Gas chromatograph

Abstract

To provide a gas chromatograph device with which it is possible to guide at least some of wind from a cooling fan to a suction port of a column oven.SOLUTION: A gas chromatograph device 10 comprises a column oven 14, an opening / closing mechanism 20, a cooling fan 28, a control chamber 22, and a switching mechanism 34. The column oven 14 has a suction port 14a and an exhaust port 14b. The opening / closing mechanism 20 opens and closes the suction port 14a and the exhaust port 14b. The control chamber 22 has a control unit 22 located in its interior, which is provided on the outside of the column oven 14 and which communicates with an inside of the column oven 14 via the suction port 14a while the suction port 14a is left open by the opening / closing mechanism 20. The switching mechanism 34 guides at least some of the wind from the cooling fan 28 to the suction port 14a by switching a wind direction of the cooling fan 28 while the suction port 14a is left open by the opening / closing mechanism 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas chromatograph apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a column oven is provided inside the housing of a gas chromatograph apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 1. Furthermore, inside the housing, for example, a control board and the like are provided outside the column oven. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-002049 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A stirring fan is installed in the column oven of a gas chromatograph to stir the air inside the column oven. When the column oven's air intake is open, the stirring fan draws in air from the intake, removing heat from the column oven and expelling it from the column oven's exhaust. In other words, the inside of the column oven is cooled.

[0005] In addition, various boards, power supplies, etc. are placed in the control room adjacent to the column oven, and these are cooled by a cooling fan separate from the stirring fan.

[0006] That is, in the gas chromatograph, the substrates and the like in the control room and the inside of the column oven are cooled independently of each other.

[0007] Furthermore, such gas chromatographs may be provided with a supply fan for supplying air to the inlet of the column oven. In this case, the supply fan and the stirring fan are used together to quickly cool the inside of the column oven.

[0008] On the other hand, providing a separate supply fan increases the number of parts, resulting in an unnecessary increase in costs.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a gas chromatograph apparatus that can guide at least a portion of the air from a cooling fan to an intake port of a column oven. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] An aspect of the present invention includes a column oven, a stirring fan, an opening / closing mechanism, a control unit, a cooling fan, a control room, and a switching mechanism. The column oven has an intake port and an exhaust port. The stirring fan stirs the air inside the column oven. The opening / closing mechanism opens and closes the intake port and the exhaust port. The cooling fan cools the control unit. The control room is provided outside the column oven, and communicates with the interior of the column oven via the intake port when the intake port is opened by the opening / closing mechanism, and the control unit is located inside. The switching mechanism, when the intake port is opened by the opening / closing mechanism, switches the airflow direction of the cooling fan to direct at least a portion of the air from the cooling fan to the intake port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, by switching the airflow direction of the cooling fan, at least a portion of the airflow from the cooling fan can be guided to the intake port of the column oven. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a gas chromatograph apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a gas chromatograph apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a gas chromatograph apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a gas chromatograph apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the configuration of the switching mechanism of the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another modified example of the configuration of the switching mechanism of the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing yet another modified example of the configuration of the switching mechanism of the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the gas chromatograph apparatus of the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a specific electrical configuration of the gas chromatograph apparatus of the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a cooling process of the gas chromatograph apparatus of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] 1. Configuration of gas chromatograph equipment 1 to 4 are schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of a gas chromatograph apparatus 10 according to this embodiment. FIG. 1 specifically shows the gas chromatograph apparatus 10 in a state in which an inlet port 14a and an outlet port 14b, which will be described later, are closed. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the gas chromatograph apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 taken along the X plane. FIG. 3 specifically shows the gas chromatograph apparatus 10 in a state in which the inlet port 14a and the outlet port 14b are open. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the gas chromatograph apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 3 taken along the X plane. The gas chromatograph apparatus 10 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0014] A column oven 14 is provided within a housing 12 of the gas chromatograph system 10. The column oven 14 has an air inlet 14a and an air outlet 14b. A stirring fan 16 is also provided within the column oven 14 to stir the air within the column oven 14. A column 18 is also provided within the column oven 14.

