Sensor connection member

Abstract

To provide a sensor connection member capable of reliably and easily connecting the contact of a sensor and a side of a measuring device electrically.SOLUTION: A contact clip 50 is a member for electrically connecting a contact 23a of a sensor 20 used in a state in which it is inserted into an opening 42 of a flask 40 and a measuring device 60, and includes a lower component 52, an upper component 51, a hinge pin 53, a contacting section 54, and a sensor loading section 52ca. The upper component 51 is rotated relative to the lower component 52, and forms an opening 55 into which an end 23 of the sensor 20 including the contact 23a is inserted. The hinge pin 53 becomes the center of rotation of the upper component 51 relative to the lower component 52. The contacting section 54 regulates the maximum rotation range of the upper component 51 relative to the lower component 52. The sensor loading section 52ca is provided between the lower component 52 and the upper component 51, and composes a predetermined position to which the end 23 of the sensor 20 is set.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor connecting member that connects a sensor used in, for example, a cell culture analyzer to a measuring device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, cell culture analysis devices have been used that measure the state of cell culture (analyze the culture state) while culturing cells using a measuring device placed inside an incubator (thermostat) with a culture module equipped with a sensor set in the measuring device. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cell culture method for mass culturing cells while reducing costs, using a concentration sensor that detects at least one of the lactate concentration and the ammonia concentration in a culture solution. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-021271 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional cell culture method discloses a configuration in which a detection result from a concentration sensor that detects the lactate concentration or the like in the culture solution is transmitted to a control unit to drive a circulation pump. However, in such a configuration, in order to electrically connect a concentration sensor that detects the lactic acid concentration, etc. in the culture medium to a measuring device such as a control unit, it is necessary to reliably and easily connect the contacts of the sensor to components such as a contact pin.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a sensor connecting member that can reliably and easily establish electrical connection between the contacts of a sensor and a measuring device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The sensor connection member according to the first invention is a sensor connection member that electrically connects the contacts of a sensor used in a state inserted in a container to a measuring device, and includes a first housing part, a second housing part, a rotation shaft, a restriction part, and a sensor loading part. The second housing part rotates relative to the first housing part and forms an opening into which a first end part of the sensor including the contacts is inserted. The rotation shaft is the center of rotation of the second housing part relative to the first housing part. The restriction part restricts the maximum rotation range of the second housing part relative to the first housing part. The sensor loading part is provided between the first housing part and the second housing part, and constitutes a predetermined position where the first end part of the sensor is set.

[0007] Here, in a sensor connection member that electrically connects a sensor used while inserted into a container to a measuring device that measures the detection results of the sensor, the maximum rotation range is regulated when the second housing part is rotated relative to the first housing part around a rotation axis to form an opening into which the first end part including the contacts of the sensor is inserted. Here, the sensor is used, for example, with the second end including the electrode immersed in a medium for cell culture, to detect the concentration of a component contained in the medium.

[0008] As a result, when the first end including the contact of the sensor is set at a predetermined position between the first housing part and the second housing part, the rotation range of the second housing part relative to the first housing part is regulated so as not to open more than necessary, so that the first end of the sensor can be smoothly guided to the predetermined position. As a result, the electrical connection between the contacts of the sensor and the measuring device can be established reliably and easily.

[0009] The sensor connecting member of the second invention is the sensor connecting member of the first invention, wherein the regulating portion is a part of the first housing portion and the second housing portion that abut against each other when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are rotated in a direction opening relative to each other. As a result, when the second housing part is rotated relative to the first housing part, once the maximum rotation range is reached, a part of the first housing part and a part of the second housing part abut each other, preventing further rotation, thereby easily regulating the rotation range.

[0010] The sensor connecting member of the third invention is the sensor connecting member of the first or second invention, wherein the first housing portion has a first inclined surface at the end portion on the side where the sensor is inserted, for guiding the sensor to a predetermined position. As a result, when the first end including the contact of the sensor is set at a predetermined position between the first housing part and the second housing part, the first end of the sensor moves along the first inclined surface, thereby allowing it to be easily guided to the predetermined position.

[0011] The sensor connecting member of the fourth invention is the sensor connecting member of the first or second invention, wherein the second housing portion has a second inclined surface at the end on the side where the sensor is inserted, for guiding the sensor to a predetermined position. As a result, when the first end including the contact of the sensor is set at a predetermined position between the first housing part and the second housing part, the first end of the sensor moves along the second inclined surface, thereby easily being guided to the predetermined position.

