A flow path switching valve and a flow path control system

Abstract

This application relates to a flow path switching valve and a flow path control system, belonging to the field of flow path control technology. The flow path switching valve includes a fixed unit and a rotating unit. The fixed unit includes at least eight connection ports, designated as port one, port two, port three, port four, port five, port six, port seven, and port eight. The rotating unit has channels one, two, three, and four. The rotating unit has five different positions on the fixed unit, and each channel of the rotating unit can connect to two connection ports at each position. By switching the rotating unit to different positions, each channel connects to different connection ports, thereby controlling multiple flow directions within the flow path switching valve in the flow path control system, simplifying the control process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of flow path direction control technology, and in particular to a flow path switching valve and a flow path control system. Background Technology

[0002] Valves are widely used in devices related to fluid transfer. A typical type of valve, such as the rotary switching valve used in the sample loading process of a chromatography system, is the one used in this context.

[0003] Typically, a rotary switching valve includes a rotor and a stator. The stator is referred to as the fixed unit in this article, and the rotor is referred to as the rotating unit in this article. The fixed unit and the rotating unit operate in coordination.

[0004] The stationary unit has multiple inlet and outlet ports. These ports are connected via orifices to a corresponding set of orifices on the inner surface of the stationary unit. The inner surface of the stationary unit is in fluid-tight contact with the inner surface of the rotating unit. Typically, the rotating unit is formed as a disk, and its inner surface presses against the inner surface of the stationary unit during rotational operation. The inner surface of the rotating unit has one or more slots, which connect to different orifices depending on the rotational position of the rotating unit relative to the stationary unit.

[0005] Rotary switching valves can be designed to withstand high pressures (such as pressures above 30 MPa). Rotary switching valves can be made from a range of materials, such as stainless steel, high-performance polymers, and ceramics.

[0006] The number of inlets / outlets and the design of the slots in rotating or stationary units reflect the specific application of the valve.

[0007] A common type of multipurpose valve has one inlet port (typically located on the valve's axis of rotation) and multiple outlet ports equidistant from the inlet port. The rotating unit has a separate, radially extending slot with one end at the center of rotation, thus always connected to the inlet, while the other end connects to any one of the outlets depending on the angular position of the rotating unit relative to the stationary unit. Such a valve can be used to direct flow from the inlet to any one outlet—one at a time. Another type of valve is used to select one from a set of components, each with both inlet and outlet ports.

[0008] However, sometimes users wish to change the direction of the flow path through the components. For example, in the case where the component in a chromatography system is a chromatography column, during chromatography experiments, one or more reagents are sometimes loaded onto the chromatography column, and the sample volume varies. Therefore, additional loading valves are required. When multiple valves are used to control the flow path direction, the process and control become complex and cumbersome. Summary of the Invention

[0009] To address the problem that flow path switching valves cannot satisfy the switching control of multiple flow directions between two flow paths in flow path control systems, this application provides a flow path switching valve and a flow path control system.

[0010] This application provides a flow path switching valve, including a fixed unit and a rotating unit. The fixed unit includes at least eight connection ports, namely port one, port two, port three, port four, port five, port six, port seven and port eight. The rotating unit has channel one, channel two, channel three and channel four. The rotating unit includes a back side and a front side facing the fixed unit.

[0011] The rotating unit has at least a first position relative to the fixed unit. When the rotating unit is in the first position, channel one connects to port one and port three, channel two connects to port two and port six, channel three connects to port four and port five, and channel four connects to port seven and port eight.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, four channels are set on the rotating unit, and each channel is connected to two ports in the fixed unit. The flow path enters the fixed unit from one port and can flow out from the other port of the fixed unit after switching between different channels of the rotating unit, so that the flow path can be switched through the flow path switching valve.

[0013] Furthermore, the rotating unit has a second position, a third position, a fourth position, and a fifth position relative to the fixed unit. When the rotating unit is in the second position, channel one connects to port four and port six, channel two connects to port five and port one, channel three connects to port seven and port eight, and channel four connects to port two and port three.

[0014] When the rotating unit is in the third position, channel one connects to port five and port seven, channel two connects to port six and port two, channel three connects to port eight and port one, and channel four connects to port three and port four;

[0015] When the rotating unit is in the fourth position, channel one connects to port six and port eight, channel two connects to port seven and port three, channel three connects to port one and port two, and channel four connects to port four and port five.

