A liquid chromatography column and a liquid chromatography system

Abstract

This invention discloses a liquid chromatography column, comprising a column tube, a connecting joint disposed at the end of the column tube, and a sieve plate disposed in the connecting joint and located on the end face of the column tube. The column tube includes a main body and connecting portions disposed at both ends of the main body, the outer periphery wall thickness of the connecting portion being less than the wall thickness of the main body. The connecting joint includes a cap and a sleeve portion, with a sieve plate disposed at one end of the sleeve portion connected to the cap, and the sleeve portion tightly fitted around the outer periphery of the connecting portion. The liquid chromatography column also includes an elastic collar, a portion of which is fitted around the outer periphery of the sleeve portion, and the other portion is fitted around the outer periphery of the main body. The liquid chromatography column provided by this invention uses a sleeve connection between the connecting joint and the column tube, facilitating disassembly and connection and avoiding over-tightening. This invention also discloses a liquid chromatography system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of liquid chromatography detection, and particularly to a liquid chromatography column and a liquid chromatography system including the liquid chromatography column. Background Technology

[0002] A liquid chromatography column is an important component of a liquid chromatography system. It is filled with stationary phase packing material. The sample solution enters the mobile phase through the injector and is carried into the column by the mobile phase. Since the components in the sample solution have different partition coefficients in the two phases, they are separated into individual components and flow out of the column in sequence after repeated adsorption and desorption partitioning processes during relative motion between the two phases.

[0003] An empty chromatographic column is assembled from a column connector, column tube, and sieve plate. Generally, the column connector is a threaded assembly at both ends with a pressure ring in the middle for sealing. Inside the connector, a sieve plate is placed to prevent the column packing material from being flushed out of the column by the mobile phase. During liquid chromatography operation, sieve plate clogging or contamination may occur, as may contaminate the column head packing material, leading to problems such as high column pressure and low column efficiency. In such cases, the column head needs to be disassembled, the sieve plate removed, cleaned, and reinstalled or replaced; or clean column packing material needs to be replaced; and then the column head reinstalled. However, the existing threaded connection structure of the column head is inconvenient for disassembly and installation, and is prone to over-tightening during installation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problem of threaded connections on the column heads of existing liquid chromatography columns, which are inconvenient to disassemble and prone to over-tightening and damage. This invention provides a liquid chromatography column in which the connector and column tube are sleeved, facilitating disassembly and connection and preventing over-tightening.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a liquid chromatography column, including a column tube, a connecting joint disposed at the end of the column tube, and a sieve plate disposed in the connecting joint and located on the end face of the column tube. The column tube includes a main body and a connecting part disposed at the end of the main body, wherein the outer peripheral wall thickness of the connecting part is less than the wall thickness of the main body.

[0006] The connector includes a cover and a sleeve. A sieve plate is provided at one end of the sleeve that connects to the cover, and the sleeve is tightly fitted around the outer periphery of the connector. The liquid chromatography column also includes an elastic collar, a part of which is fitted around the outer periphery of the sleeve and the other part is fitted around the outer periphery of the main body.

[0007] The above solution uses a sleeve connection to connect the connector to the column tube, and then uses an elastic collar to strengthen the connection, which facilitates disassembly and connection and avoids over-tightening.

[0008] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the liquid chromatography column provided by the present invention has an outward protrusion on the outer wall surface of the connecting part near the main body, and a locking groove matching the protrusion is provided on the inner wall of the sleeve part, the locking groove being L-shaped; wherein, during the process of the sleeve part being fitted onto the connecting part, the protrusion is inserted from one end of the locking groove; when the sleeve part is then rotated circumferentially, so that the protrusion reaches the other end of the locking groove, the movement of the sleeve part relative to the connecting part in the axial direction is limited.

[0009] Using the above scheme, after the connecting joint is sleeved with the column tube, the relative movement of the two is limited by the snap-fit, so that the connection is stable.

[0010] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the liquid chromatography column provided by the present invention has four protrusions that are evenly distributed circumferentially along the connecting part; and four corresponding snap-fit ​​grooves that are evenly distributed circumferentially along the sleeve part.

[0011] With the above solution, the protrusions and locking grooves are evenly and symmetrically distributed, making the connection balanced and stable.

[0012] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the liquid chromatography column provided by the present invention has an inner elastic portion and an outer peripheral fastening portion; the elasticity of the elastic portion causes the elastic portion to tightly abut against the outer periphery of the sleeve portion and the main body; the fastening portion restricts the elasticity of the outer periphery of the elastic portion.

[0013] Using the above scheme, the elastic part of the collar strengthens the connection between the collar and the connecting part. Its elasticity can enhance the sealing of the connection and ensure that the collar will not be too tight and damage the chromatographic column; the fastening part restricts the elasticity of the elastic part inside the collar, strengthening the connection between the collar and the connecting part.

