Rotor for a laboratory device, and laboratory device having a rotor

Abstract

The invention relates to a rotor (1) for a laboratory device (100), in particular for a centrifuge, wherein the rotor (1) comprises a rotor main body (2) having a receiving volume (3), and a cover (4), by means of which the receiving volume (3) in the rotor main body (2) can be closed. The rotor (1) is characterized by a locking mechanism (5) that includes: at least one locking element (6) which can be moved from an open position into a locking position; and a receptacle (7) which corresponds to the at least one locking element (6) and into which the at least one locking element (6) engages in the locking position in order to lockingly fasten the cover (4) to the rotor main body (2), the at least one locking element (6) being movable between its release position and its locking position by means of a preferably rotatable actuating element (8) which is arranged on the cover (4).

Description

[0001] Rotor for a laboratory device and laboratory device with a rotor

[0002] The invention relates to a rotor for a laboratory device, in particular for a centrifuge, wherein the rotor comprises a rotor base body with a receiving volume and a lid with which the receiving volume in the rotor base body can be closed, preferably in an aerosol-tight manner. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a laboratory device, in particular a centrifuge, with such a rotor.

[0003] Rotors of the type mentioned above are already known in practice in various designs.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a rotor and a laboratory device with such a rotor, wherein the rotor enables the lid to be locked to the rotor base body as conveniently and securely as possible.

[0005] To achieve this object, the features of the independent claim directed to a rotor are proposed. Thus, to achieve this object, in particular a rotor of the type mentioned at the outset is proposed which has a locking mechanism which has a locking element which can be moved from an open position into a locking position and a receptacle corresponding to the at least one locking element. The at least one locking element can engage in the receptacle in the locking position in order to fasten the cover to the rotor base body in a locked manner. The locking element can be moved between its open position and its locking position by means of a preferably rotatable actuating element which is arranged on the cover.

[0006] Due to the locking mechanism, the rotor according to the invention can be closed particularly quickly, for example by a quarter turn of its actuating element, conveniently, safely and preferably also aersol-tight. It is particularly advantageous if the actuating element is rotatable. The actuating element can be a rotary knob, for example. Because the actuating element is arranged on the cover of the rotor, the locking mechanism can also be actuated easily and reliably when the rotor is arranged in its position of use in a working space of a laboratory device, in particular a centrifuge, and is connected there in particular to a rotor drive of the laboratory device.

[0007] The receiving volume in the rotor base body can be sealed aerosol-tight with the lid.

[0008] The actuating element can have an ergonomic shape and / or be designed and / or usable as a carrying handle. The ergonomic shape of the actuating element is helpful when the closed rotor is to be removed from the centrifuge after the centrifuge process. In particular, the rotor can be held by the actuating element and carried, for example, to a fume hood, where it can be opened under conditions safe for the user. This is particularly useful if the rotor contains hazardous substances.

[0009] In one embodiment of the rotor, the locking element is arranged or formed on the cover, and the receptacle for the locking element is arranged or formed on the rotor base body. In another embodiment of the rotor, the reverse arrangement of the locking element and the corresponding receptacle is provided.

[0010] The receptacle for the locking mechanism can be a receiving groove. The receiving groove is preferably annular. In this way, the at least one locking element can engage in the receptacle from different relative positions, in particular from different angular positions relative to the receptacle, in order to activate the locking. This can simplify the handling of the rotor when locking its cover.

[0011] The rotor base body can have a retaining pin on which the receptacle for the locking mechanism is formed. In this context, it is particularly advantageous if the receptacle is designed as an annular receiving groove and surrounds a longitudinal center axis of the retaining pin on the rotor base body in a closed ring.

[0012] The retaining pin can be arranged or formed within the rotor base body and, more specifically, within the receiving volume of the rotor base body. In one embodiment of the rotor, the at least one locking element has a chamfer on its side facing the receptacle. The chamfer serves as an insertion aid and facilitates easy insertion of the locking element into its locking position within the receptacle. In addition, the chamfer enables the movement of the locking element into its locking position to be converted into an axial movement of the cover in the direction of the receiving volume. As a result, the cover can reach a defined closed position on the rotor base body during locking and can thus be pulled into its closed position.

