WO2015177918A1

WO2015177918A1 - Column-attaching device and column-positioning tool

Info

Publication number: WO2015177918A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/063660
Authority: WO
Inventors: 肇武本; 晶子馬場; 博一谷内
Original assignee: 株式会社島津製作所
Priority date: 2014-05-23
Filing date: 2014-05-23
Publication date: 2015-11-26
Also published as: JP6315089B2; JPWO2015177918A1

Abstract

When attaching a ferrule-pressing part (30) to a ferrule receptacle (20), a ferrule (10) is crimped by being pressed towards the ferrule receptacle (20) from the other end, and at the same time, said ferrule (10) is fixed in place by being sandwiched between the ferrule receptacle (20) and the ferrule-pressing part (30). This reduces the number of operations that need to be performed, making it easier to attach a column (2).

Description

Column mounting device and column positioning tool

The present invention relates to a column attachment device for attaching a column to an attachment position, and a column positioning tool used therefor.

In a gas chromatograph, a carrier gas is introduced into a column from a sample introduction portion together with a sample, and each sample component is separated in the process of passing the carrier gas through the column. Each sample component separated in the column is detected by a detector connected to the column. The column can be connected to the sample introduction unit and the detector via a column mounting device.

The column mounting device is provided with, for example, a ferrule, a ferrule receiving portion, and a ferrule pressing portion. The ferrule is attached to the column by being caulked while the column is inserted. And a column can be attached to a column attachment apparatus by inserting and fixing the ferrule attached to the column between a ferrule receiving part and a ferrule press part (for example, refer to the following patent documents 1).

In the conventional column mounting device exemplified in Patent Document 1, the ferrule pressing portion is attached by being screwed into the ferrule receiving portion. Specifically, a screw thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical ferrule receiving portion, and a thread groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the ferrule pressing portion that is screwed into the ferrule receiving portion.

¡When a column is attached by caulking a ferrule, a relatively large force is required. On the other hand, when the ferrule is pressed against the ferrule receiving portion by the ferrule pressing portion and the ferrule is sandwiched and fixed between the ferrule receiving portion and the ferrule pressing portion, a very large force is not necessary. Therefore, even if it is a screw type column mounting device as described above, if the ferrule is attached to the column in advance by caulking the ferrule using another tool, the ferrule receiving portion can be moved with a relatively small force. Only by screwing the pressing portion, the ferrule can be fixed between the ferrule receiving portion and the ferrule pressing portion.

US Pat. No. 8,128,131

However, in the above-described screw-type column mounting apparatus, it is necessary to separately perform the work of caulking the ferrule and attaching it to the column and the work of fixing the ferrule by screwing the ferrule pressing part into the ferrule receiving part. There has been a problem that the mounting work becomes complicated.

Also, when the ferrule is caulked and attached to the column, the ferrule must be caulked after accurately positioning the column with respect to the ferrule. For positioning the column with respect to the ferrule, for example, it is necessary to measure the protruding amount of the column from the ferrule with a ruler or to cut the tip of the column, which is complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a column mounting device and a column positioning tool capable of performing column mounting work more easily.

A column mounting device according to the present invention is a column mounting device for mounting a column at a mounting position, and includes a ferrule, a ferrule receiving portion, and a ferrule pressing portion. The ferrule is attached to the column by inserting the column and caulking one end side. The ferrule receiving portion receives one end side of the ferrule. The ferrule pressing part is attached to the ferrule receiving part, and by pressing the ferrule from the other end side to the ferrule receiving part side, the ferrule is caulked, and at the same time, between the ferrule receiving part Insert and fix the ferrule.

According to such a configuration, only by performing the work of attaching the ferrule pressing portion to the ferrule receiving portion, the ferrule is caulked and attached to the column, and at the same time, the ferrule is sandwiched and fixed between the ferrule receiving portion and the ferrule pressing portion. be able to. Thereby, since the frequency | count of an operation | work can be reduced, the attachment operation | work of a column can be performed more easily.

The ferrule pressing part preferably has a column holding part for holding the column.

According to such a configuration, after the column is positioned with respect to the ferrule while the column is held by the column holding portion, the work of attaching the ferrule pressing portion to the ferrule receiving portion can be performed. Thereby, after positioning the column with respect to the ferrule accurately, the ferrule can be caulked and attached to the column as it is, and at the same time, the ferrule can be sandwiched and fixed between the ferrule receiving portion and the ferrule pressing portion. Accordingly, since the column positioning operation to the mounting operation can be performed smoothly, the column mounting operation can be performed more easily.

It is preferable that the column holding part is composed of an elastic body that holds the column.

According to such a configuration, the column can be positioned with respect to the ferrule while the column is held between the elastic bodies. Thereby, since the column can be clamped with an appropriate force, the position of the column can be easily adjusted during the positioning operation, and the column can be prevented from being displaced after the positioning.

It is preferable that the ferrule receiving portion has an adapter that comes into contact with one end side of the ferrule and is attached or detached according to the type of the ferrule.

According to such a configuration, by attaching and detaching the adapter, the ferrule receiving part is brought into contact with the one end side of the ferrule at an appropriate position according to the type of ferrule, and the ferrule receiving part is simultaneously crimped with the ferrule. A ferrule can be fixed between the ferrule pressing portions. Thereby, the column attachment apparatus which can apply multiple types of ferrules can be provided.

