Centrifuge rotor

Abstract

Centrifuge rotor (1), comprising a receiving chamber (2) for receiving samples to be centrifuged, a cover (3), a closure device (4) to axially lock the cover (3) to the centrifuge rotor (1) to close the receiving chamber (2), wherein the closure device (4) comprises at least one movable latching element (5), which engages in a locked position with a retaining lug (6) in a recess (7) in the circumference of the centrifuge rotor (1), characterised in that the latching element (5) is pivotable around a pivotal axis.

Description

[0001] Centrifuge rotor

[0002] The invention refers to a centrifuge rotor comprising a receiving chamber for receiving samples to be centrifuged, a cover and a closure device to axially lock the cover to the rotor to close the receiving chamber according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] Various locking mechanisms and closure devices for centrifuges are known. A reliable locking function is important, as high forces act on all individual parts of a centrifuge rotor during centrifugation and otherwise it cannot be guaranteed that the samples remain inside the receiving chamber, for example when sample vials accidentally break during centrifugation or were not properly sealed. Especially when centrifuging potentially hazardous samples, it is of utmost importance that the receiving chamber is tightly sealed during centrifugation. Sealing it is also very important to prevent accidental contamination of other samples in a laboratory stored close to the centrifuge.

[0004] After centrifuging, it may be useful to remove the rotor from the centrifuge with the cover, for example for handling reasons. DE 10 2005 014 218 B4 shows a closure mechanism of a cover for a centrifuge rotor which enables its user to remove the centrifuge rotor from the centrifuge without removal of the cover.

[0005] It is also known to use screw threads or bayonet fittings as closure mechanisms for centrifuges. The use of two hands is needed to open or close such mechanisms, which makes these types of closure mechanisms more complicated and time consuming.

[0006] The problem to be solved underlying this invention is to find a way to lock and unlock centrifuge rotors in order to improve customer comfort and occupational safety.

[0007] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claim.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims, the accompanying description, and the figures.

[0009] According to the invention, a centrifuge rotor is provided, which comprises a receiving chamber for receiving samples to be centrifuged, a cover and a closure device to axially lock the cover to the rotor to close the receiving chamber. The closure device comprises at least one movable latching element, which engages in a locked position with a retaining lug in a recess in the circumference of the rotor and which is pivotable around a pivotal axis. The pivotal movement ensures safe guidance of the latching element without functional impairment and ensures easy operation of the closure device. By engaging the retaining lug in the recess, the locked position can be easily achieved. In a preferred embodiment, the receiving chamber can be aerosol- tightly sealed with the cover. This can be advantageous for a clean and safe working environment and an undisturbed centrifuging process, especially when handling sensitive or potentially hazardous samples.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, a preloaded spring element is provided for preloading the latching element towards its locked position. The spring element is preferably provided in the form of a metal spring. On the one hand, this is advantageous because it is structurally easy to implement and because these are highly economical. In addition, the closure device is very functionally reliable in this way, as the spring naturally expands as soon as no more pressure is exerted on it, which moves the latching element into the lock position, and then remains in this position until it is actively compressed again. In addition, such a spring element can be pressed by use of only one finger, for example with the thumb of the hand holding the cover of the centrifuge rotor, and this pressure is sufficient to move the latching element into the release position against the spring. This makes the device very user-friendly and at the same time functionally reliable.

