Sample holder

Abstract

The invention provides a sample holder which simplifies sample replacement work by using a resin member and can suppress deterioration of the resin member caused by X-rays. A sample holder for X-ray fluorescence analysis has: a cylindrical body having a hole provided on a part of an upper end surface and having an open lower end; a receiving tray which is disposed on the inside of the cylindrical body and on which a sample is placed; an elastic body that urges the pad upward; a resin member having a bow portion and in contact with the lower end of the elastic body; and a bottom plate disposed on the lower side of the resin member, the cylindrical body, the receiving plate, and the bottom plate are formed of metal, and the bow portion has a claw portion provided at an end portion and a pressing portion pressed inward, and elastically deforms inward by pressing the pressing portion. A fitting part for fitting the claw part and an exposed part for exposing the pressing part to the outside are formed in the cylindrical body, the resin member is arranged between the receiving disc and the bottom plate, and a part other than the pressing part is surrounded by the cylindrical body, the receiving disc and the bottom plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a sample rack. Background Art

[0002] As an apparatus for measuring an element contained in a sample or the concentration of the element, there is a fluorescent X-ray analyzer. When performing a measurement using a fluorescent X-ray analyzer, a sample holder is sometimes used. For example, in order to fix a sample placed on a tray in a housing, a sample holder is known that has a structure in which a pressing cover is placed on the sample (see Patent Documents 1 to 3 below).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 59-80738

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-009042

[0007] Patent Document 3: Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 6-58350 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] Conventional sample holders have adopted a method of threading (Patent Document 1), a method of fixing with screws (Patent Document 2), or a method of fitting a plunger into a groove (Patent Document 3) as a method of fixing the housing and the press cover.

[0010] In the case of a structure that is fixed by threaded connection or screw fixing, it is necessary to rotate the pressing cover or screw several times each time the sample is changed, which takes a lot of time. In addition, threaded connection or screw fixing may become loose due to vibration, and there is a possibility that the sample holder will become loose inside the fluorescent X-ray analysis device. In the case of a structure in which a plunger is embedded in a groove, there is also a possibility that the plunger will fall out of the groove inside the fluorescent X-ray analysis device, causing the sample holder to become loose, and there is also a problem of high parts prices.

[0011] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a sample holder that simplifies the work of replacing a sample by using a resin member and that can suppress the degradation of the resin member due to X-rays.

[0012] Technical solutions to solve problems

[0013] (1) A sample holder for fluorescent X-ray analysis according to one aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that it comprises: a cylindrical body having a hole provided in a part of an upper end surface and having an opening at a lower end; a receiving plate arranged inside the cylindrical body and on which a sample is placed; an elastic body which applies an upward force to the receiving plate; a resin member having a bow portion and in contact with the lower end of the elastic body; and a bottom plate arranged below the resin member, wherein the cylindrical body, the receiving plate and the bottom plate are formed of metal, the bow portion having a claw portion provided at an end portion and a pressing portion pressed inwardly and being elastically deformed inwardly by pressing the pressing portion, an engaging portion for engaging the claw portion and an exposing portion for exposing the pressing portion outwardly are formed in the cylindrical body, the resin member is arranged between the receiving plate and the bottom plate, and a portion other than the pressing portion is surrounded by the cylindrical body, the receiving plate and the bottom plate.

[0014] (2) According to the above aspect of the present disclosure, the tubular body has a cylindrical body and an upper surface body provided with a hole.

[0015] (3) According to the above aspect of the present disclosure, it is characterized in that the cylindrical body is formed integrally.

[0016] (4) According to the above aspect of the present disclosure, the receiving plate further has a recessed portion for placing the sample on the surface on which the sample is placed.

[0017] (5) According to the above aspect of the present disclosure, the receiving plate has a convex portion on the bottom surface, and the upper end of the elastic body is fitted into the convex portion of the receiving plate.

[0018] (6) According to the above aspect of the present disclosure, the resin member has a hook-shaped locking portion, and the lower end of the elastic body is locked by the locking portion of the resin member.

