Container storage device

Abstract

The present invention improves the cooling performance of a container storage device in which electric heating devices are used. This container storage device includes: a storage part for storing a container that accommodates a liquid; and a cooling part that cools air suctioned out from the storage part and supplies the cooled air to the storage part, wherein the cooling section comprises a plurality of fins that are disposed along the flow of the air, and electric heating devices that are respectively connected to the fins.

Description

container storage device

[0001] The present invention relates to a container storage device.

[0002] As a technology for cooling a refrigerator, a method for reducing power consumption in an automatic analyzer using a Peltier element to regulate the temperature of the air-conditioned space where reagents are used and the refrigerated storage section where the reagents are kept refrigerated is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-201172

[0004] According to Patent Document 1, no consideration is given to improving the cooling performance of a container storage device that uses an electric heating device such as a Peltier element.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the cooling performance of a container storage device that uses an electric heating device.

[0006] A container storage device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a storage section for storing containers containing liquid, and a cooling section for cooling air drawn from the storage section and supplying the cooled air to the storage section, the cooling section comprising a plurality of fins arranged along the flow of air and an electric heating device connected to each of the fins.

[0007] According to the present invention, the cooling performance of a container storage apparatus in which an electric heating device is used can be improved.

[0008] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an automatic analysis system. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a container storage device. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the arrangement of heat absorption fins. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the arrangement of heat absorption fins. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the arrangement of heat absorption fins. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a container storage device. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a container storage device. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a container storage device. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of heat absorption fins and a guide. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a container storage device.

[0009] A preferred embodiment of the container storage device will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and accompanying drawings, components having the same functional configuration will be designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description.

[0010] An example of the overall configuration of an automatic analysis system will be described using Figure 1. The automatic analysis system includes an automatic analysis device 101, a container storage device 102, a rack transport path 105, a control unit 107, an input / output unit 108, and a memory unit 109. Each unit will be described below.

[0011] The automatic analyzer 101 is an apparatus for analyzing specific components contained in specimens such as blood and urine provided by patients, and is connected to a container storage device 102 via a rack transport path 105. The rack transport path 105 transports racks 104 carrying a plurality of containers 103 containing liquids (such as specimen containers containing specimens and reagent bottles containing reagents).

[0012] The container storage device 102 keeps the containers 103 cool and transports the containers 103, etc. to racks 104 on a rack transport path 105. The containers 103 are stored in a storage unit 201, and are gripped by a container gripping unit 110 and transported along a container transport path 111. A shutter 112 is provided on the top surface of the storage unit 201. The shutter 112 is opened by a shutter opening / closing unit 113 when the containers 103 are transported.

[0013] The control unit 107 is a computer that analyzes a specific component contained in a sample based on a measurement signal transmitted from the automatic analyzer 101 and controls the operation of each unit.

[0014] The input / output unit 108 is a device that receives input of data necessary for analysis and displays the results of the analysis, and is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a liquid crystal display, or the like.

[0015] The storage unit 109 is a device that stores data necessary for analysis and analysis results, and is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a slid state drive (SSD).

[0016] An example of the configuration of the container storage device 102 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The container storage device 102 has a storage unit 201 and a cooling unit 202.

[0017] The storage section 201 stores the containers 103, and is supplied with air that has been sucked in and cooled by the cooling section 202.

[0018] The cooling section 202 is equipped with a circulation fan 203, an electric heat device 204, a heat transfer plate 205, heat absorption fins 206, heat dissipation fins 207, and a heat dissipation fan 208 to cool the air sucked from the storage section 201 and supply it to the storage section 201.

[0019] The circulation fan 203 generates an air flow in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The circulation fan 203 sucks air from the storage section 201, and the air cooled by the operation of the electric heating device 204 is supplied to the storage section 201.

[0020] The electric heating device 204 is an element, such as a Peltier element, that transfers heat from one surface to the other. The amount of heat transferred by the electric heating device 204 varies depending on the power consumption of the electric heating device 204. A heat transfer plate 205 is attached to one surface of the electric heating device 204, and heat dissipation fins 207 are attached to the other surface.

[0021] The heat transfer plate 205 is made of a plate material with a relatively high thermal conductivity, such as an aluminum plate or a copper plate. The electric heating device 204 is attached to one surface of the heat transfer plate 205, and the heat absorption fins 206 are attached to the other surface.

[0022] The heat absorption fins 206 absorb the heat of the air sucked from the storage section 201 by the circulation fan 203, and are arranged along the flow of air generated by the circulation fan 203. Each of the heat absorption fins 206 is connected to an electric heat device 204 via a heat transfer plate 205. That is, the heat absorbed by the heat absorption fins 206 is transferred to the electric heat device 204 via the heat transfer plate 205, and then transferred to the heat dissipation fins 207 by the electric heat device 204, so that the air passing through the heat absorption fins 206 is cooled.

[0023] The heat dissipation fins 207 are attached to one surface of the electric heating device 204 and radiate the heat transferred by the electric heating device 204 , and are cooled by the air blown from the heat dissipation fins 207 .