[0016] When the rotating unit is in the fifth position, channel one connects to port seven and port one, channel two connects to port eight and port four, channel three connects to port two and port three, and channel four connects to port five and port six.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the rotating unit rotates relative to the fixed unit, realizing the switching of the rotating unit in multiple positions on the fixed unit. The four channels on the rotating unit in different positions are also connected to different ports, realizing the flow path in multiple directions on the flow path switching valve.

[0018] Furthermore, the eight connection ports are evenly distributed along the circumference on the fixed unit, the rotating unit has eight connecting points, and each of the channels one, two, three and four has two connecting points.

[0019] When the rotating unit is in any one of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth positions on the fixed unit, the eight connecting points correspond one-to-one with the eight connecting ports.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, when the rotating unit is in the first, second, third, fourth or fifth position relative to the fixed unit, it ensures that the flow path remains connected to the channel of the rotating unit during the process of flowing in or out through the port of the fixed unit, thereby realizing the flow path switching valve flow.

[0021] Furthermore, both Channel 1 and Channel 2 are located on the front / back side of the rotating unit, and Channel 1 and Channel 2 are not connected to each other.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, it is ensured that channel one and channel two are on the same plane of the rotating unit, avoiding intersection and affecting the flow direction control of the flow path.

[0023] Furthermore, the first channel and the second channel intersect on the projection plane, and the plane in which the first channel is located does not coincide with the plane in which the second channel is located in space.

[0024] By adopting the above technical solution, it is ensured that channel one and channel two are set on different planes to avoid intersection and affect the flow direction control of the flow path.

[0025] Furthermore, channel one is located on the back of the rotating unit, and channel two is located on the front of the rotating unit. Channel one has two through holes extending to the front. When the rotating unit is in the first position, the two through holes are connected to port one and port three, respectively; or,

[0026] Channel 1 is located on the front of the rotating unit, and channel 2 is located on the back of the rotating unit. Channel 2 has two through holes that extend to the front. When the rotating unit is in the first position, the two through holes are connected to port 2 and port 6, respectively.

[0027] By adopting the above technical solution, one of the channels, channel one and channel two, is located on the back of the rotating unit, and the other is located on the front of the rotating unit. This avoids channel one and channel two from intersecting in the same plane. The channel located on the back of the rotating unit is connected to the port of the fixed unit through a through hole, so that the flow path can pass through the channel on the back of the rotating unit.

[0028] Furthermore, channel one is located inside the rotating unit, and channel two is located on the front of the rotating unit. Channel one has two blind holes extending to the front. When the rotating unit is in the first position, the two blind holes are connected to port one and port three, respectively; or,

[0029] Channel 1 is located on the front of the rotating unit, and channel 2 is located inside the rotating unit. Channel 2 has two through holes extending to the front. When the rotating unit is in the first position, the two blind holes are connected to port 2 and port 6, respectively.

[0030] By adopting the above technical solution, one of the channels, channel one and channel two, is located inside the rotating unit, while the other is located on the front of the rotating unit. This avoids channel one and channel two from intersecting on the same plane. Furthermore, the channel located inside the rotating unit is connected to the port of the fixed unit through a blind hole, allowing the flow path to circulate through the channel inside the rotating unit.

[0031] Furthermore, channel three and / or channel four are located on the front of the rotating unit;

[0032] Alternatively, channel three and / or channel four may be located on the back side of the rotating unit.

[0033] By adopting the above technical solution, both channel three and channel four can be set on the front or back of the rotating unit, or one of channel three and channel four can be set on the front of the rotating unit and the other channel can be set on the back of the rotating unit. Combined with the above-mentioned settings of channel one and channel two, multiple flow modes of the flow path in the flow path switching valve can be realized, thereby realizing the switching and control of the flow path direction.

[0034] On the other hand, this application also provides a flow path control system, including a flow path switching valve and a first flow path channel. The flow path switching valve includes a fixed unit and a rotating unit. The fixed unit includes at least eight connection ports, which are respectively port one, port two, port three, port four, port five, port six, port seven and port eight. One end of the first flow path channel is connected to port one and the other end is connected to port six.

[0035] The rotating unit has channel one, channel two, channel three and channel four;

[0036] The flow path control system includes at least a first state, a second state, a third state, a fourth state, and a fifth state. When the flow path control system is in the first state, channel one connects to port one and port three, channel two connects to port two and port six, channel three connects to port four and port five, and channel four connects to port seven and port eight.

