JPH09129367A - Temperature detecting device of microwave heater heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the durability of a temperature detecting device and enable the device to always detect even samples that are not present on the axis of a rotating shaft. SOLUTION: This temperature detecting device 10 is for use in a microwave heater 80, in which a sample container 82 is placed on a turntable 90 inside a heating chamber 84 and a sample S stored in the sample container 82 is heated as the turntable 90 is turned via a rotating shaft 12, for detecting the temperature T of the sample S via optical fibers 14, 16. A hollow opening 18 is provided in the center of the rotating shaft 12. The end 14a of the optical fiber 14 is held in position opposite to the sample S, and the first end 16b of the optical fiber 16 is connected to a radiation thermometer. The first end 14b of the optical fiber 14 is connected to the end 16a of the optical fiber 16 by an optical rotary joint 20 inside the hollow opening 18.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a temperature detector used for detecting the temperature of a sample in a microwave heater that heats the sample by irradiating the sample such as serum or reagent with microwaves. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in the enzyme immunoreaction measurement performed in the examination of cancer, diabetes, hepatitis, AIDS, etc., a sample of serum, a reagent or the like is irradiated with microwaves so that the immunoreaction or chemistry of the sample There is a step of promoting the reaction.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a first conventional example of a temperature detecting device for a microwave heater used in such a step. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a sample container. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to these drawings.

The microwave heater 80 irradiates the sample container 82 containing the sample S which reacts by microwave irradiation, the heating chamber 84 containing the sample container 82, and the sample M in the heating chamber 84 with the microwave M. The microwave irradiating means 86 is provided.

In addition, in the heating chamber 84, an infrared sensor 88 fixed to the upper portion of the heating chamber 84 and serving as a temperature detecting device for detecting the temperature of the sample S, a turntable 90 on which a sample container 82 is mounted, a turn A rotary shaft 92 on which the table 90 is fixed, a motor 94a for driving the rotary shaft 92, a worm 94b, a worm wheel 94c, and the like are attached.

The sample container 82 is a flat plate provided with a large number of bottomed holes 96 for containing the sample S, and is generally called a microplate. The material of the sample container 82 is a material that transmits the microwave M, for example, polystyrene, polytetrafluoroethylene, quartz, or the like, and has translucency. The heating chamber 84 has a heat insulating structure in which an outer wall and an inner wall are made of a material such as a metal that reflects the microwave M, and a heat insulating material such as urethane foam is interposed between the outer wall and the inner wall. It has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape. Although not shown, the microwave irradiating means 86 includes a power supply transformer for converting a commercial power supply voltage into a high voltage, a magnetron for generating a microwave M by the high voltage obtained by the power supply transformer, and a microwave M for the magnetron.
It is composed of an antenna and a waveguide for guiding the heating element to the heating chamber 84. Although not shown, a measuring device is connected to the infrared sensor 88, and a microcomputer or the like for controlling the microwave irradiating means 86 based on the temperature T is connected to the measuring device.

The temperature T of the sample S is contactlessly detected by the infrared sensor 88. However, the infrared sensor 88
The sample S that can always be detected is limited to one on the axis of the rotating shaft 92. That is, for the sample S that is off the axis of the rotary shaft 92, the infrared sensor 88 is
The temperature T can be detected only intermittently for each rotation of 2.
In order to solve this problem, a temperature detecting device as shown in FIG. 6 can be considered.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a second conventional example of the temperature detecting device. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to this drawing. However, the same parts as those in FIG.

The temperature detecting device 96 has an optical fiber 961 introduced from the outside of the heating chamber 84, a support rod 962 fixed to the heating chamber 84 and fixing the optical fiber 961 at the base end side, and a turntable 90. And a support rod 963 for fixing the optical fiber 961 with its tip facing the sample S. Optical fiber 961
The base end side is connected to a radiation thermometer (not shown).
The tip side of the optical fiber 961 rotates with the turntable 90 around the bent portion 964. Therefore, the temperature T of the sample S deviated from the axis of the rotating shaft 92 can always be detected without contact.

[0010]

However, the conventional temperature detecting device has the following problems.

[0011] In the first conventional example, as described above, only the sample S on the axis of the rotating shaft 92 cannot be detected at all times. Especially, in the case where the turntable revolves around its axis, there is usually no sample on the axis of revolution, and therefore no sample can be detected at all times.

