Autosampler Needle Cleaning via Segmented Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high manufacturing cost of autosamplers is attributed to the complexity of the rotary type switching valve required for cleaning the sampling needle and channel without allowing mobile phase flow, which is necessary for preventing contamination.
Innovation Solution
An autosampler design that includes a needle moving mechanism, a sampling channel, a metering pump, a cleaning liquid container, and a channel switching part controlled by a controller, which executes cleaning liquid sucking and discharging processes to clean the sampling needle and channel without using a complex switching valve, thereby reducing contamination and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex rotary type switching valve is used to enable cleaning liquid flow without mobile phase flow, then contamination can be suppressed, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching valve is divided into two separate simple valves: a first switching valve with ports for the analysis channel and mobile phase supply channel, and a second switching valve with ports for the sampling channel and cleaning liquid supply channel. This segmentation allows each valve to have a simpler structure with fewer ports, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the functionality to suppress contamination through proper channel isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The first switching valve controls both the analysis channel and the cleaning liquid supply channel, while the second switching valve controls both the sampling channel and the mobile phase supply channel. This multi-functionality allows simpler valves to perform multiple roles, reducing the need for a complex single valve and thereby lowering manufacturing cost while maintaining contamination suppression capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple multi-port valve is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ability to clean sampling needle and channel without mobile phase flow is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The switching valve functionality is segmented into two separate simple valves, each with fewer ports and simpler structure. The first switching valve handles analysis channel and mobile phase supply channel switching, while the second switching valve handles sampling channel and cleaning liquid supply channel switching. This segmentation enables the use of simpler valves that are cheaper to manufacture while maintaining the capability to isolate channels for cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The two switching valves act as intermediaries that independently control different channel pairs. By introducing these intermediate switching components, the system achieves proper channel isolation for cleaning operations without requiring a single complex valve, thus maintaining contamination suppression while reducing manufacturing cost.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design effectively suppresses contamination and reduces the cost of the autosampler by eliminating the need for a complex switching valve, ensuring efficient cleaning of the sampling needle and channel while maintaining operational integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a metering pump that performs suction and discharge of liquid
Data Source
AI summary
An autosampler sucks cleaning liquid from a tip side of a sampling needle and holds the cleaning liquid in the sampling channel before sucking analysis liquid from the tip of the sampling needle, and, after dispensing of the analysis liquid is finished, discharges the cleaning liquid from the tip of the sampling needle, so as to clean the inside of the sampling needle and the sampling channel.