Culture device

Abstract

This culture apparatus comprises a casing and an LED module that is detachably attached to the casing and that emits an ultraviolet ray inside the casing.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an incubation device. [Background technology]

[0002] In a culture device (incubator) for culturing cultures of cells, microorganisms, etc., the culture space is sterilized. An example of a device for sterilization is a UV lamp (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2018-512889 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Some UV lamps contain mercury. In recent years, the use of mercury has been restricted. Under these circumstances, the present disclosure aims to provide a culture device that can sterilize the culture space without using a UV lamp. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the culture device according to the present disclosure includes a box body, and an LED module that is detachably attached to the box body and emits ultraviolet light inside the box body. When implementing the above-described culture device, the box may preferably have a device-side connector. The LED module may be removably attached to the device-side connector. Furthermore, the culture device may be configured so that the inside of the box can be dry-heat sterilized when a dummy module is attached to the device-side connector instead of the LED module. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a culture device that can sterilize a culture space without using a UV lamp. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a culture device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from the right side. [Figure 2] Perspective view of LED module [Figure 3] A perspective view of the LED module attached to the box [Figure 4] A vertical cross-sectional view of the LED module and its surroundings when installed in the box [Figure 5] A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dummy module and its surroundings when attached to the box. [Figure 6] Flowchart showing an example of the operation of the culture device DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, a culture device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown below are merely examples and do not exclude the application of various modifications and techniques not explicitly stated in the following embodiments. Furthermore, each configuration of the embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit thereof. Furthermore, each configuration of the embodiments can be selected or combined as needed.

[0009] In this specification, the front, back, left and right of the culture device are defined as follows: the side that the user faces when using the device (the side with the outer door 3a and inner door 3b described below) is the front, and the opposite side is the rear. Also, left and right are defined based on a view from the front to the rear.

[0010] In all the drawings for explaining the embodiments, the same elements are generally designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0011] [1. Overall structure] The entire culture apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the culture apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from the right side.

[0012] The culture device 1 shown in Figure 1 is a device for culturing cultures such as cells or microorganisms. This culture device 1 includes a roughly box-shaped box body 2 having a culture space 20 formed therein and an opening 21 formed on the front, and an outer door 3a and an inner door 3b for opening and closing the opening 21. The culture space 20 is divided into upper and lower sections by a plurality of shelves 4. A packing P1 is provided on the outer edge of the outer door 3a.

[0013] In the culture space 20, the temperature, humidity, O2 (oxygen) concentration, and CO2 (carbon dioxide) concentration are each maintained within an appropriate range so as to provide an atmosphere suitable for culturing the culture.

[0014] The box body 2 includes an inner box 2a having a substantially box shape in which a culture space 20 is formed, and an outer box 2b having a substantially box shape that covers the outside of the inner box 2a.

[0015] The inner box 2a and the outer box 2b are formed from metal plates. A heat insulating material 2c is disposed between the inner box 2a and the outer box 2b. The heat insulating material 2c is formed, for example, by combining plate-shaped heat insulating materials. A space (a so-called air jacket) may be formed between the inner box 2a and the heat insulating material 2c.

[0016] A duct 5 extending vertically is disposed on the back surface of the inner box 2a in the culture space 20. A gas passage K is formed inside the duct 5. A circulation fan 5c is disposed in this gas passage K. By operating the circulation fan 5c, air in the culture space 20 is sucked in through an intake port 5a formed at the top of the duct 5, and this air is blown out into the culture space 20 from an outlet port 5b provided at the bottom of the duct 5. This causes forced circulation of air as shown by arrows A1, A2, A3, and A4.

[0017] A humidifying tray 6 for storing water W for humidification (hereinafter referred to as "humidifying water W") is placed between the lower part of the duct 5 and the bottom wall 2a1 of the inner box 2a.

[0018] Installed within the duct 5 are an LED module 7 and gas supply devices 12a and 12b for supplying adjustment gases (O2 gas, N2 gas, and CO2 gas) that adjust the O2 gas concentration and CO2 gas concentration in the culture space 20 to the culture space 20. The LED module 7 emits ultraviolet light to sterilize the water W in the humidifying tray 6 (described below) and the air in the culture space 20. The LED module 7 will be described in detail later.

