WO2020200871A1

WO2020200871A1 - Laboratory centrifuge, method for operating a laboratory centrifuge, and method for producing a laboratory centrifuge

Info

Publication number: WO2020200871A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/057946
Authority: WO
Inventors: Uwe Beukert; Thomas Sporn
Original assignee: Eppendorf Ag
Priority date: 2019-04-05
Filing date: 2020-03-23
Publication date: 2020-10-08
Also published as: EP3718637A1; EP3718637B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a laboratory centrifuge (1), which has a closure (5) for closing an opening (6) of the laboratory centrifuge (1), the laboratory centrifuge (1) having a state detection device (25), which is designed to detect a closed and/or locked, ready-for-operation state of the closure (5) and/or to detect closing and/or locking of the closure (5) and thus the emergence of the ready-for-operation state and, if the ready-for-operation state is detected and/or the emergence of the ready-for-operation state is detected, to enable operation of the laboratory centrifuge (1). The state detection device (25) is designed to detect the ready-for-operation state and/or the emergence thereof at a plurality of locations of the laboratory centrifuge (1) and to enable operation of the laboratory centrifuge (1) only if said device detects the start of the ready-for-operation state of the closure (5) and/or the emergence of the ready-for-operation state at the plurality of locations within a time interval of predefined length.

Description

Laboratory centrifuge, method for operating a laboratory centrifuge and method for manufacturing a laboratory centrifuge

The invention relates to a laboratory centrifuge with a closure for closing an opening of the laboratory centrifuge, a method for operating such a centrifuge

Laboratory centrifuge and a method for manufacturing such a laboratory centrifuge.

Centrifuges, in particular laboratory centrifuges, are used to separate components of mixtures centrifuged in a container of the laboratory centrifuge by utilizing the inertia. Thereby high speeds of rotation occur.

Laboratory centrifuges are centrifuges whose centrifuge rotors work at preferably at least 3,000, preferably at least 10,000, in particular at least 15,000 revolutions per minute and mostly on workstations that are elevated from the floor, such as. B. Tables are placed. In order to be able to place them on a work table, they have in particular a form factor and / or external dimensions of less than 1 m ^c 1 m ^c 1 m. Your installation space is therefore limited. The device depth is preferably limited to max. Limited to 70 cm. However, laboratory centrifuges are also known which are designed as floor-standing centrifuges and in particular have a height of 1 m to 1.5 m in order to be able to place them on the floor of a room.

Laboratory centrifuges are designed in particular for demixing at least one laboratory sample and / or for use in a laboratory.

This laboratory can in particular be a chemical, biological, biochemical, medical, pharmaceutical, food technology and / or forensic laboratory. Such laboratories are used for research and / or the analysis of laboratory samples, but can also be used to manufacture products using laboratory samples or to manufacture laboratory samples.

The container can be a permanent component of the laboratory centrifuge or in particular together with a sample for treating and / or generating the sample

temporarily placed on and / or in the laboratory centrifuge. The

Laboratory centrifuge, in particular a treatment device of the laboratory centrifuge, in particular has at least one rotor on and / or in which the at least one laboratory sample can be arranged. The laboratory centrifuge, especially the Treatment device of the laboratory centrifuge has at least one drive device, by means of which the rotational movement of the rotor can be driven about an assigned axis of rotation. The samples can be arranged in the at least one rotor, in particular in laboratory containers, for example sample tubes, which are arranged in suitable holders in the rotor. The laboratory centrifuge, in particular the treatment device of the laboratory centrifuge, preferably has at least one heating / cooling device with which the temperature of the at least one sample arranged in the rotor can be controlled and / or regulated. The laboratory centrifuge, in particular the treatment device of the laboratory centrifuge, preferably has a timer device with which the temporal parameters of the rotation or temperature setting can be controlled. A

Centrifuge can carry out a separation process in which in particular the components of suspensions, emulsions and / or gas mixtures are separated. The

Device-controlled treatment of the at least one laboratory sample corresponds in a laboratory centrifuge to a rotation treatment to which the at least one sample is subjected. Possible parameters, in particular program parameters, in particular

User parameters that are used to influence a rotational treatment define, in particular, a temperature of the laboratory centrifuge, a

Rotation speed of the laboratory centrifuge, a temporal parameter of the rotation or temperature setting and / or at least one process parameter that influences or defines the process, in particular the sequence, of a rotation program consisting of several rotation steps. The temperature of the laboratory centrifuge can in particular be at least one temperature inside the at least one rotor, in particular at least one temperature of at least one sample.

In particular, laboratory centrifuges can therefore have at least one closure for

Have closing an opening of the laboratory centrifuge. In particular, the opening enables the mixture to be separated to be introduced into the laboratory centrifuge. There

If laboratory centrifuges are operated at the high speeds mentioned above, personal protection must also be ensured. During operation of the centrifuge, in particular, direct or immediate external interaction with the rotor or parts and objects connected to it (such as the sample) should be excluded. By closing the opening, such a direct or immediate interaction is prevented at least through the opening. For the reasons mentioned, it is also known, for example from DE 298 06 972 U1, to lock a closure designed as a cover in its closed state.

While the rotor of the centrifuge is operating, a pin engages one on one

Retaining element provided a groove. The locking pin can be controlled by the device controller via an actuator such as e.g. a solenoid valve, to be engaged and disengaged. In addition, by a sensor, for example a

Limit switch, which determines the position of the holding element, ensures that the device is not operated when the cover is open.

In more general terms, it is thus possible to detect a closed, operationally ready state of the closure of a laboratory centrifuge by a sensor and, after the detection, to enable operation of the laboratory centrifuge. “Operation of the laboratory centrifuge” is understood in particular to mean that a centrifuge rotor is rotating.

