Mixing device

Abstract

To provide an agitation device capable of restricting an influence of heat of a driving source on the peripheral environment.SOLUTION: An agitation device includes: agitation rods 15; motors 31A, 31B for generating rotary force for rotating the agitation rods 15; and a case body 13 having a motor chamber 26 where the motors 31A, 31B are housed. In the case body 13, a cool air introduction tube 65 for introducing cool air being a gas for cooling into the motor chamber 26, and a cool air lead-out tube 66 for leading out the air in the motor chamber 26 to the outside are connected. The motor chamber 26 has a sealed structure, and introduces cool air to the motor chamber 26 via the cool air introduction tube 65, and leads out the cool air from the motor chamber 26 via the cool air lead-out tube, thereby circulating the cool air in the motor chamber 26 so as to allow heat exchange with the motors 31A, 31B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a stirring device for stirring a solution in, for example, a well plate, and particularly for stirring a solution in an incubator. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in various research fields such as medicine, pharmacology, biochemistry, and chemistry, well plates are used as tools for experiments, tests, etc. A well plate generally has a plurality of wells formed therein. The number of wells formed in a single well plate varies widely, for example, 6, 24, 96, 384, or 1536 wells. Approximately 1 microliter to several milliliters of solution can be poured into each well (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6343683 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Stirring of solutions such as reagents and compounds may be performed in a constant temperature and humidity environment. For example, in the case of cell culture, a well plate is combined with a stirrer and placed inside an incubator, and the solution is stirred while maintaining the temperature inside the incubator at, for example, approximately 37±1°C and the humidity at 100%. However, the stirrer has a built-in motor (drive source) for rotating the stirrer rod, and this motor generates heat. Therefore, in order to maintain a constant environment around the solution being stirred, it is undesirable for the heat from the motor to affect the surrounding environment.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an agitator capable of suppressing the influence of heat from a drive source on the surrounding environment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An agitation device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a stirrer for stirring the sample contained in the well; a drive source that generates a rotational force for rotating the stirring body; a case body having a drive source chamber in which the drive source is housed, A stirring device that can be housed in a thermostatic device together with the well containing the sample, The case body includes: a cold air introduction pipe for introducing cold air, which is a cooling gas, from an external space of the thermostatic device into the drive source chamber; A cold air outlet pipe is connected to the drive source chamber for guiding the air in the drive source chamber to the space outside the thermostatic device. 、 cold air is introduced into the drive source chamber from a space outside the thermostatic device through the cold air introduction pipe, and the cold air introduced into the drive source chamber is discharged to the space outside the thermostatic device through the cold air discharge pipe, thereby circulating the cold air in the drive source chamber so as to enable heat exchange with the drive source; The cold air is air present in a space outside the thermostatic device, cold air is introduced into the drive source chamber from a space outside the thermostatic device through the cold air introduction pipe, and the cold air introduced into the drive source chamber is discharged as hot air into the space outside the thermostatic device through the cold air discharge pipe, thereby circulating the cold air in the drive source chamber so as to enable heat exchange with the drive source; The cold air is the air present in the space outside the thermostatic device. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a stirring device that can suppress the influence of heat from a driving source on the surrounding environment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a well plate is attached to the agitation device of the first embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the agitation device of the first embodiment with the well plate and well plate cover assembly removed. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which each frame body has been removed from the stirring device of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lid body is removed from the agitator of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first gear group of the agitator of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a plan view showing the agitation device of the first embodiment as viewed from below. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a stirring rod assembly. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a well plate. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first frame body. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a first partition plate. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of a usage situation of the stirring device of the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a graph showing the measurement results of the motor temperature. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of a usage situation of the stirring device of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The stirring device according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows a stirring device 11 according to the first embodiment. This stirring device 11 is combined with a well plate 12 and is used as an integrated unit.

[0010] 2 shows the state in which a well plate cover assembly 16 (described later) and a well plate 12 are separated from the stirrer 11. The stirrer 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped case body 13, and a large number (96 in this case) of stirrers (stirring bodies) 15 protrude parallel to one another from a stirrer-bar protruding surface 14 that constitutes one surface of the case body 13. These stirrers 15 are designed to enter wells 24 of the well plate 12, and the structures of the stirrers 15 and well plate 12 will be described later.

[0011] Case body 13 can be sized, for example, to have a width of approximately 130 mm, a depth of approximately 90 mm, and a height of approximately 100 mm. Case body 13 has a rectangular support plate 17 at its bottom, on which the stirring rod protruding surface 14 is formed. Also, on top of support plate 17, a lid body 23 is positioned as the topmost layer in FIG. 2, and below that, a first frame body 18, a first partition plate 19, a second frame body 20, a second partition plate 21, and a third frame body 22 are stacked and assembled in this order from top to bottom.

[0012] The support plate 17, first partition plate 19, second partition plate 21, and lid 23 are oriented substantially parallel to one another. The distance between the support plate 17 and the second partition plate 21 is ensured by a third frame 22, and the distance between the second partition plate 21 and the first partition plate 19 is ensured by a second frame 20. The top of the first frame 18 is closed by a lid 23.

