Degassing device

Abstract

This deaerator comprises: a deaeration module which has a gas-permeable tube unit that partitions between a fluid circulation space and a decompression space; a discharge device that is connected to vacuum piping in communication with the decompression space of the deaeration module and that is configured so as to discharge gas within the decompression space to the outside via the vacuum piping; a housing to which the deaeration module and the discharge device are mounted; and an anti-vibration member that is interposed between the housing and the discharge device and that supports the discharge device with respect to the housing. The resonance frequency of the anti-vibration member is 45 Hz or lower.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a degassing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a degassing device used in a liquid chromatography device or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2007 / 094242 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The degassing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes an exhaust device (pump) that depressurizes the decompressed space in a degassing module in which a tube unit is provided, and is configured to degas the liquid flowing through the tube unit by operating the exhaust device. However, when the exhaust device is operated, vibrations are generated from the exhaust device. These vibrations can damage the tube unit that constitutes the degassing module in the degassing apparatus. These vibrations can also cause the tube unit to become detached from the degassing module. These vibrations can also generate microbubbles in the fluid flowing through the degassing module, which can affect testing and other operations.

[0005] Therefore, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a degassing device that can effectively suppress the vibration of the discharge device from being transmitted to other components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present inventors have conducted extensive research into the above-mentioned problem and have come to the following conclusion. Specifically, the exhaust device of a degassing apparatus exhausts gas from a reduced pressure space to the outside by rotating a motor. The higher the motor's rotation speed, the greater the amount of gas exhausted from the reduced pressure space to the outside. Meanwhile, because the motor is subjected to a load associated with gas exhaustion, if the motor's rotation speed becomes too low, the motor stops rotating and the gas from the reduced pressure space cannot be exhausted to the outside. Therefore, in the exhaust device, the motor must be rotated at a rotation speed equal to or higher than the minimum rotation speed at which the motor does not stop. The inventors' investigations have revealed that the minimum frequency of vibrations generated by the exhaust device when the motor is rotated at the minimum rotation speed is 50 to 60 Hz. Vibration-damping members have the property of attenuating vibrations at frequencies higher than their resonant frequency. Based on this, the inventors have come to the conclusion that the use of a vibration-damping member having a resonant frequency of 50 Hz or less can suppress transmission of vibrations from the exhaust device to other components. One aspect of the present invention is based on the above-mentioned conclusion.

[0007] [1] A degassing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a degassing module having a gas-permeable tube unit that separates a fluid flow space from a reduced pressure space; an exhaust device that is connected to a vacuum pipe that is connected to the reduced pressure space of the degassing module and is configured to exhaust gas from the reduced pressure space to the outside via the vacuum pipe; a housing that mounts the degassing module and the exhaust device; and a vibration-damping member that is interposed between the housing and the exhaust device and supports the exhaust device relative to the housing, wherein the resonance frequency of the vibration-damping member is 45 Hz or less.

[0008] In this degassing device, the discharge device is supported on the housing via a vibration-isolating member, which has a resonance frequency of 45 Hz or less. Therefore, the vibration-isolating member effectively prevents vibrations generated by the discharge device when the discharge device is operated from being transmitted to the housing. This effectively prevents vibrations from the discharge device from being transmitted to other components, thereby preventing, for example, damage to the tube unit, removal of the tube unit, noise generation, and growth of microbubbles in the test fluid.

[0009] [2] In the degassing device described in [1], the housing may have a bottom plate that defines the bottom plate of the degassing device, and the discharge device may be supported on the bottom plate via a vibration-isolating member. In this degassing device, since the discharge device is supported on the bottom plate via the vibration-isolating member, it is possible to suppress transmission of vibrations of the discharge device to the housing and to stably support the discharge device.

[0010] [3] In the degassing device described in [2], the housing may have a front plate erected on the bottom plate, and the degassing module may be fixed to the front plate. In this degassing device, the degassing module is fixed to the front plate erected on the bottom plate, rather than to the bottom plate on which the discharge device is supported, which allows the path from the discharge device to the degassing module to be made longer and more complex. This further reduces the transmission of vibrations from the discharge device to the degassing module.

[0011] [4] In the degassing device of [2] or [3], at least a portion of the vibration-damping member may be disposed between the bottom plate and the discharge device, and the discharge device may be disposed at a predetermined height from the bottom plate. In this degassing device, by disposing at least a portion of the vibration-damping member between the bottom plate and the discharge device and disposing the discharge device at a predetermined height from the bottom plate, it is possible to further suppress transmission of vibrations from the discharge device to the housing, and even if the fluid being degassed in the degassing device leaks from the degassing module, it is possible to prevent erosion of the discharge device by the fluid. Furthermore, even if such a liquid leak occurs, it is possible to easily treat the waste liquid.

[0012] [5] In the degassing apparatus according to any one of [2] to [4], the discharge device may have a pump and a fixed plate to which the pump is fixed, and the vibration-damping member may be interposed between the bottom plate and the fixed plate. In this degassing apparatus, the vibration-damping member is interposed between the bottom plate of the housing and the fixed plate of the discharge device, which increases the degree of freedom in arranging the vibration-damping member compared to when the vibration-damping member is directly attached to the pump, allowing the vibration-damping member to be arranged over a wider range. This further enhances the vibration-damping effect of the vibration-damping member.

