Prefilled Liquid Cartridge for HPLC Solvent Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

The handling of operating liquids in HPLC systems is cumbersome and hazardous due to the need for manual handling of open bottles above shoulder height, which can lead to tipping and contamination risks, especially with critical solvents.

Innovation Solution

A prefilled liquid cartridge system that allows for easy and safe connection to a sample separation device, featuring a liquid container prefilled with solvents and a secure liquid removal access, eliminating the need for manual filling and tube connections, and ensuring aseptic and standardized liquid supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If open bottles are used for storing operating liquids, then the liquid can be easily accessed, but the handling becomes cumbersome and hazardous when bottles are placed above shoulder height

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of liquid handlingVSAvoidtipping hazard and contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the liquid storage function into separate modular cartridges that can be individually handled and inserted into the device at convenient heights, eliminating the need to handle large open bottles above shoulder height

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid is contained within a cartridge that is inserted into the device housing, creating a nested structure where the liquid container is protected within the device body, preventing tipping and spillage hazards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If tubes are manually connected to bottles for liquid supply, then the liquid flow can be controlled, but the tube handling becomes cumbersome and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid supply efficiencyVSAvoidease of tube handling

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid conduit and cartridge are integrated into a single modular unit that is inserted as one piece into the device, combining the tube connection function with the liquid storage function and eliminating separate tube handling steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cartridge is designed with self-aligning features and automatic connection mechanisms that enable the liquid conduit to connect to the liquid source without manual intervention, allowing the system to self-establish the fluid connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Area of stationary object

If bottles are handled above shoulder height, then the device footprint is reduced, but the safety and hazard-free operation is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice footprintVSAvoidoperational safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid cartridges are designed to be inserted horizontally or at ergonomic angles into the device rather than vertically from above, changing the dimensional approach to liquid loading and allowing safe handling at lower heights while maintaining compact device footprint

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9618487B2Prefilled liquid cartridge for the supply of a sample separation device with an operating liquid

Publication Date: 2017.04.11 AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Prefilled liquid cartridge for fluidically connecting to a sample separation device for separating of components of a fluidic sample by using liquid of the liquid cartridge, wherein the liquid cartridge comprises a liquid container which is prefilled with liquid and a liquid removal access provided at the liquid container, adapted to be fluidically coupled with at least one liquid conduit of the sample separation device by only inserting the liquid cartridge in a corresponding liquid cartridge accommodation of the sample separation device.