Sample transfer mechanism

摘要

A sample transfer mechanism of the present invention is characterized broadly by a sample gripping method in which a downward part of a sample vessel is gripped and a cover that achieves an effect as a guide such that gripping arms that grip the sample vessel avoid contact with other objects and bypass surrounding objects, particularly, the sample vessels in approaching and retracting motions. To enhance the effect as the guide and to ensure that the sample vessels can be mounted with a high degree of integration, the shape of the cover and disposition of the sample transfer mechanism are characterized in a number of manners. Thus, a sample transfer mechanism that can perform a transfer process safely with high throughput even under conditions in which a variety of types of sample vessels is mixed together and the sample vessels are mounted with a high degree of integration is provided.

主权项

1. A sample transfer mechanism configured to carry out an arbitrary sample vessel of a plurality of sample vessels each having an opening portion, a bottom portion, and a body portion of a plurality of types of different lengths, from a sample vessel holder and configured to carry an arbitrary sample vessel holder, the sample transfer mechanism comprising:
a gripper assembly equipped with a plurality of openable gripping arms that grip the body portion of the sample vessels having the plurality of types of different lengths; a transport mechanism that moves the assembly to a predetermined position relative to a sample vessel to be gripped; a covering assembled in the gripper assembly having an inner wall having one or more grooves covering the outside of respective gripping arms, and in a state in which the gripping arms are opened, and a lower end disposed downwardly of the leading end portions of the gripping arms; and a control mechanism that controls the transport mechanism such that a gripping position at which the gripping arms grip the sample vessel is identical among the sample vessels having the plurality of types of different lengths.