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 axial locking and rotationally fixed connection of the rotor to the drive shaft or an adapter arranged on the drive shaft, where no complex assembly or special tools are required for locking.

[0003] A centrifuge is known from DE 10 2018 114 289 A1. This centrifuge has a drive shaft that can rotate about a rotational axis. An adapter is connected to the drive shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. The adapter can be detached from the drive shaft as needed. Alternatively, the adapter can also be part of the drive shaft. A rotor that can be axially removed in a removal direction is provided on the adapter and is connected to the adapter via a one-handed quick-release fastener that acts between the rotor and the adapter. The quick-release fastener can be used to fix the rotor relative to the adapter and thus also relative to the drive shaft in the removal direction and to release it as needed, for example to load the rotor with samples outside the centrifuge or to insert a different rotor for different sample containers into the centrifuge. The adapter is provided with an abutment and the rotor with a locking bearing.In addition, at least one locking element is provided as part of the quick-release fastener, which, when activated, fixes the rotor relative to the adapter and thus to the drive shaft and acts between the locking bearing of the rotor and the abutment of the drive shaft. Furthermore, the quick-release fastener has an actuating element via which the locking elements can be transferred from the unlocked position to a locked position and vice versa. The locking element is operatively connected to the actuating element in such a way that the actuating element is mounted so as to be movable linearly between an unlocked position and a locked position, in particular parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft. When the actuating element is moved between the unlocked position and the locked position, the locking element executes a linear movement relative to the adapter.To prevent jamming and ensure trouble-free rotor replacement over a long period of time, this design requires very high manufacturing precision. This high manufacturing precision ensures secure, backlash-free locking.

[0004] A centrifuge is also known from DE 10 2014 008 219 A1, but in this centrifuge the locking elements are rotated from an unlocked position to a locked position about an axis parallel to the rotational axis of the drive shaft. The pivoting of the locking elements proves to be disadvantageous. If the system is subject to tolerances, with a height tolerance in the axial direction being particularly important, the locking elements can no longer make full contact with the locking bearing, but only at specific points. This leads to high material stress in some areas. Another problem with this design is that the locking elements are subjected to high loads during rotation. Due to the horizontal arrangement and the fact that the locking elements can move in the horizontal plane, the centrifugal forces act on them almost unhindered.In many cases, the locking elements become jammed with the rotor, making it impossible to release the quick-release fastener and thus the locking elements. The rotor can then no longer be easily removed from the adapter or drive shaft.

[0005] A generic centrifuge is known from DE 10 2014 002 126 A1. This has a quick-release fastener for a rotor provided with a bearing axis on which the locking element is mounted for axial displacement. A spring presses the locking element into the extended position, the locking position. A locking surface of the locking bearing is aligned horizontally and has an angle of 90° between the axis of rotation and the locking surface. The bearing axis, on which the locking element is displaced, has an angle of 95° to 120°, preferably 100° to 110°, in particular 100° to 107°. The locking element is shaped such that the downward-facing front part of the locking element, which is assigned to the locking surface of the rotor, is moved horizontally during unlocking and locking.The disadvantage of this design is that the forces generated during centrifugation can cause the locking element to jam. The quick-release fastener is then blocked and no longer operable. Furthermore, the surfaces of the locking element, the bearing axis, and the locking surface must be precisely machined. The shape of the locking elements is very complex. Tolerance compensation is not possible. Furthermore, if the rotor and adapter are not precisely manufactured, they may be subject to play.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of developing a centrifuge according to the type specified in the preamble of patent claim 1 in such a way that, while avoiding the disadvantages mentioned, both a play-free locking between the rotor and the adapter is made possible by means of the locking elements and a compensation of manufacturing-related tolerances is ensured.

[0007] This problem is solved for a centrifuge by the characterizing features of patent claim 1 in conjunction with its preamble features.

