JP2008183544A - Centrifugal separator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a centrifugal separator ensuring safety by allowing a person to visually check the operation state from a remote position and to watch the rotation of a rotor. <P>SOLUTION: The centrifugal separator comprises a casing 21 in which a rotor chamber is housed, a lid 23 fitted on the top of the casing 21 for openably closing the rotor chamber, and an operation panel section 24 disposed on the front face side of the casing 21. A window 31 made of a transparent material is formed in the lid 23, and a light source is provided inside the window 31. The window 31 comprises a transparent section through which the rotor chamber can be visually recognized and a diffusion section having a rugged surface diffusing light. The diffusion section protrudes from the top face of the lid 23 and glitters when the light source is turned on. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a centrifuge, and more particularly to a centrifuge capable of easily confirming an operation state (rotation state of a rotor).

  In using the centrifuge, the user (user) sets the centrifuge for a certain period of time and operates. Usually, after the start of driving, the user leaves the place, for example, engages in other work. Conventionally, a buzzer or a lamp is used as a method for notifying a user that a predetermined time has elapsed and the centrifuge has stopped. For example, when the operation of the centrifuge is finished, the operation stop is notified by sounding a buzzer for a certain period of time. However, the buzzer may be audible due to noise from other devices. In such a case, it is effective to use a lamp, and the operating state of the centrifuge can be confirmed visually even from a distance depending on the lighting state of the lamp.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a centrifuge equipped with such a lamp. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 11 denotes a casing that houses the rotor chamber, and reference numeral 12 denotes a rotor chamber that is attached to the upper portion of the casing 11. The lid which opens and closes is shown. Reference numeral 13 denotes an operation panel unit. In this example, the lid 12 is a laterally open type, and the lamp 14 is attached on the operation panel unit 13 provided on the housing 11 on the back side of the housing 11.

  On the other hand, FIG. 7 shows an example of a centrifuge in which the lid 12 is of a front and rear opening type. In this example, the lamp 14 protrudes from the back side of the housing 11 and is attached. By changing the lighting color of the lamp 14 or changing the lighting state (lighting and blinking), it is possible to notify various states of the centrifuge such as during operation, stop, and error occurrence.

  On the other hand, FIG. 8 shows a centrifuge described in Patent Document 1. In this example, a light emitting diode (LED) 15 is attached to the back surface of the lid 12.

When the lid 12 is of the front and rear opening type and the operation panel unit 13 is provided on the back side of the housing 11, the operation panel unit 13 is moved by the lid 12 when the lid 12 is opened as shown in FIG. For example, the operation panel unit 13 cannot determine the energization state. The centrifuge shown in FIG. 8 solves this problem, and the user can determine the energization state by observing the lighting state of the light emitting diode 15, thereby preventing, for example, forgetting to turn off the power. It is possible to do. In the figure, 16 indicates a rotor chamber accommodated in the housing 11.
JP 2002-306988 A

  In the centrifuge provided with the lamp 14 as described above, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lamp 14 is generally protruded and attached to the upper surface or the rear side of the centrifuge so that people or objects can be attached to the lamp. 14 may easily occur, and the lamp 14 may be damaged or injured.

  Moreover, in the centrifuge shown in FIG. 8, although the energization state in the state where the lid 12 is opened can be easily confirmed by the light emitting diode 15, the light emitting diode 15 cannot be seen when the lid 12 is closed, Therefore, the operation state of the centrifuge cannot be easily confirmed from a distance with such a lid 12 closed.

