ENERGY-ABSORBING HOUSING OF A CENTRIFUGE

Abstract

A housing of a centrifuge having an abutment for a ground on which the housing sits, as well as to a centrifuge. The housing is divided into two parts, i.e. a first housing and a second housing which is connected to the first housing via a pivot bearing, with at least one energy absorber being arranged between the first housing and the second housing, which energy absorber will counteract the forces, in particular the torques, generated in the event of a crash and will absorb the energy of the crash so as to prevent at least the part of the second housing which rests on the ground from moving relative to the ground, which pivot bearing allows the first housing to rotate relative to the second housing against the action of the one or plural energy absorber(s) which is/are separate from the pivot bearing.

Claims

1. Housing of a centrifuge having an abutment for a ground on which the housing sits, characterized by a two-part design of the housing comprising a first housing and a second housing which is connected to the first housing via a pivot bearing, with at least one energy absorber, being arranged between the first housing and the second housing which energy absorber will counteract the forces, in particular the torques, generated in the event of a crash and will absorb the energy of the crash so as to prevent at least the portion of the second housing which rests on the ground from moving relative to the ground, which pivot bearing allows the first housing to rotate relative to the second housing against the action of the one or plural energy absorber(s) which is/are separate from the pivot bearing.

2. Housing according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy absorber is formed from a plastically deformable material, for example deformation sheets, shear pins, shear sheets etc.

3. Housing according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy absorber is formed from an elastically deformable material, comprising dampers provided on a housing, which dampers act against stops provided on the other housing.

4. Housing according to claim 1, characterized in that two energy absorbers, in particular of a different type each, are connected in series.

5. Housing according to claim 4, characterized in that a first energy absorber is formed from a plastically deformable material, a second energy absorber is formed from an elastically deformable material, and that in the event of a crash, the first energy absorber will be the first to become effective and then the second energy absorber.

6. Housing according to claim 5, characterized in that the first and second energy absorbers are different components acting between the first and second housings, in particular the first and second energy absorbers are arranged spaced apart from each other between the first and second housings.

7. Housing according to claim 1, characterized in having at least two energy absorbers are connected in parallel.

8. Housing according to claim 1, characterized in that the second housing includes the abutment, which abutment is formed by a support surface which rests flat on, and in full contact with, the ground.

9. Housing according to claim 8, characterized in that the abutment is provided with an anti-slip material and/or an anti-slip structure, at least on its surface which makes contact with the ground.

10. Housing according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one weight plate is provided in the second housing part which acts on the abutment.

11. Housing according to claim 10, characterized in that a set of weight plates is provided so as to allow one or plural weight plates to be mounted on the second housing, as required.

12. Housing according to claim 1, characterized by receiving means for a safety vessel, a rotor and a drive of the centrifuge in the first housing in the form of recesses, bores for fastening means and the like.

13. Housing according to claim 1, characterized in that the first housing is adapted to receive and securely accommodate a standard centrifuge, a laboratory centrifuge or any other standalone centrifuge having its own centrifuge housing.

14. Housing according to claim 1, characterized in that limiting means are provided which prevent movement along a pivot axis of the pivot bearing, which limiting means are in particular formed by the pivot bearing.

15. Housing according to claim 1, characterized in that the external dimensions of the second housing and the external dimensions of the first housing are matched to each other such thatin the event of a crashthe first housing will always remain within the second housing, at least within an envelope of the second housing, as the first housing moves relative to the second housing up to a defined end position.

16. Housing according to claim 15, characterized in that stops are provided in the housing, which stops determine the defined end position of the first housing relative to the second housing.

17. Housing according to claim 1, characterized in that the second housing is of a two-part design consisting of an anchoring part and a top part, in which the top part of the second housing is connected to the first housing and can be translationally moved relative to the anchoring part of the second housing.

18. Housing according to claim 17, characterized in that the top part can be telescoped relative to the anchoring part via telescopic rails.

19. A centrifuge mounted in a two-part housing, the two-part housing comprising: a first housing and a second housing which is connected to the first housing via a pivot bearing, with at least one energy absorber being arranged between the first housing and the second housing which energy absorber will counteract the forces, in particular the torques, generated in the event of a crash and will absorb the energy of the crash so as to prevent at least the portion of the second housing which rests on the ground from moving relative to the ground, which pivot bearing allows the first housing to rotate relative to the second housing against the action of the one or plural energy absorber(s) which is/are separate from the pivot bearing.

20. Centrifuge according to claim 19, characterized by an embodiment as a built-in device for integration into a laboratory unit consisting of laboratory furniture and/or laboratory equipment.