[0013] [6] In the degassing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [5], at least a portion of the vacuum piping may be made of a resin composition containing polyolefin and a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer. In this degassing apparatus, since at least a portion of the vacuum piping is made of a resin composition containing polyolefin and a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, the degassing apparatus can have excellent solvent resistance, chemical resistance, and durability. Furthermore, the gas permeability can be reduced, and leakage of the vacuum piping can be suppressed. Such durability and suppression of leakage can be further improved, particularly by operating the degassing apparatus motor at a minimum frequency of 50 to 60 Hz. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to effectively suppress the vibration of the discharge device from being transmitted to other components. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a degassing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the degassing device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a degassing module mounted in the degassing device shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the connector portion of the degassing module shown in FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a vibration-isolating member of the degassing device shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing another example of a degassing device. [Figure 7] 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the vibration-isolating member of the degassing device shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view showing another example of a degassing device. [Figure 9] 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the vibration-isolating member of the degassing device shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing another example of a degassing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, a degassing apparatus according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a degassing apparatus according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the degassing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the degassing apparatus 1 includes a housing 5 having a bottom plate 2, a front plate 3, and a rear plate 4, degassing modules 10, 20, and 30, a vacuum pipe 40, an exhaust device 50, an atmosphere release pipe 60, an atmosphere release valve 70, an adjustment valve 75, and a control unit 80. The bottom plate 2 of the housing 5 defines the bottom of the degassing apparatus 1, the front plate 3 of the housing 5 defines the front of the degassing apparatus 1, and the rear plate 4 of the housing 5 defines the rear of the degassing apparatus 1. The degassing apparatus 1 is, for example, a degassing apparatus for liquid chromatography, and performs degassing on a fluid to be tested by liquid chromatography. The degassing apparatus 1 may also be used in gas chromatography, biochemical analyzers, inkjet filling devices, and the like.

[0018] The degassing modules 10, 20, and 30 have a configuration, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a degassing module mounted in the degassing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of the connector portion of the degassing module shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the degassing module 10 as an example, but the other degassing modules 20 and 30 have a similar configuration. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the degassing module 10 includes a tube unit 12 in which a plurality of tubes 11 defining a fluid flow space S1 therein are bundled at both ends, a housing 13 that accommodates the tube unit 12, a lid 14 that airtightly seals an opening 13a of the housing 13, connectors 15 and 16 that connect and fix the tube unit 12 that passes through the lid 14, and an outlet 17 and an open port 18 that communicate with the reduced pressure space S2.

[0019] In the degassing module 10, the inside of the housing 13 is divided by the tube units 12, which are gas-permeable membranes, into a fluid flow space S1, which is the internal space of each of the tubes 11 of the tube units 12, and a reduced pressure space S2, which is the space outside the tube units 12. The fluid flow space S1 is an area to which liquid is supplied, and liquid introduced from the inlet 12a of the tube unit 12 is supplied to the outlet 12b. The reduced pressure space S2 is an area to which internal gas is sucked. In the degassing module 10, liquid is supplied to the fluid flow space S1, which is the internal space of each of the multiple tubes 11, and air is sucked from the reduced pressure space S2 outside the multiple tubes 11, thereby degassing the liquid supplied to the tube units 12.

[0020] Each tube 11 constituting the tube unit 12 is a tubular membrane (gas-permeable membrane) that is permeable to gas but not to liquid (see FIG. 4). The material, membrane shape, membrane form, etc. of the tube 11 are not particularly limited. Examples of materials for the tube 11 include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer (ethylene copolymer resin) (ETFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), amorphous fluoropolymer (non-crystalline fluorine resin; AF), fluororesins such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polypropylene (PP), polymethylpentene (PMP), silicone, polyimide, and polyamide. Examples of amorphous fluoropolymers include Teflon (registered trademark) AF.

[0021] The degassing device 1 is provided with three such degassing modules 10, 20, and 30, but may also have one degassing module, two degassing modules, or four or more degassing modules.

[0022] 1 and 2, the explanation will be continued. As shown in Fig. 1 and 2, the vacuum piping 40 is a member that communicates with each of the decompression spaces S2 of the degassing modules 10, 20, and 30 and connects each of the decompression spaces S2 to the discharge device 50. The vacuum piping 40 has discharge piping sections 41, 42, and 43 that communicate with each of the discharge ports 17 of the degassing modules 10, 20, and 30, a discharge collective section 44 that connects the discharge piping sections 41, 42, and 43, a piping 45 that connects the discharge collective section 44 to the discharge device 50, a detection piping section 46 that connects the discharge collective section 44 to a detector 85, and a discharge pipe 47 that connects to the discharge device 50. The detector 85 is an air pressure sensor that detects the degree of decompression in each of the decompression spaces S2 of the degassing modules 10, 20, and 30, as will be described later, and is provided in the control section 80. The end of the discharge pipe 47 opposite to the discharge device 50 is attached to the front plate 3 and is open to the outside of the degassing device 1 in front of the front plate 3.

