Sample container gripping apparatus, sample conveyance apparatus, and connection apparatus

A sample container gripping apparatus for gripping a sample container accommodating a sample, the sample container gripping apparatus comprising:

• a pair of clamps configured to be kept outside of a conveyance path, which is for conveying a sample carrier upon which the sample container is placed, until the sample carrier is conveyed to a prescribed position and, when the sample carrier is conveyed to the prescribed position, move horizontally toward the conveyance path so as to grip the sample container from a horizontal direction at the prescribed position, wherein
• the pair of clamps each include a contact surface that is provided at one end of the clamp and comes into contact with the sample container, a first pin that is provided at the other end of the clamp, and a second pin that is provided between both ends of the clamp, and are arranged bilaterally symmetrically,
• the second pin moves on a second arc as the first pin is driven on a first arc,
• a straight line connecting a center of the first arc and the first pin intersects with a straight line connecting a center of the second arc and the second pin,
• the sample container gripping apparatus further comprises:
• a motor that generates a rotational driving force;
• a transmission portion that transmits the rotational driving force to the first pin;
• and
• a gripping sensor which is a sensor that detects gripping of the sample container by the pair of clamps,
• the transmission portion includes:
• an elastic portion that is stretched by the rotational driving force after the contact surface comes into contact with the sample container;
• a crank arm having one end fixedly connected to a rotation shaft of the motor;
• and
• a coupling plate having one end provided with a coupling shaft rotatably connected to the other end of the crank arm and the other end provided with a transmission shaft that transmits the rotational driving force, and
• the gripping sensor detects that the sample container has been gripped, when the coupling shaft has moved toward a side opposite to a side on which the transmission shaft is present with respect to the rotation shaft so that a line connecting the coupling shaft and the transmission shaft is positioned behind a center of the rotation shaft.

A sample container gripping apparatus for gripping a sample container accommodating a sample, the sample container gripping apparatus comprising:

• a pair of clamps configured to be kept outside of a conveyance path, which is for conveying a sample carrier upon which the sample container is placed, until the sample carrier is conveyed to a prescribed position and, when the sample carrier is conveyed to the prescribed position, move horizontally toward the conveyance path so as to grip the sample container from a horizontal direction at the prescribed position, wherein
• the pair of clamps each include a contact surface that is provided at one end of the clamp and comes into contact with the sample container, a first pin that is provided at the other end of the clamp, and a second pin that is provided between both ends of the clamp, and are arranged bilaterally symmetrically,
• the second pin moves on a second arc as the first pin is driven on a first arc,
• a straight line connecting a center of the first arc and the first pin intersects with a straight line connecting a center of the second arc and the second pin, and
• the second arc is formed by a guide groove in which the second pin slides.