[0015] The gas chromatograph 10 also includes an opening / closing mechanism 20 that opens and closes the intake port 14a and exhaust port 14b of the column oven 14. The opening / closing mechanism 20 includes an opening / closing door 20a that opens and closes the intake port 14a and an opening / closing door 20b that opens and closes the exhaust port 14b. The opening / closing mechanism 20 also includes a drive unit 20c that operates the opening / closing doors 20a and 20b. The drive unit 20c is a general-purpose motor.

[0016] In the example shown in Figures 1 to 4, the driving force of drive unit 20c is transmitted to opening / closing doors 20a and 20b via a shaft-shaped member, so that opening / closing doors 20a and 20b rotate around the shaft-shaped member.

[0017] In this embodiment, a control room 22 is provided inside the housing 12, outside the column oven 14. The control room 22 communicates with the inside of the column oven 14 via the intake port 14a when the intake port 14a is opened by the opening / closing mechanism 20, and a control unit 24 and the like are disposed inside the control room 22.

[0018] The control unit 24 refers to boards and power supplies, etc., related to the control of the gas chromatograph 10. Specifically, the control unit 24 includes a control board for controlling the temperature inside the column oven 14, a switching power supply, etc. However, boards for performing some of the control of the gas chromatograph 10, such as an operation board for processing signals based on the operation of an operation unit (not shown) or a display board for controlling a display unit (not shown), are not included in the control unit 24 and may be located in a position other than the control room 22. In addition to the control unit 24, a drive unit 26 for driving the stirring fan 16 is also located in the control room 22. The drive unit 26 is a general-purpose motor.

[0019] The housing 12 is provided with an intake port 12a for taking air into the control chamber 22. The housing 12 is also provided with an exhaust port 12b for exhausting air from the control chamber 22. The intake port 12a and the exhaust port 12b are always open.

[0020] The gas chromatograph apparatus 10 of this embodiment also has a cooling fan 28 that cools the control unit 24 and other components. The cooling fan 28 overlaps with the intake port 14a of the column oven 14 in the intake direction of the intake port 14a. That is, the cooling fan 28 is located on an extension of the center line of the intake port 14a. The cooling fan 28 is inclined at an angle of 30 to 60°, more specifically, at an angle of approximately 45°, with respect to the center line of the intake port 14a. The direction of the straight line connecting the control unit 24 and the cooling fan 28 is inclined with respect to the direction of the straight line connecting the cooling fan 28 and the intake port 14a.

[0021] 1 to 4 is provided in the control room 22 and faces in a direction inclined with respect to the intake direction of the intake port 14a, specifically, toward the control unit 24. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the cooling fan 28 is provided in the housing 12 and overlaps with the intake port 12a of the housing 12 in the intake direction of the intake port 12a. In other words, the cooling fan 28 is located on an extension of the center line of the intake port 12a. It can also be said that the cooling fan 28 is located on a straight line connecting the intake port 12a and the intake port 14a.

[0022] In this embodiment, an exhaust chamber 30 is provided outside the column oven 14 in the housing 12, separate from the control chamber 22. The housing 12 is provided with an exhaust port 12c for exhausting the air in the exhaust chamber 30, and this exhaust port 12c is always open.

[0023] A duct 32 is provided in the exhaust chamber 30. The duct 32 connects the inside of the column oven 14 with the outside of the housing 12. The air exhausted from the exhaust port 14b is exhausted to the outside of the housing 12 via the duct 32.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the intake port 14a and the exhaust port 14b are closed by the opening / closing mechanism 20, rotating the stirring fan 16 improves the temperature imbalance inside the column oven 14.

[0025] Also, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, when the intake port 14a and the exhaust port 14b are closed by the opening / closing mechanism 20, when the cooling fan 28 rotates, the control unit 24 and the like are exposed to the wind from the cooling fan 28.

[0026] The air that has absorbed heat from the control unit 24 and other components is exhausted from the exhaust port 12b to the outside of the housing 12. Therefore, when the intake port 14a and the exhaust port 14b are closed, the control unit 24 and other components are cooled when the cooling fan 28 rotates.

[0027] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, when the intake port 14a and the exhaust port 14b are open by the opening / closing mechanism 20, when the stirring fan 16 rotates, the air taken in through the intake port 14a is stirred, and heat is removed from inside the column oven 14.

