JP2009125616A - Balance weight and rotor, and centrifugal separator equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a balance weight and a rotor that enable a centrifugal separator to run in a well balanced state whenever needed even with an insufficient number of tube bottles and/or an insufficient amount of samples therein, and a centrifugal separator equipped with the same. <P>SOLUTION: The balance weight 30 to be inserted and set in the tube hole 3a of a rotor 3 is constituted as a single integrated body by stacking a plurality of parts 31 to 34 each having mutually different mass and mutually connecting the same by a connecting means. The parts 31 to 34 are made from a material having a density of 1.0×10<SP>3</SP>to 1.2×10<SP>3</SP>kg/m<SP>3</SP>. The rotor 3 is constituted by forming a plurality of tube holes 3a for inserting and setting the tube bottles 18 that contain a sample 17 and the balance weight 30. The centrifugal separator is further constituted of a motor that rotates and drives the rotor 3, and a controller that drives and controls the motor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a balance weight that functions as a dummy tube, a rotor that houses the balance weight, and a centrifuge for centrifuging a sample by rotationally driving the rotor.

  A tube / bottle containing the sample to be centrifuged is set in the rotor of a general centrifuge. To suppress vibration during rotation of the rotor, the tube / heater is positioned symmetrically with respect to the rotation axis. It is necessary to set in the tube hole of the rotor.

  For example, when only one tube / bottle is set on the rotor, or when multiple tubes / bottles are set asymmetrically with respect to the rotating shaft of the centrifuge, the operation becomes excessively unbalanced and the rotating shaft is deformed. Or the rotor may be detached, and the centrifuge and the rotor may be damaged.

  Therefore, when the number of tube / bottle is an even number, it is necessary to set the tube / bottle in a symmetrical position with respect to the rotation axis of the centrifuge so as to form a set of two. When the number of tube / bottle is an odd number, it is necessary to set the tube / bottle so that they are arranged at equal intervals.

Furthermore, the sample placed in the tube / bottle needs to be balanced by the scale or mass. If an attempt is made to operate in an unbalanced state in which the amount of sample is different, there are many centrifuges that take measures to prevent operation, for example, when an alarm is lit.
JP-A-4-145968

  However, if you do not want to increase or decrease the number of tubes and bottles for the convenience of the user, or there is only one sample prepared, prepare the same type and the same amount of sample and the same tube and bottle. When the vehicle cannot be operated, the vehicle is in an unbalanced state.

  In addition, in the case of patient blood or precious samples, it is often difficult to replenish newly to ensure a balanced state.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is a balance that enables operation in a balanced state when it is desired to operate even if the tube and the bottle and the sample are insufficient. An object of the present invention is to provide a weight, a rotor, and a centrifuge provided with these.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is configured such that the balance weight inserted and set in the tube hole of the rotor is formed as a single product by stacking a plurality of parts having different masses and connecting them together by a connecting means. It is characterized by that.

The invention described in claim 2 is the invention described in claim 1, characterized in that the parts are made of a material having a density of 1.0 × 10 ^{3 to} 1.2 × 10 ³ kg / m ³ .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the connecting means is an engagement between a claw and a groove.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the balance weight according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1 or 2, the connecting means is a screw connection.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the connecting means is adsorption by a magnetic force of a magnet.

  A sixth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the connecting means is a double-sided tape or a magic tape (registered trademark of Kuraray Co., Ltd.).

  A seventh aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the connecting means is a fit between a boss provided at the center of the part and a hole.

  The invention described in claim 8 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 7, the boss is constituted by a weight.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a plurality of grooves are formed on a side surface of the boss.

  The invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the mass of the part is displayed on a side surface of the part.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the colors of the parts are different from each other.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, a tube bottle that contains a sample and a plurality of tube holes for inserting and setting the balance weight according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects are formed.

