Centrifuge rotor with locking levers providing visual indication of cover closure

Abstract

A centrifuge rotor (10) includes a closure (32) between a lower part (12) of the centrifuge rotor (10) and a cover (14). The centrifuge rotor has been improved such that proper single-handed operation is made possible. In particular, the closure (32) can be closed and detached again using just one hand. The cover (14) includes a circular cut-out (20) for fastening the centrifuge rotor (10) in a centrifuge. The cover (14) is attached to the lower part (12) by levers having a concave shaping (66). The cover (14) and the levers cooperate to provide a visual indication whether the cover is properly closed.

Claims

1. A centrifuge rotor (10), comprising: a lower part (12); and a cover (14), wherein the centrifuge rotor (10) has a rotational axis (D), wherein the cover (14) can be placed onto the lower part (12) along the rotational axis (D) in a closing direction (S) and can be removed along the rotational axis (D) in a detaching direction (L), wherein, when the cover (14) is closed, there is a closure (32) between the lower part (12) and the cover (14), and wherein at least one element selected from the group consisting of the lower part (12) and the cover (14) comprises at least one first undercut (34), in which, when the cover (14) is closed, at least one projection (36) engages, which is arranged on another element from the group consisting of the cover (14) and the lower part (12), wherein the projection (36) is arranged on a lever (24) having a fulcrum (38), and wherein the fulcrum (38) is arranged on the cover (14) wherein the cover (14) comprises a circular cut-out for fastening the centrifuge rotor (10) in a centrifuge, wherein the lever (24) has a concave shaping (66) which continues the circular cut-out and points towards the rotational axis (D), and wherein the lever (24) is arranged such that, when the cover (14) is closed, the concave shaping (66) does not project inwards into the circular cut-out.

2. The centrifuge rotor (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first undercut (34) extends perpendicularly to the rotational axis (D), and/or wherein the first undercut (34) extends all the way around the rotational axis (D).

3. The centrifuge rotor (10) according to claim 1, wherein a closing aid is arranged which is designed as a chamfer (62, 70) or rounded portion, by which the projection (36) is brought into engagement with the first undercut (34) when the cover (14) is placed onto the lower part (12), wherein the projection (36) has a chamfer (62) or rounded portion that points towards the lower part (12) and/or wherein a chamfer (70) or rounded portion that points towards the cover (14) is arranged in front of the first undercut (34) relative to the closing direction (S).

4. The centrifuge rotor (10) according to claim 3, wherein the chamfer (62, 70) has an angle in a range of 20° to 80° relative to the rotational axis (D).

5. The centrifuge rotor (10) according to claim 1, wherein the projection (36) has a chamfer (64) or rounded portion that points towards the cover (14) and/or the first undercut (34) has a chamfer (72) or rounded portion that points towards the lower part (12).

6. The centrifuge rotor (10) according to claim 1, wherein two opposing projections (36) are formed in relation to the rotational axis (D).

7. The centrifuge rotor (10) according to claim 1, wherein the projection (36) has a preloading that points towards the first undercut (34), which preloading is provided by a molded spring (46).

8. The centrifuge rotor (10) according to claim 1, wherein a center of mass (M) of the lever (24) is situated above the fulcrum (38) in relation to the closing direction (S).

9. The centrifuge rotor (10) according to claim 1, wherein the lever (24) comprises two lever parts (48).

10. The centrifuge rotor (10) according to claim 1, wherein, when the cover (14) is closed, the projection (36) has at least one contact point (A) with the first undercut (34), of which a radial spacing from the rotational axis (D) corresponds at most to a radial spacing of the fulcrum (38) from the rotational axis (D), and wherein the radial spacing of the contact point (A) from the rotational axis (D) is identical to the radial spacing of the fulcrum (38) from the rotational axis (D).

11. The centrifuge rotor (10) according to claim 1, wherein the projection (36) has a preloading that points towards the first undercut (34), which preloading is provided by a molded spring (46), and wherein at least one side (54) of the spring (46) is anchored inside the lever (24).

12. The centrifuge rotor (10) according to claim 1, wherein the fulcrum comprises a bearing shaft (38), which is mounted in a blind hole (40) on one side, and wherein there are two levers (24) and the corresponding blind holes (40) are arranged rotationally symmetrically relative to the rotational axis (D).

13. The centrifuge rotor (10) according to claim 1, wherein the cover (14) comprises a second undercut (23) as a handle for carrying the centrifuge rotor, and wherein the second undercut (23) projects relative to the cover (14).

