JP2008175283A - Pinching valve - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pinching valve capable of saving power. <P>SOLUTION: The pinching valve comprises a cam 51 to be located at a first control position with a motor 50 for setting an operating body 48 at a release position and to be located at a second control position for setting the operating body 48 at a clamp position. When the cam 51 is located at the first control position, an elastic tube 2 utilizes its elastically restoring force to move the operating body 49 to the release position. The operating body 48 is turnably supported at one end to a fixed body 46 and has an operating piece 55 for clamping the elastic tube 2. It moves the cam 51 between the first control position and the second control position with the energization of the motor 50. When a position detecting mechanism 60 detects the first control position and the second control position, the motor 50 is stopped. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a pinch valve used in a fungus determination device or the like.

  Conventionally, in a fungus determination device or the like, as described in Patent Document 1, in order to improve the cleanability of the pipe line, prevent clogging of sewage or the like at the opening / closing portion of the valve, or prevent leakage of the culture solution A pinch valve is used to open and close a pipeline through which a culture solution flows.

  The pinch valve described in Patent Document 1 is an air compressor drive type, but the electromagnetic valve type pinch valve described in Patent Document 2 is widely used.

JP-A-6-288880 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-56769

  The inventors of this application decided to use a pinch valve to open and close the flow path in the course of developing the inoculum determination device from the viewpoints of washing performance of the pipeline and preventing leakage of the culture solution and sterilization solution. However, when the diameter of the flow path becomes large, a commercially available electromagnetic valve type pinch valve such as Patent Document 2 requires a strong spring to crush the flow path, and a large capacity electromagnetic coil is required to pull it back. As a result, we found the problem of increased power consumption.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a pinch valve capable of saving power.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the invention according to claim 1 includes an elastic tube, and a fixed body and an operating body arranged with the elastic tube interposed therebetween, and the operation An opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes the elastic tube at the open position and the clamping position of the body, and a rotational movement of the motor is converted into movement of the operating body, and the operating body is moved at the first control position. An open position, and a cam having the operating body as a clamping position at the second control position, and when the cam is at the first control position, the elastic tube utilizes its own elastic restoring force. A pinch valve for moving the operating body to an open position, wherein the operating body is rotatably supported at one end by the fixed body, and clamps the elastic tube at a position away from the rotating position. With an operating piece In addition, the cam is moved between the first control position and the second control position by energizing the motor with a position detection mechanism that detects the first control position and the second control position. The position detecting mechanism includes control means for stopping energization of the motor when the first control position and the second control position are detected.

According to the present invention, the elastic tube is clamped by the operating piece provided at a position away from the rotating position of the operating body that is rotatably supported at the one end side by the fixed body. Compared with the case where the elastic tube is crushed, the elastic tube is crushed almost vertically, so that wear due to friction with the elastic tube is suppressed, and the life (replacement time) of the elastic tube is extended. In addition, since one end of the operating body is rotatably supported by the fixed body, there is no possibility of falling into a state where it cannot be moved due to being caught. Further, when the position detection mechanism detects the first control position and the second control position corresponding to the open state and the closed state of the elastic tube, the power supply to the motor is stopped, so that the power consumption of the motor can be reduced. .

  The embodiment of the present invention is applied to a pinch valve used in a fungus determination device for determining the presence or absence of fungi such as coliform bacteria or E. coli.

  This embodiment includes an elastic tube, a fixed body and an operating body that are arranged with the elastic tube sandwiched therebetween, and the elastic tube is in an open state and a closed state at an open position and a pressure position of the operating body, respectively. An opening / closing mechanism and a cam that converts rotational movement of the motor into movement of the operating body, sets the operating body to the open position at the first control position, and sets the operating body to the clamping position at the second control position When the cam is in the first control position, the elastic tube is a pinch valve that moves the operating body to an open position using its elastic restoring force, One end side is rotatably supported by the fixed body, and includes an operation piece for clamping the elastic tube at a position away from the rotation position, and detects the first control position and the second control position. Position detection Energizing the mechanism and the motor to move the cam between the first control position and the second control position, and when the position detection mechanism detects the first control position and the second control position. A pinch valve comprising a control means for stopping energization of the motor.

  In this embodiment, the elastic tube is opened as follows. In the closed state in which the elastic tube is pinched by the operating body and the fixed body and the flow path is crushed, the motor is driven, and the cam is detected until the position detection mechanism detects the first control position. To stop the motor. Then, the pressing force to the operating body by the cam is released, and the operating body is rotated to the open position by its own elastic force of the first flow path, and the flow path is opened.

  The elastic tube is closed as follows. A drive signal is sent to the motor, the cam is rotated until the position detection mechanism detects the second control position, and the motor is stopped. Then, a pressing force is applied to the operating body by the cam, and the operating body rotates to pinch the elastic tube by the operating piece, crushes the flow path, and closes the flow path.

  Here, each component of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fixed body is configured to have a function of sandwiching the elastic tube in cooperation with the operating body. This fixed body preferably functions as a substrate for supporting other components of the pinch valve. The fixed body is preferably composed of a synthetic resin plate-like member from the viewpoint of durability.

