JP7601706B2 - Animal rearing unit and animal rearing unit system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an animal rearing unit and an animal rearing unit system.

For example, animals such as rats are kept in research facilities. Patent Document 1 discloses an animal keeping system that automatically keeps animals. The animal keeping system disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a rack, a transport robot, and a camera, and the animal keeping cages are transported using the hands of the transport robot.

JP 2014-226086 A

Incidentally, in facilities for raising multiple animals, such as the animal rearing system disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is common for multiple cages containing animals to be placed next to each other. However, from the standpoint of animal welfare and from the standpoint of managing the physical condition of the animals, it is necessary to reduce the stress on the animals. Furthermore, if an animal housed in one of the cages becomes infected with a pathogen, it is necessary to prevent the pathogen from spreading to animals housed in other cages.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to reduce the stress on animals kept in an animal rearing unit and animal rearing unit system capable of rearing multiple animals, and to prevent the transmission of pathogens to other animals if an animal becomes infected with an infectious disease.

The present invention adopts the following configuration as a means for solving the above problems.

The first aspect of the present invention is an animal rearing unit that includes a chamber that separates an internal space from an external space, a transport unit that is arranged to be movable in the internal space of the chamber and that moves animal containment cages, a number of loading booths that have openings facing the movement space of the transport unit and in which the containment cages can be placed, and partitions that are arranged between the loading booths.

The second aspect of the present invention is the first aspect, further comprising a lid section for opening and closing the opening of the loading booth, and the transport unit is provided with a cage moving section for moving the storage cage and a lid holding section capable of detachably holding the lid section.

The third aspect of the present invention is the second aspect described above, but with an environmental adjustment unit capable of individually adjusting the environment of either or both of the movement space of the transport unit and the loading booth.

The fourth aspect of the present invention is the third aspect, in which the environmental adjustment unit is provided with an air conditioning unit that supplies purified air to the movement space of the transport unit, and an air flow path is provided that allows ventilation from the movement space of the transport unit to the internal space of the loading booth when the opening is closed by the lid.

The fifth aspect of the present invention is the third or fourth aspect, in which the environmental adjustment unit is provided with an exhaust unit that is disposed in the loading booth and exhausts air from the internal space of the loading booth to the outside of the chamber.

The sixth aspect of the present invention is any one of the second to fifth aspects, in which the lid is made of a material that is transparent to infrared rays.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is any one of the first to sixth aspects, in which the transport unit is provided with a covering portion that covers at least a portion of the side surface of the storage cage when the storage cage is moved.

The eighth aspect of the present invention is the seventh aspect, in which the transport unit is provided with a bottom support portion that supports the bottom surface of the storage cage from below when the storage cage is moved.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is any one of the first to eighth aspects, in which the transport unit is provided with an imaging unit that images the animal in the internal space of the placement booth.

The tenth aspect of the present invention is any one of the first to ninth aspects, and is configured to include a working unit that is provided next to the chamber and allows the work performed on the storage cage to be visually observed from the outside.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is an animal rearing unit system that employs a configuration including a plurality of animal rearing units according to any one of the first to tenth aspects.

The present invention allows the movement of the housing cages within the chamber using a transport unit. Therefore, if an animal in the chamber develops an infectious disease, it is possible to prevent pathogens from leaking out of the chamber, and to prevent the pathogens from spreading to other animals in research facilities, etc. Furthermore, the present invention provides partitions between the loading booths. Therefore, the partitions can prevent the movement, noise, and pathogens of animals in other loading booths from being transmitted. Therefore, the present invention reduces stress on the animals being kept, and makes it possible to prevent the spread of pathogens to other animals if an animal being kept becomes infected with an infectious disease.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an animal breeding unit according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an animal breeding unit in one embodiment of the present invention, with the inside of the chamber exposed. 1A and 1B are schematic cross-sectional views of a rack provided in an animal breeding unit in one embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a vertical cross-sectional view and (b) is a horizontal cross-sectional view. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a transport unit provided in an animal rearing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the traveling direction. FIG. 1 is an enlarged oblique view including a transfer unit of a transport unit provided in an animal rearing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram including a light-shielding plate portion and a lower support plate portion provided on an animal rearing unit in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram including a loading booth provided in a modified example of an animal rearing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a general configuration of an animal breeding unit system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Below, an embodiment of an animal rearing unit and an animal rearing unit system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The animal breeding unit 1 of this embodiment is used, for example, in a research facility or the like as a device for breeding an animal X, such as a mouse or a rat, in a cage Y. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the general configuration of the animal breeding unit 1 of this embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the general configuration of the animal breeding unit 1 of this embodiment with the interior of the chamber 2 exposed.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the animal rearing unit 1 of this embodiment includes a chamber 2, a cabinet 3, an air shower 4, an air conditioning unit 5 (environmental adjustment unit), a rack 6, a lid 7, a transport unit 8, and a control unit 9.

