Suction gripper for automatically handling filters and filter chamber

Abstract

The invention relates to a suction gripper for automatically handling filters and a filter chamber. The suction gripper comprises a suction head with the following components: an arm equipped with an air connector for connecting a vacuum pump, a main body with a suction hole and a device for separating one filter from other filters, the device being preferably designed as an electromagnet in order to separate one filter from other filters when using a metal ring to separate one filter from other filters; a diverter valve that changes between negative pressure and overpressure at the suction hole-filter connection; a vacuum pump, and a tube that connects the suction pump and the suction head via the diverter valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of manipulation devices, more specifically, to the field of clamping heads, particularly clamping heads with vacuum or magnetic holding devices. This invention also belongs to the field of sampling devices and analytical devices for collecting air or similar samples on filters. The invention relates to a suction clamp for automatically manipulating a filter, a chamber for a filter used with said clamp, and a device for analyzing air including said clamp and chamber. Background Technology

[0002] Aerosol properties are crucial for environmental health and climate research; therefore, various analytical instruments are available on the market. These instruments can be classified according to the collection medium (Baron and Willeke, 2001, ISBN: 978-0-470-38741-2; Vincent, 2007, ISBN: 978-0-470-02725-7):

[0003] - Direct-reading instruments that do not require collection on filters or substrates: Detecting airborne particles using methods such as light scattering and aerosol mass spectrometry.

[0004] - Direct-reading instruments that collect aerosols onto filters or substrates: These instruments perform continuous particle analysis through attenuation measurements and mechanical mass balancing (e.g., piezoelectric or conical elements).

[0005] - Aerosol samplers: When it is necessary to collect particles onto a filter or substrate within a specified sampling period so that the collected material can be analyzed subsequently and separately (referred to as high-capacity and low-capacity samplers).

[0006] The former two are known as online measurement technologies, while the latter is an important component of offline aerosol measurement technologies.

[0007] The purpose of filters in a sampling system is to effectively collect all particulate matter that arrives at it. The filter itself consists of porous media capable of effectively removing particles from the air (e.g., by impact, interception, etc.) and retaining them in a form suitable for subsequent analysis, whether visually (under a microscope), by gravimetric analysis (by weighing), thermo-optical analysis, or by wet chemistry or other types of analytical instruments currently widely used. These different requirements provide criteria for selecting specific types of filters for particular applications.

[0008] Filters can be supplied individually or in specially designed filter cartridges / retainers. Filter cartridges or retainers can introduce filter contamination when individual filters used for PM sampling and analysis cannot be automatically manipulated using currently known devices. The problem is that each filter must be handled manually—for example, manually inserted into the cartridge for sampling, and then manually removed from the cartridge and inserted into the storage / unit or analysis chamber after sampling. To avoid filter contamination and consequently erroneous analytical results, filters must be handled in a controlled environment, which further complicates the procedure and hinders the automation of aerosol sampling and analysis.

[0009] Therefore, the technical problem solved by this invention is the construction of a suction gripper for the automatic manipulation of filters, which will be able to handle individual filters without special filter cartridges or retainers, without particularly demanding conditions, and will allow for automatic manipulation. Furthermore, the object of this invention is to provide a chamber with a filter that corresponds to the gripper and stores the filter in a controlled environment prior to manipulation, i.e., movement using the gripper.

[0010] Current technical level

[0011] Patent application US2019061174 describes a system and method for manipulating and sorting objects moving along a conveyor, achieving control of the objects by applying one or more of vacuum, puncture, or mechanical gripping. One embodiment relates to a robotic arm and vision inspection system for detecting target objects to be gripped from a flow of objects moving on the conveyor and for moving a suction head to a position on the conveyor above the detected target object. The suction head has a flexible disk portion disposed at its distal end, and the vacuum article-grabbing system uses a high-subsonic airflow through the suction disk, which has a flow opening area for applying the required vacuum suction force to grip the target object. This solution is not suitable for fragile filters used in scientific applications such as air sampling and analysis. Furthermore, the suction head differs significantly because a flexible disk is not used in this invention.

