Centrifuge Insert with Snap Locking Carrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing centrifuge inserts are either heavy and require extraction aids for sample holders, limiting rotation speed, or are difficult to clean due to bolted-down carriers that are not optimized for specific types of sample holders.

Innovation Solution

A centrifuge insert with a detachable carrier that can be attached without tools, featuring a clip connection for easy exchange and cleaning, optimized for various sample holders like micro titer, deep well, PCR, and cell culture plates, allowing for secure fixation and adaptable configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bolted down carrier is used for fixation, then sample holders are securely fixedated, but cleaning the centrifuge insert becomes very difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation securityVSAvoidcleaning ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier is designed as a separate detachable component that can be removed from the centrifuge insert body. This segmentation allows the carrier to be securely fixed during operation while enabling easy removal for cleaning purposes, resolving the contradiction between fixation security and cleaning ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a carrier is configured for all feasible sample holders, then universal compatibility is achieved, but the geometry is not optimized for particular plate types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample holder compatibilityVSAvoidgeometry optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier geometry is made changeable through detachable design, allowing the user to select and attach different carrier types optimized for specific sample holder formats (micro titer plates, deep well plates, PCR plates, cell culture plates). This dynamic reconfiguration enables both universal compatibility and type-specific optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If circumferentially closed sidewalls are provided, then sample holders are contained, but the centrifuge insert becomes heavy requiring limiting rotation speed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample holder containmentVSAvoidcentrifuge insert weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The circumferentially closed sidewalls are removed from the centrifuge insert design. Instead, sample holder containment is achieved through the detachable carrier that provides necessary walls and structure. This extraction of the closed sidewall function reduces the overall weight of the centrifuge insert while maintaining containment reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If extraction aids are provided for sample holders, then insertion and removal are enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample holder insertionVSAvoidextraction aid structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural containment, enables sample holder fixation, and facilitates easy insertion and removal. By merging these functions into a single detachable component, the need for separate extraction aids is eliminated, reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Facilitates easy cleaning and adaptability, reduces material weight, enabling higher centrifugation speeds and secure fixation of sample holders without the need for specialized tools, while maintaining structural integrity and reducing wear.

Implementation Method 1

—at least one elastic snap hook (16) arranged at an interior side of the corresponding opening (18) of the body (2). The elastic snap hook (16) is under an outwardly directed preload towards the interior side of the corresponding opening (18) of the body (2) and directed away from the center of the base surface when engaged with the opening (18) of the body (2)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The centrifuge insert includes a body with a base and with at least one support for attaching the centrifuge insert to a rotor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS10625273B2Centrifuge insert and carrier for centrifuge insert with snap locking connection

Publication Date: 2020.04.21 EPPENDORF AG

AI summary

A centrifuge insert for sample receivers and to a carrier for a centrifuge insert for sample receivers with snap locking connection. The centrifuge insert according to the invention has substantial advantages over known centrifuge inserts. These advantages are not limited to the fact that the carrier is attachable and disengageable in a particularly easy and comfortable manner. It is also feasible to use various carriers for different sample receivers. Furthermore, the centrifuge insert according to the invention is configured particularly light and compact so that a loading of the rotor is significantly lower for identical centrifugation powers or so that significantly higher RCA values can be used.