state in which the sample outlet is in an open position and a measurement sample is held in a storage chamber of the sample transport device of the same embodiment;

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0027] First Embodiment A sample transporter 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is used in an elemental analysis system 400, which is a sample analysis system 400. As shown schematically in Figure 1 , this elemental analysis system 400 includes an elemental analysis device 200, which is a sample analysis device that measures elements contained in a measurement sample W contained in a crucible C by heating and melting the sample and analyzing the gas components generated during the melting process, and a sample transporter 100 for transporting the measurement sample W to the elemental analysis device 200.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the elemental analysis apparatus 200 has an internal holding chamber 210 for holding a crucible C, a heating mechanism 230 for heating the crucible C, and an analysis unit (not shown) for introducing sample gas generated from a measurement sample W that has been heated and melted in the crucible C from the holding chamber 210 and analyzing its components.

[0029] The crucible C is made of graphite and has a cylindrical shape with one open end and a bottom, and is housed in the holding chamber 210 with the opening facing upward. A sample introduction port 220 that communicates with the opening of the crucible C is provided at the top of the holding chamber 210. A gas that does not react with the sample (purge gas), such as an inert gas, can be introduced into the holding chamber 210 via an internal flow path (not shown), and the measurement sample W is heated in an atmosphere filled with this purge gas.

[0030] The heating mechanism 230 is equipped with a lower electrode 232 and an upper electrode 231 that sandwich the crucible C from above and below, and is configured so that the crucible C can be heated by passing a current through these electrodes 231 and 232 to the crucible C.

[0031] Next, the sample transporter 100 will be described. This sample transporter 100 is cylindrical in shape as a whole and portable, and as shown in Figure 1, has a storage chamber 1S therein that can airtightly store a measurement sample W. By attaching this sample transporter 100 to the top of a sample insertion port 220 in an elemental analysis apparatus 200, the measurement sample W in the storage chamber 1S can be inserted into a crucible C through the sample insertion port 220 without being exposed to the atmosphere.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, this sample transport device 100 comprises a container body 1 having an approximately cylindrical shape with a storage chamber 1S therein for storing a measurement sample W, and a disk-shaped bottom plate 2 that is rotatably attached to the bottom of the container body 1.

[0033] The container body 1 is made of a metal material and has a sample inlet 1a formed on the top surface (upper surface) 11 for introducing a measurement sample W into the storage chamber 1S, and a sample outlet 1b formed on the bottom surface (lower surface) 12 for discharging the measurement sample W stored in the storage chamber 1S. The sample inlet 1a and the sample outlet 1b are formed by through-holes that penetrate the container body 1 in the height direction (up and down direction). The space formed by the inner wall of this through-hole constitutes the storage chamber 1S. In a plan view, the sample inlet 1a and the sample outlet 1b are formed at positions shifted a predetermined distance from the rotation axis in the radial direction.

[0034] 4, the container body 1 has a recess 13 formed by recessing the lower surface 12 upward to accommodate the bottom plate 2. A peripheral wall surface 131 and an upper wall surface 132 of the recess 13 form a substantially cylindrical space into which the bottom plate 2 is fitted. The peripheral wall surface 131 of the recess 13 is formed parallel to the axial direction of the container body 1, and the upper wall surface 132 of the recess 13 is formed perpendicular to the axial direction of the container body 1. A sample outlet 1b is formed in the upper wall surface 132.

[0035] The bottom plate 2 is made of a metal material, and has through holes 2h formed in its upper surface 22 and lower surface 23 along the thickness direction (rotation axis direction). In a plan view, these through holes 2h are approximately circular, and are formed in the upper surface 22 and lower surface 23 at positions offset a predetermined distance from the rotation axis (rotation center) along the radial direction. The bottom plate 2 is fitted into a recess 13 formed in the container body 1 so that the rotation axis is aligned with that of the container body 1.

[0036] When the bottom plate 2 is fitted into the recess 13 of the container body 1, the space between the side peripheral surface 24 of the bottom plate 2 and the opposing peripheral wall surface 131 of the recess 13, and the space between the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 and the opposing bottom of the container body 1 (specifically the upper wall surface 132 of the recess 13) are each hermetically sealed by a sealing member S1.

[0037] Specifically, a sealing member S2 such as an O-ring is wrapped around the outer peripheral surface 24 of the bottom plate 2, and the sealing member S2 brings the outer peripheral surface 24 of the bottom plate 2 and the peripheral wall surface 131 of the recess 13 facing it into contact with each other via the sealing member S2, thereby preventing gas from leaking between them.

