US 11,988,682 B2
Transfer system and automatic analysis system
Katsuhiko Seki, Kyoto (JP); Hikaru Shibata, Kyoto (JP); and Hiroyuki Matsumoto, Kyoto (JP)
Assigned to SHIMADZU CORPORATION, Kyoto (JP)
Filed by SHIMADZU CORPORATION, Kyoto (JP)
Filed on Dec. 20, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/555,601.
Claims priority of application No. 2021-009266 (JP), filed on Jan. 25, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0236296 A1, Jul. 28, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 35/04 (2006.01); G01N 35/02 (2006.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01); G01N 30/02 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/04 (2013.01) [G01N 35/025 (2013.01); G01N 35/026 (2013.01); G01N 35/10 (2013.01); G01N 2030/027 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automatic analysis system comprising:
a transfer source device;
a transfer destination device disposed adjacent to the transfer source device, and having an internal space and a door provided so as to open and close an opening leading to the internal space; and
a transfer system that transfers a sample container containing a sample from the transfer source device to the transfer destination device, wherein the transfer system comprises:
an arm having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end facing the transfer destination device, the arm having, at a distal end portion, a first catcher for detachably holding the sample container;
a drive mechanism that is provided in the transfer source device and is configured to move the first catcher between a first position in the transfer source device and a second position in the internal space of the transfer destination device by driving the arm, wherein the first position and the second position are in the same horizontal plane, and the drive mechanism is configured to move the first catcher only horizontally; and
a second catcher that is provided in the internal space of the transfer destination device, and the second catcher being provided so as to receive the sample container from the first catcher by catching the sample container, which has been moved horizontally from the first position to the second position through the opening of the transfer destination device, passively.