WO2024083498A2

WO2024083498A2 - Modular laboratory device

Info

Publication number: WO2024083498A2
Application number: PCT/EP2023/077322
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrej JARRESCH
Original assignee: Hans Heidolph GmbH
Priority date: 2022-10-19
Filing date: 2023-10-03
Publication date: 2024-04-25
Also published as: DE202022105879U1; WO2024083498A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular laboratory device (1, 100) that comprises a sample receiving element (2), which is designed to receive a sample, a drive (3), and at least one transfer element (5, 7, 8, 105, 107, 108), which has a central axis (Z) and is designed to be driven by the drive (3) to perform a rotational movement about the central axis (Z) and to transmit this rotational movement to the sample receiving element (2) in such a way that it executes a defined sequence of movements. The laboratory device comprises at least a first transfer element and a second transfer element, which can be optionally and interchangeably inserted into the laboratory device (1, 100), and which differ in that the sample receiving element executes different movement sequences. Alternatively or additionally, the laboratory device comprises at least a third transfer element that defines different attachment positions for the sample receiving element, which differ in that the sample receiving element executes different movement sequences.

Description

Modular laboratory equipment

The present invention relates to a modular laboratory device, in particular a shaking and/or mixing device for shaking and/or mixing substances.

Laboratory devices are designed for use in a laboratory and are used in particular to treat one or more substances or samples. The laboratory device can be designed in particular to mix and/or shake one or more substances through targeted and preferably periodic movements and thereby increase the degree of homogenization of the substance(s).

For this purpose, the laboratory device can be designed to carry out different movement sequences. For example, a laboratory device can carry out one of the following movements:

- an oscillating movement along an axis of movement, also called reciprocal movement,

- a circular or oval oscillating movement in a plane, also called orbital movement or vibration movement,

- a rocking motion in which the substance(s) are alternately tilted in opposite directions around an axis,

- a tumbling motion in which the substance(s) perform a rotating tilting motion around a central point.

Depending on the number of movement forms or sequences desired, it may be necessary to have a number of different laboratory devices on hand in order to be able to select the respective laboratory device that carries out the desired movement sequence. It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative or improved laboratory device which, in particular while providing the smallest possible number of components, allows the largest possible selection of different movement sequences, in particular movement sequences used for mixing a sample.

This object is achieved by a laboratory device according to claim 1, a laboratory device according to claim 18, and a method according to claim 21. Further developments of the laboratory devices are given in the dependent claims and in the embodiments below. The features of the laboratory devices can also be used to further develop one another, and the method can also be further developed by features of the laboratory devices and vice versa.

A modular laboratory device according to the invention comprises a sample receiving element which is designed to receive a sample, a drive, and at least one transmission element which has a central axis and is designed to be driven by the drive to a rotational movement about the central axis and to transmit this rotational movement to the sample receiving element such that it carries out a defined movement sequence. The laboratory device comprises at least a first transmission element and a second transmission element, wherein the first and the second transmission element can be inserted into the laboratory device selectively and interchangeably, and the first transmission element is designed to transmit the rotational movement to the sample receiving element such that the sample receiving element carries out a first movement sequence, and the second transmission element is designed to transmit the rotational movement to the sample receiving element such that the sample receiving element carries out a second movement sequence which differs from the first movement sequence. Alternatively or additionally, the laboratory device comprises at least one third transmission element, which is designed such that the sample receiving element can be attached to the third transmission element in a first attachment position and in a second attachment position different from the first attachment position, and to transmit the rotational movement in the first attachment position to the sample receiving element such that the sample receiving element has a third movement sequence and to transfer it to the sample receiving element in the second mounting position such that the sample receiving element executes a fourth movement sequence which differs from the third movement sequence.

In particular, the laboratory device can be used to mix a sample. The laboratory device is preferably a shaking and/or mixing device.

The transmission element can, for example, comprise an output shaft which defines the central axis and is designed to be driven by the drive to a rotational movement about the central axis, as well as a fastening element for attaching the sample receiving element to the output shaft in an attachment position defined by the fastening element. Furthermore, the transmission element can, for example, comprise a frame element which prevents a rotational movement of the sample receiving element about a central axis of the sample receiving element and/or to which the sample receiving element can be attached in a further attachment position.

A mounting position of the sample receiving element can in particular be a position defined in relation to the central axis, preferably defined by a distance of a center point of the sample receiving element from the central axis, wherein the distance can also be zero, and/or by an angle at which a center axis of the sample receiving element intersects the central axis. Alternatively or additionally, a mounting position of the sample receiving element can be defined by which part of the transmission element (e.g. the above-mentioned output shaft or the frame element) the sample receiving element is attached to.

The interchangeability of the transmission element does not necessarily mean that all components of the transmission element are replaced. For example, the output shaft mentioned above can be left and only a different frame element can be inserted into the laboratory device, or only a different output shaft can be inserted into the laboratory device when using the same frame element. used, etc. As a rule, however, the above-mentioned components of the transmission element are adapted to each other, so that, for example, both the output shaft and the frame element are replaced in order to enable a different movement sequence.

A sequence of movements transmitted to the sample receiving element refers in particular to a, in particular periodically, recurring sequence of one or more movements into which the sample receiving element is placed in order to mix a sample provided on or at the sample receiving element.

The modular laboratory device described above makes it possible, for example, to enable a variety of different movement sequences with the same laboratory device using as few different components as possible.

This can, for example, expand the range of applications of the laboratory device.

Preferably, the first and second movement sequences and/or the third and fourth movement sequences are each one of the following group of movement sequences:

- a movement exclusively in a plane perpendicular to the central axis,

- a movement that has only movement components parallel to the central axis,

- a movement which has both a movement component parallel to the central axis and a movement component perpendicular to the central axis, and is preferably one of the following groups of movements:

- an oscillating movement in only one direction perpendicular to the central axis,

- a circular or oval oscillating movement in a plane perpendicular to the central axis with a first radius or a second radius different from the first radius,

- a rocking movement in which the sample receiving element is tilted alternately in opposite directions about an axis, preferably an axis perpendicular to the central axis, a wobbling movement in which the sample receiving element performs a rotating tilting movement about a central point, preferably a central point on the central axis.

Each of these movements preferably serves to mix the sample through the laboratory device and is particularly predetermined in its movement sequence. An oscillating movement is understood to mean in particular a periodic and uniform movement. For example, this can be a reciprocal movement along a direction. A circular or oval oscillating movement in a plane perpendicular to the central axis can also be referred to as an orbital or vibration movement, in particular depending on a radius of movement. In a wobbling movement, an axis of the sample receiving element, in particular a central axis mentioned below, is preferably pivoted relative to the central axis, with the radial orientation of the pivoting rotating periodically around the central axis.

By means of the movement sequences described above, for example, different types of mixing of a sample can be realized with the laboratory device, from which a suitable type of mixing can be selected, in particular depending on properties, e.g. physical and/or chemical properties, of the sample.

Preferably, the first and second transmission elements differ in an attachment position of the sample receiving element on the respective transmission element. As a result, a desired movement sequence can be selected in a simple manner from a plurality of movement sequences.

Preferably, the modular laboratory device further comprises a fastening element which is designed to attach the sample receiving element to the respective transmission element in the respective attachment position, wherein the fastening element has a central axis which defines the attachment position, and wherein the respective attachment position is defined by one of the following features: - the central axis of the fastening element is parallel to the central axis and offset from it, in particular by a first distance or a second distance different from the first distance;

- the central axis of the fastening element intersects the central axis at an angle greater than 0° and less than 90°, preferably at an angle between 2° and 10°, in particular 5°.