[0019] (7) According to the above aspect of the present disclosure, the cylindrical body, the receiving plate, and the bottom plate are formed of an alloy containing aluminum as a main component.

[0020] (8) According to the above aspect of the present disclosure, the engaging portion is a groove for engaging the claw portion.

[0021] (9) According to the above aspect of the present disclosure, the exposed portion is a cutout for exposing the pressing portion to the outside.

[0022] Effects of the Invention

[0023] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a sample rack that facilitates the replacement operation of samples and prevents the sample rack from becoming loose inside a fluorescent X-ray analysis device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 This is a top view of the sample holder.

[0025] Figure 2 A diagram showing the various structural parts of the sample rack.

[0026] Figure 3 Bottom view of the sample holder.

[0027] Figure 4 It is a figure which shows the IV-IV cross section of a sample holder.

[0028] Figure 5 A diagram showing a VV cross section of a sample holder.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a state where a sample holder is installed on a sample stage of a top-illumination type fluorescent X-ray analysis device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, preferred modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as modes) will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the sample holder 100 as viewed from above. Figure 2 The figure shows each component of the sample rack 100, and is a figure after the sample rack is disassembled in the up and down direction. Figure 3 (a) is a bottom view of the sample holder 100 with the bottom plate 210 removed. Figure 3 (b) is a bottom view of the sample rack 100 with the bottom plate 210 installed. Figure 4 To express Figure 3 (b) is a diagram of the IV-IV section. Figure 5 To express Figure 3 (b) is a diagram of the VV section. Figure 2 As shown, the sample holder 100 includes a cylindrical body 202 , a receiving plate 204 , an elastic body 206 , a resin member 208 , and a bottom plate 210 .

[0031] The cylindrical body 202 has a hole provided on a part of the upper end surface, and the lower end is open. In addition, the cylindrical body 202 is formed with a fitting portion 404 for fitting with a claw portion 218 (described later) and an exposed portion 216 for exposing a part of a bow portion 220 (described later) to the outside. Specifically, for example, the cylindrical body 202 has a cylindrical body 212 and an upper surface body 214 provided with a hole, and the upper surface body 214 arranged on the cylindrical body 212 has a structure fixed by screws. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2As shown in FIG. 1 , the upper surface body 214 has a hole in the center for exposing the sample 402 and has a disk-like shape. The upper surface body 214 is a so-called sample mask for irradiating unnecessary X-rays to the unanalyzed portion of the sample 402. The cylindrical body 202 can also be replaced with an upper surface body 214 with a different hole diameter and mounted on the cylindrical body 212. Figure 4 As shown, the engaging portion 404 is, for example, a groove for engaging the claw portion 218. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the exposed portion 216 is a cutout for exposing a portion of the bow portion 220 toward the outside. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the cylinder 212 may be provided with a hole on the side that functions as an air hole when measuring in a vacuum environment, but the hole may not be provided. In addition, the cylinder 202 may not be separated into the cylinder 212 and the upper surface body 214 but may be formed integrally.

[0032] The receiving plate 204 is arranged inside the cylindrical body 202 and carries the sample 402. Specifically, the receiving plate 204 has a disk-like shape having an outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the cylindrical body 212. Figure 4 As shown, the receiving plate 204 has a convex portion on the bottom surface, and is engaged with the upper end of the elastic body 206. In addition, the receiving plate 204 may also have a concave portion on the surface on which the sample 402 is placed. In addition, due to Figure 4 The sample 402 in the embodiment is solid and larger than the diameter of the concave portion, so there is a space between the sample 402 and the receiving plate 204 (above the concave portion). When the sample 402 is powder or smaller than the diameter of the concave portion, the sample 402 is placed in the concave portion.

[0033] The elastic body 206 applies force to the upper docking plate 204. Specifically, for example, Figure 2 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the elastic body 206 is a spring. The lower end of the elastic body 206 is locked by the locking portion 228 of the resin member 208, and the upper end of the elastic body 206 is engaged with the protrusion of the receiving tray 204. Thus, the elastic body 206 urges the receiving tray 204 toward the upper surface body 214.

