Interchangeable-Fin Centrifuge Rotor for Variable Sample Volumes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifuges require multiple cores or rotors to accommodate varying sample volumes, leading to increased costs and complexity in adjusting operating conditions for different sample amounts, and existing solutions fail to efficiently switch between small and large volume separations without altering centrifugal conditions.
Innovation Solution
A rotor design with interchangeable fins that can be attached and detached, allowing the volume of the centrifugal separation space to be adjusted by changing the fin configuration while maintaining consistent centrifugal operating conditions, using a common rotor body and core body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cores or rotors are prepared to accommodate varying sample volumes, then the centrifuge can handle different sample amounts, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The core body is divided into a main body and interchangeable fin components. The fin can be detached and replaced with different types (standard fin, small-volume fin, absent fin) to adjust the centrifugal separation space volume, eliminating the need for multiple complete cores or rotors while maintaining adaptability to different sample volumes
Solution Approach 2:
A single core body structure serves multiple functions by accommodating different fin configurations. The same core body can work with standard fins for large volume samples, small-volume fins for small samples, or no fins for maximum volume, making one core body universal for multiple separation scenarios
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fin is fixed to the core body, then the structure is simple, but the centrifugal separation space volume cannot be adjusted for different sample amounts
Solution Approach 1:
The fin attachment mechanism transitions from a fixed state to a detachable state, allowing dynamic reconfiguration. The fin can be attached to increase separation space for small samples or detached to maximize space for large samples, providing operational flexibility without permanent structural changes
Solution Approach 2:
Different fin types are prepared in advance (standard fin, small-volume fin, absent fin configuration), and the appropriate fin is selected and attached before each centrifugal separation operation based on the sample volume requirements, enabling optimal pre-configuration for each separation task
3Reliability
If different cores are used for small and large volume samples, then optimal separation conditions can be achieved, but the operating conditions must be re-adjusted which consumes time
Solution Approach 1:
The universal core body with interchangeable fins maintains consistent centrifugal operating conditions across different fin configurations. Since the core body structure and rotor interface remain the same, operating parameters such as rotational speed can be maintained, eliminating the need for time-consuming re-adjustment when changing from small-volume to large-volume separation mode
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 flexible adaptation to varying sample volumes without the need for multiple cores or rotors, optimizing operating conditions with a small test sample and maintaining consistent centrifugal separation performance for both small and large volume samples.
Implementation Method 1
the rotor rotates at high speed... a strong centrifugal force is applied to the sample inside the rotor... the sample is separated according to the density
Implementation Method 2
a centrifuge that flows a sample during rotation of a rotor to centrifugally separate particles in the liquid sample within the rotor
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a continuous centrifugation machine that facilitates gradual switching of the capacity of centrifugation spaces, by the size of attached fins. A rotor for the continuous centrifugation machine comprises: a substantially cylindrical core main body 31 having a groove 37 for the attachment of a plurality of fins, that continues in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface; a plurality of fins 40 that are attached so as to protrude to the outside in the radial direction, from the outer peripheral surface of the core main body 31; and a cylindrical rotor body 11. A plurality of attached fins (40, 50) are provided that have sections, protruding further to the outside in the radial direction than the outer peripheral surface of the core main body, that have differing widths in the circumferential direction. The present invention is configured such that the capacity of the centrifugation spaces S1-S6 can be changed by an operator selecting one of the plurality of fins 40,50 and attaching the selected fin to the core main body 31.