JP2017131873A - Centrifugal machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrain a fixation between a rotor body and a core in a continuous type centrifugal machine.SOLUTION: A plate-like fin 22 is respectively provided in a radial shape toward the outside in the radial direction with the central axis X as the center. However, here, the respective fins 22 formed as a separate body from a core body 21 are installed in the core body 21. The respective fins 22 are installed in a form of being inserted from the outside in the radial direction into a fin installing groove 21C provided on an outer peripheral surface of the core body 21 in response to the respective fins 22. In this case, the fins 22 are made movable in the radial direction to the fin installing groove 21C. Since both the fins 22 and the fin installing groove 21C are formed in a straight line-shaped form in the central axis X direction, the fins 22 are made movable even in the central axis X direction to the fin installing groove 21C.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure of a centrifuge (centrifuge) that continuously centrifuges a liquid sample by flowing it.

  A centrifuge (centrifuge) is used to separate or analyze substances having different densities by centrifugal force during high-speed rotation. In a centrifuge, the rotation speed (rotation speed: rpm) of the motor that rotates the rotor is determined, and the rotor rotates at this rotation speed for a predetermined time with the sample introduced into the rotor. A strong centrifugal force is applied to the sample. The acceleration (centrifugal acceleration) at this time may be several tens of thousands G or more with the gravitational acceleration G as a unit. In this case, in order to increase the rotational speed of the rotor, the rotor is a evacuated rotor. Often provided in the room. After centrifugation, the sample is separated according to density.

  For example, a vaccine or the like can be produced using such a centrifuge. In this case, the sample as a vaccine raw material is centrifuged, and after separation according to the density, a portion corresponding to the desired density is selectively extracted and used as a vaccine. Unlike centrifuges used for analysis, centrifuges used for these purposes can handle a large amount of sample by continuously injecting the sample into a rotating rotor, and after processing the desired The composition is such that an amount of vaccine is obtained. By repeating this treatment, a larger amount of vaccine can be produced.

  The configuration of such a centrifuge is described in Patent Document 1, for example. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of such a centrifuge (continuous centrifuge) 200. In the centrifuge 200, a separation unit 210 that actually performs a centrifugation process on a sample and a control unit 250 that controls the entire centrifuge 200 are used. Both are connected by the piping group 251 comprised by piping, a power cable, etc. FIG. In the separation unit 210, a rotor 230 that holds a sample therein is rotated by a drive unit 212 in a cylindrical chamber 211. The chamber 211 is fixed on the base 213, and the rotor 230 and the drive unit 212 are movable in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction using the lifter 214 fixed to the base 213. Therefore, the housing of the rotor 230 into the chamber 211 or the removal of the rotor 230 from the chamber 211 is performed by operating the lifter 214. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the rotor 230 is taken out from the chamber 211, and this state corresponds to a state in preparation for processing. The separation unit 210 is configured such that a sample can be continuously supplied into the rotor 230 even during rotation. A hollow upper shaft 215 is fixed to the upper part of the rotor 230, and a hollow lower shaft 216 is fixed to the lower part, and the sample flows through the rotor 230 via the upper shaft 215 and the lower shaft 216. The upper shaft 215 also serves as a rotation shaft for the drive unit 212 to rotate the rotor 230. The rotation axis is in a form along the vertical direction, and the rotor 230 is accommodated in the chamber 211 and subjected to a centrifugal separation process.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a form when the rotor 230 is accommodated in the chamber 211, and shows a vertical cross section along the rotation axis. This state is different from that in FIG. 6 and corresponds to the form at the time of the centrifugal separation process. In this state, the upper side of the chamber is sealed by the upper plate 217 fixed to the drive unit 212 while the rotor 230 is accommodated. Thereby, a centrifuge chamber 211A is formed in the chamber 211, and the rotor 230 rotates at a high speed in the centrifuge chamber 211A. Inside the chamber 211, in order to prevent damage to the outside of the chamber 211 if the rotor 230 breaks during high-speed rotation, it is thick and strong and has a cylindrical shape concentric with the chamber 211. A protector 218 is installed. Further, an evaporator 219 through which a refrigerant for controlling the temperature of the rotor 230 flows is installed inside the protector 218, thereby controlling the temperature of the rotor 230 in the centrifuge chamber 211A during the centrifugation process, or the rotor 230 Can be cooled.

