JP2018169229A - Measuring mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a measuring mechanism which can accurately measure the amount of a solution to increase the efficiency of improving the usage of the solution.SOLUTION: A measuring mechanism 15 selectively acquires several different types of solutions and measures their amounts. The measuring mechanism 15 includes: a holding unit 27 holding the downstream side end part 6a of a deriving tube 6 through which the solutions passe; a measuring container 7 for receiving solutions that flow out of the downstream side end part 6a of the deriving tube 6; and a weight sensor 26 for measuring the weight in the measuring container 7. The holding unit 27 and the measuring container 9 are provided not to contact with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a measuring mechanism used in a synthesizer for chemically synthesizing proteins, peptides, nucleic acids and the like.

  As a method for chemically synthesizing proteins, peptides, nucleic acids and the like, there is a method in which a plurality of types of solutions (reagents) are sequentially supplied to a reaction vessel and the reaction is advanced in the reaction vessel. For example, when synthesizing nucleic acids, a number of beads are provided in a reaction vessel, and while the solution is sequentially supplied to the reaction vessel, the detritylation, coupling, oxidation, and capping processes are repeated, and the bases are successively added from the beads. Combined with.

  The solution used may be several tens of types (for example, 20 types), and these solutions are selectively sent to the reaction vessel, and a synthetic product (nucleic acid) is generated from the molecular material contained in the solution. As an apparatus for performing such chemical synthesis, for example, a synthesis apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is known.

JP-T-2002-518526

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a conventional synthesizing apparatus in a simplified manner. This synthesizer accommodates a container 90a, 90b, 90c that separately stores a plurality of types of solutions 99a, 99b, 99c, a reaction container 94 that mixes the solutions 99a, 99b, 99c, and the reaction container 94. A chamber 95 is provided, and the respective containers 90a, 90b, 90c are connected to the chamber 95 by pipes 91a, 91b, 91c. In the example of FIG. 4, pipes 91a, 91b, and 91c are provided corresponding to the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3, respectively. On the other hand, the reaction vessel 94 is configured to be able to move in the chamber 95 by an actuator (not shown), and can be moved to the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3 and stopped. It has become. For this reason, the reaction container 94 is placed at the positions (first position P1, second position P2, and third position P3) of the solutions 99a, 99b, and 99c that are necessary for the production of the synthesized product (nucleic acid). It selectively moves and is configured to sequentially receive the solutions 99a, 99b, and 99c supplied from the downstream ends of the pipes 91a, 91b, and 91c at each position.

  Then, the solutions 99a, 99b, and 99c are supplied to the reaction container 94 by pressurizing the solutions 99a, 99b, and 99c in the storage containers 90a, 90b, and 90c, and are not supplied into the storage containers 90a, 90b, and 90c. The liquid is fed by supplying an active gas or the like. However, when the solutions 99a, 99b, and 99c are supplied by pressure feeding, since the liquid is fed only by setting the pressure and time, the amount of liquid feeding tends to vary due to the influence of pressure fluctuation or the like. For this reason, an excess or deficiency in the amount supplied to the reaction vessel 94 may result in the failure to synthesize the planned chemical solution. Therefore, for safety, an amount that is several times larger than the theoretically required amount is supplied to the reaction vessel 94 for each of the plurality of types of solutions 99a, 99b, and 99c. As described above, conventionally, an excessive solution is used, and particularly when a synthetic product is mass-produced, the cost becomes high.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a measuring mechanism that accurately measures a solution in order to improve the utilization efficiency of the solution.

The present invention is a weighing mechanism that selectively obtains and measures a plurality of types of solutions, and includes a holding unit that holds a downstream end side of a pipe through which the solution passes, and an outflow from the downstream end of the pipe A measuring container for receiving the solution and a weight sensor for measuring the weight of the measuring container, and the holding unit and the measuring container are provided in a non-contact state.
According to the present invention, the amount of solution can be managed. When the pipe through which the solution passes is in contact with the weighing container, for example, when tension is applied to the pipe, the weighing result by the weight sensor is adversely affected. Highly accurate weighing is possible.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said holding | maintenance part collects and hold | maintains several piping through which each of the said multiple types of said solution passes, and the said measurement container receives the solution which flowed out from the said several piping. In this case, there are a plurality of types of required solutions, but the measuring container and sensor used for weighing can be shared.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said measurement mechanism is further equipped with the airtight container which accommodates the said measurement container and is filled with gas. According to this configuration, even if a plurality of types of solutions used include a solution that changes in quality or deteriorates when it comes into contact with the atmosphere (outside air), the quality does not deteriorate.