[0013] In particular, if a seal is formed or arranged between the cover and the rotor base body, the creation of the locking mechanism and the resulting axial movement of the cover towards the receiving volume can enable the cover to fit properly and tightly against the rotor base body.

[0014] The receptacle can have an insertion bevel for the at least one locking element. The insertion bevel can also facilitate the insertion of the at least one locking element into its locking position. The insertion bevel can also serve to axially move the cover into its closed position by moving the at least one locking element into the receptacle.

[0015] In particular, if a seal, such as an O-ring, is arranged between the cover and the rotor base, this ensures that the cover can be reliably brought into its closed position on the rotor base with a seal. Furthermore, the aforementioned chamfer and the insertion bevel can also prevent axial play between the cover and the rotor base.

[0016] To actuate the locking mechanism, the actuating element of the locking mechanism can be pivoted or rotated about a rotational axis, which preferably coincides with a rotational axis of the rotor. The actuating element can then be designed as a rotary knob.

[0017] The previously mentioned retaining pin, which is provided within the rotor base body and on which the receptacle for the locking element can be formed, can have a longitudinal central axis which is congruent with the axis of rotation of the rotor.

[0018] The retaining pin can have an insertion taper at its free end. This insertion taper can be used to bring the cover with the part of the locking mechanism arranged thereon into its closed position on the rotor base body and to center it there. The locking mechanism can comprise a carrier disk on which the at least one locking element is pivotally mounted via a pivot point. The at least one locking element can be movable, in particular pivotable, transversely or radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotor between its locking position and its unlocking position. A pivot axis of the locking element is preferably aligned parallel to a rotation axis of the rotor.

[0019] In one embodiment of the rotor, the locking mechanism can have an actuating disc connected to the actuating element. With the aid of the actuating disc, a movement, in particular a rotational movement, of the actuating element can be transmitted to the at least one locking element. The connection between the actuating element and the actuating disc can preferably be rotationally fixed. In this way, a rotational movement of the actuating element can be converted into a rotational movement of the actuating disc. The actuating disc can thus be part of a transmission line with which the movement of the actuating element can be converted into a movement of the at least one locking element.

[0020] The actuating disc and the carrier disc can be arranged one above the other. The actuating disc and the carrier disc can have a common central axis. This facilitates a compact design of the locking mechanism. This common central axis can be congruent with a rotational axis of the rotor.

[0021] The at least one locking element can have an actuating pin. The actuating pin can be guided in a guide slot of the aforementioned carrier disk and positioned with its free end in a control slot of the actuating disk. The guide slot and the control slot can preferably be aligned obliquely to one another. This promotes a targeted conversion of a rotary movement of the actuating element on the cover into a movement of the locking element between the locking position and the unlocking position. Depending on the direction of rotation of the actuating element, the at least one locking element can be moved into its locking position or into its unlocking position.

[0022] The control link and the guide link enable a forced guidance of at least one locking element, so that the locking element can be moved with the aid of the actuating element from its unlocked position into its locking position and also from the locking position back into its unlocked position.

[0023] As already indicated above, at least one seal, for example an O-ring, can be formed or arranged between the rotor base body and the cover. At least one seal, for example an O-ring, can be formed between the cover and the retaining pin.

[0024] Each seal can rest against a sealing surface that is aligned at an angle to the rotor's rotational axis and / or facing away from the receiving volume in the rotor base body. The angled arrangement of the sealing surface enables easier separation of the sealing partners. This facilitates easy removal of the cover from its closed position on the rotor base body. Lubrication of the respective seal, which would otherwise be necessary to easily separate the sealing partners, is thus unnecessary.

[0025] The respective sealing surface can be oriented such that its orientation with respect to a direction in which the cover is removed from the base body promotes the lifting of the cover. The respective sealing surface can be facing away from the receiving volume inside the rotor base body.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the rotor, the at least one locking element can be made of a high-strength, friction-minimizing plastic. A PEEK plastic is particularly suitable for this purpose. Other suitable materials for the at least one locking element include, for example, glass-fiber-reinforced and / or carbon-fiber-reinforced PEEK plastic or a highly filled polyamide or magnesium.

