Column housing device and liquid chromatograph

Abstract

Provided is a column housing device and a liquid chromatograph. The column housing device of the present application includes a column housing space in the interior of a housing, in which a flat plate-shaped chip column including an internal flow path filled with a separation medium is housed. Openings are provided on the outer surface of the chip column, which lead to both ends of the internal flow path. A guide member is provided in the interior of the column housing space, which guides the chip column to a prescribed position. The column housing device includes a sealing device for connecting and disconnecting the pipe and the openings of the chip column, and a control section configured to control the operation of the sealing device, which is configured such that when it is determined that the chip column has been disposed at the prescribed position, the pipe is fluidly connected to the openings of the chip column.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a column housing device and a liquid chromatograph. Background Technology

[0002] In liquid chromatography, the temperature of the separation column has a significant impact on separation performance. Therefore, the separation column is usually placed in a constant temperature chamber called a column oven to adjust its temperature to the required level (see Patent Document 1). When placing the separation column in the column oven, the door of the column oven is usually opened, and fittings are used inside the column oven to fix the tubing to the inlet and outlet of the separation column.

[0003] [Existing Technical Documents]

[0004] [Patent Literature]

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-45532 Summary of the Invention

[0006] [The problem the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The replacement of separation columns using fittings is performed manually by the operator. However, the skill level of the operator in connecting the piping varies, which may create dead zones at the connection between the separation column and the piping, thus adversely affecting the analytical results.

[0008] The present invention was made in view of the aforementioned problems, and its purpose is to improve the reproducibility of liquid chromatography analysis so as to facilitate the replacement of separation columns.

[0009] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0010] The column housing device of the present invention includes a column housing space inside a housing for housing a separation column used for liquid chromatography analysis. The separation column is a flat-shaped chip column including an internal flow path filled with a separation medium. Openings leading to both ends of the internal flow path are provided on the outer surface of the chip column, parallel to the internal flow path. The column housing device includes: a pipe disposed inside the column housing space and fluidly connected to the opening of the chip column; a guide disposed inside the column housing space for guiding the chip column to a predetermined position within the column housing space; a sealing device for moving the end of the pipe to connect and disconnect the pipe relative to the opening of the chip column positioned at the predetermined position; and a control unit configured to control the operation of the sealing device, wherein the control unit is configured to fluidly connect the pipe to the opening of the chip column when it is determined that the chip column is positioned at the predetermined position. An example of the column housing device is a column oven that uses a heater and a temperature sensor to regulate the temperature of the separation column.

[0011] The liquid chromatograph of the present invention includes: a delivery pump for delivering a mobile phase; a sample injection unit fluidly connected downstream of the delivery pump for injecting a sample into the mobile phase from the delivery pump; a flat-plate column fluidly connected downstream of the sample injection unit for separating the sample injected through the sample injection unit into individual components; a detector fluidly connected downstream of the column for detecting the components separated in the column; and a column housing device for housing the column.

[0012] [The effects of the invention]

[0013] According to the column housing device of the present invention, when it is determined that a chip column is positioned at a predetermined location within the column housing space, the tubing is automatically connected to the opening of the chip column via a sealing device. Therefore, when replacing the separation column, manual connection of the tubing to the separation column is eliminated, simplifying the column replacement process. As a result, the influence of operator skill is reduced, and the reproducibility of the analytical results of liquid chromatography is improved.

[0014] Furthermore, existing column housing devices (such as column ovens) lack a method to detect whether the separation column is positioned within the column housing, i.e., whether piping is connected to the inlet and outlet of the separation column. This means that operating the delivery pump with the outlet of the piping from the delivery pump open within the column housing risks leakage within the housing. On the other hand, in the column housing device of this invention, since the chip post is automatically positioned at a predetermined location, it is easy to detect whether the chip post is positioned within the column housing, thus preventing the delivery pump from operating with the outlet of the piping from the delivery pump open within the column housing.

