Local exhaust device

Abstract

To improve work efficiency when an article is taken in and out of a draft chamber.SOLUTION: A local exhaust device includes: a work table (110); a cover (150) that closes a side and a front of a work space that is a space above the work table; and an exhaust unit that discharges gas in the work space to the outside, where the cover has a vertically movable front panel (151) disposed in front of the work space, and a pair of vertically movable side panels (152) disposed on the sides of the work space to face each other interposing the work space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a local exhaust device.

Background Art

[0002] In a laboratory or the like, when performing an operation in which a gas harmful to the human body or the environment is generated (or emitted), a local exhaust device called a draft chamber is used. The draft chamber includes a workbench, a box-shaped surrounding portion that surrounds the space above the workbench, and an exhaust device that discharges the gas inside the surrounding portion. A vertically movable sash is provided on the front surface of the surrounding portion. When performing an operation in the draft chamber, an operator raises the sash and accesses the inside of the surrounding portion through a gap between the upper surface of the workbench and the lower end of the sash (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Harmful gases (for example, volatile organic solvents) generated or emitted by the operation in the draft chamber are discharged outside the surrounding portion by the exhaust device and then appropriately treated. Therefore, by using such a draft chamber, it is possible to perform operations safely without diffusing harmful gases into the surroundings.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When installing a draft chamber in a workplace, a laboratory, or the like, it is often the case that the workbench of the draft chamber and the height of another workbench arranged adjacent to the draft chamber are designed to be approximately the same. This is to prevent accidents such as dropping when transferring articles (appliances, devices, or containers containing samples or reagents, etc.) between the draft chamber and the other workbench. However, in the conventional draft chamber as described above, when moving articles between the workbench in the draft chamber and the other workbench, it is necessary to exchange the articles from the front (i.e., the front side) of each workbench. Therefore, the articles have to be carried in the air once, resulting in a long work flow line and poor work efficiency.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its object is to improve the work efficiency when loading and unloading articles with respect to the draft chamber.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The local exhaust device according to the present invention made to solve the above problems includes: a workbench, a cover that closes the side and front of the work space, which is the space above the workbench, an exhaust unit that discharges the gas in the work space to the outside, and is provided with the cover has a vertically movable front panel arranged in front of the work space and a pair of vertically movable side panels arranged opposite to each other across the work space on the side of the work space.

[0007] Also, the local exhaust device according to the present invention made to solve the above problems includes: a workbench, a cover that closes the side and front of the work space, which is the space above the workbench, an exhaust unit that discharges the gas in the work space to the outside, and is provided with The cover may have a front panel disposed in front of the working space and a pair of side panels disposed opposite to each other across the working space on the sides of the working space, and the lower end of the front panel and the lower end of each of the pair of side panels may be located 10 cm or more above the upper surface of the workbench.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the local exhaust device of the present invention having the above configuration, since articles can be taken in and out not only from the front side but also from the side of the working space, the working efficiency when taking articles in and out of the draft chamber can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] A local exhaust device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the local exhaust device according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the local exhaust device. Hereinafter, the front-rear, left-right directions are defined based on the state of viewing this local exhaust device from its front side (see FIG. 1).

[0011] The local exhaust device according to this embodiment includes a box-shaped workbench 110, a support portion 120 disposed at the upper rear side (i.e., the rear side) of the workbench 110, a push unit 130 (corresponding to the air supply unit in the present invention) supported above the workbench 110 by the support portion 120, a pull unit 140 (corresponding to the exhaust unit in the present invention) housed inside the workbench 110, and a U-shaped sash 150 (corresponding to the cover in the present invention) covering the front and side of the space (workspace) above the workbench 110.

[0012] The push unit 130 includes a first blower 131 and a first flow path 132 which is a passage for the air sent out from the first blower 131. One end of the first flow path 132 is connected to the first blower 131, and the other end is open above the workbench 110. Hereinafter, the opening on the other end side of the first flow path 132 is referred to as a blowout port 133. The blowout port 133 is a rectangular opening extending in the horizontal plane, and a honeycomb plate 134 is fitted into the opening. In the push unit 130, the air sent out from the first blower 131 flows in the first flow path 132, is made laminar by passing through the honeycomb plate 134, and is blown downward from the blowout port 133.