  The operating body is preferably formed as an L-shaped arm, and can be freely rotated by a rotation support section provided on the fixed body so as to sandwich the elastic tube at one end side of the base section and the base section. A pair of supporting pieces to be supported, and an operating piece provided on a surface facing the first flow path on the other end side of the base portion, for abutting and pressing substantially perpendicularly to the first flow path. Preferably, a notch for preventing movement of the operating body between the open position and the pinching position is formed on the rotation support part side of the base. The operating body is made of synthetic resin from the viewpoint of weight reduction and durability.

  The motor is preferably connected to a rotating shaft via a reduction gear mechanism, and the cam is mounted on the rotating shaft. The motor is preferably a direct current motor, but may be a motor other than a direct current motor.

  In this embodiment, a position detection mechanism for detecting a first control position and a second control position of the cam is provided for power saving. The position detection mechanism is preferably a position detection plate provided at a tip of the rotating shaft and having a first notch corresponding to the open position and a second notch corresponding to the clamping position, and the position detection plate. And a light detector that receives light from the light emitting portion when the first notch and the second notch are positioned, and a light detector that does not receive light at the light receiving portion at other positions. . In the open position and the pinching position, the power supply to the motor is stopped, and the power is saved.

  The pinch valve of this embodiment is preferably used for opening and closing an elastic tube having a large diameter of the fungus determination device. This fungus determination device is a fungus determination device for determining the presence or absence of fungi in the test water, a first container for selectively storing the test water, the sterilizing solution, and the washing water, For culturing fungi in the test water, which is disposed below the container, connected to the bottom of the first container by a first flow path made of an elastic tube, and connected to the bottom of the second flow path made of an elastic tube It is assumed that a second container, an overflow third channel provided in the upper part of the second container, and a medium supply means for supplying a medium to the second container are provided.

  The first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path are each provided with a first valve, a second valve, and a third valve that are pinch valves, and the culture medium supply means, the first valve, and the second valve And a control means for controlling the third valve, wherein the control means supplies water to be tested in the first container to the second container via the first flow path, and supplies the medium to the second container. A culturing step for cultivating fungi by supplying a first sterilization step for sterilizing the water to be tested after culturing and discharging it from the second flow path, and a sterilizing solution in the first container for the first flow path , A second sterilization process for flowing the second container and the second flow path, and a cleaning process for flowing the cleaning water in the first container to the first flow path, the second container and the second flow path. Configure as follows.

  In the fungus determination apparatus having such a configuration, the diameter of the elastic tube of the first flow path is increased in order to smoothly move the sterilizing liquid, the cleaning liquid, and the water to be tested from the first container to the second container. Therefore, only the first valve is the pinch valve of this embodiment. The other second valve and the third valve have the small diameter of the elastic tube of the second flow path and the third flow path, so that the merit of using the pinch valve of this embodiment from the viewpoint of power consumption and cost However, the pinch valve of this embodiment can be used.

  A pinch valve (first valve) 6 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below together with a coliform determination device using the first valve 6 with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a coliform group determination apparatus using the first valve 6 of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coliform group determination apparatus with a part of the outer box removed. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram in a state where the pressing roller mechanism in the cross section of the main part of the coliform determination apparatus is omitted, and FIG. 4 is the culture medium in the cross section of the main part of the coliform determination apparatus. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the supply unit, the first flow path, and the second flow path are removed, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the front of the first valve 6 of the first embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective explanatory view showing another operation state of the first embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the coliform group determination apparatus. FIG.

In FIG. 1, the coliform group determination apparatus is for automatically determining the presence or absence of coliform group in the test water using X-Gal which is one of the specific enzyme substrate medium methods. , A first container 1 for selectively storing the sterilizing liquid and the washing water, disposed below the first container 1, connected to the bottom of the first container 1 by the first flow path 2, and the second flow A second container 4 for cultivating fungi in the water under test connected to the bottom of the path 3, a medium supply means 5 for supplying a medium to the second container 4, and a channel for the first channel 2. A first valve 6 for opening, a second valve 7 for opening and closing the second flow path 3, a sterilizing agent supplying means 8 for supplying a sterilizing agent to the first container 1, and a medium supplying means (referred to as a reagent supplying means). 5. Control the disinfectant supply means 8, the first valve 6 and the second valve 7. And a control vessel 9 as a main part.

  The first container 1 includes water to be tested for determination of the presence or absence of E. coli, the first container 1, the first flow path 2, the second container 4, the second flow path 3, and the third flow described later. It has a function of selectively storing a sterilizing liquid for sterilizing each inner surface of the path 20 and a cleaning water for cleaning the sterilized elements.

  The first container 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape with an upper surface opening, a lower part formed in a dome shape, and a first connection port 10 that removably connects the first flow path 2 to the bottom. The first container 1 uses a material (for example, vinyl chloride) that is strong against a sterilizing agent.

  The water to be tested in the first container 1 is supplied through a water supply line to be tested 12 having a water supply valve 11. The test water supply line 12 is connected to the first container 1 in an edged state.