[0034] The resin member 208 is formed of resin and can be mass-produced at low cost. For example, the resin member 208 can also be injection-molded from PEEK (Poly Ether Ether Ketone) resin, which has high mechanical strength and high X-ray resistance. The resin member 208 has a bow portion 220 that is elastically deformed inward by pressing and is provided with a claw portion 218 at the end, and contacts the lower end of the elastic body 206. Specifically, for example, Figure 3As shown in (a), the resin member 208 has a base 222 near the center and a bow 220 extending from the base 222 along the inner wall of the cylindrical body 202, and is formed of an elastically deformable resin. In addition, the bow 220 has a bent portion 224 that is elastically deformed inward by pressing, a claw 218 provided at the front end of the bent portion 224, and a pressing portion 226 that applies force from the outside. The two bows 220 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the base 222. As shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, the resin member 208 is fixed to the cylindrical body 202 by fitting the two claws 218 into the grooves (fitting portions 404) provided on the cylindrical body 212. Figure 5 As shown, two pressing portions 226 are exposed from the cutouts provided in the barrel 212. The two pressing portions 226 are arranged at positions opposite to the center of the base 222, and are pressed inwardly by the user when the resin member 208 is removed from the barrel 202. Since the curved portion 224 is formed to be thinner, it is elastically deformed inwardly by pressing, so when the two pressing portions 226 are pressed inwardly, the two curved portions 224 are bent toward the inner side of the barrel 202 respectively. When the two curved portions 224 are bent toward the inner side of the barrel 202 respectively, the claw portion 218 becomes a state of being disengaged from the groove (fitting portion 404) provided in the barrel 212. In this state, the resin member 208 is separated from the barrel 202, and the resin member 208 can be removed from the barrel 202.

[0035] In addition, the resin member 208 has a hook-shaped locking portion 228, and the lower end of the elastic body 206 is locked by the locking portion 228. Specifically, for example, Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the base 222 has two hook-shaped stoppers 228 near the end of the surface facing the elastic body 206. The two stoppers 228 are arranged at a distance substantially equal to the diameter of the resin member 208 side of the elastic body 206 as a spring. The elastic body 206 is stopped by the hooks of the stoppers 228 on the resin member 208 side, thereby fixing the positional relationship with the resin member 208.

[0036] Furthermore, the resin member 208 has a screw hole 302 for fixing the bottom plate 210 on the side facing the bottom plate 210 .

[0037] The bottom plate 210 is arranged on the lower side of the resin member 208. Specifically, the bottom plate 210 has a circular plate shape having a diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the cylindrical body 202. In addition, the bottom plate 210 has a hole 230 at a position corresponding to the screw hole 302 provided in the resin member 208. The bottom plate 210 is fixed to the resin member 208 by a screw passing through the hole provided in the bottom plate 210 and the screw hole 302 provided in the resin member 208.

[0038] The cylindrical body 202, the receiving tray 204 and the bottom plate 210 are formed of metal. Specifically, for example, the cylindrical body 202, the receiving tray 204 and the bottom plate 210 are formed of an alloy having aluminum as a main component. The alloy having aluminum as a main component is light in weight compared to the existing sample holder 100 formed of stainless steel, so the weight can be reduced. In addition, the meaning of having aluminum as a main component is, for example, that aluminum is the element with the highest content among the elements constituting the cylindrical body 202, the receiving tray 204 and the bottom plate 210. In addition, for example, the content of aluminum contained in the cylindrical body 202, the receiving tray 204 and the bottom plate 210 can refer to a prescribed ratio (for example, a mass percentage concentration of 10%) or more.

[0039] As described above, the receiving plate 204 is engaged with the elastic body 206, the elastic body 206 is stopped by the resin member 208, and the bottom plate 210 is fixed to the resin member 208. Moreover, the recess (engaging portion 404) of the cylindrical body 202 is engaged with the claw portion 218 of the resin member 208, so that the resin member 208 is fixed to the cylindrical body 202. The user can remove the resin member 208 from the cylindrical body 202 by the operation of separating the resin member 208 and the cylindrical body 202 under the state of pressing the pressing portion 226, so that the sample 402 placed on the receiving plate 204 can be removed. The operation of separating the resin member 208 and the cylindrical body 202 under the state of pressing the pressing portion 226 is simpler than the operation of disassembling the sample holder 100 fixed by screws or threaded connection. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, the replacement of the sample 402 can be easily performed.