[0012] The sensor connection member of the fifth invention is the sensor connection member of the first or second invention, further comprising a plate-shaped member provided on the first housing part, in which the first end of the sensor is set in the gap formed between the plate-shaped member and the first housing part. With this, by arranging the plate-like member so as to form a gap between it and the first housing portion, it is possible to form a predetermined position where the first end of the sensor is set.

[0013] A sensor connecting member according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the sensor connecting member according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, further comprising an abutment pin that abuts against the contact of the sensor when the second housing part is rotated relative to the first housing part to be in a closed state. The plate-shaped member has a through hole into which the abutment pin is inserted. As a result, by closing the second housing part onto the first housing part, the abutment pin can be brought into abutment with the contact point of the sensor through the through hole of the plate-shaped member, thereby electrically connecting the measuring device and the sensor.

[0014] The sensor connection member of a seventh aspect of the present invention is the sensor connection member of the first or second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a biasing member that applies a biasing force to rotate the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion. As a result, a biasing force is applied to the first housing part in the direction of closing or opening the second housing part, so that the opening is automatically in an open state before the sensor is inserted into the designated position, or the opening can be automatically closed after the sensor is inserted into the designated position.

[0015] The sensor connecting member according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the sensor connecting member according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, wherein the biasing member applies a biasing force in a direction to close the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion. This allows, for example, a user to manually rotate the second housing part relative to the first housing part, insert the first end of the sensor through the opening, set it in a predetermined position, and then release the hand, so that the second housing part is automatically closed relative to the first housing part. Effect of the Invention

[0016] The sensor connecting member according to the present invention enables reliable and easy electrical connection between the contacts of the sensor and the measuring device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a sensor set in a flask in an incubator is connected to a measuring device using a contact clip according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] (a) is a top view of the flask with the sensor attached via the sensor clip in Figure 1. (b) is a side view of (a). (c) is a cross-sectional view along line AA of (a). [Diagram 3]An enlarged view showing the sensor attached to the opening of the flask in Figure 2(c) using a sensor clip. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a flask to which a sensor is attached via the sensor clip of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] (a) is a top view showing the state in which the cap is attached to the opening of the flask in Figure 4. (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in (a). [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a sensor unit including the sensor clip and a sensor shown in FIG. 1 etc. [Figure 7] 7 is a top view showing the sensor included in the sensor unit of FIG. 6 in a state before the protective part is folded back. [Figure 8] 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a protective portion included in the sensor of FIG. 7 is folded back. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a sensor clip for attaching the sensor of FIG. 8 etc. to the opening of a flask. [Figure 10] 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a contact clip that is installed in the incubator of FIG. 1 and connects a sensor and a measuring device. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the contact clip of FIG. 10 . [Figure 12] 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of an upper part of the contact clip shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] 13 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a block assembly included in the configuration of the upper part of FIG. 12 . [Figure 14] 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a lower part of the contact clip shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 15] 12A is a top view showing the contact clip in the open state of FIG. 11, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in (a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in (a). [Figure 16] 11A is a perspective view showing a state in which the opening of the contact clip in FIG. 10 is opened and the end of the contact side of the sensor is inserted therein, and FIG. 11B is a perspective view showing a state in which the opening is closed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] A contact clip (sensor connecting member) 50 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 16. In the present embodiment, more detailed explanations than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or duplicate explanations of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation from becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the applicant provides the accompanying drawings and the following description so that those skilled in the art can fully understand the present invention, and they are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0019] (1) Configuration of Sensor Unit 30 As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor unit 30 of this embodiment is placed in a flask (container) 40 placed on a shelf of an incubator and has one end immersed in the culture medium X for cell culture. The sensor unit 30 includes a sensor 20 for detecting components contained in the culture medium X, and a sensor clip 10 for attaching the sensor 20 to an opening 42 of the flask (container) 40.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, one end of the sensor 20 of the sensor unit 30 is immersed in the culture medium X stored inside the flask 40, and the other end is connected to the measuring device 60 via a contact clip (sensor connecting member) 50 provided on the outside of the flask 40. As shown in FIG. 1, the contact clip (sensor connecting member) 50 is a member for electrically connecting one end (end 23 (see FIG. 6, etc.)) of the sensor 20 to a measuring device 60, and is installed inside the incubator.