  Further, the sterilizing liquid of the first container 1 is pre-determined with the sterilizing agent in order to effectively sterilize with the sterilizing agent from the sterilizing agent supply means 8 and the test water from the test water supply line 12. It is generated so as to contain the concentration, and is configured to be stored in the first container 1 during the sterilization process. In the first embodiment, the wash water is the test water supplied from the test water supply line 12 and is stored in the first container 1 during the cleaning process.

  The first container 1 is provided with a water level detector 13 for controlling the water level in the first container 1. The water level detector 13 includes a first electrode 13H for determining a cleaning water level, a second electrode 13L for determining a sterilizing water level lower than the cleaning water level, and a third electrode 13E for grounding.

  The sterilizing agent supply device 8 is a roller pump type discharging device capable of quantitatively discharging the sterilizing agent. In the first embodiment, the sterilizing agent supply device 8 has the same configuration as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-264269. The sterilizing agent supply means 8 is connected to a first body portion 8B provided with a first pressing roller mechanism 8A, a reservoir of discharged liquid (sterilizing agent) at one end of an elastic tube, and a check valve (at the other end). And a first liquid cassette 8C containing a liquid cartridge (not shown) connected to the first liquid cassette 8C. The first liquid cassette 8C is attached and detached so that the elastic tube receives a pressing operation by the first pressing roller mechanism 8A. Mounted freely, and by the rotational movement of the first pressing roller mechanism 8A, the pressing operation of the first pressing roller mechanism 8A on the elastic tube repeats the action and non-action, so that the sterilizing agent is discharged quantitatively. It is configured. Although the said bactericidal agent is sodium hypochlorite in this Example 1, it is not limited to this.

  The second container 4 has a function of sterilizing the inside, a culture function of mixing a medium with test water and culturing fungi in the test water, a determination function for determining discoloration due to fungal culture, And a heat sterilization function for sterilizing the water to be tested. In order to perform such a function, the second container 4 is formed of a material having antibacterial resistance, heat resistance and light transmittance (in this embodiment 1, quartz glass).

  3 and 4, the second container 4 includes a main body portion 16 and a second connection port 17 that is provided at the upper end of the main body portion 16 and detachably connects the lower end of the first flow path 2. A third connection port 18 provided at the lower end of the main body portion 16 for detachably connecting the upper end of the second flow path 3, and a medium connection means 5 provided at the upper portion of the main body portion 16 and connected thereto. The four connection ports 19 and a fifth connection port 21 provided below the fourth connection port 19 and detachably connected to the overflow third flow path 20 are integrally formed.

  The diameters of the first connection port 10 and the second connection port 17 are larger than the diameter of the third connection port 18. The reason for this is to prevent the trouble caused by the air bag, to surely drop the sterilizing liquid and the washing water, and to increase the dropping speed of the sterilizing liquid and the washing water from the first container 1 to the second container 4.

  The shape of the inner surface of the main body portion 16 is such that the upper end portion and the lower end portion are hemispherical so that the sterilizing liquid and the washing water flowing from the second connection port 17 toward the third connection port 18 flow along the entire inner surface. The middle part is cylindrical. By adopting such a shape, the entire inner peripheral surface of the main body 16 can be uniformly sterilized and cleaned.

  Further, referring to FIG. 4, the second container 4 heats the outer peripheral surface of the main body 16 as a temperature control device for heating and maintaining the culture function, that is, the water to be tested at a temperature suitable for culture. A planar heater 22 is provided. The heater 22 is also used as a means for performing the heat sterilization function, that is, the function of heat sterilization so as to make the water to be tested after the culturing process harmless.

  The second container 4 includes a transmitted light intensity measurement unit (which can be referred to as a transmitted light amount measurement unit) 23 that constitutes a part of the color change detection device for performing the determination function. The transmitted light intensity measurement unit 23 includes a first measurement unit to a third measurement unit. The first measurement unit mainly includes a first light-emitting element 26 and a first light-receiving element 27 such as a phototransistor that faces the first light-emitting element 26 with the main body 16 interposed therebetween. This is for measuring the transmitted light intensity of the light emitted from the first light emitting element 26 and passing through the main body 16. In Example 1, the emission color of the first light emitting element 26 is red in order to determine whether the water to be tested including the culture medium changes from blue to blue-green due to the presence of coliforms.

  On the other hand, the second measuring unit mainly includes a second light emitting element 28 and a second light receiving element 29 such as a phototransistor facing the second light emitting element 28 with the main body 16 interposed therebetween. The transmitted light intensity of the light emitted from the second light emitting element 29 and passing through the main body portion 16 is measured. In Example 1, the emission color of the second light emitting element 26 is set to a color other than red in order to determine the turbidity of the water under test. The second measuring unit is provided to distinguish whether the color change is caused by coliform bacteria or turbidity caused by other bacteria, but may be configured not to be provided if necessary.

  The third measuring unit is for determining whether a predetermined amount of water to be tested (culture solution) containing a culture medium is injected, and includes a third permeability measuring unit 30. The third transmittance measuring unit 30 includes a third light emitting element 31 that emits green light, such as a green diode, and a third light emitting element 31 that faces the third light emitting element 31 with the main body 16 interposed therebetween. The light receiving element 32 is mainly provided for measuring the transmitted light intensity of the green light emitted from the third light emitting element 31 and passing through the main body 16.