Further preferably, a plane of the sample receiving element, in particular a plane of a support surface of the sample receiving element, is provided perpendicular to the central axis of the fastening element.

The fastening element can, for example, comprise a screw or a pin which can be inserted into a bore of the transmission element, in particular a bore of an above-mentioned output shaft, in order to attach the sample receiving element to the output shaft. The bore or the pin or the screw can in particular have a longitudinal extension which defines the central axis. Alternatively or additionally, the fastening element can, for example, have an output flange which defines the central axis and to which the sample receiving element can be attached. In particular, the output flange can be attached to an above-mentioned output shaft and can be rotatably mounted with respect to the output shaft in order to prevent rotation of the sample receiving element. An output flange can also be a component of the respective transmission element and/or the fastening element can be a component of the transmission element.

Preferably, the central axis of the fastening element also runs through a center point of the sample receiving element and more preferably forms a central axis of the sample receiving element. Alternatively or additionally, it is preferred that a plane of the sample receiving element, in particular a plane of a support surface of the sample receiving element, is provided perpendicular to the central axis of the fastening element.

By arranging the center axis offset from the central axis, for example, an eccentric movement can be achieved on the sample receiving element in a plane, in particular in a plane perpendicular to the central axis. By arranging the central axis at an angle to the central axis, for example, a movement can be transmitted to the sample receiving element which not only has movement components perpendicular to the central axis, but also parallel to the central axis.

Mounting the sample receiving element in one of the mounting positions described above can, for example, enable the selection of a movement sequence of the sample receiving element caused by the mounting position in a simple manner.

Preferably, the respective transmission element is designed to maintain a spatial orientation of the sample receiving element with respect to the central axis of the fastening element, in particular to prevent a rotation of the sample receiving element about the central axis of the fastening element.

Rotation of the sample receiving element about the central axis can be prevented, for example, by providing an output flange as described below, wherein the sample receiving element is attached to the output flange and the output flange is provided rotatably mounted on the output shaft. Alternatively or additionally, rotation of the sample receiving element about the central axis can also be prevented, for example, by providing a frame element as described below. In particular, the frame element can be attached to the output flange.

By preventing rotation of the sample receiving element about the central axis, it is possible, for example, to achieve improved mixing of a sample arranged on the sample receiving element.

Preferably, the respective transmission element comprises an output shaft which extends over the central axis from an upper end to a lower end and which is designed to be driven by the drive to a rotational movement about the Central axis, wherein the fastening element comprises a bore provided in the output shaft, which extends from the upper end in the direction of the central axis, in particular in the direction of the lower end parallel to the central axis, and/or wherein the output shaft comprises a contact surface at the upper end for attaching the sample receiving element, and the contact surface extends perpendicular to the central axis of the fastening element.

For example, the center axis can be defined by an axis of the bore, and at the same time the bore can be used to attach the sample receiving element to the output shaft, so that an attachment position of the sample receiving element is defined by the center axis. Alternatively or additionally, an attachment position of the sample receiving element can be defined by the contact surface.

The respective transmission element preferably comprises a frame element which is designed to prevent rotation of the sample receiving element about the central axis. Alternatively or additionally, the frame element can serve to define an attachment position of the sample receiving element. The frame element can in particular be connected to a drive flange of the laboratory device which is attached to an output shaft described above and is rotatably mounted relative to it, and to which the sample receiving element can be attached in an attachment position. This means that, for example, on the one hand the frame element can also be set in motion, and on the other hand the rotation of the sample receiving element about the central axis can be prevented, which can lead to improved mixing of the sample.

Preferably, the frame element comprises at least one elastic element, in particular a spring element, preferably a leaf spring, and is designed to allow a movement of the sample receiving element in a plane perpendicular to the central axis, in particular a circular or oval oscillating movement in a plane perpendicular to the central axis, and preferably to allow a movement exclusively in this plane. The frame element further preferably comprises four elastic elements. The frame element is also referred to as a spring frame or leaf spring frame. It is preferably used together with an embodiment of the transmission element or the fastening element described above, in which a central axis of the fastening element and/or the sample receiving element is provided parallel to the central axis and offset from it.

This makes it easy to implement, for example, an orbital or vibration movement of the sample receiving element.

Alternatively or additionally, a frame element is preferably provided which comprises a frame which is pivotably attached to the laboratory device about a first axis, and wherein the sample receiving element can be pivotably attached to the frame about a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis intersect the central axis at a central point. Preferably, the transmission element comprises an output shaft which is designed to be driven by the drive to rotate about the central axis, and an output flange which has an upper section and a lower section along the central axis of the fastening element, which intersects the central axis at an angle greater than 0° and less than 90°, more preferably at an angle between 2° and 10°, in particular 5°, wherein the lower section is attached to the output shaft and the upper section defines a first attachment position of the sample receiving element, in which the sample receiving element is attached to the upper section, and wherein the frame element defines a second attachment position of the sample receiving element, in which the sample receiving element is attached to the frame element. Even more preferably, the transmission element is designed such that the sample receiving element, during operation of the laboratory device, executes a wobbling movement about the central point when it is in the first mounting position and executes a rocking movement about the first axis when it is in the second mounting position. The frame element described here is also referred to as a rocker frame. It is preferably used together with an embodiment of the transmission element or the fastening element described above, in which a central axis of the fastening element and/or the sample receiving element intersects the central axis at an angle greater than 0° and less than 90°, the intersection point of the central axis with the central axis being the central point.

The frame element makes it easy to choose between a wobbling movement and a rocking movement of the sample receiving element.

Alternatively or additionally, the transmission element of the modular laboratory device comprises an output shaft which extends along the central axis from an upper end to a lower end and which is designed to be driven by the drive to a rotational movement about the central axis, and the transmission element further comprises a frame element which is designed to transmit the movement of the output shaft about the central axis to the sample receiving element such that the sample receiving element executes a movement exclusively in a plane perpendicular to the central axis, in particular an oscillating movement in exclusively a direction perpendicular to the central axis. The frame element further preferably has a carriage and a guide element extending along a first axis, on which the carriage is provided so as to be movable, and wherein the carriage has an elongated recess whose longitudinal axis extends transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the first axis, and wherein the output shaft further preferably has a transmission section at its upper end which defines a central axis which is parallel to the central axis and offset from it by a distance, and the recess of the carriage is designed to accommodate the transmission section, so that the transmission section is provided so as to be movable in the recess along its longitudinal axis. Alternatively or additionally, it is further preferred that the sample receiving element can be attached to the carriage. The first axis of the guide element corresponds to preferably the direction perpendicular to the central axis in which the sample receiving element is set in the oscillating movement.

The frame element described here is also referred to as a reciprocal frame. Preferably, an eccentric movement of the transmission section is brought about by the rotation of the output shaft about the central axis and by the spacing of the central axis of the transmission section from the central axis. By designing the frame element in the form of a carriage that can be moved along an axis and has an elongated recess transversely or perpendicularly to this axis, the eccentric movement of the transmission section can be transferred, for example, to a linear oscillating movement, also referred to as a linear reciprocal movement, of the sample receiving element, i.e. a back and forth movement on a movement axis, in particular on the first axis of the guide element.

The center axis of the transmission section can, for example, simultaneously or alternatively be a center axis as described above, i.e. a center axis defined by a fastening element which defines a mounting position of the sample receiving element on the output shaft and/or an output flange.

Preferably, the frame element is designed to prevent rotation of the sample receiving element about the central axis, and in particular to maintain a spatial orientation of the sample receiving element with respect to the central axis, and/or a plane of the sample receiving element, in particular a plane of a support surface of the sample receiving element, is provided perpendicular to the central axis.

