Centrifuge with deformable mechanism

Abstract

The invention provides a centrifugal machine which comprises a rotor and a plurality of bases. Each base comprises a plurality of deformation units, each deformation unit is connected to the base in a pivoting manner and a reciprocating manner, and each deformation unit provides a containing part or a carrying part for containing or carrying a centrifugal test tube; each deformation unit can respond to the rotating speed during the rotation of the rotor to adjust the relationship between each deformation unit and the base through pivoting and reciprocating movement, so that the plurality of centrifugal test tubes carried by the plurality of bases can rotate at the same rotating radius.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved structure of a centrifuge, in particular to a centrifuge used in conjunction with multi-row centrifuge tubes. Background Art

[0002] In chemical and biological tests and experiments, centrifuges are common devices. They mainly use sedimentation and centrifugal motion to separate substances in target samples. For example, specific cellular substances are separated from biological blood samples. In actual applications, the placement positions of centrifuge tubes in the centrifuge are usually strictly required to ensure that these centrifuge tubes can move along the correct trajectory, so as to prevent the centrifuge from generating unnecessary vibrations and having an adverse impact on the test results.

[0003] Figure 1 Centrifuge 1 used in conjunction with multi-row is schematically shown, which is driven by control module 10. Specifically, control module 10 is electrically connected to a motor (not shown), and the motor is mechanically connected to rotor 11 of centrifuge 1 via a rotating shaft (not shown). Operation interface 12 is electrically connected to control module 10. Operation interface 12 is configured to allow a user to input commands to control module 10 to drive the motor, such as parameters like rotation speed and time.

[0004] Figure 2 The configuration of a known multi-row is schematically shown, where each section is an eight-row, that is, eight centrifuge tubes can be placed in each section. Since the tube bases of the known rotor 11 are all fixed mechanisms, the distances between the positions 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 of each centrifuge tube and the rotation center C of rotor 11 are not all the same. As shown in the figure, positions close to the middle of the multi-row, like position 25, and positions close to both ends of the multi-row, like position 28, have a significant difference in the distance from the rotation center C. Specifically, the rotation radius of position 25 is R5, the rotation radius of position 28 is R8, and R5 is less than R8. Thus, during centrifugation, the centrifuge tube at position 28 bears a greater centrifugal force than the centrifuge tube at position 25, which may lead to different separation degrees in the two tubes. As the number of multi-rows increases, this difference in radius and separation will be more significant.

[0005] In addition, most of the known multi-row bases are fixed, that is, the centrifuge tubes are placed in each position 21 to 28 in a specific orientation. If these centrifuge tubes are all placed upright, then the tubes near the center of the multi-row and the tubes at both ends of the multi-row will have different force directions during centrifugation, which is not conducive to obtaining consistent separation results.

[0006] Therefore, there is still a need for improvement in the centrifuge used for current multi-rows. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a centrifuge, comprising: a rotor having a rotation center; a plurality of bases connected to the rotor and arranged along the periphery of the rotor, each base for carrying a plurality of centrifuge tubes; wherein each base comprises a plurality of deformation units, each deformation unit being pivotally and reciprocally connected to the base, and each deformation unit providing a receiving member or a carrying member for receiving or carrying the centrifuge tubes, whereby each deformation unit can, during rotation of the rotor, adjust the relationship between each deformation unit and the base via pivoting and reciprocating movement in response to the rotational speed, so that the plurality of centrifuge tubes carried by the plurality of bases can rotate with a consistent radius of rotation.

[0008] In a specific embodiment, the base has a center and two ends, and the plurality of deformation units comprised by the base are distributed between the two ends of the base, and the plurality of deformation units are connected to the base in parallel.

[0009] In a specific embodiment, the base has a top and a bottom, and the plurality of deformation units are restricted to pivot and reciprocate between the top and the top of the base.

[0010] In a specific embodiment, the base has a plurality of tracks, and the plurality of deformation units comprised by the base are respectively slidably connected to the base via corresponding tracks, so that each deformation unit can reciprocate relative to the base along the corresponding track.

