JP5527708B2 - centrifuge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a centrifuge that rotates a rotor on which a sample is set at high speed, and more particularly, to a centrifuge that allows a user to easily identify the time required to accelerate or decelerate a started rotor.

  Centrifuges are widely used in fields such as medicine, pharmacy, and genetic engineering. In general, a centrifuge that rotates at a maximum rotational speed of about 10,000 to 30,000 rpm is often operated in a state where the rotation chamber for rotating the rotor is at atmospheric pressure. In this case, the frictional heat between the air and the rotor generated during the rotation of the rotor increases, and the temperature of the sample may rise. Therefore, a refrigerator such as a refrigerator that uses a refrigerant or a Peltier element for the centrifuge A cooling device is often mounted. In this type of centrifuge, the user sets operation conditions such as rotation speed, operation time (separation time), and holding temperature (set temperature) from the panel operation unit in accordance with the sample to be separated.

  Then, the rotor into which the sample is inserted is set in the rotation chamber, the door is closed, and the start switch of the operation unit is pressed to start the rotation of the rotor. When the rotor is accelerated and reaches the set rotational speed, the rotor is operated at a constant speed at the rotational speed. When the set operating time elapses after the rotor continues to operate at a constant speed, the rotation of the rotor is decelerated and the rotor stops. Thereafter, the user opens the door, removes the rotor, and removes the separated sample from the rotor.

  In such a series of centrifugal separation operations, it is not realistic for the user to stay in front of the centrifugal separator from the start to the end of rotation of the rotor and to monitor the operation status. This is because the centrifugation time may range from several minutes to several hours or tens of hours. Therefore, the operator presses the centrifuge start switch to accelerate the rotor to the set rotational speed, confirms that the rotor has reached a certain rotational speed, and then leaves the seat or performs another work. Often, this is done, or preparation work for the next centrifugation is started. This is because a rotor that rotates at a constant rotational speed without accelerating or decelerating almost always rotates stably.

  When the operation time set for the centrifuge elapses and the operation of the rotor is stopped, a stop buzzer or a stop melody is sounded. However, if the user is near the centrifuge, he can easily recognize that it has stopped, but if he is away, he will not hear a buzzer or melody. Then, leave the seat and return to the centrifuge after the set operating time. This return timing may be based on the set operation time. When the remaining operation time of the centrifuge is displayed on a display unit or the like as in Patent Document 1, the time may be referred to. In addition, when it returns just before driving | running time elapses, the rotor has not stopped and it may still be rotating. In that case, the user of the centrifuge often waits in front of the centrifuge because it wants to take out the sample immediately after the rotor shifts to the deceleration state and stops.

JP-A-6-79199

  The centrifuge is operated by selecting an optimum rotor from a variety of rotors according to the sample to be separated and the separation conditions, and changing the operation conditions. There are many types of rotors, from light and small rotors (small moment of inertia) to heavy and large rotors (large moment of inertia). Depending on the rotor used, the acceleration time to the set speed and the deceleration time to stop from the set speed Is different. Naturally, a rotor with a small moment of inertia has a short acceleration / deceleration time, and a rotor with a large moment of inertia has a long acceleration / deceleration time. For example, there is a large rotor that takes 20 minutes or more to accelerate / decelerate.

  Furthermore, even when the same rotor is used, the acceleration time until set rotational speed and the deceleration time until stopping from the set rotational speed differ depending on the amount of sample set. In the technique of Patent Document 1, although the remaining operation time of the centrifuge (operation time for rotating at a constant rotation) is displayed, the time required for deceleration is not displayed. Therefore, users of centrifuges must predict acceleration and deceleration times from past operating results, but many users do not know the results of acceleration and deceleration times accurately, so when There was a case where a wasteful time was generated in front of the centrifuge without knowing when to set the rotation speed or when to stop (deceleration).

  The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and its purpose is to provide means for notifying the acceleration time until the accelerating rotor reaches the set rotational speed and the deceleration time until the decelerating rotor stops. It is in providing the centrifuge provided.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a centrifuge provided with means for notifying the time when the accelerating rotor reaches the set rotational speed and the time when the decelerating rotor stops.

  Of the inventions disclosed in the present application, typical features will be described as follows.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a drive unit that rotates a rotor that holds a sample, a control unit that controls rotation of the rotor, and an input / output unit that displays information and receives input from a user. In the centrifuge for rotating the rotor at the inputted set rotational speed, when the rotor is rotated, the first time information from the current state until the rotor speed reaches the set rotational speed is reached by the input / output unit To be displayed. Here, the first time information is a time required for the rotor to reach the set rotational speed, or an arrival time at which the rotor reaches the set rotational speed. The time until settling or the settling time may be switched to either display by a switching button, or both may be displayed simultaneously.

  According to another aspect of the invention, the control unit stores in advance the required acceleration time for each type of rotor, identifies the rotor mounted on the drive unit, and the required acceleration corresponding to the identified rotor. The time is read to calculate first time information. In addition, the control unit stores a plurality of rotor rotation increase gradient patterns in advance, selects a corresponding rotation increase gradient from the rotation increase during rotation of the rotor, and calculates first time information using the rotation increase gradient. To do.