[0012] In the first conventional example, the smaller the distance L ₂ between the light receiving surface 881 of the infrared sensor 88 and the sample S, the better the detection accuracy. On the other hand, considering the efficiency and uniformity of heating, the depth, width, and height in the heating chamber must all be about three times the wavelength of the microwave M. Therefore, it is difficult to make the distance L ₂ smaller.

.. In the second conventional example, the flexibility of the optical fiber 961 is used, but the optical fiber 961 cannot be said to have good flexibility due to its material. Therefore, the twisting stress is repeatedly applied to the bent portion 964 of the optical fiber 961 so that the optical fiber 961 can be used with time.
Will be altered or broken. That is, the second conventional example has a problem of poor durability.

[0014] There is a member called a stirrer for uniformly irradiating the sample S with the microwave M by irregularly reflecting the microwave M. This stirrer is installed on the upper part of the sample S. In both the first and second conventional examples, however, since each component is concentrated above the sample S, it is difficult to secure a space for installing the stirrer. is there.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a temperature detecting device capable of constantly detecting a sample not on the axis of a rotary shaft and improving durability.

[0016]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a temperature detecting device, wherein a sample container is placed on a turntable in a heating chamber, and the turntable is rotated through a rotary shaft while the sample container is mounted on the sample container. It is used for a microwave heater that heats a contained sample, and detects the temperature of the sample through an optical fiber whose tip is fixed so as to face the sample. And, it has the following characteristics. . A hollow opening is provided in the center of the rotary shaft. . The optical fiber is composed of a first optical fiber whose tip is fixed to face the sample and a second optical fiber whose base is connected to a radiation thermometer. . The proximal end of the first optical fiber and the distal end of the second optical fiber are connected by an optical rotary joint within the hollow opening of the rotating shaft.

The optical rotary joint is to fix two optical fibers with their end faces abutting each other.
That is, it is optically connected and mechanically connected so that one optical fiber is rotatable with respect to the other optical fiber. Therefore, while one optical fiber rotates with respect to the other optical fiber, light is transmitted from one optical fiber to the other optical fiber and vice versa.

During the microwave irradiation, the rotary shaft rotates. The turntable, the sample container, and the first optical fiber also rotate together with the rotation axis. At this time, the first optical fiber rotates while the tip end faces the sample, and the base end rotates inside the optical rotary joint. Therefore, since the first optical fiber rotates integrally from the tip to the base end, no twist stress is generated. On the other hand, since the tip of the second optical fiber is rotatable with respect to the rotation axis by the optical rotary joint, it remains stationary regardless of how the rotation axis rotates. As described above, the first and second optical fibers do not have a twist stress due to the rotation of the rotating shaft.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the temperature detecting device, a translucent sample container is placed on a turntable in a heating chamber, and the turntable is housed in the sample container while being rotated through a rotary shaft. It is used for a microwave heater that heats the sample, and detects the temperature of the sample through an infrared sensor. And, it has the following characteristics. . At the center of the rotary shaft,
A hollow opening is provided. . The infrared sensor is fixed in the hollow opening of the rotating shaft with the light receiving surface facing the bottom surface of the sample container.

The light receiving surface of the infrared sensor faces the bottom surface of the sample container. Since the sample container is translucent, the infrared sensor can detect the temperature of the sample through the bottom surface of the sample container. Since the infrared sensor is located at the center of the rotating shaft, it can always detect the temperature of the upper sample even when the rotating shaft is rotating. The distance between the light-receiving surface of the infrared sensor and the sample is minimum, and it can be shortened to a point just before contact with each other.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the temperature detecting device, a revolution table having a revolution axis and a rotation table having a revolution axis are provided in a heating chamber, and a translucent sample container is placed on the revolution table. The sample is used in a microwave heater that heats a sample contained in the sample container while rotating the revolution table and the revolution table via the revolution shaft and the revolution shaft, and the sample is used via an infrared sensor. It detects the temperature of. And, it has the following characteristics. . A hollow opening is provided in the center of the rotation shaft. . The infrared sensor is fixed in the hollow opening of the rotation shaft with the light receiving surface facing the bottom surface of the sample container.

The light receiving surface of the infrared sensor faces the bottom surface of the sample container. Since the sample container is translucent, the infrared sensor can detect the temperature of the sample through the bottom surface of the sample container. Since the infrared sensor is located at the center of the rotation axis, it can always detect the temperature of the upper sample even when the rotation axis rotates. The distance between the light-receiving surface of the infrared sensor and the sample is minimum, and it can be shortened to a point just before contact with each other.