[0011] In a specific embodiment, the plurality of tracks have an inner end and an outer end, and the plurality of tracks have different strokes, and the strokes of the tracks near the two ends of the base are shorter than the strokes of the tracks near the center of the base.

[0012] In a specific embodiment, each deformation unit has a pivot axis, and each deformation unit is pivotally connected to the base via the pivot axis, so that each deformation unit can pivot relative to the base according to the pivot axis, wherein the direction of the pivot axis is the same as the direction of the rotating shaft to which the rotor is connected.

[0013] In a specific embodiment, the base has a plurality of reset units, and each reset unit provides a reset force to the corresponding deformation unit, and the reset force generally points to the rotation center of the rotor, whereby each deformation unit is located at the inner end of the corresponding track during the period when the rotor is stationary.

[0014] In a specific embodiment, all the outer ends of the plurality of tracks of the plurality of bases generally match a circular trajectory.

[0015] In a specific embodiment, a part of each deformation unit is located between the top and bottom of the base and is not exposed, and another part of each deformation unit is exposed outside the base and has a hook for hanging a centrifuge tube.

[0016] In a specific embodiment, the number of deformation units included in each base is eight or twelve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention can be further understood with reference to the following drawings and descriptions. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples are described with reference to the following drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to actual scale; the emphasis is on illustrating the structure and principle.

[0018] Figure 1 A centrifuge used in conjunction with multi-well plates is schematically shown.

[0019] Figure 2 The configuration of a conventional fixed multi-well centrifuge and the differences in its rotation radius are schematically shown.

[0020] Figure 3 A perspective view of a centrifuge of the present invention having a deformable mechanism is shown.

[0021] Figure 4 A sectional structure according to line AA is shown.

[0022] Figure 5A A first embodiment of the reset unit is schematically shown.

[0023] Figure 5B A second embodiment of the reset unit is schematically shown.

[0024] Figure 5C A third embodiment of the reset unit is schematically shown.

[0025] Figure 6A A top view (reset state) of the centrifuge of the present invention is shown.

[0026] Figure 6B A top view (deformed state) of the centrifuge of the present invention is shown.

[0027] Figure 7A A perspective view of a variation example of the deformation unit is shown.

[0028] Figure 7B A front view of a variation example of the deformation unit is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The present invention will be more fully described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, and specific exemplary embodiments will be shown by way of illustration. However, the claimed subject matter may be embodied in many different forms, and thus the construction of the claimed or covered subject matter is not limited to any of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in this specification; the exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative. Similarly, the present invention aims to provide a reasonably broad scope for the claimed or covered subject matter. In addition, the drawings and illustrations in the present invention are generally not drawn to scale and are not intended to correspond to actual relative dimensions.

[0030] For the purposes of consistency and ease of understanding, like features are labeled with reference numerals in the exemplary drawings (although this may not be the case in some examples). However, the features in different embodiments may be different in other respects, and thus should not be narrowly limited to the features shown in the drawings. The terms "first", "second", etc. in the description of the present invention and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order.

[0031] Figure 3 A perspective view of a centrifuge showing the deformable mechanism of the present invention. Figure 4 Showing the sectional structure according to line AA. The parts such as the rotating shaft, motor, control module, housing, and operation interface included in the centrifuge are not the parts improved by the present invention, so they are omitted and not shown, but those with ordinary knowledge in the field to which the present invention pertains are sufficient to understand this content.

[0032] The centrifuge of the present invention mainly includes a rotor 4 and a plurality of bases 5. The rotor 4 in the illustrated embodiment is basically composed of a central disk 41, a plurality of spokes 42, and a frame 43. The length of the spokes 42 and the shape of the frame 43 are appropriately configured so that the rotor 4 presents a regular hexagonal structure, but the present invention is not limited thereto. A hole is formed in the central disk 41 of the rotor 4 for coupling to a power rotating shaft (omitted and not shown). The six sets of bases 5 shown in the figure are connected to the periphery of the rotor 4 and are symmetrically distributed with respect to the center of the rotor 4. Each base 5 is used to carry a plurality of centrifuge tubes and can be designed as an eight-row or twelve-row arrangement according to requirements. Each base 5 has a center and two ends, and one end of a base 5 abuts against one end of another base 5. The base 5 of the present invention has a deformable mechanism, which takes effect during the centrifugation operation, and the detailed content will be described later.