[0023] At least a portion of the exhaust pipe sections 41, 42, 43, exhaust manifold section 44, pipe 45, detection pipe section 46, and exhaust pipe 47 that make up the vacuum pipe 40 are made of, for example, resin-based tubes. All or almost all of the components of the vacuum pipe 40 (excluding, for example, the connecting sections) may be made of resin-based tubes. In other words, the vacuum pipe 40 may be made by connecting multiple tubes using connecting members or the like. Such tubes are resistant to the solvents used in liquid chromatography, and for example, their rubber hardness is preferably within the range of 70±30 degrees, and their oxygen permeability is 6000 cc(STP)cm / cm. 2 / sec / cmHg×10 -10The rubber hardness is preferably within the range of 70±30 degrees, but from the viewpoint of achieving both appropriate flexibility to prevent loosening or disconnection at the connection portion and appropriate durability to suppress deformation, crushing, and clogging of the tube, the lower limit is more preferably 50 degrees or more, even more preferably 55 degrees or more, and particularly preferably 60 degrees or more, and the upper limit is more preferably 95 degrees or less, even more preferably 80 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 75 degrees or less. However, the rubber hardness is expressed in Shore A and can be measured, for example, with a durometer (type A) according to a method in accordance with JIS K7312 (1996). Furthermore, from the viewpoint of excellent durability, the oxygen permeability is preferably 6000 cc (STP) cm / cm 2 / sec / cmHg×10 -10 or less, but more preferably 3000cc(STP)cm / cm 2 / sec / cmHg×10 -10 More preferably, 1000 cc (STP) cm / cm 2 / sec / cmHg×10 -10 Below 500cc (STP) cm / cm is particularly preferred 2 / sec / cmHg×10 -10 less than or equal to 0.1 cc(STP)cm / cm 2 / sec / cmHg×10 -10 More preferably, 10cc (STP) cm / cm 2 / sec / cmHg×10 -10 However, the oxygen permeability means the oxygen transmission rate, and can be measured, for example, by a method in accordance with the ASTM D 1434 pressure method.

[0024] The material of the tube constituting the vacuum pipe 40 is not particularly limited as long as it has the above-mentioned properties, but examples thereof include vinyl chloride, silicone rubber; polyamides (nylons) such as nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 11, and nylon 12; polyurethane; polyolefins such as polyethylenes such as low-density polyethylene and linear low-density polyethylene, and polypropylene; fluororesins such as FEP, PFA, ETFE, and PTFE; and thermoplastic elastomers such as polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, and olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, and one or more of these can be used. Of the above-mentioned materials, resin compositions containing polyolefins and thermoplastic elastomers are more preferred as the material of the tube constituting the vacuum pipe 40, and resin compositions containing polyolefins and styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers are even more preferred.

[0025] The vacuum pipe 40 is made of a resin composition containing the above-mentioned polyolefin and thermoplastic elastomer, which not only provides excellent solvent resistance but also reduces gas permeability. Furthermore, the vacuum pipe 40 is made of a resin composition containing the above-mentioned polyolefin and thermoplastic elastomer, which provides appropriate flexibility and prevents loosening or disconnection at the connection portions of the exhaust manifold 44 during degassing operations, while also suppressing deformation, crushing, and clogging of the tube, resulting in excellent durability. Furthermore, the degassing device 1 according to this embodiment includes multiple degassing modules and various connection structures, such as the connection portions between the vacuum pipe 40 and the degassing modules 10, 20, and 30 and the connection portions between the vacuum pipe 40 and other portions of the exhaust manifold 44. The construction of these flexible and durable tubes also improves the long-term reliability of the degassing device.

[0026] The styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer used in the vacuum pipe 40 is a copolymer having at least one styrene block (hard segment) and at least one elastomer block. The elastomer block may preferably be vinyl-polydiene, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, polyethylene, polychloroprene, or poly-2,3-dimethylbutadiene. The elastomer block may also be hydrogenated. Hydrogenation of the elastomer block is preferred because it tends to improve solvent resistance and chemical resistance. Specific examples of styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers include styrene-vinylisoprene-styrene triblock copolymer (SIS), styrene-isobutylene diblock copolymer (SIB), styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer (SBS), styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene triblock copolymer (SEBS), styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene triblock copolymer (SEPS), styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene triblock copolymer (SEEPS), and styrene-butadiene-butylene-styrene triblock copolymer (SBBS). These styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers may be used alone or in combination. Among these, styrene-vinylisoprene-styrene triblock copolymers are preferred due to their superior solvent resistance and chemical resistance. Suitable examples of such styrene-vinylisoprene-styrene triblock copolymers include Kraton's "FG1901 G Polymer" and "FG1924 G Polymer," and Kuraray's Hybra 5127. Furthermore, Hybrar 7311 manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd., which is a copolymer in which a vinylisoprene block is hydrogenated, can also be suitably used.

[0027] The range of the content of styrene blocks (styrene content) in the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer has a lower limit of preferably 1 mass%, more preferably 5 mass%, and even more preferably 10 mass%, based on the total of the styrene blocks and the elastomer blocks, and within this range, better solvent resistance and chemical resistance tend to be obtained. On the other hand, the upper limit of this range is preferably 30 mass%, more preferably 20 mass%, based on the total of the styrene blocks and the elastomer blocks, and within this range, better solvent resistance and chemical resistance tend to be obtained.

[0028] The range of the content of the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer in a resin composition containing a polyolefin and a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer has a lower limit of preferably 3 mass%, more preferably 5 mass%, and even more preferably 10 mass%, based on the total of the polyolefin and the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, and within this range, good solvent resistance (solvent resistance) and chemical resistance tend to be obtained. On the other hand, the upper limit of the content of the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer is preferably 30 mass%, more preferably 25 mass%, and even more preferably 20 mass%, based on the total of the polyolefin and the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, and within this range, good solvent resistance (solvent resistance) and chemical resistance tend to be obtained.

