JP2007136401A - Centrifugal machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of switches to be arranged on an operation panel in order to save the space of the operational panel. <P>SOLUTION: A stop switch 7 is a shared switch which functions as a rotor stop switch while a rotor 3 is rotated and functions as a door switch of a door 5 while the rotor 3 is stopped by a switch function changing unit 100 provided on a control device 10 of an centrifugal machine 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a switch structure that combines a switch for instructing door locking or unlocking of a door that opens and closes an opening of a rotor chamber of a centrifuge and a switch for instructing operation stop of a rotor housed in the rotor chamber. It has a centrifuge.

  The centrifuge accommodates the rotor to hold the sample to be separated in the rotor chamber, and in a state where the opening of the rotor chamber is sealed by the door, the rotor is rotated at high speed using a driving device such as a motor. The sample held in the rotor is separated and purified.

  FIG. 7 shows a configuration diagram of a conventional centrifuge. A centrifuge having such a configuration is sold, for example, by the applicant of the present application under the product name “Small table centrifuge CT4i” and is well known. In FIG. 7, a conventional centrifuge 30 includes a rotor 3 that holds a liquid sample, a rotor chamber 2 that houses the rotor 3, and an openable / closable door that closes an opening 2b of the rotor chamber 2 surrounded by a partition member 2a. 5, a door lock mechanism 4 for locking the closing operation of the door 5, a motor 6 for rotating the rotor 3, a start switch 8 for instructing the rotation start of the rotor 3, and an instruction to stop the rotation of the rotor 3 A stop switch 7, a door switch 9 for instructing to lock or release the door lock mechanism 4, an operation panel 11 on which the start switch 8, the stop switch 7 and the door switch 9 are arranged, and a motor 6 (rotor 3). ) And a control device 10 for controlling the rotation of the rotor 3 and for controlling the door lock mechanism 4. The control device 10 controls the motor 6 based on the output signal of the stop switch 7 to stop the rotation of the rotor 3, and controls the lock or release of the door lock mechanism 4 based on the output signal of the door switch 9. It has become. In addition to the start switch 8, the stop switch 7, and the door switch 9, the operation panel 11 displays an operation condition setting switch 14 for setting operation conditions such as the rotation speed and operation time of the rotor 3 and the operation conditions. Display unit 13.

  However, the operation panel 11 includes various switches according to functions such as the start switch 8, the stop switch 7, the door switch 9, and the operation condition setting switch 14, and also includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display. The number of components mounted on the panel 11 is large, and there is a problem that a mounting place has to be secured, so that it is difficult to save space and reduce the cost of the operation panel 11.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a centrifuge having an operation panel in which the number of switches mounted on the operation panel is omitted and the space occupied by the switches is reduced.

  Since the centrifuge is generally dangerous when it touches the rotor while the rotor is rotating, the clogging operation is locked while the rotor is rotating, and the door is opened while the rotor is stopped. For this reason, the door switch for instructing to lock or release the door lock mechanism is used while the rotor is stopped, and the rotor stop switch for instructing to stop the rotation of the rotor is used while the rotor is rotating. That is, the rotor is stopped when the door switch is pressed, while the rotor is rotating when the rotor stop switch is pressed.

  The inventor of the present application pays attention to the fact that the door switch and the rotor stop switch are used during a period during which the rotor is stopped or rotating. The number of parts on the operation panel was omitted. Of the inventions disclosed in the present application, typical features will be described as follows.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a housing, a motor mounted in the housing, a rotor chamber mounted in the housing and partitioned by a partition member having an opening at the top of the housing; A rotor housed in the rotor chamber and rotated by the motor; a door that closes the opening of the rotor chamber and that can be freely opened and closed; and a door lock for locking the closing operation of the door In the centrifuge having a mechanism and a switch having a function of stopping the rotation of the rotor, the switch has a function of locking or releasing the door lock mechanism.

