Patent Publication Number: US-2023160917-A1

Title: Automatic analyzer and assembly support system thereof

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that performs at least one of quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis of a biological sample, and more particularly, to an automatic analyzer including a syringe pump and an assembly support system thereof. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     An automatic analyzer optically measures, by a photometric unit (for example, a spectrophotometer), a change in color tone and turbidity, light emission amount, and the like of a biological sample (hereinafter, abbreviated as a sample) such as serum or urine generated by a reaction with a reagent, and performs component analysis of the sample. 
     In order to cause the sample and the reagent to react with each other, it is necessary to dispense appropriate amounts of the sample and the reagent from containers, in which the sample and the reagent are respectively accommodated, into a reaction container. Therefore, the automatic analyzer is provided with a dispensing device for automatically aspirating the sample or the reagent (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a liquid) from the container, in which the sample or the reagent is accommodated, and discharging the sample or the reagent into the reaction container. In order to accurately dispense a variety of liquids having various properties, the dispensing device needs to use a component suitable for the corresponding liquid. Components constituting the dispensing device include a plunger, a syringe tube, an actuator, and the like (see PTL 1). 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     PTL 1: JP-A-2004-61397 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     In recent years, specifications, such as analysis accuracy, a dispensing amount, an analysis speed, and an installation space, required for a user have been diversified in the automatic analyzers. For example, a performance of a syringe pump is greatly related to the analysis accuracy. The automatic analyzer generally includes a plurality of syringe pumps, and these syringe pumps are appropriately connected to various dispensing units such as a sample dispensing unit, a reagent dispensing unit, and a cleaning liquid dispensing unit. Each syringe pump has a different plunger diameter depending on the application thereof. 
     The syringe pump described in PTL 1 is configured such that a plurality of sets of syringe pumps share one actuator, and when the actuator is driven, a plurality of plungers integrally operate. In the case of this configuration, since the plungers cannot be individually driven, the degree of freedom of an operation sequence for the liquid dispensing is low, which is disadvantageous from the viewpoint of improving the analysis speed and reducing the dispensing amount. On the other hand, when each syringe pump is configured to be driven by a dedicated actuator, the degree of freedom of the operation sequence is increased, which is advantageous in terms of the analysis speed and the dispensing amount. 
     However, since the syringe pump is attached to and detached from the automatic analyzer in association with maintenance, when the syringe pump and the actuator are in a one-to-one relationship, the similar syringe pump must be correctly combined with the corresponding actuator. Therefore, when the syringe pump is returned to the automatic analyzer after maintenance, if the syringe pump is mistakenly connected to a dispensing unit having a different combination, it is not possible to obtain an advantage that the syringe pump can be individually driven. 
     An object of the invention is to provide an automatic analyzer and an assembly support system capable of suppressing mistaking when syringe pumps having different combinations are connected to dispensing units. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to achieve the above object, the invention provides an automatic analyzer which includes: a plurality of dispensing units; and a plurality of pump units connected to the respective dispensing units. Each of the plurality of pump units includes: a syringe tube that has a liquid port at one end and an opening at another end; a syringe base that is attached to the opening at the other end of the syringe tube; a plunger that penetrates the syringe base and whose tip end is inserted inside the syringe tube; a seal piece that is configured to seal a gap between the plunger and the syringe base; an actuator; and a power transmission mechanism that connects the actuator and the plunger. Each plunger of the plurality of pump units has an individually set diameter and a different thickness. At least one of the syringe base and the syringe tube represents the diameter of the corresponding plunger in appearance. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the invention, it is possible to suppress mistaking when syringe pumps having different combinations are connected to dispensing units. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic view of an example of an automatic analyzer according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  2    is an external view of a pump unit provided in the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of a syringe pump of the pump unit provided in the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment of the invention, cut along a plane including a center line of a plunger. 
         FIG.  4    is a diagram showing an example of a color-coded table according to plunger diameters of a syringe tube and a syringe base in the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  5    is a diagram showing a mounting example of the pump units provided in the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  6    is an external view of a plurality of pump units provided in an automatic analyzer according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic view of an assembly support system according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  8    is a diagram showing a state in which an image of the pump units shown in  FIG.  6    is captured with a terminal. 
         FIG.  9    is a functional block diagram of the assembly support system shown in  FIG.  7   . 
         FIG.  10    is a flowchart showing an example of a series of processing procedures in the assembly support system according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings for illustrating the present embodiment, components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals in principle. 
     First Embodiment 
     
         
         
           
             Automatic Analyzer 
           
         
       
    
       FIG.  1    is a schematic view of an example of an automatic analyzer according to a first embodiment of the invention. An automatic analyzer  1  shown in  FIG.  1    includes components such as a plurality of disks  11  to  14 , a plurality of dispensing units  21  to  24 , a plurality of pump units  31  to  34 , a stirring device  41 , a container cleaning mechanism  42 , a light source  43 , a spectroscopic detector  44 , and a computer  50 . Each component is accommodated in or attached to a body of the automatic analyzer  1 , and the body is not shown. 
     The stirring device  41  is a device that stirs a liquid inside each reaction container  17  (described later). The container cleaning mechanism  42  is a mechanism that cleans the reaction container  17 . The light source  43  is a device that irradiates the stirred liquid inside the reaction container  17  with inspection light, and is disposed on an inner peripheral side of the ring-shaped reaction disk  14  in the present embodiment. The spectroscopic detector  44  is a device including a sensor that receives the inspection light transmitted through the reaction container  17 , is disposed on an outer peripheral side of the ring-shaped reaction disk  14 , and faces the light source  43  across the reaction disk  14 . The computer  50  is a control device that controls an operation of each device of the automatic analyzer  1 , and also has a function of detecting a specific biological component, a chemical substance, and the like contained in a sample based on a signal from the spectroscopic detector  44 . The computer  50  can display and output an analysis result on a display  51  or print out the analysis result on a printer (not shown) according to an operation of a user. 
     Next, the disks  11  to  14 , the dispensing units  21  to  24 , and the pump units  31  to  34  will be sequentially described.
         Disk       