[0013] The pull unit 140 includes a second blower 141 and a second flow path 142 which is a passage of gas extending from a suction port 143, which is a rectangular opening formed on the upper surface of the workbench 110, to the second blower 141. The suction port 143 occupies an area of at least half (preferably at least 80%) of the area of the upper surface of the workbench 110. A perforated plate 144, which is a plate provided with a number of through holes for passing gas, is fitted into the suction port 143. The suction port 143 of the pull unit 140 and the blowout port 133 of the above-described push unit 130 face each other with the working space therebetween. The laminar air supplied downward from the push unit 130 and the gas generated (or diffused) on the workbench 110 are sucked in from the suction port 143 of the pull unit 140 and discharged to the outside. Note that the exhaust port of the second blower 141 is connected to an exhaust duct (not shown), and the gas sucked in from the suction port 143 is guided to the outside of the house through the second flow path 142, the second blower 141, and the exhaust duct and discharged into the atmosphere. An exhaust treatment device (for example, a scrubber that dissolves harmful gas in water for treatment, etc.) (not shown) may be provided on the exhaust duct, and the gas sucked in from the suction port 143 may be treated by this exhaust treatment device and then discharged into the atmosphere. Further, the second flow path 142 may be L-shaped so as to discharge gas from the lower side surface of the workbench 110. In this case, even when liquid drops on the perforated plate 144, the influence on the blower or filter etc. provided in the subsequent stage can be reduced.

[0014] Note that the push unit 130 in the present embodiment includes a first filter 135 for removing fine particles such as dust or floating microorganisms from the air sent out from the first blower 131, so that high-purity air can be sent out from the air outlet 133. Further, the pull unit 140 in the present embodiment includes a second filter 145 for removing fine particles such as dust or floating microorganisms from the gas sucked in from the suction port 143, so that the purity of the exhaust gas discharged into the atmosphere can be increased. These filters 135 and 145 (corresponding to the air filter in the present invention) are typically a coarse dust filter, a punching metal filter, or a medium-high performance filter (MEPA filter), but are not limited thereto. For example, a higher performance filter such as a HEPA filter, a quasi-HEPA filter, or a ULPA filter may be used.

[0015] The support portion 120 has a box-like shape including a front panel 121, a rear panel 122, a pair of left and right side panels 123, and a top panel 124, and the push unit 130 is fixed to the upper center of the front panel 121. Further, rails 125 extending vertically are provided on both the left and right sides of the front panel 121. Note that the support portion 120 in the present embodiment may not include the front panel 121 and the rear panel 122. In that case, the rails 125 shall be provided at the front edge of the side panel 123.

[0016] The U-shaped sash 150 all has a U-shaped configuration in top view with a transparent front panel 151 and a pair of left and right side panels 152. The U-shaped sash 150 further includes a frame body 153 attached to the peripheries of the front panel 151 and the side panels 152. By engaging the frame body 153 located at the rear end of each side panel 152 with the rail 125, the U-shaped sash 150 is supported by the support portion 120 so as to be vertically movable. A balancer (not shown), such as a wire balancer or a spiral balancer, is accommodated in the support portion 120, whereby the U-shaped sash 150 can be stopped at an arbitrary height. In addition, in the local exhaust apparatus according to the present embodiment, in a state where the U-shaped sash 150 is positioned at the lowest in its movable range (the state shown in FIG. 1), the lower end of the U-shaped sash 150 and the upper surface of the workbench 110 are configured to be separated in the height direction. The distance in the height direction from the upper surface of the workbench 110 to the lower end of the U-shaped sash 150 at this time is, for example, 10 cm to 100 cm (desirably 20 cm to 50 cm, more desirably 30 cm to 40 cm). Note that the U-shaped sash 150 may be manually moved up and down by the user, or may be electrically moved up and down by a motor (not shown).