[0015] According to the liquid chromatograph of the present invention, since the column housing device of the present invention is used as the column housing device for housing the chip column, the replacement of the separation column does not require manual connection of the tubing to the separation column, thus simplifying the column replacement process. As a result, the influence of operator skill is reduced, and the reproducibility of the analytical results of liquid chromatography is improved. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the tubular column housing device.

[0017] Figure 2 (A) Figure 2 (B) is a diagram used to illustrate an example of the chip pillar used in the same embodiment. Figure 2 (A) is a plan view. Figure 2 (B) is a side view.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating the control system of the same embodiment of the tubular housing device.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a flowchart used to illustrate an example of the operation when a chip post is introduced into a column housing device of the same embodiment.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a flowchart used to illustrate an example of the operation when a chip post is ejected from the column housing device of the same embodiment.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic flow path diagram illustrating one embodiment of a liquid chromatograph.

[0022] [Explanation of Symbols]

[0023] 1: Column oven (tube housing device)

[0024] 2: Shell

[0025] 4: Pipe column housing space

[0026] 6: Chip pillar

[0027] 8: Heater

[0028] 10: Temperature sensor

[0029] 12: Door

[0030] 14: Insertion port

[0031] 16: Opening and closing the lid

[0032] 18: Guide

[0033] 20: Stop section

[0034] 22, 24: Rollers

[0035] 23: Roller drive motor

[0036] 26: Configure detection sensors

[0037] 28: Insert the detection sensor

[0038] 30: Discharge detection sensor

[0039] 32: Sealing device

[0040] 34: Arm

[0041] 36: Sealing part

[0042] 38: Sealing components

[0043] 40: Internal flow path

[0044] 41: Separation medium

[0045] 42: Opening

[0046] 44: Piping

[0047] 46: Control Department

[0048] 48: Locking mechanism

[0049] 50: Liquid delivery pump

[0050] 52: Sample injection section

[0051] 54: Detector

[0052] 56: Control device

[0053] 100: Liquid Chromatograph Detailed Implementation

[0054] Hereinafter, embodiments of the column housing device and liquid chromatograph of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0055] The column housing device 1 in the embodiment is a column oven (hereinafter referred to as column oven 1) that uses a heater 8 and a temperature sensor 10 to regulate the temperature of the chip column 6. Figure 1 As shown, the column oven 1 includes a column housing space 4 inside the housing 2 to house the chip column 6. The chip column 6 forms a separation column used in liquid chromatography to separate samples according to their components. The temperature within the column housing space 4 is regulated using a heater 8 and a temperature sensor 10. Although not shown in the figure, a blower is also provided within the column housing space 4 to ensure uniform temperature within the column housing space 4.

[0056] like Figure 2 As shown in (A), the chip pillar 6 includes a U-shaped internal flow path 40, and two openings 42 leading to both ends of the internal flow path 40 are provided on an outer surface parallel to the internal flow path 40. Separation medium 41 is filled in two mutually parallel sections of the internal flow path 40. One of the two openings 42 serves as the inlet of the separation column, and the other opening 42 serves as the outlet of the separation column. Figure 2 As shown in (B), the chip pillar 6 can be realized by joining a substrate with a U-shaped groove formed on its surface to form an internal flow path 40 to a substrate with a through hole provided as an opening 42.

[0057] return Figure 1 Continuing with the description of the column oven 1, one side of the casing 2 of the column oven 1 forms a door 12 that can be manually opened and closed by the user, allowing the user to enter and exit the column housing space 4. The door 12 is provided with an insertion port 14 for introducing and discharging the chip post 6 into the column housing space 4. In this embodiment, the design is based on the premise that the outer surface with the opening 42 faces upwards, and the chip post 6 is inserted approximately horizontally into the insertion port 14, starting from the side with the opening 42. Hereinafter, the surface of the chip post 6 with the opening 42 will be defined as the "upper surface," and the opposite surface will be defined as the "lower surface."