[0037] When the flow path control system is in the second state, channel one is connected to port four and port six, channel two is connected to port one and port five, channel three is connected to port seven and port eight, and channel four is connected to port two and port three;

[0038] When the flow path control system is in the third state, channel one is connected to port five and port seven, channel two is connected to port six and port two, channel three is connected to port eight and port one, and channel four is connected to port three and port four.

[0039] When the flow path control system is in the fourth state, channel one is connected to port six and port eight, channel two is connected to port seven and port three, channel three is connected to port one and port two, and channel four is connected to port four and port five.

[0040] When the flow path control system is in the fifth state, channel one connects to port seven and port one, channel two connects to port eight and port four, channel three connects to port two and port three, and channel four connects to port five and port six.

[0041] By adopting the above technical solution, the flow path switching valve is applied in the flow path control system. By adjusting the relative position of the rotating unit on the fixed unit, multiple states of operation can be achieved, thereby connecting different ports in the flow path switching valve with the first flow path channel, so that the fluid passing through the first flow path channel is in different flow directions.

[0042] Furthermore, the first flow path includes a sample loading ring.

[0043] By adopting the above technical solution, the sample loading ring is placed in the first flow path channel, which allows the fluid in the first flow path channel to enter the sample loading ring, thereby selectively sending different fluids into the sample loading ring.

[0044] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0045] In the flow path switching valve of the present invention, the fixed unit has 8 ports and the rotating unit has 4 channels. When the flow path is switched through the flow path switching valve, the rotating unit has multiple positions relative to the fixed unit. The fluid flows in from one port of the fixed unit and enters the corresponding channel in the rotating unit, and then flows out from the other corresponding port connected to the channel. Since the fixed unit connects to different channels after the rotating unit rotates, the liquid flows out from different ports, thereby controlling the multiple flow direction states of the flow path in the flow path switching valve, which is simple to control.

[0046] When applying the flow path control system to a chromatography system, the sample loop is mounted on the first flow path channel, with both ends of the first flow path channel connected to port one and port six, respectively. Port two is connected to a waste liquid collection line, port three is connected to a manual injection pump, port four is connected to the chromatography column, port five is connected to the system pump, port seven is connected to another waste liquid collection line, and port eight is connected to the sample pump. By switching the position of the rotating unit relative to the fixed unit in the flow path switching valve, adjustments to multiple states such as manual loading, sample injection of the sample loop, system pump cleaning, sample pump loading, sample pump loading, and sample pump cleaning can be achieved. Only one flow path switching valve is needed, eliminating the need for multiple switching valves for control. The software program is simple and clear, less prone to errors, and easy to operate. Attached Figure Description

[0047] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 1 of the flow path switching valve provided by the present invention;

[0048] Figure 2 Another perspective structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, which provides a flow path switching valve;

[0049] Figure 3 A front view of Embodiment 1 of the rotating unit provided by the present invention is shown.

[0050] Figure 4 A reverse structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 1 of the rotating unit of the present invention is provided;

[0051] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the first position structure of Embodiment 1 of the rotating unit of the present invention is provided;

[0052] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the second position structure of Embodiment 1 of the rotating unit of the present invention is provided;

[0053] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the third position structure of Embodiment 1 of the rotating unit of the present invention is provided;

[0054] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the fourth position structure of Embodiment 1 of the rotating unit of the present invention is provided;

[0055] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the fifth position structure of Embodiment 1 of the rotating unit of the present invention is provided;

[0056] Figure 10 A front view of Embodiment 2 of the rotating unit provided by the present invention;

[0057] Figure 11 A reverse structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 2 of the rotating unit of the present invention is provided;

[0058] Figure 12 A front view of Embodiment 3 of the rotating unit provided by the present invention;

[0059] Figure 13 A reverse structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 3 of the rotating unit of the present invention is provided;

[0060] Figure 14 A front view of Embodiment 4 of the rotating unit provided by the present invention;

[0061] Figure 15 A reverse structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 4 of the rotating unit of the present invention is provided;

[0062] Figure 16 A schematic diagram of the first state structure of Embodiment 5 of the flow path control system of the present invention;

[0063] Figure 17 A schematic diagram of the second state structure of Embodiment 5 of the flow path control system of the present invention;

[0064] Figure 18 A schematic diagram of the third state structure of Embodiment 5 of the flow path control system of the present invention is provided;

[0065] Figure 19 A schematic diagram of the fourth state structure of Embodiment 5 of the flow path control system of the present invention;

[0066] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of the fifth state structure of Embodiment 5 of the flow path control system of the present invention.