By means of the frame element described above, it is possible, for example, to easily realize a reciprocal movement of the sample receiving element. Preferably, the modular laboratory device comprises a base plate on which the drive is arranged, and a bearing unit which is attached to the base plate and which is designed such that the respective transmission element can be inserted into the bearing unit such that the transmission element is held in the bearing unit so as to be rotatable about the central axis and the central axis is preferably arranged vertically and/or perpendicular to a plane of the base plate, and the respective transmission element can be removed from the bearing unit. Further preferably, the base plate, the drive and the bearing unit form a base unit to which the respective transmission element can be selectively attached and/or the drive is provided offset from the central axis and connected to the bearing unit via a belt.

Providing the base unit can, for example, make it easier for the user to use the laboratory device. By arranging the drive offset from the central axis, the laboratory device can, for example, be made more compact.

Preferably, the sample receiving element is designed as a mounting plate. Preferably, the mounting plate is circular, with the central axis described above running through the center of the circle when the mounting plate is attached to the laboratory device. Preferably, the mounting plate has fastening elements, for example in the form of screws and/or recesses that interact with screws and/or magnets, which allow the mounting plate to be attached in any attachment position that can be achieved with the laboratory device.

According to the invention, a frame element is provided for a laboratory device, in particular for a shaking and/or mixing device, which comprises a sample receiving element for receiving a sample and a drive. The frame element comprises a frame and a holder for attaching the frame element to the laboratory device, wherein the frame is connected to the holder so as to be pivotable about a first axis, and the frame is designed to receive the sample receiving element so that the sample receiving element can be pivoted about a second axis. is provided on the frame, wherein the first axis and the second axis intersect at a central point. Preferably, the laboratory device comprises an output shaft which is designed to be driven by the drive to rotate about a central axis, and an output flange which has an upper section and a lower section along a central axis which intersects the central axis at an angle greater than 0° and less than 90°, wherein the lower section is attached to the output shaft and the upper section defines a first attachment position of the sample receiving element in which the sample receiving element is attached to the upper section, and the frame element defines a second attachment position of the sample receiving element in which the sample receiving element is attached to the frame element. Further preferably, the frame element is designed to prevent rotation of the sample receiving element about the central axis of the output flange and/or the laboratory device is designed such that the sample receiving element performs a wobbling movement about the central point during operation of the laboratory device when it is in the first attachment position, and/or the frame element is designed such that the sample receiving element performs a rocking movement about the first axis during operation of the laboratory device when it is in the second attachment position. Further preferably, a laboratory device, in particular a shaking and/or mixing device, is provided which comprises the frame element described above.

The frame element can in particular be a rocking frame as described above and/or be further developed by the above features of the rocking frame. The frame element makes it possible, for example, to easily choose between a wobbling movement and a rocking movement of the sample receiving element, thus increasing the modularity of a laboratory device with which the frame element is used.

According to a further aspect, a method for using a modular laboratory device, in particular a shaking and/or mixing device, is provided, wherein the laboratory device comprises a sample receiving element which is designed to receive a sample, a drive, and at least one transmission element which has a central axis and is designed to be connected from the drive to a Rotational movement about the central axis and to transmit this rotational movement to the sample receiving element such that the latter executes a defined sequence of movements. The method comprises selecting a transmission element from at least a first transmission element and a second transmission element, wherein the first and second transmission elements can be inserted selectively and interchangeably into the laboratory device, and the first transmission element is designed to transmit the rotational movement to the sample receiving element such that the sample receiving element executes a first sequence of movements, and the second transmission element is designed to transmit the rotational movement to the sample receiving element such that the sample receiving element executes a second sequence of movements which differs from the first sequence of movements, as well as inserting the selected transmission element into the laboratory device. Alternatively or additionally, the method comprises selecting an attachment position from at least a first attachment position and a second attachment position different from the first attachment position, wherein the laboratory device comprises at least one third transmission element which is designed such that the sample receiving element can be attached to the third transmission element in the first attachment position and in the second attachment position, and to transmit the rotational movement in the first attachment position to the sample receiving element such that the sample receiving element executes a third movement sequence and to transmit it in the second attachment position to the sample receiving element such that the sample receiving element executes a fourth movement sequence which differs from the third movement sequence, and to attach the sample receiving element in the selected attachment position. The method can be further developed by features of the modular laboratory device according to the invention and/or by features of the frame element according to the invention.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a laboratory device according to a first embodiment of the invention from above;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of the laboratory device in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of the laboratory device in Fig. 1, 2 from the front;

Fig. 4a and 4b show an output shaft of the laboratory device shown in Fig. 1 to 3, wherein Fig. 4a is a schematic view of the output shaft from above and Fig. 4b is a schematic view of the output shaft from the side;

Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a frame element of the laboratory device shown in Figs. 1 to 3;

Fig. 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the laboratory device shown in Figs. 1 to 3 along the line A - A in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 shows a schematic view of a laboratory device according to a second embodiment of the invention from the front;

Fig. 8 shows a schematic, perspective view of the laboratory device in Fig. 7 from the side;

Fig. 9a and 9b show an output shaft of the laboratory device shown in Fig. 7 and 8, wherein Fig. 9a is a schematic view of the output shaft from above and Fig. 9b is a schematic view of the output shaft from the side;

Fig. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of a frame element of the laboratory device shown in Figs. 7 and 8; Fig. 11 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the laboratory device shown in Figs. 7 and 8 along the line B — B in Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a further development of the laboratory device shown in Figs. 7 to 11;

Fig. 13 shows a schematic view of a laboratory device according to a third embodiment of the invention from above;

Fig. 14 shows a schematic perspective view of the laboratory device shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 shows a schematic view of the laboratory device in Fig. 13, 14 from the side;

Fig. 16a-c show an output shaft of the laboratory device shown in Fig. 13 to 15, wherein Fig. 16a is a schematic perspective view of the output shaft, Fig. 16b is a schematic view of the output shaft from the side, and Fig. 16c is a schematic view of the output shaft from above; and

Fig. 17 shows a schematic perspective view of a frame element of the laboratory device shown in Figs. 13 to 15.

A first embodiment of a laboratory device according to the invention is described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. The laboratory device is designed as a shaking and/or mixing device 1. To accommodate one or more substances or samples not shown in the figures, which are provided in particular in a container (also not shown), the shaking and/or mixing device 1 has a sample receiving element in the form of a support plate 2.

As best seen in Fig. 1 to 3 and 6, the shaking and/or

Mixing device 1 further comprises a drive 3, a belt 4, an output shaft 5 (see Fig. 6), a bearing unit 6, a frame element 7, an output flange 8 and a base plate 9. The drive 3 is connected to the output shaft 5 via the belt 4 in order to set the output shaft 5 in a rotational movement about a central axis Z. The output shaft 5 is held in the bearing unit 6 so as to be rotatable about the central axis Z. The output flange 8 is attached to an upper end of the output shaft 5 and connected to the frame element 7. The mounting plate 2 is attached to the output flange 8 in the present embodiment.

Preferably, the drive 3 and the bearing unit 6 are attached to the base plate 9, in particular firmly connected thereto, and form, together with the mounting plate 2, a base unit of the shaking and/or mixing device 1. The output flange 8, the output shaft 5 and the frame element 7 are preferably provided in an exchangeable manner on or in the base unit.

