Centrifuge and a set of mounting containers applicable to the centrifuge.

Abstract

Products mainly composed of powders, etc. To provide a centrifuge capable of performing the desired processing even when a material to be processed is used. [Solution] Centrifuge 1 is, The system comprises an orbital body 10 that can rotate about an orbital axis L1, a rotating body 20 attached to the orbital body 10 and that can rotate about an axis L2, a container set 200 held by the rotating body 20, and a drive unit 40 capable of applying rotational force to the orbital body 10 and the rotating body 20. The container set 200 includes a first container 210 which is a sphere for storing the material to be processed M, and a second container 220 which is a bottomed cylindrical container for storing the first container 210. The first container 210 moves within the second container 220 due to the rotation of the orbital body 10 and the rotating body 20.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a centrifuge and a container set applicable to the centrifuge. The present invention also relates to a method for treating a material to be treated using the centrifuge.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a centrifuge that processes a material to be treated stored in a container by rotating the container while revolving it. This centrifuge is used for various applications. For example, it is used as an agitation / degassing device that simultaneously performs agitation processing and degassing processing of a material to be treated (Patent Document 1). Further, this centrifuge is also used as a ball mill that pulverizes a material to be treated (see Patent Document 2). Furthermore, this centrifuge is also used as an emulsifying device that emulsifies a material to be treated (see Patent Document 3). In addition, this centrifuge is also used as a dispersing device that disperses a material to be treated, a polishing device that polishes a material to be treated, and the like.

[0003] Here, for example, when a material to be treated mainly composed of powder is used, as a result of processing with a centrifuge, the material to be treated may be pressed and solidified by centrifugal force or the like due to revolution inside the container, and the desired processing may not be possible.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. Its purpose is to provide a centrifuge capable of performing desired processing even when a material to be processed mainly consists of powder, a container set applicable to the centrifuge, and a method for processing a material to be processed using the centrifuge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention, which solves the above problems, is comprised of the following inventive features or technical characteristics.

[0007] (1) That is, an invention according to a certain view is a centrifuge comprising: an orbital body rotatable about an orbital axis; a rotating body attached to the orbital body and rotatable about an axis of rotation; a container set held by the rotating body; and a drive unit capable of applying rotational force to the orbital body and the rotating body, wherein the container set includes a first container which is a sphere for storing a material to be processed, and a second container which is a bottomed cylindrical container for storing the first container, and the first container moves within the second container due to the rotation of the orbital body and the rotating body.

[0008] In this application, any shape that can roll freely, not just a perfect sphere with an oblateness of zero, is treated as a sphere. For example, an ellipsoid with an oblateness of up to approximately 0.1 is treated as a sphere. Furthermore, even if a perfect sphere or an ellipsoid with an oblateness of up to approximately 0.1 has some kind of structure such as bumps or grooves on its outer surface, or if some other component is attached, it is treated as a sphere as long as it can roll freely, as long as it can maintain the ability to roll freely as a perfect sphere.

[0009] Furthermore, in this application, granular materials are also treated as powders.

[0010] (2) The invention of (1) further comprises a thermometer for measuring the temperature of the first container or the material to be processed, and a control unit for controlling the drive unit based on the temperature measured by the thermometer, wherein the control unit can control the drive unit such that the ratio of the rotational speed of the rotating body to the rotational speed of the orbiting body decreases when the temperature measured by the thermometer exceeds a predetermined value.

[0011] (3) In addition, in the invention of (1) or (2), the first container may have a friction member that covers at least a portion of its outer surface and increases friction with the inner surface of the second container.

[0012] (4) In addition, in the invention of (1) or (2), the second container may have a friction member that covers at least a portion of the inner surface and increases friction with the outer surface of the first container.

[0013] (5) In addition, in the invention of (1) or (2), the second container may have projections on its inner surface that can come into contact with the first container.