[0058] The insertion port 14 is opened and closed by the opening and closing cover 16. The opening and closing cover 16 is configured to maintain the insertion port 14 in a closed state except when the chip post 6 is introduced into the tube receiving space 4 and when it is discharged from the tube receiving space 4. The opening and closing cover 16 can be actively opened and closed by a motor, or it can be kept closed by a spring and passively opened by contact with the chip post 6.

[0059] Figure 1 Although not shown in the figure, the column oven 1 includes a locking mechanism 48 (see reference). Figure 3The locking mechanism 48 is fixed in the closed state of the door 12 to prevent the door 12 from being opened manually. The locking mechanism 48 is a locking mechanism such as an electromagnetic lock that can be electrically controlled.

[0060] The tubular column receiving space 4 is provided with a guide 18, a stop 20, a roller 22, a roller 24, a detection sensor 26, an insertion detection sensor 28, an discharge detection sensor 30, and a sealing device 32.

[0061] The guide 18 is used to restrict the movement direction of the chip post 6 within the post housing space 4 to a single axis in the horizontal plane. Figure 1 The diagram only shows the base portion supporting the lower surface of the chip post 6, but it also supports both sides of the chip post 6. The stop portion 20 is located at the innermost position when viewed from the insertion port 14, and contacts the front end face (right end face) of the chip post 6 as it is inserted from the insertion port 14 and moves in the insertion direction (right direction in the diagram), and is used to stop (position) the movement of the chip post 6 at a predetermined position.

[0062] Rollers 22 and 24 are positioned vertically near the insertion port 14, spaced approximately the same thickness as the chip post 6, and come into contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the chip post 6 inserted through the insertion port 14 approximately simultaneously. At least one of rollers 22 and 24 is driven by a roller drive motor 23 (see reference). Figure 3 The rollers 22 and 24, along with the roller drive motor 23, rotate to apply a pushing force to the chip posts 6 inserted into the insertion port 14 in the direction of insertion (right direction in the figure). In other words, the loading mechanism, consisting of rollers 22 and 24 and a roller drive motor 23, applies a pushing force to the chip posts 6 inserted into the insertion port 14 in the direction of insertion (right direction in the figure). The loading mechanism can also apply a pushing force to the chip posts 6 in the direction of discharge (left direction in the figure), which is opposite to the direction of insertion, depending on the rotation direction of the roller drive motor 23.

[0063] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the loading mechanism is implemented by using a motor to rotate at least one of the vertically arranged rollers 22 and 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The loading mechanism can also be implemented by two rollers arranged separately on the same horizontal plane in a manner that clamps the two sides of the chip post 6 and a motor that rotates at least one of these rollers.

[0064] The configuration detection sensor 26 is positioned near the stop portion 20 to detect the chip post 6 when it reaches a predetermined position. In other words, the configuration detection sensor 26 is used to detect when the chip post 6 is positioned at the predetermined position.

[0065] The insertion detection sensor 28 is positioned between the insertion port 14 and the roller 24, and detects the chip post 6 when it is inserted a certain distance from the insertion port 14. That is, the insertion detection sensor 28 is a sensor used to detect the insertion of the chip post 6 from the insertion port 14.

[0066] The discharge detection sensor 30 is positioned between the configuration detection sensor 26 and the insertion detection sensor 28. The discharge detection sensor 30 is configured such that when the chip post 6 is discharged from the insertion port 14, the chip post 6 is no longer detected after being discharged a certain distance from the insertion port 14, thereby enabling the detection of the discharge of the chip post 6.

[0067] The placement detection sensor 26, insertion detection sensor 28, and discharge detection sensor 30 can be implemented using general-purpose sensors such as microswitches and optical sensors. When the substrate constituting the chip post 6 contains a light-transmitting material, by providing a reflective part at a specific position on the chip post 6 using a metal film or the like, a reflective optical sensor can be used as the placement detection sensor 26, insertion detection sensor 28, and discharge detection sensor 30.