[0014] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the liquid chromatography column provided by the present invention has a collar formed by two semi-circular connections, and one of the connection positions of the two semi-circular connections is a rotating shaft connection.

[0015] The above solution facilitates the opening and closing of the collar, and makes it easy to disassemble and connect the connector to the column tube.

[0016] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the liquid chromatography column provided by the present invention has a pin connection at the other connection position of the two semi-circular parts.

[0017] The above solution ensures a stable connection after the collar is closed, and also allows for adjustment of the tightness of the connection.

[0018] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the liquid chromatography column provided by the present invention further includes a first sealing ring disposed on the outer periphery of the sieve plate.

[0019] By adopting the above solution, the connection between the sleeve and the connecting part is sealed, ensuring that no liquid leaks.

[0020] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the liquid chromatography column provided by the present invention further includes a second sealing ring, which is disposed between the end of the sleeve portion away from the cover portion and the main body.

[0021] By adopting the above solution, the sealing performance of the connection between the socket and the connecting part is further guaranteed.

[0022] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the wall thickness of the sleeve portion plus the wall thickness of the connecting portion of the liquid chromatography column provided by the present invention is equal to the wall thickness of the main body.

[0023] With the above scheme, after the sleeve part and the connecting part are connected, they are consistent with the outer wall of the main body, making the overall outer wall of the chromatographic column flat and facilitating the sleeve connection.

[0024] The present invention also provides a liquid chromatography system comprising the above-described liquid chromatography column.

[0025] By adopting the above scheme, it is possible to facilitate the disassembly and connection of the column connection joints during the operation of the chromatography system, and to facilitate the cleaning or replacement of the sieve plates. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the liquid chromatography column of Example 1 of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the connection between the locking groove of the sleeve part and the protrusion of the connecting part in one embodiment of the liquid chromatography column of the present invention (Example 1).

[0028] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the sleeve portion of a liquid chromatography column according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a top view schematic diagram of the ring structure of a liquid chromatography column according to one embodiment of the present invention (Example 1).

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0031] 10: Column tube;

[0032] 11: Main body; 12: Connecting part; 121: Protrusion;

[0033] 20: Connecting connector;

[0034] 21: Cover; 22: Socket; 221: Snap-fit ​​groove;

[0035] 30: Sieve plate;

[0036] 40: Ring;

[0037] 41: Elastic part; 42: Fastening part; 43: Rotating shaft; 44: Pin;

[0038] 50: First sealing ring;

[0039] 60: Second sealing ring. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. Although the description of the present invention is presented in conjunction with preferred embodiments, this does not mean that the features of the invention are limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the purpose of describing the invention in conjunction with embodiments is to cover other options or modifications that may be derived based on the claims of the present invention. To provide a deep understanding of the invention, many specific details will be included in the following description. The invention may also be implemented without using these details. Furthermore, to avoid confusion or obscuring the focus of the invention, some specific details will be omitted in the description. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0041] It should be noted that in this specification, similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0042] In the description of this embodiment, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "bottom", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship that the product of the invention is usually placed in during use. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0043] The terms “first”, “second”, etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0044] In the description of this embodiment, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set up," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this embodiment based on the specific circumstances.

[0045] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] Example 1

[0047] This invention provides a liquid chromatography column, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the system includes a column tube 10, a connecting joint 20 disposed at the end of the column tube 10, and a sieve plate 30 disposed in the connecting joint 20 and located on the end face of the column tube 10. The end of the column tube 10 can be one end or both ends. The sieve plate 30 is the end face of the corresponding end, used to seal the packing material inside the column tube 10 and filter the incoming mobile phase from outside the column tube 10. The column tube 10 includes a main body 11 and a connecting portion 12 disposed at the end of the main body 11. The outer periphery wall thickness of the connecting portion 12 is less than the wall thickness of the main body 11, making the connecting portion 12 smaller than the outer periphery of the main body 11, and forming a stepped surface at the transition position between the connecting portion 12 and the main body 11. Furthermore, the wall thickness of the main body 11 can be uniform along its length, or the wall thickness can be thicker near the connecting portion 12 to facilitate the formation of the connecting portion 12.

[0048] The connecting joint 20 includes a cover 21 and a sleeve 22. The sleeve 22 is an annular structure whose bottom is connected to the cover 21. A sieve plate 30 is provided at one end of the sleeve 22 that is connected to the cover 21. That is, the sieve plate 30 is provided at the bottom of the annular structure, so that one side of the sieve plate 30 abuts against the end face of the column tube 10 and the other side abuts against the cover 21. The center of the cover 21 should have a structure for connecting to the liquid inlet pipeline so that the mobile phase can enter and connect with the sieve plate 30. Furthermore, the socket 22 is tightly fitted onto the outer periphery of the connecting part 12. Specifically, the size of the socket 22 and the size of the connecting part 12 should match to ensure a tight connection between the socket 22 and the connecting part 12. Alternatively, the connection between the bottom end of the socket 22 and the end face of the connecting part 12 can be made even tighter. The socket 22 can be fitted onto the outer periphery of the connecting part 12 by sliding, or a sliding structure such as a spring ball can be provided at the end of the socket 22 to assist in the fitting. The connection position between the socket 22 and the connecting part 12 can also be provided with an opening structure for locking to facilitate limiting the relative position of the socket 22 and the connecting part 12 after fitting.

