JP2004121094A - Incubator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an incubator with which a specimen is heated by warm water and a temperature and a water temperature are rapidly and accurately controlled. <P>SOLUTION: The incubator has an incubator main body 2, a warm water tank 3 inside the incubator body and a heat source machine 30 outside. The temperature in a housing 20 is controlled by the heater 24 of the incubator body 2 and the water temperature in the warm water tank 3 by the heater 34 of the heat source machine 30. The water temperature in the warm water tank 3 is controlled rapidly, accurately and directly and operation is smoothly advanced by independently controlling the temperature and the water temperature, respectively. The influence of heat radiation of the heater 34 itself on the temperature in the housing 20 is controlled by arranging the heat source machine 30 at the outside of the incubator body 2. The temperature is controlled higher than the water temperature not to cause dew condensation on the inner wall surface in the housing 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an incubator.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The incubator is called a constant-temperature culture tank (storage) or the like, and includes a housing and a door that can be opened and closed. By closing the door, it is possible to block the intrusion of outside air into the inside of the housing, and there is no influence of temperature or humidity. In addition, a control unit such as a heater is provided, and the temperature, humidity, and gas composition in the housing can be controlled. Generally, it is used when a cell culture or the like is performed by placing a medium or the like inside the medium. The sample is heated by the gas in the housing (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-89561
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The ordinary incubator as described above only controls the temperature, humidity, and gas composition in the housing, which is sufficient for simply culturing cells and the like.
[0005]
However, on the other hand, many studies have been made at universities, research institutions, private companies, and the like on changes in cells caused by gently heating a living body. Until now, it has been known that cancer cells and HIV virus have lower resistance to heat than normal cells, but these are often not understood yet. Therefore, for further research, cultivation and evaluation of living bodies and cells by the thermal effect have been repeated. In order to perform cultivation and evaluation of these living bodies and cells by the thermal effect, it is desirable to heat the sample with warm water.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an incubator that can heat a sample with hot water and that can quickly and accurately manage air temperature and water temperature.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an incubator provided with a hot water tank capable of controlling the water temperature in a housing, comprising a pipe and a pump for circulating water in the hot water tank, and an intermediate portion of the pipe outside the incubator. And the heat source unit incorporated therein the pump, a heater for heating the water in the pipe, and a control unit for controlling the pump and the heater.
[0008]
According to this configuration, the air temperature in the housing and the water temperature of the hot water tank can be directly and independently controlled, and the air temperature and the water temperature can be managed quickly, accurately, and comprehensively. In addition, since a heat source device equipped with a heater and a pump that may release heat is arranged outside the incubator, it does not affect the temperature inside the housing, and the temperature inside the housing and the hot water tank are not affected. It is very convenient for water temperature management of the sea. Furthermore, since the heater and the pump do not occupy a place in the housing, the space in the housing can be effectively used for the original purpose such as culture and evaluation.
[0009]
Further, the pump is disposed below at least one of the connection ports provided in the hot water tank for connecting the pipe.
[0010]
According to this configuration, since the water in the hot water tank can be sent to the pump with static pressure through the pipe, there is no fear of idling or burning due to the absence of water in the pump.
[0011]
Further, a water temperature sensor is attached to the pipe at a position upstream of the heater, and a pipe from the hot water tank to the water temperature sensor is insulated from outside air.
[0012]
According to this configuration, since the pipe for guiding the water in the hot water tank to the heater is insulated from the outside air between the incubator and each housing of the heat source device, the water in the pipe is not affected by the outside air. Therefore, water can be guided from the hot water tank to the water temperature sensor without lowering the water temperature, so that the temperature of the water flowing into the pipe from inside the hot water tank can be accurately measured.
[0013]
Further, a water temperature sensor is attached to the pipe at a position downstream of the heater, and the pipe from the water temperature sensor to the hot water tank is insulated from outside air.
[0014]
According to this configuration, since the pipe that guides the water heated by the heater to the hot water tank is insulated from the outside air between the heat source unit and each housing of the incubator, the water in the pipe is not affected by the outside air. Therefore, the water heated by the heater and whose water temperature is accurately measured by the sensor can be sent to the hot water tank so that the temperature does not decrease.
[0015]
The temperature inside the housing is controlled at the same time as the temperature of the water in the hot water tank is controlled by the set temperature information input to the control panel of the incubator.
[0016]
According to this configuration, it is not necessary to separately set the temperature of the incubator and the heat source device, and the water temperature in the hot water tank is automatically set at the same time by operating only the control panel of the incubator, which is convenient.
[0017]
Further, the temperature of the housing is set to be higher than the temperature of the water in the hot water tank by a predetermined temperature or more.