[0021] The detailed configuration of the contact clip 50 will be described later. The measuring device 60 is, for example, a device that detects various components contained in the medium X using the sensor 20, and is controlled by a PC (Personal Computer) 61. The sensor clip 10 is used in a state where it is engaged with the bottom of the opening 42 in order to attach the sensor 20 to the opening 42 of the flask 40, as shown in Figures 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c).

[0022] The detailed configuration of the sensor clip 10 will be described later. As shown in Figures 2(a), 2(b) and 2(c), the sensor 20 is attached to an opening 42 of a flask 40 by a sensor clip 10, and is installed so as to be drawn from inside a main body 41 of the flask 40 to the outside through the opening 42. More specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the sensor 20 is arranged so that an end (second end) 22 including an electrode 22a is arranged inside the flask 40, and an end (first end) 23 including a contact 23a (see Figure 6, etc.) connected to the electrode 22a via a wiring portion 24 is drawn to the outside of the flask 40.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2(a) to 3, the flask 40 has an opening 42 to which the sensor 20 is attached using the sensor clip 10, and a cap 43 can be attached to the opening 42. With this, with the sensor 20 attached using the sensor clip 10, the opening 42 can be covered with the cap 43 to prevent leakage of the culture medium X or the like. Furthermore, for example, when replacing the culture medium X in the flask 40, the cap 43 can be removed and the culture medium X can be replaced using a tool such as a dropper through the opening 42 with the sensor 20 still attached. The detailed configuration of the sensor 20 will be described later.

[0024] (2) Composition of Flask 40 The flask (container) 40 is a container for storing a medium X for cell culture, and as shown in FIG. 4, is a substantially rectangular container having a main body 41, an opening 42, and a cap 43.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, the main body 41 is a substantially rectangular housing portion in which the culture medium X is stored and which has an opening 42 on one of its end faces. 5(a) and 5(b), the opening 42 is a generally cylindrical portion provided on an end face of the generally rectangular main body 41, connecting the inside and outside of the main body 41, and is provided obliquely upward from the inside to the outside of the main body 41. As shown in FIG. 4, the opening 42 has a screw thread (second screw portion) 42a and a flat portion 42b on its outer circumferential surface.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the screw thread (second screw portion) 42a is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the substantially cylindrical opening 42, and screws into the screw thread (first screw portion) 43a on the cap 43 side. As shown in Fig. 4, flat portions 42b are provided on the upper and lower parts of the outer circumferential surface of the substantially cylindrical opening 42, and are flat surface portions where the screw threads 42a are partially interrupted. When the sensor 20 is attached to the opening 42 of the flask 40 by the sensor clip 10, the portion of the sensor 20 covered by the protective part 25 is disposed on flat portions 42b (see Fig. 2(c)).

[0027] As a result, even when cap 43 is attached to opening 42, sensor 20 is disposed together with sensor clip 10 in the gap formed between the inner peripheral surface of cap 43 and the outer peripheral surface of opening 42. Therefore, even when sensor 20 is attached to opening 42 using sensor clip 10, cap 43 that closes opening 42 can be attached. The cap 43 is a cylindrical lid member with a bottom that closes the opening 42, and as shown in FIG. 5(b), has a screw thread (first screw portion) 43a on its inner circumferential surface. As shown in Figure 5 (b), the screw thread (first screw portion) 43a is provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical cap 43, and by screwing into the screw thread 42a (see Figure 4) on the opening 42 side, the opening 42 is closed by the cap 43.

[0028] (3) Configuration of sensor 20 As shown in Fig. 6, the sensor 20 is included in a sensor unit 30, and is attached to an opening 42 of a flask 40 while being held by a sensor clip 10. As shown in Fig. 7, the sensor 20 has an end (second end) 22, an end (first end) 23, a main body portion 21 connecting the ends 22, 23, a wiring portion 24, and a protective portion 25.

[0029] The main body 21 is, for example, a thin plate-like member molded from PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin, and has an end 22 including an electrode 22a at one end in the longitudinal direction and an end 23 including a contact 23a at the other end, as shown in Fig. 7. In addition, a protective portion 25 is provided so as to protrude in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the main body 21. 7, an electrode 22a is provided at the end (second end) 22, which is inserted into the flask 40. The end 22 is disposed so that the electrode 22a is immersed in the culture medium X stored in the flask 40.

[0030] 7, end portion (first end portion) 23 is provided with a contact 23a that is connected to a measuring device 60 installed outside flask 40. Then, end portion 23 has contact 23a that is connected to measuring device 60 installed outside an incubator via contact clip 50 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the wiring portion 24 is provided along the upper surface of the main body portion 21 from the end 22 to the end 23, and electrically connects the electrode 22a and the contact point 23a.