[0028] The air that has absorbed heat from inside the column oven 14 is exhausted to the outside of the housing 12 via the exhaust port 14b etc. Therefore, when the intake port 14a and the exhaust port 14b are open, the inside of the column oven 14 is cooled when the stirring fan 16 rotates.

[0029] 3 and 4, when the opening / closing mechanism 20 opens the intake port 14a and the exhaust port 14b, and the cooling fan 28 rotates, the opening / closing door 20a blocks at least a portion of the air from the cooling fan 28. The air blocked by the opening / closing door 20a is guided to the intake port 14a.

[0030] When air intake 14a is open, opening / closing door 20a is rotated to a position where it does not overlap with air intake 14a in the intake direction of air intake 14a. That is, opening / closing door 20a opens air intake 14a when rotated 90° or more from a state in which air intake 14a is closed. When air intake 14a is open, part of opening / closing door 20a faces the airflow direction of cooling fan 28, blocking at least part of the air from cooling fan 28 and redirecting at least part of the air toward air intake 14a.

[0031] In other words, when the intake port 14a and the exhaust port 14b are open by the opening / closing mechanism 20, the opening / closing door 20a blocks at least a portion of the wind from the cooling fan 28, thereby directing at least a portion of the wind to the intake port 14a.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, when the stirring fan 16 is rotated while the air from the cooling fan 28 is directed to the air intake 14a, the inside of the column oven 14 can be cooled more efficiently than when the stirring fan 16 is rotated without directing the air from the cooling fan 28 to the air intake 14a.

[0033] For example, if the opening / closing door 20a guides only a portion of the air from the cooling fan 28 to the air intake 14a, the remaining air from the cooling fan 28 can be used to cool the control unit 24, etc., while efficiently cooling the inside of the column oven 14.

[0034] On the other hand, if the opening and closing door 20a is used to direct all of the air from the cooling fan 28 to the air intake 14a, the inside of the column oven 14 can be cooled more efficiently than if only a portion of the air from the cooling fan 28 were directed to the air intake 14a.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a switching mechanism 34 (see FIGS. 5 to 7), which will be described later, may be provided. When air intake 14a is opened by opening / closing mechanism 20, switching mechanism 34 switches the airflow direction of cooling fan 28, thereby directing at least a portion of the airflow from cooling fan 28 to air intake 14a.

[0036] Furthermore, switching mechanism 34 may include a rectifying member 36 (see FIGS. 6 and 7), which will be described later. Straightening member 36 is displaceable, and guides at least a portion of the air from cooling fan 28 to air intake 14a when air intake 14a is opened by opening / closing mechanism 20. Note that the displacement of rectifying member 36 includes the movement or rotation of rectifying member 36 itself.

[0037] 1 to 4, if the opening / closing door 20a of the opening / closing mechanism 20 guides at least a portion of the air from the cooling fan 28 to the air intake 14a, the opening / closing mechanism 20 serves as the switching mechanism 34, and the opening / closing door 20a serves as the airflow rectifying member 36. In other words, in this case, the opening / closing mechanism 20 can also be referred to as the switching mechanism 34. Furthermore, the opening / closing door 20a can also be referred to as the airflow rectifying member 36.

[0038] In addition, in this embodiment, when the switching mechanism 34 is provided separately from the opening / closing mechanism 20, the opening / closing door 20a and the opening / closing door 20b may be, for example, of a sliding type.

[0039] In the present embodiment, when the rectifying member 36 is not included in the switching mechanism 34, the switching mechanism 34 may displace the cooling fan 28. The displacement of the cooling fan 28 includes the movement or rotation of the cooling fan 28 itself.

[0040] Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the configuration of the switching mechanism 34 of this embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the switching mechanism 34 rotates the cooling fan 28 itself. Note that in Fig. 5, the switching mechanism 34 is hidden by the cooling fan 28 and is therefore represented by a dashed line.

[0041] 5, when the air intake 14a is closed by the opening / closing mechanism 20, the cooling fan 28 faces the direction in which the control unit 24 is located. In this case, the air from the cooling fan 28 cools the control unit 24 and the like.

[0042] When air intake 14a is opened by opening / closing mechanism 20, cooling fan 28 faces, for example, toward air intake 14a. That is, when air intake 14a is opened by opening / closing mechanism 20, cooling fan 28 faces toward air intake 14a and more air is guided into air intake 14a than when air intake 14a is closed by opening / closing mechanism 20.