     The disk  11  is a type of transfer device that transfers a sample container  15  (for example, a blood collection tube) containing a sample. A plurality of the sample containers  15  can be annularly disposed on the disk  11  for the sample. The disk  11  is driven by an actuator (not shown) to rotate about a vertical axis. The operation of the actuator is controlled by a command from the computer  50 , and for example, the target sample container  15  can be moved to an aspiration position of the dispensing unit  21 . 
     The disks  12  and  13  are each a type of transfer device that transfers a reagent container  16  containing a reagent. Similarly to the disk  11  for the sample, each of the disks  12  and  13  for reagent can have a plurality of the reagent containers  16  annularly disposed therein, and is driven by an actuator (not shown) in response to a command from the computer  50  to rotate about a vertical axis. Accordingly, for example, the target reagent container  16  can be moved to the aspiration positions of the dispensing units  22  and  23 . 
     Similarly to the disks  11  to  13 , the disk  14  includes a plurality of the reaction containers  17  disposed in an annular shape, and is driven by an actuator (not shown) in response to a command from the computer  50  to rotate about a vertical axis. Accordingly, for example, the target reaction container  17  can be moved to a discharge position of the dispensing units  21  to  24 , a stirring position of the stirring device  41 , a cleaning position of the container cleaning mechanism  42 , and an irradiation position of the light source  43  with the inspection light.
         Dispensing Unit       

     The dispensing unit  21  is a device that discharges and dispenses the sample aspirated from the sample container  15  into the reaction container  17 . The dispensing unit  21  for the sample includes a probe (dispensing nozzle) extending downward from a tip end of an arm pivotable about a vertical axis. The arm is configured to pivot by one actuator (not shown) and move up and down by another actuator (not shown). The arm is pivoted to move the probe to the aspiration position, and the arm is lowered to insert the probe into the sample container  15 , such that the sample can be aspirated by the probe. Thereafter, the arm is raised and pivoted to move the probe to the discharge position, and the arm is lowered to insert the probe into the reaction container  17 , such that the sample can be dispensed. 
     The other dispensing units  22  to  24  have the same configuration as the dispensing unit  21 . The dispensing units  22  and  23  are for a reagent, and the dispensing unit  24  is for a cleaning liquid. The dispensing unit  22  is configured to aspirate the reagent from the reagent container  16  of the disk  12  and dispense the reagent into the reaction container  17 . The dispensing unit  23  is configured to aspirate the reagent from the reagent container  16  of the disk  13  and dispense the reagent into the reaction container  17 . The dispensing unit  24  is configured to aspirate the cleaning liquid from a cleaning liquid container  18  and discharge the cleaning liquid to the reaction container  17 . 
     In the following description, the sample, the reagent, and the cleaning liquid aspirated and discharged by the dispensing units  21  to  24  are collectively referred to as a “liquid”.
         Pump Unit       

     The pump units  31  to  34  are devices that cause the probes of the respective dispensing units to aspirate the liquid and discharge the liquid from the probes, and are connected to the respective dispensing units. The pump unit  31  is for a sample, and is connected to the dispensing unit  21  for the sample to aspirate and discharge the sample via the probe. The pump units  32  and  33  are for a reagent. The pump unit  32  is connected to the dispensing unit  22  for the reagent, and the pump unit  33  is connected to the dispensing unit  23  for the reagent. The reagents are aspirated and discharged through probes, respectively. The pump unit  34  is for the cleaning liquid, and is connected to the dispensing unit  24  for the cleaning liquid to aspirate and discharge the cleaning liquid. 
     In the present embodiment, the pump units  31  to  34  are disposed side by side so as not to overlap each other when the automatic analyzer  1  is viewed from a specified position (for example, a viewpoint P in  FIG.  5   ). For example, in a case where the pump units  31  to  34  are disposed in a front portion of the automatic analyzer  1 , when a front cover of the automatic analyzer  1  is opened and the automatic analyzer  1  is viewed from the front, a layout is such that a syringe tube A 1  and a syringe base A 2  of each of the pump units  31  to  34  are viewed at the same time. As a specific example, in the present embodiment, a syringe pump A of each of the pump units  31  to  34  is attached to the automatic analyzer in a vertically extending posture, and the syringe pumps A are horizontally disposed in one row along the same plane (for example, a virtual plane parallel to the front cover) ( FIG.  1   ). However, an arrangement example of the pump units is not limited thereto, and for example, the syringe pumps A of the respective pump units may be attached horizontally or disposed in a plurality of rows, and may be appropriately changed as long as all the pump units can be visually recognized at the same time from one viewpoint P. 