[0067] Numbering on the map:

[0068] 1-Fixed unit; 101-Port 1; 102-Port 2; 103-Port 3; 104-Port 4; 105-Port 5; 106-Port 6; 107-Port 7; 108-Port 8;

[0069] 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D - Rotating unit; 201 - Channel 1; 202 - Channel 2; 203 - Channel 3; 204 - Channel 4; 3 - First flow path channel; 31 - Sample loading loop; 51 - First waste liquid collection channel; 52 - Second waste liquid collection channel; 53 - Manual injection pump channel; 54 - Chromatography column delivery channel; 55 - System pump delivery channel; 56 - Sample pump delivery channel. Detailed Implementation

[0070] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0071] Example 1

[0072] Please refer to the following: Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a flow path switching valve includes a fixed unit 1 and a rotating unit 2A. The fixed unit 1 is specifically the stator of the flow path switching valve, and the rotating unit 2A is specifically the rotor of the flow path switching valve. The fixed unit 1 includes at least eight connection ports, namely port one 101, port two 102, port three 103, port four 104, port five 105, port six 106, port seven 107, and port eight 108, and the eight connection ports are evenly spaced along the circumferential direction on the end face of the fixed unit 1. The rotating unit 2A has... There are channels 1 (201), 2 (202), 3 (203), and 4 (204). The rotating unit 2A also has 8 connected points, and each channel has 2 connected points. The two ends of channel 1 (201) have connected points a and b, the two ends of channel 2 (202) have connected points c and d, the two ends of channel 3 (203) have connected points e and f, and the two ends of channel 4 (204) have connected points g and h. The 8 connected points are evenly distributed along the circumference of the rotating unit 2A.

[0073] The rotating unit 2A includes a back side and a front side facing the fixed unit 1; wherein, channel 1 201, channel 2 202 and channel 4 204 are all located on the front side of the rotating unit 2A, and channel 3 203 is located on the back side of the rotating unit 2A, ensuring that the planes of channel 2 202 and channel 3 203 do not overlap in space.

[0074] The rotating unit 2A rotates relative to the fixed unit 1, and during the rotation, the rotating unit 2A maintains at least a first position relative to the fixed unit 1, such as... Figure 5 As shown, when the rotating unit 2A is in the first position, the first channel 201 connects to the first port 101 and the third port 103, the second channel 202 connects to the second port 102 and the sixth port 106, the third channel 203 connects to the fourth port 104 and the fifth port 105, and the fourth channel 204 connects to the seventh port 107 and the eighth port 108.

[0075] Furthermore, the rotating unit 2A also has a second position, a third position, a fourth position, and a fifth position relative to the fixed unit 1, such as... Figure 6 As shown, when the rotating unit 2A is in the second position, channel 1 201 connects port 4 104 and port 6 106, channel 2 202 connects port 5 105 and port 1 101, channel 3 203 connects port 7 107 and port 8 108, and channel 4 204 connects port 2 102 and port 3 103.

[0076] like Figure 7 As shown, when the rotating unit 2A is in the third position, channel 1 201 connects port 5 105 and port 7 107, channel 2 202 connects port 6 106 and port 2 102, channel 3 203 connects port 8 108 and port 1 101, and channel 4 204 connects port 3 103 and port 4 104.

[0077] like Figure 8 As shown, when the rotating unit 2A is in the fourth position, channel 1 201 connects port 6 106 and port 8 108, channel 2 202 connects port 7 107 and port 3 103, channel 3 203 connects port 1 101 and port 2 102, and channel 4 204 connects port 4 104 and port 5 105.

[0078] like Figure 9 As shown, when the rotating unit 2A is in the fifth position, channel 1 201 connects port 7 107 and port 1 101, channel 2 202 connects port 8 108 and port 4 104, channel 3 203 connects port 2 102 and port 3 103, and channel 4 204 connects port 5 105 and port 6 106.

[0079] The rotating unit 2A is located on the fixed unit 1. The circle formed by the eight connecting ports and the circle formed by the eight connected points are of the same size, and their centers are on the same straight line. This ensures that when the rotating unit 2A switches positions on the fixed unit 1, the eight connected points correspond one-to-one with the eight connecting ports, so that the flow path exiting through the connecting ports enters the various channels of the rotating unit 2A. The rotating unit 2A switches positions on the fixed unit 1 by rotating at 45° per revolution.

