CENTRIFUGE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a centrifuge according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Centrifuges with a removable rotor are already known which have a device for axially locking the rotor on the drive shaft and which do not require complex assembly or special tools for locking.

[0003] For example, DE 10 2014 112 501 A1 discloses a generic centrifuge comprising a drive shaft and a rotor mounted on the drive shaft, which can be axially removed in a removal direction. A quick-release fastener is integrated into the rotor and the drive shaft, by means of which the rotor can be fixed relative to the drive shaft in the removal direction. The quick-release fastener comprises an abutment in the drive shaft, into which the rotor engages with a locking part, and at least one locking element which, when activated, fixes the rotor relative to the drive shaft. The locking element acts between the locking part of the rotor and the abutment of the drive shaft. The quick-release fastener comprises a force transmission element. The locking element is operatively connected to an actuating element via the force transmission element.The quick-release fastener is unlocked by moving the actuating element, the force transmission element, and the at least one locking element relative to the locking part in a direction along a straight line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. During unlocking, the actuating element moves toward the drive shaft along a straight line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. During locking, the force transmission element and the at least one locking element on one side and the locking part on the other side move relative to one another along a straight line parallel to the longitudinal axis. The locking element is elastically pivotably mounted via its flexure joint. As a result, an axial force component must be generated when inserting the rotor.To generate the lowest possible force, either the spring travel of the locking element must be increased, which requires more space, or the material thickness of the locking element must be reduced, which results in a smaller clamping area. This reduces the holding force and operational reliability of the quick-release fastener, especially when considering manufacturing tolerances. One possible counteracting this would be to thicken the material in the clamping area of ​​the locking element. However, practice has shown that these areas can break during continuous operation.

[0004] Another problem with known centrifuges is that rotors with a low mass cannot lock using their own weight, as the axial force required to deflect the locking elements is too large, which can lead to incorrect operation.

[0005] DE 698 10 060 T2 discloses a centrifuge in which the locking elements pivot about joints with vertically aligned pivot axes, and the locking mechanism is different. This design has proven to be very stiff and error-prone.

[0006] A centrifuge with a quick-release fastener is known from DE 27 22 322 A1. The quick-release fastener has an actuating element that pivots about a horizontal axis. The actuating element simultaneously forms a locking bearing as a structural unit. The actuating element can therefore be rotated about the pivot axis. To unlock, the actuating element must first be pressed perpendicular to the drive axis, so that the actuating element pivots about the axis running perpendicular to the drive shaft. The quick-release fastener as a whole, including the rotor, is then moved parallel to the drive axis, initially resulting in a relative movement between the quick-release fastener and the rotor. This creates further sources of error for wear and damage. Since the actuating element also has the locking bearing, it can only be actuated with great force due to the clamping effect.The rotor is pressed onto the motor shaft by the spring force and clamped. This means it is a force fit rather than a positive fit, which allows for significantly higher locking forces. The user must overcome the spring force to lock, which is why it is limited. A high spring force provides greater security against the rotor becoming detached from the motor shaft. If the dynamic forces occurring during operation exceed the spring force, the system releases.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the object of developing a centrifuge according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 such that it has a quick-change system that is reliable for continuous operation and requires only a minimal actuation force to insert the rotor. Preferably, the locking function should be able to be performed solely by gravity after the rotor has been placed on the drive shaft, without any additional force being required, even with lightweight rotors.

[0008] The invention is based on the finding that this object can be achieved simply by the locking element being able to be pivoted from the locking position into an unlocking position and vice versa without elastic deformation and that this is most easily achieved by a normal joint acting around a horizontal pivot axis, i.e. not a solid-state joint, in particular by a hinge joint.

