Centrifuge with transformable mechanism

Abstract

To provide a centrifuge in which test tubes can move along a correct trajectory during centrifugation, thereby capable of preventing the centrifuge from producing unnecessary vibrations.SOLUTION: The present invention provides a centrifuge including one rotor 4 and multiple mounts 5. Each mount 5 includes multiple transform units 6, and each transform unit 6 is pivotally and reciprocatively connected to the mount 5. Furthermore, each transform unit 6 provides accommodation means or holding means for accommodating or holding a centrifuge test tube, thereby, in order for the multiple centrifuge test tubes placed on the multiple mounts 5 to be rotatable at a consistent rotation radius, according to a rotation speed during rotation of the rotor 4, each transform unit 6 can adjust a relationship between each transform unit and the mount by pivoting and reciprocating.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved structure of a centrifuge, and particularly to a centrifuge used in combination with a plurality of rows of centrifuge test tubes.

Background Art

[0002] In chemical and biological tests and experiments, a centrifuge is a commonly used device that mainly separates substances in a target sample by sedimentation and centrifugal motion. For example, it separates specific cellular substances from a blood sample of an organism. In actual applications, usually, the arrangement position of centrifuge test tubes in a centrifuge is strictly required to ensure that these centrifuge test tubes can move along an accurate orbit so that no unnecessary vibration occurs in the centrifuge and no adverse effect occurs on the test results.

[0003] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a centrifuge (1) used in combination with a plurality of rows, which is driven by a control module (10). Specifically, the control module (10) is electrically connected to a motor (not shown), while the motor is mechanically connected to a rotor (11) of the centrifuge (1) via a rotating shaft (not shown). The operation interface (12) is electrically connected to the control module (10), and the operation interface (12) is provided so that a user can drive the motor by inputting commands to the control module (10), for example, parameters such as rotation speed and time.

[0004] Figure 2 shows an arrangement of a known multiple row. In the figure, each section has 8 rows, that is, 8 centrifuge test tubes can be arranged in each section. Since the test tube mounts in the known rotor (11) are all fixed mechanisms, the distances between the positions (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28) of each centrifuge test tube and the rotation center (C) of the rotor (11) do not all match. As shown in the figure, there is an obvious difference in the distances between the center - closer positions of the multiple rows, for example, position (25), and the both - ends - closer positions of the multiple rows, for example, position (28), and the rotation center (C). Specifically, the rotation radius of position (25) is R5, and the rotation radius of position (28) is R8, and moreover, R5 is smaller than R8. Here, during the centrifugation operation, the centrifuge test tube at position (28) receives a larger centrifugal force than the centrifuge test tube at position (25), resulting in a difference in the separation degree between the two test tubes. As the number of multiple rows increases, this difference between the radius and the separation becomes more prominent.

[0005] Also, many of the known multiple - row mounts are fixed, that is, the centrifuge test tubes are placed at each position (from 21 to 28) in a specific direction and position. However, if all these centrifuge test tubes are placed in an upright manner, during centrifugation, the directions in which the center - closer test tubes and the both - ends test tubes of the multiple rows receive force will be different, which is disadvantageous for obtaining a consistent separation result.

[0006] Therefore, there is still a need for improvement in the conventional centrifuges used in multiple rows. Summary of the Invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is a centrifuge including a rotor having a rotation center, and a plurality of mounts that are connected to the rotor and arranged along the periphery of the rotor, each mount being for placing a plurality of centrifugation test tubes. Each mount includes a plurality of deformation units, each deformation unit is pivotable and is connected to the mount so as to be reciprocable, and each deformation unit provides accommodation means or holding means for accommodating or holding a centrifugation test tube. Thus, during rotation of the rotor, each deformation unit can adjust the relationship between each deformation unit and the mount by pivoting and reciprocating according to the number of rotations so that a plurality of centrifugation test tubes placed on the plurality of mounts can rotate at the same rotation radius.

[0008] In a specific embodiment, the mount has a center and both ends, and a plurality of deformation units included in the mount are arranged between both ends of the mount, and the plurality of deformation units are connected to the mount in a parallel manner.

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

[0010] In a specific embodiment, the mount has a plurality of rails, and a plurality of deformation units included in the mount are each slidably connected to the corresponding rail and the mount via the corresponding rail so that each deformation unit can reciprocate with respect to the mount along the corresponding rail.

[0011] In a specific embodiment, the plurality of rails have an inner end and an outer end, the plurality of rails have different stroke amounts, and the stroke amount of the rails closer to both ends of the mount is shorter than the stroke amount of the rails closer to the center of the mount.

[0012] In a specific embodiment, each deformation unit has a pivot, and each deformation unit is pivotally connected to the mount via the pivot such that each deformation unit can pivot with respect to the mount based on the pivot, and the direction of the pivot is parallel to the direction of the rotation axis connected to the rotor.

