Fractionating Liquid Chromatograph Sampler with Flow Path Switching

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fractionating liquid chromatographs have a high number of component parts, which increases costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A fractionating liquid chromatograph with a sampler that includes a needle, a flow path switching valve, and a storage unit, where the controller switches the flow path switching valve between two states to either store a sample or fractionate an eluate from the detector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate automatic fractionation apparatus is added to the liquid chromatograph, then fractionation function is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefractionation functionVSAvoidnumber of component parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the fractionation function into the existing sampler by enabling the needle to connect to both the storage unit (for sampling) and the detector (for fractionation). The flow path switching valve integrates control of both sampling and fractionation operations, eliminating the need for a separate automatic fractionation apparatus while maintaining both functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sampler is designed with multi-functionality to perform both sampling and fractionation operations. The needle can be connected to different components via the flow path switching valve, allowing the same hardware to serve multiple purposes: storing samples in the storage unit during sampling mode and collecting fractionated eluate from the detector during fractionation mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If the number of component parts is reduced, then cost is reduced, but functional versatility may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost reductionVSAvoidfunctional capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sampler is designed with multi-functionality to perform both sampling and fractionation operations. The needle can be connected to different components via the flow path switching valve, allowing the same hardware to serve multiple purposes: storing samples in the storage unit during sampling mode and collecting fractionated eluate from the detector during fractionation mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic flow path switching to adapt the sampler's function based on operational mode. The flow path switching valve dynamically reconfigures connections between the needle, storage unit, and detector, enabling the same physical components to serve different functions as needed without compromising versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250041761A1Fractionating Liquid Chromatograph and Control Method Therefor

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

A fractionating liquid chromatograph (1) includes a liquid delivery pump (200), a sampler (300) connected to the liquid delivery pump (200), a separation column (400) connected to the sampler (300), and a detector (500) connected to the separation column (400) and the sampler. The sampler (300) includes a needle that suctions or discharges a sample, and a flow path switching valve connected to the needle. The fractionating liquid chromatograph (1) further includes a controller (100) that sets a state of the flow path switching valve to a first state and a second state, the first state being a state in which the needle is connected to a storage unit for storing the sample, the second state being a state in which the needle is connected to the detector.