[0013] In this way, the case body 13 has a laminated structure of a support plate 17, partition plates 19, 21, frame bodies 18, 20, 22, and lid body 23, and is constructed by connecting these parts via relatively long and short screws arranged appropriately.

[0014] 3 shows the case body 13 without the first frame body 18, the second frame body 20, and the third frame body 22. The interior of the case body 13 is divided into three chambers, from the top down: a motor chamber (drive source chamber) 26, a first gear chamber (driving force transmission mechanism chamber) 27, and a second gear chamber (driving force transmission mechanism chamber) 28.

[0015] A first motor (driving source) 31A and a second motor (driving source) 31B, which are multiple motors (two in this case), are installed in the motor chamber 26. Furthermore, a first gear group 32 to a third gear group 34, which are multiple stages (three stages in this case) of gear groups (driving force transmission mechanisms), are installed in the first gear chamber 27 and the second gear chamber 28. These first gear group 32 to third gear group 34 sequentially distribute and transmit the rotational force of each motor 31A, 31B to each stirring rod 15, causing each stirring rod 15 to rotate about its axis.

[0016] FIG. 4 shows the state in which the cover 23 is removed from the case body 13, exposing the interior of the motor chamber 26. The first motor 31A and the second motor 31B are arranged diagonally on the upper surface of the first partition plate 19 so as to be aligned diagonally across the case body 13. A stepping motor is used as each of the motors 31A and 31B. Various common stepping motors can be used. In addition to stepping motors, other types of motors such as brushless motors and brush motors can also be used. The number of motors is not limited to multiple, and may be one (single).

[0017] A heat sink 36 for dissipating heat is attached to each of the motors 31A, 31B. The output shaft (not shown) of each of the motors 31A, 31B faces the first gear chamber 27 located below, and penetrates the first partition plate 19 to protrude into the first gear chamber 27. In other words, two rotating shafts (the output shafts of the motors 31A, 31B) are led out from the motor chamber 26 to the first gear chamber 27. An airtight structure (sealed structure) is employed for the motor chamber 26 in which the first motor 31A and the second motor 31B are disposed, and the airtight structure of the motor chamber 26 will be described later.

[0018] 5 shows the first gear group 32 arranged in the first gear chamber 27. The first gear group 32 is installed on the upper surface of the second partition plate 21. The first gear group 32 is composed of five gears 32A1 to 32A5 driven by the first motor 31A and five gears 32B1 to 32B5 driven by the second motor 31B. The gear designated by reference numeral 32A1 in FIG. 5 (the second gear from the right in the figure) is a drive gear connected to the output shaft of the first motor 31A, and the gear designated by reference numeral 32B1 (the fourth gear from the right in the figure) is a drive gear connected to the output shaft of the second motor 31B.

[0019] 5, reference numerals 32A2 to 32A4 and 32B2 to 32B4 denote output gears that output rotational force to the next-stage second gear group 33 (described later). Drive shafts 37 are inserted into and coupled to these six output gears 32A2 to 32A4 and 32B2 to 32B4, respectively, and these drive shafts 37 penetrate the second partition plate 21 and protrude into the second gear chamber 28 located below. In other words, six rotation shafts (drive shafts 37) are led out from the first gear chamber 27 to the second gear chamber 28.

[0020] 5, reference numerals 32A5 and 32B5 denote transmission gears that transmit rotational force between adjacent output gears (32A2 and 32A3, and 32B3 and 32B4). In the first gear group 32, the rotation of two axes is distributed to three axes, and a total of six (=2×3) axes of rotation are transmitted from the first gear group 32 to the second gear group 33 (FIG. 3) disposed in the second gear chamber 28.

[0021] 3, inside the second gear chamber 28, a second gear group holding plate 38, which has smaller outer dimensions than the second partition plate 21 (and the first partition plate 19, etc.), is installed substantially parallel to the support plate 17 and the second partition plate 21, etc. The second gear chamber 28 is divided into upper and lower sections by the second gear group holding plate 38.

[0022] The second gear group 33 is disposed on the upper surface of the second gear group holding plate 38. Although a detailed description will be omitted, the second gear group 33 distributes the rotation of the six axes in the first gear group 32 described above to four axes each through a combination of transmission gears and output gears, and transmits rotation of a total of 24 (=6×4) axes to the third gear group 34.

[0023] 3, a third gear group 34 is disposed on the underside of the second gear group holding plate 38, and these third gear groups 34 are installed on the upper surface of the support plate 17. Although a detailed explanation will be omitted, the third gear group 34, by combining transmission gears and output gears, further distributes the rotation of the 24 axes of the second gear group 33 described above onto four axes, converting it into rotation of a total of 96 (= 24 × 4) axes. These 96 axes are directly connected to the 96 stirring rods 15 described above, and as the second gear group 33 rotates, the 96 stirring rods 15 rotate simultaneously.

[0024] Fig. 6 shows an arrangement of 96 stirring rods 15. In Fig. 6, each stirring rod 15 is hidden behind a paddle portion 45 (described later), and therefore the paddle portion 45 is given a reference numeral.

