Automated analyzing device

The present invention provides: a drawer that is supported so as to be horizontally movable in the front-rear direction between an open position and a closed position through a front-face opening; a table that allows an expendable or a processing unit used for analysis to be mounted in the drawer; and a moving-direction transforming means that, while the drawer is moved toward the rear side from the open position to the closed position, moves horizontally until the expendable or the processing unit mounted on the table passes through the front-face opening from the front side to the rear side and moves the table toward the upper side in synchronization with the horizontal movement of the drawer toward the rear side after the expendable or the processing unit mounted on the table passes through the front-face opening. This makes it possible to easily and reliably perform the work of replacing a chip rack.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an automated analyzing device for analyzing blood, urine, and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Automated analyzing devices are devices that automatically analyze blood and other biological samples and output the results, and are essential in hospitals and medical examination facilities.

These automated analyzing devices are required to perform a wider variety of tests in a shorter time.

The automated analyzing device alerts an operator that there is a shortage of reagents, which are loaded in the device, and expendables in a case where there is a shortage of reagents or expendables such as sample dispensing tips and reaction containers, and urges the operator to replace new reagents and to load a tip rack on which a plurality of sample dispensing tips and reaction containers are mounted.

When performing the replacement of the reagent, the operator temporarily stops the automated analyzing device and opens a safety cover to perform the operation. Therefore, it is desirable that the reagent replacement operation is simple and reliable, and can be replaced in a short time.

Further, since sample dispensing tips and reaction containers, which are expendable items, are frequently consumed, it is necessary to load the tip rack frequently. Therefore, it is not desirable to stop the automated analyzing device and open the safety cover every time the tip rack is loaded, as this will cause a reduction in processing capacity, and the tip rack can be loaded while the automated analyzing device is driven with the safety cover closed.

An automated analyzer (automated analyzing device) described in PTL 1 is configured such that “a disposable pipetting tips are stored and disposed of in the tip compartment, shown in FIG. 7. The tip compartment includes a housing (510) for one or more individual drawers (520) that can accommodate a standard disposable tip box (530) (available from Axygen, Qiagen or Raininn) and a removable waste container (540) for used pipetting tips (Paragraph 0075)”.

An automated analyzer (automated analyzing device) described in PTL 2 is configured such that “a plurality of rows of stacked racks 13 can be mounted on a transfer conveyor 40, and the transfer conveyor 40 is a rack transfer means for transferring the racks 13 supplied in a stacked state from an input port 9b to an elevating mechanism 43 described below, and is also a rack stop portion for stacking the racks 13 in a section from the input port 9b to the elevating mechanism 43. (Paragraph 0032)”, and “at the transfer end of the transfer conveyor 40, the elevating mechanism 43 equipped with a lifter 44 is disposed. The lifter 44 is moved up and down below a tip mounting stage 16 by the elevating mechanism 43, and the rack 13 transferred to a predetermined position by the transfer conveyor 40 is supported from below by the lifter 44 below the tip mounting stage 16, and rises toward the tip mounting stage 16 (Paragraph 0033)”.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In the configuration disclosed in PTL 1, the tip box can be set in the housing by opening and closing the drawer, but the configuration for raising and lowering the tip box in conjunction with the drawer is not disclosed.

The configuration disclosed in PTL 2 includes the elevating mechanism that includes the lifter for electrically ascending and lowering the rack, and a configuration that moves the rack up and down in conjunction with the opening/closing operation of the drawer is not disclosed.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automated analyzing device which is simple in structure and small in size, and in which a tip rack can be pulled out through a front-face opening only by opening and closing a drawer forward and backward without stopping the device with a safety cover closed, so that the tip rack is easily and reliably replaced.

Solution to Problem

According to the invention to achieve the object, there is provided a drawer that is supported so as to be horizontally movable in a front-rear direction between an open position and a closed position through a front-face opening, a table that allows an expendable or a processing unit used for analysis to be mounted in the drawer, and a moving-direction transforming means that, while the drawer is moved toward a rear side from the open position to the closed position, moves horizontally until the expendable or the processing unit mounted on the table passes through the front-face opening from a front side to the rear side and moves the table toward an upper side in synchronization with horizontal movement of the drawer toward the rear side after the expendable or the processing unit mounted on the table passes through the front-face opening.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automated analyzing device which is simple in structure and small in size, and in which a tip rack can be pulled out through a front-face opening only by opening and closing a drawer forward and backward without stopping the device with a safety cover closed, so that the tip rack is easily and reliably replaced.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1toFIGS.22A to22Crelate to a first embodiment,FIG.1is a plan view of an automated analyzing device including a reagent disk (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a reagent vessel holder or a drum), andFIG.2is a perspective view of the automated analyzing device.

FIGS.3,4, and5are perspective views of a tip rack loading means,FIG.6is a plan view of the tip rack loading means, andFIG.7is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A inFIG.3.FIG.8is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B inFIG.3,FIG.9is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of a tip rack moving direction changing means provided in the tip rack loading means, andFIGS.10A to10C,FIGS.11A to11C, andFIGS.12A to12Care schematic cross-sectional views taken along line A-A for describing the operation of the tip rack loading means.

In addition, in the following description, vertical and horizontal directions are based on vertical and horizontal directions illustrated inFIGS.1and2.

In an automated analyzing device1according to this embodiment illustrated inFIGS.1and2, a plurality of reagent vessels (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as reagent containers, reagent bottles, or simply referred to as bottles) are stored along the inner side of the outer peripheral wall of a cylindrical reagent disk2supported rotatably around a vertical axis. Only a predetermined amount of a predetermined reagent is sucked by a dispensing pipette from each reagent bottle3, and is supplied to a biological sample such as blood and urine dispensed into a reaction container and is analyzed.

The automated analyzing device1is provided with a safety cover4that covers a movable portion supported by a hinge that can be opened and closed backward for example. The safety cover4is provided with a so-called interlock (not illustrated) such as a solenoid, and is configured to hold the safety cover4closed by energizing the solenoid while the automated analyzing device1is in operation. While the automated analyzing device1is stopped, the safety cover4can be opened by releasing the energization of the solenoid, so that an operator can replace the reagent bottle3.

First, a conveyance path of a sample for analysis will be described.

A sample5ato be analyzed is moved through the automated analyzing device1by a sample conveyance means5such as a belt conveyor or rack handler, and is conveyed to a sample dispensing means6equipped with a dispensing pipette for dispensing the sample.

A plurality of sample dispensing tips and reaction containers are supplied into the automated analyzing device1in a state of being mounted on a sample dispensing tip/reaction container supply means7(hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a tip rack).

The automated analyzing device1includes a tip rack loading means22equipped with a drawer21that is supported to be horizontally moved from a closed position to a fully open position through a front-face opening20provided on the front surface, and on which one or a plurality of tip racks7can be mounted.

After mounting the tip rack7on a tip rack mounting table24in the fully open position of the drawer21, the tip rack7can be supplied to the automated analyzing device1through the front-face opening20by pushing the drawer21backward to close. Herein, an opening amount from the closed position to the fully open position is, for example, about 400 mm to 500 mm. When the drawer21is fully opened, the mounted tip rack7can be easily taken out and attached.

The reaction containers are gripped one by one by a sample dispensing tip/reaction container conveyance means8from the tip rack7, and then lifted up and moved to an incubator9(sometimes referred to as a culture disk). Sample dispensing tips10are gripped one by one by the sample dispensing tip/reaction container conveyance means8from the tip rack7, and then lifted up and moved to a sample dispensing tip buffer11.

In order to enable such movement, the sample dispensing tip/reaction container conveyance means8is configured to be movable in X-axis (left-right direction), Y-axis (front-rear direction) and Z-axis (vertical direction) directions. The moving range is configured to be movable in a range above a reaction container discard hole12, the sample dispensing tip buffer11, a reaction solution stirring means13, the tip rack7, and a part of the incubator9.

The sample dispensing tip buffer11is a buffer for temporarily mounting a plurality of sample dispensing tips10. The sample dispensing means6moves to an upper portion of the sample dispensing tip buffer11, and grips anyone of the sample dispensing tips10.

The disk-shaped incubator9rotatably supported around a vertical central axis is configured to lock a plurality of reaction containers14on the circumference in the vicinity of the outer periphery. With the rotation of the incubator9, the reaction container14can be moved to a predetermined position.

Next, the sample dispensing means6moves to an upper region of the sample, sucks the sample into the sample dispensing tip10, and then moves to an upper region of the reaction container14on the incubator9to discharge the sample from the sample dispensing tip10into the reaction container14. Thereafter, the sample dispensing means6moves to an upper region of the sample dispensing tip/reaction container discard hole12, and drops and discards the sample dispensing tip10into a hole.

Next, a conveyance path of the reagent added to the sample in the reaction container14will be described.

The cylindrical reagent disk2that is rotatably supported around a vertical central axis and has a hollow inside forms a slot that holds the plurality of reagent bottles3radially along the outer peripheral wall of the hollow inside. Each reagent bottle3is moved to a predetermined position on the circumference by rotating the reagent disk2. Further, a part of the reagent bottle3includes a reagent containing a large number of magnetic particles for stirring. In order to control the reagent bottle3to a constant temperature, the reagent disk2has a heat insulating function.

On an upper surface of the reagent disk2, a reagent bottle loading port23for setting the reagent bottle3in the reagent disk2and taking out the reagent bottle3from the reagent disk2is provided. In addition, the reagent bottle loading port23is provided with an openable/closable reagent bottle loading port lid (not illustrated) and an interlock using a solenoid (not illustrated). Similarly to the safety cover4, it is configured to be locked and closed during the operation of the automated analyzing device1, and to be opened and closed when the automated analyzing device1is stopped.

A reagent dispensing pipette15is configured to be movable so that the reagent in the reagent bottle3can be sucked and moved to a predetermined position. First, the reagent dispensing pipette15moves to the upper region of a predetermined type of reagent on the reagent disk2to suck a predetermined amount of reagent, and then moves to the upper region of the predetermined reaction container14on the incubator9to discharge the reagent into the reaction container14.

A reagent stirring means16is provided on the upper portion of the reagent disk2. The stirring means16is provided with a magnetic particle stirring arm (also referred to as a stirrer) that can rotate around a vertical axis. This magnetic particle stirring arm moves to the upper region of the reagent bottle3containing the reagent to be stirred containing the magnetic particles, and lowers a paddle-shaped or spiral magnetic particle stirring means provided at the lower end of the magnetic particle stirring arm into the reagent. The magnetic particle solution is stirred by rotating the magnetic particle stirring means. In order to prevent spontaneous precipitation of the magnetic particles in the solution, the magnetic particle stirring arm stirs the magnetic particles immediately before the reagent is dispensed. After stirring, the magnetic particle stirring arm moves up to the upper portion of the reagent bottle3and then moves to the upper region of a cleaning means17containing cleaning liquid. After lowering into the cleaning liquid, the magnetic particle stirring means rotates and the magnetic particles adhering to the stirring means are removed.