[0009] According to the invention, the pivot axis of the locking joint is therefore aligned perpendicular to a straight line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft, and the locking element is provided with a cardan shaft or bearing that can be rotated about the pivot axis, wherein the cardan shaft engages in a bearing, or the bearing comprises a cardan shaft. The locking element is thus simply mounted via a hinge bearing. This makes it easy to reduce the force that needs to be applied, since, unlike with a flexure joint, there is no longer any elastic deformation; instead, only the friction of the cardan shaft in the bearing needs to be overcome. In addition, a pivoting movement about a horizontally aligned pivot axis makes pivoting considerably easier than a vertically aligned pivot axis. This makes it possible to connect the rotor to the drive shaft purely by gravity, without the need for any additional force.In addition, the constructive design options increase.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the universal joint shaft extends transversely to the longitudinal extent of the locking element and along the pivot axis of the locking element, about which the locking element is pivotally connected to the bearing. When the locking element moves about the pivot axis, a relative movement occurs between the locking element with its universal joint shaft and the bearing. This easily prevents elastic deformation of the locking element.

[0011] Preferably, the bearing is part of a force transmission element which is operatively connected to the actuating element.

[0012] The bearing can be designed as a radial bearing to enable simple production and achieve high fatigue strength.

[0013] In particular, the locking element has two drive shaft sections extending perpendicular to its longitudinal extension, each of which is assigned to a section of the bearing. This prevents jamming due to one-sided mounting.

[0014] To create the conditions for increasing the holding force in the locking position, the locking element has a locking area on one side relative to the drive shaft area and a locking mass on the other side. The locking mass is preferably heavier than the locking area. This ensures that the locking mass is pushed outward during centrifuge operation, while simultaneously pushing the locking area of ​​the locking element inward, thus pushing it into the locked position. This increases the security of the quick-release fastener.

[0015] For this purpose, the center of gravity of the locking element is located in the locking mass and there outside the intersection point of an axis along the longitudinal extension through the pivot axis in such a way that when unlocking, a torque acts on the locking area of ​​the locking element in the direction of the unlocking position.

[0016] Preferably, the locking area of ​​the locking element is curved and / or adapted in shape to the abutment and / or locking bearing. This enables a compact, lightweight connection.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking element has a guide recess, particularly a U-shaped one, on its side remote from the free end. This mitigates loads on the bearing, particularly during load changes in the centrifuge. For this purpose, the force transmission element preferably has a guide engaging in the recess.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking element is manufactured by powder injection molding, in particular metal injection molding (MIM), by investment casting, by die casting, by cold forming, by plastic injection molding, or by sintering. This allows for the production of both lightweight and permanently load-resistant locking elements.

[0019] To increase the stability of the rotor in the centrifuge, at least two locking elements, preferably three, are provided. Each locking element is designed identically to the other and arranged at a uniform distance from the adjacent locking element. This ensures that the quick-release fastener, when assembled, does not create an imbalance with the drive shaft and the rotor.

[0020] Preferably, the force transmission element is spring-loaded toward the locking position. The force transmission element can be designed as a cylindrical piston guided in a cylinder.

[0021] The cylindrical piston can consist of several piston segments which are mounted so that they can move relative to one another on a cylinder axis.

[0022] Preferably, a spring is provided that acts on the cylindrical piston. Alternatively, multiple springs are provided, with one spring acting on each piston segment. This allows manufacturing tolerances to be compensated and ensures flat contact between the locking element and the abutment and locking bearing.

[0023] In this case, the cylinder can be connected to the drive shaft, so that the power transmission element is mounted on the drive shaft side. If the cylinder is connected to the rotor, the power transmission element is mounted on the rotor side.

[0024] During unlocking, the actuating element preferably moves toward or away from the drive shaft.

