Camera holding mechanism for automatic analyzer and automatic analyzer
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/JP2025/029792
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-03-26
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-01
Smart Images
Figure JP2025029792_01102026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Camera holding mechanism for automatic analyzer and automatic analyzer
[0001] The present invention relates to a camera holding mechanism for an automatic analyzer and an automatic analyzer.
[0002] As an apparatus for pathological analysis, there is an automatic analyzer. In an automatic analyzer, a nozzle used for dispensing a specimen such as serum or urine or a reagent is periodically replaced from the viewpoint of maintaining dispensing accuracy against temporal change (deterioration). In dispensing, it is necessary to accurately insert the tip of the nozzle into a plurality of narrow spaces such as a specimen container, a reagent container, and a washing hole. Therefore, when replacing the nozzle, the number of drive pulses for controlling the drive motor is updated so that the nozzle tip stops accurately at the dispensing position and the washing position.
[0003] An example of a specimen processing apparatus that facilitates the adjustment work is described in Patent Document 1. The apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has a camera installed at the free end of an arm portion (hereinafter referred to as a dispensing arm) of a moving mechanism that moves a pipette (hereinafter referred to as a nozzle), and images the tip of the nozzle and a target stop position. Then, a deviation between the nozzle tip position and the target stop position is detected from the captured image, and the number of adjustment pulses required to reach the target stop position is calculated.
[0004] However, if the camera is permanently installed, that is, constantly fixed to the free end of the dispensing arm, the mass and moment of inertia of the camera are added, which increases the load (torque) on the motor that drives the dispensing arm, and may restrict the operation pattern and movement range of the dispensing arm to prevent collision between cameras attached to each of a plurality of dispensing arms. In addition, it is difficult to apply a camera to an existing dispensing arm that is not intended for camera installation, in terms of the occupied volume for installing the camera and securing working space for attaching and detaching the camera.
[0005] Even if the camera is removed during the operation of the automated analyzer and only temporarily attached when changing nozzles, the camera itself must be small and lightweight, just as it would be in terms of the space it occupies. In addition, the workspace for attaching and detaching the camera, as well as the direction in which the camera can be operated, are restricted. Furthermore, the camera must be firmly attached to the dispensing arm not only so that it can be fixed in the desired direction, but also so that the optical axis that captures the subject of the camera does not shift due to the acceleration generated in the dispensing arm by the external force applied to the dispensing arm.
[0006] Dispensing arms are often equipped with screw holes (female threads) for fixing or grounding (connecting to ground) components such as the flow path that connects to the nozzle and the sensor board of a capacitance sensor that detects changes in capacitance of the liquid level. If a camera can be attached to the dispensing arm by screw fastening using the surplus (unused) portion of these screw holes, no unnecessary through holes or components will remain on the dispensing arm after the camera is removed. Furthermore, it becomes possible to attach a camera to existing dispensing arms that were not originally designed for camera installation.
[0007] Patent Document 2 describes an example of a screw tightening machine that can tighten screws even in intricate, narrow spaces. The screw tightening machine described in Patent Document 2 has a drive source connection part at one end and a tool connection part at the other end, with both ends connected by multiple gears (reduction mechanism). The tool connection part of the screw tightening machine is inserted into the intricate, narrow space between components, and the screw is turned into the screw hole to tighten it.
[0008] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 describes an example of a coupling device that can be housed inside a thin structural element. The coupling device described in Patent Document 3 consists of a shelf with vertical and horizontal holes, a screw with a crown-shaped head, a cylindrical body that is incorporated into the horizontal hole in the shelf and has a seat that contacts the shaft of the screw, and an insert that is housed in the vertical hole in the shelf and has a seat that contacts the head of the tool. The tool is inserted from the side, the cylindrical body and the tool clamp the screw from the axial and circumferential directions, and by rotating the tool, the screw is driven into the screw hole in the wall in the manner of a screw gear.
[0009] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-32310, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-40336, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-528364
[0010] In the prior art described in Patent Document 2, a tool connector is inserted onto the screw axis so that the screw drive unit is pressed against it from the axial direction. Therefore, the height of the mechanism increases because space must be provided to insert the tool connector. Also, because the tool connector is separated from the grip, it is difficult to apply force only in the axial direction, which may cause the rotation axis that turns the screw to wobble and make it difficult to turn the screw properly.