[0027] The use of a plastic material to provide the locking element can be advantageous, since plastic, for example carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, has particularly good sliding properties. This can simplify the movement of at least one locking element into its locking position and from the locking position back into its unlocking position. Jamming and sticking of the locking element in its locking position in the receptacle can thus be avoided.

[0028] In addition, the use of a locking element made of plastic is gentle on the surfaces that may come into contact with the locking element. PEEK plastic has the advantage that it does not flow under pressure and load, so that a change in the shape of the locking element under load is not, or only to a small extent, to be feared. This promotes the dimensional accuracy of the at least one locking element when the locking mechanism is in use. The locking mechanism can comprise a spring washer. The spring washer can preferably be arranged below the actuating element and / or be designed as a corrugated washer. The use of a corrugated washer can simplify the maintenance of dimensional tolerances and also prevent or at least reduce axial play between the components of the locking mechanism.

[0029] The locking mechanism may further comprise at least one locking element, for example a spring pin, and a corresponding counter-locking element, for example a locking recess. The at least one locking element and the at least one counter-locking element may be arranged such that they engage with one another when the locking mechanism is locked. This enables haptic and / or acoustic feedback about the locking position of the locking mechanism and in particular of its at least one locking element.

[0030] The at least one locking element and the at least one counter-locking element can also be arranged such that a corresponding haptic and / or acoustic feedback occurs when the locking mechanism is unlocked, i.e., when the at least one locking element of the locking mechanism is arranged in its unlocked position. Preferably, at least one locking element and a corresponding counter-locking element are assigned to both the locking position and the unlocked position of the locking mechanism.

[0031] The locking mechanism can comprise a pot in which individual functional elements of the locking mechanism, in particular the at least one locking element and / or the carrier disk and / or the actuating disk and / or the at least one latching element and / or the at least one counter-latching element are arranged. The pot is preferably connected to the lid, in particular to an underside of the lid. The pot can have a central opening. The axis of rotation of the rotor can extend through the central opening when the lid is arranged on the rotor base body in its closed position. The carrier disk and the actuating disk can also have such central openings. When the lid is in the closed position, the aforementioned retaining pin can engage with the receptacle in the central opening of the pot and / or the central openings of the carrier disk and / or the actuating disk.In this case, the at least one receptacle, in particular the annular receiving groove, on the retaining pin comes into a position relative to the at least one locking element in the pot of the locking mechanism, which makes it possible to introduce the locking element into its locking position within the receptacle and to establish the locking.

[0032] To achieve the object, a laboratory device, in particular a centrifuge, with a rotor according to one of the claims directed to such a device is also proposed.

[0033] The invention is described in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment, but is not limited to this exemplary embodiment. Further exemplary embodiments result from combining the features of individual or multiple claims with one another and / or by combining individual or multiple features of the exemplary embodiment. They show:

[0034] Figure 1 is an exploded view of the rotor according to the invention to illustrate its structure and its individual components, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rotor from Figure 1 with its cover in the closed position, wherein a locking mechanism of the rotor is locked, which can be recognized by two mutually associated locking markings on the actuating element and the top side of the cover,

[0035] Figure 3 the rotor shown in Figures 1 and 2 with the cover open,

[0036] Figure 4 is a sectional view of the rotor shown in Figures 1-3,

[0037] Figure 5 is a plan view of the locking mechanism of the rotor shown in Figures 1 to 4 with the locking elements in the locking position, and

[0038] Figure 6 shows the locking mechanism shown in Figure 5 with the locking elements in the open position.

[0039] All figures show at least parts of a rotor, designated as a whole by 1, for a laboratory device 100, namely for a centrifuge. The laboratory device 100 is shown only in a highly schematic manner in Figure 4.