[0080] In this embodiment, since channel 201 is located on the back of rotating unit 2A, in order to enable the outflow path through the connection port to enter channel 201, channel 201 is connected to two through holes that extend to the front. The two through holes are located at connection point a and connection point b, respectively, and the two through holes, namely connection point a and connection point b, are connected to port 101 and port 3103, respectively.

[0081] The flow path switching valve has four channels on the rotating unit 2A corresponding to eight connection ports on the fixed unit 1. It can switch the rotating unit 2A to multiple positions relative to the fixed unit 1, realizing multiple switching modes of the flow path in the flow path control system. Compared with the existing 6-hole flow path switching valve and 7-hole flow path switching valve, it has more flow path switching modes, and the flow path switching valve is simple to control and less prone to errors.

[0082] Example 2

[0083] The difference between this embodiment 2 and embodiment 1 above lies in the difference in the rotating unit 2B in the flow path switching valve, such as... Figure 10 and Figure 11 The diagram shows a structural schematic of another rotating unit 2B.

[0084] In this embodiment, the rotating unit 2B has four channels: channel 1 201, channel 2 202, channel 3 203, and channel 4 204. The rotating unit 2B also has eight connecting points, with two connecting points in each channel. Channel 1 201 has connecting points a and b at its two ends; channel 2 202 has connecting points c and d at its two ends; channel 3 203 has connecting points e and f at its two ends; and channel 4 204 has connecting points g and h at its two ends. Channels 1 201, 3 203, and 4 204 are located on the front of the rotating unit 2B, while channel 2 202 is located on the back of the rotating unit 2B, ensuring that the planes of channels 2 202 and 3 203 do not overlap spatially. Channel 2 202 has two through holes extending to the front, with the two through holes being connecting points c and d. Rotating unit 2B rotates relative to fixed unit 1. When rotating unit 2B is in the first position, the two through holes, namely connecting point c and connecting point d, are connected to port 102 and port 107, respectively. When rotating unit 2B rotates to the second, third, fourth, or fifth position, the two through holes are connected to the corresponding ports on fixed unit 1, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0085] Example 3

[0086] The difference between this embodiment 3 and embodiments 1 and 2 lies in the different rotating unit 2C in the flow path switching valve, such as... Figure 12 and Figure 13 The diagram shows another rotating unit 2C.

[0087] In this embodiment, the rotating unit 2C has four channels: channel 1 201, channel 2 202, channel 3 203, and channel 4 204. The rotating unit 2C also has eight connecting points, with two connecting points in each channel. Channel 1 201 has connecting points a and b at both ends; channel 2 202 has connecting points c and d at both ends; channel 3 203 has connecting points e and f at both ends; and channel 4 204 has connecting points g and h at both ends. Channels 1 201, 202, 3 203, and 4 204 are all located on the front of the rotating unit 2C. Channels 2 202 and 3 203 are offset on the front of the rotating unit 2C to ensure a break between them.

[0088] In another embodiment, channel 3 203 and channel 4 204 are both located on the front of the rotating unit 2C, and channel 1 201 and channel 2 202 are both located on the back of the rotating unit 2C. The channel 1 201 and channel 2 202 located on the back of the rotating unit 2C are staggered and separated from each other. Furthermore, the connecting points a and b at both ends of channel 1 201 and the connecting points c and d at both ends of channel 2 202 are through holes that penetrate the front and back of the rotating unit 2C.

[0089] Example 4

[0090] The difference between this embodiment 4 and embodiment 1 above lies in the difference in the rotating unit 2D in the flow path switching valve, such as... Figure 14 and Figure 15 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of another type of rotating unit 2D.

[0091] In this embodiment, the rotating unit 2D is provided with four channels, namely channel one 201, channel two 202, channel three 203 and channel four 204. The rotating unit 2D also has eight connected points, and each channel has two connected points. The two ends of channel one 201 have connected points a and b, the two ends of channel two 202 have connected points c and d, the two ends of channel three 203 have connected points e and f, and the two ends of channel four 204 have connected points g and h. Channels 202, 203, and 204 are all located on the front of rotating unit 2D, while channel 1 201 is located inside rotating unit 2D. Channels 1 201 and 202 intersect on the back of the rotating unit when viewed from above, or on the projection plane of the back when viewed from above, and their planes do not overlap in space. Channel 1 201 contains two blind holes that extend from its bottom to its front, with connection points a and b respectively. Rotating unit 2D rotates relative to fixed unit 1. When rotating unit 2D is in its first position, the two blind holes, i.e., connection points a and b, are connected to port 101 and port 3 103 respectively. When rotating unit 2D rotates to the second, third, fourth, or fifth position, the two through holes are connected to the corresponding ports on fixed unit 1, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0092] In another embodiment, channel 1 201, channel 3 203 and channel 4 204 are all located on the front side of the rotating unit (not shown in the figure), channel 2 202 is located inside the rotating unit, and the planes on which channel 1 201 and channel 2 202 are located do not overlap in space.