[0068] The sealing device 32 is used to connect and disconnect the inlet and outlet pipes (only one pipe 44 is shown in the figure) from the two openings 42 of the chip post 6. Here, the structure of the sealing device 32 is described in a general manner; specifically, it can be the structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-175781. The sealing device 32 is configured such that the arm 34 supporting the sealing portion 36, on which the sealing member 38 is mounted, moves vertically. A flow path extending from the lower end to the upper end is provided inside the sealing portion 36, which includes the sealing member 38, and the end of the pipe 44 is liquid-tightly mounted at the upper end of the sealing portion 36.

[0069] The horizontal position of the hole on the lower end face of the sealing member 38 of the sealing device 32 is as follows: Figure 1 In this way, the opening 42 of the chip post 6, which is positioned at a predetermined location within the column housing space 4, is aligned with the horizontal position. If the sealing part 36 is lowered such that the sealing member 38 is in close contact with the upper surface of the chip post 6 while the chip post 6 is positioned at the predetermined location, the flow path within the sealing part 36 is in fluid communication with the opening 42, thereby connecting the piping 44 to the internal flow path 40.

[0070] An example of the control system of column oven 1 is shown below. Figure 3 .

[0071] The column oven 1 includes a control unit 46. The control unit 46 is implemented using a combination of circuitry and software, including a central processing unit (CPU). Signals from the configuration detection sensor 26, insertion detection sensor 28, and discharge detection sensor 30 are input to the control unit 46, which controls the operation of the roller drive motor 23, the sealing device 32, and the locking mechanism 48 based on these signals. Furthermore, it is configured to input pressure signals from a pressure sensor detecting pressure within the inlet pipe 44, and control the operation of the roller drive motor 23 and the sealing device 32 based on these pressure signals. The inlet pipe 44 is connected to an opening 42 on the inlet side of the chip post 6 to guide liquid into the internal flow path 40. Additionally, the control unit 46 is configured to output information related to whether the pipe 44 is connected to the opening 42 of the chip post 6 as a status signal.

[0072] use Figure 4 Flowchart and Figure 1 and Figure 3 An example of the operation of introducing the chip post 6 into the column oven 1, which is implemented by the control unit 46, will be described.

[0073] Without housing the chip post 6 within the tube housing space 4, the chip post 6 is inserted into the insertion port 14 (step 101), and the insertion detection sensor 28 detects the chip post 6 (step 102). Based on the signal from the insertion detection sensor 28 indicating that the chip post 6 has been inserted into the insertion port 14, the control unit 46 operates the roller drive motor 23 (loading mechanism), thereby applying a pushing force to the chip post 6 in the guide direction (step 103). As a result, the chip post 6 moves toward the stop 20 in the guide direction.

[0074] After the front end of the chip post 6 reaches the vicinity of the stop portion 20, the chip post 6 is detected by the placement detection sensor 26 (step 104). After receiving the signal from the placement detection sensor 26 indicating that the chip post 6 has been placed in the predetermined position, the control unit 46 continues to operate the roller drive motor 23 (loading mechanism) until a predetermined time has elapsed (step 105), thereby ensuring that the front end of the chip post 6 reliably reaches the stop portion 20. Thus, the chip post 6 is reliably placed in the predetermined position within the tube column receiving space 4.

[0075] Subsequently, the control unit 46 stops the roller drive motor 23 (loading mechanism) (step 106), and lowers the sealing part 36 in the sealing device 32 to a predetermined height, thereby connecting the piping 44 to the chip post 6 (step 107). This ends the introduction of the chip post 6 into the column oven 1.

[0076] Secondly, use Figure 5Flowchart and Figure 1 and Figure 3 An example of the operation of the chip post 6 being discharged from the column oven 1 by the control unit 46 will be described.

[0077] The action of discharging the chip post 6 from the column oven 1 is performed when a discharge instruction is input to the control unit 46 requesting the chip post 6 to be discharged from the column housing space 4. The input of the discharge instruction to the control unit 46 can be performed by the control unit 46 receiving a signal generated by the user pressing a designated button (or a virtual button displayed on the display panel) provided on the outer surface (e.g., door 12) of the column oven 1, or by the control unit 46 receiving a discharge instruction signal output from a control device (such as a personal computer) connected to the column oven 1.

