Electromagnetic conveyance tile, conveyance device, and conveyance system

Abstract

The present invention is provided with: a plurality of cores 24 made of a magnetic material; a plurality of coils 25 each provided with a first connector pin 29a and a second connector pin 29b at both ends thereof and wound around a corresponding one of the plurality of cores 24; and a drive substrate 28 provided with a first electrode pad 33a and a second electrode pad 33b and on which the coils 25 are disposed. The first electrode pad 33a and the second electrode pad 33b and the first connector pin 29a and the second connector pin 29b are arranged so as to come into contact when the coils 25 are fixed to the substrate. This provides an electromagnetic conveyance tile, a conveyance device, and a conveyance system having a structure that is easier to assemble than conventional structures.

Description

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[0001] The present invention relates to an electromagnetic conveying tile, a conveying device, and a conveying system suitable for a system including a specimen analysis system for analyzing a biological specimen (hereinafter referred to as a specimen) such as blood or urine, and a processing device for performing pretreatment and post-treatment necessary for the analysis.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a conveying device for conveying a conveyed body having a magnetic body, which includes a plurality of teeth made of a magnetic body, a plurality of windings wound around each of the teeth, a lattice-shaped yoke made of a magnetic body that is magnetically connected to the teeth and supports the teeth, and an additional yoke made of a magnetic body that is magnetically connected to the outer end portion of the yoke.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-32321

[0004] In recent years, the automation of specimen tests for diagnostic purposes in the medical field has been progressing.

[0005] A specimen test automation system conveys a specimen to various processing steps and automatically analyzes the specimen. (

[0006] Among the specimen conveying devices used therein, it is required to convey the specimen flexibly and with high processing capacity. As one of the conveying methods to meet this requirement, there is a method of conveying a specimen container carrier capable of mounting a specimen container containing a specimen by using electromagnetic force (hereinafter sometimes referred to as electromagnetic conveying) (see Patent Document 1, etc.).

[0007] In this method, an electromagnetic actuator composed of a coil, a core, and a support structure (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a magnetic yoke) for fixing each of them is arranged below the conveying surface on which the specimen container carrier slides. When a voltage is applied to the coil, the coil, the core, and the magnetic yoke function as a magnetic circuit, a magnetic field is generated, and the magnetic body incorporated in the specimen container carrier, which is the conveyed body, is attracted and made to slide.

[0008] A device that transports specimens in two dimensions to various processing steps using this method is called an electromagnetic transport device. Compared to conventional specimen transport devices using one-dimensional transport methods such as belt conveyors, this method offers greater flexibility in transport, which is expected to improve transport efficiency by avoiding congestion and malfunctions in specimen container carriers.

[0009] In the electromagnetic transport device described in Patent Document 1, it is assumed that the coil pins (connector pins) are inserted into a connector mounted on a drive board for coil excitation control, and the electromagnetic transport tiles constituting the electromagnetic transport device are assembled.

[0010] However, since the number of coils per electromagnetic carrier tile becomes very large, and connector pins need to be inserted at specific positions for each coil, assembly is expected to be very time-consuming, and improvements are desired.

[0011] The present invention provides electromagnetic transport tiles, transport devices, and transport systems that have a structure that is easier to assemble compared to conventional methods.

[0012] The present invention includes multiple means for solving the above problems, but to give one example, an electromagnetic transport tile for transporting an object having a magnetic material, comprising: a plurality of cores made of a magnetic material, each core having connector pins at both ends, a plurality of coils wound around each of the plurality of cores, and an electrode pad provided on a substrate on which the coils are arranged, wherein the electrode pad and the connector pins are arranged to come into contact when the coils are fixed to the substrate.

[0013] According to the present invention, a structure that is easier to assemble than conventional structures can be provided. Other problems, configurations, and effects will be clarified by the following description of the embodiments.

