Patent ID: 12230441

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference toFIGS.1to9, embodiments according to this invention will be explained.

Embodiment 1

With reference toFIGS.1to4, an embodiment 1 of a transport device according to this invention will be explained. Referring toFIG.1, a schematic configuration of the transport device according to this invention will be first explained.FIG.1is a view schematically showing an outline of the transport device wherein two magnetic poles25and a permanent magnet10relatively operate.

As shown inFIG.1, the transport device1of this embodiment comprises a permanent magnet (a first magnetic body)10, magnetic poles25, drive circuits50, a current detection section30, an arithmetic section40, and a power source55. The permanent magnet10is provided on a side of a to-be-transported object and preferably neodymium, ferrite or the like is used. However, in lieu of the permanent magnet10, other magnets and a soft magnetic body may be employed.

An example of the to-be-transported object at which the permanent magnet10is provided is a specimen holder holding specimen containers one by one, and a specimen rack holding a plurality of specimen containers. The permanent magnet10is incorporated into such a specimen holder or a specimen rack so as to be integral with them and the permanent magnet10is transported, whereby the specimen container and the holder or the rack are transported to a predetermined position.

As shown inFIG.1, at least two or more magnetic poles25are provided at the transport device1. Each magnetic pole25has a core22consisting of a magnetic body (a second magnetic body), and a winding21wound around an outer circumference of the core22. The columnar core22of the magnetic pole is arranged so as to be opposed to the permanent magnet10.

The drive circuit50are connected to the windings21of the magnetic poles25and the current detection section30detecting a value of a current flowing through the windings21is provided. Incidentally, while the current detection section30is considered to be one, configured by a serial resistor or a current transformer, one employing a Hall current sensor, etc., the current detection section is not limited to them. The drive circuits50are connected to the power source55such as an AD power source or a DC power source such as a battery. The drive circuits50receives a current from this power source55and supply the current to the windings21of the magnetic poles25.

The arithmetic section40calculates a relative position relationship between the cores22and the permanent magnet10, based on a current value detected by the current detection section30, and calculates a position of the permanent magnet10in the transport device1. Moreover, the arithmetic section40determines a timing for supplying a current required for drive of the permanent magnet10from the drive circuit50, using calculated position information of the permanent magnet10, and supplies the current to the suitable windings21.

Next, referring toFIGS.2to4, a method of effectively using an electromagnetic repulsive force will be explained. This embodiment shows a case where a ratio among a diameter of the permanent magnet10, pitches of the magnetic pole25aand the magnetic pole25b, and a gap length are 5:4:1.

FIG.2is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the permanent magnet10and the two magnetic pole25aand magnetic pole25b, provided that x=0 expresses directly above the magnetic pole25a, x=A expresses directly above the magnetic pole25b, and the permanent magnet10moves toward an X-axis forward direction inFIG.2. In the transport device1, the current is applied to the windings21, whereby an electromagnetic force is applied to and moves the permanent magnet10between the magnetic poles25. In order to efficiently utilize the electromagnetic force and move in a predetermined direction, the relative position information of the permanent magnet10and the magnetic poles25is required.

For example, in a case where the permanent magnet10is located directly above the magnetic pole25a, even if a current is applied to a winding21aof the magnetic pole25ajust below it in such a manner to produce a magnetic flux80ain a direction reverse to a magnetic flux90of the permanent magnet, a force in a transport direction is not produced. Contrarily, a current is applied to a winding21bof the magnetic pole25b, directly above which the permanent magnet10is located, in a manner to produce a magnetic flux80bin the same direction as the magnetic flux90of the permanent magnet10, whereby an electromagnetic attraction force that pulls the permanent magnet10toward the magnetic pole25bcan be produced.

Moreover, when the permanent magnet10moves from directly above the magnetic pole25a, a current is applied to the winding21aof the magnetic pole25ain a manner to produce the magnetic flux80ain a direction reverse to the permanent magnet10, whereby an electromagnetic repulsive force that pushes the permanent magnet10to the magnetic pole25bcan be produced. Namely, the electromagnetic force can be efficiently utilized and, moreover, the electromagnetic force can be controlled in a predetermined direction.

FIG.3shows a thrust by the electromagnetic repulsive force (a) at the time of applying −1.0 p.u. to the winding21a, and a thrust by the electromagnetic attraction force (b) at the time of applying +1.0 p.u. to the winding21b. Incidentally, the thrust inFIG.3are those at the time when the permanent magnet10exists in a section from x=0 to x=A. Also, x=p is a position where an absolute value of the electromagnetic repulsive force (a) generating at the time of applying a predetermined current to the winding21aand an absolute value of the electromagnetic attraction force (b) generating at the time of flowing a predetermined current to the winding21bbecome equal, provided that this position x=p varies depending upon a configuration of the magnetic circuit and a configuration of the permanent magnet.

