CN112522097A

CN112522097A - Incubator for laboratory

Info

Publication number: CN112522097A
Application number: CN202011610341.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张凯; 王雄
Original assignee: Rwd Life Science Co ltd
Current assignee: Rwd Life Science Co ltd
Priority date: 2020-12-30
Filing date: 2020-12-30
Publication date: 2021-03-19

Abstract

The incubator for the laboratory provided by the embodiment of the invention comprises: an inner door; an outer door provided with a heating module; an inner cavity; a first channel for gas circulation in the inner chamber; the first end of the second channel is communicated with the inner cavity, and the second end of the second channel is communicated with the atmosphere outside the incubator, so that air outside the incubator enters the first channel to participate in gas circulation; the heating module heats the outer door to enable the temperature of the outer door to be within a preset range including the target temperature of the inner cavity, and the gas resistance value of the second channel is a preset value, so that the dew point temperature of gas in the inner cavity is lower than the target temperature of the inner cavity and the temperature of the outer door. According to the embodiment of the invention, the combination of the control of the temperature of the outer door and the regulation of the humidity of the inner cavity effectively avoids the problem that the inner side of the inner door of the incubator is easy to produce condensed water to cause pollution in the incubator.

Description

Incubator for laboratory

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of experimental instruments, in particular to an incubator for a laboratory.

Background

The requirements of cell culture experiments on environment and equipment are extremely high, and the incubator with high reliability and high cleanliness is very important for experimental data and experimental results. In the prior art, the incubator mostly adopts a combination mode of a glass inner door and a glass outer door. The experimenter can observe the real-time culture condition of the cells in the incubator on the premise of opening the outer door without opening the glass inner door and influencing cell culture. However, during cell culture experiments, the inside of the incubator is a high humidity environment, and the temperature generally needs to be stabilized at 37 degrees celsius. When humidity or temperature disturbance appears, the hidden danger that the inside of the glass inner door produces condensed water and then causes pollution in the incubator exists.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention provides an incubator for a laboratory, and aims to solve the problem that in the prior art, condensed water is easily generated on the inner side of an inner door of the incubator, so that the interior of the incubator is polluted.

In a first aspect, there is provided an incubator for a laboratory, comprising:

an inner door (1);

the outer door (2) is provided with a heating module, and when the outer door (2) is closed, the outer door (2) is positioned on the outer side of the inner door (1);

the inner cavity (3) is a space formed by surrounding three side walls (31, 32 and 33), a bottom plate (34), a top plate (35) and the inner door (1);

a first channel (4), the first channel (4) being arranged in the inner chamber (3) for gas circulation in the inner chamber (3); and

the first end of the second channel (5) is communicated with the inner cavity (3), and the second end of the second channel (5) is communicated with the atmosphere outside the incubator, so that the air outside the incubator enters the first channel (4) to participate in gas circulation;

the heating module heats the outer door (2) to enable the temperature of the outer door to be within a preset range containing the target temperature of the inner cavity (3), and the air resistance value of the second channel (5) is a preset value, so that the dew point temperature of the gas in the inner cavity (3) is lower than the target temperature of the inner cavity (3) and the temperature of the outer door (2).

According to the embodiment of the invention, the outer door is heated to enable the temperature of the outer door to be within the preset range of the target temperature of the inner cavity, the humidity of the inner cavity is adjusted by adjusting the air resistance value of the second channel, so that the dew point temperature of the gas in the inner cavity is lower than the target temperature of the inner cavity and the temperature of the outer door, the temperature of the outer door is controlled to be combined with the humidity of the inner cavity, and the problem of pollution in the incubator caused by easily generated condensed water on the inner side of the inner door of the incubator is effectively avoided.

Drawings

The foregoing and/or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a laboratory incubator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the laboratory incubator of FIG. 1 taken along the line A1-A2;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of region B of FIG. 2;

fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a circulating gas circuit in a laboratory incubator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar modules or modules having the same or similar functionality throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are illustrative only for the purpose of explaining the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. On the contrary, the embodiments of the invention include all changes, modifications and equivalents coming within the spirit and terms of the claims appended hereto.

In cell culture experiments, an incubator is an indispensable instrument. The incubator simulates the internal environment of a human body or an animal, ensures that the inner cavity of the incubator is at a stable temperature and a stable carbon dioxide level through a temperature, carbon dioxide and humidity control system, and maintains the state of constant pH value and higher relative saturation humidity, thereby ensuring the normal growth of cells.

Example one

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a laboratory incubator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the laboratory incubator of FIG. 1 taken along the dashed line A1-A2. Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the incubator includes an inner door 1, an outer door 2, an inner chamber 3, a first passage 4, and a second passage 5.