[0014] A diagram showing the schematic configuration of a transport system equipped with electromagnetic transport tiles and transport device according to Example 1. A side view of the transport device equipped with electromagnetic transport tiles according to Example 1. A diagram showing an overview of the coil and connector pins in the electromagnetic transport tile according to Example 1. A perspective view showing an example of the layout of the pads on the drive board in the electromagnetic transport tile according to Example 1. A top view showing an example of the layout of the pads on the drive board in the electromagnetic transport tile according to Example 1. A diagram showing an overview of the connection between the pads and connector pins in the electromagnetic transport tile according to Example 1. A top view showing an example of the layout of the pads on the drive board in the electromagnetic transport tile according to a modified example of Example 1. A top view showing an example of the layout of the pads on the drive board in the electromagnetic transport tile according to Example 2. A top view showing an example of the layout of the pads on the drive board in the electromagnetic transport tile according to Example 3. A top view showing an example of the layout of the pads on the drive board in the electromagnetic transport tile according to Example 4. A top view showing an example of the layout of the pads on the drive board in the electromagnetic transport tile according to Example 5.

[0015] Embodiments of the electromagnetic transport tile, transport device, and transport system of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0016] In the drawings used in this specification, identical or corresponding components are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and repeated explanations of these components may be omitted.

[0017] Furthermore, in the following embodiments, the constituent elements (including elemental steps, etc.) are not necessarily essential unless specifically indicated or considered fundamentally essential.

[0018] <Example 1> Example 1 of the electromagnetic transport tile, transport device, and transport system of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

[0019] First, the overall configuration of the sample transport system equipped with the electromagnetic transport tiles and transport device of the present invention will be explained using Figure 1. Figure 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the transport system according to this embodiment.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the automated specimen testing system 1 in this embodiment consists of a specimen pre-processing device 500, an electromagnetic transport device 550, an automated analyzer 600, a specimen post-processing device 650, and a system control device 700.

[0021] Samples are introduced into the sample preprocessing device 500, and after preprocessing is complete, the samples are transported to the automated analyzer 600 by multiple electromagnetic transport devices 550. After analysis is complete, the samples are transported to the sample storage unit in the sample postprocessing device 650 and stored there.

[0022] The sample preprocessing device 500 is a device that preprocesses samples before analysis. The sample preprocessing device consists of multiple devices that handle sample reception, centrifugation, acquisition of sample information such as liquid volume, opening of sample containers 10 (see Figure 2), and dispensing of samples into multiple sample containers 10. One or more of these devices are installed in the automated sample testing system 1 to constitute the sample preprocessing device 500. Needless to say, the configuration of the sample preprocessing device 500 is not limited to these.

[0023] The electromagnetic transport device 550 is a device for transporting a sample container carrier 11 loaded with a sample container 10 containing a sample, or an empty sample container carrier 11 without a sample container 10, to a predetermined destination. It is composed of multiple electromagnetic transport tiles 100 (see Figure 2) arranged in a row, which transport the sample container carrier 11 by electromagnetic force. The electromagnetic transport device 550 is connected to a sample pre-processing device 500, an automated analyzer 600, a sample post-processing device 650, etc., and is responsible for transporting the sample container carrier 11 between and within these devices.

[0024] The automated analyzer 600 is a unit that performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of sample components. The analytical items in this unit are not particularly limited, and it can employ the configuration of a known automated analyzer that analyzes biochemical or immunological items. Furthermore, multiple units can be provided. In this case, the specifications may be the same or different, and are not particularly limited.

[0025] The sample post-processing device 650 is a device that performs post-processing on samples after analysis. The sample post-processing device 650 includes multiple components, such as a device for sealing the sample container 10 and a device for storing the sample. One or more of these devices are installed within the automated sample testing system 1 to constitute the sample post-processing device 650. However, the configuration of the sample post-processing device 650 is not limited to these.

[0026] The system control device 700 controls the operation of the entire system, including the electromagnetic transport device 550 and the automatic analyzer 600, and manages the destination of the samples transported in the automated sample testing system 1.