[0040] The rotor 1 comprises a rotor base body 2 with a receiving volume 3 into which containers with contents to be centrifuged can be introduced. The rotor 1 further comprises a lid 4 with which the receiving volume 3 in the rotor base body 2 can be closed in an aerosol-tight manner.

[0041] The rotor 1 comprises a locking mechanism 5 which has at least one locking element 6 which can be moved from an open position into a locking position and a receptacle 7 corresponding to the at least one locking element 6.

[0042] The locking mechanism 5 of the rotor 1 shown in the figures specifically has two locking elements 6 which can be moved from different directions into their respective locking position in a corresponding receptacle 7.

[0043] The locking elements 6 are brought into the corresponding receptacle 7 in order to fasten the cover 4 in its closed position to the rotor base body 2 of the rotor 1 and thus to securely close the receiving volume 3 in the rotor base body 2, even if the rotor 1 rotates at a high speed.

[0044] The locking elements 6 can be moved between their respective unlocking position and their respective locking position by means of a rotatable actuating element 8, which is arranged on an upper side of the lid 4. The actuating element 8 has an ergonomic shape and is also designed and usable as a carrying handle. The actuating element 8 thus has a dual function: It enables the actuation of the locking mechanism 5 by a quarter turn and also allows easy handling and removal of the rotor 1 from the centrifuge.

[0045] Figure 5 shows the two locking elements 6 in their locking position. Figure 6 shows the two locking elements 6 in their respective unlocking positions.

[0046] The locking elements 6 are arranged on the cover 4, while the receptacle 7 is arranged or formed on the rotor base body 2. Specifically, the locking elements 6 are arranged on an underside of the cover 4 in a pot 26 of the locking mechanism 5.

[0047] According to the figures, the receptacle 7 is an annular receiving groove into which the two locking elements 6 can be moved to lock the cover 4 to the rotor base body 2.

[0048] The receptacle 7 in the form of the annular receiving groove is formed on a retaining pin 9. The retaining pin 9 is arranged within the rotor base body 2, namely within the receiving volume 3 of the rotor base body 2. Figure 4 illustrates that the retaining pin 9 has a longitudinal center axis that is congruent with a rotational axis 26 of the rotor 1.

[0049] The two locking elements 6 are provided with a chamfer 10 on their side facing the receptacle 7. The receptacle 7 can in turn have an insertion bevel 11 for the locking elements 6.

[0050] For actuation, the actuating element 8 can be pivoted or rotated about a rotational axis that is congruent with the rotational axis 25 of the rotor 1. The retaining pin 9 with the receptacle 7, in turn, has a longitudinal central axis that is congruent with the rotational axis 25 of the rotor 1.

[0051] The retaining pin 9 is provided at its free end with an insertion taper 12. The insertion taper 12 facilitates bringing the retaining pin 9 into its position according to Figure 4, in which it projects at least partially into the cup 26 of the locking mechanism 5.

[0052] The exploded view of the rotor 1 in Figure 1 shows that the locking mechanism 5 comprises a carrier disk 13. The two locking elements 6 are each pivotally mounted on the carrier disk 13 at a pivot point 19 in order to be able to move the locking elements 6 between their unlocked position and their locked position. Specifically, the locking elements 6 can be moved, in particular pivoted, transversely to the axis of rotation 25 of the rotor 1 between their locked position and their unlocked position. A pivot axis of the respective locking element 6 is aligned parallel to the axis of rotation 25 of the rotor 1.

[0053] The locking mechanism 5 also has an actuating disc 14. The actuating disc 14 is connected to the actuating element 8 in a rotationally fixed manner. Thus, a rotational movement of the actuating element 8 can be transmitted to the actuating disc 14 and converted into a movement of the locking elements 6 by means of the carrier disc 13.

[0054] Each of the locking elements 6 has an actuating pin

[0055] 15 , which is guided in a guide slot 16 of the carrier disc 13 and positioned with its free end in a control slot 17 of the actuating disc 14 . The control slots 17 and the guide slots 16 are aligned diagonally to each other . The alignment of the guide slots

[0056] 16 and the control link 17 to each other result in a self-locking effect, which can prevent an unintentional and independent opening of the lock when using the rotor, even at high speeds.