[0033] The base 5 includes a plurality of deformation units 6, and each deformation unit 6 is pivotally and reciprocally connected to the base 5. According to Figure 4It can be seen that a part of the deformation unit 6 is located in the base 5 and is not exposed, while another part of the deformation unit 6 is exposed outside the base 5. The deformation unit 6 is a thin structure but has a certain structural strength. The deformation unit 6 can be an integrally formed sheet. The inner part of the deformation unit 6 has a pivot 61, and the outer part has at least one hook 62. The deformation unit 6 also has a hollow 63 formed for the purpose of weight reduction.

[0034] The deformation units 6 are connected to the base 5 in parallel. The base 5 has a top 51 and a bottom 52 extending outward from the frame 43, and the multiple deformation units 6 contained in the base 5 are restricted between the top 51 and the bottom 52, with the hooks 62 of the deformation units 6 exposed. Specifically, a downward surface of the top 51 and an upward surface of the bottom 52 respectively abut against an upward surface and a downward surface of the deformation unit 6, restricting the vertical movement direction of the deformation unit 6.

[0035] As Figure 3 shown, the top 51 of the base 5 is formed with multiple tracks 53 between the two ends, and the travel of the tracks 53 near the two ends of the base 5 is shorter than the travel of the tracks 53 near the center of the base 5. The inner ends of these tracks 53 are located on a straight line, while the outer ends are generally located on a circular trajectory. Although not shown in the figure, the bottom 52 is also formed with a track configuration corresponding to that of the top 51. Each deformation unit 6 is connected to the corresponding track 53 of the base 5 via a pivot 61, enabling the deformation unit 6 to reciprocate relative to the base 5 along the track 53, where the pivot 61 is generally aligned with the axis of rotation direction. Of course, according to different track travels, the reciprocating movement amplitude achievable by the deformation unit 6 is also different. In addition, due to the arc structures at the inner and outer ends of the track 53, the deformation unit 6 can pivot at any position on the track 53 via the cylindrical pivot 61. In other words, each deformation unit 6 can reciprocate along the track 53 and can also pivot freely. The relative relationship between the track 53 and the pivot 61 in the illustrated embodiment can be observed from a top view or a bottom view, but in other embodiments, the track 53 can also be completely located inside the base 5 and cannot be observed from the outside.

[0036] The hooks of the deformation unit 6 are illustrated in the figure. A centrifuge tube (not shown) can be provided with a corresponding mechanism so that an operator or a robotic arm can suspend the centrifuge tube on the hook 62. In this regard, the centrifuge tube is relatively unrestrained with respect to the deformation unit 6. Alternatively, a receptacle or other carrier can also replace the hook 62 of the deformation unit 6. For example, the deformation unit 6 can be configured to have a slot for accommodating the centrifuge tube. In this regard, the centrifuge tube is restrained and does not easily shake. In summary, in addition to being restricted in the vertical direction, the deformation units 6 contained in the base 5 are not restricted in the radial reciprocating movement, horizontal pivoting, and swinging.

[0037] Figure 7A and Figure 7B illustrates a variation of the deformation unit 6, which has a main body 60, a pair of pivot shafts 61, a hook 62 and a hollow 63. The main body 60 is basically a hexahedral structure with a height, a width and a length. The pivot shafts 61 protrude from the upper and lower surfaces of the main body 60. The pivot shafts 61 are generally cylindrical and have a pair of convex ribs 61A. The pivoting range of the deformation unit 6 can be limited due to the relationship between the convex ribs 61A and the width of the track 53. The hook 62 is located on the side of the main body 60 and is basically a structure extending upward, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Generally, multi-row centrifugal test tubes can be suspended to the hook 62 via a known mechanism, and the relevant details are not described herein.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base 5 further has a plurality of reset units, and each reset unit is used to apply an appropriate reset force (tensile force or thrust force) to the deformation unit 6, so that all the deformation units 6 retract to the inner side of the base 5 during static or low-speed movement. The amount of the reset force is appropriately designed so that the deformation unit 6 can overcome the reset force during high-speed movement and extend to the outer side of the base 5.