[0027] This system control unit 700 is composed of a computer having display devices such as liquid crystal displays, input devices, storage devices, a CPU, and memory. The control of the operation of each device by the system control unit 700 is performed based on various programs recorded in the storage device. The control processing of operations performed by the system control unit 700 may be combined into a single program, each part may be separated into multiple programs, or a combination of these. Furthermore, some or all of the programs may be implemented with dedicated hardware or may be modularized.

[0028] Next, a transport device relating to an embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figures 2 and onward. Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing the electromagnetic transport device 550 transporting the sample container carrier 11.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the electromagnetic transport device 550 includes an electromagnetic transport tile 100 for transporting a sample container carrier 11 having a magnetic material 12, a power supply 35 for supplying current to a coil 25, and a control unit 37 for controlling the supply of current to the power supply 35.

[0030] The specimen container 10, which contains the specimen, is inserted into the specimen container carrier 11 and transported on the upper surface of the transport plate 21 of the electromagnetic transport tile 100.

[0031] The sensor substrate 22 is positioned on the underside (downward in the vertical direction) of the transport plate 21 and detects the position of the sample container carrier 11. Examples of sensors used in the sensor substrate 22 include magnetic sensors that utilize the magnetic material 12 inside the sample container carrier 11, and optical sensors. Examples of magnetic material 12 include neodymium magnets and ferrite magnets.

[0032] On the back side (downward in the vertical direction) of the sensor substrate 22, a plurality of cores 24 made of magnetic material and a plurality of coils 25, each of which is wound with copper wire or the like, are arranged at equal intervals on a magnetic yoke 23. In other words, the magnetic yoke 23 is provided between the plurality of cores 24 and the drive substrate 28 and supports the plurality of cores 24.

[0033] Furthermore, a drive board 28 is provided on the back side (downward in the vertical direction) of the magnetic yoke 23, which is electrically connected to supply current to each of the coils 25.

[0034] Here, the coil 25, core 24, and magnetic yoke 23 constitute an electromagnetic actuator 30, which generates an electromagnetic force that attracts / repels the sample container carrier 11. As a result, the sample container carrier 11 can be slid in a two-dimensional direction along the arrangement of the electromagnetic actuators 30 on the transport plate 21, thereby transporting the sample.

[0035] In this case, a power supply 35 and a control unit 37 are connected to the coil 25 to supply a predetermined current. However, in the electromagnetic transport tile 100, a drive board 28 is provided to electrically connect each individual coil 25 and the power supply 35 in order to supply current independently to each individual coil 25 that transports the sample container carrier 11.

[0036] The core 24 on the inner circumference of the coil 25, to which voltage is applied by the power supply 35, acts as an electromagnet and attracts the magnetic material 12 provided on the sample container carrier 11 on the transport plate 21. After the core 24 attracts the sample container carrier 11, the voltage application from the power supply 35 to the coil 25 is stopped, and voltage is applied from the power supply 35 to adjacent different coils 25 in the same manner as described above, thereby attracting the magnetic material 12 to the adjacent core 24 side.

[0037] By repeating this procedure, the sample contained in the sample container 10, which is held in the sample container carrier 11 equipped with a magnetic material 12, is transported to its destination.

[0038] The coil 25, core 24, and tile base 26 constitute a magnetic pole 31, and when voltage is supplied to the coil 25, the coil 25 and core 24 function as an electromagnet.

[0039] The control unit 37 is the part that manages the operation of the sample container carriers 11 within the electromagnetic transport tile 100 by calculating the destination and transport path of each sample container carrier 11 and controlling the power supply 35 that supplies current to each coil 25.