The support plate 2 comprises an upper side pointing upwards, i.e. pointing away from the base plate 9, which forms a support surface 2a on which the sample (not shown in the figures) can be arranged. The support plate 2 has fastening elements 11 (see Fig. 1 ), for example screws and/or recesses for screws and/or magnets, in order to fasten the support plate 2 to the output flange 8 and/or the frame element. The fastening elements 11 are designed as detachable fastening elements. The support plate 2 can thus be attached to the laboratory device and detached or removed from it. The support plate 2 can have a holder (not shown in the figures) or a raised edge in order to prevent the sample arranged on it from falling down. In the figures, the support plate 2 is shown as a circular plate, but it can also have a shape that deviates from a circular shape.

The drive 3 can be a rotary drive, for example, but is preferably designed as a stepper motor. In the figures, the drive 3 is provided offset horizontally from the central axis Z of the output shaft 5. Alternatively, the drive 3 can also be attached below the output shaft 5 on the base plate 9 in order to to transfer the drive force applied by the drive 3 directly, ie in particular without the belt 4, to the output shaft 5.

The bearing unit 6 is designed such that it receives the output shaft 5, e.g. in a central recess of the bearing unit, in such a way that the output shaft 5 is held in a proper operating position. In particular, the proper operating position can be defined such that the central axis Z of the output shaft 5 is arranged substantially perpendicular to a plane of the base plate 9 and/or in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the bearing unit 6 is designed such that the output shaft 5 is rotatable about its central axis Z when it is inserted into the bearing unit 6. For this purpose, the bearing unit can have, for example, one or more bearings 20a, 20b, e.g. deep groove ball bearings, which are provided in a housing 20c of the bearing unit (see Fig. 6).

As shown in Fig. 6, the output flange 8 in the present embodiment is essentially cylindrical with a central axis M (cylinder axis). It has a first cylinder section 8a, a second cylinder section 8b and a third cylinder section 8c in sequence along the central axis M from an upper end to a lower end of the output flange (see Fig. 6). A diameter of the second cylinder section 8b is larger than the respective diameters of the first and third cylinder sections 8a, 8c. The first cylinder section 8a is designed such that it extends through a central recess in the mounting plate 2 (see also Fig. 1), so that the mounting plate 2 rests on a projection formed by the second cylinder section 8b and can be fastened to this. The third cylinder section 8c is designed to be received in the frame element 7.

A central recess 13 extends through the output flange 8 from its upper end to its lower end along the central axis M, into which a fastening element 14, for example a pin or a screw, can be inserted in order to attach the output flange 8 to a bore 21, 22 (see also Fig. 4a) of the output shaft 5, as shown in Fig. 6. The central axis M of the output flange 8 extends through a center point of the mounting plate 2 or the mounting surface 2a. and runs perpendicular to the plane of the mounting surface 2a when the mounting plate 2 is attached to the output flange 8 (see Fig. 6). One or more bearings, in Fig. 6 two bearings 19a, 19b, are arranged radially around the central recess 13 of the output flange 8, which allow a rotary movement of the output shaft 5 relative to the output flange 8. In the axial direction (ie along the axes Z, M) the output flange 8 is held on the output shaft 5 by the fastening element 14.

The output shaft 5 is described in more detail below with additional reference to Fig. 4a and 4b. The output shaft 5 extends along its central axis Z from an upper end 5a to a lower end 5b. From the upper end 5a to the lower end 5b, it has various sections 15, 16, 17 and 18 in succession, each of which is essentially cylindrical with the central axis Z as the respective cylinder axis. In the present exemplary embodiment, the sections 15-18 have different diameters perpendicular to the central axis Z, with the diameters of the individual sections 15-18 decreasing from the section 15 provided at the upper end 5a to the section 18 provided at the lower end 5b. The output shaft 5 can thus be inserted into the bearing unit 6 from above (see Fig. 6). Preferably, the portion 15 provided at the upper end 5a forms a projection which forms a stop for the output shaft 5 in the bearing unit 6 and thus defines an end position of the output shaft 5 in the bearing unit 6 in the direction of the central axis Z.

The middle sections 16 and 17 of the output shaft 5 can, for example, be provided at positions of respective bearings 20a, 20b (see Fig. 6) of the bearing unit 6 when the output shaft 5 is inserted into the bearing unit 6. The section 18 provided at the lower end 5b of the output shaft 5 is connected to the belt 4 via a further, rotatably mounted flange 12 in order to set the output shaft 5 in a rotational movement about the central axis Z when the drive 3 is operating.

Furthermore, the output shaft 5 in the present embodiment has two bores 21, 22, which each extend from the upper end 5a parallel to the central axis Z in extend towards the lower end 5b of the output shaft 5 (see Fig. 4a and Fig. 6). The bores 21, 22 are each designed to receive a section of the fastening element 14 which serves to attach the output flange 8 to the output shaft 5. The fastening element 14 can be attached either to the bore 21 or to the bore 22, i.e. the bores define different attachment positions for the mounting plate 2. Each of the bores 21, 22 extends parallel to the central axis Z, but is not concentric with the output shaft 5, i.e. respective center points C and D, through which the central axis M of the output flange 8 extends when it is attached to the output shaft in the respective bore 21, 22, are offset from the central axis Z, as shown in Fig. 4a and 6. In Fig. 4a, the center C of the bore 21 is spaced from the central axis Z by a first distance d1 and the center D of the bore 22 is spaced from the central axis Z by a second distance d2, where d1 > d2.

As a result, a rotational movement of the output shaft 5 about its central axis Z is transmitted eccentrically to the output flange 8 and to the mounting plate 2, so that they carry out a circular or oval oscillating movement (orbital or vibration movement) in a plane perpendicular to the central axis Z, preferably in a horizontal plane. A radius of movement of the orbital or vibration movement can be adjusted by selectively choosing one of the two holes 21, 22, i.e. the respective mounting position.

When the output flange 8 is attached to the output shaft 5 by means of the fastening element 14, a gap can be provided between the output flange 8 and the output shaft 5 as shown in Fig. 6. Alternatively, the output flange 8 can also contact or sit on the output shaft 5 so that a surface of the output shaft 5 at its upper end 5a forms a contact surface for the output flange 8 (not shown in the figures). This contact surface can also serve to attach the output flange 8 to the output shaft 5.

The frame element 7 is described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 5. The frame element 7 has a cover surface 31, a base surface 32 and four spring elements 23, 24, 25 and 26 connecting the cover and base surfaces and arranged essentially in a rectangular, in particular square, frame shape. The Frame element 7 of the present embodiment is therefore also referred to as a leaf spring frame. When the frame element 7 is attached to the laboratory device 1, the top surface 31 and the bottom surface 32 are provided substantially perpendicular to the central axis Z, ie substantially horizontally aligned (see Figs. 2, 3 and 6).

The cover surface 31 has an opening 27, which is circular in the present embodiment, which is designed to accommodate the third cylinder section 8c of the output flange 8 (see Fig. 6). The opening 27 is preferably designed such that it encloses the third cylinder section 8c of the output flange 8 in a form-fitting manner, i.e. the areas of the cover surface 31 surrounding the opening 31 touch the third cylinder section 8c of the output flange 8. The cover surface 31 has fastening elements 27a, for example screws and/or pins and/or magnets, in particular in an area around the opening 27, which are designed to fasten the output flange 8 to the cover surface 31, preferably to fasten it detachably, for example to an underside of a projection formed by the second cylinder section 8b (see Fig. 6).

The base surface 32 also has an opening 28, which is circular in the present embodiment, which is designed to be provided around the bearing unit 6 (see Fig. 6). Preferably, a diameter of the opening 28 is larger than an outer diameter of the bearing unit 6, so that a gap surrounding the bearing unit 6 on all sides is provided between the bearing unit 6 and the base surface 32. In other words, the base surface 32 is provided to be movable to a certain extent relative to the bearing unit 6.

