JPH06337268A - Blood sample transfer system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance the efficiency in the transfer of sample rack, being set with sample containers, to/from a measuring equipment by automating through automation. CONSTITUTION:A belt conveyor 2 is moved up and down by an elevating unit 1 to match the height thereof with that of a preprocessor 43 and then a sample rack 39 is transferred onto the conveyor 2. A photosensor 4 detects the rack 39 and stops the conveyor 2. Subsequently, the height of the conveyor 2 is matched with that of a first carry-in conveyor 11 before the conveyors 2, 11 are operated. When the rack 39 is transferred on the conveyor 11 to a predetermined position, the rack 39 is detected and the conveyor 11 stops. Similarly, the transfer of the rack 39 to/from a measuring equipment 44 is automated by means of a guide rail 14, a push rod 16, a conveyor 20, etc. Consequently, the sample rack 39 can be transferred efficiently and smoothly depending on the situation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention transfers a test tube or other container containing a sample such as blood to a required place such as a measuring device through a sample rack and removes the sample rack from the measuring device or the like. The present invention relates to a sample transport device for carrying out.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of measuring devices for analyzing samples such as blood have already been used. However, when carrying a container such as a test tube containing a sample into these measuring devices Carry it by hand and set it side by side on a sample tray provided on the measuring device. Each sample set manually is sampled with a measuring device before measurement.

[0003]

As described above, when a container containing blood or other sample is carried into a measuring device, it is conventionally performed manually, so that it is always necessary to measure the sample. There is. When the number of samples is large compared to the measuring capacity of the sample in the measuring device, for example, place the sample in an appropriate place and wait for a time before carrying it into the measuring device. Therefore, more manpower is required for transporting the sample, which may affect the measurement efficiency of the sample. In addition, since the sample container is manually transported and set on the measuring device, there is a risk that the sample container may be accidentally dropped during transportation, or the sample may be contaminated. There is a risk of mistakes in the set position.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems by automating loading and unloading of a sample rack in which a sample container is set for a measuring device and the like.
An object of the present invention is to obtain a sample transport device for blood or the like that can efficiently carry in and carry out each of the sample racks to and from the measurement device and the like.

[0005]

A sample transporting apparatus for blood or the like according to the present invention comprises a sample rack loading / unloading means in which a container containing a sample is set, and a sample rack unloading / transporting means in which the sample has been processed. Is provided, and each of the carry-in and carry-out means and the carry-out and carry-out means is configured to be able to move up and down by a lifting and lowering means, a first carry-in carrying means to which the sample rack is transferred from the carry-in and transport means, and a first carry-in means. The loading guide rail, which is provided in a direction intersecting with the transportation direction of the transportation means and to which the sample rack is transferred from the first transportation means, and the sample rack of the first transportation means is pushed and transferred to the transportation guide rail, and the sample rack is transferred. A reciprocating carrying-in and pushing-out means for moving along the carrying-in guide rail, provided in a direction intersecting with the carrying-in guide rail, Second carrying-in and carrying means for carrying the sample rack transferred by the carrying-in and pushing-out means from the entering guide rail to a required position such as a measuring device, and first carrying-out carrying means for receiving the sample rack whose sample has been measured from the measuring device , A carrying-out guide rail which is provided in a direction intersecting the carrying direction of the first carrying-out and carrying means and to which the sample rack is transferred from the first carrying-out and carrying means, and a sample rack of the first carrying-out and carrying means is pushed and transferred to the carrying-out guide rails. ,
And the reciprocating unloading and pushing means for moving the sample rack along the unloading guide rail, the sample rack provided in the direction intersecting with the unloading guide rail and transferred from the unloading guide rail by the unloading and pushing means, A second unloading / transporting means for transferring to the unloading / transporting means of the elevating unit is provided, and the transfer of the sample rack to the measuring device or the like by the second loading / unloading / transporting device is performed by a signal from the measuring device, etc. It is characterized in that the sample rack is carried out by the carrying means by a carrying unit that is carried out by a signal from the elevating unit.