The chamber 2 is a large container-like member that houses the rack 6, the lid 7, and the transport unit 8 and separates the internal space from the external space. In this embodiment, the chamber 2 is formed in a rectangular shape with long and short sides when viewed from above.

As described below, the transport unit 8 travels inside the chamber 2 in a direction along the long side of the chamber 2 in a plan view. For this reason, in the following description, the longitudinal direction of the chamber 2 (direction along the long side) is referred to as the travel direction. Furthermore, when transferring the storage cage Y described below, the transport unit 8 moves the storage cage Y in a direction along the short side of the chamber 2 in a plan view. For this reason, in the following description, the short side direction of the chamber 2 (direction along the short side) is referred to as the transfer direction. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the travel direction and transfer direction is referred to as the up-down direction.

The cabinet 3 is provided at a substantially central position in the traveling direction on the side wall of the chamber 2. As shown in FIG. 1 , the cabinet 3 is provided in the lower part of the chamber 2 and protrudes from the side wall of the chamber 2 toward the outside of the chamber 2.

The internal space of this cabinet 3 is connected to the internal space of the chamber 2, and is a portion on which the storage cage Y carried out from inside the chamber 2 can be placed. The storage cage Y stored in the rack 6 is moved and transferred to this cabinet 3 by the transport unit 8. In addition, the storage cage Y placed on the cabinet 3 is moved by the transport unit 8 and transferred to the rack 6.

In addition, the front side of the cabinet 3 is provided with an openable and closable window 3a. Therefore, with the window 3a closed, it is possible to observe the animal X housed in the storage cage Y from outside the cabinet 3. With the window 3a partially open, for example, an operator can insert only his or her hand into the interior of the cabinet 3 from outside the cabinet 3 to perform work on the animal X housed in the storage cage Y. With the window 3a open, it is also possible to move the storage cage Y in and out of the cabinet 3.

The cabinet 3 is formed to be large enough to accommodate two storage cages Y, for example, side by side in the travel direction in the internal space. An openable and closable lid 7 is provided at the boundary between the internal space of the cabinet 3 and the internal space of the chamber 2. The lid 7 is formed so as to be openable and closable by a lid opening and closing unit 8d (described later) provided in the transport unit 8. The cabinet 3 may be a clean bench or a glove box. Furthermore, the cabinet 3 may have a pass box function. In other words, the animal rearing unit 1 of this embodiment preferably includes a work unit that is provided next to the chamber 2 and allows work on the storage cage Y to be visually observed from the outside.

The air shower 4 is provided at one end of the chamber 2 in the travel direction. This air shower 4 is provided at the bottom of the chamber 2 and is attached so as to protrude from the side wall of the chamber 2 to the outside of the chamber 2.

The internal space of this air shower 4 is connected to the internal space of the chamber 2, and is formed so that the worker can enter and exit the internal space of the chamber 2 through the internal space of the air shower 4. In other words, the air shower 4 functions as an entrance and exit to the chamber 2. Such an air shower 4 is formed so that it can spray a cleaning airflow toward the internal space, and the cleaning airflow is used to remove foreign matter and the like that has adhered to the worker in the internal space.

The air conditioning unit 5 is disposed at the top of the chamber 2 and supplies clean air to the internal space of the chamber 2. For example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, multiple air conditioning units 5 are provided at the top of the chamber 2. Each air conditioning unit 5 has a built-in filter, such as a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) filter, to remove foreign matter contained in the outside air.