[0031] Like main body 21, protective part 25 is a thin plate-like member molded from PET resin, and is connected to main body 21 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. Protective part 25 is folded back from main body 21 in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 7 at folding back line 25a provided at the connecting portion with main body 21, thereby covering a part of wiring part 24 provided on the upper surface of main body 21, as shown in Fig. 8.

[0032] Here, the portion of wiring portion 24 covered by protective portion 25 shown in FIG. 8 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of opening 42 when sensor 20 is attached to opening 42 of flask 40 shown in FIG. 3 etc. As a result, when the sensor 20 is attached to the opening 42 of the flask 40 using the sensor clip 10, the protective portion 25 can prevent the wiring portion 24 of the sensor 20 from being damaged, for example, by the thread 43a provided on the inner surface of the cap 43.

[0033] (4) Configuration of sensor clip 10 Sensor clip (sensor mounting member) 10 according to this embodiment is formed, for example, by sheet metal processing a stainless steel plate-like member, and as shown in Fig. 3 etc., sensor 20 is attached to opening 42 of flask 40 while holding sensor 20. Sensor clip 10 includes mounting portion 11, holding portion 12, bending portion 13, gripping portion 14, and silicone tube (buffer member) 15 as shown in Fig. 9.

[0034] The mounting portion 11 is a long and narrow plate-like portion, and the sensor 20 is placed on the upper surface thereof. As shown in Fig. 9, the mounting portion 11 has one end connected to an end portion 11b, and the other end connected to a bent portion 13 and a grip portion 14. In addition, as shown in Fig. 9, a notch portion 11a formed by cutting out a part of the mounting portion 11 is provided between the mounting portion 11 and the end portion 11b.

[0035] 9, the cutout portion 11a is provided by cutting out a part of the mounting portion 11, and passes the end portion 22 including the electrode 22a of the sensor 20 mounted on the upper surface of the mounting portion 11 to the rear surface of the mounting portion 11. As a result, the end portion 22 including the electrode 22a of the sensor 20 is guided from the upper surface side to the rear surface side of the mounting portion 11 and immersed in the culture medium X stored in the flask 40. 9, the end portion 11b is connected to the mounting portion 11 so as to sandwich the notch portion 11a on the same plane as the mounting portion 11. More specifically, the end portion 11b is connected to the mounting portion 11 by a narrow portion excluding the portion where the notch portion 11a is provided.

[0036] The holding portion 12 is provided in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion 11, and holds the main body 21 of the sensor 20 along the longitudinal direction on the upper surface of the mounting portion 11 (see FIG. 6). The holding portion 12 has a plurality of fold-back pieces 12a that are folded back with respect to the mounting portion 11 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the sensor 20, as shown in FIG. As shown in Fig. 9, the multiple folded pieces 12a are provided alternately on both the left and right sides in the longitudinal direction of the sensor 20. This makes it possible to reliably hold the sensor 20 from both sides on the upper surface of the mounting part 11 using the multiple folded pieces 12a, as shown in Fig. 6 and other figures.

[0037] 9, the bent portion 13 is connected to the mounting portion 11, is bent so as to be disposed along the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface of the opening 42 of the flask 40, and is engaged with the opening 42 of the flask 40. The bent portion 13 is attached to the opening 42 so as to sandwich the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the opening 42 of the flask 40 (see FIG. 2(c)). This allows the sensor clip 10 to be easily attached to the opening 42 of the flask 40 while holding the sensor 20 .

[0038] 9, grip part 14 is provided at the end of bent part 13 opposite to the connection side with mounting part 11. Grip part 14 is gripped by the fingers of a user when attaching sensor 20 attached to opening 42 of flask 40. As a result, when the sensor clip 10 is attached to the opening 42 of the flask 40 while holding the sensor 20, the sensor clip 10 is attached while holding the gripping portion 14, which is provided at a position as far away as possible from the bent portion 13 that engages with the opening 42. This prevents the user's fingers from accidentally touching the area near the opening 42, and suppresses the occurrence of contamination inside the flask 40 through the opening 42.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 9, grip portion 14 has a tapered surface 14a bent at a predetermined angle with respect to the upper surface connected to bent portion 13 of grip portion 14. As shown in FIG. When the sensor 20 is attached to the opening 42 of the flask 40, the tapered surface 14a guides the end 23 including the contact 23a so that the sensor 20, which is pulled out to the outside of the flask 40 through the opening 42, is folded along the bent portion 13 and then folded back toward the measuring device 60.

