Method of conveying sample rack and automated analyzer in which sample rack is conveyed

A conveying method of conveying sample racks holding samples to be analyzed in an automated analyzer which comprises a plurality of analysis units arranged along a main conveyance line, a rack supplying device for supplying the sample racks to the main conveyance line, and a rack housing device for housing the sample racks conveyed by the main conveyance line, wherein:

• (a) a first analysis unit receives one sample rack at a reception port therein from the main conveyance line;
• (b) the sample rack is moved to a sample delivery port of the first analysis unit;
• (c) a portion of the sample held by the sample rack moved to the sample delivery port is pipetted into a reaction container of the first analysis unit;
• (d) the sample rack is moved from the sample delivery port to a transmission port right after the pipetting is completed and continues to wait at the transmission port until it is determined that the sample rack moved to the transmission port is to be conveyed from the first analysis unit to a second analysis unit, the transmission port being arranged on a downstream side of the main conveyance line relative to the reception port;
• (e) when sample racks wait at the transmission port of the first analysis unit and a transmission port of the second analysis unit, respectively, a controller checks whether or not the second analysis unit can receive the sample rack from the first analysis unit and a destination by which the sample rack from the second analysis unit is to be received is receivable;
• (f) when the second analysis unit can receive the sample rack from the first analysis unit and priority for the sample rack at the transmission port of the first analysis unit to be conveyed is higher than that for the sample rack at the transmission port of the second analysis unit to be conveyed, the conveying of the sample rack at the transmission port of the first analysis unit through the main conveyance line is determined;
• and
• (g) thereafter, the sample rack at the transmission port of the first analysis unit is conveyed to the second analysis unit through the main conveyance line.

A conveying method of conveying sample racks holding samples to be analyzed in an automated analyzer which comprises a plurality of analysis units arranged along a main conveyance line, a rack supplying device for supplying the sample racks to the main conveyance line, and a rack housing device for housing the sample tacks conveyed by the main conveyance line, wherein:

• (a) after a sample rack is received by any of the plurality of analysis units, the received sample rack is moved, in a sample processing area in the analysis unit by which the sample rack is received, to a reception port, a sample delivery port and a transmission port in the same order;
• (b) when sample racks wait at at least two of a first transmission port in a first analysis unit, a second transmission port in a second analysis unit and a third transmission port in the rack supplying device, respectively, a controller checks whether or not the waiting sample racks are receivable by subsequent destinations corresponding thereto;
• (c) when the at least two waiting sample racks are receivable by the subsequent destinations corresponding thereto, the controller allows one of the at least two waiting sample racks to be carried out;
• and
• (d) the allowed sample rack is shifted from a corresponding transmission port to the main conveyance line.

An automated analyzer having a main conveyance line capable of conveying a sample rack holding a sample, a plurality of analysis units arranged along the main conveyance line, a rack supplying device for supplying the sample rack to the main conveyance line and a rack housing device for housing the sample rack conveyed by the main conveyance line, the automated analyzer comprising:

• (a) a sample processing area arranged in each of the plurality of analysis units, the sample rack received in the sample processing area from the main conveyance line being moved to a reception port, a sample delivery port and a transmission port in the same order;
• (b) a rack detector provided at each of a first transmission port in a first analysis unit, a second transmission port in a second analysis unit and a third transmission port in the rack supplying unit so as to detect the sample rack waiting to be carried out at each of the first, second and third transmission ports;
• and
• (c) a controller for checking, when sample racks wait at at least two of the first, second and third transmission ports, whether or not the waiting sample racks are receivable by subsequent destinations corresponding thereto, the controller allowing one of the at least two waiting sample racks to be carried out so that the allowed sample rack is shifted from a corresponding transmission port to the main conveyance line, when the at least two waiting sample racks are receivable by the subsequent destinations corresponding thereto.