JPH11108909A - Analyser - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily inspect a unit combination in the past measurement. SOLUTION: ROMs 18a-18d are provided to the respective units constituting GC(gas chromatograph), and the data capable of discriminating the kinds of the units and respective indivisuals are preliminarily stored in the respective ROMs 18a-18d. An ROM reading part 21 reads the respective data at a time of the closing of a power supply and a processing part 25 judges the coincidence of these data and the data of the measurement stored in an RAM 22 to judge the presence of the replacement of the units. When the units are replaced, the data of the units and a power supply closing time are additional stored in the RAM 22 and replacing recording is automatically formed. By this constitution, the combination of the units can be investigated later from a measuring data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an analyzer composed of a plurality of replaceable units, and more particularly to a management device for managing information relating to replacement of each unit in the analyzer. The present invention can be applied to a wide range of analyzers such as a gas chromatograph device and a liquid chromatograph device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a general gas chromatograph. This gas chromatograph apparatus includes a flow control unit 10 having an electromagnetic valve 11 for controlling a flow rate of a carrier gas such as nitrogen gas, a sample injection unit 12 having a sample vaporization chamber 13 for vaporizing a liquid sample, and a column 1.
A detection unit 1 including a column oven 14 containing a sample 5 and a detector 17 for detecting a sample gas flowing out of the column 15.
6. It is composed of a control section 20 for controlling and managing the above sections. When performing the gas chromatographic analysis, the column 15 is controlled through the sample vaporization chamber 13 by the control of the flow control unit 10.
Is supplied with a constant flow rate of carrier gas. Sample injection part 12
When the liquid sample is injected into the sample vaporization chamber 13 in the above, the sample vaporized in the sample vaporization chamber 13 is carried into the column 15 by a carrier gas flow. The column 15 is controlled by the column oven 14 so as to reach a predetermined temperature. Each analyte contained in the sample is temporally separated while passing through the column 15 and flows out from its outlet, and is detected by the detector 17.
Are sequentially detected.

In the above-described gas chromatograph, various types of columns 15 such as packed columns, wide-bore columns, and capillary columns are selected and used according to the components to be analyzed and the purpose of analysis. In the sample injection section 12, a sample vaporization chamber 13 having a shape corresponding to the type of the column 15 is used, and a split flow path (a part of the sample gas is discharged from the sample vaporization chamber 13 without passing through the column 15). Sample evaporating chamber 13 having a different shape depending on the presence or absence of a flow path for the sample. Further, as the detector 17, an appropriate detector such as a flame ionization detector, an alkali salt ionization detector, or the like is selected and used according to the component to be analyzed. For this reason, in the above gas chromatograph device,
Usually, each unit is unitized, and detachment and replacement of each unit can be relatively easily performed.

[0004]

Of course, what combination of units performed the measurement is,
Since it is one of the most important measurement conditions, it is indispensable information when verifying the validity of the measurement and comparing and verifying a plurality of measurement results. In addition, even if the units are of the same type (for example, flame ionization detectors of the same type), there is always an individual difference. It is desirable to identify individual units.

Conventionally, however, it has been necessary to perform a troublesome task of writing down on a piece of paper as to what type of unit and which individual was used each time the measurer himself performed the measurement. . If you forget to do this, it will be difficult to verify the validity of the measurement at a later date,
In the worst case, the measurement itself may be wasted.

Further, for example, the seal of the plunger in the sample injection section 12 is a consumable item, and it is preferable to replace it with a new one every time a predetermined use time or the number of times of use elapses. When exchanging units, it is difficult to manage the usage time of each individual.

[0007] Such a problem occurs not only in a gas chromatograph apparatus but also in an analytical apparatus which is composed of a plurality of units such as a liquid chromatograph apparatus and a spectrometer, and which exchanges each unit relatively frequently. .