Each of the carrying-in / carrying-out means, the carrying-out / carrying-out means, the first carrying-in / carrying means, the second carrying-in / carrying means, the first carrying-out / carrying means, and the second carrying-out / carrying means is an arbitrary conveyor using a belt or chain. It is possible to configure. As means for reciprocating the carry-in and push-out means and the carry-out and push-out means,
Examples include belts and chains.

[0007]

The above-described apparatus for transporting a sample such as blood according to the present invention is
For example, a sample such as blood is stored in a test tube or other container, and the sample rack is received from a pretreatment device or the like that stores the container in a sample rack, and the sample rack is transported to and discharged from a measuring device or the like. When the sample rack is received from the pretreatment device or the like, the elevating device lowers or raises the carrying-in transfer means of the elevating unit in accordance with the height of the transport section of the pretreatment device, and the carrying-in transfer is performed. The height of the means is matched to the transport section of the pretreatment device.
In this state, when the sample rack is transferred from the pretreatment device to the carrying-in transfer means and the entire sample rack is placed on the carrying-in transfer means, for example, the state of the sample rack is detected. The transfer means for loading is stopped. The elevating means raises or lowers the stopped carrying-in carrying means to adjust the height of the carrying-in carrying means to the height of the first carrying-in carrying means of the carrying unit. When the elevating means is stopped, the carrying-in transfer means is driven to move the sample rack to the first position.
Transfer to the carrying-in / conveying means.

When the first carrying-in and carrying means carries the transferred sample rack to a predetermined position, the first carrying-in and carrying means stops. When the first loading / conveying means is thus stopped, the loading / unloading means operates to push the transported sample rack to transfer it to the loading guide rail, and move it along the loading guide rail to perform the second loading. Transfer to transport means. The carry-in / push-out means, which has transferred the sample rack to the second carry-in / carrying means, returns to the original position. The sample rack transferred to the second carrying-in / carrying means is based on a signal output from a measuring device into which the sample rack is carried, indicating that the sample rack is ready to be received. Are transported and loaded into the measuring device or the like.

Therefore, for example, the sample carried in by the second carry-in and carry-out means into the measuring device is compared with the time interval of the sample rack carried along the carry-in guide rail by the carry-in and push-out means to the side of the second carry-in and carry means. If the time interval of the rack becomes longer, the sample rack will be in stock on the carry-in guide rail. The second loading / conveying means sequentially loads the stocked sample racks one by one into the measuring device or the like.

When the processing of the sample contained in each container of the sample rack carried into the measuring device is completed,
The sample rack is transferred from the measuring device or the like to the first carry-out carrying means of the carrying unit. The first unloading and conveying means conveys the transferred sample rack to a predetermined position and stops. When the first unloading and conveying means is stopped in this way, the unloading and pushing means is driven to push the sample rack of the first unloading and conveying means to transfer the sample rack to the unloading guide rail, and to move it along the unloading guide rail to move the second rack. Transfer to the carrying-out / transporting means. The unloading and pushing means that has transferred the sample rack to the second unloading and transporting means returns to the original position.

A signal indicating that there is no sample rack on the carry-out / transfer means of the elevating unit and the height of the sample rack matches the height of the second carry-out / transport means and the sample rack can be received. Is output from the lifting / lowering unit, the second unloading / transporting means is driven based on the signal to transfer the sample rack to the unloading / transporting means of the lifting / lowering unit. The carry-out transfer means stops when the entire sample rack is placed on it. The stopped carry-out transfer means is lowered or raised by the drive of the elevating means so that the height of the stopped carry-out transfer means matches the pretreatment device on the downstream side thereof. Therefore, the carry-out transfer means is driven in this state. ,
The sample rack is transferred to the pretreatment device or the like.
Therefore, for example, the time interval of the sample rack carried out by the second carry-out carrying means is larger than the time interval of the sample rack carried to the second carry-out carrying means side by the carry-out pushing-out means along the carry-out guide rail. If the length becomes longer, the sample rack will be in stock on the carry-out guide rail. The second unloading / transporting means sequentially unloads the stocked sample racks one by one to the unloading / transporting means as described above.

