Centrifugal Coupling Device for Laboratory Centrifuge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coupling devices for laboratory centrifuges actuated by centrifugal force often require additional bearing effort and increased costs due to high operational forces, and the use of pivotable coupling levers can lead to reduced operational strength and increased building effort.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device that utilizes a guideway to deflect centrifugal force, eliminating the need for pivot bearings and allowing for a more flexible design, where the coupling element is pressed against the driving element or into a recess, achieving friction-locking or form-locking in the axial direction for secure rotor attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pivotable coupling levers are used to transmit centrifugal force, then the coupling device can achieve automatic locking, but additional bearing effort and building effort are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the pivot bearing component from the coupling device. Instead of using a pivotable coupling lever that requires a bearing, the patent employs a straight coupling lever that translates centrifugal force directly through a guideway, removing the need for pivot bearings and their associated complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is segmented into distinct functional components: a straight coupling lever for force transmission, a guideway for directional guidance, and a coupling element for locking. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the coupling lever being simple and bearing-free
2Reliability
If pivotable coupling levers are used, then automatic locking is achieved, but operational strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a pivotable lever that rotates around a bearing point, the invention inverts the approach by using a straight lever that translates linearly. This inversion eliminates the weakening effect of pivot bearings and maintains full operational strength through direct force transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The guideway acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the coupling lever and the coupling element. It guides the straight coupling lever's motion and transmits the centrifugal force effectively, enabling automatic locking without compromising strength
3Reliability
If manually operated coupling devices are used, then operational safety can be ensured, but time consumption and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device performs self-service by automatically locking and unlocking based on centrifugal force. During rotation, the centrifugal force automatically engages the coupling element, and during braking, it automatically disengages, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device transitions from a static manual operation to a dynamic automatic operation that responds to the rotational state. The coupling lever and coupling element dynamically adjust their positions based on centrifugal force, enabling automatic safety locking
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances operational strength and reduces costs by efficiently transmitting centrifugal force through a guideway, allowing for secure axial securing of the rotor without the need for pivot bearings, and enables a more compact and efficient design.
Implementation Method 1
A coupling device actuated by a centrifugal force for a laboratory centrifuge... the actuation of the coupling element is achieved through a coupling force which is dependent on a centrifugal force due to the rotating driving element
Implementation Method 2
the transmission of the driving moment is achieved through a friction-locking of coupling surfaces, where the contact force of the coupling surfaces may be dependent on a weight of the rotor and a force component of a coupling force
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a laboratory centrifuge (1) with a coupling device (4) actuated by a centrifugal force. According to the invention an eccentric mass (22), especially a roller (23), is guided through a guideway (26) and preferably another guideway (27, 32) in such a way that the centrifugal force (46) of the eccentric mass (22) is deflected in such a way that a coupling force is generated which presses a coupling element (24) radially inwards against the outer surface of a drive shaft (3).