[0013] In a specific embodiment, the mount has a plurality of return units, and each return unit provides a return force generally directed towards the center of rotation of the rotor to the corresponding deformation unit, so that each of the deformation units is located at the inner end of the rail when the rotor is stopped.

[0014] In a specific embodiment, all the outer ends of the plurality of rails of the plurality of mounts generally conform to a circular orbit.

[0015] In a specific embodiment, one part of each deformation unit is located between the top and bottom of the mount but is not exposed, and the other part of each deformation unit is exposed from the mount and has a hook for suspending a centrifuge test tube.

[0016] In a specific embodiment, the number of deformation units included in each mount is 8 or 12.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] By referring to the following drawings and descriptions, a further understanding of the present invention can be obtained. Examples, which are not restrictive and do not aim to be exhaustive, will be described with reference to the following drawings. The members in the drawings do not necessarily have actual sizes, and the emphasis is on explaining the structure and principle.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 5C

Figure 6A

Figure 6B

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the present invention will be described in detail, and specific examples of specific examples will be given. However, since the present gist can be specifically implemented in many different forms, what is included therein, or the configuration of the gist of the present application, is not limited to any specific example disclosed in this specification. The specific examples of the examples are merely illustrative. Similarly, the present invention is filed or exists in a reasonable and extensive range, and the gist included therein. Also, the drawings and illustrations in the present invention are not usually drawn according to scale and are not intended to correspond to the actual relative sizes.

[0019] For the purpose of consistency and ease of understanding, the same features are indicated by reference numerals in the exemplary drawings (although in some examples this is not the case). However, since the features in different embodiments may be different in other forms, the features shown should not be narrowly limited. The terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and the above drawings of the present invention are used to distinguish different elements and are not used to describe a specific order.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a centrifuge equipped with the variable mechanism of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a view showing the cross-sectional structure along line A-A. The parts such as the rotating shaft, motor, control module, housing, and operation interface included in the centrifuge are not the parts improved in the present invention, so the illustration is omitted, but it is sufficient for those skilled in the art of the present invention to understand this content.

[0021] The centrifuge of the present invention mainly includes a rotor (4) and a plurality of mounts (5). The rotor (4) in the illustrated embodiment is basically composed of a center disk (41), a plurality of spokes (42), and a frame (43). Among them, the length of the spokes (42) and the shape of the frame (43) are appropriately set so that the rotor (4) has a regular hexagonal structure, but the present invention is not limited thereby. A hole for coupling a power rotating shaft (not shown) is formed in the center disk (41) of the rotor (4). The six sets of mounts (5) shown are connected around the rotor (4) and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the rotor (4). Each mount (5) is for placing a plurality of centrifuge test tubes and can be designed in 8 rows or 12 rows according to the need. Each mount (5) has a center and both ends, and one end of one mount (5) is only close to one end of the other mount (5). The mount (5) of the present invention has a deformable mechanism that acts during the centrifugal operation, and the detailed content will be described below.

[0022] The mount (5) includes a plurality of deformation units (6), and each deformation unit (6) is pivotable and connected to the mount (5) so as to be reciprocable. As can be seen from FIG. 4, one part of the deformation unit (6) is located inside the mount (5) and is not exposed, while the other part of the deformation unit (6) is exposed outside the mount (5). The deformation unit (6) has a thin structure but has a certain structural strength. The deformation unit (6) can be made of an integrally formed thin material. 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) further has a cavity (63) formed for the purpose of weight reduction.

[0023] The deformation units (6) are connected to the mount (5) in a parallel manner. The mount (5) has a top (51) extending outward from the frame (43) and a bottom (52), and the plurality of deformation units (6) included in the mount (5) are restricted between the top (51) and the bottom (52), and the hooks (62) of the deformation units (6) are exposed. Specifically, the downward surface of the top (51) and the upward surface of the bottom (52) respectively contact the upward and downward surfaces of the deformation unit (6), thereby restricting the direction of vertical movement of the deformation unit (6).

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of rails (53) are formed between both ends of the top (51) of the mount (5), and moreover, the stroke amount of the rails (53) closer to both ends of the mount (5) is shorter than the stroke amount of the rails (53) closer to the center of the mount (5). The inner ends of these rails (53) are located on a straight line, while the outer ends are located on a generally circular orbit. Although not shown in the figure, a rail arrangement corresponding to the top (51) is also formed at the bottom (52). Each deformation unit (6) is connected to the corresponding rail (53) of the mount (5) via a pivot (61), and the deformation unit (6) can reciprocate with respect to the mount (5) along the rail (53). Among these, the pivot (61) generally coincides with the rotation axis direction. Naturally, due to the difference in the rail stroke amount, the width of the reciprocating motion achievable by the deformation unit (6) also varies. Also, since the inner and outer ends of the rail (53) have a curve structure, the deformation unit (6) can pivot at any position on the rail (53) via a cylindrical pivot (61). In other words, each deformation unit (6) can reciprocate along the rail (53) and is also pivotable. The relative relationship between the rail (53) and the pivot (61) in the illustrated embodiment can be understood by looking at a plan view or a bottom view. However, in other embodiments, the rail (53) may be completely located inside the mount (5) so as not to be visible from the outside.