[0019] Furthermore, heaters 8 are installed on the back surfaces (surfaces facing the outer box 2b) of the right wall, left wall, rear wall 2a2, top wall, and bottom wall 2a1 of the inner box 2a for temperature regulation, i.e., for controlling the temperature of the culture space 20. In principle, the heaters 8 are energized and generate heat while the culture device 1 is in operation.

[0020] The output (heating power) of the heater 8 is controlled by the control device 100.

[0021] The circulation fan 5c, the gas supply devices 12a and 12b, and the heater 8 constitute an atmosphere adjustment device. The atmosphere adjustment device is a device that creates an atmosphere inside the box 2 (culture space 20) that is suitable for culturing a culture. It goes without saying that the atmosphere adjustment device may be composed of other elements in addition to the circulation fan 5c, the gas supply devices 12a and 12b, and the heater 8.

[0022] The culture device 1 also receives inputs from an operating device 50 provided on the outer door 3a, such as instructions to start and stop the culture device 1, operation mode settings, and various set values for the culture space 20. The various set values for the culture space 20 include the set temperature, set humidity, set O2 gas concentration, and set CO2 gas concentration. The control device 100 controls components such as the atmosphere adjustment device and the LED module 7 based on inputs from the operating device 50. The operating device 50 has a display unit that displays the status of the culture device 1.

[0023] The operating modes of the culture device 1 include at least a normal operation mode and a dry heat sterilization mode. The normal operation mode is a mode in which the atmosphere adjustment device is operated so that the inside of the box body 2 (culture space 20) is kept at an atmosphere suitable for culturing a culture (e.g., 37°C). The dry heat sterilization mode is a mode in which the atmosphere adjustment device is operated so that the inside of the box body 2 (culture space 20) is dry heat sterilized. During dry heat sterilization, the humidifying tray 6 is emptied, and the inside of the box body 2 (culture space 20) is maintained at, for example, 180°C.

[0024] The back and bottom of the outer box 2b of the box body 2 are covered with a cover 10. The space between the back of the outer box 2b and the cover 10 forms a machine room M in which various devices are arranged. An electrical box 13 is provided in the machine room M. An interior 13a of the electrical box 13 houses the control device 100 and other electrical components (not shown).

[0025] The tip of the condensation member 11a is inserted into the culture space 20. This condensation member 11a is cooled by a Peltier element (not shown). As a result, condensation water is formed on the surface of the condensation member 11a within the culture space 20. By generating condensation water, it becomes possible to reduce the humidity within the culture space 20 and control it within an appropriate range. The condensation water formed on the surface of the condensation member 11a drips from the tip of the condensation member 11a into the humidifying tray 6.

[0026] [2. LED module] 2 is a perspective view of the LED module 7. The LED module 7 includes an LED 76a (see FIG. 4) described later, a metal cylinder 71 housing the LED 76a, and a metal coupling 74.

[0027] The cylindrical body 71 includes a distal cylindrical body 72 and a proximal cylindrical body 73. A groove 73a1 extending parallel to the central axis of the proximal cylindrical body 73 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the proximal cylindrical body 73. A female-threaded through-hole is also formed on the outer peripheral surface of the proximal cylindrical body 73, and a male-threaded rotation-restricting member 75 is inserted into this through-hole. The groove 73a1 and the rotation-restricting member 75 will be described in detail later.

[0028] The coupling 74 is a ring-shaped member that surrounds the cylindrical body 71 and is rotatable relative to the cylindrical body 71 .

[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the LED module 7 attached to the box 2, as seen from the culture space 20 side. The box 2 is formed with an insertion opening that opens at least toward the culture space 20, and the LED module 7 is inserted into this insertion opening and fixed. A flange-shaped engaged portion 14 that borders the insertion opening is fixed to the rear wall 2a2 of the inner box 2a facing the culture space 20 with, for example, multiple bolts. A seal 15 is sandwiched between the engaged portion 14 and the rear wall 2a2. The engaged portion 14 has a male thread portion, and the coupling 74 has a female thread portion. The LED module 7 is fixed to the box 2 by connecting these male and female thread portions.