[0014] (6) Another invention according to a certain viewpoint is a container set held on the rotating body of a centrifuge, comprising: an orbital body rotatable about an orbital axis; a rotating body attached to the orbital body and rotatable about an axis of rotation; and a drive unit capable of applying rotational force to the orbital body and the rotating body, the container set comprising: a first container which is a sphere for storing a material to be processed; and a second container which is a bottomed cylindrical container for storing the first container, wherein the first container moves within the second container due to the rotation of the orbital body and the rotating body.

[0015] (7) Another invention according to a certain viewpoint is a method for processing a material to be processed in a centrifuge comprising: an orbital body rotatable about an orbital axis; a rotating body attached to the orbital body and rotatable about an axis of rotation; and a drive unit capable of applying rotational force to the orbital body and the rotating body, the method comprising: placing the material to be processed in a first container which is spherical and included in a container set; placing the first container in a second container which is bottomed and cylindrical and included in the container set; having the rotating body hold the second container; and processing the material to be processed by rotating the orbital body and the rotating body with the drive unit to move the first container within the second container. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, for example, a centrifuge capable of performing desired processing even when a material to be processed mainly consists of powder is used, a container set applicable to the centrifuge, and a method for processing the material to be processed using the centrifuge can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is an end view showing a schematic configuration of a centrifuge according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart illustrating a processing method for a material to be processed according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged end view of the first container relating to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged end view of the second container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are merely examples, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications and applications of technologies not explicitly described below. The present invention can be implemented with various modifications (for example, combining each embodiment) without departing from its gist.

[0019] In addition, the present invention substantially determines each numerical value. For example, in the case where the first numerical value and the second numerical value are equal, in the present invention, if the effects exhibited when the values of both are strictly equal mathematically are equivalent, even if there is a difference between the values of both, they are treated as equal. Also, in the description of the following drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. The drawings are schematic and do not necessarily match the actual dimensions, ratios, etc. There may be parts where the dimensional relationships and ratios are different between the drawings.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a centrifuge according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the centrifuge 1 includes a revolving body 10, a rotating body 20, a support substrate 30, a drive unit 40, and a control unit 50. In addition, the centrifuge 1 includes a balance weight, a housing, and a partitioning body that partitions a space including the area where the revolving body 10 rotates, etc., which are not shown. Note that the centrifuge 1 can also be understood as including a container set 200.

[0021] The revolving body 10 includes a shaft portion 11, a first arm 12, and a second arm 13. The revolving body 10 is rotatably supported by the support substrate 30 at the shaft portion 11 and is rotated about a revolution axis L1, which is a virtual straight line, by the drive unit 40.

[0022] The first arm 12 extends in a first direction perpendicular to the orbital axis L1 and is configured to bend upward midway, to which the rotating body 20 is attached. The second arm 13 extends in a second direction opposite to the first direction and is configured to which the balance weights are attached to balance the rotation of the orbital body 10 and improve quietness, etc. It is also conceivable that the second arm 13 extends in a second direction and is configured to bend upward midway, to which a different rotating body 20 from the one attached to the first arm 12 is attached.

[0023] The rotating body 20 is composed of a shaft portion 21 and a holder portion 22. The rotating body 20 is rotatably held by the shaft portion 21 toward the tip of the bent portion of the first arm 12 of the orbiting body 10, and is rotated by the drive unit 40 around a virtual straight line, the rotation axis L2. Based on the above arrangement, the rotation axis L2 has a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the orbital axis L1. That is, the rotation axis L2 intersects the orbital axis L1 above the rotation axis L2.

[0024] The holder portion 22 is configured as a bottomed cylindrical shape, with an open end opposite to the shaft portion 21. The holder portion 22 receives and holds the container set 200 from the bottom through this open portion.

[0025] The drive unit 40 is composed of, for example, a motor, and gears, pulleys, and belts that transmit the rotational force generated by the motor to the shafts 11 and 21. The control unit 50 controls the operation of the entire centrifuge 1, including controlling the operation of the drive unit 40. The control unit 50 may include an input unit (not shown) for receiving user input, an output unit (not shown) for informing the user of the operating status of the centrifuge 1, etc.