[0024] 2, a plurality of heat-absorbing fins 206 are arranged along the air flow generated by the circulation fan 203, and an electric heating device 204 is connected to each of the heat-absorbing fins 206, thereby improving the cooling performance. That is, each pair of the heat-absorbing fin 206 and the electric heating device 204 arranged along the air flow individually cools the air sucked from the storage section 201, thereby improving the cooling performance of the container storage device 102.

[0025] Each of the electric heating devices 204 is controlled by the control unit 107 so that the air supplied to the storage unit 201 is at a predetermined set temperature. The set temperature may be set by an operator via the input / output unit 108. The temperature of the air is measured, for example, by a thermometer provided on the heat transfer plate 205. Alternatively, the temperature of the air in the storage unit 201 may be directly measured by a thermometer provided inside the storage unit 201.

[0026] Furthermore, to prevent uneven loads on the electric heating devices 204, control may be performed so that the difference in power consumed by each of the electric heating devices 204 falls within a predetermined range. For example, the control unit 107 may control each of the electric heating devices 204 so that the power consumed by each of the electric heating devices 204 is equal. More specifically, the target temperature for each of the electric heating devices 204 may be set based on a value ΔT / N obtained by dividing the difference ΔT (=Tin−Tset) between the temperature Tin of the air drawn in from the storage unit 201 and the target temperature Tset of the air supplied to the storage unit 201 by the number N of the electric heating devices 204. Furthermore, the target temperature for each of the electric heating devices 204 may be set based on the flow rate ratio of the circulating air that flows into the heat absorption fins 206 and is cooled, so that the power consumption is equal.

[0027] An example of the arrangement of the heat absorption fins 206 will be described using Figures 3 to 5. The heat absorption fins 206 illustrated in Figure 3 are arranged in series along the air flow. The heat absorption fins 206 are formed by arranging a plurality of plates, such as aluminum plates or copper plates, as illustrated in Figure 3. That is, the plates forming the heat absorption fins 206 are arranged parallel to the air flow generated by the circulation fan 203. By arranging the plates parallel to the air flow, the air flow is less likely to be disturbed, and pressure loss of the air passing through the heat absorption fins 206 can be suppressed.

[0028] 4 shows an example in which the downstream heat absorption fins 206 are arranged so as not to be shaded by the upstream heat absorption fins 206. This arrangement can suppress a decrease in the speed of the air impinging on the downstream heat absorption fins 206.

[0029] 5, a plurality of heat absorbing fins 206 may be arranged in parallel. By arranging a plurality of heat absorbing fins 206 in parallel, air can be applied to the plurality of heat absorbing fins 206 evenly.

[0030] Another exemplary configuration of the container storage device 102 will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. A deflection plate 600 is added to the container storage device 102 illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. The deflection plate 600 is a member having, for example, a triangular prism shape, and is provided to change the direction of the air flow.

[0031] 6 illustrates a deflector plate 600 provided at the boundary between the plurality of heat absorption fins 206. By providing the deflector plate 600 at the boundary between the plurality of heat absorption fins 206, the air flow that has become turbulent as it passes through the heat absorption fins 206 on the upstream side is directed toward the heat absorption fins 206 on the downstream side.

[0032] 7 illustrates an example of a deflector plate 600 provided near the upstream heat absorption fin 206. More specifically, the deflector plate 600 is provided near the most upstream heat absorption fin 206 in the region where air flows downward, and near the most upstream heat absorption fin 206 in the region where air flows upward. By providing the deflector plate 600 near the upstream heat absorption fin 206, it is possible to increase the amount of air flowing into the upstream heat absorption fin 206.

[0033] Another exemplary configuration of the container storage device 102 will be described with reference to Figure 8. In the container storage device 102 illustrated in Figure 8, a drain 800 is added to the center of the bottom surface of the cooling section 202. When air sucked from the storage section 201 is cooled, condensation may occur on the heat-absorbing fins 206. If condensation remains in the cooling section 202, it may lead to the growth of bacteria, so it is preferable that the condensation be quickly discharged. Furthermore, an antibacterial agent may be applied to the heat-absorbing fins 206 to inhibit the growth of bacteria.

[0034] The drain 800 is used to drain condensed water and is configured, for example, as shown in Figure 8, by combining a funnel-shaped member and a float. The float has a larger diameter than the hole in the funnel-shaped member and has a lower specific gravity than condensed water. When there is no condensed water, the float blocks the hole in the funnel-shaped member, preventing outside air from flowing in. When condensed water flows into the drain 800, the float rises to the top of the condensed water, and the condensed water is discharged from the drain 800. Note that if condensed water generated on the upstream heat absorption fins 206 drips onto the downstream heat absorption fins 206, it takes time for the condensed water to be discharged from the drain 800.

[0035] 9, a configuration example of the heat absorption fin 206 that prevents condensation water from dripping onto the downstream heat absorption fin 206 will be described. In the heat absorption fin 206 illustrated in FIG. 9, the shape of the bottommost plate material 206A is different from the others, and a guide 900 is added.