[0017] As described above, in the local exhaust device according to the present embodiment, since the lower end of the U-shaped sash 150 that covers the front and sides of the work space is spaced upward from the upper surface of the workbench 110, work by the operator and the loading and unloading of articles can be performed not only from the front but also from the sides of the workbench 110. In particular, when another workbench is arranged adjacent to the local exhaust device according to the present embodiment, the work flow line when moving articles between the workbench 110 of the local exhaust device and the other workbench can be shortened, so that the work efficiency is improved. Further, in the local exhaust device according to the present embodiment, since the U-shaped sash 150 is configured to be vertically movable and stoppable at an arbitrary height within the movable range, the U-shaped sash 150 can be adjusted to an appropriate height according to the physique or preference of the operator or the work content. Further, by raising the U-shaped sash 150 significantly, the loading and unloading of large equipment and the like can be easily performed. In addition, in a configuration having a U-shaped sash 150 as in the present embodiment, there is a possibility that the gas scattering prevention performance in the lower part of the work space may be lower than that of a conventional draft chamber. However, in the local exhaust device according to the present embodiment, the harmful gas generated (or dispersed) on the workbench 110 can be flushed toward the suction port 143 of the pull unit 140 by the laminar flow supplied from the push unit 130. Therefore, the harmful gas can be surely sucked by the pull unit 140 without leaking from between the lower end of the U-shaped sash 150 and the upper surface of the workbench 110. In this way, by achieving both gas extrusion and suction, it is possible to prevent the gas from leaking to the outside.

[0018] As described above, specific examples have been given to explain the embodiments for carrying out the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and appropriate modifications are allowed within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the push unit 130 is arranged on the upper side and the pull unit 140 is arranged on the lower side with the working space in between. Conversely, the pull unit 140 may be arranged on the upper side and the push unit 130 may be arranged on the lower side. Further, in the above embodiment, both the push unit 130 and the pull unit 140 are assumed to have air filters (the first filter 135 or the second filter 145). However, in the local exhaust device according to the present invention, the push unit 130 or the pull unit 140 or both of them may not have an air filter. Also, in the above embodiment, the push unit 130 and the pull unit 145 are each assumed to have a blower (the first blower 131 or the second blower 141). However, in the local exhaust device according to the present invention, the push unit 130 or the pull unit 140 or both of them may not have a blower. In that case, the first flow path 132 of the push unit 130 or the second flow path 132 of the pull unit 140 shall be connected to a blower installed at a predetermined location (for example, on the roof) in the building via a duct attached to the building in which the local exhaust device according to this embodiment is installed. Further, the local exhaust device according to the present invention may be configured to perform ventilation only by the pull unit 140 without having the push unit 130.

[0019] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the U-shaped sash 150 is positioned at the lowest point within its movable range, and the lower end of the U-shaped sash 150 is spaced apart from the upper surface of the workbench 110. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the U-shaped sash 150 is positioned at the lowest point within its movable range, the lower end of the U-shaped sash 150 may be at the same height as or lower than the upper surface of the workbench 110 (that is, the work space may be completely closed by the U-shaped sash 150). Further, in the above-described embodiment, the front panel 151 and the side panels 152 are all made of transparent members. However, the side panels 152 may be made of opaque members. Also, at least a part of the front panel 151 may be transparent, and it is not necessarily required that the entire front panel 151 be transparent.

[0020] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the U-shaped sash 150 is configured to move up and down along the rail 125. However, the local exhaust device according to the present invention may be configured such that the U-shaped sash 150 does not move up and down. In that case, the U-shaped sash 150 is fixed to the support portion 120 with its lower end positioned above the upper surface of the workbench 110. The distance in the height direction from the upper surface of the workbench 110 to the lower end of the U-shaped sash 150 at this time is, for example, 10 cm to 100 cm (preferably 20 cm to 50 cm, more preferably 30 cm to 40 cm).