[0043] In this way, when the airflow direction of cooling fan 28 is switched by changing the orientation of cooling fan 28 itself, the amount of air guided to intake port 14a can be adjusted simply by adjusting the orientation of cooling fan 28 itself.

[0044] The airflow direction of cooling fan 28 may be switched by moving cooling fan 28 itself. When cooling fan 28 itself is moved, the position of the airflow supply destination may be adjusted by moving cooling fan 28 itself, and the amount of airflow guided to air intake 14a may be adjusted. Note that the movement and rotation of cooling fan 28 itself may be performed in combination.

[0045] Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another modified example of the configuration of the switching mechanism 34 of the present embodiment. The switching mechanism 34 includes a rectifying member 36. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the cooling fan 28 faces in the direction in which the air intake 14a is located.

[0046] 6, switching mechanism 34 includes, in addition to rectifying member 36, a configuration that enables movement of rectifying member 36. For example, switching mechanism 34 includes, in addition to rectifying member 36, a guide. This guide is located between cooling fan 28 and air intake 14a, and extends in a direction that intersects with the airflow direction of cooling fan 28, specifically, that is approximately perpendicular thereto.

[0047] The switching mechanism 34 is movable along the guide and includes a displacement member connected to the rectifying member 36. That is, the rectifying member 36 is movable along the guide as needed. The rectifying member 36 is inclined with respect to the intake direction of the air intake port 14a.

[0048] When air intake 14a is closed by opening / closing mechanism 20, rectifying member 36 blocks at least a portion of the air from cooling fan 28. In this case, at least a portion of the air from cooling fan 28 is guided to control unit 24, etc. When air intake 14a is closed by opening / closing mechanism 20, it is preferable that all of the air from cooling fan 28 is blocked by rectifying member 36 and all of the air is guided to control unit 24, etc.

[0049] When the air intake 14a is opened by the opening / closing mechanism 20, the airflow rectifying member 36 may or may not block part of the airflow from the cooling fan 28.

[0050] In this way, when the airflow direction of the cooling fan 28 is changed simply by moving the rectifying member 36, the amount of airflow guided to the control unit 24 etc. can be adjusted according to the position of the rectifying member 36.

[0051] In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the cooling fan 28 faces the direction where the air intake 14a is located, so adjusting the amount of air guided to the control unit 24, etc. also means adjusting the amount of air guided to the air intake 14a.

[0052] 6, as long as it is possible to change the position of rectifying member 36 relative to cooling fan 28 and guide at least a portion of the air from cooling fan 28 to air intake 14a by moving rectifying member 36, the shape and movement route of rectifying member 36 are not particularly limited. The same applies to the configuration for moving rectifying member 36.

[0053] The airflow direction of cooling fan 28 may be changed by rotating rectifying member 36. When rectifying member 36 is rotated, rectifying member 36 is disposed between cooling fan 28 and air intake 14a and overlaps with air intake 14a in the air intake direction of air intake 14a. In other words, rectifying member 36 is disposed at the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6.

[0054] In such a case, the amount of airflow guided to the control unit 24, etc. can be adjusted by adjusting the angle of the rectifying member 36 relative to the airflow direction of the cooling fan 28. That is, the amount of airflow guided to the air intake 14a is also adjusted in the same manner. Note that the movement and rotation of the rectifying member 36 may be performed in combination.

[0055] 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing yet another modified example of the configuration of the switching mechanism 34 of the present embodiment. The switching mechanism 34 shown in FIG. 7 includes a configuration that makes the rectifying member 36 movable, similar to the switching mechanism 34 shown in FIG.

[0056] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the cooling fan faces in a direction inclined with respect to the air intake direction of the air intake port 14a, specifically, faces the control unit 24.

[0057] Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the rectifying member 36 extends along the intake direction of the intake port 14a and is movable along the intake direction.

[0058] 7 differs from the example shown in FIG. 6 in that the wind from the cooling fan 28 is blocked and the wind is guided to the intake port 14a.

[0059] When the air intake 14a is closed by the opening / closing mechanism 20, the rectifying member 36 does not interfere with the air from the cooling fan 28. That is, all of the air from the cooling fan 28 is guided to the control unit 24 and the like.