It can happen that a used sensor is defective and therefore e.g. generates a signal that indicates that the lid of the laboratory centrifuge is closed, although the lid is not yet closed or not fully closed. It is also possible that disruptive external influences influence the signal from a sensor. A sensor can also be manipulated so that the laboratory centrifuge can still be operated with the lid open. E.g. a permanent magnet can be brought close to a magnetic field sensor of the centrifuge by a manipulating person.

It is an object of the present invention to increase the safety of the operation of a laboratory centrifuge.

It is proposed that the operational state of a closure of the

Laboratory centrifuge and / or the creation of the operational state not only to be recorded at one location of the laboratory centrifuge, but at a plurality of locations of the laboratory centrifuge. The location of the detection is in particular the location at which the sensor is located, through whose use the state or process is detected.

Alternatively, the location of detection can be a location that the sensor monitors from a distance. This can be called remote monitoring. The locations are each a local area that can be larger or smaller depending on the type of sensor. In particular, the various locations are spaced from one another. In any case, the local areas of different locations are not identical, even if in the case of remote monitoring they can partially overlap or directly adjoin each other. If the local areas overlap one another, it is impossible, however, for the various sensors which are assigned to the overlapping local areas to detect the occurrence only in the common overlapping area when the event to be detected occurs. However, the invention also includes configurations in which the local areas of the different locations do not overlap. The local areas can, however, directly adjoin one another.

The sensors that can be used include both active sensors, which independently output at least one signal, and passive sensors, the state of which is determined by a device external to the sensor. Active sensors are e.g.

Magnetic field sensors, pressure sensors or brightness sensors, the invention not being restricted to these types of active sensors. Active sensors can e.g. an electrical signal and / or another type of communication signal (such as a

Radio signal). An example of passive sensors are electrical switches.

Depending on whether an electrical contact of the switch is closed or opened, an electrical current flow through the switch may or may not take place. The state of the respective sensor can be read out by applying or applying an electrical voltage and detecting the electrical current flow through the switch. This detection can take place at a different location than at the location of the sensor.

In addition to remote monitoring, at least one sensor is used at each of the plurality of locations of the laboratory centrifuge at which the beginning of the operational state or its emergence is or is to be detected. However, it is fundamentally not ruled out that a sensor is moved from one of the locations to another of the locations and successively records the state or its emergence at one location and at the other.

The majority of locations are, in particular, locations that do not change due to the fact that the closure is in the process of closing the closure or the operation of opening the shutter is moved. The detection sensors are preferably not arranged on the closure. However, neither is this

locked out. E.g. a sensor arranged on the closure can denote the

Detect the closed state of the lock by not touching the

Closure arranged magnet generates a magnetic field at the location of the sensor, which reaches or exceeds a threshold value only in the closed state.

In addition, it is suggested that the laboratory centrifuge should only be operated

is released when the beginning of the operational state of the closure and / or the emergence of the operational state is detected within a time interval of a predetermined length at the plurality of locations. In particular, this is the case when, by means of at least one sensor at each of the plurality of locations, the start of the operationally ready state of the

Closure is detected. E.g. this is not the case if the operational state of the closure is not detected within the stated time interval at one of the plurality of locations. If, instead of the operational state, its creation is monitored in order to enable operation of the laboratory centrifuge, the same applies. The operational state can also be monitored at one of the plurality of locations and the emergence of the operational state can be monitored at at least one other of the plurality of locations.

The combination of the measures of surveillance in different places of the

Laboratory centrifuge and the release of the operation of the laboratory centrifuge only if the beginning of the operational state of the closure and / or its creation has been recorded at the various locations, has the advantage that errors in monitoring and in particular errors in a sensor are not or only with low probability lead to the unintentional release of operation. The combination also has the advantage that manipulation of the monitoring is made more difficult. The safety of the operation of the laboratory centrifuge is therefore increased.

It is also possible to lock the closure in its closed state, as is known from DE 298 06 972 U1, by means of a solenoid valve or, alternatively, by means of a motor. This opens up further possibilities to enable the operation of the centrifuge depending on the acquisition. For example, the beginning of a motor-driven locking mechanism can be determined in this sense. The beginning of the motor Driven movement of the lock can, for example, for reasons of mechanical construction only be possible when the lock is closed. In this case, due to the fact that locking is possible, it can be safe from it

it can be assumed that the shutter is closed. Alternatively or additionally, the current process of locking and / or its end and / or success, i.e. the successful locking can be determined. Alternatively or additionally it is possible to continue the operation of closing the shutter to its end, i. the closed state of the lock.

In more general terms, sensors can be used for detection which, depending on the monitored state or process, generate a signal or themselves enter a state corresponding to the monitored state. Different observation variables can thus be monitored with the respective sensor, e.g. Magnetic field strength, pressure or brightness. E.g. A closed cover can exert mechanical pressure on a sensor, a closed cover can turn a limit switch on or off, a closed cover can shield a light sensor from previously incident light, or a closing cover can

Bring magnets, in particular a permanent magnet, close to a magnetic field sensor (e.g. a Hall sensor). In all these cases the sensor can e.g. one

Generate an electrical signal or establish electrical contact (e.g. in the case of a reed switch) so that the process of closing the lid and / or the state of the closed closure can be detected. The act of locking the

The closure and / or the locked state can be detected in the same way.

The above-described features of a detection can be implemented individually or in any combination in the laboratory centrifuge, occurrences in the execution of the method for operating a laboratory centrifuge and can be provided in the manufacture of a laboratory centrifuge.

In particular, the following is proposed: A laboratory centrifuge which has a closure for closing an opening of the laboratory centrifuge, the laboratory centrifuge having a state detection device which is designed

• a closed and / or locked, operational state of the

To capture closure and / or • to detect a closing and / or locking of the lock and thus the emergence of the operational state

and to release operation of the laboratory centrifuge when the operational state is detected and / or when the operational state is detected. The state detection device is designed to detect the operational state and / or its emergence at a plurality of locations of the laboratory centrifuge and to enable the operation of the laboratory centrifuge only when it has started the

operational state of the lock and / or the emergence of the

operational state detected within a time interval of predetermined length at the plurality of locations.