  The light emitting elements 26, 28, 31 are fixed to the first substrate 33, and the light receiving elements 27, 29, 32 are fixed to the second substrate 34. The first substrate 33 and the second substrate 34 are supported on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 16 by O-rings 74 and 74 made of an elastic material by an annular first support member 35.

The medium supply means 5 supplies a specific enzyme substrate medium using the X-Gal method to the water to be tested, and is a roller pump type capable of quantitative discharge, and the disinfectant supply means 8 The configuration is the same. The culture medium supply means 5 is connected to a second body 5B provided with a second pressure roller mechanism 5A, a reservoir of discharged liquid (medium) at one end of an elastic tube, and a check valve (not shown) at the other end. A second liquid cassette 5C containing a liquid cartridge (not shown) connected thereto, and the liquid cassette 5C is detachably mounted so that the elastic tube receives the pressing operation of the second pressing roller mechanism 5A, By the rotational movement of the second pressing roller mechanism 5A, the pressing operation of the second pressing roller mechanism 5A with respect to the elastic tube is configured to repeatedly discharge the medium by repeating the operation and the non-operation.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the medium supply port tip 39 of the medium supply means 5 is configured to protrude from the third connection port 19 into the main body 16. That is, the supply port tip 39 is configured to be washed with the sterilizing liquid and the washing water flowing down along the inner surface of the second container 4.

  Moreover, with reference to FIG. 4, the lower end part of said 2nd container 4 is equipped with the stirring apparatus 40 for stirring the stored to-be-tested water. The stirrer 40 includes a stator coil 41 and a spherical stirrer 42 having a built-in magnet provided at the bottom of the main body 16. The stirrer 42 is placed in a free state on the bottom of the main body 16, and has one or more grooves 43 for smoothly flowing water to be tested to the third connection port 18. The stator coil 41 is supported on the upper end of the third connection port 18 by a second support member 44. In order to facilitate this discharge, an appropriate number of protrusions (not shown) can be provided on the main body 16 instead of or in addition to the groove 43.

  The first channel 2, the second channel 3, and the third channel 20 are all composed of a translucent elastic tube made of silicon rubber. The first flow path 2 is connected by fitting (inserting) both ends thereof into the first connection port 10 and the second connection port 17 using elasticity. The second flow path 3 is connected by fitting the upper end of the second flow path 3 into the third connection port 18 using elasticity. The third flow path 20 is connected by fitting one end of the third flow path 20 into the fifth connection port 21 using elasticity. By making the first flow path 2, the second flow path 3 and the third flow path 20 transparent or translucent tubes, it is possible to check the contamination on the inner surface.

  A third valve 45 is also provided in the third flow path 20. The third valve 45 is provided to control overflow from the second container 4.

  The first valve 6, the second valve 7, and the third valve 45 are all pinch valves that close the flow path by holding (pinching) an elastic tube and open the flow path by releasing the holding pressure. It is said. Since the second valve 7 and the third valve 45 have a small elastic tube diameter, a commercially available electromagnetic pinch valve (for example, PK0802-NC manufactured by Takasago Electric Co., Ltd.) is used.

  The pinch valve used for the first valve 6 is the pinch valve according to the first embodiment of the present invention having a configuration capable of saving electric power. The first valve 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. The first valve 6 includes a fixed body 46 and an operating body 48 that are arranged with the first flow path 2 made of an elastic tube in between, and the operating body 48 is in an open position (FIG. 6) and a clamping position (FIG. 7). ), The opening / closing mechanism 49 for opening and closing the first flow path 2 and the movement of the motor 50 are converted into movement of the operating body 48, and the operating body 48 is opened at the first control position. In the second control position, when the operating body 48 is set to the clamping position and the cam 51 is set to the first control position, the first flow path 2 opens the operating body 48 by its own elastic restoring force. And a cam 51 to be moved as a main part.

  The fixed body 46 is made of a synthetic resin plate-like member and has a function of sandwiching the first flow path 2 as described above, but functions as a substrate that supports the components of the first valve 6.

The actuating body 48 is formed as an L-shaped arm made of synthetic resin, and has a base 52 and a rotation support provided on the fixed body 46 so as to sandwich the first flow path 2 at one end side of the base 52. A pair of support pieces 54, 54 that are rotatably supported by the portion 53, and the other end side of the base portion 52, provided on a surface facing the first flow path 2, and substantially the same as the first flow path 2. And an operating piece 55 for vertically contacting and pressing. A cutout portion 56 for preventing movement of the operating body 48 between the open position and the pinching position is formed on the rotation support portion side of the base portion 52.

  The motor 50 is a DC motor, and a rotary shaft 58 is connected via a reduction gear mechanism 57, and the cam 51 is attached to the rotary shaft 58. The motor 50 fixes the speed reduction gear mechanism 57 to a metal first mounting plate 59 with screws, and fixes the first mounting plate 59 to the fixed body 46 with screws. Fixed and supported by The motor 50 can be a motor other than a DC motor.