[0040] The silicon tube (shock absorber) 15 is, for example, a shock absorber made of silicon resin, and is attached so as to cover the contact portion with the wiring portion 24 of the sensor 20 at the end portion 11b as shown in FIG. This makes it possible to prevent the wiring portion 24 of the sensor 20, which passes through the cutout portion 11a and is led from the upper surface of the mounting portion 11 to the rear surface side, from coming into contact with the end portion 11b and being damaged.

[0041] (5) Configuration of contact clip 50 The contact clip (sensor connecting member) 50 of this embodiment is provided inside the incubator to electrically connect the contact 23a provided on the end 23 of the above-mentioned sensor 20 to a measuring device 60 provided outside the incubator, as shown in Fig. 1. The contact clip 50 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown in Fig. 10, and includes an upper part (second housing part) 51, a lower part (first housing part) 52, and a hinge pin (rotating shaft) 53 as shown in Fig. 11.

[0042] The upper part (second housing part) 51 is attached to the lower part 52 in a rotatable state. The upper part 51 holds the end part 23 of the sensor 20 with the end part 23 including the contact 23a of the sensor 20 inserted into an opening 55 (see FIG. 15(b)) formed between the upper part 51 and the lower part 52. As shown in FIG. 12, the upper part 51 has a housing 51a, a bolt 51b, a bush 51c, and a block assembly 51d.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 12, the housing 51a has an inverted U-shape, and has insertion holes 51aa on both side surfaces and a bolt hole 51ab on the top surface. When the hinge pin 53 shown in FIG. 11 is inserted into the insertion hole 51aa, the insertion hole 51aa holds both ends of the hinge pin 53 together with the bushing 51c. The bolt hole 51ab is a through hole into which the bolt 51b is inserted.

[0044] The bolt 51b is a fastening member for integrating the housing 51a and the block assembly 51d, and is screwed into a bolt hole 51df of the block assembly 51d through a bolt hole 51ab provided in the housing 51a. As shown in FIG. 12, the bushings 51c are annular members that are attached to align with insertion holes 51aa provided on both side surfaces of the housing 51a, and support both ends of the hinge pin 53 described above.

[0045] The block assembly 51d is a block-shaped member that is attached to the underside of the housing 51a, and as shown in FIG. 13, has a block 51da, a tapered surface (second inclined surface) 51db, a pin base 51dc, a contact pin (pin) 51dd, a bolt 51de, and a bolt hole 51df. Block 51da ​​is a member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has bolt holes 51df formed in its upper surface as shown in Fig. 13. Block 51da ​​has a tapered surface 51db at the end of its lower surface on the side where sensor 20 is inserted.

[0046] The tapered surface (second inclined surface) 51db is an inclined surface formed on the end portion on the side where the sensor 20 is inserted, and guides the sensor 20 to a predetermined position (sensor mounting portion 52ca) as shown in Fig. 13. More specifically, the tapered surface 51db is provided so as to incline downward from the front side to the back side in the insertion direction of the sensor 20 as shown in Fig. 13. As shown in FIG. 13, the pin base 51dc is a plate-shaped member attached to the underside of the block 51da, and has insertion holes (through holes) 51dca into which multiple contact pins 51dd are inserted, and a bolt hole 51dcb into which the bolt 51de is inserted.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 13, the contact pins (pins) 51dd are provided in the same number (four) as the number of contacts 23a of the sensor 20, and are each held in an inserted state in an insertion hole 51dca provided in the pin base 51dc. The upper end of the contact pin 51dd is fixed to the lower surface of the block 51da, and the lower end of the contact pin 51dd is provided so as to protrude from the lower surface of the pin base 51dc.

[0048] When the housing 51a of the upper part 51 is rotated relative to the housing 52a of the lower part 52 to close the opening 55, the opening 55 comes into contact with the contact 23a provided on the end 23 of the sensor 20. This electrically connects the contact 23a of the sensor 20 to the measuring device 60 via the contact pin 51dd. To attach the pin base 51dc to the underside of the block 51da, the bolt 51de is inserted into the bolt hole 51dcb from the underside of the pin base 51dc and screwed into a bolt hole (not shown) provided in the underside of the block 51da.