Furthermore, the following is proposed: A method for operating a laboratory centrifuge which has a closure for closing an opening of the laboratory centrifuge, with the aid of a state detection device

• a closed and / or locked, operational state of the lock and / or

• a closing and / or locking of the lock and thus the creation of the operational state

is detected and when the operational state is detected and / or when the

When the operational state arises, operation of the laboratory device is released. The state detection device only enables operation of the laboratory centrifuge if it detects the beginning of the operational state of the closure and / or the emergence of the operational state within a time interval of a predetermined length at a plurality of locations on the laboratory centrifuge.

The scope of the invention also includes a method of making a

Laboratory centrifuge, in particular a laboratory centrifuge in any of the configurations described in this description, with the following steps:

• Combining a housing with a centrifuge rotor and with a

Closure for closing an opening of the laboratory centrifuge,

• Combining and at least partially integrating one

Condition detection device with or in the laboratory centrifuge,

wherein the state detection device is configured,

- a closed and / or locked, operational state of the

To capture closure and / or - to detect a closing and / or locking of the lock and thus the emergence of the operational state

and to release operation of the laboratory device when the operational state is detected and / or when the operational state is detected. The state detection device is designed to detect the operational state and / or its emergence at a plurality of locations of the laboratory centrifuge and to enable the operation of the laboratory centrifuge only when it starts the

operational state of the lock and / or the emergence of the

In particular, the closure can serve to close an opening as access to a container and / or space for receiving at least one laboratory sample. The closure can in particular be a cover for closing an opening for introducing a sample into the centrifuge and / or for removing a sample from the centrifuge. E.g. the closure can be designed as a lid, e.g. B. as a lid that delimits an interior space for receiving a laboratory sample to be treated by the laboratory centrifuge above. However, it is also z. B. possible that it is a plug or other closure, e.g. B. to the

To close the introduction opening and / or removal opening. In particular, the closure does not have to be arranged above or not completely above said interior space in its closed state.

The operational state of the closure can in particular be defined by one or both of the following conditions: (a) The closed state of the closure, e.g. when a seal on the edge of a cover rests circumferentially around the opening closed by the cover at the edge of the opening, and (b) the state of

Locking the shutter in its closed position. When the operational state arises, z. B. increasingly a mechanical pressure exerted by the closure on the housing and / or another part of the centrifuge, or is z. B. a lock which can only be actuated after the closure of the shutter is actuated. The creation can therefore be detected, for example, by a pressure sensor and / or by monitoring the actuation of the lock. In the following, reference is made to the beginning of the operational state of the closure and also to the creation of the operational state by using the term “event”. In particular, if the respective event can be recorded at any time or with a slight delay, it is also referred to as monitoring. If, therefore, the closure is not closed and / or not locked in the case of monitoring the start of the operationally ready state, or in the case of monitoring the emergence of the operationally ready state, the closing or locking process is not carried out, then the can be error-free

functioning state detection device does not detect the beginning of the state or its emergence and the occurrence of the event cannot be determined at any rate at the point in time or in the period under consideration. Operation of the laboratory centrifuge is therefore not approved.

If the operational state is monitored, then it is preferably determined repeatedly or continuously or not determined, depending on what is the case, that the event has occurred. In particular, depending on whether an active or passive sensor is used, a sensor indicating the occurrence of the event can be activated

Sensor signal are waited or a passive sensor is read continuously or repeatedly, e.g. by reading out data and / or by applying an electrical voltage to the sensor. Of course, it is also possible to use both a passive and an active sensor to monitor the occurrence of the event.

In particular, therefore, when monitoring the operational status of the

Occlusion noted the onset of the condition. In particular, a point in time of the start can be explicitly determined or the event occurs and the detection of the state leads to the execution of at least one further function of the

State detection device, such as. B. the output of a release signal to enable the operation of the laboratory centrifuge.

If the event is the creation of the operational state, the same applies, whereby the creation is a process and thus takes place over a period of time. There are different ways of grasping the emergence. For example, the beginning and / or the end of the process can be recorded. However, it can also be recorded at one or more times during the process that the process is running. It has already been described above that the state detection device detects the state or the development of the state at a plurality of locations of the laboratory centrifuge. This is equivalent to using a plurality of sensors, since two different copies of sensors cannot be in the same place.

However, as mentioned above, it is also conceivable that the same sensor is used one after the other to determine the state or its occurrence at different locations. E.g. the same sensor can be moved quickly from one place to another or (e.g. by receiving measurement radiation from different places) monitor different places at the same time. In the latter case, however, the sensor can independently monitor the occurrence of the event for the various locations. It can therefore detect the occurrence of the event at one location and independently of this the occurrence of the event at the other location and, for example, when the event occurs, in each case generate a signal, the signals

can be distinguishable from each other. In any case, the sensor is designed in this case in such a way that the occurrence of the event only at one of the two locations or generally only at a part of the monitored locations does not lead to the operation of the laboratory centrifuge being released.

The monitoring at different locations, which are in particular at a distance from one another, means that e.g. it is possible to monitor the occurrence of the state at one of the locations and (i.e. the occurrence of the event) and to monitor the occurrence of the state at another of the locations. However, the occurrence of the condition can alternatively be monitored at all locations or the occurrence of the condition can be monitored at all locations.

In particular, the various sensors are each spaced apart from one another. The distance between the sensors and, if present, the associated activators is preferably so great that the sensors can monitor the occurrence of the respective event without influencing one another. In particular, the distance between the various activators is so great that none of the activators influences a sensor to which it is not assigned with regard to the generation of the sensor signal. For example, the activators are magnets and the sensors are magnetic field sensors. If, for example, limit switches are provided as sensors, which in the closed state of the closure of material areas of the closure are operated, then not the entire closure is the activator, but the

Material areas of the closure (for example protrusions). However, optical sensors, for example, do not necessarily need an associated activator. For example, the closed state of the closure can be monitored by an optical sensor by detecting the passage or non-passage of light from the environment through a space between the cover and the housing.