Description

[0030] Throughout the description, the claims and the drawings, those terms and associated reference signs are used as are listed in the List of Reference Signs below. In the drawings,

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a centrifuge in the telescoped condition and having a housing according to the invention;

[0032] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a centrifuge as illustrated in FIG. 1 in the retracted state;

[0033] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the centrifuge of FIG. 2;

[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective detailed view of the underside of the centrifuge of FIG. 2 from an angle;

[0035] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the front of the centrifuge of FIG. 2, from an angle, but in a rotated state;

[0036] FIG. 6a is a perspective detailed view of the housing for the centrifuge of FIG. 1, as seen at an angle from above, in a non-rotated state;

[0037] FIG. 6b is a perspective detailed view of the housing for the centrifuge of FIG. 1, as seen at an angle from above, in which the centrifuge has been rotated into its end position;

[0038] FIG. 7a is a bottom view of the housing without the anchoring part, which view shows the top part of FIG. 6a;

[0039] FIG. 7b is a bottom view of the housing without the anchoring part, which view shows the top part of FIG. 6b, and

[0040] FIG. 8 is a view of the rear of the housing of FIG. 6a.

[0041] The views of FIG. 1 through 5 illustrate a centrifuge 10 which is arranged in a housing 12 according to the invention. The centrifuge 10 is a standard laboratory centrifuge with its own centrifuge housing. The centrifuge housing is mounted in the housing 12, as will be described in more detail below. Alternatively, however, the housing 12 can also be an integral part of the centrifuge housing but will otherwise fulfill the same functions as the housing 12, as will be described in the following.

[0042] The housing 12 is of a two-part design and has a first top housing part 14 and a second bottom housing part 16.

[0043] The second, i.e. the bottom housing part 16 is also of a two-part design. The bottom housing part 16 comprises an anchoring part 16a and a top part 16b. Via telescopic rails 18, the top part 16b can be translationally displaced relative to the anchoring part 16a along the telescopic rails 18. For this purpose, the anchoring part 16a is provided with a side wall 20 each. On the inner side of the side wall 20 a first telescopic rail 18a each is screw-connected to the side wall 20. A second telescopic rail 18b is slidably arranged in the first telescopic rail 18a, which second rail 18b is firmly connected to the top part 16b of the bottom housing part 16. For this purpose the top part 16b has longitudinal skids 22 which are each screw-connected to the second telescopic rail 18b.

[0044] Laterally mounted on the downward facing surface of the top part 16b are downward movable rollers 24, In total, four ball casters 24a and two platen rollers 24b are provided. At the front and at the back a ball caster 24a each is mounted laterally, i.e. a total of four ball casters 24a. In addition, platen rollers 24b are provided at the center between the ball casters 24a. The casters and rollers 24 are each mounted on a roller carrier 26 which each extends laterally parallel to the longitudinal skid 22, which carrier 26 is arranged offset towards the bottom relative to a horizontally extending carrier platform 28 of the top part 16b. The carrier 26 is used to move the casters or rollers downward by means of a manual drive 60. The arrangement of casters and rollers 24 can be gathered in particular from FIGS. 7a and 7b.

[0045] The anchoring part 16a and the top part 16b are arranged symmetrically relative to their longitudinal central axis. The telescopic rails 18 are aligned parallel to the longitudinal central axis.

[0046] On the front side, in an extension of the carrier platform 28 of the top part 16b, a forward-extending projection 30 is provided. Bolted to this projection 30 is a handle 32 with lateral support members 32a, a bottom cross-member 32b and a handrail 32c which connects the two lateral support members 32a.

[0047] The top housing part 14 is mounted parallel to the carrier platform 28. The top housing part 14 comprises a receiving plate 46 which has limiting tongues 34 and 36 at its corners, which limiting tongues extend towards each other. The limiting tongues 34 are each oriented along the longitudinal axis of the housing 12 while the limiting tongues 36 are each oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing 12.

[0048] A pivot joint 48 connects the receiving plate 46 of the top housing part 14 to the carrier platform 28 of the top part 16b of the bottom housing part 16. The pivot joint 48 moreover supports the carrier platform 28 in an axial direction along the axis of rotation of the pivot joint 48. For this purpose, the pivot joint 48 has an upper flange 48a which abuts on the top side of the receiving plate 46. A lower flange 48b abuts on the bottom side of the carrier platform 28. Furthermore, two shear pins 50 are used to connect the top housing part 14 to the bottom housing part 16, i.e. to the top part 16b, in particular the receiving plate 46 of the top housing part 14 to the carrier platform 28 of the top part 16b of the bottom housing part 16. The shear pins 50 are adapted to keep the top housing part 14 oriented in a predetermined manner relative to the bottom housing part 16.