The ferrule receiving portion and the ferrule pressing portion may be attached to each other by rotating a cam provided on at least one of them.

According to such a configuration, the ferrule receiving portion and the ferrule pressing portion can be attached to each other by rotation of the cam, and the ferrule can be sandwiched and fixed between the ferrule receiving portion and the ferrule pressing portion. For this reason, the ferrule pressing portion can be attached to the ferrule receiving portion with a single touch only by rotating the cam without rotating the ferrule pressing portion many times and screwing it into the ferrule receiving portion. Therefore, the column mounting operation can be performed more easily. At this time, since the ferrule can be gradually pressed against the ferrule receiving portion side by rotating the cam, the operability at the time of mounting can be improved by appropriately setting the surface shape of the cam. it can.

Also, by rotating the cam, the ferrule can be pressed to the ferrule receiving portion side with a relatively large force as compared with the screw-type column mounting device. Therefore, the ferrule can be fixed between the ferrule receiving portion and the ferrule pressing portion at the same time as the ferrule is caulked with sufficient pressing force only by performing the work of attaching the ferrule pressing portion to the ferrule receiving portion. Therefore, the column mounting operation can be performed more reliably.

The ferrule receiving portion and the ferrule pressing portion may be attached to each other by engagement between a pin provided on one side and a guide groove provided on the other side.

According to such a configuration, the ferrule receiving portion and the ferrule pressing portion can be attached to each other by the engagement between the pin and the guide groove, and the ferrule can be sandwiched and fixed between the ferrule receiving portion and the ferrule pressing portion. Therefore, it is possible to attach the ferrule pressing part to the ferrule receiving part with a single touch only by guiding the pin along the guide groove without having to rotate the ferrule pressing part many times and screw it into the ferrule receiving part. it can. Therefore, the column mounting operation can be performed more easily.

Also, the engagement between the pin and the guide groove allows the ferrule to be pressed to the ferrule receiving portion side with a relatively large force as compared with the screw-type column mounting device. Therefore, the ferrule can be fixed between the ferrule receiving portion and the ferrule pressing portion at the same time as the ferrule is caulked with sufficient pressing force only by performing the work of attaching the ferrule pressing portion to the ferrule receiving portion. Therefore, the column mounting operation can be performed more reliably.

The guide groove may include an inclined groove portion that extends in a direction inclined with respect to the pressing direction of the ferrule pressing portion toward the ferrule receiving portion and guides the pin.

According to such a configuration, the ferrule pressing portion can be attached to the ferrule receiving portion with one touch only by guiding the pin along the inclined groove portion extending in the direction inclined with respect to the pressing direction of the ferrule pressing portion. At this time, by guiding the pin along the inclined groove portion, the ferrule can be gradually pressed against the ferrule receiving portion side. Therefore, by appropriately setting the inclination angle of the inclined groove portion, the operation at the time of mounting is performed. Can be improved.

The guide groove may include a locking groove portion for locking the pin guided along the inclined groove portion.

According to such a configuration, by guiding the pin along the inclined groove portion, the ferrule is gradually pressed against the ferrule receiving portion side, and then the pin is locked to the locking groove portion, thereby fixing the ferrule. can do. Therefore, for the operator, a click feeling can be obtained when the pin is locked in the locking groove, so that the operability at the time of mounting can be improved.

The ferrule pressing part preferably includes a biasing member that biases the ferrule toward the ferrule receiving part.

According to such a configuration, even if the ferrule pressing portion can be attached to the ferrule receiving portion with one touch, the ferrule is caulked with sufficient pressing force by the biasing force of the biasing member, The ferrule can be fixed between the ferrule receiving portion and the ferrule pressing portion. Therefore, the column mounting operation can be performed more reliably.

A column positioning tool according to the present invention is a column positioning tool used in the column mounting device, and includes a main body into which a column inserted through the ferrule is inserted. The main body is formed with a plurality of column insertion ports into which the columns are inserted, and a plurality of column contact surfaces provided in association with the plurality of column insertion ports. The plurality of column contact surfaces are spaced apart from the corresponding column insertion ports by different distances, and the front ends of the columns inserted from the column insertion ports are abutted against each other.

According to such a configuration, a column is inserted from a ferrule by selecting one of the column insertion ports, inserting the column, and abutting the tip of the column against the column contact surface corresponding to the column insertion port. The amount can be set to a protruding amount corresponding to the column insertion port. Therefore, it is possible to accurately position the column with respect to the ferrule, and it is not necessary to cut the tip of the column, so that the column can be attached more easily.

It is preferable that at least a part of the main body is formed to be transparent or translucent so that the plurality of column contact surfaces can be visually recognized from the outside.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to confirm from the outside whether or not the tip of the column is abutted against the column contact surface, so that the column can be accurately and reliably positioned with respect to the ferrule.

According to the present invention, the number of operations can be reduced, so that the column can be attached more easily.

It is the schematic which shows the structural example of the gas chromatograph to which the column attachment apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention was applied. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of a column attachment apparatus. It is a side view of the column attachment apparatus of FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line II of the column mounting device of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structural example of the column attachment apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structural example of the column attachment apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the structural example of the column attachment apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is II-II sectional drawing of the column attachment apparatus of FIG. It is a top view which shows the structural example of the column positioning tool which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a front view of the column positioning tool of FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of the column positioning tool of FIG.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration example of a gas chromatograph to which the column mounting device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. This gas chromatograph is for performing analysis by supplying a carrier gas together with a sample into the column 2. In addition to the column mounting device 1 and the column 2, a column oven 3, a sample introduction unit 4, and a detector 5 are used. Etc.