  A centrifugal separator according to a thirteenth aspect includes the rotor according to the twelfth aspect, a motor that rotationally drives the rotor, and a control device that drives and controls the motor.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a balance weight of an arbitrary mass can be configured by stacking a plurality of parts having different masses and connecting them together. Even if there is a shortage or absence of tubes, bottles and samples, it is possible to operate in a balanced state when it is desired to operate. In addition, since the balance weight is constructed by stacking multiple parts from the bottom, the center of gravity during operation is always low even when there are few samples, and the center of gravity of the tube / bottle containing the sample during operation is low. Almost the same center of gravity can be maintained.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a material having a density of 1.0 × 10 ^{3 to} 1.2 × 10 ³ kg / m ³ in which each part of the balance weight falls within the density range of most of the sample to be centrifuged. Therefore, the volume and mass of the balance weight are substantially equal to the volume and mass of the tube / bottle containing the sample, and the balance can be easily obtained based on the amount of the balance.

  According to the third to seventh aspects of the present invention, the balance weight as a single item can be easily configured by stacking and connecting the parts. In addition to being easy, the balance weight can be attached to and detached from the rotor in the same manner as the tube / bottle containing the sample, and the management can be easily performed. Moreover, rotation between the parts of the balance weight can be prevented by the centrifugal force during operation.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the boss provided at the center of each part is made of the weight, the total mass of the balance weight formed by stacking the parts can be easily known.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of grooves are formed in the side surface of the boss provided at the center of each part, each part can be easily picked up and out with respect to the tube hole of the rotor by tweezers. Can do.

  According to the invention of claim 10, since the mass of the part is displayed on the side surface of the part, it is possible to easily know the total mass of the balance weight formed by stacking the parts.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, since the colors of the parts are made different from each other, the total mass of the balance weight configured by stacking the parts can be easily known.

  According to the inventions of claims 12 and 13, the rotor can be rotated at a high speed while maintaining a good balance state by the balance weight, leading to deformation or separation of the rotor, damage to the centrifuge and the rotor, and the like. Therefore, the required centrifugation process can be performed stably.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a centrifuge according to the present invention. The illustrated centrifuge 1 includes a housing 2, a rotor chamber 4 that houses a rotor 3, a motor 5 that rotationally drives the rotor 3, The door 6 etc. which open and close the upper surface opening part of the rotor chamber 4 are provided. Here, the rotor chamber 4 is constituted by a chamber 7 whose upper surface is open, and a refrigerant pipe 8 made of a copper pipe is wound around the rotor chamber 4, and the circumference is covered with a heat insulating material 9 such as a foam material. It has been broken. Further, the portion of the chamber 7 through which the motor 5 passes is covered with an opening by a seal cover 10 made of an elastic material such as rubber.

  By the way, the motor 5 is elastically supported via a vibration isolating rubber 12 on a partition plate 11 installed horizontally in the housing 2, and its output shaft 5 a penetrates the chamber 7 from below to form a rotor chamber. 4 faces. The rotor 3 is detachably attached to the upper end of the output shaft 5a.

  On the other hand, a refrigeration apparatus is accommodated in a space below the partition plate 11 in the housing 2, and this refrigeration apparatus includes a compressor 13, a condenser 14, a capillary tube 15 as expansion means, and an evaporator. The refrigerant pipe 8 is used. In this refrigeration apparatus, the high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 13 is condensed and liquefied by the condenser 14, then decompressed and expanded when passing through the capillary tube 15, and wound around the outer periphery of the chamber 7. The refrigerant evaporates in the course of flowing through the refrigerant pipe 8, and the evaporation of the refrigerant cools the rotor chamber 4 through the chamber 7, thereby suppressing heat generated by the high-speed rotation of the rotor 3 in the rotor chamber 4.

  On the door 6, a display unit 20 for displaying the rotational speed of the motor 5 and the like is provided.

  Next, the gist of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the drive control system of the rotor according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a sectional perspective view of the rotor, FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of the balance weight according to the present invention, and FIG. Is a perspective view of the balance weight, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the balancing of the tube / bottle, FIG. 6 is a view showing the allowable liquid level difference of the sample, and FIGS. FIG. 8 (a) is an exploded perspective view of a screw-type balance weight, FIG. 8 (b) is a perspective view of the balance weight, and FIG. 9 is a weight-type balance weight. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotor 3 is formed with a plurality of tube holes 3a, and a tube / bottle 18 containing a sample (sample) 17 is inserted and set in each tube hole 3a. ing. As shown in FIG. 2, an operation panel 19 and a display device 20 are connected to the control device 16.