[0049] The anchoring part 16a is provided with six bearing pins 38. The bearing pins 38 extend vertically upwards from the support wall 40 and engage a plurality of weight plates 42 which are vertically stacked on the support wall. The lower weight plates 42a have a larger surface area than the upper weight plates 42b stacked on them. The upper weight plates are merely held by two bearing pins 38 which are mounted in the area of the longitudinal axis of the housing 12.

[0050] A sidewall 20 each extends vertically upwards from the support wall 40. The underside of the support wall 40 has a rubber coating 40a so as to increase the frictional connection to the ground on which the housing 12 with the centrifuge 40 sits. The central area of the support wall 40 has a rectangular recess 44 for increasing the frictional connection of the support wall 40 to the ground by reducing the bearing surface.

[0051] FIGS. 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b and 8 are views of the housing 12 without the centrifuge 10. FIGS. 6a and 7a are views of the top housing part 14 in its starting position relative to the bottom housing part 16. The starting position shows the situation in normal operation. FIGS. 6b and 7b illustrate the top housing part 14 after it has been rotated from its starting position into a defined end position relative to the bottom housing part 16. This end position shows the situation of the housing 12 after a crash with maximally loaded damping elements 54. This situation is also shown in FIG. 5 which is a view of the centrifuge 10 placed in the housing 12. FIG. 8 is a view of the housing 12 in its starting position.

[0052] FIGS. 6a to 7b illustrate the shear pins 50 and the centrally arranged pivot joint 48. The shear pins 50 are arranged point-symmetrically relative to the pivot joint 48 and engage both in the receiving plate 46 and in the carrier platform 28 mounted below it.

[0053] At each corner of the receiving plate 46 of the top housing part 14, in the area of the limiting tongues 34, 36, a receiving cup 52 is provided which is open towards the top and adapted to receive a foot each of the centrifuge 10. These receiving cups 52 are used to securely mount the centrifuge 10 in the housing 12 via its feet.

[0054] Below the receiving plate 46 of the top housing part 14 damping elements 54 are provided which are firmly connected to the underside of the receiving plate 46 via associated holders 56, see in particular FIGS. 7a and 7b in this respect. The damping elements 54 are associated with stops 58, which stops 58 are firmly connected to the top part 16b of the bottom housing part 16, i.e. the carrier platform 28.

[0055] On the side of the receiving plate 46 disposed above the carrier platform 28, the carrier platform 28 is provided with the manual drive 60. The manual drive 60 for the caster and roller carrier 26 is arranged on the upper side of the carrier platform 28.

[0056] As already set out above, in normal operation, the top housing part 14 is oriented relative to the bottom housing part 16 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 6a, 7a and 8, i.e. the longitudinal central axis of the top housing part 14 and the longitudinal central axis of the bottom housing part 16 are aligned parallel to one another. However, in the event of a crash during operation of the centrifuge 10, i.e. a sample carrier or a sample container disengaging from the rotor, such sample carrier or container will first hit the safety vessel surrounding the rotor in the centrifuge 10. However, the energy involved in the crash is so high that the deformation of the safety vessel caused by the part slamming into the safety vessel will not suffice to absorb such energy completely. Consequently, high forces will continue to act in the direction of rotation of the rotor of the centrifuge 10. These forces are transferred via the centrifuge 10, i.e. the feet of the centrifuge 10, to the receiving cups 52 and thus to the top housing part 14. The pivot joint 48 and the axial limitation by the upper flange 48a and the lower flange 48b towards the top and the bottom thus act to apply a high torque to the top housing part 14. This torque will initially result in a plastic deformation of the shear pins 50 through the rotation of the top housing part 14 relative to the bottom housing part 16 in the effective direction of the applied torque, until the shear pins 50 break. This absorbs another portion of the energy.

[0057] The top housing part 14 will then no longer be blocked by the shear pins 50, as the latter were broken, and thus continues rotation relative to the bottom part of the housing 16 in a direction until the damping elements 54 abut on the stops 58, since a torque still acts on it owing to residual energy which has not been absorbed. Rotation of the top housing part 14 now continues against the spring force of the damping elements 54. The angle of rotation at which the top housing part 14 can be rotated against the spring force of the damping elements 54 is limited by end stops which are constituted by the maximum displacement path/spring travel of the damping elements 54. Alternatively, it is possible to provide separate end stops. The top housing part 14 will abut on the end stops at a predefined angle of rotation. The residual energy will then be transferred to the bottom housing part 16, in particular the anchoring part 16a, via stops 58. As the anchoring part 16a has a rubber coating 40a on the underside of the support wall 40 and the weight plates 42 act on the support wall 40, the frictional connection of the ground to the support wall 40 with the rubber coating 40a will ensure an effective abutment against the applied torque, due to the residual energy acting on it. The energy will be transferred into the ground by the support wall 40 and the rubber coating 40a. The rubber coating 40a may additionally be provided with anti-slip structures.