     In addition, the pump units  31  to  34  are collectively disposed for each application (a sample dispensing application, a reagent dispensing application, and a cleaning liquid dispensing application). In the present embodiment, a case where two pump units  34  for dispensing the cleaning liquid are disposed in a left side area, the pump units  32  and  33  for dispensing the reagent are disposed in a right side area, and the pump unit  31  for dispensing the sample is disposed in a center area is illustrated. 
       FIG.  2    is an external view of the pump units  31  to  34 , and  FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of the syringe pump cut along a plane including a center line of a plunger. Each of the pump units  31  to  34  includes the syringe pump A, an actuator B, and a power transmission mechanism C. 
     The syringe pump A includes the syringe tube A 1 , the syringe base A 2 , a plunger A 3 , and a seal piece A 4  ( FIG.  3   ). 
     The syringe tube A 1  is a cylindrical component, is assembled to the automatic analyzer  1  in a vertically extending posture, has a liquid port A 9  at one end (upper end in the present example), and has an opening on the other end (lower end in the present example). A cleaning liquid port A 8  is provided at one position in a peripheral body portion of the syringe tube A 1 . The liquid port A 9  is connected to the probe of the corresponding dispensing unit via a hose A 7  ( FIG.  1   ). The cleaning liquid port A 8  is connected to the cleaning liquid container  18  ( FIG.  1   ) via a hose A 6  ( FIG.  1   ). Although  FIG.  1    shows a state in which only the pump unit  34  for the cleaning liquid is connected to the cleaning liquid container  18 , the cleaning liquid ports of the pump units  31  to  33  are also connected to the cleaning liquid containers  18  (or other cleaning liquid containers). Electromagnetic valves (not shown) are provided in the middle of the hoses A 6  and A 7 . 
     The syringe base A 2  is a plug-shaped component, and is attached to the opening on the other end (lower end) of the syringe tube A 1 . A through hole through which the plunger A 3  is inserted and to which the seal piece A 4  is attached is formed in the center of the syringe base A 2 . 
     The plunger A 3  is a cylindrical component, extends coaxially with the syringe tube A 1 , and passes through the seal piece A 4  and the syringe base A 2 . A tip end side (upper side in the present example) of the plunger A 3  is inserted into the syringe tube A 1 , and a base end side (lower side in the present example) of the plunger A 3  protrudes to the outside of the syringe tube A 1 . A gap between the plunger A 3  and the syringe base A 2  is sealed by the seal piece A 4 . In addition, an outer diameter of the plunger A 3  is smaller than an inner diameter of the syringe tube A 1 , and a gap is formed between an outer peripheral surface of the plunger A 3  and an inner peripheral surface of the syringe tube A 1 . 
     The actuator B is a drive device that drives the syringe pump A, and is implemented by an electric motor or an assembly in which a speed reducer is combined with the electric motor. An operation of the actuator B is controlled by the computer  50 . 
     The power transmission mechanism C connects the actuator B and the plunger A 3 , and transmits a power of the actuator B to the syringe pump A (plunger A 3 ). The power transmission mechanism C includes a support C 1 , a screw shaft C 2 , and a bracket C 3 . 
     The support C 1  is a component for fixing a pump unit to the automatic analyzer  1 . In the present embodiment, the support C 1  is formed of a plate bent in an L-shape. A slit C 9  extending vertically is provided in a lower portion of the support C 1 . The syringe pump A and the actuator B are fixed to and supported by the support C 1 . In the present embodiment, a component of the syringe pump A fixed to the support C 1  is the syringe tube A 1 , and the syringe base A 2  may be fixed to the support C 1 . 
     The screw shaft C 2  is connected to an output shaft (not shown) of the actuator B via a coupling (not shown), and extends downward from the actuator B in parallel with the plunger A 3 . The support C 1  is interposed between the screw shaft C 2  and the syringe pump A. 
     The bracket C 3  is a component that connects the plunger A 3  and the screw shaft C 2 , and passes through the slit C 9  provided in the support C 1 . One end of the bracket C 3  is fixed to a base end (a lower end in the present example) of the plunger A 3 . A screw hole is formed in the other end of the bracket C 3 , and the screw shaft C 2  is screwed into the screw hole. 
     When the actuator B is driven, the screw shaft C 2  is rotated, the bracket C 3  is guided by the slit C 9  by a thrust applied from the screw shaft C 2  and is translated up and down, the plunger A 3  enters and exits the syringe tube A 1 , and an inner volume of the syringe tube A 1  is changed. By performing such an operation of the pump unit by closing the electromagnetic valve of the hose A 6 , the liquid is aspirated and discharged to the probe. By closing the electromagnetic valve of the hose A 7  and driving the pump unit (pulling the plunger A 3 ), a washing water is introduced into the syringe tube A 1 . An arrow in  FIG.  2    indicate a flow direction of a liquid with respect to the syringe tube A 1 .
         Identification Display of Plunger Diameter       