[0060] When air intake 14a is opened by opening / closing mechanism 20, rectifying member 36 blocks at least a portion of the airflow from cooling fan 28 and guides at least a portion of the airflow to air intake 14a. The amount of air guided to air intake 14a varies depending on the position of rectifying member 36.

[0061] As described above, the shape and movement route of rectifying member 36 are not particularly limited as long as it is possible to change the position of rectifying member 36 relative to cooling fan 28 and guide at least a portion of the air from cooling fan 28 to air intake 14a by moving rectifying member 36. The same applies to the configuration for moving rectifying member 36.

[0062] As described above, the airflow direction of the cooling fan 28 may be changed by rotating the rectifying member 36. When the rectifying member 36 is rotated, the rectifying member 36 is positioned in the airflow direction of the cooling fan 28. In other words, the rectifying member 36 is positioned as shown by the dashed line in FIG.

[0063] In such a case, the amount of airflow guided to air intake 14a can be similarly adjusted by adjusting the angle of rectifying member 36 relative to the airflow direction of cooling fan 28. Note that the movement and rotation of rectifying member 36 may be performed in combination.

[0064] Moreover, the switching mechanism 34 may be configured by appropriately combining the configurations shown in FIGS.

[0065] 2. Electrical configuration of gas chromatograph equipment 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the gas chromatograph 10 of this embodiment. The control unit 24 of the gas chromatograph 10 includes a main control unit 50. The main control unit 40, the stirring fan 16, the opening / closing mechanism 20, the cooling fan 28, the switching mechanism 34, etc. are electrically connected to one another via wiring 58 such as a bus.

[0066] The main control unit 50 is responsible for overall control of the gas chromatograph apparatus 10. The main control unit 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 52. The main control unit 50 also includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) 54 and a storage unit 56 that can be directly accessed by the CPU 52.

[0067] The CPU 52 controls each component of the gas chromatograph apparatus 10. The RAM 54 is used as a work area and a buffer area for the CPU 52. The storage unit 56 is a non-volatile memory, and for example, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) is used as the storage unit 56.

[0068] The storage unit 56 stores a control program for controlling each component of the gas chromatograph apparatus 10, data required for executing the control program (execution data), etc. The storage unit 56 may be configured to include the RAM 54.

[0069] In such a gas chromatograph apparatus 10, for example, the main control unit 50 controls the cooling fan 28 to cool the control unit 24 and the like until cooling inside the column oven 14 begins, and when cooling inside the column oven 14, the main control unit 50 controls the opening / closing mechanism 20 and the switching mechanism 34 to open the intake port 14a and the exhaust port 14b, and then the switching mechanism 34 directs at least a portion of the air from the cooling fan 28 to the intake port 14a.

[0070] Furthermore, when at least a portion of the airflow from the cooling fan 28 is guided to the intake port 14a to cool the interior of the column oven 14, the main control unit 50 may control the cooling fan 28 to increase the rotation speed of the cooling fan 28. This allows the interior of the column oven 14 to be cooled more efficiently than when at least a portion of the airflow from the cooling fan 28 is simply guided to the intake port 14a.

[0071] In this embodiment, the stirring fan 16 and the cooling fan 28 start rotating when the gas chromatograph 10 is powered on, and continue rotating until the power is turned off.

[0072] 3. Specific electrical configuration of the gas chromatograph 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a specific electrical configuration of the gas chromatograph apparatus 10 of this embodiment. Note that the storage unit 56 is not shown in FIG.

[0073] The RAM 54 stores execution data that has been read out in advance from the storage unit 56. In addition, when acquired data acquired using devices, sensors, etc. is stored in the storage unit 56, the acquired data is temporarily stored in the RAM 54.

[0074] 9, the RAM 54 stores rotation speed data 60. Although not shown, the RAM 54 also stores data required for controlling each component. For example, the RAM 54 stores data indicating the default rotation speed of the cooling fan 28.

[0075] The rotation speed data 60 is data that indicates the rotation speed of the cooling fan 28. Specifically, the rotation speed data 60 indicates a rotation speed that is higher than the default rotation speed of the cooling fan 28.