[0012] Utility model CN203863618 relates to a processing tool for a fail-safe filter element. This processing tool includes a handle, the lower end of which is connected to a sleeve. The lower end of the sleeve is connected to a clamping block. The clamping block has an inner corner hole that matches the connecting bolts of the fail-safe filter element, and the inner corner hole communicates with the inner cavity of the sleeve. The construction of this processing tool differs from that of this invention. Summary of the Invention

[0013] Solution to the problem

[0014] The present invention provides a suction clamp (i.e., processing or clamping device) for automatically manipulating filters, particularly filters for PM air sampling and analysis, and a filter chamber that can be used with said clamp.

[0015] The suction gripper for automatically manipulating a filter according to the present invention comprises:

[0016] - A suction head with the following components:

[0017] o An arm equipped with an air connector for connecting a vacuum pump,

[0018] o has a suction port and a body for separating one filter from another, wherein the separating device is preferably designed as an electromagnet to separate one filter from another filter when the filter is separated from the other filter by a metal ring;

[0019] o A device for connecting to a suitable vacuum pump;

[0020] - A diverter valve that varies between negative and overpressure at the suction port-filter connection point to connect or release the filter;

[0021] - Preferably, at least one vacuum pump, optionally two vacuum pumps, are used to generate negative pressure and overpressure according to the state of the diverter valve, and

[0022] - Optional flexible tubing for connecting the suction pump to the suction head via a diversion valve.

[0023] Vacuum pumps are not necessarily equipped with clamps, but if a clamp is installed in a device already connected to a vacuum pump or if a vacuum pump is installed in the device, it can be connected to the clamp. A pump can generate both negative and overpressure, or two pumps can be used, one generating negative pressure and the other generating overpressure. A flexible tube is arranged to connect a suction head to the vacuum pump, preferably with one tube connected to the pump inlet, where negative pressure is generated through a suction port on the suction head, and the other tube connected to the pump outlet, where overpressure is generated at the diverter valve. This tube must be flexible to allow the suction head to move independently of the diverter valve and the vacuum pump.

[0024] However, the gripper can be designed as a fixed structure, where the gripper itself does not move to move the filter; instead, the filter chamber, sampling chamber, and / or analysis chamber below the gripper move to receive the filter. In this embodiment, piping is not necessary because the vacuum pump can be directly connected to the diverter valve and the suction head.

[0025] The size and design of the suction head can be customized according to the size, shape, and material of the filter. Preferably, the body of the suction head is circular, rectangular, or square to accommodate the shape of the filter. The design, number, size, and arrangement of the orifices are customized according to the size and material of the filter; preferably, the orifices are evenly distributed on the outer periphery of the suction head. The orifices are not present in the portion of the suction head where the sampling area of ​​the filter is located. If necessary, the suction head and suction orifices can be made of inert materials to prevent any interference with the analysis. Suitable materials include stainless steel, aluminum alloys, industrial plastics, and ceramics (such as Al2O3 or ZrO2), each of which may optionally be coated with an inert coating, such as an inert non-reactive silicon coating. And the CrN coating described here: https: / / www.ijs.si / ijs / dept / f3 / TrdePrevleke.htm.

[0026] To pick up only one filter, a filtration device for separating one filter from another is provided on the suction head. This device is preferably designed as an electromagnet for removing a metal separator, which may optionally be coated with an inert coating known to those skilled in the art to prevent contamination. The separator is preferably annular in shape and positioned between two adjacent filters. The electromagnet is controlled by an electric current, preferably supplied by a power source for an actuation system or a device described below, wherein the magnetic field disappears when the current is turned off. Both states allow for easy control of the clamping and releasing of the metal separator between the filters. Preferably, the electromagnet is connected to the body of the suction head via an attachment. The magnet attracts the metal separator disposed on the outer periphery of each filter, thus ensuring that the sampling area of ​​the filter remains unaffected.