[0025] The stirring rods 15 are arranged in groups of 12 along the longitudinal direction of the case body 13, and in groups of 8 along the lateral direction of the case body 13. Furthermore, in Fig. 6, a rectangular frame indicated by a dashed line D encloses a group of 48 stirring rods 15 (4 rows x 12 columns) driven by the first motor 31A, and a rectangular frame indicated by a dashed line E encloses a group of 48 stirring rods 15 (4 rows x 12 columns) driven by the second motor 31B.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 7, the stirring rod 15 is attached to a stirring rod attachment part 41, and together with the stirring rod attachment part 41, it constitutes a stirring rod assembly (stirring rod assembly) 42. The stirring rod attachment part 41 includes a stirring rod drive gear 43 that constitutes the second gear group 33. Furthermore, this stirring rod drive gear 43 is coaxially attached to the stirring rod attachment part 41, and the stirring rod attachment part 41 rotates around its axis while holding the stirring rod 15. In this embodiment, 96 sets of stirring rod assemblies 42, each having a stirring rod 15, are provided.

[0027] Stirring rod 15 has a rectangular plate-shaped paddle portion 45 that performs stirring, and a round rod-shaped stirring shaft 46 that is formed integrally with paddle portion 45. Paddle portion 45 is located at one end of stirring shaft 46 in the axial direction. Furthermore, paddle portion 45 protrudes in the radial direction of stirring shaft 46, and the thickness of paddle portion 45 is approximately the same as or less than the diameter of stirring shaft 46. Stirring rod 15 also has a symmetrical shape with respect to the axis. Furthermore, materials such as metals and plastics that do not affect cell culture are used as the materials for paddle portion 45 and stirring shaft 46.

[0028] In FIG. 7, reference numeral 47 denotes a stepped cylindrical stirring rod insert member, and reference numeral 48 denotes a cylindrical stirring rod holder having a larger diameter than the stirring rod insert member 47. Although not shown, the stirring rod insert member 47 has a male thread portion that is coaxially screwed into the stirring rod holder member 48, and the stirring rod holder member 48 is integrally joined to the stirring rod insert member 47. The stirring shaft 46 is coaxially inserted into and fixed to the stirring rod holder member 48. The stirring shaft 46 passes through the stirring rod holder member 48, with its upper end reaching the stirring rod insert member 47.

[0029] FIG. 8 shows the well plate 12. The well plate 12 is formed in a rectangular plate shape and is made of, for example, synthetic resin. On one surface of the well plate 12, 96 wells 24, which are recesses, are formed in a matrix of 12 rows and 8 columns. The arrangement of these wells 24 corresponds to the arrangement of the stirring rods 15 in the stirring device 11, and each well 24 is designed so that the paddle portion 45 of the stirring rod 15 can enter. Furthermore, each well 24 has a circular opening, and it is possible to pour, for example, several milliliters of solution (sample) into each well 24.

[0030] The well plate 12 is supported by a well plate cover assembly 16. The well plate cover assembly 16 is composed of a plate-shaped well plate cover 10, a cylindrical boss 52, and legs 53. As shown in FIG. 3, the well plate cover 10 is screwed to the cylindrical boss 52 attached to the stirring rod protruding surface 14 of the stirrer 11 via the cylindrical boss 52. The well plate 12 is then placed on the well plate cover 10 of the stirrer 11 and fixed to the stirrer 11. When the well plate 12 is fixed to the stirrer 11, the paddle 45 of the stirring rod 15 is not in contact with the well 24 but is housed in the well 24. The legs 53 are also fixed to the well plate cover 10. When the stirrer 11 is placed on a desk without the well plate 12, the legs 53 support the other parts of the stirrer 11 in a raised position to protect the paddle 45 of the stirring rod 15.

[0031] Next, we will explain the airtight structure (sealed structure) of the motor chamber 26 and the cool air circulation function of the case body 13. First, the motor chamber 26 provided in the case body 13 is closed by a first partition plate 19, a first frame body 18, and a lid body 23. The first frame body 18 is fixed to the first partition plate 19 while being placed on the first partition plate 19.

[0032] 9 shows the first frame 18. The first frame 18 is formed to have a predetermined thickness (for example, about 10 and a few mm), and a recess 57 having a depth of, for example, 1 mm or less to several mm is formed around the entire periphery of a rectangular frame-shaped end face 56 facing the first partition plate 19. A rectangular frame-shaped seal body 58 shown in FIG. 10 is housed in this recess 57.

[0033] The seal body 58 is formed in a sheet shape having an outer shape slightly smaller than the recessed portion 57 of the first frame 18. The thickness of the seal body 58 is set to be somewhat larger than the depth of the recessed portion 57. The material of the seal body 58 can be the same as that of a general rubber packing.

[0034] 11 shows the first partition plate 19. A recess 60 is formed in a plate surface 59 of the first partition plate 19, the recess 60 having a shape that matches with the end surface 56 of the first frame body 18. When the first frame body 18 is placed on the first partition plate 19 so that their contours are aligned, the first frame body 18 matches with the recess 60 of the first partition plate 19 with the seal body 58 fitting into the recess 60 of the first partition plate 19.

[0035] When the first frame 18 is joined to the first partition plate 19 by screwing, the seal body 58 is compressed in the thickness direction and elastically deformed by tightening the screws (not shown). The seal body 58 then comes into surface contact with both the first partition plate 19 and the first frame 18 while applying pressure to them, and the first frame 18 and the first partition plate 19 are airtightly sealed around the entire periphery of the end face 56, which is the abutting surface of the first frame 18.