  According to still another feature of the present invention, the second time information until the rotation of the rotor stops is displayed on the input / output unit when the rotation of the rotor is decelerated. The second time information is a required time until the rotation of the rotor reaches the stop, or an arrival time when the rotation of the rotor reaches the stop.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, a drive unit that rotates a rotor that holds a sample, a control unit that controls rotation of the rotor, an input / output unit that displays information and receives input from a user, In a centrifuge having a decompression means for decompressing a rotor chamber containing the rotor and rotating the rotor at an input set rotational speed, the rotation until the rotation of the rotor reaches the set rotational speed when the rotor is accelerated. 3 time information is displayed on the input / output unit. The third time information is the time required for the rotor to settle in a centrifuge that is depressurized and rotates at high speed. This time is the time until the decompression of the rotor chamber is completed and the decompression is completed. After that, it is calculated in consideration of the time during which the rotation of the rotor is accelerated to the set rotational speed. The third time information is calculated every predetermined time (for example, every minute) and displayed on the input / output unit.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the rotor rotates, the first time information until the rotation of the rotor is accelerated to reach the set rotational speed is displayed on the input / output unit. Different acceleration times are displayed in the input / output unit depending on the type of rotor and the operating conditions of the set rotational speed, so that a centrifuge that is convenient for the user and easy to use can be provided. In addition, the control unit stores a plurality of rotation increase gradient patterns of the rotor in advance, selects a corresponding rotation increase gradient pattern from the rotation increase during rotation of the rotor, and uses the rotation increase gradient pattern to generate first time information. Is calculated, the user can know the exact acceleration time even if the filling condition of the sample to be separated is different. Furthermore, since the first time information is the time required for the rotor to reach the set rotational speed, the user can immediately determine how much time will be settled at the start of rotation of the rotor or during acceleration. I can know.

According to the invention of claim 2, when the rotor rotates, the first time information until the rotation of the rotor is accelerated to reach the set rotational speed is displayed on the input / output unit. Different acceleration times are displayed in the input / output unit depending on the type of rotor and the operating conditions of the set rotational speed, so that a centrifuge that is convenient for the user and easy to use can be provided. In addition, the control unit stores a plurality of rotation increase gradient patterns of the rotor in advance, selects a corresponding rotation increase gradient pattern from the rotation increase during rotation of the rotor, and uses the rotation increase gradient pattern to generate first time information. Is calculated, the user can know the exact acceleration time even if the filling condition of the sample to be separated is different. Furthermore , since the first time information is an arrival time at which the rotor reaches the set rotational speed, the user can immediately know when the rotor is set.

According to the invention of claim 3 , the control unit stores in advance the required acceleration time for each type of rotor, identifies the rotor mounted on the drive unit, and the required acceleration time corresponding to the identified rotor. Is read and the first time information is calculated, the user can know the exact acceleration time according to the type of the rotor.

According to the invention of claim 4 , since the input / output unit is provided with the switching button for switching to either the time to settling or the time to set, the user can set the time to settling or the time to settling. Whichever you like can be displayed.

According to the invention of claim 5 , since the second time information until the rotation of the rotor is stopped is displayed on the input / output unit when the rotation of the rotor is decelerated, the user can easily determine when the rotation of the rotor stops. It is possible to provide an easy-to-use centrifuge.

According to the invention of claim 6 , since the second time information is a time required until the rotation of the rotor reaches the stop, how much time is left by the user when the rotation of the rotor is stopped or during deceleration. You can know immediately whether to stop at.

According to the invention of claim 7 , since the second time information is a time required until the rotation of the rotor reaches the stop, the user stops the rotor when the rotation of the rotor stops or during the deceleration. You can know immediately what to do.

According to the invention of claim 8, in the centrifugal separator with a vacuum pump for rotating the rotor in a decompressed state, the third time information until the rotation of the rotor reaches the set rotational speed is obtained during the rotation acceleration of the rotor. Since it is displayed on the input / output unit, the acceleration time is displayed on the input / output unit considering the different acceleration times due to variations in the time to reach the specified vacuum level and differences in operating conditions of the set rotation speed. The person who knows the exact settling time can provide an easy-to-use centrifuge. In addition, the third time information is calculated in consideration of the time until the decompression of the rotor chamber is completed and the time during which the rotation of the rotor is accelerated to the set rotational speed after the decompression is completed. Thus, accurate acceleration time can be predicted and displayed in a centrifuge with a vacuum pump that rotates the rotor. Furthermore, when the atmospheric pressure in the rotor chamber is larger than a predetermined value, the rotor is rotated at a limited rotation speed, and when the atmospheric pressure in the rotor chamber becomes a predetermined value or less, the rotor is accelerated from the limited rotation speed to the set rotation speed. The rotor is not rotated at high speed before the decompression of the rotor chamber is completed, and the temperature rise of the sample due to windage can be prevented.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the third time information is a time required for the rotor to reach the set rotational speed, the remaining time for the user at the time of starting or accelerating the rotation of the rotor. You can immediately know whether to settle.

According to the invention of claim 10 , since the third time information is the arrival time at which the rotor reaches the set rotational speed, the user can immediately know when the rotor is set.

According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the third time information is calculated every predetermined time and is updated and displayed on the input / output unit every predetermined time, so that it is possible to display a highly accurate predicted time.

  The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings.

It is sectional drawing of the centrifuge which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the screen display in the display and operation part 8 immediately after the driving | operation condition setting of the centrifuge 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen display by another aspect in the display and operation part 8 immediately after the driving | operation condition setting of the centrifuge 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen display in the display and the operation part 8 when the driving | operation of the setting operation time 106 of the centrifuge 1 is completed and the rotor 3 enters into a deceleration state. It is a figure which shows the screen display by another aspect in the display and the operation part 8 when the driving | operation of the setting operation time 106 of the centrifuge 1 is completed and the rotor 3 enters into a deceleration state. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the centrifuge which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the centrifuge which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen display in the display / operation unit 308 of the centrifuge 301. 4 is a time chart (part 1) showing the relationship between the degree of vacuum and time until the rotor 303 reaches a set rotational speed and the relationship between the rotational speed and time of the rotor 303 after the centrifuge 301 starts operation. 6 is a time chart (part 2) showing the relationship between the degree of vacuum and time until the rotor 303 reaches a set rotational speed after the operation of the centrifuge 301 and the relationship between the rotational speed of the rotor 303 and time. FIG. 6 is a time chart (part 3) showing the relationship between the degree of vacuum and time until the rotor 303 reaches a set rotational speed after the operation of the centrifuge 301 and the relationship between the rotational speed of the rotor 303 and time. 7 is a time chart (part 4) showing the relationship between the degree of vacuum and time until the rotor 303 reaches a set rotational speed after the operation of the centrifuge 301 and the relationship between the rotational speed of the rotor 303 and time. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the centrifuge which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed procedure (subroutine) of step 503 of the flowchart of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display which concerns on the 1st modification of a 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display which concerns on the 1st modification of a 3rd Example. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display which concerns on the 1st modification of a 4th Example.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated description is omitted.