[0078] After inputting a discharge instruction to the control unit 46 (step 201), the control unit 46 compares the pressure in the inlet pipe 44 with a preset threshold based on a signal from a pressure sensor (e.g., a pressure sensor installed on the liquid delivery pump) that detects the pressure in the inlet pipe 44 connected to the opening 42 on the inlet side (step 202). If the pressure in the inlet pipe 44 is below the threshold, the sealing part 36 is raised in the sealing device 32 to disconnect the pipe 44 from the chip post 6 (step 203).

[0079] After disconnecting the pipe 44 from the chip post 6, the control unit 46 starts the roller drive motor 23 (loading mechanism) in the opposite direction to when the chip post 6 was introduced, thus applying a pushing force to the chip post 6 in the discharge direction (step 204). As a result, the chip post 6 moves toward the insertion port 14.

[0080] After the chip post 6 continues to move towards the insertion port 14, the discharge detection sensor 30 continues to detect that the chip post 6 is no longer detected (step 205). The control unit 46 stops the roller drive motor 23 (loading mechanism) at the point when the discharge detection sensor 30 no longer detects the chip post 6, or at the point when a predetermined time has elapsed since the discharge detection sensor 30 stopped detecting the chip post 6 (step 206). This stops the chip post 6 while a portion of it is protruding from the insertion port 14 towards the outside of the door 12, thus preventing the chip post 6 from flying out of the insertion port 14 and falling. Afterwards, the user pulls the chip post 6 out of the column oven 1, thus ending the chip post 6 discharge process.

[0081] When the inlet piping 44 is under high pressure, if the sealing device 32 lifts the sealing part 36, the liquid in the inlet piping 44 will spray out from the lower end of the sealing part 36 and disperse into the tubular receiving space 4. Therefore, in Figure 5In the operational example, even when the discharge instruction of the chip post 6 is input to the control unit 46, if the pressure in the inlet pipe 44 exceeds a preset threshold, the connection between the pipe 44 and the chip post 6 is not disconnected. Instead, the connection between the pipe 44 and the chip post 6 is maintained until the pressure in the inlet pipe 44 falls below the threshold. The threshold can be set to a value slightly higher than atmospheric pressure. Furthermore, if the pressure in the inlet pipe 44 exceeds the preset threshold when the discharge instruction of the chip post 6 is input to the control unit 46, the discharge instruction can be invalidated. The determination of whether the pressure in the inlet pipe 44 is below the threshold is based on comparing the pressure in the inlet pipe 44 with the threshold and whether the state of pressure below the threshold in the pipe 44 has lasted for a predetermined time.

[0082] Figure 4 and Figure 5 Although not shown, the control unit 46 can be configured to lock the door 12 by means of the locking mechanism 48 at least during the operation of the loading mechanism. This prevents the door 12 from being opened during the operation of the loading mechanism, thereby preventing the insertion port 14 from colliding with the chip post 6 and causing damage to the loading mechanism and the chip post 6.

[0083] Next, use Figure 6 An embodiment of a liquid chromatograph including column oven 1 will be described.

[0084] In addition to the column oven 1, the liquid chromatograph 100 also includes a liquid delivery pump 50, a sample injection unit 52, a detector 54, and a control device 56.

[0085] The delivery pump 50 is used to deliver the mobile phase. The sample injection unit 52 is fluidly connected downstream of the delivery pump 50 to inject the sample into the mobile phase delivered by the delivery pump 50. The die column 6, housed inside the column oven 1, is fluidly connected downstream of the sample injection unit 52. The sample injected into the mobile phase by the sample injection unit 52 flows through the internal flow path 40 of the die column 6 (see reference). Figure 1 The components are separated according to their individual components in the chip column 6. Detector 54 is connected downstream of the chip column 6, and the components separated in the chip column 6 are detected by detector 54.