In the present embodiment, the inner cavity 3 is a space surrounded by the

side walls

31,32, and 33, the bottom plate 34, the top plate 35, and the inner door 1 when closed. Preferably, the inner chamber 3 is divided into a plurality of layers by a transversal shelf on which the culture dishes containing the cells are placed. When the incubator runs stably, the target temperature of the inner cavity 3 is the normal body temperature of human or animal, such as 37 ℃. Interior door 2 is the glass material, conveniently observes the real-time condition of incubator inner cell under the prerequisite that does not influence cell culture. The outer door 2 is provided with a heating module (not shown in the figure), preferably a heating film or a heating wire. When the outer door 2 is closed, the outer door 2 is positioned outside the inner door 1. The heating module is set to continue heating so that the temperature of the outer door 2 is within a preset range including the target temperature of the inner cavity 3, i.e., the temperature of the outside of the inner door 1 approaches the target temperature of the inner cavity 3. In the embodiment of the invention, the temperature to which the heating module is heated can be controlled by the control system, and the temperature is close to the target temperature of the inner cavity 3, so that the temperature sensor is not required to be arranged, and the production cost is reduced.

The first passage 4 is provided in the inner chamber 3, and is a gas circulation passage in the inner chamber 3. The water tray is positioned at the bottom of the inner cavity 3 and provides water vapor for gas circulation. The first end of the second channel 5 is communicated with the inner cavity 3, and the second end of the second channel 5 is communicated with the atmosphere outside the incubator. When the incubator works, the inner cavity 3 simulates a high-humidity environment in a human body or an animal body, and in comparison, the atmosphere outside the incubator is dry air. The air resistance value of the second channel 5 is set to be a preset value, so that dry air outside the incubator enters the first channel 4 in a control range to participate in air circulation, the humidity of the inner cavity 3 is adjusted, and the dew point temperature of the air in the inner cavity 3 is lower than the target temperature of the inner cavity 3 and the temperature of the outer side of the inner door 1. If the relative humidity of the inner cavity 3 is controlled within a range of 85% -95%, the corresponding dew point temperature is 34-36 ℃, the target temperature of the inner cavity 3 is 37 ℃, and the heating module of the outer door 2 is heated to a temperature close to the target temperature of 37 ℃, such as 36.5 ℃, of the inner cavity 3. Thus, i.e. dew point temperature < temperature of the outside of the inner door 1 < target temperature of the cavity 3, the water vapour in the cavity 3 will remain in the gaseous state. Since the temperature of the outer door 2 is close to the target temperature of the inner chamber 3, the dew point temperature is lower than that of the outer door 2, and the condensation phenomenon does not occur on the inner side of the inner door 1. The preset range of the temperature of the outer door 2, i.e. the preset range of the temperature of the outer side of the inner door 1, is a smaller range including the target temperature of the inner cavity 3, such as 36.5-37.3 degrees celsius, and is not limited herein.

Example two

In the embodiment of the present invention, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and all the features described in the first embodiment are included, and are not described again.

As an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 2, the first channel 4 is a double O-type circulation gas path. Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the region B in fig. 2. This incubator is still including setting up the fan 6 at the top of inner chamber 3, and fan 6 rotates and makes its upper and lower both sides produce the negative pressure, and the gas of fan 6 below up diffuses to both sides through fan 6 back, then flows down to the bottom of inner chamber 3 along vertical shelf respectively, again because negative pressure upflow passes through fan 6 to constitute two O type circulation gas circuits, the gas in the inner chamber 3 flows in this circulation gas circuit.

Because the air pressure difference is larger on the upper side and the lower side of the fan 6, the gas flowing speed is higher, in the embodiment of the invention, the first end of the second channel 5 is arranged on the upstream of the fan 6, namely the upstream of the gas flowing and below the fan 6, and the air outside the incubator can enter the inner cavity 3 more quickly to participate in the gas circulation. In addition to the air resistance of the second channel 5, controlling the speed of the fan 6 also controls the rate at which dry air from outside the incubator enters the incubator. Preferably, when the outer door 2 is opened, heat is dissipated from the outside of the inner door 1, the humidity of the inside of the inner door 1 is high, and the original equilibrium state in the incubator may be broken. When the opening of the outer door is detected, the rotating speed of the fan 6 is increased, and the air inflow of the dry air outside the incubator is adjusted, so that the humidity of the inner cavity 3 is reduced, namely the dew point temperature of the air in the inner cavity 3 is reduced, and the condensation phenomenon on the inner side of the inner door 1 is prevented.

As another embodiment of the present invention, the second channel 5 comprises a second filter 51 to filter the air entering from outside the incubator, preventing it from contaminating the inside of the incubator. The second filter 51 may be disposed outside the incubator or inside the incubator. When the setting is outside the incubator, make things convenient for the experimenter to dismantle, change the filter of required gas resistance to adjust the holistic gas resistance of second passageway 5.

The first passage 4 comprises a first filter 41 arranged at the top of the inner chamber 3. in the embodiment of the invention, as shown in fig. 3, the first filter 41 is arranged upstream of the fan 6, i.e. upstream of the flow of the gas, below the fan 6, filtering the gas in the inner chamber 3. Preferably, the first Filter 41 is a High efficiency air Filter (HEPA).