     Among the components of the pump unit, the syringe tube A 1 , the syringe base A 2 , the actuator B, and the power transmission mechanism C respectively have the same outer shapes among those used in the pump units  31  to  34 . That is, the outer shape of the syringe tube A 1  is common in the pump units  31  to  34 , and the outer shape (excluding the inner diameter) of the syringe base A 2  is also common in the pump units  31  to  34 . In particular, the syringe tube A 1 , the actuator B, and the power transmission mechanism C (the support C 1 , the screw shaft C 2 , and the bracket C 3 ) can respectively have the same shapes among those used in the pump units  31  to  34 . Further, the actuator B and the power transmission mechanism C (the support C 1 , the screw shaft C 2 , and the bracket C 3 ) can respectively have the same colors among those used in the pump units  31  to  34 . 
     Meanwhile, diameters of the plungers A 3  of the pump units  31  to  34  are individually set to have different thicknesses. The diameter of the plunger A 3  is set according to the type of liquid to be aspirated by the syringe pump A formed of the plunger A 3 , and a diameter of one plunger is different from that of at least one of the other plungers. 
     An outer shape (outer diameter) of the syringe base A 2  is common among the pump units  31  to  34 , but a hole diameter (inner diameter) at a center where the seal piece A 4  and the plunger A 3  are fitted is different according to the diameter of the plunger A 3 . An inner diameter of the seal piece A 4  naturally varies according to the diameter of the plunger A 3 . 
     In relation to this point, the syringe base A 2  and the syringe tube A 1  of the present embodiment represent the diameter of the corresponding plunger A 3  (that is, the plungers A 3  constituting the same syringe pump A) in appearance. Specifically, molding colors of the syringe base A 2  and the syringe tube A 1  are color-coded according to the diameter of the corresponding plunger. In particular, in the case of the present embodiment, the molding color of the syringe base A 2  individually indicates the diameter of the corresponding plunger A 3 , and the molding color of the syringe tube A 1  indicates the classification of the diameter of the corresponding plunger A 3 . That is, for the syringe base A 2 , the molding color and the plunger diameter correspond to each other in a one-to-one relationship, and the molding color is distinguished as long as the plunger diameter is different even if the plunger diameter is slightly different. On the other hand, for the syringe tube A 1 , under the classification defined in advance for a range of the plunger diameter, the molding colors of the syringe tubes A 1  having different plunger diameters across the classification are different from each other, but the molding colors of the syringe tubes A 1  belonging to the same classification are the same even when the plunger diameters are different from each other. 
       FIG.  4    is an example of a color-coded table according to plunger diameters of a syringe tube and a syringe base. In the example of  FIG.  4   , it is assumed that a plurality of types of reagents α and β are used in an automatic analyzer X, and it is assumed that one type of reagent is used in an automatic analyzer Y. According to the table, the range of the plunger diameter is classified such that the plunger for dispensing a sample has a diameter of 1.0 mm to 3.9 mm, the plunger for dispensing a reagent has a diameter of 4.0 mm to 7.9 mm, and the plunger for dispensing a cleaning liquid has a diameter of 8.0 mm or more. The automatic analyzer X uses a plunger having a diameter of 1.0 mm for dispensing a sample, a plunger having a diameter of 5.0 mm for dispensing a reagent α, a plunger having a diameter of 6.0 mm for dispensing a reagent β, and a plunger having a diameter of 10.0 mm for dispensing a cleaning liquid. The automatic analyzer Y uses a plunger having a diameter of 1.5 mm for dispensing a sample, a plunger having a diameter of 5.0 mm for dispensing a reagent, and a plunger having a diameter of 10.0 mm for dispensing a cleaning liquid. 
     In the automatic analyzers X and Y, all of the plungers used for dispensing the sample belong to a classification of 1.0 mm to 3.9 mm, and in both of the automatic analyzers X and Y, a red molding color indicating the appearance of the sample dispensing application is assigned to the syringe tubes. Meanwhile, since the diameters of the plungers used in the automatic analyzers X and Y are different, the molding colors of the syringe bases are different even in the same sample dispensing application, and red is assigned to the syringe base in the automatic analyzer X and yellow is assigned to the syringe base in the automatic analyzer Y. 
     Next, in the automatic analyzers X and Y, all of the plungers used for dispensing the reagent belong to a classification of 4.0 mm to 7.9 mm, and in both of the automatic analyzers X and Y, a blue molding color indicating the appearance of the reagent dispensing application is assigned to the syringe tubes. Meanwhile, the same blue color as that of the syringe tube is assigned to the syringe base as a display color of a plunger having a diameter of 5.0 mm used in both the automatic analyzers X and Y. However, since a plunger having a diameter of 6.0 mm is also used in the automatic analyzer X, gray is used as the molding color of the syringe base corresponding to the plunger having a diameter of 6.0 mm in order to distinguish the plunger having a diameter of 6.0 mm from the plunger having a diameter of 5.0 mm. 
     In addition, in the automatic analyzers X and Y, all of the plungers used for dispensing the cleaning liquid belong to a classification of 8.0 mm or more, and in both of the automatic analyzers X and Y, a green molding color indicating the appearance of the cleaning liquid dispensing application is assigned to the syringe tubes. For the cleaning liquid dispensing application, the diameters of the plungers used in the automatic analyzers X and Y are unified to 10.0 mm, and the green molding color, which is the same as that of the syringe tubes, is also assigned to the syringe bases. 
     The molding colors of the syringe tube and the syringe base are preferably the same color as long as the syringe tube and the syringe base are used in common. From this viewpoint, regarding the sample dispensing application, in the example of  FIG.  4   , a warm color (red, yellow) is assigned to the molding color of the syringe base, and red representing the warm color is assigned to the molding color of the syringe tube. The assignment of the warm color is considered to be a rational example because the warm color has a strong impressive relationship with blood, which is a representative example of a biological sample. In addition, regarding the reagent dispensing application, in the same example, a cold color (blue, gray) which is opposite to the warm color is assigned to the molding color of the syringe base, and blue which represents the cold color is assigned to the molding color of the syringe tube. Then, regarding the cleaning liquid dispensing application, in the same example, a neutral color (green) is assigned to the molding color of the syringe base, and green representing the neutral color is assigned to the molding color of the syringe tube. 
       FIG.  5    is a diagram showing a mounting example of the pump units according to the present embodiment. The molding colors of the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2  are color-coded for the automatic analyzer X in the table of  FIG.  4   . In each of the pump units  31  to  34 , an identification band D 1  is attached to a connection end portion of the hose A 7  with the syringe pump, and an identification band D 2  is attached to a connection end portion of the hose A 6  with the syringe pump. Colors of the identification bands D 1  and D 2  correspond to the molding color of the syringe tube A 1  or the syringe base A 2  of the attached pump unit. In the same pump unit, the colors of the identification bands D 1  and D 2  may be unified, and in the present example, the color of the identification band D 1  corresponds to the molding color of the syringe tube A 1 , and the color of the identification band D 2  corresponds to the molding color of the syringe base A 2 . Therefore, regarding the pump unit  31  for the sample, the pump unit  32  for the reagent a, and the pump unit  34  for the cleaning liquid, the identification bands D 1  and D 2  have the same color, and regarding of the pump unit  33  for the reagent the identification bands D 1  and D 2  have the same color scheme but have different colors.
         Maintenance of Pump Unit       