  In FIG. 7, the upper shaft 215 is attached to the drive unit 212 on the upper side, and the interior of the hollow upper shaft 215 is connected to the upper pipe connection unit 220 provided on the upper side. The upper shaft 215 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided in the drive unit 212. An upper seal part 221 is provided on the upper side of the drive part 212, and the inside of the upper pipe connection part 220 and the upper shaft 215 is sealed from the outside. Similarly, on the lower side, the inside of the hollow lower shaft 216 is connected to the lower pipe connecting portion 222, and the lower pipe connecting portion 222 and the inside of the lower shaft 216 are sealed by the lower seal portion 223 fixed to the base 213. Stopped. The lower shaft 216 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided in the lower seal portion 223.

  8 and 9 are cross-sectional views showing structures near the upper seal portion 221 and the lower seal portion 223, respectively. In FIG. 8, the shaft head 224 </ b> A is fixed to the upper end of the upper shaft 215. The shaft head 224A is rotatably supported by a lip seal 225A fixed to the upper seal portion 221 from the outside, and the passage through which the lubricating oil flows and the space inside the drive portion 212 are partitioned by the lip seal 225A. On the other hand, the upper pipe connection part 220 is fixed to the connection block 226A, and the inside of the upper pipe connection part 220 is connected to the inside of the lower seal holder 227A. The connection block 226A is fixed to the upper seal portion 221. At this time, the space between the upper end portion of the shaft head 224A and the seal holder 227A is sealed with a mechanical seal 228A. As a result, the inside of the upper pipe connection portion 220 and the upper shaft 215 is sealed, and the upper shaft 215 can be smoothly rotated in a state where the upper pipe connection portion 220 is fixed.

  The configuration of FIG. 9 corresponds to a configuration obtained by vertically inverting the configuration of FIG. That is, the relationship among the lower shaft 216, the shaft head 224B, the lip seal 225B, the lower pipe connection portion 222, the connection block 226B, the seal holder 227B, the lower seal portion 223, and the mechanical seal 228B in FIG. The relationship between the shaft head 224A, the lip seal 225A, the upper pipe connection portion 220, the connection block 226A, the seal holder 227A, the upper seal portion 221, and the mechanical seal 228A is inverted in the vertical direction. For this reason, similarly to the above, the lower shaft connection part 222 and the hollow lower shaft 216 are sealed, and the lower shaft 216 can be smoothly rotated while the lower pipe connection part 222 is fixed. The upper pipe connection part 220 and the lower pipe connection part 222 can be equipped with a pipe through which the sample passes.

  That is, with the configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the sample is continuously placed inside the upper shaft 215 and the lower shaft 216 while the upper shaft 215 and the lower shaft 216 and the rotor 230 connected thereto are rotated. It can flow. For this reason, if a pipe for supplying a sample is externally attached to the upper pipe connection part 220 and the lower pipe connection part 222, the sample is supplied into the rotor 230 from one side, and the sample and the air in the rotor 230 are discharged from the other side. be able to. Usually, the lower pipe connection part 222 on the lower side in the vertical direction is the side for supplying the sample.

  In the centrifuge described in Patent Document 1, the rotor 230 rotates at a high speed of 35,000 to 40000 rpm. For this reason, the centrifuge chamber 211A is evacuated and decompressed by an evacuation system (not shown).

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view (partially perspective view) along the rotation axis (center axis X) of the rotor 230. The rotor 230 is sealed with a lid-like upper rotor cover 232 at the top of the cylindrical rotor body 231 and a lid-like lower rotor cover 233 at the bottom. In a state where the upper rotor cover 232 and the lower rotor cover 233 are attached to the rotor body 231, the core 240 is fixed near the central axis X inside the rotor body 231. The rotor body 231 is formed of a high strength metal, and the core 240 is formed of a high strength metal or a resin material having sufficient strength. Since the core 240 is combined so as to be engaged with the rotor body 231, they rotate as a unit during the centrifugal separation process. The sample is stored in a separation space S that is a gap between the core 240 and the rotor body 231.