[0021] Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the local exhaust device according to the present embodiment may be configured to include a side closing plate 260, which is a plate-shaped member for closing the gap from the lower end of the side panel 252 to the upper surface of the workbench 210. In FIG. 3, components that are the same as or corresponding to those shown in FIG. 1 are given reference numerals with the same last two digits, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate hereinafter (the same applies to FIG. 4 described later). By providing such a side closing plate 260, it is possible to prevent the air flow formed by the push unit 130 and the pull unit 140 from being affected by disturbances such as the air flow of the air conditioner provided around. Further, by providing such a side closing plate 260, it is possible to more reliably prevent the gas in the work space from leaking from the side. The side closing plate 260 is detachably attached to the side surface of the workbench 210 and / or the support portion 220 by an attachment tool 261 attached to the plate 260 and the side surface of the workbench 210 and / or the side plate 223 of the support portion 220. As the attachment tool 261, for example, a magnet or a hook-and-loop fastener can be used, but it is not limited thereto. Alternatively, a predetermined clamping tool (not shown) may be attached to the workbench 210 or the support portion 220, and the side closing plate 260 may be clamped or released by the clamping tool so that the side closing plate 260 can be attached to and detached from the workbench 210 or the support portion 220. Further, a stand capable of supporting the side closing plate 260 in an upright state by inserting one side of the side closing plate 260 may be attached to the left and / or right side edge portions of the upper surface of the workbench 210 or the front surface of the support portion 220, and the side closing plate 260 may be supported by the stand. In FIG. 3, a configuration in which the side closing plates 260 are attached to both the right side surface and the left side surface of the local exhaust device is shown, but the side closing plate 260 may be attached to only one of the left and right sides. When the side closing plate 260 is attached to only one of the left and right sides, the side closing plate 260 may not be detachable and may be fixed to the workbench 210 or the support portion 220 by adhesion or screwing.

[0022] Alternatively, instead of the U-shaped sash 150 as described above, as shown in FIG. 4, it may have a front panel 371 positioned in front of the work space, a pair of side panels 372 positioned on the left and right sides sandwiching the work space, and rails 373 extending upward from the four corners of the upper surface of the workbench 310, and each of the front panel 371 and the pair of side panels 372 may be configured to be independently movable up and down along the rails 373. In this case, the front panel 371 and the side panels 372 correspond to the covers in the present invention. In addition, even in such a configuration, all of the front panel 371 and the pair of side panels 372 may be made of a transparent member, or only the front panel 371 may be made of a transparent member and the side panels 372 may be made of an opaque member. Also, the front panel 371 only needs to have at least a part thereof transparent, and it is not necessarily entirely transparent.

[0023] [Aspect] It is clear to those skilled in the art that the above-described exemplary embodiments are specific examples of the following aspects.

[0024] (Item 1) A local exhaust device according to an aspect of the present invention is a workbench, a cover that closes the sides and front of the work space, which is the space above the workbench, an exhaust unit that discharges the gas in the work space to the outside, and is provided with the cover has a vertically movable front panel disposed in front of the work space and a pair of vertically movable side panels disposed opposite to each other across the work space on the side of the work space.

[0025] According to the local exhaust device according to Item 1, since articles can be taken in and out not only from the front side but also from the side of the work space, the working efficiency when taking in and out articles with respect to the draft chamber can be improved.

[0026] (Item 2) The local exhaust device according to Item 2 is the local exhaust device according to Item 1, wherein the front panel and the side panel are fixed to each other.

[0027] According to the local exhaust device according to the second aspect, since the user can move the entire cover up and down by moving either the front panel or the pair of side panels up and down, the opening and closing operation of the work space can be easily performed.

[0028] (Item 3) The local exhaust device according to Item 3 a workbench, a cover that closes the sides and the front of the work space, which is the space above the workbench, an exhaust unit that discharges the gas in the work space to the outside, and is provided with the cover has a front panel arranged in front of the work space and a pair of side panels arranged opposite to each other with the work space interposed therebetween on the sides of the work space, and the lower end of the front panel and the lower end of each of the pair of side panels are located 10 cm or more above the upper surface of the workbench.