[0030] The coupling 74 and the engaged part 14 can be connected by various known connecting means, such as a bayonet or quick coupling, instead of a screw. A bayonet is a connecting means used, for example, in the attachment structure of an interchangeable lens in a single-lens reflex camera. That is, when applied to this embodiment, the engaged part 14 may have a plate-like part with a plurality of holes or grooves formed therein, and the coupling 74 may have a plurality of engaging pieces formed thereon. After the engaging pieces are inserted into the holes or grooves, the coupling 74 may rotate around its central axis and move toward the rear side of the plate-like part, thereby connecting the coupling 74 to the engaged part 14.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the LED module 7 and its surroundings in a state where it is attached to the box body 2. As shown in FIG.

[0032] The insertion opening of the box 2, into which the LED module 7 is inserted, is formed by a resin sleeve 16. The sleeve 16 is disposed between the inner box 2a and the outer box 2b. The sleeve 16 is disposed between the inner box 2a and the outer box 2b and is disposed inside a cylindrical heat insulating material 2f that forms the opening of the box 2. A guide rail 16a that protrudes toward the inner surface is formed on the inner surface of the sleeve 16.

[0033] The insertion opening of the box body 2, through which the LED module 7 is inserted, is naturally a space without the thermal insulation material 2c. Therefore, this portion has low thermal insulation and is likely to become a path for heat to pass between the outside of the box body 2 and the inside of the box body 2 (the culture space 20). However, by making the sleeve 16 out of resin, it is possible to reduce the ease of heat transfer between the inside and outside of the box body 2 (specifically, between the inner box 2a and the outer box 2b, and between the inside of the outer box 2b and the outer ring) near the insertion opening through which the LED module 7 is inserted.

[0034] An apparatus-side connector 2e is attached to the outer box 2b. The apparatus-side connector 2e is disposed in an insertion port into which the LED module 7 is inserted, specifically in the sleeve 16. The apparatus-side connector 2e is disposed in a position closer to the outer box 2b than the inner box 2a, specifically between the inner end face and the outer end face of the outer box 2b, and close to the outer end face. In other words, the apparatus-side connector 2e is disposed in a position that is less susceptible to the temperature of the culture space 20.

[0035] The cylindrical body 71 constituting the LED module 7 includes a metal tip-side cylindrical body 72 and a metal base-side cylindrical body 73 arranged on the base-side side of the tip-side cylindrical body 72. As will be described in detail later, the base-side cylindrical body 73 includes a socket joint 73a and an end cap 73b. The through-hole into which the rotation restricting member 75 (see FIG. 2) described above is inserted is specifically formed in the socket joint 73a.

[0036] The tip-side cylinder body 72 is coaxial with the socket joint 73a and includes a connection portion 72a connected to the socket joint 73a, an LED housing portion 72b tilted relative to the connection portion 72a and housing an LED 76a, and an elbow portion connecting the connection portion 72a and the LED housing portion 72b. In this embodiment, the connection portion 72a and the elbow portion 72c are formed as a single part, but the connection portion 72a and the elbow portion 72c may be formed as separate parts.

[0037] The LED housing 72b includes an LED mounting body 72b1 and a front cap 72b2. The LED mounting body 72b1 has a relatively thick solid portion, and a tip-side substrate 76 with an LED 76a attached is disposed at the tip of this solid portion. A thermally conductive sheet 76b is disposed between the LED mounting body 72b1 and the tip-side substrate 76. Therefore, heat generated by the LED 76a is efficiently transferred to the relatively thick solid portion via the thermally conductive sheet 76b. The relatively thick solid portion functions as a type of heat sink.

[0038] A male thread is formed on the tip side of the LED mounting body 72b1, and a female thread is formed on the inner surface of the front cap 72b2. By connecting these threads, the LED mounting body 72b1 and the front cap 72b2 are connected. At this time, the window 72b3 and O-ring R are sandwiched between the tip of the LED mounting body 72b1 and the inner surface of the tip side of the front cap 72b2, and the O-ring R is sandwiched between the inner surface of the base end side of the front cap 72b2 and the LED mounting body 72b1.

[0039] A male thread is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base end of the LED mounting body 72b1, and a female thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the elbow portion 72c. By connecting these threads, the elbow portion 72c is connected to the LED mounting body 72b1 and, ultimately, to the LED storage portion 72b.

