Patent ID: 7255669

Claim:
A centrifuge comprising: a frame having a first portion; a damper supported by the frame; a drive unit supported by the damper and generating a rotational force, the drive unit having a second portion; a rotating member connected to the drive unit and rotated by the rotational force, imbalance of the rotating member causing the drive unit to vibrate during the rotation, the first portion and the second portion being positioned such that the second portion contacts the first portion when the vibration of the drive unit exceeds a predetermined amplitude; a detecting unit detecting an impact caused when the second portion contacts the first portion and generating, upon the detection, an output signal; and a control unit which sets a predetermined threshold value which is greater than zero, which compares the output signal with the predetermined threshold value, and which controls the drive unit based on the output signal exceeding the predetermined threshold value which is greater than zero.