  The first valve 6 includes a position detection mechanism 60 that detects a first control position and a second control position of the cam 51. The position detection mechanism 60 includes a position detection plate 63 provided with a first notch 61 corresponding to the open position and a second notch 62 corresponding to the pinching position provided at the tip of the rotating shaft 58, and the position detection plate 63. When the detection plate 63 rotates and the first notch 61 and the second notch 62 are positioned, light detection from the light emitting part 64A is received by the light receiving part 64B, and light detection is not received by the light receiving part at other positions. Device 64. The photodetector 64 is mounted on the second mounting plate 65 and fixed to the first mounting plate 59 made of metal with a screw. The cam 51 and the position detection plate 63 are integrally configured by resin molding. In the open position and the pinching position, energization to the motor 50 is stopped, and power saving is configured.

   In FIG. 4, reference numeral 66 denotes a heat insulating material for heat insulation that covers the upper part of the main body part 16 that is not covered with the transmitted light intensity measurement unit 23 and the heater 22, and 67 denotes the inside of the second container 4. A first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the water under test in the upper part, and 68 is a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the water under test in the second container 4. As shown in FIG. 2, each component of the first embodiment is mounted on an integrated plate 69, and includes a side plate 70, a back plate 71, a bottom plate 72, a front plate (not shown) as an openable / closable door, and the like. Is housed in a box 73 covering the entire apparatus.

  The controller 9 inputs signals from the water level detector 13, the transmitted light intensity measurement unit 23, the first temperature sensor 67, the second temperature sensor 68, and the like, and sterilizes the sterilizing agent supply unit 8. Based on a fungus determination program stored in advance, such as agent discharge, medium discharge of the medium supply means 5, opening and closing of the first valve 6, opening and closing of the second valve 7, the water supply valve 11 and the third valve 45, etc. Control.

  The fungus determination program includes a culture process, a determination process for the presence or absence of fungi, a first sterilization process for thermally sterilizing and discharging the test water after culturing, and sterilizing the flow path of the test water with a sterilizing solution. The main process includes a second sterilization process and a cleaning process for cleaning the flow path with cleaning water, and these processes are repeated.

  In the culturing step, water to be tested in the first container 1 is supplied to the second container 4 through the first flow path 2 and a medium is supplied from the medium supply means 5 to the second container 4. This is a step of culturing fungi by maintaining at a predetermined temperature.

The determination step is a step of determining the presence or absence of fungi in the water under test in the second container 4. More specifically, the medium contains a substrate that develops color by reacting with the test water in the second container 4, and the test water in the second container 4 is heated and held at a temperature suitable for culture by the heater 22. In this step, the discoloration of the water under test in the second container 4 is detected based on the measurement result by the transmitted light intensity measurement unit 23 to determine the presence or absence of fungi.

  The determination of the presence or absence of fungi can use a determination method suitable for the type of fungus, but the determination apparatus of Example 1 determines the presence or absence of coliforms, which is disclosed in JP-A-2004-229655. The same one as described is adopted.

  The specific enzyme substrate medium used in this Example 1, that is, the specific enzyme substrate medium stored in the liquid cassette 5C of the medium supply means 5 is basically a specific enzyme substrate medium (X -Gal medium). More specifically, for example, the pyruvate-added X-Gal-MUG medium listed in the table of pages 842 to 843, published by Japan Water Works Association, "Water Supply Test Method, Description Edition 2001", enzyme substrate, It has been adjusted to contain nutrients, salts, surfactants and pH adjusters for coliform culture.

  And this high concentration specific enzyme substrate culture medium further contains a predetermined | prescribed pigment | dye. The dye used here can color the water under test so that the transmittance of green light is reduced, and does not show an absorption peak in the wavelength region near 660 nm, which is the red wavelength region. is there. As such a dye, for example, a dye exhibiting a maximum absorption peak in the vicinity of 520 nm can be used. However, the dye used here is preferably one that does not easily impair the reliability of the determination result of the presence or absence of coliforms, that is, one that does not hinder the culture of coliforms. A specific example of a red pigment that is difficult to prevent the cultivation of coliform bacteria is eosin Y.

  The content of the above-mentioned dye in the specific enzyme substrate medium is particularly limited as long as the test water is set so that the color of the dye can be changed when the specific enzyme substrate medium is added to the water to be tested. It is not a thing.

  The first sterilization step is a step of heat sterilizing the water to be tested in the second container 4 after the culturing step with the heater 22.

  The second sterilization step generates a sterilizing liquid in the first container 1 and flows the sterilizing liquid in the order of the first flow path 2, the second container 4, and the second flow path 3. This is a process of flowing through the three flow paths 20 as well.

  Particularly preferred as the fungicide is a chlorine-based fungicide such as sodium hypochlorite. The chlorine-based disinfectant not only exhibits a bactericidal action against various fungi, but also functions as a bleaching agent, so that the transparency of the second container 4 can be increased in the cleaning process.

  The washing step is a step of causing the washing water in the first container 1 to flow in the order of the first flow path 2, the second container 4 and the second flow path 3, and to the third flow path 20.

  Next, the operation of the first valve 6 of Example 1 will be described together with the operation of the coliform group measuring apparatus. Here, a case where an X-Gal medium containing a red pigment is used as the specific enzyme substrate medium will be described. In the following description, the operation of each component is controlled by the controller 9 unless otherwise specified.