  First, the basic configuration of the centrifuge according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a centrifuge, showing a state in which a door is closed. An operation / display unit 8 is provided on the upper part of the casing of the centrifuge 1 to allow the user to input information and display necessary information. For example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display (LCD) device is preferably used as the operation / display unit 8, but any display device or input device may be used.

  Inside the centrifuge 1, a rotating chamber 5 for housing the rotor 3 is installed. The rotor 3 is formed with a plurality of holes (not shown) for inserting a sample tube or the like for inserting a sample. The rotation chamber 5 is configured such that its upper surface opening can be opened and closed by a door 7, and by opening the door 7, the rotor 3 for storing a sample to be centrifuged can be attached to or detached from the rotation chamber 5. The rotating chamber 5 is provided with a cooling device 9 in order to keep the inside at a desired low temperature. The temperature of the rotating chamber 5 is controlled by the control unit 6 using the output of the temperature sensor 11 for measuring the temperature installed in the rotating chamber. The temperature sensor 11 is preferably adjusted so as to detect the same temperature as the sample temperature stored in the rotor 3.

The control unit 6 includes a microcomputer (not shown), volatile and non-volatile storage memories, inputs output signals from the temperature sensor 11 and the door opening / closing detection sensor 12 through signal lines, and controls the rotation of the drive unit 4 and a cooling device. 9 performs overall control of the centrifuge 1 such as ON / OFF control of 9, display of information on the operation / display unit 8 and acquisition of input data. These overall controls can be controlled by software by executing a program by a microcomputer, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  The control unit 6 receives the operation conditions (rotation speed, operation time, set temperature, operation rotor) set on the touch panel of the operation unit, and the operation conditions stored in advance in the storage device in the control unit 6 are attached. Using the information of the rotor information, rotation control of the drive unit 4, temperature control in the cooling device 9, and display of various information on the operation / display unit are performed. Control of these control parts 6 can be performed by a microcomputer executing the program stored in the memory | storage means. The control unit 6 has a built-in clock function, and the control unit 6 displays the current time on the operation / display unit 8 using the clock function and manages the time for driving.

  A through hole that communicates the inside and the outside of the rotation chamber 5 is provided in the lower portion of the rotation chamber 5. A rotation shaft extending from the drive unit 4 passes through the through hole, and the rotor 3 is attached to the tip of the rotation shaft. The drive unit 4 includes, for example, an electric motor, and the rotation of the electric motor is controlled by the control unit 6. In the present embodiment, the rotation speed of the electric motor is an arbitrary rotation speed, for example, up to 150,000 rpm, and the rotor 3 directly attached to the output shaft of the electric motor is rotated at the same speed. The control unit 6 further uses the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 to turn on / off the cooler included in the cooling device 9 so that the temperature (set temperature) set by the operation / display unit 8 is reached. To do. Although not shown in the drawings, the rotary chamber 5 may be connected to a vacuum pump through a pipe, and when the rotor 3 is operated, the rotary chamber 5 may be controlled by the controller 6 so that the pressure is reduced.

  Next, an operation screen displayed on the display / operation unit 8 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a screen display in the display / operation unit 8 immediately after setting the operating conditions of the centrifuge 1 (before pressing the start button). The display screen 100 mainly displays the operating state and operating conditions (set values) of the centrifuge 1, and the screen displays a rotation speed display area 101 that is the operating conditions of the centrifuge, and a time display. An area 104 and a temperature display area 107 are provided. Around these areas, there are an operating rotor 110 representing the type of rotor set in the rotating chamber 5, a start button 130 for instructing the start of the centrifugal separation operation, interruption of the centrifugal separation operation or rotation stop of the drive unit 4. A stop button 131 for instructing is displayed.

  The large number “0” in the center of the rotation speed display area 101 indicates the current rotation speed 102 of the rotor 3, and the lower row (small characters) separated by the underline portion indicates the set rotation speed 103. In the example of FIG. 2, 12000 revolutions per minute (rpm) is set as the set rotational speed for performing centrifugation. When the operator touches the inside of the frame of the rotation speed display area 101 with a finger, a numeric keypad screen (not shown) pops up, so that the user can set the rotation speed by operating the numeric keypad.

  A large number in the center of the time display area 104 is an operation time (elapsed time) 105 in which the rotor 3 is actually operated at the set rotational speed 103, and is displayed in units of hours and minutes. In FIG. 2, since the rotor 3 is not yet rotated in a state before centrifugal separation, the operation time 105 is 0 hour 00 minutes. The operation time 105 is automatically counted and displayed using a timer function included in the microcomputer of the control unit 6. The lower part (small characters) delimited by the underlined portion is the set operation time 106 for performing the centrifugation, and in the example of FIG. 2, a state in which 5:00 minutes is set as the time for performing the centrifugation is shown. Yes. Similar to the rotation speed display area 101, when the operator touches the frame of the time display area 104 with a finger, a numeric keypad screen (not shown) pops up and the operation time is set by the user operating the numeric keypad. it can.

  The large character at the center of the temperature display area 107 is the rotor temperature 108 inside the rotating chamber 5, and the lower part (small character) of the underlined portion is the set temperature 109 of the rotor 3 that should be maintained when performing centrifugation. . FIG. 2 shows that the current rotor temperature 108 is 5.2 ° C., and the set temperature is 4.0 ° C. As with the rotation speed display area 101, when the operator touches the frame of the temperature display area 107 with a finger, a numeric keypad screen (not shown) pops up, and the operation time is set by the user operating the numeric keypad. it can.