[0029] In the discharge collecting portion 44, the connecting portions that connect the tubes to each other may be made of hard plastic (polypropylene) or the like.

[0030] The discharge device 50 is connected to the reduced pressure spaces S2 of the degassing modules 10, 20, and 30 via the vacuum piping 40, and discharges the gas in each reduced pressure space S2 to the outside based on control instructions from the control unit 80. The discharge device 50 is disposed above the bottom plate 2. The discharge device 50 includes, for example, a pump 51 and a fixed plate 52 to which the pump 51 is fixed. The pump 51 is fixed to an upper surface 52a of the fixed plate 52 (the surface opposite to the bottom plate 2). Therefore, the lower surface 52b of the fixed plate 52 (the surface facing the bottom plate 2) is the lowest surface of the discharge device 50 (the surface facing the bottom plate 2). The pump 51 includes a motor 53 for discharging the gas in each decompression space S2 to the outside, an intake port 54 connected to a pipe 45 for drawing in the gas in each decompression space S2, and an exhaust port 55 connected to an exhaust pipe 47 for discharging the drawn-in gas to the outside of the degassing apparatus 1. The motor 53 is driven to rotate based on control instructions from the control unit 80, thereby discharging the gas in each decompression space S2 to the outside. A diaphragm-type dry vacuum pump, for example, is used as the pump 51. A diaphragm-type dry vacuum pump is a vacuum pump in which a diaphragm is moved up and down by driving a motor to rotate, and the up and down movement of the diaphragm moves the gas from the intake port to the exhaust port. The fixing plate 52 is, for example, a rectangular metal plate.

[0031] In the exhaust device 50, the higher the rotation speed of the motor 53, the greater the amount of gas discharged from each decompression space S2 to the outside. On the other hand, because the motor 53 is subjected to a load associated with the gas discharge, if the rotation speed of the motor 53 becomes too low, the motor 53 stops rotating and is unable to discharge the gas from the decompression space S2 to the outside. Therefore, the motor 53 has a minimum rotation speed, which is the minimum rotation speed at which the gas from the decompression space S2 can be discharged to the outside without stopping. In other words, when the motor 53 is driven to rotate at a rotation speed equal to or higher than the minimum rotation speed, the gas from the decompression space S2 can be discharged to the outside without stopping the rotation of the motor 53. In the degassing device 1, the minimum frequency, which is the frequency of vibrations generated from the exhaust device 50 when the motor 53 rotates at the minimum rotation speed, is 50 to 60 Hz. Note that if the motor 53 rotates at a rotation speed higher than the minimum rotation speed, the frequency of vibrations generated from the exhaust device 50 will be higher than the minimum frequency.

[0032] The discharge device 50 is supported on the bottom plate 2 of the housing 5 via four vibration-isolating members 101. Because the four vibration-isolating members 101 have the same configuration, they will be collectively described as vibration-isolating members 101 unless otherwise specifically described separately. The vibration-isolating members 101 are members for attenuating vibrations and suppressing their transmission. The vibration-isolating members 101 are preferably vibration-isolating steel plate structures. A vibration-isolating steel plate structure is a composite-constraint vibration-damping structure in which a viscoelastic material (preferably rubber, gel, or elastomer) having a thickness of, for example, 0.1 mm to 1 cm is sandwiched between two members such as plate materials. The vibration-isolating members 101 are interposed between the bottom plate 2 and the discharge device 50 (fixed plate 52) and support the discharge device 50 relative to the bottom plate 2. The four vibration-isolating members 101 are arranged at the four corners of the fixed plate 52 in a plan view and support the discharge device 50 (fixed plate 52) at the four corners of the fixed plate 52. The discharge device 50 is disposed at a predetermined height from the upper surface 2a (the surface on the discharge device 50 side) of the bottom plate 2 by the vibration-isolating member 101. The vibration-isolating member 101 has a resonance frequency of 45 Hz or less to effectively suppress transmission of vibrations from the discharge device 50 to the housing 5. The resonance frequency, also called the resonant frequency or resonance point, refers to the frequency of the peak value on a vibration transmission characteristic graph, where the horizontal axis is frequency (Hz) and the vertical axis is response magnification (dB). The vibration-isolating member 101 has the property of attenuating vibrations of frequencies higher than its resonance frequency. Therefore, by setting the resonance frequency of the vibration-isolating member 101 to 45 Hz or less, it is possible to attenuate vibrations in the frequency range above the resonance frequency of the vibration-isolating member 101 while avoiding resonance with the discharge device 50, whose minimum frequency is 50 to 60 Hz.

[0033] In this case, the higher the frequency of the vibration to be damped relative to the resonant frequency of the vibration-damping member 101, the more the vibration-damping effect (vibration damping effect) of the vibration-damping member 101 can be suppressed while resonance with the discharge device 50 can be maintained. Therefore, the resonant frequency of the vibration-damping member 101 is 45 Hz or less, and preferably 40 Hz or less. Furthermore, when the resonant frequency of the vibration-damping member 101 is 30% or more lower than the vibration to be damped, the more the vibration-damping effect of the vibration-damping member 101 can be maintained while resonance with the discharge device 50 can be suppressed. Therefore, the resonant frequency of the vibration-damping member 101 is more preferably 35 Hz or less. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of ease of manufacturing the vibration-damping member 101, the resonant frequency of the vibration-damping member 101 is preferably, for example, 20 Hz or more, more preferably 23 Hz or more, and even more preferably 30 Hz or more. From these viewpoints, the resonant frequency of the vibration-damping member 101 is, for example, preferably 20 Hz or more and 45 Hz or less, more preferably 23 Hz or more and 40 Hz or less, and even more preferably 23 Hz or more and 35 Hz or less.