[0011] In a further embodiment, the latching element comprises a pressing zone by means of which the latching element is movable against the pre-load force of the spring element. The pressing zone is preferably designed in a way that it is easily accessible on the centrifuge rotor. This allows the closure device to be operated quickly and easily. The provision of a pressing zone on the latching element also makes it easier to operate the closure device, as it can be pressed with one hand or even just one finger and the latching element can thus be operated and moved towards the spring element.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the pivotal axis of the latching element is located between the pressing zone and the retaining lug. This further simplifies the operation of the latching element and thus the closure device and makes it more reliable in its function. By operating the latching element via the pressing zone, the retaining lug can be swivelled into the appropriate position to engage with or to unlock from the recess along this pivotal axis. In a further embodiment, the pivotal axis is parallel to a rotational axis of the rotor. In an advantageous aspect of this embodiment, the weight distribution of the latching element is such, that a majority of its weight is around the area of the pressing zone, such that the latching element is forced into the locked position, when the rotor rotates during the centrifuging process. The centrifugal force can thus be used to reinforce the locking mechanism if the two axes are arranged in parallel.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the retaining lug is formed as a curved rib. This shape allows the latching element of the closure device to fit with its retaining lug precisely around the circular recess in the circumference of the rotor. The curved rib is preferably adapted in a manner that the shape of the curved arch of the curved rib precisely matches the outer circumference of the recess to increase the support of the retaining lug in the locked position and thus the operational safety when operating the centrifuge rotor in a centrifuge.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the centrifuge rotor comprises a cone between the recess and its front end which pushes the latching element in its release position at attaching, so that the retaining lug is axially snappable into the locked position behind the cone. This design makes it easier to handle the centrifuge rotor, especially if the cover is to be attached to and removed from the centrifuge rotor with just one hand. An advantage of this embodiment is that no switches need to be pressed on the handle. Additionally, it is also easier to attach the cover to the centrifuge rotor with a tapered area at the top of the centrifuge rotor's circumference. If the centrifuge rotor has a tapered area at its circumference’s top, it is easier to guide through the opening in the cover than one that also corresponds to the final dimension of the opening. The cover can be placed on the centrifuge rotor more easily and without having to maintain any particular accuracy, and then the pressure can be removed from the pressing zone of the latching element in the appropriate position so that it engages with its retaining lug in the recess and the cover is firmly locked to the centrifuge rotor in the lock position of the latching element.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the latching element is in an end position when the cover is lifted off, in which the retaining lug is in a radial position, wherein the distance between the retaining lug and the rotational axis is higher than the lowest radius of the cone. This distance ensures that the cover can be removed smoothly and without damage from the receiving chamber in the end position. The end position is defined by a contact between the retaining lug of the latching element and the cover, in particular the handle. This is advantageous because the user can make sure that he has definitely reached the end position as soon as the retaining lug contacts the cover. This end position ensures that the release position is reached and that the cover can be removed from the centrifuge rotor safely. The contact is also advantageous if a spring element is provided for preloading the latching element, as this prevents further movement against the spring element beyond this point and thus prevents excessive compressive forces from being exerted on it. This reduces the risk of unintentional damage, excessive load and increases the durability of the centrifuge rotor.

[0016] However, it is also possible that the release position is already reached before the retaining lug contacts the cover and reaches its end position, so that the end position does not have to be the only possible release position.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the latching element is integrated into a handle, wherein the pressing zone protrudes from the handle. The provision of the handle further simplifies handling of the cover. If the latching element is integrated into this handle, the user can simultaneously actuate the latching element with the same hand that is holding the handle and thus release the cover from the centrifuge rotor. The latching element protruding from the handle simplifies this even more. Preferably, the area of the pressing zone protrudes from the handle or at least parts of the pressing zone. This allows the user to operate the closure device with one hand while removing the cover and leaving the other hand free, for example to remove samples from the receiving chamber or insert them there. Conversely, the cover can also be easily reconnected to the centrifuge rotor and closed in the same way by use of the latching element and handle. In a preferred embodiment, the handle is arranged in the centre of the cover. However, it is also possible to position the handle elsewhere or to provide several handles.

[0018] It is preferably possible to use the handle not only to remove the cover from the receiving chamber, but also to remove the entire centrifuge rotor from the centrifuge. To do this, the user simply maintains the locked position when pulling the handle by not pressing the pressing zones and thus not shifting the latching elements into the release position. The closure device then continues to lock the cover with the receiving chamber and the entire centrifuge rotor can be lifted off. The cover and receiving chamber can then still be detached from each other by use of the closure device. This can be particularly advantageous for cleaning single parts or for exchanging the centrifuge rotor between different centrifuges, for example.

[0019] In a further embodiment, two latching elements are provided which are distributed around the circumference of the rotor. If two latching elements are provided instead of just one, the func- tional reliability of the closure device is increased because even in the unlikely event that one latching element fails, the second one continues to function. The distribution of the forces acting on the closure device, particularly during the centrifuging process, is distributed over two latching elements instead of just one. In addition, two latching elements can still be operated with one hand if they are positioned close enough to each other. This increases safety aspects and at the same time does not restrict user-friendliness.