According to the embodiment of the invention, the outer door is heated to enable the temperature of the outer door to be within the preset range of the target temperature of the inner cavity, the humidity of the inner cavity is adjusted by adjusting the air resistance value of the second channel, so that the dew point temperature of the gas in the inner cavity is lower than the target temperature of the inner cavity and the temperature of the outer door, the temperature of the outer door is controlled to be combined with the humidity of the inner cavity, and the problem of pollution in the incubator caused by easily generated condensed water on the inner side of the inner door of the incubator is effectively avoided. The first end that rationally sets up the second passageway is in the position of inner chamber, when the disturbance appears in the environment of incubator, improves gas circulation's speed, prevents that the condensation phenomenon from appearing in the inboard of interior door.

EXAMPLE III

In the embodiment of the present invention, the same components as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and all the features described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment are included, and are not described again here.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a circulating gas circuit in a laboratory incubator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 4, the first passage 4 is an O-shaped circulation gas passage. In the embodiment of the invention, the water tray is positioned at the bottom of the inner cavity 3 and provides water vapor for gas circulation. The fan 6 is arranged at the position of the side wall 32 close to the water tray, the fan 6 rotates to enable the air in the first channel 4 at the part of the side wall 32 to flow upwards and then flow to the position close to the inner door 1 along the top plate 35, the air enters the water tray downwards and flows upwards due to the action of the fan 6, and therefore an O-shaped circulating air path is formed. The dashed arrows in fig. 4 indicate the gas exchange near the inner door 1 and in the centre of the inner chamber 3.

The first end of the second channel 5 is arranged upstream of the fan 6, and air outside the incubator can enter the inner chamber 3 relatively quickly and thus participate in the gas circulation. Controlling the speed of the fan 6 controls the rate at which dry air outside the incubator enters the incubator. Preferably, when the outer door 2 is opened, heat is dissipated from the outside of the inner door 1, the humidity of the inside of the inner door 1 is high, and the original equilibrium state in the incubator may be broken. When the opening of the outer door is detected, the rotating speed of the fan 6 is increased, and the dry air outside the incubator flows in at an accelerated speed, so that the humidity of the inner cavity 3 is reduced. According to the O-shaped circulating air path disclosed by the embodiment of the invention, dry air outside the incubator flows along the inner side of the inner door 1 after entering, so that the humidity of the inner side of the inner door 1 is rapidly reduced, and the condensation phenomenon of the inner side of the inner door 1 is prevented. In addition, the experimenter can collect the gas in the inner cavity 3 through the second channel 5 so as to detect the gas in the incubator.

In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 4, a first filter 41 is provided at the outlet of the water tray, upstream of the fan 6, to filter the air. Preferably, the first filter 41 is HEPA.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention, and that variations, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to the above embodiments by those of ordinary skill in the art within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An incubator for a laboratory, comprising:

an inner door (1);

an outer door (2) provided with a heating module, the outer door (2) being located outside the inner door (1) when the outer door (2) is closed;

the inner cavity (3) is a space formed by surrounding of three side walls (31, 32, 33), a bottom plate (34), a top plate (35) and the inner door (1);

a first channel (4), said first channel (4) being arranged in said inner chamber (3) for gas circulation in said inner chamber (3); and

a second channel (5), a first end of the second channel (5) is communicated with the inner cavity (3), a second end of the second channel (5) is communicated with the atmosphere outside the incubator, so that the air outside the incubator enters the first channel (4) to participate in gas circulation;

wherein the heating module heats so that the temperature of the outer door (2) is within a preset range including a target temperature of the inner cavity (3), and the air resistance value of the second channel (5) is a preset value so that the dew point temperature of the gas in the inner cavity (3) is lower than the target temperature of the inner cavity (3) and the temperature of the outer door (2).

2. An incubator according to claim 1, characterised by further comprising a fan (6), the fan (6) rotating to cause gas flow in the inner chamber (3).

3. An incubator according to claim 2, characterised in that the first end of the second channel (5) is arranged upstream of the fan (6).

4. An incubator according to claim 3, characterised in that the speed of rotation of the fan (6) is increased when the outer door (2) is opened.

5. Incubator according to claim 1, characterised in that said first channel (4) comprises a first filter (41).

6. An incubator according to claim 1, characterised in that the second channel (5) comprises a second filter (51).

7. An incubator according to claim 6, characterised in that the second filter (51) is arranged outside the incubator.

8. Incubator according to claim 1, characterised in that the gas in the inner chamber (3) is collected through the second channel (5).

9. An incubator according to any one of claims 1-8, characterised in that the first channel (4) is an O-cycle circuit.

10. An incubator according to any one of claims 1-8, characterised in that the first channel (4) is a double O-cycle circuit.