[0012]

[First Embodiment] First embodiment of a sample transporting apparatus for blood and the like according to the present invention
An example will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, reference numeral 1 denotes an elevating unit, to which an endless carry-in / transfer belt conveyor 2 as a carry-in / transfer means is provided. 3 is a motor for driving the carry-in transfer belt conveyor 2,
Reference numeral 4 denotes a photosensor for detecting the presence of a sample rack (described later) transferred by the carry-in transfer belt conveyor 2. The photosensor 4 detects the sample rack and stops the motor 3. Although not shown, the motor 3 is stopped by the signal of the photo sensor 4, but, for example, a stopper for moving horizontally or vertically by a solenoid is provided and the sample rack is stopped by this stopper. Is also possible. Reference numeral 5 denotes a movable bed (see FIG. 2) provided so as to be movable up and down, and the carry-in transfer belt conveyor 2 is mounted on the movable bed. Then, the screw shaft 5a screwed into the screw holes (not shown) provided on the upper and lower sides of the movable bed 5 is rotated by the pulse motor 5b to move the movable bed 5
At the same time, the carry-in transfer belt conveyor 2 can be moved upward or downward by a required dimension.

Reference numeral 6 denotes an endless unloading transfer belt conveyor as unloading transfer means provided in the elevating unit 1.
This is rotated by the motor 7. 8 is a photo sensor for detecting the sample rack on the carry-out transfer belt conveyor 6, 9
Is a movable bed (see FIG. 2) that can be moved up and down, to which a carry-out transfer belt conveyor 6 is attached. Reference numeral 9a is a screw shaft for moving the movable bed 9 up and down, and is configured to be rotated by a pulse motor 9b. Similarly to the stopper for the carry-in / transfer belt conveyor 2, a stopper for moving by a solenoid is also provided for the carry-out / transfer belt conveyor 6, and the sample rack on the carry-out / transfer belt conveyor 6 is supported and stopped by this stopper. It is also possible.

Reference numeral 10 is a transport unit for transferring a sample rack from the elevating unit 1 or transferring a sample rack to the elevating unit 1. Reference numeral 11 denotes an endless first carry-in belt conveyor as a first carry-in carrying means provided in the carrying unit 10, to which the sample rack is transferred from the carry-in transfer belt conveyor 2. Reference numeral 12 is a motor for driving the first carry-in belt conveyor 11, and when the sample rack conveyed by the first carry-in belt conveyor 11 reaches a predetermined position, it is detected and the motor 12 is stopped. Although not shown, the means for detecting the sample rack conveyed by the first carry-in belt conveyor 11 may be any means such as a combination of a limit switch and a stopper for supporting and stopping the sample rack. is there. Reference numerals 13 denote guide walls that are provided upright on both sides in the width direction of the first carry-in belt conveyor 11.

Reference numeral 14 denotes an end portion on the traveling direction side of the first carry-in belt conveyor 11 so that a sample rack which is long in the same direction and placed on the first carry-in belt conveyor 11 can be transferred to one side in the width direction thereof. As shown in FIG. 3, the carry-in guide rail is provided and is composed of support walls 14a and 14b for supporting both sides of the sample rack and a locking wall 14c for locking the bottom of the sample rack. . 15 is a loading and pushing means,
This pushes the sample rack which has been conveyed by the first carry-in belt conveyor 11 and stopped, transfers it from the first carry-in belt conveyor 11 to the carry-in guide rail 14, and carries it along the carry-in guide rail 14. The carry-in / push-out means 15 is opposed to the carry-in guide rail 14 with the first carry-in belt conveyor 11 interposed, and the first carry-in belt conveyor 11 is provided.
And a push rod 16 disposed along the guide rail 14 for moving the push rod 16 and an endless timing belt 17 disposed on the side thereof, and the push rod 16 is It is fixed to the timing belt 17 by a connecting member 18 fixed to it. Reference numeral 17a is a motor for driving the timing belt 17, 19 is a guide rod which is arranged in parallel with the timing belt 17 and has both ends fixed, to which the connecting member 18 is slidably attached (see FIG. 3). ).

Reference numeral 20 denotes a second carrying-in and carrying means provided at the end of the carrying-in guide rail 14 in the carrying direction, which is long in the direction orthogonal to the carrying direction and is capable of transferring the sample rack from the carrying-in guide rail 14. An endless second conveyor belt, which conveys the sample rack to the measuring device described later downstream thereof. Reference numeral 21 is a motor for driving the second carry-in belt conveyor 20. Then, a stopper 22 for supporting and stopping the sample rack transferred by the push rod 16 at a position facing the carry-in guide rail 14 with the second carry-in belt interposed, and a lever for pushing and swinging the sample rack. 23 and are provided.