  The metering mechanism is connected to the metering container, and includes an outlet side pipe for sending out the weighed solution to another region. The outlet side pipe has one end connected to the metering container and the other. It is preferable that the end portion is supported by another member and is formed by an extra length portion that is formed longer than the distance between the one end portion and the other end portion and is deformable as a whole. When, for example, tension acts on the outlet side pipe as an external force, the measurement result by the weight sensor is adversely affected. However, according to the above configuration, the external force may be released due to elastic deformation of the surplus portion as a whole. In addition, the influence of the outlet side piping does not easily reach the weight sensor, and highly accurate weighing is possible.

  Further, the measuring mechanism including the sealed container further includes an adjusting unit that adjusts the pressure of the gas in the sealed container, and the holding unit and the measuring container are not in contact with each other. The solution in the measuring container is preferably pumped to the outside by the pressure of the gas acting on the solution in the measuring container through the opening of the measuring container. According to this configuration, the solution in the measuring container can be pumped by the gas in the sealed container. For this reason, the pump of liquid feeding becomes unnecessary.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to manage the amount of solution in order to improve the utilization efficiency of the solution, and it is possible to perform measurement with high accuracy.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the synthesizing | combining apparatus provided with the measurement mechanism of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of a measurement mechanism. It is explanatory drawing which looked at the holding | maintenance part from the bottom. It is explanatory drawing which shows the conventional synthesis | combination apparatus simplified. It is a reference drawing of the synthetic | combination apparatus using a pump.

[About the overall composition of the synthesizer]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a synthesizing apparatus provided with a weighing mechanism of the present invention. This synthesizer is a device for chemically synthesizing proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, and the like. A plurality of types of solutions (reagents) are sequentially supplied to the reaction vessel 9, and chemical synthesis proceeds in the reaction vessel 9. When synthesizing a nucleic acid, a number of beads are provided in the reaction container 9, and while the solution is sequentially supplied to the reaction container 9, detritylation, coupling, oxidation, and capping processes are repeatedly performed. Such molecular materials are bonded one after another. There are several tens of types (for example, 20 types) of solutions to be used, and these solutions are selectively sent to the reaction vessel 9, and a synthesized product (nucleic acid) is generated from the molecular material contained in the solution.

  In this embodiment, 19 types of solutions (reagents) are used. This number is changed according to the product to be chemically synthesized. The synthesizing device 3 is provided with a region in which the same number (19) of containers (reagent bottles) 2-1, 2-2,.・ Each solution is stored in each. In FIG. 1, only two storage containers (2-1 and 2-2) are shown, and the other storage containers (2-3 to 2-19) are not shown. The synthesizer 3 also includes a storage container 2-20 that stores a cleaning liquid. Each of the storage containers 2-1 to 2-20 has the same configuration (although the size may be different). In the following, the reference numeral attached to the container is simply “2”. Each storage container 2 is a sealed container, but an introduction pipe 5 and a lead-out pipe 6 are connected.

  The synthesizer 3 includes a tank 4 that stores pressurized gas, the introduction pipe 5, the outlet pipe 6, an intermediate container 7, an intermediate pipe 8, a reaction container 9, a metering mechanism 15, and a control device 16. The tank 4 is filled with a gas having a pressure higher than that of the atmosphere. In this embodiment, the tank 4 is filled with argon gas as an inert gas. A sterilized gas (air) may be used instead of the inert gas. The same number (20 in this embodiment) of the introduction pipes 5 as the plurality of storage containers 2 are pipes branched from the common upstream pipe 10, and the upstream pipe 10 includes a regulator (electropneumatic regulator) 11 and an open / close state. A valve 12 is provided. The upstream side pipe 10 is connected to the tank 4, pressurized gas is supplied to each storage container 2, and the internal pressure of each storage container 2 is adjusted by the regulator 11. The internal pressure of each storage container 2 is increased by the pressurized gas, and the solution in the storage container 2 is pumped from the outlet pipe 6. That is, the solution in each container 2 is pumped to the intermediate container 7 through the outlet pipe 6 by the differential pressure between each container 2 and the intermediate container 7. As described above, in the present embodiment, the liquid feeding means 24 for sending the solution in the container 2 is of a pressure feeding type, and the liquid feeding means 24 includes the tank 4, the upstream pipe 10, the regulator 11, the opening / closing valve 12, And an introduction tube 5 is included.

  A valve 14 is provided in each outlet pipe 6 connected to the storage container 2 that stores the solution. The valve 14 of this embodiment is a pinch valve. The lead-out pipe 6 is constituted by a pipe (tube) that can be at least partially elastically deformed, and the pinch valve 14 is crushed from the container 2 in the lead-out pipe 6 by crushing the lead-out pipe 6 (said part). And a function of adjusting the flow rate of the flowing solution. By selecting the pinch valve 14 to be opened, a predetermined solution can be selectively sent from the solutions in the plurality of storage containers 2 to the intermediate container 7 through the outlet pipe 6 (pressure-feed). Selection of the pinch valve 14 to be opened is performed by the control device 16. That is, the control device 16 transmits a signal for opening to a predetermined pinch valve 14 according to a program stored in the internal memory, and the other pinch valves 14 are kept closed. The valve provided in the outlet pipe 6 may be other than the pinch valve 14.