  Referring to FIG. 8, when the operator turns on the power of the apparatus of the first embodiment, the first to third valves 6, 7, 45 in step S1 (hereinafter, step SN is simply referred to as SN). The initial setting operation such as closing the water supply valve 11 is performed.

Next, in S2, a pretreatment process is performed. The pretreatment step is a step of cleaning the first container 1, the first flow path 2, the second container 4, the second flow path 3, and the third flow path 20. This cleaning can be performed in the same manner as the cleaning step described later, and can be configured to perform the sterilization step in the same manner as the second sterilization step before the cleaning.

  Here, before explaining the following steps, the opening and closing operations of the first valve 6 will be explained. First, the opening of the first valve 6 is performed as follows. 6 and 7, the first valve 6 in the closed state shown in FIG. 7 has the operating body 48 pressed by the cam 51, and the operating body 48 and the fixed body 46 The first flow path 2 is clamped and the flow path is crushed so as to be closed. In this closed state, the motor 50 is driven, and the cam 51 is moved until the first notch 61 of the position detection plate 63 reaches the first control position where light is detected by the photodetector 64 shown in FIG. And the motor 50 is stopped. Then, the pressing force to the operating body 48 by the cam 51 is released, and the operating body 48 is rotated to the open position by its own elastic force of the first flow path 2 and the flow path is opened.

  Next, the closing operation of the first valve 6 will be described. The first valve 6 is closed as follows. A drive signal is sent to the motor 50 to bring the first valve 6 in the open state shown in FIG. 6 into the closed state shown in FIG. Then, the cam 51 is rotated until the second cutout 62 of the position detection plate 63 reaches the second control position where light is detected by the photodetector 64 shown in FIG. 7, and the motor 50 is stopped. Then, a pressing force is applied to the operating body 48 by the cam 51, and the operating body 52 rotates to pinch the first flow path 2, and crushes the flow path to close the flow path.

(Standby process)
When the above pretreatment process is completed, a standby process is performed in S3. In this standby step, it is determined whether or not the operator has turned on a determination start switch (not shown) or whether the measurement start time has come. Here, when the operator does not turn on the determination start switch or when the measurement start time is not reached, the standby state is maintained as it is. On the other hand, when the operator turns on the determination start switch, steps S4 to S11 are started.

(Sample water introduction process)
In S4, introduction of water to be tested (water sampling) is performed. That is, the first valve 6 is opened, the second valve 7 and the third valve 45 are closed, the water supply valve 11 is opened, and the test water is supplied from the test water supply line 12 to the first container. 1. Supply into the second container 4 through the first flow path 2. At a timing when the water to be tested is filled in the second container 4, the third valve 45 is opened, and the water to be tested is overflowed from the third flow path 20, thereby allowing a predetermined amount in the second container 4. Only store. When this step is completed, the first valve 6 and the third valve 45 are closed. Due to this overflow, an air layer is formed in the upper layer portion of the second container 4, and discoloration for determining the presence or absence of fungi is enabled by this air layer.

(Light intensity measurement process)
Blank measurement is performed at the end of supply of the test water (by timer control). This blank measurement is a measurement of light intensity (blank) in a state where water to be tested is placed in the second container 4. First, the transmitted light intensity is measured by the transmitted light intensity measuring unit 23 to obtain reference values for various determinations.

(Medium injection process)
Next, in S6, a medium (culture solution) is injected. That is, the second pressing roller mechanism 5A of the medium supply means 5 is driven to supply a predetermined amount of medium to the water to be tested stored in the second container 4. At the time of injecting the culture medium, the stator coil 41 is simultaneously operated, and the water to be tested in the second container 4 is stirred by the stirrer 42. As a result, the injected specific enzyme substrate medium is evenly dispersed in the test water. In this way, test water containing a medium with a predetermined concentration is generated. At the time of this medium injection, the injected medium sinks in the test water due to the difference in specific gravity, and as a result, the test water slightly overflows from the third flow path 20, but the concentration of whether the medium is normally injected or not By performing the determination (checking) step, no problem occurs.

(Culture process)
When the medium injection is completed, a culture process is performed in S7. In this culturing step, the heater 22 is controlled so that the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 60 becomes a set value, and the stirring device 40 is driven to warm and stir the water to be tested. Do. Then, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the water to be tested has reached a temperature suitable for culturing the coliform group, for example, 36 ± 1 ° C. When the temperature of the water to be tested reaches that temperature, the internal timer is operated, and in the case of this Example 1 using a necessary elapsed time (predetermined time) necessary for cultivation of coliform bacteria, for example, pyruvate-added X-Gal medium Determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed. When it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to the next determination step of S8.

(Judgment process)
This determination step is performed as follows. Next, in the determination step, the first light emitting element 26 of the first measuring unit and the second light emitting element 28 of the second measuring unit are turned on. Then, the light from the first light emitting element 26 and the second light emitting element 28 passing through the second container 4 is received by the first light receiving element 27 and the second light receiving element 29, and the light transmission intensity is measured. To do. In the following description, the effect | action by the light transmission intensity measurement by said 2nd measurement part is abbreviate | omitted.