Between x=0 and x=p, the electromagnetic attraction force (b) at the time of applying 1.0 p.u. to the winding21bis large compared to the electromagnetic repulsive force (a) at the time of flowing −1.0 p.u. On the other hand, between from x=p to x=A, the electromagnetic attraction force (b) at the time of applying 1.0 p.u. to the winding21bis small compared to the electromagnetic repulsive force (a) at the time of applying −1.0 p.u. to the winding21a. Therefore, between from x=p to x=A, −1.0 p.u. is applied to the winding21aand the electromagnetic repulsive force (a) is utilized as a main thrust, whereby it is possible to efficiently increase the thrust while suppressing power consumption.

FIG.4shows current waveforms of the winding21aand winding21brelative to the position of the permanent magnet10. In this embodiment, magnitudes of the electromagnetic attraction force (b) and electromagnetic repulsive force (a) are replaced at x=p. Therefore, as shown inFIG.4, at from x=0 to x=p, a current that produces the electromagnetic attraction force (b) attracting the permanent magnet10is applied to the winding21band, at from x=p to x=A, a current that produces the electromagnetic repulsive force (a) pushing the permanent magnet10is applied to the winding21a. In this manner, by using the electromagnetic attraction force and the electromagnetic repulsive force separately depending upon the position of the permanent magnet, it is possible to suppress a useless current loss and efficiently obtain the thrust.

Here, a section where a current is applied to the winding21aand a section where a current is applied to the winding21bmay be overlapped. In that case, in a section where the winding21aand the winding21bare energized at the same time, it is possible to obtain a larger electromagnetic force. Moreover, between the section where a current is applied to the winding21aand the section where a current is applied to the winding21b, a section where a current is not applied to every winding may exist. In that case, in the section where the current is not applied to every winding, the permanent magnet moves by inertia, and it is possible to reduce power consumption.

Moreover, in a case where the permanent magnet is actuated when locating at the position of x=0, at a first section from x=0 to x=p, the electromagnetic attraction force is first applied to determine a direction of transport, and then the electromagnetic repulsive force is also used as a thrust, so that it is possible to positively move the permanent magnet10in the predetermined direction. Furthermore, at the time of giving a thrust to the permanent magnet10, the two magnetic poles adjacent to each other; the magnetic pole nearest to the permanent magnet10and the next nearest magnetic pole are used, so that it is possible to produce a large electromagnetic attraction force and electromagnetic repulsive force.

Embodiment 2

ReferringFIGS.5and6, an embodiment 2 of this invention will be explained. A magnitude relation of the electromagnetic attraction force and electromagnetic repulsive force varies depending upon a diameter of the permanent magnet10, pitches of the magnetic pole25aand magnetic pole25b, and a gap length. For that reason, according to the configuration of the transport device1, there is a case where two or more points at which the magnitude relationship of the electromagnetic attraction force and electromagnetic repulsive force is switched. This embodiment shows a case where a ratio among the diameter of the permanent magnet10, the pitches of the magnetic pole25aand magnetic pole25b, and the gap length is 1:2:1.

FIG.5shows a thrust by the electromagnetic repulsive force (a) at the time when −1.0 p.u. is applied to the winding21a, and a thrust by the electromagnetic attraction force (b) at the time when +1.0 p.u. is applied to the winding21b. Incidentally, the thrust ofFIG.5are those at the time when the permanent magnet10exists in the section from x=0 to x=A. Further, x=p and x=p′ are positions at which an absolute value of the electromagnetic repulsive force (a) generating when a predetermined current is applied to the winding21aand an absolute value of the electromagnetic attraction force (b) generating when the predetermined current is applied to the winding21bbecome equal.

Between x=0 and x=p, the permanent magnet10exists nearly directly above the magnetic pole25a, so that the electromagnetic attraction force (b) at the time when 1.0 p.u. is applied to the winding21bis large compared to the electromagnetic repulsive force (a) at the time when −1.0 p.u. is applied to the winding21a. Next, between from x=p to x=p′, the electromagnetic attraction force (b) at the time when 1.0 p.u. is applied to the winding21bis small compared to the electromagnetic repulsive force (a) at the time when −1.0 p.u. is applied to the winding21a. And, between from x=p′ to x=A, the electromagnetic attraction force (b) at the time when 1.0 p.u. is applied to the winding21bis large compared to the electromagnetic repulsive force (a) at the time when −1.0 p.u. is applied to the winding21a. Therefore, between from x=0 to x=p and between x=p′ and x=A, it is desirable that current is applied to the winding21bmainly and a main thrust is obtained by the electromagnetic attraction force (b). On the other hand, between x=p and x=p′, it is desirable that a current is applied to the winding21amainly and the main thrust is obtained by the electromagnetic repulsive force (a).