[0040] This control unit 37 is configured as hardware using a dedicated circuit board, but it may also be configured as software executed on a computer, or it may be provided within the system control device 700 described above. When configured as hardware, it can be realized by integrating multiple arithmetic units that perform processing on a wiring board, or in a semiconductor chip or package. When configured as software, it can be realized by equipping a computer with a high-speed general-purpose CPU and executing a program that performs the desired arithmetic processing. It is also possible to upgrade existing devices using a recording medium on which this program is stored. Furthermore, these devices, circuits, and computers are connected by a wired or wireless network, and data is transmitted and received as appropriate.

[0041] Next, the relationship between the drive substrate 28 and the coil 25 in the electromagnetic transport tile 100 and the details of their configuration will be explained using Figures 3 to 6. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an overview of the coil and connector pins in the electromagnetic transport tile of Embodiment 1, Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the layout of the electrode pads on the drive substrate, Figure 5 is a top view showing an example of the layout of the electrode pads on the drive substrate, and Figure 6 is a diagram showing an overview of the connection between the electrode pads on the drive substrate and the connector pins. Note that, for illustrative purposes, only one coil 25 is shown in these drawings.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, each coil 25 is provided with a first connector pin 29a and a second connector pin 29b at both ends of each wire forming the coil 25.

[0043] In this embodiment, the core 24 has a screw shape, and after the coil 25 is wound, the core 24 is fixed by pressing it from the upper side in the vertical direction toward the drive substrate 28 on the lower side in the vertical direction.

[0044] These first connector pins 29a and second connector pins 29b can each be spring-shaped. As will be described in detail later, even if the lengths of the first connector pin 29a and the second connector pin 29b vary within and between the coils 25, the first connector pin 29a surely contacts the first electrode pad 33a portion, and the second connector pin surely contacts the second electrode pad 33b portion, enabling reliable energization.

[0045] Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, on the drive substrate 28, at positions below the coils 25 in the vertical direction, a first electrode pad is provided so as to supply current by physically contacting the first connector pin 29a of each coil 25, and a second electrode pad is provided so as to supply current by physically contacting the second connector pin 29b of each coil 25.

[0046] More specifically, when the electromagnetic transfer tile 100 is viewed from the upper side in the vertical direction, the first electrode pads 33a and the second electrode pads 33b are formed in a circumferential shape centered on the core 24, and as shown in FIG. 5, the first electrode pads 33a and the second electrode pads 33b are arranged on concentric circles.

[0047] Thus, by inserting the first connector pins 29a and the second connector pins 29b into any one of the four regions divided by the magnetic yoke 23, the first connector pins 29a come into contact with the first electrode pads 33a and the second connector pins 29b come into contact with the second electrode pads 33b, enabling energization of the coil 25. Also, since the first connector pins 29a and the second connector pins 29b can be arranged in any region, the advantage is obtained that the assembly work is very easy.

[0048] The first electrode pads 33a and the second electrode pads 33b are preferably made of a metal excellent in cost, conductivity, corrosion resistance, etc., and are, for example, made of copper, gold, silver, nickel, tin, etc. The thickness (width) in the horizontal direction with respect to the surface of the drive substrate 28 is preferably such that each is thick enough to cope with misalignment with respect to the first connector pins 29a and the second connector pins 29b.

[0049] These first electrode pads 33a and second electrode pads 33b are preferably formed in two independent regions having a larger area than the contact surfaces of the first connector pins 29a and the second connector pins 29b when the electromagnetic transfer tile 100 is viewed from the upper vertical side. This makes it possible to ensure the contact state even when the first connector pins 29a and the second connector pins 29b are displaced.

[0050] Note that the first electrode pads 33a and the second electrode pads 33b are not limited to being formed by metal regions formed on the drive substrate 28, and can also be constituted by metal parts, through holes, etc.

[0051] With these configurations, as shown in FIG. 6, the first electrode pads 33a, the second electrode pads 33b, the first connector pins 29a, and the second connector pins 29b come into contact when the coil 25 is fixed to the drive substrate 28.