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and a main object of the present invention is to verify the combination conditions of units at the time of measurement at a later date without putting a burden on a measurer. It is an object of the present invention to provide an analyzer capable of performing such an analysis. It is another object of the present invention to provide an analyzer capable of accurately knowing the time of inspection of a unit or replacement of a consumable part.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an analyzer comprising a plurality of replaceable units and a control unit for centrally controlling the operation of the units. Each unit is provided with unit-side storage means for storing information that can identify the type of the unit and each individual, and the control unit includes: a) the unit-side storage means at any time during power-on. Reading means for reading information from the storage means; b) storage means for storing information on each past unit; c) comparing information read by the reading means with information already stored in the storage means. A) determining means for determining whether or not each unit has been replaced, and d) when the determining means determines that there is a unit replacement,
Writing means for additionally writing information on unit replacement together with date and time information in the storage means.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the analyzer according to the present invention, the unit-side storage means of each unit stores data (for example, a model name, etc.) capable of identifying the type of the unit, and stores the same type of unit. Data (for example, a serial number) that can identify each individual is stored in advance. The reading means of the control unit reads data of the unit-side storage means provided in each unit connected to the control unit at an arbitrary time when the power of the analyzer is turned on. When the device is used for the first time, data relating to each unit is stored in the storage means.

When the reading means reads the data of each unit side storage means, if there is already data stored in the storage means in the past, the judgment means reads out the latest data among them, and The data is compared with the data read from the side storage means. If the type of any of the units or the individual data is different even if the type is the same, it can be determined that the unit has been replaced during the power-off immediately before. Therefore, in this case, the type and individual data of the replaced unit are additionally written together with, for example, the power-on date and time into the storage unit. In this way, every time any unit is replaced, its replacement record is sequentially stored in the storage means in chronological order.

Therefore, according to the analyzer of the present invention,
Since records of unit replacement are automatically recorded in the same type of unit in a state where each individual has been identified, the measurer can easily check the combination conditions of past measurement units.

In the analyzer of the present invention, when the power is turned off, the use time from when the power is turned on to when the power is turned off is measured for each unit of each unit, and is integrated with the past use time stored in the storage means. To calculate the total usage time and store it in the storage means.

Further, since the power supply time or the use time is controlled for each individual unit, when a replacement time of a consumable part included in the unit or a periodic inspection time is approaching, it is necessary to notify a measurer by, for example, displaying. Can be. Therefore, it is not necessary for the measurer or the administrator to manage the use time of each unit, and the measurement can always be performed with high reliability.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A gas chromatograph as an embodiment of the analyzer according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a gas chromatograph device according to the present embodiment.
Flow control unit 10, sample injection unit 12, column oven 1
4 and the detection unit 16 have the same configuration as the conventional configuration shown in FIG.
8a to 18d. As the ROM incorporated in each unit, various memories capable of holding the stored contents even when the power is turned off can be used, but those which do not require an auxiliary power supply such as a battery for holding the stored contents are preferable. In addition, since the storage operation is not required in the unit, it is sufficient that the writing can be easily performed only once outside the unit. Therefore, P-ROM, EP-ROM
For example, an inexpensive memory can be used.

On the other hand, the control unit 20 communicates with the ROMs 18a to 18a via control signal lines connected to the units.
A ROM reading unit 21 for reading the storage contents of 18d, a readable and writable RAM 22, a RAM reading and writing unit 23 for reading and writing the storage contents of the RAM 22, a calendar / clock unit 24 for monitoring the date and time, and a process for making a determination as described below It functionally includes a unit 25, a time integrating unit 26 that integrates the use time for each individual of each unit, a time determination unit 27 that determines the integrated use time, and the like. The RAM 22 includes a date and time storage area 22a for temporarily storing the date and time when the power is turned on and off, and an exchange record storage area 22b for storing unit exchange records, as described later. The RAM 22 can use various memories capable of holding stored contents even when the power is turned off and capable of repeatedly writing, but preferably does not require an auxiliary power supply such as a battery to hold the stored contents. . Therefore, a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory is suitable.

The operation of the apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. For example, before shipment from the factory, the ROMs 18a to 18d of the units have a model code indicating the model name of the unit as a type of the unit, and a manufacturing number (a predetermined number) as information for identifying each individual in the unit having the same model name. (Sequential numbers starting with numbers) are stored. There is only one unit in which both the model code and the serial number match, and each individual of the unit is specified. In the following description, these are collectively referred to as type and individual identification data.

When the measurer connects an appropriate unit and turns on the power as shown in FIG. 1 in order to perform a measurement (step S1), the control unit 20 performs a start-up operation. ROMs 18a to 18d
The type and individual identification data stored in are stored sequentially (step S2). At the same time, the RAM read / write unit 23
Reads the date and time when the power is turned on from the calendar / clock unit 24, and stores it in the date and time storage area 22a of the RAM 22 (step S3).