  Although described later, the intermediate container 7 is a container for measuring each solution. The intermediate container 7 is a bottomed cylindrical container that can store each solution (see FIG. 2). In the present embodiment, a plurality of outlet pipes 6 are provided in the inlet region (opening 7a) of the intermediate container 7. Aggregated. For this reason, the solution selectively sent through the outlet pipe 6 is introduced into the intermediate container 7 and is stored in the intermediate container 7. The number of intermediate containers 7 is smaller than the number of storage containers 2, and in the present embodiment, only one intermediate container 7 is provided. That is, the intermediate container 7 is shared for a plurality of types of solutions.

  The measuring mechanism 15 measures the solution stored in the intermediate container 7. In this measuring mechanism 15, the intermediate container 7 is made to function as a measuring container. The measurement result by the measurement mechanism 15 is transmitted to the control device 16 (see FIG. 1), and the control device 16 controls the opening / closing operation of the pinch valve 14 based on the measurement result, and acquires a prescribed amount of solution in the intermediate container 7. To do. Then, this prescribed amount of solution is sent to the reaction vessel 9 through the intermediate pipe 8. The intermediate pipe 8 is provided with an opening / closing valve 21. When performing the measurement, the opening / closing valve 21 is in a closed state.

  The solution is supplied from the intermediate vessel 7 to the reaction vessel 9 by pressure, and the pressurized gas in the tank 4 is used. At the time of this pressure feeding, the opening / closing valve 21 is opened. For this pressure feeding, the metering mechanism 15 includes a sealed container 29 that houses the intermediate container 7. A pressurized gas pipe 17 is provided between the sealed container 29 and the tank 4. The piping 17 is provided with a second regulator (electropneumatic regulator) 18. As will be described later, the intermediate container 7 is opened in the sealed container 29 (opening 7a), and the pressure of the pressurized gas (internal pressure) in the sealed container 29 is reduced to the solution stored in the intermediate container 7. The solution of the intermediate container 7 is pumped to the reaction container 9 through the intermediate pipe 8 by the differential pressure between the sealed container 29 (intermediate container 7) and the reaction container 9.

  As described above, the solution is selectively sent from at least one of the plurality of storage containers 2 to the intermediate container 7, and when the measurement is performed in the intermediate container 7, the solution is sent to the reaction container 9. Such supply of the solution to the reaction vessel 9 is repeatedly performed while changing the type of the solution, and a plurality of types of solutions are sequentially supplied to the reaction vessel 9, and chemical synthesis proceeds in the reaction vessel 9. In the present embodiment, the reaction vessel 9 is provided with a large number of beads, and bases are successively bound from the beads to synthesize nucleic acids.

  In the reaction vessel 9, when a solution is supplied from the intermediate pipe (primary side flow path) 8, this solution is allowed to pass through and discharged through the discharge side pipe 19 (secondary side flow path).

  Operation control of the various valves (the pinch valve 14 and the on-off valves 12 and 21) is performed by the control device 16. The control device 16 also performs operation control of the regulators 11 and 18.

  As described above, the synthesizer 3 selectively sends a plurality of types of solutions to the reaction vessel 9 and performs chemical synthesis using the materials contained in each solution in the reaction vessel 9. In the present embodiment, a plurality of outlet pipes 6 are provided as a plurality of pipes extending from a plurality of storage containers 2 in which a plurality of types of solutions are stored. The tank 4, the upstream pipe 10, and the introduction pipe 5 are provided. The solution in each container 2 is sent to the intermediate container 7 through the outlet pipe 6 and further sent to the reaction container 9 by the liquid feeding means 24 including the like. A measuring mechanism 15 is provided between each container 2 and the reaction container 9 and in the middle of the entire flow path 25 including the plurality of pipes (outlet pipes 6). The solution sent to the reaction vessel 9 is weighed in the intermediate vessel 7. In the reaction container 9, a prescribed amount of solution selectively sent from the plurality of storage containers 2 is placed, and a composite is generated from the materials contained in each solution. The overall flow path 25 includes a flow path on the downstream side (reaction container 9 side) of the storage container 2, and includes an intermediate pipe 8 in addition to the outlet pipe 6. The piping and each device included in the entire flow path 25 have a property (solvent resistance) that can withstand the solvent (solvent) of the solution.