  11 is a cross-sectional view in the DD direction perpendicular to the central axis X in FIG. Here, a core 240 in which a columnar (columnar) core main body 241 and six fins 242 provided radially symmetrically from the central axis X on the outer periphery thereof are integrated inside a cylindrical rotor body 231. It is used. For this reason, the separation space S in which the sample is stored is divided into six in the circumferential direction by the fins 242. After the centrifugal separation process, in each separation space S, the precipitate P accumulates on the outermost side (the inner surface side of the rotor body 231). Here, in the liquid sample to be processed, turbulent flow (vortex) is likely to be generated inside during high-speed rotation, and the turbulent flow may reduce the accuracy of separation. On the other hand, generation | occurrence | production of a turbulent flow can be suppressed by dividing | segmenting the separation space S finely in the circumferential direction in this way.

  In order to suppress turbulent flow, it is preferable to improve the sealing performance for each separation space S. For this reason, it is preferable that the fins 242 exist over the entire region in the direction (vertical direction) along the rotation axis (center axis X) in the rotor 230. Further, it is necessary that the fins 242 exist also in the vicinity of the inner surface of the rotor body 231 to which the strongest centrifugal force is applied. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, it is preferable that the outermost end portion (outermost end) of the fin 242 in the radial direction centering on the central axis X and the inner surface of the rotor body 231 be in contact with each other.

  In the structure shown in FIG. 10, the rotor body 231, the upper rotor cover 232, the lower rotor cover 233, and the core 240 can be easily disassembled, and a plurality of types of cores 240 are appropriately selected and used. Further, after the centrifugal separation process is completed, these can be easily disassembled and cleaned. Therefore, from this viewpoint, the outermost end of the fin 242 and the inner surface of the rotor body 231 are not strictly in contact with each other, and it is preferable that a slight gap is provided in order to facilitate assembly. This slight gap allows easy insertion when the core 240 is set on the rotor body 231. However, this clearance may be sufficient if the operator can insert it manually when setting the rotor 230.

JP 2004-322504 A

  In the case where the rotor 230 is rotated at a high speed as in the centrifuge described in Patent Document 1, even when the outermost end of the fin 242 and the inner surface of the rotor body 231 are in contact with each other during the stop, the rotor on the outer side Since a centrifugal force stronger than that of the fins 242 (core 240) acts on the body 231, the rotor body 231 may expand during operation, and the outermost end of the fins 242 and the inner surface of the rotor body 231 may be separated during rotation. . 12 (a) and 12 (b) show the situation between the outermost end of the fin 242 and the inner surface of the rotor body 231 in FIG. 11 at the time of the centrifugal separation process (rotation) and at the end of the centrifugal separation process (stop), respectively. FIG.

  During the centrifugal separation process (FIG. 12A), the rotor body 231 swells due to centrifugal force, so that a gap is temporarily formed between the outermost end of the fin 242 and the rotor body 231. The gap is filled with the precipitate P. Thereafter, when the centrifugal separation process is finished and the rotation of the rotor 230 is stopped (FIG. 12B), the rotor body 231 contracts, and the outermost end of the fin 242 and the inner surface of the rotor body 231 come into contact with each other. For this reason, the fixed part U resulting from the deposit P is formed between the outermost end of the fin 242 and the rotor body 231. When the fixing portion U is widely formed in the central axis X direction (vertical direction), it is difficult to separate the rotor body 231 and the core 240 in the state after the centrifugal separation process (FIG. 12B). There was a case.

  In this case, when the rotor 230 is disassembled, it is necessary to apply a strong force to mechanically peel off the fixed portion U or to chemically dissolve the fixed portion U, resulting in deterioration of productivity. Occurred. Further, when the rotor 230 is disassembled, the rotor body 231 and the core 240 are damaged and deteriorated, which makes it difficult to reuse.

  As described above, in a continuous centrifuge, it has been desired to suppress the adhesion between the rotor body and the core.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an invention that solves the above problems.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configurations.
The centrifuge of the present invention includes a core having a columnar core body, and a plurality of fins attached to the core body so as to protrude radially from a central axis of the core body, and a cylindrical shape surrounding the core And a rotor configured to allow a sample to flow in the rotor body between both end sides of the central axis, wherein the fin rotates the central axis. It is possible to move with respect to the core body in a radial direction centered on the central axis over a direction along the axis.
The centrifuge of the present invention is characterized in that the fin is detachable from the core body in a state where the core and the rotor body are combined.
In the centrifuge of the present invention, on the outer peripheral surface around the central axis of the core body, a plurality of fin mounting grooves extending parallel to the central axis are formed corresponding to the plurality of fins, The fins are fitted into the fin mounting grooves.
In the centrifuge of the present invention, the sample is injected into the rotor body from one side in the central axis direction and discharged from the other side. When the rotor is stopped, the fins are It is possible to move relative to the core body from the other side toward the one side.
In the centrifuge of the present invention, the radial depth of the fin mounting groove is deep toward the one side, and the height of the fin toward the central axis is increased toward the one side. It is characterized by that.
The centrifuge of the present invention is characterized in that the entire fin is movable in the radial direction with respect to the core body.
In the centrifuge of the present invention, the fin has a sliding length of 0.1 mm or more with respect to the core body in the radial direction.
In the centrifuge of the present invention, the rotor is configured to rotate in a reduced-pressure atmosphere in the chamber.

  Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, in a continuous centrifuge, the adhering between a rotor body and a core can be suppressed.

It is sectional drawing along the rotating shaft of the rotor used in the centrifuge used as embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view along the rotating shaft of the rotor used in the centrifuge which becomes embodiment of this invention. It is an assembly drawing along the axis of rotation of the core used in the centrifuge used as an embodiment of the invention. It is an assembly figure perpendicular | vertical to the rotating shaft of the core used in the centrifuge used as embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing perpendicular | vertical to the rotating shaft of a rotor which shows the condition in the rotor at the time of the centrifugation process in the centrifuge used as embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the whole general centrifuge. In a centrifuge, it is sectional drawing which shows a structure when a rotor is accommodated in the chamber. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the upper side of the chamber in a centrifuge. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the lower side of the chamber in a centrifuge. It is sectional drawing along the rotating shaft of the rotor used in an example of the conventional centrifuge. It is sectional drawing perpendicular | vertical to the rotating shaft of the rotor used in an example of the conventional centrifuge. It is sectional drawing perpendicular | vertical to the rotating shaft of a rotor which shows the condition in the rotor at the time of the centrifugation process in an example of the conventional centrifuge.

  A centrifuge (centrifuge) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. This centrifuge is a continuous type like the centrifuge 200 described above, and particularly has a feature in the internal structure of the rotor. The structure other than the rotor is the same as that of the above-mentioned centrifuge 200 including the surrounding chamber, and the same is true for the rotor rotating at a high speed under a reduced pressure atmosphere. Also in this rotor, similarly to the rotor 230 described above, since fins are provided in the inner core, a plurality of separation spaces S are formed in a divided manner, and generation of turbulent flow in the sample is suppressed. However, unlike the rotor 230, sticking between the outermost end of the fin and the inner surface of the rotor body is suppressed. For this reason, the separation between the core and the rotor body can be easily performed after the centrifugal separation process.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the rotation axis (center axis X) of the rotor 10 and corresponds to FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rotor 10 as viewed from above. In this rotor 10 as well, a rotor body 11, an upper rotor cover 12, and a lower rotor cover 13 whose inner surfaces are cylindrical are similarly used. The same applies to the point where the core 20 is provided inside the core 20.

  An O-ring 14A is sandwiched between the upper rotor cover 12 and the upper portion of the rotor body 11, and an O-ring 14B is sandwiched between the lower rotor cover 13 and the lower portion of the rotor body 11. The lower rotor cover 13 is fixed to the rotor body 11. Thereby, the space between the upper rotor cover 12 and the rotor body 11 and the space between the lower rotor cover 13 and the rotor body 11 are sealed.

  The same applies to the point that the core 20 is composed of a columnar core body 21 and plate-like fins 22 extending outward from the core body 21 in the radial direction about the central axis X. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2, six separation spaces S separated by the six fins 22 are formed inside the rotor body 11.

  A protrusion 12A that protrudes downward is provided in the lower part of the region including the central axis X of the upper rotor cover 12, and a protrusion 13A that similarly protrudes upward is also provided on the upper side of the lower rotor cover 13. A fitting hole 21A for fitting with the protruding portion 12A is provided on the upper side of the core main body 21, and a fitting hole 21B for fitting with the protruding portion 13A is provided on the lower side of the core main body 21, respectively. The upper rotor cover 12, the core 20 (core main body 21), and the lower rotor cover 13 are integrally fixed by fitting the hole 21A, the protruding portion 13A, and the fitting hole 21B. At this time, a structure for suppressing the rotation of the core body 21 with respect to the upper rotor cover 12 and the lower rotor cover 13 using pins is also provided. For this reason, the rotor body 11, the core 20, the upper rotor cover 12, and the lower rotor cover 13 rotate integrally around the central axis X in the state shown in FIGS.