[0076] The RAM 54 stores a control program (not shown) that has been read out in advance from the storage unit 56 , and when the CPU 52 executes the control program, the main control unit 50 functions as a cooling processing unit 62 .

[0077] When cooling the inside of the column oven 14, the cooling treatment unit 62 opens the intake port 14a with the opening / closing mechanism 20, and rotates the stirring fan 16 while directing at least a portion of the air from the cooling fan 28 to the intake port 14a with the switching mechanism 34.

[0078] Furthermore, when cooling the inside of the column oven 14, the cooling processing unit 62 increases the rotation speed of the cooling fan 28 in accordance with the switching of the airflow direction of the cooling fan 28 by the switching mechanism 34. When increasing the rotation speed of the cooling fan 28, the cooling processing unit 62 uses the rotation speed data 60.

[0079] 4. Flow 10 is a flow diagram showing an example of the cooling process of the CPU 52 of this embodiment. The cooling process is started, for example, in response to the completion of sample analysis (e.g., temperature-programmed analysis) in the gas chromatograph 10. The stirring fan 16 and the cooling fan 28 start rotating when the gas chromatograph 10 is powered on.

[0080] In step S1, the intake port 14a and the exhaust port 14b are opened, and in step S2, the air direction of the cooling fan 28 is switched. In step S3, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 28 is increased.

[0081] In step S4, it is determined whether or not to terminate the cooling of the column oven 14. The timing for terminating the cooling of the column oven 14 is arbitrary, and may be, for example, when a preset time has elapsed, or when the temperature inside the column oven 14 detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) reaches a predetermined temperature. If "NO" in step S4, that is, if the cooling of the column oven 14 is not to be terminated, the process returns to step S4. On the other hand, if "YES" in step S4, that is, if the cooling of the column oven 14 is to be terminated, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0082] In step S5, the airflow direction of cooling fan 28 is returned to its original state, and in step S6, the rotation speed of cooling fan 28 is returned to its original state. When the rotation speed of cooling fan 28 is returned to its original state in step S6, the cooling process ends. Note that the order in which the steps in the flowcharts shown in the above-described embodiments are performed can be changed as appropriate, as long as the same results are obtained.

[0083] Furthermore, the electrical configurations and the like shown in the above-described embodiment are merely examples, and may be modified as appropriate in an actual product. For example, the cooling fan 28 may be provided outside the housing 12.

[0084] 5. Aspects It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0085] (Item 1) A gas chromatograph apparatus according to one aspect comprises: a column oven having an inlet and an outlet; a stirring fan that stirs the air in the column oven; an opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes the intake port and the exhaust port; A control unit; a cooling fan that cools the control unit; a control room provided outside the column oven, communicating with the inside of the column oven via the intake port when the intake port is opened by the opening / closing mechanism, and containing the control unit; The cooling device may further include a switching mechanism that switches the direction of airflow from the cooling fan when the air intake is opened by the opening / closing mechanism, thereby directing at least a portion of the airflow from the cooling fan to the air intake.

[0086] According to the gas chromatograph apparatus described in paragraph 1, by switching the airflow direction of the cooling fan, at least a portion of the airflow from the cooling fan can be directed to the inlet of the column oven. Furthermore, if only a portion of the airflow from the cooling fan is directed to the inlet of the column oven by switching the airflow direction of the cooling fan, the remaining airflow from the cooling fan can be directed to the control unit. In other words, the control unit can be cooled while the inside of the column oven is efficiently cooled. On the other hand, if the airflow direction of the cooling fan is switched to direct all of the airflow from the cooling fan to the inlet of the column oven, all of the airflow from the cooling fan can be directed to the inlet of the column oven. In other words, the inside of the column oven can be cooled even more efficiently.

[0087] (Item 2) In the gas chromatograph apparatus according to item 1, The switching mechanism may include a rectifying member that is displaceable and that guides at least a portion of the air from the cooling fan to the air intake when the air intake is opened by the opening / closing mechanism.

[0088] According to the gas chromatograph apparatus described in the second aspect, at least a part of the air from the cooling fan can be guided to the intake port of the column oven using the straightening member.

[0089] (Item 3) In the gas chromatograph apparatus according to item 2, the opening / closing mechanism has an opening / closing door that opens and closes the air intake port, The switching mechanism may switch the airflow direction of the cooling fan by using the opening / closing door as the airflow rectifying member.