[0040] A male thread is formed on the outer peripheral surface of connecting portion 72a, which is formed integrally with elbow portion 72c, and a female thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tip side of socket joint 73a. These male and female threads are connected to connect tip-side cylinder body 72 and socket joint 73a. At this time, an O-ring R is sandwiched between the inner peripheral surface of the tip side of socket joint 73a and the outer peripheral surface of connecting portion 72a.

[0041] A rotation restricting member 75 is inserted into the socket joint 73a. A flat portion is formed on a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the connecting portion 72a. The inner tip of the rotation restricting member 75 comes into contact with this flat portion, thereby restricting relative rotation between the tip-side cylinder body 72 and the socket joint 73a. In other words, the attitude (circumferential angle, and therefore the direction in which the LED housing portion 72b faces) of the tip-side cylinder body 72 with respect to the base-side cylinder body 73 can be set to a specific attitude (the direction in which the LED housing portion 72b faces the humidifying tray 6). Note that, if the frictional force acting between the rotation restricting member 75 and the connecting portion 72a can be sufficiently large, the outer circumferential surface of the connecting portion 72a may not be formed with a flat portion, and the entire outer circumferential surface of the connecting portion 72a may be a cylindrical surface.

[0042] Furthermore, the rotation restricting member 75 is in close contact with the socket joint 73a and the connecting portion 72a. Therefore, as will be explained later, the LED 76a generates heat, and the rotation restricting member 75 can transfer the heat transferred from the LED 76a to the distal cylinder body 72 to the proximal cylinder body 73. In other words, by attaching the rotation restricting member 75, the number of paths for dissipating the heat generated by the LED 76a is increased, allowing the heat to be dissipated more efficiently.

[0043] A male thread is formed on the base end side of socket joint 73a, and a female thread is formed on the inner surface of end cap 73b. These threads are connected to connect socket joint 73a and end cap 73b. At this time, a base end substrate 77 and a seal 78 are sandwiched between the base end step of socket joint 73a and the step of end cap 73b, and an O-ring R is sandwiched between the tip end inner surface of end cap 73b and socket joint 73a.

[0044] A module-side connector 77d is attached to the base-end surface of the base-end substrate 77, i.e., the surface facing outward from the cylindrical body 71. The position and orientation of the module-side connector 77d are set so that when the LED module 7 is inserted into the sleeve 16 with the guide rail 16a formed on the inner surface of the sleeve 16 positioned in the groove 73a1 formed on the outer surface of the socket joint 73a, the module-side connector 77d fits into the device-side connector 2e.

[0045] Various components electrically connected to the module connector 77d are attached to the tip side surface of the base-end substrate 77, i.e., the surface facing the inside of the cylindrical body 71. One of these components is a cable C that connects the base-end substrate 77 and the tip-end substrate 76 and supplies power to the LED 76a. A heater 77a may be attached to the base-end substrate 77. A metal foil pattern 77b may be formed on the surface of the base-end substrate 77. A data storage device 77c may be attached to the base-end substrate 77. The data storage device 77c may be any device capable of storing and outputting predetermined information, such as a semiconductor memory or a DIP switch.

[0046] The coupling 74 includes a flange-shaped portion and a cylindrical portion connected to the outer peripheral end of the flange-shaped portion. The flange-shaped portion is located between a base end surface 72c1 of the elbow portion 72c and a flange portion 73a2 formed on the tip side of the socket joint 73a. A female thread is formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion. This female thread is connected to a male thread formed to protrude from the tip side of the engaged portion 14.

[0047] When the female thread of the coupling 74 is not connected to the male thread of the engaged part 14, there is a gap between the flange-like part of the coupling 74 and the elbow part 72c and the flange part 73a2. Therefore, the coupling 74 can rotate freely with respect to the cylindrical body 71.

