8-Port Switch Valve for HPLC Sample Injection and Fraction Collection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sample injection and fraction collection systems for high-performance liquid chromatography are costly and inefficient due to the need for additional switch valves and excess sample material usage, particularly in multi-dimensional chromatography methods where separate optimization of each separation step is required.

Innovation Solution

A device utilizing a single 8-port switch valve unit with a controllable drive and control unit to integrate sample injection and fraction collection functions, allowing for automated fractioning and upgrading existing sample injectors to combination sample injectors/fraction collectors, enabling efficient two-dimensional separation with reduced sample material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate fraction collector with additional switch valves is used for offline fraction collection, then the ability to independently optimize each separation step is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAbility to independently optimize separation stepsVSAvoidNumber of switch valves and components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sample injector and fraction collector into a single integrated device. The injection valve and fraction collection function share the same valve body and switching mechanism, eliminating the need for separate fraction collector equipment and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to perform independent separation optimizations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The injection valve is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the sample injection switching valve and the fraction collection distributing valve. The same valve ports and switching mechanism are used for both injection operations and fraction routing to multiple collection vessels, reducing the total number of components required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If traditional sample injection methods with sample loops are used, then samples can be injected in sequence, but excess sample material is consumed in filling the sample loop and needle

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSequential sample injection capabilityVSAvoidSample material consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sample from the main flow path and delivers it directly to the column through a narrow bore needle without requiring a large sample loop. The sample is taken directly from the injection port and transferred through a minimal volume pathway, eliminating the waste associated with filling and flushing large sample loops

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a narrow bore needle (e.g., 0.5 mm inner diameter) instead of traditional larger sample loops, significantly reducing the volume of sample material required for injection. This parameter change in the injection pathway dimensions directly reduces sample consumption while maintaining sequential injection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple switch valves are used for integrating injection and fraction collection, then both functions can be performed, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIntegration of injection and fraction collectionVSAvoidDevice construction cost and complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the injection valve and fraction collection valve into a single valve assembly. The same valve body, switching mechanism, and port configuration are used for both functions, eliminating the need for multiple separate valves and reducing manufacturing complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The injection valve is designed with universal functionality to perform both sample injection switching and fraction collection distributing. The valve ports are configured to serve dual purposes: routing samples during injection and routing fractions to multiple collection vessels, eliminating the need for dedicated fraction collection valves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7797989B2Sample injector, in particular for high-power liquid chromatography

Publication Date: 2010.09.21 DIONEX SOFTRON

AI summary

A device for feeding samples to a separating device and for collecting sample fractions generated by means of the separating device, especially for high-performance liquid chromatography, with a first switch valve unit, which has at least eight ports and two switch positions. The device has a dosing device for feeding a sample to the switch valve unit, which is connected to a suction port of the first switch valve unit and which interacts with a removal and discharge device for the removal of a sample from at least one sample-holding container and for the discharge of each fraction into one of several fraction-holding containers, which is connected to a suction and discharge port of the first switch valve unit. The device uses a single switch valve unit configured in a new way to replace the function of two switch valve units, resulting in significantly simpler and cheaper construction.