  Here, the transmittance of the red light emitted from the first light emitting element 26 and passing through the second container 4 will be described. When the test water supplied and cultured with a specific enzyme substrate medium (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a reagent) does not contain coliforms, 5,5-dibromo-4,4-dichloroindigo is produced as described above. Therefore, it does not change color and the transmittance of red light is unlikely to decrease. On the other hand, when the water to be tested supplied with the reagent and cultured contains coliforms, 5,5-dibromo-4,4-dichloroindigo, which exhibits blue to blue-green, is produced, and thus blue to blue-green. As a result, the transmittance of red light rapidly decreases. Therefore, in general, the color change from blue to blue green of the water under test can be determined based on the transmittance of red light. That is, generally, when the transmittance of red light decreases, the water to be tested changes from blue to blue-green (that is, the water to be tested contains coliforms and 5,5-dibromo-4,4-dichloro It can be determined that it is generated by Indigo).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the measured transmittance of red light is smaller than a threshold value for determining whether the transmittance is positive or negative. Here, when the transmittance of red light is smaller than the threshold value, the fact that the coliform group is present in the test water is displayed on the display device (not shown) indicating that the coliform group is positive.

  On the other hand, when the transmittance of red light is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the display device displays “E. coli group negative” indicating that the coliform group does not exist in the test water.

  The determination process described above can be configured such that the determination process of the determination process is performed at regular intervals during the culture process. In this case, it can be configured to stop the culturing step when it is determined to be positive even if the predetermined time of the culturing step has not elapsed.

(First sterilization process)
When a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of this determination step, the first sterilization (thermal sterilization) step of S9 is performed. Here, the heater 22 and the stator coil 41 are operated, and the water under test in the second container 4 is heated and stirred at a high temperature. Then, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the water to be tested has reached a temperature suitable for sterilization of the coliform group, for example, 80 ° C. When the temperature of the water under test reaches 80 ° C., the internal timer is activated, and then a predetermined elapsed time required for sterilization of the coliform bacteria is determined.

  When a predetermined time has elapsed, the test water is discharged. Here, the second valve 7 is opened, the water to be tested is discharged, and the process proceeds to the next second sterilization step.

(Second sterilization process)
In S10, the second sterilization step is performed. This second sterilization step is performed as follows. First, the first pressing roller mechanism 8A is driven to supply the sterilizing agent in the first liquid cassette 8C into the first container 1 only in a fixed amount. Next, the water supply valve 11 is opened, and water to be tested is supplied into the first container 1 from the water supply line 12 to be tested. When the water level in the first container 1 reaches the tip end position of the second electrode 13L, the water supply valve 11 is closed, and the water to be tested containing a predetermined amount of sterilizing agent is stored in the first container 1. Thus, a sterilizing liquid containing a predetermined concentration of sterilizing agent is generated.

  Next, when the second valve 7 and the third valve 45 are closed and the first valve 6 is opened, the sterilizing liquid in the first container 1 is supplied into the second container 4 through the first flow path 2. Is done. In the second container 4, the sterilizing liquid flows from the second connection port 10 along the inner surface of the main body portion 16 while sterilizing the inner surface, and is stored in the second container 4. In this flow, the tip 39 of the medium supply means 5 is sterilized. Then, the inside of the second container 2 is filled with a sterilizing liquid, and the inside of the second container 4 in contact with the sterilizing liquid is sterilized even in this storage state. After the sterilizing liquid is stored in the entire second container 4, the third valve 45 is opened by timer control, and the sterilizing liquid is allowed to overflow from the third flow path 20. Thereby, the inner surface of the third flow path 20 is sterilized. Here, the amount of the sterilizing liquid stored in the first container 1 is configured to be larger than the internal volume of the second container 2.

  When the sterilization of the third flow path 20 is finished, the second valve 7 is opened by timer control, and the sterilizing liquid is discharged through the second flow path 3. By this discharge, the inner surface of the second flow path 3 is sterilized. The first valve 6 and the second valve 7 are closed at the timing when the sterilizing liquid is completely discharged. In the first embodiment, the opening timing of the second valve 7 is a predetermined time after the supply of the sterilizing liquid is stopped, but when the supply of the sterilizing liquid to the second container 4 is started or started. It can be set as the structure opened previously (structure which sterilizes an inner surface, discharging | emitting a sterilization liquid).

(Washing process)
When the above second sterilization step is performed an appropriate number of times N1, the cleaning step is performed in S11. This washing process is performed as follows. First, the water supply valve 11 is opened, and water to be tested as cleaning water is supplied into the first container 1 from the water supply line 12 to be tested. When the water level in the first container 1 reaches the tip end position of the first electrode 13H, the water supply valve 11 is closed, and a predetermined amount of water to be tested is stored in the first container 1. When this storage is completed, the inner surfaces of the first flow path 2, the second container 4, the second flow path 3, and the third flow path 20 are washed using the water to be tested in the first container 1.