[0025] The hook of the deformation unit (6) is illustrated in the figure. A centrifugal test tube (not shown) can provide a corresponding mechanism so that an operator or a robotic arm can hang the centrifugal test tube on the hook (62). Here, the centrifugal test tube has fewer restrictions than the deformation unit (6). Alternatively, the hook (62) of the deformation unit (6) may be replaced with a housing means or other holding means. For example, the deformation unit (6) can be arranged to have a slot for housing the centrifugal test tube. Here, the centrifugal test tube is restricted and is less likely to rattle. That is, the deformation unit (6) included in the mount (5) is not restricted in terms of radial reciprocating motion, horizontal pivoting, and swinging, except that it is restricted in the vertical direction.

[0026] Figures 7A and 7B show a variation example of the deformation unit (6) having a main body (60), a pair of pivots (61), one hook (62), and a cavity (63). The main body (60) is basically a hexahedron structure having a height, a width, and a length. The pivots (61) protrude from the upper and lower surfaces of the main body (60). The pivots (61) are generally columnar and have a pair of ribs (61A). The pivoting width of the deformation unit (6) is limited by the relationship between the ribs (61A) and the width of the rail (53). The hook (62) is located on one side surface of the main body (60) and basically has a structure extending upward, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Generally, a plurality of centrifugation test tubes can be suspended from the hook (62) by known means, and the related detailed parts will not be described separately here.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mount (5) further has a plurality of return units. Each return unit applies an appropriate return force (tensile force or pressing force) to the deformation unit (6) so that all the deformation units (6) can retract inside the mount (5) during the movement of stopping or slow rotation. The amount of the return force is properly designed so that the deformation unit (6) can overcome the return force during the movement of high-speed rotation and extend outside the mount (5).

[0028] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the return unit. The return unit is a spring (54) or other biasing means that fits inside the mount (5). In this schematic diagram, one end of the spring (54) fits inside the mount (5), and the other end is connected to the inside of the deformation unit (6). Alternatively, one end of the spring (54) fits into the deformation unit (6), and the other end is connected to the inside of the mount (5). In any form, the spring (54) provides a tensile force to move the deformation unit (6) toward the inside of the mount (5). The elastic coefficient of the spring (54) can be properly selected so that the centrifugal force of the deformation unit (6) can exceed the tensile force of the spring (54) under the movement of high-speed rotation.

[0029] FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the return unit. The return unit includes one or more magnets (55) provided inside the mount (5) and a magnetic part (64) disposed inside the deformation unit (6). The magnetic part (64) can be a metal or a magnet having magnetism, and the deformation unit (6) is attracted by the magnet (55) inside the mount (5) so that the deformation unit (6) can be moved toward the inside of the mount (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 exceed the attractive force generated by the magnetic field under the movement of high-speed rotation.

[0030] FIG. 5C is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the return unit. The return unit is a spring (56) or other biasing means provided in the rail (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 rail (53). The spring (56) applies a pressure to the pivot (61) to move the deformation unit (6) toward the inside of the mount (5). Similarly, the elastic coefficient of the spring (56) can be appropriately selected so that the centrifugal force of the deformation unit (6) can exceed the pressure of the spring (56) under the movement of high-speed rotation.

[0031] FIG. 6A shows the return state of the centrifuge of the present invention. The return force provided by the return unit, whether it is a tensile force, a pressure or a magnetic force, can move the deformation unit (6) toward the inside of the mount (5) and position the pivot (61) of the deformation unit (6) at the inner end of the rail (53). Since the inner ends of the rails (53) on each mount (5) are located on a reference straight line (BB) parallel to the sides of the hexagon, the deformation units (6) in the return state will be arranged flush.

[0032] In other possible embodiments, the return unit can be omitted. The mount (5) can be appropriately modified and inclined so that the outer end of the rail (53) is higher and the inner end is lower. Here, when the rotor (4) is stopped or rotating at a low speed, the deformation unit (6) can fall to the inner end of the rail (53) by its own weight.