[0023]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of a temperature detecting device according to the present invention. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to this drawing. However, the same parts as those in FIG.

In the temperature detector 10, the sample container 82 is placed on the turntable 90 in the heating chamber 84, and the sample S contained in the sample container 82 is rotated while rotating the turntable 90 via the rotary shaft 12. Microwave heater 8 for heating
0 is used for detecting the temperature T of the sample S through the optical fibers 14 and 16. Rotary axis 1
At the center of 2, a hollow opening 18 is provided. The tip 14a of the optical fiber 14 is fixed facing the sample S,
The base end 16b of the optical fiber 16 is a radiation thermometer (not shown).
It is connected to the. The proximal end 14b of the optical fiber 14 and the distal end 16a of the optical fiber 16 are connected by an optical rotary joint 20 in the hollow opening 18 of the rotary shaft 12.

In the optical rotary joint 20, a fixed barrel 201 holding the base end 14b of the optical fiber 14 and a rotary barrel 202 holding the tip 16a of the optical fiber 16 are connected to the bearing 2
It has a structure that is covered by the through hole 03. Fixed cylinder 20
1 is fixed to the hollow opening 18, so that the rotating shaft 1
Rotate with 2. The rotary cylinder 202 is rotatable with respect to the fixed cylinder 201 by a bearing 203. In the optical rotary joint 20, the base end 14b of the optical fiber 14 and the tip 16a of the optical fiber 16 are separated from each other, and their axes are aligned so that the light emitted from the base end 14b enters the tip 16a. There is.

The tip 14a of the optical fiber 14 is fixed so as to face the sample S by a guide member 22 fixed to the turntable 90. Turntable 9
A through hole 901 is provided at the center of 0, and the optical fiber 14 is inserted through the through hole 901. Below the turntable 90, the electromagnetic wave shield housing 26 fixed to the heating chamber 84 via the support column 24 is provided.
It is provided in a state where it does not contact the rotating shaft 12 and the like. The electromagnetic wave shield housing 26 has a circumferential shape along the periphery of the turntable 90. The rotating shaft 12 is supported by the gear housing 30 via a bearing 28.
The gear housing 30 is fixedly installed in the heating chamber 84, and also has a motor 94 a for driving the rotating shaft 12 and a worm 94.
b, the worm wheel 94c, etc. are accommodated. The bottom surface of the heating chamber 84 is provided with a through hole 841.
The optical fiber 16 is inserted through.

Next, the operation of the temperature detecting device 10 will be described.

During irradiation of the microwave M, the rotary shaft 12 rotates. The turntable 90, the sample container 82, the guide member 22, the optical fiber 14, and the fixed barrel 201 also rotate together with the rotating shaft 12. Therefore, the optical fiber 14 is
Since the tip end 14a and the base end 14b rotate integrally, no torsional stress occurs. On the other hand, the rotary cylinder 202
Since the bearing is rotatable with respect to the fixed barrel 201 by the bearing 203, it remains stationary no matter how the fixed barrel 201 rotates. Therefore, since the optical fiber 16 held by the rotary cylinder 202 also remains stationary, no twist stress occurs. As described above, the optical fibers 14 and 16 are not deteriorated due to the torsional stress, so that the durability is remarkably improved. Further, since the tip 14a of the optical fiber 14 faces the sample S even during rotation,
The temperature T can always be detected even for the sample S that is not on the axis of the rotary shaft 12.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the temperature detecting device according to the present invention. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to this drawing. However, the same parts as those in FIG.

In the temperature detecting device 32, a translucent sample container 82 is placed on the turntable 90 in the heating chamber 84, and while the turntable 90 is rotated via the rotating shaft 34, the sample container 82 is rotated. It is used for a microwave heater 80 that heats the contained sample S, and detects the temperature T of the sample S via the infrared sensor 36. A hollow opening 38 is provided in the center of the rotary shaft 34. The light receiving surface 361 of the infrared sensor 36 is the sample container 8
The second bottom surface 821 is fixed inside the hollow opening 38.