[0008] The invention is based on the finding that by arranging the locking element at a first angle to the rotational axis of the drive shaft and by designing the rotor's locking bearing at a second angle to the rotational axis, the manufacturing tolerances of the rotor, the adapter, and the drive shaft can be compensated for, while still achieving a play-free locking of the rotor relative to the adapter and the drive shaft. The locking element thus rests more or less radially on the locking bearing.

[0009] According to the invention, the locking element is therefore linearly movable at a first angle to the axis of rotation between the locking position and the unlocking position. The locking bearing is aligned at a second angle to the axis of rotation, which is different from the first angle. The first and second angles are measured primarily from the axis of rotation of the drive shaft clockwise from the side of the actuating element and lie between 0° and 90°. The different design of the two angles prevents the locking element from jamming and also ensures easy release of the quick-release fastener from the locking position to the unlocking position. This also creates the conditions for compensating for manufacturing tolerances of the drive shaft, adapter and rotor in a simple manner, particularly in the direction of the axis of rotation.For example, despite existing manufacturing tolerances, a play-free locking is possible because, depending on the tolerance, the locking element engages more or less in the locking bearing.

[0010] Preferably, the first angle is in a range of 20° to 75°, and the second angle is in a range of 10° to 70°. Among other things, the first angle adjusts the force acting on the locking element during centrifuge operation, i.e., during rotation. The larger the angle, the greater the centrifugal forces acting on the locking element. The second angle adjusts the extended position of the locking element to compensate for tolerances.

[0011] The first angle is larger than the second angle. The smaller the second angle, the smaller the difference in the position of the locking element with a given tolerance compared to a design without tolerance in the locked position. The larger the second angle, the greater the difference in the position of the locking element with a given tolerance compared to a design without tolerance in the locked position.

[0012] Preferably, the locking bearing forms a surface which extends to the adapter in the locking position, wherein the surface of the locking bearing on the adapter in the locking position has a height offset from the blocking element protruding from the adapter, so that the blocking element rests against the locking bearing in the locking position at a radial distance from the adapter.

[0013] The height offset is greater than the maximum possible manufacturing tolerance of the adjacent surfaces of the adapter and rotor in a direction parallel to the rotation axis. This prevents the locking element from being unable to sufficiently penetrate the locking bearing when the rotor is locked to the adapter, or in the worst case, from being blocked and unable to penetrate the locking bearing at all.

[0014] In particular, the actuating element is designed as a cylindrical pin. In its lower area, the actuating element has a receptacle for the locking element(s). The movement of the actuating element can thus be easily transferred to the locking elements.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the actuating element has laterally U-shaped recesses for the locking elements, which enable a relative movement of the actuating element with respect to the respective locking element between a locking position and an unlocking position.

[0016] The U-shaped recess can be designed in the transverse region as an oblique bore which extends at a first angle to the axis of rotation.

[0017] The possibilities for transmitting force from a spring to the actuating element and the locking elements are increased by providing a pressure plate on the side of the actuating element associated with the drive shaft. This pressure plate has a first contact surface for the respective locking element on one side of the pressure plate and a second contact surface for a spring on the other side of the pressure plate. The locking elements can slide along the first contact surface when moving between the locking position and the unlocking position to compensate for their relative position to the actuating element.

[0018] In this case, the first contact surface of the pressure plate for the respective locking element can be aligned at an angle which is arranged perpendicular to the first angle.

[0019] Depending on the design of the locking element, it can be in contact with the locking bearing in a point-like manner, particularly at two points, in a linear manner or over a flat surface.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the adapter has a guide surface for the locking element that is inclined at a first angle. This guide surface enables the locking element to move linearly in and out with respect to the adapter, i.e., to move the locking element between the locking position and the unlocking position.

[0021] The abutment can also be part of the adapter and, in particular, can also be aligned at the first angle. In particular, the guide surface and abutment can be identical.