[0011] In the prior art described in Patent Document 3, a certain height (working space) is required to insert the tool, which again increases the height of the mechanism. In addition, because the amount of protrusion of the screw portion is constant, if the depth of the complete screw portion of the screw hole, or the excess depth, is shorter than the amount of screw protrusion, it may not be possible to insert the entire protruding screw portion into the screw hole, thus preventing the generation of axial force in the screw.
[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide a camera holding mechanism for an automated analyzer and an automated analyzer that can attach a camera used for adjusting the tip position of a dispensing nozzle to a dispensing arm.
[0013] The camera holding mechanism for an automated analyzer of the present invention is a camera holding mechanism for an automated analyzer that attaches a camera to a dispensing machine using a screw hole provided in the dispensing machine, wherein the screw and the nut fitted to the screw are incorporated inside the housing in which the camera is fixed, and are movable around the axis of the screw and in the axial direction, respectively, and a stepped hole is made on the first surface of the housing coaxially with the screw, and an opening is made on the second surface of the housing perpendicular to the first surface, the stepped hole has a two-stage structure with a small diameter on the outside and a large diameter on the inside, and the screw has a shank, a cylindrical part and a head The structure has three stages, with the outer diameters increasing in order from largest to smallest. The nut has a two-stage structure, with a cylindrical flange having an internal groove and a body with a screw hole cut into its inner surface. The body of the nut fits into the larger diameter hole inside the stepped hole, and the cylindrical part of the screw fits into the internal groove of the flange of the nut, forming a nested structure. A stopper is positioned inside the housing, facing both the flange of the nut and the seating surface of the first surface of the housing. The screw portion of the screw protrudes outward from the stepped hole, and a part of the head of the screw and a part of the flange of the nut protrude or are exposed from the opening.
[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a camera holding mechanism for an automated analyzer and an automated analyzer that can attach a camera used for adjusting the tip position of a dispensing nozzle to a dispensing arm.
[0015] This is a schematic diagram of the medical automated analyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a partial cross-sectional view taken in the direction of arrow I in Figure 1, showing an example of the configuration of the dispensing mechanism viewed from the side. This is a partial cross-sectional view taken from the side of the dispensing mechanism in which the camera holding mechanism of the first embodiment is attached to the dispensing arm. This is an exploded view showing an example of the configuration of the camera holding mechanism of the first embodiment. This is a partial cross-sectional view taken from the side of the dispensing arm to which the camera holding mechanism for the automated analyzer of the first embodiment is attached. This is a partial cross-sectional view taken from the front of the dispensing mechanism to which the camera holding mechanism according to the second embodiment is attached.
[0016] This invention relates to a camera holding mechanism for a medical automated analyzer that mixes a sample such as serum or urine of a subject with a reagent to perform component analysis, and for a camera used to adjust the position of the tip of the nozzle that dispenses the sample or reagent, to be detachably and firmly fixed to the dispensing arm.
[0017] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. <<First Embodiment>> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the medical automated analyzer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The medical automated analyzer 1 according to the first embodiment is a device that mixes a sample such as serum or urine of a person being tested with a reagent and performs component analysis.
[0018] The samples include blood-derived materials such as serum and whole blood, as well as urine. The medical automated analyzer 1 is composed of a reagent disk 12, a reaction disk 13, a reagent dispensing mechanism 14, a sample dispensing mechanism 15, a transport line 16, and a detection unit (not shown). The samples to be fed into the medical automated analyzer 1 are placed in sample containers 18. The sample containers 18 containing the samples are mounted on a rack 19. Multiple sample containers 18 can be mounted on the rack 19.
[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the sample containers 18 mounted on the rack 19 are transported on a transport belt 16b along the transport line 16 to perform component analysis of the samples in the sample containers 18, as indicated by arrow α11. The reagent disk 12 holds reagent containers 11, each containing a different reagent. The reagent disk 12 rotates as each reagent is used, controlled by a motor of a control device (not shown) (arrow α21 in Figure 1). The reaction disk 13 has reaction cells 131 arranged around its outer circumference to mix and react the reagents and samples. By rotating the reaction disk 13 as shown by arrow α22 in Figure 1, the reaction cells 131 rotate. A detection unit (not shown) detects the concentration (test result) of each sample as a change in absorbance.