  An upper shaft coupling portion 26 is provided at the center of the upper surface of the upper rotor cover 12, and the upper shaft 215 in FIG. 6 and the like is coupled to the upper shaft coupling portion 26 using a nut or the like. Similarly, a lower shaft coupling portion 27 is provided at the center of the lower surface of the lower rotor cover 13, and the lower shaft 216 in FIG. 6 and the like is coupled to the lower shaft coupling portion 27.

  The upper shaft connecting portion 26 is formed with a through hole 28A penetrating in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 2, six guide grooves 30 extending radially from the central axis X in the horizontal direction are formed on the upper surface of the core body 21 corresponding to each separation space S, and pass through. The interior of the upper shaft 215 communicates with each guide groove 30 and each separation space S through a communication hole 29A that communicates the hole 28A with the lower surface side of the upper rotor cover 12. Similarly, on the lower rotor cover 13 side, a through hole 28 </ b> B, a communication hole 29 </ b> B, and a guide groove 30 are provided in a vertically symmetrical form with the upper rotor cover 12. With these structures, the inside of the upper shaft 215, the inside of the lower shaft 216, and the separation spaces S can be communicated with each other, and a sample to be centrifuged can flow between them.

  The configuration of the centrifuge other than the core 20 is the same as that of the centrifuge 200 described above. For this reason, a sample can be supplied to the inside of the core 20 in a state where the core 20 is rotated at a high speed under a reduced pressure atmosphere. Normally, the sample is flowed from the lower shaft 216 side to the upper shaft 215 side. In this case, a large amount of the precipitate P in FIG. 11 is accumulated on the bottom side of the rotor 10, and the rotor 10 can be rotated stably. On the other hand, when the sample is flowed from the upper shaft 215 side, a large amount of the precipitate P is accumulated on the upper side in the rotor 10, and a part of the precipitate P may fall down during the rotation. In this case, since the weight balance of the rotor 10 is lost during the rotation, vibration may occur and it may be difficult to rotate the rotor 10 stably. If such a problem is unlikely to occur depending on the content of the sample, the sample may flow from the upper shaft 215 side to the lower shaft 216 side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, like the structure shown in FIG. 11, the plate-like fins 22 are provided radially outward in the radial direction about the central axis X. However, unlike the structure shown in FIG. 11, the fins 22 that are separate from the core body 21 are attached to the core body 21 here. Each fin 22 is mounted in a form inserted from the radially outer side into a fin mounting groove 21 </ b> C provided on the outer peripheral surface of the core body 21 corresponding to each fin 22. At this time, the fin 22 is movable in the radial direction relative to the fin mounting groove 21C. Further, since the fin 22 and the fin mounting groove 21C are both linear in the central axis X direction, the fin 22 can also move in the central axis X direction (vertical direction) with respect to the fin mounting groove 21C. The

  3 is an assembly view of the core 20 viewed from the side, and FIG. 4 is an assembly view of the core 20 viewed from the top. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the fin 22 protrudes radially outward from the fin mounting groove 21C and has a thin fin tip 22A, and is accommodated in the fin mounting groove 21C during mounting and is thicker than the fin tip 22A. It is comprised by the fin base 22B made. As shown in FIG. 3, the fin mounting groove 21 </ b> C is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the core body 21 over the central axis X direction (vertical direction) except for the region on the upper end side of the core body 21. The fin tip 22A is also provided over the entire center axis X direction (vertical direction) of the core body 21, but the fin base 22B corresponds to the fin mounting groove 21C and is not provided on the upper end side.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the radially outer side of the upper end portion side and the lower end portion side of the fin tip portion 22 </ b> A has a curved shape corresponding to the inner surface shapes of the upper rotor cover 12 and the lower rotor cover 13. For this reason, the sealing performance of each separation space S defined and formed by the fins 22 can be enhanced. When the upper rotor cover 12 and the lower rotor cover 13 are mounted on the rotor body 11, the center of the fins 22 The position in the axis X direction (vertical direction) is fixed with respect to the core body 21. In FIG. 3, the rotor body 11 is not shown. However, with the above configuration, in the state where the core body 21 is provided in the rotor body 11 and the lower rotor cover 13 is not mounted, the fins 22 are inserted into the fin mounting grooves. It can be attached to 21C from below. At this time, the upper end portion of the fin base portion 22B is locked to the upper end portion side of the fin mounting groove 21C, whereby the position of the fin 22 in the vertical direction with respect to the core body 21 is determined. Conversely, the fins 22 attached to the core body 21 can be removed from the core body 21 downward.