[0049] The liquid chromatography column also includes an elastic collar 40, a portion of which is fitted around the outer periphery of the fitting portion 22, and another portion of which is fitted around the outer periphery of the main body 11. The collar 40 should be tightly fitted around the outer periphery of the fitting portion 22 and the connecting portion 12, relying on elasticity to ensure a tight connection between the fitting portion 22 and the connecting portion 12. Specifically, the collar 40 may be elastic in its entirety, or only its inner periphery may be elastic; the collar 40 may be elastic by using an elastic material such as rubber. The collar 40 is fitted around the outer periphery of the main body 11 near the connecting portion 12; it is also fitted around the outer periphery of the fitting portion 22, which may be a partial fitting around the outer periphery of the fitting portion 22, or even a partial fitting around the outer periphery of the cap portion 21.

[0050] Using the above scheme, the connecting joint 20 is connected to the column tube 10 by means of a sleeve, and the connection is reinforced by an elastic collar 40, which facilitates disassembly and connection and avoids over-tightening.

[0051] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 2-3 As shown, the connecting part 12 has an outward protrusion 121 near the outer wall surface of the main body 11, and the inner wall of the sleeve part 22 has a locking groove 221 that matches the protrusion 121. The locking groove 221 is L-shaped. One end of the L-shaped locking groove 221 is at the top end face of the sleeve part 22. During the process of the sleeve part 22 being fitted onto the connecting part 12, the protrusion 121 is inserted from one end of the locking groove 221, i.e., the port at the top end face of the sleeve part 22. When the sleeve part 22 rotates circumferentially relative to the connecting part 12, and the protrusion 121 reaches the other end of the locking groove 221, the contact between the locking groove 221 and the protrusion 121 restricts the movement of the protrusion 121 in the axial direction of the connecting part 12 within the locking groove 221, thereby limiting the movement of the sleeve part 22 relative to the connecting part 12 in the axial direction.

[0052] Using the above scheme, after the connecting joint 20 is sleeved with the column tube 10, the relative movement of the two is limited by the snap-fit, so that the connection is stable.

[0053] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, there are four protrusions 121, which are evenly distributed around the connecting portion 12; there are four corresponding snap-fit ​​grooves 221, which are evenly distributed around the sleeve portion 22.

[0054] With the above scheme, the protrusions 121 and the snap-fit ​​grooves 221 are evenly and symmetrically distributed, making the connection balanced and stable.

[0055] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 1 and 4As shown, the collar 40 includes an inner elastic portion 41 and an outer fastening portion 42; the elasticity of the elastic portion 41 causes the elastic portion 41 to tightly abut against the outer periphery of the sleeve portion 22 and the main body 11; the fastening portion 42 restricts the elasticity of the outer periphery of the elastic portion 41.

[0056] Specifically, the elastic part 41 inside the collar 40 can be a ring made of elastic material such as rubber, and the fastening part 42 is a hard ring made of plastic, metal, or other materials connected to the outer periphery of the elastic part 41. The collar 40 can be two parts connected by a rotating shaft 43, which can be opened or closed by rotation. When the sleeve part 22 is connected to the connecting part 12, the collar 40 is closed, so that the elastic part 41 tightly abuts against the outer periphery of the sleeve part 22 and the main body 11, making the sleeve part 22 and the connecting part 12 tightly connected; when the sleeve part 22 and the connecting part 12 need to be disassembled, the collar 40 is opened, so that the collar 40 leaves the outer periphery of the sleeve part 22. The collar 40 can also be directly sleeved on the outer periphery of the column tube 10 and can move up and down along the outer wall of the column tube 10. By moving, the collar 40 can be on or away from the outer periphery of the sleeve part 22.

[0057] Using the above solution, the elastic part 41 of the collar 40 strengthens the connection between the sleeve part 22 and the connecting part 12. Its elasticity can enhance the sealing of the connection and ensure that the collar 40 will not be too tight and damage the chromatographic column. The fastening part 42 restricts the elasticity of the elastic part 41 inside the collar 40, and strengthens the connection between the sleeve part 22 and the connecting part 12.

[0058] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 4 As shown, the collar 40 is formed by connecting two semi-circular rings, and one of the connection positions of the two semi-circular rings is a pivot connection.

