JP2007278937A - Liquid fraction collector and liquid fraction collector device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid fraction collector capable of collecting a desired amount of a liquid with a simple configuration, and to provide a liquid fraction collection device. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid fraction collection device includes the collector 10 constituted so that through-holes 101-103 are provided to the part embedded in a liquid 12 and at least two-through-holes among the through-holes 101-103 are respectively arranged at positions different in the minimum depths capable of dispensing the liquid 12 are respectively arranged at different positions, a motor 4, a ball screw 6 and a lead 9 all of which raise and lower the collector 10 and embedding the through-holes 101-103 in the liquid 12 and a control part 2 for controlling so as not only to vary the embedding depth of the collector 10 in the liquid 12 but also the amount of the liquid 12 held by the through-holes 101-103. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid sorting tool and a liquid sorting apparatus for sorting a minute desired amount of liquid.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to perform analysis related to a living body, a liquid sorting apparatus including a liquid sorting tool that holds a minute amount of liquid in units of nL to μL is known. In this liquid sorting apparatus, for example, a liquid sorting tool having a minute and hydrophilic space is immersed in the liquid, and the liquid is held in this space using a capillary phenomenon (Patent Document 1). ).

JP-A-9-61310

  However, in general, the liquid sorting tool provided in the liquid sorting apparatus has a predetermined volume to hold the liquid, so that the sorting amount cannot be varied. Therefore, there is a problem that it is necessary to replace the liquid separator with a desired capacity, and it takes a lot of time and labor to separate the liquid.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has a simple structure, a liquid dispensing tool capable of dispensing a small and variable desired amount of liquid in a short time and without requiring labor, and a liquid dispensing apparatus. An object is to provide an apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, a liquid separator according to claim 1 is a liquid separator having a liquid holding part that holds a part of the liquid by immersing in the liquid, and is immersed in the liquid. A plurality of the liquid holding portions are provided in the portion, and at least two of the liquid holding portions are respectively arranged at positions where the minimum depth at which the liquid in the portion to be immersed can be separated is different.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the above-described liquid sorting tool, the liquid holding portion is a through hole.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the liquid sorting tool according to the present invention, the liquid holding part is a slit having an opening with respect to the liquid surface of the liquid.

  Further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the above-described invention, the liquid separator includes a liquid holder having a liquid holder that immerses in liquid and separates a part of the liquid. The liquid holder includes: A slit-like groove, the ratio of the depth of the groove to the width of the groove is near 1, and the liquid having a volume proportional to the length of the slit-like groove immersed in the liquid is retained It is characterized by.

  Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the above-described invention, the liquid separator includes a liquid separator having a liquid holder that immerses in liquid and separates a part of the liquid, and the liquid holder includes: A slit having an opening with respect to the liquid surface of the liquid, and one or both of the opposing wall surfaces forming the slit are movable in the width direction of the slit, and the volume of the liquid held by the slit is varied. It is characterized by that.

  Further, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the above-described invention, the liquid separator includes a liquid separator having a liquid holder that immerses in liquid and separates a part of the liquid, and the liquid holder includes: It is a slit or groove formed by wall surfaces facing each other at an interval that does not cause capillary action, and a plurality of counter electrodes are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the slits at positions facing the wall surfaces of the slits or grooves. The position of making the portion of the counter electrode hydrophilic by applying a voltage of a predetermined value to the counter electrode is varied, and the volume of the liquid held by the slit is varied.

  Moreover, the liquid fractionation device concerning Claim 7 raises / lowers the liquid fractionation instrument as described in any one of Claims 1-3 in the said invention, and the said liquid fractionation instrument, and makes the said liquid into the said liquid Elevating and lowering means for immersing the liquid holding part, and raising and lowering of the raising and lowering means are variably controlled, and the depth of the liquid sorting tool being immersed in the liquid is variable and the volume of the liquid held by the liquid holding part is And a dispensing amount control means for variably controlling.