  According to another feature of the invention, the switch has a function of stopping rotation of the rotor while the rotor is rotating, and locking or releasing the door lock mechanism while the rotor is stopped.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, a rotor chamber is defined by a casing, a motor mounted in the casing, and a partition member mounted in the casing and having an opening at an upper portion of the casing. A rotor housed in the rotor chamber and rotated by the motor; a door that closes the opening of the rotor chamber and that can be opened and closed; and a door that locks the closing operation of the door In the centrifuge having a lock mechanism, a switch having a function of stopping the rotation of the rotor, and a control device for controlling the operation of the door lock mechanism and the operation of the motor based on a signal of the switch, the control device A rotation state detection unit that detects a rotation state or a stop state of the rotor, and a door lock that detects a lock state or an unlock state of the door lock mechanism. And the control device causes the switch to function as a stop switch of the rotor when the rotation state detection unit detects the rotation state of the rotor, and the rotation state detection unit When the stop state of the rotor is detected and the door lock state detection unit detects the lock state of the door lock mechanism, the switch functions as a door lock release switch, and the rotation state detection unit detects the rotor stop state. When the door lock state detection unit detects the unlock state of the door lock mechanism, the switch function determination unit causes the switch to function as a door lock switch.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the switch function determining unit is electrically connected to a display unit, and the function of the switch determined by the switch function determining unit is displayed on the display unit.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the control device includes a switching unit that switches a function of the switch based on information of the switch function determination unit.

  According to the present invention, the stop switch can share the function of stopping the rotation of the rotor and the function of locking or releasing the door lock mechanism, so the number of parts of the operation panel can be omitted, and the occupied area (space) of the operation panel is reduced. be able to.

  The above and other objects, and the above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiments, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted. Moreover, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the member which has the same function as the well-known centrifuge shown in FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram (front view) showing an overall structure of a centrifuge according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a modification of an operation panel in the centrifuge shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the switch function switching unit in the centrifuge shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is an operation characteristic diagram of the switch function switching unit shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a timing showing an operating state of the centrifuge shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the determination procedure of the switch function switching unit shown in FIG.

[Overall configuration of the centrifuge 20]
First, the overall configuration of the centrifuge 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The centrifuge 20 includes a housing (frame) 1 having a substantially square cross-sectional shape when viewed from above, and holds a sample container (including a sample to be separated) such as a tube inside the housing 1. A rotor 3 made of aluminum alloy or titanium alloy, a motor 6 having a rotation output shaft 6a for applying a rotational driving force to the rotor 3, and a rotor chamber 2 partitioned by a partition member 2a for housing the rotor 3. A door 5 is rotatably attached to the housing 1 by a hinge (not shown) in an upper opening (opening / closing part) 2b of the rotor chamber 2 surrounded by the partition member 2a. A door lock mechanism 4 controlled by a control device 10 to be described later is attached to the casing 1, and the door 5 is closed by the door lock mechanism 4 so that the rotor chamber 2 is not opened while the rotor 3 is rotating. Lock. Conversely, the door lock mechanism 4 has a function of unlocking the closing operation of the door 5 so that the rotor chamber 2 can be opened while the rotor 3 is stopped.

  Furthermore, a control device 10 is provided inside the housing 1 for controlling the rotational speed of the motor 6 and controlling the door lock mechanism 4 according to the rotational state of the motor 6. The rotation information of the motor 6 is input to the control device 10 by the rotation number detector 12, and the rotation state of the motor 6 (rotor 3) is detected by the control device 10. A part of the control device 10 constitutes a switch function switching unit 100 according to the present invention as will be described later. In addition, an operation panel 11 for setting (inputting) data such as the number of rotations of the rotor 3 and a centrifugal separation time and displaying a set value, an actual measurement value, and the like is provided on the upper surface of the housing 1. The operation panel 11 is electrically connected to the control device 10, inputs data to the control device 10, receives data from the control device 10, and displays the data on display units 13a and 13b, which will be described later, as necessary. .