[0025] Further advantages, features and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0026] In the description, claims, and drawings, the terms and associated reference symbols used in the list of reference symbols below are used. In the drawings, the following definitions apply: Fig. 1 is a sectional view of an angle rotor with a lid and a drive shaft along the center axis of the centrifuge according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2a is a first perspective side view of a power transmission element with three locking elements according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2b is a second perspective side view of the power transmission element with the three locking elements according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2c is a third perspective view obliquely from above of the power transmission element with the three locking elements according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2d is a top view of the power transmission element with the three locking elements according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective side view with partial section according to the Fig. 2a ; Fig. 4a a detailed view in section of a part of the force transmission element with the locking element according to the first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4b a side view of the part of the force transmission element of Fig. 4a ; Fig. 4c a perspective view obliquely from above of the part of the power transmission element of Fig. 4a ; Fig. 4 top view of the part of the power transmission element of Fig. 4a ; Fig. 5a a side view of the locking element according to the first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5b a front view of the locking element of Fig. 5a ; Fig. 5c a perspective view obliquely from above of the locking element of Fig. 5a ; Fig. 5 top view of the locking element of Fig. 5a ; Fig. 6a a side view of the part of the power transmission element without locking element according to Fig. 5a ; Fig. 6b front view of the part of the power transmission element of Fig. 6a ; Fig. 6c a perspective view obliquely from above of the part of the power transmission element of Fig. 6a ; Fig. 6 top view of the part of the power transmission element of Fig. 6a ; Fig. 7 a sectional view of the installed force transmission element with locking elements according to a first embodiment in the unlocking position, and Fig. 8 a sectional view according to Fig. 7 in the locking position.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a vertical section of a centrifuge according to the invention, designated overall by reference numeral 10, with an angle rotor according to a first embodiment of the invention. For the sake of clarity, the substructure is not shown; only the upper region of a drive shaft 12 is schematically indicated. A rotor 14 is arranged on the drive shaft 12.

[0028] According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, the centrifuge 10 comprises the vertically oriented cylindrical drive shaft 12 and the adapter 16 arranged on the drive shaft 12 and connected to the drive shaft 12 in a rotationally fixed manner. A concentrically arranged rotor hub 18 of the rotor 14 is mounted on the adapter 16. The adapter 16 and the rotor hub 18, and thus the drive shaft 12 and the rotor 14, are connected in a rotationally fixed manner as explained below. The rotor 14 includes a quick-release fastener 20. The rotor 14 is connected to the adapter 16 and thus to the drive shaft 12 via this quick-release fastener 20.

[0029] The adapter 16 can also be designed as a unit with the drive shaft 12 and adapt the rotor hub 18 accordingly. Otherwise, the adapter 16 is optional. Alternatively, the drive shaft 12 can also be designed to directly accommodate the rotor hub 18.

[0030] The outer contour 16a, 16b of the adapter 16 is essentially adapted to the inner profile of the rotor hub 18 and, viewed from a shoulder 16c, runs first in the form of a cone 16a tapering upwards, then in the form of a cylinder 16b.

[0031] The inner profile of the rotor hub 18 extends upwards beyond the free end of the cylindrical part of the outer contour 16b of the adapter 16 and then merges into a rotor central region 22 which is connected to the rotor hub 18 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0032] For axial fixation of the rotor 14 to the adapter 16 and thus to the drive shaft 12, the rotor central region 22 has a locking part 24 projecting into the adapter 16 with an outer contour whose diameter initially increases to a widest point 24a, counter to the removal direction 26, and then decreases. The region of the outer contour, in which the circumference decreases counter to the removal direction 26, forms a control surface 24b, the function of which will be explained later. The locking part 24 is spaced from the inner contour of the adapter 16. A bore 24c extending concentrically to a drive axis 28 is provided in the locking part 24.

[0033] The adapter 16 is centrally provided with a first cylindrical recess 30 and a second cylindrical recess 30, which immediately adjoins it upwards and has a wider diameter, resulting in an inner contour 32. The inner contour 32 is provided with a longer, higher section 32a, at the rotor-side end of which a shoulder 32b adjoins. This shoulder 32b is in turn adjoined by a shorter, lower section 32c with a wider inner diameter than the longer section 32a.

