JP2020160011A - Sample measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sample measuring device which can avoid complication of a structure and can reduce influence of foreign substances on a circulation system.SOLUTION: A sample measuring device 1A includes: a circulation system 3 for circulating a liquid sample S by a pump 11; at least one filter 4 arranged in the circulation system 3, the at least one filter capturing a foreign substances C in the liquid sample S; a measurement unit 5 for measuring the liquid sample S circulating in the circulation system 3; and a switching unit (6) for switching the direction of flow of the liquid sample S in the circulation system 3. The circulation system 3 has a common flow passage 13 in which the liquid sample S always flows in one direction alone regardless of switch of the direction of flow of the liquid sample S by the switching unit. In the circulation system 3, the pump is arranged in the common flow passage 13 and the filter is arranged in a flow passage other than the common flow passage 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to a sample measuring device.

Conventionally, a sample measuring device for measuring the components of a liquid sample in a flow path system has been known. For example, the plant growth management device described in Patent Document 1 includes a flow path for supplying a nutrient solution, a flow path for discharging a drainage solution, and an on-off valve for these flow paths. In this device, a sensor for detecting conductivity, pH, etc. is provided in the drainage flow path, and the on-off valve of the nutrient solution flow path is controlled based on the detection signal of the sensor.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-231721

In the sample measuring device as described above, measurement is often performed using the absorbance or fluorescence intensity of the liquid sample as an index. In carrying out the measurement, the presence of impurities (substances other than the substance to be measured) in the liquid sample becomes a problem. For example, when optical measurement is performed, impurities may cause light scattering and reduce the accuracy of optical measurement. In addition, in the field of environmental measurement, the amount of information that can be obtained is significantly increased by continuously and long-term measurement of component fluctuations with fine time resolution, rather than sampling liquid samples and performing time-intermittent measurements. Can be increased to.

In order to carry out such measurement, it is necessary to construct a circulatory system including a pump and the like, but it is an issue to avoid complication of the device configuration. In addition, the presence of impurities causes clogging of the circulatory system and the like, which may hinder the continuous operation of the circulatory system. Therefore, it is necessary to devise ways to mitigate the influence of impurities on the circulatory system.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sample measuring device capable of avoiding complicated configuration and mitigating the influence of impurities on the circulatory system.

The sample measuring device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a sample measuring device for measuring a liquid sample, which is arranged in a circulation system for circulating the liquid sample by a pump and a circulation system, and captures impurities in the liquid sample. The circulation system includes at least one filter, a switching unit for switching the flow direction of the liquid sample in the circulation system, and a measurement unit for measuring the liquid sample circulating in the circulation system. It has a common flow path in which the flow direction of the liquid sample is always constant regardless of switching, and in the circulation system, the pump is arranged in the common flow path and the filter is arranged in the flow path other than the common flow path.

In this sample measuring device, the flow direction of the liquid sample in the circulatory system is switched by the switching unit. As a result, the flow direction of the liquid sample passing through the filter is reversed, and the contaminants trapped in the filter can be separated. Therefore, clogging of the filter can be suppressed, and continuous operation of the circulatory system becomes possible. Further, in this sample measuring device, the pump is arranged in a common flow path in which the flow direction of the liquid sample is always constant. As a result, in the circulatory system, a flow path in which the flow direction of the liquid sample is switched by the switching portion and a common flow path in which the flow direction of the liquid sample is always constant can be formed by a single pump. Therefore, it is possible to avoid complication of the device configuration.

The filters may be arranged so as to sandwich the common flow path. In this case, the liquid sample flowing through the common flow path is always in a state of being filtered by the filter. Therefore, the influence of impurities on the pumps arranged in the common flow path can be mitigated, and the circulatory system can be continuously operated for a longer period of time.

The measuring unit may be arranged in a common flow path. In the common flow path, the flow direction of the liquid sample is always constant. In this case, it is possible to carry out an experiment that can be performed only under conditions in which the flow direction is always constant, such as chromatography. Further, by utilizing the fact that the flow direction of the liquid sample is constant, it is possible to push out air bubbles from the measurement unit without changing the arrangement or direction of the measurement unit, and it is possible to suppress the retention of air bubbles in the measurement unit. When the filters are arranged so as to sandwich the common flow path, the influence of light scattering due to contaminants during optical measurement can be suppressed. Therefore, the measurement accuracy can be improved.