[0036] 4, a similar seal structure using a seal 58 is also employed between the first frame 18 and the lid 23. When the lid 23 is screwed to the first frame 18, the seal 58 is elastically deformed by the tightening of the screws, and the gap between the first frame 18 and the lid 23 is airtightly sealed around the entire periphery.

[0037] In this embodiment, a structure is adopted in which the output shafts of the motors 31A, 31B pass through the first partition plate 19, and therefore an airtight structure is also adopted in which elastic seal members (not shown) are interposed between the motors 31A, 31B and the first partition plate 19. As the motors 31A, 31B are fastened to the first partition plate 19 with screws, the seal members (not shown) are crushed in the thickness direction and elastically deformed, thereby airtightly sealing the spaces between the motors 31A, 31B and the first partition plate 19.

[0038] In this embodiment, the first gear chamber 27 and the second gear chamber 28 do not have an airtight structure like the motor chamber 26, but the end face of the second frame body 20 is abutted against the first partition plate 19 and the second partition plate 21, and the end face of the third frame body 22 is abutted against the second partition plate 21 and the support plate 17.

[0039] Next, as described above, the first frame 18, whose upper and lower openings are closed by the first partition plate 19 and the lid 23, has two threaded holes drilled in one side thereof, and piping joints 63 are screwed into these threaded holes, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4. These piping joints 63 have male pipe threads (not shown) formed on the outer periphery of their cylindrical portions, and have an overall L-shape. The space between the piping joints 63 and the first frame 18 is airtightly sealed via the above-mentioned pipe threads (not shown).

[0040] Here, a general-purpose pipe joint 63 can be used. It is also possible to improve the sealing performance by placing a sealant around the male thread (not shown) of the pipe joint 63. As the sealant used between the pipe joint 63 and the first frame 18, various general sealants can be used, such as a tape-like material that is wrapped around the male thread, or a paste-like material that hardens at room temperature.

[0041] 1, 2, and 4, reference numeral 64 denotes a round connector electrically connected to each of the motors 31A and 31B. A sealant is also used around this connector 64 and between the first frame 18. In addition to the sealant described above, a rubber tube, a rubber packing, or the like can also be used as the sealant for the connector 64.

[0042] 3 shows the state in which the first frame 18 and the like have been removed, as described above, but in this figure the piping joint 63 is shown floating in the air in order to show the positional relationship between the piping joint 63 and the motors 31A, 31B, etc.

[0043] Each L-shaped piping joint 63 is open at both ends. The internal space of each piping joint 63 is connected to the motor chamber 26, which is the internal space of the first frame 18. Furthermore, although not shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, each piping joint 63 is connected to a pipe for circulating cooling air (cold air). As the pipe, various general types of flexible pipes made of a material such as synthetic resin can be used.

[0044] Also, so-called one-touch joints equipped with a tube fitting mechanism (not shown) are used as each piping joint 63. Pipes can be connected to each piping joint 63 simply by inserting the end of the pipe into the piping joint 63, and the pipes can be disconnected from the piping joint 63 simply by pulling the pipe.

[0045] Next, Fig. 12 shows a schematic diagram of the agitator 11 in use. In Fig. 12, the pipes are denoted by reference numerals 65 and 67. One of the pipes is a cold air inlet pipe 65, and the other is a cold air outlet pipe 66. Furthermore, the agitator 11 is installed in an incubator (constant temperature device) 67, and the cold air inlet pipe 65 and the cold air outlet pipe 66 are led out through the wall of the incubator 67. Here, in Fig. 12, for the sake of simplicity, the piping joint 63 is drawn facing upward.

[0046] Various common incubators can be used as the incubator 67, but the incubator 67 is designed so that air from outside the incubator 67 (outside air) does not enter through any route other than the cold air inlet pipe 65 and the cold air outlet pipe 66. If the incubator 67 is provided with holes (such as gas ports, not shown), these holes can be used to route the cold air inlet pipe 65, the cold air outlet pipe 66, and the electrical wiring connected to the connector 64 (FIG. 1). Furthermore, the gaps in the holes through which the cold air inlet pipe 65, the cold air outlet pipe 66, and the electrical wiring pass can be filled with, for example, silicone sponge to ensure airtightness.

[0047] Incubator 67 has its internal temperature and humidity (temperature and humidity) controlled. When cell culture or the like is performed, the temperature of the internal space of incubator 67 is maintained at 37±1°C and the humidity at approximately 100%. Maintaining the humidity at approximately 100% prevents evaporation of the stirred solution. Furthermore, incubator 67 can be provided with stirring device 11 combined with well plate 12. Solution 68 (such as a solution of a reagent compound or a drug compound) contained in well 24 is stirred by paddle portion 45 of stirring rod 15.

[0048] 12, the configuration of the agitator 11 and the incubator 67 is largely omitted in order to explain the circulation of cool air in the agitator 11 of the first embodiment. In addition, in FIG. 12, each of the motors 31A and 31B is shown rotating one agitator rod 15 without passing through the various gear groups 32 to 34 described above. Furthermore, only two wells 24 of the well plate 12 are shown.