As shown in FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B), the lever 23 is biased by a biasing spring 24 in the direction opposite to the sample rack transport direction on the carry-in guide rail 14.
When the push rod 16 releases the sample rack swung by the lever 23, the eccentric cam 50 rotated by the motor (not shown) stops the sample rack.
Swing back slightly to separate it from 22 and return to its original position until the next sample rack push rod 16
The lever 23 is configured to be able to swing when being pushed by. Reference numeral 25 denotes a sensor which is operated by swinging the lever 23. When the lever 23 is pushed by the sample rack and swings against the elastic force of the biasing spring 24, the motor 17a reversely pushes. Rod 16
To the position on the side of the first carry-in belt conveyor 11.

Reference numeral 26 denotes an end portion in the traveling direction of the second carry-in belt conveyor 20, which is a plurality of photosensors arranged on both sides in the width direction thereof. Read the individual information of the sample container. 27 is a stopper rod provided in the width direction on the upper side of the middle portion of the second carry-in belt conveyor 20 in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 5, this is a solenoid rod 27a in the width direction of the second carry-in belt conveyor 20. Reciprocate the stopper rod 27
The sample rack can be stopped on the second carry-in belt conveyor 20 and the sample rack can be carried except for being removed from the upper side of the second carry-in belt conveyor 20. A stopper rod 28 is provided in the width direction on the downstream side of the photo sensor 26 and above the second carry-in belt conveyor 20. This stopper rod is also a solenoid (not shown) like the stopper rod 27. It is configured to reciprocate in the width direction of 20.

Reference numeral 29 denotes an endless first unloading belt conveyor as a first unloading and conveying means arranged in parallel with the second loading belt conveyor 20, and a motor 30 drives this. When the sample rack conveyed by the first carry-out belt conveyor 29 reaches a predetermined position, it is detected and the motor 30 is stopped. Although not shown, the means for detecting the sample rack conveyed by the first carry-out belt conveyor 29 is, for example, a combination of a limit switch and a stopper that supports and stops the sample rack. 31 is the first
At the end of the unloading belt conveyor 29 on the advancing direction side, on one side in the width direction, a unloading guide rail that is long in the same direction and is provided to transfer the sample rack placed on the first unloading belt conveyor 29 is provided. is there. This carry-out guide rail
Since the configuration of 31 is the same as the configuration of the carry-in guide rail 14, detailed description thereof will be omitted. 32 is an unloading and pushing means,
This pushes the sample rack which has been conveyed to a predetermined position by the first unloading belt conveyor 29 and stopped, and transfers and conveys it from the first unloading belt conveyor 29 to the unloading guide rail 31. The unloading / pushing means 32 includes a push rod 33 arranged on the side of the first unloading belt conveyor 29, and an endless timing belt arranged along the unloading guide rail 31 for moving the push rod 33.
It consists of 34 and. Since the structure of the carry-in / push-out means 32 is the same as that of the carry-in / push-out means 15, detailed description and illustration thereof are omitted. A motor 34a drives the timing belt 34.

A second reference numeral 35 is provided at the end of the carry-out guide rail 31 in the carrying direction, which is long in the direction orthogonal to the carrying direction and is capable of transferring the sample rack from the carry-out guide rail 31.
An endless second unloading belt conveyor as unloading and conveying means, which transfers the sample rack to the unloading transfer belt conveyor 6 of the elevating unit 1. 36 is a motor for driving the second carry-out belt conveyor 35. And the second
A stopper 37 for supporting and stopping the sample rack transferred by the push rod 33 from the carry-out guide rail 31 to the second carry-out belt conveyor 35 is provided on the lateral side of the carry-out belt conveyor 35, and the sample rack pushes and swings. A lever 38 is provided. The lever 38 is for operating a limit switch (not shown). When the lever 38 is pushed by the sample rack to swing as described above, the motor 34a is operated when the limit switch is operated.
Reversely returns the push rod 33 to the side position of the first unloading belt conveyor 29. Since the configurations of the stopper 37 and the lever 38 are the same as those of the stopper 22 and the lever 23, detailed description and illustration are omitted. Reference numeral 39 denotes the sample rack, on which a plurality of containers 40 containing samples such as blood are set. 41 is sample rack 39
A reading hole (see FIG. 3) provided in the photo sensor 26 reads the individual information of each container 40 through the reading hole 41.
42 is a locking groove provided at the bottom of the sample rack 39,
The locking wall 14c of the carry-in guide rail 14 is locked to this.