[0048] After inserting the cylindrical body 71 into the sleeve 16, the coupling 74 can be rotated to connect the female thread portion of the coupling 74 and the male thread portion of the engaged part 14. At this time, the O-ring R is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the socket joint 73a and the inner peripheral surface of the engaged part 14. Also, at this time, the flange portion 73a2 comes into contact with the coupling 74 and the engaged part 14 and is sandwiched relatively tightly between the coupling 74 and the engaged part 14. In other words, the cylindrical body 71 is in close contact with the coupling 74 and the engaged part 14. Therefore, as will be explained later, heat transferred to the cylindrical body 71 is quickly transferred to the inner box 2a via the engaged part 14.

[0049] Furthermore, when the female thread portion of coupling 74 and the male thread portion of engaged portion 14 are connected, the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion of engaged portion 14 and the outer circumferential surface of socket joint 73a are in close proximity. Also, the tip surface of socket joint 73a and the base end surface 72c1 of elbow portion 72c are in close proximity. Therefore, as will be described later, heat generated by LED 76a is quickly conducted to inner box 2a via cylindrical body 71 and engaged portion 14.

[0050] When such an LED module 7 is attached to the box 2, the control device 100 acquires predetermined information from the information holding device 77c via the device-side connector 2e and the module-side connector 77d. The predetermined information is, for example, information indicating that the device attached to the box 2 is the LED module 7, or the model identification number or individual identification number of the LED module 7. By acquiring the predetermined information, the control device 100 can recognize that the LED module 7 is attached. Consequently, the control device 100 can cause the culture device to operate in the normal operation mode, culturing the culture while sterilizing the culture space 20 by emitting ultraviolet light from the LEDs 76a.

[0051] The LED 76a generates heat when emitting ultraviolet light. Since the LED 76a is relatively sensitive to heat, it is necessary to quickly dissipate the heat generated by the LED 76a to prevent the LED 76a from becoming too hot.

[0052] As described above, the LED module 7 according to the present disclosure includes the metal cylindrical body 71. Therefore, heat generated by the LED 76a is easily transferred to the cylindrical body 71. The cylindrical body 71 is in contact with the metal engaged portion 14, which is in contact with the metal inner box 2a. Therefore, the cylindrical body 71 and the coupling 74 dissipate heat generated by the LED 76a to the engaged portion 14. The heat transferred to the engaged portion 14 is quickly transferred to the metal inner box. In other words, the heat transferred from the LED 76a to the cylindrical body 71 is transferred to the inner box 2a via the engaged portion 14. Therefore, the heat generated by the LED 76a is efficiently dissipated via the heat transfer route formed by the metal member, preventing the LED 76a from becoming too hot. In addition, a resin sleeve 16 that does not easily transmit heat is placed between the inner box 2a and the outer box 2b, so that the heat generated by the LED 76a can be prevented from being transmitted to the device-side connector 2e.

[0053] Thanks to the heat transfer route as described above, the LED 76a can be prevented from breaking down or deteriorating due to the heat it generates in the temperature environment of the culture space 20 (e.g., 37°C) when the normal operation mode is performed. However, there is a risk of the LED 76a breaking down or deteriorating if it is exposed to the temperature environment of the culture space 20 (e.g., 180°C) when the dry heat sterilization mode is performed. Therefore, it is preferable that the LED module 7 be removed from the box body 2 when the culture device 1 is operated in the dry heat sterilization mode.

[0054] In this case, it is preferable that a dummy module 9 shown in FIG. 5 is attached to the box 2 instead of the LED module 7. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the dummy module 9 and its surroundings when attached to the box 2. The dummy module 9 includes a dummy body 91 and a handle 92 formed on the tip side of the dummy body 91. The dummy module 9 can be attached to the box 2 by grasping the handle 92 and inserting it into the insertion opening. A groove 91a is formed on the side of the dummy body 91, into which the guide rail 16a can be inserted.

[0055] A dummy substrate 93 may be fixed to the base end side of the dummy module 9. A dummy connector 93b may be attached to the base end surface of the dummy substrate 93, and an information holding device 93a electrically connected to the dummy connector 93b may be attached to the tip end surface of the dummy substrate 93. When the dummy module 9 includes the dummy substrate 93, the dummy connector 93b, and the information holding device 93a, by connecting the dummy connector 93b to the device-side connector 2e, the control device 100 acquires predetermined information from the information holding device 93a via the device-side connector 2e and the dummy connector 93b. The predetermined information is, for example, information indicating that the device attached to the box 2 is the dummy module 9. By acquiring the predetermined information, the control device 100 can recognize that the dummy module 9 is attached. By setting the condition for operation of the dry heat sterilization mode as being that the dummy module 9 is attached, the control device 100 can cause the culture device to operate in the dry heat sterilization mode while protecting the device side connector 2e from heat with the dummy module 9.

