Centrifuge Rotor Acceleration Feedback Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of centrifuges face challenges in monitoring and estimating the time required for rotor acceleration, deceleration, and vacuum state stabilization during centrifugal separation operations, leading to inefficiencies and unnecessary waiting times.
Innovation Solution
A centrifuge equipped with a control unit and display system that provides real-time information on rotor acceleration and deceleration times, as well as vacuum state stabilization, allowing users to track these processes accurately and efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the user continuously waits before the centrifuge to monitor the operation state from rotor start to stop, then the user can immediately extract the sample when the rotor stops, but the user spends excessive time waiting (several minutes to several tens of hours) without being able to perform other operations
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifuge system provides feedback to the user about the rotor's operational state (acceleration, uniform rotation, deceleration, stop) and remaining time through display units. This allows users to know when to return without continuously monitoring, resolving the contradiction between knowing the exact stop time and avoiding excessive waiting time.
Solution Approach 2:
The centrifuge system autonomously monitors its own operational state and provides timing information to the user. The system calculates and displays the remaining time until rotor stop based on pre-stored acceleration and deceleration time data for different rotor types, eliminating the need for user monitoring while ensuring accurate timing information is available.
2Productivity
If the user returns to the centrifuge immediately before the operation time is elapsed, then the operation time is fully utilized, but the rotor may still be rotating and the user must wait for deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The display unit provides feedback about the rotor's current state and the remaining time until stop. This allows users to plan their return timing optimally - they can return when the display indicates the rotor is about to stop or has stopped, avoiding both premature return (wasting operation time) and late return (wasting deceleration waiting time).
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates and displays the time required for deceleration based on the rotor type and current rotational state. This preliminary information allows users to plan their return in advance, ensuring they arrive at the optimal moment when the rotor has just stopped or is about to stop, maximizing productivity while minimizing additional waiting time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different types of rotors (light/small with small inertia moment and heavy/large with large inertia moment) are used, then the centrifuge can accommodate different separation needs, but the acceleration time and deceleration time vary significantly (20 minutes or more for large rotors)
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit pre-stores the acceleration time and deceleration time data for each rotor type in its memory. When a rotor is installed, the system automatically identifies it and retrieves the corresponding time data. This preliminary preparation allows the system to provide accurate timing information without requiring users to estimate or wait unnecessarily, addressing the time loss issue while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The display unit provides continuous feedback about the remaining acceleration or deceleration time based on the identified rotor type. This allows users to understand the time commitment required for the current rotor and plan accordingly, reducing the perceived loss of time through better time management and awareness.
4Device complexity
If the user estimates acceleration time and deceleration time from past operation records, then no additional system complexity is added, but many users do not accurately recognize these times and wait uselessly without knowing when the rotor stabilizes or stops
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifuge system autonomously measures, calculates, and stores the acceleration and deceleration times for each rotor type, then provides this information to users through the display. This self-service approach eliminates the need for users to manually estimate or remember timing information, providing accurate data without significant additional complexity since the system is already performing timing measurements for operational control.
Solution Approach 2:
The display unit continuously provides feedback about the actual acceleration and deceleration times based on real-time monitoring and pre-stored data. This feedback mechanism ensures users have access to accurate timing information without needing to rely on estimates or memory, resolving the information loss issue while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
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
Enables users to conveniently manage centrifugal separation operations by providing timely and accurate information on rotor speed stabilization and vacuum state, reducing waiting times and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump which depressurizes the rotation chamber
Implementation Method 2
a cooling device which cools the rotor
Implementation Method 3
a centrifuge rotating a rotor at an input set rotation speed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a centrifuge (1) including: a driving unit which rotates a rotor (3) on which a sample is held; an input/output unit (8) which displays information thereon and receives an input from a user therethrough; and a control unit (6) which controls a rotation speed of the rotor to an input set rotation speed; wherein, when the rotor is rotating, the input/output unit displays first time information corresponding to a time when the rotor has been accelerated to the set rotation speed.