[0020] <Reagent Dispensing Mechanism 14> The reagent dispensing mechanism 14 is equipped with a reagent dispensing nozzle 141 for dispensing reagents. The reagent dispensing mechanism 14 moves the reagent dispensing nozzle 141 to a stopping position for aspirating reagents from the reagent container 11 on the reagent disk 12, a stopping position for discharging reagents into the reaction cell 131, and a stopping position (not shown) for washing off reagents adhering to the reagent dispensing nozzle 141 in a washing tank (not shown) (washing the reagent dispensing nozzle 141).
[0021] <Sample Dispensing Mechanism 15> The sample dispensing mechanism 15 is equipped with a sample dispensing nozzle 151 for dispensing samples. The sample dispensing mechanism 15 moves the sample dispensing nozzle 151 to a stopping position where it aspirates the sample from the sample container 18, a stopping position where it discharges the sample into the reaction cell 131, and a stopping position where it washes away any sample adhering to the tip of the sample dispensing nozzle 151 in the washing tank 17 (washes the sample dispensing nozzle 151).
[0022] In addition, the reagent dispensing mechanism 14 and the sample dispensing mechanism 15 raise and lower the reagent dispensing nozzle 141 (arrow α12 in Figure 1) and the sample dispensing nozzle 151 (arrow α13 in Figure 1) according to the height of their respective stopping positions.
[0023] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken from the side of an example of the configuration of the sample dispensing mechanism 15, taken in the direction of arrow I in Figure 1. The sample dispensing mechanism 15 consists of a shaft 157 that can be driven (moved) vertically and a sample dispensing arm 152 that is rotatably mounted around the shaft 157. The sample dispensing arm 152 is rotatably cantilevered on the shaft 157.
[0024] The shaft 157 moves linearly in the vertical direction by means of a screw gear or the like, driven by the driving force of a motor (not shown). The sample dispensing arm 152 is rotatably supported on the shaft 157 via a sintered bearing and rotates by being directly or indirectly driven by a motor or the like (not shown). A sample dispensing nozzle 151 is attached to the free end of the sample dispensing arm 152, which is connected to a pump (not shown) via a flow path 153.
[0025] A sensor substrate 155 is fixed to the bottom surface 152t of the sample dispensing arm 152 by being screwed into a screw hole 154 with a screw 156 via a fixing member 155k. The camera 20 (see Figure 3) is temporarily attached to the sample dispensing arm 152 using the screw hole 154 shown in Figure 2, or the extra screw hole 154 below the screw hole 154. Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the sample dispensing mechanism 15, in which the camera holding mechanism 2 of the first embodiment is attached to the sample dispensing arm 152, as viewed from the side.
[0026] The camera 20 is used to adjust the position of the tip 151s of the sample dispensing nozzle 151 when attaching the sample dispensing nozzle 151 to the sample dispensing arm 152, such as when attaching or replacing the sample dispensing nozzle 151. By using the screw hole 154 of the sample dispensing arm 152, it is not necessary to drill extra holes, thread female screws, or add other components to the sample dispensing arm 152.
[0027] The camera 20 shown in Figure 3 is attached to the sample dispensing arm 152 using the existing screw holes 154 of the sample dispensing arm 152. Specifically, the housing 21, screw 22, nut 23, and stopper 213 are used as mounting members to attach the camera 20 to the sample dispensing arm 152.
[0028] The camera 20 is pre-attached to the housing 21. The stopper 213 maintains a predetermined distance between the components. The stopper 213 is positioned inside the housing 21, facing both the flange 231 of the nut 23 and the seating surface 2113 of the first surface 211 of the housing 21. Specifically, the stopper 213 ensures the movement allowance of the screw 22 and the nut. The stopper 213 is pre-fixed to the housing 21 by any method such as screwing, brazing, welding, or industrial adhesive.
[0029] The screw 22 is inserted from below into the stepped hole 2110 of the housing 21 to which the camera 20 is attached, and is screwed into the screw hole 154, thereby attaching the camera 20 to the sample dispensing arm 152 as shown in Figure 3. The nut 23 is screwed onto the threaded portion 221 of the screw 22 and moves in the axial direction of the screw 22. The nut 23 plays a role in firmly fixing or loosening the housing 21 to which the camera 20 is attached to the sample dispensing arm 152.
[0030] Therefore, the nut 23 is provided with space to move back and forth in the axial direction of the screw 22.
[0031] <Mounting structure of camera 20 to sample dispensing arm 152> The housing 21 has a stepped hole 2110 formed on the first surface 211, which is the top surface, facing downwards.