These air conditioning units 5 supply clean air to the travel space (movement space) of the transport unit 8 within the internal space of the chamber 2. This clean air is supplied from the travel space of the transport unit 8 to the inside of the loading booth 6a described below, which is provided facing this travel space. The air inside the loading booth 6a is exhausted to the outside of the chamber 2 via an exhaust flow path (not shown) equipped with a filter or the like. These air conditioning units 5 are environmental adjustment units that adjust the environment of the travel space of the transport unit 8 and the travel space of the transport unit 8 within the loading booth 6a described below.

The rack 6 is disposed in the internal space of the chamber 2, and is provided with a number of loading booths 6a in which the storage cages Y can be placed. In this embodiment, a running space extending in the running direction is provided inside the chamber 2. This running space is a space through which the transport unit 8 moves as it runs. Two racks 6 are provided so as to sandwich this running space in the transfer direction. Note that in this embodiment, each rack 6 is provided integrally with the side wall of the chamber 2. However, each rack 6 may be provided separately from the side wall of the chamber 2.

Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the rack 6, where (a) is a vertical cross-sectional view and (b) is a horizontal cross-sectional view. As shown in this figure, each rack 6 is provided with a plurality of loading booths 6a arranged in the vertical direction and in the travel direction. Each loading booth 6a has an opening 6a1 facing the travel space. A storage cage Y can be inserted and removed from each loading booth 6a through the opening 6a1.

In this embodiment, each loading booth 6a is formed to a size that allows a single storage cage Y to be accommodated. A pair of legs 6b on which the storage cage Y is placed is provided on the floor surface of each loading booth 6a. Each leg 6b extends linearly along the transfer direction. These legs 6b are spaced apart in the travel direction, forming a gap between the storage cage Y and the floor surface of the loading booth 6a into which the lower support plate portion 8g2 of the transport unit 8, which will be described later, can be inserted.

Although not shown in the figure, a lighting device (environmental adjustment unit) that illuminates the inside of the loading booth 6a may be arranged inside the loading booth 6a. Also, an individual air conditioning unit (environmental adjustment unit) that adjusts the internal temperature of the loading booth 6a may be arranged inside the loading booth 6a. Such lighting devices and individual air conditioning units are environmental adjustment units that adjust the travel space of the transport unit 8 and the environment of each of the loading booths 6a.

In addition, such a rack 6 is provided with partitions 6c arranged between the loading booths 6a. The partitions 6c function as the side walls, bottom walls, and top walls of the loading booths 6a. By providing such partitions 6c, a soundproofing effect is obtained that suppresses the propagation of sound between adjacent loading booths 6a. Therefore, the partitions 6c can prevent the transmission of sound emitted from an animal X housed in one loading booth 6a to an animal X housed in another loading booth 6a.

The partitions 6c also make it possible to prevent the movement of dust and pathogens between adjacent loading booths 6a. This makes it possible to prevent the internal environment of a loading booth 6a from being affected by the internal environment of another loading booth 6a.

Furthermore, such partitions 6c have a light-blocking property that blocks visible light, for example. By having the partitions 6c have a light-blocking property, it is possible to prevent the animal X inside the loading booth 6a from visually checking the movements of the animal X in the other loading booths 6a, and to prevent the movements inside the other loading booths 6a from causing stress to the animal X.

The lid section 7 is a member that opens and closes the opening 6a1 of the loading booth 6a. A lid section 7 is provided for each loading booth 6a. Each lid section 7 is removably engaged with the rack 6 by a locking mechanism (not shown). Such a lid section 7 is provided so as to be removably attached by a lid opening/closing unit 8d (described later) of the transport unit 8.

As shown in FIG. 3, each lid portion 7 is formed to a size that leaves a gap S between it and the rack 6 when the opening 6a1 is closed. This gap S is used as an air flow path that allows ventilation from the travel space of the transport unit 8 to the inside of the loading booth 6a when the opening 6a1 is closed by the lid portion 7. In other words, clean air supplied from the air conditioning unit 5 to the travel space of the transport unit 8 is supplied to the inside of the loading booth 6a through the gap S.

Such a lid portion 7 preferably has a light-blocking property that blocks visible light, for example. The entire lid portion 7 may be formed from a material that blocks light. The lid portion 7 may also be formed by covering a member made of a material that has light-transmitting properties with a member that blocks light. By making the lid portion 7 thus have a light-blocking property that blocks visible light, it is possible to prevent the animal X inside the loading booth 6a from visually noticing the movement of the transport unit 8, and to prevent the movement of the transport unit 8 from causing stress to the animal X.