  The SPEED / RCF button 112 is a display switching button for displaying the rotational speed (SPEED) of the rotor 3 or the centrifugal acceleration (RCF) in the rotational speed display area, and every time the SPEED / RCF button 112 is touched. In addition, the display in the rotation speed display area 101 is switched from the rotation speed to the display of the centrifugal acceleration, and from the centrifugal acceleration to the display of the rotation speed. USER 113 is a display of the name of the user who uses the centrifuge 1, and “HK” is displayed as the user's initial in the example of FIG. 2. This user name can be selected and set from a user list screen (not shown), or can be input from a keyboard (not shown) pop-up displayed on the operation / display unit 8. The current date and time 150 is displayed on the upper right of the screen 100.

  The operation rotor 110 is a display of the model name of the rotor 3 to be operated. In FIG. 2, “P120AT” which is the model number of the rotor 3 is displayed. The setting of the rotor 3 may be configured such that the user touches the portion of the rotor 110 to display a rotor list screen (not shown) and selects from the list, or the rotor 3 itself has information. If the rotor 3 is set in the centrifuge 1, the rotor model number may be automatically identified on the centrifuge 1 side. As the method for automatically identifying the rotor model number, an optical or magnetic bar code may be attached to the rotor, or any other known identification method may be used.

  The time 120 until settling is the time until the rotation of the rotor 3 reaches the set rotational speed 103 from the current state. In this specification, “settling” refers to a state in which the rotation acceleration of the rotor 3 is completed and the rotor 3 rotates at a set constant rotation speed. During rotation acceleration of the rotor 3, the display of the time 120 until settling is updated at regular intervals, so that it is displayed so as to gradually decrease, and becomes 0 minute when the rotor 3 has settled.

  The start button 130 is a button for starting the operation of the centrifuge 1. When the start button 130 is touched, the rotor 3 accelerates to the set rotational speed 103 set in the rotational speed display area 101, and the rotor 3 reaches the set rotational speed 103. When it reaches the settling state, the operation time 105 starts counting. The stop button 131 is a button for stopping the operation of the centrifuge 1. When the stop button 131 is touched, the operation of the centrifuge 1 is interrupted, and the rotor 3 shifts to a deceleration state and stops.

  The display switching button 140 is a function that can switch between the time 120 until settling and the display of the settling time. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen display according to another aspect of the display / operation unit 8 immediately after setting the operating conditions of the centrifuge 1. 3 is different from FIG. 2 in the display of the settling time 121. FIG. 2 shows that “10 minutes” is until the settling, but in FIG. 3, the settling time is several minutes later. Without displaying, “9:45”, which is the time after 10 minutes, is displayed. The time display in FIG. 3 is easy to use because the user does not have to add the time until settling to the current time when the time display is long, such as 35 minutes or 75 minutes.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a display switching button 140 is provided to display either the time 120 until settling or the time 121 for settling. It may be omitted and the time 120 until settling and the settling time 121 may be displayed side by side at the same time. In the example of FIG. 2, the time 120 until settling is displayed in minutes, but it is also possible to notify in more detail by displaying minutes / seconds.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen display on the display / operation unit 8 when the operation of the set operation time 106 of the centrifuge 1 is completed and the rotor 3 enters a decelerating state. The main difference between FIG. 4 and FIG. 2 is that the current rotational speed 102 of the rotor 3 is 12000 rpm because it is in a settling state immediately before deceleration, and the centrifugal operation time 105 is 5:00 hours. Further, the display portion of the time 120 until settling in FIG. 2 is switched to the time 122 until stopping in FIG. The time 122 until the rotor 3 stops is gradually subtracted during the deceleration of the rotor 3 as time elapses, and becomes 0 minutes when the rotor 3 stops. The update interval of the time 122 until the stop is arbitrary, but the update interval is longer when the time until the stop is longer, and shorter when the time until the stop is shorter (for example, within 60 seconds).

  The display switching button 140 is a function that can switch the display of the time 120 until the stop and the display of the stop time. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen display according to another aspect of the display / operation unit 8, and shows a display when the operation of the set operation time 106 of the centrifuge 1 is completed and the rotor 3 enters a deceleration state. In FIG. 5, what is different from FIG. 4 is the display of the stop time 123, and FIG. 4 shows that “10 minutes” until the stop, but in FIG. "14:45" which is the time after 10 minutes is displayed without displaying. In addition, you may display simultaneously the time 122 to stop, and the time 123 to stop.

  Next, a display procedure on the operation / display unit 8 according to the operating state of the centrifuge 1 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. First, prior to the centrifugal separation operation, the user sets the rotor 3 on which the sample is mounted in the rotating chamber 5 and then closes the door 7. Next, the user inputs the set rotational speed 103, the set operating time 106, the set temperature 109, and the model name of the operating rotor 110, which are operating conditions, from the screen 100 of the operation / display unit 8, and the control unit 6 These pieces of information are received (step 201). Next, when the user presses the start button 130 (step 202), the controller 6 determines the acceleration time from the set model name of the operating rotor 110 to the set rotational speed 103 (maximum rotational speed) of the rotor 3. Deceleration time from the maximum rotation speed until stopping is obtained by referring to a table stored in advance in the storage device of the control unit 6 (step 203).

  Next, an example in which the acceleration time up to the set rotation speed 103 is obtained by a proportional expression using the acceleration time up to the maximum rotation speed will be described. This is because, for example, when the acceleration time stored in the storage device is 0 to 15000 rpm, and when the rotational speed to be set is 12000 rpm as in this embodiment, the time until settling to 12000 rpm is obtained by a proportional expression. Is displayed on the panel display unit (step 204). The time to settling and the time to stop are obtained from the rotor information registered in the storage device in advance for each rotor, so it may be displayed as a guideline rather than accurate due to variations in acceleration or deceleration, but it is a guideline for the user. Usability is improved and effective even when displaying time and time. Then, acceleration of the rotor 3 is started (step 205). In addition, when displaying the time and time until settling / stopping more accurately, the acceleration gradient is used during acceleration and the deceleration gradient is used during deceleration. There is a way. This is because the acceleration curve at the time of starting the rotor 3 and the deceleration curve of the rotor 3 are stored in the storage device in the control unit 6, and which acceleration (deceleration) is actually started when the rotor 3 starts to rotate (decelerate). ) A comparison is made as to whether it corresponds to a curve, and the time to settling (time to stop) is calculated based on the acceleration (deceleration) curve selected by the comparison. Alternatively, there is a method of calculating a set rotational speed or a time until stopping from a time taken to accelerate or decelerate a predetermined rotational speed interval (for example, 1000 rpm).