[0034] The base of the cylindrical recess 30 rests on the drive shaft 12. A threaded screw 34 and pins (not shown here) connect the base to the drive shaft 12 at its end face. This connects the drive shaft 12 and the adapter 16 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0035] Inside the adapter 16 above the bottom of the cylindrical recess 30 is the shaft-side part of the quick-release fastener 20. This part comprises a Fig. 2 bis 6 The control unit 36 ​​shown in FIG. 1 is a blocking element 38, in which three locking elements 38 are each mounted in a radial bearing 40 and arranged at an equal distance from one another. The control unit 36 ​​forms a piston 60, which is urged in the removal direction 26 by a spring 42 resting against the bottom of the cylindrical recess 30. The piston 60 can be moved along the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 12, as will be explained further below.

[0036] A counterbearing insert 44 is screwed into the section 32c of the adapter 16. The counterbearing insert 44 extends upwards over the free end of the section 32c and whose outer contour above the section 32c is adapted to the inner contour of the rotor central region 22. The counterbearing insert 44 has a bore 44a, which is dimensioned at the upper end so that the locking part 24 can pass through at its widest point 24a. The bore 44a widens conically downwards and forms an counterbearing surface 44b, the function of which will be explained later.

[0037] The inner contour 32a, 32b, 32c of the adapter 16, together with the abutment surface 44b of the abutment insert 44 and, when the rotor 14 is placed on the drive shaft 12, the outer contour of the locking part 24, forms the boundary of a locking space in which the locking or unlocking of the rotor 14 and thus the axial fixing of the rotor 14 to the drive shaft 12 takes place.

[0038] A removable cover 46 is arranged above the rotor 14, forming a permanent assembly with a handle 48. The handle 48 is attached concentrically to the drive shaft 28 on the top side of the cover 46, with a housing 50 of the handle 48 having a rotationally symmetrical outer contour and a cylindrical inner contour, as well as a centrally arranged recess 46a in the cover 46, which extends through the cover.

[0039] The rotor-side part of the quick-release fastener 20 is essentially arranged inside the handle 48. It comprises an actuating pin 52, the length of which is greater than the axial extent of the handle 48 and which, on the shaft side, extends through the locking part 24 in the bore 24c and comes into contact with a base area 36a of the control unit 36. The free end of the actuating pin 52 has an actuating button 52a. Unlocking occurs through the interaction of the handle 48 and the actuating button 52a. The actuating button 52a must be pressed, with the handle 48 serving as a counterbearing for the user. The rotor 14 can then be removed, in particular via the handle 48.

[0040] In Fig. 7 is shown in a section of a cross-section along the central axis of the centrifuge 10 of Fig. 1 The quick-release fastener 20 is shown in the unlocked state, with the rotor 14 still mounted on the adapter 16. The actuating pin 52 is pressed. As a result, the piston-shaped control unit 36, with the base region of which the actuating pin 52 rests on the shaft side, is also displaced in the locking chamber against the action of the spring 42, counter to the removal direction 26, which runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 12. In the fully unlocked position, the free ends of the locking elements 38 rest against the control surface 24b of the locking part 24. They are then located outside their locked position between the locking part 24 and the abutment surface 44b.

[0041] For locking, see Fig. 8 , the pressure on the actuating pin 52 is released in the opposite direction to the removal direction 26. The rotor 14 is thereby moved into the locking position. The weight of the rotor 14 may be sufficient to move the rotor 14 into the locking position. In the case of light rotors 14, the rotor may have to be pressed slightly into the locking position. When the rotor 14 is placed in place, the control unit 36 ​​and thus also the locking elements 38 mounted in the control unit 36 ​​are moved in the removal direction 26, i.e. along the longitudinal axis, due to the action of the spring 42 and counteract the weight of the rotor 14. The locking elements 38 thereby slide along the control surface 24b of the locking part 24 of the rotor 14, past the widest point 24a into their locking position between the outer contour of the locking part 24 and the abutment surface 44b.The weight of the rotor 14 counteracts the locking elements 38 of the control unit 36 ​​sliding over the control surface 24b.