  In addition, in the above-described invention, the liquid sorting device according to claim 8 includes a slit having an opening with respect to the liquid level of the liquid to be sorted, and one or both of the opposing wall surfaces forming the slit are provided in the slit. A liquid sorter that is movable in the width direction of the slit and that changes the volume of the liquid held by the slit; elevating means for raising and lowering the liquid sorter and immersing the slit in the liquid; and The space between the opposing wall surfaces forming the slit provided in the gripper is varied, the volume variable means for varying the volume of the space formed by the slit, and the liquid sorting tool is lowered by the elevating means. After immersing the slit, the volume control means changes the volume of the space of the slit by the volume changing means, and variably controls the volume of the liquid held by the liquid holding unit. Characterized by comprising a and.

  In addition, in the above invention, the liquid fractionation device according to claim 9 includes a slit or a groove formed by wall surfaces facing each other with an interval that does not cause capillary action, and the wall surface of the slit or groove. A liquid sorting device in which a plurality of counter electrodes are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the slit, a lifting / lowering means for lifting and lowering the liquid sorting tool and immersing the slit in the liquid, and the counter electrode A voltage applying means for applying a voltage of a predetermined value to the liquid, and the liquid sorting tool is lowered by the elevating means, the slit is immersed in the liquid, and then the voltage applying means applies a predetermined value to the counter electrode. A dispensing amount control means for varying the position at which the portion of the counter electrode is made hydrophilic by applying the voltage of the liquid, and variably controlling the volume of the liquid held by the liquid holding unit. And features.

  The liquid sorting device and the liquid sorting apparatus according to the present invention are provided with a plurality of liquid holding portions in a portion immersed in the liquid, and a minimum depth at which the liquid in the portion immersed in at least two liquid holding portions can be collected. Are arranged at different positions, so that it is possible to easily dispense a minute desired amount of liquid.

  Exemplary embodiments of a liquid fractionator and a liquid fractionator according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a liquid sorting apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid sorting apparatus 1 includes a container 11 that contains a liquid 12 to be sorted, a liquid sorting tool 10 that holds the liquid 12 by being immersed in the liquid 12, and The lead 9 that holds the liquid sorter 10, the ball screw 6 that converts the rotary motion into a lifting motion and lifts the lead 9, the guide 7 that guides the lifting motion of the lead 9, the guide 7 and the motor 4 are fixedly arranged. The motor base 5, the arm 8 that fixes the motor base 5, the motor 4 that is fixed to the motor base 5 and rotates the ball screw 6, the motor drive unit 3 that drives the motor 4, and the motor drive unit 3. And a control unit 2 that performs. The liquid sorting tool 10 has through holes 101 to 103 for holding the liquid 12 to be sorted.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the liquid sorting tool 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid sorter 10 is a plate member having a tapered tip, and through holes 101 to 103 are disposed in the vicinity of the tip along the longitudinal direction of the plate member. The Since the tip of the liquid sorting tool 10 is formed in a taper shape, when the liquid sorting tool 10 is raised from the liquid 12, the liquid breakage is improved, and the liquid sorting tool 10 is excessive and unstable. The amount of liquid 12 is prevented from adhering. Further, the through holes 101 to 103 have the same shape, and the volume L ₀ of the space formed by the through holes 101 to 103 is equal and has hydrophilicity. In addition, the shape of the through-holes 101-103 may not be the same, and the volume of the space formed by this may not be the same. However, the volume of each space to be formed needs to be known.

Next, the sorting operation by the liquid sorting apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of dispensing the liquid 12 by the liquid sorting tool 10. When the dispensing amount 2L ₀ of the liquid 12 is input to the control unit 2, the control unit 2 rotates the motor 4 via the motor driving unit 3 as shown in the left of FIG. The liquid separator 10 is lowered until 103 is immersed in the liquid 12. When the through-holes 102 and 103 are immersed in the liquid 12, the through-holes 102 and 103 have a very small hole diameter, so that the liquid 12 is filled in the through-holes 102 and 103 by capillary action. Thereafter, the control unit 2 rotates the motor 4 via the motor driving unit 3 to raise the liquid sorting tool 10 and sort the liquid 12 having the volume 2L ₀ as shown on the right side of FIG.