If there are more than two locations at which it is recorded, the

State detection can be monitored at one or more of the locations of the state and the emergence of the state can be monitored at one or more of the locations. However, it is also possible to monitor the status at all locations or to monitor the development of the status at all locations. Furthermore, it is possible to monitor the closed state of the lock at at least one of the locations and to detect the locked state of the lock at at least one other of the locations.

Alternatively or additionally, the occurrence of the closed state and / or at least another of the places the occurrence of the locked state can be monitored at at least one of the locations.

The condition detection device only enables operation of the laboratory centrifuge or is configured accordingly or is configured accordingly if the event monitored at the majority of the locations (start of the operational state or emergence of the operational state) within a time interval

predetermined length occurs at the plurality of locations. For e.g. only two monitored locations will the operation therefore e.g. only released if the start of the operational state is within the time interval at both locations and this is determined. In particular, separate detection processes assigned to the respective location therefore take place for the respective monitored locations. In particular, the occurrence of the event is determined individually through these detection processes. The time at which the first event occurs is the start of the time interval. For example, the occurrence of the first event can trigger the start of a timer that emits a signal at the end of the time interval. The time interval does not start again if another event occurs. It should be noted that the

Event, as expressed above by “and / or”, can also consist of the detection that the closure is in the closed and in the locked state or that the process of closing and the process of locking the Closure is detected. If the process of locking the shutter only begins after the process of closing the shutter or after the start of the process of closing the shutter, in this case the time at which the event occurs can also be defined by the fact that the process of closing has already been recorded and then the process of locking is recorded. In this case, the detection of the locking process determines the time of the

Event under the condition that the closing process was also recorded. If (e.g. for reasons of the mechanical design of the lock and / or the separate determination of the closed state of the lock as a precondition) the locking process can only be started when the closed state of the lock has been reached, then monitoring the

Locking of the lock, either the locked state or the process of locking.

In each of the aforementioned cases, it represents increased security and reliability that the occurrence of the event is detected at a plurality of locations and the events must have occurred at all locations or the plurality of locations within a time interval of a predetermined length so that the operation of the Centrifuge is released. The time interval has e.g. a length of not more than 5 seconds, in particular not more than 3 seconds and preferably not more than 1 second. The length range of a time interval of predetermined length also includes the length 0, so that it can be predetermined that the events must occur at the different locations at the same time so that the operation of the centrifuge is enabled. However, this is not preferred, since further processing of the sensor signals or reading out of the sensors can be carried out one after the other. Another reason for this is that e.g. the closed state of the lock

different locations may only be detected or recorded one after the other. An example is a clasp that is made to be perpendicular to the normal of the to

Closing opening extending axis of rotation is rotatable to open the closure and close. At a location closer to the axis of rotation, e.g.

mechanical pressure build up between lock and housing earlier than further away from the axis of rotation. A time interval of a predetermined length other than zero when monitoring various events (e.g. shutter is closed at one location and shutter is locked at another location) can also take into account that even in the normal sequence of moving the centrifuge to the operational state the events do not occur simultaneously or at least do not have to occur simultaneously.

In particular, the state detection device can have at least one sensor for detecting the operationally ready state and / or its emergence, the sensor being arranged at one of the plurality of locations. Alternatively, at least one sensor can be arranged in such a way that it is not arranged at one of the plurality of locations or at least not at all locations at which it monitors the state and / or its development. Rather, in this case the sensor monitors the state and / or its emergence from a distance from the location. Examples of sensors that are arranged at the location itself and also monitor from a distance from the location have already been discussed.

The state detection device can have at least one electrical switch for detecting the operationally ready state and / or its emergence, the switch being arranged at one of the plurality of locations. An electrical switch is an embodiment of a sensor, in particular a sensor, which is arranged at the location at which the state and / or its development is monitored.

In particular, the state detection device can be designed in such a way that it is based on one or more of the following states and processes:

- the switch is closed;

- the switch is open;

- the switch is closed;

- the switch is opened;

the beginning of the operational state of the closure and / or its

Occurrence detected, namely detected at that of the plurality of locations at which the switch is arranged.

The method for operating a laboratory centrifuge can be designed according to the cases mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, i.e. H. use the sensor or switch for the stated purpose.

In particular, the condition detection device of the laboratory centrifuge can be designed to enable operation of the laboratory centrifuge only if it continues the closed and / or locked, operational state of the closure detected at the plurality of locations of the laboratory centrifuge.

As an alternative or in addition, the condition detection device of the laboratory centrifuge can be designed so that the operation of the laboratory centrifuge can no longer be released or blocked if it indicates that the closed and / or locked,

operational state of the closure at one of the plurality of locations of the laboratory centrifuge no longer detected.

The method for operating the laboratory centrifuge can be designed accordingly in order to detect the continued existence and / or the non-existence.

The persistence is detected in particular by the fact that the state is repeatedly or continuously monitored. E.g. For example, an active sensor that is used for the monitoring can repeatedly and in particular cyclically or continuously output a signal from which it can be concluded whether the operational status is present or not. As previously mentioned, the operational state can be that the shutter is closed, the shutter is locked, or the shutter is closed and locked. In particular, a passive sensor can be repeated, e.g. cyclically or continuously, whereby, as mentioned above, e.g. the application of an electrical voltage to the sensor (e.g. an electrical switch) represents a readout.