[0027] The design of the suction head and metal ring separator defines the effective sampling and analysis area of ​​the filter, which is an area that is not in contact with any suction clamp parts, metal separator, or gas used for suction and can be used for sampling and analysis.

[0028] The suction head is connected to a vacuum pump, which generates suction so that a filter can adhere to the holder and be closed from the other side. This prevents impurities from falling onto the filter during movement. When the filter is released from the suction head, a diverter valve generates a short overpressure pulse, pushing the filter away from the suction head. Therefore, the diverter valve must switch between suction (the suction section connected to the vacuum pump) and purging (the overpressure outlet of the pump). The diverter valve has four connectors: two to the vacuum pump, a third to the suction head, and a fourth that is freely open and performs either venting or intake depending on the valve's condition. The vacuum pump can be any suitable pump; preferably, if the holder is used in an aerosol sampling device, the suction pump used for both the holder and the sampling chamber is the same. The latter is possible if the pump can achieve a sufficient sampling flow rate. The diverter valve and vacuum pump can be arranged at a distance from the suction head and properly connected, where the pump and valve are typically stationary and only the suction head is arranged to move to move the filter from its original position to the desired position.

[0029] The suction clamp can be used with any filter, but is preferably used with a filter used in aerosol studies, which:

[0030] - Made of different materials, such as quartz fiber, cellulose fiber, mixed cellulose ester, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polycarbonate capillary, etc.

[0031] - Different aperture sizes are available

[0032] - It can be any shape, usually rectangular, square, or round, and

[0033] - Their sizes range from a few millimeters to tens of centimeters, typically 47 millimeters and 150 millimeters.

[0034] A preferred embodiment of the suction gripper operates in the following manner:

[0035] a) The pump turns on, thus creating suction, which is transferred through the pipe and the diversion valve located in the first position to the orifice of the suction head.

[0036] b) Lift the filter using the suction head.

[0037] c) When the required position for filter release is reached, the switching diversion valve generates a short overpressure pulse, thereby pushing the filter to the desired position.

[0038] d) When the metal separator is connected to the electromagnet to remove the metal separator from the filter,

[0039] e) Pump shut down, and

[0040] f) When the second position required to release the separator is reached, the electromagnet releases the metal separator into the storage chamber for the separator.

[0041] The suction gripper for automatically manipulating a filter according to the invention is preferably paired with a filter chamber used in conjunction with the gripper, because the two devices are interconnected, meaning they are complementary in devices used for air analysis, particularly for detecting, identifying, and / or quantifying aerosol particles suspended in the air. This chamber can be used entirely for filter storage or for filter storage and pretreatment. The interrelationship between the suction gripper and the filter chamber is particularly important for providing continuous control over the purity and integrity of the filter. Both the gripper and the chamber can be combined into a system for manipulating the filter, which can be installed in any suitable device used to collect and / or analyze materials using the filter.

[0042] The filter chamber according to the present invention comprises:

[0043] - A housing arranged to receive a plurality of filters separated from each other by a suitable separator, preferably a metal separator with an optional inert coating, which can be clamped by means of a device for separating the filters, the filters forming part of the aforementioned clamp, the housing:

[0044] The filter has an inlet and / or outlet for conveying new filters and / or for holding the uppermost filter with the aforementioned clamps.

[0045] o is preferably insulated.

[0046] - Optional pretreatment elements, such as heaters, air inlets and outlets for regulating filtered air or other suitable gas mixtures, are preferably integrated into the housing.

[0047] - An integrated filter delivery system, such as a linear motor or any other device, can move the filter toward the outlet.