[0032] Figure 4 is an exploded view showing an example of the configuration of the camera holding mechanism 2 of the first embodiment. The stepped hole 2110 of the housing 21 has an outer small-diameter hole 2111 and an inner large-diameter hole 2112.
[0033] The screw 22 shown in Figure 4 has a threaded portion 221 on which a male thread 221m is threaded, a cylindrical portion 222 with a larger diameter than the threaded portion 221, and a screw head 223 with a larger diameter than the cylindrical portion 222. The male thread 221m of the screw 22 is a male thread that is screwed into the screw hole 154 of the sample dispensing arm 152.
[0034] The nut 23 shown in Figures 3 and 4 has a body portion 232 on which a female thread 232m is threaded, and a flange portion 231 that has a larger diameter than the body portion 232. The female thread 232m of the nut 23 (see Figure 4) is screwed onto the male thread 221m of the screw 22.
[0035] The flange portion 231 of the nut 23 shown in Figure 3 has a cylindrical hollow inner groove 2311 formed therein. The inner diameter p31 of the inner groove 2311 of the flange portion 231 of the nut 23 is slightly larger than the outer diameter P22 of the cylindrical portion 222 of the screw 22.
[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the female thread 232m of the nut 23 is screwed onto the male thread 221m of the screw 22 (see Figure 4). The threaded portion 221 of the screw 22 with the nut 23 screwed onto it is inserted through the stepped hole 2110 of the housing 21 from the seating surface 2113 side (bottom) of the housing 21. Then, while holding down the flange portion 231 of the nut 23, the head 223 of the screw 22 is rotated from outside the housing 21 to screw it into the screw hole 154 of the sample dispensing arm 152. Finally, while holding down the head 223 of the screw 22 from outside the housing 21, the flange portion 231 of the nut 23 is rotated to move the threaded portion 221 of the screw 22 and tighten the nut 23. This securely fixes the housing 21 with the camera 20 attached to the sample dispensing arm 152 with the nut 23.
[0037] By using the housing 21, screws 22, and nuts 23 described above, the camera 20 is attached to the sample dispensing arm 152, as shown in Figure 3.
[0038] On the other hand, to remove the camera 20 from the sample dispensing arm 152, the head 223 of the screw 22 is held in place from outside the housing 21, and the flange 231 of the nut 23 is rotated to loosen it. Then, the head 223 of the screw 22 is rotated in the opposite direction from outside the housing 21, while the nut 23 is held in place, and the housing 21 with the camera 20 attached is removed from the sample dispensing arm 152.
[0039] <Three Features of Camera Holding Mechanism 2> The camera holding mechanism 2 of the first embodiment (see Figure 3) has the following three features.
[0040] The first feature is as follows: As shown in Figure 3, one side of the flange 231 of the nut 23 faces the seating surface 2113, and the other side of the flange 231 of the nut faces the stopper 213. In this state, the nut 23 and the screw 22 that is screwed onto the nut 23 are assembled inside the housing 21. The threaded portion 221 of the screw 22 protrudes outward from the first surface 211 of the housing 21 through a stepped hole 2110 made in the first surface 211 of the housing 21.
[0041] A second feature is that, as shown in Figure 3, the cylindrical portion 222 of the screw 22 and the flange portion 231 of the nut, as well as the body portion 232 of the nut 23 and the large-diameter hole 2112 inside the stepped hole 2110, are each incorporated in a nested configuration. The body portion 232 of the nut 23 fits into the large-diameter hole 2112 inside the stepped hole 2110, and the cylindrical portion 222 of the screw 22 fits into the inner groove 2311 of the flange portion 231 of the nut 23, forming a nested structure. A third feature is that the flange portion 231 of the nut 23 and the head 223 of the screw 22 protrude or are exposed from an opening 2120 provided in a second surface 212 perpendicular to a first surface 211 of the housing 21.
[0042] According to the first feature, the screw 22 and the nut 23 do not fall off, and are held in the housing 21 in a state where they can move independently of each other around the axis of the screw 22 and in the axial direction of the screw 22, respectively. Therefore, even for a screw hole 154 in which the length of the female screw 154m (see Fig. 2) is indefinite, particularly when the length of the female screw 154m is short, the fitting between the screw portion 221 of the screw 22 and the screw hole 154, and the tightening by the nut 23 can be performed.