[0018]
According to this configuration, dew condensation does not occur on the inner wall surface in the housing. Further, the occurrence of dew condensation on the outer wall surface of the hot water tank is also suppressed.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an incubator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the incubator 1 of the present invention, an incubator main body 2 is provided with a hot water tank 3 capable of controlling water temperature. A hot water tank 3 for immersing a sample L such as a living body in water W is provided in a housing 20 of the incubator body 2, and the hot water tank 3 is placed on a table 25.
[0021]
The incubator main body 2 includes a housing 20, a door (not shown), a control unit 21, a control panel 22, a temperature sensor 23, and a heater 24. A culture medium used for cultivation or the like can be stored inside the housing 20. By closing a door (not shown) that can be opened and closed, it is possible to prevent the influence of the temperature and humidity of the outside air. is there. Originally, the control unit 21 is built in the wall surface of the housing 20, and the control panel 22 is attached to a door (not shown) so that the operation unit faces outward. However, FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration. , The control unit 21 and the control panel 22 are depicted as being attached to the outside of the housing 20.
[0022]
Inside the housing 20, a temperature sensor 23 for measuring the temperature of the gas is arranged. Further, a heater 24 for heating the gas inside is buried in the wall surface of the housing 20. Based on the temperature setting input from the control panel 22 by the user and the temperature information in the housing 20 from the temperature sensor 23, the control unit 21 performs processing to control the heater 24.
[0023]
The hot water tank 3 is provided with a pipe 36 for circulating water in the tank, and the pipe 36 goes out of the housing 20 of the incubator main body 2, and a heat source unit 30 is provided in the middle thereof. The heat source device 30 includes a control panel 32, a water temperature sensor 33, a heater 34, a pump 35, and a control unit 31 for controlling these components. All of these components are housed in a housing 40 and arranged outside the incubator body 2.
[0024]
The pipe 36 is connected to the hot water tank 3 at two connection ports 37 and 38 having a height difference so as to circulate the water W in the hot water tank 3. Water W circulates in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The pump 35 provided in the middle of the pipe 36 is disposed below both the connection ports 37 and 38 provided in the hot water tank 3 for connecting the pipe 36. Thus, the water W in the hot water tank 3 can be sent to the pump 35 by the static pressure through the pipe 36. Therefore, there is no danger of idling or burning due to the absence of the water W in the pump 35. The pump 35 may be disposed below at least one of the connection ports 37 and 38.
[0025]
Here, a water temperature sensor 33 is mounted inside the heat source unit 30 at a position upstream of the heater 34 of the pipe 36. Since the pipe 36 for guiding the water W in the hot water tank 3 to the heater 34 is insulated from the outside air by the heat insulating material 39 between the housing 20 of the incubator body 2 and the housing 40 of the heat source device 30, the water W in the pipe 36 is reduced. It is not affected by outside air. Therefore, the water W can be guided from the hot water tank 3 to the water temperature sensor 33 without lowering the water temperature, and the temperature of the water flowing into the pipe 36 from inside the hot water tank 3 can be accurately measured. The outside air refers to gas outside the housing 20 of the incubator body 2 and outside the housing 40 of the heat source device 30.
[0026]
In the heat source unit 30, processing is performed by the control unit 31 based on the temperature setting input from the control panel 32 by the user and the water temperature information in the pipe 36 from the water temperature sensor 33, and the heater 34 and the pump 35 are turned on. Control. The water W in the hot water tank 3 is circulated by the pump 35 and the pipe 36, and the water W in the hot water tank 3 is agitated by the water flow to equalize the water temperature. Further, the heater 34 is used to heat the water W so that the water temperature becomes a set value and maintain the water temperature.
[0027]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a control system for controlling the temperature of the incubator according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 2A is a flowchart for controlling the temperature of the gas in the housing, and FIG. 2B is a flowchart for controlling the water temperature in the hot water tank.
[0028]
In FIG. 2A, first, in step S1, the set temperature of the gas in the housing is input from the control panel. Next, in step S2, the temperature inside the housing is measured by the temperature sensor of the incubator. In step S3, the measured air temperature is compared with the set value. If the air temperature at that location is lower than the set value, the heater is turned on (step S4), and if the air temperature is higher than the set value, the heater is turned off (step S5). Heating is performed by the heater until the temperature becomes higher than the set value.
[0029]
Also in FIG. 2B, the water temperature in the hot water tank is controlled by a flow similar to that of the gas in the housing of FIG. 2A. In FIG. 2, the temperature in the housing of the incubator and the water temperature in the hot water tank are separately set and controlled, but the air temperature in the housing is set to be higher than the water temperature in the hot water tank by a predetermined temperature or more. By doing so, dew condensation does not occur on the inner wall surface of the housing. The predetermined temperature is 0.4 ° C. This is a value obtained experimentally in order to prevent dew condensation on the inner wall surface of the housing and to suppress dew condensation on the outer wall surface of the hot water tank as much as possible.