FIG.6shows current waveforms of the winding21aand winding21brelative to the position of the permanent magnet10. In this embodiment, the magnitudes of the electromagnet attraction force (b) and electromagnetic repulsive force (a) are replaced at x=p and x=p′. Therefore, as shown inFIG.6, at from x=0 to x=p and from x=p′ to x=A, a current is applied to the winding21bin order to produce the electromagnetic attraction force (b) and at from x=p to x=p′, a current is applied to the winding21ain order to produce the electromagnetic repulsive force (a). In this way, by using the electromagnetic attraction force and the electromagnetic repulsive separately depending upon the position of the permanent magnet, it is possible to suppress a useless current lo efficiently obtain a thrust.

Embodiment 3

Referring toFIG.7, an embodiment 3 of this invention will be explained.FIG.7shows a thrust by the electromagnetic repulsive force (a), a thrust (b) by the electromagnetic attraction force (b) and a thrust (c) by composition of the electromagnetic repulsive force (a) and electromagnetic attraction force (b) in a case where the number of turns on the winding21is half that of the embodiment 1. Here, the electromagnetic repulsive force (a) is one produced by applying −1.0 p.u. to the winding21aand the electromagnetic attraction force (b) is one produced by applying +1.0 p.u. to the winding21b. Incidentally, (b)′ indicates the thrust (b)′ by the electromagnetic attraction in the embodiment 1 for comparison.

Generally, when the number of turns is reduced, a magnetomotive force produced by the same current is reduced and the thrust produced by the winding21is reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the section from x=0 to x=A, simultaneously with −1.0 p.u. being applied to the winding21ato produce the electromagnetic repulsive force (a), 1.0 p.u. is applied to produce the electromagnetic attraction force (b). Thereby, a thrust (c) with characteristics nearly equal to those of the thrust (b)′ by the electromagnetic attraction force in the embodiment 1 is obtained. Namely, according to this embodiment, even if the number of turns is reduced, a magnetomotive force equivalent to one before the number of turns is halved is obtained by using the electromagnetic attraction force (b) and the electromagnetic repulsive force (a) together. Therefore, it is possible to realize a small-size and lightweight transport device without reducing the thrust and by reducing the winding to shorten the magnetic circuit.

Incidentally, unlike the electromagnetic attraction force, the thrust obtained by the electromagnetic repulsive force is not determined in a specific direction, so that when the thrust is obtained by the electromagnetic repulsive force only, there is a possibility that the specimen meanders and the specimen departs from a transport path. For the reason, when the electromagnetic repulsive force is utilized, it is desirable that the electromagnetic attraction force is always utilized and that the thrust by the electromagnetic attraction force is controlled so as to always become larger than the thrust by the electromagnetic repulsive force.

Embodiment 4

This embodiment is one wherein the transport devices described in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 3 are applied to a specimen analysis device100and a specimen pretreatment device150. Referring toFIG.8, an entire configuration of the specimen analysis device100will be first explained.FIG.8is a view schematically showing the entire configuration of the specimen analysis device100.

InFIG.8, the specimen analysis device100is a device dispensing a specimen and a reagent into a reaction container, respectively, to make them react and measuring the reacted liquid and is provided with a carry-in section101, an emergency rack input entrance113, a first transport line102, a buffer104, an analysis section105, a storage part103, a display section118, a control section120, etc.

The carry-in section101is a place wherein a specimen rack111in which a plurality of specimen containers122storing biological specimens such as blood, urine, and the like is stored is installed. The emergency rack input entrance113is a place for inputting a specimen rack (calibration specimen rack) carrying a standard solution, or the specimen rack111storing the specimen containers122in which specimens required to be urgently analyzed are accommodated, into the device. The buffer104holds a plurality of specimen racks111transported by the first transport line102, in such a manner that the order of dispensing the specimens in the specimen racks111can be changed. The analysis section105is one analyzing the specimens transported from the buffer104via a second transport line106and details will be described hereinafter.