A reaction solution is formed after a predetermined reaction time has elapsed after dispensing a sample and a predetermined reagent. This reaction solution is sucked from the reaction container14by a reaction solution suction nozzle18and further supplied to a detection means19. This detection means19analyzes the reaction solution.

Next, the analyzed reaction solution is moved to the upper region of the sample dispensing tip/reaction container discard hole12by the sample dispensing tip/reaction container conveyance means8, and the sample dispensing tip10is discarded into the sample dispensing tip/reaction container discard hole12.

A series of these operations of the device are controlled by a host computer200which is a control means.

This automated analyzing device can efficiently analyze a plurality of samples for a plurality of analysis items by combining or repeating the above operations.

First Embodiment

FIGS.3to5are perspective views of the tip rack loading means22.

<Shape of Tip Rack>

The tip rack7is a substantially cuboid and has a thin wall structure with an open bottom surface, and a plurality of sample dispensing tips and small holes on which reaction containers can be mounted at predetermined positions are provided on the upper surface. The sample dispensing tip and the reaction container can be removed upward one by one. Around the four sides of the open bottom surface of the tip rack7is a flange portion25with a thin-walled edge projecting outward.

The left surface, right surface, front surface, and rear surface provided between the upper surface and the flange portion25are tapered to be narrow as approaching the upper surface, and become an extracting taper when the tip rack7is molded with resin.

The tip rack loading means22includes a housing33which includes a top plate27having an top-face opening26, a front plate28having a front-face opening20, a right plate29, a left plate30, a bottom plate31, and a rear plate32. The front surface of the tip rack loading means22is a door34forming the front surface of the drawer21that can be opened and closed in the front-rear direction, and is configured as a single module as a whole.

The drawer21is supported by a pair of extendable drawer rails35provided inside the left and right surfaces of the housing33, and is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction between the fully open position and the fully closed position.

The door34is provided with a so-called interlock (not illustrated) such as a solenoid. During the operation of the sample dispensing tip/reaction container conveyance means8, the door34is closed by energizing the solenoid.

The drawer21is provided with the tip rack mounting table24on which the tip rack7is mounted. Although the details will be described below, the tip rack mounting table24is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction and the vertical direction with respect to the drawer21, and moves up and down in conjunction with movement in the front-rear direction of the drawer21.

FIG.3illustrates a state in which the tip rack7is loaded.FIG.4illustrates a state where the door34is pulled forward from the tip rack loading means22and the drawer21is fully opened. As illustrated inFIG.4, when the door34is pulled out, the tip rack7is pulled out from the front-face opening20provided in the front surface of the housing33through the tip rack mounting table24provided in the drawer21. As illustrated inFIG.5, the tip rack7can be replaced by the user. Further, in this embodiment, two types of tip racks7can be mounted in the front-rear direction on the tip rack mounting table24provided in the drawer21.

When the drawer21is opened forward from a state where the drawer21illustrated inFIG.3is closed, the tip rack7is lowered from the top-face opening26in conjunction with the opening operation of the drawer21. After being lowered to a position lower than the upper end of the front-face opening20, a plurality of sample dispensing tips mounted on the tip rack7and the upper end of the reaction container are pulled out forward together with the drawer21from the front-face opening20to reach the fully opened state illustrated inFIG.4.

When the drawer21illustrated inFIG.4is closed backward from the fully opened state, the tip rack7is pushed into the housing33from the front-face opening20together with the drawer21.

Thereafter, the tip rack7rises in conjunction with the backward closing operation of the drawer21, and the plurality of sample dispensing tips mounted on the upper surface of the tip rack7and the upper ends of the reaction containers are exposed from the top-face opening26, or raised and positioned to a position higher than the top-face opening26and set.

Therefore, the sample dispensing tip or the reaction container can be reliably gripped by the sample dispensing tip/reaction container conveyance means8and easily conveyed upward, thereby providing the automated analyzing device with high reliability.

In other words, in conjunction with the opening/closing operation of manually moving the drawer21in the front-rear direction, the tip rack7also moves in the vertical direction, and thus the operator only needs to move the drawer21in the front-rear direction. No special operation is required to move the tip rack7up and down, and no special moving mechanism is required to move the tip rack7in the vertical direction. Therefore, it is possible to provide the automated analyzing device of which the structure is simple and operability is good.

Since the drawer21is configured to enter and exit from the front-face opening20, the safety cover4may be kept closed in order to open and close the drawer21to replace the tip rack7, and the automated analyzing device1may be in operation if the sample dispensing tip/reaction container conveyance means8is not in operation.

Herein, the sample dispensing tip and the reaction container are lightweight, made of resin with a diameter of about 5 to 6 mm as an example. If an impact is applied when the drawer is closed and the tip rack7is set, the sample dispensing tip and the reaction container may jump up and jump out of the tip rack7. Therefore, when the drawer21is closed, it is desirable to have a movement characteristic that does not close suddenly but stops smoothly while gradually decelerating both in the front-rear direction and in the vertical direction.

Further, when the tip rack7is supplied, the drawer21is opened, the tip rack7is mounted on the tip rack mounting table24, and then the drawer21is closed. Further, even when the drawer21is fully opened, it is desirable that the impact is reduced by decelerating.

However, even when the drawer21is closed and the tip rack7is positioned at a predetermined position, if the tip rack7remains mounted on the tip rack mounting table24, a user tries to operate the drawer21during operation and vibration is applied by pushing and pulling the door34, the vibration is transmitted to the tip rack7through the tip rack mounting table24. Therefore, when the tip rack7is positioned at a predetermined position, the tip rack7is desirably separated from the tip rack mounting table24provided on the drawer21and supported by a positioning means provided on the housing33.

The housing33attached to a main body of the automated analyzing device1includes the bottom plate31, the left plate30and the right plate29fixed to the left and right sides of the bottom plate31, the rear plate32fixed to the rear sides of the bottom plate31, the left plate30, and the right plate29, the front plate28fixed to the front sides of the bottom plate31, the left plate30, and the right plate29, and the top plate27which is fixed to the upper surfaces of the left plate30, the right plate29, the rear plate32, and the front plate28, and forms the upper surface of the housing33.

The front plate28is provided with the front-face opening20through which the drawer21on which the tip rack7is mounted moves in the front-rear direction. The front-face opening20is provided at a position lower than the top-face opening26provided on the upper surface of the main body of the automated analyzing device1.

The top plate27is provided with the top-face opening26, which is an opening for picking up a plurality of sample dispensing tips and reaction containers mounted on the upper surface of the tip rack7at the fully closed position of the drawer21.

A pair of positioning bearings36is provided in the front-rear direction for each tip rack7along the left side of the top-face opening26, and comes into contact with the left side of the tip rack7when the drawer21is closed and the tip rack7is disposed at a predetermined height, so that a predetermined position accuracy can be obtained.

A positioning facing bearing38supported by a leaf spring37is provided along the right side of the top-face opening26to press the center of the right side to the left, that is, the positioning bearing36for each tip rack7.

By positioning the tip rack7at a predetermined height, the tip rack7is accurately positioned at a predetermined position in the front-rear and left-right directions through the positioning bearing36.

Inside the left plate30and the right plate29, the pair of drawer rails35provided with a fixed portion and a movable portion capable of moving in the front-rear direction with respect to the fixed portion is provided in the vicinity of the bottom plate31. By fixing the fixed portion of the drawer rail35to the left plate30or the right plate29and fixing the movable portion to a drawer bottom plate39of the drawer21, the drawer21can be moved in the front-rear direction by a predetermined amount of movement.

Inside the left plate30and the right plate29, a pair of left and right guide rails40and40extending in the front-rear direction is provided along the inside of the drawer rail35and the upper portion of the drawer rail35. A first guide groove41and a second guide groove42, which are grooves extending substantially in the front-rear direction, are provided on the inner surfaces of the guide rails40and40facing each other.

A pair of left and right positioning members43is provided for each tip rack7on the upper portion of the guide rails40and40. The positioning member43includes a height reference side44which is a contact portion for setting the tip rack7at a predetermined height by coming into contact with the flange portions25of two tip racks7at the fully closed position of the drawer21. Further, the details will be described below.

A positioning drive means45described later in detail is provided between the rear side of the tip rack mounting table24and the rear plate32. The positioning drive means45drives a pair of left and right positioning drive shafts46that rotates through the height positioning member43in the front-rear direction, and the tip rack7is brought into contact with the height reference side44of the positioning member43from the lower side through a positioning spring47. Further, the details will be described below.

Next, the configuration and operation of the drawer21will be described with reference toFIG.3toFIGS.15A to15C.

The movable sides of the pair of drawer rails35provided in the housing33are connected by the drawer bottom plate39, and the door34is provided on the front surface of the drawer bottom plate39.

The door34is supported by the drawer bottom plate39through the drawer rail35so as to be openable and closable with respect to the housing33in the front-rear direction, and closes the front-face opening20of the housing33when the drawer21is closed. On the front surface of the door34, a grip48, which is a recess for the operator to insert a finger when the drawer21is opened, is provided.

On the inner upper portion of the grip48, there are provided a handle shaft49swingably and pivotally supported over substantially the entire width of the door34in the left-right direction, a handle50provided integrally with the handle shaft49, and a pair of lock levers51which swings integrally with the handle shaft49at both left and right ends of the handle shaft49.

On the rear side of each of the pair of left and right lock levers51, a lock claw52that is a claw directed upward is provided.

On the other hand, the pair of guide rails40provided on the left and right sides of the housing33is provided with a claw receiving portion53that engages with the lock claw52of the lock lever51when the drawer21is fully closed. In other words, when the drawer21is fully closed, the door34is locked to the housing33through the lock lever51and does not open.

Herein, when a finger is inserted into the grip48and the handle50is pulled forward, the lock lever51and the handle50rotate around the handle shaft49so that the lock claw52and the claw receiving portion53are disengaged. Therefore, the drawer bottom plate39together with the door34can be opened forward along the drawer rail35.

On the other hand, when the door34is closed from the open state of the drawer21, the lock claw52and the claw receiving portion53are engaged at the fully closed position, so that the drawer21is locked to the housing33through the door34.

Further, by operating a solenoid (not illustrated) in a state where the lock claw52and the claw receiving portion53are engaged at the fully closed position, it is possible to operate so as to prevent the drawer21from being opened by applying a so-called interlock.

With the above configuration, the drawer21is opened from the front-face opening20provided on the front surface of the automated analyzing device1by simply pulling the handle50provided on the door34forward. The tip rack mounting table24on which the tip rack7can be mounted can be easily pulled out from the automated analyzing device1. After mounting the tip rack7on which expendables are mounted on the tip rack mounting table24, the expendables can be supplied into the automated analyzing device1by closing the drawer21.

Alternatively, the tip rack7in which the expendables are emptied can be taken out.

In addition, since the lock claw52and the claw receiving portion53are engaged when the drawer21is closed, the drawer21can be reliably closed at a predetermined position.