Reference numeral 43 is a pretreatment device which transfers the sample rack 39 to the lifting unit 1 and
The sample rack 39 is transferred from. Reference numeral 44 denotes the measuring device, to which the sample rack 39 is transferred from the second carry-in belt conveyor 20 and the receiving conveyor 45, and the sample rack 39 which has processed the sample is transferred to the first carry-out belt conveyor 29. A conveyor 46 is provided.

The sample rack 39 is transported by the sample transport device for blood or the like configured as described above, and the pretreatment device is used.
When the sample rack 39 is transferred from 43, the screw shaft 5a of the elevating unit 1 is rotated by the pulse motor 5b to lower or raise the carry-in transfer belt conveyor 2, and the height thereof is adjusted to the height of the pretreatment device 43. To suit In this state, the sample rack 39 is transferred from the pretreatment device 43 to the carry-in transfer belt conveyor 2.
To transfer. When the carry-in transfer belt conveyor 2 conveys the sample rack 39 and the photo sensor 4 detects it, the carry-in transfer belt conveyor 2 stops. Next, since the pulse motor 5b rotates the screw shaft 5a to raise or lower the carry-in transfer belt conveyor 2 and adjust its height to the first carry-in belt conveyor 11, the carry-in transfer belt conveyor 2 and the first carry-in belt conveyor 2 The belt conveyor 11 rotates. Therefore, when the sample rack 39 is transferred to the first carry-in belt conveyor 11 and the sample rack 39 is carried to a predetermined position by the first carry-in belt conveyor 11, it is detected and the first carry-in belt conveyor 11 is stopped. To do.

When the first carry-in belt conveyor 11 is stopped by carrying the sample rack 39, the motor 17a rotates the timing belt 17 and pushes the sample rack 39 with the push rod 16 to transfer it to the carry-in guide rail 14. The sample rack 39 transferred to the carry-in guide rail 14 is supported on both sides by the support walls 14a and 14b, and the engaging groove 42 at the bottom is engaged with the engaging wall 14c so that the sample rack 39 is guided along the carry-in guide rail 14. Since the sample rack 39 can be moved, the push rod 16 pushes the sample rack 39 to move the sample rack 39 to the second loading belt conveyor 20.
Transfer to. At this time, the sample rack 39 is shown in FIG.
4A, the lever 25 is swung to the state of FIG. 4A to operate the sensor 25, and the sample rack 39 is supported by the stopper 20, so that the sample rack 39 stops. On the other hand, the operation of the sensor 25 by the lever 23 causes the motor 17a to rotate in the reverse direction so that the push rod 16 returns to its original position. Sample rack with return of this push rod 16
Since 39 is released, the lever 23 is swung by the eccentric cam 50, and the sample rack 39 is slightly retracted as shown in FIG.
The return to the state of (B) is repeated. The locking wall 14
When the locking groove 42 is locked in c, as shown in FIG.
Since a part of the locking groove 42 is locked to the edge of the locking wall 14c to prevent the sample rack 39 from falling down, the sample rack 39 can be moved stably by being pushed by the push rod 16.

When the sample rack 39 is transferred to the second carry-in belt conveyor 20, the stopper rod 27 is retracted to release the second carry-in belt conveyor 20 and the motor.
21 rotates the second carry-in belt conveyor 20 to carry the sample rack 39. On the other hand, since the stopper rod 28 moves forward and is positioned on the second carry-in belt conveyor 20, the stopper rod 28 supports the sample rack 39 and stops it at the position of the photosensor 26. The photo sensor 26 reads each individual information of the stopped sample rack 39. Next, the measuring device
When a signal indicating that the sample rack 39 can be received is input to the transport unit 10 from 44, the stopper rod 28
Moves backward to release the stopped sample rack 39 and transfers it from the second carry-in belt conveyor 20 to the receiving conveyor 45 of the measuring device 44. The transfer control of the sample rack 39 to the measuring device 44 is performed by the second carry-in belt conveyor.
It is also possible to do 20 rotations and stops.

