The present invention relates to a shaking and/or mixing device and a coupling system for a shaking and/or mixing device. A shaking and/or mixing device, hereinafter referred to as a shaking and mixing device in a simplified manner, is a laboratory device which comprises a drive which drives an eccentric unit with an eccentric hub. The movement of the eccentric hub is transmitted to a sample holder on which the sample to be treated or the samples to be treated is or are provided in one or more sample containers. In this way, the sample container(s) is or are brought into periodic one-, two- or three-dimensional movements, such as e.g. rotating, vibrating, circular, tumbling and/or rocking movements. This leads to a mixing or a shaking and mixing of the sample(s).
Depending on the characteristics, in particular the geometric shape, of the sample containers or the sample container and the number of samples to be treated in the shaking and mixing device, various holders for sample containers are known from the state of the art. Usually, the holder is attached directly or indirectly, for example via a shaking table, to an outer circumference of the eccentric hub. However, due to the geometry of the eccentric hub, the attachment possibilities are limited and the provision of holders adapted to individual applications or sample containers is possible with considerable time and/or constructional and thus also cost-intensive effort.
The object of the present invention consists in providing an alternative or improved shaking and mixing device which, in particular, makes an easier exchange of the holder on which the sample container(s) is/are provided possible or makes the provision of different holders possible in a simple manner.
The object is solved by a shaking and mixing device according to claim 1. Further embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.
A shaking and mixing device according to the invention comprises a drive having a drive shaft, an eccentric unit driven by the drive shaft and having an eccentric hub, and a holder for receiving at least one sample to be treated by the shaking and mixing device. The eccentric hub and the holder are connectable to one another by means of a releasable connection in order to transmit a movement of the eccentric hub onto the holder, wherein the releasable connection is provided as an extension of the drive shaft.
The drive is preferably an electric drive, for example a motor. The holder may be configured to hold one or more samples to be mixed, wherein each of the samples is provided in a sample container. By transmitting a movement of the eccentric hub to the holder, it is not necessarily meant that the holder performs the same movement as the eccentric hub, but that the movement of the eccentric hub causes a movement of the holder. For example, the movement of the holder may be a vibrating or oscillating movement.
In the context of the present application, a releasable connection is understood to be a connection that may be released again without damaging the components that are connected to each other by the releasable connection, i.e. the holder and the eccentric hub.
This makes it possible, for example, to effect mixing, i.e. shaking and mixing, of the sample(s) provided on the holder. The releasable connection between the holder and the eccentric hub makes it possible, for example, to use or attach to the shaking and mixing device a holder adapted to the particular intended use, i.e. a holder adapted to a geometric shape of one or more sample containers and/or to a number of samples to be treated. For example, a plurality of holders may be provided and a holder adapted to the particular application may be selected. Due to the releasable connection, the respective holder may be quickly and easily attached to the shaking and mixing device, i.e. one and the same shaking and mixing device may be used with different holders.
Preferably, a portion of the connection is provided as an adapter element that is attachable to the respective holder. In this way, it may be possible, for example, to provide the corresponding portion of the connection, also referred to as the coupling portion, only once and to use it with different holders, which may simplify the manufacture of the holder(s).
Preferably, the eccentric hub comprises a first coupling portion of the releasable connection and the holder comprises a second coupling portion of the releasable connection, wherein the first and the second coupling portions are designed at least partially complementary with respect to their geometric shape. In this way, for example, a constructively uncomplicated embodiment of a releasable connection for connecting the eccentric hub to the holder is provided.
Preferably, one of the two coupling portions comprises at least one bore and the other of the two coupling portions comprises at least one plug which can be inserted into the bore and which is designed complementary to the bore. In this way, the plug and the bore, or the two coupling portions, respectively, form a form-fit connection in radial direction (perpendicular to the central axis), i.e. a form-fit connection that prevents a rotation of the plug in the bore, or of the two coupling portions relative to each other, respectively. There may also be more than one cooperating bore-plug pair. By means of such a plug connection or plug coupling, i.e. a plug-bore pair to connect two components to each other, for example, a releasable connection that is easy to implement is provided. In addition, the plug connection is a self-centring connection, which may facilitate the connection of the two coupling portions, for example.