The measuring unit may be arranged in a measuring flow path connected to a flow path other than the common flow path. In this case, it is possible to perform measurement on a liquid sample that cannot be pumped, such as liquid chromatography in which a solvent is added.

The sample measuring device may further include a cleaning liquid introduction flow path for introducing the cleaning liquid into the circulatory system. This makes it possible to wash the entire circulatory system.

The cleaning liquid introduction flow path may be connected to a common flow path. In this case, since the cleaning liquid can be introduced from the vicinity of the pump, the pump can be easily cleaned.

The cleaning liquid introduction flow path may be connected to a flow path other than the common flow path. In this case, since the cleaning liquid can be introduced from the vicinity of the filter, the cleaning of the filter becomes easy.

The sample measuring device may further include a calibration liquid introduction flow path for introducing the calibration liquid into the circulation system. The calibration liquid is a liquid having a known measured value. It is possible to improve the accuracy of measurement by comparing the measured value actually measured with the calibration solution with the known measured value and correcting the error.

The sample measuring device may further include a tank for storing the liquid flowing through the circulatory system. In this case, for example, the drainage from the circulatory system can be collected in the tank.

The measuring unit may be provided in the vertical direction. If bubbles stay in the measuring unit, it is possible that light is scattered by the bubbles during optical measurement. By providing the measuring unit in the vertical direction, the retention of air bubbles is suppressed and the measurement accuracy is improved.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to avoid complication of the configuration and mitigate the influence of impurities on the circulatory system.

It is the schematic which shows the 1st Embodiment of the sample measuring apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the continuous measurement of a liquid sample. It is a figure which shows an example of the measurement result of continuous measurement. It is the schematic which shows the 2nd Embodiment of the sample measuring apparatus. It is the schematic which shows the 3rd Embodiment of a sample measuring apparatus. It is the schematic which shows the 4th Embodiment of a sample measuring apparatus. It is the schematic which shows the 5th Embodiment of a sample measuring apparatus. It is the schematic which shows the 6th Embodiment of a sample measuring apparatus.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the sample measuring device according to one aspect of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a first embodiment of a sample measuring device. In the field of environmental measurement, the sample measuring device 1A is configured as a device that continuously and long-term measures the component fluctuation of the liquid sample S with a fine time resolution. As shown in FIG. 1, the sample measuring device 1A includes a sample storage unit 2, a circulation system 3, a filter 4, a measuring unit 5, and a switching unit 6.

The sample storage unit 2 is, for example, a large tank for storing the liquid sample S. The liquid sample S is, for example, an organic nutrient solution in which an organic substance is mixed in the soil. Therefore, the liquid sample S may contain a large amount of contaminants (substances other than the substance to be measured) C. Examples of the contaminant C include branches and leaves of plants, seeds, gravel, insects and the like. The sample storage unit 2 is not limited to a closed system such as a tank, and may be a non-closed system such as a river.

The circulation system 3 is a portion in which the liquid sample S is circulated by the pump 11. The circulation system 3 includes a tubular flow path 12, a common flow path 13 connecting two points of the tubular flow path 12, and a pair of connection flow paths 14 (14A, 14B) connecting the tubular flow path 12 and the sample storage portion 2. It is composed of. The flow of the liquid sample S in the circulatory system 3 is formed by the pump 11. The pump 11 is provided on the upstream side of the common flow path 13. The pump 11 may be provided on the downstream side of the common flow path 13.