[0020] In a further embodiment the pressing zones of the latching elements are arranged diametrically opposite each other. This makes operation easier, as the force is applied evenly and the cover cannot be moved in one direction because it is levelled out by this arrangement. In addition, the latching elements can be arranged in such a way that the retaining lugs can engage evenly in the recess and the support is evenly distributed, so that increased forces do not act only on certain individual points, especially when the centrifuge is in operation. This can increase the durability of these parts.

[0021] Further features, details and advantages of the invention are apparent from the wording of the claims and from the embodiment example described below with reference to the drawing. It is shown:

[0022] Fig. 1 Exploded view of an embodiment of a centrifuge rotor according to the present invention;

[0023] Fig. 2 Top view of the centrifuge rotor according to Fig. 1 ;

[0024] Fig. 3a View of a closure device in its release position from below;

[0025] Fig 3b View of the closure device in its locked position from below;

[0026] Fig. 4a Side view of the centrifuge rotor with the closure device in its release position according to Fig. 3a; and

[0027] Fig. 4b Side view of the centrifuge rotor with the closure device in its locked position according to Fig. 3b.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a centrifuge rotor 1 according to the present invention. The centrifuge rotor 1 has a receiving chamber 2, which is suitable for receiving sample containers and / or racks with sample containers to support them securely during centrifugation. The cover 3 can be used to close the receiving chamber 2. A closure device 4 is provided to firmly connect the cover 3 to the receiving chamber 2. Preferably, an aerosol-tight closure can be achieved between cover 3 and receiving chamber 2. In this embodiment, the clo- sure device 4 has two latching elements 5, with which a locked position and a release position can be achieved. Alternatively, it would be sufficient to provide only one latching element 5 in other embodiments. Each latching element 5 has a retaining lug 6 and a pressing zone 9. Guide pins 13 hold the latching elements 5 in a handle 12. The cover 3 can be lifted off and put back on using this handle 12. The latching elements 5 are pre-loaded by means of spring elements 8. The retaining lug 6 is suitable for engaging in a recess 7 of the circumference of the centrifuge rotor 1 and thus firmly connecting the cover 3 to the receiving chamber 2 in a locked position. To remove the cover 3 again, the pressing zones 9 of the latching elements 5 are pressed so that the retaining lugs 6 are pushed out of the recess 7 and against the pressure of the spring elements 8. This releases the lock and the release position is reached, which means that the cover 3 can be lifted upwards and away from the receiving chamber 2, for example to reach samples inside the receiving chamber 2 or to fill the receiving chamber 2. The pressing zones 9 can be pressed by the user with the hand holding the handle 12, making its handling very easy and pleasant. As soon as the cover 3 is lifted off the receiving chamber 2, the pressure from the pressing zones 9 can be released. The latching elements 5 are then automatically pressed back into the locked position by the spring elements 8, which relieves pressure acting on the spring elements 8. The recess 7 is designed as a circumferential reduction in the circumference of the centrifuge rotor 1. In this embodiment, the recess 7 is followed by a cone 10, so that the circumference of the centrifuge rotor 1 tapers towards its front end 11. This design makes it easier to fit the cover 3 onto it. The front end 11 is designed in such a way that it fits between the latching elements 5 in a locked position and can push the latching elements 5 against the spring elements 8 due to the increasing circumference until they engage in the recess 7. This design means that it is not necessary for the user to actively push the latching elements 5 into the release position by actuating the pressing zones 9 as this is done automatically, which further simplifies handling.

[0029] Fig. 2 shows the centrifuge rotor 1 in a top view. The view shows the closure device 4 in the locked position. The latching elements 5 are arranged in the handle 12 and the pressing zones 9 protrude from it so that they are easy to actuate, preferably in a single operation by lifting the cover 3 on the handle 12. The front end 11 of the centrifuge rotor 11 protrudes through the cover 3 into the handle 12, in which a precisely fitting recess is provided. In this embodiment, the handle 12 may as well be used to lift the centrifuge rotor 1 off the centrifuge in its entirety. It is not necessary to loosen the cover 3 to remove the centrifuge rotor 1 from the centrifuge. The receiving chamber 2 can remain closed with the cover 3 if desired. This enables an aerosol-tight space for the samples to be maintained even when the centrifuge rotor 1 is removed in its entirety, should this be desired.