  Next, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the rotation speed of the rotor 3 has been set to the set rotation speed (step 206). If not, that is, if the rotation of the rotor 3 is accelerating, the display is displayed in step 204. The display is updated by subtracting the time until settling every minute (step 207), and the process returns to step 206. If it is determined in step 206 that the settling has occurred, the centrifugal separation is performed for the set time in the settling state (step 208). Here, the display content of the time 120 until settling from step 206 to step 208 is “0 minutes”, but instead of “0 minutes”, the display may be erased, or until the settling time is reached. Instead of displaying the time 120, “setting” may be displayed.

  When the operation time reaches the set time in the settling state or the STOP button on the operation panel is pressed (step 209), the deceleration time is obtained from the deceleration time from the maximum rotation speed to the stop obtained in step 203, The stop time 122 of FIG. 3 or the stop time 123 of FIG. 4 is displayed on the operation / display unit 8 (step 210). Next, it is determined whether the rotor 3 has stopped (step 212). If the rotor 3 has not stopped, the time until the stop is subtracted every minute and displayed on the operation / display unit 8 (step 213). Return to 212. If a stop state is entered in step 212, processing necessary for the stop (for example, sounding a buzzer indicating completion) is performed, and the processing is terminated (step 214). In the state of step 214, the display of the time 122 until the rotor stops when the rotation of the rotor stops (FIG. 4) is 0 minutes, but the display may be turned off instead of “0 minutes”. Alternatively, “stopped” may be displayed instead of the display of the time 122 until the stop.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the display of “time until settling (time)” from the start of operation of the centrifuge until the set rotational speed is set, and “ By displaying “time to stop (time)” on the display / operation unit 8, the user of the centrifuge 1 can accurately grasp the operation state of the centrifuge. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of dead time such as waiting for the user in front of the centrifuge, thereby improving the usability of the centrifuge.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the centrifuge according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The basic structure of the centrifuge 301 is almost the same as that shown in the first embodiment, but in the second embodiment, vacuum pumps (314, 315) are used to rotate the rotating chamber 305 under reduced pressure. There is a great difference in that the rotor 303 is rotated while being decompressed. Therefore, in order to predict the time until settling, it is necessary to consider not only the time required for acceleration of the rotor but also the time required for decompression in the rotating chamber 305.

  The centrifuge 301 includes a rotor 303 that holds and rotates a sample, a rotating chamber 305 that accommodates the rotor 303, a vacuum chamber 302 that surrounds the rotating chamber 305 and forms a sealed space, and the rotor 303 is put into and out of the vacuum chamber 302. A door 307 for closing the opening provided to perform the operation, an oil rotary vacuum pump 315 for reducing the pressure in the vacuum chamber 302, and an oil diffusion vacuum pump connected in series between the oil rotary vacuum pump 315 and the vacuum chamber 302 314, an operation / display unit 308 that allows the user to perform centrifugal condition setting operations and confirmation of operating conditions, a drive unit 304 that rotates the rotor 303, and an air leak valve 313 that opens and closes the flow of air into the vacuum chamber 302. The vacuum sensor 311 for measuring the pressure in the vacuum chamber 302, the controller 306, and the door 307 are opened and closed. And Kusuru door lock mechanism 312 configured to include a door handle 310 for opening and closing the door 307, the thermo-module 309 for cooling or heating the rotating chamber 305.

  The oil diffusion vacuum pump 314 has a suction side connected to the rotation chamber 305 and a discharge side connected to a suction port of the oil rotation vacuum pump 315 via a vacuum pipe 317. The oil diffusion vacuum pump 314 is a known device that includes liquid oil inside and discharges air in the rotating chamber 305 by evaporation / condensation inside the oil. In this embodiment, an oil diffusion vacuum pump 314 and an oil rotary vacuum pump 315 are connected in series as a vacuum pump. This is because only the oil rotary vacuum pump 315 takes about 1 to 2 days to achieve a predetermined degree of vacuum (for example, 1 Pa or less in atmospheric pressure), and the oil diffusion vacuum pump 314 operates to some extent to operate. This is because a back pressure (critical back pressure: about 20 Pa) is required and an auxiliary pump is required to obtain the critical back pressure. That is, the oil rotary vacuum pump 315 functions as an auxiliary pump for the oil diffusion vacuum pump 314. An oil mist trap 316 is provided on the discharge side of the oil rotary vacuum pump 315 to supplement oil mist contained in the exhaust.

The oil diffusion vacuum pump 314 is provided with a DP boiler that stores hydraulic oil and a DP heater for heating the hydraulic oil (both not shown). The temperature of the hydraulic oil is measured by a temperature sensor (not shown). The hydraulic oil heated by the DP heater rises in a chimney in an oil diffusion pump (not shown), and is ejected as steam from a nozzle provided in the chimney and arranged obliquely toward the DP boiler. Is done. When gas molecules such as air collide with the steam, momentum is given in the direction of the steam flow, the air flows to the exhaust side, the air in the rotating chamber 305 connected to the oil diffusion pump is exhausted, The inside of the rotation chamber 305 is decompressed. The hydraulic fluid that has become steam is condensed and collected on the wall surface of the DP boiler, and is heated again by the DP heater. The temperature information of the hydraulic oil detected by the temperature sensor is input to the control unit 306 through a signal line (not shown).