[0049] The bolt hole 51df is provided on the upper surface of the block 51da, and a thread groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof into which the bolt 51b for attaching the above-mentioned housing 51a to the block assembly 51d is screwed. 11 and other figures, the upper part 51 is attached in a rotatable state to the lower part (first housing part) 52, and holds the end 23 of the sensor 20 inserted into an opening 55 (see FIG. 15(b)) formed between the lower part 52 and the upper part 51. The lower part 52 has a housing 52a, a cover (plate-shaped member) 52b, a base 52c, a bush 52d, and a bolt 52e, as shown in FIG.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 14, the housing 52a has a U-shape, and has insertion holes 52aa on both side surfaces and a bolt hole 52ab on the top surface. When the hinge pin 53 shown in FIG. 14 is inserted into the insertion hole 52aa, the insertion hole 52aa holds both ends of the hinge pin 53 together with the bushing 52d. The bolt holes 52ab are through holes into which the bolts 52e are inserted to integrate the housing 52a and the base 52c.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 14, cover (plate-shaped member) 52b is provided on lower component 52, and end 23 of sensor 20 is set in the gap formed between cover 52b and the upper surface of base 52c included in lower component 52. Bolts 52bc for attaching the cover 52b to the upper surface of the base 52c are inserted into the bolt holes 52ba.

[0052] Four through holes 52bb are provided in the cover 52b, and when the upper part 51 rotates relative to the lower part 52 to be in a closed state, the tips of the four contact pins 51dd included in the upper part 51 described above are inserted into the through holes 52bb. This allows the contact pins 51dd to abut against the four contacts 23a provided on the end 23 of the sensor 20 inserted between the lower surface of the cover 52b and the upper surface of the base 52c.

[0053] The base 52c is provided on the upper surface of the housing 52a, and forms a gap (sensor mounting portion 52ca) between the base 52c and the lower surface of the cover 52b, into which the end portion 23 of the sensor 20 is inserted. The sensor mounting portion (predetermined position) 52ca is a predetermined position where the end portion 23 of the sensor 20 is inserted and held, and the height of the gap is slightly larger than the thickness of the sensor 20. Bolts 52bc for attaching the cover 52b to the upper surface of the base 52c are inserted into the bolt holes 52ba of the cover 52b and screwed into the bolt holes 52cb, thereby attaching the cover 52b to the base 52c.

[0054] The tapered surface (first inclined surface) 52cc is an inclined surface formed on the end portion on the side where the sensor 20 is inserted, and guides the sensor 20 to a predetermined position (sensor mounting portion 52ca) as shown in Fig. 14. More specifically, the tapered surface 52cc is provided so as to incline upward from the front side to the back side in the insertion direction of the sensor 20 as shown in Fig. 14. As shown in FIG. 14, the bushings 52d are annular members that are attached to align with insertion holes 52aa provided on both side surfaces of the housing 52a, and support both ends of the hinge pin 53 described above.

[0055] The bolt 52e is a fastening member for attaching the base 52c to the upper surface of the housing 52a, and is screwed into a screw hole (not shown) provided on the lower surface of the base 52c in a state where it is inserted into the bolt hole 52ab of the housing 52a, thereby fixing the base 52c to the housing 52a. The hinge pin (rotation axis) 53 is a member that serves as the rotation center for rotating the above-mentioned upper part 51 relative to the lower part 52, and is arranged so that both ends protrude from both side surfaces of the housing 51a when viewed from above, as shown in Figure 15(a).

[0056] 11, the torsion spring (biasing member) 53a is provided in a wound state around the outer circumferential surface of the hinge pin 53, and applies a biasing force that rotates the upper part 51 (housing 51a) relative to the lower part 52 (housing 52a). In this embodiment, the torsion spring 53a applies a biasing force to the upper part 51 relative to the lower part 52 in a direction that closes the opening 55. Here, in the contact clip 50 of this embodiment, the housing 51a of the upper part 51 rotates relative to the housing 52a of the lower part 52, and the maximum range of the rotation is restricted by the abutting portion .

[0057] The contact portion (regulating portion) 54 is a part of the housing 51a and the housing 52a that come into contact with each other when the housing 51a of the upper part 51 and the housing 52a of the lower part 52 are manually rotated in a direction to open each other as shown in Fig. 15(b). As shown in Fig. 15(a), the contact portion 54 has a part that comes into contact with each other at the end of the housings 51a, 52a. 15(c), when sensor 20 is inserted in the direction of the arrow in the figure, the size (maximum rotation range) of opening 55 into which end 23 of sensor 20 is inserted is defined. Thus, end 23 of sensor 20 is guided to sensor mounting portion 52ca provided in opening 55 by tapered surface 51db provided on the upper component 51 side and tapered surface 52cc provided on the lower component 52 side.