Furthermore, the lid portion 7 can be formed from a material that is transparent to infrared rays. When the lid portion 7 is formed from a material that is transparent to infrared rays, it is possible to capture images of the animal X from the travel space of the transport unit 8 with an infrared camera while the lid portion 7 is closed. This makes it possible to capture images of the animal X without causing stress to the animal X.

The lid 7 is not limited to the loading booth 6a, but is also provided at the boundary between the internal space of the cabinet 3 and the internal space of the chamber 2. The lid 7 provided at the boundary between the internal space of the cabinet 3 and the internal space of the chamber 2 is, for example, engaged with the cabinet 3.

The transport unit 8 transfers the storage cage Y between the loading booth 6a and the cabinet 3, or between loading booths 6a. Figure 4 is a front view showing the schematic configuration of the transport unit 8 as seen from the travel direction. As shown in this figure, the transport unit 8 includes a cart section 8a, a mast 8b, a lifting section 8c, a lid opening/closing unit 8d (lid holding section), a transfer unit 8e (cage moving section), and an imaging unit 8f.

The cart section 8a is grounded to the floor surface of the chamber 2 via wheels, and is a part that can move on the floor surface of the chamber 2 by rolling of the wheels. This cart section 8a is formed to be movable in the travel direction under the control of the control section 9 by the power of a travel motor (not shown), for example. Such a cart section 8a directly or indirectly supports the mast 8b, the lifting section 8c, the lid opening/closing unit 8d, the transfer unit 8e, and the imaging unit 8f from below.

The mast 8b is erected on the carriage section 8a and is used as a guide when the lifting section 8c rises and falls. The lifting section 8c is a section that is provided so that it can rise and fall relative to the mast 8b, and is formed so that it can rise and fall under the control of the control section 9, for example, by the power of a lifting motor (not shown).

The lid opening/closing units 8d are provided on both ends of the lifting section 8c in the transfer direction. In other words, in this embodiment, two lid opening/closing units 8d are provided for the lifting section 8c. One lid opening/closing unit 8d is arranged to face one of the two racks 6. The other lid opening/closing unit 8d is arranged to face the other rack 6.

Each lid opening/closing unit 8d has a vacuum chuck and uses the vacuum chuck to suction the lid portion 7. With the lid portion 7 suctioned, the lid opening/closing unit 8d holds the lid portion 7 and attaches/detaches the lid portion 7 to/from the rack 6. These lid opening/closing units 8d hold the lid portion 7 and attach/detach the lid portion 7 to/from the rack 6 under the control of the control unit 9. Note that instead of a vacuum chuck, a claw-shaped gripping mechanism may be provided in the lid opening/closing unit 8d, and a groove-shaped fitting portion into which the gripping mechanism can fit may be provided in the lid portion 7.

The transfer unit 8e is connected to the top of the lifting section 8c, and moves the storage cage Y between the transport unit 8 and the loading booth 6a, and between the transport unit 8 and the cabinet 3. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view including the transfer unit 8e. As shown in this figure, the transfer unit 8e is equipped with a hand unit 8g. This hand unit 8g has a pair of light-shielding plate parts 8g1 (covering parts) that abut against the sides of the storage cage Y, and a bottom support plate part 8g2 (bottom support part) that supports the storage cage Y from below.

The light shielding plate 8g1 and the lower support plate 8g2 are provided so as to be extendable on both sides in the transfer direction relative to the base 8e1 of the transfer unit 8e. In other words, the light shielding plate 8g1 and the lower support plate 8g2 are formed so that their tips can enter both the internal space of the loading booth 6a of the rack 6 on one side and the internal space of the loading booth 6a of the rack 6 on the other side.

The two light-shielding plate portions 8g1 are arranged facing each other with a space between them in the running direction. These light-shielding plate portions 8g1 are spaced apart to a dimension that allows the storage cage Y to be placed between them. These light-shielding plate portions 8g1 are provided so as to be movable in the running direction by a moving mechanism (not shown). FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram including the light-shielding plate portions 8g1 and the lower support plate portion 8g2. As shown in this figure, the two light-shielding plate portions 8g1 can abut against the side of the storage cage Y by moving the storage cage Y in a direction approaching each other between them. Note that the light-shielding plate portions 8g1 may be pressed against or engaged with the storage cage Y to support the storage cage Y.