The bore and the plug further preferably have a cross-section that deviates from a circular shape, preferably an angular cross-section, further preferably a cross-section in the shape of a regular polygon, in particular a cross-section in the shape of a regular hexagon. In this way, it is possible, for example, to substantially prevent rotational movement of the plug in the bore, i.e. the holder relative to the eccentric hub or the shaking and mixing device, i.e. the connection is one that is secured against rotation. A regular polygon is herein understood to be a planar polygon that is both equilateral and equiangular. In a regular polygon, therefore, all sides are of equal length and all internal angles are of equal size.
Preferably, the plug has a cross-section whose cross-sectional area is slightly smaller than the cross-sectional area of a cross-section of the bore. The term “slightly smaller” means that the cross-sectional area of the plug is on the one hand small enough to fit into the bore, but on the other hand large enough to be provided in the bore essentially free of play, i.e. essentially without gaps. This enables, for example, a good, especially low-loss, transmission of force or transmission of movement from the eccentric hub to the holder.
Preferably, the bore comprises a widening section whose inner diameter is larger than the inner diameter of an adjacent bore section and wherein the plug also comprises a widening section whose outer diameter is larger than the outer diameter of an adjacent plug section, and wherein the widening section of the plug snaps into the widening section of the bore when the plug is inserted into the bore. Further preferably, the widening section of the plug is formed by an O-ring provided on the plug in the circumferential direction, preferably in a circumferential groove of the plug. The adjacent bore sections and/or plug sections are herein further preferably adjacent to each other along a bore axis or an axis of the plug, i.e. sections arranged next to each other. The widening sections thus form a force-fit connection between the plug and the bore or between the two coupling portions, respectively, in the axial direction. The widening sections make it possible, for example, to secure the plug against unintentional release from the bore, i.e. in the axial direction. To release the plug or remove the plug from the bore, for example, a defined axial force may be required to release the holder from the shaking and mixing device. An O-ring, in particular a flexible O-ring, for example formed of rubber, is for example an easy-to-implement embodiment of the widening section of the plug. Alternatively, the widening section of the plug may also be formed by a projection provided in the circumferential direction of the plug, which is preferably flexible to allow for passage of the projection of the plug through the narrower bore section before the projection engages in the widening section of the bore.
Preferably, the first coupling portion, the second coupling portion and the drive shaft have a common central axis when the first and second coupling portions are connected to each other. The central axis may, for example, be defined by an axis of rotation of the drive shaft. This may, for example, enable a good transmission of force from the drive to the holder. In this way, for example, an easy-to-implement connection is in addition provided which is provided as an extension of the drive shaft.
Further preferably, a middle axis of the holder is spaced apart or offset from the central axis, wherein the middle axis of the holder is even further preferably parallel to the central axis. This means that the central axis of the holder is not identical to the central axis of the coupling portions and the drive shaft. With this eccentric arrangement of the axes, for example, good mixing of the sample(s) may be achieved.
Preferably, the bore is provided at the first coupling portion, i.e. the eccentric hub or shaking and mixing device, and the plug is provided at the second coupling portion, i.e. the holder. This may, for example, make attachment of the holder to the shaking and mixing device easier.
Preferably, the first coupling portion is secured against rotation with respect to the eccentric hub. This may be realised, for example, by a non-releasable connection between the first coupling portion and the eccentric hub, e.g. by an adhesive connection, i.e. gluing the first coupling portion onto the eccentric hub. In this way, for example, a transmission of force from the eccentric hub to the holder may be improved.
Preferably, the first coupling portion is attached to and/or on the eccentric hub, further preferably non-detachably attached to the eccentric hub. A non-detachable attachment may for example be realised by gluing or soldering. A detachable fastening may, for example, be a screw connection. With such a releasable or non-releasable attachment, an already existing shaking and mixing device may, for example, be equipped or retrofitted with a releasable connection or the first coupling portion of the connection. Alternatively, the first coupling portion may be provided integral with the eccentric hub.
