Centrifuge Rotor Locking via Gravity-Actuated Hinge Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifuges face issues with locking mechanisms that require high force for axial fixation, leading to reduced holding force and operational safety, especially with light rotors, and are prone to wear and damage due to complex assembly and high spring forces.
Innovation Solution
A centrifuge design featuring a locking element with a horizontal swivel axis and a hinge joint, reducing the need for elastic deformation and allowing locking via gravity, combined with a power transmission element and multiple locking elements for enhanced safety and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a flexure joint is used for the locking element, then the locking mechanism can be simplified, but the holding force and operational reliability are reduced due to elastic deformation limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the flexure joint (elastic deformation mechanism) with a hinge joint (rigid mechanical connection). This substitution eliminates the elastic deformation limitations while maintaining the simplified locking mechanism structure, thereby improving holding force and operational reliability without increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If the spring force is increased to secure the rotor, then the rotor becomes more securely attached, but the user must overcome greater force to lock and the system may release under dynamic operation forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spring element that provides dynamic adjustment of the locking force. The spring automatically adapts to operational conditions, maintaining secure rotor attachment while requiring minimal user force for locking. The spring compensates for dynamic forces during operation, preventing system release without increasing operational difficulty.
3Force
If the locking element material thickness is reduced to minimize insertion force, then the insertion force is minimized, but the clamping area decreases reducing holding force and operational reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the locking element into multiple segments or uses a multi-component locking mechanism. This segmentation allows the locking element to achieve sufficient clamping area and holding force without requiring excessive material thickness, thereby minimizing insertion force while maintaining operational reliability.
4Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism is used to increase holding force, then the holding force is improved, but the assembly becomes more complex and prone to wear and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking element with the drive shaft or rotor assembly as an integrated component. This merging simplifies the overall assembly by reducing the number of separate parts and connections, thereby decreasing assembly complexity and wear points while maintaining sufficient holding force through the integrated design.
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
The design simplifies rotor insertion and locking, increases holding force, and enhances operational safety by reducing the force required for locking and minimizing wear, allowing for easy assembly and secure attachment without additional effort.
Implementation Method 1
the locking function should be able to be performed solely by gravity after the rotor has been placed on the drive shaft, without any additional force being required
Implementation Method 2
there is no longer any elastic deformation; instead, only the friction of the cardan shaft in the bearing needs to be overcome
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a centrifuge (10), having a) a drive shaft (12), a rotor (14), which is mounted on the drive shaft (12) and is axially removable in a removal direction (26), b) a quick closure (20), which operates between the rotor (14) and the drive shaft (12) and by means of which the rotor (14) can be fixed relative to the drive shaft (12) in the removal direction (26), c) a thrust bearing (44) connected to the drive shaft (12), d) a locking bearing (24) connected to the rotor (14), e) at least one blocking element (38), which, when activated, fixes the rotor (14) relative to the drive shaft (12) and operates between the locking bearing (24) of the rotor (14) and the thrust bearing (44) of the drive shaft (12), wherein the quick closure (20) has an actuating element (52) and the blocking element (38) is operatively connected to the actuating element (52) such that the quick closure (20) is unlocked by a movement of the actuating element (52) and the blocking element (38) relative to the locking bearing (24) and/or relative to the thrust bearing (44) in a direction parallel to the drive shaft (12) and during locking, a relative movement of the blocking element (38), on the one side, and of the locking bearing (24) and/or of the thrust bearing (44), on the other side, toward each other occurs, wherein the blocking element (38) can pivot about a pivot axis at least between a blocked position and an unlocked position. The invention is distinguished in that the pivot axis (38b) is aligned perpendicular to a straight line parallel to the drive shaft (12) and the blocking element (38) has a cardan shaft (38a), which is rotatable about the pivot axis (38b), and is connected to a bearing (40) via said cardan shaft (38a).