Joining structure of flow channel members and column

Abstract

To provide a flow channel member joint structure which enables easy attachment / detachment of a member represented by a column to / from a member represented by a column attachment / detachment unit through a simple structure without using many parts associated with a complicated structure.SOLUTION: A flow channel member joint structure disclosed herein allows a first flow channel to be aligned with a second flow channel by attaching a first member having the first flow channel to a second member having the second flow channel to enable flow of a liquid. The first flow channel is open at a first end face of the first member, and the second flow channel is open at a second end face of the second member, where the second end face is formed as an inclined surface inclined from the opening of the second flow channel toward the periphery thereof.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a joining structure for flow path members, and particularly to a joining structure for flow path members when connecting a column and the column thereof.

Background Art

[0002] In the piping structure of a high-performance liquid chromatography apparatus, a column used for chromatography is generally mounted by a screw-type joint. Since a dedicated tool is usually required for this mounting, the work of attaching and detaching the column is complicated.

[0003] In order to simplify this complicated attachment and detachment work, the technique described in the following Patent Document 1 proposes a dedicated tool for the attachment and detachment work. However, this tool has a large number of components, which leads to an increase in cost. In Patent Document 1 below, as a liquid chromatograph apparatus that allows easy column replacement, the column of the liquid chromatograph apparatus is divided into a connector and a chromatography tube, both ends of the chromatography tube are fixed with a filter and a sealing material, and in order to improve the pressure resistance of the joint portion between the connector and the chromatography tube, a pressing mechanism portion that presses the connector parallel to the axis of the chromatography tube is provided, and a large pressing force is applied by combining this with the lever mechanism portion of the arm. With this configuration, the pressure resistance of the joint portion between the connector and the chromatography tube can be improved by the action of the lever mechanism of the arm.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Embodiments of this disclosure provide a joining structure for a flow channel member, and a column thereof, that allows a member, such as a column, to be easily attached to and detached from a member, such as a column attachment / detachment unit, using a simple structure without requiring a complex structure or a large number of parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a joining structure for flow channel members in which a second member having a second flow channel is attached to a first member having a first flow channel, thereby aligning the first flow channel and the second flow channel with respect to each other and enabling the flow of a liquid, wherein the first flow channel opens to a first end face of the first member, the second flow channel opens to a second end face of the second member, and the second end face is formed as an inclined surface that slopes outward from the opening of the second flow channel toward the surrounding area.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a column to be mounted on a column loading / unloading unit having a pair of opposing bases, a communication hole opening in each of the pair of bases, and a liquid passage communicating with each of the communication holes, the column comprising two end faces facing each of the pair of bases, a liquid passage opening at the center of each of the two end faces, and a column passage connecting the two liquid passages, the two end faces being formed as inclined surfaces that slope outward from the liquid passages toward the periphery. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a joining structure for a flow channel member, and a column thereof, are provided, which allows a member represented by a column to be easily attached to and detached from a member represented by a column attachment / detachment unit, using a simple structure without requiring a complex structure or a large number of parts. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the column loading / unloading unit. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the first base. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the second base. [Figure 4]This is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 3, showing the internal structure of the second base. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view showing the column configuration. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the column placed on the column loading / unloading unit. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing the column attached to the column attachment / detachment unit. [Figure 8] Figure 7 shows the column mounted on the column attachment / detachment unit in a cross-sectional view of XX. [Figure 9] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the junction between the column attachment / detachment unit and the column. [Figure 10] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the joint between the enlarged diameter section and the inclined surface. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a liquid chromatography apparatus. [Figure 12] This chromatogram shows the effect of the taper angle of the enlarged diameter section on the measurement results. [Figure 13] This graph shows the effect of the angle of the column's inclined surface on the relationship between the column clamping force and the pressure drop. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments described herein will be explained below with reference to the drawings. Reference numerals common to each figure indicate the same part unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the components and parts shown in each figure are only schematic representations, and the actual size and positional relationships of the product are not necessarily accurately represented. In the following description, as shown in Figure 1, the direction where the upstream block 31 is located is considered downwards, and the direction where the downstream block 32 is located is considered upwards. That is, the vertical direction in the figures is considered the vertical direction of the device, and the left-right direction on the paper is considered the left-right direction of the device, but this does not limit the embodiments.

