JPH07935Y2 - Sample container ejector - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention relates to a device for taking out empty sample containers sent one by one from a sample container supply device one by one.

[Conventional technology]

When performing sample analysis, for example, when measuring the coagulation function of blood, a method is used in which a sensor detects a coagulation reaction that occurs when a reaction reagent is added to a sample (plasma component). At this time, the specimens eventually coagulate, and therefore, when a plurality of specimens are sequentially measured, one chamber built in the device cannot be shared and used for a large number of specimens one after another.

Therefore, prepare one empty container for each measurement of one sample,
A method is used in which a sample and a reagent are put in the container, a reaction is detected, and then the container is discarded.

Now, as an automated version of such a blood coagulation device, an automatic dispersion / dispensing device that sequentially separates and dispenses plasma components from a sample loader in which a plurality of centrifuged blood are placed, and a sample container With the holding / moving function of, the plasma or the plasma and the diluting solution are received in an empty sample container which is placed in advance at a predetermined position, the reagents are mixed and incubated, and then the measurement is carried out by the detection unit. By combining and systemizing an automatic blood coagulation device that can perform a series of operations to discharge the whole sample container to the outside, the operator sets the centrifuge sample container to the automatic dispensing / dispensing device. However, there is an automatic blood coagulation system in which a predetermined process necessary for measurement is automatically performed and a measurement result is obtained simply by setting an empty sample container in the automatic blood coagulation device.

[Problems to be solved by the device]

However, in the case of this system, since there is no function of automatically supplying an empty sample container, it is necessary to arrange the sample container in advance by the operator's hand, which is troublesome and labor saving cannot be achieved.

In view of the above, the present applicant, in order to truly automate an automatic analyzer such as a blood coagulation device, was lacking in a chaotically stored sample container, which was conventionally required but was lacking.
A sample container supply device that can be aligned in a predetermined direction and transferred to a predetermined place in order has already been installed on January 21, 1988.
Filed on October 28, 1988 (actual application
63-6528, Japanese Utility Model Sho 63-140810). The sample container delivered from these sample container supply devices is held and moved by the holding device, and the steps of sample dispensing, incubation, reagent dispensing, measurement, and disposal are sequentially performed at a predetermined location. In order to improve the processing power of the system, it is necessary to process each affirmatively in time,
The sample container holding device frequently moves on the blood coagulation device. Therefore, the sample container sent from the sample container supply device must be prepared so that it can be picked up by the holding device at any time.

Therefore, send the sample containers one after another continuously from the sample container supply device so that when the holding device comes, the first sample container from the sample container supply device can be held and moved successfully. If so, an efficient system can be configured without waste of time. Then, the leading sample container must be in a state where it can be easily held by the holding device.

The present invention provides a sample container unloading device for keeping a leading sample container in a predetermined position in a predetermined state so that the sample containers successively sent from the sample container supply device can be easily held by a holding device. The purpose is to provide.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

In order to achieve the above object, in the sample container unloading device of the present invention, as shown in the drawing, a small diameter portion 33 is formed between disk-shaped large diameter members 32 and 34, and large diameter portions 32 and 34 are formed. A rotary member 30 provided with a plurality of notches 36 and 38 into which the sample container 10 is fitted, and a cylindrical recess in which the rotary member 30 rotates.
20, a stationary member 18 that is provided with a recess 26 that is continuous with the recess 20 and that extends in the tangential direction of a cylindrical recess, a hole 22 that penetrates the center of the recess 20, and an opening 24 that is partly cut away from the side surface.
A motor 14 arranged below the stationary member 18 so that the rotating shaft 16 penetrates the hole 22 of the stationary member 18 and is fixed to the lower part of the rotating member 30; The plate members 12a and 12b in the vertical direction are parallel to each other, and the plate members 12a and 12b are parallel to each other.
A transfer means 12 attached to the side surface of the stationary member 18 so that the gap 13 of the stationary member 18 communicates with the opening 24 of the stationary member 18,
A wedge shape that is attached to the bottoms of the recess 20 and the tangentially extending recess 26 of the stationary member 18 and has a small thickness in the recess 20 and a large thickness in the tangentially extending recess 26. Large diameter part of member 28 and rotating member 30
A stop signal of the motor 14 when the guide members 52 and 56 arranged substantially parallel to the mounting position of the wedge-shaped member 28 between the parts 32 and 34 and the dent 26 in which the sample container 10 extends in the tangential direction. And the detection means 42 adapted to emit
Has an opening 11 at one end, and has a shape in which a projecting edge 10a is provided around the opening 11, and the notches 36 and 38 of the rotating member 30, the gap 13 of the transfer means 12, and the stationary portion. Opening of member 18
24 and the recess 26 extending in the tangential direction are characterized by being wider than the outer diameter of the sample container 10 and narrower than the outer diameter of the projecting edge portion 10a.