The column 2 is composed of, for example, a capillary column and is heated in the column oven 3 during the analysis. The carrier gas is supplied from the sample introduction part 4 into the column 2 together with the sample. Each sample component is separated in the process of passing through the column 2 and detected by the detector 5. The detector 5 can be composed of various detectors such as a flame ionization detector (FID).

The sample introduction unit 4 is for introducing a sample into the column 2 together with the carrier gas supplied from the carrier gas supply path 6. For example, a sample vaporizing chamber 7 is formed therein. A liquid sample is injected into the sample vaporization chamber 7 from the sample injection port 8, and the sample vaporized in the sample vaporization chamber 7 is introduced into the column 2 together with the carrier gas.

The column mounting device 1 connects one end of the column 2 to the sample introduction unit 4 and connects the other end of the column 2 to the detector 5. In the present embodiment, the column mounting device 1 that connects one end of the column 2 to the sample introduction unit 4 and the column mounting device 1 that connects the other end of the column 2 to the detector 5 will be described for the same configuration. These may have different configurations.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the column mounting device 1. FIG. 3 is a side view of the column mounting device 1 of FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of the column mounting device 1 of FIG. The column mounting device 1 is a device for mounting the column 2 at a mounting position such as the sample introduction unit 4 or the detector 5, and includes a ferrule 10, a ferrule receiving unit 20, and a ferrule pressing unit 30.

The ferrule 10 is a cylindrical member having a tapered shape at one end, and the column 2 is inserted through the ferrule 10. The ferrule 10 is made of, for example, metal, but is not limited thereto, and may be made of resin.

The ferrule receiving unit 20 receives one end side of the ferrule 10. The ferrule receiving portion 20 includes, for example, a receiving side main body 21, a cam 22, and a lever 23. The receiving-side main body 21 is a cylindrical member having a through-hole 211 formed therein, and one end is fixed to the mounting position and the ferrule 10 is pressed to the other end. The receiving side main body 21 is fixed to the attachment portion (attachment position) 9 using, for example, an attachment nut 91.

A receiving recess 212 is formed in the other end surface of the receiving side main body 21 for receiving the ferrule 10. The housing recess 212 has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter on the other end side of the ferrule 10, and the ferrule 10 inserted into the housing recess 212 from the tapered one end side is housed up to the other end side. Positioning is performed while being accommodated in the recess 212.

The housing recess 212 is communicated with the through-hole 211 via the step 213 by constricting the bottom thereof. One end of the ferrule 10 housed in the housing recess 212 is in close contact with the stepped portion 213, and airtightness between the stepped portion 213 and the ferrule 10 is increased by the pressing force when the ferrule pressing portion 30 is attached to the ferrule receiving portion 20. Sex can be secured. In the present embodiment, since the stepped portion 213 is formed with a curved surface, the pressing force at the time of attachment is dispersed, and an excessive pressing force can be prevented from acting on the column 2.

In the present embodiment, the ferrule pressing portion 30 is attached to the ferrule receiving portion 20 by the rotation of the cam 22. The cam 22 is rotatably attached to the receiving side main body 21 of the ferrule receiving portion 20. A pair of cylindrical shaft portions 214 projecting in the radial direction of the receiving side main body 21 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the receiving side main body 21, and one pair with respect to the pair of shaft portions 214. The cam 22 is rotatably attached.

The cam 22 is composed of, for example, an eccentric cam, and is rotatably attached at a position eccentric with respect to the center. For example, a common lever 23 is connected to the pair of cams 22, and the pair of cams 22 can be rotated by operating the levers 23.

The ferrule pressing part 30 presses the ferrule 10 from the other end side to the ferrule receiving part 20 side by being attached to the ferrule receiving part 20. The ferrule pressing unit 30 includes, for example, a pressing side main body 31, a column holding unit 32, and a fixture 33. The pressing side main body 31 is a cylindrical member having a larger diameter than the ferrule receiving portion 20, and the column holding portion 32 and the fixture 33 are accommodated therein.

The pressing side main body 31 is a member having high heat resistance formed by, for example, a nickel-based superalloy. A ferrule base 311 is formed in the pressing side main body 31 by a wall surface protruding from the inner surface of the pressing side main body 31. The ferrule receiving portion 20 is inserted into one end portion side of the pressing side main body 31. On the other hand, a column holding part 32 and a fixture 33 are accommodated on the other end side of the pressing side main body 31.

A pressing surface 312 for pressing the ferrule 10 is formed on the ferrule base 311. The pressing surface 312 is a flat surface orthogonal to the axial direction of the ferrule receiving unit 20 and the ferrule pressing unit 30 (the insertion direction of the column 2), and a through hole 313 for inserting the column 2 is formed at the center thereof. Has been. The through hole 313 is formed in a conical shape so as to expand toward the side opposite to the pressing surface 312 side, so that the column 2 can be easily inserted into the ferrule base 311.