  In view of such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a centrifuge that can be visually confirmed even from a distance from the operating state of the centrifuge and that ensures safety.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the housing in which the rotor chamber is housed, the lid attached to the upper portion of the housing for opening and closing the rotor chamber, and the operation panel unit disposed on the front side of the housing In the centrifuge provided, a window made of a transparent material is provided on the lid, a light source is arranged inside the window, the window has a transparent portion where the rotor chamber can be visually observed, and the surface is subjected to uneven processing so that light can be emitted. A diffusing portion that diffuses, and the diffusing portion protrudes from the upper surface of the lid and shines when the light source is turned on.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the diffusing portion surrounds the transparent portion and is formed at the peripheral portion of the window.
In the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 1, a light diffusing surface is formed on the inner surface of the window facing the light source, and the rotor chamber is illuminated by the light reflected by the light diffusing surface when the light source is turned on. Is done.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, a transparent plate is disposed inside the window so as to face the window.
According to the invention of claim 5, in the invention of claim 4, the lid has an outer lid and an inner lid, a window is attached to the outer lid, and the transparent plate is attached to the inner lid.
In the invention of claim 6, in the invention of claim 5, a cushioning material is disposed between the window and the transparent plate, and a sealed space surrounded by the cushioning material is formed between the window and the transparent plate.

In the invention of claim 7, in the invention of claim 1, the lighting state of the light source is changed according to the state of the centrifuge.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the lighting color of the light source changes according to the state of the centrifuge.

  According to the present invention, the centrifuge with excellent safety and operability, which can visually check the rotational state of the rotor and can be easily visually confirmed even from a position away from the operating state of the centrifuge. Can be realized.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2 show the configuration of an embodiment of a centrifuge according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the lid is closed, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the lid is opened.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the rotor chamber 22 is accommodated in the housing 21, and a lid 23 that opens and closes the rotor chamber 22 is rotatably attached to the upper portion of the housing 21. In this example, the lid 23 is a front-back opening type. An operation panel unit 24 is provided on the front side of the casing 21. The operation panel unit 24 includes a setting unit (operation keys) for inputting operation conditions such as the rotational speed and operation time of the rotor, and these conditions. A display unit for displaying is provided. In this example, as shown in FIG. 1, the lid 23 is provided with a window 31 made of a transparent material at substantially the center thereof.

  FIG. 3 shows the cross-sectional structure of the lid 23 in the portion where the window 31 is provided, and FIG. 4 shows the cross-sectional structure shown in FIG. 3A and the outside of the lid 23 in the portion where the window 31 is provided ( The state seen from the front side and the inner side (back side) is shown. In this example, the lid 23 includes an outer lid 25 and an inner lid 26, and a window 31 is fitted and attached to an oval hole 27 formed in the outer lid 25.

  A side wall 32 is integrally formed around the oval window 31 so as to protrude toward the inner surface, and a flat plate 33 is formed integrally with the side wall 32 so as to protrude around the side wall 32. Yes. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the outer surface of the window 31 is slightly curved and protrudes from the upper surface of the outer lid 25 in the longitudinal direction and the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. Further, a protruding portion 34 is formed. As shown in FIG. 3A, the convex portion 34 has a triangular shape when viewed from the width direction, and an inclined surface 35 is chamfered on the outer peripheral edge of the window 31 including the portion where the convex portion 34 is formed. Is formed.

  On the other hand, a jagged light diffusing surface 36 is formed on the inner surface of the window 31 on the side where the convex portion 34 is formed, and the light diffusing surface 36 is located at the center of the window 31 as shown in FIG. 3A. It is slightly tilted in the direction it faces. A partition wall 37 is integrally formed at the center side end of the window 31 of the light diffusion surface 36 so as to protrude on the inner surface of the window 31.

  On the surface (outer surface) of the window 31, a diffusing portion that diffuses light is formed by performing minute unevenness processing such as so-called embossing. In FIG. 4A, the dotted portions indicate the diffusion portions 31a. In this example, the diffusing portion 31a is formed so as to surround the inclined portion 35, the partition wall 37 provided on the inner surface, and the light diffusing surface 36, as shown in FIG. 4A, and surrounding the transparent portion 31b. Yes.

  A light source 41 is disposed inside the window 31 at a position facing the light diffusion surface 36. The light source 41 is a light emitting diode (LED), for example, and is mounted on the substrate 42. The substrate 42 on which the light source 41 is mounted is attached to the attachment portion 38 formed on the side wall portion 32 integral with the window 31 with both ends in the width direction being fixed.