The storage part103stores the specimen rack111in which the specimen container122holding the specimen having been subjected to analysis in the analysis section105is accommodated. The display section118is display equipment for displaying an analysis result of the concentration of a predetermined component in the liquid specimen such as blood and urine. The control section120is constituted of a computer or the like and performs arithmetic processing finding the concentration of the predetermined component in the liquid specimen such as blood and urine, while controlling each mechanism in the specimen analysis device100.

Here, the first transport line102is a line transporting the specimen rack111which is installed in the carry-in section101, and is equivalent in configuration to any of the transport devices in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 3. In this embodiment, a magnetic body, preferably a permanent magnet is provided on a back surface of the specimen rack111which is a to-be-transported object.

Moreover, the analysis section105is constituted of a second transport line106, a reaction disk108, a specimen dispensing nozzle107, a reagent disk110, a reagent dispensing nozzle109, a cleaning mechanism112, a reagent tray114, a reagent ID reader115, a reagent loader116, a spectrophotometer121, etc.

Here, the second transport line106is a line carrying the specimen rack111in the buffer104into the analysis section105and equivalent in configuration to any of the transport devices described in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 3.

Moreover, the reaction disk108is provided with a plurality of reaction containers. The specimen dispensing nozzle107dispenses specimens into the reaction containers of the reaction disk108from the specimen container122by rotary drive or vertical drive. The reagent disk110carries a plurality of reagents. The reagent dispensing nozzle109dispenses reagents into the reaction containers of the reaction disk108from a reagent bottle in the reagent disk110.

The cleaning mechanism112cleans the reaction containers of the reaction disk108. The spectrophotometer112measures transmitted light obtained from a light source (illustration of which is omitted) via reaction liquid of the reaction container, to thereby measure absorbance of the reaction liquid. The reagent tray114is a member installing a reagent in a case of performing reagent registration to the specimen analysis device100. The reagent ID reader115is equipment for reading a reagent ID attached to the reagent installed in the reagent tray114, to thereby obtain reagent information. The reagent loader116is equipment carrying the reagent into the reagent disk110.

An analytical treatment of the specimen by the specimen analysis device100as described above is performed according to the following order.

First, the specimen racks111are installed in the carry-in section101or the emergency rack input entrance113and carried in the randomly accessible buffer104by the first transport line102.

The specimen analysis device100carries a specimen rack111of the highest priority order among the racks stored in the buffer104into the analysis section105by the second transport line106, according to a rule of the priority order.

The specimen rack111that arrives at the analysis section105is further transferred to a specimen portioning position near the reaction disk108by the second transport line106and the specimen is portioned into the reaction container of the reaction disk108by the specimen dispensing nozzle107. By the specimen dispensing nozzle107, portioning of the specimen is performed by necessary times depending upon analysis items requested for the specimen.

By the specimen dispensing nozzle107, portioning of specimens is performed with respect to all specimen containers122installed in the specimen rack111. The specimen rack111in which portioning treatment with respect to all the specimen containers122is completed is again transferred to the buffer104. The specimen rack111in which all specimen portioning treatments including automatic re-inspection is completed is transferred to the storage part103by the second transport line106and the first transport line102.

Moreover, the reagent used for analysis is portioned into the reaction container into which the specimen is previously portioned from the reagent bottle on the reagent disk110by the reagent dispensing nozzle109. Subsequently, mixing of mixture liquid of the specimen and reagent in the reaction container is performed by a stirring mechanism (illustration of which is omitted).

Thereafter, the light produced from the light source is transmitted through the reaction container containing the mixture liquid after stirring and light intensity of the transmitted light is measured by the spectrophotometer121. The light intensity measured by the spectrophotometer121is transmitted to the control section120via an A/D converter and an interface. Then, an arithmetic operation is performed by the control section120, the concentration of the predetermined component in the liquid reagent such as blood or urine is found, and a result is displayed by the display section118, etc. and memorized in a memory section (illustration of which is omitted).

Incidentally, the specimen analysis device100is not necessarily provided with all the configurations described above, a unit for pretreatment may be appropriately added and a partial unit or a partial configuration may be eliminated. Even in this case, the analysis section105and the carry-in section101are connected by the first transport line102and the specimen rack111is transported from the carry-in section101.

Next, referring toFIG.9, an entire configuration of the specimen pretreatment device150will be explained.FIG.9is a view schematically showing the entire configuration of the specimen pretreatment device150.

