Liquid Chromatograph Controller Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of functions in a liquid chromatograph leads to a significant load on the system controller's CPU, as it must manage and control multiple units, resulting in inefficiencies and potential bottlenecks in operation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a status provider, data accumulator, and data provider within the system controller to manage and share status and parameter data across units, allowing each unit to operate independently and reduce the load on the system controller by accessing necessary data from a database.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of functions in the liquid chromatograph is increased, then the functionality and versatility of the system is improved, but the load on the system controller's CPU increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent units (pump unit, autosampler unit, column unit, detector unit, etc.), each capable of autonomous operation. Each unit has its own controller that can independently control its behavior, reducing the centralized processing burden on the system controller's CPU while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Each unit is equipped with its own controller that can autonomously manage its operations without requiring constant CPU intervention from the system controller. The units can independently execute their functions and only communicate necessary status information back to the system controller, thereby reducing the CPU load while preserving system versatility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the system controller manages all units centrally, then coordinated control is achieved, but the operational efficiency decreases due to constant feedback control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized control architecture is segmented into distributed unit controllers. Each unit controller manages its own operations independently, eliminating the need for constant feedback loops to the central system controller. This segmentation maintains system coordination through standardized communication interfaces while significantly improving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Unit controllers are pre-programmed with control logic and parameters, allowing them to execute operations autonomously without requiring real-time instructions from the system controller. This preliminary configuration enables units to operate efficiently while maintaining coordinated behavior through shared status information.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple programs are added to the system controller to support new functions, then the system's adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system architecture is segmented into modular units, each with its own controller. This modularity allows new functions to be added by incorporating new units or capabilities at the unit level rather than requiring complex program modifications in the central system controller, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Unit controllers are designed with universal interfaces and standardized communication protocols, allowing them to perform multiple functions. This multi-functionality at the unit level reduces the need for specialized control programs in the system controller, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid chromatograph includes a plurality of units that execute each function of the liquid chromatograph, and a system controller connected to the plurality of units, wherein the system controller includes a status provider that acquires a status from any unit and provides the acquired status to a computer connected to the system controller, a data accumulator that accumulates the status to be provided to the computer in a database, and a data provider that provides the status accumulated in the database to any unit.