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the column attachment / detachment unit 10 (corresponding to the first member) of this embodiment. The column attachment / detachment unit 10 includes a substantially plate-shaped support 11, a first base 20A fixedly attached to the support 11 via an upstream block 31 described later, a second base 20B mounted so as to be able to move up and down along the support 11 via a spring 33 and a downstream block 32 described later, and a crimping mechanism 30.

[0012] The first base 20A, which supports the column 50 (see Figure 5), described later, is provided on the upstream block 31. On the other hand, the second base 20B, which holds the column 50, is provided on the downstream block 32. The first base 20A and the second base 20B are opposite each other in the vertical direction. In the liquid chromatography apparatus 100 (see Figure 11), described later, the liquid is designed to flow from bottom to top. Therefore, in the column attachment / detachment unit 10, the upstream block 31 and the first base 20A held therein are located on the lower side, which is the upstream side of the liquid flow path, and the downstream block 32 and the second base 20B held therein are located on the upper side, which is the downstream side of the liquid flow path.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the crimping mechanism 30 makes it possible to change the relative distance between the first base 20A and the second base 20B in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the crimping mechanism 30 includes an upstream block 31, a downstream block 32, a spring 33, a link plate 34, a roller 35, a cam 36, a cam shaft 37, and a lever 38. The upstream block 31 is fixedly installed on the support, and the downstream block 32 is installed so as to be able to move up and down along the support. The upstream block 31 and the downstream block 32 are connected by a pair of link plates 34 installed at both the left and right ends. The link plates 34 are formed in a substantially elongated plate shape and extend in the vertical direction. The upper ends of the pair of link plates 34 are fixed to the left and right ends of the downstream block 32 with screws, and the pair of link plates 34 hang from both the left and right ends of the downstream block 32. The pair of link plates 34 can move up and down along the support 11 together with the downstream block 32. On the other hand, each of the pair of link plates 34 has an elongated slot 34A formed on its lower end, extending vertically along the link plate 34. A pair of rollers 35 pass through each slot 34A. The pair of rollers 35 are fixed relative to the support 11 but are rotatable. The pair of rollers 35 pass through the slots 34A, each protruding laterally from both the left and right ends of the upstream block 31, which is fixed to the support 11. The link plate 34 is fixed to the downstream block 32 on the downstream side, while the rollers 35 pass through it on the upstream side. As a result, the link plate 34 can move up and down along with the rollers 35, and can move up and down together with the downstream block 32. Therefore, by moving the link plate 34 up and down, the downstream block 32 can be moved up and down.

[0014] On the lower end side further from the long hole 34A in the link plates 34, a cam shaft 37 penetrates the pair of link plates 34 from the left-right direction. At both ends of the cam shaft 37, cams 36 which are plate cams are mounted on the outer side of the respective link plates 34. That is, the cam shaft 37 is rotatably spanned from the lower end of one link plate 34 to the lower end of the other link plate 34. The cams 36 rotate integrally with the rotation of the cam shaft 37. The outer peripheries of the pair of cams 36 respectively disposed on the outer sides of the pair of link plates 34 correspond to the pair of rollers 35 respectively. Further, a lever 38 is mounted on one end of the cam shaft 37 (the right side in FIG. 1). In accordance with the operation of the lever 38, the cam shaft 37 rotates, and the cams 36 rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the cam shaft 37. As the cam 36 in contact with the roller 35 rotates, the cam 36 slides against the roller 35, so that the cam shaft 37 moves up and down to approach and separate from the roller 35 according to the cam profile of the cam 36.

[0015] Here, since the cam shaft 37 is disposed at the lower end of the link plates 34, the vertical movement of the cam shaft 37 can cause the downstream block 32 to move up and down via the link plates 34. The stroke of the vertical movement of the downstream block 32 can be controlled by the design of the cam profile of the cams 36. By causing the downstream block 32 to move up and down in this manner, the relative distance between the upstream block 31 and the downstream block 32 changes. In addition, since the rollers 35 are rotatable, the rotation of the cams 36 can be made smooth. Further, since the rollers 35 are provided to penetrate the long holes 34A, misalignment in the vertical movement direction of the link plates 34 can be prevented, while the compactness of the structure can also be ensured.