[About weighing mechanism 15]
The weighing mechanism 15 includes the intermediate container 7 that functions as a weighing container, and a sensor 26. As described above, the intermediate container (measuring container) 7 is provided in the middle of the entire flow path 25 and receives the solution that selectively flows out from the plurality of outlet pipes 6. A sensor 26 included in the weighing mechanism 15 shown in FIG. 2 measures the weight in the intermediate container 7. A specific configuration will be described. The sensor 26 is a weight sensor, and in the present embodiment, is constituted by a strain type load cell. According to the measuring mechanism 15, the solution can be accurately measured in the intermediate container 7 by measuring the weight of the solution stored in the intermediate container 7. In this embodiment, an example using a strain type load cell will be described. However, any load cell such as an electromagnetic type, a piezoelectric element type, a capacitance type, a magnetostrictive type, and a gyro type can be used. You may comprise the weight sensor of this invention.

  The metering mechanism 15 shown in FIG. 2 includes a holding unit 27 in addition to the intermediate container 7 that receives the solution flowing out from the outlet pipe 6 and the weight sensor 26 that measures the weight in the intermediate container 7. The holding part 27 is provided in the vicinity of the opening 7a of the intermediate container 7, and holds the plurality of outlet pipes 6 in one place. In the present embodiment, 20 lead-out pipes 6 that are the same number as the storage containers 2 are collected and held by the holding unit 27. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of outlet pipes 6 pass through a flange portion 36 provided on the upper wall 29 a of the sealed container 29, and the downstream end portion 6 a side of the outlet pipes 6 is held by the holding portion 27. Are held together. The lead-out pipe 6 passes through the flange portion 36, but the airtightness is ensured between them (that is, sealed). In the present embodiment, the case where there are the same number of outlet tubes 6 and storage containers 2 will be described. However, when there are storage containers 2 for solutions that do not require weighing, the outlet tubes 6 extending from the storage containers 2 Instead of being held by the holding portion 27, it may be configured to be connected to the intermediate pipe 8 located on the downstream side of the intermediate container 7.

  The intermediate container 7 is provided in a state of being suspended in the sealed container 29. For this purpose, a support member 28 is provided in the sealed container 29, and the intermediate container 7 is supported by the first arm portion 28 a of the support member 28, and is stored in the intermediate container 7 and the intermediate container 7. The first arm portion 28a receives the weight of the solution. A weight sensor (load cell) 26 is attached to the base side of the first arm portion 28a, and the weight sensor 26 measures the weight of the intermediate container 7 (including the solution) via the arm portion 28a. The signal from the weight sensor 26 is input to the control device 16 (see FIG. 1). Further, the holding portion 27 (first member 27a) is supported by the second arm portion 28b of the support member 28. The first arm portion 28a and the second arm portion 28b are provided independently, and no force is transmitted between them.

  The holding portion 27 collects and holds the first member 27a that holds the upstream portion 6b of the plurality of outlet pipes 6 upstream of the downstream ends 6a and the downstream end 6a. It has the 2nd member 27b, and these are mutually connected by the connection part which is not shown in figure. The first member 27a is a plate-like member, and the outlet tube 6 passes therethrough. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the holding portion 27 (second member 27b) as viewed from below. The second member 27b is a plate-like member, and the downstream end 6a of the outlet pipe 6 passes therethrough. In the second member 27b, all the downstream end portions 6a are arranged apart from each other at an interval narrower than the interval held by the first member 27a. That is, the second member 27b has a function as a spacer, makes one downstream end 6a non-contact with the other downstream end 6a, and from the downstream end 6a of one outlet pipe 6. The solution flowing out is prevented from coming into contact with the downstream end 6a of the other outlet pipe 6 (that is, the solution flowing out from the downstream end 6a of one outlet pipe 6 to be supplied and the other outlet pipe 6). 6 so that it does not mix with the solution adhering to the downstream end portion 6a.

  In FIG. 2, the first member 27 a is positioned above (outside) the intermediate container 7, and the second member 27 b is positioned inside the intermediate container 7. The holding portion 27 including the member 27 b and the plurality of outlet pipes 6 (downstream end portions 6 a) held by the holding portion 27 are not in contact with the intermediate container 7. For this reason, the intermediate container 7 is in an open state in the upper portion, that is, the lid is not covered by the holding portion 27, and the intermediate container 7 is in an open state in the sealed container 29. As a result, as described above, the pressure (internal pressure) of the pressurized gas in the sealed container 29 can act on the solution stored in the intermediate container 7, and after measurement, the pressure difference between the sealed container 29 and the reaction container 9 can be obtained. The solution in the intermediate container 7 is pumped to the reaction container 9.