  Further, the fin mounting groove 21C is gradually formed deeper toward the lower end side in the lower end side region (tapered region Y) shown in FIG. Correspondingly, the fin 22 has a tapered shape such that the height toward the central axis X of the fin base portion 22B gradually increases toward the lower end portion in the tapered region Y. With such a configuration, it is particularly easy to attach the fins 22 to the core body 21 from the lower side or to remove the fins 22 from the core body 21 toward the lower side.

  On the other hand, the point that the fin 22 is movable in the radial direction around the central axis X will be described. 5 (a) and 5 (b) expand the situation between the outermost end of the fin 22 and the inner surface of the rotor body 11 at the time of the centrifugation process (rotation) and at the end of the centrifugation process (stop), respectively. And corresponds to FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b).

  As shown in FIG. 5A, at the time of the centrifugal separation process, the rotor body 11 swells due to the centrifugal force as in FIG. However, unlike the case of FIG. 12A, the fin 22 also moves outward due to the centrifugal force at the same time, so that the tip of the fin 22 (fin tip 22 </ b> A) is locked to the inner surface of the rotor body 11. . For this reason, unlike the case of FIG. 12A, the sediment P does not enter between the fin tip 22 </ b> A and the inner surface of the rotor body 11, and each separation space S is sealed by the fins 22. Maintained. Further, since the fins 22 are not fixed to the core body 21, even if the inner diameters of the rotor body 11 and the core body 21 change due to centrifugal force, at least during rotation, the tip of the fin tip portion 22A and the rotor body are caused by centrifugal force. The state of contact with the inner surface of 11 is maintained. For this reason, generation | occurrence | production of the turbulent flow in the sample (liquid) in the separation space S is suppressed. In addition, since the deposit P is unevenly distributed to the outside as viewed from the central axis X due to the centrifugal force, the precipitate P does not enter the fin mounting groove 21C inside the fin tip portion 22A.

  In the state of FIG. 5B in which the rotation of the rotor 10 is stopped from this state, the rotor body 11 contracts from the state of FIG. 5A. At the time of this contraction, the fin 22 has its tip at the rotor body 11. It moves inward while making contact with the inner surface. Therefore, the precipitate P does not enter between the fin tip 22A and the inner surface of the rotor body 11 as well. For this reason, the state where the fin tip 22A and the inner surface of the rotor body 11 are in contact with each other is maintained from the time of the centrifugal separation process to the end of the process, and the fixing part U as shown in FIG. It is suppressed.

  Further, in the state of FIG. 5B, since the fins 22 can move in the central axis X direction (vertical direction), the precipitate P is separated in the separation space S from the state of FIG. After the subsequent sample (liquid) is extracted in the reverse order of the sample introduction, the lower rotor cover 13 is removed, and the core 22 is moved downward while the core 20 is attached to the rotor body 11 to move the core body 21 can be extracted. Thereafter, the core body 21 and the upper rotor cover 12 are separated, the rotor 10 can be easily disassembled, and a cleaning operation or the like can be performed. At this time, as described above, a large amount of precipitate P is formed in the rotor body 11 particularly on the lower side. However, by forming the tapered region Y as described above, the fins 22 are moved downward. The operation of extracting from the core body 21 can be easily performed. Moreover, since the member (pin, screw, etc.) for mounting | wearing is not used for mounting | wearing with the core main body 21 of the fin 22, removal | desorption of the fin 22 can be performed especially easily.

  The movable range D of the fin 22 with respect to the core body 22 in the radial direction can be, for example, 0.1 mm or more, preferably 0.5 mm or more. This movable range D is preferably ensured both during the centrifugation process (FIG. 5 (a)) and when stopped (FIG. 5 (b)), but during the centrifugation process (FIG. 5 (a)). ) To the time of stop (FIG. 5B), it is only necessary to maintain the state in which the fins 22 are movable in the radial direction.

  As described above, in the rotor 10, the sample may flow from the upper side to the lower side. In the above example, the fin 22 can be extracted downward. However, the direction in which the fin 22 can be extracted can be reversed depending on the direction in which the sample flows. In this case, the configuration of the tapered region Y and the like may be reversed upside down from the above configuration. Or if it is set as the structure which can be mounted to the rotor body 11 by turning said core 20 upside down, this setting can be performed easily according to a sample.