Such a light-shielding plate portion 8g1 has a light-shielding property that blocks visible light, and covers at least a portion of the side surface of the containment cage Y when the containment cage Y is moved by the transport unit 8. By covering the side surface of the containment cage Y in this manner, it is possible to prevent the animal X inside the containment cage Y from seeing the outside of the containment cage Y, and reduce the stress imposed on the animal X.

The lower support plate portion 8g2 is formed with a width dimension that allows it to enter between the two legs 6b of the loading booth 6a, and can abut against the underside of the storage cage Y. When the storage cage Y is moved by the transport unit 8, it is supported from below by the lower support plate portion 8g2. If a light-blocking bedding is provided on the floor of the storage cage Y, the lower support plate portion 8g2 does not necessarily have to have light-blocking properties. However, if the floor of the storage cage Y transmits visible light, it is preferable to impart light-blocking properties to the lower support plate portion 8g2. This allows the lower support plate portion 8g2 to function as a covering portion, making it possible to prevent the animal X from seeing the bottom of the storage cage Y.

The imaging unit 8f is supported by the lifting unit 8c and is disposed above the loading and unloading unit 8e. The imaging unit 8f includes an arm 8f1 that can rotate in a horizontal plane around a vertical axis and can extend and retract horizontally, and an infrared camera 8f2 (imaging unit) that is provided at the tip of the arm 8f1.

For example, when the lid 7 is removed and the loading booth 6a is opened, the arm 8f1 causes the infrared camera 8f2 to enter the internal space of the loading booth 6a under the control of the control unit 9. The infrared camera 8f2 captures an image of the animal X under the control of the control unit 9 and outputs the captured image data.

The control unit 9 controls the air shower 4, the air conditioning unit 5, and the transport unit 8. The control unit 9 can receive command signals from the outside, and moves the storage cage Y by controlling the transport unit 8, etc. based on the command signals or pre-stored programs, etc.

The animal rearing unit 1 of this embodiment may also be equipped with an operation unit through which an operator inputs command signals, a display unit that displays images captured by the imaging unit 8f, a card reader that identifies the operator operating the unit, etc.

For example, in the animal rearing unit 1 of this embodiment, when the storage cage Y placed in the loading booth 6a is to be moved to the cabinet 3, the control unit 9 controls the cart unit 8a of the transport unit 8 to move the transport unit 8 so that the transport unit 8 faces the loading booth 6a in which the storage cage Y to be moved is housed.

The control unit 9 then causes the transport unit 8 to raise and lower the lifting unit 8c, and positions the lid opening/closing unit 8d opposite the lid unit 7 that closes the loading booth 6a in which the storage cage Y to be moved is housed. The control unit 9 also causes the lid opening/closing unit 8d to detach the lid unit 7 from the rack 6 and hold the lid unit 7.

Then, the control unit 9 lowers the lifting unit 8c so that the hand unit 8g is positioned in front of the storage cage Y. When the hand unit 8g is positioned in front of the storage cage Y, the control unit 9 controls the transfer unit 8e so that the light shielding plate unit 8g1 and the lower support plate unit 8g2 enter the loading booth 6a, and controls the imaging unit 8f so that the infrared camera 8f2 enters the loading booth 6a.

The control unit 9 then causes the light shielding plate 8g1 to cover the containment cage Y, causes the lower support plate 8g2 to support the containment cage Y, and causes the infrared camera to capture an image of the animal X contained in the containment cage Y. Furthermore, the control unit 9 causes the hand unit 8g to transfer the containment cage Y from the loading booth 6a to the transport unit 8. Thereafter, the control unit 9 controls the lifting unit 8c and the lid opening/closing unit 8d to return the lid unit 7 to its original position.

The control unit 9 then drives the transport unit 8 as necessary to face the cabinet 3. The control unit 9 raises and lowers the lifting unit 8c to position the lid opening/closing unit 8d facing the lid unit 7 provided on the cabinet 3. The control unit 9 also causes the lid opening/closing unit 8d to detach the lid unit 7 from the cabinet 3 and hold the lid unit 7.