     During the operation of the automatic analyzer  1 , in the syringe pump A, the seal piece A 4  wears as the seal piece A 4  rubs against the plunger A 3 . During maintenance of the pump units  31  to  34 , the worn seal piece A 4  is replaced with a new one by an operator such as a maintenance operator. Specifically, the syringe pump A is detached from the power transmission mechanism C of the pump unit, and the detached syringe pump A is disassembled into the syringe tube A 1 , the syringe base A 2 , the plunger A 3 , and the seal piece A 4 . Then, the syringe tube A 1 , the syringe base A 2 , the plunger A 3 , and the seal piece A 4  are assembled by replacing the seal piece A 4  with a new one, and the assembled syringe pump A is attached to the power transmission mechanism C of the pump unit. 
     When such disassembling and assembling operations are performed in parallel for a plurality of pump units, a human error, in which a combination of a syringe base and a syringe tube is mistaken or an assembled syringe pump is assembled to a different pump unit, is generally likely to occur.
         Effects       

     (1) In the present embodiment, since each of the plurality of pump units  31  to  34  includes the actuator B, the pump units  31  to  34  can be individually driven. Therefore, the degree of freedom of an operation sequence for liquid dispensing is high, and both improvement of an analysis speed and reducing of a dispensing amount are excellent. 
     (2) The diameters of the plungers corresponding to the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2  are represented by molding colors. The diameter of the plunger A 3  differs depending on the type of the liquid to be dispensed, and only the shape of the seal piece A 4  matches the shape of the plunger A 3  having the corresponding diameter. The misassembly of the seal piece A 4  and the plunger A 3  is not likely to occur physically. In the present embodiment, the molding color of the syringe base A 2  fitted to the seal piece A 4  is different depending on the plunger A 3 , and the operator can recognize what dispensing application the currently assembled syringe pump A is by the color of the syringe base A 2 . 
     In addition, in the present embodiment, the syringe tube A 1  is also color-coded by the classification of the plunger diameter (in the present example, equal to the application). Although the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2  are freely combined in shape, since the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2  are color-coded, mistaking is less likely to occur when the syringe tube A 1  for the same application is attached to the syringe base A 2 . By attaching the syringe tube A 1  for which the application is matched, it is easy to understand at a glance what the syringe pump is for with the syringe tube A 1  having an exposed area larger than that of the syringe base A 2 . Since the operator can also recognize the pump unit to which the syringe pump A is to be assembled from the appearance of the syringe pump A, the syringe pump A can be smoothly assembled to the correct power transmission mechanisms C in combination. Therefore, it is possible to suppress mistaking when syringe pumps are connected to dispensing units having different combinations. 
     As described above, in the present embodiment, since the molding colors of both the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2  are color-coded according to the diameter of the corresponding plunger A 3 , it is possible to effectively suppress the misassembly of the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2 . Furthermore, since the plunger diameter is obvious at a glance in the syringe tube A 1  having a large exposed area, it is possible to effectively suppress misassembly between the syringe pump A and the dispensing unit. However, for example, even when only the molding color of the syringe base A 2  is used, a display area is small, but the plunger diameter can be recognized by the appearance. From this viewpoint, the molding colors of the syringe tubes A 1  may be unified without being color-coded. 
     (3) In the present embodiment, a case in which the syringe base A 2  is finely color-coded in a one-to-one correspondence relationship with the plunger diameter, and the syringe tube A 1  is color-coded in a classification of the plunger diameter has been exemplified. For example, when the variation of the plunger diameter used in the same application (sample dispensing application, reagent dispensing application, and the like) is increased, if the syringe tube A 1  is also finely color-coded, it is possible to take time to find the syringe tube A 1  to be combined as a pair with the syringe base A 2 . The same applies to the case of narrowing down a position where the assembled syringe pump A is to be assembled. 
     In this regard, the syringe tube A 1  is roughly color-coded according to the application (classification of the plunger diameter), such that the syringe tube A 1  to be combined as a pair with the syringe base A 2  can be easily found. Also, in the case of assembling the assembled syringe pump A to the power transmission mechanism C, it is possible to use the color of the syringe tube A 1  to roughly grasp the assembly position in an area, and further narrow down the assembly position in detail by the color of the syringe base A 2 . An example of the reagent β of the automatic analyzer X shown in the table of  FIG.  4    will be described, since the syringe tube A 1  is blue, in  FIG.  5   , it is possible to first narrow down candidates of the assembly position to the area on the right side where the pump units  32  and  33  for reagent dispensing application are disposed. After that, since the color of the syringe base A 2  is gray, the assembly position can be alternatively specified in the pump unit  33 . This advantage can be more effective as the number of pump units increases. 
     (4) Since the identification bands D 1  and D 2  are provided in the hoses A 6  and A 7 , the operator can set the syringe pump A at a correct position by matching the colors of the identification bands D 1  and D 2 , the syringe tube A 1 , and the syringe base A 2 . In this case, the operator does not need to remember the correspondence between the pump unit and the plunger diameter, and does not need to perform the operation while confirming the arrangement of the syringe pump A by an instruction manual and the like. 
     (5) The outer shapes of the syringe tube A 1 , the syringe base A 2 , the actuator B, and the power transmission mechanism C are unified among the pump units  31  to  34 . In particular, for the syringe tube A 1 , the actuator B, and the power transmission mechanism C, components having exactly the same shape can be used in the pump units  31  to  34 , and the manufacturing cost can be reduced by a large mass production effect. 
     (6) Since the pump units  31  to  34  are disposed side by side so as not to overlap with each other when viewed from a specified position, the syringe pump A is excellent in visibility, and it is also advantageous for confirming whether the assembly is correct or incorrect. 
     Second Embodiment 
     In the first embodiment, an example, in which the operator visually determines whether the assembly positions of the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2  (the component selection and the assembly positions of the syringe pump A) are correct or incorrect, has been described. Mistaking of components can be effectively suppressed by color-coding of the syringe tube A 1 , the syringe base A 2 , and the identification bands D 1  and D 2 , but a human error may occur. 
     Therefore, an embodiment will be described in which occurrence of a human error is suppressed by using an assembly support system that instructs an assembly position of the syringe tube A 1  or the syringe base A 2  or determines whether the assembly position is correct or incorrect.
         Automatic Analyzer       

       FIG.  6    is an external view of the pump units according to a second embodiment of the invention. Components similar to or corresponding to the components described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the previous drawings in  FIG.  6   , and description thereof will be omitted. Pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ shown in  FIG.  6    are different from the pump units  31  to  34  of the first embodiment in that the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ of the present embodiment have optotypes E at respective corresponding positions. In other respects, the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ are the same as the pump units  31  to  34 . The identification bands D 1  and D 2  ( FIG.  5   ) can be omitted. 
     An area of the support C 1  of the power transmission mechanism C as viewed from the front of the automatic analyzer  1  (as viewed from a position corresponding to the viewpoint P in  FIG.  5   ) is larger than an area of the syringe pump A. When viewed from the front (when viewed from the position corresponding to the viewpoint P in  FIG.  5   ), the support C 1  located on the back side of the syringe pump A is seen to protrude from the syringe pump A. In the present embodiment, the optotypes E described above are provided at corner portions (two diagonal corners in the present example) of a front surface (a surface facing the viewpoint P on a surface on the syringe pump A side) of the support C 1 . The optotypes E are marks serving as references for recognizing target components (the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2 ) on captured images of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′. Display positions of the optotypes E belong to a region that can be seen to protrude from the syringe pump A described above, and are configured such that the syringe pump A (the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2 ) and the optotypes E can be seen at the same time in a specified positional relationship when viewed from the front (the viewpoint P).
         Overview of Assembly Support System       