The infrared sensor 36 is composed of a light receiving element and an optical system (not shown), and is fixed in the rotary cylinder 40.
The rotary cylinder 40 is rotatably fixed to the rotary shaft 34 via a bearing 42. As a result, the infrared sensor 36 also
It is rotatably fixed to the rotary shaft 34. A through hole 901 is provided at the center of the turntable 90.
The temperature T of the sample S can be detected from 1 through the sample container 82. Below the turntable 90, the electromagnetic wave shield housing 26 fixed to the heating chamber 84 via the support column 24 is provided.
However, it is provided so as not to contact the turntable 90, the rotating shaft 34, and the like. The rotating shaft 34 is supported by the gear housing 30 via a bearing 28. The gear housing 30 is fixed to the heating chamber 84, and the rotation shaft 34
A motor 94a for driving the motor, a worm 94b, a worm wheel 94c, and the like are housed. A through hole 841 is provided on the bottom surface of the heating chamber 84, and the signal line 362 of the infrared sensor 36 is inserted through the through hole 841. The signal line 362 is connected to a measuring device (not shown).

Next, the operation of the temperature detecting device 32 will be described.

During the irradiation of the microwave M, the rotary shaft 34 rotates. The turntable 90 and the sample container 82 also rotate together with the rotating shaft 34. On the other hand, the rotary cylinder 40 has a bearing 42.
Since it is rotatable with respect to the rotating shaft 34,
No matter how the rotating shaft 34 rotates, it remains stationary. Therefore, since the infrared sensor 36 fixedly provided in the rotary cylinder 40 also remains stationary, the signal line 362
Does not twist. Further, the distance L ₁ between the light receiving surface 361 of the infrared sensor 36 and the sample S can be shortened to a point just before they contact each other within a range where the infrared sensor 36 does not affect the temperature T. Therefore, the infrared sensor 3
The detection accuracy of 6 is improved.

The rotary cylinder 40 and the bearing 42 are omitted,
The infrared sensor 36 may be fixed to the hollow opening 38. In this case, the infrared sensor 36 is
Since it rotates with it, it is necessary to take out the signal line 362 using a sliding contact (generally called a “slip ring”) in order to prevent the signal line 362 from kinking.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of the temperature detecting device according to the present invention. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to this drawing. However, the same parts as those in FIG.

The temperature detecting device 50 is a revolution shaft (not shown).
The revolving table 52 having the rotation axis and the rotation table 56 having the rotation axis 54 are provided in the heating chamber 84.
A microwave heating for heating a sample contained in the sample container 82 while placing a sample container 82 having a light-transmitting property thereon and rotating the revolution table 52 and the rotation table 56 via the revolution shaft and the rotation shaft 54. It is used in the container 80 and detects the temperature T of the sample S via the infrared sensor 36. A hollow opening 58 is provided at the center of the rotation shaft 54. The infrared sensor 36 is fixed in the hollow opening 58 with the light receiving surface 361 facing the bottom surface 821 of the sample container 82.

The infrared sensor 36 is fixed in the rotary cylinder 40, and the rotary cylinder 40 is rotatably fixed to the rotation shaft 54 via a bearing 42. As a result, the infrared sensor 36
Is also rotatably fixed to the rotation shaft 54. A through hole 561 is provided at the center of the rotation table 56, and the through hole 5
The temperature T of the sample S can be detected from 61 through the sample container 82. A planetary gear 64 for driving is fitted to the lower end 541 of the rotation shaft 54. Planet gear 64 is idle gear 6
6, the idle gear 66 meshes with a sun gear (not shown).

The rotation shaft 54 is supported by a rotation shaft housing 62 via a bearing 60. Rotating shaft housing 62
Is fixed to the revolution table 52. As a result, the rotation shaft 54 and the rotation table 56 are rotatable with respect to the revolution table 52. A through hole 521 is provided between the center and the peripheral edge of the revolution table 52.
The rotation shaft 54 projects from the position 1. Revolution table 52
On the lower side of the revolving table 52, the electromagnetic wave shield housing 26 fixed to the heating chamber 84 via the support column 24 is provided.
It is provided so as not to contact the rotation shaft housing 62 and the like.

Next, the operation of the temperature detecting device 50 will be described.

During the irradiation of the microwave M, the revolution shaft and the rotation shaft 54 rotate. Revolution table 5 with revolution axis
2, rotation table 56, rotation shaft 54, infrared sensor 36
And the sample container 82 also revolves around the sun. Furthermore, the rotation table 56 and the sample container 82 rotate together with the rotation shaft 54. On the other hand, the rotary cylinder 40 uses the bearing 42 to rotate the rotation shaft 54.
On the other hand, since it is rotatable, it can rotate independently of the rotation of the rotation shaft 54. Therefore, the infrared sensor 36 fixedly installed in the rotary cylinder 40 can also rotate independently of the rotation of the rotation shaft 54. Therefore, even if the signal line 362 is twisted by the revolution and the rotation, the infrared sensor 36 is rotated by the restoring force of the signal line 362, so that the signal line 362 is not twisted. in this way,
The temperature T of the sample S on the rotation shaft 54 can always be detected.