  As described above, in the measuring mechanism 15 of the present embodiment, a plurality of outlet pipes 6 are collected in the intermediate container 7, and a solution is selectively supplied from the plurality of outlet pipes 6, so that a plurality of types of outlet pipes 6 are provided. The solution can be selectively acquired and weighed. For this reason, it becomes possible to manage the amount of the solution, and a prescribed amount of the solution can be accurately sent to the reaction vessel 9. And as above-mentioned, the holding | maintenance part 27 and the intermediate container 7 are provided in the non-contact state. For this reason, tension may act on the outlet pipe 6, but the load due to this tension does not affect the measurement of the weight sensor 26. If the lead-out pipe 6 (and the holding part 27) is in contact with the intermediate container 7, when the tension is acting on the lead-out pipe 6, the measurement result by the weight sensor 26 is adversely affected. However, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the influence of the outlet pipe 6 is not exerted on the weight sensor 26, and measurement with high accuracy is possible, and a prescribed amount of solution can be sent to the reaction vessel 9 more accurately. it can.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the measuring mechanism 15 has an outlet side pipe 30 connected to the intermediate container 7, and the outlet side pipe 30 is connected to the intermediate pipe 8. The outlet side pipe 30 is a flow path for sending the solution weighed in the intermediate container 7 to the reaction container 9 (another region) through the intermediate pipe 8. The outlet side pipe 30 is arranged in the sealed container 29, one end 30 a of the outlet side pipe 30 is connected to the lower end of the intermediate container 7, and the other end 30 b of the outlet side pipe 30 is connected to the sealed container 29. It is supported by the bottom wall 29b (separate member). And the exit side piping 30 is comprised with the elastic tube which is a spiral shape as a whole. When tension is acting as an external force on the outlet side pipe 30, the measurement result by the weight sensor 26 is adversely affected. However, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the tension is caused by the elastic deformation of the spiral tube as a whole. Can escape. As a result, the influence of the outlet side pipe 30 is less likely to affect the weight sensor 26, and measurement with higher accuracy is possible. In addition, although the exit side piping 30 of this embodiment demonstrated the case where it had a spiral shape, it should just be a shape which has extra length to such an extent that it does not affect the weight sensor 26 holding the measuring container 7, and is U-shaped. It may be bent into a shape. Thus, the outlet side pipe 30 has one end 30a connected to the intermediate container 7 and the other end 30b supported by the sealed container 29, and the distance between the one end 30a and the other end 30b ( It is only necessary to be constituted by an extra length portion that is longer than a straight line distance) and is deformable as a whole. That is, the extra length may be a spiral tube or a tube bent into a U shape.

  As described above, the sealed container 29 accommodates the intermediate container 7, and the upper part of the intermediate container 7 is opened in the sealed container 29. For this reason, the gas in the sealed container 29 comes into contact with the solution introduced into the intermediate container 7. Therefore, the sealed container 29 is filled with a gas having a small influence on the solution. As this gas, as described above, an inert gas or a sterilized gas (air) can be employed. In this embodiment, the sealed container 29 is filled with argon gas as an inert gas, and this gas is supplied from the tank 4. For this reason, even if a plurality of types of solutions used in the synthesizer 3 include a solution that changes in quality or deteriorates when it comes into contact with the atmosphere (outside air), a synthetic product can be generated without degrading the quality. It becomes possible.

  The gas filled in the sealed container 29 is also used as a medium for pumping the solution (measured) stored in the intermediate container 7 to the reaction container 9. The regulator 18 provided in the pressurized gas pipe 17 (see FIG. 1) connecting the sealed container 29 and the tank 4 adjusts the amount of gas supplied to the sealed container 29. As a result, the internal pressure of the sealed container 29 is adjusted, and the pressure of the solution stored in the intermediate container 7 is controlled. Thereby, a pressure difference is produced between the sealed container 29 (intermediate container 7) and the reaction container 9, and the solution in the intermediate container 7 is pumped to the reaction container 9 by this pressure difference.

  As described above, the measuring mechanism 15 of the present embodiment also has a function for sending the solution stored and measured in the intermediate container 7 to the reaction container 9. That is, the regulator 18 is provided as an adjusting means for adjusting the gas pressure in the sealed container 29. And as above-mentioned, the holding | maintenance part 27 which hold | maintains the several derivation | leading-out pipe | tube 6 collectively, and the intermediate container 7 are made non-contact, Therefore In the airtight container 29, the intermediate container 7 is opened. Part 7a is formed. Through the opening 7a, the solution in the intermediate container 7 can be pumped to the outside by the pressure of the gas acting on the solution in the intermediate container 7.