Sample rack 39 for the measuring device 44
For example, when loading the
When the time interval of the sample rack 39 transferred to the first carry-in belt conveyor 11 is shorter than the time interval of carrying in 39, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. The sample rack 39 is stocked. Since the stocked sample racks 39 are sequentially carried into the measuring device 44, the sample racks 39 can be efficiently and smoothly transported.

When the processing of each sample by the measuring device 44 is completed, the sample rack 39 is transferred to the first carry-out belt conveyor 29 in which the sending conveyor 46 is rotating. When the first carry-out belt conveyor 29 conveys the sample rack 39 to a predetermined position, the first carry-out belt conveyor 29 stops. The sample rack 39 carried by the first carry-out belt conveyor 29 is transferred to the carry-out guide rail 31 by the movement of the stopper rod 33, and is carried along the carry-out guide rail 31, and the sample rack 39 is carried to the second carry-out belt conveyor 35. Forward. From this first unloading belt conveyor 29 to the second unloading belt conveyor
The unloading action of the sample rack 39 over 35 is the same as the unloading action of the sample rack 39 over the first carry-in belt conveyor 11 and the second carry-in belt conveyor 20, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Then, confirm that the height of the carry-out transfer belt conveyor 6 of the lifting unit 1 matches the height of the second carry-out transfer belt conveyor 35, and that the sample rack 39 does not exist on the carry-out transfer belt conveyor 6. In response to the output signal, the motor 36 rotates the second carry-out belt conveyor 35 and transfers the sample rack 39 transferred thereto to the carry-out transfer belt conveyor 6. When the photosensor 8 detects that the entire sample rack 39 has been transferred to the carry-out transfer belt conveyor 6, the carry-out transfer belt conveyor 6 is stopped.
In this state, the screw shaft 9a is rotated by the pulse motor 9b to lower or raise the carry-out transfer belt conveyor 6 to adjust its height to the height of the pretreatment device 43, and then the carry-out transfer belt conveyor 6 is rotated. Then, the sample rack 39 is transferred to the pretreatment device 43.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment, which relates to the carry-in / transfer belt conveyor 2, the carry-out / transfer belt conveyor 6, the first carry-in belt conveyor 11 and other conveyors for carrying sample racks. In FIG. 6, a pair of chains 48,48 are spaced apart and are constituted by connecting the chains 48,48 with a rod 49. That is, it is possible to use an arbitrary configuration as each conveyor that conveys the sample rack.

[0029]

As described above, the apparatus for transporting sample of blood or the like according to the present invention includes an elevating unit for receiving a sample rack from a pretreatment apparatus and the like, and unloading the sample rack to the pretreatment apparatus. The transport unit transports the sample rack of the unit to the measuring device and then unloads the sample rack. Further, the elevating unit is provided with a carry-in transfer means and a carry-out transfer means for transferring the sample rack, which can be moved up and down by the elevating means. Therefore, the elevating unit receives the sample rack from the conveying means such as the pretreatment device having an arbitrary height and transfers the sample rack to the conveying unit, or transfers the sample unit from the elevating unit to the conveying means of the pretreatment device. It is possible to transfer. For this reason, sample racks in the transport section such as pretreatment devices of arbitrary heights from different manufacturers can be smoothly loaded into the transport unit via the elevating means without any manual labor, and the sample rack can be measured. It is possible to carry in the device and the like, and carry out this sample rack to the pretreatment device and the like.

