TRANSFER APPARATUS AND STORAGE APPARATUS

Abstract

A transfer apparatus comprises first and second rod-shaped members comprising a magnetic material; a driving device configured to rotate the first and second rod-shaped members about central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members, and a movable portion facing a part of side surfaces of the first and second rod-shaped members and comprising a magnetic material, the movable portion moving along the central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members when the driving device rotates the first and second rod-shaped members; a movable bearing capable of being coupled to the movable portion by a magnetic force, the movable bearing receiving a load from the first rod-shaped member and movable along the central axis of the first rod-shaped member in association with a movement of the movable portion; and a decoupling mechanism configured to decouple the movable bearing from the movable portion.

Claims

1. A transfer apparatus comprising: a rod-shaped member comprising a magnetic material; a driving device configured to rotate the rod-shaped member about a central axis of the rod-shaped member; a movable portion facing a part of a side surface of the rod-shaped member, the movable portion comprising a magnetic material and being configured to move along the central axis of the rod-shaped member when the driving device rotates the rod-shaped member; a movable bearing capable of being coupled to the movable portion by a magnetic force, the movable bearing receiving a load from the rod-shaped member and movable along the central axis of the rod-shaped member in association with a movement of the movable portion; and a decoupling mechanism configured to decouple the movable bearing coupled by the magnetic force from the movable portion.

2. The transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable portion comprises a magnet configured to couple the movable portion to the movable bearing.

3. The transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable bearing comprises a magnet configured to couple the movable bearing to the movable portion.

4. The transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the decoupling mechanism hinders a movement of the movable bearing pulled by the movable portion.

5. The transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the decoupling mechanism makes contact with the movable bearing and hinders a movement of the movable bearing pulled by the movable portion.

6. The transfer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fixed bearing configured to receive a load of the rod-shaped member at an end portion of the rod-shaped member.

7. A storage apparatus comprising: a storage housing configured to store an article; a rod-shaped member comprising a magnetic material, at least part of the rod-shaped member being positioned in an interior of the storage housing; a driving device configured to rotate the rod-shaped member about a central axis of the rod-shaped member; a movable portion facing part of a side surface of the rod-shaped member, the movable portion comprising a magnetic material and being configured to move along the central axis of the rod-shaped member and move the article when the driving device rotates the rod-shaped member; a movable bearing capable of being coupled to the movable portion by a magnetic force, the movable bearing receiving a load from the rod-shaped member and movable along the central axis of the rod-shaped member in association with the movement of the movable portion; and a decoupling mechanism configured to decouple the movable bearing coupled by the magnetic force from the movable portion.

8. The storage apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the movable portion comprises a magnet configured to couple the movable portion to the movable bearing.

9. The storage apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the movable bearing comprises a magnet configured to couple the movable bearing to the movable portion.

10. The storage apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the movable bearing is movable within the interior of the storage housing.

11. The storage apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the decoupling mechanism hinders a movement of the movable hearing pulled by the movable portion.

12. The storage apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the decoupling mechanism makes contact with the movable bearing and hinders a movement of the movable bearing pulled by the movable portion.

13. The storage apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the decoupling mechanism hinders the movable hearing pulled by the movable portion from coming out from the storage housing.

14. The storage apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a fixed bearing configured to receive a load of the rod-shaped member at an end portion of the rod-shaped member.

15. The storage apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the driving device is disposed outside the storage housing.

16. The storage apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the storage housing is a temperature-controlled furnace having a temperature-controlled space.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a storage apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a transfer apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a first rod-shaped member and an opposite member according to the embodiment of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a schematic front view illustrating a movable bearing and a decoupling mechanism according to the embodiment of the invention.

[0025] FIG. 5 is conceptual drawings illustrating an action of the transfer apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 6 is conceptual drawings illustrating an action of the transfer apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating a first rod-shaped member and an opposite member according to a modification of the embodiment of the invention.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating the first rod-shaped member and the opposite member according to the modification of the embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the description of the drawings given below, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, the drawings are schematically illustrated. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined with reference to the following description. It will be appreciated that the relationship or ratio between dimensions may be different among the drawings.

[0030] The storage apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises a storage housing 1 that stores articles and a transfer apparatus 15 that transfers the articles, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The storage housing 1 is, for example, a temperature-controlled furnace having a temperature-controlled space that houses the articles. The temperature-controlled furnace is, for example, a freeze drying furnace. For example, a shelf board is disposed horizontally in the storage housing 1 and the articles comprising an object to be freeze-dried are disposed on the shelf board. The articles are, for example, vials containing a medicine poured therein.