  In the present embodiment, the feeding of the solution from the plurality of storage containers 2 to the intermediate container 7 and the feeding of the solution from the intermediate container 7 to the reaction container 9 are performed by the liquid feeding means 24 including the tank 4. Pumps for feeding liquids (electric pumps and hydraulic pumps) are unnecessary. In addition, the synthesizing apparatus 3 can be simplified by feeding the solution from the plurality of storage containers to the intermediate container 7 and feeding the solution from the intermediate container 7 to the reaction container 9 by the pressurized air of the common tank 4. Can be

[Measurement processing]
A solution weighing process performed by the weighing mechanism 15 in the synthesizing apparatus 3 having the above configuration will be described.
In order to increase the accuracy of measurement, the synthesizer 3 includes an adjusting unit 32 (see FIG. 1) that adjusts the solution feeding speed. The adjusting means 32 may be provided in each outlet pipe 6 and the solution feeding speed (flow rate per unit time) flowing in each outlet pipe 6 may be adjusted. However, in the present embodiment, the upstream pipe 10 is provided. The regulator 11 is functioned as the adjusting means 32. With this configuration, it is not necessary to provide the adjusting means 32 for each of the plurality of outlet pipes 6, and the synthesizer 3 can be simplified.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the solution is fed from each storage container 2 to the intermediate container 7 to be measured by a pressure feeding method. When the internal pressure of the storage container 2 is increased, the liquid feeding speed when supplying the solution to the intermediate container 7 is increased, and when the internal pressure is decreased, the liquid feeding speed when supplying the solution to the intermediate container 7 is decreased. That is, by adjusting the regulator 11 and increasing the internal pressure of the storage container 2, the liquid feeding speed to the intermediate container 7 can be increased. On the contrary, by adjusting the regulator 11, the liquid feeding speed to the intermediate container 7 can be reduced by lowering the internal pressure of the storage container 2.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the solution is pumped to the intermediate container 7 in order to perform the weighing process in the intermediate container 7, but the solution feeding speed of the solution to be measured is adjusted by the regulator 11 (adjusting means 32). . This is because, when the liquid feeding speed is high, an error is likely to occur in measurement, particularly when the target amount for measurement is small. For example, there is a high possibility that the measurement will exceed the target amount. Thus, in the present embodiment, the solution delivery speed of the solution to the intermediate container 7 is lowered by a regulator 11 below a preset threshold value. This suppresses weighing errors.

  However, if the liquid feeding speed is lowered all the time for weighing, it may take time and work efficiency may be lowered. Further, if the liquid feeding speed is increased throughout the measurement, a measurement error tends to occur. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the liquid feeding speed is changed while the solution is being supplied to the intermediate container 7. That is, in the time zone (first half) where the prescribed amount (target amount) is not reached in the measurement, the liquid feeding speed is made relatively high (higher than the threshold) to shorten the liquid feeding time. In the time period (second half) when the specified amount (target amount) is reached, the liquid feeding speed is changed relatively low (changed lower than the threshold value) to suppress the measurement error. In this manner, the regulator 11 lowers the liquid feeding speed in the liquid feeding end time zone for measurement as compared with the previous time zone (the time zone before the end time zone). The operation control of the regulator 11 is performed based on an operation signal given from the control device 16 to the regulator 11. As a result, when the solution is supplied to the intermediate container 7 for weighing, the solution feeding speed is set to two stages. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the working efficiency by increasing the liquid feeding speed at the beginning, and it is possible to suppress the measurement error by reducing the liquid feeding speed at the end of the measurement.

  The timing for changing the liquid feeding speed may be managed by the timer function of the control device 16, but in this embodiment, since the sensor 26 detects the weight every moment as described above, it is less than the specified amount. When a solution is supplied to the intermediate container 7 for a predetermined amount (for example, 70% of the specified amount), the control device 16 outputs a signal to the regulator 11 to control the liquid feeding speed to be lowered.

  Further, in order to reduce the measurement error, the synthesizing device 3 of the present embodiment further includes the following configuration. A valve (pinch valve 14) provided in each outlet pipe 6 functions as a valve for stopping liquid feeding to the intermediate container 7 for measurement. The opening / closing operation of the pinch valve 14 is based on a command signal from the control device 16. Therefore, the control device 16 outputs a closing operation command signal to the pinch valve 14 before the solution accumulated in the intermediate container 7 reaches a specified amount (target amount). In order to perform the process of starting the closing operation early in this way, the time required for the closing operation of the pinch valve 14 is measured, and based on the information about this time, the control device 16 determines the solution. Before reaching the amount (target amount), the pinch valve 14 is started to close. Alternatively, as another means, in order to perform processing for starting the closing operation early, information on the flow rate of the solution fed during the closing operation of the pinch valve 14 is acquired in advance, and based on this flow rate information Then, the control device 16 causes the pinch valve 14 to start the closing operation before the solution reaches the specified amount (target amount). Furthermore, as another means, the time required for the closing operation of the pinch valve 14 is measured, and information on the flow rate of the solution to be sent during the closing operation is acquired in advance. Based on the information on the flow rate during the closing operation, the control device 16 may cause the pinch valve 14 to start the closing operation before the solution reaches a specified amount (target amount). According to the configuration of each of the embodiments, the prescribed amount (target amount) is obtained with high accuracy by allowing the solution flowing during the closing operation of the pinch valve 14 and starting the closing operation of the pinch valve 14 at an early timing in advance. It becomes possible.