[0086] The control device 56 is configured to manage the overall operation of the liquid chromatograph 100 by communicating with the liquid delivery pump 50, the sample injection unit 52, the column oven 1, and the detector 54. The control device 56 can be implemented by a dedicated computer such as a system controller, or by a general-purpose personal computer with dedicated software installed.

[0087] The delivery pump 50 includes a pressure sensor for detecting the delivery pressure. The pressure signal from the pressure sensor is input to the column oven 1 via a control device 56. In the column oven 1, the pressure in the inlet piping 44 connected to the inlet side of the chip post 6 is monitored based on the pressure signal input via the control device 56, and the pressure value is compared with a threshold value to determine whether the connection between the piping 44 and the chip post 6 can be disconnected during the discharge operation of the chip post 6.

[0088] Furthermore, within the column oven 1, the connection status between the piping 44 and the chip post 6 can be easily monitored through the operation of the sealing device 32. The column oven 1 outputs a status signal related to whether the piping 44 is connected to the chip post 6 to the control device 56. Therefore, the control device 56 can monitor whether the piping 44 is connected to the chip post 6 and can prevent the liquid delivery pump 50 from starting when the piping 44 is not connected to the chip post 6.

[0089] The embodiments described above are merely examples of implementations of the column housing device and liquid chromatograph of the present invention. Implementations of the column housing device and liquid chromatograph of the present invention are as follows.

[0090] In one embodiment of the column housing device of the present invention, it is a column housing device that includes a column housing space inside the housing, the column housing space being used to house a separation column for liquid chromatography analysis.

[0091] The separation column is a flat-shaped chip column containing an internal flow path filled with a separation medium. Openings leading to both ends of the internal flow path are provided on the outer surface of the chip column, parallel to the internal flow path.

[0092] The tubular housing device includes:

[0093] Piping is disposed inside the column housing space and is fluidly connected to the opening of the chip column;

[0094] A guide is disposed inside the column receiving space to guide the chip column to a predetermined position inside the column receiving space.

[0095] A sealing device for moving the end of the piping to connect and disconnect the piping from the opening of the chip post positioned at the designated location; and

[0096] The control unit is configured to control the operation of the sealing device.

[0097] The control unit is configured such that, when it is determined that the chip post is positioned at the specified location, the piping is fluidly connected to the opening of the chip post.

[0098] In a first embodiment of the column oven of the present invention, an insertion port is provided in the housing for inserting the chip post from outside the housing into the column receiving space. A loading mechanism is provided inside the column receiving space, contacting the chip post inserted into the column receiving space via the insertion port and applying a pushing force to the chip post in a forward direction toward the predetermined position. In this configuration, the chip post is automatically positioned in the predetermined position within the column receiving space simply by the user inserting it into the insertion port, thereby automatically connecting the tubing to the chip post. Therefore, the process of introducing the chip post into the column receiving device is simplified.

[0099] In a specific example of the first form [1], it further includes: a configuration detection sensor for detecting that the chip post is positioned at the predetermined position when the chip post is guided to the predetermined position by the guide; and a stop for engaging with the chip post when the chip post is guided to the predetermined position by the guide, thereby positioning the chip post at the predetermined position. The control unit is configured to control the operation of the loading mechanism, and within a certain period of time after receiving a signal from the configuration detection sensor indicating that the chip post has been positioned at the predetermined position, the loading mechanism applies a pushing force to the chip post in the guiding direction. Therefore, the chip post can be reliably positioned at the predetermined position, thereby improving the accuracy of the connection between the piping and the opening of the chip post.

[0100] In a specific example of the first form [2], an insertion detection sensor is included to detect when the chip post is inserted from the insertion port into the vicinity of the insertion port within the column receiving space. The control unit is configured to control the operation of the loading mechanism and start the operation of the loading mechanism based on a signal from the insertion detection sensor indicating that the chip post has been inserted from the insertion port. Thus, the start time of the operation of the loading mechanism can be easily determined.

