JPH0135243Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] "Industrial Application Field" This invention relates to a mounting structure for a sample tube holder in a centrifuge.

"Prior art" In order to perform centrifugation on the sample collected in the sample tube, the sample tube is housed in a sample tube holder,
A centrifugal separator is used in which the sample tube holder is attached to a rotor and the rotor is rotated to centrifugally separate the sample in the sample tube.

In this type of centrifuge, the sample tube holder can be used as a carrying carrier while holding the sample tube, and the sample tube holder can be left attached to the rotor and the sample tube can be moved into the sample tube holder. It may be used by storing it in a sample tube holder or by extracting it from a sample tube holder. Usually, the sample tube holder is used as a carrier for the sample to be separated.

That is, a sample is collected into a sample tube in a laboratory, and the sample tube containing the sample is housed in a sample tube holder. Next, the sample tube holder containing the sample tube from which the sample to be separated was collected is carried from the laboratory to a separation room where a centrifuge is installed, and the sample tube holder is attached to the centrifuge to perform a centrifugation operation. was.

After centrifugation, the sample tube holder is similarly carried back to the laboratory, where the sample tube is removed from the sample tube holder, and various analytical operations are performed on the separated sample.

Therefore, when this type of centrifugal separator is used in this manner, the structure for attaching the sample tube holder to the rotor needs to be relatively easy to attach and release.

FIG. 2 shows the mounting structure of the sample tube holder in this type of centrifugal separator, in which the peripheral surface of the rotor 11 is extended in the radial direction at a position symmetrical to the center of the rotor 11, and the extension arm 12- 1-12
-4 is formed. The end portions of the respective extension arms are integrally extended to form holding arms 13- which are substantially parallel to each other.
1, 13-2, 13-3, 13-4...13-
7, 13-8 are formed.

These holding arms 13- which face each other substantially parallel to each other
As sample tube holders attached to 1, 13-2..., so-called container type holders and tube hanging types are used. FIG. 3 shows an example of a container-type sample tube holder. What is shown in FIG. 3 is a circular sample tube holder 15 in which a large bottle-shaped sample tube 16 is housed. is formed. Notches 19 are formed at opposing positions on the upper peripheral portion of the circular sample tube holder 15 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side surface on which these engaging shafts 17 are formed.

A sample to be separated is collected in the circular sample tube holder 15, and the circumferential surface shape is similar to the inner circumferential surface of the circular sample tube holder 15, and the diameter is similar to the inner circumferential surface of the circular sample tube holder 15. A large sample tube 16 whose diameter is slightly smaller is accommodated.

What is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is a so-called tube hanging type square sample tube holder 20, in which a sample to be separated is collected from a plate-shaped portion 25. Holding tubes 22-1 to 22-8 into which sample tubes 21-1 to 21-8 are inserted are attached. On the other hand, engagement shafts 17 are formed to protrude from the mutually opposing side surfaces of the plate-like portion 25, and a handle 26 is formed to protrude from the center of the plate-like portion 25.

The circular sample tube holder 15 or the rectangular sample tube holder 20 is engaged with and attached to the holding arm of the rotor 11 at the engagement shaft 17 portion. For engagement with the engagement shaft 17 of the sample tube holder, the holding arm 13-
Engagement grooves 30 are formed diagonally from the upper surface of each of 1 to 13-8 toward the end.

In FIG. 2, the circular sample tube holder 15 is attached to the holding arm 1.
The state where it is attached between 3-1 and 13-2 is shown. In this case, the engagement shaft 17 of the circular sample tube holder 15 is inserted into the engagement groove 30 formed in the holding arms 13-1 and 13-2. Since the width of the engagement groove 30 is set to be slightly larger than the diameter of the engagement shaft 17, the engagement shaft 17 can be smoothly inserted to the end position of the engagement groove 30. During operation of the centrifuge, a centrifugal force is applied to the engagement shaft 17 that presses the engagement shaft 17 against the end surface of the engagement groove 30.
The engagement shaft 17 does not come out of the engagement groove 30. To release the circular sample tube holder 15 after the centrifugation operation, hold the notch 19 and pull up the circular sample tube holder 15 diagonally along the engagement groove 30. At such times, the circular sample tube holder 15 is smoothly removed from the engagement groove 30 portion.