[0031] The transfer apparatus 15 comprises a first rod-shaped member 2A comprising a magnetic material, a second rod-shaped member 2B comprising a magnetic material, a driving device 4 configured to rotate the first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B about central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B, and a movable portion 33 facing a part of side surfaces of the first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B and comprising a magnetic material, the movable portion 33 moving along the central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B when the driving device 4 rotates the first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B.

[0032] The transfer apparatus 15 may comprise a movable bearing 35 that may be coupled to and decoupled from the movable portion 33 by a magnetic force and capable of moving along the central axis of the first rod-shaped member 2A in association with the movement of the movable portion 33 upon reception of a radial load of the first rod-shaped member 2A for example, and a decoupling mechanism 37 configured to decouple the movable bearing 35 coupled to the movable portion 33 by the magnetic force from the movable portion 33.

[0033] For example, the first rod-shaped member 2A is disposed in an interior of the storage housing 1. The second rod-shaped member 2B is disposed in a space outside the storage housing 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, an outer diameter of the first rod-shaped member 2A is identical to an outer diameter of the second rod-shaped member 2B. The first rod-shaped member 2A and the second rod-shaped member 2B are disposed so that a central axis of the first rod-shaped member 2A and a central axis of the second rod-shaped member 2B are aligned on an identical line.

[0034] The first rod-shaped member 2A is covered with a first cover 20A. A first end portion of the first rod-shaped member 2A is inserted into a first terminal member 22A. A second end portion of the first rod-shaped member 2A is inserted into a second terminal member 23A.

[0035] The second rod-shaped member 2B is covered with a second cover 20B. A first end portion of the second rod-shaped member 2B is inserted into a third terminal member 22B. A second end portion of the second rod-shaped member 2B is inserted into a fourth terminal member 23B.

[0036] The second terminal member 23A and the third terminal member 22B are connected via a connection member 70. When a door of the storage housing 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is closed, the second terminal member 23A and the third terminal member 22B may be decoupled.

[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a driving device 4 is coupled to the second rod-shaped member 2B via a mandrel portion of the fourth terminal member 23B. The driving device 4 and the fourth terminal member 23B may be coupled via a coupling device (coupling) 14, for example. The driving device 4 comprises, for example, a rotating motor, and is disposed outside a temperature-controlled space in the storage housing 1. The driving device 4 may be covered with a shield or the like which prevents diffusion of possible dust or the like.

[0038] When the driving device 4 causes the fourth terminal member 23B to rotate about the central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B as an axis of rotation, the second rod-shaped member 2B, the third terminal member 22B, the second terminal member 23A, the first rod-shaped member 2A, and the first terminal member 22A illustrated in FIG. 2 rotate simultaneously.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first rod-shaped member 2A is a magnetic screw comprising a magnetic material and an outer peripheral surface thereof is threaded in a spiral shape. The first cover 20A is, for example, a thin-walled pipe of a nonmagnetic material made of stainless steel, aluminum, resin, or the like. The first rod-shaped member 2A is inserted into the first cover 20A having a cylindrical shape. The central axis of the first rod-shaped member 2A is aligned with the central axis of the first cover 20A. When the first rod-shaped member 2A rotates, the first cover 20A also rotates about the central axis of the first rod-shaped member 2A.

[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second rod-shaped member 2B is also a magnetic screw comprising a magnetic material and the outer peripheral surface thereof is threaded in a spiral shape. The second cover 20B is, for example, a thin-walled pipe of a nonmagnetic material made of stainless steel, aluminum, resin, or the like. The second rod-shaped member 2B is inserted into the second cover 20B having a cylindrical shape. The central axis of the second rod-shaped member 2B is aligned with the central axis of the second cover 20B. When the second rod-shaped member 2B rotates, the second cover 20B also rotates about the central axis of the second rod-shaped member 2B.

[0041] The transfer apparatus 15 further comprises a first fixed bearing 12 configured to receive a load from the first rod-shaped member 2A via a mandrel portion of the first terminal member 22A, and a second fixed bearing 13 configured to receive a load from the second rod-shaped member 2B via the mandrel portion of the fourth terminal member 23B as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The first fixed bearing 12 is disposed, for example, in the storage housing 1. The second fixed bearing 13 is disposed, for example, outside the storage housing 1.

[0042] The movable portion 33 further comprises an opposite member 3 that faces a part of the side surfaces of the first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B and comprising a magnetic material as illustrated in FIG. 1. The opposite member 3 is a magnetic nut comprising a magnetic material and provided with a hole having an inner circumference larger than outer circumferences of the first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B. The first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B penetrate through a hole in the opposite member 3 having a nut shape.