[0026] In the centrifuge 1 configured as described above, the container set 200 containing the material to be processed M is held in the holder portion 22 of the rotating body 20, and the rotating body 20 rotates around the rotation axis L2 while the rotating body 10 rotates around the rotation axis L1. As a result, the container set 200 revolves around the rotation axis L1 and rotates around the rotation axis L2, so that the material to be processed M contained in the container set 200 is processed.

[0027] The container set 200 comprises a first container 210 and a second container 220. The first container 210 houses the material to be processed M inside. The first container 210 is spherical and can roll freely when an external force is applied. The first container 210 may be, for example, a capsule formed by joining two hollow hemispheres. The first container 210 also houses an amount of the material to be processed M that is movable inside it. For example, the first container 210 houses an amount of the material to be processed M that is 80% or less of its maximum capacity.

[0028] The second container 220 houses the first container 210. 2nd container 220 The first container 210 is housed inside a bottomed cylindrical container, for example, a bottomed cylindrical container. The second container 220 may have a lid (not shown) attached to its opening, for example, a lid equipped with a thermometer for non-contact measurement of the temperature of the first container 210 or the material M to be processed. The second container 220 allows the first container 210 to move inside it due to the rotation of the orbital body 10 and the rotating body 20.

[0029] The material to be treated M is mainly composed of powder, and its composition and application are not particularly limited. The material to be treated M may not contain any components other than the main component, and may contain liquid components (solvents, oils, etc.) as components other than the main component.

[0030] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for processing a material M using a centrifuge according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] First, the user of centrifuge 1 places the material to be processed M into the first container 210 of the container set 200 (S201). Next, the user places the first container 210, which contains the material to be processed M, into the second container 220 of the container set 200 (S202). At this time, the user does not fix the first container 210 inside the second container 220, but rather allows the first container 210 to move freely within the internal space of the second container 220.

[0032] Next, the user places the second container 220, which contains the first container 210, that is, the container set 200, into the holder portion 22 of the rotating body 20 of the centrifuge 1 (S203).

[0033] Next, the user operates the centrifuge 1 by manipulating the control unit 50, etc. (S204). As a result, the drive unit 40 rotates the orbital body 10 around the orbital axis L1 and the rotating body 20 around the rotational axis L2. As a result of the drive unit 40 rotating the orbital body 10 and the rotating body 20, the container set 200 revolves around the orbital axis L1 while rotating on the rotational axis L2. Here, the first container 210 is a sphere and can roll freely, and the second container 220 allows the first container 210 to move inside it due to the rotation of the orbital body 10 and the rotating body 20. Therefore, as a rule, the first container 210 moves to a position on the centrifugal side of the orbital axis L1 inside the second container 220, as shown in Figure 1. However, the first container 210, influenced by friction between its outer surface and the inner surface of the second container 220, rotates together with the second container 220 around its axis of rotation L2. As a result, it moves away from its centrifugal position relative to the orbital axis L1 within the second container 220, then rolls inside the second container 220, returning to its centrifugal position relative to the orbital axis L1 within the second container 220. In other words, it repeats a complex rolling motion. Due to this motion of the first container 210, the material to be processed M contained in the first container 210 does not become compressed and solidified within the first container 210, but moves in a complex manner inside the first container 210, allowing it to undergo the desired processing (e.g., stirring, grinding, etc.).

[0034] Next, the user or control unit 50 determines whether the processing of the material M to be processed in the centrifuge 1 is complete (S205). For example, the user or control unit 50 measures the time since the centrifuge 1 was started and determines whether the processing of the material M to be processed is complete based on whether the measured time has reached the planned operating time of the centrifuge 1. If the user or control unit 50 determines that the processing of the material M to be processed is complete (YES in S205), the process proceeds to S206. On the other hand, if the user or control unit 50 determines that the processing of the material M to be processed is not complete (NO in S205), the process remains in S205 and waits.