Further, for example, when the dispensing amount L ₀ of the liquid 12 is input to the control unit 2, the control unit 2 immerses only the through-hole 103 in the liquid 12 and causes the liquid 12 having a desired dispensing amount L ₀ to be immersed. Sort. Similarly, when the dispensing amount 3L ₀ of the liquid 12 is input to the control unit 2, the control unit 2 immerses the through holes 101 to 103 in the liquid 12, thereby liquid having a desired dispensing amount 3 L ₀ . 12 is collected. That is, the through-holes 101 to 103 arranged in the longitudinal direction are sequentially immersed in the liquid 12 from the through-hole 103 as the liquid sorter 10 descends, but to the tip of the liquid sorter 10 at this time By controlling the minimum depth, which is the depth of the liquid, it is possible to determine the number of through-holes 101 to 103 that hold the liquid 12, and thereby to obtain a fraction amount corresponding to the number of through-holes that hold the liquid 12. Obtainable.

  In the first embodiment, the control unit 2 controls the depth of immersion in the liquid 12 of the liquid sorter 10 by the lowering of the liquid sorter 10 having the through holes 101 to 103, so that a desired amount of liquid is obtained. 12 can be sorted out. In the first embodiment, the liquid sorter 10 has the three through holes 101 to 103. However, the number, shape, and volume of the through holes can be changed in accordance with the desired amount of separation. You may do it. However, the number, shape, and volume of these through holes need to be known. Furthermore, although the liquid sorter | tool 10 was a plate member, the member of other shapes, such as a cylindrical member, may be sufficient.

  Next, a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In Embodiment 1 mentioned above, the liquid sorter 10 was provided with the through-holes 101-103, However, The liquid sorter by this modification had the opening part from which the height from the liquid level of a liquid differs. Has a slit.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of the liquid fractionator 13 according to the modification of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid sorter 13 has slits 131 to 133 in the vicinity of the tip thereof. The widths and lengths of the slits 131 to 133 are the same, and the capacity L _{1 of} the space formed by the slits 131 to 133 is also the same. However, the positions of the front end openings of the slits 131 to 133 with respect to the most distal position of the liquid sorter 13 are different. In addition, the width | variety of each slit 131-133 is a width | variety of the grade which a capillary phenomenon produces.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the sorting operation of the liquid sorter 13. As shown on the left side of FIG. 5, when sorting the volume 2L ₁ , the liquid sorter 13 is lowered until the tip opening of the slit 133 is immersed in the liquid surface of the liquid 12. When the tip openings of the slits 132 and 133 are immersed in the liquid 12, the liquid 12 is filled in the slits 132 and 133 by capillary action. Thereafter, as shown on the right of FIG. 5, when the liquid sorter 13 is raised, the slits 132 and 133 each hold the liquid 12 having the capacity L ₁ , and the liquid sorter 13 has the capacity 2L ₁ . Liquid 12 can be dispensed. Further, when separating the volume L ₁ , only the tip opening of the slit 132 may be immersed in the liquid 12 and separated. Furthermore, when separating the volume 3L ₁ , it is only necessary to immerse the tip of the slit 131 in the liquid 12 and separate it. Thus, a desired amount of the liquid 12 can be dispensed only by adjusting the depth at which the liquid sorter 13 is immersed in the liquid 12.

  In this modification, the liquid separator 13 has slits 131 to 133 having tip openings different in height from the foremost position, and by controlling the depth by which the liquid separator 13 is lowered, A desired amount of liquid 12 can be dispensed. In this modification, the liquid sorter 13 has three slits 131 to 133, but the number of slits, the width, the length, and the capacity of the space in the slit are set according to the desired amount of sorting. It may be variable. However, the number, width, length of each slit, and the capacity of the space in the slit need to be known.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment and the modification, the liquid separator has a plurality of through holes or slits, and the liquid is immersed in these through holes or slits, and a desired volume of liquid is separated step by step. However, in the second embodiment, the liquid separator has a slit-shaped groove, and the slit is immersed in the liquid so that a desired amount of liquid having a continuous value can be collected.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the liquid fractionator according to the second embodiment. 7 is a front view of the liquid sorter shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a side view of the liquid sorter shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the liquid sorter 14 has the slit-shaped groove | channel 141 formed along the axis | shaft of the longitudinal direction of the liquid sorter 14 near the front-end | tip.