[0093] Example 5

[0094] like Figure 16 , Figure 17 , Figure 18 , Figure 19 and Figure 20 As shown, this embodiment provides a flow path control system based on embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the flow path control system is a chromatography system. In the process of liquid chromatography, in order to load the reagent in the flow path, a loading loop 31 is set in the reagent delivery pipeline.

[0095] In this embodiment, the system includes a flow path switching valve, a first flow path channel 3 and a second flow path channel 4, wherein the first flow path channel 3 includes a sample loading ring 31, and the two ends of the sample loading ring 31 are connected to the first flow path channel 3.

[0096] The flow path switching valve is the same as the one in Example 1. One end of the first flow path channel 3 is connected to port 101, and the other end is connected to port 6 106. Furthermore, port 7 of the flow path switching valve is connected to the first waste liquid collection channel 51, port 2 102 is connected to the second waste liquid collection channel 52, port 3 103 is connected to the manual injection pump channel 53, port 4 104 is connected to the chromatography column delivery channel 54, port 5 105 is connected to the system pump delivery channel 55, and port 8 108 is connected to the sample pump delivery channel 56. This allows fluid in the first flow path channel 3 to enter the sample loading ring 31. By switching the position of the rotating unit relative to the fixed unit 1 in the flow path switching valve, different fluids can be selectively allowed to flow into and out of the flow path switching valve.

[0097] In this embodiment, when the flow path control system is used in the chromatography system, it can realize multiple states such as manual loading, sample injection through the loading loop, system pump cleaning, sample pump loading, sample pump loading, and sample pump cleaning.

[0098] like Figure 16 As shown, when the flow path control system is in manual loading mode, the rotating unit 2A of the flow path switching valve is in the first position on the fixed unit 1. Channel 1 201 connects to port 1 101 and port 3 103, channel 2 202 connects to port 2 102 and port 6 106, channel 3 203 connects to port 4 104 and port 5 105, and channel 4 204 connects to port 7 107 and port 8 108. At this time, the sample can be loaded into the sample ring 31. The system pump delivery channel 55 is directly connected to the chromatography column delivery channel 54 through channel 3 203 of the flow path switching valve to perform balancing (not shown in the chromatography column diagram). The sample pump delivery channel 56 loads the sample into the sample ring 31 of the first flow path channel 3 through port 3 103, channel 1 201 and port 1 101 of the flow path switching valve. Excess sample is discharged from port 6 106, channel 2 202 and port 2 102 to the second waste liquid collection channel 52 for collection, thus completing the manual loading of the sample.

[0099] like Figure 17As shown, after the sample is manually loaded, the rotating unit 2A of the flow path switching valve is positioned in the second position on the fixed unit 1 by the automatic running software program or the manual operation software. Channel 1 201 is connected to port 4 104 and port 6 106, channel 2 202 is connected to port 1 101 and port 5 105, channel 3 203 is connected to port 7 107 and port 8 108, and channel 4 204 is connected to port 2 102 and port 3 103. At this time, the flow path control system is in the sample injection state of the loading loop. The system pump delivery channel 55 injects buffer solution into the loading loop 31 in the first flow path channel 3 through port 5 105, channel 2 202 and port 1 101 of the flow path switching valve. This pushes the sample in the loading loop 31 through port 6 106, channel 1 201 and port 4 104 in the flow path switching valve into the chromatography column delivery channel 54 and into the chromatography column.

[0100] like Figure 18 As shown, after the sample is injected into the loading loop 31, the rotating unit 2A of the flow path switching valve is positioned in the third position on the fixed unit 1 by the automatic running software program or the manual operation software. Channel 1 201 connects to port 5 105 and port 7 107, channel 2 202 connects to port 6 106 and port 2 102, channel 3 203 connects to port 8 108 and port 1 101, and channel 4 204 connects to port 3 103 and port 4 104. At this time, the system pump connected to the system pump delivery channel 55 can be cleaned. The system pump delivery channel 55 discharges the waste liquid into the first waste liquid collection channel 51 through port 5 105, channel 1 201 and port 7 107 of the flow path switching valve, so as to avoid the high flow rate system pump cleaning liquid from entering the chromatography column and causing damage to the chromatography column.