Persistence can be monitored before operation is enabled for the first time after the shutter has been closed. In this case, the continuation of the operational state is an additional condition for the release of the operation. Alternatively or additionally, the continuity can be monitored after the operation has been released. In this way, it can be determined, especially during operation, that operation must be stopped. E.g. give the

In this case, the state detection device no longer allows operation. The

No longer releasing can also be realized in that the

State detection device blocks operation. E.g. can the

State detection device output a locking signal when it has detected that the operational state of the lock no longer exists. The previous monitoring of the continuation takes place preferably at the

Majority of places. If there are more than two places, it can

Continuing to be monitored only at two locations or at least at a plurality of locations, which are not all locations that can be monitored.

Embodiments of the invention will now be made with reference to the attached

Drawing described. The individual figures in the drawing show:

Fig. 1 schematically shows a vertical section through an embodiment of a

Laboratory centrifuge, an area being shown in dashed lines at the top left of the figure and denoted by II, which is shown enlarged in various states in FIGS. 2 and 3,

2 shows the enlarged area from FIG. 1 in a state in which the lid of the laboratory centrifuge is not yet completely closed,

3 shows the enlarged area from FIG. 1 in a state in which the lid of the laboratory centrifuge is completely closed,

FIG. 4 shows a view from below of the cover of the one shown in FIG

Laboratory centrifuge,

5 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment with three sensors for monitoring events, when the operation of a laboratory centrifuge is enabled and started when they occur,

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment with two sensors for monitoring the

Occurrence of events that can lead to the release of the operation, whereby the status detection device is constructed from discrete elements such as diodes, resistors, if necessary transistors, standard logic components and / or programmable logic (FPGA, CPLD etc.), and

FIG. 7 shows the signal curves over time from two sensors that detect the occurrence of a

Monitor event. The laboratory centrifuge 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a housing 3 with side walls and a base, the housing 3 having an opening 6 at the top, which is closed or almost closed by a cover 5. Inside the housing 3 there is a rotor 7, which rotates via a motor shaft 9, driven by a drive 11, while the laboratory centrifuge 1 is in operation. The corresponding axis of rotation runs in Fig.

1 in the vertical direction through the center of the schematically illustrated motor shaft 9 and is not shown. The rotor 7 is used to receive the sample or samples to be centrifuged.

The enlarged illustration of the area at the top left in FIG. 1, which is shown in FIG. 2, shows a part of the cover 5 while it is not yet completely closed and therefore not yet resting on the wall of the housing 3. On the underside of the cover 5 there are three projections 13a, 13b, 13c which, as FIG. 4 shows, are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction along the outer edge of the cover 5.

One of these three projections 13 is shown in FIG. In its course from the underside of the cover 5 downward, the projection 13 has a groove 15 and ends in an area with a permanent magnet 17. The projection 13 can be inserted into a corresponding recess 14 on the top of the wall of the housing 3 and is in In the state shown in FIG. 2, its permanent magnet 17 has already been partially inserted into the recess 14. Areas of a seal 23 can be located on the upper surface of the wall of the housing 3 on both sides of the recess 14, so that in the completely closed state, which is shown in FIG. 3, the cover 5 rests against the seal 23 on both sides of the recess 14.

To the side of the recess 14, in its course from its bottom to the upper surface of the wall of the housing 3, there is a locking pin 19, which is movable transversely to the course of the recess as indicated by an arrow with two oppositely oriented arrowheads. The locking pin 19 can e.g. are actuated by an actuating device, not shown, and are thereby moved into the recess 14 and the groove 15 to the projection 13 in the completely

to lock the closed position of the cover 5. To unlock the

Locking pin 19 can be moved out of groove 15 again. A magnetic field sensor 21 is located below the bottom of the recess 14. When the permanent magnet 17 approaches, the magnetic field strength at the location of the magnetic field sensor 21 increases. In the completely closed position of the cover 5 shown in FIG. 3, the permanent magnet 17 is as close as possible to the magnetic field sensor 21 and the magnetic field strength at the location of the magnetic field sensor 21 has therefore reached its maximum value. When a threshold value of the magnetic field strength is reached, which is the maximum value or a value below but close to the maximum value, the magnetic field sensor 21 generates a signal that indicates the smallest possible distance of the

Permanent magnets 17 and thus the completely closed state of the cover 5 indicates.

Since the cover 5 has the three projections 13a, 13b, 13c, which are designed as described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 and, when the cover 5 is completely closed, are each inserted into a recess 14 in the wall of the housing 3 the completely closed state of the cover 5 can be detected with the corresponding three magnetic field sensors at three different locations. The magnetic field sensors 21 are advantageously Hall sensors, which thus also emit a signal when the magnetic field strength does not change. In this way, when the threshold value is reached, each of the three magnetic field sensors can generate the signal that indicates the maximum proximity of permanent magnet 17 and magnetic field sensor 21 and thus indicates the closed state of cover 5 at the location of the sensor.

If the start of the signal generation of all three magnetic field sensors 21 lies within a time interval of predetermined length, a state detection device connected to the magnetic field sensors 21 for signaling purposes can recognize that the cover 5 is now in the operational state and the cover 5 is in the expected manner

has been closed. If, on the other hand, only one projection 13 of the cover 5 or only two projections 13 of the cover 5 were inserted into the corresponding recesses 14 and therefore the cover did not completely close the opening 6, at least one of the magnetic field sensors would not generate the expected signal. A person who nevertheless wanted to generate the third signal through undesired manipulation could insert a permanent magnet into the recess 14 into which none of the projections 13 of the cover 5 is inserted. This manipulation will therefore recognized when the manipulation is not carried out synchronously with the introduction of the two projections 13 into the recesses 14.

If the locking of the closed lid 5 is also monitored, the manipulation described above can be detected or does not lead to the release of the centrifuge operation. For this purpose e.g. An additional sensor is provided on each of the recesses 14 in order to detect the locked state of the cover or the locking process on each of the projections 13. The operation of the centrifuge is only enabled if the three additional sensors detect the occurrence of the event (beginning of the locked state or locking process) within a time interval of a predetermined length. This can be a different time interval and / or a time interval of a different length than the time interval mentioned in the previous paragraph.