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the first electrode pad 33a and the second electrode pad 33b do not necessarily need to be arranged concentrically. As shown in Figure 7, when the electromagnetic transport tile 100 is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the first electrode pad 33c and the second electrode pad 33d of the drive substrate 28A can be formed in a rectangular shape with their centers of gravity coinciding around the core 24. Moreover, the shape is not limited to a rectangular shape; any shape such as a triangle or a pentagon or more can be used, as long as a state of mutual insulation is maintained.

[0053] Furthermore, when viewing the electromagnetic transport tile 100 from above in the vertical direction, the centers of gravity of the inner first electrode pads 33a and 33c and the outer second electrode pads 33b and 33d do not need to coincide; they may be different. Also, the shapes of the inner first electrode pads 33a and 33c and the outer second electrode pads 33b and 33d do not need to be the same; they may be different.

[0054] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0055] The electromagnetic transport tile 100 for transporting the sample container carrier 11 having the magnetic material 12 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention described above comprises a plurality of cores 24 made of magnetic material, a plurality of coils 25 wound around each of the plurality of cores 24, each of which is provided with first connector pins 29a and second connector pins 29b at both ends, and drive substrates 28, 28A on which the coils 25 are arranged, with first electrode pads 33a, 33c and second electrode pads 33b, 33d provided. The first electrode pads 33a, 33c and second electrode pads 33b, 33d and the first connector pins 29a and second connector pins 29b are arranged to come into contact when the coils 25 are fixed to the drive substrate 28.

[0056] As a result, voltage can be applied to the coil 25 simply by the first connector pins 29a and 29b making contact with the first electrode pads 33a and 33c and the second electrode pads 33b and 33d. This eliminates the need for coil connectors, making assembly much easier and reducing costs. In particular, since the electromagnetic transport tile 100 has a very large number of coils 25 (more than 100), connecting each one with a coil connector would be extremely time-consuming. However, the above configuration prevents such cumbersome work, making it a particularly effective structure.

[0057] Furthermore, when the electromagnetic transport tile 100 is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the first electrode pads 33a, 33c and the second electrode pads 33b, 33d are formed as two independent regions with a larger area than the contact surface of the first connector pins 29a and the second connector pins 29b. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the first connector pins 29a and the second connector pins 29b from being in contact with the first electrode pads 33a, 33c and the second electrode pads 33b, 33d, thereby ensuring that the state in which current can be conducted is more reliably maintained.

[0058] Furthermore, when the electromagnetic transport tile 100 is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the first electrode pads 33a, 33c and the second electrode pads 33b, 33d are formed circumferentially around the core 24, which makes them easy to form and also facilitates ensuring insulation.

[0059] Furthermore, because the first connector pin 29a and the second connector pin 29b are spring-shaped, it is possible to more reliably ensure contact between the first connector pin 29a and the second connector pin 29b and the first electrode pads 33a and 33c and the second electrode pads 33b and 33d.

[0060] <Example 2> An electromagnetic transport tile, transport device, and transport system according to Example 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a top view showing an example of the layout of the pads on the substrate in the electromagnetic transport tile in Example 2.

[0061] In the electromagnetic transport tile of this embodiment shown in Figure 8, the drive substrate 28B is such that, when the electromagnetic transport tile 100 is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the first electrode pad 33e and the second electrode pad 33f are formed in an arc shape with the core 24 as the center, and no electrode pads are formed anywhere other than where the first connector pin 29a and the second connector pin 29b are located.

[0062] In this embodiment, the coil 25 is inserted into the region where the first electrode pad 33e and the second electrode pad 33f are located, with the first connector pin 29a and the second connector pin 29b inserted into the region where the first electrode pad 33e and the second electrode pad 33f are located.

[0063] In this embodiment, the first electrode pad 33e and the second electrode pad 33f are shown to be formed in an arc shape with the core 24 as the center, but they are not limited to an arc shape and can be in various shapes.

[0064] The other configurations and operations are substantially the same as those of the electromagnetic transport tiles, transport device, and transport system described in Embodiment 1 above, and details are omitted.