[0059] Specifically, the two semi-annular rings are axially connected to each other to form a ring-shaped collar 40. One of the connection points is connected by a rotating shaft 43, allowing the two semi-annular rings to rotate around the shaft 43. This allows the other connection point of the collar 40 to be either closed or open. The other connection point can be connected by means of snap-fit, pin, or other methods.

[0060] The above scheme facilitates the opening and closing of the collar 40, and facilitates the disassembly and connection of the connector 20 and the column tube 10.

[0061] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 4 As shown, the other connection point of the two semi-circular rings is a pin connection. Specifically, a connection structure for pin connection is provided at the other connection point. After the collar 40 is closed, the pin 44 is inserted for connection, and the tightness of the collar 40 can be adjusted by adjusting the tightness of the pin 44 connection.

[0062] The above solution ensures a stable connection after the collar 40 is closed, and also allows for adjustment of the tightness of the connection.

[0063] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, the liquid chromatography column also includes a first sealing ring 50, which is disposed on the outer periphery of the sieve plate 30, that is, between the inner wall of the sleeve portion 22 and the outer periphery of the sieve plate 30.

[0064] By adopting the above solution, the connection between the sleeve part 22 and the connecting part 12 is sealed, ensuring that the liquid does not leak.

[0065] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 1-2 As shown, the liquid chromatography column also includes a second sealing ring 60, which is disposed between the end of the sleeve portion 22 away from the cover portion 21 and the main body 11.

[0066] By adopting the above solution, the sealing performance of the connection between the socket 22 and the connecting part 12 is further guaranteed.

[0067] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 1-2 As shown, the wall thickness of the socket 22 plus the wall thickness of the connecting part 12 is equal to the wall thickness of the main body 11.

[0068] With the above scheme, after the sleeve part 22 is connected to the connecting part 12, it is consistent with the outer wall of the main body 11, so that the overall outer wall of the chromatographic column is flat and it is convenient to sleeve the collar 40.

[0069] Example 2

[0070] The present invention also provides a gas chromatography system, including the liquid chromatography column provided in Example 1.

[0071] By adopting the above scheme, it is possible to facilitate the disassembly and connection of the column connection joints during the operation of the chromatography system, and to facilitate the cleaning or replacement of the sieve plates.

[0072] While the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the above description is a further detailed explanation of the invention in conjunction with specific embodiments, and should not be construed as limiting the specific implementation of the invention to these descriptions. Various changes in form and detail can be made by those skilled in the art, including several simple deductions or substitutions, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A liquid chromatography column, comprising a column tube, a connector disposed at the end of the column tube, and a sieve plate disposed in the connector and located on the end face of the column tube, characterized in that, The column tube includes a main body and a connecting part disposed at the end of the main body. The outer peripheral wall thickness of the connecting part is less than the wall thickness of the main body, and the connecting part is provided with an outward protrusion near the outer wall surface of the main body. The connecting joint includes a cover and a sleeve. The sieve plate is disposed at one end of the sleeve that is connected to the cover. The sleeve is tightly fitted onto the outer periphery of the connecting part. The inner wall of the sleeve is provided with a snap-fit ​​groove that matches the protrusion. The snap-fit ​​groove is L-shaped. During the process of the sleeve being fitted onto the connecting part, the protrusion is inserted from one end of the snap-fit ​​groove. When the sleeve rotates circumferentially and the protrusion reaches the other end of the snap-fit ​​groove, the axial movement of the sleeve relative to the connecting part is limited. The liquid chromatography column further includes an elastic collar, the collar comprising an inner elastic portion and an outer fastening portion; the elasticity of the elastic portion causes it to tightly abut against the collar portion and the outer periphery of the body; the fastening portion restricts the elasticity of the outer periphery of the elastic portion.

2. The liquid chromatography column of claim 1, wherein, There are four protrusions, evenly distributed around the circumference of the connecting part; there are also four corresponding snap-fit ​​grooves, evenly distributed around the circumference of the sleeve part.

3. The liquid chromatography column of claim 1, wherein, The collar is formed by connecting two semi-circular rings, and one of the connection points of the two semi-circular rings is a pivot connection.

4. The liquid chromatography column of claim 3, wherein, The other connection point between the two semi-circular rings is a pin joint.

5. The liquid chromatography column according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The liquid chromatography column also includes a first sealing ring, which is disposed on the outer periphery of the sieve plate.

6. The liquid chromatography column of claim 5, wherein, The liquid chromatography column also includes a second sealing ring, which is disposed between the end of the sleeve portion away from the cover portion and the main body.

7. The liquid chromatography column of claim 1, wherein, The wall thickness of the socket plus the wall thickness of the connecting part equals the wall thickness of the main body.

8. A liquid chromatography system characterized by, Includes the liquid chromatography column as described in any one of claims 1-7.

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