14. The centrifuge rotor (10) according to claim 1, wherein there is a aerosol-tight seal (30) between the cover (14) and the lower part (12) after the first undercut (34) in relation to the closing direction (S), such that the closure (32) is arranged outside a sample space (26) formed between the cover (14) and the lower part (12) in relation to the seal (30).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The features and further advantages of the present disclosure become apparent in the following with reference to the description of a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the drawings, in which, purely schematically:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a centrifuge rotor according to a first preferred configuration,

(3) FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the centrifuge rotor according to FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a detail of the closure of the centrifuge rotor according to FIG. 2,

(5) FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a detail of the region Y of the closure of the centrifuge rotor according to FIG. 3,

(6) FIG. 5 shows the lower part of the centrifuge rotor according to FIG. 1,

(7) FIG. 6 shows a part of the cover of the centrifuge rotor according to FIG. 1,

(8) FIG. 7 shows two different views of a part of the lever of the centrifuge rotor according to FIG. 1, and

(9) FIG. 8 is an overview of the lever of the centrifuge rotor according to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) FIGS. 1 to 8 are various views of the centrifuge rotor 10 and parts thereof.

(11) It is clear that this centrifuge rotor 10 is rotationally symmetrical as far as possible and comprises a lower part 12 and a cover 14, wherein the cover 14 is placed onto the lower part 12 in a closing direction S that is parallel to the rotational axis D and can be removed in a detaching direction L that is parallel to the rotational axis D.

(12) The lower part 12 comprises a series of evenly spaced holes or compartments 16 for receiving sample vessels in the form of test tubes, for example (not shown). A hub 18 comprising a hole 20 is arranged centrally in the lower part 12, which hole can receive a drive shaft of a laboratory centrifuge (neither are shown), by means of which the centrifuge rotor 10 can be driven. A carrying handle 22 comprising an undercut 23 provided for gripping is formed on the hub 18 so as to project from the cover 14, by means of which carrying handle the centrifuge rotor 10 can be gripped and handled without loosening the cover 14 as a result.

(13) The cover 14 comprises two levers 24 that each have an undercut 25 provided for gripping, wherein the levers 24 are arranged so as to be opposite one another and with equal spacing in relation to the rotational axis D.

(14) A sample space 26 is formed between the lower part 12 and the cover 14 and sealed in an aerosol-tight manner by the outer seal 28 and inner seal 30, which are arranged between the lower part 12 and the cover 14 and are each formed rotationally symmetrically relative to the rotational axis D. The compartments 16 and thus the individual sample vessels are accessible from this sample space 26.

(15) Furthermore, a closure 32 is formed between the lower part 12 and the cover 14, and is shown in views of details in FIGS. 3 and 4.

(16) It is clear that the closure 32 is formed by the two levers 24 and an undercut 34, in which the respective projections 36 of the levers 24 engage.

(17) As shown in FIG. 5, the undercut 34 is continuously formed in the circumferential direction, i.e. extends around the rotational axis D and is open in the radial direction. It is therefore a radially open circumferential groove 34.

(18) The levers 24 are designed such the center of mass M thereof is situated above the bearing 38 in relation to the detaching direction L. In this case, the bearing is a bolt 38, which is screwed into the blind hole 40 by a thread, as can be seen from FIG. 6. This blind hole 40 is arranged in the carrying handle 22, and specifically so as to be opposite a through-hole 42, through which the bolt 38 can be screwed into the blind hole 40 by the lever 24. In this case, the blind holes 40 are arranged to be rotationally symmetrical.

(19) To receive the levers 24, the cover 14 comprises a recess 44, in which the lever 24 is arranged so as to be able to tilt about the bolt 38. In this case, in relation to its projection 36, the lever 24 is preloaded against the undercut 34 by the molded spring 46, which is supported on the recess 44, as can be seen best in FIG. 3.

(20) As can be seen from FIGS. 7 and 8, the lever 24 is constructed from two injection-molded parts 48 (the connecting seam of the two injection-molded parts 48 is not shown in FIG. 8), wherein, in FIG. 7, only one half 48 is shown in each case in two different perspective views. Said levers are divided into two for manufacturing reasons, since this makes plastics injection molding possible for the levers 24. The levers 24 can thus be provided with a cavity 50 for weight reduction without preventing them from being demolded. As an alternative to the injection molding, milling or pressure die casting can also be used, for example. By contrast, the lever 24 can also be formed in one piece, without being divided into two.

(21) Furthermore, the levers 24 comprise a through-hole 52 for the bolt 38. The molded spring 46 is mounted in a depression 56 by one end 54 thereof. The other end 58 is free, but is retained on either side by projections 60.

(22) The projection 36 comprises a first chamfer 62 pointing in the direction of the lower part 12 and a second chamfer 64 pointing in the direction of the cover 14. In addition, FIG. 7 shows that the inner surfaces 66, 68 are grooved.

(23) FIGS. 2 and 4 show that a first chamfer 70 is formed on the lower part 12 in front of the undercut 34 in the closing direction and the undercut 34 comprises a second chamfer 72 pointing towards the lower part 12.

(24) The first chamfer 62 of the projection 36 and the first chamfer 70 of the lower part arranged above the undercut 34 act as a closing aid, since, when pushing the cover 14 onto the lower part 12 in the closing direction S, the projection 36 is automatically guided radially outwards from the rotational axis D under the spring force of the spring 46 and the projection 74 on the lower part 12 is passed, and without the levers 24 needing to be actuated manually.