The filter 4 is a portion that captures the contaminant C in the liquid sample S. At least one filter 4 is arranged in the circulatory system 3. In the present embodiment, the filter 4 is arranged so as to sandwich the common flow path 13 in the flow direction of the liquid sample S. Specifically, the filter 4 is provided at a position close to the connection portion with the tubular flow path 12 in the connection flow path 14. As a result, the liquid sample S flowing from the sample storage unit 2 always passes through the filter 4 and then heads toward the common flow path 13. When the flow direction of the liquid sample S is from the connecting flow path 14 to the tubular flow path 12, the contaminant C is on the outside of the tubular flow path 12 in the filter 4, that is, on the sample storage portion 2. accumulate. When the flow direction of the liquid sample S is from the connecting flow path 14 to the tubular flow path 12, the contaminant C is peeled off from the filter 4 and flows to the sample storage unit 2 together with the liquid sample S.

The measuring unit 5 is a part that measures the liquid sample S circulating in the circulatory system 3. The measuring unit 5 is provided on the downstream side of the pump 11 in the common flow path 13. In the present embodiment, the measuring unit 5 is composed of an optical measuring device including a flow cell, and continuously measures the absorbance of the liquid sample S with respect to a predetermined wavelength. The material and shape of the flow cell are not particularly limited, and are appropriately selected from quartz, glass and the like according to the purpose. The optical measurement method and the optical characteristics to be measured are not particularly limited, and are appropriately selected according to the purpose.

The measuring unit 5 is provided in the vertical direction. That is, the flow direction of the liquid sample S flowing through the measuring unit 5 is the vertical direction. By providing the measuring unit 5 in the vertical direction, the bubbles contained in the liquid sample S move from the bottom to the top in the vertical direction. Therefore, by providing the measuring unit 5 in the vertical direction and connecting the flow path to the upper side of the measuring unit 5 in the vertical direction, air bubbles can be easily discharged from the measuring unit 5. Therefore, the retention of air bubbles in the measuring unit 5 is suppressed, and the measurement accuracy is improved. Further, in this configuration, by flowing the liquid sample S in the measuring unit 5 from the bottom to the top in the vertical direction, the movement of the bubbles from the bottom to the top can be promoted. The measuring unit 5 does not have to be provided in the completely vertical direction. The measuring unit 5 may be arranged at a constant inclination within a range in which the bubbles can move from the bottom to the top in the direction of gravity.

The switching unit 6 is a portion that switches the flow direction of the liquid sample S in the circulatory system 3. In the present embodiment, the switching portion 6 is composed of four valves 15A to 15D provided between the connection position with the connection flow path 14 and the connection position with the common flow path 13 in the tubular flow path 12. There is. The opening and closing of the valves 15A to 15D can be switched at regular intervals by using a timer or the like. This switching may be performed automatically by a control unit (not shown) or may be performed manually. When the flow direction of the liquid sample S is switched by the switching unit 6, the flow direction of the liquid sample S flowing through the tubular flow path 12 and the connecting flow path 14 is reversed. On the other hand, the flow direction of the liquid sample S flowing through the common flow path 13 is always constant regardless of the switching by the switching unit 6.

When the valves 15A and 15B are in the open state and the valves 15C and 15D are in the closed state, the flow direction of the liquid sample S in the circulation system 3 is the direction along the circulation pattern 1 indicated by the solid arrow in FIG. In the circulation pattern 1, the liquid sample S from the sample storage unit 2 flows through the connecting flow path 14A, passes through the filter 4, and flows into the tubular flow path 12. The liquid sample S that has flowed into the tubular flow path 12 flows through the common flow path 13 in the order of the pump 11 and the measurement unit 5, receives measurement by the measurement unit 5, and then flows back into the tubular flow path 12. After that, the liquid sample S flows from the tubular flow path 12 to the connection flow path 14B, passes through the filter 4, and returns to the sample storage unit 2.

When the valves 15A and 15B are closed and the valves 15C and 15D are open, the flow direction of the liquid sample S in the circulation system 3 is along the circulation pattern 2 indicated by the broken line arrow in FIG. In the circulation pattern 2, the liquid sample S from the sample storage unit 2 flows through the connection flow path 14B, passes through the filter 4 in the direction opposite to the circulation pattern 1, and flows into the tubular flow path 12. The liquid sample S that has flowed through the tubular flow path 12 flows through the common flow path 13 in the same flow direction as the circulation pattern 1, receives measurement by the measuring unit 5, and then flows back into the tubular flow path 12. After that, the liquid sample S flows from the tubular flow path 12 to the connection flow path 14B, passes through the filter 4 in the direction opposite to the circulation pattern 1, and returns to the sample storage unit 2.