Although not shown, the rectangular sample tube holder 20 is similarly smoothly attached to and unattached from the holding arm at the engaging shaft 17 portion.

As described above, in the conventional apparatus, the sample tube holder can be easily and smoothly attached to and detached from the rotor. Therefore, when the sample tube holder is used as a carrier for a sample to be separated, it is used extremely effectively. However, on the other hand, since it is easy to attach and unattach, it is possible that the centrifuge may be operated in an unstable attached state. If the rotor 11 is rotated while the engagement shaft 17 is not completely inserted into the engagement groove 30 of the holding arm, an accident may occur in which the sample tube holder comes off the holding arm and the sample to be separated is scattered.

In consideration of this, in order to use the sample tube holder while attached to the rotor, a structure has been proposed in which the sample tube holder is screwed to the rotor's holding arm using a presser plate. In this case, the sample tube holder is not used as a carrier, but is usually fixed to the rotor, and the sample tube removed from the sample tube holder is carried around.

However, in this case, it is not easy to remove and release the sample tube holder, and when the shape of the sample tube changes, it is not easy to replace, for example, a circular sample tube holder with a square sample tube holder.

``Problems to be solved by the invention'' The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned difficulties in the conventionally proposed methods. For this reason, in this invention, the sample tube holder is completely attached to the rotor, and there is no accident of detachment of the sample tube holder, and the attachment and release of the sample tube holder is also possible if necessary. To provide a mounting structure for a sample tube holder of a centrifugal separator, which can be easily carried out and the sample tube holder can be replaced smoothly.

``Structure of the invention'' In this invention, the rotor is rotationally driven by a motor,
The rotor is radially extended in symmetrical positions to form adjacent and opposing holding arms. On the other hand, engaging shafts are provided protruding from the opposing sides of the sample tube holder, and these engaging shafts are rotatably engaged with the opposing holding arms, so that the sample tube holder is rotated by the rotor. can be attached to.

In this invention, an arcuate hook-like body is formed at the end of the holding arm, and the opening of the arcuate part of this arcuate hook-like body is positioned facing upward. The arcuate surface of the arcuate hook-shaped body is disposed approximately at right angles to the rotating surface of the rotor. The diameter of the circular arc portion on the inner periphery of this circular arc hook-shaped body is formed to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the engagement shaft, and the mutually opposing sides of the sample tube holder are provided with an arc-shaped hook shape below the engagement shaft. An engaging body is formed that closely faces the outer periphery of the body.

The outer periphery of the arcuate hook-shaped body is formed concentrically with the engagement shaft at least downwardly, and the end portion of the arcuate hook-shaped body is located above the engagement shaft. By aligning the outer periphery of the arcuate hook-shaped body with the engaging body, the sample tube holder can be easily and stably attached to the holding arm of the rotor at the arc-shaped hook portion.

When the centrifuge is driven and the rotor is rotating, when the sample tube holder swings up due to the application of centrifugal force, the hook-shaped body is positioned between the engagement shaft and the engagement body, so that the sample tube holder will not fall off. Further, the sample tube holder can be rotated in the opposite direction while the engaging body is placed along the outer periphery of the arcuate hook, and the sample tube holder can be removed from the rotor by pulling it out from the arcuate hook.

``Example'' Hereinafter, the attachment structure of the sample tube holder of the centrifuge of this invention will be explained in detail based on the example using the drawings.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the configuration of the main parts of the first embodiment of this invention, in which a holding arm 13 formed integrally with the rotor has an arcuate hook-shaped end with an opening facing upward. is formed.