  The partition member 2 a is configured by a bowl made of, for example, a stainless steel material, and partitions the rotor chamber 2. Although not shown on the outer periphery of the bowl 2a, a cooling pipe (evaporator) is arranged as necessary, and a cylindrical casing filled with a heat insulating member (foaming material) is installed on the outer periphery. . Thus, the rotor chamber 2 is configured to be sealed from the outside air, and the temperature rise due to windage loss during rotation of the rotor 3 accommodated in the rotor chamber 2 is cooled.

  On the operation panel 11, display units 13a and 13b each including a liquid crystal display or the like are arranged. For example, the display unit 13a displays the number of rotations of the rotor 3, and the display unit 13b displays the operation time of the rotor 3. Further, switches for setting input to the control device 10 such as the rotation speed setting switch 14a and the operation time setting switch 14b are arranged in the vicinity of the display units 13a and 13b.

  Further, according to the present invention, a start switch 8 for instructing the start of rotation of the rotor 3 is instructed to the operation panel 11. A stop switch 7 having a function of instructing to lock or release the mechanism 4 is disposed. That is, the stop switch 7 functions as a door switch, that is, a door lock switch or a lock release switch of the door lock mechanism 4 in addition to the stop switch of the rotor 3. Thereby, the door switch 9 required in the conventional centrifuge 30 shown in FIG. 7 is omitted, and the stop switch 7 functions as a shared switch of the rotor stop switch and the door switch. The function switching of the shared switch 7 is controlled by the switch function switching unit 100 of the control device 10.

  Next, a functional block of the switch function switching unit 100 that causes the stop switch 7 configured in the control device 10 to function as a shared switch will be described with reference to FIG.

  The switch function switching unit 100 includes a door lock state detection unit 101, a rotation state detection unit 102, a stop switch function determination unit 103, and a switching unit 104.

  The door lock state detection unit 101 detects whether or not the door 5 is locked by the door lock mechanism 4 based on an input signal from the door lock mechanism 4, and outputs a high signal (H) in the door lock state. When the door is not locked (when the door is unlocked), a low signal (L) is output.

  The rotation state detection unit 102 detects the rotation state of the rotor 3 based on the input signal from the rotation number detector 12 and receives a high signal when the rotor 3 is rotating and receives an output signal from the rotation number detector 12. In (H), when the rotor 3 is stopped (when there is no output signal from the rotational speed detector 12), a low signal (L) is output. The rotational state detection unit 102 determines whether or not the rotor 3 is rotating, and does not detect the rotational speed of the rotor 3.

  The stop switch function determination unit 103 determines a function when the stop switch 7 is pressed based on input signals from the door lock state detection unit 101 and the rotation state detection unit 102. Further, the function information can be displayed on the display units 13 a and 13 b provided on the operation panel 11.

  The switching unit 104 switches the stop switch 7 to the function determined by the stop switch function determining unit 103 (rotor rotation stop, door lock, door lock release) to rotate the rotor 3 (motor 6) or the door lock mechanism 4. It is made to operate as a switch for controlling. For example, when the stop switch 7 is determined as the rotor stop switch, the rotation of the rotor 3 can be stopped by pressing the stop switch 7. FIG. 4 shows the function of the stop switch 7 that the stop switch function determination unit 103 determines based on input signals from the door lock state detection unit 101 and the rotation state detection unit 102.

[Operation of Centrifuge 20]
FIG. 5 shows a timing chart when the centrifuge 20 is operated using the stop switch 7 and the start switch 8. The operation of the centrifuge 20 will be described below with reference to FIG.

  First, the door 5 is opened at time t0 in FIG. 5, the rotor 3 holding the sample to be centrifuged is set on the motor rotation output shaft 6a of the rotor chamber 2, and the door 5 is closed. At this time, the stop switch 7 has a function as a door lock switch (door switch) by the switch function switching unit 100.