[0039] Figure 5A Schematically shows a first embodiment of the reset unit. The reset unit is a spring 54 or other elastic member embedded in the inner side of the base 5. In this schematic diagram, one end of the spring 54 is embedded in the base 5, and the other end is connected to the inner side of the deformation unit 6. Alternatively, one end of the spring 54 is embedded in the deformation unit 6, and the other end is connected to the inner side of the base 5. In either form, the spring 54 provides a tensile force to force the deformation unit 6 to move towards the inner side of the base 5. The elastic coefficient of the spring 54 can be appropriately selected so that the centrifugal force of the deformation unit 6 can be greater than the tensile force of the spring 54 during high-speed rotation.

[0040] Figure 5B Schematically shows a second embodiment of the reset unit. The reset unit includes one or more magnets 55 provided on the inner side of the base 5 and a magnetic part 64 provided on the inner side of the deformation unit 6. The magnetic part 64 can be a magnetic metal or a magnet. The deformation unit 6 can be attracted by the magnet 55 on the inner side of the base 5, and the deformation unit 6 is forced to move towards the inner side of the base 5. The magnetic coefficient of the material of the magnet 55 can be appropriately selected so that the centrifugal force of the deformation unit 6 can be greater than the attractive force generated by the magnetic field during high-speed movement.

[0041] Figure 5CA third embodiment of the reset unit is schematically shown. The reset unit is a spring 56 or other elastic member disposed in the track 53. In this schematic diagram, one end of the spring 56 abuts against the pivot 61 of the deformation unit 6, and the other end abuts against the outer end of the track 53. The spring 56 provides pressure to the pivot 61, forcing the deformation unit 6 to move inwardly towards the base 5. Similarly, the spring constant of the spring 56 can be appropriately selected such that the centrifugal force of the deformation unit 6 is greater than the pressure of the spring 56 during high-speed rotation movement.

[0042] Figure 6A Shows the reset state of the centrifuge of the present invention. The reset force provided by the aforementioned reset unit, whether it is a tensile force, a pressure or a magnetic force, can force the deformation unit 6 to move inwardly towards the base 5, and the pivot 61 of the deformation unit 6 is located at the inner end of the track 53. Since the inner ends of the tracks 53 on each base 5 are located on a reference straight line BB, which is parallel to the sides of the hexagon, the deformation units 6 in the reset state exhibit a flush distribution.

[0043] In other possible embodiments, the reset unit can be omitted. The base 5 can be configured to be inclined by appropriate modification, such that the outer end of the track 53 is higher and the inner end is lower. In this regard, when the rotor 4 is stationary or rotating at a low speed, the deformation unit 6 can fall to the inner end of the track 53 due to its own weight.

[0044] Figure 6B Shows the deformed state of the centrifuge of the present invention. During the operation of the centrifuge, the rotor 4 swings each deformation unit 6 at a specific rotational speed, causing the deformation unit 6 to move towards the outer end of the track 53 against the reset force. Since the strokes of these tracks 53 are not consistent, the stroke of the track 53 near the center of the base 5 is greater than the stroke of the track 53 near the two ends of the base 5, and the outer end of the track 53 generally matches a circular trajectory (as shown by the dashed line). Under the condition of uniform motion, these deformation units 6 extend outwardly relative to the base 5 and pivot to different degrees. The deformation units 6 that were originally close to each other become separated from each other, and the deformation unit 6 near the center of the base 5 has a smaller pivoting amplitude, while the deformation unit 6 near the two ends of the base 5 has a larger pivoting amplitude. All the deformation units 6 exhibit a rotationally symmetric distribution with respect to the rotation center C. In other words, the radius R5 from the deformation unit 6 near the center of the base 5 to the rotation center C is substantially the same as the radius R8 from the deformation unit 6 near the two ends of the base 5 to the rotation center C. Therefore, during rotation, in the deformed state, the movement paths of the centrifugal test tubes carried by all the deformation units 6 are substantially the same. Once the speed of the rotor 4 drops from uniform rotation to rest, the control of the deformation unit 6 will gradually be dominated by the reset force and retract into the base 5, and finally return to the state as Figure 6A shown.

