JPH0747733Y2 - Gas chromatograph sampler - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a gas chromatograph sampler.
More specifically, it relates to improvement of a sampler in a gas chromatograph with a fixed syringe position.

(B) Conventional technology As a device for separating and analyzing a large number of samples using a gas chromatograph (hereinafter GC), a vertically movable syringe is installed above the sample inlet of the GC, and the space between this sample inlet and the syringe is An apparatus provided with a sampler having a sampling line for sequentially supplying a sample is conventionally known as a so-called syringe position fixed type continuous GC apparatus. Such GC
As a sampler in the device, a disk-shaped sampler having three sample containers and one notch arranged in a circle is usually used. When a large number of samples are targeted, the disk-shaped sampler Continuous analysis is performed by sequentially replacing a predetermined sample container with a robot-controlled manipulator at each sample container position. And during the analysis, the injection of the sample is performed by positioning a predetermined sample container between the syringe and the sample injection port and sampling the syringe by lowering it, and then rotating the sampler to position the notch at the lower position of the syringe, The process is performed by inserting the syringe into the sample injection port and injecting the sample by lowering the syringe through the notch.

(C) Problems to be solved by the device However, in the above sampler, there is a disadvantage that the number of samples that can be provided for analysis is limited to a small number (within 3) by the rotation control of the sampler itself, and continuous analysis is performed on many samples. When performing, there was a problem that a dedicated and expensive manipulator was required as described above. For this reason, it is possible to increase the number of sample containers held in the sampler, but in this case, it is necessary to drive the entire sampler even when measuring a small number of samples, and the setting of the device, operability, etc. There was a practical problem that it was disadvantageous. Furthermore, some samples require temperature control in terms of stability, etc., but it is difficult to selectively control the temperature of the sample container used in the above-mentioned rotary sampler, and the overall temperature control is not possible. There was also the problem of being wasted and consuming wasteful electrical energy.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem.

(D) Means for Solving the Problems Thus, according to the present invention, a sampling line capable of sequentially supplying the sample to be measured is provided between the sample inlet of the gas chromatograph and the vertically movable syringe provided above the sample inlet. In the sampler provided, the sampling line (a) has a side wall and a bottom wall with a space for detachably inserting and holding a rectangular sample container, and has a length capable of inserting and holding a plurality of sample containers. A sample container abutment which is composed of a long member having a U-shaped cross section and has corresponding detachable joining means at both ends thereof, or an assembly formed by joining a plurality of these. b) A gas chromatograph sampler is provided, which is composed of a driving means capable of moving the sample container abutment or the assembly in a linear direction and a linear movement, and a linear shape.

The length of the sample container support used in the sampler of the present invention is preferably adjusted so that about 6 to 20 sample containers can be inserted. The material of the sample container abutment is not particularly limited, but it is suitable to use a synthetic resin material from the viewpoint of easy handling and heat retention.

The sample containers to be inserted may have different inner volumes, as long as they have at least a rectangular outer shape and can be inserted and held on the sample container abutment. Therefore, when using sample cuvettes having different outer shapes, it is recommended to use an abutment having an inner width (space between side walls) corresponding to the largest cuvette and to insert a cuvette having a small width through an appropriate spacer. Are suitable. In any case, it is suitable from the standpoint of fixing and holding property that the inner width of the abutment is set so that the sample container can be loosely fitted and inserted between the both side walls.

The drive means for linear movement in this invention may be of a caterpillar type, or may be one that can linearly move the sample container abutment or its assembly by a rack and pinion mechanism. The latter is preferable in terms of accuracy of movement control.

The sample container abutment may be formed of a hollow body so that a heat medium (for example, hot water) can flow through the hollow body. Thereby, it is possible to perform different temperature control for each sample container group of each sample support.

(E) Action When the number of samples is large, the intended sampling line can be simply constructed by connecting a predetermined number of sample container abutments to each other through the joining means and collecting them. Further, when the number of samples is small, the joining means is detachable, so that it is sufficient to remove the joining means and use only one sample container abutment. Further, since the sample container abutment is not provided with a wall for partitioning the containers to be inserted and attached, the degree of freedom in the arrangement is increased.

