JP2008093588A - Centrifugal separator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a centrifugal separator which is capable of appropriately and freely performing the choice whether the door is automatically opened or manually opened according to the purpose of use after the termination of operation even if the same centrifugal separator is used. <P>SOLUTION: The centrifugal separator is provided with a driving part 4, a rotor 3 rotatively driven by the driving part 4, a rotary chamber 5 to store the rotor 3, a door 7 to open and close the rotary chamber 5, a door lock mechanism 9 to lock the make and break of the door 7, a control part 6 to control the driving part 4 and the door lock mechanism 9, an operating part 2 equipped with the setting of operation conditions and a switch to open the door 7, and an indication part 1 to indicate the operation conditions and the operation state. The centrifugal separator is characterized by installing a setting function to decide the choice whether the door 7 is automatically opened or manually opened after the termination of operation at the indication part 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a centrifuge for centrifuging a sample by rotationally driving a rotor in which the sample is inserted.

  In this type of centrifuge, the user adjusts the operating conditions such as rotational speed, operating time (separation time), temperature (holding temperature), acceleration gradient, deceleration gradient, etc. from the operation unit according to the sample to be separated. Set. Then, the rotor into which the sample is inserted is set in the rotation chamber, the door is closed, and the start switch of the operation unit is pressed, so that the rotor is rotationally driven. The rotor is accelerated and set to the rotational speed set by the operation unit, and when the set operation time has elapsed, the rotation of the rotor is automatically decelerated and stopped.

  By the way, there are centrifuges that automatically open the door when the rotation of the rotor stops, and those that the user manually opens the door. The door after operation / stopping depends on the type and purpose of the centrifuge. Opening conditions are different.

In many cases, a centrifugal separator or the like that is mainly equipped with a refrigerator and keeps the temperature of the sample to be separated at the temperature set by the operation unit cannot automatically open the door after operation and shutdown. On the other hand, a centrifuge not equipped with a refrigerator often opens the door automatically after operation / stop. The centrifuge manufacturer determines in advance for each centrifuge whether the door after operation / stop is automatically opened or whether the user manually opens the door.
JP 2006-142169 A

  However, in the past, as described above, whether to automatically open or manually open the door after operation / stop is predetermined for each centrifuge, and whether to open the door automatically or manually after operation / stop is determined. It was impossible to select as appropriate depending on the intended use of the centrifuge.

  For example, when using a centrifuge with a freezer for the production of drugs, etc., or when separating many specimens such as blood one after another in a hospital, if the door is automatically opened after operation / stop, manual operation is possible. Since the door does not need to be opened, the next sample can be set in the centrifuge immediately after the separated sample is taken out, and the working efficiency of the centrifugation is improved.

  Moreover, even if it is a refrigerator mounted type centrifuge, it is not necessary to open a door automatically, when keeping at the temperature set from the operation part after the start / stop.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the target process is to select whether to automatically open or manually open the door after operation / stopping, even for the same centrifuge. It is to provide a centrifuge that can be freely performed as appropriate.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 includes a drive unit, a rotor that is rotationally driven by the drive unit, a rotating chamber that houses the rotor, a door that opens and closes the rotating chamber, and the door. A door lock mechanism that locks the opening and closing of the vehicle, a control unit for controlling the drive unit and the door lock mechanism, an operation unit that includes a switch for setting a driving condition and opening the door, and a driving condition and a driving state. In the centrifuge having a display unit for displaying the display, the display unit is provided with a setting function capable of selecting whether the door is automatically opened or manually opened after the operation / stop.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the display unit is provided with a screen for displaying a condition for automatically opening or manually opening the door after operation / stop, and the display of the screen. Based on the above, a function is provided that allows the operation unit to set whether the door is automatically opened or manually opened.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in the case where the door is automatically opened after operation / stop, the time until the door is opened after the stop is set in the display unit. It is characterized by providing a timer function capable of

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the display unit is provided with a setting function capable of selecting whether the door is automatically opened or manually opened after operation / stopping. Can be freely selected as appropriate depending on the purpose of use, depending on the purpose of use.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the user can freely set the condition of whether to automatically open or manually open the door after operation / stop according to the screen displayed on the display unit.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the door is automatically opened after operation / stop, the time from when the door is stopped until the door is opened can be set, so that the convenience of the centrifuge is improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, the basic configuration of a centrifuge according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a centrifuge showing a state in which the door is closed, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the centrifuge showing a state in which the door is opened. A part 1 and an operation part 2 are provided, and a rotating chamber 5, a control part 6, and a door lock mechanism 9 are accommodated in the housing 8.

  The rotating chamber 5 is opened and closed at its top opening by a door 7, and a rotatable rotor 3 is accommodated in the rotating chamber 5. The rotor 3 is rotationally driven by a drive unit 4, and the drive of the drive unit 4 is controlled by the control unit 6. The door 7 is always biased to the open side by a door spring 10. The display unit 1 and the door lock mechanism are electrically connected to the control unit 6.

  Thus, in the centrifuge configured as described above, the user adjusts the rotation speed, operation time (separation time), temperature (holding temperature), acceleration gradient, deceleration gradient, etc. according to the sample to be separated. Are set from the operation unit 2. Then, the rotor 3 into which the sample is inserted is set in the rotating chamber 5, the door 7 is closed, and a start switch (not shown) provided in the operation unit 2 is pressed to start the operation of the centrifuge.