[0016] On the other hand, the spring 33 is connected to the downstream block 32 in a constantly tensioned state, and biases the downstream block 32 upward. A holding force from the link plates 34 and a tensile force from the spring 33 are constantly applied to the downstream block 32.

[0017] In this embodiment, the first base 20A and the upstream block 31 are formed individually, but they may be formed as a single unit. The same applies to the second base 20B and the downstream block 32. When the first base 20A and the upstream block 31, and the second base 20B and the downstream block 32 are formed as a single unit, the upstream block 31 is combined with the first base 20A, and the downstream block 32 is combined with the second base 20B. As a result, the link plate 34 in the crimping mechanism 30 only needs to be directly connected to the first base 20A and the second base 20B, eliminating the need to install the upstream block 31 and the downstream block 32 individually.

[0018] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first base 20A, and Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the second base 20B. Both the first base 20A and the second base 20B have a mounting section 25 (first mounting section 25A and second mounting section 25B) formed as a flat surface, and a peripheral wall 24 (first peripheral wall 24A and second peripheral wall 24B) erected around the mounting section 25. A first communication hole 21A and a second communication hole 21B are opened at the center of the first mounting section 25A and the second mounting section 25B, respectively, serving as communication holes. In this embodiment, the column 50 is first placed on the first mounting section 25A of the first base 20A, so an opening 26 is provided in the first peripheral wall 24A of the first base 20A as an entrance for the column 50. Note that this opening 26 is not necessarily required. That is, the first peripheral wall 24A can hold the outer surface of the column 50 while allowing the column 50 to be freely inserted and removed. The mounting portion 25 corresponds to the first end face.

[0019] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the second base 20B and showing the structure of the internal flow channels within the base 20. The second fluid passage channel 22B on the downstream side passes through the second base 20B. Near the lower end of the second fluid passage channel 22B (i.e., where the second fluid passage channel 22B approaches the second mounting portion 25B of the second base 20B), an enlarged diameter section 23 is formed such that the inner diameter of the second fluid passage channel 22B gradually increases, and the inner surface of the passage gradually widens toward the second mounting portion 25B of the second base 20B. In a cross-sectional view passing through the central axis C of the second fluid passage channel 22B, the enlarged diameter section 23 is formed in a tapered shape. The edge of this enlarged diameter section 23 opens to the second mounting portion 25B as a second communication hole 21B. This enlarged diameter section 23 has the same central axis C as the second fluid passage channel 22B and the second communication hole 21B. As will be described later, the first liquid passage channel 22A on the upstream side also penetrates the first base 20A. Near the upper end of the first liquid passage channel 22A (i.e., where the first liquid passage channel 22A approaches the first mounting portion 25A of the first base 20A), an enlarged diameter section 23 is formed such that the inner diameter of the first liquid passage channel 22A gradually increases, and the inner surface of the passage gradually widens toward the first mounting portion 25A of the first base 20A. In a cross-sectional view passing through the central axis of the first liquid passage channel 22A, the enlarged diameter section 23 is formed in a tapered shape. The edge of this enlarged diameter section 23 opens to the first mounting portion 25A as the first communication hole 21A (see Figure 8). The upper end of the first liquid passage channel 22A and the lower end of the second liquid passage channel 22B are connected to the external passages (not shown) of the column attachment / detachment unit 10, respectively. The first fluid passage 22A and the second fluid passage 22B are the first fluid passages in the column attachment / detachment unit, and are fluid passages 22 that connect the column 50 to the external fluid passage.

[0020] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of column 50 (corresponding to the second component). Column 50 has a substantially cylindrical column body 51 having a hollow internal space called a main channel 51A, and substantially cylindrical first caps 52A and second caps 52B attached to both ends of the column body 51 via a first filter 53A and a second filter 53B, respectively. The first cap 52A and the second caps 52B are substantially cylindrical in shape, with one end closed except for the liquid passage hole 61 described later, and the other end open. The end faces of the first cap 52A and the second cap 52B are each formed as inclined surfaces 60 (corresponding to the second end face) that slope from the center outward to the outer surface of column 50. The inclined surface 60 of the first cap 52A is the first inclined surface 60A, and the inclined surface 60 of the second cap 52B is the second inclined surface 60B. The first inclined surface 60A and the second inclined surface 60B are formed as the end faces of the cylindrical column 50. The outer surfaces of the first cap 52A and the second cap 52B correspond to the outer surfaces of the column 50. Both the first inclined surface 60A and the second inclined surface 60B are formed in a tapered shape with a gentle angle.