  On the other hand, in this example, a transparent plate 43 is disposed inside the window 31 so as to face the window 31, and the transparent plate 43 is attached to the inner lid 26. As shown in FIG. 4C, the inner lid 26 has a shape excluding an outer side (end side) portion from the partition wall 37 of the window 31 (a shape in which one end side of the oval hole 27 of the outer lid 25 is cut out). A hole 28 is formed, and a transparent plate 43 is attached so as to close the hole 28.

  A cushioning material 44 is interposed between the flat plate portion 33 and the transparent plate 43 integral with the window 31, and a sealed space 45 surrounded by the frame-shaped cushioning material 44, the side wall portion 32, and the partition wall 37 is formed. It is formed between the window 31 and the transparent plate 43.

  In the structure as described above, the window 31 and the transparent plate 43 are made of resin, and the outer lid 25 is also made of resin in this example. The inner lid 26 is made of a metal plate such as an iron plate. For the window 31 and the transparent plate 43, for example, a high-hardness resin that can withstand an impact such as polycarbonate is used.

  The outer lid 25 and the inner lid 26 are integrated by fixing four corners with screws, for example. The fixing of the window 31 to the outer lid 25 and the fixing of the transparent plate 43 to the inner lid 26 are adhesively fixed, respectively, and the fixing to the attachment portion 38 of the substrate 42 on which the light source 41 is mounted is also adhesively fixed.

  In the centrifuge configured as described above, when the light source 41 is turned on, the light diffuser 31a is illuminated by the light. FIG. 5A shows the light emission state (shining state) of the diffusing portion 31a in gray. The diffusing portion 31a protrudes from the upper surface of the lid 23 (outer lid 25). Even in the closed state, the light emitted from the diffusion portion 31a can be visually observed from the surroundings. Here, since the operation panel unit 24 is disposed on the front side of the casing 21, the operation panel unit 24 does not impair the visibility of the diffusion unit 31a.

  On the other hand, in the state where the lid 23 is opened, the light emission of the diffusion part 31a can be visually observed from the front side (the outer lid 25 side) of the lid 23 from the side and back side of the centrifuge, and from the front side of the centrifuge. In addition, the light emitted from the diffusion portion 31a can be visually observed through the transparent plate 43 attached to the inner lid 26. FIG. 5B shows the light emission state of the diffusing portion 31a viewed from the inner lid 26 side in gray. In addition, in the state which the lid | cover 23 opened, since the spreading | diffusion part 31a is located in a higher position, visibility improves.

When the light source 41 is composed of, for example, one light-emitting diode, various states of the centrifuge can be indicated by the light-emitting state of the diffusing unit 31a by changing the lighting state of the light source 41. An example is shown below.
(1) In the initial state (the state before driving), the light source 41 is turned off.
(2) When the centrifuge is operated and the rotor in the rotor chamber 22 starts to rotate, the light source 41 is turned on, and is turned on while the rotor is rotating.
(3) When the set operation time elapses and the operation stops, the light source 41 enters a slow blinking state. The light source 41 is turned off when the user performs some operation on the operation key of the operation panel unit 24.
(4) When an abnormality occurs during operation, the light source 41 is quickly blinked to notify the abnormality.
If, for example, three light emitting diodes of red, blue, and green are mounted as the light source 41, a desired lighting color can be obtained by combining these lighting, and the above (2) to (4) Three types of states can also be displayed by changing the lighting color.

  The window 31 includes the diffusing portion 31a that emits light as described above, and the transparent portion 31b that allows the rotor chamber 22 to be viewed with the lid 23 closed, and the rotational state of the rotor can be changed via the transparent portion 31b. Can be confirmed. In this example, since the light source 41 is turned on, the light from the light source 41 is partially diffused and reflected by the light diffusion surface 36 of the window 31 to illuminate (illuminate) the rotor chamber 22. The inside of 22 is bright and easy to see, and the rotation state of the rotor can be easily confirmed.