[0035] Next, the user stops the centrifuge 1 by operating the control unit 50, or the control unit 50 stops the centrifuge 1 (S206). After that, the user removes the second container 220 from the centrifuge 1, and then removes the first container 210 from the second container 220, and can use the processed material M processed in the first container 210.

[0036] Table 1 shows the experimental results. In Examples, Comparative Example 1, Comparative Example 2, Comparative Example 3, and Comparative Example 4, alumina powder and alginate powder were used as the material to be treated M, with a weight ratio of alumina powder to alginate powder of 8:1. A centrifuge 1 manufactured by Synkey Co., Ltd., ARE-310 was used. The operating time of centrifuge 1 was 30 seconds, and the operating mode was set to stirring mode. The individual conditions other than those mentioned above for Examples, Comparative Example 1, Comparative Example 2, Comparative Example 3, and Comparative Example 4 are as follows. (Examples) • A spherical container with a diameter (outer diameter) of 38 mm was used as the first container 210. • The material to be processed, M, is placed in the first container 210 in an amount equivalent to 40% of the first container 210's maximum capacity. • A bottomed cylindrical container with an inner diameter of 76 mm was used as the second container, 220. • Do not fix the first container 210 to the second container 220. (Comparative Example 1) A spherical container with a diameter (outer diameter) of 38 mm (the same container as the first container 210 in the example) was used as comparative example container A, corresponding to the first container 210. - 40% of the maximum capacity of comparative example container A is used to store the material to be treated, M, in comparative example container A. • As comparative example container B corresponding to the second container 220, a bottomed cylindrical container with an inner diameter of 76 mm (the same container as the second container 220 in the example) was used. • Secure comparative example container A to comparative example container B. (Comparative Example 2) • As a comparative example container C corresponding to the first container 210, a spheroidal container with a major axis of 47 mm and a minor axis of 32 mm was used (flatness 0.3). - 40% of the maximum capacity of comparative example container C is used to store the material M to be treated in comparative example container C. • As comparative example container B corresponding to the second container 220, a bottomed cylindrical container with an inner diameter of 76 mm (the same container as the second container 220 in the example) was used. • Do not fix comparative example container C to comparative example container B. (Comparative Example 3) • As comparative example container C corresponding to container 1 210, a spheroidal container with a major axis of 47 mm and a minor axis of 32 mm (the same container as comparative example container C in comparative example 2) was used (flatness 0.3). - 40% of the maximum capacity of comparative example container C is used to store the material M to be treated in comparative example container C. • As comparative example container B corresponding to the second container 220, a bottomed cylindrical container with an inner diameter of 76 mm (the same container as the second container 220 in the example) was used. • Secure comparative example container C to comparative example container B. (Comparative Example 4) • Do not use the first container 210 (including the corresponding container). A cylindrical container with a bottom and an inner diameter of 40 mm was used as comparative example container D, corresponding to the second container 220. • Container for comparative example D A quantity of material M to be treated, equivalent to 40% of the maximum capacity, is placed in comparative example container D.

[0037] [Table 1]

[0038] As shown in Table 1, unlike Comparative Examples 1 to 4, Example 1 was able to mix (stir) the material M to be treated well without compacting and solidifying it. Based on this, it is clear that by causing the first container 210 to repeatedly perform a complex rolling motion, the material M to be treated contained in the first container 210 can be treated well without being compacted and solidified.

[0039] The embodiments described above are illustrative examples for illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments only. The present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit.

[0040] For example, in the methods disclosed herein, steps, operations, or functions may be performed in parallel or in different orders, as long as this does not result in a contradiction in the outcome. The steps, operations, and functions described are provided merely as examples, and some of the steps, operations, and functions may be omitted, combined with each other to form a single unit, or other steps, operations, or functions may be added, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the first container 210 may be configured to have a friction member 212 on its outer surface to increase friction with the inner surface of the second container 220. The friction member 212 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. The friction member 212 may be configured to cover the entire outer surface of the first container 210, as shown in the same figure. However, it is also conceivable that it may cover only a part of the outer surface of the first container 210.