       FIG.  7    is a schematic view of the assembly support system according to the present embodiment. The system shown in  FIG.  7    includes at least one automatic analyzer  1 ′, a terminal  60 , and a server  100 . 
     An ID display (not shown) is attached or drawn on an outer wall surface of the automatic analyzer  1 ′. A barcode is used as the ID display in the present embodiment, and a registration ID of the automatic analyzer  1 ′ is recognized by capturing the barcode using the terminal  60 . A code other than the barcode can be used as the ID display, or a character string can be used instead of the code, and the registration ID can be recognized by recognizing the character from the captured image. In addition, the ID display can be disposed at a position where the ID display appears in the captured image together with the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ when the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ are captured by the terminal  60  from the viewpoint P. In this case, there is an advantage that an ID of the automatic analyzer  1 ′ can be identified even by an image for determining whether the assembly position of the syringe tube A 1  or the syringe base A 2  is correct or incorrect. If such a function is not necessary, the ID display can be disposed at a position where the ID display does not appear in the image together with the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′. 
     In other respects, a hardware configuration of the automatic analyzer  1 ′ is the same as that of the automatic analyzer  1  of the first embodiment except for the presence or absence of the optotypes E described with reference to  FIG.  6   . 
     The terminal  60  has a capturing function and includes a camera  61  ( FIG.  9   ) and a monitor  62  ( FIG.  9   ). As the terminal  60 , a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet PC, or a notebook PC can be suitably used, and the terminal  60  can be provided as a dedicated terminal in the automatic analyzer  1 ′. The mobile terminal may be a general-purpose product in which a predetermined program is installed, or may be configured as a dedicated product that executes only the application described in the present embodiment. 
     The server  100  recognizes the ID of the automatic analyzer  1 ′ from the captured image of the ID display described above. Then, the server  100  has a function of transmitting, to the terminal  60 , registration data regarding the arrangement and the molding colors of the syringe tubes A 1  and the syringe bases A 2  of the syringe pumps A of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′, and causing the terminal  60  to display and output an assembly instruction screen on the monitor  62 . The operator can assemble each syringe pump A and assemble the syringe pump A at a predetermined position according to the assembly instruction screen displayed on the monitor  62  of the terminal  60 . 
     In addition, the server  100  is programmed so as to be able to determine whether the assembly positions of the syringe tubes A 1  and the syringe bases A 2  are correct or incorrect based on the image of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ captured by the camera  61  from the front as shown in  FIG.  8   . The operator can confirm a determination result returned from the server  100  on the monitor  62  of the terminal  60 . 
     Further, the server  100  has a function of outputting an interlock signal for prohibiting a dispensing operation to the computer  50  of the corresponding automatic analyzer  1 ′ when there is an error in the assembly positions of the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2 . Upon receiving the interlock signal, the computer  50  stops outputting any command signals to the actuators B of at least the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ regardless of whether there is a dispensing order. Interlocking of the dispensing operation is released when the computer  50  receives an interlock release signal from the server  100 .
         Configuration Example of Assembly Support System       

       FIG.  9    is a functional block diagram of the assembly support system. Configurations of the terminal  60  and the server  100  will be described with reference to  FIG.  9   . 
     The terminal  60  includes, as typical components, a receiver  63 , a memory  64 , a processor  65 , a timer  66 , a transmitter  67 , and the like, in addition to the camera  61  and the monitor  62 . The receiver  63  receives data from the server  100 . The received data includes arrangement information (assembly instruction screen) of the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2 , a correctness or incorrectness determination result of the assembly position, maintenance notification, and the like. In the memory  64 , a program to be executed by the processor  65 , data necessary for executing the program, data received from the server  100 , data of the image captured by the camera  61 , and the like are recorded. Data of the capturing date and time measured by the timer  66  is added to the captured image. The processor  65  is, for example, a CPU, and may be replaced with various devices having the same calculation function, such as a microprocessor. The terminal  60  controls the camera  61  and the monitor  62  by the processor  65 , and processes data exchanged with the server  100 . The transmitter  67  transmits data to the server  100 . The data to be transmitted includes an identification display of the automatic analyzer  1 ′ captured by the camera  61 , an image (including capturing date and time) of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′, and the like. 
     The server  100  includes, as typical components, a receiver  110 , a memory  120 , a processor  130 , and a transmitter  140 . The receiver  110  receives data from the terminal  60 . The received data includes the identification display of the automatic analyzer  1 ′ captured by the camera  61 , the image (including capturing date and time) of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′, and the like. The transmitter  140  transmits data to the terminal  60 . The data to be transmitted includes the arrangement information (assembly instruction screen) of the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2 , the correctness or incorrectness determination result of the assembly position, the maintenance notification, and the like. In addition, the transmitter  140  is also connected to the automatic analyzer  1 ′, and can output an interlock signal (described later) and a release signal thereof to the automatic analyzer  1 ′. 
     In the memory  120 , a program to be executed by the processor  130 , data necessary for executing the program, data received from the terminal  60 , and the like are recorded. As the data necessary for executing the program, an arrangement information table  121 , a maintenance history  122 , a maintenance cycle table  123 , and the like are registered. 
     The arrangement information table  121  is data in which the arrangement and the molding colors (appearances) of the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2  of each of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ are collected for each ID of the automatic analyzer  1 ′. 
     The maintenance history  122  is, for example, a history of a date and time of good determination (execution of step S 8  in  FIG.  10   ) made by correctness or incorrectness determination of the assembly position of the syringe tube A 1  or the syringe base A 2  of the automatic analyzer  1 ′. 
     The maintenance cycle table  123  is data in which maintenance intervals of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ set from the viewpoint of wear of the seal pieces A 4  are collected for each ID of the automatic analyzer  1 ′. 
     The processor  130  is, for example, a CPU, and may be replaced with various devices having the same calculation function, such as a microprocessor. The processor  130  has a function of executing each processing of device determination  131 , correctness or incorrectness determination  132 , notification  133 , and interlock  134  according to the program stored in the memory  120 . 
     The device determination  131  is processing of determining the ID of the automatic analyzer  1 ′, reading registration data of the arrangement and the molding colors of the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2  of the automatic analyzer  1 ′ from the arrangement information table  121 , and outputting the registration data to the terminal  60  via the transmitter  140 . Registration information thus transmitted from the server  100  is received by the terminal  60 , and the registration information as, for example, the assembly instruction screen is displayed on and output to the monitor  62  by the processor  65  in the terminal  60 . 
     The correctness or incorrectness determination  132  is processing of collating the captured image received from the terminal  60  with the registration data of the arrangement information table  121  for the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ in a state in which the syringe pumps A are assembled, and performing the correctness or incorrectness determination of the assembly positions of the syringe tubes A 1  and the syringe bases A 2 . The result of the correctness or incorrectness determination is transmitted to the terminal  60  by the transmitter. In the terminal  60 , the result of the correctness or incorrectness determination is displayed on and output to the monitor  62  by the processor  65  based on the received data. When an error is included in the assembly positions of the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2 , the terminal  60  is also notified of detailed information of the error. 
     The notification  133  is processing of calculating a next maintenance time for the automatic analyzer  1 ′ and notifying the terminal  60  of the next maintenance time via the transmitter  140 . The next maintenance time is calculated by adding a maintenance cycle of the automatic analyzer  1 ′ read from the maintenance cycle table  123  to the latest (that is, the most recent) maintenance date and time recorded in the maintenance history  122  regarding the automatic analyzer  1 ′. A timing of the notification can be set and changed as appropriate, and may be, for example, during execution of the maintenance (execution of step S 8  in  FIG.  10   ), at the time of arrival of the next maintenance time, or before a setting period of the next maintenance time. In the terminal  60 , the notification received from the server  100  is displayed on and output to the monitor  62  by the processor  65 . 
     The interlock  134  is processing of outputting the interlock signal for prohibiting the dispensing operation to the computer  50  of the automatic analyzer  1 ′ when there is an error in the assembly positions of the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2  of the automatic analyzer  1 ′. In the automatic analyzer  1 ′, the dispensing operation of the automatic analyzer  1 ′ is prohibited by the computer  50  according to the received interlock signal. The signal for releasing the interlock is output from the server  100  to the computer  50  when an error in the assembly positions of the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2  is corrected.
         Processing Procedure       