[0022] To enable easy operation and, above all, to prevent unintentional detachment of the rotor from the adapter and thus from the drive shaft, the actuating element and / or the locking element is spring-loaded towards the locking position.

[0023] By providing multiple locking elements, security against accidental unlocking can be increased. Furthermore, the forces occurring during operation are distributed among the multiple locking elements, thus reducing failures due to wear or breakage of the locking elements. At least two locking elements are advantageous, but three are preferred. Each locking element is designed identically to the others, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0024] In order to prevent imbalances caused by the quick release from the outset, the locking elements are arranged at an equal distance from each other.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking element is designed as an elongated pin, which, particularly in its basic shape, is almost entirely cylindrical. This ensures simple, cost-effective, and reliable production of the locking elements by turning with high dimensional accuracy within narrow tolerances. This also allows the corresponding surfaces in the adapter and rotor to be manufactured simply and cost-effectively.

[0026] In order to prevent the locking element from twisting when moving from the locking position to the unlocking position and vice versa, the locking element has recesses which interact with projections on the adapter to prevent twisting.

[0027] In one embodiment, the locking element is provided with a bevel at its front end, which rests against the locking bearing in the locked position. This creates two support points per locking element, halving the force at the support point for the locking element. This further reduces the risk of jamming, and the bevel also allows the position of the locking element to be adjusted within certain manufacturing tolerances.

[0028] In another embodiment, the locking element is provided with a chamfer at its front end, which is designed so that, in the locked position with the rotor mounted on the adapter, it runs parallel to the locking bearing. The locking element can be designed as a simple turned part. This achieves a linear contact. This also very easily reduces the risk of jamming.

[0029] Preferably, the bevel is designed to be identical to the conical surface of the locking bearing. This ensures that the locking elements rest flatly against the locking bearing even with different height tolerances, further reducing the risk of jamming. The conical surfaces of the locking bearing can be manufactured using simple, cost-effective, and reliable turning with high dimensional accuracy within tight tolerances.

[0030] Preferably, the locking element is mounted in the adapter in such a way that the longitudinal axis of the locking element intersects the axis of rotation.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, three locking elements are provided, whereby the forces occurring during operation are well distributed and a secure connection between the adapter and the rotor is achieved.

[0032] The inventive design guides the locking elements within the adapter. The locking element guides are coordinated within narrow tolerances, thus easily preventing jamming.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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 perspective view of the rotor of a centrifuge mounted on the adapter and the drive shaft, with a drive motor, but without the safety vessel, housing and other functional parts of a laboratory centrifuge according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1 with partial section through the rotor, with the locking element in the unlocking position; Fig. 3 a side view of Fig. 1 with partial section through the rotor, in which the locking element is in the locking position; Fig. 4 an enlarged detailed view of the marked circular area A of Fig. 3 ; Fig. 5 a perspective view of the rotor removed from the centrifuge; Fig. 6 a sectional view of the rotor of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 a perspective view of the actuating element; Fig. 8a a view from below of the actuating element; Fig. 8b a side view of the actuating element; Fig. 9 a side sectional view of the actuating element; Fig. 10 a perspective view of the adapter; Fig. 11 a side view of the adapter; Fig. 12 a side sectional view of the adapter; Fig. 13 a top view of the adapter; Fig. 14 a perspective view of the locking element; Fig. 15 a first side view of the locking element; Fig. 16 a second side view of the locking element, which is shown in relation to Fig. 15 is rotated by 90°; Fig. 17 a view from below of the locking element; Fig. 18 a perspective view of a further embodiment of the locking element, and Fig. 19 a side view of the locking element from Fig. 18 .

[0035] In the Figures 1 to 17A first embodiment of a laboratory centrifuge is shown in various views. The centrifuge comprises a rotor 10, which is mounted on a drive shaft 14 via an adapter 12. The drive motor 18 drives the rotor 10 via the drive shaft 14 and the adapter 12.

