Centrifuge Rotor Locking by Centrifugal Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifuge rotor designs face challenges in ensuring reliable connection and assembly/disassembly of rotor parts, which can be compromised by centrifugal forces, leading to potential damage and operational safety issues.
Innovation Solution
The centrifuge rotor employs a locking device actuated by centrifugal force to secure the rotor parts, eliminating the need for manual operation and ensuring a secure connection that strengthens with increasing speed, using locking elements with positive fits and guided slides for reliable engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual locking mechanisms are used to connect rotor parts, then assembly and disassembly can be performed manually, but the connection reliability is compromised under centrifugal forces
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and secure rotor parts using centrifugal force generated during rotation. The locking elements are radially displaceable and automatically move into locked positions when the rotor spins, eliminating the need for manual operation while ensuring reliable connection under centrifugal loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are designed to be radially displaceable, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position from unlocked to locked states based on the rotational speed and centrifugal force. This dynamic characteristic enables the locking mechanism to adapt to different operating conditions and maintain reliability across varying speeds.
2Reliability
If locking elements are made movable to ensure secure connection, then connection reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements automatically engage using centrifugal force without requiring external actuation mechanisms. The radially displaceable locking elements self-actuate during rotation, eliminating the need for complex manual or motorized locking systems while maintaining high connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is extracted from complex mechanical actuation systems and implemented through simple radially displaceable elements that utilize the existing centrifugal force field. This extraction simplifies the overall device by removing unnecessary actuators and control mechanisms.
3Strength
If locking elements are positioned far from the rotor axis to increase locking force, then connection strength improves, but the rotor radius increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements are positioned at optimized radial distances and designed to be radially displaceable, allowing them to achieve maximum locking force at the operating radius without permanently increasing the rotor's static dimensions. The dynamic positioning enables effective locking at the actual operating radius while maintaining compact rotor 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 solution provides a reliable, automatic, and safe connection between rotor parts, reducing the risk of disassembly during operation and enabling efficient centrifugation processes.
Implementation Method 1
a locking device (31) which is actuated by a centrifugal force resulting from the rotation of the centrifuge rotor (11)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a centrifuge rotor (11) with two centrifuge rotor parts (1, 12). In the assembled state, the centrifuge rotor parts (1, 12) define an interior space (3) in which a product to be centrifuged can be arranged. According to the invention, the centrifuge rotor parts (1, 12) are connected or connectable to one another via a locking device (31). The locking device (31) is actuated by a centrifugal force resulting from the rotation of the centrifuge rotor (11) and/or is subjected to an impulse in the direction of a locking position.