Here, when the width of the slit-shaped groove 141 is “a”, the depth is “b”, and the thickness of the liquid sorter 14 is “c”, the aspect is a ratio of the width a to the depth b. The value of the ratio (a / b) is set in the vicinity of 1. The capacity of the groove space formed by the slit-shaped groove 141 is L ₃ .

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a sorting operation using the liquid sorter 14. As shown on the left of FIG. 9, for example, when the liquid 12 having a volume (½) L ₃ is to be dispensed, the liquid dispenser 14 is lowered and half of the length of the slit-shaped groove 141 is changed to the liquid 12. Soak. When the aspect ratio (a / b) is near 1, no capillary phenomenon occurs, and the liquid 12 is filled only in the portion where the slit-shaped groove 141 is immersed. Thereafter, as shown on the right side of FIG. 9, when the liquid sorter 14 is raised, the slit-shaped groove 141 holds the liquid (12) L ₃ filled with the surface tension by the surface tension. The sorter 14 can dispense the liquid 12 having a volume (1/2) L ₃ . For example, when the liquid 12 having a volume (1/3) L ₃ is to be dispensed, it can be dispensed by immersing 1/3 of the length of the slit-shaped groove 141 in the liquid 12. In this way, a continuous minute desired amount of liquid 12 can be dispensed.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a sorting operation when the aspect ratio (a / b) of the slit-shaped groove 141 greatly exceeds 1. As shown in FIG. As shown on the left side of FIG. 10, when the aspect ratio (a / b) greatly exceeds 1, a capillary phenomenon occurs in the slit-shaped groove 141, and when the slit-shaped groove 141 is immersed in the liquid 12, the immersion length Regardless of the case, the entire slit-shaped groove 141 is filled with the liquid 12. As a result, as shown in the right of FIG. 10, increasing the liquid fraction toggle 14, the liquid 12 is held in the entire slit-shaped groove 141, it will be collected at all times amount of liquid 12 volume L _3.

  On the other hand, FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a sorting operation when the aspect ratio (a / b) of the slit-shaped groove 141 is significantly lower than 1. As shown on the left of FIG. 11, when the slit-shaped groove 141 is immersed in the liquid 12, the immersed part is filled with the liquid 12, but as shown on the right of FIG. When raised, the gravity of the liquid 12 filled in the slit-shaped groove 141 exceeds the surface tension of the liquid 12, and the liquid 12 cannot be held in the slit-shaped groove 141 and cannot be separated. Therefore, in order to dispense a desired amount of the liquid 12, it is preferable to set the aspect ratio (a / b) to a value close to 1.

  In the second embodiment, a slit-shaped groove 141 having an aspect ratio (a / b) in the vicinity of 1 is formed in the liquid sorter 14 so that the liquid 12 having a desired volume continuously variable can be separated. I can take it. Further, when the thickness c of the liquid sorter 14 is less than the depth b of the slit-shaped groove 141, that is, when the slit is passed through the slit-shaped groove 141, the aspect ratio (a / c) is close to 1. You may set so that. Further, in the second embodiment, the liquid sorter 14 is provided with one slit-shaped groove 141. However, two or more slit-shaped grooves may be provided according to a desired amount of separation. Good.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first and second embodiments, the depth at which the liquid sorting tool is immersed in the liquid is varied according to the desired amount of dispensing, but in this embodiment 3, the liquid is dispensed according to the desired amount of dispensing. The width of the slit for holding is continuously variable.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the liquid sorting apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the liquid sorting apparatus 100 is provided with a fixed portion 19 and a movable portion 18 instead of the liquid sorting tool 10, and a slit whose width is variable by the fixed portion 19 and the movable portion 18. To form. In order to make the width of the slit variable, a slit movable motor 17 that moves the movable portion 18 via the motor shaft 20, a slit drive portion 16 that drives the slit movable motor 17, and drive control of the slit drive portion 16 are performed. Furthermore, it has the control part 15 to perform. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

  The fixed portion 19, the movable portion 18, and the slit movable motor 17 are held by the lead 9. The movable portion 18 moves along the horizontal plane of the lead 9 by driving the slit movable motor 17, and the movement of the movable portion 18 changes the width of the slit formed between the fixed portion 19 and the movable portion 18. To do.

  FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a detailed configuration in the vicinity of the movable portion 18 and the fixed portion 19. As shown in FIG. 13, a water repellent coating 21 is coated on the upper surface of the slit surface formed by the movable portion 18 and the fixed portion 19 and on the surfaces of the movable portion 18 and the fixed portion 19 excluding the slit surface. . A hydrophilic coat 22 is coated on the lower part of the slit surface formed by the movable part 18 and the fixed part 19. By providing the coated hydrophilic coat 22 on the upper surface of the slit surface, even if a capillary phenomenon occurs when the slit width between the movable portion 18 and the fixed portion 19 is immersed in the liquid 12 in a narrow state, the liquid 12 Is held only in the portion coated with the hydrophilic coat 22.

  Next, a sorting operation using the fixed portion 19 and the movable portion 18 will be described. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a sorting operation by the fixed portion 19 and the movable portion 18. As shown on the left in FIG. 14, the fixed portion 19 and the movable portion 18 are lowered and immersed in the liquid 12 while maintaining the width of the slit formed by the fixed portion 19 and the movable portion 18 to the extent that capillary action occurs. As a result, the liquid 12 rises to the portion where the hydrophilic coat 22 is coated. After that, as shown in the center of FIG. 14, the movable part 18 is moved to widen the slit width formed between the fixed part 19 and the space formed by the slit width and the hydrophilic coat 22 surface is desired. Make a preparative capacity. Even if the movable part 18 moves while the fixed part 19 and the movable part 18 are immersed, a capillary force is generated in the slit formed between the fixed part 19 and the movable part 18, and the liquid 12 is hydrophilic. The part of the coat 22 is held. Thereafter, as shown on the right side of FIG. 13, when the fixed portion 19 and the movable portion 18 are raised, the liquid 12 is held by the hydrophilic coat 22 surface of the slit formed between the fixed portion 19 and the movable portion 18. The desired volume of liquid 12 is dispensed. That is, by immersing the fixed portion 19 and the movable portion 18 in the liquid 12 and once holding the slit width between the fixed portion 19 and the movable portion 18, the liquid 12 is made variable by changing the slit width. A desired volume of liquid 12 is dispensed.

  In the third embodiment, the movable portion 18 is moved, but the fixed portion 19 side may be moved.

  In the third embodiment, the fixed portion 19 and the movable portion 18 are immersed in the liquid 12, and then the movable portion 18 is moved to change the slit space formed between the fixed portion 19 and the movable portion 18. A continuous desired volume of liquid 12 is dispensed.

  Next, a modification of the third embodiment will be described. In the modification of the third embodiment, a guide is further provided so that the movable portion 18 can be moved smoothly.

  FIG. 15: is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the liquid sorter | apparatus concerning the modification of Embodiment 3 of this invention. As shown in FIG. 15, the guide 18 </ b> A has an internal shape that follows the outer edge shape of the movable portion 18, and covers the outer edge of the movable portion 18. When the movable portion 18 moves, the movable portion 18 moves together with the guide 18A, so that the horizontal direction of the movable portion 18 is maintained and the movable portion 18 moves smoothly. Can do. As a result, high-accuracy sorting can be performed. In this modification, the guide 18A is attached to the movable portion 18 side. However, when the fixed portion 19 is also movable, a similar guide may be provided.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first to third embodiments, a desired amount of liquid is retained using passive capillary action, but in this fourth embodiment, active formation is achieved by forming a hydrophilic surface by electrowetting. A desired amount of liquid is retained.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the liquid sorting apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the liquid sorting apparatus 200 is provided with a liquid sorting tool 26 instead of the liquid sorting tool 10 of the liquid sorting apparatus 1 shown in the first embodiment. An electrode power supply unit 25 that applies a voltage to the electrode forming the hydrophilic surface of the electrode and a switch drive unit 24 that controls the driving of the electrode power supply unit 25 under the control unit 23 are further provided. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