  The control unit 306 includes a microcomputer (not shown), inputs a signal of the vacuum sensor 311 through a signal line (not shown), performs rotation control of the drive unit 304, ON / OFF control of the oil rotary vacuum pump 315, and the oil diffusion vacuum pump 314. ON / OFF control, display of information on the operation / display unit 308, acquisition of input data from the operation / display unit 308, door opening / closing detection sensor (not shown) for detecting lock and release of the door lock, opening / closing of the air leak valve 313, etc. The entire control of the centrifuge 301 is performed. The operation / display unit 308 is, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display unit or a combination of a display device and an input device, displays information necessary for the user, and receives an operation instruction from the user. In addition, the control unit 306 can be used to calculate the vacuum arrival time using the temperature information. The controller 306 stores in advance the arrival curve of the degree of vacuum in the rotating chamber and the temperature curve of the oil diffusion vacuum pump 314, and calculates the estimated arrival time in each section using the stored curves.

  Next, display contents on the operation / display unit 308 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 shows a display screen 400 of the operation / display unit 308. In this embodiment, an example in which the operation / display unit 308 is implemented by a touch panel type liquid crystal display will be described. The display screen 400 is provided with a rotation speed display area 401, an operation time display area 404, a temperature display area 407, a date and time display area 450, and a vacuum achievement level display area 445. These areas include centrifugal conditions and various types of operating conditions. Information is displayed. On the display screen 400, a START button 430 and a STOP button 431 are further displayed. In the lower part of the rotation speed display area 401, a set rotation speed at the time of the centrifugal separation operation is displayed, and a large character above it indicates the current rotation speed of the rotor 303. FIG. 8 shows that the rotation speed is currently set at 5000 rpm at the set rotation speed of 150,000 rpm. In the lower part of the operation time display area 404, the set operation time is displayed, and the large character above the current operation time is displayed. FIG. 8 shows that the current elapsed time is 0 minutes with respect to the set operation time of 45 minutes for centrifugation. In the lower part of the temperature display area 407, the set temperature is displayed, and the large letters above it indicate the current rotor temperature. FIG. 8 shows that the current temperature is 4.7 ° C. with respect to the set temperature of 4.0 ° C. The expected waiting time display area 440 displays third time information, which is a feature of the present embodiment, that is, “estimated time 441 until settling” and “expected time (to reach settling) 442”.

  Since the centrifuge 301 according to the second embodiment has two vacuum pumps (314, 315), the degree of vacuum in the vacuum chamber 302 is displayed by a five-stage bar in the vacuum achievement display area 445. FIG. 8 shows a state where only the leftmost bar is displayed, but shows a state where the degree of vacuum increases (the atmospheric pressure in the vacuum chamber 302 decreases) as the number of displayed bars increases.

  Next, a method of calculating “expected time until settling” according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a time chart showing the relationship between the degree of vacuum and time and the relationship between the rotational speed of the rotor 303 and time until the rotor 303 reaches the set rotational speed after the centrifuge 301 starts operation. The centrifuge 301 has a function to stand by without accelerating to a predetermined rotation speed V1 (unit rpm) or more until the degree of vacuum in the rotation chamber 305 reaches a predetermined value P1 (unit Pa). In the present embodiment, for example, when the rotational speed Vs set for centrifugation is 150,000 rpm, the rotational speed V1 is set to 5,000 rpm. This is because at a low speed of about 5,000 rpm, the risk of the temperature of the rotor 303 rising due to windage is very low. The degree of vacuum P1 is set to 13.3 Pa, for example.

  In this embodiment (FIGS. 9 to 12), the expected time until the rotational speed of the rotor 303 reaches V1 is Ta1, the predicted acceleration time from V1 to the set rotational speed Vs is Ta2, and the predicted time until the degree of vacuum reaches P1. Assuming that the time is Tp, at the time indicated by the black arrow in FIG. 9 (time t = 0), the estimated total time Tw from when the drive unit 304 is activated until the rotor 303 reaches the set rotational speed Vs is Tp. A value obtained by adding Ta2. In the example of FIG. 9, since the estimated time Tp until the predetermined vacuum degree P1 is reached is longer than the estimated time Ta1 until the rotational speed of the rotor 303 reaches V1, the rotor 303 rotates by (Tp−Ta1). Wait for several V1 while rotating at a constant low speed. When the degree of vacuum in the rotating chamber 305 is equal to or higher than P1 (that is, equal to or lower than P1 Pascal), the rotor 303 is accelerated from the rotational speed V1 to Vs.

  Various methods of calculating the predicted time Tp until the degree of vacuum in the vacuum chamber 302 reaches P1 are conceivable. In this embodiment, the control unit 306 (1) from the start of pressure reduction to the critical back pressure (about 20 Pa) of the oil diffusion vacuum pump 314, (2) the temperature of the hydraulic oil from the critical back pressure is an oil diffusion vacuum. Until the operating temperature of the pump 314 (about 150 ° C. to about 200 ° C.) is reached, and (3) until the oil diffusion vacuum pump 314 operates effectively and reaches a predetermined vacuum level (13.3 Pa) or less. Dividing into three sections, the estimated arrival time of each section is calculated, and the predicted time Tp is calculated by calculating the total of these estimated arrival times. At this time, the reaching curve of the degree of vacuum in the rotating chamber 305 or the temperature curve of the oil diffusion vacuum pump 314 in each section (1) to (3) is stored in the storage means of the control unit 306 in advance and measured. The various data and the stored curve are compared to calculate the estimated arrival time in each section, and the predicted time Tp is calculated from these total values.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the estimated total time Tw at the time point (time t ₁ ) indicated by the black arrow in the centrifuge 301 in the relationship of FIG. At time t _1, the rotor 303 has a constant speed in the rotation speed V1, a state where the degree of vacuum in the rotary chamber 305 is waiting to reach a predetermined degree of vacuum P1. Therefore, each waiting time changes with the passage of time. For example, when waiting for rotation at the rotation speed V1 until the degree of vacuum reaches P1, Tp decreases, and at this time, The expected total time Tw is a value obtained by adding Tp and Ta2.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship of the waiting time in the state at time t _{2 when} the degree of vacuum in the rotation chamber 305 is P1 or more (that is, P1 Pascal or less) and the rotor 303 is being further accelerated. In time _{t 2, the} rotational speed of the rotor 303 has reached V1, since the reached vacuum degree of P1 in the vacuum chamber 302, the waiting time Tw is equal to Ta2.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating “expected time until settling” under a different situation from that of FIGS. In the centrifuge 301, in order to shorten the centrifuge work time, the operator operates the vacuum pump in advance and starts operation after a certain period of time (rotation of the rotor 303 is started). This is equivalent to The rotor 303 starts rotating when the operator presses the start button 430 (see FIG. 8) after a predetermined time has passed since the vacuum pump is operated (time t ₃ ). In this state, Tp is shorter than Ta1, the expected time Ta1 until the rotational speed of the rotor 303 reaches V1, the expected acceleration time Ta2 from V1 to the set rotational speed Vs, and the predicted time until the degree of vacuum reaches P1. The relationship of time Tp is as shown in the figure. In the case of the relationship of FIG. 12, the expected total time Tw until settling is a value obtained by adding Ta1 and Ta2.

