Mobile Phase Monitoring by Weight-Based Solvent Type Discrimination

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Solution Overview

Problem

The management of mobile phase in liquid chromatography is complicated by the need to manually register the type of mobile phase each time it is changed, leading to reduced efficiency and potential human errors due to the diversity of mobile phases used.

Innovation Solution

A mobile phase monitor that includes a measurement unit, arithmetic unit, notification unit, storage, and discrimination unit to automatically manage and discriminate the type of mobile phase using calibration curves, eliminating the need for manual registration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual registration of mobile phase type is performed each time it is changed, then the liquid chromatograph can track mobile phase consumption accurately, but the analysis work efficiency is reduced and human errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobile phase consumption tracking accuracyVSAvoidanalysis work efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic type discrimination of mobile phase based on calibration curves without requiring operator intervention. The discrimination unit automatically compares measured weight data against stored calibration curves to identify mobile phase type, eliminating the need for manual registration while maintaining accurate tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual registration process is replaced by an automated discrimination system that uses weight measurements and calibration curve comparison. The system substitutes human operation with automated calculation and pattern recognition to identify mobile phase type and track consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If manual registration of mobile phase type is performed each time it is changed, then the mobile phase type can be tracked, but the complexity of the operation increases due to diverse mobile phase types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobile phase type trackingVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically discriminates mobile phase type by comparing weight measurements with stored calibration curves, eliminating the need for operators to manually select or register mobile phase types. The discrimination unit performs this function autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses calibration curves as reference models that represent the weight characteristics of different mobile phase types. By comparing actual measurements against these stored templates, the system identifies mobile phase type without requiring operators to understand or memorize the characteristics of each type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If manual registration of mobile phase type is performed, then the system can calculate remaining amount accurately, but the risk of artificial mistakes such as wrong registration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremaining amount calculation accuracyVSAvoidregistration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The manual registration process is replaced by automated discrimination using weight measurements and calibration curve comparison. This substitution eliminates human errors in selecting or registering the wrong mobile phase type, as the system objectively compares measurements against stored references.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback by comparing actual weight measurements with expected values from calibration curves. This comparison mechanism ensures accurate identification of mobile phase type and enables reliable calculation of remaining amounts, reducing the risk of erroneous registration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12578314B2Mobile phase monitor, liquid chromatograph, analysis system, and program

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

A mobile phase monitor includes a measurement unit, an arithmetic unit, a storage, and a discrimination unit. The measurement unit measures a weight of a mobile phase container. The arithmetic unit produces a calibration curve indicating a relationship between a measurement value of the measurement unit and a liquid amount of the mobile phase accommodated in the mobile phase container. The arithmetic unit calculates the liquid amount of the mobile phase from the measurement value of the measurement unit based on the produced calibration curve. The storage stores a plurality of calibration curves respectively corresponding to a plurality of types of mobile phases. The discrimination unit discriminates a type of the mobile phase accommodated in the mobile phase container by searching for the produced calibration curve from the plurality of calibration curves stored in the storage.