[0030]
In the conventional incubator, the sample was heated only by the gas in the housing, so a long time was required for heating, the temperature control ability was insufficient at about 0.5 ° C, and the effect of temperature changes due to opening and closing the door There was a problem that it was easy to receive. The present invention uses water having a large specific heat for heating the sample, in addition to the gas in the housing, so that the temperature reaches the set temperature in a short time of about one-third of the conventional temperature of 0.1 ° C. Temperature control is also possible and is not easily affected by opening and closing the door.
[0031]
Further, even in an incubator having a hot water tank in the housing, if a means for heating the hot water tank such as a heater is provided in the housing, the heat in the housing itself is radiated by the heat radiating action from the heater itself, such as when heating is performed rapidly. The gas is heated and can affect the temperature control of the gas. According to the present invention, since the heat source device including the heater and the pump that may release heat is arranged outside the incubator, the heat source device does not affect the temperature inside the housing, and the temperature inside the housing and the temperature inside the housing can be reduced. This is very convenient for water temperature control of a hot water tank.
[0032]
In this way, research on the effects of drugs such as viruses and bacteria such as cancer and infectious diseases, protozoa and hyperthermia in the medical field, and research on regeneration, differentiation, and control of the cell cycle in the physics and chemistry fields, When heating a container containing water with warm water, or when heating the living body of an experimental animal such as a rat or a hamster, the temperature and water temperature can be managed quickly and accurately. Available.
[0033]
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an incubator according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The configuration and installation method of the incubator body 2, the hot water tank 3, the heat source device 30, and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment, but a water temperature sensor is provided inside the heat source device 30 at a position downstream of the heater 34 of the pipe 36. 33 are attached. Since the pipe 36 for guiding the water W heated by the heater 34 to the hot water tank 3 is insulated from the outside air by the heat insulating material 39 between the housing 40 of the heat source device 30 and the housing 20 of the incubator main body 2, the water W in the pipe 36 is insulated. Is not affected by the outside air. Therefore, the water W heated by the heater 34 and whose temperature is accurately measured by the water temperature sensor 33 can be sent to the hot water tank 3 so that the temperature does not decrease.
[0034]
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an incubator according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The main configuration and installation method of the incubator main body 2, the hot water tank 3, the heat source device 30, and the like are the same as those in the second embodiment, but in this embodiment, the heat source device 30 does not include the control panel 32.
[0035]
Information for controlling the heat source unit 30 is sent from the control unit 21 of the incubator body 2 to the control unit 31 of the heat source unit 30. Based on the temperature setting input from the control panel 22 by the user and the temperature information in the housing 20 from the temperature sensor 23, the control unit 21 performs processing to control the heater 24. At the same time, the temperature setting input from the control panel 22 is sent to the control unit 31 of the heat source unit 30 via the control unit 21, and the processing is performed based on the water temperature information in the pipe 36 from the water temperature sensor 33, 34 and the pump 35 are controlled. Thus, the air temperature in the housing 20 of the incubator body 2 and the water temperature in the hot water tank 3 can be simultaneously and automatically controlled only by operating the control panel 22 of the incubator body 2.
[0036]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a control system for controlling the temperature of the incubator according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. In the third embodiment, the air temperature in the housing and the water temperature in the hot water tank can be simultaneously and automatically controlled only by operating the control panel of the incubator. First, in step S21, the set temperature of the gas in the housing is input from the control panel. Next, in step S22, the temperature inside the housing is measured by the temperature sensor of the incubator. At the same time, in step S26, the water temperature in the hot water tank is measured by the water temperature sensor of the heat source device. Next, in step 23, the temperature and the set value are compared, and in step 27, the water temperature and the set value are compared.
[0037]
At this time, in step 23, the temperature is set to be higher than the water temperature by adding 0.4 ° C. to the set value. In these steps, the measured temperature is compared with the set value, and if the current temperature is lower than the set value, the incubator heater is turned on (step S24) and the heat source heater is turned on (step S28). If it is higher than the set value, the incubator heater is turned off (step S25) and the heat source unit heater is turned off (step S28).
[0038]
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, other various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention provides an incubator provided with a hot water tank capable of controlling the water temperature in a housing, comprising a pipe and a pump for circulating water in the hot water tank, and introducing an intermediate portion of the pipe to a heat source device arranged outside the incubator. Along with this heat source device, the pump, a heater for heating the water in the pipe, and a control unit for controlling the pump and the heater are built-in, and the air temperature in the housing and the water temperature of the hot water tank, It can be controlled separately and independently, and the temperature and the water temperature can be managed quickly, accurately and comprehensively. In addition, since a heat source device equipped with a heater and a pump that may release heat is arranged outside the incubator, it does not affect the temperature inside the housing, and the temperature inside the housing and the hot water tank are not affected. It is very convenient for water temperature management of the sea. Furthermore, since the heater and the pump do not occupy a place in the housing, the space in the housing can be effectively used for the original purpose such as culture and evaluation. As a result, culturing and evaluation can be smoothly performed, and it can be used as a biological environment simulator.