As described above, in the sample measuring device 1A, the flow direction of the liquid sample S in the circulatory system 3 is switched by the switching unit 6. As a result, the flow direction of the liquid sample S passing through the filter 4 is reversed, and the contaminants C captured by the filter 4 can be peeled off. Therefore, clogging of the filter 4 can be suppressed, and continuous operation of the circulatory system 3 becomes possible.

In the present embodiment, when the contaminant C is peeled off from the filter 4, fine particle nutrients, dust, microorganisms and the like trapped in the filter 4 together with the contaminant C are also released into the liquid sample S. By returning these to the liquid sample S again, the measurement of the liquid sample S can be performed while suppressing the influence on the bioprocess in the sample storage unit 2. Further, in the sample measuring device 1A, the pump 11 is arranged in the common flow path 13 in which the flow direction of the liquid sample S is always constant. As a result, in the circulatory system 3, a flow path in which the flow direction of the liquid sample S is switched by the switching unit 6 and a common flow path 13 in which the flow direction of the liquid sample S is always constant can be formed by the single pump 11. Therefore, it is possible to avoid complication of the device configuration.

In the sample measuring device 1A, the filters 4 are arranged so as to sandwich the common flow path 13. In this case, the liquid sample S flowing through the common flow path 13 is always in a state of being filtered by the filter 4. Therefore, the influence of the contaminant C on the pump 11 arranged in the common flow path 13 can be mitigated, and the circulatory system 3 can be continuously operated for a longer period of time.

In the sample measuring device 1A, the measuring unit 5 is arranged in the common flow path 13. In the common flow path 13, since the flow direction of the liquid sample S is always constant, it is possible to carry out an experiment that can be carried out only under the condition that the flow direction of the liquid sample S is always constant. Further, by utilizing the fact that the flow direction of the liquid sample S is constant, it is possible to push out air bubbles from the measurement unit 5 without changing the arrangement or direction of the measurement unit 5, and the retention of air bubbles in the measurement unit 5 is suppressed. it can. Further, in the sample measuring device 1A, since the filter 4 is arranged so as to sandwich the common flow path 13, the influence of light scattering by the contaminant C at the time of optical measurement can be suppressed. Therefore, the measurement accuracy can be improved.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of continuous measurement of a liquid sample. In this continuous measurement, the absorbance of a liquid sample with respect to light of 270 nm, which is the central absorption wavelength band of soil organic matter, is measured for a long period of time using the above-mentioned sample measuring device. As the liquid sample, a nutrient solution in which soil and organic matter derived from plant residues were dissolved in water in a predetermined amount was used. With the conventional sample measuring device, it was impossible to measure in less than half a day due to troubles (such as clogging of the filter and stopping of driving of the pump) that are presumed to be caused by impurities.

On the other hand, in the sample measuring device of the present disclosure, no trouble presumed to be caused by impurities occurred, and as shown in FIG. 2, continuous measurement for 5 days or more could be performed. In addition, even if an additional organic substance was added during the continuous measurement, no trouble occurred in the circulatory system, and the measurement could be continued. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the measurement results also show a high correlation with the values obtained by sampling at the same time and measuring the absorbance with another device, and sufficient measurement accuracy can be ensured. You can see that.
[Second Embodiment]

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a second embodiment of the sample measuring device. As shown in the figure, the sample measuring device 1B according to the second embodiment has a different flow path configuration from the first embodiment in the circulation system 3. Specifically, in the sample measuring device 1B, the trapping flow paths 21 (21A, 21B) for capturing the contaminants C are provided independently of the tubular flow path 12 by arranging the filter 4. Further, common flow paths 13 (13A, 13B) in which the flow direction of the liquid sample S is always constant are provided on the outside and inside of the tubular flow path 12, respectively.