[0038] Furthermore, a groove is formed in the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 or the upper wall surface 132 of the recess 13 so as to surround at least the sample outlet 1b of the container body 1 in plan view, and a seal member S1 is fitted into the groove to prevent gas from leaking between the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 and the opposing upper wall surface 132 of the recess 13. In this embodiment, the groove is formed in the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 so as to surround both the sample outlet 1b of the container body 1 and the through-hole 2h of the bottom plate 2 in plan view.

[0039] The sample transporter 100 also includes a generally disk-shaped lid 3 that covers the top surface 11 of the container body 1. The lid 3 is connected to the container body 1 using a hinge mechanism or the like so as to be able to open and close, and when the lid 3 is closed, the back surface 31 of the lid 3 covers the sample introduction port 1a.

[0040] A pressurizing mechanism 32 is provided on the back surface 31 of the lid 3, which hermetically seals the storage chamber 1S and applies pressure to the interior thereof when the lid 3 is closed. Specifically, this pressurizing mechanism 32 is composed of a cylindrical stopper portion 321 that extends downward and is formed on the back surface 31 of the lid 3 at a position corresponding to the sample introduction port 1a of the container body 1, and a sealing member S3 such as an O-ring that is wrapped around the outer circumferential surface of the stopper portion 321. The length of the stopper portion 321 is approximately half the length of the through-hole of the container body 1, and when the lid 3 is closed, the stopper portion 321 compresses the volume of the storage chamber 1S by approximately half.

[0041] The sample transport device 100 is configured so that, by rotating one of the container body 1 and the bottom plate 2 relative to the other about the rotation axis, the sample outlet 1b moves between a predetermined sealed position P where it is blocked by the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 and the storage chamber 1S is airtightly sealed, and an open position R where it is open to the through-hole 2h of the bottom plate 2 and can extract the measurement sample W. When the sample outlet 1b is in the sealed position P, it is positioned offset from the through-hole 2h of the bottom plate 2 in the rotational direction. On the other hand, when the sample outlet 1b is in the open position R, it is positioned directly above the through-hole 2h of the bottom plate 2.

[0042] The sample transporter 100 of this embodiment further includes a distance adjustment mechanism 4 that adjusts the inter-surface distance between the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 and the bottom surface 12 (upper wall surface 132 of the recess 13) of the container body 1, which face each other via the seal member S1. The distance adjustment mechanism 4 adjusts the inter-surface distance while the sample outlet 1b is moving between the sealed position P and the opened position R (intermediate position Q) so that it is longer than the inter-surface distance when the sample outlet 1b is in the sealed position P.

[0043] The distance adjustment mechanism 4 of this embodiment is configured to maintain a substantially constant inter-surface distance while the sample outlet 1b is rotating between the closed position P and the open position R. This inter-surface distance is set to a length that allows the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 or the bottom surface 12 of the container body 1 to be spaced apart from and not in contact with the surface of the sealing member S1 interposed therebetween. That is, for example, when the sealing member S1 is attached to the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2, the bottom surface 12 of the container body 1 and the surface of the sealing member S1 attached to the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 are kept out of contact with each other while the sample outlet 1b is moving between the closed position P and the open position R. Conversely, for example, when the sealing member S1 is attached to the bottom surface 12 of the container body 1, the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 and the surface of the sealing member S1 attached to the bottom surface 12 of the container body 1 are kept out of contact with each other while the sample outlet 1b is moving between the closed position P and the open position R.

[0044] Specifically, this distance adjustment mechanism 4 is composed of a rolling element 41 such as a metal ball sandwiched between the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 and the upper wall surface 132 of the recess 13, a recess 42 formed on the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 and the upper wall surface 132 of the recess 13 into which the rolling element 41 fits, and a groove 43 formed on the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2.

[0045] The recesses 42 are formed by recessing them into a substantially hemispherical shape, and their depth is smaller than the radial length of the rolling elements 41. The recesses 42 are formed on the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 and on the upper wall surface 132 of the recess 13 at positions radially offset by a predetermined distance from the rotation axis. Here, two recesses 42 are formed on the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2, spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction (rotation direction), and one recess 42 is formed on the upper wall surface 132 of the recess 13.