[Action]

Sample container delivered from sample container supply device (not shown)
10 are transferred to the sample container extracting device one after another on the transfer means 12. In the transfer means 12, the sample container naturally descends so that the projecting edge portion 10a is caught by the two plate-shaped members 12a and 12b and hangs. Sample container 10 at the bottom of transfer means 12
Partially enters the opening 24 of the stationary member 18 and contacts the rotating member 30 in the recess 20. The rotation of the rotary shaft 16 of the motor 14 causes the rotary member 30 to rotate. When the notches 36 and 38 of the rotating member 30 and the opening 24 are aligned, the bottom sample container
10 slides into notches 36 and 38 by its own weight. Then, the sample container 10 rotates and moves together with the rotating member 30. The side surface of the sample container 10 that has been rotationally moved is a guide member 5
It abuts on 2, 56 and is pushed by the notches 36, 38 to move linearly toward the recess 26 extending in the tangential direction along the guide members 52, 56. While moving linearly, the bottom of the sample container 10 contacts the wedge-shaped member 28, and the sample container 10 is accommodated in the recess 26 while gradually rising. When the sample container 10 is housed in the depression 26, the detection means
Detected by 42, the motor 14 is stopped by the motor stop signal. When the sample container is removed by the sample container holding means, the motor 14 starts to rotate again and is housed in the recess 26 of the next sample container 10.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the shape of the components described in this embodiment, their relative arrangement, etc., are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to only those described below, unless otherwise specified. Only.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the sample container extracting device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front sectional view thereof. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view thereof. Reference numeral 12 is a transfer means for supplying the sample container unloading device with the sample containers successively sent out in a fixed direction from the sample container supply device (not shown), and is a plate-shaped member having two inclined upper surfaces. 12a and 12b are wider than the width (outer diameter) of the side surface of the sample container 10 and the width (outer diameter) of the projecting edge 10a.
They are arranged in parallel at a narrower interval 13. Sample container
10 descends while hanging the transfer means 12 at the projecting edge 10a. Reference numeral 18 is a stationary member provided with a recess 20 in which the rotating member 30 can rotate. The recess 20 is cylindrical and has an open top. Since the stationary member 18 is provided with the opening 24 on the side surface and the transfer means 12 is connected to the opening 24, the lowest sample container 10 in the transfer means 12 is provided.
Are allowed to enter the recess 20 of the stationary member 18. The rotating member 30 is attached to the rotating shaft 16 of the motor 14 and can rotate in the recess 20. In this embodiment, the motor 14 is attached to the lower portion of the stationary member 18, the rotary shaft 16 is inserted into a hole 22 penetrating the bottom of the center portion of the recess 20 of the stationary member 18, and the rotary member 30 is attached to the rotary shaft 16. It is installed. Reference numeral 17 is a mounting plate for mounting the sample container extracting device of the present invention to another device or the like.