More specifically, the water supply valve 11 is opened and water to be tested is supplied into the first container 1 from the water supply line 12 to be tested. When the water level in the first container 1 reaches the tip of the first electrode 13H, the water supply valve 11 is closed, and a predetermined amount (for example, 500 cc) of water to be tested is stored in the first container 1. With the first valve 6 opened and the second valve 7 and the third valve 45 closed, the water to be tested in the first container 1 is supplied to the second container 4. At the timing when the water to be tested is filled in the second container 4, the second valve 7 and the third valve 45 are opened, and the water to be tested is discharged from the second flow path 3 and the third flow path 20. Thus, the inner surface of the flow path is cleaned. Also in this washing step, the tip 39 of the medium supply means 5 is washed. When the cleaning process in S11 is completed, the process waits in S3.

  According to the first valve 6 of the first embodiment described above, the operating piece 55 provided at the end opposite to the rotation support of the operating body 48 contacts the elastic tube of the first flow path 2 at a substantially right angle. Since they are in contact with each other and pinched to be in a closed state, the elastic tube is prevented from being worn by friction and the life (replacement time) is extended.

  Further, since a spring for clamping or releasing the elastic tube of the first flow path 2 is not required, the configuration of the pinch valve can be simplified.

  Further, when the first control position and the second control position are detected by the position detection mechanism 60, the power supply to the motor 50 is stopped. Therefore, regardless of the opening / closing operation of the pinch valve, The amount of power used can be reduced.

  Further, according to the coliform determination apparatus, the culture process, the determination process, the first sterilization process, the second sterilization process, and the washing process are sequentially performed. At the time of the second sterilization step, the sterilizing liquid in the first container 1 is not used in the order of the first flow path 2, the second container 4, the second flow path 3, and the third flow path 20, It flows through a flow path without a bent part where the washing water stays due to gravity. Further, the washing water flows during the washing process, and further, during the culturing process, the water to be tested flows without stagnation as in the sterilization process. As a result, it is possible to prevent sterilization leakage due to retention of water to be tested and the sterilizing solution, and inconvenience that correct culture and determination cannot be performed.

  Further, the sterilizing liquid can be easily generated by diluting the sterilizing agent with water to be tested using the sterilizing agent supply means 8 and the water level detector 13 of the fixed discharge type in the first container 1. it can. As a result, a tank for storing a large amount of the sterilizing liquid and a pump for supplying the sterilizing liquid from the tank are not required, so that the apparatus configuration can be simplified. Further, since the medium is supplied by the medium supply means 5 of a fixed discharge type and the water to be tested is supplied to the second container 4 by the first container 1 and the water level detector 13, a predetermined amount is supplied. The water to be tested including the concentration can be easily generated, and the apparatus configuration can be simplified in this respect.

  Further, since the first valve 6, the second valve 7 and the third valve 45 are constituted by pinch valves, the sterilization liquid and the washing water can be prevented from staying and leaking, and the safety is high, and the durability of the valve A highly sensitive fungus determination device can be provided. Further, since the first valve 6 is configured as a motor-driven power saving type, energy saving can be realized.

  Further, since the disinfectant supply means 8 and the medium supply means 5 are cartridge type, the disinfectant and the medium can be easily replenished.

  Further, since the sterilizing agent is supplied to the first container 1 without being directly supplied to the second container 4, even if the sterilizing agent drops from the sterilizing agent supply means 8, Appropriate culture can be performed without killing the fungi contained therein.

  Further, since the test water supply line 12 is cut off by the first container 1, contamination of the test water supply line 12 can be prevented.

  The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment. Moreover, the said Example 1 is applicable also to apparatuses other than the said coliform group determination apparatus.

The figure which shows the schematic block diagram of the coliform group determination apparatus using the pinch valve of Example 1 of this invention. Explanatory drawing by the perspective of the state which removed the outer case of the coliform determination apparatus. Explanatory drawing of the cross section of the principal part of the coliform group determination apparatus. Explanatory drawing of the cross section of the principal part of the coliform group determination apparatus. Explanatory drawing of the front of the pinch valve of Example 1 of this invention. Explanatory drawing of the perspective view which shows one operation state of the Example 1. FIG. Explanatory drawing of the perspective view which shows the other operating state of the Example 1. FIG. The flowchart figure which shows the principal part control procedure of the said coliform group determination apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

46 fixed body 48 operating body 50 motor 51 cam 55 operating piece 60 position detection mechanism

Claims (1)

An elastic tube;
An opening / closing mechanism including a fixed body and an operating body arranged with the elastic tube sandwiched therebetween, and opening and closing the elastic tube at an open position and a clamping pressure position of the operating body;
A rotary motion of the motor is converted into movement of the operating body, and the operating body is set to the open position at the first control position, and the cam is set to the clamping position at the second control position,
When the cam is in the first control position, the elastic tube is a pinch valve that moves the operating body to an open position using its elastic restoring force,
The operating body includes an operating piece that is rotatably supported at one end side by the fixed body, and that clamps the elastic tube at a position away from the rotating position.
A position detection mechanism for detecting the first control position and the second control position;
When the motor is energized to move the cam between the first control position and the second control position, and the position detection mechanism detects the first control position and the second control position, A pinch valve comprising a control means for stopping energization.

Images