[0046] The groove 43 is for guiding the rolling elements 41, and is formed on the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 so as to extend in the circumferential direction and connect the two recesses 42. The groove 43 is formed to have a substantially constant width and a constant depth. Specifically, the width of the groove 43 is shorter than the diameter of the rolling elements 41 and shallower than the recesses 42. The groove 43 may be formed on the upper wall surface 132 of the recess 13 instead of on the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2.

[0047] When the sample outlet 1b is in the sealed position P, the depressions 42 formed on the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 and the upper wall surface 132 of the recess 13 face each other, and the rolling elements 41 fit into the opposing depressions 42. When the container body 1 or the bottom plate 2 is rotated relative to each other around the rotation axis from this state, the rolling elements 41 climb over the depressions 42 and enter the recessed grooves 43. This widens the inter-surface distance between the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 and the upper wall surface 132 of the recess 13, separating the upper wall surface 132 of the recess 13 from the surface of the sealing member S1. While the sample outlet 1b is rotating from the sealed position P to the open position R, the rolling elements 41 roll along the recessed grooves 43. When the sample outlet 1b reaches the open position R, the rolling elements 41 fit into the other depression 42.

[0048] The sample transporter 100 also has a positioning mechanism that positions the rotating storage chamber 1S at the sealed position P and the open position R. This positioning mechanism is composed of the two recesses 42 formed on the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2.

[0049] As described above, the sample transport device 100 is attached to a predetermined mounting position above the sample inlet 220 of the elemental analysis device 200, but in this embodiment, an intermediate jig 300 is interposed between the elemental analysis device 200 and the sample transport device 100.

[0050] The intermediate jig 300 is generally plate-shaped and is attached so that its bottom surface covers the sample insertion port 220 of the elemental analyzer 200. On the other hand, a plurality of convex portions 310 serving as holding portions are provided on the top surface, and the convex portions 310 fit into the concave portions 25 serving as held portions provided on the underside 23 of the bottom plate 2 of the sample transporter 100, thereby positioning and holding the sample transporter 100.

[0051] 5, an intermediate path 320 is formed in the intermediate jig 300, which has an upper end open to the top surface and a lower end open to the bottom surface and penetrates through the intermediate jig in the thickness direction. The intermediate jig 300 is attached to the elemental analyzer 200 so that the lower end opening of the intermediate path 320 overlaps with the sample inlet 220. On the other hand, the sample transporter 100 is attached to the intermediate jig 300 so that the sample outlet 1b formed on the bottom surface of the bottom plate 2 overlaps with the upper end opening of the intermediate path 320.

[0052] In addition, a purge gas introduction port 330 for introducing an inert gas (purge gas) is provided on the side of this intermediate jig 300, and this purge gas introduction port 330 is configured to communicate with the intermediate path 320 via a purge gas introduction path 340 formed inside.

[0053] Next, the use and operation of the sample transporter 100 of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described. For example, this sample transporter 100 is used when analyzing a highly reactive measurement sample W, such as one that oxidizes immediately upon contact with the air. Therefore, to place the measurement sample W in the sample transporter 100, the operation is performed inside a glove box (not shown) filled with an inert gas.

[0054] First, the bottom plate 2 and the container body 1 are rotated relative to each other so that the sample outlet 1b is at the sealing position P. Then, with the sample outlet 1b at the sealing position P, the measurement sample W is introduced into the storage chamber 1S through the sample inlet 1a, and the sample inlet 1a is sealed with the lid 3 (FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b)). In this state, the bottom surface 12 of the container body 1 and the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 are in contact with each other via the sealing member S1, and are hermetically sealed.

[0055] Then, the bottom plate 2 and the container body 1 are rotated relative to each other, and the sample outlet 1b is rotated from the sealed position P toward the open position R (FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b)). In this state, the distance between the bottom surface 12 of the container body 1 and the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 is adjusted by the distance adjustment mechanism 4, and the bottom surface 12 of the container body 1 is spaced apart from the surface of the sealing member S1. The measurement sample W introduced into the storage chamber 1S moves by rolling (or rubbing) on ​​the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2.

[0056] When the sample outlet 1b reaches the open position R, i.e., when the sample outlet 1b reaches a position where it overlaps with the through-hole 2h in the bottom plate 2, the measurement sample W falls downward through the through-hole 2h in the bottom plate 2 (Figures 8(a) and (b)).

[0057] Second Embodiment Next, a sample transporter 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, focusing on the differences from the sample transporter 100 of the first embodiment.