[0036] 9, the bottommost plate 206A is configured so that the angle between the bottom surface and the side surface of the cooling unit 202 is obtuse. With this configuration, condensation water that reaches the bottommost plate 206A flows down the bottom surface and is guided to the side surface of the cooling unit 202.

[0037] 9, the guide 900 is a member that is provided on the side of the cooling section 202 between the heat absorption fins 206 that are arranged in series along the air flow, and is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. The guide 900 shown in FIG. 9 allows condensation water that has been guided along the underside of the lowest plate material 206A to the side of the cooling section 202 to be discharged from the drain 800 via the side and bottom of the cooling section 202 without dripping onto the heat absorption fins 206 on the downstream side.

[0038] The drain 800 is not limited to the configuration illustrated in Fig. 8, and may have a solenoid valve or a check valve. The location of the drain 800 is not limited to the center of the bottom surface of the cooling unit 202 as illustrated in Fig. 8.

[0039] Another exemplary configuration of the container storage apparatus 102 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. In the container storage apparatus 102 illustrated in Fig. 10, a single heat absorption fin 206 and a drain 800 are arranged in the region where air flows downward, and multiple heat absorption fins 206 are arranged in the region where air flows upward. Furthermore, the multiple electric heating devices 204 arranged along the air flow are controlled so that the power consumption of the electric heating device 204 arranged most upstream among them, i.e., the electric heating device 204 connected to the heat absorption fin 206 arranged in the region where air flows downward, is maximized.

[0040] According to the configuration described with reference to FIG. 10 , the air is cooled most at the heat absorption fins 206 connected to the most upstream electric heating device 204, so condensation is concentrated at the heat absorption fins 206 located in the area where the air flows downward. Condensation generated at the heat absorption fins 206 located in the area where the air flows downward is quickly discharged from the drain 800 located below them. This prevents condensation at the heat absorption fins 206 located in the area where the air flows upward and prevents the inflow of germs into the storage section 201. Furthermore, the air temperature is lowest at the heat absorption fins 206 connected to the most downstream electric heating device 204, so condensation may be concentrated there. In this case, a similar effect can be achieved by placing the drain 800 below the most downstream heat absorption fin 206.

[0041] The above describes the embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and the components may be modified within the scope of the gist of the invention. Furthermore, multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments may be appropriately combined. Furthermore, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the above embodiments.

[0042] 101: automatic analyzer, 102: container storage device, 103: container, 104: rack, 105: rack transport path, 107: control unit, 108: input / output unit, 109: memory unit, 110: container gripping unit, 111: container transport path, 112: shutter, 113: shutter opening / closing unit, 201: storage unit, 202: cooling unit, 203: circulation fan, 204: electric heat device, 205: heat transfer plate, 206: heat absorption fin, 206A: bottom plate material, 207: heat dissipation fin, 208: heat dissipation fan, 600: deflection plate, 800: drain, 900: guide.

Claims

1. a storage unit for storing a container for containing a liquid; A cooling unit that cools the air sucked from the storage unit and supplies the cooled air to the storage unit, The cooling unit includes a plurality of fins arranged along the air flow, and an electric heating device connected to each of the fins; A control unit that controls the electric heating devices so that a difference in power consumed by each of the electric heating devices is within a predetermined range, The control unit sets a target temperature for each of the electric heating devices based on a flow rate ratio, which is the ratio of the amount of air that flows into each of the fins and is cooled, among the circulating air that is sucked from the storage unit to the cooling unit and supplied from the cooling unit to the storage unit.

2. The container storage device according to claim 1, A container storage device, wherein the fins have a plurality of plate members arranged parallel to the air flow.

3. The container storage device according to claim 2, A guide inclined with respect to a horizontal plane is provided between the fins on a side surface of the cooling portion, A container storage device, characterized in that the angle between the bottom surface of the lowermost plate among the plurality of plate materials and the side surface of the cooling section is an obtuse angle.

4. (delete)

5. The container storage device according to claim 1, A container storage device, characterized in that the cooling section is provided with a deflector plate that changes the direction of the air flow.

6. The container storage device according to claim 5, A container storage device characterized in that the deflection plate is provided at the boundary between the multiple fins.

7. The container storage device according to claim 5, The container storage device according to claim 1, wherein the deflection plate is provided near an upstream fin among the plurality of fins.

8. The container storage device according to claim 1, The container storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a drain provided in the cooling section for discharging condensation water generated on the fins.

9. a storage unit for storing a container for containing a liquid; A cooling unit that cools the air sucked from the storage unit and supplies the cooled air to the storage unit, The cooling unit includes a plurality of fins arranged along the flow of the air, an electric heating device connected to each of the fins, and a drain that drains condensation water generated on the fins; A single fin and a drain are disposed in the region where the air flows downward, and a plurality of fins are disposed in the region where the air flows upward; A container storage device further comprising a control unit that controls the multiple electric heating devices arranged along the air flow so that the power consumed by the electric heating device arranged most upstream is maximized.

10. The container storage device according to claim 1, A container storage device characterized in that an antibacterial agent is applied to the fins.