[0036] The adapter 12 is connected to the drive shaft 14 in a rotationally fixed manner and is fixed in the axial direction relative to the drive shaft 14.

[0037] The rotor 10 is a conventional rotor 10 with inclined sample container holders 20 for sample containers not shown here.

[0038] The rotor 10 is connected to the adapter 12 via a quick-release fastener 22. The quick-release fastener 22 secures the rotor 10 to the adapter 12 in the axial direction and in both directions about a rotational axis 24 of the drive shaft 14.

[0039] Due to the quick-release fastener 22, no tools are required for removing the rotor 10 from the adapter 12 or for inserting the rotor 10 into the centrifuge, namely onto the adapter 12 arranged on the drive shaft 14.

[0040] The quick-release fastener 22 has an actuating element 26, which protrudes from the top of the adapter 12 and the rotor 10 and forms a push button 26a. For this purpose, the adapter 12 is provided with a bore 28 arranged concentrically to the rotational axis 24 of the drive shaft 14, into which a stop ring 30 is inserted at the upper end of the adapter. The stop ring 30 limits the axial upward movement of the actuating element 26, see Fig. 2 to Fig. 4 .

[0041] The upper portion 26b of the actuating element 26 is cylindrical in shape. This is followed by a widened, lower cylindrical portion 26c, which has a concentric, downwardly open bore 26d, see Fig. 7 to Fig. 9The lower portion 26c is provided with three U-shaped lateral recesses 34, which are assigned to the three locking elements 32. The transverse portion 34a of the U-shaped recess 34 is designed as an oblique bore. The angle of the oblique bore corresponds to a first angle α. In the lower portion of the U-shaped recess 34, a projection 34b is provided on each side. Both lateral projections 34b engage from each side into a recess 32b of the locking element 32, see Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 . The recess 32b of the locking element 32 is designed such that a relative movement can occur between the locking element 32 and the actuating element 26, and the projections 34b and the recess 32b serve as a guide for this relative movement.

[0042] A pressure plate 36 rests beneath the actuating element 26, which has a conical surface 36a on the side facing the bore 26d, against which the locking elements 32 rest at their lower region. The conical surface 36a, i.e. the cone formed thereby, runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the locking element 32 and thus perpendicular to the first angle α. During movement, the locking elements 32 move along the conical surface from the locking position to the unlocking position and vice versa. On the side remote from the locking element 32, a spring 38 rests against a second contact surface of the pressure plate 36, remote from the first contact surface. The spring 38 is supported on a shoulder 28a in the bore 28 of the adapter 12 and preloads the actuating element 26 and the locking elements 32 upwards towards a locking position.

[0043] The adapter 12 is designed in the manner of a turned part, i.e., rotationally symmetrical. The adapter 12 is provided with three oblique bores 40, wherein the bores 40 are introduced into the adapter 12 at a first angle α and are spaced equally apart from one another. A locking element 32 is guided through each bore 40, which is cylindrical and adapted to the bore 40 such that it can be moved linearly along a longitudinal axis 42 of the bore 40, which is aligned at the first angle α, between an unlocking position, see Fig. 2 , and a locking position, see Fig. 3 , is movable. For this purpose, the inner surface of the bore 40 in the adapter 12 serves as a guide surface. The guide surface also forms a support 40a for the locking element 32 in the locking position.

[0044] In the lower area, the adapter 12 is provided with a conical area on the outside, which serves as a support 12a for the rotor 10. The rotor 10 is fixed downwards in the axial direction by the support 12a.

[0045] The locking element 32, see Figures 14 to 17 , is designed as a cylindrical pin. The lower end of the locking element is provided with a cone 32a. A recess 32b is formed on each side of the cone 32a, resulting in a rectangular, flat shape, which forms two parallel guide surfaces 32c.