[0101] like Figure 19 As shown, when a sample needs to be loaded into the sample ring 31 via the sample pump delivery channel 56, the rotating unit 2A of the flow path switching valve is positioned in the fourth position on the fixed unit 1 by the automatic operation software program or manual operation software. Channel 1 201 connects to port 6 106 and port 8 108, channel 2 202 connects to port 7 107 and port 3 103, channel 3 203 connects to port 1 101 and port 2 102, and channel 4 204 connects to port 4 104 and port 5 105. At this time, the sample pump delivery channel 56 is switched via the flow path. Port 8 108, channel 1 201 and port 6 106 inside the valve are connected to the sample loading ring 31 of the first flow path channel 3. The sample pump is started to load a small amount of sample into the sample loading ring 31. After loading is completed, the rotating unit 2A of the flow path switching valve is positioned in the second position on the fixed unit 1 to push the sample in the sample loading ring 31 into the chromatography column of the chromatography column delivery channel 54. By switching the rotating unit 2A of the flow path switching valve back and forth between the second position and the third position on the fixed unit 1, the chromatography column of the chromatography column delivery channel 54 is reciprocated for loading.

[0102] like Figure 20 As shown, when a large amount of sample needs to be loaded into the chromatography column through the column delivery channel 54, the rotating unit 2A of the flow path switching valve is positioned in the fifth position on the fixed unit 1 by the automatic operation software program or the manual operation software. Channel 1 201 is connected to port 7 107 and port 1 101, channel 2 202 is connected to port 8 108 and port 4 104, channel 3 203 is connected to port 2 102 and port 3 103, and channel 4 204 is connected to port 5 105 and port 6 106. At this time, the sample pump delivery channel 56 is connected to the chromatography column delivery channel 54 through port 8 108, channel 2 202 and port 4 104. The sample pump is started to load a large amount of sample into the chromatography column.

[0103] For example Figure 12 As shown, when the sample pump connected to the sample pump delivery channel 56 needs to be cleaned, the rotating unit 2A is switched to the second position relative to the fixed unit 1, the sample pump is started, and the waste liquid is discharged into the first waste liquid collection channel 51 for collection through the flow path switching valve port 8 108, channel 3 203 and port 7 107.

[0104] By applying a flow path switching valve to the chromatography system, different operating states can be controlled and switched within the system. This allows for both small-sample loading via the loading loop and large-sample loading via the sample pump connected to sample pump delivery channel 56, or repeated small-sample loading via the sample pump onto the loading loop. This provides multiple loading modes without repeatedly disassembling and reassembling the loading loop and sample pump, simplifying operation, improving efficiency, and providing a simple, clear, and error-free software program for convenient operation.

[0105] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A flow path switching valve, comprising a fixed unit (1) and rotating units (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D), characterized in that, The fixed unit (1) includes at least 8 connection ports, namely port one (101), port two (102), port three (103), port four (104), port five (105), port six (106), port seven (107) and port eight (108). The rotating unit (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) has channel one (201), channel two (202), channel three (203) and channel four (204). The rotating unit (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) includes a back side and a front side facing the fixed unit (1). The rotating units (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) have at least a first position relative to the fixed unit (1). When the rotating units (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) are in the first position, the first channel (201) connects to the first port (101) and the third port (103), the second channel (202) connects to the second port (102) and the sixth port (106), the third channel (203) connects to the fourth port (104) and the fifth port (105), and the fourth channel (204) connects to the seventh port (107) and the eighth port (108). Among them, the rotating units (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) have a second position, a third position, a fourth position and a fifth position relative to the fixed unit (1). When the rotating units (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) are in the second position, the first channel (201) is connected to the fourth port (104) and the sixth port (106), the second channel (202) is connected to the fifth port (105) and the first port (101), the third channel (203) is connected to the seventh port (107) and the eighth port (108), and the fourth channel (204) is connected to the second port (102) and the third port (103). When the rotating unit (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) is in the third position, channel one (201) connects to port five (105) and port seven (107), channel two (202) connects to port six (106) and port two (102), channel three (203) connects to port eight (108) and port one (101), and channel four (204) connects to port three (103) and port four (104). When the rotating unit (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) is in the fourth position, channel one (201) is connected to port six (106) and port eight (108), channel two (202) is connected to port seven (107) and port three (103), channel three (203) is connected to port one (101) and port two (102), and channel four (204) is connected to port four (104) and port five (105). When the rotating unit (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) is in the fifth position, the first channel (201) connects to the seventh port (107) and the first port (101), the second channel (202) connects to the eighth port (108) and the fourth port (104), the third channel (203) connects to the second port (102) and the third port (103), and the fourth channel (204) connects to the fifth port (105) and the sixth port (106).