A pair of guide grooves 34 for guiding the cam 22 are formed in the pressing side main body 31. Each guide groove 34 has substantially the same width as the outer diameter of each cam 22, and pushes the ferrule pressing portion 30 into the ferrule receiving portion 20 while guiding each cam 22 along each guide groove 34. Thus, the ferrule pressing portion 30 is locked to the ferrule receiving portion 20.

The guide groove 34 has, for example, an introduction groove 341 and a locking groove 342. The guide groove 34 is constituted by a notch formed in an end surface of one end portion of the pressing-side main body 31, and the introduction groove portion 341 and the locking groove portion 342 communicate with each other in this order. The introduction groove 341 extends in parallel with the axial direction of the pressing side body 31 from the end face of one end of the pressing side body 31. The locking groove part 342 extends in a direction orthogonal to the introduction groove part 341, that is, a direction orthogonal to the pressing direction D of the ferrule pressing part 30 toward the ferrule receiving part 20.

When attaching the ferrule pressing part 30 to the ferrule receiving part 20, when the ferrule pressing part 30 is pushed into the ferrule receiving part 20 side, the cam 22 is introduced into the guide groove 34 along the introduction groove part 341. Thereafter, by rotating the ferrule pressing portion 30, the cam 22 is guided along the locking groove portion 342, and the cam 22 is locked in the locking groove portion 342.

In the state where the cam 22 is locked to the locking groove 342, the attachment of the ferrule pressing portion 30 to the ferrule receiving portion 20 is not yet completed. When the cam 22 is rotated around the shaft portion 214 from this state, a pressing force acts on the locking groove portion 342 in the pressing direction D, and the ferrule pressing portion 30 is further pushed into the ferrule receiving portion 20 side. Thereby, the ferrule pressing part 30 is attached to the ferrule receiving part 20, and the ferrule 10 is sandwiched and fixed between the ferrule receiving part 20 and the ferrule pressing part 30.

In this embodiment, when attaching the ferrule pressing part 30 to the ferrule receiving part 20, the ferrule 10 is caulked from the other end part side to the ferrule receiving part 20 side, and at the same time, the ferrule 10 is caulked. The ferrule 10 is sandwiched and fixed between the receiving part 20 and the ferrule pressing part 30. Here, caulking is an operation in which the ferrule 10 is plastically deformed by pressurization and attached to the column 2. The ferrule 10 is formed by caulking one end side at the stepped portion 213 while the column 2 is inserted inside. , Attached to column 2.

As described above, in this embodiment, the ferrule pressing unit 30 is simply attached to the ferrule receiving unit 20, and the ferrule 10 is caulked and attached to the column 2, and at the same time, between the ferrule receiving unit 20 and the ferrule pressing unit 30. The ferrule 10 can be sandwiched and fixed. Thereby, since the frequency | count of an operation | work can be reduced, the attachment operation | work of the column 2 can be performed more easily.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the ferrule receiving portion 20 and the ferrule pressing portion 30 are attached to each other by the rotation of the cam 22, and the ferrule 10 can be sandwiched and fixed between the ferrule receiving portion 20 and the ferrule pressing portion 30. . Therefore, the ferrule pressing part 30 can be attached to the ferrule receiving part 20 with one touch only by rotating the cam 22 without having to rotate the ferrule pressing part many times and screw it into the ferrule receiving part. Therefore, the column 2 can be attached more easily. At this time, since the ferrule 10 can be gradually pressed against the ferrule receiving portion 20 side by rotating the cam 22, the operability at the time of mounting can be improved by appropriately setting the surface shape of the cam 22. Can be improved.

Further, by rotating the cam 22, the ferrule 10 can be pressed to the ferrule receiving portion 20 side with a relatively large force as compared with the screw type column mounting device. Therefore, the ferrule 10 is fixed between the ferrule receiving part 20 and the ferrule pressing part 30 at the same time that the ferrule 10 is caulked with sufficient pressing force only by performing the work of attaching the ferrule pressing part 30 to the ferrule receiving part 20. be able to. Therefore, the column 2 can be attached more reliably.

The common lever 23 is connected to the pair of cams 22 as described above. The operator can rotate the pair of cams 22 by operating the lever 23 after gripping the pressing-side main body 31 of the ferrule pressing part 30 and locking the cam 22 in the locking groove part 342. it can. Thus, since the pair of cams 22 can be simultaneously rotated by operating only one lever 23, the operability during mounting can be improved.

However, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the pair of cams 22 is provided in the ferrule receiving portion 20, and may be a configuration in which only one cam 22 is provided, or a configuration in which three or more cams 22 are provided. There may be. Further, the cam 22 may be provided in the ferrule pressing portion 30 instead of the ferrule receiving portion 20, or the cam 22 may be provided in both the ferrule receiving portion 20 and the ferrule pressing portion 30. Also good.

The column holding part 32 is constituted by a pair of leaf springs 321 arranged so as to face each other, for example. Each leaf spring 321 has one end fixed to the inner surface of the pressing-side main body 31 and the other end fixed to the end of the pressing-side main body 31 while the central portion is curved against the elastic force. 33 abuts. The fixture 33 is configured by, for example, a C-shaped retaining ring.

Thereby, the center portions of the pair of leaf springs 321 facing each other come into contact with each other, and the column 2 can be held between them. Therefore, after the column 2 is positioned with respect to the ferrule 10 while the column 2 is held by the column holding portion 32, the work of attaching the ferrule pressing portion 30 to the ferrule receiving portion 20 can be performed.