[0046] The upper portion of the locking element 32 is rounded and, on the side rotated 90° relative to the guide surfaces 32c, has an upper conical clamping surface 32d, which rests flush against an associated surface of a locking bearing 44 of the rotor 10. The remaining upper portion of the locking element 32 is rounded. The basic shape of the locking element is cylindrical and rotationally symmetrical.

[0047] An alternative locking element 32 is Fig. 18 and Fig. 19 Here, a rotationally symmetrical recess 32e is provided concentrically to the longitudinal axis of the locking element, for example, by being screwed in, adjacent to the cone 32b. The height of the recess 32e corresponds to the height of the recess 32b.

[0048] As in particular the Fig. 2As can be seen, the locking bearing 44 extends at a second angle β. The first angle α is greater than the second angle β. In addition, the surface 44a of the locking bearing 44 extends, see Fig. 4 , to below the hole 40 in the adapter 12. This results in a height offset H, see Fig. 4, via which the manufacturing tolerances - height tolerance, mainly caused by two cones 52, 54, a first cone 52 between rotor 10 and adapter 12, a second cone 54 between adapter 12 and rotor 10 - along the axis of rotation 24 of the drive shaft 14 can be compensated. The locking bearing 44 is a conical surface 44a which is aligned at the second angle β. The height offset H is in any case greater than the maximum possible manufacturing tolerance of the adjacent surfaces of drive shaft 14, adapter 12 and rotor 10 in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation. Due to the height offset H, the locking element 32 comes to rest on the locking bearing 44 at a radial distance from the adapter 12 in the locking position.

[0049] Both the first angle α, at which, for example, the guide surface and the abutment 40a of the bore 40 are aligned, and the second angle β, at which the locking bearing 44 is aligned, are measured from the rotation axis 24 at the top in a clockwise direction to the abutment 40a and the locking bearing 44. The first angle α is greater than the second angle β. The first angle α lies between 0° and 90°, in particular 30°. The second angle β also lies between 0° and 90°, in particular 20°.

[0050] The locking elements 32 are arranged at equal spacing from one another. Accordingly, the bores 40 and the U-shaped recesses 34 are also arranged at equal spacing from one another. Each locking element 32 is associated with a U-shaped recess 34 and a bore 40 in the adapter 12. The two lateral projections 34b of a U-shaped recess 34 engage with the recess 32b of the locking element 32.

[0051] The recess 32c in cooperation with the lateral projections 34b in the U-shaped recess 34 form an anti-twist device for the locking element 32. As a result, the locking element 32 does not twist during the linear movement from the unlocking position to the locking position.

[0052] The rotor, see Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, has a rotor bore 46 arranged concentrically to the axis of rotation 24, which has a conical region 48 at its free end. The conical region 48 is the rotor-side counterbearing for the support 12a of the adapter 12. The rotor bore 46 is open at the bottom so that the rotor 10 can be placed on the adapter 12 and the adapter 12 can engage with the rotor 10. At the top, concentric to the axis of rotation 24, a through-bore 50 is provided, through which the actuating element 26 with its push button 26a protrudes when the rotor 10 is mounted. Otherwise, the rotor 10 is provided in a conventional manner with the sample container receptacles 20 for sample containers not shown here.

[0053] Preferably, a set of different rotors 10 is provided, which can accommodate different sample container shapes. However, the area of ​​the rotor bore 46 with the through-bore 50 and the locking bearing 44 is always constructed the same.

[0054] If the rotor 10 is now to be removed from the centrifuge, i.e. lifted from the adapter 12 and the drive shaft 14 in a removal direction, namely upwards, the push button 26a of the actuating element 26 is moved from the locking position, see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 , pressed down into the unlocking position, see Fig. 2. In this case, the actuating element 26 and the pressure plate 36 move linearly downwards against the force of the spring 38 and thus also the locking elements 32. Each locking element 32 is moved linearly obliquely downwards at the first angle α until the locking element 32 is completely in the adapter 12 and the upper region of the locking element is arranged within the bore 40. As a result, the locking element 32 no longer blocks the rotor 10 from being pulled upwards away from the adapter 12. During the movement of the locking element 32, the contact point of the locking element 32 on the conical surface 36a of the pressure plate 36 moves linearly in one direction or the other, depending on whether the locking element 32 is moved out of the adapter 12 or retracted.