  As described above, in this example, the window 31 is provided in the lid 23, the diffusion part 31 a that diffuses light is formed in a part of the window 31, and the diffusion part 31 a shines by turning on the light source 41 arranged inside. The operation state of the centrifuge can be visually confirmed from a distance depending on the light emission state of the diffusion part 31a. Since the light source 41 is not exposed and is disposed inside, it does not occur that a person or an object contacts and breaks unlike the conventional lamp 14 shown in FIGS.

  Moreover, since the rotor chamber 22 can be visually observed through the window 31, and the rotor chamber 22 is illuminated by the light of the light source 41 that illuminates the diffusion portion 31a, good visibility is obtained. Can do.

  In the centrifuge, when a predetermined operation time has elapsed and the operation is stopped, for example, when the lid 23 is automatically opened, the light emission state of the diffusion part 31a can be visually observed at a higher position. Since it can be seen from the front side of the centrifuge, the operation state can be confirmed reliably.

  In addition, since the transparent plate 43 is arranged inside the window 31 so as to face the window 31 and a so-called double structure is adopted, an unexpected accident such as the bucket being detached from the rotor occurs in the rotor chamber 22. In this respect, the window 31 can be prevented from being damaged, and the shock applied to the window 31 can be suppressed by the cushioning material 44 disposed between the window 31 and the transparent plate 43. Good safety can be realized.

  In addition, since the sealed space 45 is formed between the window 31 and the transparent plate 43, the inner surface of the window 31 and the inner surface of the transparent plate 43 facing the inner surface can be prevented. Yes.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of one Example of the centrifuge by this invention. The perspective view which shows the state which opened the lid | cover of the centrifuge shown in FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing details of the window portion in FIG. 1, and B is a CC cross-sectional view in A. FIG. The figure which shows the detail of the window part in FIG. 1, A is the figure seen from the outer side of a lid | cover, B is sectional drawing, C is the figure seen from the inner side of the lid | cover. The figure which shows the state which the window in FIG. 1 shined, A is the figure seen from the outer side of a lid | cover, B is the figure seen from the inner side of the lid | cover. The figure which shows the 1st prior art example of a centrifuge, A is a front view, B is a side view. The figure which shows the 2nd prior art example of a centrifuge, A is a front view, B is a side view. The perspective view which shows the 3rd prior art example of a centrifuge.

Claims (8)

In a centrifuge that includes a housing that houses a rotor chamber, a lid that is attached to an upper portion of the housing and opens and closes the rotor chamber, and an operation panel unit that is disposed on the front surface side of the housing.
A window made of a transparent material is provided on the lid,
A light source is placed inside the window,
The window has a transparent portion that allows the rotor chamber to be visually observed, and a diffusion portion that is subjected to uneven processing on the surface and diffuses light,
The centrifuge is characterized in that the diffusion portion protrudes from the upper surface of the lid and shines when the light source is turned on. The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein
The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein the diffusing portion is formed at a peripheral portion of the window so as to surround the transparent portion. The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein
A light diffusing surface is formed on an inner surface of the window facing the light source;
The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein the rotor chamber is illuminated by light reflected by the light diffusion surface when the light source is turned on. The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein
A centrifuge is characterized in that a transparent plate is disposed inside the window so as to face the window. The centrifuge according to claim 4, wherein
The lid has an outer lid and an inner lid,
The centrifuge characterized in that the window is attached to the outer lid and the transparent plate is attached to the inner lid. The centrifuge according to claim 5, wherein
A cushioning material is disposed between the window and the transparent plate,
A centrifuge characterized in that a sealed space surrounded by the buffer material is formed between the window and the transparent plate. The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein
The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein a lighted state of the light source changes according to a state of the centrifuge. The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein
The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein the light source changes a lighting color according to a state of the centrifuge.

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