[0065] In the electromagnetic transport tile, transport device, and transport system of Embodiment 2 of the present invention, substantially the same effects as those of the electromagnetic transport tile, transport device, and transport system of Embodiment 1 described above can be obtained.

[0066] Furthermore, when the electromagnetic transport tile is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the first electrode pad 33e and the second electrode pad 33f are formed in an arc shape with the core 24 as the center. As a result, the installation area of ​​the first electrode pad 33e and the second electrode pad 33f can be made smaller compared to the configuration of Embodiment 1, thus allowing for a larger area on the drive substrate 28B where components can be mounted.

[0067] <Example 3> An electromagnetic transport tile, transport device, and transport system according to Example 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is a top view showing an example of the layout of the pads on the substrate in the electromagnetic transport tile in Example 3.

[0068] In the electromagnetic transport tile of this embodiment shown in Figure 9, the drive substrate 28C is configured such that, when the electromagnetic transport tile is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the first electrode pad 33g and the second electrode pad 33h are formed in an arc shape in the region separated by the magnetic yoke 23.

[0069] Although the first electrode pad 33g and the second electrode pad 33h are shown formed in an arc shape with the core 24 as the center, they are not limited to an arc shape and can be made into various shapes.

[0070] Furthermore, although the first electrode pad 33g and the second electrode pad 33h are shown formed in adjacent regions separated by the magnetic yoke 23, it is also possible to provide them in non-adjacent regions, respectively.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is sufficient that the first electrode pad 33g and the second electrode pad 33h are formed in regions separated from each other by the magnetic yoke 23, and the first electrode pad 33g and the second electrode pad 33h may be formed spanning across the separated regions.

[0072] The other configurations and operations are substantially the same as those of the electromagnetic transport tiles, transport device, and transport system described in Example 1 or Example 2 above, and details are omitted.

[0073] In the electromagnetic transport tile, transport device, and transport system of Embodiment 3 of the present invention, substantially the same effects as those of the electromagnetic transport tile, transport device, and transport system of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 described above can be obtained.

[0074] Furthermore, the electromagnetic transport tile is provided with a magnetic yoke 23 that is placed between the multiple cores 24 and the drive substrate 28C and supports the multiple cores 24. When the electromagnetic transport tile is viewed from the vertically upward side, the first electrode pad 33g and the second electrode pad 33h are formed in regions separated by the magnetic yoke 23, thereby ensuring more reliable insulation between the first electrode pad 33g and the second electrode pad 33h.

[0075] <Example 4> An electromagnetic transport tile, transport device, and transport system according to Example 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 10. Figure 10 is a top view showing an example of the layout of the pads on the substrate in the electromagnetic transport tile in Example 4.

[0076] In the electromagnetic transport tile of this embodiment shown in Figure 10, the drive substrate 28D is formed such that, when the electromagnetic transport tile is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the first electrode pad 33i and the second electrode pad 33j are formed as two independent rectangular regions with a larger area than the contact surface of the first connector pin 29a and the second connector pin 29b.

[0077] Furthermore, the first electrode pad 33i and the second electrode pad 33j do not need to be rectangular in shape; they can be circular, nearly circular, triangular, pentagonal, or any other shape as long as they remain insulated from each other.

[0078] Furthermore, the first electrode pad 33i and the second electrode pad 33j can be formed in regions separated by the magnetic yoke 23 when the electromagnetic transport tile is viewed from the vertically upward side, as in Example 3.

[0079] The other configurations and operations are substantially the same as those of the electromagnetic transport tiles, transport devices, and transport systems described in any of the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 3, and details are omitted.

[0080] In the electromagnetic transport tile, transport device, and transport system of Embodiment 4 of the present invention, substantially the same effects as those of the electromagnetic transport tile, transport device, and transport system of any of the above-described Embodiments 1 to 3 can be obtained.