Further, since the interlock can be applied, the opening operation of the drawer21can be prohibited during a period when the sample dispensing tip/reaction container conveyance means8is operating and the tip rack7cannot be removed.

A drawer base55is fixed to the upper surface of the drawer bottom plate39through a spacer54and moves in the front-rear direction integrally with the drawer bottom plate39. The drawer base55is generally provided in a range below the tip rack mounting table24on which the tip rack7is mounted. The width of the drawer base55in the left-right direction is smaller than that of the drawer bottom plate39. The left side and the right side of the drawer base55are partly bent in the vicinity of the front end and the vicinity of the rear end. A first drawer arm56and a second drawer arm57having a substantially L shape of which the upper end extends backward in aside view are formed. A first spindle hole58and a second spindle hole59are provided at the substantially L-shaped tip portions of the first drawer arm56and the second drawer arm57, respectively.

A first connecting shaft60passes through the first spindle hole58in a rotatable manner, and a second connecting shaft61passes through the second spindle hole59in a rotatable manner. The left and right widths of the first connecting shaft60and the second connecting shaft61are set to be smaller than the distance between the inner surfaces of the left and right guide rails40and40facing each other.

A toothed pulley62ais fixed to the first connecting shaft60and rotates together with the first connecting shaft60. A toothed pulley62bhaving the same number of teeth as the toothed pulley62ais fixed to the second connecting shaft61, and rotates together with the second connecting shaft61. A toothed belt63is stretched between the toothed pulley62aand the toothed pulley62b. The first connecting shaft60and the second connecting shaft61rotate in the same direction by the same angle in synchronization with each other through the toothed pulley62a, the toothed belt63, and the toothed pulley62b. A cylindrical idler64that is rotatably supported is in contact with one surface of the toothed belt63in order to apply an appropriate tension to the toothed belt63.

At both ends of the first connecting shaft60, a pair of first rotating arm65and second rotating arm66that rotates together with the first connecting shaft60is provided bisymmetrically. One end of the first rotating arm65is rotationally fixed to the first connecting shaft60. A rotatable first guide roller67is provided on the side close to the guide rail40at the other end. On the side away from the guide rail40at the other end, a third spindle71is provided coaxially with the first guide roller67. One end of the second rotating arm66is rotationally fixed to the first connecting shaft60, and the other end is provided with a second guide roller68that is rotatable on the side close to the guide rail40.

The other end of the second rotating arm66is further extended to the opposite side of the first connecting shaft60, and a guide end69will be described in detail below.

The first rotating arm65and the second rotating arm66are substantially L-shaped with a slight angle to each other when viewed from the side in the left-right direction. The first rotating arm65and the second rotating arm66may be integrated.

At both ends of the second connecting shaft61, a pair of third rotating arms70that rotates integrally with the second connecting shaft61is provided bisymmetrically.

One end of the third rotating arm70is rotationally fixed to the second connecting shaft61, and the other end is provided with a fourth spindle72protruding to the side close to the guide rail40.

The first rotating arm65that is rotationally fixed to the first connecting shaft60and the third rotating arm70that is rotationally fixed to the second connecting shaft61are parallel to each other and face in the same direction. The toothed belt63is stretched and connected through the toothed pulleys62aand62b. Since the first connecting shaft60and the second connecting shaft61are configured to rotate by the same angle in synchronization with each other, the first rotating arm65and the third rotating arm70rotate in synchronization with each other to be parallel and face in the same direction.

The tip rack mounting table24can stably mount the tip rack7by making the upper surface horizontal. As a guide member for positioning when each tip rack7is mounted, a tip rack guide73having a convex and substantially L-shaped cross section is provided in the vicinity of the inner front side, the rear side, the left side, and the right side of the tip rack7facing upward.

The substantially L-shaped cross section of the tip rack guide73is bent at an acute angle so that the upper end faces the inside of the tip rack7rather than the lower side, and the tip rack7is guided when being set on the tip rack mounting table24from above. When the tip rack7is set on the tip rack mounting table24, the inside of the tip rack7and the tip rack guide73have a backlash of about 1 mm in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, for example.

A first support arm74and a second support arm75are formed in a substantially L shape in which a part near the front end and the vicinity of the rear end of the tip rack mounting table24is extended downward and the lower end is extended forward in a side view. The first support arm74and the second support arm75are provided bisymmetrically near the left side and the right side.

A third spindle hole76and a fourth spindle hole77are provided at the substantially L-shaped tip portions of the first support arm74and the second support arm75, respectively.

The third spindle71provided on the first rotating arm65is rotatably fitted to the third spindle hole76.

The fourth spindle72provided on the third rotating arm70is rotatably fitted to the fourth spindle hole77.

The distance between the third spindle hole76and the fourth spindle hole77provided in the tip rack mounting table24in the front-rear direction is equal to the distance between the first spindle hole58provided in the drawer base55and the second spindle hole in the front-rear direction. When the first rotating arm65or the second rotating arm66rotates around the first spindle hole58, the third rotating arm70rotates in synchronization with the first rotating arm65while keeping in parallel through the first connecting shaft60, the toothed pulley62a, the toothed belt63, and the toothed pulley62b, and the second connecting shaft61. Therefore, the tip rack mounting table24is configured to be movable along an arc trajectory of the third spindle71or the fourth spindle72while keeping the upper surface horizontal.

The first drawer arm56provided on the drawer base55and the first support arm of the tip rack mounting table24are formed in a substantially L shape not to interfere even when the third spindle71is located directly below the first connecting shaft60.

The second drawer arm57provided on the drawer base55and the second support arm of the tip rack mounting table24are formed in a substantially L shape not to interfere even when the fourth spindle72is located directly below the second connecting shaft61.

Next, the first guide roller67provided on the first rotating arm65, the second guide roller68provided on the second rotating arm66, the first guide groove41and the second guide groove42provided in the guide rail40, and the opening/closing operation of the drawer21will be described with reference toFIGS.10A to10C,11A to11C, and12A to12Calso with reference toFIGS.8and9.

As illustrated inFIGS.8and9, a pair of guide rails40and40is provided bisymmetrically inside the left plate30and the right plate29. In the inner surfaces of the pair of guide rails40and40facing each other, the first guide groove41and the second guide groove42are provided respectively which extend horizontally from the front end of the guide rails40and40toward the rear side, and are bend in the vicinity of the rear ends of the guide rails40and40.

The second guide groove42is provided above and parallel to the first guide groove41in a range extending horizontally from the front ends of the guide rails40and40toward the rear side.

The first guide groove41is a vertical groove portion78that gradually curves upward near the rear ends of the guide rails40and40, and changes its direction vertically upward at the rear ends.

The second guide groove42is provided with a reverse portion79that curves upward from the horizontal and changes its direction upward, and then changes its direction substantially vertically downward, and further curves from the reverse portion79downward to the rear side.

Further, a branch portion80where the second guide groove42branches is provided immediately below the reverse portion79. Further, an intersection portion81where the first guide groove41and the second guide groove42intersect is provided on the rear side from the reverse portion79or the branch portion80.

The first guide roller67is slidably fitted to the first guide groove41, and the second guide roller68is slidably fitted to the second guide groove42. When the drawer base55moves in the front-rear direction by opening and closing the drawer21, the first guide roller67slides along the first guide groove41, and the second guide roller68slides along the second guide groove42.

A curved guide protrusion82extending substantially in the vertical direction is provided in the vicinity of the reverse portion79and on the rear side of the reverse portion79, and a surface close to the reverse portion79is a concave guide surface83. The operation of this guide surface83will be described below.

Next, the operation when the drawer21is closed will be described with reference toFIGS.10A to10C,FIGS.11A to11C, andFIGS.12A to12C. Herein, the state in which the tip rack7is mounted on the tip rack mounting table24is indicated by a chain line, the door34and the drawer bottom plate39are indicated by a broken line, and the outline of the housing33is also indicated by a chain line.

FIG.10Ais a schematic view illustrating the drawer21in a fully opened state. InFIG.10A, the drawer21is opened up to a maximum opening amount of the drawer rail35. From the fully closed state to the fully opened state, the first connecting shaft60and the second connecting shaft61move only horizontally in the front-rear direction together with the drawer21.

The second guide roller68is located in the vicinity of the front end of the second guide groove42, and the first guide roller67is located in front of the front end of the first guide groove41and is in a disengaged state. Herein, since the second rotating arm66is supported by the first connecting shaft60and the second guide roller68and does not rotate, the tip rack mounting table24is stably supported and the opening amount can be expanded. The first rotating arm65faces substantially vertically downward with respect to the first connecting shaft60, and the first guide roller67is at the lowest position with respect to the first connecting shaft60.

As described above, since the third rotating arm70is configured to rotate while maintaining parallel to the first rotating arm65, the third rotating arm70faces substantially the vertically lower side with respect to the second connecting shaft61, and the fourth spindle72is located at the lowest position with respect to the second connecting shaft61.

Since the tip rack mounting table24is supported by the third spindle71and the fourth spindle72provided coaxially with the first guide roller67, the tip rack mounting table24is located at the lowest position in the fully opened state of the drawer illustrated inFIG.10A. Herein, the height of the upper ends of the sample dispensing tips/reaction containers10and14mounted on the tip rack7is set to be lower than the upper side of the front-face opening20provided on the front surface of the housing33. It is preferable that the sample dispensing tip/reaction containers10and14do not come out of contact with the front-face opening20or be damaged when the drawer21is opened and closed.

FIG.10Billustrates a state where the drawer21is being closed. The rear tip rack7has already been inserted into the housing33from the front-face opening20, and the front tip rack7is passing through the front-face opening20.

The second guide roller68is fitted to a section where the second guide groove42is extended horizontally, and the first guide roller67is fitted to a section where the first guide groove41is extended horizontally. Therefore, since the tip rack mounting table24is at the lowest position, the sample dispensing tips/reaction containers10and14mounted on the tip rack7do not contact the upper side of the front-face opening20.

FIG.10Cillustrates a state in which the drawer21is further closed, and the tip rack7passes through the front-face opening20and enters the inside of the housing33.

The second guide roller68shifts the second guide groove42from the horizontal portion to the portion curved upward. The second guide roller68starts to move upward, and the second rotating arm66and the first rotating arm65start to turn in the clockwise direction around the first connecting shaft60in the figure.

Although the first guide roller67slightly moves in the vertical direction, the first guide roller67starts to move backward with respect to the first connecting shaft60. In other words, the tip rack mounting table24on which the tip rack7is mounted also starts to move backward with respect to the first connecting shaft60.

FIG.11Aillustrates a state in which the drawer21is further closed and the second guide roller68is close to the reverse portion79of the second guide groove42.

The guide end69provided at the tip portion of the second rotating arm66moves substantially upward along the guide surface83on the front side of the guide protrusion82. Since the second guide roller68moves further upward, the second rotating arm66and the first rotating arm65further rotate around the first connecting shaft60in the clockwise direction in the figure.