In the carrying unit, the carrying-in of the sample unit is carried out by the first carrying-in carrying means, the carrying-in guide rail,
The second carrying-in and carrying means is carried out in this order, and the sample unit is carried out in the order of the first carrying-out carrying means, the carrying-out guide rail and the second carrying-out carrying means. Then, the sample rack is carried by the second carrying-in and carrying means by a signal from the measuring device and the like, and the sample rack is carried out by the second carrying-out and carrying means by a signal from the elevating unit. Further, it is possible to retain the sample racks in each of the carry-in guide rail and the carry-out guide rail. Therefore, for example, as compared with the time interval at which each of the second loading / unloading transport means and the second loading / unloading transport means transports the sample rack, the time required for each of the first loading / unloading transport means and the first loading / unloading transport means to transport the sample rack. When the interval becomes shorter, the sample racks are retained in the carry-in guide rail and the carry-out guide rail in correspondence with the difference in the time intervals, and the sample racks are held in the second carry-in and carry-out means and the second carry-out and carry-out means. It is possible to carry sequentially with each of the means. Therefore, it is possible to process each of the sample rack carried into the transport unit from the pretreatment device and the sample rack carried out from the measurement device into the transport unit, corresponding to the transport state, It is possible to efficiently and smoothly carry the sample rack transfer process.

As described above, since no labor is required for transporting the sample rack, the transport of the sample rack may damage the container containing the sample such as blood by dropping it, or It is possible to accurately convey each sample to the measuring device or the like without causing an error in the set position. Further, it is possible to eliminate the risk of manually contaminating the sample when the sample container is transported.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a carry-in guide rail portion according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of sample rack conveyance on the carry-in guide rail according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a stopper rod of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Lifting unit, 2: Transport belt conveyor for loading, 5a:
Screw shaft, 6: Carry-in transfer belt conveyor, 9a: Screw shaft, 1
0: Transport unit, 11: 1st carry-in belt conveyor, 14:
Carry-in guide rail, 15: Carry-in / carry-out means, 20: Second carry-in belt conveyor, 29: First carry-out belt conveyor, 31: Carry-out guide rail, 32: Carry-out carry-out means, 35: Second carry-out belt conveyor, 39: Sample rack , 44: Measuring device.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Yoshiyuki Sawada 2 Higashi-cho, Kichijoin-miya, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture Horiba Seisakusho Co., Ltd. (72) Kunio Terada 2 Higashi-cho, Kichijoin-miya, Minami-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Address Horiba Seisakusho Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takeshi Kono 2 Higashimachi, Kichijoin Miya, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture Horiba Seisakusho Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroaki Takahashi Higashi-cho, Kichijoin-miya, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto No. 2 HORIBA, Ltd. (72) Inventor Takuji Susaki No. 2 Higashi-cho, Kichijoin Miya, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Inside HORIBA, Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A carrying-in / carrying-out means of a sample rack in which a container containing a sample is set, and a carrying-out / carrying-out means of a sample rack after processing of the sample are provided, and the carrying-in / carrying-out means and the carrying-out / carrying-out means are respectively provided. An elevating unit configured to be able to move up and down by elevating means, a first carrying-in and carrying means to which the sample rack is transferred from the carrying-in and carrying means, and a first carrying-in and carrying means provided in a direction intersecting the carrying direction of the first carrying-in and carrying means. A carry-in and push-out means capable of reciprocating to move the sample rack from the carry-in and carry means to the carry-in guide rail and the sample rack of the first carry-in and carry means to transfer it to the carry-in guide rail, and move the sample rack along the carry-in guide rail. A sump which is provided in a direction intersecting with the carry-in guide rail and transferred from the carry-in guide rail by the carry-in pushing means. Second carrying-in and carrying means for carrying the rack to a desired position of the measuring device, first carrying-out carrying means for receiving the sample rack from which the sample has been measured from the measuring device, and a direction intersecting the carrying direction of the first carrying-out carrying means. And a sample rack of the first unloading / transporting means and a sample rack of the first unloading / transporting means are pushed to transfer the sample racks to the unloading guide rail.
And the reciprocating unloading and pushing means for moving the sample rack along the unloading guide rail, the sample rack provided in the direction intersecting with the unloading guide rail and transferred from the unloading guide rail by the unloading and pushing means, A second unloading / transporting means for transferring to the unloading / transporting means of the elevating unit is provided, and the transfer of the sample rack to the measuring device or the like by the second loading / unloading / transporting device is performed by a signal from the measuring device, etc. A sample transport device for blood or the like, which comprises a transport unit in which the transport of the sample rack is carried out by a signal from the lifting unit.