Modular HPLC Fluid Handling for Flexible Flow Path Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid chromatography systems lack flexibility and require cumbersome upgrades and replacement of fluid handling units, often necessitating external add-on equipment that increases system footprint and complicates maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An automated liquid chromatography system featuring interchangeable modular components, including high-pressure pumps and fluid control valves, with a modular design that separates fluidics from non-fluidics sections, allowing for easy reconfiguration and upgrade without external equipment, and a master control unit for simplified integration and optimization of fluid paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If external add-on equipment is used for upgrades, then system functionality can be extended, but system footprint increases and integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular fluid handling units that can be independently selected and configured. Each unit (pump, valve, mixer, sensor) is a self-contained module that can be easily replaced or upgraded without affecting other parts of the system, enabling functionality extension within the same footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular units are designed with universal interfaces and standardized mounting positions on the liquid handling panel. The same physical space can accommodate different types of fluid handling units, allowing the system to perform multiple functions through unit substitution rather than adding external equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If external add-on equipment is used for upgrades, then system functionality can be extended, but integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular fluid handling units that can be independently selected and configured. Each unit (pump, valve, mixer, sensor) is a self-contained module that can be easily replaced or upgraded without affecting other parts of the system, enabling functionality extension within the same footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple fluid handling functions are integrated into a single compact system through the modular unit design. The units share common mounting infrastructure, fluid connections, and control interfaces, reducing overall integration complexity compared to separate external add-on equipment.
3Ease of operation
If fluid handling units are made interchangeable and modular, then system flexibility and ease of upgrade improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular fluid handling units that can be independently selected and configured. Each unit (pump, valve, mixer, sensor) is a self-contained module that can be easily replaced or upgraded without affecting other parts of the system, enabling functionality extension within the same footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows the system configuration to be dynamically changed by swapping units on the liquid handling panel. This dynamic reconfigurability provides ease of upgrade while the standardized interfaces and mounting mechanisms keep the overall device complexity manageable through repetition of proven design elements.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is An automated liquid chromatography system (100) comprising: a housing unit (20); and multiple modular fluid handling units (1-26), having a fluidics section, wherein the housing unit (20) comprises, on an external surface of the housing unit a plurality of discrete receiving positions, each receiving position being adapted to receive one of the modular fluid handling units (1-26) therein such that a respective fluidics section thereof is external to the housing unit, wherein a fluid flow path is formed by fluidic interconnections between the modular fluid handling units, wherein the modular fluid handling units: are readily interchangeable in the housing unit, such that positioning of the modular fluid handling unit with respect to other modular fluid handling units permits optimization of the fluid flow path; and include a CPU for independently performing fluid control operations in response to instructions over a system BUS (42) connected to said modular units arranged in the housing.