[0043] According to the second feature, even when a circumferential force is applied from the radial direction to the head 223 of the screw 22 or the flange portion 231 of the nut 23, the screw 22 and the nut 23 will not be excessively displaced in the radial direction of the screw 22 or tilted. Therefore, the insertion and withdrawal of the screw portion 221 of the screw 22 and the tightening and loosening of the nut 23 can be performed smoothly. In addition, oblique tightening of the screw 22 or the nut 23 can also be prevented.
[0044] According to the third feature, by rotating the head 223 of the screw 22 in the forward direction or the reverse direction while holding the flange portion 231 of the nut 23 from the stepped hole 2110 opened in the first surface 211 of the housing 21 shown in Fig. 3, the screw portion 221 of the screw 22 can be fed out toward the sample dispensing arm 152 side to be screwed into the screw hole 154, or the screw portion 221 can be removed from the screw hole 154.
[0045] Similarly, by rotating the flange portion 231 of the nut 23 while holding the head 223 of the screw 22 so that it does not move, the housing 21 with the camera 20 attached thereto can be tightened or loosened on the sample dispensing arm 152 by the nut 23.
[0046] <Shape and Dimensional Relationship Applied to Camera Holding Mechanism 2> Next, the shape and dimensional relationship applied to the camera holding mechanism 2 of the present embodiment for achieving the above three features will be described with reference to FIG. 4, which is an exploded view of the camera holding mechanism 2. For the first feature, in the camera holding mechanism 2 of the first embodiment, a stepped hole having a diameter larger than the nominal diameter P21 of the threaded portion 221 of the screw 22 is formed in the first surface 211 of the housing 21 shown in FIG. 4. With this configuration, the threaded portion 221 of the screw 22 is projected upward of the housing 21 from the stepped hole 2110 opened in the first surface 211 of the housing 21. Furthermore, the height h32 of the body portion 232 of the nut 23 is smaller than the depth d12 of the large diameter hole 2112 inside the stepped hole 2110 provided in the first surface 211 of the housing 21. Moreover, the height h31 of the flange portion 231 of the nut 23 is made smaller than the distance D13 between the bearing surface 2113 inside the first surface 211 of the housing 21 and the stopper 213. Thereby, the nut 23 can be tightened to the bearing surface 2113 until sufficient axial force is generated in the screw 22, or the nut 23 can be loosened to make it easier to remove the screw 22.
[0047] For the second feature, in the camera holding mechanism 2 of the first embodiment, the stepped hole 2110 shown in FIG. 4 has a two-stage structure in which the outer side is a small diameter hole 2111 and the inner side is a large diameter hole 2112. The screw 22 has a stepped structure in which the outer diameter increases in the order of the threaded portion 221, the cylindrical portion 222, and the head portion 223. The nut 23 has a two-stage structure including a cylindrical flange portion 231 having an inner groove 2311 and a body portion 232 having a threaded hole cut on an inner surface thereof.
[0048] Furthermore, the outer diameter P22 of the cylindrical portion 222 of the screw 22 shown in FIG. 4, the inner diameter p31 of the inner groove 2311 of the flange portion 231 of the nut 23, the outer diameter P32 of the body portion 232 of the nut 23, and the inner diameter p12 of the large diameter hole 2112 inside the stepped hole provided in the first surface 211 of the housing 21 are decreased in this order. Thereby, the cylindrical portion 222 of the screw 22 and the flange portion 231 of the nut 23, and the body portion 232 of the nut 23 and the stepped hole 2110 of the first surface 211 of the housing 21 can be respectively nested and assembled.
[0049] For the third feature, in the camera holding mechanism 2 of the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, an opening 2120 is provided on the second surface 212 perpendicular to the first surface 211 of the housing 21. Furthermore, the outer diameter p31 of the flange portion 231 of the nut 23 and the outer diameter P23 of the head 223 of the screw 22 are made larger than the inner diameter p12 (see Figure 4) of the large diameter hole 2112 inside the stepped hole 2110 provided on the first surface 211 of the housing 21.
[0050] As a result, the outer diameter P31 of the flange 231 of the nut 23 and the outer diameter P23 of the head 223 of the screw 22 protrude outward from the opening 2120 of the housing 21. Alternatively, the outer diameter P31 of the flange 231 of the nut 23 (part of the flange 231 of the nut 23) and the outer diameter P23 of the head 223 of the screw 22 (part of the head 223 of the screw 22) are exposed from the opening 2120 of the housing 21.