[0101] In a specific example of the first form [3], the loading mechanism applies a pushing force to the chip column in the direction of introduction and a pushing force in the direction of discharge, which is opposite to the direction of introduction. Thus, not only the introduction of the chip column into the column oven, but also the discharge of the chip column from the column housing can be automated.

[0102] In the specific example [3], the loading mechanism may include: a roller that contacts and rotates simultaneously with the outer surface of the chip post; and a motor that rotates the roller.

[0103] Furthermore, in the specific example [3], the control unit can be configured such that, upon inputting a discharge instruction requiring the chip post positioned at the predetermined location to be discharged from the column receiving space, the operation of the sealing device and the loading mechanism is controlled to disconnect the connection between the piping and the opening of the chip post, and then the chip post is moved in the discharge direction. This automates the operation of discharging the chip post from the column receiving device.

[0104] In this scenario, the control unit can be configured such that, based on a pressure signal from a pressure sensor detecting the pressure within the inlet pipe used to introduce liquid into the internal flow path, when the pressure within the inlet pipe exceeds a preset threshold, disconnection of the pipe from the opening of the chip post is prohibited, thus maintaining the connection. This prevents disconnection of the pipe from the chip post under high pressure conditions within the inlet pipe, thereby preventing liquid from ejecting from the inlet pipe.

[0105] In addition, in the specific example [3], the housing may include: a door; and a locking mechanism, which is fixed in the closed state to prevent manual opening of the door, and the insertion port may be provided in the door. In this case, the control unit may be configured to control the operation of the locking mechanism, and prevent manual opening of the door by means of the locking mechanism during the operation of the loading mechanism. Thus, the door can be prevented from being opened during the operation of the loading mechanism, thereby preventing the insertion port from colliding with the chip post and causing damage to the loading mechanism and the chip post.

[0106] In a second embodiment of the column housing device of the present invention, the control unit is configured to output a status signal indicating the connection status between the tubing and the opening of the column. With this configuration, the control device or user managing the liquid chromatograph system can easily identify the connection status between the tubing and the opening of the column, thus preventing accidents such as starting the pump without connecting the tubing to the column.

[0107] In a third embodiment of the tubing housing device of the present invention, a placement detection sensor is further included to detect that the chip post has been placed at the predetermined position when it is guided to the predetermined position by the guide. The control unit is configured to fluidly connect the piping to the opening of the chip post based on a signal from the placement detection sensor indicating that the chip post has been placed at the predetermined position. In this embodiment, the fluid connection between the piping and the opening is performed only after the chip post has been detected as being placed at the predetermined position, thus improving the accuracy of the connection between the piping and the chip post.

[0108] In one embodiment of the liquid chromatograph of the present invention, it includes:

[0109] A liquid delivery pump is used to transport the mobile phase;

[0110] The sample injection section is fluidly connected downstream of the delivery pump to inject the sample into the moving phase from the delivery pump.

[0111] A flat chip column, fluidly connected downstream of the sample injection section, is a separation column used to separate the sample injected through the sample injection section according to its components.

[0112] A detector, fluidly connected downstream of the chip pillar, is used to detect the components separated within the chip pillar; and

[0113] The aforementioned column housing device houses the chip column.

[0114] In this embodiment, a control device is included to control the operation of the liquid delivery pump, and the tubing receiving device is configured to output a status signal indicating the connection status between the tubing and the chip post. In this case, the control device can be configured to operate the liquid delivery pump only when the tubing is connected to the chip post, based on the status signal output from the tubing receiving device. This prevents the liquid delivery pump from starting when the tubing is not connected to the chip post.