  In the above configuration, each fin 22 is mounted (locked) in the fin mounting groove 21C extending in the central axis X direction (vertical direction), but the fin can move in the radial direction as in the above configuration. As long as this is true, sticking between the fin and the rotor body is suppressed. For this reason, as a method of attaching the fin to the core body, a method that allows the fin to move in the radial direction can be used in addition to the above configuration. At this time, in the above example, the fins 22 can be moved in parallel in the radial direction, that is, moved at a uniform moving distance in the vertical direction. As long as the space between the inner surface of the rotor body 11 can be sealed, the movement of the fins may not be a parallel movement. In the above example, six fins 22 and six separation spaces S are provided, but any number of these may be used as long as they are plural. However, in order to achieve a good balance when rotating the rotor at a high speed, it is preferable that the fins are provided rotationally symmetrically around the central axis X.

  In addition, by adopting a configuration in which the fin base portion 22B is locked to the fin mounting groove 21C as described above, the fin 22 is moved up and down in a state where the rotor body 11 and the core 20 are combined and detached. Becomes easy. However, since the sticking between the tips of the fins 22 and the inner surface of the rotor body 11 is suppressed as described above, it is easy to extract the entire core 20 from the rotor body 11 with the fins 22 mounted. For this reason, it is impossible to detach the fin from the core body when the rotor body and the core are combined, but the fin can be removed from the core body with the core removed from the rotor body. Good. In this case, a groove having a form different from the fin mounting groove 21C extending in the direction of the central axis X as described above can be used.

  The above configuration is particularly effective in a centrifuge that rotates the rotor at high speed, but also in other configurations of the centrifuge, as long as a separation space defined by fins is formed in the rotor body, It is equally effective.

10, 230 Rotor 11, 23 Rotor body 12, 232 Upper rotor cover 12A, 13A Protrusion 13, 233 Lower rotor cover 14A, 14B O-ring 20, 240 Core 21, 241 Core body 21A, 21B Fitting hole 21C Fin mounting groove 22, 242 Fin 22A Fin tip 22B Fin base 26 Upper shaft coupling part 27 Lower shaft coupling part 28A, 28B Through hole 29A, 29B Communication hole 30 Guide groove 200 Centrifuge (continuous centrifuge)
210 Separation unit 211 Chamber 211A Centrifugal chamber 212 Drive unit 213 Base 214 Lifter 215 Upper shaft 216 Lower shaft 217 Upper plate 218 Protector 219 Evaporator 220 Upper pipe connection part 221 Upper seal part 222 Lower pipe connection part 223 Lower seal part 224A, 224B Shaft Heads 225A, 225B Lip seals 226A, 226B Connection blocks 227A, 227B Seal holders 228A, 228B Mechanical seal 250 Control unit 251 Piping group D Movable range P Precipitate S Separation space U Adhering part X Center axis Y Taper area

Claims (8)

A core comprising: a columnar core body; and a plurality of fins attached to the core body so as to protrude radially from a central axis of the core body;
A cylindrical rotor body surrounding the core;
A rotor configured to allow a sample to flow in the rotor body between both end sides of the central axis is a centrifuge that rotates around the central axis,
The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein the fin is movable with respect to the core body in a radial direction centered on the central axis over a direction along the central axis.   The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein the fin is detachable from the core body in a state where the core and the rotor body are combined.   A plurality of fin mounting grooves extending in parallel with the central axis are formed on the outer peripheral surface around the central axis of the core body so as to correspond to the plurality of fins, and the fins are fitted in the fin mounting grooves. The centrifuge according to claim 2, wherein the centrifuge is combined. The sample is configured to be injected into the rotor body from one side in the central axis direction and discharged from the other side,
The centrifuge according to claim 3, wherein the fin is movable with respect to the core body from the other side toward the one side when the rotor is stopped.   The depth of the radial direction of the fin mounting groove is deeper toward the one side, and the height of the fin toward the central axis is increased toward the one side. 4. The centrifuge according to 4.   The centrifuge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the entire fin is movable in the radial direction with respect to the core body.   The centrifuge according to claim 7, wherein the fin has a sliding length of 0.1 mm or more with respect to the core body in the radial direction.   The centrifuge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate in a reduced-pressure atmosphere in the chamber.