In the present embodiment, the spring elements 23-26 are arranged in pairs opposite one another, with the spring elements 23 and 24 forming a first opposite pair and the spring elements 25 and 26 forming a second opposite pair. In the present embodiment, the spring elements 23-26 are each designed as a leaf spring, consisting of a substantially elongated, straight metal strip 23a, 24a, 25a, 26a, which has respective holders at both of its ends in relation to the longitudinal extension. 23b, 23b', 24b, 24b', 25b, 25b', 26b, 26b'. The metal strips are each designed to be flexible, ie they allow deflection transversely to their longitudinal extent. The spring elements 23, 24 of the first opposite pair are each firmly connected at one end via the respective holder 23b', 24b' to the base plate 9 of the laboratory device 1, shown in Fig. 2 as an example for the spring element 24, and at the other end via the respective holder 23b, 24b to the bottom surface 32 of the frame element 7 (see Fig. 5). The bottom surface 32 is thus provided so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the central axis Z and perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the spring elements 23, 24 of the first opposite pair.

The spring elements 25, 26 of the second opposite pair are each firmly connected at one end to the base surface 32 of the frame element 7 via the respective holder 25b', 26b' in Fig. 5 and firmly connected at the other end to the cover surface 31 of the frame element 7 via the respective holder 25b, 26b. This is shown as an example for the spring element 26 in Fig. 3. The cover surface 31 is thus provided so as to be movable relative to the base surface 32 in a second direction perpendicular to the central axis Z and perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the spring elements 25, 26 of the second opposite pair. Overall, the described design of the frame element 7 results in the cover surface 31 enclosing the output flange 8 being movable in a plane perpendicular to the central axis Z, in particular in a horizontal plane. This enables the above-mentioned circular or oval oscillating movement (orbital or elliptical movement) to be achieved.

Vibration movement) of the output flange 8 and the mounting plate 2 in a plane perpendicular to the central axis Z.

During operation of the shaking and/or mixing device 1 of the first embodiment, the drive 3 is put into operation in order to set the output shaft 5 in a rotational movement about the central axis Z via the belt 4 and the flange 12. The rotational movement of the output shaft 5 is transmitted eccentrically to the output flange 8 and thus causes the above-mentioned circular or oval oscillating movement (orbital or vibration movement) of the output flange 8 and the mounting plate 2, on which a sample not shown in the figures is arranged. By fastening the output flange 8 to the frame element 7, the spatial orientation of the output flange 8 and the mounting plate 2 is maintained, i.e. there is no rotation of the same about the central axis M. The output flange 8 and thus also the mounting plate 2 are arranged essentially horizontally, or perpendicular to the central axis Z, due to the essentially horizontal alignment of the cover surface 31 of the frame element 7 and the extension of the holes 21, 22 and the fastening element 14 parallel to the central axis Z, so that the mounting plate 2 carries out the orbital or vibration movement in the plane of the mounting plate, i.e. perpendicular to the central axis Z, during operation of the shaking and/or mixing device 1.

A modularity of the shaking and/or mixing device 1 of the first embodiment is already provided by the fact that the output flange 8 with the mounting plate 2 can be selectively attached to one of the two bores 21, 22. In this way, orbital or vibration movements with different radii or movement amplitudes can be achieved.

A second embodiment of a laboratory device according to the invention is described below with reference to Fig. 7 to 11. The laboratory device of the second embodiment is also designed as a shaking and/or mixing device 100. Elements of the shaking and/or mixing device 100 of the second embodiment that are identical or similar to elements of the first embodiment are designated with the same reference numerals in the figures and explanations thereof are not repeated in detail.

In particular, the shaking and/or mixing device 100 of the second embodiment can be provided with the base unit, i.e. the base plate 9, the drive 3 and the bearing unit 6, of the above-described shaking and/or mixing device of the first embodiment, as well as its mounting plate 2. The output shaft 105, the frame element 107 and the output flange 108 according to the second embodiment differ from the respective elements of the first embodiment. The output shaft 105 according to the second embodiment is described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 9a and 9b. Similar to the output shaft of the first embodiment, the output shaft 105 of the second embodiment extends along its central axis Z from an upper end 5a to a lower end 5b and has the sections 15, 16, 17 and 18 described above. In contrast to the output shaft of the first embodiment, the output shaft 105 has an additional end section 115 at its upper end 5a. The end section 115 has a surface 115a at the upper end 5a which encloses an angle a different from 90° with the central axis Z. The angle a can be 85°, for example. The surface 115a at the upper end 5a of the end section 115 preferably serves as a contact surface on which the output flange 8 rests and/or to which it can be fastened.

The output shaft 105 of the second embodiment has a bore 121 which extends from the upper end 5a towards the lower end 5b of the output shaft 105 and is designed to receive the fastening element 14 for attaching the output flange 108 to the output shaft 105 (see Fig. 9a and Fig. 11). The bore 121 does not extend parallel to the central axis Z, but forms an angle ß with the central axis Z. In other words, the central axis M of the output flange 108 intersects the central axis Z at a central point E (see Fig. 11), with the two axes Z and M enclosing the angle ß. Preferably, the axis of the bore 121 is selected such that the center axis M of the output flange 108 runs perpendicular to the surface 115a of the end section 115 (contact surface) of the output shaft 105 (see Fig. 9b). For the case of a = 85°, ß = 5° is therefore preferably. The angle a of the surface 115a and/or the angle ß of the bore 121 defines an attachment position of the mounting plate 2. In other words, the plane of the mounting surface 2a in the present second embodiment is inclined by the angle ß relative to the horizontal.

As a result, a rotational movement of the output shaft 105 about its central axis Z is transmitted as a wobbling movement to the output flange 108 and to the mounting plate 2, during which the mounting plate 2 executes a rotating tilting movement about the central point E. The output flange 108 of the second embodiment is designed similarly to the output flange of the first embodiment, but has only a first cylinder section 108a and a second cylinder section 108b, as shown in Fig. 11. The first cylinder section 108a has, analogously to the first embodiment, a smaller diameter than the second cylinder section 108b and is designed to extend through the central recess of the mounting plate 2, so that the mounting plate 2 rests on a projection formed by the second cylinder section 108b and can be fastened to it. The second cylinder section 108b can, for example, have a diameter that increases downwards or have a constant diameter (not shown in the figures), as shown in Fig. 11, and is designed to be pivotally attached to the frame element 107. For this purpose, the second cylinder section 108b in the present embodiment has two bores 109 which are opposite one another in the circumferential direction and which each extend from an outer surface of the second cylinder section 108b along a common bore axis F in the direction of the central axis M of the output flange 108. The bores 109 are designed such that the bore axis F intersects the central axis Z of the output shaft 105 and the central axis M of the output flange 108 at the central point E (see Fig. 11). The bores 109 are designed to receive pins 110 of the frame element 107 (see Fig. 10) such that the pins 110 are held in the bores 109 so as to be rotatable about the bore axis F.

The frame element 107 of the second embodiment is described below with reference to Fig. 10. The frame element 107 has a frame 111, which in the present embodiment is essentially round, or square with rounded corners, with a central recess 112, which is designed such that the frame 111 encloses the second cylinder section 108b of the output flange 108 without being in contact with it when the frame element 107 is attached to the laboratory device (see Fig. 7, 8, 11). In other words, a circumferential inner surface 111a of the frame 111, which delimits the central recess 112, is provided at a distance from the output flange 108 when the frame element 107 is attached to the laboratory device. The frame element 107 has the above-mentioned two pins 110, wherein the pins 110 are provided on opposite sides of the inner surface 111a and extend along a common axis H from the inner surface 111a into the central recess 112. The pins are designed to be received in the bores 109 of the output flange 108 when the frame element 107 is attached to the laboratory device (see Fig. 11). When the frame element 107 is attached to the laboratory device, the axis H of the pins 110 thus corresponds to the bore axis F of the bores 109 of the output flange 108.

