JPH0721503B2 - Pipette chip automatic feeder - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Object of the Invention (Industrial field of application) The present invention relates to a test device using a turntable, and more particularly to a technique for providing a degree of freedom in positioning the turntable.

(Conventional Technology) The conventional technology will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. When the sample solution is automatically dispensed / dispensed, a sampler such as a pipette is attached to an arm of a robot or the like to sample the sample solution. Such an automatic pipetting device is used for chemical analysis in a cell for chemical analysis in the field of nuclear power.At that time, the tip of the pipette comes into direct contact with the sample, so the solution to be sampled is mixed with the previously sampled solution. It is necessary to replace it with a new tip after each collection to prevent this. Therefore, a tube-shaped pipette tip was attached to the tip of the pipette so that the solution to be sampled entered only into this pipette chip, and only this pipette chip was replaced with a new one each time it was sampled.

The pipette tip may be replaced by a manipulator, but it is difficult to mount the pipette tip because it is small, and when the replacement frequency is high, the working efficiency is lowered and the working time is lengthened.

Therefore, a plurality of pipette tips are placed along the circumference of a circular turntable that can be carried in and out of the cell, and the pipette tip 1 is placed below the path of the pipette when the robot arm is moved. Position the turntable so that the two are in position. This turntable performs an indexing operation which rotates intermittently at a predetermined angle so that pipette chips can be sequentially supplied.

A robot equipped with a pipette (3) and a pipette tip rod (4), which are attached to the end of an arm (2) joined to one end of a rotating shaft (1) in FIG.
A tip holder (7) arranged near the circumference of the removable turntable (5) for accommodating the pipette tip (6);
A turntable rotation shaft (9) having a hanging hook (8) at the upper end joined to pass vertically through the center of the turntable (5), and a turntable (5) at the lower end of the turntable rotation shaft (9). A table (10) joined in parallel, a first gear (11) joined to the table (10) and rotating in synchronization, and a second gear meshed with this gear and rotated by a motor (12). Bearing (15) for connecting the gear (13) of the vehicle to the table (10) and the case (14)
In the pipette tip supply device having, the robot is arranged at a position where the pipette (3) can be moved to the upper part of any one of the tip holders (7). The turntable (5) is rotated so that the tip holder (7) is located immediately below the stop position of the pipette (3) and stopped. After this, the pipette (3) descends and the pipette tip (6) is attached to the pipette tip rod (4).

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) According to the conventional technique, as shown in FIG. 9, the tip holder ( The position of 7) and the tip of the pipette tip (4) may not match.
When the pipette tip (6) is attached to the pipette tip rod (4) in such a state, there is a drawback that accurate attachment cannot be performed due to biting or holding, and it becomes difficult to collect a sample.

[Structure of Invention]

(Means for Solving Problems) The present invention relates to a device for sucking a test solution with a pipette to perform a component test, and a pipette attached to the tip of the pipette for storing the test solution sucked by the pipette. In order to replace the tip and this pipette tip, a necessary number of pipette tips for replacement are stored, and a plurality of these tip holders are arranged at a predetermined angle, and the tip holder is stored in the tip holder. A turntable for sequentially replacing pipette tips, a drive unit for controlling and rotating the turntable so as to perform an indexing operation for rotating the turntable at a predetermined angle, and a position of the tip holder driven by an external force. After the external force disappears when the position deviates from the position determined by the indexing operation. And a position difference absorbing means for restoring the position shift of.

(Operation) Although the pipette tip rod (4) is located above the tip holder (7) as shown in FIG. 8, it is lowered when the pipette tip (6) is attached.

When the pipette tip rod (4) is lowered and there is a gap between the pipette tip rod (4) and the pipette tip (6) as shown in FIG. 9, the pipette tip rod (4) cannot be attached.

Under such a circumstance, the turntable (5) receives an external force on the right side in FIG. 9 by the pipette tip rod (4). At this time, the position difference absorbing means causes the turntable (5) to shift in the direction in which it receives the force while generating the restoring force. This allows the pipette tip rod (4) to attach the pipette tip (6). Next, when the pipette tip rod (4) is pulled up, the pipette tip (6) rises together with the pipette tip rod (4) and comes off the tip holder (7). Restoring force is exerted on the turntable (5) while the pipette tip (6) is housed in the tip holder (7). Therefore, the turntable (5) returns to its original position immediately after the pipette tip (6) is removed from the tip holder (7).

As described above, even if an error occurs in the indexing operation of the turntable and the stop position is displaced and the positions of the pipette tip rod and the pipette tip are displaced, the operation can be performed smoothly.

(Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional view of the connection relationship of this embodiment,
FIG. 2 is a plan view seen from the line A shown in FIG.

The turntable (5) is joined to the turntable rotation shaft (9) so as to pass through the central portion thereof and to be vertical, and the tip holters (7) are installed along the circumference of the upper surface thereof every predetermined number of times again. A pipette tip (6) is fitted inside. A suspension hook (8) is provided at the upper end of the turntable rotation shaft (9), and a table A (16) is arranged at the lower end so as to be parallel to the turntable (5).
The central part of is joined. A ring-shaped table B (17) located on the same plane as the table A (16) is connected to the table A (16) via a bearing A (18) on the outer side of the table A (16). Can rotate with respect to table A (16).