Preferably, the second coupling portion is provided on an adapter element connectable to the holder. The adapter element may be interchangeably provided on the holder or formed integrally therewith. An interchangeable adapter element may, for example, be usable with different holders so that a holder may, for example, be easily provided with the second coupling portion.
Further features and expediencies of the invention follow from the description of embodiments based on the accompanying drawings.
An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to
Adjustment and/or control elements 3 are provided on the housing 2 for setting operating parameters of the shaking and mixing device 1, for example a frequency and/or amplitude of the shaking or mixing movement. Furthermore, a drive 7a (cf. Fig.
The holder 20 shown in
A sample container (not shown) can be introduced into the holder 20 such that it is supported by the holder 20. For example, the sample container can be placed on the base plate 26, the holding rods 27 preventing the sample container from shifting sideways. Alternatively, the sample container can also be placed in a hanging manner at the holding ring 28 within the holder 20. In this case, the holding ring 28 preferably comprises a clip which prevents unintentional detachment of the sample container.
An adapter element 21 is provided at the bottom of the base plate 26, i.e. on the side of the base plate 26 facing away from the holding rods 27. The adapter element 21 comprises a second coupling portion, which is designed as a plug 23, for releasably connecting the holder 20 to the shaking and mixing device 1 and an adapter portion 22 that connects the second coupling portion to the holder 20. The adapter portion 22 can be formed integrally with the holder 20. Alternatively, the adapter portion 22 can be attached to the holder 20 by means of a detachable attachment, for example a screw connection 26a shown schematically in
The connection between the holder 20 and the shaking and mixing device 1 is described in more detail below with reference to
The eccentric unit 4 is connected via a drive shaft 7 (only partially shown in
The second coupling portion of the connection is provided at the adapter element 21 and is designed as a plug 23. The plug 23 extends from an upper or first end 23a to a lower or second end 23b, the first end 23a of the plug 23 being provided at the adapter portion 22 of the adapter element 21. A medial axis of the plug 23 from the first end 23a to the second end 23b corresponds to the central axis Z when the holder 20 is attached to the shaking and mixing device 1 (cf. Figs.
Furthermore, a circumferential groove 24 is provided at the outside of the plug 23, into which groove an O-ring 25 is inserted. The O-ring 25 is preferably made of a resilient material, such as a rubber. The depth of the circumferential groove 24 and the thickness of the O-ring 25 are selected such that the O-ring 25 protrudes from the circumferential groove 24 in the radial direction. Thus, the O-ring forms a widening section of the plug 23, at which widening section the outer diameter of the plug is larger than the outer diameter of an adjacent plug section, i.e. the outer diameter of the plug above and below the widening section.
Perpendicular to the central axis Z the adapter portion 22 preferably has a larger radial extent, such as a larger diameter, than the plug 23 so that the adapter portion 22 has a projection 16b at its bottom, i.e. in the direction of the plug 23. The adapter portion 22 can, for example, be substantially cylindrical in shape with the central axis Z as the medial axis of the cylinder.
Furthermore,
The recess sections 8, 9, 10 are each substantially cylindrical in shape with the central axis Z as the medial axis. The diameter of the upper recess section 8 perpendicular to the central axis Z is preferably adapted to an outer diameter of the first coupling portion 15 provided at the eccentric unit 4 (see below). Preferably, the diameter of the upper recess section 8 is slightly larger than the corresponding outer diameter of the first coupling portion 15 so that the first coupling portion 15 can be inserted into the upper recess section 8 (cf.
The diameter of the lower recess section 10 is preferably adapted to the diameter of the eccentric hub 14 of the eccentric unit 4 (see below) perpendicular to the central axis Z. Preferably, the diameter of the lower recess section 10 is slightly larger than the diameter of the eccentric hub 14 so that the eccentric hub 14 can be inserted into the lower recess section 10 (cf.
At the axial height of the middle recess section 9, the upper housing portion 5 has a through-hole 12 extending horizontally, i.e. perpendicular to the central axis Z, from the outside of the upper housing portion 5 up to the recess 6. The through-hole 12 is designed to receive a pin 13 that has a tip 13a.
