Rack accommodation device
First Claim
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1. A rack accommodation device comprising:
- a plurality of supportersa base having a first side and a second side capable of supporting the plurality of supporters on a plurality of stages in a first direction and in a plurality of rows in a second direction across the first direction, the supporters each being configured to hold a rack capable of holding a plurality of upright sample holders each accommodating a sample;
a first movement mechanism configured to move the supporters in the first direction; and
a second movement mechanism configured to move the supporters in the second direction, whereinthe first movement mechanism comprises a raising mechanism configured to raise the supporters on the plurality of stages in an ascending row on the first side and a lowering mechanism configured to lower the supporters on the plurality of stares in a descending row on the second side,the second movement mechanism comprises an upper shift mechanism configured to move the supporters on an upper stage in the ascending row to the second side and a lower shift mechanism configured to move the supporters on a lower stare in the descending row to the first side,the supporters are moved along a predetermined circulatory route such that the racks are sequentially introduced into a predetermined processing area,each of the supporters comprises a slide tray capable of being drawn out of the base in a third direction across the first and second directions,each of the supporters comprises first engaging portions engaged by the raising mechanism and the lowering mechanism and second engaging portions engaged by the upper shift mechanism and the lower shift mechanism,each of the first engaging portions including at least two sets of engaging lugs,a lift actuator capable of moving in the first direction,the raising mechanism and the lowering mechanism each comprise a retaining flame capable of reciprocating by means of one propelling actuator between a position for engaging with one set of engaging lugs on the first engaging portions of the supporters and a retracted position for disengaging from the one set of engaging lugs on the first engaging portions, and a lift flame capable of reciprocating by means of another propelling actuator between a position for engaging with another set of engaging lugs on the first engaging portions of the supporters and a retracted position for disengaging from the another set of engaging lugs on the first engaging portions and of an up- and-down motion by means of the lift actuator,the upper shift mechanism and the lower shift mechanism each comprise a slider, comprising an engagement retaining portion capable of reciprocating between a position for engaging with the second engaging portions of the supporters and a retracted position for disengaging from the second engaging portions, and a shift driver configured to move the slider in the second direction,a controller controls the operations of the raising mechanism, the lowering mechanism, the upper shift mechanism, and the lower shift mechanism so that the supporters are held, moved, and disengaged at predetermined timings and moves the supporters along the circulatory route, andwherein a transfer mechanism is configured to transfer the sample holders held by the rack in the processing area to a predetermined transport line.
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Abstract
An example rack accommodation device includes a base capable of supporting supporters on a plurality of stages in a first direction and in a plurality of rows in a second direction across the first direction. The supporters are each configured to hold a rack capable of holding a plurality of upright sample holders each accommodating a sample. A first movement mechanism is configured to move the supporters in the first direction, and a second movement mechanism is configured to move the supporters in the second direction.
19 Citations
1 Claim
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1. A rack accommodation device comprising:
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a plurality of supporters a base having a first side and a second side capable of supporting the plurality of supporters on a plurality of stages in a first direction and in a plurality of rows in a second direction across the first direction, the supporters each being configured to hold a rack capable of holding a plurality of upright sample holders each accommodating a sample; a first movement mechanism configured to move the supporters in the first direction; and a second movement mechanism configured to move the supporters in the second direction, wherein the first movement mechanism comprises a raising mechanism configured to raise the supporters on the plurality of stages in an ascending row on the first side and a lowering mechanism configured to lower the supporters on the plurality of stares in a descending row on the second side, the second movement mechanism comprises an upper shift mechanism configured to move the supporters on an upper stage in the ascending row to the second side and a lower shift mechanism configured to move the supporters on a lower stare in the descending row to the first side, the supporters are moved along a predetermined circulatory route such that the racks are sequentially introduced into a predetermined processing area, each of the supporters comprises a slide tray capable of being drawn out of the base in a third direction across the first and second directions, each of the supporters comprises first engaging portions engaged by the raising mechanism and the lowering mechanism and second engaging portions engaged by the upper shift mechanism and the lower shift mechanism, each of the first engaging portions including at least two sets of engaging lugs, a lift actuator capable of moving in the first direction, the raising mechanism and the lowering mechanism each comprise a retaining flame capable of reciprocating by means of one propelling actuator between a position for engaging with one set of engaging lugs on the first engaging portions of the supporters and a retracted position for disengaging from the one set of engaging lugs on the first engaging portions, and a lift flame capable of reciprocating by means of another propelling actuator between a position for engaging with another set of engaging lugs on the first engaging portions of the supporters and a retracted position for disengaging from the another set of engaging lugs on the first engaging portions and of an up- and-down motion by means of the lift actuator, the upper shift mechanism and the lower shift mechanism each comprise a slider, comprising an engagement retaining portion capable of reciprocating between a position for engaging with the second engaging portions of the supporters and a retracted position for disengaging from the second engaging portions, and a shift driver configured to move the slider in the second direction, a controller controls the operations of the raising mechanism, the lowering mechanism, the upper shift mechanism, and the lower shift mechanism so that the supporters are held, moved, and disengaged at predetermined timings and moves the supporters along the circulatory route, and wherein a transfer mechanism is configured to transfer the sample holders held by the rack in the processing area to a predetermined transport line.
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Specification
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Current AssigneeAoi Seiki Co., Ltd.
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Original AssigneeAoi Seiki Co., Ltd.
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InventorsItoh, Teruaki
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Primary Examiner(s)Warden, Jill
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Assistant Examiner(s)WHATLEY, BENJAMIN R
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Application NumberUS13/893,613Publication NumberTime in Patent Office560 DaysField of SearchNoneUS Class Current422/65CPC Class CodesB65G 1/026 Racks equipped with a displ...G01N 2035/0417 forming an endless chain in...G01N 35/04 Details of the conveyor sys...