[0021] The column 50 is a hollow, roughly cylindrical shape with both end faces and an outer circumferential surface, but both ends are slightly pointed along the extension of the central axis C of the column 50. The first cap 52A and the second cap 52B have the first column channel 62A and the second column channel 62B passing through them along their respective central axes C. The first column channel 62A and the second column channel 62B, together with the main channel 51A, constitute the column channel 62 (corresponding to the second channel). The first column channel 62A and the second column channel 62B have openings at the centers of the first inclined surface 60A and the second inclined surface 60B, that is, at the highest points of both ends of the column 50, where the first liquid passage holes 61A and the second liquid passage holes 61B open, respectively. The points where the first liquid passage holes 61A and the second liquid passage holes 61B open are the tips of the first inclined surface 60A and the second inclined surface 60B. The first liquid passage hole 61A, together with the second liquid passage hole 61B, is referred to as the liquid passage hole 61. The main channel 51A is filled with a packing material used for the separation and analysis of test substances in the liquid chromatography apparatus 100.

[0022] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the column 50 placed on the column attachment / detachment unit 10. In this embodiment, the column 50 is placed on the first base 20A from the front through the opening 26 in the first peripheral wall 24A of the first base 20A. If the opening 26 is not provided, it is possible to place the column 50 on the first base 20A from above. When the column 50 is placed on the first base 20A, the first inclined surface 60A and the second inclined surface 60B are placed on the column attachment / detachment unit 10 so as to face the first mounting portion 25A of the first base 20A and the second mounting portion 25B of the second base 20B, respectively. In this state, the first inclined surface 60A is in contact with the first mounting portion 25A and the outer circumferential surface of the column 50 is in contact with the first peripheral wall 24A, while the second inclined surface 60B is away from the second base 20B. From this state shown in Figure 6, when the lever 38 is raised upward, the camshaft 37 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the lever 38, and the cam 36 also rotates in conjunction with this, causing it to rise upward.

[0023] The cam 36 slides along the circumference of the roller 35 while in contact with it, and the camshaft 37 is pushed downward according to the profile of the cam 36. As a result, the lower end of the link plate 34 is pulled by the camshaft 37, and the link plate 34 moves downward together with the camshaft 37. Then, as the link plate 34 moves downward, the downstream block 32 moves downward while further stretching the spring 33, and as shown in the perspective view of Figure 7, the second base 20B approaches, contacts, and is pressed against the second inclined surface 60B. In this state, the second member, the column 50, is joined to the first member, the column attachment / detachment unit 10. By appropriately designing the profile of the cam 36, the speed at which the second base 20B contacts the second inclined surface 60B and the degree of the pressing force can be adjusted. For example, from the moment the second base 20B contacts the second inclined surface 60B, the rotation of the cam 36 can gradually increase the clamping force applied to the column 50 via the first base 20A and the second base 20B to a predetermined value. In addition, by pulling the downstream block 32 with the spring 33 and lowering the second base 20B toward the second inclined surface 60B, it is possible to prevent the second base 20B from suddenly contacting the second inclined surface 60B.

[0024] As described above, the upstream block 31, downstream block 32, spring 33, link plate 34, roller 35, cam 36, camshaft 37, and lever 38 act as a crimping mechanism 30 that presses the mounting portion (first end face) 25 of the pair of bases 20 against the two end faces, which are inclined surfaces (second end faces) 60, thereby aligning the central axis C of the liquid passage (first passage) 22 and the column passage (second passage) 62, and joining the liquid passage 22 and the column passage 62.