The rotating member 30 is formed with disc-shaped large-diameter portions 32 and 34 and small-diameter portions 33 and 35 in a pair. Depression 20 and large diameter portion 32,
The gap with 34 is small. U-shaped notches 36 and 38 are provided at a plurality of locations on the large diameter portions 32 and 34, respectively, at the same position (in this embodiment, as an example, three locations at equiangular intervals). 40 is a hole for mounting the rotary shaft. Rotating member 30
Rotates clockwise when viewed from above. Also, the rotating member 30
Is slightly protruding from the stationary member 18, and the rotating member 30
When the notches 36, 38 of the do not match the opening 24,
The sample container 10 at the top of the transfer means 12 is, as shown in FIG.
The portion immediately below the projecting edge portion 10a is stopped while being in contact with the upper corner of the rotating member 30. When the rotating member 30 rotates and the notches 36 and 38 start to match with the opening 24, the sample container 10 becomes 1
Only the individual pieces slide into the notches 36 and 38 by their own weight. Rotating member 30
If the rotation speed is too fast, the sample container will not be able to slide into the notches 36 and 38, so 15 rpm or less is preferable. In this embodiment, it is about 11 rpm. Further, if the ends 36a, 38a of the cutouts 36, 38 are chamfered, it becomes easier to slip in. The sample container 10 fitted between the notches 36 and 38 and the recess 20 of the stationary member 18 moves while rotating with rotation of the rotating member 30 while being caught and hanging at the projecting edge portion 10a. The stationary member 18 is provided with a recess 26 in contact with and extending from the recess 20. A wedge-shaped member 28 is attached to the bottom of the recess 26. The wedge-shaped member 28 is short in the recess 20 and is tall in the recess 26. Guide members 52, 56 for stopping the rotation of the sample container 10 are attached so as to project from the window portion 27 of the stationary member 18 into the recess 20 so as to be parallel to the attachment position of the wedge member 28 when viewed from the upper surface. ing. The guide members 52 and 56 are plate-shaped and are fitted in the small diameter portions 33 and 35 of the rotating member 30, respectively. Partial notches 54 and 58 are provided at the tips of the guide members 52 and 56, respectively. The notches 54 and 58 are provided to prevent the guide members 52 and 56 from coming into contact with the small diameter portions 33 and 35, respectively.

The sample container 10 that has been rotationally moved together with the rotating member 30 is brought into contact with the guide members 52 and 56, and the rotational movement is stopped. The sample container 10 is pushed by the notches 36 and 38 to guide the guide members 52 and 56.
Along a straight line toward the depression 26. At that time, the bottom of the sample container 10 slides up the slope of the wedge-shaped member 28.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 7, it is also possible to further provide a large-diameter portion 31 below the lower small-diameter portion 35 and to provide a notch at the same position as the upper two large-diameter portions 32 and 34. By doing so, the notch of the large diameter portion can be pushed toward the recess 26 more favorably without tilting the sample container 10. The larger the diameter of the lowermost part is, the more it is provided,
Due to the frictional force generated between the bottom of the sample container 10 and the wedge-shaped member 28, it can be opened leftward and rightward about the shaft 61 as shown when moving to the recess 26. Usually a spring
By the action of 66, it is in a closed state as shown in FIG. The holder 60 first advances toward the sample container 10. The projecting edge portion 10a of the sample container 10 in the grooves 63, 65 of the holding portions 62, 64
, And the projecting edge 10a of the sample container 10 pushes the clamping parts 62 and 64 to the left and right against the force of the spring 66, so that the projecting edge 10a completely fills the grooves 63 and 65 of the clamping parts 62 and 64. When fitted in, the clamping portions 62, 64 close to their original state. Reference numeral 61 is a shaft that rotatably supports the holding portion 62. The support 60 holding the sample container in this way moves up and then moves back and forth or left and right to carry the sample container 10 to the plasma dispensing location.
The sample container containing plasma is inserted into the hole-shaped incubation section. When holding the sample container from the left and right like the holder 60 shown in FIG. 5, there is no obstruction above the opening, so the sample (plasma component) and reagent are dispensed into the sample container. Further, the sample container 10 is easily tilted and moved when the sample container is inserted into the hole-shaped incubation section or measurement section. In the worst case, the sample container 10 may not reach the inside of the recess 26.