InFIG.9, the specimen pretreatment device150is a device performing various pretreatments required for analysis of the specimen. From the left to right inFIG.9, the specimen pretreatment device150comprises a plugging unit152, a specimen storage unit153, an empty holder stacker154, a specimen input unit155, a centrifugal separation unit156, a liquid quantity measurement unit157, an unplugging unit158, a child specimen container preparation unit159, a dispensing unit165, a plurality of units employing a transfer unit161as a basic element, and an operation section PC163controlling operation of the plurality of units. Moreover, as a transfer destination of the specimen treated in the specimen pretreatment device150, the specimen analysis device100for performing qualitative/quantitative analysis of the component of the specimen is connected.

The specimen input unit155is a unit for inputting the specimen container122containing the specimen into the specimen pretreatment device150. The centrifugal separation unit156is a unit for performing centrifugal separation with respect to the inputted specimen container122. The liquid quantity measurement unit157is a unit performing liquid quantity measurement of the specimen stored in the specimen container122. The unplugging unit158is a unit unplugging a plug of the inputted specimen container122. The child specimen container preparation unit159is a unit making preparations required for dispensing the specimen stored in the inputted specimen container122in the next dispensing unit165. The dispensing unit165is a unit portioning the centrifugally separated specimen for analysis in the specimen analysis system, etc., and affixing a bar cord, etc. to a portioned specimen container (child specimen container)122. The transfer unit161is a unit performing classification of the child specimen container122having been subjected to dispensing, and making preparations for transferring to the specimen analysis system. The plugging unit152is a unit plugging a plug into the specimen container122or the child specimen container122. The specimen storage unit153is a unit storing the plugged specimen container122.

Here, in the specimen pretreatment device150, a specimen holder (not shown) holding the specimen containers122one by one is transported among the respective units by a third transport line (not shown). And, in the transfer unit161, transferring of the specimen containers122is performed between the specimen holder, used for transport of the specimen containers122by the third transport line in the specimen pretreatment device150, and the specimen rack111(carrying five specimen containers122) used for transport of the specimen containers122by the first transport line102in the specimen analysis device100. Namely, the specimen container122having been subjected to pretreatment in the specimen pretreatment device150is carried out to the first transport line102in the specimen analysis device100via the transfer unit161.

Incidentally, the specimen pretreatment device150is not necessarily provided with all the configurations described above, a unit may be further added and a partial unit or a partial configuration may be eliminated. Moreover, as shown inFIG.9, a specimen analysis system200in which the specimen pretreatment device150and the specimen analysis device100are combined may be employed. In this case, not only in the respective devices but also between the devices and the devices, connection is made by the transport devices described in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 to embodiment 3 and the specimen container122can be transported.

In the specimen analysis device100and specimen pretreatment device150of this embodiment and further the system in which they are combined, such transport devices as described in the embodiment 1 to the embodiment 3 are provided, so that it is possible to suppress a useless current loss to efficiently transport the specimen rack111or the specimen holder.

Others

Incidentally, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments but includes various modifications. The above-mentioned embodiments are explained in detail to explain the invention in an easy-to-understand manner and are not necessarily limited to those having all the described configurations. Further, a part of a configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with a configuration of another embodiment, and further, the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of one embodiment. Further, it is also possible to add, delete, and replace other configurations with respect to a part of the configuration of each embodiment.

For example, while the case where the to-be-transported object transported by the transport device is the specimen rack111or the specimen holder is explained in the embodiment 1 to the embodiment 4, the to-be-transported object is not limited to the rack and the holder that hold the specimen container122, and it is possible to select various objects, for which large scale transport is required, as transport targets.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1: Transport device10: Permanent magnet (First magnetic body)11: Transport surface21,21a,21b: Winding22,22a,22b: Core (Second magnetic body)25,25a,25b: Magnetic pole (Magnetic circuit)30: Current detection section40: Arithmetic section50: Drive circuit55: Power source80: Direction of magnetic flux produced by current90: Direction of magnetic flux of permanent magnet100: Specimen analysis device101: Carry-in section102: First transport line103: Storage part104: Buffer105: Analysis section106: Second transport line107: Specimen dispensing nozzle108: Reaction disk109: Reagent dispensing nozzle110: Reagent disk111: Specimen rack (To-be-transported object)112: Cleaning mechanism113: Emergency rack input entrance114: Reagent tray115: Reagent ID reader116: Reagent loader118: Display section120: Control section121: Spectrophotometer122: Specimen container, Child specimen container150: Specimen pretreatment device152: Plugging unit153: Specimen storage unit154: Holder stacker155: Specimen input unit156: Centrifugal separation unit157: Liquid quantity measurement unit158: Unplugging unit159: Child specimen container preparation unit161: Transfer unit163: Operation section PC165: Dispensing unit200: Specimen analysis system