Chromatography Column Vise for Secure Plug Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional chromatography columns are bulky, heavy, and costly due to their complex design, and reusing components is not feasible due to contamination concerns.

Innovation Solution

A vise system for chromatography columns that includes a column supporter, a main body, and a column presser to securely attach and press plugs onto the column tube, reducing the need for additional components and allowing for easier assembly and reuse without contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a syringe-type tubular container is enclosed by a holder with unions, then the column can be securely assembled and reused, but the overall volume increases, weight increases, and cost rises due to additional parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolumn assembly securityVSAvoidoverall column volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the holder and tubular container into a single integrated column structure, eliminating the need for separate unions and reducing the number of discrete parts. This merging approach maintains assembly security while reducing overall volume and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated column design serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, contains the filler, and enables secure assembly without requiring additional specialized components like separate unions and holders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a syringe-type tubular container is enclosed by a holder with unions, then the column can be securely assembled, but the number of parts increases and handling becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolumn assembly securityVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple components (holder, tubular container, unions) into a single integrated column structure, reducing the number of parts from four or more discrete components to one unified assembly, thereby simplifying handling and assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

While reducing overall part count, the integrated column maintains functional segmentation through internal features such as filters at both ends and a filler compartment, allowing secure assembly without requiring external unions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a syringe-type tubular container is enclosed by a holder with unions, then the column can be securely assembled, but the cost of the column rises due to increased number of parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolumn assembly securityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple components into a single molded piece, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of holders, unions, and tubular containers. This reduces manufacturing steps, material waste, and assembly labor, thereby lowering overall production cost while maintaining assembly security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If disposable columns are used, then contamination is avoided, but reusing the syringe-type tubular container and holder is not preferable due to contamination concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidreusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent describes a disposable column design where the entire integrated column is discarded after single use, eliminating contamination risks associated with reusable components. This approach prioritizes complete contamination prevention over reusability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable column design discards the entire assembly after use rather than attempting to clean and reuse individual components, thereby completely eliminating contamination concerns while maintaining functional performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS11097208B2Vise for column and column system for chromatography

Publication Date: 2021.08.24 JNC CORP

AI summary

A vise for column, for attaching a plug to a column tube of a column for chromatography comprising the column tube and the plug to be attached to one end of the column tube, is provided. The vise comprises a column supporter configured to be able to support a part of the column for chromatography, a main body configured to be connected to the column supporter and extending from the column supporter by a predetermined distance, and a column presser configured to be supported at another end of the main body opposite to one end to which the column supporter is connected, and configured to be movable toward and away from the column supporter, and configured to be able to press the plug against the column tube.