Furthermore, in this embodiment it can be provided with additional sensors that each of the locking pins 19 can only be actuated when the

Magnetic field sensor 21, which is provided on the same recess 14 as the locking pin 19, which has detected the close position of the permanent magnet 17. A manipulating person would therefore not only have to insert a permanent magnet with the expected magnetic field into the free recess 14, but would also have to insert the magnet into an object that has a groove that matches the locking pin 19 so that the locking pin 19 can be moved into the groove and the additional sensor assigned to the locking pin 19 detects the locking. The additional sensors for detecting the locked state can e.g. be end switches.

In an alternative embodiment, it is not detected that the signals of the magnetic field sensors 21 were generated within a time interval of a predetermined length, but only the locking is monitored by means of locking sensors and it is determined whether the signals of the locking sensors are within a time interval of a predetermined length were generated.

In all cases, instead of an evaluation, for example by means of a computer program, the generation of the signals from the sensors within the time interval of a predetermined length can lead directly to the release of operation of the laboratory centrifuge. A sequence for monitoring the operationally ready-to-operate will now be shown with reference to FIG

State and the release of the centrifuge operation. However, the schematic structure of the arrangement shown in FIG. 5 will be discussed first.

There are three sensors 21a, 21b, 21c, which are, for example, the three magnetic field sensors 21 according to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. However, other sensors can also be involved, in particular the sensors do not have to be of the same type and do not have to detect similar events. E.g. one of the sensors can detect the operational state of the lock at its location, while at least one other of the sensors registers the emergence of the operational state (e.g. the locking process). The sensors can be active or passive sensors, with a combination of passive and active sensors also being possible. It is also possible that not three, but only two sensors or more than three sensors are provided and their signals are generated within the time interval of a predetermined length or have to be received by an evaluation device in order to enable operation of the centrifuge.

The sensors 21 are connected in terms of signaling to a state detection device 25, so that signals from the sensors 21 can be received by the state detection device 25. A signal output of the condition detection device 25 is connected to a signal input of a controller 27 of the laboratory centrifuge. The controller 27 is designed to control an operation of a motor M of the laboratory centrifuge, the motor M in turn being a motor shaft 9, e.g. the motor shaft 9 of the laboratory centrifuge 1 from FIG. 1 can rotate during the operation of the laboratory centrifuge.

When the signals generated by the sensors 21a, 21b, 21c, each considered individually, the beginning of the operational state of the closure of the

Laboratory centrifuge or the emergence of the operational state of the closure indicate, within a time interval of predetermined length of the

Condition detection device 25 are received, then this enables the operation of the laboratory centrifuge in that it outputs an enable signal to the controller 27.

In particular, the release signal is continuously or repeatedly output to the controller 27 as long as the state detection device 25 is continuously from each of the Sensors 21 receives the signal indicating the operational state of the

Indicates closure. In this case, the controller 27 terminates the operation of the motor M when the release signal is no longer received by the state detection device 25 or is no longer received for a second time interval of a predetermined length.

However, as long as the enable signal is received, the controller 27 controls the operation of the motor M, i. the motor M rotates and drives e.g. The rotor 7 in FIG. 1 is connected via the motor shaft 9 in FIG. 1.

Optionally, the state detection device 25 can only send the release signal to the first after the closure has been closed under the additional condition

Output control 27 that the signals of the sensors 21 repeated over a third time interval of predetermined length or continuously from the

State detection device 25 are received. This means that the signals from the sensors 21 must first be generated within a first time interval of a predetermined length and must be received by the state detection device 25 and then must continue to be received by the state detection device 25 over the third time interval of a predetermined length before it generates the release signal and outputs.

The state detection device 25 can be designed, for example, as a computing device for processing digital data. Specifically, it can be designed as computer hardware for executing one or more computer programs and / or with hardware that carries out predetermined processing of digital data without software. For example, the state detection device 25 can therefore be a microcomputer or an arrangement of microcomputers. As an alternative or in addition, the state detection device can have at least one computer that is larger than a microcomputer, for example a mini-computer or a personal computer (PC). As mentioned, the state detection device can also be a computer architecture with several of the computer types mentioned. For example, a microcomputer receives the signals from one of the sensors, subjects these signals to preprocessing and outputs the processing result to one or more larger computers of the state detection device 25. At least one of the computers or the computers can work in a controlled manner through the execution of one or more computer programs. In the event that at least one of the computers of the state detection device 25 has logic that is fixedly predetermined by the hardware for processing the signals, the computing unit can be, for example, an ASIC or ASSP or DSP. The use of configurable computing units such as FPGA and CPLD or discrete standard logic modules for the state detection device 25 is also possible. Furthermore, at least one microcontroller can be used.

As the embodiment of FIG. 6 shows, it is possible to completely or partially dispense with integrated circuits and in particular software, if a

State detection device is to be realized. The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6 has only two sensors 31a, 31b which, in accordance with the monitoring of the operationally ready state or the latter carried out individually by them

Generate a signal when entering. Corresponding logic arrangements can, however, also be set up for processing the sensor signals from more than two sensors.

When the signal of the sensor 31 is generated and output for the first time (e.g. after a longer period of time), the processing described below can be implemented using discrete components and logic circuits. First, however, the structure of the state detector 35 of Fig. 6 made of the logic circuits will be explained.