  Next, a general operation flow of the centrifuge 1 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5, the tube / bottle 18 containing the sample 17 is put into the balancer 21, and the amount of the sample 17 in each tube / bottle 18 is adjusted, and the allowable imbalance amount is different depending on the rotor 3. To balance. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the liquid level of the sample 17 is adjusted and balanced so that the liquid level of the sample 17 in the two tube bottles 18 falls within the range of allowable liquid level differences depending on the rotor 3. I do. In addition, when trying to operate in an unbalanced state in which the sample is not balanced, many centrifuges have taken measures to prevent operation, for example, when an alarm is lit.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the tube bottle 18 containing the balanced sample 17 is set in the tube hole 3 a of the rotor 3 so as to be symmetric with respect to the rotation axis of the rotor 3. For example, when the number of tube bottles 18 is an even number of 2, 4, 6 as shown in the figure, the tube bottles 18 are symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis of the rotor 3 so that they become one set. Set to the position. Although not shown, when the number of tube bottles 18 is an odd number, the tube bottles 18 are set so as to be arranged at equal intervals. Many centrifuges have taken measures to prevent operation when the tube / bottle is operated in an unbalanced state in which the sample is not balanced with respect to the rotating shaft of the rotor.

  However, if you do not want to increase or decrease the number of tubes / bottles for the convenience of the user, or if there is only one prepared sample and you cannot prepare the same amount of samples or the same tube / bottle Has a problem that it cannot be driven immediately when it is desired to drive because it is in an unbalanced state. In many cases, it is difficult to replenish the patient's blood or valuable samples.

  Therefore, the present invention proposes a balance weight described below.

  Here, the features of the balance weight according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The balance weight 30 according to the present invention has a solid shape that is the same as the outer dimension of the tube bottle 18 that can be set on the rotor 3, and can be set in the tube hole 3 a of the rotor 3.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the balance weight 30 according to the present invention is composed of a plurality of parts 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35, and has a structure in which the hemisphere and the cylinder are combined at the bottom. And a single part 31 having a shape that can be set at the bottom of the tube hole 3a of the rotor 3 and a plurality of cylindrical parts 32 to 35 having different heights (mass), and these parts 31 to 35. One balance weight 30 is formed by stacking the bottoms from below. Thus, for example, when it is desired to prepare a balance weight 30 corresponding to a weight of 47 g of the tube / bottle 18 containing the sample 17, the lowest 10 g part 31, the columnar 20 g part 32, and 10 g By stacking the part 33, the 5g part 34, and the 2g part 35 from the bottom, the balance weight 30 corresponding to the amount of the tube / bottle 18 or the sample 17 which is different for each operation can be obtained. Alternatively, the cylindrical parts 31 to 35 may be added by the reference amount until the centrifuge 1 no longer detects imbalance. In this case, the total mass of the balance weight 30 configured by stacking the parts 31 to 35 is displayed by displaying the masses “2 g”, “5 g”... Easy to know. In addition, the total mass of the balance weight 30 formed by stacking these parts 31 to 35 can be easily known by changing the colors of the parts 31 to 35.

  As described above, the balance weight 30 according to the present invention has a structure in which the parts 31 to 35 are stacked from the bottom. Therefore, even when the sample 17 is small, the position of the center of gravity is always low. The position of the center of gravity substantially the same as the position of the center of gravity of 18 can be maintained.

In addition, the balance weight 30 according to the present invention is made of a material having a density of 1.0 × 10 ^{3 to} 1.2 × 10 ³ kg / m ³ that fits in most density ranges of the sample 17 to be centrifuged. For example, nylon 66 (polyamide resin) having a density of 1.05 × 10 ³ kg / m ³ or PC (polycarbonate resin) having a density of 1.2 × 10 ³ kg / m ³ is used as the material. Thus, the volume and mass of the balance weight 30 are substantially the same as the volume and mass of the tube / bottle 18 containing the sample 17, so that balancing can be performed easily.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the material of the balance weight 30 according to the present invention has a density greater than 1.2 × 10 ³ kg / m ³ , for example, the density is 2.7 × 10 ³ kg / m ³ . When structural steel (Fe) having an aluminum alloy (Al) or density of 7.85 × 10 ³ kg / m ³ is used as the material, the upper surface or the lower surface of the parts 31 to 35 of the balance weight 30 with respect to the central axis Are provided with holes or recesses 31a to 35a penetrating in the height direction at equal intervals, and parts 31 to 35 of balance weight 30 occupying the volume when parts 31 to 35 of balance weight 30 do not have through holes or pockets 31a to 35a. by apparent density indicating the proportion of the mass is ^{1.0 × 10 3 ~1.2 × 10 3} kg / m 3, tube volume and weight of the balance weight 30 is filled with sample 17 Volume and mass and apparently about the same next to the Torr 18, it is possible to perform the balancing easily.