That is, an arcuate hook-shaped body 35 having at least an arcuate inner circumference is integrally formed at the end of the holding arm 13. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, an arcuate hook-shaped body 35 having an arcuate inner circumference and an outer circumference is formed. This arcuate hook-shaped body 35 is formed with its arcuate opening 36 facing upward. Further, the arcuate surface of the arcuate hook-shaped body 35 is formed to be perpendicular to the rotating surface of the rotor. In the embodiment, the holding arms 1 are arranged such that the arcuate hook-like bodies 35 are adjacent to each other and opposite to each other.
This is an example in which it is formed on both sides.

The inner diameter of the arc portion of the inner circumference of the arcuate hook-shaped body 35 shown in FIG. 1B, that is, the groove width 2Rl of the arcuate hook-shaped body 35 is
It is formed to be slightly larger than the inner diameter 2R of the engagement shaft 17 of the sample tube holder. In the embodiment, a square sample tube holder 20 is used as the sample tube holder.

An engaging body is formed below the engaging axis on the side surface of the sample tube holder where the engaging axis is formed, protruding in the engaging axis direction and closely facing the outer periphery of the arcuate hook-shaped body.

That is, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, on the side surface of the rectangular sample tube holder 20 from which the engagement shaft 17 projects, there is an engagement body 40 that protrudes downward from the engagement shaft 17 in the direction of the engagement shaft 17. is formed. In this way, the arcuate hook-shaped body 35 is configured to be held between the engaging body 40 and the engaging shaft 17. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the lower edge of the side surface of the rectangular sample tube holder 20 from which the engagement shaft 17 is projected is shaped like a trapezoid and protrudes in the direction in which the engagement shaft 17 projects. A combination 40 is integrally formed. The plate surfaces 12 of the engaging body 40 that are close to and opposite to each other on the outer periphery of the arcuate hook-shaped body 35 are
A curved surface P having approximately the same curvature as the outer circumferential surface of is formed.

The outer periphery of the arcuate hook-shaped body is formed at least downwardly to be concentric with the engagement shaft, and the end of the arcuate hook-shaped body is
It is located above the engagement shaft. In the example,
The outer periphery of the arcuate hook-shaped body 35 is formed in a circular arc shape with a radius R ₂ centered on the engagement shaft 17 over a wide range. Further, the end of the arcuate hook-shaped body 35 is connected to the engagement shaft 1.
7 and is slightly bent along the engagement shaft 17.

The square sample tube holder 20 is attached to the rotor without any sample tube being attached to the square sample tube holder 20. The square sample tube holder 20 is tilted as shown in FIG. Insert the sample tube holder 20 in the direction of the arrow X in FIG.

Since the outer diameter 2R of the engagement shaft 17 is set to be slightly smaller than the diameter Rl of the inner arcuate portion of the hook-shaped body 35, the engagement shaft 1 can be pushed in the direction of the arrow X.
7 is smoothly engaged with the arcuate hook-shaped body 35.

With the engagement shaft 17 pushed in to a position where it contacts the end of the inner periphery of the arcuate hook-shaped body 35, the square sample tube holder 20 is rotated to a horizontal state. In this state, the lower outer periphery of the arcuate hook-shaped body 35 is in a state in which it closely opposes the curved surface P of the engaging body 40.

In this state, the first
The holding tube 22 is accommodated as shown by the straight line in Figure B. In this accommodated state, the arcuate hook-shaped body 35 is attached to the engagement shaft 1.
7 and the engaging body 40, the square sample tube holder 2
0 is stably attached to the rotor at the arcuate hook-shaped body 35 portion and will not come off. The holding tube 22 holds a sample tube in which a sample to be separated (not shown) is collected. Even when the holding tube 22 is attached to and removed from the square sample tube holder 20, the square sample tube holder 20 does not slip out from the holding arm 13. In this state, the sample to be separated in the sample tube housed in the rectangular sample tube holder 20 is centrifuged.