[0029] Even in the local exhaust device according to Item 3, since articles can be taken in and out not only from the front side but also from the side of the work space, the working efficiency when taking articles in and out with respect to the draft chamber can be improved.

[0030] (Item 4) The local exhaust device according to Item 4 is the local exhaust device according to any one of Items 1 to 3, further having an air supply unit that supplies gas to the work space, and the gas suction port of the exhaust unit and the gas outlet of the air supply unit are arranged vertically opposite to each other with the work space interposed therebetween.

[0031] According to the local exhaust device according to Item 4, since harmful gases or the like generated (or emitted) on the workbench can be flushed to the gas suction port of the exhaust unit by the gas blown out from the gas outlet of the air supply unit, it is possible to effectively prevent the harmful gases or the like from leaking from the gap between the lower end of the cover and the upper surface of the workbench.

[0032] (Item 5) The local exhaust device according to Item 5 is the local exhaust device according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein the exhaust unit has an air filter.

[0033] According to the local exhaust device according to Item 5, since the fine particles in the gas can be removed by the air filter, the cleanliness of the exhaust discharged from the exhaust unit to the outside can be improved.

[0034] (Item 6) The local exhaust device according to Item 6 is the local exhaust device according to Item 4 or Item 5, wherein the air supply unit has an air filter.

[0035] According to the local exhaust device according to Item 6, since the fine particles in the air can be removed by the air filter, air with high cleanliness can be supplied to the work space.

[0036] (Item 7) The local exhaust device according to Item 7 is the local exhaust device according to any one of Items 1 to 6, wherein furthermore, it has a detachable side closing plate that covers the space between the upper surface of the workbench and the side panel on the side of the work space.

[0037] According to the local exhaust device according to Item 7, it is possible to prevent the air flow formed in the work space by the exhaust unit (or the exhaust unit and the air supply unit) from being affected by disturbances such as the air flow of an air conditioner provided around. Furthermore, according to the local exhaust device according to Item 7, it is also possible to more effectively prevent the harmful gas or the like from leaking from the gap between the lower end of the cover and the upper surface of the workbench.

Explanation of Signs

[0038] 110... Workbench 120... Support part 125... Rail 130... Push unit 131... First blower 133…Blowout port 135…First filter 140…Pull unit 141…Second blower 143…Suction port 144…Perforated plate 145…Second filter 150…U-shaped sash 151…Front panel 152…Side panel 153…Frame body 260…Side closing plate 371…Front panel 372…Side panel 373…Rail

Claims

1. A workbench, A cover that closes the sides and the front of the working space, which is the space above the workbench, An exhaust unit that discharges the gas in the working space to the outside, Comprising, The cover has a vertically movable front panel arranged in front of the working space and a pair of vertically movable side panels arranged opposite to each other across the working space on the sides of the working space. A local exhaust device.

2. The local exhaust device according to Claim 1, wherein the front panel and the side panel are fixed to each other.

3. A workbench, A cover that closes the sides and the front of the working space, which is the space above the workbench, An exhaust unit that discharges the gas in the working space to the outside, Comprising, The cover has a front panel arranged in front of the working space and a pair of side panels arranged opposite to each other across the working space on the sides of the working space. The lower end of the front panel and the lower end of each of the pair of side panels are located 10 cm or more above the upper surface of the workbench. A local exhaust device.

4. Furthermore, it has an air supply unit that supplies gas to the working space, The local exhaust device according to Claim 1 or 3, wherein the gas suction port of the exhaust unit and the gas outlet of the air supply unit are arranged vertically opposite to each other across the working space.

5. The local exhaust device according to Claim 1 or 3, wherein the exhaust unit has an air filter.

6. The local exhaust device according to Claim 4, wherein the air supply unit has an air filter.

7. Furthermore, the local exhaust device according to Claim 1 or 3 has a detachable side closing plate that covers the space between the upper surface of the workbench and the side panel on the side of the working space.

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