  While the solution is being supplied to the intermediate container 7 for weighing, the sensor 26 performs measurement every moment, and the control device 16 acquires the signal of the sensor 26 for weighing every moment, and the pinch is based on this signal. A signal for starting the closing operation is output to the valve 14. As a result, when the solution supplied to the intermediate container 7 reaches a predetermined amount (target amount), the pinch valve 14 can start the closing operation as described above. With this configuration, the solution can be measured in real time. That is, in this configuration, since the target specified amount can be measured while being monitored, mechanical error and the like are avoided and the specified amount is reduced as compared with the case of measuring by the pumping method or the pump method. It becomes possible to obtain a solution with high accuracy.

  In addition, when the pinch valve 14 is closed by the detection of the sensor 26 and the supply of the solution to the intermediate container 7 is stopped, whether or not the solution stored in the intermediate container 7 is accurate according to the specified amount. The control device 16 can make the determination. When it is determined to be accurate (within a specified error range), the solution in the intermediate container 7 is sent to the reaction container 9. If it is determined that it is not accurate, a rejection process is performed. As the rejection processing, for example, the solution in the intermediate container 7 is processed as drainage.

[About Synthesizer 3]
As described above, the synthesizing apparatus 3 of the present embodiment is an apparatus for selectively synthesizing a plurality of types of solutions from a plurality of storage containers 2, and the selectively sent solutions are placed therein. A reaction vessel 9 in which a composite is generated by the material contained in the solution, and a measuring mechanism 15 provided between the container 2 and the reaction vessel 9 for measuring the solution to be sent to the reaction vessel 9 are provided. According to the synthesizer 3, a required amount of solution can be weighed and sent to the reaction vessel 9 by the measuring mechanism 15, and the use efficiency of the solution can be improved as compared with the conventional case.

  In the embodiment (see FIG. 2), the measuring mechanism 15 has the sensor 26 that measures the weight of the intermediate container 7. Here, an apparatus (see FIG. 5) that uses a pump 93 to send the solution is conceivable. In the apparatus using the pump 93 shown in FIG. 5, the total liquid supply amount can be obtained by calculation based on the liquid supply amount per unit time (rated liquid supply amount) by the pump 93 and the operation time of the pump 93. Conceivable. However, it is expected that the total liquid delivery amount by calculation is inaccurate due to loss in the flow path and the like. That is, when the pump 93 is used, the actual liquid delivery amount and the calculated value often deviate from each other. Therefore, even in an apparatus using a pump, it is theoretically necessary for each of a plurality of types of solutions. Since an amount larger than the amount to be used is used and an excess solution is used, the cost increases particularly when the synthetic product is mass-produced. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the solution is temporarily stored in the intermediate container 7 and weighed, so that the target solution is not weighed under the liquid feeding conditions, but the resulting solution is directly weighed. Therefore, since it can measure with high precision and the measured solution is sent to the reaction container 9, it becomes possible to suppress the wasteful use of a solution and to reduce cost. Thus, the point that the metering mechanism 15 as in this embodiment is provided is technically completely different from the flow rate management based on the driving of the pump 93.

  Further, in the example of FIG. 5, the solution is fed by the plunger pump 93, and the solution is measured with high accuracy by controlling the amount of liquid fed per unit time (rated liquid feed amount) of the plunger pump 93. Even if it is possible, a load may be applied to the plunger pump 93 due to crystallization of the solution in the plunger pump 93. As a result, damage to the drive system such as seal breakage may result, and the durability of the entire apparatus will be affected. There is a problem that is easy to fall. On the other hand, in the synthesis apparatus 3 of this embodiment, since the pump is not used for liquid feeding, durability of the whole apparatus can be improved.

  Further, the measuring mechanism 15 can selectively acquire and measure a plurality of types of solutions, and for this purpose, the measuring mechanism 15 collects and holds a plurality of outlet pipes 6 through which each of the plurality of types of solutions passes. And a holding container 27, an intermediate container (measuring container) 7 that receives the solution flowing out from the outlet pipe 6, and a weight sensor 26 that measures the weight of the intermediate container 7. And as above-mentioned, the holding | maintenance part 27 and the intermediate container 7 are provided in the non-contact state. For this reason, it becomes possible to raise the precision of measurement. As described above, if the outlet pipe 6 through which the solution passes is in contact with the intermediate container 7, for example, if tension is acting on the outlet pipe 6, the measurement result by the weight sensor 26 may be adversely affected. This is because, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the influence of the outlet pipe 6 is not exerted on the weight sensor 26.