On an outer side 111b of the frame 111 facing away from the central recess 112, holders 113 are provided on opposite sides of the frame 111. The holders 113 can be fastened to the base plate 9 (see Fig. 7, 8). The holders 113 are pivotally connected to the frame 111, so that the frame 111 can be tilted relative to the holders 113 about an axis G, wherein the axis G runs perpendicular to the axis H of the pins 110. The axis G of the holders 113 is preferably perpendicular to the central axis Z when the frame element 107 is attached to the laboratory device. Preferably, the axis H of the pins 110 and the axis G of the holders 113 intersect at a common point and run perpendicular to one another. In other words, the holders are preferably offset by 90° from the pins 110 in the circumferential direction of the frame 107.

The pivotable mounting of the frame 111 with respect to the brackets 113 allows a rocking movement of the frame about the axis G, in which the frame 111 is tilted alternately in opposite directions about the axis G. The frame element 107 of the present second embodiment is therefore also referred to as a rocking frame.

On an upper side 111c of the frame 111, ie a side facing away from the base plate 9 when the frame element 107 is attached to the base plate 9, fastening elements in the form of spacer bolts 114 are provided. In the present embodiment, the frame element 107 comprises four spacer bolts 114, which are provided at regular intervals and at locations between the pins 110 and the brackets 113 on the top side 111c. The spacer bolts 114 each extend upwards from the top side 111c, ie away from the base plate 9 when the frame element 107 is attached to the base plate 9. The spacer bolts 114 are designed to fasten the mounting plate 2 to the frame element 107. The spacer bolts 114 are dimensioned such that they extend upwards along the central axis Z over the first cylinder section 108a of the output flange 108 when the spacer bolts 114 are attached to the frame element 107 (see Fig. 12). Attaching the mounting plate 2 to the spacer bolts thus defines an alternative attachment position of the mounting plate 2 on the laboratory device (see Fig. 12). The spacer bolts are detachably connected to the frame 111. In the embodiment described here, in which the mounting plate 2 is set in a wobbling motion, the spacer bolts 114 are not used (see Fig. 11, where the spacer bolts are not attached to the frame element 107 and the mounting plate 2 is attached to the output flange 108).

During operation of the shaking and/or mixing device 100 of the second embodiment, the drive 3 is put into operation in order to set the output shaft 105 in a rotational movement about the central axis Z via the belt 4 and the flange 12. The rotational movement of the output shaft 105 causes the above-mentioned rotating tilting movement of the output flange 108 and the mounting plate 2, on which a sample not shown in the figures is arranged, about the central point E (wobbling movement). In other words, the central axis M of the output flange 108 rotates about the central axis Z during this movement. By fastening the output flange 108 to the frame element 107 by means of the pins 110, the output flange 108 does not rotate about the central axis M. At the same time, the wobbling movement of the output flange 108 is not hindered by the rotatable mounting of the pins 110 in the holes 109 about the hole axis F and the pivotability of the frame 111 about the axis G. The frame 111 is thereby set in a rocking movement about the axis G. According to a modification of the shaking and/or mixing device 100 of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 12, the mounting plate 2 is not attached to the output flange 108 as a first attachment position, but to the spacer bolt 114 as a second attachment position. The mounting plate 2 therefore does not follow the wobbling movement of the output flange 108, but the rocking movement of the frame about the axis G. In Fig. 12, the axis G runs perpendicular to the plane of the drawing through the point E.

A modularity of the shaking and/or mixing device 100 of the second embodiment is already provided by the fact that the mounting plate 2 can be attached either to the output flange 108 (first attachment position) or to the frame element 107 (second attachment position) by means of the spacer bolts 114. This allows the user to choose whether the mounting plate 2 should be set in a tumbling or rocking motion during operation of the laboratory device.

A third embodiment of a laboratory device according to the invention is described below with reference to Fig. 13 to 17. The laboratory device of the third embodiment is also designed as a shaking and/or mixing device 200. Elements of the shaking and/or mixing device 200 of the third embodiment that are identical or similar to elements of the first and/or second embodiment are designated with the same reference numerals in the figures and explanations thereof are not repeated in detail.

In particular, the shaking and/or mixing device 200 of the third embodiment can be provided with the base unit, i.e. the base plate 9, the drive 3 and the bearing unit 6, of the above-described shaking and/or mixing device of the first and/or second embodiment, as well as its mounting plate 2 (see in particular Fig. 15). The output shaft 205 and the frame element 207 according to the third embodiment differ from the respective elements of the first and/or second embodiment. In particular, the shaking and/or mixing device 200 of the third embodiment can be provided without an output flange described above with respect to the first and/or second embodiment. The output shaft 205 according to the third embodiment is described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 16a, 16b and 16c. Similar to the output shaft of the first and/or second embodiment, the output shaft 205 of the third embodiment extends along its central axis Z from an upper end 5a to a lower end 5b and has the sections 15, 16, 17 and 18 described above. In contrast to the output shaft of the first and/or second embodiment, the output shaft 205 has an additional transmission section 215 at its upper end 5a. In the present embodiment, the transmission section 215 is cylindrical and defines a central axis M', which is parallel to the central axis Z and offset from it by a distance d'.

Optionally, the transmission section 215 can have a bore 221 for attaching the mounting plate 2 and/or an output flange, which bore can define a further attachment position of the mounting plate 2, in particular when the shaking and/or mixing device 200 is used without the frame element 207 (not shown in the figures). The optional bore 221 can, for example, be designed similarly to the bore 21, 22 described above with respect to the first embodiment, i.e., for example, extend along the central axis M' and a center point C of the bore 221 can lie on the central axis M' (see Fig. 16c), so that the central axis M' and/or a central axis of an output flange attached to the output shaft (not shown in the figures) is offset from the central axis Z by the distance d' (see Fig. 16c). In this case, an exposed surface of the transmission section 215 can be formed perpendicular to the central axis M' and serve as a contact surface on which an output flange (not shown) rests and/or to which it can be fastened (see the explanations with regard to the first embodiment).

By spacing the center axis M' of the transmission section 215 from the

Central axis Z causes a rotational movement of the output shaft 5 about the central axis Z and an eccentric movement of the transmission section 215. The frame element 207 of the third embodiment is described below with reference to Fig. 17. The frame element 207 is essentially designed as a carriage that can be moved along guide elements. In detail, the carriage is formed by a plate 211, in the present case a rectangular plate, which is provided so that it can be moved by means of sleeves 210 along guide elements in the form of two bars 208, 209 extending parallel to one another with respective longitudinal axes K1, K2, so that the plate 211 is provided so that it can be moved along the direction of the longitudinal axes K1, K2. The bars 208, 209 can be attached at their ends to the base plate 9 of the shaking and/or mixing device 200 by means of respective holders 213 (see Fig. 13-15). The holders 213 are preferably provided on one side of the rods 208, 209 opposite the plate 211 and/or extend away from the rods parallel to the central axis Z when the frame element 207 is attached to the laboratory device. Preferably, the direction of the longitudinal axes K1, K2 of the rods 208, 209 is perpendicular to the central axis Z when the frame element 207 is attached to the base plate 9.