[0030] Figs. 3a and 4a show the centrifuge rotor 1 with the closure device 4 in its release position, Fig. 3a in a view from below and 4b in a side view. Correspondingly, Figs. 3b and 4b show the centrifuge rotor 1 with the closure device 4 in its locked position in a view from below and in a side view respectively. Figs. 3a, b in particular show how the spring elements 8 determine the position of the retaining lugs 6. In Figs. 3a, 4a, the position of the latching elements 5 with pressing zones 9 pressed into the handle 12 is shown. This moves the latching elements 5 into the release position against the spring elements 8, which are now compressed in spring element recesses 14, which each extend over the handle and part of the retaining lug 6 in this embodiment. The spring element 8 is securely guided by the spring element recess 14 and cannot shift out of position, which could impair its function. In the locked position shown in Figs. 3b and 4b, there is no pressure applied on the pressing zones 9, for example because the user has taken their hand off the handle 12 and / or the latching elements 5. The spring elements 8 move the latching elements 5 towards the recess 7 so that they engage here and firmly connect the cover 3 to the receiving chamber 2 until the release position is re-established manually. During centrifugation, the forces have a reinforcing effect on the latching elements 5, which increases the support and thus also the safety of the closure device 4. The latching elements 5 have holes through which the guide pins 13 are inserted. These guide pins 13 hold the latching elements 5 in position inside the handle 12 so that only a pivotal movement around them along a pivotal axis is possible and their function impaired by an undesired movement or by a shift out of position.

[0031] Reference signs

[0032] 1 Centrifuge rotor

[0033] 2 Receiving chamber 3 Cover

[0034] 4 Closure device

[0035] 5 Latching element

[0036] 6 Retaining lug

[0037] 7 Recess 8 Spring element

[0038] 9 Pressing zone

[0039] 10 Cone

[0040] 1 1 Front end

[0041] 12 Handle 13 Guide pin

[0042] 14 spring element recess

Claims

Claims1. Centrifuge rotor (1), comprising:A receiving chamber (2) for receiving samples to be centrifuged;A cover (3);A closure device (4) to axially lock the cover (3) to the centrifuge rotor (1) to close the receiving chamber (2);Wherein the closure device (4) comprises at least one movable latching element (5), which engages in a locked position with a retaining lug (6) in a recess (7) in the circumference of the centrifuge rotor (1); characterised in that the latching element (5) is pivotable around a pivotal axis.

2. Centrifuge rotor (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that a preloaded spring element (8) is provided for preloading the latching element (5) towards its locked position.

3. Centrifuge rotor (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the latching element (5) comprises a pressing zone (9) by means of which the latching element is movable against the pre-load force of the spring element (8).

4. Centrifuge rotor (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the pivotal axis of the latching element (5) is located between the pressing zone (9) and the retaining lug (6).

5. Centrifuge rotor (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the pivotal axis is parallel to a rotational axis of the centrifuge rotor (1).

6. Centrifuge rotor (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the retaining lug (6) is formed as a curved rib.

7. Centrifuge rotor (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the centrifuge rotor (1) comprises a cone (10) between the recess (7) and its front end (11) which pushes the latching element (5) in its release position at attaching, so that the retaining lug (6) is axially snappable into the locked position behind the cone (10).

8. Centrifuge rotor (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the latching element (5) is in an end position when the cover (3) is lifted off, in which the retaining lug (6) isin a radial position, wherein the distance between the retaining lug (6) and the rotational axis is higher than the lowest radius of the cone (10).

9. Centrifuge rotor (1) according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterised in that the latching element (5) is integrated into a handle (12), wherein the pressing zone (9) protrudes from the handle (12).

10. Centrifuge rotor (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that two latching elements (5) are provided which are distributed around the circumference of the rotor (1).

11. Centrifuge rotor (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that the pressing zones (9) of the latching elements (5) are arranged diametrically opposite each other.

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