[0042] By providing the friction member 212 in the first container 210, the friction between the outer surface of the first container 210 and the inner surface of the second container 220 can be increased. As a result, when the centrifuge 1 is in operation, the first container 210 is more likely to rotate together with the second container 220 around its axis of rotation L2, and the opportunities for it to temporarily move away from its centrifugal position relative to the orbital axis L1 in the second container 220 increase. As a result, the momentum of the first container 210 increases, making it more reliable to avoid the material M to be processed being compressed and solidified inside the first container 210.

[0043] In addition to the first container 210 having a friction member 212, or alternatively, the second container 220 may be configured to have a friction member (not shown) on its inner surface to increase friction with the outer surface of the first container 210. The friction member may be configured to cover the entire inner surface of the second container 220, or it may be configured to cover only a part of the inner surface of the second container 220. Even in this way, when the centrifuge 1 is in operation, the first container 210 is more likely to rotate together with the second container 220 around its axis of rotation L2, increasing the opportunities for the first container 210 to move away from its centrifugal position relative to the orbital axis L1 within the second container 220, thereby achieving the same effect as described above.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the second container 220 may be configured to have protrusions 224 on its inner surface that can come into contact with the outer surface of the first container 210 when the centrifuge 1 is in operation. The number of protrusions 224 may be one, as shown in the figure, but it is also conceivable that multiple protrusions 224 may be provided.

[0045] The presence of the projection 224 in the second container 220 means that when the centrifuge 1 is in operation and the first container 210 comes into contact with the projection 224, the first container 210 will be repelled by the projection 224 and will move away from its centrifugal position relative to the orbital axis L1 within the second container 220. As a result, when the centrifuge 1 is in operation, the first container 210 will have more opportunities to move away from its centrifugal position relative to the orbital axis L1 within the second container 220. This increases the momentum of the first container 210, making it more reliable to avoid the material M being compressed and solidified within the first container 210.

[0046] Furthermore, the centrifuge 1 may be controlled according to the temperature measurement result of the first container 210 or the material to be processed M, obtained from a thermometer such as a thermometer installed on the lid of the second container 220 as described above. In this case, the control unit 50 adjusts the rotation speed of at least one of the orbital body 10 and the rotating body 20 based on the temperature measurement result of the first container 210 or the material to be processed M obtained from the thermometer. At this time, if the temperature of the first container 210 or the material to be processed M exceeds a predetermined temperature (a temperature at which deterioration may occur in at least one of the first container 210 and the material to be processed M), it is preferable for the control unit 50 to control the drive unit 40 so as to decrease the ratio of the rotation speed of the rotating body 20 to the rotation speed of the orbital body 10. For example, it is conceivable to decrease the rotation speed of the rotating body 20 while maintaining the rotation speed of the orbital body 10, or to stop the rotation of the rotating body 20 while decreasing the rotation speed of the orbital body 10. This suppresses the temperature rise caused by the rotation of the rotating body 20, while maintaining air convection within the centrifuge 1 (or the compartments in the case of having the aforementioned compartments) by the rotation of the orbiting body 10, thereby efficiently lowering the temperature of the first container 210 and the material M to be processed, and preventing them from deteriorating.

[0047] Furthermore, when the control unit 50 controls the drive unit 40 so as to decrease the ratio of the rotational speed of the rotating body 20 to the rotational speed of the orbiting body 10, it may increase the rotational speed of the orbiting body 10 while decreasing the rotational speed of the rotating body 20 or stopping the rotating body 20. In this way, the rotation of the orbiting body 10 can promote the convection of air inside the centrifuge 1 (or the compartments in the case of the compartments described above), and the temperature of the first container 210 and the material M to be processed can be lowered more quickly.

[0048] Furthermore, the centrifuge 1 and container set 200 exhibit high processing capacity even when the material to be processed M is not primarily composed of powder. That is, the centrifuge 1 and container set 200 exhibit high processing capacity based on the motion of the first container 210 described above, even when the material to be processed M is, for example, solely composed of fluid components, primarily composed of fluid with powders, or solely composed of solid components. In this case, however, the composition and application of the material to be processed M are not particularly limited. In addition, depending on the desired processing of the material to be processed M, the centrifuge 1 and container set 200 may also store grinding media (such as zirconia balls), abrasives (which may be sand, etc.), solvents (such as water or organic solvents) in the first container 210 together with the material to be processed M.