[0048] The housing is made of a metal (e.g., steel or aluminum alloy) optionally coated with an inert layer, the size, shape, and outlet / inlet of which depend on the size and shape of the filter to be stored in the chamber. The housing may also be insulated with suitable plastic or ceramic to ensure better thermal performance. The choice of materials depends on the filter pretreatment, such as temperature, humidity, and gas handling, so that these conditions do not affect the chamber in a way that contaminates the stored and / or pretreated filter. Pretreatment elements may be used to heat and direct filtered air or gas to condition the filter before use. For example, pretreatment elements can maintain a constant flow rate of a customized gas mixture at controlled relative humidity and temperature. When using pretreatment elements, the separator of the filter must be made of an inert material resistant to the temperature and / or gas used during pretreatment. In this way, the filter is not contaminated or damaged before sampling. Heaters are typically arranged uniformly along the housing to ensure uniform temperature of all filters stored in the chamber, while the air inlet and air outlet are typically located relative to each other within the chamber, for example, the air inlet at the bottom of the chamber and the air outlet at the top.

[0049] The suction gripper and chamber according to the invention are preferably installed within a device for air analysis, and most preferably within a device for sampling and analyzing air to detect, identify, and / or quantify aerosol particles suspended in the air. The use of the gripper and chamber in an aerosol sampling and analysis device is particularly advantageous. Such a device typically includes: a housing with a linear guide or robotic arm inside for automatically guiding the suction head of the gripper; a container for a metal separator in use; a chamber for storing new filters; a sampling chamber; an analysis chamber; and a container for the filters in use. The suction head installed inside the device has several possible positions: a first position above the chamber for storing filters to remove the topmost filter; a second position above the sampling chamber; a third position above the analysis chamber; and two additional positions, one above the container for the metal separator in use and the other above the container for the filters in use. Alternatively, in the final step of the possible applications described above, the filters can be stored in another filter storage chamber with a controlled environment and separated again using a metal separator, instead of placing the filters in the container for the analytical filters in use. Uncontaminated metal ring separators from the new filter storage chamber can be reused in this application.

[0050] The following advantages are achieved by using the gripper, chamber, and device according to the invention:

[0051] - Avoid using expensive filter cartridges / retainers

[0052] Automation is possible, for example, by using a robotic arm or linear motor to move the gripper;

[0053] - Filter management without human intervention;

[0054] - Reduce the likelihood of filter contamination;

[0055] - Analyze the filters immediately after sampling; compared to traditional high- or low-capacity samplers with automatic filter replacement mechanisms, it can take up to 14 days to collect all filters and then transport them to the laboratory for analysis.

[0056] - If the filter is analyzed by a non-destructive method, it can be stored in an additional filter storage chamber under controlled temperature, pressure, relative humidity, and storage gas mixture for further analysis. For example, according to EN12341:2014, the filter should be conditioned at 19°C to 21°C and 45% to 50% relative humidity before sampling to determine the PM10 or PM2.5 mass concentration of suspended particulate matter using standard gravimetric methods.

[0057] This invention further represents a bridge between offline aerosol sample collection and online filter analysis tools. Therefore, this method leverages the advantages of both measurement techniques: offline sampling and online analysis. By performing offline sampling within a defined sampling period, a sufficient quantity of collected material can be obtained for accurate analysis, while online aerosol technology avoids filter storage artifacts and achieves lower operating costs and immediate analytical results. Attached Figure Description

[0058] The invention will be further described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments based on the gripper, chamber, and analysis device, and the accompanying drawings, which illustrate:

[0059] Figure 1 Possible structures for filter holders with vacuum pumps;

[0060] Figure 2 For suction head;

[0061] Figure 3a and Figure 3b A chamber equipped with a filter and a filter holder;

[0062] Figure 4a An analytical apparatus with a filter holder and a closed chamber; and

[0063] Figure 4b It is an analytical device with a filter holder and an open chamber. Detailed Implementation

[0064] Figure 1 The structure of a possible embodiment of a filter holder with a vacuum pump is shown, while Figure 2Only the suction head is shown. The gripper 1 includes:

[0065] - Suction head 2, has:

[0066] The arm 21, equipped with an air connector 22, is used to connect the vacuum pump 4.