[0042] For locking, the locking elements 38 are deflected laterally, i.e., pivoted about a horizontally extending pivot axis 38b, to pass the widest point 47a. However, due to the center of gravity of the locking elements 38, as will be explained further below, they do not fully return to their original orientation and then rest against the outer contour of the locking part 24 and the abutment surface 44b. The rotor 14 is now fixed in the centrifuge 10 in the axial direction, i.e., in the removal direction and in the opposite direction.

[0043] In Fig. 8 is shown in a section of a cross-section along the central axis of the centrifuge 10 of Fig. 1 The quick release 20 is shown in the locked state. In contrast to the illustration in the Fig. 7 The actuating pin 52 is here in the position into which it is automatically brought by the indirect action of the spring 42 when no external pressure is exerted on it in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 12. Due to the action of the spring 42 and the absence of pressure exerted by the actuating pin 52 in the direction of the drive shaft 12, the control unit 36 ​​and the locking elements 38 mounted on the control unit 36 ​​are located in the region of the locking space near the rotor. The locking elements 38 are located in their locked position between the outer contour of the locking part 24 and the abutment surface 44b. The quick-release fastener 20 is locked.

[0044] As in particular the Fig. 2 bis 6 As can be seen, the locking element 38 consists of three piston segments 54, 56 and 58. All three piston segments 54, 56, 58 are constructed correspondingly to one another and form a piston 60 as a force transmission element. The piston 60 is mounted in the cylindrical recess 30 of the adapter 16. The spring 42 acts on the piston 60. The piston segments 54, 56, 58 are mounted so as to be displaceable relative to one another along the drive axis 28. This compensates for manufacturing tolerances and ensures that the locking elements 38 are all effective in the locked position. The locking elements 38 are therefore all arranged at the same distance from one another.

[0045] Each piston segment 54, 56, 58 is provided with a radial bearing 40 to enable pivoting about the horizontal pivot axis 38b and thus about a straight line perpendicular to a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 12. The radial bearing 40 is formed by two bearing arms 40a and 40b, which partially surround a cardan shaft 38a extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of the locking element 38. The cardan shaft 38a extends along the horizontal pivot axis 38b of the locking element 38 and has two cardan shaft areas on each side. About this pivot axis 38b, the locking element 38 can be pivoted between an unlocking position, as shown in Fig. 7 shown, and a locking position as shown in Fig. 8 is shown. Below the drive shaft 38a, the locking element 38 is provided with a substantially rectangular locking mass 38c, and above it with the locking region 38e. The pivot axis 38b extends perpendicular to a straight line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 12 and is thus horizontally oriented when the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 12 is vertically aligned.

[0046] The piston segments 54, 56, 58 each have a recess 62 adapted to the outer contour of the locking mass 38c. The recess 62 is designed such that the locking mass 38c is always located within the envelope of the piston 60 surrounding the cylinder segment, regardless of the pivot position of the locking element 38. As a result, the movement along the drive axis 28 of the piston 60 in the cylindrical recess 30 in the adapter 16 is not impeded, regardless of the pivot position of the locking element 38.

[0047] The recess 62 has a rectangular projection 62a in its lower region, which extends into the recess 62. Accordingly, the locking mass 38c has an associated U-shaped recess 38d adapted to the projection 62a.

[0048] The locking area 38e is bent and adapted to the outer contour of the locking part 24.

[0049] The locking mass 38c is heavier than the locking area 38e. The center of gravity S of the locking element 38 is located in the locking mass 38c and thus lies outside the intersection point of an axis along the longitudinal extent of the locking element 38 and the pivot axis 38b. As a result, during unlocking, a torque acts on the locking area 38e of the locking element 38 in the direction of the unlocking position. During unlocking, i.e., when the actuating pin 52 is actuated and the piston 60 is displaced against the force of the spring 42, the locking element 38 pivots about the horizontal pivot axis 38b from the locked position to the unlocked position due to the applied torque.

