US 12,222,359 B2
Sample container gripping apparatus, sample conveyance apparatus, and connection apparatus
Taichiro Yamashita, Tokyo (JP); Shigeki Yamaguchi, Tokyo (JP); and Masashi Endo, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Appl. No. 17/770,077
Filed by Hitachi High-Tech Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
PCT Filed Jul. 29, 2020, PCT No. PCT/JP2020/029073
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Apr. 19, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/084823, PCT Pub. Date May 6, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 2019-198076 (JP), filed on Oct. 31, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0357354 A1, Nov. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 35/04 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/04 (2013.01) 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. 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
wherein the center of the second arc is positioned outside the pair of clamps.