The common flow paths 13A and 13B, the connection flow paths 14A and 14B, and the capture flow paths 21A and 21B are all connected to the tubular flow path 12 via the switching portion 6. The switching unit 6 is composed of, for example, a valve, as in the first embodiment. The flow direction of the liquid sample S in the circulation system 3 is switched between the circulation pattern 1 and the circulation pattern 2 by the switching unit 6 as in the first embodiment.

In the circulation pattern 1, the liquid sample S from the sample storage unit 2 flows from the connecting flow path 14A to the tubular flow path 12. Next, the liquid sample S flows into the capture flow path 21A, returns to the tubular flow path 12 through the filter 4, and then flows into the common flow path 13A outside the tubular flow path 12. Next, the liquid sample S flows through the common flow path 13A in the order of the pump 11 and the measurement unit 5, receives measurement by the measurement unit 5, and then flows back into the tubular flow path 12. Further, the liquid sample S flows into the capture flow path 21B, passes through the filter 4, and then flows back into the tubular flow path 12. After that, the liquid sample S flows through the common flow path 13B and the tubular flow path 12 inside the tubular flow path 12, passes through the connection flow path 14B, and returns to the sample storage unit 2.

In the circulation pattern 2, the liquid sample S from the sample storage unit 2 flows from the connection flow path 14A to the tubular flow path 12 in the direction opposite to the circulation pattern 1. Next, the liquid sample S flows into the capture flow path 21B, returns to the tubular flow path 12 through the filter 4 in the direction opposite to the circulation pattern 1, and then flows into the common flow path 13A outside the tubular flow path 12. .. Next, the liquid sample S flows through the common flow path 13A in the order of the pump 11 and the measurement unit 5 in the same flow direction as the circulation pattern 1, receives measurement by the measurement unit 5, and then flows back into the tubular flow path 12. Further, the liquid sample S flows through the common flow path 13B and the tubular flow path 12 inside the tubular flow path 12, then flows into the capture flow path 21A, passes through the filter 4 in the direction opposite to the circulation pattern 1, and then passes through the filter 4. It flows into the tubular flow path 12 again. The liquid sample S that has flowed into the tubular flow path 12 returns to the sample storage unit 2 through the connection flow path 14B.

In such a sample measuring device 1B, the same action and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained, the complexity of the configuration can be avoided, and the influence of the contaminant C on the circulatory system 3 can be mitigated.
[Third Embodiment]

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a third embodiment of the sample measuring device. As shown in the figure, the sample measuring device 1C according to the third embodiment is arranged in a measuring flow path 31 connected to a flow path other than the common flow path 13 in that the measuring unit 5 is arranged in the first embodiment. Is different. Specifically, in the sample measuring device 1C, the measuring flow path 31 in which the measuring unit 5 is arranged is connected to the tubular flow path 12 at a position downstream of the common flow path 13. A branch portion 32 for branching the flow of the liquid sample S is arranged at the connection portion between the measurement flow path 31 and the tubular flow path 12.

In this sample measuring device 1C, in both the circulation pattern 1 and the circulation pattern 2, a part of the liquid sample S flows from the branch portion 32 toward the measurement flow path 31, and the measurement unit 5 measures the liquid sample S. it can. The liquid sample S measured by the measuring unit 5 returns to the sample storage unit 2 through the measuring flow path 31. In such a sample measuring device 1C, the same action and effect as those in the first embodiment can be obtained, the complexity of the configuration can be avoided, and the influence of the contaminant C on the circulatory system 3 can be mitigated. Further, since the measurement flow path 31 is a flow path independent of the tubular flow path 12, it is possible to perform measurement on the liquid sample S that cannot be passed through the pump 11 as in liquid chromatography in which a solvent is added. Become.

