Liquid mixing device and liquid chromatograph

A liquid mixing device comprising:

• an introduction channel through which liquid is introduced;
• a branch portion that is positioned in a downstream of the introduction channel;
• a plurality of branched flow channels that branch from the branch portion;
• a junction portion in which the plurality of branched flow channels join together;
• a discharge channel of the downstream of the junction portion;
• and
• a flow channel unit which branches into the plurality of branchnt channels in the branch portion and in which the corresponding plurality of branched flow channels join together in the junction portion,
• wherein times for the liquid to pass through the branched flow channels in the flow channel unit are different from each other depending on an external shape and an internal structure of each of the branched flow channels, and a difference between the times for the liquid to pass through the branched flow channels is determined according to a period of a concentration non-uniformity in the flow direction that results from a liquid sending device sending the liquid to the introduction channel, and
• wherein the flow channel units are plural, the plurality of flow channel units are connected to each other in multiple stages in such a manner that the liquid that passes through the junction portion of an upstream side flow channel unit of the corresponding plurality of flow channel units flows into the branch portion of a downstream side flow channel unit, and the plurality of flow channel units are connected to each other in such a manner as to differentiate between differences between the times for the liquid to pass through the branched flow channels in the flow channel unit at each stage.

A liquid chromatograph comprising:

• a liquid sending pump that sends an eluent;
• a liquid mixing device that mixes a plurality of the eluents;
• an auto-sampler that introduces a specimen into the eluent sent by the liquid sending pump;
• a separation column that separates a liquid, into which the specimen is introduced by the auto-sampler;
• a detector that detects a component of the specimen in the liquid sent from the separation column;
• a pipe that connects the liquid sending pump, the liquid mixing device, the auto-sampler, the separation column, and the detector to one another in a manner that enables the liquid to flow;
• and
• a controller that controls the liquid sending pump, the auto-sampler, and the detector,
• wherein the liquid mixing device includes,
• an introduction channel through which the liquid is introduced;
• a branch portion that is positioned in a downstream of the introduction channel,
• a plurality of branched flow channels that branch from the branch portion;
• a junction portion in which the plurality of branched flow channels join together;
• and
• a discharge channel of the downstream of the junction portion, and
• wherein in such a manner that a discharge channel of an upstream side flow channel unit of a plurality of flow channel units in which times for the liquid to pass through the plurality of branchnt channels are different from each other is the introduction channel of a downstream side flow channel unit, the discharge channel and the introduction channel are connected to each other, and in such a manner as to differentiate between differences between the times for the liquid to pass through the plurality of branchnt channels, the discharge channel and the introduction channel are connected to each other.