[0040]
Further, the pump is arranged below at least one of the connection ports provided in the hot water tank for connecting the pipe. When water is circulated using a pump, if there is no water in the pump, the pump runs idle and water is not pumped forever, and there is a risk that the pump will seize. On the other hand, according to the present invention, since the water in the hot water tank can be sent to the pump by static pressure through the pipe, there is no fear of idling or burning. Further, there is no need to attach a priming device or an air vent valve, or to inject water from tap water or the like, which enables cost reduction and space saving.
[0041]
Further, a water temperature sensor is attached to the pipe at a position upstream of the heater, and a pipe from the hot water tank to the water temperature sensor is insulated from outside air. Since the pipe that guides the water in the hot water tank to the heater is insulated from the outside air between the housings of the incubator and the heat source device, the water in the pipe is not affected by the outside air. Therefore, water can be guided from the hot water tank to the water temperature sensor without lowering the water temperature, and the temperature of the water flowing into the pipe from inside the hot water tank can be accurately measured. As a result, the temperature of the water in the hot water tank at that location can be accurately grasped, and it is possible to determine how much to heat with the heater based on the set temperature, so that the water temperature can be managed smoothly. , Very convenient.
[0042]
In addition, a water temperature sensor is attached to the pipe at a position downstream of the heater, and the pipe from the water temperature sensor to the hot water tank is insulated from outside air. Since the pipe that guides the water heated by the heater to the hot water tank is insulated from the outside air between the heat source unit and each housing of the incubator, the water in the pipe is not affected by the outside air. Therefore, the water heated by the heater and whose water temperature is accurately measured by the sensor can be sent to the hot water tank so that the temperature does not decrease. As a result, the temperature of the water heated by the heater can be compared with the set temperature to determine how much to heat, so that the water temperature can be managed smoothly, which is very convenient.
[0043]
In addition, the temperature inside the housing is controlled by the set temperature information input to the control panel of the incubator, and at the same time, the water temperature of the hot water tank is controlled, so that the temperature settings of the incubator and the heat source device are separately set. This is convenient because only the control panel of the incubator is operated, and the water temperature in the hot water tank is automatically set at the same time. As a result, it is possible to save the operation time and the operation time.
[0044]
Further, the air temperature in the housing is set to be higher than the water temperature in the hot water tank by a predetermined temperature or more. If dew condensation occurs in the housing, water droplets generated on the ceiling of the inner wall may fall into the sample and be mixed therein, which may adversely affect the operation, which is very undesirable. It is absolutely necessary to prevent foreign matter from entering the sample to be worked. In addition, the inside wall becomes dirty, and there is a possibility that fungi and various germs may propagate, which is unsanitary. On the other hand, in the present invention, since the temperature in the housing is set to be higher than the temperature of the water in the hot water tank by a predetermined temperature or more, dew condensation does not occur on the inner wall surface in the housing. Further, the occurrence of dew condensation on the outer wall surface of the hot water tank is also suppressed. As a result, foreign matter due to dew condensation does not enter the sample, and a sanitary state in the housing can be maintained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an incubator according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a control system for controlling the temperature of the incubator shown in FIG. 1 (A) a flowchart of controlling the air temperature in a housing (B) a hot water tank; FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an incubator according to a second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an incubator according to a third embodiment. FIG. 5 is a temperature relating to the incubator shown in FIG. Flowchart of control system for controlling the control
2 Incubator body 3 Hot water tank 20 Housing 21 Control unit 24 Heater 30 Heat source unit 31 Control unit 34 Heater 35 Pump 36 Pipe

Claims (6)

In an incubator provided with a hot water tank that can control water temperature in the housing,
A pipe and a pump for circulating water in the hot water tank are provided, and an intermediate portion of the pipe is introduced into a heat source device arranged outside the incubator, and the heat source device heats the pump and water in the pipe. An incubator including a heater and a control unit for controlling the pump and the heater. 2. The incubator according to claim 1, wherein the pump is disposed below at least one of connection ports provided in the hot water tank for connecting the pipe. 3. The water temperature sensor is attached to a position of the pipe upstream of the heater, and a pipe from the hot water tank to the water temperature sensor is insulated from outside air. Incubator. The water temperature sensor is attached to a position of the pipe downstream of the heater, and a pipe from the water temperature sensor to the hot water tank is insulated from outside air. Incubator. The water temperature of the hot water tank is controlled at the same time as the air temperature in the housing is controlled by the set temperature information input to the control panel of the incubator. Incubator. The incubator according to claim 5, wherein an air temperature in the housing is set to be higher than a water temperature in the hot water tank by a predetermined temperature or more.

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