The first guide roller67engages with a portion where the first guide groove41is curved upward, further moves backward with respect to the first connecting shaft60, and also moves upward, so that the tip rack mounting table24on which the tip rack7is mounted is also raised.

FIG.11Billustrates a state in which the drawer21is further closed and the second guide roller68is fitted to the reverse portion79of the second guide groove42.

The second guide roller68moves substantially upward along the reverse portion79, and the second rotating arm66and the first rotating arm65further rotate in the clockwise direction around the first connecting shaft60in the figure. The first guide roller67is fitted to a portion where the first guide groove41is curved upward, further moves backward by a distance x with respect to the first connecting shaft60, and also moves upward, so that the tip rack mounting table24on which the tip rack7is mounted is also raised by a height h which it is slight.

Herein, the moving of the tip rack mounting table24backward by the distance x means that the tip rack mounting table24moves backward by the distance x more than the amount of movement due to the closing operation of the drawer21. Therefore, in other words, it indicates that the speed of moving backward of the tip rack mounting table24is higher than the speed of closing the drawer21, and the tip rack mounting table24is accelerated backward with respect to the drawer.

FIG.11Cillustrates a state where the drawer21is further closed and the second guide roller68is fitted to the reverse portion79of the second guide groove42.

The second guide roller68moves further upward along the reverse portion79and hardly moves in the front-rear direction. The second rotating arm66and the first rotating arm65further rotate around the first connecting shaft60in the clockwise direction in the figure. The first guide roller67is fitted to a portion where the first guide groove41is curved upward, moves backward by the distance x with respect to the first connecting shaft60, and also moves upward by the height h, so that the tip rack mounting table24on which the tip rack7is mounted is also raised by the height h.

InFIG.12A, the drawer21is further closed, and the second guide roller68is being lowered from the reverse portion79of the second guide groove42, and the first guide roller67is located close to the vertical groove portion78of the first guide groove41. The second rotating arm66and the first rotating arm65further rotate around the first connecting shaft60in the clockwise direction in the figure. The first guide roller67moves backward by the distance x and also moves upward by the height h, and the tip rack mounting table24on which the tip rack7is mounted is also raised by the height h.

Herein, a maximum value of the moving distance x where the first guide roller67precedes the drawer21backward is generated when the first guide roller67is located at the same height as the first connecting shaft60, that is, betweenFIG.11CandFIG.12A. The value is equal to the length of the first rotating arm65, that is, the distance between the first guide roller67and the first connecting shaft60.

InFIG.12B, the drawer21is further closed, the second guide roller68is at the intersection portion of the second guide groove42, and the first guide roller67is fitted to the vertical groove portion78of the first guide groove41, and located directly above the first connecting shaft60. The first rotating arm65is at the apex facing directly upward. It is a matter of course that, at this position, the tip rack mounting table24is at the position of a maximum value hmaxthat has been raised most.

Herein, fromFIGS.12A to12B, the first guide roller67only moves upward in the vertical groove portion78of the first guide groove41, and thus the tip rack mounting table24is stopped at a speed 0 in the front-rear direction. Since the first guide roller67is located directly above the first connecting shaft60, the relation of the distance x=0 is satisfied. The drawer21catches up with the tip rack mounting table24that precedes backward.

FIG.12Cillustrates the fully closed state of the drawer21. The first guide roller67remains positioned in the vertical groove portion78of the first guide groove41, and the first connecting shaft60is positioned behind the first guide roller67by the distance x together with the drawer21. Therefore, the height h of the tip rack mounting table24is smaller than the maximum value hmax, and the tip rack7is positioned slightly lower than the maximum value illustrated inFIG.12B.

The second guide roller68is located in the vicinity of the rear end where the second guide groove42is curved downward to the rear side.

Herein, in a range where the first guide roller67is fitted to the vertical groove portion78of the first guide groove41, the tip rack mounting table24does not move back and forth even if the drawer21is moved in the front-rear direction.

In addition, inFIG.12B, since the first rotating arm65is at the apex facing upward, even if the drawer21is moved in the front-rear direction, the amount of movement in the vertical direction of the tip rack mounting table24is very small. As an example, assuming that a radius r of the first rotating arm65is 25 mm, an amount a of movement in the front-rear direction of the drawer21is 2 mm, an amount Δh of movement in the vertical direction of the tip rack mounting table24is Δh=r−[√(r2−a2)]=0.08 mm and only 1/25, and even when the relation of a=5 mm is satisfied, Δh is 0.5 mm and only 1/10.

In other words, in this embodiment, in the vicinity of the drawer closed position, the first guide roller67coaxial with the third spindle71that supports the tip rack mounting table24is located directly above the first connecting shaft60. The first guide roller67is fitted to the vertical portion of the first guide groove41so that the tip rack stops in the front-rear direction even when the drawer21is displaced in the front-rear direction. The amount of movement in the vertical direction can also be reduced. Therefore, even when the fully closed position of the drawer21varies, or even when the drawer21is shaken back and forth, the tip rack mounting table24does not move back and forth, and the tip rack7can be stably and accurately mounted.

In this embodiment, the third spindle71that supports the tip rack mounting table24is coaxial with the first guide roller67, and the first guide roller67moves along the first guide groove41. With the configuration, the movement locus of the tip rack mounting table24in the opening/closing operation of the drawer21is the same as the shape of the first guide groove41.

The tip rack7mounted on the tip rack mounting table24is moved horizontally to the rear side through the front-face opening20and moved to the inside of the housing33only by the horizontal movement from the fully opened state of the drawer21. Then, it is possible to perform an interlocking operation for gradually raising, and in the fully closed position, the sample dispensing tips/reaction containers10and14mounted on the tip rack7are supplied to a position raised above the top-face opening26.

Further, the above description has been given about the operation when the drawer21is closed. However, the operation in the reverse direction can be performed reversibly, and the operation when the drawer21is opened is an operation in the reverse direction.

Next, the closing operation of the drawer21, and the displacement characteristics in the front-rear direction (X direction) and the vertical direction (Y direction) of the tip rack mounting table24described with reference toFIGS.10A to10C,FIGS.11A to11C, andFIGS.12A to12Cwill be described usingFIG.13.

FIG.13is a graph in which the horizontal axis is the horizontal opening amount taken from the fully closed position of the drawer21and the vertical axis is the amount of horizontal movement and the rising amount of the tip rack mounting table24. The left end is a fully closed position, and the right end is a position opened by 200 mm in this embodiment. In a range larger than 200 mm, the first guide groove41and the second guide groove42are horizontal, and the opening amount of the drawer21and the amount of movement of the tip rack mounting table24are 1:1. This embodiment is an example in which the length of the first rotating arm65is set to 25 mm, and the rising amount of the tip rack mounting table24is a maximum of 50 mm.

The movement from right to left inFIG.13is the closing direction, and the movement from left to right is the opening direction. The solid line is indicated as the amount of movement of the tip rack mounting table24in the front-rear direction (X direction), and the broken line is indicated as the amount of movement in the vertical direction (Y direction). The chain line described as a constant speed imaginary line is a straight line that virtually indicates the amount of movement in the X direction when the tip rack mounting table24is integrated with the drawer21, and is indicated for comparison with the movement characteristics in the X direction. The reason why the horizontal axis passes through a point of about 10 mm instead of 0 when the vertical axis is 0 is that it becomes a vertex in the Y direction at the position ofFIG.12B. (b) to (j) are symbols corresponding toFIGS.10B,10C, andFIGS.12A to12C, respectively, and (a) is not illustrated because it is on the right side of the right end of the graph.

The behavior in the X direction described at the upper end of the graph ofFIG.13and the behavior in the Y direction described at the lower end indicate the behavior during the closing operation. During the opening operation, deceleration and acceleration are reversed, and rising turns to lowering.

Since this is a closing operation, the right side, which is fully opened, will be described. The tip rack mounting table24is integrated and moves horizontally with the drawer21from the fully opened state (a) (not illustrated) through (b) to the vicinity of (c). Therefore, the X direction has a linear characteristic to be overlapped with the constant speed imaginary line, and the Y direction remains zero.

From (c) to (f), the first guide roller67rotates from the position where the first rotating arm65is directed vertically downward to the rear side around the first connecting shaft60. A range where the first guide roller67rotates by 90° until facing horizontally backward of the first connecting shaft60is a section where the tip rack mounting table24is accelerated in the X direction as compared with the drawer21.

In this section, the tip rack mounting table24is raised in the Y direction. From (f) and (g) to (h), that is, a 90° rotation range of the first rotating arm65from the position facing backward up to rotating around the first connecting shaft60to face upward is a section in which the tip rack mounting table24is decelerated and stops in the X direction as compared with the drawer21. In this section, the tip rack mounting table24is raised in the Y direction, reaches the apex at (h), and reaches a maximum rising position.

Further, (h) to (j) is an overrun section after overcoming the apex, and is provided to secure an operation region of the positioning means of the tip rack7described below.

Next, the description will be given with reference toFIGS.14A to14CandFIGS.15A to15Cof a configuration for the second guide roller68to securely pass through the reverse portion79and the branch portion80provided in the second guide groove42.

FIGS.14A to14CandFIGS.15A to15Care schematic diagrams illustrating the configuration and operation when the second guide roller68passes in the vicinity of the reverse portion79.

In other words, the second guide groove42includes the branch portion80for bifurcating the groove at the lower portion of the reverse portion79. As illustrated by hatching inFIG.14A, the branch portion80has a substantially fan-shaped groove shape in which the groove width of the lower side is approximately doubled. Therefore, it is not possible to guide due to backlash when the second guide roller68is lowered from the reverse portion79and passes through the branch portion80. Therefore, there is required a configuration for the second guide roller68to surely advance to a desired groove among the bifurcated grooves according to the opening operation or the closing operation.

FIG.14Aillustrates a state before the second guide roller68moves backward along the second guide groove42and enters the branch portion80in the closing operation. The second guide roller68is fitted to the second guide groove42and moves stably.

The guide end69provided at the tip of the second rotating arm66is not in contact with the guide surface83facing the front side of the guide protrusion82provided on the guide rail40.

FIG.14Billustrates a state in which the first connecting shaft60has further moved backward, and the guide end69comes into contact with the guide surface83immediately before the second guide roller68enters the branch portion.

FIG.14Cillustrates a state in which the first connecting shaft60has further moved backward and the second guide roller68has entered the branch portion80, and the guide end69is in contact with the guide surface83. Herein, the behavior of the first rotating arm65and the second rotating arm66when there is no guide surface83which is one surface of the guide protrusion82is indicated by a broken line. Since the second guide roller68has entered the branch portion80, the position of the second guide roller68cannot be accurately guided. In addition, even if the first rotating arm65and the first guide roller67rotate as indicated by a broken line, the direction in which the first guide roller67moves is substantially equal to the tangential direction of the first guide groove41. Therefore, the rotation of the first rotating arm65cannot be prevented. In other words, the second rotating arm66can be maintained at a predetermined position by the guide protrusion82, the guide surface83, and the guide end69.