[0045] In summary, the centrifuge of the present invention having a deformable mechanism switches between a reset state and a deformed state according to the motor speed. In the reset state, an operation end is provided to facilitate loading or unloading of multi-row centrifugation tubes. In the deformed state, all the centrifugation tubes are rotationally symmetric, thereby ensuring a relatively consistent separation result for chemical substances or biological samples.

[0046] It should be understood that each specific embodiment of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only. Various changes can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the patent application of the present invention, and all such changes should be included within the patent scope of the present invention. Therefore, the specific embodiments described in this specification are not intended to limit the present invention, and the true scope and spirit of the present invention are disclosed in the following patent application scope.

[0047]

Symbol Explanation

[0048] 1 Centrifuge

[0049] 10 Control module

[0050] 11 Rotor

[0051] 12 Operation interface

[0052] Positions of centrifugation tubes 21 to 28

[0053] 4 Rotor

[0054] 41 Central disk

[0055] 42 Spoke

[0056] 43 Frame

[0057] 5 Base

[0058] 51 Top

[0059] 52 Bottom

[0060] 53 Track

[0061] 54 Spring

[0062] 55 Magnet

[0063] 56 Spring

[0064] 6 Deformation unit

[0065] 60 Main body

[0066] 61 Pivot

[0067] 61A Rib

[0068] 62 Hook

[0069] 63 Hollow

[0070] 64 Magnetic part

[0071] Radius R5

[0072] Radius R8

[0073] Rotation center C

Claims

1. A centrifuge, comprising: a rotor having a rotation center; and a plurality of bases connected to the rotor and arranged along the periphery of the rotor, each base for carrying a plurality of centrifuge tubes; wherein each base includes a plurality of deformation units, each deformation unit is pivotally and reciprocally connected to the base, and each deformation unit provides a receiving member or a carrying member to receive or carry a centrifuge tube, whereby each deformation unit can adjust the relationship between each deformation unit and the base via pivoting and reciprocating movement in response to the rotational speed during the rotation of the rotor, so that the plurality of centrifuge tubes carried by the plurality of bases can rotate with a consistent rotation radius.

2. The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein The base has a center and two ends, and the plurality of deformation units included in the base are distributed between the two ends of the base, and the plurality of deformation units are connected to the base in parallel.

3. The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein The base has a top and a bottom, and the plurality of deformation units are restricted to pivot and reciprocate between the top and the top of the base.

4. The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein, The base has a plurality of tracks, and the plurality of deformation units included in the base are respectively slidably connected to the base via corresponding tracks, so that each deformation unit can reciprocate relative to the base along the corresponding track.

5. The centrifuge according to claim 4, wherein, The plurality of tracks have an inner end and an outer end, and the plurality of tracks have different strokes, and the strokes of the tracks near the two ends of the base are shorter than the strokes of the tracks near the center of the base.

6. The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein Each deformation unit has a pivot, and each deformation unit is pivotally connected to the base via the pivot, so that each deformation unit can pivot relative to the base according to the pivot, wherein the direction of the pivot is consistent with the direction of the rotating shaft to which the rotor is connected.

7. The centrifuge according to claim 4, wherein, The base has a plurality of reset units, and each reset unit provides a reset force to the corresponding deformation unit, whereby each deformation unit is located at the inner end of the corresponding track during the rest of the rotor.

8. The centrifuge according to claim 5, wherein All the outer ends of the plurality of tracks of the plurality of bases substantially match a circular locus.

9. The centrifuge according to claim 3, wherein, A part of each deformation unit is located between the top and the bottom of the base and is not exposed, and another part of each deformation unit is exposed outside the base and has a hook for hanging a centrifuge tube.

10. The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein, The number of deformation units included in each base is eight or twelve.

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