[0033] Figure 6B shows the deformed state of the centrifuge of the present invention. During the operation of the centrifuge, the rotor (4) rotates each deformation unit (6) at a specific rotational speed, causing the deformation unit (6) to overcome the restoring force and move towards the outer end of the rail (53). The stroke amounts of these rails (53) do not match. Since the stroke amount of the rail (53) closer to the center of the mount (5) is larger than the stroke amount of the rail (53) closer to both ends of the mount (5), the outer end of the rail (53) generally conforms to a circular orbit (shown by the dashed line). Under the condition of uniform motion, these deformation units (6) extend outward with respect to the mount (5), and different degrees of pivoting occur. The deformation units (6), which were previously in close contact with each other, become separated from each other. Moreover, the pivoting width of the deformation unit (6) closer to the center of the mount (5) is small, and the pivoting width of the deformation unit (6) closer to both ends of the mount (5) is large. All the deformation units (6) are arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to the rotation center (C). In other words, the radius (R5) from the deformation unit (6) closer to the center of the mount (5) to the rotation center (C) is basically the same as the radius (R8) from the deformation unit (6) closer to both ends of the mount (5) to the rotation center (C). Therefore, in the deformed state (during rotation), the movement paths of the centrifuge test tubes held by all the deformation units (6) are basically the same. When the speed of the rotor (4) decreases from uniform rotation to a stop, the control of the deformation unit (6) is gradually dominated by the restoring force and retracts into the mount (5), finally returning to the state shown in Figure 6A.

[0034] To sum up, the centrifuge equipped with the variable mechanism of the present invention can achieve a considerable degree of consistency in the separation results of chemical substances or biological samples by switching between a return state in which a plurality of centrifuge test tubes can be easily attached and detached at the operation part and a deformed state in which all the centrifuge test tubes are rotationally symmetric according to the rotational speed of the motor.

[0035] Moreover, each specific embodiment of the present invention is merely for illustrative purposes, and various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims and the technical idea of the present invention, and all of them should be understood to be included in the scope of the claims of the present invention. Therefore, each specific embodiment described in this specification is not used to limit the present invention, and the actual scope and technical idea of the present invention are disclosed in the claims on the attached sheet.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0036] 1 Centrifuge 10 Control Module 11 Rotor 12 Operation Interface 21 - 28 Positions of Centrifuge Test Tubes 4 Rotor 41 Center Disk 42 Spoke 43 Frame 5 Mount 51 Top 52 Bottom 53 Rail 54 Spring 55 Magnet 56 Spring 6 Deformation Unit 60 Body 61 Pivot 61A Rib 62 Hook 63 Cavity 64 Magnetic Part R5 Radius R8 Radius C Rotation Center

Claims

1. A rotor having a rotation center, and a plurality of mounts that are connected to the rotor and arranged along the periphery of the rotor, each mount for placing a plurality of centrifugation test tubes, a centrifuge comprising: each mount includes a plurality of deformation units, each deformation unit is pivotable and is connected to the mount so as to be reciprocable, and each deformation unit provides a housing means or a holding means for housing or holding a centrifugation test tube, so that each deformation unit can adjust the relationship between each deformation unit and the mount by pivoting and reciprocating according to the rotational speed during rotation of the rotor, so that a plurality of centrifugation test tubes placed on the plurality of mounts can rotate at the same rotation radius. A centrifuge.

2. The mount has a center and both ends, and a plurality of deformation units included in the mount are arranged between both ends of the mount, and the plurality of deformation units are connected to the mount in a parallel manner. The centrifuge according to claim 1.

3. The mount has a top and a bottom, and the plurality of deformation units are pivotally and reciprocally restricted between the top and the bottom of the mount. The centrifuge according to claim 1.

4. The mount has a plurality of rails, and a plurality of deformation units included in the mount are slidably connected to the corresponding rails and the mount respectively so that each deformation unit can reciprocate with respect to the mount along the corresponding rail. The centrifuge according to claim 1.

5. The plurality of rails have an inner end and an outer end, the plurality of rails have different stroke amounts, and the stroke amount of the rails closer to both ends of the mount is shorter than the stroke amount of the rails closer to the center of the mount. The centrifuge according to claim 4.

6. Each deformation unit has a pivot, and each deformation unit is pivotally connected to the mount via the pivot so that each deformation unit can pivot with respect to the mount based on the pivot, and the direction of the pivot is parallel to the direction of the rotation axis connected to the rotor. The centrifuge according to claim 1.

7. The mount has a plurality of return units, and each return unit provides a return force to a corresponding deformation unit, so that each of the deformation units is located at the inner end of the rail while the rotor is stopped. The centrifuge according to claim 4.

8. The centrifuge according to claim 5, wherein all outer ends of the plurality of rails of the plurality of mounts generally conform to a circular orbit.

9. One part of each deformation unit is located between the top and bottom of the mount but is not exposed, and the other part of each deformation unit is exposed from the mount and has a hook for suspending a centrifuge test tube. The centrifuge according to claim 3.

10. The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein the number of deformation units included in each mount is 8 or 12.

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