That is, in a state where the ferrule 10 through which the column 2 is inserted is in contact with the pressing surface 312, the column 2 held by the column holding portion 32 is slid in the axial direction, and the column 2 is held at an optimal position. By setting the state, the column 2 can be positioned with respect to the ferrule 10. In this way, after positioning the column 2 with respect to the ferrule 10 accurately, the ferrule 10 is caulked and attached to the column 2 as it is, and at the same time, the ferrule 10 is sandwiched between the ferrule receiving portion 20 and the ferrule pressing portion 30. Can be fixed. Therefore, the column 2 can be smoothly mounted from the positioning operation to the mounting operation, so that the column 2 can be mounted more easily.

In particular, in this embodiment, since the column holding portion 32 is constituted by a pair of leaf springs 321 that sandwich the column 2, the column 2 can be sandwiched with an appropriate force. Therefore, it is easy to adjust the position of the column 2 during the positioning operation, and it is possible to prevent the column 2 from being displaced after the positioning. However, the column holding portion 32 is not limited to the pair of leaf springs 321, and may be constituted by other elastic bodies such as rubber, or may be constituted by members other than the elastic bodies.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the column mounting apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the column mounting device 1 of the first embodiment, the column mounting device 100 according to the second embodiment includes a ferrule 10, a ferrule receiving unit 20, and a ferrule pressing unit 30.

In the first embodiment, the one end side of the ferrule 10 is in direct contact with the stepped portion 213 formed in the receiving body 21 of the ferrule receiving portion 20. On the other hand, in 2nd Embodiment, the ferrule receiving part 20 has the adapter 24 accommodated in the accommodation recessed part 212 of the receiving side main body 21, and the one end part side of the ferrule 10 contacts the said adapter 24. FIG. It has a configuration like this. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The adapter 24 is, for example, a cylindrical member having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the housing recess 212, and the one end side is tapered by forming a conical surface 241 at one end. An inclined surface 215 that is inclined at an angle corresponding to the conical surface 241 of the adapter 24 is formed at the bottom of the accommodating recess 212, and the conical surface 241 of the adapter 24 accommodated in the accommodating recess 212 is inclined 215. Abut.

At the other end of the adapter 24, a stepped portion 242 that forms an entrance into the adapter 24 is formed. One end of the ferrule 10 housed in the housing recess 212 is in close contact with the stepped portion 242, and due to the pressing force when the ferrule pressing portion 30 is attached to the ferrule receiving portion 20, the stepped portion 242 is hermetically sealed with the ferrule 10. Sex can be secured. In the present embodiment, since the stepped portion 242 is formed with a curved surface, the pressing force at the time of attachment is dispersed, and an excessive pressing force can be prevented from acting on the column 2.

The adapter 24 is attached / detached according to the type of the ferrule 10. That is, the ferrule 10 is provided for each column 2 having a different outer diameter, and the adapter 24 corresponding to the shape of each ferrule 10 is housed in the housing recess 212. Each adapter 24 has, for example, an inner diameter and a stepped portion 242 that differ according to the shape of the corresponding ferrule 10, while the outer diameter and the conical surface 241 have the same shape.

Thus, by attaching and detaching the adapter 24, the ferrule receiving portion 20 (the stepped portion 242 of the adapter 24) is brought into contact with one end portion side of the ferrule 10 at an appropriate position according to the type of the ferrule 10, and the ferrule 10 is Simultaneously with the caulking, the ferrule 10 can be fixed between the ferrule receiving portion 20 and the ferrule pressing portion 30. Thereby, the column attachment apparatus 1 which can apply multiple types of ferrule 10 can be provided.

When the inclination angle of the conical surface 241 of the adapter 24 is too large, the airtightness is deteriorated. On the other hand, if the inclination angle is too small, the adapter 24 is difficult to come off at the boundary portion between the inclined surface 215 and the through hole 211. It is preferable to set to. However, the shape of the adapter 24 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 5, and any other shape can be adopted.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the column mounting device 200 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the column mounting device 100 of the second embodiment, the column mounting device 200 according to the third embodiment includes a ferrule 10, a ferrule receiving unit 20, and a ferrule pressing unit 30.

In the second embodiment, the ferrule base 311 is formed by the wall surface protruding from the inner surface of the pressing side main body 31. On the other hand, in 3rd Embodiment, the ferrule base 35 is comprised by a member different from the press side main body 31, and is arrange | positioned in the press side main body 31 so that a displacement in an axial direction is possible. In addition to the ferrule base 35, the ferrule pressing portion 30 is provided with an urging member 36 and a fixture 37. In 3rd Embodiment, about the structure similar to 2nd Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to a figure and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

The ferrule base 35 is formed with a pressing surface 351 for pressing the ferrule 10. The pressing surface 351 is a flat surface orthogonal to the axial direction of the ferrule receiving unit 20 and the ferrule pressing unit 30 (the insertion direction of the column 2), and a through hole 352 for inserting the column 2 is formed at the center thereof. Has been. The through hole 352 is formed in a conical shape so as to expand toward the side opposite to the pressing surface 351 side, so that the column 2 can be easily inserted into the ferrule base 35.