In the sample measuring device 1C, a pressure sensor or the like is provided in these flow paths so that the pressure of the liquid sample S flowing through the tubular flow path 12 and the pressure of the liquid sample S in the measurement flow path 31 can be easily adjusted. It is preferable to provide it. Further, the sample measuring device 1C may be configured to collect the liquid sample S measured by the measuring unit 5 in a drainage tank or the like without returning it to the sample storage unit 2. The drainage tank for collecting the liquid sample S can be connected to an arbitrary position in the flow path where the liquid sample S returns to the sample storage unit 2. The drainage tank may be connected to, for example, the measurement flow path 31 or may be connected to the connection flow path 14. In this case, even if a solvent or the like that affects the environment is used for the measurement, it is possible to prevent the liquid sample S in the sample storage unit 2 from being contaminated with the solvent or the like.
[Fourth Embodiment]

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a fourth embodiment of the sample measuring device. As shown in the figure, the sample measuring device 1D according to the fourth embodiment has a cleaning liquid introduction flow path 41 for introducing the cleaning liquid W into the circulation system 3 and a calibration liquid introduction flow path for introducing the calibration liquid R into the circulation system 3. It differs from the first embodiment in that the 42 and the tank 43 for storing the liquid flowing through the circulatory system are provided.

In the example of FIG. 6, the cleaning liquid introduction flow path 41 connected to the cleaning liquid tank 44 is connected to a position on the common flow path 13 on the upstream side of the pump 11. Further, the calibration liquid introduction flow path 42 connected to the calibration liquid tank 45 is connected at the same position as the connection position of the cleaning liquid introduction flow path 41 in the common flow path 13. A valve 46 is provided at a connection position between the common flow path 13, the cleaning liquid introduction flow path 41, and the calibration liquid introduction flow path 42. By opening and closing the valve 46, the cleaning liquid W and the calibration liquid R are introduced / stopped in the common flow path 13. The cleaning liquid W is, for example, ethanol, and is used here for cleaning the pump 11 and the measuring unit 5. Further, the calibration liquid R is a liquid having a known measured value. It is possible to improve the accuracy of the measurement by comparing the measured value actually measured with the calibration liquid R with the known measured value and correcting the error.

In the example of FIG. 6, the tank 43 is connected to the common flow path 13 at a position downstream of the measuring unit 5. Here, the tank 43 is a drainage tank for collecting the drainage of the cleaning liquid W and the calibration liquid R. The tank 43 and the common flow path 13 are connected by a drainage flow path 47. A valve 48 is provided at the connection position between the drainage flow path 47 and the common flow path 13. By opening and closing the valve 48, the discharge / stop of the cleaning liquid W and the calibration liquid R from the common flow path 13 to the tank 43 is switched.

In such a sample measuring device 1D, the same action and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained, the complexity of the configuration can be avoided, and the influence of the contaminant C on the circulatory system 3 can be mitigated. Further, since the cleaning liquid W can be introduced from the vicinity of the pump 11, the pump 11 can be easily cleaned by the cleaning liquid W. Further, the calibration liquid R makes it possible to correct the error and improve the measurement accuracy. The drainage of the cleaning liquid W and the calibration liquid R can be easily recovered by the tank 43. Since the flow of the liquid sample S and the flow of the cleaning liquid W and the calibration liquid R can be formed by one pump 11, a simple configuration is maintained.
[Fifth Embodiment]

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a fifth embodiment of the sample measuring device. As shown in the figure, the sample measuring device 1E according to the fifth embodiment has a cleaning liquid introduction flow path 41 for introducing the cleaning liquid W into the circulation system 3 and a calibration liquid introduction flow path for introducing the calibration liquid R into the circulation system 3. It differs from the second embodiment in that 42 and a tank 43 for storing the liquid flowing through the circulatory system are provided. Here, the cleaning liquid introduction flow path 41 and the calibration liquid introduction flow path 42 are common, and are connected to a position on the upstream side of the pump 11 in the common flow path 13A outside the tubular flow path 12. Further, the drainage flow path 47 to the tank 43 is connected to the connection flow path 14B.