[0025] Figure 8 shows the joint state shown in Figure 7 in an XX cross-sectional view. In this joint state, the central axis C of the enlarged diameter portion 23, which is the downstream end of the first liquid passage 22A, which is the liquid passage 22 on the upstream side of the column attachment / detachment unit (first member) 10, coincides with the central axis C of the first column passage 62A, which is the column passage 62 on the upstream side of the column (second member) 50. Similarly, the central axis C of the enlarged diameter portion 23, which is the upstream end of the second liquid passage 22B, which is the liquid passage 22 on the downstream side of the column attachment / detachment unit (first member) 10, coincides with the central axis C of the second column passage 62B, which is the column passage 62 on the downstream side of the column (second member) 50. In this state, the liquid flowing from the first liquid passage 22A flows from the first column passage 62A through the main body passage 51A, and then flows from the second column passage 62B to the second liquid passage 22B.

[0026] Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the joint between the column attachment / detachment unit 10 and the column 50. The diameter of the second communication hole 21B (communication hole 21), which is the edge of the enlarged diameter portion 23, is larger than the diameter of the second liquid passage hole 61B. The center of the second inclined surface 60B (inclined surface 60), that is, the area around the second liquid passage hole 61B, can fit into the enlarged diameter portion 23. Furthermore, as will be described later, the taper angle α (first taper angle) of the inner surface of the enlarged diameter portion 23 is formed to be smaller than the taper angle β (second taper angle) of the inclined surface 60, and the diameter of the column 50 is larger than the diameter of the communication hole 21, so the contact surface of the second inclined surface 60B with the periphery of the enlarged diameter portion 23 is small.

[0027] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the joint between the mounting portion 25 of the base 20, which is the first end face, and the inclined surface 60, which is the second end face. In Figure 10, the inclination angle γ that the inclined surface 60 makes with a virtual plane perpendicular to the central axis C of the column 50 is 1° or more and 10° or less. Note that the mounting portion 25 overlaps with the virtual plane in the drawing, so the virtual plane is omitted in this figure. The taper angle α on the inner surface of the enlarged diameter portion 23 is 30° or more and 90° or less. The taper angle β of the inclined surface 60 is 160° or more and 178° or less. That is, the taper angle β is greater than the taper angle α. Here, the following equation holds between the inclination angle γ of the inclined surface 60 and the taper angle β of the inclined surface 60.

[0028] 2γ+β=180°

[0029] Because the taper angles of the enlarged diameter portion 23 and the inclined surface 60 are within this numerical range, only the tip of the inclined surface 60, that is, the area around the liquid passage hole 61, can fit snugly into the communication hole 21 in a shallow manner. As a result, the liquid flowing from the second flow path, the column flow path 62, to the first flow path, the liquid passage path 22, is less likely to accumulate in the space 23A formed between the edge of the enlarged diameter portion 23 and the inclined surface 60. When this configuration is applied to the liquid chromatography apparatus 100 (see Figure 11), the sample does not accumulate in the space 23A unnecessarily, the sample flow becomes smoother, and abnormal peaks when measuring the sample can be suppressed. Furthermore, because the diameter of the communication hole 21, which is at the widest part of the enlarged diameter section 23, is larger than the diameter of the liquid passage hole 61, even if the position in which the column 50 is placed on the base 20 is slightly off, the tip of the inclined surface 60 fits into the enlarged diameter section 23, and the inclined surface 60 can be securely joined to the edge of the enlarged diameter section 23. As a result, slight misalignment can be absorbed, and there will be no obstruction to the flow of liquid.

[0030] The above configuration is achieved by at least one of the column 50 cap (first cap 52A and second cap 52B) and the base 20 undergoing elastic deformation. However, since the column 50 is a consumable item, it is desirable that the column 50 cap be made of a material that is more easily deformed than the base 20. For example, it is desirable that the column 50 cap be made of a material with lower hardness than the base 20, such as the column 50 cap being made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) resin and the base 20 being made of stainless steel.

[0031] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a liquid chromatography apparatus 100. A liquid containing the test substance flows into the column 50, which is the second component and is attached to the column attachment / detachment unit 10, which is the first component, from the upstream supply channel 110. The incoming liquid interacts with the packing material in the column 50 through adsorption and distribution, and each component is selectively delayed before flowing out through the delivery channel 120. The flowed-out components, each arriving at the measurement unit 130 with a difference in arrival time based on their respective delays, are subjected to predetermined measurements and then discharged through the drain channel 140.

