Fluidic system and corresponding method

A computer program product comprising instructions configured to, when run on a control unit of a fluidic system having (1) a switching valve comprising a stator defining a plurality of ports that includes a first port, a second port, a third port, a fourth port, and a discharge port, a rotor having at least one connecting element for connecting the ports in different configurations, wherein the at least one connecting element is at least one groove, wherein the rotor comprises a groove connected to the second port and extending between the second port and the discharge port, (2) an inlet line directly connected to the first port, (3) a collection device directly connected to the second port, and (4) a buffer section directly connected to the third port and the fourth port, cause the fluidic system to perform a method, comprising:

• configuring the switching valve to assume a collection configuration fluidly connecting the first port and the second port causing a fluid flow through the inlet line, the first port, the second port, and the collection device into a first collection reservoir;
• configuring the switching valve to assume a discharge configuration fluidly connecting the first port and the discharge port;
• configuring the switching valve to transition from the collection configuration to the discharge configuration such that the first port is always connected to the second port or the discharge port during the transition;
• and
• configuring the switching valve to assume a buffer configuration, wherein the first port and the third port are connected and the fourth port and the second port are connected.

A method of operating a fluidic system having (1) a switching valve comprising a stator defining a plurality of ports that includes a first port, a second port, a third port, a fourth port, and a discharge port, a rotor having at least one connecting element for connecting the ports in different configurations, wherein the at least one connecting element is at least one groove, wherein the rotor comprises a groove connected to the second port and extending between the second port and the discharge port, (2) an inlet line directly connected to the first port, (3) a collection device directly connected to the second port, and (4) a buffer section directly connected to the third port and the fourth port, the method comprising:

• configuring the switching valve to assume a collection configuration fluidly connecting the first port and the second port causing a fluid flow through the inlet line, the first port, the second port, and the collection device into a first collection reservoir;
• configuring the switching valve to assume a discharge configuration fluidly connecting the first port and the discharge port;
• configuring the switching valve to transition from the collection configuration to the discharge configuration such that the first port is always connected to the second port or the discharge port during the transition;
• and
• configuring the switching valve to assume a buffer configuration, wherein the first port and the third port are connected and the fourth port and the second port are connected.