The state detection device 35 has one for each of the sensors 31

Signal input. The signal connections are shown as solid straight lines, some of which are also angled. When it occurs, each of the input signals is fed to both an AND circuit 33 and an OR circuit 36 via corresponding signal connections. The output of the AND circuit 33 is connected to a first of two inputs of a second AND circuit 34 and is also connected to one of two inputs of a third AND circuit 39. The output of the OR circuit 36 is connected to an input of a timer circuit 37, the output of which is connected to the second of two inputs of the third AND circuit 39. An output of the third AND circuit 39 is connected to the set input of a flip-flop circuit 40. The output of the flip-flop circuit 40 is connected to the second of two inputs of the second AND circuit 34. The output of the second AND circuit 34 forms the output of the state detection device 35. The timer circuit 37 is designed so that a timer run as long as that

Time interval of predetermined length lasts.

If the two sensors 31a, 31b generate and output their output signals for the first time within a time interval of a predetermined length, then these two signals are correspondingly received at the first AND circuit 33 simultaneously or almost simultaneously. The output signal of the first AND circuit 33 is therefore a logical “1” as soon as the two signals are received simultaneously or the signal that is received later is applied to the first AND circuit 33 on the input side.

The sensor signals are also applied simultaneously or almost simultaneously at the input of the OR circuit 36. The logical “1” signal is therefore present at the output of the OR circuit 36 as soon as the first of the sensor signals is present at its input.

The transition of the output signal of the OR circuit 36 from logic “0” to logic “1” leads to the time interval beginning in the timer circuit 37 and thus its output changing from logic “0” to logic “1”. After the time interval of a predefined length has expired, the output signal changes again from logic "1" to logic "0". As soon as the first AND circuit 33 has received the output signals from all sensors 31 and the time interval of the timer circuit 37 has not yet expired, the output of AND circuit 39 changes from logic “0” to logic “1”. Since after the time interval of the timer circuit 37 has elapsed, the output signal of the third AND circuit 39 changes again to logic “0” despite the signals received from the sensors 31, the result must be stored in the flip-flop circuit 40.

Since, in the case described above, both sensor signals were generated simultaneously or almost simultaneously and the signal logically “1” is therefore present at the output of the third AND circuit 39 during the time interval of predetermined length, both input signals of the second AND circuit 34 are logically “1 “And the release signal is generated at the output of the second AND circuit 34.

If, on the other hand, the sensor signal from one of the two sensors 31a, 31b is generated later than the sensor signal of the other sensor by the length of the time interval of a predetermined length, the signal logic “1” is present at the output of the OR circuit 36, which is also due to the Edge change at the input of the timer circuit 37 that Time interval is output. The output signal logic “1” at the output of the first AND circuit 33 is, however, only generated after the time interval of a predetermined length has expired. The logic “1” signal is therefore at no point in time at the inputs of the third AND circuit 39, which means that the enable signal is not generated and output in the second AND circuit 34.

The first AND circuit 33 also ensures that the release is immediately deleted, that is to say changed from logic “1” to “0”, as soon as at least one sensor signal has been reset, if a release has been issued.

Additional measures (such as decoupling the signal inputs of the state detection device from the sensors by means of electrical switches) ensure that the circuits from FIG. 6 are initially brought into a state after a timer run in which no release signal can be generated. This prevents that after too great a time difference between the generation of the

Sensor signals when the sensor signals are continuously present at the input of the condition monitoring device 35, the release signal is generated. It is also possible that a further event (e.g. a complete opening of the

Closure, so that none of the sensors detects the operational state any more) the state monitoring device 35 is put back into the initial state in which it again arrives almost simultaneously for the first time sensor signals

Release signal generated. In the ready-to-receive state of

State detection device 35, the output signals of the circuits are all logic “0” before the arrival of the sensor signals.

In addition, the circuit arrangement shown in FIG. 6 in particular can be modified in such a way that it is ensured that the release signal only occurs after the

Time interval of specified length is output. This ensures that the desired state actually exists after the time interval of a specified length has elapsed. Undesired processes which can be caused by possible signal changes of the sensors 31 during the time interval of a predetermined length, such as, for example, when switches bounce, therefore do not affect the release signal. The modification of the circuit arrangement consists in that the output of the timer circuit 37 is connected via a NOT gate to one of two inputs of a fourth AND circuit, the output of which is the output of the Condition monitoring device forms. The second input of the fourth AND circuit is connected to the output of the second AND circuit 34.

The OR circuit, the AND circuits, the flip-flop circuit and the timer circuit can, for. B. as DTL circuits (diode-transistor logic) circuits with diodes, transistors and resistors in particular constructed discretely, as

Thin-film circuits or thick-film circuits or as integrated circuits (e.g. as ASICS, i.e. application-specific integrated circuit) can be implemented and used. The time behavior of a timer in DTL circuit can e.g. B. can be implemented using the charging behavior and / or discharging behavior of at least one capacitor in an electrical circuit. The use of a digital counter in combination with a digital comparator, or even without a comparator, is also conceivable. Based on the logic shown in FIG. 6, a computer program can alternatively be implemented for processing the signals generated by the sensors.

An example of the time sequences of two sensor signals will now be discussed with reference to FIG. 7. At the top of FIG. 7, a first signal level time diagram is shown, which shows a signal level S1 over the course of time t. The signal can be the output of a first sensor, e.g. of the sensor 31a from FIG. 6, or one of only two sensors of a variant of the exemplary embodiment in FIG.

5 act. At the bottom of Fig. 7 is a second signal level time diagram for the signal level S2 of a second sensor, e.g. of the sensor 31b from FIG. 6, or a second sensor of the variant of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 5.

It must be determined whether the signal levels S1, S2 have completed a level change within the time interval of a predetermined length, which indicates the beginning of the operational state of the closure or its creation. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this is the level change from the lower signal level to the higher signal level. Furthermore, means the continuation of the higher

Signal level levels that the operational state is also further from that

corresponding sensor is detected.

The signal level S1 rises at the time t1 from the lower signal level to the higher signal level and remains up for the period shown the higher signal level. The first sensor therefore detects at time t1 (after a long period of time) for the first time that the closure is in the operational state or that the operational state of the closure is emerging.