This table A (16), bearing A (18), table B (1
7), bearing B (22), case (14) and table B (1
Plunger A (19) and plunger B (2
0) and the lever (21) joined to the table A (16) and the end of which is positioned in the middle of the two plungers constitute the position difference absorbing means of the present invention. A protrusion is formed on this plunger, and this protrusion can be pushed toward the inside of the plunger.When the protrusion is pressed, the internal spring etc. are applied so that the force to restore the original position is applied. It is connected. Two such plungers are prepared and installed so that the connection direction of the table B (17) and the moving direction of the protrusions match each other and face each other. The tip of a lever (21) joined to the table A (16) is inserted between the two plungers, and the tip of this lever is in contact with the projections of the two plungers. The first gear (11) is joined to the lower part of the table B (17) so as to be parallel to the table B (17) and the bearing B (2
It is connected to the case (14) via 2).

The first gear (11) meshes with the second gear (13) driven by the motor (12).

Such a pipette tip supply device is used in the same manner as a conventional robot for driving a pipette.

Next, in this embodiment, a pipette (3) and a pipette tip (6) are used.
The action of the plunger when there is a deviation in position will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. 3 to 5, (a) is a cross section and (b) is a view seen from above.

FIG. 3 (a) is a diagram showing a state immediately before the pipette tip rod (4) is attached to the pipette tip (6). In this state, neither of the protrusions of the two plungers (19) (20) is pressed, and the tip of the lever (21) is located between the two plungers (19) (20). Next, the pipette (3) gradually descends, and the pipette tip rod (4) moves the pipette tip (6) while the pipe is in the state shown in FIG. 4 (a).
When it comes into contact with the turntable (5) and the turntable rotating shaft (8), the table A (1
A force is applied to 6) in the direction of the arrow. This allows the lever (2
1) also receives force in the direction of the arrow and pushes plunger B (20). That is, the lever (21) also receives the restoring force of the plunger B (20). Next, when the pipette tip (4) is separated from the pipette tip (6) in the process of raising the pipette (3) to the state shown in Fig. 5 (a), the lever (21) is pushed by the plunger B (20). The turntable (5) is returned to its original position as a result.

With the above configuration, the displacement of the position of the pipette tip can be allowed within a range that can be absorbed by the plunger. Therefore, even if some error occurs due to the rotation of the turntable and the mechanical system, the processing can be continued without any problem if it is within the allowable range.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In this embodiment, the tip holder (7) is not directly mounted on the turntable (5) described in the prior art, but one end of the cylindrical spring holder (23) is placed near the circumference of the turntable (5). The tip holder (25) containing the pipette tip (24) is joined to the cylinder in a floating state via the spring (26).
The springs (2
6) is provided and spring holder (23) to tip holder (2
5) floating. The spring holder (23) may be a rectangular cylinder instead of a cylinder when the number of springs (26) is four. In the case of a cylinder, the spring (26) should be installed in 4 locations.
The number of spring holders (2
It is desirable to arrange three or more at equal intervals from the viewpoint that the tip holder (25) is placed in a predetermined position in 3).

With the above-mentioned structure, the tip holder (25) can secure the spring (2) against the displacement of the pipette tip (24).
6) The pipette tip (24) can be attached without changing the position of the turntable (5) by distorting the displacement in the displacement direction and absorbing the displacement. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to absorb not only the rotation direction of the turntable (5) but also a vertical displacement with respect to the rotation.

〔The invention's effect〕

According to the present invention, the displacement of the position of the pipette and the pipette tip caused by the rotation of the turntable is nullified,
The pipette tip can be attached to the pipette accurately.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a transverse sectional view for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Fig. 3 is a view seen from above when Fig. 1 is cut along plane A, and Fig. 3
5A to 5B, in order to explain the action of the plunger, FIG. 5A is a lateral cross-sectional view of the plunger portion viewed from the side, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view viewed from above. Figure 6 is second
FIG. 7 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the configuration of the second embodiment as seen from the side, FIG. 8 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the conventional technique, and FIG. 9 is a pipette. It is a figure explaining the case where a gap arises between a pipette tip. 1. …… Rotary axis, 2 …… Arm 3. …… Pipette, 4 …… Pipeette tip rod 5. …… Turntable, 6 …… Pipette tip 7. …… Tip holder, 8 …… Hanging hook 9 …… Turntable rotary shaft, 10 …… table 11 …… first gear, 12 …… motor 13 …… second gear, 14 …… case 15 …… bearing, 16 …… table A 17 …… table B, 18 ...... Bearing B 19 ...... Plunger A, 20 ...... Plunger B 21 ...... Lever, 22 ...... Bearing B 23 ...... Spring holder, 24 ...... Pipette tip 25 ...... Tip holder, 26 ...... Spring

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A pipette tip, which is attached to the tip of the pipette and stores the solution sucked by the pipette, in a device for sucking a solution to be inspected with a pipette and performing a component test, for exchanging the pipette tip. A tip holder in which a required number of replacement pipette tips are stored, and a plurality of the tip holders arranged at predetermined angles, and a turntable for sequentially replacing the replacement pipette tips stored in the tip holder ,
The position of the drive unit that controls and rotates the turntable so that the turntable is rotated by a predetermined angle and the position of the chip holder deviate from the position determined by the indexing operation of the drive unit by an external force. A pipette tip automatic supply device, comprising: a position difference absorbing means that restores the positional deviation after the external force disappears.