Automatic analyzer and sample-processing system

A sample-processing system, comprising:

• one functional module arranged along an x-direction;
• a loader, which includes a tray and a motor, configured to load a plurality of sample racks;
• a conveyance unit configured to convey sample racks loaded by the loader to the one functional module along the x-direction;
• a first internal buffer unit included in the functional module configured to temporarily hold a sample rack at a buffer position in the first internal buffer unit while the temporarily held sample rack awaits a pipetting process by a pipette of the functional module at a pipetting position in the first internal buffer unit of the functional module;
• a second buffer unit disposed adjacent to the functional module, the second buffer unit including a plurality of slots that are fixed and immovable with respect to the conveyance unit and are configured to respectively hold sample racks;
• and
• a control unit coupled to the conveyance unit and the second buffer unit,
• wherein the conveyance unit is configured to convey sample racks loaded by the loader to the functional module via the second buffer unit,
• wherein the control unit is programmed to:
• determine whether the first internal buffer unit is full of sample racks,
• control the conveying unit and the second buffer unit to convey a sample rack, of the plurality of sample racks loaded by the loader, to the first internal buffer unit without conveying the sample rack to any slot of the second buffer unit, upon determining the first internal buffer unit is not full, and
• control the conveying unit and the second buffer unit to convey a sample rack, of the plurality of sample racks loaded by the loader, to a slot of the second buffer unit before the sample rack is conveyed to the first internal buffer unit upon determining the first internal buffer unit is full,
• wherein the conveyance unit includes:
• a feed lane configured to convey sample racks in the X direction to the functional module,
• a rack transfer mechanism configured to transfer sample racks from the feed lane to a loading/unloading portion of the second buffer unit in the Y direction,
• a rack conveyance section configured to convey sample racks from a module loading/unloading portion of the second buffer unit to the functional module in the X direction, and
• a rack-moving mechanism configured to convey sample racks in the X direction and the Y direction from the loading/unloading portion of the second buffer unit to one of the slots of the second buffer unit.