[0049] An air pump (forced supply device) 69 is provided at a location midway along the above-mentioned cold air introduction pipe 65. The air pump 69 is installed outside the incubator 67. Furthermore, the end of the cold air introduction pipe 65 beyond the air pump 69 opens into the space outside the incubator 67. When the air pump 69 operates, cold air outside the incubator 67 is sucked in (sucked in) through the cold air introduction pipe 65 and sent into the motor chamber 26 of the agitator 11.

[0050] Here, the cold air used is air at room temperature in the environment (installation environment) where incubator 67 is installed. An example of room temperature is about 20°C, but this room temperature may be the temperature of the room adjusted by an air conditioner (air conditioner) or the temperature of the room when the air conditioner is not in operation. In other words, the temperature of the cold air is the temperature of the air in the installation environment of incubator 67, and no special temperature adjustment has been performed, for example, by passing the air in the installation environment through a cooler to further lower the temperature.

[0051] As described above, the motor chamber 26 has an airtight structure, and the air introduced into the motor chamber 26 flows within the motor chamber 26 without leaking out. Furthermore, the air within the motor chamber 26 is pushed out by the subsequent air flowing into the motor chamber 26 and flows into the cool air outlet pipe 66. The distal end of the cool air outlet pipe 66 opens into the space outside the incubator 67. Therefore, the air pushed out from the motor chamber 26 is discharged (exhausted) into the space outside the incubator 67. Air then circulates between the motor chamber 26 and the space outside the incubator 67.

[0052] In the motor chamber 26, heat is exchanged between the above-described cold air and each of the motors 31A, 31B, and each of the motors 31A, 31B is cooled by the cold air. Then, the hot air in the motor chamber 26 is exhausted to the outside of the incubator 67 via the cold air outlet pipe 66.

[0053] Figure 13 shows the experimental results of the temperature change of a motor when it is cooled with cold air. The horizontal axis of the graph in Figure 13 represents elapsed time, and the vertical axis represents the motor temperature. Furthermore, the solid curve shows the temperature change when the motor is cooled (with cooling), and the dashed-dotted curve shows the temperature change when the motor is not cooled (without cooling).

[0054] As shown by the dashed-dotted line, the motor temperature without cooling rose from the high 20s to 70°C in about 10 minutes, and then gradually rose to around 75°C. In contrast, the motor temperature with cooling, as shown by the solid line, rose from the high 20s to the high 30s after a few minutes, but then remained almost constant even after 20 minutes. The motor temperature was measured by attaching a thermocouple to the motor and monitoring the temperature change. The motor rotation speed was 100 rpm.

[0055] Thus, when the motor was cooled by supplying outside air, the motor temperature was 30°C or more lower than when it was not cooled, demonstrating a significant cooling effect. Furthermore, when it was not cooled, the motor temperature was significantly higher than, for example, about 37°C, the temperature inside the incubator during cell culture. However, when it was cooled, it stabilized at about 37°C, the same temperature inside the incubator. Therefore, in the agitation device 11 of this embodiment, cooling of each motor 31A, 31B is similarly performed, and a cooling effect by cold air is obtained.

[0056] According to the agitator 11 described above, the motor chamber 26 has an airtight structure, so that the air inside the motor chamber 26 circulates between the motor chamber 26 and the outside of the incubator 67 without leaking out of the motor chamber 26. This makes it possible to prevent the heat from the motors 31A, 31B from increasing the temperature inside the incubator 67 and affecting the temperature conditions of the incubator 67. This also makes it possible to prevent the heat from the motors 31A, 31B from making it difficult to establish the test temperature conditions in the incubator 67.

[0057] Furthermore, because the motor chamber 26 has an airtight structure, when the agitator 11 is used in an incubator 67 under high humidity conditions, the humid air inside the incubator 67 can be prevented from entering the motor chamber 26. This prevents the motors 31A, 31B from being exposed to the humid air inside the incubator 67, which could cause malfunctions or the like in the motors 31A, 31B. Furthermore, if a control board for the motor is housed in the motor chamber 26, the control board can also be prevented from being exposed to the humid air.

[0058] Furthermore, the motors 31A, 31B are cooled, and the air used for cooling is exhausted to the outside of the incubator 67 without flowing into the incubator 67, thereby preventing the temperature of the solution, which is the sample to be stirred, from rising due to heat transfer to the components around the motor chamber 26 or heat dissipation to the surrounding space. As a result, the heat generated by the motors 31A, 31B is prevented from affecting experiments using the stirring device 11. Furthermore, by using a material with low thermal conductivity, such as synthetic resin, for the stirring rod 15, the heat generated can be prevented from affecting experiments more reliably.

[0059] If motor chamber 26 were not airtight, heated air from each motor 31A, 31B would flow into incubator 67 and mix with the air in motor chamber 26 and the air inside incubator 67. For example, it would be possible to cool the motor by installing a fan facing the motor, as in the agitator disclosed in Patent Document 1 mentioned above. However, if the agitator disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used under humid conditions inside an incubator, the lack of an airtight structure would allow air inside the incubator to flow into the agitator, potentially causing damage to the motor, circuit board, etc.