Claims

1. A column housing device, comprising a column housing space within a housing, the column housing space being used to house a separation column for liquid chromatography analysis. The separation column is a flat-shaped chip column containing an internal flow path filled with a separation medium. Openings leading to both ends of the internal flow path are provided on the outer surface of the chip column, parallel to the internal flow path. The tubular housing device includes: Piping is disposed inside the column housing space and is fluidly connected to the opening of the chip column; A guide is disposed inside the column receiving space to guide the chip column to a predetermined position inside the column receiving space. A detection sensor is configured to detect that the chip post is positioned at the predetermined position when the chip post is guided to the predetermined position by the guide; A stop portion is used to engage with the chip post when the chip post is guided to the predetermined position using the guide, thereby positioning the chip post at the predetermined position; and A sealing device for moving the end of the piping to connect and disconnect the piping from the opening of the chip post positioned at the designated location; and The control unit is configured to control the operation of the sealing device, and the control unit is configured as follows: After receiving a signal from the configuration detection sensor indicating that the chip post has been positioned at the specified location, a pushing force is continuously applied to the chip post in the infeed direction for a certain period of time, so that the front end face of the chip post reliably reaches the stop portion, and then the piping is fluidly connected to the opening of the chip post.

2. The tubular housing device according to claim 1, wherein... The housing is provided with an insertion port for inserting the chip post from outside the housing into the post receiving space. A loading mechanism is provided inside the column receiving space. The loading mechanism contacts the chip column inserted into the column receiving space through the insertion port and applies a pushing force to the chip column toward the predetermined position in the guiding direction.

3. The tubular housing device according to claim 2, wherein... The control unit is configured to control the operation of the loading mechanism, and for a certain period of time after receiving a signal from the configuration detection sensor indicating that the chip post has been positioned at the specified location, the loading mechanism continuously applies a pushing force to the chip post toward the introduction direction.

4. The tubular housing device according to claim 2, comprising: An insertion detection sensor is used to detect when the chip post is inserted from the insertion port into the vicinity of the insertion port within the column receiving space. The control unit is configured to control the operation of the loading mechanism by initiating the operation of the loading mechanism based on a signal from the insertion detection sensor indicating that the chip post has been inserted from the insertion port.

5. The tubular housing device according to claim 2, wherein... The loading mechanism applies a thrust to the chip post in the direction of introduction and a thrust in the direction of discharge, which is opposite to the direction of introduction.

6. The tubular housing device according to claim 5, wherein The loading mechanism includes: The roller contacts the outer surface of the chip pillar and rotates simultaneously. And a motor, which rotates the roller.

7. The tubular housing device according to claim 5, wherein... The control unit is configured such that when a discharge instruction is input requesting the chip post positioned at the specified location to be discharged from the column receiving space, the operation of the sealing device and the loading mechanism is controlled to disconnect the connection between the piping and the opening of the chip post, and then the chip post is moved in the discharge direction.

8. The tubular housing device according to claim 1, wherein The control unit is configured such that, based on a pressure signal from a pressure sensor that detects the pressure in the inlet pipe used to introduce liquid into the internal flow path, when the pressure in the inlet pipe exceeds a preset threshold, it prevents disconnection of the pipe from the opening of the chip post and maintains the connection.

9. The tubular housing device according to claim 5, wherein The housing includes: Door; And a locking mechanism, which is fixed in the closed state to prevent the door from being opened manually. The insertion port is located in the door. The control unit is configured to control the operation of the locking mechanism, thereby preventing the door from being manually opened during the operation of the loading mechanism.

10. The tubular housing device according to claim 1, wherein The control unit is configured to output a status signal indicating the connection status between the pipe and the opening of the chip post.

11. A liquid chromatograph, comprising: Liquid delivery pumps are used to transport the mobile phase; The sample injection section is fluidly connected downstream of the delivery pump to inject the sample into the moving phase from the delivery pump. A flat chip column, fluidly connected downstream of the sample injection section, is a separation column used to separate the sample injected through the sample injection section according to its components. A detector, fluidly connected downstream of the chip pillar, is used to detect the components separated within the chip pillar; and The column housing device according to claim 1 houses the chip column.

12. The liquid chromatograph according to claim 11, comprising: The control device is configured to control the operation of the liquid delivery pump. The tubing storage device is configured to output a status signal indicating the connection status between the piping and the chip post. The control device is configured to operate the liquid delivery pump only when the tubing is connected to the chip post, based on the status signal output from the tubing housing device.

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