The signal line 362 may be provided with a through hole at the center of the revolution shaft and taken out through the through hole, or may be taken out through a sliding contact. Also,
The rotation shaft 54 and the rotation table 56 may be single or plural.

Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above first to third embodiments. For example, the bearing may be one that substantially exhibits the function of the bearing.

[0043]

According to the temperature detecting device of the first aspect,
A first optical fiber whose tip is fixed facing the sample;
A second optical fiber whose base end is connected to a radiation thermometer,
By connecting with the optical rotary joint in the hollow opening provided in the center of the rotation axis, while making it possible to transmit light from the first optical fiber to the second optical fiber, the first and second optical fibers are mutually connected. Can be freely rotated. Therefore, since the twisting stress caused by the rotation of the rotating shaft does not occur in the first and second optical fibers, the durability of the optical fiber in the case of constantly detecting the temperature of the sample not on the axis of the rotating shaft can be greatly improved. .

According to the temperature detecting device of the second aspect, since the infrared sensor is provided inside the hollow opening of the rotary shaft so as to face the bottom surface of the sample container, the sample can be passed through the bottom surface of the sample container while the rotary shaft is rotating. Since the temperature can be detected, the distance between the light-receiving surface of the infrared sensor and the sample can be shortened to a point just before contact with each other. Therefore, the detection accuracy can be improved.

According to the temperature detecting device of the third aspect, since the infrared sensor is provided in the hollow opening of the rotation shaft so as to face the bottom surface of the sample container, the sample can be detected through the bottom surface of the sample container even when the rotation shaft rotates. Can detect temperature. Therefore, it is possible to always detect the temperature of the sample on the rotation axis, which has been impossible in the past. Moreover, the distance between the light-receiving surface of the infrared sensor and the sample can be shortened to a point just before they are in contact with each other, so that the detection accuracy can be improved.

According to the temperature detecting device of the first to third aspects, since there are few or no parts constituting the temperature detecting device above the sample, the space for installing the stirrer can be easily secured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of a temperature detecting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the temperature detecting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of the temperature detecting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a first conventional example of a temperature detecting device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a sample container.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a second conventional example of the temperature detecting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 32, 50 Temperature detection device 12, 34 Rotation axis 14 First optical fiber 14a First optical fiber tip 14b First optical fiber base end 16 Second optical fiber 16a Second optical fiber tip 16b Base end of second optical fiber 18,38 Rotating shaft hollow opening 20 Optical rotary joint 36 Infrared sensor 52 Revolution table 54 Rotating shaft 56 Rotating table 58 Rotating shaft hollow opening 80 Microwave heater 82 Sample container 84 Heating chamber 90 Turntable M Microwave S Sample

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A microwave heater for placing a sample container on a turntable in a heating chamber and rotating the turntable via a rotation shaft to heat a sample contained in the sample container. A temperature detecting device of a microwave heater for detecting the temperature of the sample through an optical fiber whose tip faces the sample, wherein the optical fiber has a tip whose tip faces the sample and is fixed. Optical fiber and a second optical fiber whose base end is connected to a radiation thermometer, the base end of the first optical fiber and the tip of the second optical fiber are connected by an optical rotary joint. And a temperature detecting device for a microwave heater. 2. A microwave heater for mounting a sample container on a turntable in a heating chamber and heating the sample contained in the sample container while rotating the turntable via a rotary shaft. In the temperature detector of the microwave heater, which detects the temperature of the sample via an infrared sensor, a hollow opening is provided in the center of the rotating shaft, and the infrared sensor has a light-receiving surface of the sample container. A temperature detecting device for a microwave heater, wherein the temperature detecting device is fixed in the hollow opening of the rotary shaft while facing the bottom surface. 3. A revolving table having a revolving shaft and a revolving table having a revolving shaft are provided in a heating chamber, a sample container is placed on the revolving table, and the revolving table and the revolving table are the revolving shaft and the revolving shaft. Used in a microwave heater that heats a sample contained in the sample container while rotating through, and detects the temperature of the sample through an infrared sensor, in a temperature detection device of the microwave heater, A hollow opening is provided at the center of the rotation shaft, and the infrared sensor is fixed in the hollow opening of the rotation shaft in a state where the light-receiving surface faces the bottom surface of the sample container. Wave heater temperature detection device.