The urging member 36 is constituted by, for example, a disc spring, and a plurality of disc springs are arranged in a line along the axial direction of the ferrule receiving portion 20 and the ferrule pressing portion 30. In the pressing side body 31, another fixing tool 37 is fixed on the side opposite to the fixing tool 33 with the column holding portion 32 interposed therebetween. The fixture 37 is formed of, for example, a C-shaped retaining ring, and is in contact with a disc spring located on one end side of the biasing member 36. On the other hand, the disc spring located on the other end side of the urging member 36 is in contact with the back surface of the ferrule base 35 (the surface opposite to the pressing surface 351 side).

In this embodiment, even if the ferrule pressing part 30 can be attached to the ferrule receiving part 20 with one touch, the ferrule 10 is caulked with a sufficient pressing force by the urging force of the urging member 36 at the same time. The ferrule 10 can be fixed between the ferrule receiving part 20 and the ferrule pressing part 30. Therefore, the column 2 can be attached more reliably.

In addition, in this embodiment, when attaching the ferrule press part 30 with respect to the ferrule receiving part 20, since it is necessary to caulk the ferrule 10 simultaneously, urging | biasing with comparatively large urging | biasing force illustrated by a disc spring is required. The member 36 is preferably used. However, the urging member 36 is not limited to a disc spring, and may be constituted by other elastic bodies such as rubber, or may be constituted by a member other than the elastic body.

Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the column mounting device 200 includes the adapter 24 as in the column mounting device 100 according to the second embodiment has been described. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and the column mounting device 200 may have a configuration that does not include the adapter 24 unlike the column mounting device 1 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a configuration example of a column mounting apparatus 300 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a II-II cross-sectional view of the column mounting device 300 of FIG. The column attachment device 300 according to the fourth embodiment includes a ferrule 10, a ferrule receiving portion 20, and a ferrule pressing portion 30 as in the column attachment device 200 of the third embodiment.

In the third embodiment, the ferrule receiving portion 20 and the ferrule pressing portion 30 are attached to each other by rotating the cam 22. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, due to the engagement between the pin 216 provided on the receiving side main body 21 of the ferrule receiving portion 20 and the guide groove 314 provided on the pressing side main body 31 of the ferrule pressing portion 30, The ferrule receiving part 20 and the ferrule pressing part 30 are configured to be attached to each other. In the fourth embodiment, the same components as those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

A pair of cylindrical pins 216 projecting in the radial direction of the receiving side main body 21 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the other end of the receiving side main body 21 (the side opposite to the mounting portion 9 side). The pair of pins 216 are symmetrically arranged on both sides with the central axis of the receiving body 21 interposed therebetween. However, the pin 216 is not limited to the configuration directly formed on the receiving side main body 21 but may be formed on another member attached to the receiving side main body 21.

The pressing side body 31 is formed with a pair of guide grooves 314 for guiding a pair of pins 216 formed in the receiving side body 21 of the ferrule receiving portion 20. Each guide groove 314 has substantially the same width as the outer diameter of each pin 216, and the ferrule pressing part 30 is pushed into the ferrule receiving part 20 side while guiding each pin 216 along each guide groove 314. Thus, the ferrule receiving part 20 and the ferrule pressing part 30 are attached to each other.

However, the pins 216 and the guide grooves 314 that are engaged with each other are not limited to a pair, and may be provided one by one, or may be provided by three or more. Further, the pin 216 may be provided on the ferrule pressing portion 30 side, and the guide groove 314 may be provided on the ferrule receiving portion 20 side.

When the ferrule pressing part 30 is attached to the ferrule receiving part 20, the ferrule pressing part 30 is brought close to the ferrule receiving part 20 in a state where the ferrule 10 is arranged on the pressing surface 351 of the ferrule base 35, and the ferrule 10 is accommodated. Position in the recess 212. From this state, the ferrule pressing part 30 is pushed into the ferrule receiving part 20 side against the urging force of the urging member 36 and the pin 216 and the guide groove 314 are engaged, so that the ferrule 10 is moved from the other end side. It is pressed to the ferrule receiving part 20 side. Thereby, the ferrule 10 is caulked, and at the same time, the ferrule 10 is sandwiched and fixed between the ferrule receiving portion 20 and the ferrule pressing portion 30.

In this embodiment, the ferrule receiving portion 20 and the ferrule pressing portion 30 are attached to each other by the engagement between the pin 216 and the guide groove 314, and the ferrule 10 is sandwiched and fixed between the ferrule receiving portion 20 and the ferrule pressing portion 30. can do. For this reason, the ferrule receiving part 20 can be touched with the ferrule receiving part 20 only by guiding the pin 216 along the guide groove 314 without having to rotate the ferrule pressing part many times and screw it into the ferrule receiving part. It can be attached with. Therefore, the column 2 can be attached more easily.

Further, the engagement between the pin 216 and the guide groove 314 allows the ferrule 10 to be pressed to the ferrule receiving portion 20 side with a relatively large force as compared with the screw-type column mounting device. Therefore, the ferrule 10 is fixed between the ferrule receiving part 20 and the ferrule pressing part 30 at the same time that the ferrule 10 is caulked with sufficient pressing force only by performing the work of attaching the ferrule pressing part 30 to the ferrule receiving part 20. be able to. Therefore, the column 2 can be attached more reliably.