[0058] 9 and 10 , in the sample transporter 100 of this embodiment, the distance adjustment mechanism 4 is composed of a protrusion 44 provided on the side peripheral surface 24 of the bottom plate 2 and an elongated hole 45, into which the protrusion 44 fits, provided on the peripheral wall surface 131 of the recess 13 of the container body 1. This elongated hole 45 penetrates the peripheral wall of the recess 13 of the container body 1 in the thickness direction and is formed so as to extend at a substantially constant width along the circumferential direction.

[0059] The elongated hole portion 45 is formed so that its height from the bottom surface 12 varies in the circumferential direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11 , the elongated hole portion 45 is formed so that the height of one end (the right end in the drawing) in the circumferential direction is higher than the height of the other end (the left end in the drawing). More specifically, the elongated hole portion 45 has three horizontal regions 45a-c formed at both ends and the center in the circumferential direction, and two inclined regions 45d and e formed between the horizontal region 45c in the center and the horizontal regions 45a and b at both ends. The horizontal regions 45a-c are regions whose height does not change in the circumferential direction. The inclined regions 45d and e are regions whose height changes in the circumferential direction. The three horizontal regions 45a-c are formed so that they have different heights, and the two inclined regions 45d and e are formed so that they are inclined in the same direction. In this embodiment, the two inclined regions 45d and e also have the same inclination angle. In this way, the elongated hole portion 45 is formed so that the height changes in stages (here, two stages) from one end to the other end in the circumferential direction.

[0060] The distance adjustment mechanism 4 has multiple sets (three sets in this example) of such protrusions 44 and elongated holes 45 spaced at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the bottom plate 2 is fitted into the recess 13 of the container body 1 so that the protrusions 44 fit into the elongated holes 45. Alternatively, the protrusions 44 may be provided on the peripheral wall surface 131 of the recess 13 of the container body 1, and the elongated holes 45 may be provided on the side peripheral surface 24 of the bottom plate 2.

[0061] As shown in Figure 12(a), when the sample outlet 1b is in the sealed position P, the protrusion 44 is located at one end of the elongated hole 45. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 12(b), when the sample outlet 1b is in the open position R, the protrusion 44 is located at the other end of the elongated hole 45. That is, in this embodiment, both ends along the circumferential direction of the elongated hole 45 function as a positioning mechanism that positions the sample introduction port 1a at the sealed position P and the open position R. Here, the elongated hole 45 is formed so that the height of the protrusion 44 is higher when the sample outlet 1b is in the sealed position P than when the sample outlet 1b is in the open position R.

[0062] In this embodiment, the seal member S1 interposed between the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 and the bottom surface 12 of the container body 1 is arranged so as to surround only the sample outlet 1b in the sealing position P, rather than surrounding both the through-hole 2h of the bottom plate 2 and the sample outlet 1b. That is, the seal member S1 is arranged to separate the sample outlet 1b from the through-hole 2h when the sample outlet 1b is in the sealing position P. Here, the sealing member S1 is fitted into a groove formed in the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a dummy seal member S4 is arranged symmetrically with respect to the sealing member S1 across the rotation axis. This dummy seal member S4 is intended to eliminate the inclination of the bottom surface 12 of the container body 1 relative to the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2, and is made of the same material and has the same dimensions as the sealing member S1.

[0063] 9 and 10 , in the sample transporter 100 of this embodiment, the pressurizing mechanism 32 includes a gas inlet hole 321 formed through the lid 3 at a position corresponding to the sample inlet 1a of the container body 1, and a gas valve 322 fitted into the gas inlet hole 321 from the surface side of the lid 3. The gas valve 322 includes an inert gas inlet port 322p for introducing an inert gas and a backflow prevention mechanism for preventing backflow of the introduced inert gas. By introducing an inert gas from the inert gas inlet port 322p while the lid 3 is closed, the inside of the storage chamber 1S is pressurized.

[0064] The sample transporter 100 of this embodiment is equipped with a sample holding mechanism 5 that holds the measurement sample W in the storage chamber 1S at a position higher than the bottom surface. Specifically, as shown in Figures 13 to 15, the sample holding mechanism 5 is composed of a through-hole 51 formed laterally in the container body 1 so that one end opens to the outer surface of the container body 1 and the other end opens to the side wall surface of the storage chamber 1S, and a rod member 52 that is cylindrical in the through-hole 51 and has a storage recess 52a formed on the circumferential surface of its tip located within the storage chamber 1S, in which the measurement sample W is stored. The gap between the circumferential surface of the rod member 52 and the inner wall surface of the through-hole 51 in the container body 1 is sealed by a seal member S5 such as an O-ring.