[0049] For example, when the material to be processed M is a highly viscous fluid, conventional centrifuges and containers may take a long time to process, such as stirring. In contrast, the centrifuge 1 and container set 200 can shorten the time required for processing, such as stirring, of the material to be processed M based on the movement of the first container 210 described above. Furthermore, the centrifuge 1 or container set 200 can quickly perform desired processing when the material to be processed M is a fine part or electronic material for polishing purposes, when the material to be processed M is a material to be pulverized (e.g., pharmaceuticals) for pulverization purposes, or when the material to be processed M is a nanomaterial (e.g., carbon nanotubes) for dispersion in a solvent.

[0050] Furthermore, although various embodiments are disclosed herein, specific features (technical matters) in one embodiment can be added to or replaced in other embodiments, with appropriate modifications, and such forms are also included in the gist of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0051] This invention can be widely used in the field of rotational and orbital centrifuges. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1: Centrifuge, 10: Orbiting body, 11: Shaft, 12: First arm, 13: Second arm, 20: Rotating body, 21: Shaft, 22: Holder, 30: Support base, 40: Drive unit, 50: Control unit, 200: Container set, 210: First container, 212: Friction member, 220: Second container, 224: Protrusion, L1: Orbiting axis, L2: Rotation axis, M: Material to be processed

Claims

1. A body that can rotate around its orbital axis, A rotating body attached to the aforementioned orbiting body, which is capable of rotating about its axis of rotation, A set of containers held by the aforementioned rotating body, A drive unit capable of applying rotational force to the orbiting body and the rotating body, Equipped with, The container set includes a first container which houses the material to be processed and has a spherical external shape, and a second container which is a bottomed cylindrical container which houses the first container, wherein the first container is capable of rolling inside the second container when an external force is applied, and moves inside the second container due to the rotation of the orbiting body and the rotating body, thus forming a centrifuge.

2. A thermometer for measuring the temperature of the first container or the material to be processed, A control unit controls the drive unit based on the temperature measured by the thermometer, Furthermore, The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the drive unit such that the ratio of the rotational speed of the rotating body to the rotational speed of the orbiting body decreases when the temperature measured by the thermometer exceeds a predetermined value.

3. The centrifuge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first container has a friction member that covers at least a portion of its outer surface and increases friction with the inner surface of the second container.

4. The centrifuge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second container has a friction member that covers at least a portion of its inner surface and increases friction with the outer surface of the first container.

5. The centrifuge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second container has a projection on its inner surface that can come into contact with the first container.

6. A container set held on the rotating body of a centrifuge, comprising: an orbital body rotatable about its orbital axis; a rotating body attached to the orbital body and rotatable about its rotational axis; and a drive unit capable of applying rotational force to the orbital body and the rotating body, A first container, which houses the material to be processed and has a spherical external shape, A bottomed cylindrical second container that houses the first container inside, Includes, A container set in which the first container is capable of rolling inside the second container when an external force is applied, and which moves inside the second container due to the rotation of the orbiting body and the rotating body.

7. A method for processing a material to be processed in a centrifuge comprising: an orbital body rotatable about an orbital axis; a rotating body attached to the orbital body and rotatable about an axis of rotation; and a drive unit capable of applying rotational force to the orbital body and the rotating body, The process involves placing the material to be processed inside a first container, which is included in the container set and has a spherical external shape, The first container is placed inside a second container, which is a bottomed cylindrical container included in the container set. The step of having the rotating body hold the second container, The drive unit rotates the orbiting body and the rotating body, and the first container, which is capable of rolling inside the second container when an external force is applied, is moved inside the second container to process the material to be processed. A method for processing a material to be processed, including the method described above.

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