[0067] The main body 22 has a suction hole 23 and a device 24 for separating one filter from another, the device 24 being designed as an electromagnet to separate one filter from the other filters when a metal ring is used to separate them;

[0068] - Diverter valve 3, which changes between negative and overpressure at the suction port-filter connection;

[0069] - Vacuum pump 4, and

[0070] - Pipeline 5 is used to connect the suction pump 4 to the suction head 2 via the diversion valve 3.

[0071] To pick up only one filter, an electromagnet 24, preferably annular in shape, is used to remove the metal separator and is positioned between two adjacent filters. The electromagnet 24 is current-controlled, supplied by a suitable power source, typically the same power source used in the device employing the gripper. The electromagnet 24 is connected to the body 22 of the suction head 2 via an accessory 22a. The electromagnet 24 attracts the metal separator positioned on the outer circumference of each filter, thus maintaining a constant sampling area for the filter.

[0072] The suction head 2 is connected to a vacuum pump 4, which generates suction so that a filter can adhere to the holder 1 and the holder 1 can be closed from the other side. This prevents impurities from falling onto the filter during movement. When the filter is released from the suction head 2, a diverter valve 3 generates a short overpressure pulse, pushing the filter away from the suction head 2. The vacuum pump 4 can be any suitable pump.

[0073] The filter is preferably stored and / or conditioned in a filter storage chamber, and the filter is separated by a metal ring made of or coated with an inert material that does not contaminate the filter and is resistant to the temperature and gas used during the pretreatment process. Figure 3a The filter chamber shown includes:

[0074] - A housing 101, arranged to receive a plurality of filters 102, the filters 102 being separated from each other by a suitable separator, preferably a metal separator 103, the metal separator 103 being clamped by a device 24 as described above for separating filters forming part of the holder 1, the housing:

[0075] The filter has an inlet and / or outlet for conveying new filters and / or for holding the uppermost filter with the aforementioned clamps.

[0076] o is preferably insulated.

[0077] - Pretreatment elements, such as heaters, air inlets and outlets for regulating filtered air or other suitable gas mixtures, are preferably integrated into the housing to achieve a constant flow rate of a customized gas mixture with controlled relative humidity and temperature, and

[0078] - An integrated filter delivery system, such as a linear motor or any other device, can move the filter toward the outlet (arrow 104).

[0079] The shape of the suction head 2 and the metal separator 103 prevents the effective area of ​​the filter 102 from being contaminated. Figure 3b ).

[0080] The gripper and chamber are likely to be used with devices / systems for aerosol sampling and analysis. Such an exemplary device... Figure 4a and Figure 4b The device, as shown, includes a housing containing linear guides for automatically guiding the suction head of the gripper, a container for a metal separator in use, a chamber for storing new filters, a sampling chamber, an analysis chamber, and a container for the filters in use. Before use, the filters are stored in a temperature- and humidity-controlled filter storage chamber. Optionally, before the first sampling, the filters undergo a pretreatment process where the temperature in the chamber is raised to 400°C while being flushed with nitrogen (N2). This pretreatment procedure removes any volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the filters.

[0081] The device using clamps and chambers operates as follows:

[0082] First, the suction head lifts the uppermost filter in the chamber by turning on the pump and creating a small negative pressure at the suction port-filter connection. The suction head has several possible positions: one is above the chamber used for storing filters, to remove the uppermost filter, and a second position is moved with a linear motor or robotic arm above the sampling chamber, i.e., the position where the filter is placed. Figure 4b The sampling chamber opens and then closes automatically. A short overpressure pulse is generated by the shunt valve, pushing the filter into the sampling chamber, after which the pump shuts off. Simultaneously, the electromagnet engages the metal ring separator.