       FIG.  10    is a flowchart showing an example of a series of processing procedures performed by the server  100 . Hereinafter, the processing procedures executed by the server  100  will be described with reference to  FIG.  10   . 
     Step S 1   
     When the seal pieces A 4  ( FIG.  3   ) of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ are replaced during maintenance, the operator starts a predetermined program of the terminal  60 , captures an image of the ID display of the automatic analyzer  1 ′ by the terminal  60 , and transmits the captured image to the server  100 . When the captured image transmitted from the terminal  60  is received by the receiver  110  in this way, the server  100  starts the flow of  FIG.  10   , and first, as step S 1 , recognizes the ID of the automatic analyzer  1 ′ from the ID display shown in the captured image. 
     Step S 2   
     When the procedure is shifted to step S 2 , the server  100  obtains, based on the ID recognized in step S 1 , data of an appropriate assembly state of each syringe pump A of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ of the automatic analyzer  1 ′ from the arrangement information table  121  recorded in the memory  20 . The obtained arrangement data includes information on a position and a molding color registered in advance for each syringe tube A 1  of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ of the automatic analyzer  1 ′, and information on a position and a molding color registered similarly for each syringe base A 2 . 
     Step S 3   
     In subsequent step S 3 , the server  100  transmits the data of the appropriate assembly state of each syringe pump A of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ of the automatic analyzer  1 ′ obtained in step S 2  from the transmitter  140  to the terminal  60 . Accordingly, the assembly instruction screen is displayed on the monitor  62  of the terminal  60 , and the operator replaces the seal piece A 4  of each disassembled syringe pump A according to the display of the monitor  62 , and assembles the syringe pump A again. Then, each of the assembled syringe pumps A is assembled to a respective one of the power transmission mechanisms C according to the display of the monitor  62 . The assembly instruction screen displayed on the monitor  62  may be in the form of a sentence or a table, and can be easily seen when the assembly instruction screen is in the form of a color drawing representing the assembly state (or in the form of a color drawing to which color text information is added). 
     Step S 4   
     When each of the syringe pumps A is attached to a respective one of the power transmission mechanisms C, the operator captures an image of the entire pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ into the angle of view from the viewpoint P using the terminal  60 , and transmits the captured image of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ to the server  100 . In step S 4 , the server  100  receives, by the receiver  110 , the captured image of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ transmitted from the terminal  60 . 
     Step S 5   
     When the procedure is shifted to step S 5 , the server  100  recognizes each of the syringe tubes A 1  and the syringe bases A 2  of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ based on the respective optotypes E on the captured image received in step S 4 , and identifies the colors of the syringe tubes A 1  and the syringe bases A 2 . Thereafter, the server  100  determines whether the identified colors of the syringe tubes A 1  and the syringe bases A 2  match the appropriate data obtained in step S 2 . When the colors of the syringe tubes A 1  and the syringe bases A 2  completely match the appropriate data and the assembly positions of the syringe tubes A 1  and the syringe bases A 2  are appropriate, the server  100  shifts the procedure from step S 5  to step S 8 . When the colors of the syringe tubes A 1  and the syringe bases A 2  do not match the appropriate data and at least a part of the assembly positions of the syringe tubes A 1  and the syringe bases A 2  are incorrect, the server  100  shifts the procedure from step S 5  to step S 6 . 
     Step S 6   
     When the procedure is shifted to step S 6 , the server  100  outputs the interlock signal to the automatic analyzer  1 ′, and prohibits the dispensing operation of the automatic analyzer  1 ′ such that the dispensing operation is not executed in a state where the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ are not appropriately assembled. 
     Step S 7   
     In the subsequent step S 7 , the server  100  notifies the terminal  60  that there is an error in the assembly positions of the syringe tube A 1  or the syringe base A 2  based on the result of the correctness or incorrectness determination in step S 5 , and returns the procedure to step S 4 . The notification content is displayed on the monitor  62  of the terminal  60 . This notification includes detailed information of the error. The detailed information of the error is, for example, information on a part (the syringe tube A 1  and/or the syringe base A 2 ) whose assembly position is incorrect, and information on a correct assembly position of the part. The information on the position where the incorrect part is assembled and the information on the correct part to be assembled at the position may be displayed as the detailed information of the error. The operator corrects the error of the assembly position of the syringe tube A 1  or the syringe base A 2  according to the display of the monitor  62 . When the error of the assembly position of the syringe tube A 1  or the syringe base A 2  is corrected, the operator captures an image of the entire pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ into the angle of view from the viewpoint P using the terminal  60 , and transmits the captured image of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ to the server  100 . The server  100  receives the captured image and executes the procedures of steps S 4  and S 5  again. 
     Step S 8   
     When the assembly positions of each syringe tube A 1  and each syringe base A 2  are appropriate in step S 5 , the server  100  shifts the procedure to step S 8 , and notifies the terminal  60  that the assembly positions of all the syringe tubes A 1  and the syringe bases A 2  are appropriate. The notification content is displayed on the monitor  62  of the terminal  60 . In addition, when an interlock is established in the automatic analyzer  1 ′, the server  100  outputs an interlock release signal to the automatic analyzer  1 ′. 
     Step S 9   
     In subsequent step S 9 , the server  100  records the date and time (for example, the date and time of the notification in step S 8 ) when the replacement of the seal piece A 4  is appropriately completed in the maintenance history  122 , and ends the flow of  FIG.  10   . 
     Although omitted in  FIG.  10   , the server  100  notifies, at a specified timing, the terminal  60  of the next maintenance time calculated based on the latest maintenance date and time recorded in the maintenance history  122  in step S 9 .
         Effects       