[0058] The shear pins 50 thus constitute two energy absorbers which are connected in parallel and which absorb energy in the event of a crash through their plastic deformation. Connected in series relative to the shear pins 50 are additional energy absorbers, i.e. the damping elements 54 which cooperate with the stops 58. The stops 58 and the maximum displacement path of the damping elements 54 define the end position of the top housing part 14 relative to the bottom housing part 16. Here the top housing part 14 within the bottom housing part 16 will remain at least within the envelope of the bottom housing part 16.

[0059] This allows the centrifuge 10 with the housing 12 to be integrated into a laboratory unit consisting of further equipment and laboratory furniture without the risk of damage to nearby equipment or laboratory furniture as a result of housing parts being rotated in the event of a crash. This optimizes the space requirements for the centrifuge 10 without increasing the risk of damage to nearby laboratory units.

[0060] The fact that the top part 16b can be telescoped relative to the anchoring part 16a facilitates maintenance of the centrifuge 10. As the casters and rollers 24 can be moved vertically and the top part 16b can be removed from the anchoring part 16a, the top part can be displaced together with the centrifuge. For this purpose, the casters and rollers 24 are moved toward the bottom until the top part 16b with the centrifuge 10 sits on the casters and rollers 24. The longitudinal skids 22 of the top part 16b are then each detached from the second telescopic rail 18b. The operator can then use the handle 32 not only to translationally move the centrifuge 10 on the telescopic rails 18 along the longitudinal central axis but also to move the centrifuge 10 on the casters and rollers 24 after the centrifuge 10 has been detached from the telescopic rails 18 and the casters and rollers 24 have been moved downwards.

[0061] In addition, the housing 12 can be provided with an outer wall which surrounds the housing 12 and the centrifuge 10. The outer wall is connected to the anchoring part 16a. However, the outer wall is not illustrated in the figures for reasons of clarity.

[0062] As has already been addressed at the beginning hereof, the housing 12 can also be an integral part of the centrifuge 10. In such case the centrifuge 10 will not have a separate housing but the centrifuge housing will be part of the housing 12. This housing 12 will then directly accommodate the safety vessel, the rotor, the rotor drive, i.e. in the top housing part 14. Its mode of action in the event of a crash will be the same.

[0063] The invention is characterized by the simple and space-saving option of absorbing energy through plastic deformation on the one hand, and through elastic deformation on the other, and a defined movement in the event of a crash by the pivot joint 48 up to a defined end position. The option of introducing individual weight plates 42 into the anchoring part 16a allows conditions to be adapted to every situation of operation of the centrifuge 10. In the event of a crash, the anchoring part 16a will always remain firmly and safely on the ground without moving from its starting position.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0064] 14 top housing part

[0065] 16 bottom housing part

[0066] 16a anchoring part

[0067] 16b top part

[0068] 18 telescopic rails

[0069] 18a first telescopic rail

[0070] 18b second telescopic rail

[0071] 20 side wall

[0072] 22 longitudinal skids of top part 16b

[0073] 24 casters and rollers

[0074] 24a ball casters

[0075] 24b platen rollers

[0076] 26 caster and roller carrier

[0077] 28 support plate

[0078] 30 projection

[0079] 32 handle

[0080] 32a support member

[0081] 32b lower cross member

[0082] 32c handrail

[0083] 34 limiting tongue, extending along longitudinal axis

[0084] 36 limiting tongue, extending transversely relative to the longitudinal axis

[0085] 38 bearing pins

[0086] 40 support wall

[0087] 40a rubber coating

[0088] 42 weight plates

[0089] 42a lower weight plate

[0090] 42b upper weight plate

[0091] 44 recess

[0092] 46 receiving plate of the top housing part 14

[0093] 48 pivot joint

[0094] 48a upper flange of pivot joint 48

[0095] 48b lower flange of pivot joint 48

[0096] 50 shear pins

[0097] 52 receiving cups

[0098] 54 damping elements

[0099] 56 holder for damping elements 54

[0100] 58 stops

[0101] 60 manual driver