The eccentric unit 4 comprises an eccentric hub 14 having an upper or first end 14a and a lower or second end 14b of the eccentric hub 14. The second end 14b of the eccentric hub 14 is connected to the drive shaft 7. The eccentric hub 14 has a circumferential groove 11b at its outside, which central groove is designed to be complementary to the projection 11a of the lower recess section 10 in order to receive the projection 11a.
The first coupling portion 15 is provided on or at the eccentric hub 14, which first coupling portion at least partially protrudes beyond the first end 14a of the eccentric hub 14. The first coupling portion 15 is permanently connected to the eccentric hub 14 or provided integrally with the eccentric hub 14.
The first coupling portion 15 comprises an upper or first end 15a and a lower or second end 15b. As shown in
The upper bore section 17a has a substantially cylindrical shape, wherein the cross-section of the upper bore section 17a perpendicular to the central axis Z is designed complementary to the adapter portion 22, i.e. the diameter of the upper bore section 17a, and is slightly larger than the diameter of the adapter portion 22 so that the adapter portion 22 can be inserted into the upper bore section 17a substantially in a form-fitting manner, i.e. substantially gap-free (cf.
The lower bore section 17b has a geometrical shape which is designed complementary to the plug 23, i.e. perpendicular to the central axis Z the lower bore section 17b has a cross-section that has the shape of a regular hexagon, through the center of which the central axis Z extends. The cross-sectional area of the lower bore section 17b perpendicular to the central axis Z is slightly larger than the cross-sectional area of the plug 23 so that the plug 23 can be inserted into the lower bore section 17b in a substantially form-fitting manner, i.e. substantially gap-free (cf.
The upper bore section 17a has a length in the direction of the central axis Z which is at most as large as the length of the adapter portion 22 in the direction of the central axis Z. The lower bore section 17b has a length in the direction of the central axis Z which is as large as the length of the plug 23 in the direction of the central axis Z so that the plug 23 with its second end 23b abuts the bottom of the lower bore section 17b, i.e. the eccentric hub 14 (see below).
The lower bore section 17b comprises a widening section 17c adjacent to the second end 15b of the first coupling portion 15, the cross-sectional area of which widening section increases along the central axis Z towards the second end 15b. The widening section 17c is designed to receive the O-ring 25 of the second plug 23 when the plug 23 is inserted into the bore 17 so that the O-ring 25 snaps into the widening section 17c in order to secure the adapter element 21 upwardly in the axial direction within the first coupling portion 15 (force-fitting connection in the axial direction, i.e. parallel to the central axis Z). The bore 17, i.e. the widening section 17c is closed at the bottom by the eccentric hub 14.
At its outside, the first coupling portion 15 has a substantially cylindrical shape that is adapted to the shape of the upper recess section 8 and the middle recess section 9 of the upper housing portion 5 so that a projection 9b of the outside of the first coupling portion 15 is adjacent to the shoulder 9a of the recess 6 of the upper housing portion 5 in order to prevent the first coupling portion 15 from shifting axially upwards within the upper housing portion 5. Rotation of the first coupling portion with respect to the upper housing portion 5 is prevented by a blind hole 12a in the outside of the first coupling portion 15, which blind hole communicates with the through-hole 12 of the upper housing portion 5, i.e. forms an extension of the through-hole 12 in order to accommodate the tip 13a of the pin 13 guided through the through-hole 12 (cf.
The shaking and mixing device 1 is provided in a state in which the eccentric unit 4 with the first coupling portion 15 is arranged in the housing 2 and the upper housing portion 5 is attached to the eccentric unit 4 and the first coupling portion 15 (cf.
For attaching the holder 20 to the shaking and mixing device 1, the holder 20 is guided downwards in the direction of the central axis Z, as schematically depicted by the arrow V in
In the assembled state shown in
Although in the embodiment described above with reference to
Instead of the O-ring 25, an elastic or resilient projection can also be provided at the plug 23. This projection does not have to be formed along the entire circumference of the plug 23, but it can also be provided only partially or at one location along the circumference.
Furthermore, the shaking and mixing device can also be provided without the upper housing portion 5 or the upper housing portion 5 can be formed integrally with the housing 2.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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20 2018 004 940.9 | Oct 2018 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2019/079004 | 10/24/2019 | WO | 00 |