[0055] For example, after changing the rotor 10, it is reattached to the adapter 12 with its central rotor bore 46 adapted to the adapter 12 until the conical region 48 of the rotor 10 rests on the support 12a of the adapter 12. The locking element 32 is pressed downward into the adapter 12 by the conical region 48 and held in this position by the rotor bore 46 until the rotor 10 rests with its conical region 48 on the support 12a. The locking bearing 44 is then located slightly below the bore 40 of the adapter 12. The locking element 32 can now move linearly into the locking bearing 44 unhindered by the applied force of the spring 38 until the clamping surface 32d of the locking element 32 rests on the locking bearing 44. The rotor 10 is then firmly connected to the adapter 12 and, via this, to the drive shaft 14. Should manufacturing tolerances occur, the locking bearing 44 is higher or lower.The locking element 32 thus moves more or less into the locking bearing 44. In any case, a play-free frictional connection is established between the locking bearing 44, the locking element 32, and the abutment 40a in the bore 40 of the adapter 12. This ensures a secure arrangement of the rotor 10 on the adapter 12 and thus on the drive shaft 14.

[0056] This allows manufacturing tolerances to be easily compensated for without causing the rotor 10 to lock with play. Due to the inclined position, the centrifugal forces occurring during rotation only partially affect the locking element 32. Jamming caused by high centrifugal forces is also prevented. The parts can be manufactured more easily, as tolerances can be easily compensated for according to the invention. List of reference symbols

[0057] 10Rotor 12Adapter 12aSupport of adapter 12 for rotor 10 14Drive shaft 18Drive motor 20Sample container holder 22Quick release 24Rotational axis of the drive shaft 26Actuating element 26aPush button of the actuating element 26 26boupper area of ​​the actuating element 26 26clower area of ​​the actuating element 26 26dDownwardly open bore in the actuating element 26 28Bore in adapter 12 28aStep in the bore 28 of the adapter 12 30Stop ring 32Locking element 32aCone at the lower end of the locking element 32 32bRecess following the cone 32a of the locking element 32 32cGuide surface of the locking element 32 32dClamping surface of the locking element 32, first Embodiment 32eRecess of the locking element 32, second embodiment 34U-shaped recess 34atransverse region of the U-shaped recess 34 34blateral projection in the U-shaped recess 34 36Pressure plate 36aconic surface of the pressure plate 36 38Spring,which acts on the actuating element 26 40Bore 40aAbutment 42Longitudinal axis of the bore 40 44Locking bearing of the rotor 10 44aSurface of the locking bearing 44 46Concentric rotor bore 48Conical area of ​​the rotor 10 at the lower free end 50Through bore of the rotor 10 for the actuating element 26 52First cone rotor 10 / adapter 12 54Second cone adapter 12 / drive shaft 14, αfirst angle βsecond angle HHeight offset