[0060] Furthermore, in the agitator of Patent Document 1, the air that hits the motor when the fan is operating is released outside the agitator in a heated state. Therefore, when the agitator of Patent Document 1 is used inside an incubator, the air that hits the motor and becomes heated circulates inside the incubator, presumably affecting the temperature inside the incubator. Furthermore, in the agitator of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to ensure air flow by the fan, making it difficult to create an airtight structure around the fan and motor.

[0061] In contrast, the agitator 11 of this embodiment circulates the outside air of the agitator 11 into the motor chamber 26 via the piping joints 63, the cold air inlet pipe 65, and the cold air outlet pipe 66, thereby making it possible to cool the motors 31A, 31B without using a fan and enabling the adoption of a sealed structure for the motor chamber 26. As a result, even when the agitator 11 is used inside an incubator 67, the cold air inlet pipe 65 and the cold air outlet pipe 66 are spatially connected to the outside of the incubator 67, making it possible to easily cool the motors 31A, 31B.

[0062] Furthermore, according to the stirring device 11 of this embodiment, the motors 31A, 31B can be cooled without introducing the humid air in the incubator 67 into the motor chamber 26, and therefore, as mentioned above, even if electronic devices such as control boards are installed in the motor chamber 26, these electronic devices can be prevented from being exposed to the humid air.

[0063] Furthermore, according to the agitator 11 of this embodiment, the motors 31A, 31B can be cooled without incorporating a fan, which allows for miniaturization. Furthermore, since miniaturization is possible, even if a driving force transmission device such as the first gear group 32 to the third gear group 34 is provided, the overall size does not increase significantly.

[0064] Furthermore, since the heat sink 36 is provided for each of the motors 31A and 31B, it is possible to efficiently dissipate heat to the outside air introduced into the motor chamber 26 via a limited path.

[0065] The agitator 11 according to this embodiment is not limited to the above-described configuration and can be modified in various ways. For example, in this embodiment, the air pump 69 is installed on the side of the cool air inlet pipe 65, but the present invention is not limited to this. The air pump 69 may be installed on the side of the cool air outlet pipe 66 to draw outside air into the motor chamber 26.

[0066] In addition, in this embodiment, the air outside the incubator 67 is forcibly supplied to the motor chamber 26 by the air pump 69, but other examples of means for forcibly supplying outside air (cold air supply means) can also be used, such as an air cylinder (not shown) containing compressed air, or a nitrogen gas cylinder (not shown) containing nitrogen gas.

[0067] Furthermore, it is also possible to circulate cold air without using a cold air supply means such as an air pump 69 or various cylinders, for example, by utilizing the difference in air pressure between the air pressure outside the incubator 67 and the air pressure inside the motor chamber 26 (pressure difference).

[0068] In this embodiment, the cold air used is outside air that has not undergone any special temperature adjustment. This allows cold air to be obtained easily and inexpensively. However, this is not limiting. For example, air that has been temperature-adjusted or temperature-controlled in advance for cooling the motors 31A and 31B can also be used as cold air.

[0069] In addition, in this embodiment, stepping motors are used as the first motor 31A and the second motor 31B, making it possible to adjust the rotation speed during stirring. Furthermore, because stepping motors are used, there is almost no change in heat generation due to changes in rotation speed, and the amount of heat generated by the motors does not change significantly even when the rotation speed is increased or decreased. This allows for a stable cooling effect to be achieved in various experiments with different rotation speeds. Furthermore, because stepping motors generally generate a large amount of heat, adopting an airtight structure and cooling mechanism as in this embodiment to cool the motors can more effectively suppress the impact of exhaust heat on the surroundings of the stirring device 11.

[0070] It is also possible to detect the temperature in the motor chamber 26, the case body 13, or the incubator 67, and automatically control the flow rate of the air pump 69 while monitoring the temperature, thereby making the temperature environment more suitable for the experiment.

[0071] Furthermore, although the first gear group 32 to the third gear group 34 are used as the driving force transmission mechanism, this is not limited to this, and the driving force of each motor 31A, 31B may be transmitted to the stirring rod 15 via, for example, a belt (endless belt) or a pulley.

[0072] Furthermore, the first gear chamber 27 and the second gear chamber 28 may each have an airtight structure similar to that of the motor chamber 26, and each may be an independent space. Furthermore, for example, it is also possible to adopt an airtight structure for either the first gear chamber 27 or the second gear chamber, and not adopt an airtight structure for the other.

[0073] In these cases, cool air can be supplied to a gear chamber that employs an airtight structure. For example, if an airtight structure is employed for both the first gear chamber 27 and the second gear chamber 28, cool air inlet pipes and cool air outlet pipes can be connected to the first gear chamber 27 and the second gear chamber 28, similar to the motor chamber 26, although this is not shown. In this case, cool air is supplied independently to the motor chamber 26, the first gear chamber 27, and the second gear chamber 28.

[0074] Furthermore, if an airtight structure is adopted for only one of the first gear chamber 27 and the second gear chamber 28, a cold air inlet pipe and a cold air outlet pipe are connected to the gear chamber that adopts the airtight structure, just like the motor chamber 26.

[0075] By doing so, it is possible to prevent temperature rises in each chamber while preventing air from passing between the motor chamber 26, the first gear chamber 27, and the second gear chamber 28. Furthermore, even if heat from each of the motors 31A, 31B is transferred to each component of the first gear chamber 27 or the second gear chamber 28, it is possible to cool each chamber directly.