[0058] The opening 55 is formed between the upper part 51 and the lower part 52, and communicates with a sensor mounting portion 52ca provided on the lower part 52 side. 16(a), when upper part 51 is manually rotated relative to lower part 52, end 23 of sensor 20 is inserted from opening 55 and smoothly guided into a gap (sensor mounting part 52ca) formed between base 52c and cover 52b of lower part 52. Thus, when end 23 of sensor 20 is set in sensor mounting part 52ca, and the user releases his / her hand, upper part 51 transitions to a state in which opening 55 is closed by the biasing force of torsion spring 53a, as shown in FIG.

[0059] As described above, in the contact clip 50 of this embodiment, the size (maximum rotation range) of the opening 55 is restricted by the abutment parts 54 with which the housings 51a and 52a abut, so that the end 23 of the sensor 20 is smoothly guided to a predetermined position (sensor mounting part 52ca). This prevents the user from erroneously inserting the end 23 of the sensor 20 into the upper surface of the cover 52b instead of into the gap between the cover 52b and the base 52c.

[0060] <Main features> As shown in FIG. 11 and other figures, the contact clip 50 of this embodiment is a member that electrically connects the contact 23a of the sensor 20, which is used in a state where it is inserted into the opening 42 of the flask 40, to the measuring device 60, and includes a lower part 52, an upper part 51, a hinge pin 53, an abutment part 54, and a sensor mounting part 52ca. The upper part 51 (housing 51a) rotates relative to the lower part 52 (housing 52a) and forms an opening 55 into which the end 23 of the sensor 20, including the contact 23a, is inserted. The hinge pin 53 is the center of rotation of the upper part 51 relative to the lower part 52. The abutment part 54 restricts the maximum rotation range of the upper part 51 relative to the lower part 52 (see FIG. 15(b)). The sensor mounting part 52ca is provided between the lower part 52 and the upper part 51, and constitutes a predetermined position where the end 23 of the sensor 20 is set.

[0061] As a result, when the end 23 including the contact 23a of the sensor 20 is set at a predetermined position (sensor mounting portion 52ca) between the lower part 52 (housing 52a) and the upper part 51 (housing 51a), the rotational range of the upper part 51 relative to the lower part 52 is regulated so as not to be larger than necessary, so that the end 23 of the sensor 20 can be smoothly guided to the predetermined position. As a result, electrical connection between the contact 23a of the sensor 20 and the measuring device 60 can be established reliably and easily.

[0062] [Other embodiments] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0063] (A) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the predetermined position (sensor mounting portion 52ca) where the end portion 23 including the contacts 23a of the sensor 20 is inserted into the contact clip 50 is the gap formed between the base 52c and the cover 52b included in the lower component 52. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the predetermined position into which the contact side end of the sensor is inserted may be a gap formed between the upper and lower housing parts.

[0064] (B) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the maximum rotation range of the housing 51a, which forms the opening 55 into which the end 23 including the contact 23a of the sensor 20 in the contact clip 50 is inserted, relative to the housing 52a is defined by the portions where the upper and lower housings 51a, 52a abut against each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a defining member that defines the maximum rotation range of the second housing unit relative to the first housing unit is separately provided, and the maximum rotation range is defined by the defining member.

[0065] (C) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which tapered surfaces 51db and 52cc are provided on the end portions on the side where opening 55 is formed by rotating upper part 51 relatively to lower part 52. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an inclined surface (inclined surface) for guiding an end portion including the contact point of the sensor to a predetermined position in the sensor connecting member (contact clip) may be provided on either the upper or lower housing portion.

[0066] (D) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which a torsion spring (biasing member) 53a is provided to bias the lower part 52 (housing 52a) in a direction to close the upper part 51 (housing 51a). However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0067] For example, a biasing member may be used that biases the upper second housing part relative to the lower first housing part in a direction that opens the opening part. In this case, after the end portion including the contacts of the sensor is set in a predetermined position through the opening, the second housing portion is manually rotated in a direction to close relative to the first housing portion, and the second housing portion is locked to the first housing portion using a locking member that maintains the closed state.