[0065] The rod member 52 is rotatable about its axis while inserted, and is configured so that the opening direction of the storage recess 52a can be reversed by rotating it. Therefore, when the measurement sample W is introduced into the storage chamber 1S through the sample introduction port 1a with the storage recess 52a of the inserted rod member 52 facing upward, the measurement sample W is accommodated and held in the storage recess 52a without falling to the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2. Then, by rotating the rod member 52 180° about its axis, the measurement sample W can be dropped from the storage recess 52a.

[0066] Next, we will explain how to use and operate the sample transporter 100 of the second embodiment configured as described above. As in the first embodiment, the measurement sample W is placed in the sample transporter 100 in a glove box (not shown) filled with an inert gas.

[0067] First, the bottom plate 2 and the container body 1 are rotated relative to each other so that the sample outlet 1b is at the sealing position P, and the rod member 52 inserted into the through-hole 51 is rotated about its axis so that its storage recess 52a faces upward. In this state, the measurement sample W is introduced through the sample inlet 1a and is stored and held in the storage recess 52a, after which the sample inlet 1a is sealed with the lid 3 (FIGS. 13(a), 13(b), and 13(c)). In this state, the bottom surface 12 of the container body 1 and the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 are in contact with each other via the sealing member S1, creating an airtight seal.

[0068] Then, the bottom plate 2 and the container body 1 are rotated relative to each other, and the sample outlet port 1b is rotated from the sealed position P toward the open position R. In this state, the distance between the bottom surface 12 of the container body 1 and the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 is adjusted by the distance adjustment mechanism 4, and the bottom surface 12 of the container body 1 is spaced apart from the surface of the seal member S1. The measurement sample W introduced into the storage chamber 1S moves while being held at a position higher than the bottom surface 12 of the container body 1 by the sample holding mechanism 5.

[0069] When the protrusion 44 contacts the end of the elongated hole 45 and the sample outlet 1b reaches the open position R, the rotation stops with the measurement sample W held in the storage recess 52a (FIGS. 14(a), (b), and (c)). In this state, the rod member 52 is rotated 180° around its axis so that the storage recess 52a faces downward, and the measurement sample W is dropped. The measurement sample W drops downward through the through-hole 2h in the bottom plate 2 (FIGS. 15(a), (b), and (c)).

[0070] According to the sample transporter 100 of each of the above-described embodiments, for example, by filling the sample transporter 100 with an inert gas, for example, with the sample outlet 1b in the sealed position P at a location other than the sample analyzer 200, and storing the measurement sample W in the storage chamber 1S, the measurement sample W can be easily transported to the sample analyzer 200 while the storage chamber 1S is airtightly sealed. By attaching the sample transporter 100 to a predetermined mounting position on the sample analyzer 200 and rotating the container body 1 or bottom plate 2 so that the sample outlet 1b is fully open, the stored measurement sample W can be dropped through the through-hole 2h in the bottom plate 2 and introduced into the sample introduction port 220 of the sample analyzer 200. Furthermore, the distance adjustment mechanism 4 is configured to adjust the inter-surface distance while the sample outlet 1b is moving between the sealed position P and the open position R so that it is longer than the inter-surface distance when the sample outlet 1b is in the sealed position P. Therefore, when the sample outlet 1b is moved from the sealed position P to the open position R, the friction force between the bottom surface 12 of the container body 1 or the upper surface 22 of the bottom plate 2 and the surface of the sealing member S1 can be reduced, and wear on the sealing member S1 associated with the opening operation of the sample outlet 1b can be reduced.

[0071] In addition, various modifications and combinations of the embodiments may be made as long as they do not go against the spirit of the present invention.

[0072] According to the sample transporter of the present invention, it is possible to reduce wear of the sealing member that accompanies the opening operation of the sample outlet port.