[0056] In other words, by attaching the dummy module 9 to the box body 2, the device side connector 2e can be prevented from being directly exposed to the high-temperature culture space 20 in the dry heat sterilization mode, thereby preventing failure of the device side connector 2e.

[0057] Furthermore, the device-side connector 2e is disposed closer to the outer box 2b than to the inner box 2a. Therefore, the device-side connector 2e is less susceptible to the temperature of the culture space 20, particularly the high temperature that occurs during dry heat sterilization. Moreover, the space into which the dummy body 91 is inserted can be enlarged, in other words, the volume of the dummy body 91 inserted into the insertion opening can be increased. This increases the heat insulating performance of the dummy module 9, i.e., the effect of protecting the device-side connector 2e from heat.

[0058] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the culture device 1 according to the present disclosure. The example of the operation will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0059] When the operating device 50 is operated, the control device 100 receives an operation instruction (S1). Upon receiving the operation instruction, the control device 100 checks the content of the instruction (S2). If the content of the instruction is an instruction for culture operation (culture in S2), the control device 100 checks whether or not the LED module 7 is attached to the box body 2 (S3). If the LED module 7 is attached (YES in S3), the control device 100 operates the atmosphere adjustment devices (circulation blower 5c, gas supply devices 12a, 12b, heater 8, etc.) to operate the culture device 1 in normal operation mode (S4).

[0060] If the LED module 7 is not installed (NO in S3), the control device 100 displays a message on the display unit of the operating device 50 prompting the user to install the LED module 7 (S5). This prevents the operation of culturing a culture from being performed in a state where the LED module 7 is not installed, that is, in a state where sterilization by ultraviolet irradiation cannot be performed.

[0061] Furthermore, if the content of the received operation instruction is an instruction for dry heat operation (dry heat in S2), the control device 100 checks whether or not a dummy module 9 is attached to the box body 2 (S6). If a dummy module 9 is attached (YES in S6), the control device 100 operates the atmosphere adjustment device to operate the culture device 1 in dry heat operation mode (S7).

[0062] If the dummy module 9 is not attached (NO in S6), the control device 100 displays a message on the display unit of the operation device 50 prompting the user to attach the dummy module 9 (S8). This prevents the dry heat operation from being performed when the dummy module 9 is not attached, that is, when there is nothing blocking the path between the device-side connector 2e and the culture space 20.

[0063] The LED module 7 according to the present disclosure includes a metal cylindrical body 71, which facilitates heat transfer. Furthermore, the insertion opening of the box body 2 into which the LED module 7 is inserted has poor thermal insulation. Therefore, when the outside air temperature is low, the temperature at the tip end of the LED module 7 may decrease, which in turn may result in a drop in the temperature of the incubation space 20. To prevent such a drop in temperature, the LED module 7 according to this embodiment may include a heater 77a on the surface of the base-end substrate 77. The control device 100 can activate the heater 77a to prevent a drop in the temperature of the incubation space 20 when the temperature around the incubation device 1, i.e., the outside air temperature, is low. Furthermore, the LED module 7 according to this embodiment may include a metal foil pattern 77b on the surface of the base-end substrate 77. The metal foil pattern 77b allows heat generated by the heater 77a to be efficiently transferred to the cylindrical body 71. Furthermore, the metal foil pattern 77b may be in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 71, specifically the base-end cylindrical body 73, and more specifically the socket joint 73a. This contact allows for more efficient heat transfer. The heater 77a may be attached to a location other than the surface of the base end substrate 77, for example, to the inner surface of the socket joint 73a.

[0064] The culture device 1 according to the present disclosure also includes a resin sleeve 16 disposed between the inner box 2a and the outer box 2b, which can suppress heat transfer between the inside and outside of the box, that is, can suppress the degree of temperature drop in the culture space 20 when the outside air temperature is low.