2. The flow path switching valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The eight connection ports are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction on the fixed unit (1), and the rotating unit (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) has eight connection points. Each of the channels one (201), channel two (202), channel three (203) and channel four (204) has two connection points. When the rotating units (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) are in any one of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth positions on the fixed unit (1), the eight connecting points correspond one-to-one with the eight connecting ports.

3. The flow path switching valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both channel one (201) and channel two (202) are located on the front / back of the rotating unit (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D), and channel one (201) and channel two (202) are not connected to each other.

4. The flow path switching valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first channel (201) and the second channel (202) intersect on the projection plane, and the plane where the first channel (201) is located does not coincide with the plane where the second channel (202) is located in space.

5. The flow path switching valve according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first channel (201) is located on the back of the rotating units (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D), and the second channel (202) is located on the front of the rotating units (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D). The first channel (201) has two through holes extending to the front of the rotating units. When the rotating units (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) are in the first position, the two through holes are connected to port one (101) and port three (103) respectively; or... The first channel (201) is located on the front of the rotating unit (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D), and the second channel (202) is located on the back of the rotating unit (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D). The second channel (202) has two through holes that extend to the front. When the rotating unit (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) is in the first position, the two through holes are connected to the second port (102) and the sixth port (106) respectively.

6. The flow path switching valve according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first channel (201) is located inside the rotating unit (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D), and the second channel (202) is located on the front of the rotating unit (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D). The first channel (201) has two blind holes extending to the front. When the rotating unit (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) is in its first position, the two blind holes are connected to port one (101) and port three (103) respectively; or... The first channel (201) is located on the front of the rotating unit (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D), and the second channel (202) is located inside the rotating unit (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D). The second channel (202) has two through holes extending to the front. When the rotating unit (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) is in the first position, the two blind holes are connected to the second port (102) and the sixth port (106) respectively.

7. The flow path switching valve according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The third channel (203) and / or the fourth channel (204) are located on the front of the rotating units (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D); Alternatively, the third channel (203) and / or the fourth channel (204) may be located on the back side of the rotating unit (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D).

8. A flow path control system, characterized in that, The system includes a flow path switching valve and a first flow path channel (3). The flow path switching valve includes a fixed unit (1) and a rotating unit (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D). The fixed unit (1) includes at least 8 connection ports, namely, port one (101), port two (102), port three (103), port four (104), port five (105), port six (106), port seven (107), and port eight (108). One end of the first flow path channel (3) is connected to port one (101), and the other end is connected to port six (106). The rotating units (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) have channel one (201), channel two (202), channel three (203) and channel four (204); The flow path control system includes at least a first state, a second state, a third state, a fourth state, and a fifth state. When the flow path control system is in the first state, channel one (201) is connected to port one (101) and port three (103), channel two (202) is connected to port two (102) and port six (106), channel three (203) is connected to port four (104) and port five (105), and channel four (204) is connected to port seven (107) and port eight (108). When the flow path control system is in the second state, channel one (201) is connected to port four (104) and port six (106), channel two (202) is connected to port one (101) and port five (105), channel three (203) is connected to port seven (107) and port eight (108), and channel four (204) is connected to port two (102) and port three (103). When the flow path control system is in the third state, channel one (201) is connected to port five (105) and port seven (107), channel two (202) is connected to port six (106) and port two (102), channel three (203) is connected to port eight (108) and port one (101), and channel four (204) is connected to port three (103) and port four (104). When the flow path control system is in the fourth state, channel one (201) is connected to port six (106) and port eight (108), channel two (202) is connected to port seven (107) and port three (103), channel three (203) is connected to port one (101) and port two (102), and channel four (204) is connected to port four (104) and port five (105). When the flow path control system is in the fifth state, channel one (201) is connected to port seven (107) and port one (101), channel two (202) is connected to port eight (108) and port four (104), channel three (203) is connected to port two (102) and port three (103), and channel four (204) is connected to port five (105) and port six (106).

9. The flow path control system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first flow path channel (3) includes a sample ring (31).

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