In such a sample measuring device 1E, the same action and effect as those in the second embodiment can be obtained, the complexity of the configuration can be avoided, and the influence of the contaminant C on the circulatory system 3 can be mitigated. Further, since the cleaning liquid W can be introduced from the vicinity of the pump 11, the pump 11 can be easily cleaned by the cleaning liquid W. Further, the calibration liquid R makes it possible to correct the error and improve the measurement accuracy. The drainage of the cleaning liquid W and the calibration liquid R can be easily recovered by the tank 43. Since the flow of the liquid sample S and the flow of the cleaning liquid W and the calibration liquid R can be formed by the single pump 11, a simple configuration is maintained.
[Sixth Embodiment]

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a sixth embodiment of the sample measuring device. As shown in the figure, in the sample measuring device 1F according to the sixth embodiment, the cleaning liquid introduction flow path 41 that mainly introduces the cleaning liquid W into the circulation system 3 is connected to a flow path other than the common flow path 13. Is different from the fifth embodiment.

Specifically, in the sample measuring device 1F, the cleaning liquid introduction flow path 41 is independently connected to the tubular flow path 12 without intersecting with the connection flow path 14 and the capture flow path 21. A pump 51 for flowing the cleaning liquid W toward the tubular flow path 12 is provided in the cleaning liquid introduction flow path 41 separately from the pump 11. A valve 52 is provided at the connection position between the cleaning liquid introduction flow path 41 and the common flow path 13. By opening and closing the valve 52, the introduction / stop of the cleaning liquid W from the cleaning liquid introduction flow path 41 is switched.

In the sample measuring device 1F, the calibration liquid introduction flow path 42 for introducing the calibration liquid R into the circulation system 3 is omitted. In the sample measuring device 1F, the connecting flow path 14B is not provided, and instead, the downstream side of the common flow path 13A outside the tubular flow path 12 is connected to the sample storage unit 2. Further, in the sample measuring device 1F, the drainage flow path 47 to the tank 43 is independently connected to the tubular flow path 12 without intersecting with the connection flow path 14 and the capture flow path 21. A valve 53 is provided at the connection position between the drainage flow path 47 and the tubular flow path 12. By opening and closing the valve 53, the discharge / stop of the cleaning liquid W from the tubular flow path 12 is switched.

In such a sample measuring device 1E, the same action and effect as those in the second embodiment can be obtained, the complexity of the configuration can be avoided, and the influence of the contaminant C on the circulatory system 3 can be mitigated. Further, since the cleaning liquid W can be introduced from the vicinity of the filter 4, the cleaning liquid W can easily clean the filter 4. The drainage of the cleaning liquid W can be easily recovered by the tank 43.

1A-1F ... Sample measuring device, 3 ... Circulatory system, 4 ... Filter, 5 ... Measuring unit, 6 ... Switching unit, 11 ... Pump, 13 ... Common flow path, 31 ... Measuring flow path, 41 ... Cleaning liquid introduction flow path, 42 ... Calibration liquid introduction flow path, 43 ... Tank, C ... Contamination, S ... Liquid sample, R ... Calibration liquid, W ... Cleaning liquid.

Claims (10)

A sample measuring device that measures liquid samples.
A circulatory system that circulates the liquid sample by a pump,
With at least one filter located in the circulatory system and capturing contaminants in the liquid sample,
A measuring unit that measures the liquid sample that circulates in the circulatory system,
A switching unit for switching the flow direction of the liquid sample in the circulatory system is provided.
The circulatory system has a common flow path in which the flow direction of the liquid sample is always constant regardless of the switching of the flow direction of the liquid sample by the switching unit.
In the circulation system, the sample measuring device in which the pump is arranged in the common flow path and the filter is arranged in a flow path other than the common flow path. The sample measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the filter is arranged so as to sandwich the common flow path. The sample measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measuring unit is arranged in the common flow path. The sample measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measuring unit is arranged in a measuring flow path connected to a flow path other than the common flow path. The sample measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a cleaning liquid introduction flow path for introducing the cleaning liquid into the circulatory system. The sample measuring device according to claim 5, wherein the cleaning liquid introduction flow path is connected to the common flow path. The sample measuring device according to claim 5, wherein the cleaning liquid introduction flow path is connected to a flow path other than the common flow path. The sample measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a calibration liquid introduction flow path for introducing the calibration liquid into the circulatory system. The sample measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a tank for storing a liquid flowing through the circulatory system. The sample measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the measuring unit is provided in the vertical direction.

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