Tapered Needle Interconnection for Consistent Column Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In preparative separation-purification systems, achieving consistent sealing efficiency and preventing excessive load during the connection of needles and columns is challenging due to dimensional variations, leading to potential leaks or excessive load, especially when multiple connections are required.
Innovation Solution
An interconnection mechanism that includes a needle with a tapered tip and a column rack with a seal portion, allowing the needle to push the column upward upon insertion, ensuring a liquid-tight connection without excessive load, and enabling multiple connections with consistent sealing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the needle is inserted deeply into the needle port to improve sealing efficiency, then the sealing efficiency improves, but the connection undergoes excessive load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the needle port, specifically introducing a tapered section with a gradual diameter reduction. This tapered geometry allows the needle to achieve sealing through gradual engagement rather than abrupt deep insertion, thereby improving sealing efficiency while controlling the load on the connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered section of the needle port performs preliminary guiding and gradual engagement of the needle before the needle reaches the sealing position. This preliminary action ensures proper alignment and distributes the insertion load, preventing excessive concentration of force at the sealing interface.
2Reliability
If the needle elevation distance is precisely controlled to achieve sufficient sealing, then sealing efficiency improves, but the system becomes difficult to operate due to dimensional variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tapered section with a specific angle and gradual diameter reduction in the needle port. This geometric parameter change creates a self-aligning and self-adjusting mechanism that compensates for dimensional variations in needles and columns, eliminating the need for precise control of needle elevation distance while maintaining reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered needle port structure enables the connection to self-adjust and self-align during insertion. The gradual taper guides the needle into proper position automatically, allowing the system to compensate for manufacturing tolerances without requiring external control mechanisms or precise positioning.
3Reliability
If multiple columns are treated sequentially to ensure proper connection, then connection reliability improves, but the treatment time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered needle port geometry enables rapid, reliable connections that can be made simultaneously with multiple columns. The self-aligning nature of the taper allows operators to quickly connect multiple columns without compromising reliability, thereby reducing total treatment time while maintaining connection quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered section performs preliminary guiding and alignment before sealing, enabling faster connection operations. This preliminary action reduces the time required for each connection while ensuring reliability, allowing multiple columns to be treated in parallel with reduced setup time.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a mechanism for connecting columns and needles, including: a base member 60 on which needles 61a and 61b with their tips directed upward are provided; and a column rack 10 having column holders for holding columns 10a and 10b in an upright position while allowing all upward shift of the columns, with an opening provided below each column holder. With the needles 61a and 61b positioned directly below the openings, the base member 60 is elevated until its upper surface comes in contact with the bottom of the column rack 10, whereby the needles 61a and 61b are inserted through the openings into the columns 20a and 20b. When the base member 60 is in contact with the column rack 10, the columns 20a and 20b are pushed by the needles 61a and 61b to a higher position within the column rack 10 than their original position.