  Further, as described above, the outlet side pipe 30 connected to the downstream side of the intermediate container 7 is constituted by a spiral elastic tube, and therefore, when the tension acts on the outlet side pipe 30 as an external force. Even so, the external force can be released by elastically deforming the tube as a whole. As a result, the measurement result obtained by the weight sensor 26 is hardly affected by the external force, and high-precision measurement is possible.

  In the present embodiment, the intermediate container 7 is provided with a plurality of outlet pipes 6 in a collective manner, and a solution is introduced from each of the outlet pipes 6. For this reason, there are a plurality of types of required solutions, but only one set of the weighing mechanism 15 (the intermediate container 7 and the sensor 26) used for weighing is required. That is, by sharing the intermediate container 7, the measuring mechanism 15 is unnecessary for each outlet pipe 6 (solution), and the configuration of the synthesizing apparatus 3 can be simplified. In addition, by providing two or more types of solutions to be supplied to the intermediate container 7, a plurality of types of solutions can be mixed and measured in the intermediate container 7. In this case, since the solutions are mixed before the introduction of each solution into the reaction vessel 9, the mixing time can be shortened.

  In the synthesizer 3 shown in FIG. 1, the solution feeding means is a pressure feeding system, and liquid feeding is performed by using a gas filled in the tank 4 due to a pressure difference between the upstream container and the downstream container. It is a configuration. For this reason, it is more advantageous than the case where the pump (electric pump or hydraulic pump) is included in the liquid feeding means in terms of contamination in the entire flow path 25, failure due to clogging of foreign matter, and disposable. In other words, when a pump is used, the movable part of the pump is exposed in the flow path, which is disadvantageous in terms of contamination and clogging of foreign matter due to peeling of sliding members, etc., and generation of wear powder. It is. Moreover, if the solvent contained in the solution is cured (crystallized), it may cause a failure of the pump. Furthermore, in the synthesizer 3, it is necessary to replace the wetted parts such as pipes and equipment with which the solution comes into contact regularly or at a predetermined timing (at a predetermined frequency). As described above, in the present embodiment, the start and stop of the supply of the solution from each storage container 2 to the intermediate container 7 is performed by the pinch valve 14, and the pinch valve 14 may be configured such that the drive unit contacts the solution. Because there is no, it is not eligible for replacement. In other words, since only the soft tube sandwiched by the pinch valve 14 needs to be replaced, it is advantageous in terms of disposable.

  The embodiments disclosed above are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. That is, the metering mechanism of the present invention and the synthesizing apparatus including the metering mechanism are not limited to the illustrated form, and may be of other forms within the scope of the present invention. For example, the sensor 26 provided in the weighing mechanism 15 has been described as a weight sensor using a strain type load cell, but may be a weight sensor having another configuration. Further, the configuration for attaching the sensor 26 may be other than the illustrated form. Although the case where the speed adjusting means 32 for adjusting the liquid feeding speed of the solution to the intermediate container 7 is configured by the regulator 11 provided in the upstream side pipe 10 is described, other configurations may be used. In the above embodiment, all the means for sending the solution are pumped, but some or all of them may be driven by other power. In the above-described embodiment, the case where the pinch valve 14 is employed as the valve for stopping the supply of the solution from each container 2 to the intermediate container 7 has been described, but another type of valve may be used.

6: Outlet pipe (pipe) 7: Intermediate container (metering container) 15: Measuring mechanism 18: Regulator (adjusting means) 26: (Weight) sensor 27: Holding part 29: Sealed container 30: Outlet side pipe 30a: One end part 30b : Other end

Claims (5)

A weighing mechanism that selectively obtains and measures multiple types of solutions,
A holding unit for holding the downstream end side of the pipe through which the solution passes, a measuring container for receiving the solution flowing out from the downstream end of the pipe, and a weight sensor for measuring the weight in the measuring container,
A measuring mechanism, wherein the holding unit and the measuring container are provided in a non-contact state.   The measuring mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit collects and holds a plurality of pipes through which each of the plurality of types of solutions passes, and the measuring container receives the solution flowing out from the plurality of pipes.   The measuring mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a sealed container that contains the measuring container and is filled with a gas.   The outlet side pipe connected to the measuring container and for sending out the weighed solution to another region is provided, and the outlet side pipe has one end connected to the measuring container and the other end supported by another member. The measuring mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an extra length portion that is formed longer than a distance between the one end portion and the other end portion and is deformable as a whole. Adjusting means for adjusting the pressure of the gas in the sealed container;
Through the opening of the measuring container that is formed by the holding unit and the measuring container being in non-contact, the solution in the measuring container is caused to flow by the pressure of the gas acting on the solution in the measuring container. The metering mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the metering mechanism is pumped to the outside.

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