[0034] The vibration-damping member 101 has a configuration shown in Fig. 5, for example. Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the vibration-damping member of the degassing device shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 5, the vibration-damping member 101 is interposed between the bottom plate 2 and the fixed plate 52 and supports the fixed plate 52 with respect to the bottom plate 2. The vibration-damping member 101 has a neck portion 101a inserted into a through hole 52c of the fixed plate 52, an upper expanded diameter portion 101b extending from the neck portion 101a toward the upper surface 52a of the fixed plate 52 and expanding in diameter, a lower expanded diameter portion 101c extending from the neck portion 101a toward the lower surface 52b of the fixed plate 52 and expanding in diameter, and a through hole 101d penetrating the neck portion 101a, the upper expanded diameter portion 101b, and the lower expanded diameter portion 101c. The upper expanded diameter portion 101b and the lower expanded diameter portion 101c have diameters larger than the diameter of the through hole 52c of the fixed plate 52 so that they do not pass through the through hole 52c of the fixed plate 52. The screw 102 is inserted into the through hole 101d of the vibration-proof member 101 from the upper surface 52a side of the fixed plate 52 and screwed into the screw hole 2c of the bottom plate 2. As a result, the upper expanded diameter portion 101b and the lower expanded diameter portion 101c sandwich the fixed plate 52 from the upper surface 52a side and the lower surface 52b side, and the lower expanded diameter portion 101c is pressed against the bottom plate 2, so that the discharge device 50 is supported on the bottom plate 2 via the vibration-proof member 101. The lower expanded diameter portion 101c serves as a spacer between the fixed plate 52 and the bottom plate 2, so that the fixed plate 52 is positioned at a predetermined height from the bottom plate 2.

[0035] 1 and 2, the description will be continued. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the atmosphere release pipe 60 is a member that communicates with each reduced pressure space S2 of the degassing modules 10, 20, and 30 and connects each reduced pressure space S2 to the atmosphere release valve 70. The atmosphere release pipe 60 has open pipe sections 61, 62, and 63 that communicate with each open port 18 of the degassing modules 10, 20, and 30, an open collective section 64 that connects the open pipe sections 61, 62, and 63, and a pipe 65 that connects the open collective section 64 to the atmosphere release valve 70. An end 66 of the open collective section 64 of the atmosphere release pipe 60 opposite the pipe 65 is closed. The atmosphere release pipe 60 is made of the same material as the vacuum pipe 40, for example, a resin-based tube. More specifically, at least a portion of the open pipe sections 61, 62, and 63, the open collective section 64, and the pipe 65 that constitute the atmosphere release pipe 60 are made of, for example, the above-mentioned resin-based tube. All or almost all of the components of the atmospheric release pipe 60 (except for the connecting portions, for example) may be made of resin-based tubes. In other words, the atmospheric release pipe 60 may be made by connecting a plurality of resin tubes using connecting members or the like. Such resin tubes are resistant to the solvents used in liquid chromatography, have a rubber hardness in the range of 70±30 degrees, and have an oxygen permeability of 6000 cc(STP)cm / cm. 2 / sec / cmHg×10 -10 It is configured with the following piping: The connecting portion of the open collecting portion 64 may be made of hard plastic (for example, polypropylene) or the like, similar to the connecting portion of the discharge collecting portion 44.

[0036] The atmosphere release valve 70 is a solenoid valve that is connected to one end of the atmosphere release pipe 60 and can introduce atmosphere into each reduced pressure space S2 of the degassing modules 10, 20, and 30 in one go via the atmosphere release pipe 60 based on a control instruction from the control unit 80. For example, when the degassing process in the degassing modules 10, 20, and 30 is completed, the atmosphere release valve 70 opens the solenoid valve from a closed state (CLOSE) to an open state (OPEN) within 5 seconds based on a control instruction from the control unit 80, and releases each reduced pressure space S2 (for example, a 1 L container) to the atmosphere within 1 minute.

[0037] The adjustment valve 75 is an electromagnetic valve disposed between the degassing modules 10, 20, 30 and the discharge device 50, and adjusts the degree of decompression in the decompression space S2. The adjustment valve 75 opens when the discharge device 50 is decompressing the decompression space S2, and closes based on a control instruction from the control unit 80 when the degree of decompression in the decompression space S2 falls within a predetermined range. At this time, the discharge device 50 can stop its discharge operation. Thereafter, based on a control instruction from the control unit 80, when the degree of decompression in the decompression space S2 falls outside the predetermined range, the adjustment valve 75 opens based on a control instruction from the control unit 80. Both the atmosphere release valve 70 and the adjustment valve 75 are elevated to a predetermined height from the bottom plate 2 of the housing 5 by a plurality of legs 71 and a plurality of legs 76.