The plate 211 has an elongated recess 212, the longitudinal axis L of which extends perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal axes K1, K2 of the rods 208, 209. The recess 212 is designed to accommodate the transmission section 215 of the output shaft 205 (see Fig. 16a, 16b) and allows a movement of the transmission section 215 in the recess 212 along its longitudinal axis L, as well as a rotation of the transmission section 215 about its central axis M'.

Fastening elements in the form of spacer bolts 214 are provided on an upper side 211a of the plate 211, i.e. a side facing away from the base plate 9 when the frame element 207 is attached to the base plate 9 (see Fig. 13-15). In the present embodiment, the frame element 207 comprises four spacer bolts 214, each of which extends upwards from the upper side 211a of the plate 211, i.e. away from the base plate 9 when the frame element 207 is attached to the base plate 9. The spacer bolts 214 are designed to fasten the mounting plate 2 to the frame element 207 and are dimensioned such that they extend upwards along the central axis Z over the transmission section 215 of the output shaft 205 (see Fig. 13-15). The spacer bolts 214 can, for example, be detachably connected to the plate 211. Preferably, the plane of the installation surface 2a of the installation plate 2 is perpendicular to the central axis M' and to the central axis Z when the installation plate 2 is attached to the frame element 207 by means of the spacer bolts 114.

This design of the frame element 207 means that the eccentric movement of the transmission section 215 of the output shaft 205 is transferred to an oscillating or reciprocal movement of the plate 211 along the direction of the longitudinal axes K1, K2 of the rods 208, 209 when the output shaft moves about the central axis Z. This movement of the plate 211 along the direction of the longitudinal axes K1, K2 is made possible in particular by the fact that the transmission section 215 of the output shaft 205 can only move along the longitudinal axis L of the recess 212 of the plate 211, and the plate 211 can only move along the direction of the longitudinal axes K1, K2 of the rods 208, 209. The frame element 207 of the present third embodiment is therefore also referred to as a reciprocal frame. By rotating the transmission section 215 about its central axis M' in the recess 212, as well as guiding the plate 211 along the rods 208, 209, rotation of the plate 211 and thus of the mounting plate 2 about the central axis M' or the central axis Z can also be prevented.

Fig. 13 to 15 show views of the shaking and/or mixing device 200 with attached frame element 207 and mounting plate 2. As can be seen in particular in Fig. 13, a section of the plate 211 of the frame element 207 with the recess 212 through which the transmission section 215 of the output shaft 205 extends is visible through a central recess in the mounting plate 2 (see also Fig. 15). During operation of the shaking and/or mixing device 200 of the third embodiment, the drive 3 is put into operation in order to set the output shaft 205 in a rotational movement about the central axis Z via the belt 4 and the flange 12 (not shown in Fig. 13-15). This rotational movement of the output shaft 205 causes a movement of the mounting plate 2 and of a sample arranged thereon, not shown in the figures, in an oscillating movement exclusively in the direction of the longitudinal axes K1, K2 of the rods 208, 209. A modularity of the shaking and/or mixing device 200 of the third embodiment can be provided, for example, by the fact that the mounting plate 2 is optionally attached to the plate 211 of the frame element 207 via the spacer bolts 214 (first attachment position), or optionally can be attached to the bore 221 of the transmission section 215 and/or an output flange (not shown) (second attachment position).

The modularity of a laboratory device, in particular a shaking and/or mixing device, can be further increased by combining elements of the first, second and/or third embodiments. For example, a modular laboratory device can be provided with a base unit described above and a mounting plate described above, as well as the respective output shafts, output flanges and/or frame elements of the first and/or second and/or third embodiments. A user can then decide, for example, whether the laboratory device is operated with the respective output shaft, the frame element and optionally the output flange of the first, second or third embodiment. Furthermore, as described above, the user has the choice between two different attachment positions for the mounting plate, at least in the first and second (optionally also the third) embodiment. This makes it possible to implement different types of movement for mixing a sample.

The embodiments of the shaking and/or mixing device described above are to be understood as non-limiting examples. The individual components can also be implemented differently and, in particular, can differ in their shape from the design described above.

In the first embodiment of the laboratory device described above, instead of the frame element designed as a leaf spring frame, any other frame element can be used which is designed to accommodate the output flange in such a way that rotation of the output flange about its central axis is prevented, but at the same time allows the desired movement (vibration or orbital movement) in a plane perpendicular to the central or middle axis. Accordingly, the frame element of the second and third embodiments is not limited to the described configuration.

In the shaking and/or mixing devices described above, the sample receiving element is designed as a plate. However, within the scope of the present application, sample receiving elements other than plate-shaped are also possible, for example a holder in which the sample is held standing and/or hanging. The present invention is not limited to shaking and/or mixing devices, but can also be applied to other laboratory devices. For example, the invention can also be used as a laboratory device for a magnetic stirrer which is designed to mix a sample using a magnetically driven stirring rod arranged in the sample itself. This makes it possible, for example, to mix a sample using the movement sequences that can be achieved with the laboratory device according to the invention in addition to or as an alternative to mixing the sample using the stirring rod.

Claims

Expectations

1 . Modular laboratory device, in particular a shaking and/or mixing device (1, 100, 200), comprising: a sample receiving element (2) which is designed to receive a sample, a drive (3), and at least one transmission element (5, 7, 8, 105, 107, 108, 205, 207) which has a central axis (Z) and is designed to be driven by the drive (3) to a rotational movement about the central axis (Z) and to transmit this rotational movement to the sample receiving element (2) in such a way that the latter executes a defined movement sequence, wherein the laboratory device comprises at least a first transmission element and a second transmission element, wherein the first and the second transmission element can be inserted selectively and interchangeably into the laboratory device (1, 100, 200), and the first transmission element is designed to transmit the rotational movement to the sample receiving element (2) in such a way that the sample receiving element executes a first movement sequence, and the second Transmission element is designed to transmit the rotational movement to the sample receiving element (2) in such a way that the sample receiving element carries out a second movement sequence which differs from the first movement sequence, and/or wherein the laboratory device comprises at least one third transmission element which is designed such that the sample receiving element (2) can be attached to the third transmission element in a first attachment position and in a second attachment position which is different from the first attachment position, and to transmit the rotational movement in the first attachment position to the sample receiving element (2) in such a way that the sample receiving element carries out a third movement sequence and to transmit it to the sample receiving element (2) in the second attachment position in such a way that the sample receiving element carries out a fourth movement sequence which differs from the third movement sequence.

2. Modular laboratory device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second movement sequences and/or the third and fourth movement sequences are each one of the following group of movement sequences:

- a movement exclusively in a plane perpendicular to the central axis (Z),

- a movement that has only motion components parallel to the central axis (Z),

- a movement which has both a movement component parallel to the central axis (Z) and a movement component perpendicular to the central axis (Z), and is preferably one of the following groups of movement sequences:

- an oscillating movement in only one direction (K1, K2) perpendicular to the central axis (Z),

- a circular or oval oscillating movement in a plane perpendicular to the central axis (Z) with a first radius or a second radius different from the first radius,

- a rocking movement in which the sample receiving element is tilted alternately in opposite directions about an axis (G), preferably an axis perpendicular to the central axis (Z),

- a wobbling movement in which the sample receiving element performs a rotating tilting movement about a central point (E), preferably a central point on the central axis (Z).

3. Modular laboratory device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and the second transmission element differ in an attachment position of the sample receiving element (2) on the respective transmission element.

4. Modular laboratory device according to one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a fastening element (8, 13, 14, 21, 22, 108, 121, 221) which is designed to attach the sample receiving element (2) in the respective attachment position to the respective transmission element, wherein the fastening element has a central axis (M) which defines the attachment position, and wherein the respective attachment position is defined by one of the following features: - the central axis (M) of the fastening element is parallel to the central axis (Z) and offset from it, in particular by a first distance (d1) or a second distance (d2) unequal to the first distance;

- the central axis (M) of the fastening element intersects the central axis (Z) at an angle greater than 0° and less than 90°, preferably at an angle between 2° and 10°, in particular 5°.