  17 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the liquid sorter 26 shown in FIG. 16, FIG. 18 is a front view of the liquid sorter 26, and FIG. 19 is a side view of the liquid sorter 26. FIG. 17 to 19, the liquid separator 26 has a through hole 27 having a slit shape and a rectangular cross section, and the counter electrodes 261 a to 264 a are provided on one side wall surface in the longitudinal (long side) direction of the through hole 27. The counter electrodes 261b to 264b are provided on the other side wall surface, and the counter electrodes 261a to 264a and the counter electrodes 261b to 264b are arranged to face each other. The electrodes 261a to 265a and the electrodes 261b to 265b have the same surface shape. The width of the through-hole 27 is formed so wide that capillary action does not occur.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20, the electrode power supply unit 25 includes four switches SW1 to SW4 and four DC power supplies 251 to 254. The counter electrodes 261a to 264a and the switches SW1 to SW4 are connected by wirings 265a to 268a, respectively, and the counter electrodes 261b to 264b and the DC power sources 251 to 254 are connected by wirings 265b to 268b, respectively. When the switches SW1 to SW4 and the DC power supplies 251 to 254 are connected to each other, and the switches SW1 to SW4 are turned on, the counter electrodes 261b to 264b and 261a to 264a are respectively connected from the DC power supplies 251 to 254. A voltage is applied between them, and the surface charge of the pair of counter electrodes 261b to 264b, 261a to 264a increases. When the surface charge between each of the counter electrodes 261b to 264b and 261a to 264a increases, the counter electrode of each of the counter electrodes 261b to 264b and 261a to 264a increases in hydrophilicity, and sucks the liquid 12 by capillary action. Therefore, the switching control of the slit control unit 24 by the control unit 23 can selectively switch between the counter electrodes 261b to 264b and 261a to 264a, thereby defining the length for sucking the liquid 12. High dispensing can be performed. The counter electrodes 261b to 264b and 261a to 264a may be provided on the surface of each side wall surface of the through hole 27 because they do not enter the liquid 12 Note.

Here, a specific sorting operation using the liquid sorting tool 26 will be described. First, it is assumed that the volume in the through hole 27 is L ₄ . When (1/2) L ₄ is input as the dispensing amount of the liquid 12, the control unit 23 turns on the switches SW 1 and SW 2 via the switch driving unit 24 and lowers the liquid sorting tool 26. Immerse in the liquid 12. Here, since the switches SW1 and SW2 are in the ON state, a voltage is applied between the counter electrodes 264a and 264b and between the counter electrodes 263a and 263b, and the region between the counter electrodes 263a and 263b becomes hydrophilic. The liquid 12 is sucked up to the portions of the counter electrodes 263a and 263b. The through-hole 27 does not cause a capillary phenomenon, but the capillary phenomenon occurs only in the hydrophilic portion, and the liquid 12 is held up to the portions of the counter electrodes 263a and 263b. As a result, the (12) L ₄ liquid 12 can be collected.

  In the fourth embodiment, the inside of the through hole 27 is divided by four counter electrodes, and the four-stage sorting amount is accurately sorted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of counter electrode pairs is further increased. It may be increased or decreased. In particular, more accurate sorting can be performed by increasing the number of counter electrodes. Moreover, the shape of each counter electrode is not limited to a rectangle, and may be an arbitrary shape, and the area of the counter electrode may also be an arbitrary shape. Furthermore, in Embodiment 4 mentioned above, although it was set as the rectangular through-hole 27, it is good also as a groove | channel similar to the slit-shaped groove | channel 141 instead of this.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the liquid fractionation apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the liquid fractionator concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the fractionation operation | movement by the liquid fractionator concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the liquid separator concerning the modification of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the fractionation operation | movement by the liquid fractionator concerning the modification of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the liquid separator concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a front view of the liquid sorter concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a side view of the liquid sorter concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the fractionation operation | movement by the liquid fractionator concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the fractionation operation | movement by the liquid fractionator which has the slit-shaped groove | channel which this aspect ratio exceeds 1. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the fractionation operation | movement by the liquid fractionator which has this slit-shaped groove | channel whose aspect ratio is less than one. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the liquid fractionation apparatus concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the detail of the liquid separator concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the fractionation operation | movement by the liquid fractionator concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the detail of the liquid separator concerning the modification of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the liquid fractionation apparatus concerning Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the liquid fractionator concerning Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a front view of the liquid sorter concerning Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a side view of the liquid sorter concerning Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the electrode power supply part concerning Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the fractionation operation | movement by the liquid fractionator concerning Embodiment 4 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,100,200 Liquid fractionation device 2,15,23 Control part 3 Motor drive part 4 Motor 5 Motor base part 6 Ball screw 7, 18A Guide 8 Arm 9 Lead 10, 13, 14, 26 Liquid sorter 11 Container 12 Liquid DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 Slit drive part 17 Slit movable motor 18 Movable slit 19 Fixed slit 20 Motor shaft 21 Water repellent coating 22 Hydrophilic coat 24 Switch drive part 25 Electrode power supply part 27,101-103 Through-hole 131-133 Slit 141 Slit-like groove 251-254 DC power supply 261a-264a, 261b-264b Counter electrode 265a-268a, 265b-268b Wiring