FIG.15Aillustrates a state in which the second guide roller68starts to enter the reverse portion79from the branch portion80, and the guide end69is in contact with the guide surface83.

FIG.15Billustrates a state in which the second guide roller68enters the reverse portion79and the guide end69moves further upward from the upper end of the guide surface83and is separated from the guide surface83. Even if the guide end69is separated from the guide surface83, if the reverse portion79has a groove width that slidably engages with the second guide roller68, the second guide roller68does not rattle but the second rotating arm66can be maintained in a predetermined position.

InFIG.15C, the first connecting shaft60further moves backward, the first rotating arm65and the second rotating arm66rotate clockwise in the figure, and the second guide roller68is lowered from the reverse portion79and located at the branch portion80.

At this time, the first guide roller67moves backward and upward along the first guide groove41and is guided with high accuracy. Therefore, even if the second guide roller68is located at the branch portion80, the first rotating arm65and the second rotating arm66can be maintained at predetermined positions around the first connecting shaft60.

The above configuration illustrates the operation when the drawer21is closed from the opened state, but the operation when the drawer21is opened is in the order (f) to (a) contrary to the above, and the first connecting shaft60, the first rotating arm65, and the second rotating arm66move toward the front side from the rear side.

Herein, in the case where there is no guide surface83, the second guide roller68may enter the branch portion80and enter the state indicated by the broken line in the case of the state illustrated inFIG.14Cduring a period when the drawer21is opened.

In order for the second guide roller68to continue the opening operation of the drawer21, the second guide roller68needs to advance in the direction branched toward the horizontal portion extending forward of the second guide groove42, but tends to advance in the direction branched downward toward the intersection portion81of the second guide groove42. Then, the second guide roller68is caught on an apex portion84having an acute upward tip at the lower end of the branch portion80, and the drawer21is not opened.

In other words, the guide surface83of the guide protrusion82provided close to the rear side of the reverse portion79and the guide end69that is the tip of the second rotating arm66are configured to securely prevent the second guide roller68from being caught on the apex portion84. With this configuration, the second guide roller68can pass through the reverse portion79and the branch portion80stably, and the drawer21can be opened and closed.

Herein, since the first guide roller67and the second guide roller68are rotary guide rollers instead of fixed pins, a frictional resistance is very small when the first guide roller67and the second guide roller68move along the first guide groove41and the second guide groove42. It is possible to perform a smooth opening/closing operation.

In addition, the first guide roller67and the second guide roller68are slid along the first guide groove41and the second guide groove42intersecting with each other, so that the first rotating arm65and the second rotating arm66rotate. Therefore, the first guide roller67is stably guided, and the first rotating arm65can rotate by about 180° from the downward direction to the upward direction with respect to the first connecting shaft60.

Further, the first rotating arm65is configured to rotate about 180° from the downward direction to the upward direction with respect to the first connecting shaft60from the opened state to the fully closed state of the drawer. The rising amount hmaxof the tip rack7with respect to the radius of the first rotating arm65is maximized, and there is an effect of realizing a reduction in the size of the mechanism. In addition, since the first rotating arm65rotates between a so-called top dead center and a bottom dead center from when the drawer is opened to when it is fully closed, an error of the rising amount of the tip rack7is less likely to occur but high accuracy is secured. Therefore, it is possible to provide an automated analyzing device with high reliability.

When the drawer21is closed, the tip rack7is raised together with the tip rack mounting table24, and the sample dispensing tip/reaction containers10and14mounted on the tip rack7are exposed from the top-face opening26provided on the upper surface of the housing33.

Thereafter, the sample dispensing tips/reaction containers10and14are held one by one by the sample dispensing tip/reaction container conveyance means8and moved upward.

Therefore, in order to be surely held by the sample dispensing tip/reaction container conveyance means8, it is necessary to perform positioning with high accuracy after the tip rack7is raised. Alternatively, in a case where the sample dispensing tip/reaction container conveyance means8is in operation, the door34of the drawer21is locked by being interlocked to prevent the drawer21from being opened inadvertently. However, in a case where the user pushes and pulls on the door34to operate the drawer21during operation, and vibration is applied, it is desirable that the vibration is not transmitted to the tip rack7.

An example of such a positioning configuration will be described below with reference toFIGS.16to22.

FIG.16is a rear view of the tip rack loading means22, illustrating the positioning drive means45with the rear plate32of the housing hidden.FIGS.17A and17Bare partial schematic views illustrating the configuration of main parts of a tip rack positioning means118which positions the height of the tip rack7.FIGS.18and19are perspective views illustrating a configuration in which the tip rack7is pressed against the positioning member43from below.FIGS.20A to20DandFIGS.21A to21Cillustrate partial cross-sectional views illustrating the operation in which the tip rack7comes into contact with the height reference side44of the positioning member43from below so as to be positioned.FIGS.22A to22Care perspective views illustrating the configuration and operation of a cylindrical cam for driving the positioning drive means45to perform the positioning operation in conjunction with the opening/closing operation of the drawer21.

On the upper surface of the pair of left and right guide rails40, a pair of left and right positioning members43and43is respectively provided corresponding to the right side and the left side of two tip racks7mounted in the longitudinal direction on the tip rack mounting table24. In the positioning members43and43, the lower side of the tip of the portion extending close to the tip rack7is used as the height reference side44which comes into contact with the upper surface of the flange portion25of the tip rack7to position the tip rack7at a predetermined height.

A disk-shaped cam plate85is rotatably supported around a cylindrical cam center86provided along the front-rear direction, and a fifth spindle87and a sixth spindle88protrude from the outer periphery in a direction away from the cylindrical cam center86.

A part of the cam plate85is a stopper89protruding downward, and the rotation angle range of the cam plate85is restricted by bringing a stopper receiver90into contact with the left end side of the stopper89fixed.

A part of the stopper receiver90is extended to the opposite side across the center of the rotation cam to form a first spring fulcrum91.

Another part of the cam plate85is a second spring fulcrum92protruding outward, and a tensile force when a pulling spring93is stretched between the first spring fulcrum91and the second spring fulcrum92generates a rotational torque to the cam plate85in the counterclockwise direction inFIG.16around the cylindrical cam center86in the figure. A biasing force in a direction where the stopper89comes into contact with the stopper receiver90by the tensile force of the pulling spring93.

The pair of left and right positioning drive shafts46is disposed so as to pass through the positioning member43in the front-rear direction and rotate around a rotation shaft in the front-rear direction.

The vertical height of the positioning drive shaft46is disposed at a position slightly lower than the height reference side44, and the horizontal position of the positioning drive shaft46is outside of the outer periphery of the flange portion25provided around the lower side of the tip rack7, and provided on the inside of the left and right plates29and30.

At the rear end of a first positioning drive shaft46aon the right side, there is provided a third link arm95whose one end is rotationally fixed to the first positioning drive shaft46aand the other end is a seventh spindle94.

At the rear end of a second positioning drive shaft46bon the left side, there is provided with a fourth link arm97which one end is rotationally fixed to the second positioning drive shaft46band the other end is an eighth spindle96.

One end of a first link arm98is rotatably supported on the fifth spindle87provided on the cam plate85, and the other end is rotatably supported to the seventh spindle94provided on the third link arm95.

One end of a second link arm99is rotatably supported on the sixth spindle88provided on the cam plate85, and the other end is rotatably supported to the eighth spindle96provided on the fourth link arm97.

When the cam plate85rotates around the cylindrical cam center86, the fifth spindle87and the sixth spindle88move, and the third link arm95rotates through the first link arm98. The fourth link arm97rotates through the second link arm99.

Next, the configuration of the positioning drive shaft46, the positioning spring47, and the positioning member43will be described with reference toFIGS.17A,17B, and18.

FIG.17Ais a partially exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the positioning drive shaft46, the positioning spring47, and the positioning member43.FIG.17Bis a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C. The positioning spring47is a torsion spring provided on the outer periphery of the positioning drive shaft46and having a coil portion formed in a cylindrical shape in the front-rear direction. At both ends in the front-rear direction, a pressing portion100that comes into contact with the lower surface of the flange portion25of the tip rack7is extended in a direction approaching the tip rack7when the tip rack7is completely set. The pressing portion100desirably has a shape with a rounded tip portion so as not to be damaged when the tip rack7is pressed.

The positioning spring47is configured symmetrically in winding direction such that the front side from a locking portion101of the center in the front-rear direction is wound right and the rear side is wound left. A positioning spring presser102is locked to the positioning drive shaft46by a total of three screws at the center and at both ends. A center set screw104locks the locking portion101of the positioning spring47to the positioning drive shaft46, and the locking portion101rotates together with the positioning drive shaft46.

In the vicinity of both ends of the positioning spring presser102, pressing portion pressers103extending in the direction of the pressing portion100are provided. The set screws104are provided at both ends on the outer side from the pressing portion presser103and are locked to the positioning drive shaft46.

FIG.17Bis a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C, illustrating a cross section at the position of the pressing portion presser103. A gap larger than the wire diameter of the positioning spring47is provided between the pressing portion presser103and the positioning drive shaft46, and only the torsional displacement of the pressing portion100in the arrow direction is allowed by the pressing portion presser103.

FIG.18is an exploded perspective view illustrating the relationship among the positioning drive shaft46, the positioning spring47, the positioning member43, the tip rack7, the positioning bearing36, and the positioning facing bearing38.

FIG.19is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D.

The tip rack7is raised through the tip rack mounting table24, and the height is determined by the upper surface of the flange portion25coming into contact with the height reference side44.

Herein, if the positioning drive shaft46rotates so that the pressing portion100presses the flange portion25of the tip rack7from below toward the height reference side44, the tip rack7is separated from the tip rack mounting table24upward, and the flange portion25comes into contact with the height reference side44, so that the height of the tip rack7can be secured with high accuracy.

Further, when the tip rack7is positioned at a predetermined height, the positioning bearing36is brought into contact with a positioning V groove105, which is a V groove provided in two places on the upper left side of the tip rack7, and is pressurized in advance by the positioning facing bearing38supported by the leaf spring37from right to left as illustrated inFIG.19, so that the tip rack7can be accurately positioned in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

With the positioning configuration as described above, when the drawer21is closed and the tip rack7is set, the tip rack7is separated from the drawer21including the tip rack mounting table24. Therefore, the vibrations from the drawer21are not transmitted to the tip rack7, and the positioning can be made accurately even in the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the vertical direction.

Next, the timing of the rising operation of the tip rack7and the rotating operation of the positioning spring47will be described with reference toFIGS.20A to20D,FIGS.21A to21C, andFIGS.22A to22C.

FIGS.20A to20Dsequentially illustrate a procedure that the flange portion25of the tip rack7is brought into contact with the height reference side44through the pressing portion100as the positioning drive shaft46rotates while the tip rack is raised to approach the height reference side44in conjunction with the closing operation of the drawer21, and are enlarged views of the vicinity of the left side of the positioning drive shaft46inFIG.19.