  At time t1, by pressing a stop switch 7 having a function as a door lock switch as shown in FIG. 5B, the control device 10 generates a door lock state signal shown in FIG. The lock mechanism 4 locks the closed state of the door 5 (door lock). Thereafter, the stop switch 7 is switched to have a function as a door lock release switch by the switch function switching unit 100, and this function continues until time t2 when the rotor 3 starts to rotate.

  At time t2, by pressing the start switch 8 as shown in FIG. 5 (c), the control device 10 generates a rotation state signal shown in FIG. 5 (d) and puts the rotor 3 (motor 6) in the rotation state. Control. At this time, when the rotor 3 starts rotating, the function of the stop switch 7 is switched from the door lock release switch to the rotation stop switch (rotor stop switch) of the rotor 3 by the switch function switching unit 100.

  When stopping the rotation of the rotor 3 at time t3, when the stop switch 7 is pressed again, the switch function switching unit 100 switches the stop switch 7 to the function as the rotation stop switch of the rotor 3 at time t2. Therefore, a control signal is sent from the control device 10 to the motor 6 to stop the rotation of the motor 6, thereby stopping the rotation of the rotor 3.

  When the rotation of the rotor 3 stops at time t4, the stop switch 7 functions again as a door lock release switch by the switch function switching unit 100.

  At time t5, the switch function switching unit 100 causes the stop switch 7 to function as a door lock release switch (door switch). Therefore, when the stop switch 7 is pressed, a control signal is sent from the control device 10 to the door lock mechanism 4. Is released, the door 5 is unlocked by the door lock mechanism 4 and the door 5 can be opened. By opening the door 5, the centrifuged sample or the rotor 3 can be taken out.

[Operation of Switch Function Switching Unit 100]
The operation of the switch function switching unit 100 including the stop switch function determination unit 103 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

  Stop switch function determination unit 103 determines the function of stop switch 7 based on signals from door lock state detection unit 101 and rotation state detection unit 102, and outputs the determination signal to switching unit 104. The switching unit 104 switches the stop switch 7 to any one of the door lock function, the rotation stop function, and the door lock release function as described above based on the output signal (discrimination signal) of the stop switch function determination unit 103. As shown in the characteristic diagram of FIG. 4, this function switching is performed by the door lock state signal (see FIG. 5E) and the rotation state signal detected by the door lock state detection unit 101 and the rotation state detection unit 102. (See (d) of FIG. 5).

  In the state of the signal (a) shown in FIG. 4, both the door lock state detection unit 101 and the rotation state detection unit 102 output a high signal (H), and the stop switch function determination unit 103 indicates that the door 5 is locked. It is determined that the rotor 3 is rotated by being locked by the mechanism 4, and the switching unit 104 switches the stop switch 7 so as to function as a rotor stop switch for stopping the rotation of the rotor 3 (timing chart in FIG. 5: Section T3). Note that the section T4 in the timing chart shown in FIG. 5 is also in the state of the signal (a), but since the stop switch 7 in the rotation stop function state has already been pressed, no function can be performed even if the stop switch 7 is pressed again. The stop switch 7 is a non-functional section.

  In the state of the signal (b) shown in FIG. 4, the door lock state detection unit 101 outputs a high signal (H), and the rotation state detection unit 102 outputs a low signal (L). Determines that the door 5 is locked by the door lock mechanism 4 and the rotor 3 is not rotating, so that the switching unit 104 functions as a door lock release switch for releasing the lock of the door 5. Switching (timing chart of FIG. 5: section T2).

  In the state of the signal (c) shown in FIG. 4, a low signal (L) is output from both the door lock state detection unit 101 and the rotation state detection unit 102. The stop switch function determination unit 103 determines that the door 5 is not locked by the door lock mechanism 4 and the rotor 3 is not rotating. In this case, since the rotor 3 cannot rotate because the door is not locked, the door 5 must be locked by the door lock mechanism 4 in order to rotate the rotor 3, and the switching unit 104 sets the stop switch 7 to the door. Switching to function as a lock switch (timing chart in FIG. 5: section T1).