[0076] It is also possible to employ an airtight structure between the motor chamber 26 and the lid 23, and between the second gear chamber 28 and the support plate 17, and combine the motor chamber 26, the first gear chamber 27, and the second gear chamber 28 into a single space to which cool air is supplied. In this way, even if the range of the area to be cooled is expanded, the number of sets of piping joints, cool air inlet pipes, and cool air outlet pipes can be reduced.

[0077] Furthermore, for example, a flow path (not shown) that allows air to pass between the motor chamber 26 and the first gear chamber 27 may be formed in the first partition plate 19, and a flow path (not shown) that allows air to pass between the first gear chamber 27 and the second gear chamber 28 may be formed in the second partition plate 21. In this case, cool air from the motor chamber 26 can be supplied to the first gear chamber 27 and the second gear chamber 28 to cool them.

[0078] Next, an agitator 71 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 14 schematically illustrates the agitator 71 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 14, the same components as those in the agitator 11 of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted where appropriate. For the sake of simplicity, FIG. 14 shows one agitator rod 15 associated with each of the first motor 31A and the second motor 31B. However, as in the first embodiment described above, by distributing the driving force of the first motor 31A and the second motor 31B using the first gear group 32 to the third gear group 34, it is possible to drive a greater number of agitators 15 than the number of motors.

[0079] 14, motor-side magnets (driving force transmission mechanisms) 72 and 73 are provided on the sides of first motor 31A and second motor 31B. These motor-side magnets 72 and 73 are rotated by first motor 31A and second motor 31B. Stirring bar 15 is provided with stirring bar-side magnets (driving force transmission mechanisms) 74 and 75, and the stirring bar-side magnets 74 and 75 are separated from the motor-side magnets 72 and 73 by second partition plates 21a and 21b of case body 13.

[0080] The motor-side magnets 72, 73 and the stirring bar-side magnets 74, 75 are spaced apart from the second partition plate 21a, and a gap 76 is formed between the motor-side magnets 72, 73 and the stirring bar-side magnets 74, 75. There is no mechanical connection between the motor-side magnets 72, 73 and the stirring bar-side magnets 74, 75, and the second partition plates 21a, 21b fit into the gap 76.

[0081] Furthermore, the motor-side magnets 72 and 73 are disposed in a motor-side magnet chamber (driving force transmission mechanism chamber) 77 formed in the case body 13, and the stirrer-side magnets 74 and 75 are disposed in a stirrer-side magnet chamber (driving force transmission mechanism chamber) 78 also formed in the case body 13. The motor-side magnet chamber 77 and the stirrer-side magnet chamber 78 are separably connected to each other by separating the second partition plates 21a and 21b. The second partition plate 21a on the motor-side magnet chamber 77 side and the second partition plate 21b on the stirrer-side magnet chamber 78 side are connected via a positioning mechanism (not shown) so that they maintain the same positional relationship when reconnected. Alternatively, mechanical connecting means such as screws or engaging claws can be used. The second partition plate 21a on the motor-side magnet chamber 77 side and the second partition plate 21b on the stirrer-side magnet chamber 78 side may be integrally formed so that they cannot be easily separated from each other.

[0082] When motors 31A, 31B are operated, a rotational force is transmitted to motor-side magnets 72, 73, causing motor-side magnets 72, 73 to rotate. Furthermore, the rotational force of motor-side magnets 72, 73 is transmitted to stirrer-side magnets 74, 75 via the magnetic force between motor-side magnets 72, 73 and stirrer-side magnets 74, 75, causing stirrer-side magnets 74, 75 to rotate. Then, stirrer 15 rotates, stirring the solution.

[0083] The motor chamber 26 in which the first motor 31A and the second motor 31B are installed has an airtight structure, as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, two piping joints 63 are screwed into the motor chamber 26, and a cool air inlet pipe 65 is connected to one of the piping joints 63, and a cool air outlet pipe 66 is connected to the other piping joint 63.

[0084] An air pump 69 is provided midway along the cool air intake pipe 65, and the air pump 69 supplies the outside air (cool air) from the incubator 67 to the motor chamber 26. Then, in the motor chamber 26, the motors 31A and 31B are cooled, and the hot air is exhausted to the outside of the incubator 67 via the cool air outlet pipe 66.

[0085] In this way, even in the stirrer 71 of the type in which driving force is transmitted via magnetic force between the motor-side magnets 72, 73 and the stirrer-bar-side magnets 74, 75, the motors 31A, 31B can be cooled in the same manner as the stirrer 11 of the first embodiment. Therefore, even when the stirrer 71 of the second embodiment is used in an incubator 67, the heat from the motors 31A, 31B can be prevented from affecting the environment inside the incubator 67. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent electronic devices such as the motors 31A, 31B from breaking down due to the humid air inside the incubator 67.

[0086] Furthermore, since the rotational force of each of the motors 31A and 31B is transmitted contactlessly via magnetic force, the case body 13 can be easily sealed.