[0081] Furthermore, when the electromagnetic transport tile is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the first electrode pad 33i and the second electrode pad 33j are formed as two independent regions with a larger area than the contact surface of the first connector pin 29a and the second connector pin 29b. As a result, the installation area of ​​the electrode pads can be made smaller compared to other embodiments, thereby securing a larger area for mounting components on the drive board 28D.

[0082] <Example 5> An electromagnetic transport tile, transport device, and transport system according to Example 5 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 11. Figure 11 is a top view showing an example of the layout of the pads on the substrate in the electromagnetic transport tile in Example 5.

[0083] In the electromagnetic transport tile of this embodiment shown in Figure 11, the electrode pad placement area 33k on the drive substrate 28E is located on the electromagnetic transport tile side relative to the center of each coil 25. In this configuration, there is a certain rule governing the side on which the electrode pads are placed, i.e., the position where the connector pins of the coil 25 are inserted, which improves workability.

[0084] The other configurations and operations are substantially the same as those of the electromagnetic transport tiles, transport devices, and transport systems described in either Embodiment 2 or 4 above, and details are omitted.

[0085] In the electromagnetic transport tile, transport device, and transport system of Embodiment 5 of the present invention, substantially the same effects as those of the electromagnetic transport tile, transport device, and transport system of either Embodiment 2 or 4 described above can be obtained.

[0086] <Other> The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are included. The above embodiments are described in detail for the purpose of clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described.

[0087] Furthermore, it is possible to replace parts of the configuration of one embodiment with parts of the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add parts of the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, or replace parts of the configuration of each embodiment with parts of other configurations.

[0088] 1...Automated specimen testing system (transport system) 10...Specimen container 11...Specimen container carrier (transported object) 12...Magnetic material 21...Transport plate 22...Sensor substrate 23...Magnetic yoke 24...Core 25...Coil 26...Tile base 28, 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D, 28E...Drive substrate (substrate) 29a...First connector pin 29b...Second connector pin 30...Electromagnetic actuator 31...Magnetic pole 33a, 33c, 33e, 33g, 33i...First electrode pad (electrode pad) 33b, 33d, 33f, 33h, 33j...Second electrode pad (electrode pad) 33k...Electrode pad placement area 35...Power supply 37...Control unit 100...Electromagnetic transport tile 500...Specimen preprocessing device 550...Electromagnetic transport device 600...Automated analyzer (analysis unit) 650... Sample post-processing device 700... System control device

Claims

1. An electromagnetic transport tile for transporting an object having a magnetic material, comprising: a plurality of cores made of a magnetic material; a plurality of coils wound around each of the plurality of cores, each having connector pins at both ends; and a substrate on which electrode pads are provided and the coils are arranged, wherein the electrode pads and the connector pins are arranged to contact each other when the coils are fixed to the substrate.

2. An electromagnetic transport tile according to claim 1, wherein, when the electromagnetic transport tile is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the electrode pad is formed of two independent regions with a larger area than the contact surface of the connector pin.

3. An electromagnetic transport tile according to claim 1, wherein, when the electromagnetic transport tile is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the electrode pads are formed circumferentially around the core.

4. An electromagnetic transport tile according to claim 1, wherein, when the electromagnetic transport tile is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the electrode pad is formed in an arc shape with respect to the core.

5. An electromagnetic transport tile according to claim 1, further comprising a magnetic yoke provided between a plurality of cores and the substrate and supporting a plurality of cores, wherein when the electromagnetic transport tile is viewed from above in the vertical direction, the electrode pads are each formed in regions separated by the magnetic yoke.

6. An electromagnetic transport tile according to claim 1, wherein the connector pin is spring-shaped.

7. A transport device comprising: an electromagnetic transport tile as described in claim 1; a power supply that supplies current to the coil; and a control unit that controls the supply of current to the power supply.

8. A transport system comprising the transport device described in claim 7 and an analysis unit for performing analysis of a sample.

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