  As described above, the stop switch 7 operates as a shared switch having three types of functions by the switch function switching unit 100. Note that a state in which a low signal (L) is output from the door lock state detection unit 101 and a high signal (H) is output from the rotation state detection unit 102 is an abnormal state. That is, since the door 5 must be controlled to be locked by the door lock mechanism 4 when the rotor 3 is rotating, there is no need to consider this because it is not normally in this state.

[Determination flowchart of stop switch function discrimination unit 103]
Next, a flowchart of the determination procedure of the stop switch function determination unit 103 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S1, it is determined whether or not the rotor 3 is rotating. As described above, this determination is performed by inputting the signal from the rotation speed detector 12 to the rotation state detection unit 102, and the rotation state detection unit 102 rotates the high signal (H) when rotating. If not, a low signal (L) is output.

  When it is determined in step S1 that the rotor 3 is rotating, the door lock mechanism 4 necessarily locks the door 5, and the door lock state detection unit 101 outputs a high signal (H). Therefore, a high signal (H) is input to the stop switch function determination unit 103 from both the rotation state detection unit 102 and the door lock state detection unit 101, and the signal (a) shown in FIG. 4 and the section shown in FIG. Since T3, the switching unit 104 is switched so that the stop switch 7 functions as a rotor stop switch (step S2).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the rotor 3 is not rotating (stopped), it is determined whether or not the door 5 is locked by the door lock mechanism 4 in step S3. This determination is performed by inputting a signal from the door lock mechanism 4 to the door lock state detection unit 101. The door lock state detection unit 101 outputs a high signal (H) when the door 5 is in the locked state, and when the door 5 is not in the locked state. Outputs a low signal (L).

  If it is determined in step S3 that the door 5 is locked, a high signal (H) is input from the door lock state detection unit 101 and a low signal (L) is input from the rotation state detection unit 102 to the stop switch function determination unit 103. The In this case, since it corresponds to the signal (b) shown in FIG. 4 and the section T2 shown in FIG. 5, the stop switch function determination unit 103 uses the door lock release switch for releasing the lock of the door 5 from the stop switch 7. The switching unit 104 is switched so as to function as (step S4).

  If it is determined in step S3 that the door 5 is not locked, both the door lock state detection unit 101 and the rotation state detection unit 102 output a low signal (L), and the signal ( c) Since it corresponds to the section T1 shown in FIG. 5, the stop switch function determination unit 103 switches the switching unit 104 so that the stop switch 7 functions as a door lock switch for locking the door 5 (step S1). S5).

[User stop switch function status determination method]
In order for the user to determine the current function of the stop switch 7, for example, there are the following methods.

  During the rotation of the rotor 3, the door is inevitably locked, and the stop switch 7 functions only as a rotor stop switch and does not function as a door switch, that is, a door lock switch and a door lock release switch. There is no need to display the status. The rotation state of the rotor 3 can be recognized visually because the current rotation number is displayed on the display unit 13a and “0” is displayed while the rotor is stopped.

  On the other hand, when the rotor 3 is stopped, it functions as a door lock release switch when the door is locked, and as a door lock switch when the door is unlocked. Cannot be recognized. Therefore, as the simplest method for confirming the open / closed state of the door 5, it is only necessary to actually open the door 5 to confirm whether it is locked or not. In addition, as another method, the function state of the stop switch 7 (the state of the door 5) can be notified using the rotation speed display unit 13a and the operation time display unit 13b, for example, characters displayed on the display unit You can change the interval by blinking (number).