[0065] As described above, the LED 76a emits heat. Therefore, when the LED 76a is turned off, the temperature of the incubation space 20 drops. Therefore, by operating the heater 77a when the LED 76a is turned off, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the incubation space 20 from dropping. In this case, the power supplied to the heater 77a may be controlled so that the amount of heat imparted to the inner box 2a by the LED 76a when it is activated is approximately equal to the amount of heat imparted to the inner box 2a by the heater 77a when it is activated. By controlling the power in this manner, it is possible to prevent a change in the temperature of the incubation space 20 due to the activation of the LED 76a and the heater 77a.

[0066] As described above, when the outside air temperature is low, the temperature at the tip end of the LED module 7 decreases, which may in turn lower the temperature of the incubation space 20. This characteristic may be utilized conversely to generate condensation on the surface at the tip end of the LED module 7 when the outside air temperature is lower than the dew point inside the box 2, i.e., the incubation space 20. In other words, the LED module 7 may function as a member for adjusting the humidity in the incubation space 20, instead of the condensation member 11a. In this case, the positions of the LED module 7 and the humidifying tray 6 are set so that condensation generated on the surface at the tip end of the LED module 7 falls into the humidifying tray 6. [Industrial Applicability]

[0067] The present disclosure is suitably used as a culture device.

[0068] The disclosures of the specification, claims, drawings and abstract contained in the Japanese application No. 2021-117006, filed on July 15, 2021, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1 Culture device 2 box body 2a Inner box 2a1 bottom wall 2a2 back wall 2b Outer box 2c Insulation 2e Device side connector 2f Cylindrical insulation 3a outer door 3b Inner door 4 shelves 5 Duct 5a Intake port 5b Air outlet 5c circulation blower 6 Humidifying tray 7 LED modules 8, 77a heater 9 Dummy Modules 10 Cover 11a Condensation material 12a, 12b Gas supply device 13 Electrical box 13a Inside the electrical box 14 Engaged part 15, 78 seals 16 sleeve 16a Guide rail 20 Culture space 21 Aperture 50 Operating device 71 Cylinder 72 Tip side cylinder 72a Connection 72b LED storage section 72b1 LED mounting body 72b2 front cap 72b3 Window 72c elbow part 72c1 Proximal end face 73 Proximal tube body 73a Socket Joint 73a1, 91a groove 73a2 Tsuba 73b End cap 74 Coupling 75 Rotation restriction member 76 Tip side board 76a LED 76b Thermal Conduction Sheet 77 Base end board 77b Metal foil pattern 77c, 93a Information retention device 77d Module side connector 91 Dummy body 92 patterns 93 Dummy board 93b dummy connector 100 control device C Cable K gas passage P1 packing RO Ring M Machine room W water

Claims

1. A box having a device-side connector; an LED module that is detachably attached to the device-side connector and that emits ultraviolet light inside the box body, When a dummy module is attached to the device-side connector instead of the LED module, the inside of the box is dry-heat sterilized. Culture device.

2. A box having a device-side connector; an LED module that is detachably attached to the device-side connector and that emits ultraviolet light inside the box; an atmosphere adjusting device for adjusting the atmosphere inside the box; a control device that controls the LED module and the atmosphere adjustment device, The control device When the LED module is attached to the device-side connector, the atmosphere adjustment device is operated in a normal operation mode in which the inside of the box is made to have an atmosphere suitable for culturing a culture; preventing the atmosphere adjustment device from operating in a normal operation mode when the LED module is not attached to the device-side connector; Culture device.

3. The box body includes an inner box and an outer box surrounding the inner box, The device-side connector is disposed closer to the outer box than the inner box. The culture device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The inner box is made of metal, the box body further includes a resin sleeve disposed between the inner box and the outer box and surrounding the device-side connector; The culture device according to claim 3 .

5. an atmosphere adjusting device for adjusting the atmosphere inside the box; a control device that controls the LED module and the atmosphere adjustment device, the control device operates the atmosphere adjustment device to create an atmosphere inside the box suitable for culturing a culture when the LED module is connected to the device-side connector. The culture device according to claim 1 .

6. the control device operates the atmosphere adjustment device to dry-heat sterilize the inside of the box when the dummy module is connected to the device-side connector. The culture device according to claim 5.

Images