[0032] Figure 12 is a chromatogram showing the effect of the taper angle of the expanded diameter section 23 on the measurement results. This chromatogram shows the case where the taper angle of the expanded diameter section 23 is 60° with a solid line and the case where it is 120° with a dashed line, assuming that the second end face of the column 50 is a flat surface instead of an inclined surface. This chromatogram was obtained by measuring hemoglobin in blood as the test substance. When the taper angle of the expanded diameter section 23 was 120°, an abnormal peak was observed as indicated by the arrow. On the other hand, when the taper angle of the expanded diameter section 23 was 60°, no such abnormal peak was observed. This is presumed to be because when the taper angle of the expanded diameter section 23 is 120°, liquid tends to accumulate in the space 23A shown in Figure 10, whereas when the taper angle of the expanded diameter section 23 is 60°, it is less likely to accumulate in this space 23A, and the components eluted from the column 50 are quickly sent to the measurement section 130. Therefore, by having a taper angle of 30° to 90° in the enlarged diameter section 23, it is possible to suppress the appearance of abnormal peaks that would adversely affect the measurement results. It is also presumed that the measurement results in Figure 12 would show a similar trend even if the second end face of the column 50 were an inclined surface 60.

[0033] Figure 13 is a graph showing the effect of the angle of the column's inclined surface on the relationship between the clamping force of the column 50 and the pressure drop due to non-adhesion. As mentioned above, this clamping force is the compressive force applied to the column 50 from above and below via the two bases 20. Here, "non-adhesion" means that the connection between the end face of the column 50 and the mounting portion 25 of the base 20 is insufficient. In other words, this non-adhesion can lead to a pressure drop inside the column 50, potentially causing liquid leakage or inability to measure. This graph shows data when a column 50 with a taper angle β of the inclined surface 60 of 180° (rhombic), 178° (round), and 174° (triangular), respectively, is mounted on the column attachment / detachment unit 10. The taper angles β of the inclined surface 60 of 180° (rhombic), 178° (round), and 174° (triangular) correspond to inclination angles γ of 0°, 1°, and 3°, respectively. Specifically, the graph shows the results of observing the pressure drop inside column 50 after 1 minute while applying a clamping force (N) shown on the horizontal axis and a pressure of 12 MPa.

[0034] As a result, when the inclined surface 60 was formed with a taper angle of 180° (inclination angle 0°), i.e., as a flat surface, it was not possible to avoid a pressure drop even when applying a high clamping force of 170N or more. On the other hand, when the taper angle β of the inclined surface 60 was 178° (inclination angle 1°) or 174° (inclination angle 3°), no pressure drop was observed even with a low clamping force of about 120N. In particular, when the taper angle β of the inclined surface 60 was 178°, the pressure did not drop even with a low clamping force of less than 100N, indicating sufficient adhesion. This is presumed to be because the taper angle of the inclined surface 60 allows the tip of the inclined surface 60 to partially enter the communication hole 21 and adhere tightly with the clamping force, thereby preventing a pressure drop. Note that the measurement results in Figure 13 were measured when the enlarged diameter portion 23 was not formed on the column attachment / detachment unit 10 side. In contrast, it is presumed that a similar trend will occur when an enlarged diameter portion 23 is formed and a taper angle is formed on the inclined surface 60.

[0035] As described above, based on the configuration of the inclined surface 60, even if the contact surface is small enough to be almost line contact when the base 20 contacts the inclined surface 60, the clamping force applied to the column 50 gradually increases due to the rotation of the cam 36, causing the first cap 52A and the second cap 52B to deform to some extent. This deformation leads to closer contact from the small contact surface, resulting in a link-shaped surface contact around the communication hole 21. In the mounting portion 25, the contact area between the inclined surface 60 and the mounting portion 25 of the base 20 is limited to the area around the edge of the enlarged diameter portion 23, and does not extend to the inner surface of the enlarged diameter portion 23. Sufficient contact is possible even without covering the entire surface of the mounting portion 25. Furthermore, the joint between the inclined surface 60 of the column 50 and the mounting portion 25 of the base 20 can be easily achieved with close contact without the need for separate components such as sealing materials.