  According to the above-described configuration of the present invention, the stop switch 7 is provided with a function as a rotor stop switch while the rotor 3 is rotating, and a door switch is provided while the rotor 3 is stopped. Without stopping the rotation of the rotor 3 and locking or releasing the door lock mechanism 4 by the stop switch 7, it is possible to save the space of the operation panel 11.

  In the above-described embodiment, the stop switch 7 is used as a shared switch having a plurality of functions. However, like the operation panel 11 shown in FIG. 2, the door switch 9 is instructed to stop the rotor and lock or release the door lock mechanism. It may be used as a shared switch.

  As mentioned above, although the invention made | formed by this inventor was demonstrated based on embodiment, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible within the range which does not deviate from the summary.

The whole block diagram (front view) of the centrifuge which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7 is a layout view showing a modification of the operation panel in the centrifuge shown in FIG. 1. The functional block diagram of the switch function switching part in the centrifuge shown in FIG. The operation characteristic figure of the switch function change part in the centrifuge shown in FIG. The timing chart which shows the driving | running state of the centrifuge shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the determination procedure of the switch function switching part shown in FIG. The whole block diagram (front view) of the centrifuge which concerns on a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

1: Housing (frame) 2: Rotor chamber 2a: Partition member (bowl)
2b: Opening portion 3: Rotor 4: Door lock mechanism 5: Door 6: Motor 6a: Rotation output shaft 7: Stop switch (shared switch)
8: Start switch 9: Door switch (shared switch)
10: Control device 11: Operation panel 12: Revolution detector 13a: Display unit (revolution display unit) 13b: Display unit (operation time display unit)
14a: Speed setting switch 14b: Operating time setting switch 20: Centrifuge (present invention) 30: Centrifuge (conventional)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100: Switch function switching part 101: Door lock state detection part 102: Rotation state detection part 103: Stop switch function discrimination | determination part 104: Switching part

Claims (5)

A casing, a motor mounted in the casing, a rotor chamber mounted in the casing and partitioned by a partition member having an opening at an upper portion of the casing; and the motor housed in the rotor chamber; The rotor rotated by the rotor, the door that closes the opening of the rotor chamber, and a door that can be freely opened and closed, a door lock mechanism that locks the closing operation of the door, and the rotation of the rotor is stopped. In a centrifuge equipped with a switch having a function,
The centrifuge has a function of locking or releasing the door lock mechanism.   The centrifugal switch according to claim 1, wherein the switch has a function of stopping the rotation of the rotor while the rotor is rotating, and locking or releasing the door lock mechanism while the rotor is stopped. Machine. A casing, a motor mounted in the casing, a rotor chamber mounted in the casing and partitioned by a partition member having an opening at an upper portion of the casing; and the motor housed in the rotor chamber; The rotor rotated by the rotor, the door that closes the opening of the rotor chamber, and a door that can be freely opened and closed, a door lock mechanism that locks the closing operation of the door, and the rotation of the rotor is stopped. In a centrifuge having a switch having a function, and a control device for controlling the operation of the door lock mechanism and the operation of the motor based on a signal of the switch,
The control device includes a rotation state detection unit that detects a rotation state or a stop state of the rotor, and a door lock state detection unit that detects a lock state or an unlock state of the door lock mechanism. When the rotation state detection unit detects the rotation state of the rotor, the switch functions as a stop switch of the rotor, and when the rotation state detection unit detects the stop state of the rotor, the door lock state When the detection unit detects the locked state of the door lock mechanism, the switch functions as a door lock release switch, and when the rotation state detection unit detects the stopped state of the rotor, the door lock state detection unit When the unlocked state of the door lock mechanism is detected, the switch functions as a door lock switch. A centrifuge having a function determining unit.   The centrifuge according to claim 3, wherein the switch function determining unit is electrically connected to a display unit and displays the function of the switch determined by the switch function determining unit on the display unit. The centrifuge according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the control device includes a switching unit that switches a function of the switch based on information of the switch function determination unit.

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