[0050] The piston segment 54, 56, 58 is provided with a centrally arranged strut 64, which, together with the other piston segments 54, 56, 58, forms a cylindrical receptacle 66 for the actuating pin 52, see in particular Fig. 6 . A horizontal strut 68, which is connected to the vertical strut 64 and ends in the projection 62a, forms the contact surface 68a of the spring 42. In addition, the struts 64 and 68 stabilize the piston segment 54, 56, 58. The vertical strut 64, together with the side surfaces of the piston segment 54, 56, 58, serves as a guide surface with respect to the other, adjacent piston segments 54, 56, 58, which together form the piston 60, in order to enable a relative movement of the piston segments 54, 56, 58 to one another.

[0051] The locking element 38 is produced by powder injection molding, in particular metal powder injection molding, by investment casting, by die casting, by cold forming, by plastic injection molding or by sintering.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment not shown here, the locking element 38 comprises the bearing 40, and the piston segments 54, 56, and 58 comprise the drive shaft 38a. The locking element 38 with the bearing 40 is pivotable relative to the drive shaft of the piston segment. Otherwise, the piston segments 54, 56 are constructed according to the previously described embodiment. Bezugszeichenliste

[0053] 10Centrifuge 12Drive shaft 14Rotor 16Adapter 16aConical part of the outer contour of the adapter 16 16bCylindrical part of the outer contour of the adapter 16 16cStep of the outer contour of the adapter 16 18Rotor hub 20Quick release 22Rotor central area 24Locking part 24aWidest part of the outer contour of the locking part 24 24bControl surface of the outer contour of the locking part 24 24cCentral bore in the locking part 24 26Removal direction 28Drive axle 30Cylindrical recess in the adapter 16 32Inner contour in the adapter 16 34Threaded screw 36Control unit 38Locking element 38aCardan shaft 38bPivoting axis 38cLocking mass 38dRecess in Locking mass 38c 38eLocking area of ​​the locking element 38 40Radial bearing 40aBearing arm, left 40bBearing arm,right 42 spring 44 abutment insert 44a bore in the abutment insert 44b abutment surface 46 removable cover 46a recess in the cover 46 48 handle 50 housing of the handle 48 52 actuating pin 52a actuating button of the actuating pin 52 54 first piston segment 56 second piston segment 58 third piston segment 60 piston 62 recess 62a projection in the recess 62 64 strut 66 cylindrical receptacle 68 horizontal strut 68a contact surface SS center of gravity of the locking element 38,

Claims

1. Centrifuge (10), comprising a) a drive shaft (12), a rotor (14) mounted on the drive shaft (12) and adapted to be axially removable in a removal direction (26), b) a quick-acting closure (20) acting between the rotor (14) and the drive shaft (12), which closure (20) is used to fix the rotor (14) in position relative to the drive shaft (12) in the removal direction (26), c) an abutment (44) connected to the drive shaft (12), d) a locking bearing (24) connected to the rotor (14), e) at least one locking element (38) which, when activated, fixes the rotor (14) in place relative to the drive shaft (12) and acts between the locking bearing (24) of the rotor (14) and the abutment (44) of the drive shaft (12), wherein the quick-acting closure (20) has an actuating element (52), and the locking element (38) is operatively connected to the actuating element (52) in such a way in that unlocking the quick-acting closure (20) is effected by a movement of the actuating element (52) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft (12), and by a movement of the locking element (38) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft (12) relative to the locking bearing (24) and / or to the abutment (44), and that, during locking, the locking element (38) on the one side, and the locking bearing (24) and / or the abutment (44) on the other side will move relatively towards one another in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft (12), with the locking element (38) being pivotable about a pivot axis at least between a locking position and an unlocking position thereof, characterized in that the pivot axis (38b) is aligned perpendicular to a straight line that is parallel to the drive shaft (12), and the locking element (38) includes a cardan shaft (38a) rotatable about the pivot axis (38b) or a bearing (40), with the cardan shaft (38a) engaging in a bearing (40), or the bearing (40) comprising a cardan shaft (38a).