[0083] Second, in the second step, after the electromagnet places the metal separator into the container of the metal ring separator in use, the suction clamp head is moved back to its initial position above the chamber. The sampling chamber is closed, and sampling can begin.

[0084] 3. After sampling is completed, open the sampling chamber, move the suction head above the sampling chamber to lift the filter, and move it to the open analysis chamber in the same way as in step 2.

[0085] 4. After analysis, move the aspiration head above the analysis chamber to lift the filter and place it in the filter container. At the end of this step, the aspiration holder always introduces a new pre-treated filter into the sample chamber.

[0086] Alternatively, in the final step of the possible applications described above, the filter can be stored in another filter storage chamber with a controlled environment and separated again using a metal ring separator, instead of placing the filter in the container used for the analyzed filter. The uncontaminated metal ring separator in the new filter storage chamber can be reused for this application.

[0087] Depending on the analysis to be performed, the above steps can be repeated as needed. An example measurement is shown below:

[0088] - Optical Measurement: Non-destructive measurement of transmission and reflection at multiple angles and wavelengths similar to Aethalomether or MAAP (Bernardoni et al. (2017, doi: 10.3390 / atmos8110218); Drinovec et al. (2015, doi: 10.5194 / amt-8-1965-2015); Müller et al. (2011, doi: 10.5194 / amt-4-245-2011));

[0089] - Thermophotometric measurements of the organic and elemental carbon fractions in samples were performed (Cavalli et al., 2010, Atmos.Meas.Tech., 79–89; Chow et al. (2004, doi: 10.1021 / es034936u); EN 16450:2017, 2017; Huntzicker et al., 1982, Particulate Carbon, 79–88);

[0090] - Thermal measurement of total carbon content (Rigler et al. (2020 doi:10.5194 / amt-13-4333-2020)); or

[0091] - Aerosol thermal desorption - The desorbed gas is introduced into a photoionization mass spectrometer for molecular composition analysis of organic vapors (Diab et al. (2015, doi: 10.5194 / amt-8-3337-2015)).

[0092] The suction holder, filter chamber, and apparatus for aerosol sampling and analysis can be designed based on the above description in alternative ways that are obvious to those skilled in the art. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are not limited to the nature of the invention as described herein and defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A system comprising a suction holder and filter chambers for automatically manipulating particulate (PM) air sampling and analysis, each filter having an effective sampling and analysis area, said area having an outer periphery for contacting a metal separator, characterized in that, The suction holder includes a suction head and a flow divider valve. The suction head includes: An arm equipped with an air connector for connecting a vacuum pump; The body of the separation device has suction holes and a separation device for separating one filter from another, wherein the suction holes are evenly distributed on the outer periphery of the suction head, and the suction head and the suction holes are made of an inert material to prevent any interference with the analysis; Device connected to the vacuum pump; The diversion valve is configured to switch between negative and overpressure at the suction port-filter connection point to connect or release the filter, respectively. The separation device is designed as an electromagnet connected to the body of the suction head via an accessory. The electromagnet is arranged to separate one filter from the others when a metal ring is placed on the outer periphery of each filter. The electromagnet is controlled by current, wherein the magnetic field disappears when the current is turned off. The filter chamber includes: A housing arranged to house multiple filters separated from each other by suitable separators, the separators being metal separators with an optional inert coating, the metal separators being held by separation devices for separating the filters, the filters forming part of the suction holder, the housing having inlet and / or outlet for conveying new filters and / or for holding the uppermost filter with the suction holder, and An integrated filter delivery system for moving filters toward the outlet. The suction gripper operates in the following manner: The vacuum pump is configured to generate suction when turned on, and the suction is transferred through a pipe and the diverter valve located in a first position to a suction orifice in the suction head. The suction head lifts the filter. Once the desired position for releasing the filter is reached, the diversion valve is switched to generate a short overpressure pulse, thereby pushing the filter to the desired position. When the metal separator is connected to the electromagnet to remove the metal separator from the filter The vacuum pump is turned off, and Upon reaching the second position required to release the separator, the electromagnet releases the metal separator into the storage chamber of the separator in use.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the suction clamp further comprises: The flexible tube connecting the vacuum pump and the suction head is connected via the diversion valve. The vacuum pump is used to generate negative pressure and overpressure according to the state of the diverter valve.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body of the suction head is circular, rectangular, or square to adapt to the shape of the filter. The design, number, size, and arrangement of the suction holes are customized according to the size and material of the filter. The suction holes are evenly distributed on the outer periphery of the suction head, while the effective sampling and sampling area of ​​the filter does not have the suction holes.

