Liquid Chromatograph Solvent Transfer with Auxiliary Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
The placement of the solvent bottle at a high position in liquid chromatographs leads to device failures due to solvent spills, safety concerns during bottle exchange, and restrictions on device layout.
Innovation Solution
The solvent bottle is positioned lower within the device, with the reservoir higher than the pump's liquid aspirating port, allowing gravitational feeding and easy access, while the auxiliary pump supplies solvent to the reservoir.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the solvent bottle is disposed at a high position to enable gravitational feeding, then the liquid can be fed to the pump automatically, but the device layout is restricted and safety concerns arise from potential spills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the liquid feeding system by positioning the solvent bottle above the pump, utilizing gravity in the vertical direction to enable automatic feeding while keeping the horizontal layout flexible. This dimensional approach resolves the contradiction by separating the automatic feeding function (vertical arrangement) from the device layout flexibility (horizontal arrangement).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an auxiliary pump to counterbalance the gravitational force when the solvent bottle is positioned at a height that would cause excessive flow or spillage. The auxiliary pump provides controlled suction to regulate the liquid flow, preventing spills while maintaining the beneficial automatic feeding from elevated position.
2Ease of operation
If the solvent bottle is disposed at a high position, then gravitational feeding is enabled, but workability and safety deteriorate due to the need to carry heavy loads to high position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the liquid handling system into two separate components: a solvent bottle for storage and an auxiliary pump for transfer. This segmentation allows the solvent bottle to be positioned at a convenient height for gravitational feeding while the auxiliary pump handles the actual transfer, improving workability during bottle exchange by eliminating the need to manually carry heavy loads to high positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary pump acts as an intermediary between the solvent bottle and the main pump system. It receives liquid from the solvent bottle at a convenient height and delivers it to the pump, thereby mediating the transfer process and eliminating the need for direct manual handling of heavy loads at high positions.
3Ease of operation
If the solvent bottle is disposed at a high position, then automatic feeding is achieved, but device failure risk increases due to solvent spills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a controlled delivery system with the auxiliary pump that prevents excessive liquid flow before it can cause spills. The auxiliary pump regulates the liquid transfer from the solvent bottle, providing a cushioning effect that prevents the harmful outcome (spills) while maintaining the beneficial automatic feeding function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates flow control mechanisms that respond to the liquid level and flow rate, providing feedback to regulate the liquid transfer. This feedback control prevents overfilling and spillage while maintaining automatic feeding operation, thereby improving reliability.
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 configuration reduces solvent spills, enhances safety and workability, and provides flexible device layout by eliminating the need to carry heavy loads to high positions.
Implementation Method 1
a gravitational force is utilized to feed the solvent accommodated in a solvent bottle therefrom
Implementation Method 2
a second pump for supplying the liquid accommodated in the second vessel to the analysis section
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
There is provided a liquid chromatograph for analyzing a sample using a liquid that can alleviate a drawback accompanying the installation of a liquid vessel at a high position. The liquid chromatograph according to this disclosure includes: a first vessel that accommodates a liquid; a first pump that feeds the liquid from the first vessel to a second vessel; and a second pump that supplies the liquid accommodated in the second vessel to the analysis unit, wherein the second vessel is disposed such that a bottom surface of the liquid in the second vessel is positioned above a liquid aspirating port of the second pump in a direction of gravity.