Next, the processing section 25 determines whether or not the present apparatus is used for the first time (step S4). When it is determined that the present apparatus is used for the first time, no past information is stored in the exchange recording storage area 22b of the RAM 22, so the process proceeds to step S5 at this time, and the type of each read unit is And the individual identification data are stored in the exchange record storage area 22b together with the power-on date and time stored in the date and time storage area 22a.

If it is determined in step S4 that the use has been made for the second time or later, some past information must have been stored in the exchange recording storage area 22b of the RAM 22. Then, the RAM read / write unit 23 reads the type and individual identification data with respect to the latest information stored in the exchange recording storage area 22b of the RAM 22, and provides the same to the processing unit 25 (step S6). The processing unit 25 compares the past type and individual identification data with the type and individual identification data just read from the ROMs 18a to 18d, and determines whether or not they match (step S7). In the proper use condition, the unit is attached / detached and replaced only when the power is turned off.If both types and individual identification data match, no unit has been replaced since the previous use. Can be determined.

Conversely, if either of the types or the individual identification data is different, the unit specified by the different type or individual identification data is replaced during power-off since the last use. You can judge that it was done. In this case, regarding the unit whose type and individual identification data do not match, the last power-off date and time when the type and individual identification data of the past unit (that is, the unit removed after the previous use) is stored in the date and time storage area 22a. At the same time, it is additionally stored in the exchange recording storage area 22b. Also, for units whose type and individual identification data do not match, a new unit (that is, a unit attached after the last use)
The type and individual identification data are additionally stored in the exchange recording storage area 22b together with the date and time when the power was turned on immediately before and stored in the date and time storage area 22a (step S8). In order to perform the above processing, when the power is turned off, first, the date and time at that time are read by the calendar / clock unit 24,
After the data is stored in the date and time storage area 22a of M22, the power is turned off.

By the above process, each time any unit is replaced, the type and individual identification data of the removed unit, the date and time when the unit was last used, and The type and individual identification data of the newly attached unit and the date and time when use of the unit is started are sequentially stored in chronological order. Therefore, for example, when an arbitrary past measurement date and time is designated by the operation unit 30, by searching the data held in the exchange record storage area 22b, each unit (and individual) used at that date and time is searched. Can be examined.

The apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 can also perform the following processing. That is, the RAM 22
In the exchange recording storage area 22b, an area for storing the use time for each unit and individual is secured. When the power is turned off, the time accumulating unit 26 uses the elapsed time from when the power is turned on to when the power is turned off as the use time, and accumulates all the past use times for each unit and individual, and calculates the use time held in the storage area. rewrite. When the power is turned on, the ROM reading unit 21 reads the contents of the ROMs 18a to 18d of each unit, and then reads the past records relating to the unit and the individual from the exchange recording storage area 22b. The time determination unit 27 compares the record of the usage time with a recommended replacement time of a consumable part or a regular inspection time set in advance for each unit, and determines whether the time exceeds the recommended time. Here, when it is determined that the usage time exceeds the predetermined time, a display for notifying the user is displayed on the display unit 31. This allows the measurer to know whether or not the unit to be used is reliable before performing the measurement. Of course, it is also possible to read out the data in the exchange recording storage area 22b of the RAM 22 and check the usage time of each unit by performing a predetermined operation with the operation unit 30.

It should be noted that the above embodiment is an embodiment, and it is obvious that modifications and modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a gas chromatograph apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a process at the time of turning on the power in the gas chromatograph device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a conventional general gas chromatograph apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Flow control part 12 ... Sample injection part 14 ... Column oven 16 ... Detection part 18a-18d ... ROM 20 ... Control part 21 ... ROM reading part 22 ... RAM 22a ... Date storage area 22b ... Exchange recording storage area 23 ... RAM reading Kit 24 ... Calendar /
Clock section 25 Processing section 26 Time integration section 27 Time determination section 30 Operation section 31 Display section

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An analyzer comprising a plurality of replaceable units and a control unit for centrally controlling the operation of the units, wherein each of the units stores a type of the unit and information capable of identifying each individual. The control unit includes: a) a reading unit that reads information from the unit-side storage unit at any time during power-on; and b) stores information on each unit in the past. C) determining means for determining whether or not each unit has been replaced by comparing the information read by the reading means with the information already stored in the storing means; d) When it is determined that the unit has been replaced by the determination means,
Writing means for additionally writing information on unit replacement together with date and time information in the storage means.