Claims

1. Centrifuge, comprising a drive shaft (14) that is rotatable about an axis of rotation (24), an adapter (12) that is connected to the drive shaft (14) or that is part of the drive shaft (14), a rotor (10) that is mounted on the adapter (12) and can be axially removed in a removal direction, a quick-release fastener (22) that acts between the rotor (10) and the adapter (12), which fastener (22) can be used to fix the rotor (10) relative to the adapter (12) in the removal direction and to release it as required, a support (40a) connected to the adapter (12), a locking bearing (44) connected to the rotor (10), at least one blocking element (32) which is part of the quick-release fastener (22) and which, when activated, fixes the rotor (10) relative to the adapter (12) and thus to the drive shaft (14) and acts between the locking bearing (44) of the rotor (10) and the support (40a) of the drive shaft (14), with the quick-release fastener (22) including an actuating element (26), with the blocking element (32) being operatively connected to the actuating element (26) in such a way that the actuating element (26) is mounted such that it can be moved linearly, in particular parallel to the axis of rotation (24) of the drive shaft (14), between an unlocking position and a locking position, which blocking element (32) performs a linear movement relative to the adapter (12) during movement of the actuating element (26), which blocking element (32) is adapted to be moved between the locking position and the unlocking position at a first angle (α) relative to the axis of rotation (24), and the locking bearing (44) is aligned at a second angle (ß) relative to the axis of rotation (24), which angle (β) is different from the first angle (α), characterized in that the angles (α, ß) are measured clockwise from the axis of rotation (24), starting from the side of the actuating element (26), and are between 0° and 90°.

2. Centrifuge according to claim 1, characterized in that the first angle (α) is in a range of between 20° and 75°, and the second angle (β) is in a range of between 10° and 70°.

3. Centrifuge according to any one of claims 1 or 2 above, characterized in that the first angle (α) is greater than the second angle (β).

4. Centrifuge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking bearing (44) forms a surface (44a) which, in the locking position, extends as far as the adapter (12), with the surface (44a) of the locking bearing (44) at the adapter (12) having a height offset (H) from the locking element (32) that projects from the adapter (12) in the locking position, thus causing the locking element (32) to rest against the locking bearing (44) at a radial distance from the adapter (12), with the height offset (H) preferably being greater than the maximum possible manufacturing tolerance of the adjoining surfaces of the adapter (12) and the rotor (10) in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation (24).

5. Centrifuge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (26) is designed as a cylindrical pin and, in its lower region, has a receptacle for the one or plural locking element(s) (32).

6. Centrifuge according to claim 6, characterized in that the actuating element (26) has one or plural lateral U-shaped recess(es) (34) for the blocking elements (32), which enable a relative movement of the actuating element (26) with respect to the respective blocking element (32) between a locking position and an unlocking position thereof, which U-shaped recess (34) in the transverse area is preferably formed as an oblique bore which extends at a first angle (α) to the axis of rotation (24).

7. Centrifuge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pressure plate (36) is provided on the side of the actuating element (26) assigned to the drive shaft (14), with a first contact surface (36a) for the respective blocking element (32) being provided on one side of the pressure plate (36) and a second contact surface for a spring (38) being provided on the other side of the pressure plate (36).

8. Centrifuge according to claim 9, characterized in that the first contact surface (36a) of the pressure plate (36) for the respective blocking element (32) is aligned at an angle that is perpendicular to the first angle (α).

9. Centrifuge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter (12) has a guide surface for the blocking element (32), which is inclined in particular at the first angle (α).

10. Centrifuge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (40a) is part of the adapter (12) and, in particular, is also aligned at the first angle (α).

11. Centrifuge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (26) and / or the locking element (32) is spring-loaded in the direction of the locking position.

12. Centrifuge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of blocking elements (32), at least two blocking elements (32), preferably three blocking elements (32), are provided, with each blocking element (32) being formed identically to any other one, with the blocking elements (32) being arranged at a uniform distance from one another.

13. Centrifuge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocking element (32) is designed as a continuous elongate pin, which in particular is cylindrical in its basic shape, preferably the blocking element (32) has recesses (32b, 32e) which interact with projections (34b) of the adapter (12) to form an anti-rotation device during movement from the locked position into the unlocked position.

14. Centrifuge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, at its front end, the blocking element (32) has a bevel (32d) relative to its longitudinal axis, which, in the locking position, rests against the locking bearing (44).

15. Centrifuge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocking element is mounted in the adapter in such a way that the longitudinal axis of the blocking element (32) intersects the axis of rotation (24).