  Moreover, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 4A, there are three places on the upper surface of the cylindrical parts 31 to 35 having different heights from the upper surface part of the lowermost part 31 of the balance weight 30 according to the present invention. Engaging claws 31b to 35b as standing portions when these are stacked are erected, and engaging grooves for engaging the engaging claws 31b to 34b are formed at three positions on the lower surfaces of the parts 32 to 35. 32c to 35c are formed.

  Thus, each of the parts 32 to 35 is engaged with the engaging claws 31b to 35b of the parts 31 to 34 located below the engaging grooves 32c to 35c provided on the lower surface of the parts 32 to 35c. However, by adopting such a bayonet type connection structure, the parts 31 to 35 can be easily attached and detached, and the outer diameter is the same as the lowest part 31 of the balance weight 30 and the height is high. A plurality of cylindrical parts 32 to 35 having different sizes can be connected to form a balance weight 30 as a single product, and the balance weight 30 configured in this way is similar to the tube / bottle 18 containing the sample 17. It can be attached to and detached from the rotor 3 and can be managed easily. Further, rotation between the parts 31 to 35 of the balance weight 30 can be prevented by the centrifugal force during operation.

  Further, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 8B, cylindrical parts 32 to 35 having the same outer diameter and different height from the maximum outer diameter part of the lowermost part 31 of the balance weight 30 according to the present invention. Male threaded portions 31d to 35d are erected at the center of the upper surface of each, and female screw holes (not shown) are formed in the center of the lower surfaces of the parts 31 to 35, and when these parts 31 to 35 are overlapped, The balance weight 30 as a single product can be configured by aligning the male screw portions 31d to 34d of 31 to 34 with the female screw holes of the parts 32 to 35 and screwing the male screw portions 31d to 34d into the female screw portions. The balance weight 30 configured in this manner can be attached to and detached from the rotor 3 in the same manner as the tube / bottle 18 containing the sample 17 and can be easily managed. Further, rotation between the parts 31 to 35 of the balance weight 30 can be prevented by the centrifugal force during operation.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, a flange is formed at the tip of the convex portion at the center of the upper surface of the cylindrical parts 34 and 35 having the same outer diameter and different height as the largest outer diameter portion of the lowermost part of the balance weight 30. 36, and several grooves are formed on the side surface of the flange 36, and provided on the upper surface of the lower part 34 when the parts 34, 35 are stacked in the center of the lower surface of the cylindrical parts 34, 35. By providing a cylindrical concave portion (not shown) in which the convex portion not shown is accommodated, the balance weights 30 set on the rotor 3 may be easily removed one by one with tweezers or the like. .

  Although not shown, the balance weight parts connection structure according to the present invention is such that the parts are stacked from below on the upper and lower surfaces of cylindrical parts having the same outer diameter and different height as the top surface of the lowest part. It is conceivable to embed the N and S poles of the magnet so that they face each other when they are facing each other, and attract the parts by magnetic force. By stacking and connecting parts in this way, a balance weight can be configured as a single product. In the balance weight configured in this way, the parts can be easily attached and detached, and the balance weight can be sampled. The tube can be attached to and detached from the rotor in the same manner as the tube bottle containing, and the management can be easily performed. Moreover, rotation between the parts of the balance weight can be prevented by the centrifugal force during operation.