InFIG.20A, the tip rack7is in the middle of being raised in conjunction with the closing operation of the drawer21, and the positioning drive shaft46is at a position rotated so that the pressing portion100of the positioning spring47faces substantially downward. This state may be referred to as “retracted position” or “retracted state”. The flange portion25rises up to a position higher than the lower end of the pressing portion100.

In the section where the drawer21is opened and the tip rack7is lowered, the positioning spring47remains in the “retracted state” until the drawer21reaches the fully open position.

InFIG.20B, the tip rack7further rises, and the height of the flange portion25is approximately at the position of the central axis of the positioning drive shaft46. At this time, the positioning drive shaft46is rotating in the direction in which the pressing portion100approaches the flange portion25from the lower side. This state may be referred to as a “rotation state”.

InFIG.20C, the positioning drive shaft46further rotates so that the pressing portion100comes into contact with the lower surface of the flange portion25to lift the tip rack7up, and the tip rack7is separated from the tip rack mounting table24, and the upper surface of the flange portion25comes into contact with the height reference side44of the positioning member43, and the tip rack7is set to a predetermined height. In other words, the predetermined height is a position higher than the position where the tip rack7rises by the maximum hmax.

InFIG.20D, when the positioning drive shaft46further rotates by an angle δ, the torsional displacement of the positioning spring47increases by that angle, and the force with which the pressing portion100presses the flange portion25from the lower side increases, so that the tip rack7can be securely positioned. This state may be referred to as “positioning position” or “positioning state”.

The operation when the drawer21is opened and the tip rack7is taken out is performed in reverse to the above, and the positioning drive shaft46rotates in the order ofFIGS.20D,20C,20B, and20A, and the pressing portion100is lowered from the flange portion. At the same time, the tip rack7is lowered.

Next, the configuration of the positioning drive means45interlocked with the closing operation of the drawer21will be described with reference toFIGS.21A to21C.

FIG.21Aillustrates a state in which the cam plate85fully rotates counterclockwise by the tensile force of the pulling spring93and the stopper89is in contact with the stopper receiver90. At this time, the positioning drive shaft46and the positioning spring47are in the “retracted state” illustrated inFIG.20A.

In the section where the drawer21is opened and the tip rack7is lowered, the positioning spring47remains in the “retracted state” until the drawer21reaches the fully open position.

FIG.21Billustrates a state in which the cam plate85rotates clockwise by ψ1 in the figure against the rotational torque due to the tensile force of the pulling spring93in conjunction with the closing operation of the drawer21.

Since the fifth spindle87and the sixth spindle88rotate together with the cam plate85, and the first link arm98and the second link arm99move in the arrow direction, the third link arm95and the first positioning drive shaft46arotate by θ1 in the arrow direction through the seventh spindle94. At the same time, the fourth link arm97and the second positioning drive shaft46brotate by θ1 in an arrow direction opposite to the first positioning drive shaft46athrough the eighth spindle96.

In other words, the pressing portions100and100rotate by81so as to approach each other from below with respect to the lower surface of the flange portion25of the tip rack7, which is the “rotation state” illustrated inFIG.20B.

FIG.21Cillustrates a state in which the cam plate85further rotates clockwise by ψ2, which is a maximum rotation angle, in the figure. Herein, the first positioning drive shaft46aand the second positioning drive shaft46beach rotate by θ2, and the pressing portions100and100rotate to press the lower surface of the flange portion25of the tip rack7by θ2 from below, which is “positioning state” illustrated inFIG.20D. Herein, the positional relationship between the fifth spindle87and the seventh spindle94, and the positional relationship between the sixth spindle88and the eighth spindle96are set appropriately, for example, ψ2≈60° and θ2≈90°.

Next, the configuration for appropriately rotating the cam plate85in conjunction with the closing operation of the drawer21will be described with reference toFIGS.22A to22C, and alsoFIGS.21A to21CandFIGS.20A to20D.

In the operation of closing the drawer21, it is desirable that the positioning drive shaft46does not rotate but maintains the “retracted state”, and the cam plate85does not rotate at the position illustrated inFIG.21Auntil the drawer is almost closed up to the position ofFIG.12Afrom the fully open position up to the closed position about 40 mm, and the lower surface of the flange portion25of the tip rack7is raised to a position higher than the pressing portion100in the “retracted state” illustrated inFIG.20A.

When the closing operation of the drawer21is continued and the opening amount is reduced to 40 mm or less, the cam plate85rotates in an arrow direction illustrated inFIGS.21B to21C, and the pressing portion100passes through the “rotation state” and enters “positioning state”.

In other words, while the opening amount of the drawer21from the closed position to the fully open position is, for example, about 400 mm to 500 mm, the range in which the cam plate85rotates is limited to the range of about 40 mm near the closed position.

In this way, an example of a configuration in which the cam plate85is rotationally driven only within a limited range of the operation range of the drawer21will be described with reference toFIGS.22A to22Ctogether withFIGS.7and8appropriately.

FIGS.22A to22C, a hollow cylindrical cam106that is cylindrically extended coaxially with the cam plate85is fixed in the vicinity of the rear end of the drawer base55, and moves in the front-rear direction along with the opening/closing operation of the drawer21. The cylindrical surface of the cylindrical cam106is provided with a plurality of spiral grooves107penetrating the inner periphery and the outer periphery along the cylindrical surface. The spiral groove107is twisted by a predetermined angle between the front end and the rear end of the cylindrical cam106. This predetermined angle is equal to the rotation angle of the cam plate described inFIGS.21A to21C, that is ψ2, and, for example, about 60°.

A rotation cam108extending cylindrically from the cam plate85toward the front side is integrated with the cam plate85so as to be rotatably supported around a rotation cam shaft109coaxial with the cylindrical cam center86. In the vicinity of the tip close to the cylindrical cam106of the rotation cam108, a plurality of cylindrical cam pins110projecting radially from the cylindrical surface of the rotation cam108are provided. In this embodiment, as an example, three cam pins110are provided at an angle of 120°, and each cam pin110is configured to be fitted and slid into the spiral groove107provided in the cylindrical cam106.

In the range where the drawer21is from the fully open position to a position where the opening amount is close to about 40 mm in the vicinity of the fully closed position, the cylindrical cam106and the rotation cam108are separated from each other. As illustrated inFIGS.22A and21A, in the cam plate85, the stopper89comes into contact with the stopper receiver90by a rotational torque generated by the tensile force of the pulling spring93, and the positioning spring47maintains the “retracted state”.

When the drawer21is further closed and the opening amount becomes smaller than 40 mm, the spiral groove107provided in the cylindrical cam106is fitted with the cam pin110provided in the rotation cam108. When the drawer21further moves backward, the cam pin110moves along the spiral groove107, so that the rotation cam108rotates around the rotation cam shaft109. Since the cam plate85rotates together with the rotation cam108, the positioning drive shaft46rotates as illustrated inFIG.21B, and the pressing portion100approaches the lower surface of the flange portion25of the tip rack7from below as illustrated inFIG.20B.

When the drawer21reaches the fully closed position, the rotation cam108is inserted into the cylindrical cam106, and the cam pin110is slid to the vicinity of the front end of the spiral groove107. The rotation cam108provided with the cam pin110rotates around the rotation cam shaft109by a twist angle of the spiral groove107by ψ2≈60°.

In other words, the cam pin110provided in the rotation cam108slides along the spiral groove107provided in the cylindrical cam106, whereby the rotation cam108and the cam plate85rotate. Accordingly, if the longitudinal lengths of the cylindrical cam106and the rotation cam108are increased, the opening amount of the drawer21at which the rotation cam108starts to rotate can be increased. Alternatively, if the twist angle of the spiral groove107provided in the cylindrical cam106is increased, the rotation angle ϕ2 of the rotation cam108can be increased.

However, if the twist angle of the spiral groove107is excessively large, the rotation cam108is to rotate suddenly, the pressure contact force generated between the spiral groove107and the cam pin110increases, the frictional force increases, and the rotation cam108is hard to rotate smoothly. Therefore, the twist angle is, for example, 45° or less, desirably 35° or less.

Since the positioning drive means45is disposed between the rear surface of the housing33and the rear surface of the drawer21, the user does not accidentally touch the positioning drive means45so as to increase safety.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.23.FIG.23is a rear view of the tip rack loading means22in the second embodiment.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the positioning drive means45is provided with a first toothed pulley111instead of the cam plate85that rotates together with the rotation cam108. A second toothed pulley112is provided in the first positioning drive shaft46a, and a second gear113is provided in the second positioning drive shaft46binstead of the third link arm95and fourth link arm97that rotate the positioning drive shafts46aand46b.

The second embodiment further provides a first gear114that meshes with the second gear113, a third toothed pulley115that rotates integrally with the first gear114, a toothed belt116that is stretched to the first toothed pulley111, the second toothed pulley112, and the third toothed pulley115, and a rotatable idler117that applies an appropriate tension to the toothed belt116. When the rotation cam108rotates, the second toothed pulley112rotates in the same direction to rotate the first positioning drive shaft46a, and the third toothed pulley115also rotates in the same direction as the rotation cam108. Since the second gear113rotates in the direction opposite to the first gear114, the first gear114rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation cam108, and as a result, the second positioning drive shaft46brotates in the direction opposite to the first positioning drive shaft46a.

The rotation angle of the positioning drive shaft46with respect to the rotation angle of the rotation cam108can be obtained by appropriately setting the number of teeth of the toothed pulleys111,112, and115and the number of teeth of the gears113and114.

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS.24,25A, and25B.FIG.24is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B similar toFIG.8of the tip rack loading means22in the third embodiment,FIG.25Ais a top view illustrating the configuration of a tip rack pressing means, andFIG.25Bis a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E.

The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the positioning drive means45, the positioning drive shaft46, and the positioning spring47are not provided, while a tip rack pressing means119(rising means) is provided in the tip rack mounting table24to press the tip rack7from below to above.

The tip rack pressing means119is disposed at a position where the tip rack pressing means119comes into contact with the four corners of the lower surface of the tip rack7from below, and the tip rack mounting table24includes a bottomed frame portion120having an open upper surface. Further, a pressing member121is supported inside the frame portion120so as to be movable in the vertical direction with an appropriate gap. For example, a biasing member122, which is a compression spring, for example, biases the pressing member121from below to above. A pin123penetrates and is fixed to the pressing member121in the front-rear direction. The pin123penetrates a long groove124provided in the frame portion120in the vertical direction with a gap. The pressing member121is configured to move in the vertical direction in a movable range of the pin123along the groove124. Therefore, the pressing member121is positioned in a state in which the pin123is in contact with the upper end of the groove124.

A bottomed outer peripheral hole125is provided on the upper surface of the pressing member121, and a central hole126having a diameter of, for example, about 1 mm is formed concentrically with the outer peripheral hole125on the bottom surface of the outer peripheral hole125. A pressing ball127having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the outer peripheral hole125is loosely inserted into the outer peripheral hole125, and is stably mounted in the edge of the central hole126at a concentric position with an appropriate gap of, for example, about 0.5 mm to 1 mm around the outer peripheral hole125. The pressing ball127can roll within the gap with the outer peripheral hole125if it receives an external force, but moves so as to be mounted on the edge of the central hole126if no external force is applied so as to return to the concentric position with respect to the outer peripheral hole125.