(F) Example FIG. 1 shows a syringe position fixed type automatic gas chromatograph using the sampler of the present invention. In the figure, the automatic gas chromatograph basically comprises a gas chromatograph device 2, a sampler 1 and a syringe 3. The syringe 3 is provided with an up-and-down moving means and a piston driving means (not shown) so that it can be moved up and down at the position shown in the drawing, and the piston is driven to suck and suck liquid.
It is configured so that it can be discharged. The gas chromatograph device 2 is arranged so that its sample inlet 21 is located on the vertical axis of the syringe 3. Then, the sampler 1 includes an assembly in which three sample container abutments 4 in which a plurality of sample containers 5 are respectively inserted and held are connected, a sliding bottom plate 6, and the above assembly is a sliding bottom plate 6
The sampling line is composed of a driving unit that can move linearly in the longitudinal direction. The sliding bottom plate 6 is interposed so as to block the space between the syringe 3 and the sample injection port 21, but has an opening at the intersection with the vertical axis of the syringe 3.
61 is drilled.

The structure and connection state of the sample container support 4 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As described above, the sample container abutment 4 is composed of the side walls 41, 41 facing each other at equal intervals (20 mm) and the flat bottom wall 42, and has a length of about 15 cm. It is made of material, and is configured so that up to nine rectangular sample containers 5A, 5B, 5C ... Can be mounted and held. Then, a T-shaped joining projection 43 is attached to one end of the bottom wall 42, and a joining notch capable of fitting and stopping with the joining projection 43 at the other end.
44 are provided. On one outer surface of the side wall 41, a rack 45 (linear gear) is attached along the longitudinal direction,
It is configured so that it can be linearly moved on the sliding bottom plate 6 by engaging with a pinion of a driving means 7 composed of a stepping motor.

The sample container abutment 4 can be connected by a predetermined number as shown in FIG. 4 by fitting the connecting projection 43 and the connecting cutout 44, and the assembly of FIG. 1 is also connected and integrated in this way. Has been done. The sample containers 5A, 5B, 5C shown in FIG. 3 are three types of upper open containers having different internal volumes, but their outer shapes are rectangular with the same dimensions.

In the above automatic gas chromatograph, first, the driving means 7
The predetermined sample container is placed on the vertical axis of the syringe by driving (see FIG. 1). Here, the syringe 3 descends to perform a sample suction operation. Next, the driving means 7 avoids the assembly from the vertical axis of the syringe (see FIG. 2). Here, the syringe 3 descends and the tip of the syringe is inserted into the sample injection port 21 through the opening 61 of the sliding bottom plate 6, and the sample is discharged and injected into the gas chromatograph apparatus 2. Next, the syringe is set to the initial state, and thereafter, the aspiration / injection operation of each sample is similarly performed intermittently. That is, the sample container linearly reciprocates on the sampling line, whereby sampling and injection of the syringe are sequentially performed.

The sampler of the present invention may further be provided with a mechanism capable of moving the sampling line up and down. In this case, sampling can be performed by moving the sampling line up and down without lowering the syringe. is there.

(G) Effect of the invention According to the gas chromatograph sampler of the invention, the slender sample container abutment can be detachably connected, so that a sampling line of an appropriate size according to the number of samples can be obtained. The volumetric efficiency is improved and the handling is convenient, and it is possible to significantly reduce wasteful operations of the machine, especially when targeting a small number of samples and for heat treatment. This is an advantage. Further, since the sample container abutment is not divided, it is possible to employ a sample array having a large degree of freedom and an array according to the purpose. Further, since the sampling line reciprocates linearly instead of rotating, it is possible to directly connect a heat medium hose for temperature control to the abutment.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 and 2 are configuration explanatory views showing an automatic gas chromatograph using the sampler of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the sample container abutment, and FIG. 4 is a connection state of the sample container abutment. FIG. 1 ... Sampler, 2 ... Gas chromatograph, 21 ...
… Sample injection port, 3 …… syringe, 4 …… sample container abutment,
41 …… side wall, 42 …… bottom wall, 43 …… joining protrusion, 44 …… joining notch, 45 …… rack, 5,5A, 5B, 5C …… sample container, 6 ……
Sliding bottom plate, 61 ... Opening, 7 ... Drive means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A sampler comprising a sampling line capable of sequentially supplying a sample to be measured between a sample injection port of a gas chromatograph and a vertically movable syringe provided above the sample injection port. ) A long member having a U-shaped cross section having a side wall and a bottom wall with a space for inserting and holding a rectangular sample container so that the sample container can be inserted and removed, and having a length capable of inserting and holding a plurality of sample containers. Is
A sample container abutment, each of which is provided with a corresponding detachable joining means at both ends thereof, or an assembly formed by joining a plurality of the joining means, and (b) the sample container abutment or the assembly in a linear direction. A sampler for a gas chromatograph, characterized in that the sampler is composed of a driving means capable of reciprocating and a linear shape.