[0057] The carrier disc 13 has a guide slot 16 for each actuating element 6, and thus two guide slots 16. Accordingly, the actuating disc 14 has two control slots 17. With the aid of the guide slots 16 and the control slots 17, rotational movements of the actuating element 8 can be converted into pivoting movements of the locking elements 6 oriented transversely to the rotation axis 25 of the rotor 1, by means of which the locking elements 6 move from their respective unlocked position into their respective locked position and vice versa.

[0058] A seal 18 in the form of an O-ring is arranged between the rotor base body 2 and the cover 4. The seal 18 is particularly clearly visible in the sectional view of Figure 4. A seal 18 in the form of an O-ring is also formed or arranged between the cover 4, namely between a cup 26 of the locking mechanism 5, and the retaining pin 9.

[0059] Figure 4 illustrates that the seals 18 each rest against a sealing surface 20 that is oriented at an angle. To accommodate the seal 18, the cover 4 has a circumferential annular groove 27 in which the seal 18 is arranged.

[0060] The locking mechanism 5 , specifically the previously mentioned pot 26 of the locking mechanism 5 , also has an annular groove 27 in which the other seal 18 is arranged.

[0061] The aforementioned pot 26 accommodates individual functional elements of the locking mechanism 5, namely in particular the locking elements 6, the carrier disc 13 and the actuating disc 14 with the elements respectively arranged thereon.

[0062] The locking elements 6 are made of a high-strength, friction-minimizing plastic, for example, a PEEK plastic. The locking elements 6 can also be made, for example, of a glass-fiber-reinforced or carbon-fiber-reinforced PEEK plastic, a highly filled polyamide, or magnesium.

[0063] Below the actuating element 8, the locking mechanism 5 comprises a spring washer 21, which is designed as a corrugated spring washer and serves to minimize axial tolerances.

[0064] The locking mechanism 5 also comprises two locking elements 22 in the form of spring pins, which are spring-mounted on the carrier disc 13.

[0065] The locking elements 22 interact with corresponding counter-locking elements 23 in the form of locking recesses, which are formed in the bottom of the pot 26 and allow haptic and / or acoustic feedback about the locking state of the locking mechanism 5.

[0066] The cup 26 is connected to the lid 4, namely to an underside of the lid 4. The cup 26 has a central opening 28. The carrier disc 13 and the actuating disc 14 are also provided with such central openings 28. When the lid 4 is in the closed position, the retaining pin 9 engages in the central openings 28, so that the receptacle 7 on the retaining pin 9 and the locking elements 6 come into a relative position to one another that allows the locking to be established.

[0067] The rotor 1 can be used on a piece of laboratory equipment designated as a whole with 100, for example on a centrifuge.

[0068] / List of reference symbols List of reference symbols

[0069] rotor

[0070] Rotor base body

[0071] Recording volume

[0072] Lid

[0073] Locking mechanism

[0074] Installation element

[0075] Recording

[0076] Actuating element

[0077] retaining pin

[0078] chamfer

[0079] A leading slanted

[0080] Insertion taper at 9

[0081] carrier disc

[0082] Actuating disc

[0083] Actuating pin

[0084] Leadership backdrop in 13

[0085] Tax backdrop in 14

[0086] seal

[0087] Pivot point

[0088] Sealing surface

[0089] spring washer

[0090] locking element, spring pin

[0091] Counter-locking element, locking recess

[0092] Locking mark

[0093] Rotation axis of 1

[0094] Pot

[0095] Ring groove

[0096] Central opening of 26, 13, 14

[0097] laboratory equipment

[0098] / Claims

Claims

Claims 1. Rotor (1) for a laboratory device (100), in particular for a centrifuge, wherein the rotor (1) comprises a rotor base body (2) with a receiving volume (3) and a lid (4) with which the receiving volume (3) in the rotor base body (2) can be closed, characterized by a locking mechanism (5) which has at least one locking element (6) which can be moved from an open position into a locking position and a receptacle (7) corresponding to the at least one locking element (6), in which receptacle the at least one locking element (6) engages in the locking position in order to fasten the lid (4) to the rotor base body (2) in a locked manner, wherein the at least one locking element (6) can be moved between its unlocked position and its locked position by means of a preferably rotatable actuating element (8) which is arranged on the lid (4).