  In addition, although not shown, the upper surface and the lower surface of a cylindrical part having the same outer diameter and different height as the uppermost part of the lowermost part have a double-sided tape or hook-raised side and a loop-raised side. A balance weight as a single item is constructed by attaching Velcro (registered trademark of Kuraray Co., Ltd.), a hook-and-loop fastener that is pressed and bonded, and joining the parts together with double-sided tape or Velcro (registered trademark of Kuraray Co., Ltd.). In the balance weight constructed as described above, the parts can be easily attached and detached, and the balance weight can be attached to and detached from the rotor in the same manner as the tube / bottle containing the sample. , It can be easily managed. Moreover, rotation between the parts of the balance weight can be prevented by the centrifugal force during operation.

  Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, a cylindrical convex portion is provided at the center of the upper surface of a cylindrical part having the same outer diameter and different height as the largest outer diameter portion of the lowermost part, and is provided on the side surface of the cylindrical convex portion. The balance weight set on the rotor is formed by forming several grooves and providing a cylindrical recess in the center of the bottom surface of the cylindrical part to accommodate the cylindrical projection when the parts are stacked. It can be easily taken out from the tube hole 3a with tweezers or the like, and the overall height can be lowered.

  Thus, if the balance weight 30 configured as described above is inserted and set as a dummy tube in the tube hole 3a of the rotor 3, for example, if the user does not want to increase or decrease the number of tubes and bottles for the convenience of the user, preparation If there is only one sample, and the same amount of sample or the same tube / bottle cannot be prepared, or the tube / bottle and sample are insufficient or absent, the centrifuge 1 When you want to drive, you can drive immediately in a balanced state.

  When the predetermined operation of the centrifuge 1 is completed, the door 6 shown in FIG. 1 is opened, the rotor 3 is detached from the output shaft 5a of the motor 5, and the tube / bottle is removed from the tube hole 3a of the rotor 3 using tweezers or the like. By taking out 18 and the balance weight 30, a series of centrifuge operations are completed.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the centrifuge which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the drive control system of the rotor which concerns on this invention. It is a section perspective view of the rotor concerning the present invention. (A) is an exploded perspective view of the balance weight according to the present invention, and (b) is a perspective view of the balance weight. It is a perspective view which shows balancing of a tube and a bottle. It is a figure which shows the allowable liquid level difference of a sample. (A)-(c) is a schematic plan view of the rotor which shows the example of the setting of the tube and the bottle to a rotor. (A) is an exploded perspective view of a screw type balance weight, (b) is a perspective view of the balance weight. It is a fragmentary perspective view of a balance weight.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Centrifugal separator 2 Case 3 Rotor 3a Rotor tube hole 4 Rotor chamber 5 Motor 5a Motor output shaft 6 Door 7 Chamber 8 Refrigerant piping 9 Heat insulating material 10 Seal cover 11 Partition plate 12 Anti-vibration rubber 13 Compressor 14 Condenser DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Capillary tube 16 Control apparatus 17 Sample 18 Tube bottle 19 Operation panel 20 Display apparatus 21 Balancer 30 Balance weight 31-35 Balance weight part 31a-35a Part hole or recessed part 31b-35b Part engagement claw 32c-35c Part Engagement grooves 31d-35d male threaded part 36 collar part

Claims (13)

  A balance weight inserted and set in a tube hole of a rotor, wherein the balance weight is configured as a single product by stacking a plurality of parts having different masses and connecting them together by a connecting means. The balance weight according to claim 1, wherein the parts are made of a material having a density of 1.0 × 10 ^{3 to} 1.2 × 10 ³ kg / m ³ .   The balance weight according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting means is an engagement between a claw and a groove.   The balance weight according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting means is a screw connection.   The balance weight according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means is adsorption by magnetic force of a magnet.   The balance weight according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting means is a double-sided tape or a magic tape (registered trademark of Kuraray Co., Ltd.).   The balance weight according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting means is a fit between a boss and a hole provided at a central portion of the part.   The balance weight according to claim 7, wherein the boss is made of a weight.   The balance weight according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a plurality of grooves are formed on a side surface of the boss.   The balance weight according to claim 1, wherein a mass of the part is displayed on a side surface of the part.   The balance weight according to claim 1, wherein colors of the parts are different from each other.   A rotor comprising: a tube bottle containing a sample; and a plurality of tube holes for inserting and setting the balance weight according to claim 1. 13. A centrifugal separator comprising: the rotor according to claim 12; a motor that rotationally drives the rotor; and a control device that drives and controls the motor.

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