  Next, a display procedure on the operation / display unit 308 according to the operating state of the centrifuge 301 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. First, prior to the centrifugal separation operation, the user sets the rotor 303 on which the sample is mounted in the rotation chamber 305 and closes the door 307. Next, the user inputs a set rotation speed, a set operation time, and a set temperature, which are operation conditions, from the screen 400 of the operation / display unit 308, and the control unit 306 receives these pieces of information (step 501). Next, when the user presses the start button 430 (step 502), the control unit 306 uses the door lock mechanism 312 to lock the door 307, and the acceleration time until the rotor 303 reaches the set rotational speed (predicted). The total time Tw) is obtained. For this estimated total time Tw, the acceleration time (Ta1, Ta2) from the type name of the installed operating rotor to the set rotational speed (maximum rotational speed) of the rotor 303 is stored in the storage device of the control unit 6 in advance. This is determined with reference to the table (step 503). Further, the predicted time Tp until the degree of vacuum in the vacuum chamber 302 reaches P1 is calculated by using the above-described vacuum degree reaching curve, the temperature curve of the oil diffusion vacuum pump 314, or the like.

  The method for obtaining the acceleration time (expected total time Tw) will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure (subroutine) of step 503 in FIG. In the subroutine of FIG. 14, when the operation of the centrifuge 301 is started, it is first determined whether or not the rotor 303 has reached a predetermined rotational speed V1 (step 601). If not reached, the degree of vacuum reaches a predetermined value. Expected time Tp until the rotation speed reaches V1, and an expected time Ta2 until the rotation speed reaches Vs from V1 (step 602). The calculation method of the expected time until reaching the vacuum is not limited, and a method such as using the temperature of the oil diffusion pump as in the prior art or using an arrival curve of the degree of vacuum stored in advance can be used. Also, a method for calculating the expected time until the rotor accelerates to reach the set rotational speed can be calculated using a known method.

  Next, Tp and Ta1 are compared (step 603). If Tp is large, Tw is the sum of Tp and Ta2 (step 604). If Tp is not large, Tw is the sum of Ta1 and Ta2 (step 605). ). On the other hand, if it is determined in step 601 that the rotation speed is equal to or higher than V1, Ta2 is calculated (step 606), and Tw is set to the value of Ta2 (step 607). Finally, the estimated total time Tw calculated as described above is held, and the process proceeds to step 504 in FIG.

  Next, the time until settling (predicted total time Tw) obtained in FIG. 13 is displayed in the expected waiting time display area 440 of the display screen 400 (step 504), and the rotor 303 is accelerated (step 505). Next, the control unit 306 determines whether or not the rotational speed of the rotor 303 has been set to the set rotational speed Vs (step 506). If not, that is, if the rotation of the rotor 303 is accelerating, the process proceeds to step 503. Return. If it is determined in step 506 that the settling has been performed, centrifugation is performed for the set time in the settling state (step 508). Here, the display content of the estimated time 441 until settling when the process proceeds from step 506 to step 508 is “0 minutes”, but “settling” may be displayed instead of “0 minutes”, The display may be turned off.

  When the operating time reaches the set time in the settling state or the STOP button on the operation panel is pressed (step 509), the deceleration time is obtained from the deceleration time from the maximum rotation speed to the stop, and the predicted time until the stop is obtained. The information is displayed on the operation / display unit 308 (step 510). Next, it is determined whether the rotor 303 has stopped (step 512). If the rotor 303 has not stopped, the time to stop is subtracted every minute and displayed on the operation / display unit 308 (step 513). Return to 512. When the stop state is reached at step 512, necessary processing at the time of stop, for example, a buzzer indicating that the operation has been completed is sounded, the rotation of the drive unit 304 is stopped, and when the drive unit 304 stops rotating, the door lock is released (step 514). ). The operator presses a vacuum button (not shown) displayed on the operation / display unit 308 to operate the air leak valve 313 and causes the vacuum chamber 302 to leak air. Since the air leak is completed in a few seconds, the door 307 can be opened after completion.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the time until settling is displayed even in the centrifuge using the vacuum pump, so that the operator can accurately recognize the acceleration time until the settling state is reached. it can. In addition, since the acceleration time is accurately predicted in consideration of the situation in the vacuum chamber 302 (whether it is immediately after the previous centrifuge operation, the state of adhesion of condensation, etc.), a centrifuge that is easy for the operator to use is provided. Can be realized.