[0040] Furthermore, by disposing the bottom plate 210 on the lower surface of the resin member 208, it is possible to reduce the degradation of the resin member 208. Specifically, Figure 6The figure shows a state in which the sample holder 100 involved in the present disclosure is set on the sample stage 602 of the top-illuminated fluorescent X-ray analysis device. The sample holder 100 is arranged in a hole set in the sample stage 602. Since the resin member 208 is formed of resin so as to be elastically deformable, it deteriorates significantly due to exposure to X-rays compared to other structural members formed of metal. However, according to the present disclosure, the resin member 208 is arranged between the receiving disc 204 and the base plate 210, and the portion other than the pressing portion 226 is surrounded by the cylindrical body 202, the receiving disc 204 and the base plate 210. In addition, the pressing portion 226 is arranged at the lower end of the sample holder 100, so the pressing portion 226 exposed from the cylindrical body 202 is located on the lower side of the hole of the sample stage 602. While the fluorescent X-ray analysis device irradiates the sample 402 with X-rays, there are X-rays traveling in various directions inside the measurement chamber, but the X-rays irradiating the sample 402 are mainly (strong in intensity), and the X-rays irradiating the lower side of the hole of the sample stage 602 are rare (weak in intensity), so the intensity of the X-rays irradiating the exposed pressing portion 226 is weak. Therefore, the present disclosure can also reduce the degradation of the resin member 208 caused by X-rays through the structure. In addition, by covering the lower surface of the sample holder 100 with the bottom plate 210, it is possible to prevent the powder peeled off or falling off from the sample 402 from contaminating the inside of the fluorescent X-ray analysis device.

[0041] Description of symbols

[0042] 100 sample holder, 202 cylindrical body, 204 receiving plate, 206 elastic body, 208 resin member, 210 bottom plate, 212 cylindrical body, 214 upper surface body, 216 exposed portion, 218 claw portion, 220 bow portion, 222 base portion, 224 bent portion, 226 pressing portion, 228 locking portion, 230 hole provided on the bottom plate, 302 screw hole, 402 sample, 404 fitting portion, 602 sample stand.

Claims

1. A sample holder for fluorescent X-ray analysis, characterized in that: have: a cylindrical body having a hole provided on a portion of an upper end surface and having an open lower end; a receiving plate, which is arranged inside the cylindrical body and carries the sample; An elastic body, which applies force upward to the receiving plate; a resin member having a bow portion and contacting the lower end of the elastic body; as well as a bottom plate disposed on the lower side of the resin member, The cylindrical body, the receiving plate and the bottom plate are formed of metal. The bow portion has a claw portion provided at an end portion and a pressing portion pressed inwardly, and is elastically deformed inwardly by pressing the pressing portion. The cylindrical body is provided with a fitting portion for fitting the claw portion and an exposed portion for exposing the pressing portion to the outside. The resin member is disposed between the receiving tray and the bottom plate, and a portion other than the pressing portion is surrounded by the cylindrical body, the receiving tray, and the bottom plate.

2. The sample holder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylindrical body has a cylindrical body and an upper surface body provided with a hole.

3. The sample holder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylindrical body is formed integrally.

4. The sample holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The receiving plate further has a recessed portion for placing the sample on the surface on which the sample is placed.

5. The sample holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The receiving plate has a convex portion on the bottom surface, The upper end of the elastic body is engaged with the protrusion of the receiving plate.

6. The sample holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The resin member has a hook-shaped locking portion, The lower end of the elastic body is locked by the locking portion of the resin member.

7. The sample holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The cylindrical body, the receiving plate, and the bottom plate are formed of an alloy containing aluminum as a main component.

8. The sample holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The engaging portion is a groove for engaging the claw portion.

9. The sample holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The exposed portion is a cutout for exposing the pressing portion toward the outside.

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