5. Modular laboratory device according to claim 4, wherein the respective transmission element is designed to maintain a spatial orientation of the sample receiving element (2) with respect to the central axis (M) of the fastening element, in particular to prevent a rotation of the sample receiving element about the central axis (M) of the fastening element.

6. Modular laboratory device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a plane of the sample receiving element (2), in particular a plane of a mounting surface (2a) of the sample receiving element, is provided perpendicular to the central axis (M) of the fastening element.

7. Modular laboratory device according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the respective transmission element comprises an output shaft (5, 105) which extends over the central axis (Z) from an upper end (5a) to a lower end (5b) and which is designed to be driven by the drive (3) to rotate about the central axis (Z), wherein the fastening element comprises a bore (21, 22, 121) provided in the output shaft (5, 105), which extends from the upper end (5a) in the direction of the central axis (M), and/or wherein the output shaft (5, 105) comprises a contact surface (115a) at the upper end (5a) for attaching the sample receiving element, and the contact surface (115a) extends perpendicular to the central axis (M) of the fastening element.

8. Modular laboratory device according to one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the respective transmission element comprises a frame element (7, 107) which is designed to prevent rotation of the sample receiving element about the central axis (M).

9. Modular laboratory device according to claim 8, wherein the frame element (7) comprises at least one elastic element, in particular a spring element (23, 24, 25, 26), preferably a leaf spring, and is designed to allow a movement of the sample receiving element (2) in a plane perpendicular to the central axis (Z), in particular a circular or oval oscillating movement in a plane perpendicular to the central axis (Z), and preferably allows a movement exclusively in this plane.

10. Modular laboratory device according to claim 8, wherein the frame element (107) comprises a frame (111) which is pivotally mounted on the laboratory device about a first axis (G), and wherein the sample receiving element is pivotally mountable on the frame (111) about a second axis (H, F), wherein the first axis (G) and the second axis (H, F) intersect the central axis (Z) at a central point (E).

11. Modular laboratory device according to claim 10, wherein the central axis (M) of the fastening element intersects the central axis (Z) at an angle greater than 0° and less than 90° and the intersection point of the central axis with the central axis is the central point (E).

12. Modular laboratory device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the transmission element comprises an output shaft (105) which is designed to be driven by the drive (3) to a rotational movement about the central axis (Z), and an output flange (108) which has an upper section (108a) and a lower section (108b) along the central axis (M) of the fastening element, which intersects the central axis (Z) at an angle greater than 0° and less than 90°, wherein the lower section (108b) is attached to the output shaft (105) and the upper section (108a) defines a first attachment position of the sample receiving element (2), in which the sample receiving element (2) is attached to the upper portion (108a), and wherein the frame member (107) defines a second mounting position of the sample receiving element (2) in which the sample receiving element (2) is mounted on the frame member (107).

13. Modular laboratory device according to claim 12, wherein the transmission element is designed such that the sample receiving element (2) during operation of the laboratory device executes a wobbling movement about the central point (E) when it is in the first mounting position, and executes a rocking movement about the first axis (G) when it is in the second mounting position.

14. Modular laboratory device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transmission element comprises an output shaft (205) which extends along the central axis (Z) from an upper end (5a) to a lower end (5b) and which is designed to be driven by the drive (3) to a rotational movement about the central axis (Z), and wherein the transmission element further comprises a frame element (207) which is designed to transmit the movement of the output shaft (205) about the central axis (Z) to the sample receiving element (2) such that the sample receiving element executes a movement exclusively in a plane perpendicular to the central axis (Z), in particular an oscillating movement in exclusively one direction (K1, K2) perpendicular to the central axis (Z).

15. Modular laboratory device according to claim 14, wherein the frame element (207) has a carriage (210, 211) and a guide element (208, 209) extending along a first axis (K1, K2), on which the carriage (210, 211) is provided so as to be movable, and wherein the carriage (210, 211) has an elongated recess (212) whose longitudinal axis (L) extends transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the first axis (K1, K2), and wherein further preferably the output shaft (205) has a transmission section (215) at its upper end (5a) which defines a central axis (M ¹ ) which is provided parallel to the central axis (Z) and offset from it by a distance (d ¹ ), and the recess (212) of the carriage is designed to accommodate the transmission section (215), so that the Transmission section (215) is provided in the recess (212) so as to be movable along its longitudinal axis (L), and/or wherein preferably the sample receiving element (2) is attachable to the carriage.

16. Modular laboratory device according to one of claims 1 to 15, comprising a base plate (9) on which the drive (3) is arranged, and a bearing unit (6) which is attached to the base plate (9) and which is designed such that the respective transmission element can be inserted into the bearing unit (6) such that the transmission element is held in the bearing unit (6) so as to be rotatable about the central axis (Z) and the central axis (Z) is preferably arranged vertically and/or perpendicular to a plane of the base plate (9), and the respective transmission element can be removed from the bearing unit (6), wherein preferably the base plate (9), the drive (3) and the bearing unit (6) form a base unit to which the respective transmission element can be selectively attached and/or wherein preferably the drive (3) is provided offset from the central axis (Z) and is connected to the bearing unit (6) via a belt (4).

17. Modular laboratory device according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the sample receiving element is designed as a support plate.

18. Laboratory device, in particular a shaking and/or mixing device (100), comprising: a sample receiving element (2) for receiving a sample, a drive (3), and a transmission element (5, 7, 8, 105, 107, 108, 205, 207) which has a central axis (Z) and is designed to be driven by the drive (3) to a rotational movement about the central axis (Z) and to transmit this rotational movement to the sample receiving element (2) so that it carries out a defined movement sequence, wherein the transmission element comprises: an output shaft (105) which is designed to be driven by the drive (3) to a rotational movement about the central axis (Z), an output flange (108) with a central axis (M) which intersects the central axis (Z) at a central point (E) at an angle greater than 0° and less than 90°, and a frame element (107), wherein the frame element (107) comprises a frame (111) which is attached to the laboratory device so as to be pivotable about a first axis (G), and the sample receiving element (2) is attachable to the frame (111) so as to be pivotable about a second axis (H), wherein the first axis (G) and the second axis (H) intersect at the central point (E).

19. The frame member (107) of claim 18, wherein the output flange (108) has an upper portion (108a) and a lower portion (108b) along the central axis (M), the lower portion (108b) being attached to the output shaft (105), the upper portion (108a) defining a first attachment position of the sample receiving element (2) in which the sample receiving element (2) is attached to the upper portion (108a), and the frame member (107) defining a second attachment position of the sample receiving element (2) in which the sample receiving element (2) is attached to the frame member (107).

20. Frame element according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the frame element (107) is designed to prevent rotation of the sample receiving element about the central axis (M) of the output flange (108) and/or wherein the laboratory device is designed such that the sample receiving element (2) executes a wobbling movement about the central point (E) during operation of the laboratory device when it is in the first attachment position, and/or wherein the frame element is designed such that the sample receiving element (2) executes a rocking movement about the first axis (G) during operation of the laboratory device when it is in the second attachment position.

21. A method of using a modular laboratory device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, comprising selecting a transmission element from at least the one first transmission element and the second transmission element and inserting the selected transmission element into the laboratory device, and/or comprising selecting the attachment position of the sample receiving element from at least the first attachment position and the second attachment position on the third transmission element and attaching the sample receiving element in the selected attachment position.