Patent ID: 7360984

Claim:
An automatic analyzer that analyzes samples using parts arranged in part racks, comprising: a supply lifter configured to receive a plurality of part racks holding unused parts, said supply lifter being mounted for vertical movement and positioned to raise the part racks to a rack separation station, while keeping the part racks stacked together; a rack separator located at the rack separation station able to separate an uppermost part rack of said part racks from remaining said part racks so as to retain the separated uppermost part rack at said rack separation station; a recovery lifter positioned to be able to receive the separated part rack following processing, said recovery lifter being mounted for vertical movement to move the separated part rack downward for recovery; a laterally movable table having the supply lifter and the recovery lifter mounted thereon; a first rack position sensor positioned to sense the uppermost one of the part racks; a second rack position sensor positioned to sense a second part rack located under the uppermost one of the part racks in the vicinity of said rack separation station; and a controller means for determining whether or not said uppermost part rack has been properly separated from the other part racks on the basis of sensed information received from said first and second rack position sensors, the controller means including means for judging whether to continue operation or interrupt the operation based on determination of whether said uppermost part rack has been properly separated.