  Here, FIG. 1 shows a state in which the door 7 is closed. At this time, the door 7 is locked by the lock pin 11 of the door lock mechanism 9 engaging with the engagement hole of the door hook 12 of the door 7. . 2 shows a state in which the door 7 is opened. When the door lock mechanism 9 releases the door lock, the door 7 which is closed as shown in FIG. Open like so. Therefore, when the door lock mechanism 9 locks the door 7, “door is closed”, and when the door lock mechanism 9 unlocks the door 7 (door lock is released), “door open”. Hereinafter, “door closed” indicates a state in which the door lock mechanism 9 is maintained in a locked state, and “door open” indicates that the door lock mechanism 9 is in an unlocked state.

  Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the opening and closing of the door 7 is controlled by a microcomputer (not shown) built in the control unit 6. When the door 7 is automatically opened after operation / stop, the control unit 6 outputs a door unlock control signal to the door lock mechanism 9 when determining that the rotation of the rotor 3 has stopped.

  Further, when the door 7 is manually opened, when the control unit 6 determines that a door opening switch (not shown) provided on the operation panel 2 is pressed, the control unit 6 makes a door unlock mechanism 9 to the door lock mechanism 9. Outputs a lock control signal. In most centrifuges, since the rotor 3 rotates at high speed during operation, the door lock mechanism 9 is locked as shown in FIG. Even if pressed, the door lock state is maintained.

  FIG. 3 shows a door opening setting screen after the centrifuge is operated / stopped. This screen is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) display device that can display more information in order to add various functions. Is displayed. Hereinafter, the door opening setting screen after the stop will be described.

  When “door opening” is performed after operation / stop, “1” of “automatic door opening” is set in the setting box 101 of the door opening setting item 100 after stopping. When setting the time from the stop to the automatic door opening, set the time in minutes / seconds in the setting box 102, and set the time to 0 minutes 0 seconds to open the door immediately after stopping. . When the door is manually opened after the stop, “2” of “manual door open” is set in the setting box 102. In this case, the door opening time from the stop of the setting box 102 becomes invalid.

  Next, the operation of performing “door opening setting after stop” on the screen shown in FIG. 3 will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the door 7 is closed and the operation of the centrifuge is started (step 110), the door is closed (the door lock mechanism 9 is in the door lock state) (step 111), and the operation set by the user from the operation unit 2 is performed. The operation over time is continued (step 112). When the set operation time has elapsed (when the determination result in step 112 is YES), the centrifugal separator is decelerated to decelerate the rotation of the rotor 3 (step 113), and the centrifugal separator stops. (Step 114).

  When the centrifuge stops (the determination result in step 114 is YES), when “automatic door opening” is set on the screen shown in FIG. 3 (when the determination result in step 115 is YES), The time set in the setting box 102 on the screen of FIG. 3 is set in the door open timer (step 116), waits until the time set in the door open timer elapses (step 117), and the time set in the door open timer elapses. Then (YES in step 117 (timer = 0)), the control unit 6 outputs a door unlock control signal to the door lock mechanism 9 to open the door (door unlock state) (step 119). .

  On the other hand, when “manual door opening” is set on the screen of FIG. 3 (when the determination result in step 115 is NO), the user presses the door opening switch provided in the operation unit 2 ( (Step 118), and when the door open switch is pressed (YES in step 118), the control unit 6 outputs a door unlock control signal to the door lock mechanism 9 to open the door. (Door unlock state) (step 119). Note that the door 7 may be locked by operating the door lock mechanism 9 at the same time as the door 7 is closed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the display unit is provided with a setting function capable of selecting whether to automatically open or manually open the door after operation / stop, even in the same centrifuge, The user can freely and appropriately select whether to automatically open or manually open the door after operation / stop depending on the purpose of use.

  In addition, the user can freely set the condition of whether the door is automatically opened or manually opened after operation / stop according to the screen displayed on the display unit from the operation unit.

  Furthermore, when the door is automatically opened after operation / stop, the time from when the door is stopped until the door is opened can be set, so that the convenience of the centrifuge is improved.

It is sectional drawing which shows the state by which the door of the centrifuge which concerns on this invention was closed. It is sectional drawing which shows the state by which the door of the centrifuge which concerns on this invention was opened. It is a figure which shows the door open setting screen after the driving | operation stop of the centrifuge which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the door opening operation | movement after the driving | operation / stop of the centrifuge which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Display part 2 Operation part 3 Rotor 4 Drive part 5 Rotating chamber 6 Control part 7 Door 8 Case 9 Door lock mechanism 10 Door spring 11 Lock pin 12 Door hook 100 Setting screen 101 Door opening setting box 102 Time setting box

Claims (3)

A drive unit, a rotor that is rotationally driven by the drive unit, a rotary chamber that houses the rotor, a door that opens and closes the rotary chamber, a door lock mechanism that locks the opening and closing of the door, the drive unit, and the In the centrifuge having a control unit for controlling the door lock mechanism, an operation unit having a switch for setting the operation condition and opening the door, and a display unit for displaying the operation condition and the operation state,
The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is provided with a setting function capable of selecting whether to automatically open or manually open the door after operation / stop.   The display unit is provided with a screen for displaying a condition for automatically opening or manually opening the door after operation / stop, and whether the door is automatically opened by the operation unit based on the display on the screen. The centrifuge according to claim 1, further comprising a function capable of setting whether to open. 3. A timer function capable of setting a time from when the door is opened to when the door is opened when the door is automatically opened after operation / stop. Centrifuge.

Images