2. Centrifuge according to claim 1, characterized in that the cardan shaft (38a) extends transversely to the longitudinal extent of the locking element (38) and along the pivot axis (38b) of the locking element (38), about which axis the locking element (38) is pivotably connected to the bearing (40), and when the locking element (38) is moved about the pivot axis (38b), this will cause the locking element (38) with its cardan shaft (38a) and the bearing (40) to move relative to one another.

3. Centrifuge according to any one of claims 1 or 2 above, characterized in that the bearing (40) is part of a force-transmitting element (60) which is operatively connected to the actuating element (52), and / or the bearing (40) is designed as a radial bearing.

4. Centrifuge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (38) has, perpendicular to its longitudinal extent, two cardan-shaft areas (38a) which extend laterally to the longitudinal extent and are each assigned to an area of the bearing (40).

5. Centrifuge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (38) has a locking area (38e) on one side in relation to the cardan-shaft area (38a) and a locking mass (38c) on the other side.

6. Centrifuge according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking mass (38c) is heavier than the locking area (38e) and / or the locking mass (38c) presses the locking area (38e) of the locking element (38) into the locking position during operation of the centrifuge.

7. Centrifuge according to any one of claims 5 or 6 above, characterized in that the center of gravity (S) of the locking element (38) in the locking mass (38c) is outside the intersection point of an axis along the longitudinal extent through the pivot axis (38b) in such a way that, during unlocking, a torque acts on the locking area (38e) of the locking element (38) in the direction of the unlocking position and / or the locking area (38e) of the locking element (38) is of a curved design.

8. Centrifuges according to any one of claims 5 to 7 above, characterized in that in terms of shape, the locking area (38e) is adapted to the abutment and / or the locking bearing.

9. Centrifuge according to any one of claims 5 to 8 above, characterized in that the locking mass (38c) of the locking element (38) has a guide recess (38d), in particular of a U-shaped design, on its side remote from the free end.

10. Centrifuge according to any one of claims 3 and 8 above, characterized in that the force-transmitting element (60) includes a guide projection (62a) that engages in the recess.

11. Centrifuge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (38) is produced by powder injection molding, in particular by metal powder injection molding - MIM, by precision casting, by die casting, by cold forming, by plastic injection molding, or by sintering.

12. Centrifuge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two locking elements (32), preferably three blocking elements (32), are provided, with each locking element (32) being designed to be identical to the others, and being arranged at a uniform distance from the respective adjacent locking element..

13. Centrifuge according to any one of claims 3 to 12 above, characterized in that that the force-transmitting element (60) is spring-loaded in the direction of the locking position.

14. Centrifuge according to any one of claims 3 to 13 above, characterized in that the force-transmitting element (60) is designed as a cylindrical piston which is guided in a cylinder, in particular in that the cylindrical piston (60) comprises a plurality of piston segments (54, 56, 58) which are mounted so as to be movable relative to one another with respect to a cylinder axis.

15. Centrifuge according to any one of claims 13 or 14 above, characterized in that a spring (42) is provided which acts on the cylindrical piston (60), or that plural springs are provided, with one spring thereof acting on a piston segment (54, 56, 58).

16. Centrifuge according to any one of claims 13 to 15 above, characterized in that the cylinder is connected to the drive shaft (12) in such a manner that the power-transmitting transmission element (60) is mounted on the drive-shaft side, or the cylinder is connected to the rotor (14) in such a manner that the power-transmitting element (60) is mounted on the rotor side.