[0038] The control unit 80 controls the operation and stop of the pump 51 of the discharge device 50. The control unit 80 also has a detector 85 that detects the degree of reduced pressure in the reduced pressure space S2, and controls the operation of the discharge device 50 and the adjustment valve 75 based on the detected degree of reduced pressure. In this control, the discharge device 50 discharges air so that the degree of reduced pressure detected by the detector 85 becomes a predetermined value, and when the degree of reduced pressure in the reduced pressure space S2 falls within a predetermined range, the adjustment valve 75 is closed and the operation of the discharge device 50 is stopped. If the degree of reduced pressure detected by the detector 85 after closing the adjustment valve 75 falls outside the predetermined range, the control unit 80 operates the discharge device 50 again to perform the discharge process.

[0039] On the other hand, when the degassing process is completed by the degassing modules 10, 20, 30, the control unit 80 controls the operation of the exhaust device 50 and the atmosphere release valve 70 based on a stop command from an external source, etc. In this control, after the degassing process is completed, the atmosphere release valve 70 is opened to release each decompression space S2 to the atmosphere all at once. After the degassing process is completed, the exhaust device 50 may be allowed to continue discharging the gas for a predetermined time (for example, several seconds), while the atmosphere release valve 70 is opened to release each decompression space S2 to the atmosphere all at once.

[0040] As described above, in the degassing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the discharge device 50 is supported by the housing 5 via the vibration-isolating member 101, and the resonance frequency of the vibration-isolating member 101 is 45 Hz or less. Therefore, the vibration-isolating member 101 can effectively prevent vibrations generated by the discharge device 50 when the discharge device 50 is operated from being transmitted to the housing 5. This effectively prevents vibrations of the discharge device 50 from being transmitted to other components, thereby preventing, for example, damage to the tube unit 12, removal of the tube unit 12, noise generation, and growth of microbubbles in the test fluid.

[0041] Furthermore, in this degassing device 1, the discharge device 50 is supported on the bottom plate 2 via the vibration-damping member 101, which prevents vibrations from the discharge device 50 from being transmitted to the housing 5 and allows the discharge device 50 to be stably supported.

[0042] Furthermore, in this degassing device 1, the degassing modules 10, 20, 30 are fixed not to the bottom plate 2 on which the discharge device 50 is supported, but to the front plate 3 erected on the bottom plate 2, which makes it possible to make the path from the discharge device 50 to the degassing modules 10, 20, 30 longer and more complex. This further reduces the transmission of vibrations from the discharge device 50 to the degassing modules 10, 20, 30.

[0043] Furthermore, in this degassing device 1, the lower expanded diameter portion 101c of the vibration-proof member 101 is disposed between the bottom plate 2 and the fixed plate 52 of the discharge device 50, and the discharge device 50 is disposed at a predetermined height from the bottom plate 2, which further suppresses the transmission of vibrations of the discharge device 50 to the housing 5, and also makes it possible to prevent erosion of the discharge device 50 by the fluid undergoing degassing treatment in the degassing device 1 even if the fluid leaks from the degassing modules 10, 20, 30. Furthermore, even if such a liquid leak occurs, waste liquid treatment can be easily performed.

[0044] Furthermore, in this degassing device 1, the vibration-isolating member 101 is interposed between the bottom plate 2 of the housing 5 and the fixed plate 52 of the discharge device 50, which increases the degree of freedom in arranging the vibration-isolating member 101 and allows the vibration-isolating member 101 to be arranged over a wider range than when the vibration-isolating member 101 is directly attached to the pump 51. This further enhances the vibration-isolating effect of the vibration-isolating member 101.

[0045] Furthermore, in this degassing device 1, at least a portion of the vacuum pipe 40 is made of a resin composition containing polyolefin and a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, thereby enabling the vacuum pipe 40 to have excellent solvent resistance, chemical resistance, and durability. Furthermore, gas permeability can be reduced and leakage of the vacuum pipe 40 can be suppressed. Such durability and leakage suppression can be further improved, particularly by operating the motor 53 of the degassing device 1 at a minimum frequency of 50 to 60 Hz.

[0046] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be changed or modified as appropriate within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

[0047] For example, the bottom plate of the housing defines the bottom of the degassing device, and one or more feet or rollers may be attached to the bottom plate, allowing the device to be placed on a mounting surface by means of the feet or rollers.

[0048] Furthermore, for example, the number of vibration-isolating members is not limited to four, but may be any number equal to or greater than one.

[0049] Furthermore, for example, the vibration-damping member need not be directly attached to the housing and the discharge device, but may be attached to the housing and the discharge device via another member. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of another example of a degassing device. FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the vibration-damping member of the degassing device shown in FIG. 6. The degassing device 1A shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is basically the same as the degassing device 1 of the above embodiment, but differs from the degassing device 1 of the above embodiment in the shape of the vibration-damping member and the mounting structure of the vibration-damping member to the housing and the discharge device. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the vibration-damping member 103 of the degassing device 1A is formed in a columnar shape such as a cylindrical or rectangular column. An upper plate 104 having a thread groove 104a is connected to the upper end, which is the tip of one side of the vibration-damping member 103, and a lower plate 105 having a thread groove 105a is connected to the lower end, which is the tip of the other side of the vibration-damping member 103. The upper plate 104 is fixed to the fixing plate 52 by a screw 106 inserted into the through hole 52d of the fixing plate 52 and threaded into the thread groove 104a of the upper plate 104, and the lower plate 105 is fixed to the bottom plate 2 by a screw 107 inserted into the through hole 2d of the bottom plate 2 and threaded into the thread groove 105a of the lower plate 105. Even with this configuration, the vibration-proof member 103 is interposed between the bottom plate 2 of the housing 5 and the fixing plate 52 of the discharge device 50, supporting the discharge device 50 relative to the bottom plate 2 of the housing 5. Therefore, by setting the resonance frequency of the vibration-proof member 103 to 45 Hz or less, it is possible to effectively suppress the transmission of vibrations of the discharge device 50 to other components. This makes it possible to suppress, for example, damage to the tube unit 12, removal of the tube unit 12, noise generation, and growth of microbubbles in the test fluid.