[0073] 200: Sample analysis device 220: Sample inlet 100: Sample transporter 1: Container body 1S: Storage chamber 1b: Sample outlet 12: Bottom surface 2: Bottom plate 22: Upper surface 23: Lower surface 2h: Through-hole 4: Distance adjustment mechanism S1: Sealing material P: Sealed position R: Open position W: Measurement sample

Claims

1. A sample transport device used in a sample analyzer which extracts and analyzes components generated by heating a measurement sample as gas, and which is detachably attached to a predetermined mounting position provided on the sample analyzer, comprising: a container body having an internal storage chamber for storing the measurement sample, and a sample outlet formed on the bottom surface for leading out the measurement sample from the storage chamber; a bottom plate having through holes opening to the top and bottom surfaces and rotatably attached to the bottom of the container body; and a distance adjustment mechanism which adjusts the inter-surface distance between the top surface of the bottom plate and the bottom surface of the container body which face each other via a sealing member, and which is configured such that, by rotating one of the container body and the bottom plate relative to the other, the sample outlet is closed by the top surface of the bottom plate, moving between a predetermined sealed position where the storage chamber is airtightly sealed and an open position where the sample outlet is open to the through hole in the bottom plate and the measurement sample can be led out; A sample transport device in which the distance adjustment mechanism adjusts the inter-face distance while the sample outlet port is moving between the sealed position and the open position so that it is longer than the inter-face distance when the sample outlet port is in the sealed position.

2. A sample transport device as described in claim 1, wherein the distance adjustment mechanism adjusts the inter-surface distance so that the upper surface of the bottom plate or the bottom surface of the container body is spaced from the surface of the sealing member while the sample outlet is moving between the sealed position and the open position.

3. A sample transport device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the bottom plate is substantially circular, the bottom surface of the container body is formed with a recess into which the bottom plate is rotatably fitted, and the peripheral wall surface of the recess and the side peripheral surface of the bottom plate are in contact with each other via a sealing member.

4. A sample transport device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the distance adjustment mechanism comprises a rolling body sandwiched between the upper surface of the bottom plate and the bottom surface of the container body, a pair of recesses formed on the upper surface of the bottom plate and the bottom surface of the container body, and a concave groove extending from the recesses in the direction of rotation and formed shallower than the recesses in the upper surface of the bottom plate or the bottom surface of the container body, wherein when the sample outlet is in the sealed position, the pair of recesses are positioned opposite each other and the rolling bodies are fitted into the pair of recesses, and while the sample outlet is moving between the sealed position and the open position, the rolling bodies roll and move along the concave groove.

5. A sample transport device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the distance adjustment mechanism comprises a protrusion provided on one of the side surface of the bottom plate or the peripheral wall surface of the recess, and a long hole portion extending circumferentially, into which the protrusion portion fits, provided on the other of the side surface of the bottom plate or the peripheral wall surface of the recess, and the long hole portion is formed to have different heights in the circumferential direction.

6. A sample transport device as described in claim 5, wherein when the sample outlet is in the sealed position, the protrusion is located at one end of the long hole, and when the sample outlet is in the open position, the protrusion is located at the other end of the long hole.

7. A sample transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sample outlet and the through hole are formed at positions offset from the axis of rotation by approximately the same distance.

8. A sample transport device described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sealing member interposed between the upper surface of the bottom plate and the bottom surface of the container body is positioned so as to surround both the sample outlet and the through hole when viewed in a plane from the rotation axis direction.

9. A sample transport device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sealing member interposed between the upper surface of the bottom plate and the bottom surface of the container body is arranged so as to surround the sample outlet port in the sealed position when viewed in a plane from the rotation axis direction and to separate the sample outlet port from the through hole.

10. A sample transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a sample holding mechanism for holding a measurement sample at a position higher than the bottom surface within the storage chamber.

11. A sample transport device as described in claim 10, wherein the sample holding mechanism is composed of a through hole formed in the container body with one end opening to the outer surface of the container body and the other end opening to the side wall surface of the storage chamber, and a cylindrical rod member rotatably inserted into the through hole, the peripheral surface of whose tip portion located within the storage chamber being formed with a storage recess in which a measurement sample is stored.

12. A sample transport device as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a holding portion consisting of a convex portion or a concave portion is provided at the mounting position on the sample analysis device, and a concave portion or a convex portion that fits into the holding portion is provided on the underside of the bottom plate.

13. A sample transport device as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a lid for covering the container body, the lid having a sample inlet formed on the top surface thereof for introducing a measurement sample into the storage chamber, and a plug portion extending downwardly for plugging the sample inlet provided at a position on the rear surface of the lid corresponding to the sample inlet.

14. A sample analysis system comprising a sample analyzer that extracts and analyzes components generated by heating a measurement sample as a gas, and a sample transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 that is detachably attached to a predetermined mounting position on the sample analyzer.

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