[0036] On the end face of the column 50, or the end faces of the first cap 52A and the second cap 52B (first inclined surface 60A, second inclined surface 60B), the portion that can be in close contact with the mounting portion 25 of the base 20 is limited to the annular surface extending from the annular line that contacts the communication hole 21, away from the edge of the liquid passage hole 61, to the outer circumferential surface of the column 50. This allows for sufficient contact even without covering the entire end face of the column 50. Furthermore, because the contact area is smaller than the entire end face of the column 50, the pressure per unit area of ​​the contact portion when pressed is higher compared to when the base 20 and the end face of the column 50 are in full surface contact. As a result, airtightness can be ensured even with a small amount of pressure applied to the column, and a liquid-tight state can be easily achieved. This condition is also true between the enlarged diameter portion 23 of the first communication hole 21A and the first inclined surface 60A. The edge of the enlarged diameter portion 23 may be chamfered.

[0037] As described above, the joining structure of the flow path member in this embodiment involves attaching a second member (column 50) having a second flow path (column flow path 62) to a first member (column attachment / detachment unit 10) having a first flow path (liquid flow path 22), thereby aligning the first and second flow paths and enabling liquid flow. Specifically, the joining structure of the flow path member, which includes the column attachment / detachment unit 10 as the first member and the column 50 as the second member, is configured such that when the column 50 is attached to the column attachment / detachment unit 10, the column flow path 62 of the column 50 and the liquid flow path 22 of the column attachment / detachment unit 10 are aligned with each other, allowing liquid to flow between the column 50 and the column attachment / detachment unit 10. The first flow path opens to the first end face (mounting portion 25 of the base 20) of the first member, and the second flow path opens to the second end face (inclined surface 60) of the second member. In addition, an enlarged diameter portion 23 is formed at the end of the first flow path, with the inner diameter gradually increasing toward the first end face. Furthermore, the second end face is formed as an inclined surface 60 that slopes outward from the opening of the second flow channel towards the surrounding area.

[0038] Furthermore, in the above-described connection structure of the member, the inner surface of the enlarged diameter portion is formed in a tapered shape, and it is desirable that the taper angle of this tapered shape (in other words, the angle of the inner surface in the cross-section) is between 30° and 90°. In addition, the inclined surface is formed in a tapered shape. It is desirable that the taper angle of this tapered shape is between 160° and 178°. It is desirable that the taper angle β (second taper angle) of the inclined surface 60 is different from the taper angle α (first taper angle) of the inner surface of the enlarged diameter portion 23. Furthermore, it is desirable that the taper angle β of the inclined surface 60 is greater than the taper angle α of the inner surface of the enlarged diameter portion 23. Because the taper angle β of the inclined surface 60 is greater than the taper angle α of the inner surface of the enlarged diameter portion 23, as described above, the clamping force applied to the column 50 by the rotation of the cam 36 gradually increases, and the tip of the inclined surface 60 penetrates the enlarged diameter portion 23 to some extent. As a result, the inclined surface 60 and the inner surface of the enlarged diameter portion 23 do not come into full surface contact, but a small surface contact is ensured. Therefore, even with a small clamping force, the pressure per unit area becomes high, thereby ensuring good adhesion.

[0039] Furthermore, in the above-described joining structure of the flow channel members, it is desirable that the first member further includes a crimping mechanism 30 that presses the first end face and the second end face together to align the first flow channel and the second flow channel.

[0040] The above-described joining structure of the flow channel members is particularly suitable when the first member is a column attachment / detachment unit 10 in a liquid chromatography apparatus 100, and the second member is a column 50 that is detachably attached to the column attachment / detachment unit 10. In this case, the column 50 has second end faces at both ends of the second flow channel, and the column attachment / detachment unit 10 has first end faces on the sides corresponding to both ends of the second flow channel.

[0041] In other words, the column attachment / detachment unit 10 described above is equipped with a column 50 having two end faces (inclined surfaces 60), fluid passage holes 61 opening at the center of each of the two end faces, and a column passage 62 connecting the two fluid passage holes 61. The unit comprises a pair of bases 20 facing each of the two end faces of the column 50, communication holes 21 opening in each of the mounting portions 25 of the pair of bases 20, a fluid passage 22 communicating with each of the communication holes 21, an enlarged diameter portion 23 formed at the end of the fluid passage 22 and whose inner diameter gradually increases toward the mounting portion 25 of the base 20, and a crimping mechanism 30 that presses the mounting portions 25 of the pair of bases 20 against the two end faces (inclined surfaces 60) to align the fluid passage 22 and the column passage 62. The inner surface of the enlarged diameter portion 23 is formed in a tapered shape, and it is desirable that the taper angle of this tapered shape is 30° or more and 90° or less.