[0087] The present invention is not limited to the stirring device 11 according to the first embodiment or the stirring device 71 according to the second embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0088] (Embodiments of the invention) A first embodiment of the present invention includes a stirrer for stirring a sample contained in a well; a drive source that generates a rotational force for rotating the stirring body; a case body having a drive source chamber in which the drive source is housed, The case body includes: a cold air inlet pipe for introducing cold air, which is a cooling gas, into the drive source chamber, and a cold air outlet pipe for discharging the air in the drive source chamber to the outside, The driving source chamber has a sealed structure, This is an agitation device that introduces cold air into the drive source chamber through the cold air inlet pipe, and discharges the cold air from the drive source chamber through the cold air outlet pipe, circulating the cold air in the drive source chamber so that heat exchange with the drive source is possible. This prevents the air in the drive source chamber from leaking out to the periphery of the drive source chamber, thereby preventing the temperature in the periphery from rising.

[0089] A second embodiment of the present invention is the first embodiment, further characterized in that the cold air is outside air of the thermostatic device, The driving source chamber is placed in the thermostatic chamber, and the sample is stirred in the environment inside the thermostatic chamber, and the air outside the thermostatic chamber is circulated through the driving source chamber. This prevents the air in the drive source chamber from leaking into the temperature-controlled chamber, thereby preventing the temperature inside the temperature-controlled chamber from rising.

[0090] A third embodiment of the present invention is the first or second embodiment, further characterized in that the cold air is circulated by a forced supply device that forcibly supplies the cold air to the drive source chamber. This produces the effect of forcibly generating a flow of cool air, and more reliably circulating the cool air in the drive source chamber.

[0091] A fourth embodiment of the present invention is any one of the first to third embodiments, further comprising a driving force transmission mechanism between the driving source and the stirring body, which transmits the driving force of the driving source to the stirring body; The case body is A driving force transmission mechanism chamber for accommodating the driving force transmission mechanism is provided between the driving source chamber and the agitator. This provides an advantage that the drive force transmission mechanism chamber is interposed between the drive source chamber and the agitator, making it easier to ensure a sufficient distance between the drive source and the agitator.

[0092] A fifth embodiment of the present invention is the fourth embodiment, further comprising a plurality of the stirring bodies, the number of the driving sources is equal to or less than the number of the stirring bodies; The driving force transmission mechanism distributes the driving force of the driving source to the plurality of agitators. This allows the drive source to drive a plurality of agitators, and provides the effect of being able to rotate a greater number of agitators than the number of drive sources. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 11, 71...Stirring device, 12...Well plate, 13...Case body, 15...Stirring rod (stirring body), 24...Well, 26...Motor chamber (driving source chamber), 27...First gear chamber (driving force transmission mechanism chamber), 28...Second gear chamber (driving force transmission mechanism chamber), 31A...First motor (driving source), 31B...Second motor (driving source), 32...First gear group (driving force transmission mechanism), 33...Second gear group (driving force transmission mechanism), 34...Third Gear group (driving force transmission mechanism), 65...cold air inlet pipe, 66...cold air outlet pipe, 67...incubator (constant temperature device), 68...solution (sample), 69...air pump (forced supply device), 72, 73...motor side magnet (driving force transmission mechanism), 74, 75...stirring rod side magnet (driving force transmission mechanism), 77...motor side magnet chamber (driving force transmission mechanism chamber), 78...stirring rod side magnet chamber (driving force transmission mechanism chamber)

Claims

1. a stirrer for stirring the sample contained in the well; a drive source that generates a rotational force for rotating the stirring body; a case body having a drive source chamber in which the drive source is housed, A stirring device that can be housed in a thermostatic device together with the well containing the sample, The case body includes: a cold air introduction pipe for introducing cold air, which is a cooling gas, from an external space of the thermostatic device into the drive source chamber; a cool air outlet pipe for guiding the air in the drive source chamber to a space outside the thermostatic device is connected to the drive source chamber; cold air is introduced into the drive source chamber from a space outside the thermostatic device through the cold air inlet pipe, and the cold air introduced into the drive source chamber is discharged to the space outside the thermostatic device through the cold air outlet pipe, thereby circulating the cold air in the drive source chamber so as to enable heat exchange with the drive source; The cold air is air present in a space outside the thermostatic device, cold air is introduced into the drive source chamber from a space outside the thermostatic device through the cold air introduction pipe, and the cold air introduced into the drive source chamber is discharged as hot air into the space outside the thermostatic device through the cold air discharge pipe, thereby circulating the cold air in the drive source chamber so as to enable heat exchange with the drive source; The cold air is air present in the space outside the thermostatic device.

2. 2. The agitator according to claim 1, wherein the cold air is circulated by a forced supply device that forcibly supplies the cold air into the drive source chamber.

3. a driving force transmission mechanism is provided between the driving source and the stirring body, which transmits the driving force of the driving source to the stirring body as the rotational force; The case body is 3. The stirring device according to claim 1, further comprising a driving force transmission mechanism chamber for accommodating the driving force transmission mechanism, located between the driving source chamber and the stirring body.

4. A plurality of the stirring bodies are provided, the number of the driving sources is equal to or less than the number of the stirring bodies; The stirring device according to claim 3 , wherein the driving force transmission mechanism distributes the driving force of the driving source to the plurality of stirring bodies.

Images