Then, the control unit 9 lowers the lifting unit 8c so that the hand unit 8g faces the internal space of the cabinet 3. When the hand unit 8g is positioned in front of the internal space of the cabinet 3, the control unit 9 controls the transfer unit 8e so that the light shielding plate 8g1 and the lower support plate 8g2 enter the internal space of the cabinet 3, and places the storage cage Y. The control unit 9 then causes the transport unit 8 to return the lid 7 to its original position, returning it to its initial position, etc.

As described above, the animal rearing unit 1 of this embodiment has a chamber 2 that separates the internal space from the external space. The animal rearing unit 1 also has a transport unit 8 that is arranged to be movable in the internal space of the chamber 2 and moves the housing cage Y of the animal X. The animal rearing unit 1 also has an opening 6a1 facing the movement space of the transport unit 8 and has a number of mounting booths 6a on which the housing cage Y can be placed. The animal rearing unit 1 also has partitions 6c arranged between the mounting booths 6a.

The animal rearing unit 1 of this embodiment can move the housing cage Y within the chamber 2 using the transport unit 8. Therefore, if an infectious disease occurs in an animal X in the chamber 2, it is possible to prevent pathogens from leaking out of the chamber 2, and to prevent the pathogens from spreading to other animals X in research facilities, etc. Furthermore, in the animal rearing unit 1 of this embodiment, partitions 6c are arranged between the mounting booths 6a. Therefore, the partitions 6c can prevent the movement, noise, and pathogens of the animals X in the other mounting booths 6a from being transmitted. Therefore, the animal rearing unit 1 of this embodiment can reduce stress on the reared animals X, and can prevent the spread of pathogens to other animals X if the reared animal X becomes infected with an infectious disease.

The animal rearing unit 1 of this embodiment also includes a lid 7 that opens and closes the opening 6a1 of the loading booth 6a. The transport unit 8 also includes a transfer unit 8e that moves the storage cage Y, and a lid opening and closing unit 8d that can detach and hold the lid 7. With the animal rearing unit 1 of this embodiment, the transport unit 8 can detach and hold the lid 7, as well as move the storage cage Y.

The animal rearing unit 1 of this embodiment also includes an air conditioning unit 5 that supplies purified air to the movement space of the transport unit 8. The animal rearing unit 1 also has a gap S that allows ventilation from the movement space of the transport unit 8 to the internal space of the loading booth 6a when the opening 6a1 is closed by the lid 7. This makes it possible to supply purified air from the air conditioning unit 5 to the loading booth 6a.

In addition, in the animal rearing unit 1 of this embodiment, the lid 7 may be formed from a material that is transparent to infrared rays. By forming the lid 7 from a material that is transparent to infrared rays, it becomes possible to observe the animal X based on infrared rays from outside the lid 7. This prevents the animal X from visually noticing that it is being observed, and makes it possible to further reduce the stress imposed on the animal X.

In addition, in the animal rearing unit 1 of this embodiment, the transport unit 8 is equipped with a light shielding plate portion 8g1 that covers at least a portion of the side of the containment cage Y when the containment cage Y is moved. Therefore, when the containment cage Y is moved by the transport unit 8, the side of the containment cage Y can be covered by the light shielding plate portion 8g1. By covering the side of the containment cage Y in this manner, it is possible to prevent the animal X inside the containment cage Y from viewing the outside of the containment cage Y, and to reduce the stress imposed on the animal X.

In addition, in the animal rearing unit 1 of this embodiment, the transport unit 8 is provided with a bottom support plate portion 8g2 that supports the bottom of the containment cage Y from below when the containment cage Y is moved. This makes it possible to stably support the containment cage Y with the side of the containment cage Y covered by the light shielding plate portion 8g1.

In addition, in the animal rearing unit 1 of this embodiment, the transport unit 8 is equipped with an infrared camera 8f2 that captures images of the animal X in the internal space of the loading booth 6a. Therefore, even if the animal X has burrowed into the bedding, the state of the animal X can be captured. Furthermore, if the lid 7 is transparent to infrared rays, it is possible to capture images of the state of the animal X with the lid 7 closed.