FIG. 4 is a view for easily explaining the manner in which the sample container slides up the slope and reaches the end of the recess 26. In FIG. 1, a side view viewed from the direction A in FIG. It is the side view seen from the B direction. In addition, the stationary member 18
A detection means 42 such as a microswitch for detecting that the sample container 10 has reached the recess 26 is attached to the side surface of the. In the present embodiment, the lever 44 of the detection means 42 has the window 27
It enters the hollow 26 and is pushed by the side surface of the sample container 10. The switch 46 is pushed by the lever 44, and it is detected that the sample container 10 has arrived. The motor 14 is stopped by this detection signal.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the sample container 10 raised in the recess 26 is sandwiched by the holder 60, taken out from the sample container extracting device, and moved to another place. Nipper 6
2 and 64 are inserted in the alternate long and short dash line, and the holding section 6 is used even when the sample container is removed.
This is convenient because you only have to move 0 back. Since the sample container extracting device of the present invention can hold the sample containers successively sent from the sample container supplying device one after another in a predetermined position, it is possible to hold the sample container in the holder 60 as described above. Is suitable for easy removal of the sample container. Further, since the motor is stopped when the sample container is ready, it is useful for energy saving.

[Effect of device]

In the sample container unloading device of the present invention, even if the sample containers are successively sent one after another, the leading detection container can be arranged in a slightly raised state. For this reason, the holder can go to pick up the sample container at any time, and no time is wasted. Further, it is easy to pull out the sample container.

Further, since the motor is stopped when the sample container is prepared, there is no waste of electric power and energy saving can be achieved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the sample container extracting device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the same, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view thereof.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view around a stationary member for explaining the linear movement of the sample container, FIG. 5 is a perspective view around the stationary member for explaining extraction of the sample container, and FIG. 6 is a holding in FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view around the spring of the tool, and FIG. 7 is a sectional explanatory view showing another example around the rotating member. 10 ... Sample container, 10a ... Edge, 11 ... Opening, 12 ...
... Transfer means, 12a, 12b ... Plate-shaped member, 13 ... Gap, 14 ...
… Motor, 16 …… Rotary shaft, 17 …… Mounting plate, 18 …… Stationary member, 20 …… Indentation, 22 …… Hole, 24 …… Opening part, 26 …… Indentation, 27 …… Window part, 28… … Wedge-shaped member, 30 …… Rotating member, 31 …… Large diameter part, 32,34 …… Large diameter part, 33,35 …… Small diameter part, 36,38 …… Notch, 36a, 38a …… End part , 40 ……
Hole, 42 ... Detecting means, 44 ... Lever, 46 ... Switch,
52, 56 …… Guide member, 54, 58 …… Notch, 60 …… Retainer, 61 …… Shaft, 62, 64 …… Clamping part, 63, 65 …… Groove, 66
……spring

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A plurality of small-diameter parts (33) are formed between disc-shaped large-diameter parts (32, 34), and a sample container (10) is fitted to the periphery of the large-diameter parts (32, 34). The rotary member (30) provided with the notches (36, 38), the cylindrical recess (20) in which the rotary member (30) rotates, and the cylindrical member connected to the recess (20). Dimples (26) and dimples (20) extending in the tangential direction of the dimple
A stationary member (18) provided with a hole (22) penetrating the center of the stationary member and an opening (24) formed by cutting off a part of the side surface of the stationary member (18). A motor (14) in which 16) penetrates the hole (22) of the stationary member (18) and is fixed to the lower part of the rotating member (30), and two vertical plate-shaped members whose upper surfaces are inclined. (12a, 12b) in parallel, and the gap (13) between the plate-like members (12a, 12b) is the stationary member (1
Stationary member (18) so as to communicate with the opening (24) of 8)
A transfer means (12) attached to the side surface of the stationary member, a recess (20) of the stationary member (18) and a recess (2) extending tangentially.
A wedge-shaped member (28) which is attached to the bottom of 6) and has a small thickness in the recess (20) and a large thickness in the tangentially extending recess (26).
And a guide member (52, 56) disposed between the large diameter portions (32, 34) of the rotating member (30) substantially parallel to the attachment position of the wedge-shaped member (28), and the sample container (10). And a detection means (42) adapted to generate a stop signal of the motor (14) when entering the dent (26) extending in the tangential direction, and the sample container (10) has an opening ( 11) with this opening (1
1) has a shape in which a projecting edge portion (10a) is provided around the notch (36, 38) of the rotating member (30), a gap (13) of the transfer means (12), and a stationary member (18). The opening (24) and the recess (26) extending in the tangential direction are wider than the outer diameter of the sample container (10) and narrower than the outer diameter of the projecting edge (10a). Sample container ejecting device.