     (1) In the present embodiment, since the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2  are similarly color-coded, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. 
     (2) In addition, in the present embodiment, the optotype E is displayed on each of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′. Accordingly, when the color information of the syringe tubes A 1  and the syringe bases A 2  of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ is obtained by image processing, the syringe tubes A 1  and the syringe bases A 2  can be recognized with high accuracy based on the optotypes E, and high recognition accuracy can be secured for the color information. 
     (3) In addition, information on the correct arrangement and the colors of the syringe tubes A 1  and the syringe bases A 2  of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ of the automatic analyzer  1 ′ is registered in advance in the memory  120 . The information on the correct arrangement and the colors of the syringe tubes A 1  and the syringe bases A 2  can be called when the syringe pumps A are disassembled and assembled with the replacement of the seal pieces A 4  for the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ of the automatic analyzer  1 ′, and can be confirmed as an assembly instruction screen on the monitor  62 . Accordingly, each of the syringe pumps A can be disassembled and assembled without hesitation according to the display of the monitor  62 , and high working efficiency can be ensured. 
     (4) The information on the correct arrangement and the colors of the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2  can also be used for determining whether the assembly positions of the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2  are correct or incorrect by collating the captured image of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ after the syringe pumps A are assembled. In this way, by making use of the image processing to systematically determine whether the assembly positions of the syringe tube Al and the syringe base A 2  are correct or incorrect, it is possible to prevent an error in the assembly positions of the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2  due to a human error. 
     (5) Further, in the present embodiment, when there is an error as a result of the systematical determination of whether the assembly positions of the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2  are correct or incorrect, the dispensing operation of the automatic analyzer  1 ′ is prohibited. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent erroneous assembly of the syringe pump A from adversely affecting the analysis result. 
     (6) In addition, by notifying the next maintenance date and time, it is possible to contribute to prevention of deterioration in dispensing accuracy due to wear of the seal piece A 4 . 
     (7) As described in the first embodiment, the color-coding may be performed on either the syringe tube A 1  or the syringe base A 2 , and in the present embodiment, since the syringe tube A 1  having a large exposed area is also color-coded, it is advantageous in accurately recognizing the color on the image. 
     (Modification) 
     In the two embodiments described above, a configuration in which both the syringe base A 2  and the syringe tube A 1  are color-coded has been described as an example. However, when the plunger diameter is represented by the appearance of the syringe pump A, as described above, only one of the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2  can be color-coded according to the plunger diameter. In this case as well, a certain effect can be expected. 
     In addition, when the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2  are color-coded, the invention is not limited to the example in which the plunger diameter is distinguished by the molding color of the syringe tube A 1  and the like, and the syringe tube A 1  may be color-coded by, for example, a seal attached to the syringe tube A 1  and the like, a band attached to the syringe tube A 1  and the like, or painting of the syringe tube A 1  and the like. Further, in order to represent the plunger diameter by the appearance of the syringe pump A without changing the size or shape of the syringe pump A, the invention is not limited to the color-coding of the components, and for example, an example in which the plunger diameter is expressed in the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2  by laser printing may be considered. 
     In addition, in the second embodiment, only one automatic analyzer  1 ′ to be managed by the server  100  is shown in  FIGS.  7  and  9   , and it is needless to say that a plurality of or a plurality of types of automatic analyzers can be managed by one server  100 . When there are two or more automatic analyzers having different pump unit arrangement in the same facility, an ID of each automatic analyzer and arrangement information corresponding thereto may be registered in the arrangement information table  121  of the memory  120 , and the arrangement information may be called according to the ID. The same applies to the maintenance history  122  and the maintenance cycle table  123 . 
     In addition, in the second embodiment, the case where the barcode is used as the ID display of the automatic analyzer  1 ′ has been described as an example, and another type of ID display may be used. In addition, the invention is not limited to the example in which the ID of the automatic analyzer  1 ′ is recognized by an image, and for example, a plurality of automatic analyzers  1 ′ may be registered in the terminal  60 , any one of the automatic analyzers  1 ′ may be selected by the terminal  60  and the corresponding arrangement information may be called. 
     In addition, in the second embodiment, the system, in which the server  100  and the terminal  60  cooperate with each other to execute the processing of the instruction of the assembly position, the correctness or incorrectness determination, and the various types of notification, has been described as an example, but a configuration, in which a series of processing can be executed only by the terminal  60  as long as the calculation capability of the terminal  60  is allowed, can be used. In this case, information stored in the memory  120  of the server  100  may be recorded in the memory  64  of the terminal  60 , and a function executed by the processor  130  may be executed by the processor  65  of the terminal  60 . 
     In addition, in the second embodiment, the two optotypes E provided in each of the pump units  31 ′ to  34 ′ are the same, and the optotypes E may be changed for each pump unit. In the same pump unit, the two optotypes E may be different from each other. In addition, one optotype E may be provided for each pump unit. Further, the syringe tube A 1  and the syringe base A 2  may be recognized by the shape from the captured image without using the optotype. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       1 ,  1 ′: automatic analyzer 
       21  to  24 : dispensing unit 
       31  to  34 : pump unit 
       62 : monitor 
       64 : memory 
       65 : processor 
       120 : memory 
       130 : processor 
     A 1 : syringe tube 
     A 2 : syringe base 
     A 3 : plunger 
     A 4 : seal piece 
     A 6 , A 7 : hose 
     A 9 : liquid port 
     B: actuator 
     C: power transmission mechanism 
     D 1 , D 2 : identification band 
     E: optotype