[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 3, S pole magnetized zones and N pole magnetized zones are alternately provided in a spiral shape on an inner peripheral surface of the hole in the opposite member 3. A pitch of the magnetized zones of the opposite member 3 is substantially the same as a pitch of the threads of the first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B. Guide rings 31 and 32 such as bushes may be provided on an inner peripheral surface of the opposite member 3. The inner circumferences of the respective guide rings 31 and 32 are smaller than the inner circumference of the opposite member 3 and make contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second covers 20A and 20B. Therefore, a constant interval is kept between the threads of the first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B and the magnetized zones of the opposite member 3. The guide rings 31 and 32 are made of a material having a small friction coefficient, such as fluororesin.

[0044] A magnetic force acts between the threads of the first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B illustrated in FIG. 1 and the magnetized zone of the opposite member 3. The opposite member 3 is fixed to the movable portion 33 in a non-rotatable manner. Therefore, when the driving device 4 rotates the first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B, the movable portion 33 provided with the opposite member 3 moves linearly along the central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B. A direction of travel of the movable portion 33 is switched depending on the direction of rotation of the first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B. Therefore, the movable portion 33 may reciprocate along the central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B. The movable portion 33 may be provided with wheels or the like configured to rotate in contact with a floor or a rail on the floor. The movable portion 33 may also be supported by, for example, a guide rail. The movable portion 33 is provided, for example, with a table for placing articles.

[0045] Note that the first rod-shaped member 2A and the second rod-shaped member 2B are connected in such a manner that a screw pitch of an extended screw shaft matches the screw pitch of the second rod-shaped member 2B and does not cause any misalignment even when the screw shaft of the first rod-shaped member 2A is extended. Accordingly, the opposite member 3 is allowed to move smoothly from the first rod-shaped member 2A to the second rod-shaped member 2B, or from the second rod-shaped member 2B to the first rod-shaped member 2A at a connecting portion between the first rod-shaped member 2A and the second rod-shaped member 2B.

[0046] The movable bearing 35 is movable, for example, in the interior of the storage housing 1. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the movable bearing 35 is provided with a through-hole 45 configured to allow the first rod-shaped member 2A and the first cover 20A to pass through. An inner wall of the through-hole 45 provided in the movable bearing 35 is not provided with a magnetic material. Therefore, even when the first rod-shaped member 2A illustrated in FIG. 1 rotates, the movable bearing 35 does not move solely. The movable bearing 35 moves by being pushed by the movable portion 33 or by being pulled by the movable portion 33 coupled by a magnetic force. The movable bearing 35 may be provided with wheels or the like configured to rotate in contact with a floor or a rail on the floor.

[0047] A magnet 135 is provided an a surface of the movable bearing 35 facing the movable portion 33. A magnet 133 is provided on a surface of the movable portion 33 facing the movable bearing 35. A configuration in which the magnet 135 may be provided on the movable bearing 35 and a member comprising iron to be coupled to the magnet 135 is provided on the surface of the movable portion 33 facing the movable bearing 35 is also applicable. Alternatively, a configuration in which the magnet 133 may be provided on the movable portion 33 and a member comprising iron to be coupled to the magnet 133 is provided on the surface of the movable bearing 35 facing the movable portion 33 is also applicable.

[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 5(a), when the movable portion 33 approaches the movable bearing 35 by the driving device 4 rotating the first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B, the magnet 133 of the movable portion 33 and the magnet 135 of the movable bearing 35 are coupled as illustrated in FIG. 5(b). The movable bearing 35 coupled to the movable portion 33 by a magnetic force is pushed by the movable portion 33 and moves along the first rod-shaped member 2A as illustrated in FIG. 5(c).

[0049] When the driving device 4 rotates the first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B in a direction of rotation opposite to the direction of rotation illustrated in FIG. 5, the movable bearing 35 is pulled by the movable portion 33 by a magnetic force and moves along the first rod-shaped member 2A as illustrated in FIG. 6(a). As illustrated in FIG. 4, when the movable bearing 35 makes contact with the decoupling mechanism 37 being, for example, a hook shaped column, a movement of the movable bearing 35 in a direction in which the movable bearing 35 is pulled by the movable portion 33 is stopped by the decoupling mechanism 37 as illustrated in FIG. 6(b) and FIG. 6(c). In addition, the movable bearing 35 coupled by a magnetic force is decoupled from the movable portion 33. Accordingly, the movable bearing 35 pulled by the movable portion 33 is prevented from coming out from the storage housing.

[0050] In the storage apparatus according to the embodiment described above, the driving torque is transmitted between the first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B and the opposite member 3 illustrated in FIG. 1 in a non-contact manner by a magnetic force. Therefore, when a driving torque is transmitted between the first and second rod-shaped members 2A and 2B and the opposite member 3, heat and dust are unlikely to be generated. Accordingly, even if the opposite member 3 moves in the temperature-controlled space in the storage housing 1, an influence of heat generation in the temperature-controlled space may be prevented or reduced and the temperature-controlled space may be kept clean.

