Needle Adaptor for Flow Path Switching Valve Injection Port

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing automatic samplers for liquid chromatographs require a special flow path switching valve with a separate injection port, increasing the number of parts and costs due to the different structures of the needle adaptor and pipe connecting members.

Innovation Solution

A needle adaptor is mounted to a general flow path switching valve's pipe connecting port, using a dummy pipe with a needle seal to form an injection port, eliminating the need for a special injection port structure by integrating the port fixing portion and needle seal housing, and using an elastic material for the needle seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a special flow path switching valve with a separate injection port is used, then the needle adaptor can be properly connected, but the number of parts increases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe connecting port is designed to serve dual purposes: as a standard pipe connection interface and as an injection port when a needle adaptor is attached. This universal port design eliminates the need for a separate specialized injection port, reducing the number of parts while maintaining reliable connections for both pipe and needle interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The needle adaptor acts as an intermediary component that bridges the standard pipe connecting port and the needle. By attaching the needle adaptor to the existing pipe connecting port, the system enables needle insertion without requiring a specially designed injection port, thus reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a separate injection port is provided, then the needle can be inserted properly, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle insertionVSAvoidport structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The injection function is segmented from the pipe connecting function by using the needle adaptor as a separate component. The needle adaptor handles the needle insertion and sealing functions, while the pipe connecting port maintains its original structure for pipe connections. This segmentation allows the port structure to remain simple while still supporting needle insertion operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the port fixing portion and needle seal housing are integrated, then manufacturing is simplified, but the structure becomes more compact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing processVSAvoidcomponent structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The port fixing portion and needle seal housing are merged into a single integrated component. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of separate parts that need to be assembled, while the combined structure maintains all necessary functions for both port fixation and needle sealing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it fixes the pipe connecting port, provides a housing for the needle seal, and enables needle insertion. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components, simplifying both manufacturing and overall device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 the number of parts and costs by allowing a general flow path switching valve to function as an injection port, simplifying the sampler's design and operation without complicating the needle's driving mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

using an elastic material for the needle seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9194846B2Needle adaptor and automatic sampler using the same

Publication Date: 2015.11.24 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

A needle adaptor mounted to one of a plurality of pipe connecting ports provided to a flow path switching valve to form an injection port into which a needle is inserted to inject a sample from a tip end of the needle is described. The needle adaptor comprises a dummy pipe having the same outer diameter as a normal pipe connected to the flow path switching valve, a port fixing portion for fixing the dummy pipe to the port, a needle seal for retaining the tip end of the needle to connect the needle and the dummy pipe and a needle seal housing mounted to the port fixing portion to retain the needle seal. The port fixing portion has the same shape as a port fixing portion of a pipe connecting member for connecting the normal pipe to the pipe connecting port.