4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The materials used to make the suction head and the suction hole are stainless steel, aluminum alloy, industrial plastic, and ceramic, and each of these materials is coated with an inert coating.

5. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The flexible tube includes two tubes, one of which connects the inlet of the vacuum pump that generates negative pressure to the suction port on the suction head, and the other tube connects the outlet of the vacuum pump that generates overpressure to the flow divider valve.

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diverter valve has four connectors, two of which are connected to the vacuum pump, the third connector is connected to the suction head, and the fourth connector is freely open and performs exhaust or intake tasks depending on the valve status.

7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diversion valve and the vacuum pump can be arranged at a certain distance from the suction head and properly connected, wherein the vacuum pump and the valve are stationary, and only the suction head is arranged to move in order to move the filter from its original position to the desired position.

8. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing is insulated, and the filter chamber further includes: A pretreatment element for regulating the air inlet and air outlet of filtered air or other suitable gas mixture, the pretreatment element being integrated into the housing.

9. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The housing is made of metal and is insulated to ensure better thermal stability, wherein the size, shape, and outlet / inlet of the filter chamber depend on the size and shape of the filter stored in the filter chamber.

10. The system according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The heaters are typically arranged uniformly along the housing to ensure that all filters stored in the filter chamber are at a uniform temperature, while the air inlet and air outlet are located at opposite positions within the filter chamber.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The effective sampling and analysis area does not come into contact with any suction clamp parts, metal separators, or the gas used for suction.

12. An apparatus for air analysis, comprising the system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, The device is an aerosol sampling and analysis apparatus, comprising a housing containing a linear guide or robotic arm for automatically guiding the suction head of the suction gripper, a container for a metal separator, a chamber for storing new filters, a sampling chamber, an analysis chamber, and a container for the filters used. The suction head, mounted within the apparatus, has several possible positions: a first position above the filter chamber for storing filters to allow removal of the topmost filter; a second position above the sampling chamber; a third position above the analysis chamber; and two additional positions, one above the container for the metal separator and the other above the container for the filters used.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The device operates in the following manner: a) First, the suction head lifts the uppermost filter in the filter chamber by turning on the vacuum pump and generating a small negative pressure at the suction port-filter connection. The suction head has several possible positions, one of which is above the chamber used for storing filters to remove the uppermost filter, and a second position is moved using a linear motor or robotic arm to place the filter above the sampling chamber. Then, the sampling chamber is opened by the motor and automatically closed, and the diversion valve generates a short overpressure pulse to push the filter into the sampling chamber. The vacuum pump is then turned off, and the electromagnet grips the metal ring separator. b) After the electromagnet places the metal separator into the container of the metal ring separator in use, the suction clamp head moves back to the initial position above the filter chamber, closes the sampling chamber, and begins sampling; c) Upon completion of sampling, the sampling chamber is opened, the suction head is moved above the sampling chamber to lift the filter, and the filter is moved to the open analysis chamber in the same manner as in step b; d) Upon completion of the analysis, the suction head is moved above the analysis chamber to lift the filter and place it in the container for use, wherein, at the end of this step, the suction holder always introduces a new pretreated filter into the sample chamber.

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