[0068] (E) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the torsion spring (biasing member) 53a that biases the upper part 51 (housing 51a) in a direction to close the lower part 52 (housing 52a) is provided on the hinge pin (rotating shaft) 53. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The torsion spring that applies a biasing force to rotate the upper second housing part relative to the lower first housing part may be provided in a location other than the hinge pin that serves as the rotation axis, for example, on the side of the housing part.

[0069] (F) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the torsion spring (biasing member) 53a that biases the upper part 51 (housing 51a) in the direction of closing the lower part 52 (housing 52a) is provided wound around the hinge pin (rotating shaft) 53. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the biasing force for rotating the upper second housing part relative to the lower first housing part may be a biasing member of another form, such as a coil spring or a leaf spring, instead of a torsion spring.

[0070] (G) In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the contact clip 50 was installed in the internal space of the incubator, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the location where the sensor connecting member (contact clip) is installed is not limited to inside a thermostatic chamber such as an incubator, and may be outside the device.

[0071] (H) In the above embodiment, the contact clip 50 is used to connect the end 23 on the contact 23a side of the sensor 20, which is used in a state where the end 22 including the electrode 22a is immersed in the medium X for cell culture, to the measuring device 60. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0072] For example, the sensor to be connected to the sensor connecting member is not limited to a sensor used for cell culture, and may be any other type of sensor. [Industrial Applicability]

[0073] The sensor connection member of the present invention has the effect of enabling reliable and easy electrical connection between the sensor contacts and the measuring device, and is therefore widely applicable to the electrical connection structures of various devices for cell culture, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 10 Sensor Clip 11 Placement section 11a Notch 11b End 12 Holding part 12a Folding piece 13 Bend 14 Gripping part 14a Tapered surface 15 Silicone tube 20 Sensors 21 Main body 22 End (second end) 22a electrode 23 End (first end) 23a Contact 24 Wiring section 25 Protection part 25a Turn line 30 Sensor unit 40 flasks 41 Main body 42 Opening 42a thread 42b Flat part 43 Cap 43a thread 50 Contact clip (sensor connection part) 51 Upper part (second housing part) 51a Case 51aa Insertion hole 51ab Bolt Hole 51b Bolt 51c Bush 51d Block Assembly 51da Block 51db Tapered surface (second inclined surface) 51dc pin base 51dca Insertion hole (through hole) 51dcb bolt hole 51dd Contact pin (pin) 51de Bolt 52 Lower part (first housing part) 52a Case 52aa Insertion hole 52ab bolt hole 52b Cover (plate-shaped member) 52ba bolt hole 52bb through hole 52c Base 52ca Sensor mounting section (predetermined position) 52cb bolt hole 52cc tapered surface (first inclined surface) 52d Bush 52e Bolt 53 Hinge pin (rotating shaft) 53a Torsion spring (biasing member) 54 Contact part (regulating part) 55 Opening 60 Measuring Equipment 61 PC X medium

Claims

1. A sensor connection member that electrically connects a contact of a sensor that is used in a state where the sensor is inserted into a container to a measuring device, A first housing portion; a second housing portion that rotates relative to the first housing portion and defines an opening into which a first end of the sensor including the contact is inserted; A rotation axis serving as a center of rotation of the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion; a restricting portion that restricts a maximum rotation range of the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion; a sensor mounting portion provided between the first housing portion and the second housing portion and constituting a predetermined position in which the first end portion of the sensor is set; A sensor connection member comprising:

2. the restricting portion is a part of the first housing portion and the second housing portion that come into contact with each other when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are rotated in a direction in which the first housing portion and the second housing portion are opened from each other; The sensor connection member according to claim 1 .

3. The first housing portion has a first inclined surface at an end portion on a side where the sensor is inserted, the first inclined surface guiding the sensor to the predetermined position. The sensor connecting member according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the second housing portion has a second inclined surface at an end portion on a side where the sensor is inserted, the second inclined surface guiding the sensor to the predetermined position; The sensor connecting member according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The sensor further includes a plate-like member provided in the first housing portion, the first end of the sensor being set in a gap formed between the plate-like member and the first housing portion. The sensor connecting member according to claim 1 or 2.

6. a pin that comes into contact with the contact of the sensor when the second housing is rotated relative to the first housing to be in a closed state, The plate-like member has a through hole into which the pin is inserted. The sensor connecting member according to claim 5 .

7. Further, a biasing member is provided that applies a biasing force to rotate the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion. The sensor connecting member according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The biasing member applies a biasing force in a direction to close the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion. The sensor connecting member according to claim 7 .

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