[0042] Furthermore, the column 50 described above is mounted on a column attachment / detachment unit 10 which has a pair of opposing bases 20, communication holes 21 opening in each of the mounting portions 25 of the pair of bases 20, and liquid passages 22 communicating with each of the communication holes 21. The column 50 has two end faces that face the mounting portions 25 of the pair of bases 20 of the column attachment / detachment unit 10, liquid passage holes 61 opening in the center of each of these two end faces, and a column passage 62 connecting the two liquid passage holes 61. The two end faces of the column 50 are formed as inclined surfaces 60 that slope from the liquid passage holes 61 outwards to the outer surface of the column. The inclined surfaces 60 are formed in a tapered shape. The taper angle of this tapered shape is preferably 160° or more and 178° or less, and more preferably 174° to 178°. In this configuration, the liquid passage holes 61 become the highest points on the end face of the column, and the distance between the two liquid passage holes 61 becomes the longest length of the column 50.

[0043] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the downstream block 32 is installed so that it can move up and down relative to the support. In addition, a leaf spring 39 is inserted into the internal space of the second base 20B surrounded by the downstream block 32.

[0044] As the link plate 34 moves downward, the second base 20B approaches the second inclined surface 60B and, once in contact, further joining the second base 20B to the column 50, the leaf spring 39 begins to contract. As the leaf spring 39 contracts, a pressing force is generated from the leaf spring 39 toward the column 50. This pressing force from the leaf spring 39 causes the column 50 to adhere even more tightly to the column attachment / detachment unit 10. Thus, the degree of force between the second base 20B and the second inclined surface 60B can be adjusted not only by adjusting the profile of the cam 36, but also by adjusting the pressing force of the leaf spring 39. In other words, by combining the cam 36 and the leaf spring 39, it is easy to adjust the clamping force applied from the second base 20B to the inclined surface of the column 50. [Industrial applicability]

[0045] This invention can be used in sample measurement devices such as liquid chromatography apparatuses, and particularly in the bonding structure between the column attachment / detachment unit and the column in a liquid chromatography apparatus. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 10 Column attachment / detachment unit (first component) 11 Support 20 Pedestals 20A First Pedestal 20B Second Pedestal 21 Communication hole 21A First communication hole 21B Second communication hole 22 Liquid passage (first passage) 22A First liquid passage 22B Second liquid passage 23 Enlarged diameter section 23A Space 24 Surrounding wall 24A First perimeter wall 24B Second perimeter wall 25 Mounting section (first end face) 25A First mounting section 25B Second mounting section 26 Opening 30 Crimping mechanism 31 Upstream block 32 Downstream block 33 Spring 34 Link plate 34A Slotted hole 35 Roller 36 Cam 37 Camshaft 38 Lever 39 Leaf spring 50 columns (second component) 51 Column body 51A Main channel 52A First cap 52B Second cap 53A First filter 53B Second filter 60 Inclined surface (second end surface) 60A First inclined surface 60B Second inclined surface 61 Liquid passage hole 61A First liquid passage hole 61B Second liquid passage hole 62 Column channel (second channel) 62A First column channel 62B Second column channel 100 Liquid chromatography apparatus 110 Liquid supply channel 120 Liquid delivery channel 130 Measurement section 140 Drainage channel C center axis α Taper angle of the inner surface of the enlarged diameter section β Taper angle of the inclined surface γ Inclination angle of the inclined surface

Claims

[Claim 1] A column to be mounted on a column attachment / detachment unit having a pair of opposing bases, a communication hole opening in each of the pair of bases, and a liquid passage communicating with each of the communication holes, Each of the pair of bases has two opposing end faces, A liquid passage hole opening at the center of each of the two end faces, A column channel connecting the two aforementioned liquid passages, Equipped with, The two end faces are formed as inclined surfaces that slope outward from the liquid passage hole toward the surrounding area. The aforementioned inclined surface is formed in a tapered shape, A column having a tapered shape with a taper angle of 174° or more and 178° or less.

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