When the centrifuge is driven and the rotor rotates,
Centrifugal force acts on the square sample tube holder 20, the square sample tube holder 20 rotates around the engagement shaft 17 in the direction of arrow θ in FIG. 1B, and the holding tube 22 rotates 90 degrees. It will be in a horizontal position. At this position, centrifugal force is acting outward in the radial direction of the rotor, but the engagement shaft 17 engages with the arcuate hook-shaped body 35, and the square sample tube holder 20 is stably attached to the rotor even at this position. It is not possible to leave.

What is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B is the configuration of a square sample tube holder 20 in a second embodiment of this invention.
In this embodiment, the engaging body 4 provided on the sample tube holder
0 is formed into a round pin.

That is, the pin-shaped engaging body 40 is formed below the engaging shaft 17 on the side surface of the square sample tube holder 20 where the engaging shaft 17 is formed. The configuration and operation of the other parts of this second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment already described, so a redundant explanation thereof will be omitted.

In the first and second embodiments, the case where the rectangular sample tube holder 20 is attached to the arcuate hook-shaped body 35 has been described, but the same applies to the circular sample tube holder. Can apply the structure of the idea.

"Effects of the invention" As explained in detail above, according to the mounting structure of the sample tube holder of the centrifuge of this invention, the sample tube holder can be completely and firmly attached to the rotor's holding arm. The sample tube can be attached to and removed from the sample tube holder that is stably mounted on the rotor, and there is no possibility that the sample tube holder will come off the rotor even during operation of the centrifuge. Furthermore, with the mounting structure of the sample tube holder of the centrifuge of this invention, it is relatively easy to remove the sample tube holder from the rotor if necessary, and the sample tube holder can be replaced smoothly. can be done.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1A and B are views showing the configuration of the main parts of the first embodiment of this invention when and after the sample tube holder is installed, respectively, and Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the first embodiment of this invention, respectively, and Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the first embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a conventionally used sample tube holder, and FIGS. 4A and B show a conventionally used sample tube holder. A plan view and a front view showing other examples of the structure of the tube holder, FIGS. 5A and B, respectively.
6A and 6B are a plan view and a front view, respectively, showing the configuration of the main parts of the second embodiment of this invention. Figure. 11: Rotor, 13-1, 13-2...: Holding arm, 15: Circular sample tube holder, 17: Engagement shaft, 1
9: Notch, 20: Square sample tube holder, 30: Engagement groove, 35: Hook-shaped body, 36: Opening, 40: Engagement body.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A rotor is attached to a rotating shaft rotationally driven by a motor, the rotor is extended in the radial direction, and the extension portions are formed with mutually adjacent and opposing holding arms, which are attached to mutually opposite sides of the sample tube holder. A sample tube holder of a centrifuge, wherein engagement shafts are respectively provided in a protruding manner, and these engagement shafts are rotatably engaged with the adjacent and opposing holding arms, so that the sample tube holder is attached to the rotor. In the attachment structure, an arcuate hook-shaped body is formed at at least one end of the holding arm, the arcuate surface of the arcuate hook-shaped body is substantially perpendicular to the rotational surface of the rotor, and The opening of the circular arc is located upward, and the diameter of the inner circumference forming the circular arc portion of the circular arc hook-shaped body is slightly larger than the diameter of the engagement shaft, and the circular arc of the sample tube holder is On the side surface on which the engagement shaft that engages with the hook-shaped body is formed, an engagement body that closely opposes the outer periphery of the arcuate hook-shaped body below the engagement shaft engages the arcuate hook-shaped body with the engagement shaft. The outer periphery is formed concentrically with the engagement shaft at least downwardly, and the end portion of the arcuate hook-shaped body is configured to be located above the engagement shaft. Features a mounting structure for the sample tube holder of a centrifuge.