The above describes a preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The shapes and combinations of the components shown in the above embodiment are merely examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements, etc., without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram including a loading booth 6a provided in a modified example of the animal breeding unit 1. As shown in this figure, in the modified example shown in Figure 7, an exhaust unit 10 (environment adjustment unit) is provided. This exhaust unit 10 is provided with an exhaust device 10a provided in each loading booth 6a and an exhaust flow path 10b to which the multiple exhaust devices 10a are connected. According to the modified example provided with such an exhaust unit 10, it is possible to forcibly exhaust the air inside the loading booth 6a to the outside of the loading booth 6a by driving the exhaust device 10a. In addition, for example, under the control of the control unit 9, the exhaust amount of the exhaust device 10a installed in the loading booth 6a that opens the lid part 7 may be increased. In addition, under the control of the control unit 9, when the lid part 7 is opened, the exhaust device 10a installed in the loading booth 6a that opens the lid part 7 may be driven. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the air inside the loading booth 6a from leaking into the moving space of the transport unit 8 and flowing into other loading booths 6a. This type of exhaust unit 10 is an environmental adjustment unit that adjusts the environment of the travel space of the transport unit 8 and the loading booth 6a.

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of an animal rearing unit system 100 equipped with multiple animal rearing units 1. As shown in this figure, the animal rearing unit system 100 is centrally controlled by, for example, a central control device 20. According to an animal rearing unit system 100 equipped with such multiple animal rearing units 1, since each animal rearing unit system 100 is independent, the rearing environments of each animal rearing unit system 100 do not affect each other. Therefore, even if an infectious disease occurs in any of the animal rearing units 1 or maintenance is required for any of the animal rearing units 1, it is possible to respond without stopping rearing in the other animal rearing units 1.

In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the lower surface of the storage cage Y is supported from below by the lower surface support plate portion 8g2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which, instead of the lower surface support plate portion 8g2, a side support portion is provided to support the side surface of the storage cage Y.

1...Animal rearing unit, 2...Chamber, 3...Cabinet, 4...Air shower, 5...Air conditioning unit, 6...Rack, 6a...Mounting booth, 6a1...Opening, 6b...Leg, 6c...Bulkhead, 7...Lid, 8...Transport unit, 8a...Cart, 8b...Mast, 8c...Elevation unit, 8d...Lid opening/closing unit (lid holding unit), 8e...Transfer unit (cage moving unit), 8f...Imaging unit, 8f1...Arm unit, 8f2...Infrared camera, 8g...Hand unit, 8g1...Light shielding plate unit (covering unit), 8g2...Lower support plate unit (lower support unit), 9...Control unit, 10...Exhaust unit, 10a...Exhaust device, 10b...Exhaust flow path, 20...General control device, 100...Animal rearing unit system, S...Gap (ventilation flow path), X...Animal, Y...Housing cage

Claims (10)

A chamber separating an interior space from an exterior space;
A transport unit that is arranged in an internal space of the chamber and moves an animal housing cage;
a plurality of loading booths each having an opening facing a movement space of the transport unit and capable of loading the storage cage;
A partition wall disposed between the loading booths ;
A lid portion for opening and closing the opening of the loading booth;
Equipped with
The transport unit includes:
A cage moving unit that moves the storage cage;
a lid holding part capable of detachably holding the lid part;
Equipped
An animal rearing unit comprising: 2. The animal rearing unit according to claim 1 , further comprising an environmental adjustment unit capable of individually adjusting the environment of either or both of the movement space of the transport unit and the placement booth. The environmental adjustment unit includes an air conditioning unit that supplies clean air to a movement space of the transport unit,
3. The animal rearing unit according to claim 2, further comprising an air passage for allowing ventilation from a movement space of the transport unit to an internal space of the placement booth when the opening is closed by the lid. 4. The animal rearing unit according to claim 2 , further comprising an exhaust unit, as the environmental adjustment unit, which is disposed in the placement booth and exhausts air in the internal space of the placement booth to the outside of the chamber. The animal rearing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the lid portion is formed of a material that is transparent to infrared rays. The animal rearing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the transport unit is provided with a covering portion that covers at least a portion of a side surface of the containment cage when the containment cage is moved. 7. The animal rearing unit according to claim 6 , wherein the transport unit includes a bottom support portion that supports a bottom surface of the containment cage from below when the containment cage is moved. 8. The animal rearing unit according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit is provided with an imaging unit that images the animals in the internal space of the placement booth. 9. The animal rearing unit according to claim 1, further comprising a working unit that is provided next to the chamber and enables work performed on the housing cages to be visually observed from the outside. An animal rearing unit system comprising a plurality of animal rearing units according to any one of claims 1 to 9 .

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