Further, a stopper (not illustrated) for preventing pulling out may be provided on the upper edge of the outer peripheral hole125so that the pressing ball127does not jump out.

The upward biasing force by the biasing member122is set to be larger than the weight of the tip rack7. In other words, even if the tip rack mounting table24is pulled out and the tip rack7is mounted on the upper surface of the pressing ball127along the tip rack guide73, the pin123remains at the highest position while being in contact with the upper end of the groove124.

Next, when the tip rack7is raised by performing a series of the closing operations of the drawer as described inFIGS.10A to10C,FIGS.11A to11C, andFIGS.12A to12C, there is satisfied a positional relationship such that the upper surface of the flange portion25of the tip rack7comes into contact with the reference side44of the positioning member43from the lower side at a position lower by, for example, about 1 mm before reaching the apex position where the tip rack mounting table24illustrated inFIG.12Brises highest.

In other words, in a state where the drawer is closed as illustrated inFIG.12C, the upper surface of the flange portion25of the tip rack7comes into contact with the reference side44of the positioning member43from the lower side and is positioned as illustrated inFIGS.24to25B. Then, the tip rack mounting table24further rises by, for example, about 1 mm so that the biasing member122is compressed and the pin123is separated from the upper end of the groove124. In other words, the flange portion25of the tip rack7maintains the state of being in contact with the positioning member43upward through the pressing member121and the pressing ball127by the biasing force of the biasing member122. Therefore, even if an error occurs in the height of the tip rack mounting table24in a state where the drawer is closed, it can be positioned with high accuracy since the tip rack7is in contact with the positioning member43.

The pressing ball127is located at a position with an appropriate gap of, for example, about 0.5 mm to 1 mm from the outer peripheral hole125, and the tip rack7is configured to be mounted on the pressing ball127at the four corners of the flange portion25. The tip rack7is configured to be freely movable in the horizontal direction by minute rolling friction within a range where the pressing ball127rolls and moves within the range of the gap with the outer peripheral hole125. The amount of movement of the tip rack7is equal to the amount of movement of the upper surface of the pressing ball127and is twice the amount of movement at the center of the pressing ball127, and is twice the outer peripheral gap between the outer peripheral hole125and the pressing ball127. Therefore, the tip rack7is movable to an extent of, for example, 1 mm to 2 mm.

On the other hand, if the tip rack7is removed after the drawer is pulled out, the pressing ball127rolls and is mounted on the edge of the central hole126and returns to the concentric position with the outer peripheral hole125.

In a state where the drawer is closed and the tip rack7is biased to the height reference side44of the positioning member43by the tip rack pressing means119, the tip rack7is positioned by the positioning bearing36. Herein, for example, when vibration is applied to the door34from the outside and the vibration is transmitted to the tip rack mounting table24, there is a gap between the tip rack mounting table24and the frame portion120integrated with the pressing member121. In addition, since the pressing ball127is configured to roll between the bottom surface of the flange portion25of the tip rack7and the bottom surface of the outer peripheral hole125of the pressing member121, the vibration is not transmitted from the tip rack mounting table24to the tip rack7, nor is an external force transmitted to the tip rack7, so that the tip rack7can be positioned stably and with high accuracy.

Further, the difference from the first embodiment is that the rotation axis direction of a positioning facing bearing38′ is provided not in the front-rear direction but substantially in the vertical direction in the same manner as the positioning bearing36. Therefore, the positioning facing bearing38′ is inclined to approach the tip rack7as it goes upward and also the axis of the bearing is extended in the axial direction, so that the positioning facing bearing38′ is disposed to be movable along the axis. Further, the positioning bearing36is also disposed so as to be movable along the axis by extending the axis of the bearing in the axial direction.

Since the positioning bearings36and38′ are disposed so as to be movable along the axis in this way, after the upper side of the tip rack7comes into contact with the positioning bearing36or the positioning facing bearing38′, the positioning bearing36or the positioning facing bearing38′ can rotate freely in the front-rear direction of the tip rack7while rising along the axis until the tip rack7comes into contact with the positioning member43and rises. Therefore, the frictional resistance in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction of the tip rack7is minute. As described above, even if the tip rack7moves in the horizontal direction, the pressing ball127rolls, and thus the frictional resistance received by the tip rack7is minute, and it is possible to make positioning accurately with respect to the positioning bearing36fixed at a predetermined position.

In this embodiment, the pressing member121moves in the vertical direction, and the biasing member122is a compression spring. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the pressing member may be an oscillating arm which includes a rotation spindle at one end. The biasing member may be a torsion spring which is provided around the spindle. Further, the pressing ball125may be formed integrally with the pressing member121, and may be molded from a low friction resin material such as a polyacetal resin or a fluorine resin, or may be a combination thereof.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.26toFIGS.29A to29C.FIG.26is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of a tip rack loading means in an automated analyzing device according to the fourth embodiment,FIG.27is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A,FIG.28Ais a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F illustrating the configuration of a deceleration means,FIG.28Bis a plan view, andFIG.28Cis a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G.FIG.29illustrates a schematic plan view of the tip rack loading means in a fully closed state,FIG.29Billustrates a state in the middle of opening and closing, andFIG.29Cillustrates a fully opened state.

The fourth embodiment is different from the first to third embodiments in that a deceleration means128is provided between the drawer21and the bottom plate31, and a so-called damper129is provided to add the viscous resistance force between the drawer21and the bottom plate31. With the deceleration means128, there is an effect that the speed at the time of opening and closing the drawer21can be suppressed, and the impact when fully opened and fully closed can be reduced.

Hereinafter, an example of the configuration of the deceleration means will be described. InFIG.26toFIGS.28Ato28C, the drawer base55that forms part of the drawer21is provided with a first rack131that extends in the front-rear direction in a direction close to the bottom plate31. The bottom plate31is provided with a second rack132and a guide rail133extending in the front-rear direction close to the drawer base55.

The damper129includes a rotatable damper shaft130, and a viscous fluid is enclosed in the damper129for example. When the damper shaft130rotates, a rotor (not illustrated) provided in the damper129rotates together with the damper shaft130, causing shear deformation of the viscous fluid between the damper129and viscous resistance torque is generated in the damper shaft130by a shear force generated during the shear deformation. Since the viscous resistance tends to increase with an increase in speed, the viscous resistance torque is increased as the rotational speed of the damper shaft130increases.

A slider134is provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction along the guide rail133, and a first gear spindle135and a second gear spindle136are provided in the slider134to extend in a direction close to the drawer base55. Further, the damper129is rotationally fixed, and the damper shaft130is provided in a direction close to the drawer base55.

A first gear137is rotatably provided on the first gear spindle135, and the first gear137is configured to mesh with the first rack131at a first meshing portion140. A second gear138(hereinafter, sometimes referred to as an idler) is rotatably provided on the second gear spindle136and is configured to mesh with the first gear137.

The damper shaft130is provided with a third gear139(hereinafter sometimes referred to as a damper gear), and the damper gear139is configured to rotate together with the damper shaft130. In other words, when the damper gear139rotates, the viscous resistance torque is generated. The damper gear139is configured to mesh with the idler138, and the damper gear139is configured to mesh with the second rack132at a second meshing portion141.

The first meshing portion140and the second meshing portion141are configured to be separated in the front-rear direction by a distance S that is equal to the distance in the front-rear direction of the center of each of the first gear137and the damper gear139.

When the drawer21is moved forward and opened, the first rack131provided on the drawer base55moves forward, and the first gear137rotates clockwise in the plan view ofFIG.28Bthrough the first meshing portion140.

Since the idler138meshes with the first gear137, it rotates counterclockwise, the damper gear139meshed with the idler138rotates clockwise, and the damper gear139meshes with the second rack132. Since the first gear137, the idler138, and the damper gear139are mounted on the slider134, the slider134moves forward as the damper gear139rotates. Herein, as an example, if the number of teeth of the first gear137is equal to the number of teeth of the damper gear139, the slider134moves forward by a half of the amount of forward movement of the first rack131. As described above, when the damper gear139rotates, the damper shaft130rotates together to generate the viscous resistance torque. If the drawer21is moved forward, the damper shaft rotates to generate the viscous resistance force. The resistance force can be applied when the drawer21is opened.

When the drawer21is closed, the first rack131moves backward. Therefore, the rotation direction of each gear illustrated inFIG.28Bis reversed, but the damper shaft130rotates, so that viscous resistance is generated. Even when the drawer21is closed, resistance can also be applied.

The operation of the deceleration means128during the opening operation of the drawer21will be described with reference toFIGS.29A to29C. In the fully closed state illustrated inFIG.29A, the rear end of the first rack131is positioned near the rear end of the drawer base55. The first meshing portion140between the first gear137and the first rack131is near the front end of the first rack131. The first meshing portion140is also located slightly forward from the center in the front-rear direction of the housing33or the drawer base55. The front end of the second rack132is located in the vicinity of the front-face opening20of the housing33or slightly behind the front-face opening20, and the second meshing portion141between the damper gear139and the second rack132is near the rear end of the second rack132. The second meshing portion141is behind the distance S of the first meshing portion140and near the rear end of the second rack132. The second meshing portion141is also located slightly backward from the center in the front-rear direction of the housing33or the drawer base55.

When the drawer21is moved forward, the state in the middle of opening and closing illustrated inFIG.29Bis obtained. Since the first rack131moves forward together with the drawer21, the first gear137, the idler138, and the damper gear139rotate, and the slider134moves forward by a half of the amount of movement of the drawer21.

Further, when the drawer21is further moved forward to reach the fully opened state illustrated inFIG.29C, the rear end of the drawer base55is moved further forward with respect to the front-face opening20of the housing33, and the tip rack7mounted on the drawer21moves forward from the front-face opening20. Therefore, it is easy to take out an empty tip rack7and load the tip rack7on which expendables are mounted. Herein, since the first meshing portion140and the second meshing portion141are separated by the distance S in the front-rear direction, the meshing between the first gear137and the first rack131and the meshing between the second gear138and the second rack132can both be maintained even in a state where the rear end of the drawer base55is moved in a range smaller than the distance S forward from the front-face opening20of the housing33when fully opened. In other words, when the drawer21is moved in the front-rear direction from the fully closed state to the fully opened state of the drawer21, the damper gear139rotates to generate the viscous resistance torque, and resistance can be added to the opening/closing operation of the drawer21. Therefore, it is preferable that the opening and closing speed of the drawer21can be suppressed and the impact when fully opened or fully closed can be reduced.

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS.30A to30CandFIGS.31A to31C.FIG.30Ais a schematic plan view for describing the opening operation of the tip rack loading means, in a fully closed state,FIG.30Billustrates a state in the middle of opening,FIG.30Cillustrates a state in a fully opened state,FIG.31Ais a schematic plan view for describing the closing operation, in a fully opened state,FIG.31Billustrates a state in the middle of closing, andFIG.31Cillustrates a fully closed state.