In contrast, the signal level S2 does not rise from the lower level until time t2

Signal level to the higher signal level. In addition, the signal level S2 drops again to the lower signal level at a later point in time t3. This means that the second sensor detects for the first time at time t2 that the closure is in the operational state or the operational state arises. Furthermore, from time t3 onwards, the second sensor no longer detects that the closure is in the operational state.

If the time interval of predetermined length is not shorter than the time difference between the times t2 and t1, then the increases in the signal level lead to the

Signal level S1 and S2 to enable the laboratory centrifuge to operate. Otherwise the operation of the laboratory centrifuge will not be released. It thus depends on how long the time interval is predetermined whether the case shown in FIG. 7 is a case of regular closing and / or locking of the shutter or not. A non-regular case is in particular a case with a failure of a sensor or a case of manipulation.

If the embodiment of the state detection device also includes the continuation of the signal level at the higher signal level as a condition for the continued release of operation of the laboratory centrifuge, then in the case of regular closing and / or locking, the operation of the centrifuge is stopped again from time t3, since the second sensor no longer shows the operational state of the

Lock captured. E.g. an enable signal is no longer output by the corresponding state detection device to the controller 27 in FIG. 5, or a blocking signal is actively generated and output. The locking signal does not necessarily have to be output to controller 27. The laboratory centrifuge can have at least one further device, e.g. an emergency stop device that stops the rotor in the shortest possible time.

List of reference symbols

1 laboratory centrifuge casing

cover

opening

rotor

Motor shaft

1 1 drive

13 advantage

14 recess

15 groove

17 permanent magnet

19 locking pin

21 Magnetic field sensor

23 Seal

25 condition detection device 27 control

31 sensor

33, 34, 39 AND circuit

35 State detection device

36 OR circuit

37 Timer circuit

40 flip-flop circuit

M engine

S signal level

t time

Claims

1. Laboratory centrifuge (1) which has a closure (5) for closing an opening (6) of the laboratory centrifuge (1), the laboratory centrifuge (1) having a

Has condition detection device (25) which is designed

• to detect and / or a closed and / or locked, operational state of the lock (5)

• a closing and / or locking of the lock (5) and thus a

To record the emergence of the operational state

and to enable operation of the laboratory centrifuge (1) when the operational state is detected and / or when the operational state is detected, characterized in that

the state detection device (25) is designed, the operational state and / or its emergence at a plurality of locations of

To record the laboratory centrifuge (1) and to release the operation of the laboratory centrifuge (1) only when the start of the operational state of the

Closure (5) and / or the emergence of the operational state within a time interval of a predetermined length at the plurality of locations.

2. Laboratory centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein the state detection device (25) has at least one sensor (21) for detecting the beginning of the operational state and / or its emergence, the sensor (21) being arranged at one of the plurality of locations.

3. Laboratory centrifuge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the state detection device (25) has at least one electrical switch for detecting the beginning of the operationally ready state and / or its emergence, the switch being arranged at one of the plurality of locations.

4. Laboratory centrifuge according to claim 3, wherein the condition detection device (25) is designed in such a way that it is based on one or more of the following

States and processes: the switch is closed; the switch is open; the switch is closed; the switch is opened; the beginning of the operational state of the closure (5) and / or its creation is detected, specifically at that of the plurality of locations where the switch is arranged.

5. Laboratory centrifuge according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the

State detection device (25) only enables operation of the laboratory centrifuge (1) if it detects the continued existence of the closed and / or locked, operational state of the closure (5) at the plurality of locations of the laboratory centrifuge (1).

6. Laboratory centrifuge according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the

State detection device (25) no longer enables or blocks the operation of the laboratory centrifuge (1) if it no longer detects the existence of the closed and / or locked, operational state of the closure (5) at one of the plurality of locations of the laboratory centrifuge (1) .

7. A method for operating a laboratory centrifuge (1) which has a closure (5) for closing an opening (6) of the laboratory centrifuge (1), wherein a condition detection device (25)

• a closed and / or locked, operational state of the

Closure (5) and / or

• a closing and / or locking of the lock (5) and thus a

Creation of the operational state

is recorded and when the operational state is detected and / or when the operational state is detected, operation of the laboratory device is released,

characterized in that

the state detection device (25) enables the operation of the laboratory centrifuge (1) only when it signals the start of the operational state of the

Closure (5) and / or the creation of the operational state within a time interval of a predetermined length at a plurality of locations

Laboratory centrifuge (1) recorded.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the state detection device (25)

a sensor (21) placed there for at least one of the plurality of locations Detection of the beginning of the operational state and / or its emergence used.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the state detection device (25) uses an electrical switch placed there at least at one of the plurality of locations to detect the beginning of the operational state and / or its emergence.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the state detection device (25) detects the beginning of the operational state of the closure (5) and / or its creation on the basis of one or more of the following states and processes: the switch is closed; the switch is open; the switch is closed; the switch is opened.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the

13. A method for producing a laboratory centrifuge (1), in particular one

Laboratory centrifuge (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, with the following steps:

• Combining a housing with a centrifuge rotor and with a closure (5) to close an opening (6) of the laboratory centrifuge (1),

• Combining and at least partially integrating one

Condition detection device (25) with or in the laboratory centrifuge (1), the condition detection device (25) being designed,

- To detect and / or a closed and / or locked, operational state of the lock (5) - to detect a closing and / or locking of the closure (5) and thus the emergence of the operational state

and to enable operation of the laboratory device when the operationally ready state is detected and / or when the operationally ready state has been detected, the state detection device (25) being configured to

to record the operational state and / or its emergence at a plurality of locations of the laboratory centrifuge (1) and to release the operation of the laboratory centrifuge (1) only when the beginning of the operational state of the closure (5) and / or the emergence of the operational State detected within a time interval of predetermined length at the plurality of locations.