[0050] Furthermore, for example, the vibration-isolating member may be attached to the housing and the discharge device by other means, such as adhesive, rather than by fastening members such as screws. FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of a degassing device according to another example. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the vibration-isolating member of the degassing device shown in FIG. 8. The degassing device 1B shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is basically similar to the degassing device 1 of the above embodiment, but differs from the degassing device 1 of the above embodiment in the shape of the vibration-isolating member and the mounting structure of the vibration-isolating member to the housing and the discharge device. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the vibration-isolating member 108 of the degassing device 1B is formed in a columnar shape, such as a cylindrical or rectangular column. The upper end, which is the tip of one side of the vibration-isolating member 108, is bonded to the lower surface 52b of the fixing plate 52, and the lower end, which is the tip of the other side of the vibration-isolating member 103, is bonded to the upper surface 2a of the bottom plate 2. Even with this configuration, the vibration-isolating member 108 is interposed between the bottom plate 2 of the housing 5 and the fixed plate 52 of the discharge device 50, and supports the discharge device 50 relative to the bottom plate 2 of the housing 5. Therefore, by setting the resonance frequency of the vibration-isolating member 108 to 45 Hz or less, it is possible to effectively prevent the vibration of the discharge device 50 from being transmitted to other components. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, breakage of the tube unit 12, removal of the tube unit 12, noise generation, and growth of microbubbles in the test fluid.

[0051] Furthermore, for example, the vibration-damping member may be attached to the pump of the discharge device rather than to the fixed plate of the discharge device. FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of another example of a degassing device. The degassing device 1C shown in FIG. 10 is basically the same as the degassing device 1 of the above embodiment, but differs from the degassing device 1 of the above embodiment in the configuration of the discharge device, the shape of the vibration-damping member, and the mounting structure of the vibration-damping member to the housing and discharge device. As shown in FIG. 10, the discharge device 56 of the degassing device 1C has a pump 51 similar to that of the above embodiment, but does not have a configuration corresponding to the fixed plate of the above embodiment. The vibration-damping member 109 of the degassing device 1C is attached directly or indirectly to the pump 51 and the bottom plate 2. The shape of the vibration-damping member 109 and the mounting structure of the vibration-damping member 109 relative to the pump 51 and the bottom plate 2 can be similar to, for example, the shape of the vibration-damping member 101 shown in Figure 5 and the mounting structure of the vibration-damping member 101 relative to the fixed plate 52 and the bottom plate 2, the shape of the vibration-damping member 103 shown in Figure 7 and the mounting structure of the vibration-damping member 103 relative to the fixed plate 52 and the bottom plate 2, and the shape of the vibration-damping member 108 shown in Figure 9 and the mounting structure of the vibration-damping member 108 relative to the fixed plate 52 and the bottom plate 2. [Example]

[0052] The present invention will be explained in more detail below based on test examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following test examples.

[0053] Example 1 [Vibration test] As Example 1, a degassing apparatus 1 having the configuration shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5 was used. In the degassing apparatus 1 of Example 1, the exhaust pipe sections 41, 42, and 43, pipe 45, and detection pipe section 46 of the vacuum pipe 40, and the open pipe sections 61, 62, and 63 and pipe 65 of the atmospheric open pipe 60 were made of resin tubes made of the material shown in P1 below. The exhaust collective section 44 and the open collective section 64 were made of hard plastic (polypropylene). The four vibration-damping members 101 were made of vibration-damping gel (αGEL manufactured by Taica Corporation ("αGEL" is a registered trademark of Taica Corporation), A-1 (product name)) with a resonance point (peak top) of 42 Hz and a resonance magnification of 10 dB or less.

[0054] A vibration test was conducted using the degassing apparatus 1 of Example 1. The vibration test was conducted to check for defects when vibrations were applied to the degassing apparatus 1 using a vibration generator. The vibration test conditions were a linear sweep of a frequency of 50 to 60 Hz, an acceleration of 1 G, a vibration time of 100 hours, and a temperature of 30°C or 60°C during vibration. The evaluation criteria were as follows: The term "joints" in the evaluation criteria refers to the points where the resin tubes constituting each of the discharge piping sections 41, 42, and 43, the piping section 45, and the detection piping section 46 are joined to the discharge collecting section 44, or the points where the resin tubes constituting each of the open piping sections 61, 62, and 63 and the piping section 65 are joined to the open collecting section 64.