(25) The cover 14 is pressed onto the lower part 12 by the second chamfer 64 on the projection 36 and the second chamfer 72 of the lower part 12 in the undercut 34 during operation of the centrifuge rotor 10. As a result, the pressure on the spring 46 is relieved, which increases its service life, and the cover 14 is also prevented from wobbling on the lower part 12.

(26) FIGS. 3 and 4 also show that the contact point A between the projection 36 and the undercut 34 is situated closer to the rotational axis D in relation to the central point of the bearing 38. As a result, neither forces causing the cover 14 to become detached in the event of traction in the detaching direction L nor forces causing the closure 32 to become detached during operation of the centrifuge rotor 10 exert any action. As an alternative, it may also be provided that the radial spacing between the contact point A and the rotational axis D is identical to the radial spacing of the fulcrum of the bearing 38 from the rotational axis D. The contact point A is then positioned vertically below the fulcrum. By means of this configuration, the lever arm becomes zero and no forces arise during centrifuging that would result in the lever 24 opening. As a result, such a force also does not need to be compensated for by the spring 46 or the centrifugal force during centrifuging. Such a defined contact point A can, for example, be produced by the projection 36 being slightly rounded (not shown) in the region of the contact point A.

(27) By forming the center of mass M above the bearing 38, during operation of the centrifuge rotor 10 the upper end of the lever 24 is pressed radially outwards, meaning that the lock between the projection 36 and the undercut 34 is reinforced. In addition, the pressure on the spring 46 is also relieved thereby.

(28) FIG. 6 shows that the carrying handle 22 is formed around the recesses 44 without an undercut 25. As a result, in the locked state, the levers 24 project radially outwards relative to the handle 22 (cf. FIG. 1). As a result, proper locking is always reliably indicated.

(29) By contrast, the concave radially inner surface 66 of each lever 24 is grooved and has the same radius as a hole or circular cut-out 21 located in the cover and in the region of the handle 22. As a result, fastening means for connecting the centrifuge rotor 10 to the shaft of a centrifuge motor (not shown) can be easily actuated. In addition, on account of the continuation of the concave groove of the inner surface 66 of the lever 24 and the hole or circular cut-out 21, the properly locked state can likewise be clearly identified by the hole or circular cut-out 21 and the grooved inner surfaces 66 of the levers 24 forming a continuous circular surface (cf. FIG. 1), i.e. the user can identify an improperly locked state by the concave shape not being continued but there instead being a stepped offset or discontinuity, which is very easily perceptible to the user's eye.

(30) In the locked state of the cover 14, the sample space 26 is formed on the lower part 12 in a completely aerosol-tight manner by means of the seals 28 and 30, since the closure 32 is situated outside the sample space 26.

(31) It has become clear from the information set out that the present disclosure provides a centrifuge rotor 10 in which the closure 32 between the lower part 12 of the centrifuge rotor 10 and the cover 14 has been improved such that proper single-handed operation is made possible. In particular, the closure 32 can be closed and detached again using just one hand. This means that the closure 32 has a simpler structure and can also be produced more cost-effectively.

(32) Unless otherwise stated, all the features of the present disclosure can be freely combined with one another. Unless otherwise stated, the features described in the description of the figures can also be freely combined with the remaining features as features of the disclosure. Claimed features of the apparatus can also be reworded into method features as part of a method and method features can also be reworded into features of the centrifuge rotor as part of the centrifuge rotor. A centrifuging method which uses the centrifuge rotor is therefore expressly intended to be protected.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(33) 10 first preferred configuration of the centrifuge rotor according to the invention 12 lower part 14 cover 16 holes or compartments for receiving sample vessels 18 hub 20 hole in hub 18 22 carrying handle 23 undercut for gripping the carrying handle 22, second undercut 24 actuation lever 25 undercut for gripping the actuation lever 24 26 sample space 28 outer seal between lower part 12 and cover 14 30 inner seal between lower part 12 and cover 14 32 closure between lower part 12 and cover 14 34 undercut in lower part 12, circumferential groove, first undercut 36 projections of the actuation lever 24 38 bearing shaft, bolt 38 40 blind hole 42 through-hole 44 recess in the cover 14 46 recoil spring, molded spring 48 an injection-molded part of the actuation lever 24 50 cavity in actuation lever 24 52 through-hole in actuation lever 24 54 one end of the spring 46 56 depression in actuation lever 24 for spring 46 58 other end of the spring 46 60 projections 62 first chamfer of the projection 36, closing aid 64 second chamfer of the projection 36 66, 68 inner surfaces of the lever 24 70 first chamfer on the lower part 12, closing aid 72 second chamfer on the lower part 12 74 projection on the lower part 12 D rotational axis D L detaching direction M center of mass S closing direction