[0051] As described above, according to the present invention, the camera 20 can be attached to the sample dispensing arm 152 in a space-saving manner by screw fastening using the existing screw holes 154 or the surplus screw holes 154 on the sample dispensing arm 152. Furthermore, no tools or adapters are required to attach the camera 20, and no unnecessary holes or parts remain on the sample dispensing arm 152 after the camera 20 is removed.
[0052] Here, it is desirable that the outer diameter P31 of the flange 231 of the nut 23 is larger than the outer diameter P23 of the screw head 223. In this case, by positioning the stopper 213 on the outer circumference of the screw head 223, the stopper 213 and the screw head 223 can be positioned overlapping in the height direction. Therefore, the height of the camera holding mechanism 2 can be reduced. In addition, the contact area between the flange 231 of the nut and the seating surface 2113 of the housing 21 is increased, so the pressing force per unit area of the seating surface 2113 of the housing 21 can be reduced. Therefore, the camera 20 can be tightened to the sample dispensing arm 152 while suppressing deformation of the housing 21. Therefore, the orientation of the optical axis of the camera 20 can be stabilized.
[0053] Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the sample dispensing arm 152 with the camera holding mechanism 2 of the first embodiment attached, viewed from the side. If a counterbore hole 158 is provided around the screw hole 154, as in the sample dispensing mechanism 15 shown in Figure 2, a cylindrical projection 2114 may be provided around the stepped hole 2110 provided in the first 211 of the housing shown in Figure 5. The camera holding mechanism 2 is positioned so that the projection 2114 fits into the counterbore hole 158. This makes it easy to align the axis of the screw 22 with the screw hole 154 without visually checking the position of the screw hole 154. Furthermore, in addition to the second feature of the first embodiment, the sample dispensing arm 152 is also incorporated in a nested manner, as shown in Figure 5, which has the effect of suppressing the diagonal tightening of the screw 22.
[0054] According to the first embodiment described above, in the medical automated analyzer 1, a camera holding mechanism 2 can be provided for attaching a camera 20, used for adjusting the position of the tip 151s (see Figure 3) of the sample dispensing nozzle 151 (see Figure 1), to the sample dispensing arm 152 in a detachable, secure, and space-saving manner by screw fastening using existing screw holes 154 in the sample dispensing arm 152.
[0055] Furthermore, no tools or adapters are required to attach the camera 20 to the sample dispensing arm 152, and no unnecessary holes or parts remain on the sample dispensing arm 152 after the camera 20 is removed. <<Second Embodiment>>
[0056] Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the sample dispensing mechanism 15, with the camera holding mechanism 2A according to the second embodiment attached, as seen from the front. In the following, the differences between the camera holding mechanism 2A according to the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be explained, mainly using Figure 6.
[0057] The camera holding mechanism 2A of the second embodiment is a case in which the existing screw hole 154 of the sample dispensing arm 152 is located more centrally than in the first embodiment compared to the camera holding mechanism 2 of the first embodiment. As a result, the rotational operation of the screw 22 and nut 23 shown in the first embodiment becomes difficult from outside the housing 21a. In the second embodiment, the reference numeral "a" is used to indicate the components of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, a first shaft 24 parallel to the axis C1 of the screw 22a is installed on the housing 21a. A first gear 25 that meshes with the tooth profile 223a1 engraved on the outer circumference of the head 223a of the screw 22a is rotatably supported on the first shaft 24.
[0058] Then, a second shaft 26 parallel to the shaft C1 of the screw 22a is installed on the housing 21a. A second gear 27 that meshes with the tooth profile 231a1 engraved on the outer circumference of the flange portion 231a of the nut 23a is rotatably supported on the second shaft 26. In the second embodiment, a part of the first gear 25 and a part of the second gear 27 protrude from an opening 2120a provided on the second surface 212a of the housing 21a. Alternatively, a part of the first gear 25 and a part of the second gear 27 protrude or are exposed from the opening 2120a on the second surface 212a of the housing 21a.
[0059] With the above configuration, even if the existing screw hole 154 shown in Figure 6 is located near the center, away from the outer shape of the sample dispensing arm 152, by holding down the second gear 27 protruding from the opening 2120a of the housing 21a and rotating the first gear 25, which also protrudes from the opening 2120a of the housing 21a, the threaded portion 221a of the screw 22a can be screwed into the screw hole 154 of the sample dispensing arm 152 or the threaded portion 221a can be removed from the screw hole 154.