2. Rotor (1) according to claim 1, wherein the receiving volume (3) in the rotor base body (2) can be closed in an aerosol-tight manner with the lid (4), and / or wherein the actuating element (8) has an ergonomic shape and / or is designed as a carrying handle.

3. Rotor (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking element (6) is arranged or formed on the cover (4) and the receptacle (7) is arranged or formed on the rotor base body (2) or vice versa.

4. Rotor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (7) is a preferably annular receiving groove and / or wherein the rotor base body (2) has a holding pin (9) on which the receptacle (7) is formed, in particular wherein the retaining pin (9) is arranged within the rotor base body (2), in particular within the receiving volume (3).

5. Rotor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one locking element (6) has a chamfer (10) on its side facing the receptacle (7) and / or wherein the receptacle (7) has an insertion bevel (11) for the at least one locking element (6).

6. Rotor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating element (8) is pivotable about an axis of rotation for actuation, preferably which is congruent with a rotational axis (25) of the rotor (1), and / or wherein one or the retaining pin (9) with the receptacle (7) has a longitudinal central axis which is congruent with the rotational axis (25) of the rotor (1).

7. Rotor (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the retaining pin (9) has an insertion taper (12) at its free end.

8. Rotor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism (5) comprises a carrier disc (13) on which the at least one locking element (6) is pivotally mounted via a pivot point (19) and / or wherein the at least one locking element (6) is movable, in particular pivotable, between its locking position and its unlocking position with respect to the rotation axis (25) of the rotor (1) radially and / or transversely to the rotation axis (25) of the rotor (1), in particular wherein a pivot axis of the locking element (6) is parallel to the rotation axis (25) of the rotor (1).

9. Rotor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism (5) has an actuating disc (14) connected to the actuating element (8), via which a movement, in particular a rotational movement, of the actuating element (8) can be transmitted to the at least one locking element (6).

10. Rotor (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one locking element (6) has an actuating pin (15) which is guided in a guide slot (16) of the carrier disk (13) and is positioned with its free end in a control slot (17) of the actuating disk (14), in particular wherein the control slot (17) and the guide slot (16) are aligned obliquely to one another.

11. Rotor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one seal (18), in particular an O-ring, is formed or arranged between the rotor base body (2) and the cover (4), and / or wherein between the cover (4) , in particular between the locking mechanism (5) , and the retaining pin (9) at least one seal (18), in particular an O-ring, is formed or arranged.

12. Rotor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the seal(s) (18) bear against a sealing surface (20) which is inclined away from the axis of rotation (25) of the rotor (1) and / or the receiving volume (3).

13. Rotor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one locking element (6) is made of a high-strength, friction-minimizing plastic, in particular of PEEK plastic or of a glass fiber reinforced or carbon fiber reinforced PEEK plastic or of a highly filled polyamide or of Magnesium consists.

14. Rotor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism (5), in particular below the actuating element (8), comprises a spring washer (21), in particular a corrugated spring washer.

15. Rotor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism (5) comprises at least one locking element (22), in particular at least one spring pin, and a corresponding counter-locking element (23).

16. Rotor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism (5) comprises a pot (26) in which individual functional elements of the locking mechanism (5), in particular the at least one locking element (6) and / or the carrier disc (13) and / or the actuating disc (14) and / or the at least one locking element (22) and / or the at least one counter-locking element (23), are arranged.

17. Rotor (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the pot (26) is connected to the cover (4), in particular to an underside of the cover (4).

18. Rotor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier disc (13) and / or the actuating disc (14) and / or the pot (26) has / have a central opening (28) into which the retaining pin (9) engages when the cover (4) is in the closed position.

19. Laboratory device (100), in particular a centrifuge, with a rotor (1) according to one of the preceding claims. / Summary

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