[0051] In addition, since the driving device 4 is disposed outside the temperature-controlled space in the storage housing 1, even if dust is generated in the driving device 4, the dust is unlikely to enter the temperature-controlled space in the storage housing 1. If the driving devices are disposed in the interior of the temperature-controlled furnace, the temperature distribution may become uneven in the temperature-controlled furnace such as a freeze drying furnace due to the heated driving devices. In this case, the quality of multiple articles disposed in the temperature-controlled furnace may become uneven. In contrast, in the storage apparatus according to the embodiment, since the driving device 4 is disposed outside the temperature-controlled space in the storage housing 1, the temperature is unlikely to become uneven in the storage housing 1.

[0052] In addition, since the movement of the movable bearing 35 is performed via the movable portion 33, the movable bearing 35 is separated from the driving device 4, which is a power source. Therefore, even though the driving device 4 is disposed outside the storage housing 1, the movable bearing 35 may be moved in the interior of the storage housing 1. In addition, since the movement of the movable bearing 35 is performed via the movable portion 33, a door of the storage housing 1 may be opened and closed by separating the connecting portion between the first rod-shaped member 2A and the second rod-shaped member 2B located near the door.

[0053] Furthermore, from the view point of maintaining the temperature in the storage housing 1 or preventing or reducing introduction of dust outside the storage housing 1 into the interior, the movable bearing 35 may preferably stay in the storage housing 1. Limiting of movable range of the movable bearing not only in the storage housing 1, may be preferred depending on the case. In contrast, according to the storage apparatus of the embodiment, the movable range of the movable bearing 35 may be set within a range smaller than the movable range of the movable portion 33 by the decoupling mechanism 37.

Modification

[0054] FIG. 3 illustrates the first rod-shaped member 2A provided with the threads. In contrast, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the outer peripheral surface of the first rod-shaped member 2A may be provided with S pole magnetized zones and N pole magnetized zones alternately in a spiral shape. The same applies to the second rod-shaped member 2B. The pitch of the magnetized zones of the first rod-shaped member 2A illustrated in FIG. 7 is substantially identical to the pitch of the magnetized zones of the opposite member 3. When the first rod-shaped member 2A is rotated, a magnetic force acts between the magnetized zones of the first rod-shaped member 2A and the magnetized zones of the opposite member 3, and thus the opposite member 3 moves.

[0055] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the opposite member 3 may be a threaded magnetic material. The surface of a threaded hole in the opposite member 3 may be covered with a thin-walled pipe 30 formed of a nonmagnetic material. This can prevent foreign matters from adhering to a threaded groove of the opposite member 3. The structure of the first rod-shaped member 2A is the same as that of FIG. 7. The pitch of the threads of the opposite member 3 illustrated in FIG. 8 is substantially the same as the pitch of the magnetized zones of the first rod-shaped member 2A. When the first rod-shaped member 2A is rotated, a magnetic force acts between the magnetized zones of the first rod-shaped member 2A and the threads of the opposite member 3, and the opposite member 3 move.

Other Embodiments

[0056] As described above, the invention has been described by way of the embodiment, but it should not be understood that the description and the drawings that are parts of the disclosure limit the invention. It must be apparent to those skilled in the art that various alternative embodiments, examples, and operational techniques are clarified based on the disclosure. For example, the shape of the opposite member is not limited to the nut shape, but may be, for example, a concave shape. In this case, the rod-shaped member passes through the concave portion of the concave opposite member. S pole magnetized zones and N pole magnetized zones are alternately provided on the side surface of the concave portion of the concave opposite member. In addition, the storage housing may be a sterilization processing furnace or a fermenting furnace or may be a storage housing that does not undergo temperature control. In addition, the articles transferred to the inside and the outside of the storage housing are not limited to medicines, but may comprise foods, beverages, precision parts, etc., as well as any articles. In addition, the transfer apparatus is not necessarily combined with the storage housing. As described above, it should be understood that the invention encompasses various embodiments and the like not described in the specification.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0057] 1: storage housing [0058] 2A: first rod-shaped member [0059] 2B: second rod-shaped member [0060] 3: opposite member [0061] 4: driving device [0062] 12: first fixed bearing [0063] 13: second fixed bearing [0064] 15: transfer apparatus [0065] 20A: first cover [0066] 20B: second cover [0067] 22A: first terminal member [0068] 22B: third terminal member [0069] 23A: second terminal member [0070] 23B: fourth terminal member [0071] 30: thin-walled pipe [0072] 31: guide ring [0073] 33: movable portion [0074] 35: movable bearing [0075] 37: decoupling mechanism [0076] 45: through-hole [0077] 70: connection member [0078] 133, 135: magnet