[0060] Similarly, by holding down the first gear 25 protruding from the opening 2120a of the housing 21a shown in Figure 6 and rotating the second gear 27, the housing 21a with the camera 20 attached can be tightened to the sample dispensing arm 152 with a nut 23a, or the nut 23a can be loosened. Therefore, in this second embodiment as well, the camera 20 can be attached to the sample dispensing arm 152 using existing screw holes 154 or screw fastening utilizing the surplus of screw holes 154. Thus, a camera holding mechanism 2a can be provided that allows the camera 20 to be attached to the sample dispensing arm 152 in a space-saving manner.
[0061] Furthermore, no tools or adapters are required to attach the camera 20 to the sample dispensing arm 152, and no unnecessary holes or parts remain on the sample dispensing arm 152 after the camera 20 is removed. In the camera holding mechanism 2A of the second embodiment, the flange portion 231a of the nut 23a is rotated by the rotation of the second gear 27. Also, the screw 22a is rotated by the rotation of the first gear 25.
[0062] Therefore, the outer diameter P31a of the flange portion 231a of the nut 23a and the outer diameter P23a of the screw head 223a do not need to be larger than the inner diameter p12a of the large diameter hole 2112a inside the stepped hole 2110a. More specifically, the sum of the radius of the pitch circle of the flange portion 231a of the nut 23a and the diameter of the pitch circle of the second gear 27, and the sum of the radius of the pitch circle of the screw head 223a and the diameter of the pitch circle of the first gear 25, should both be larger than the inner diameter p12a of the large diameter hole 2112a inside the stepped hole 2110a, and should protrude outward from the opening 2120a of the housing 21a.
[0063] Furthermore, in the camera holding mechanism 2a of this second embodiment, the thickness t5 of the first gear 25 is greater than the length h23a of the head 223a of the screw 22a. Also, the thickness t7 of the second gear 27 is greater than the height h31a of the flange portion 231a of the nut 23a. The depth d31a of the inner groove 2311a of the flange portion 231a of the nut 23a and the length h22a of the cylindrical portion 222a of the screw 22a are both made greater than the thickness t5 of the first gear 25. By doing so, the amount of insertion and removal of the screw portion 221a of the screw 22a from the stepped hole 2110a can be increased.
[0064] Furthermore, by making the thickness t5 of the first gear 25 greater than the thickness t7 of the second gear 27, the stroke (travel distance) of the screw 22a can be made greater than the stroke (travel distance) of the nut 23a. As a result, the medical automatic analysis device 1 also exhibits the same effects as the camera holding mechanisms 2 and 2a. <<Other Embodiments>> 1. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modified configurations described above, and various modified and specific forms are possible within the scope of the attached claims.
[0065] 1 Medical automated analyzer (automated analyzer) 2, 2A Camera holding mechanism 21, 21a Housing 14 Reagent dispensing mechanism 141 Reagent dispensing nozzle 142 Reagent dispensing arm 15 Sample dispensing mechanism (dispenser) 151 Sample dispensing nozzle 152 Sample dispensing arm 153 Flow path 154 Screw hole 1541 Flank surface 20 Camera 211, 211a First surface 2113 Seat surface 2110, 2110a Stepped hole 2112, 2112a Large diameter hole 2111 Small diameter hole 2114 Projection 212, 212a Second surface 2120, 2120a Opening 213, 213a Stopper 22, 22a Screw 221, 221a Screw part 222 Cylindrical part 223, 223a Head 223a1 Tooth profile 23, 23a Nut 231, 231a Flange 231a1 Tooth profile 2311 Inner groove 232, 232a Body 24 First shaft 25 First gear 26 Second shaft 27 Second gear d12 Depth of large diameter hole D13 Distance between seat and stopper d31 Depth of inner groove in flange h22 Length of cylindrical part h23, h23a Length of head h31, h31a Height of flange h32 Height of body p11 Inner diameter of small diameter hole p12 Inner diameter of large diameter hole p21 Nominal diameter of threaded part P22 Outer diameter of cylindrical part P23, P23a Outer diameter of head P31, P31a Outer diameter of flange p31 Inner diameter of the inner groove of the flange: P32; Outer diameter of the body: t5; Thickness of the first gear: t7; Thickness of the second gear:
Claims
1. A camera holding mechanism for an automatic analyzer that attaches a camera to a dispensing machine using a screw hole provided in the dispensing machine, wherein a screw and a nut fitted to the screw are incorporated inside a housing in which the camera is fixed, and each is movable around the axis of the screw and in the axial direction, the screw and nut are incorporated inside the housing in which the camera is fixed, the first surface of the housing has a stepped hole coaxial with the screw and the second surface of the housing perpendicular to the first surface has an opening, the stepped hole has a two-stage structure with a small diameter on the outside and a large diameter on the inside, the screw has a three-stage structure with the outer diameter increasing in the order of screw portion, cylindrical portion, and head, the nut has a two-stage structure with a cylindrical flange portion having an internal groove and a body portion with a screw hole cut into its inner surface, the body portion of the nut fits into the large-diameter hole on the inside of the stepped hole, and the cylindrical portion of the screw fits into the internal groove of the flange portion of the nut in a nesting structure. A camera holding mechanism for an automatic analyzer, characterized in that a stopper is positioned inside the housing, facing both the flange of the nut and the seating surface of the first surface of the housing, the threaded portion of the screw protrudes outward from the stepped hole, and a part of the head of the screw and a part of the flange of the nut protrude or are exposed from the opening.