  In the second embodiment, the way of displaying the expected time until settling displayed on the operation / display unit 308 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 8 and can be variously changed. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a screen display according to a first modification of the second embodiment. In the screen 460 shown in FIG. 15, a vacuum standby time 462 is displayed instead of the expected time to reach settling. In FIG. 15, the vacuum standby time is displayed as “2 minutes 45 seconds”. This is because 2 minutes 45 seconds of “3 minutes 55 seconds” of the expected time 441 until settling is the vacuum standby time (that is, the predicted time). Tp). From this, it can be recognized that more than half of the waiting time until settling is the vacuum waiting time, and the time required for the acceleration of the rotor 303 is 3 minutes 55 seconds-2 minutes 45 seconds = 1 minute 10 seconds. In this way, by displaying in detail the breakdown of the estimated time until settling, the operator can know in detail the current state of the centrifuge.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a screen according to a second modification of the second embodiment. The screen 470 shown in FIG. 16 is displayed in more detail than the breakdown of the expected time 441 until settling shown in FIG. 15, and the acceleration required time 471 and the vacuum standby time 462 are separately displayed. is there. Thus, by displaying in detail the breakdown of the expected time until settling, the operator can know the current state of the centrifuge in more detail.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a screen according to a third modification of the second embodiment. In the screen 480 shown in FIG. 17, the progress status is displayed as a bar 481 below the expected time 441 until settling shown in FIG. With this bar display 481, it is possible to intuitively see how much progress time is currently in the waiting time until settling. In the example of FIG. 17, it can be understood that the progress is about 60%. The head bar display is not a black square mark but a white square mark. This indicates that the progress of the bar is 8 or more and less than 9; It should be displayed while the pull-out bar blinks.

  As mentioned above, although demonstrated based on the Example which shows this invention, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned form, A various change is possible within the range which does not deviate from the meaning. For example, in addition to the time 120 until settling in FIG. 2, the time 121 settling in FIG. 3, the time 122 until stopping in FIG. 4, and the time 123 stopping in FIG. You may make it display the whole time until it complete | finishes and a rotor stops, or its time collectively.

  Further, in the present invention, the method for calculating the expected time until the vacuum is reached and the method for estimating the time required for the acceleration of the rotor are not limited to the methods of the above-described embodiments, and can be realized by an arbitrary prediction method. good. Furthermore, regarding the prediction of the time required for settling, if it is influenced by other factors other than the acceleration time of the rotor and the time until the degree of vacuum in the vacuum chamber reaches a predetermined value, consider that factor. You may comprise so that the time to settling may be estimated and displayed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Centrifugal separator 3 Rotor 4 Drive part 5 Rotating chamber 6 Control part 7 Door 8 Operation / display part 9 Cooling device 11 Temperature sensor 12 Door opening / closing detection sensor 100 Screen (displayed on an operation / display part) 101 Rotation speed display area 102 Actual rotation speed 103 Set rotation speed 104 Time display area 105 Operation time 106 Set operation time 107 Temperature display area 108 Rotor temperature 109 Set temperature 110 Operation rotor 112 SPEED / RCF button 113 USER (user name) 120 Time until settling 121 Settling Time to stop 122 Time to stop 123 Time to stop 130 Start button 131 Stop button 140 Display switch button 150 Current date and time 301 Centrifuge 302 Vacuum chamber 303 Rotor 304 Drive unit 305 Rotating chamber 306 Control unit 307 Door 308 Operation Display unit 309 Thermo module 310 Door handle 311 Vacuum sensor 312 Door lock mechanism 313 Air leak valve 314 Oil diffusion vacuum pump 315 Oil rotary vacuum pump 316 Oil mist trap 317 Vacuum piping 400, 460, 470, 480 (in operation / display unit 308 Displayed screen 401 Rotational speed display area 404 Time display area 407 Temperature display area 430 Start button 431 Stop button 440 Expected wait time display area 441 Estimated time to set 442 (estimated to reach settling time) Expected time 445 Vacuum achievement level display area 450 Date and time display area

Claims (11)

A drive unit that rotates a rotor that holds a sample; a control unit that controls rotation of the rotor; and an input / output unit that displays information and receives input from a user; In the centrifuge that rotates the rotor,
The control unit stores a plurality of rotation increase gradient patterns of the rotor in advance, selects the corresponding rotation increase gradient pattern from the rotation increase during rotation of the rotor,
First time information that is a time required for the rotor to accelerate and reach the set rotational speed is calculated using the rotational climb gradient pattern,
The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein the first time information is displayed on the input / output unit when the rotor rotates. A drive unit that rotates a rotor that holds a sample; a control unit that controls rotation of the rotor; and an input / output unit that displays information and receives input from a user; In the centrifuge that rotates the rotor,
The control unit stores a plurality of rotation increase gradient patterns of the rotor in advance, selects the corresponding rotation increase gradient pattern from the rotation increase during rotation of the rotor,
First time information, which is an arrival time at which the rotor accelerates and reaches the set rotational speed, is calculated using the rotational climb gradient pattern,
The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein the first time information is displayed on the input / output unit when the rotor rotates.   The said control part identifies the said rotor with which the said drive part was mounted | worn, reads the said rotation climb gradient pattern applicable to the identified rotor, and calculates the said 1st time information, The centrifuge according to 1 or 2.   The centrifuge according to claim 3, wherein a switching button for switching to display of either the required time or the arrival time is provided in the input / output unit.   5. The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein second time information until the rotation of the rotor is stopped is displayed on the input / output unit when the rotation of the rotor is decelerated. .   The centrifuge according to claim 5, wherein the second time information is a time required until the rotation of the rotor reaches a stop.   The centrifuge according to claim 5, wherein the second time information is an arrival time at which the rotation of the rotor reaches a stop. A drive unit that rotates a rotor that holds a sample, a control unit that controls rotation of the rotor, an input / output unit that displays information and receives input from a user, and a rotor chamber that houses the rotor is decompressed. In a centrifuge having a decompression means and rotating the rotor at an input set rotational speed,
The third time information is calculated in consideration of the time until the decompression of the rotor chamber is completed and the time during which the rotation of the rotor is accelerated to the set rotational speed after the decompression is completed,
When rotational acceleration of the rotor, displaying the third time information until the rotation of the rotor reaches the set rotational speed to the input-output unit,
When the pressure in the rotor chamber is greater than a predetermined value, the rotor is rotated at a limited number of revolutions,
The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein when the air pressure in the rotor chamber becomes a predetermined value or less, the rotor is accelerated from the limited rotational speed to the set rotational speed.   The centrifuge according to claim 8, wherein the third time information is a time required for the rotor to reach the set rotational speed.   The centrifuge according to claim 8, wherein the third time information is an arrival time at which the rotor reaches the set rotational speed. The centrifuge according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the third time information is calculated every predetermined time and displayed on the input / output unit.