[0055] [Judgment criteria] Criterion A: No abnormalities Criterion B1: Loose tube at joint (one or more locations) Criterion B2: Tube disconnection at joint (one or more locations) Criterion B3: Loosening and disconnection of tubes at joints (one or more locations) Criterion C: Damage to the joint (unusable)

[0056] P1: Styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer tube (single-layer tube with an outer diameter of 6 mm and an inner diameter of 4 mm, oxygen permeability coefficient 200 cc (STP) cm / cm 2 / sec / cmHg×10 -10 , rubber hardness 65 degrees) However, the P1 tube was manufactured using the following manufacturing method. (Production Example) 30 parts by mass of polypropylene (Flint Hills Corporation, random copolymer "13T25A") and styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (Kraton Corporation, styrene / ethylene / butylene / styrene (SEBS) block copolymer "FG1924 G Polymer") were melt-mixed in a twin-screw vent extruder with an inner diameter of 30 mm (set temperature 200°C), followed by pelletization. Using a single-layer tube production device equipped with a plasticizing cylinder (inner diameter 20 mm, single-screw extrusion screw) and a tube production die, the pellets were charged into the plasticizing cylinder, and a tube was extruded at a temperature of 200°C. The take-up speed was adjusted to produce a single-layer tube with an outer diameter of 6 mm and an inner diameter of 4 mm.

[0057] As a result of the vibration test described above, it was confirmed that the degassing device 1 of Example 1 met the criteria A.

[0058] (Comparative Example 1) A vibration test was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the four vibration-isolating members 101 were made of vibration-isolating gel with a resonance point (peak top) of 60 Hz and a resonance magnification of 20 dB.

[0059] As a result of the vibration test described above, it was confirmed that the degassing device 1 of Comparative Example 1 met the criteria of B2.

[0060] (Comparative Example 2) A vibration test was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the discharge device 50 was placed on the bottom plate 2 without using the four vibration-isolating members 101.

[0061] As a result of the vibration test described above, it was confirmed that the degassing apparatus 1 of Comparative Example 1 met the criteria of C. [Industrial Applicability]

[0062] The present invention can be used as a degassing device for use in liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, biochemical analysis equipment, inkjet filling equipment, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C... degassing device, 2... bottom plate, 2a... upper surface, 2c... screw hole, 2d... through hole, 3... front plate, 4... rear plate, 5... housing, 10, 20, 30... degassing module, 11... tube, 12... tube unit, 12a... inlet, 12b... outlet, 13... housing, 13a... opening, 14... lid, 15... connector, 16... connector, 17... outlet, 18... open port, 40... vacuum piping, 41, 42, 43... exhaust piping section, 44... exhaust manifold section, 45... piping, 46... detection piping section, 47... exhaust pipe, 50... exhaust device, 51... pump, 52... fixing plate, 52a... upper surface, 52b... lower surface, 52c... through hole, 52d... through hole Hole, 53...motor, 54...intake port, 55...exhaust port, 56...exhaust device, 60...atmospheric release piping, 61, 62, 63...open piping section, 64...open collection section, 65...piping, 66...end, 70...atmospheric release valve, 71...leg, 75...adjusting valve, 76...leg, 80...control section, 85...detector, 101...vibration-isolating member, 101a...neck section, 101b...upper enlarged diameter section, 101c...lower enlarged diameter section, 101d...through hole, 102...screw, 103...vibration-isolating member, 104...upper plate, 104a...thread groove, 105...lower plate, 105a...thread groove, 106...screw, 107...screw, 108...vibration-isolating member, 109...vibration-isolating member, S1...fluid flow space, S2...decompression space.

Claims

1. a degassing module having a gas-permeable tube unit separating a fluid flow space and a reduced pressure space; an exhaust device that is connected to a vacuum pipe that is connected to the reduced pressure space of the degassing module and is configured to exhaust gas in the reduced pressure space to the outside via the vacuum pipe; a housing that accommodates the degassing module and the ejector; a vibration-isolating member interposed between the housing and the discharge device to support the discharge device relative to the housing, The vibration-isolating member has a resonance frequency of 45 Hz or less, The housing has a bottom plate that defines the bottom plate of the degassing device, and a front plate that stands on the bottom plate, the discharge device is supported on the bottom plate via the vibration-isolating member, the degassing module is not fixed to the bottom plate but is fixed to the front plate so as to be spaced apart from the bottom plate; Degassing device.

2. At least a portion of the vibration-damping member is disposed between the bottom plate and the discharge device, The discharge device is disposed at a predetermined height from the bottom plate. The degassing device according to claim 1.

3. The discharge device includes a pump and a fixed plate to which the pump is fixed, The vibration-isolating member is interposed between the bottom plate and the fixed plate. The degassing device according to claim 1.

4. The vibration-isolating member is a neck portion inserted into the through hole of the fixing plate; an upper enlarged diameter portion extending from the neck portion toward an upper surface of the fixing plate and enlarging the diameter thereof; a lower enlarged diameter portion extending from the neck portion toward a lower surface of the fixing plate and enlarging the diameter thereof; a through hole passing through the neck portion, the upper enlarged diameter portion, and the lower enlarged diameter portion, A screw is inserted into the through hole from the upper surface side of the fixing plate and screwed into the screw hole of the bottom plate. The degassing device according to claim 3.

5. At least a part of the vacuum piping is made of a resin composition containing a polyolefin and a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer. The degassing device according to claim 1.

6. The vibration-damping member has a resonance frequency of 20 Hz or more. The degassing device according to claim 1.

7. the ejector includes a motor; the resonance frequency of the vibration-isolating member is equal to or lower than the frequency of vibration generated from the discharge device when the motor is rotated at the minimum rotation speed at which the motor does not stop; The degassing device according to claim 1.

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