2. The camera holding mechanism for an automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the height of the body of the nut is less than the depth of the large-diameter hole inside the stepped hole provided on the first surface of the housing, and the distance between the seating surface of the first surface of the housing and the stopper is greater than the height of the flange of the nut.
3. The camera holding mechanism for an automatic analyzer according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer diameter of the flange of the nut is larger than the outer diameter of the head of the screw.
4. The camera holding mechanism for an automatic analyzer according to claim 3, characterized in that a cylindrical projection protruding outward is provided on the first surface and around the stepped hole.
5. A camera holding mechanism for an automatic analyzer that attaches a camera to a dispensing machine using a screw hole provided in the dispensing machine, wherein a screw and a nut fitted to the screw are incorporated inside a housing in which the camera is fixed, and each is movable around the axis of the screw and in the axial direction, the screw and nut are each incorporated inside the housing in which the camera is fixed, the first surface of the housing has a stepped hole formed coaxially with the screw, and the second surface of the housing perpendicular to the first surface has an opening, the stepped hole has a two-stage structure with a small diameter on the outside and a large diameter on the inside, the screw has a three-stage structure with the outer diameter increasing in the order of screw portion, cylindrical portion, and head, and the outer circumference of the head has teeth engraved at equal intervals, the nut has a two-stage structure consisting of a cylindrical flange portion with an inner groove and a body portion with a screw hole cut into its inner surface, and the outer circumference of the flange portion has teeth engraved, the body portion of the nut fits into the large-diameter hole on the inside of the stepped hole, and the cylindrical portion of the screw fits into the inner groove of the flange portion of the nut, forming a nested structure. A camera holding mechanism for an automatic analyzer, characterized in that a stopper is positioned inside the housing, facing both the bottom surface of the flange of the nut and the seating surface of the first surface of the housing; a first gear is mounted on a first shaft parallel to the axis of the screw and meshes with teeth engraved on the outer circumference of the head of the screw; and a second gear is mounted on a second shaft parallel to the axis of the screw and meshes with teeth engraved on the outer circumference of the flange of the nut; the threaded portion of the screw protrudes from the stepped hole; and a part of the first gear and a part of the second gear protrude or are exposed from the opening.
6. The camera holding mechanism for an automatic analyzer according to claim 5, wherein the height of the body of the nut is less than the depth of the large-diameter hole inside the stepped hole, and the distance between the seating surface of the first surface of the housing and the stopper is greater than the height of the flange of the nut.
7. A camera holding mechanism for an automatic analyzer according to claim 6, characterized in that the thickness of the first gear is greater than the length of the screw head, the thickness of the second gear is greater than the thickness of the flange of the nut, and the thickness of the first gear is greater than the thickness of the second gear.
8. The camera holding mechanism for an automatic analyzer according to claim 6, characterized in that the outer diameter of the flange of the nut is larger than the outer diameter of the head of the screw.
9. The camera holding mechanism for an automatic analyzer according to claim 7, characterized in that a cylindrical projection protruding outward is provided on the first surface around the stepped hole.
10. An automatic analyzer comprising a camera holding mechanism for an automatic analyzer as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.