As shown in FIG. 7, in this example, the guide groove 314 formed in the pressing side main body 31 has an introduction groove part 315, an inclined groove part 316, and a locking groove part 317. The guide groove 314 is formed by a notch formed in the end surface of one end portion of the pressing side main body 31, and the introduction groove portion 315, the inclined groove portion 316, and the locking groove portion 317 communicate with each other in this order.

The introduction groove 315 extends in parallel with the axial direction of the pressing side main body 31 from the end face of one end of the pressing side main body 31. The inclined groove part 316 extends in a direction inclined with respect to the introduction groove part 315, that is, in a direction inclined with respect to the pressing direction D of the ferrule pressing part 30 toward the ferrule receiving part 20.

The locking groove portion 317 is formed at an end portion of the inclined groove portion 316 opposite to the introduction groove portion 315 side, and the pin 216 guided along the inclined groove portion 316 is locked, whereby the urging force of the urging member 36 is increased. This prevents the pin 216 from falling out of the guide groove 314. In this example, the locking groove 317 has a shape that is recessed from the boundary with the inclined groove 316 in the pressing direction D of the ferrule pressing unit 30, so that the pin 216 is hooked on the boundary and is separated from the locking groove 317. It has a configuration that does not fall out.

When the ferrule pressing part 30 is attached to the ferrule receiving part 20, the pin 216 extends along the introduction groove part 315 when the ferrule pressing part 30 is pushed toward the ferrule receiving part 20 against the biasing force of the biasing member 36. Are introduced into the guide groove 314. Then, the ferrule 10 is pressed toward the ferrule receiving part 20 by pushing in while rotating the ferrule pressing part 30 so that the pin 216 is guided along the inclined groove part 316. If the ferrule pressing portion 30 is pushed in until the pin 216 is locked in the locking groove portion 317, the ferrule 10 is caulked, and at the same time, the ferrule 10 is sandwiched between the ferrule receiving portion 20 and the ferrule pressing portion 30. Fixed.

In the present embodiment, the ferrule pressing part 30 can be attached to the ferrule receiving part 20 with one touch only by guiding the pin 216 along the inclined groove part 316 extending in the direction inclined with respect to the pressing direction D of the ferrule pressing part 30. it can. At this time, by guiding the pin 216 along the inclined groove portion 316, the ferrule 10 can be gradually pressed against the ferrule receiving portion 20 side. Therefore, by appropriately setting the inclination angle of the inclined groove portion 316 The operability at the time of attachment can be improved.

Further, by guiding the pin 216 along the inclined groove portion 316, the ferrule 10 is gradually pressed against the ferrule receiving portion 20 side, and then the pin 216 is locked to the locking groove portion 317, whereby the ferrule 10 is Can be fixed. Therefore, for the operator, a click feeling is obtained when the pin 216 is locked to the locking groove 317, so that the operability at the time of mounting can be improved.

However, the shape of the guide groove 314 is not limited to the shape as shown in FIG. 7, and any other shape can be adopted. That is, the shapes of the introduction groove portion 315, the inclined groove portion 316, and the locking groove portion 317 are not limited to the shapes as shown in FIG. In addition, the guide groove 314 is not limited to the configuration including the introduction groove portion 315, the inclined groove portion 316, and the locking groove portion 317, and may be configured not to include at least one of these, or include other groove portions. It may be a configuration.

In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the column mounting device 300 includes the adapter 24 as in the column mounting device 200 according to the third embodiment has been described. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and the column mounting device 300 may have a configuration that does not include the adapter 24 unlike the column mounting device 1 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a configuration example of the column positioning tool 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a front view of the column positioning tool 1000 of FIG. FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of the column positioning tool 1000 of FIG. The column positioning tool 1000 is used in the above-described

column mounting devices

1, 100, 200, and 300 to position the column 2 held by the column holding part 32 of the ferrule pressing part 30.

The column positioning tool 1000 is provided with a main body 1001 for inserting and positioning the column 2. A plurality of column insertion ports 1002 are formed in the main body 1001. As shown in FIG. 11, the column 2 inserted through the ferrule 10 is inserted into the column insertion port 1002 from the tip. An accommodation recess 1003 for accommodating the distal end portion of the ferrule 10 is formed on the front side in the insertion direction of each column insertion port 1002. Thus, the column 2 inserted through the ferrule 10 is inserted into the column insertion port 1002 corresponding to the housing recess 1003 in a state where the tip of the ferrule 10 is pressed against any housing recess 1003 and positioned. Can do.

In the main body 1001, a plurality of column insertion holes 1004 extending straight from the column insertion ports 1002 are formed. The bottom surface of each column insertion hole 1004 constitutes a column contact surface 1005 against which the tip of the column 2 inserted from each column insertion port 1002 is abutted. Each column contact surface 1005 corresponds to each column insertion port 1002, and each column contact hole 1004 communicating with the column insertion port 1002 and the column contact surface 1005 has a different length. The surface 1005 and the corresponding column insertion ports 1002 are separated by different distances.

Therefore, by selecting one of the column insertion ports 1002 and inserting the column 2, the column 2 from the ferrule 10 is brought into contact with the column abutment surface 1005 corresponding to the column insertion port 1002. The protrusion amount can be set to a protrusion amount corresponding to the column insertion port 1002 (a protrusion amount corresponding to the length of each column insertion hole 1004). Accordingly, the column 2 can be accurately positioned with respect to the ferrule 10, and it is not necessary to cut the tip of the column 2, so that the column 2 can be attached more easily.