[0090] According to the gas chromatograph apparatus described in the third aspect, at least a portion of the air from the cooling fan can be guided to the intake port of the column oven using the door that opens and closes the intake port. Furthermore, because the door also serves as a straightening member, there is no need to provide a separate straightening member. Therefore, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

[0091] (Item 4) In the gas chromatograph apparatus according to item 2 or 3, the cooling fan is provided facing in a direction inclined with respect to the intake direction of the air intake port, The airflow rectifying member may guide at least a portion of the airflow from the cooling fan to the air intake port by blocking at least a portion of the airflow from the cooling fan when the air intake port is opened by the opening / closing mechanism.

[0092] According to the gas chromatograph apparatus described in item 4, by using the rectifying member to block at least a portion of the air from the cooling fan, at least a portion of the air can be guided to the intake port of the column oven. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of air blocked by the rectifying member, the amount of air guided to the intake port of the column oven can be adjusted.

[0093] (Item 5) In the gas chromatograph apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 4, The column oven may further include a cooling processing unit that, when cooling the inside of the column oven, opens the air intake port with the opening / closing mechanism and rotates the stirring fan while directing at least a portion of the air from the cooling fan to the air intake port with the switching mechanism.

[0094] According to the gas chromatograph apparatus described in paragraph 5, when cooling the inside of the column oven, the stirring fan can be rotated while directing at least a portion of the airflow from the cooling fan to the inlet of the column oven. Furthermore, if the stirring fan is rotated while directing only a portion of the airflow from the cooling fan to the inlet of the column oven, the inside of the column oven can be efficiently cooled while cooling the control unit. On the other hand, if the stirring fan is rotated while directing all of the airflow from the cooling fan to the inlet of the column oven, the inside of the column oven can be cooled even more efficiently.

[0095] (Item 6) In the gas chromatograph apparatus according to item 5, When cooling the inside of the column oven, the cooling processing unit may increase the rotation speed of the cooling fan in accordance with the switching mechanism switching the airflow direction of the cooling fan.

[0096] According to the gas chromatograph apparatus described in item 6, the inside of the column oven can be cooled more efficiently than when the rotation speed of the cooling fan is not increased. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 14 Column oven 14a Air intake 14b Exhaust port 16 Stirring fan 20 Opening and closing mechanism 20a Opening and closing door 22 Control Room 24 Control Unit 28 Cooling fan 34 Switching mechanism 36 Straightening member 62 Cooling processing section

Claims

1. a column oven having an inlet and an outlet; a stirring fan that stirs the air in the column oven; an opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes the intake port and the exhaust port; A control unit; a cooling fan that cools the control unit; a control room provided outside the column oven, communicating with the inside of the column oven via the intake port when the intake port is opened by the opening / closing mechanism, and containing the control unit; a switching mechanism that, when the air intake port is opened by the opening / closing mechanism, switches the airflow direction of the cooling fan to guide at least a portion of the air from the cooling fan to the air intake port.

2. 2. The gas chromatograph apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching mechanism includes a rectifying member that is displaceable and that guides at least a portion of the air from the cooling fan to the air inlet when the opening / closing mechanism opens the air inlet.

3. the opening / closing mechanism has an opening / closing door that opens and closes the air intake port, The gas chromatograph apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the switching mechanism switches the airflow direction of the cooling fan by using the openable door as the airflow straightening member.

4. the cooling fan is provided facing in a direction inclined with respect to the intake direction of the air intake port, 4. The gas chromatograph apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the straightening member guides at least a portion of the airflow from the cooling fan to the air intake port by blocking at least a portion of the airflow from the cooling fan when the air intake port is opened by the opening / closing mechanism.

5. 5. The gas chromatograph apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling processing unit that, when cooling the inside of the column oven, opens the air intake with the opening / closing mechanism and rotates the stirring fan while directing at least a portion of the air from the cooling fan to the air intake with the switching mechanism.

6. 6. The gas chromatograph apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cooling processing unit increases the rotation speed of the cooling fan in response to the switching mechanism switching the airflow direction of the cooling fan when cooling the inside of the column oven.

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