The fifth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that a second deceleration means142is provided between the drawer21and the bottom plate31, and the so-called damper129to add the viscous resistance force between the drawer21and the bottom plate31and a third rack143that moves back and forth are provided. With the second deceleration means142, there is an effect that the speed at the time of opening and closing the drawer21can be suppressed, and the impact when fully opened and fully closed can be reduced.

Hereinafter, an example of the configuration of the second deceleration means142will be described. InFIGS.30A to30CandFIG.31AtoFIG.31C, the drawer base55forming a part of the drawer21has the damper129fixed in a direction close to the bottom plate31, and a rotatable damper shaft130provided on the damper129is provided with a fourth gear144(hereinafter, also referred to as a damper gear) that is rotatable together with the damper shaft130. The third rack143is supported so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction with respect to the housing33and the drawer base55. The rear end of the third rack143is widened in the left-right direction to form a rack rear end stopper145. The housing33is provided with a stopper portion146that is adjacent to the third rack143and comes into contact with the rack rear end stopper145at the position where the third rack143has moved most forward.

The rack rear end stopper145of the third rack143can be moved in the front-rear direction through a void147provided at the rear end of the drawer base55. When the third rack143moves most backward, the rear end of the rack rear end stopper145comes into contact with the rear plate32of the housing33. When the third rack143moves most forward, the front end of the rack rear end stopper145comes into contact with the stopper portion146, and the third rack143is slidably supported in the front-rear direction within the range.

When the third rack143moves in the front-rear direction, the fourth gear144meshed with the third rack143rotates, whereby the damper129acts to generate the viscous resistance force.

Next, the opening operation of the drawer21provided with the second deceleration means142will be described with reference toFIGS.30A to30C. In the fully closed position illustrated inFIG.30A, the third rack143is located at the rearmost position, and the rack rear end stopper145is in contact with the rear plate32of the housing33. When the drawer21is moved forward from the fully closed position, the damper129moves forward together with the drawer base55, and the third rack143receives the viscous resistance force by the damper129, and thus moves forward together with the drawer21. In other words, the fourth gear144does not rotate, and no viscous resistance force acts when the drawer21is moved forward.

Further, when the drawer21is further moved forward, as illustrated inFIG.30B, for example, the rack rear end stopper145comes into contact with the stopper portion146of the housing33in the vicinity of the middle between the fully closed position and the fully open position. When the drawer21is further moved forward from the state ofFIG.30B, the third rack143cannot move forward because the rack rear end stopper145is in contact with the stopper portion146. On the other hand, since the damper129and the fourth gear144move forward together with the drawer base55, the fourth gear144rotates along the third rack143until reaching the fully open position illustrated inFIG.30C. The damper129generates the viscous resistance force to generate the resistance force against the opening force of the drawer21.

In other words, when the drawer21is opened from the fully closed position to the fully open position, the damper129does not act until the rack rear end stopper145comes into contact with the stopper portion146from the fully closed position. However, the viscous damping force by the damper129acts from the contact of the rack rear end stopper145to the stopper portion146to the fully open position, which has an effect of reducing the opening speed and reducing the impact when fully opened.

Next, the closing operation of the drawer21provided with the second deceleration means142will be described with reference toFIGS.31A to31C. The fully open position illustrated inFIG.31Ais the same asFIG.30C, the drawer21is at the fully open position, the third rack143is located at the foremost position, and the rack rear end stopper145comes into contact with the stopper portion146provided on the housing33. When the drawer21is moved backward from the fully open position, the third rack143receives the viscous resistance force by the damper129and therefore moves backward together with the drawer21. In other words, the fourth gear144does not rotate, and no viscous resistance force acts when the drawer21is moved backward.

When the drawer21is further moved backward, as illustrated inFIG.31B, for example, the rear end of the rack rear end stopper145comes into contact with the rear plate32of the housing33in the vicinity of the middle between the fully open position and the fully closed position. When the drawer21is further moved backward from the state ofFIG.31B, the third rack143cannot move backward because the rack rear end stopper145is in contact with the rear plate32. On the other hand, since the damper129and the fourth gear144move backward together with the drawer base55, the fourth gear144rotates along the third rack143until reaching the fully closed position illustrated inFIG.31C. The damper129generates the viscous resistance force to generate the resistance force against the closing force of the drawer21.

In other words, when the drawer21is closed from the fully open position to the fully closed position, the damper129does not act until the rack rear end stopper145comes into contact with the rear plate32from the fully open position. However, the viscous damping force by the damper129acts from the contact of the rack rear end stopper145to the rear plate32to the fully closed position, which has an effect of reducing the closing speed and reducing the impact when fully closed.

In other words, in the drawer21provided with the second deceleration means142, the viscous damping force by the damper129acts when fully opened and when fully closed, which has an effect of reducing the impact when fully opened and fully closed.

As described above, the viscous resistance tends to increase with an increase in speed, so that the resistance is increased as the drawer is pulled out at a high speed, and the deceleration effect of the drawer21is increased and the impact reduction effect is increased, which is preferable.

Further, herein, the damper129has been described with respect to the form in which the viscous resistance torque is applied. However, the damper129is not limited to the viscous resistance torque, and may be configured to generate frictional resistance torque.

Effects

By simply pulling the handle50provided on the door34forward, the drawer21is opened from the front-face opening20provided on the front surface of the automated analyzing device1, and the tip rack mounting table24on which the tip rack7can be mounted can be pulled out from the automated analyzing device1. After mounting the tip rack7on which the expendables are mounted on the tip rack mounting table24, the expendables can be easily supplied into the automated analyzing device1by closing the drawer21. Alternatively, since it is possible to easily take out the tip rack7in which the expendables are empty, there is an effect that it is possible to provide the automated analyzing device1in which the tip rack7can be easily replaced.

Further, since the lock claw52and the claw receiving portion53are engaged when the drawer21is closed, there is an effect that the drawer21can be reliably closed at a predetermined position.

Further, since the door34or the drawer21can be interlocked, there is an effect that the drawer21is prohibited from being opened during the period when the sample dispensing tip/reaction container conveyance means8is operating and the tip rack7cannot be removed.

In conjunction with the opening/closing operation of moving the drawer21in the front-rear direction, the tip rack7also moves in the vertical direction, and thus the operator only needs to move the drawer21in the front-rear direction. No special operation is required to move the tip rack7up and down, and no special moving mechanism is required to move the tip rack7in the vertical direction. Therefore, it is possible to provide the automated analyzing device of which the structure is simple and operability is good.

Since the tip rack mounting table24is configured to move in parallel with the upper surface being horizontal, it is possible to provide an automated analyzing device with high reliability in which the orientation of the tip rack7is stable during the opening/closing operation and positioning of the drawer21.

In the tip rack mounting table24, when the drawer21is at the closed position, the tip rack7rises in conjunction with the backward closing operation of the drawer21, and the plurality of sample dispensing tips mounted on the upper surface of the tip rack7and the upper ends of the reaction containers are exposed from the top-face opening26, or raised and positioned to a position higher than the top-face opening26and set. Therefore, the sample dispensing tip or the reaction container can be reliably gripped by the sample dispensing tip/reaction container conveyance means8and easily conveyed upward, thereby providing the automated analyzing device with high reliability.

Since the drawer21is configured to enter and exit from the front-face opening20, the safety cover4may be kept closed by operating the drawer21to replace the tip rack7, and the automated analyzing device1may be in operation if the sample dispensing tip/reaction container conveyance means8is not in operation. Therefore, the analysis throughput of the automated analyzing device1can be increased.

When the drawer21is closed, the tip rack mounting table24does not operate and close integrally with the drawer21, but has a characteristic of smoothly stopping while slowly decelerating both in the front-rear direction and in the vertical direction. When the drawer21is closed, the plurality of sample dispensing tips mounted on the tip rack7and the reaction container do not vibrate or jump out due to impact, so that it is possible to provide an automated analyzing device with high reliability and good operability.

When the tip rack7is positioned by closing the drawer21, the tip rack7is separated from the tip rack mounting table24, and interposed by a spring force between the pressing portion100of the positioning spring47driven by the positioning drive means45and the positioning member43fixed to the housing33so as to be positioned in the height direction. Therefore, the tip rack7is positioned with high accuracy and is not affected by vibrations from the drawer21. Therefore, it is possible to provide an automated analyzing device with high reliability.

By positioning the tip rack7at a predetermined height, the tip rack7is configured to be accurately positioned at a predetermined position in the front-rear and left-right directions through the positioning bearing36. Therefore, if the drawer21is closed, the tip rack7is configured to be accurately positioned in the vertical, front-rear, and left-right directions. The sample dispensing tip/reaction container conveyance means8securely grips the plurality of sample dispensing tips mounted on the upper surface of the tip rack7and the reaction container and conveys upward easily. Therefore, it is possible to provide an automated analyzing device with high reliability.

The tip rack positioning means118is driven in conjunction with the positioning drive shaft46extending in the front-rear direction even when two sets of tip racks7are disposed in the front-rear direction on the tip rack mounting table24. Therefore, the positioning drive means45having a cam and a link may be a set, and an automated analyzing device with high reliability can be provided with a simple configuration.

In addition, since the positioning drive means45is provided in the vicinity of the rear surface of the housing33, the user does not touch by mistake, and safety is high.

In the tip rack positioning means118, the cam pin110provided in the rotation cam108is fitted to the spiral groove107of the cylindrical cam106after the tip rack7is lifted to approach the positioning member43and until the drawer21is closed. Thereafter, the rotation cam108rotates, and the positioning drive shaft46rotates such that the pressing portion100of the positioning spring47comes into contact with the lower surface of the flange portion25of the tip rack7. Therefore, the tip rack positioning means118is driven in synchronization with the rising operation of the tip rack7, so that the operation is reliable and an automated analyzing device with high reliability can be provided.

Since the tip rack pressing means119is provided to position the tip rack7by bringing the tip rack7into contact with the positioning member43from below, it is possible to perform positioning with accuracy with respect to the positioning bearing36which is fixed at a predetermined position. Further, since vibration is not transmitted from the tip rack mounting table24to the tip rack7or an external force is not transmitted to the tip rack7, it is possible to provide an automated analyzing device with high reliability which can stably position the tip rack7with high accuracy.

In the drawer21provided with the deceleration means128or the second deceleration means142, the viscous damping force by the damper129acts when fully opened and fully closed, and the opening and closing speed of the drawer21is suppressed, so that the impact at the time of fully opened or fully closed can be reduced.

Modifications

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications may be contained. For example, the above-described embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in a clearly understandable way, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the described configurations. In addition, some of the configurations of a certain embodiment may be replaced with the configurations of the other embodiments, and the configurations of the other embodiments may be added to the configurations of a certain embodiment. In addition, some of the configurations of each embodiment may be added, omitted, replaced with other configurations.

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