An escape portion 1006 made of, for example, a recess is formed around each housing recess 1003 in the main body 1001. These relief portions 1006 are pressed when the ferrule 10 is positioned with respect to the housing recess 1003 together with the ferrule pressing portion 30 with the ferrule 10 in contact with the pressing surface 312 of the ferrule pressing portion 30. This is to prevent the pressing side main body 31 of the portion 30 from contacting the main body 1001 of the column positioning tool 1000.

In the present embodiment, the main body 1001 is formed transparent, so that a plurality of column contact surfaces 1005 can be visually recognized from the outside. Thereby, since it can be confirmed from the outside whether or not the tip of the column 2 is abutted against the column contact surface 1005, the column 2 can be accurately and reliably positioned with respect to the ferrule 10.

As shown in FIG. 9, information about the protruding amount of the column 2 and the mounting position of the column 2 (for example, the name of the detector 5) may be described in the main body 1001 in association with each column insertion port 1002. . In this case, positioning of the column 2 with respect to the ferrule 10 can be performed more accurately and reliably.

For example, if the main body 1001 is formed using a resin material, the column positioning tool 1000 can be configured with an inexpensive injection-molded product. In this case, when the main body 1001 becomes dirty, the column positioning tool 1000 may be discarded and replaced with a new one, so that maintenance work can be saved.

However, the main body 1001 is not limited to being transparent, and may be translucent. Further, if each column contact surface 1005 is visible from the outside, not only a configuration in which the entire main body 1001 is formed transparent or translucent but only a part of the main body 1001 is formed transparent or translucent. It may be a configuration.

In this example, each column insertion hole 1004 extends linearly within the main body 1001, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the path of the column 2 from the column insertion port 1002 to the column contact surface 1005 is not limited to a straight line, but may be an arbitrary shape such as a curved line or a spiral. Further, the plurality of column insertion holes 1004 are not limited to the configuration arranged in the horizontal direction so as to be parallel to each other, but can be arranged at any position in the main body 1001.

In the above embodiment, the specific configurations of the

column mounting devices

1, 100, 200, 300 and the column positioning tool 1000 have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and can be applied to a configuration including other members or a configuration not including a part of the members.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Column mounting apparatus 2 Column 3 Column oven 4 Sample introduction part 5 Detector 6 Carrier gas supply path 7 Sample vaporization chamber 8 Sample injection port 9 Mounting part 10 Ferrule 20 Ferrule receiving part 21 Receiving side main body 22 Cam 23 Lever 24 Adapter 30 Ferrule Pressing portion 31 Pressing side main body 32 Column holding portion 33 Fixing tool 34 Guide groove 35 Ferrule base 36 Biasing member 37 Fixing tool 91 Mounting nut 100 Column mounting device 200 Column mounting device 211 Through-hole 212 Housing recess 213 Stepped portion 214 Shaft portion 215 Inclined surface 216 Pin 241 Conical surface 242 Stepped portion 300 Column mounting device 311 Ferrule base 312 Press surface 313 Through hole 314 Guide groove 315 Introduction groove portion 16 inclined groove portion 317 engaging groove 341 introduced groove 342 locking groove 351 pressing surface 352 through holes 1000 column positioner 1001 body 1002 column insertion slot 1003 accommodating recess 1004 column insertion hole 1005 column abutting surface 1006 escape portion

Claims

A column mounting device for mounting a column at a mounting position,
A ferrule that is inserted into the column and attached to the column by caulking one end side;
A ferrule receiving portion for receiving one end of the ferrule;
The ferrule is attached to the ferrule receiving portion, and by pressing the ferrule from the other end side toward the ferrule receiving portion, the ferrule is caulked, and at the same time, the ferrule is sandwiched between the ferrule receiving portion and fixed. A column mounting device comprising a ferrule pressing portion.
2. The column mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the ferrule pressing portion has a column holding portion for holding the column.
3. The column mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the column holding part is constituted by an elastic body that holds the column.
The column mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ferrule receiving portion includes an adapter that comes into contact with one end portion of the ferrule and is attached or detached according to the type of the ferrule.
The column mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ferrule receiving portion and the ferrule pressing portion are attached to each other by rotating a cam provided on at least one of them.
The ferrule receiving portion and the ferrule pressing portion are attached to each other by engagement of a pin provided on one side and a guide groove provided on the other side. Column mounting device.
The said guide groove is extended in the direction inclined with respect to the pressing direction of the said ferrule pressing part to the said ferrule receiving part side, The inclined groove part which guides the said pin is included. Column mounting device.
The column mounting device according to claim 7, wherein the guide groove includes a locking groove portion that locks the pin guided along the inclined groove portion.
9. The column mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the ferrule pressing portion includes a biasing member that biases the ferrule toward the ferrule receiving portion.
A column positioning tool used in the column mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
Comprising a main body into which a column inserted through the ferrule is inserted;
In the main body,
A plurality of column insertion ports into which the columns are inserted;
A plurality of column abutment surfaces provided in association with the plurality of column insertion ports, spaced apart from the corresponding column insertion ports by different distances, and abutting the tips of the columns inserted from the column insertion ports; A column positioning tool characterized in that is formed.
The column positioning tool according to claim 10, wherein at least a part of the main body is formed to be transparent or translucent so that the plurality of column contact surfaces can be visually recognized from the outside.