US 11,041,872 B2Granted

Automatic analysis device

AssigneeHitachi High-Tech Corporation

InventorsKazuhiro Noda, Tatsuya Fukugaki, Takahiro Kumagai

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Abstract

The present invention provides an automatic analysis device and an automatic specimen processing system having a component-rack supply mechanism that, in a state where a plurality of component racks each having a disposable component mounted thereon are stacked, separates only a component rack at the leading stage of the stack from the other component racks, and supplies the separated component rack to the automatic analysis device or the automatic specimen processing system. Specifically, the automatic analysis device and the automatic specimen processing system have a supply mechanism including a separation mechanism that, in a state where a plurality of component racks are stacked, separates only a component rack at the leading stage of the stack from the other component racks, where the separation mechanism includes a movable mechanism having a pair of downward-movement prevention members that can separate the leading stage from the second stage of the stacked component racks; and a correction mechanism having a pair of correction members that correct a positional deviation of the component racks in order to avoid an influence of the positional deviation of the stacked component racks.

Claims7

Dependent claims

An automatic analysis device equipped with a consumable-item supply device to supply a consumable-item rack which has an upper side on which consumable items are held and has flanges provided in a lower place, comprising:

a platform that is capable of holding a plurality of the consumable-item racks in a state in which the consumable-item racks are stacked;
a driving unit that moves, in a vertical direction, the platform holding the consumable-item racks in a horizontal position;
a controller programmed to control operation of the driving unit;
and
a pair of separation mechanisms that are placed to be spaced at a certain distance apart in a horizontal direction, the pair of separation mechanisms separating an uppermost consumable-item rack from the consumable-item racks which are stacked,
wherein each one of the pair of separation mechanisms has a support portion, including a plurality of support portion sections, that is movable and abuts on the underside of one of the flanges to support a consumable rack, and a correction portion, including a plurality of correction portion sections, that is stationary and abuts on a side face of the flange to correct a position of the consumable-item rack, wherein the support portion sections and the correction portion sections are alternately arranged along a longitudinal axis of each of the separation mechanisms.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/086,844Filed 30 Jan 2017
Priority: JP JP2016-05782123 Mar 2016
Published: US 2019/0094250 A128 Mar 2019
Granted: 22 Jun 2021
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification14 codes

G01N 35/04
Using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations: details of the conveyor system
B65G 59/026
De-stacking from the top of the stack: with a stepwise upward movement of the stack
B65G 59/103
By means of oscillating escapement-like mechanisms: comprising lifting or gripping means
B65G 60/00
Simultaneously or alternatively stacking and de-stacking of articles