Claims (9)

A liquid sorter having a liquid holding part for dipping in a liquid and holding a part of the liquid,
A plurality of the liquid holding portions are provided in the portion to be immersed in the liquid, and at least two of the liquid holding portions are arranged at positions where the minimum depth at which the liquid in the immersed portion can be separated is different. A liquid sorter characterized by that.   The liquid collector according to claim 1, wherein the liquid holding portion is a through hole.   The liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein the liquid holding part is a slit having an opening with respect to a liquid level of the liquid. A liquid sorter having a liquid holding part that immerses in liquid and separates a part of the liquid,
The liquid holding part is a slit-shaped groove, and the ratio of the depth of the groove to the width of the groove is close to 1, and has a capacity proportional to the length of the slit-shaped groove immersed in the liquid. A liquid sorter that holds the liquid. A liquid sorter having a liquid holding part that immerses in liquid and separates a part of the liquid,
The liquid holding unit is a slit having an opening with respect to the liquid level of the liquid, and one or both of the opposing wall surfaces forming the slit are movable in the width direction of the slit, and the slit holds the liquid holding unit. A liquid sorting tool characterized by varying the volume of the liquid. A liquid sorter having a liquid holding part that immerses in liquid and separates a part of the liquid,
The liquid holding portion is a slit or groove formed by wall surfaces facing each other with an interval that does not cause capillary action, and a counter electrode is located in a longitudinal direction of the slit at a position facing the wall surface of the slit or groove. Are arranged along the line, and a position of applying a voltage of a predetermined value to the counter electrode to make the area of the counter electrode hydrophilic, the volume of the liquid held by the slit or groove is varied. Liquid sorter characterized by. The liquid fractionator according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Elevating means for elevating and lowering the liquid sorting tool and immersing the liquid holding part in the liquid;
A dispensing amount control means for variably controlling the raising and lowering of the raising and lowering means, varying the depth of immersion of the liquid sorting tool in the liquid, and variably controlling the volume of the liquid held by the liquid holding unit; ,
A liquid preparatory device comprising: A slit having an opening with respect to the liquid surface of the liquid to be dispensed, one or both of the opposing wall surfaces forming the slit are movable in the width direction of the slit, and the volume of the liquid held by the slit is A variable liquid sorter;
Elevating means for elevating and lowering the liquid sorting tool and immersing the slit in the liquid;
A variable volume means for varying a space between the opposing wall surfaces forming a slit provided in the liquid sorter, and varying a volume of a space formed by the slit;
After the liquid sorting tool is lowered by the elevating means and the slit is immersed in the liquid, the volume of the slit is changed by the volume changing means, and the volume of the liquid held by the liquid holding unit A quantity control means for variably controlling
A liquid preparatory device comprising: It has slits or grooves formed by wall surfaces facing each other at intervals that do not cause capillary action, and a plurality of counter electrodes are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the slits at positions facing the wall surfaces of the slits or grooves. Liquid dispenser,
Elevating means for elevating and lowering the liquid sorting tool and immersing the slit in the liquid;
Voltage application means for applying a voltage of a predetermined value to the counter electrode;
After the liquid sorting tool is lowered by the elevating means and the slit is immersed in the liquid, a voltage of a predetermined value is applied to the counter electrode by the voltage applying means to make the counter electrode portion hydrophilic. A dispensing amount control means for variably controlling the volume of the liquid held by the liquid holding unit;
A liquid preparatory device comprising:

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