Mass spectrometer vacuum interface and mass spectrometer

Abstract

The vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer comprises a main body part and a sample introduction piece, the main body part is provided with an interface body and a first connecting piece which are formed into a split piece, one end of the first connecting piece is connected with the interface body, the interface body is formed into an integrally formed piece, and the interior of the interface body is hollow to form a vacuum cavity; the vacuum cavity is provided with a first opening and a second opening which are oppositely arranged, a mass analyzer is suitable for being arranged in the vacuum cavity, the sample injection piece is arranged at the first opening and detachably connected with the other end of the first connecting piece, the sample injection piece is provided with a sample injection port communicated with the first opening, the sample injection port is used for conveying ions to be detected towards the vacuum cavity, and the sample injection port is communicated with the second opening in the direction towards the vacuum cavity. And the opening sizes of at least part of the sample inlets are gradually increased. According to the vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer provided by the embodiment of the invention, not only can the installation precision of the sample introduction piece be ensured, but also the interface body has good sealing performance, so that the working performance of the mass spectrometer can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of mass spectrometers, and in particular to a vacuum interface of a mass spectrometer and a mass spectrometer. Background Art

[0002] A mass spectrometer is an instrument used to analyze particles. The vacuum interface with a sample inlet is an important component of the mass spectrometer. It plays a connecting and transitional role in the mass spectrometer and is used to send the ions to be tested generated by the ion source into the mass spectrometer under controlled conditions for subsequent separation and detection.

[0003] Among them, in order to facilitate the maintenance of the vacuum interface, the sample injection part is usually arranged as a detachable part, such as: the vacuum interface is arranged to have a main body and a sample injection part, and the sample injection part is detachably connected to the main body. However, in order to ensure the installation accuracy of the sample injection part, the main body is usually arranged to be formed by a combination of lathing and welding, resulting in insufficient sealing and high processing costs, which is not conducive to the yield of the vacuum interface. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention proposes a vacuum interface for a mass spectrometer, which can not only ensure the installation accuracy of the sample injection part, but also make the interface body have good sealing performance, thereby improving the working performance of the mass spectrometer, solving the technical problems of insufficient sealing performance of the interface body itself and high processing cost in the prior art.

[0005] The present invention also aims to provide a mass spectrometer having the above vacuum interface.

[0006] The vacuum interface of a mass spectrometer according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a main body, wherein the main body comprises an interface body formed as a split part and a first connecting part, wherein one end of the first connecting part is connected to the interface body, wherein the interface body is formed as an integral part and is hollow inside to form a vacuum chamber, wherein the vacuum chamber comprises a first opening and a second opening arranged opposite to each other, wherein a mass analyzer is arranged in the vacuum chamber; and an injection part, wherein the injection part is arranged at the first opening and is detachably connected to the other end of the first connecting part, wherein the injection part comprises an injection port connected to the first opening, wherein the injection port is used to transport ions to be measured toward the vacuum chamber, and wherein the opening size of at least part of the injection port gradually increases in the direction toward the vacuum chamber.

[0007] According to the vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer of the embodiment of the present invention, by setting the main body to have an interface body and a first connecting piece formed as a split piece, it is convenient to set the interface body to be formed into an integrally formed piece, while reducing the processing cost and processing difficulty of the interface body, it can also ensure the sealing of the interface body, thereby improving the working performance of the vacuum interface; at the same time, by setting the sample injection piece at the first opening and detachably connecting it to the other end of the first connecting piece, so as to achieve the detachable cooperation between the sample injection piece and the main body, it is convenient to maintain the vacuum interface and is conducive to ensuring the installation accuracy of the sample injection piece. In other words, the vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer of the present application can not only ensure the installation accuracy of the sample injection piece, but also make the interface body have good sealing, thereby improving the working performance of the mass spectrometer.

[0008] In some embodiments, the vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer further includes a second connecting piece, and one end of the first connecting piece is detachably connected to the interface body through the second connecting piece.

[0009] In some embodiments, the vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer also includes a first fastener, the second connecting member is a first connecting column, the first connecting column is provided with a first connecting hole passing through it, the interface body is provided with a matching hole, the first fastener is passed through the first connecting hole and fixedly connected in the matching hole; the first connecting member is a connecting sleeve, at least a portion of the connecting sleeve is sleeved on the outer periphery of the first connecting column and fixedly matched with the first connecting column.

[0010] In some embodiments, the vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer also includes a second fastener, and a second connecting hole is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the connecting sleeve and penetrates therethrough in a radial direction, and the second fastener is passed through the second connecting hole and is abutted against the first connecting column.

[0011] In some embodiments, the matching hole is opened on the side wall of the interface body and extends along the thickness direction of the side wall, and the extension length of the matching hole is less than the thickness of the side wall.

[0012] In some embodiments, an end of the first fastener facing away from the matching hole is located in the first connecting hole.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first connecting member is a connecting sleeve, the sample injection member is provided with a second connecting column, the second connecting column is arranged in the connecting sleeve and is limitedly matched with the connecting sleeve.

[0014] In some embodiments, the vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer also includes a limit member, which is a limit plate, and the limit plate is movably disposed on the connecting sleeve so that the limit plate has a first position and a second position. A limit groove is provided on the second connecting column. In the first position, the limit plate can be limited and fitted in the limit groove, and in the second position, the limit plate and the limit groove are spaced apart.

[0015] In some embodiments, the vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer also includes a driving member, which is a driving plate, which is connected to the limit plate and extends radially outward from the vacuum interface, and is used to drive the limit plate to move between the first position and the second position.

[0016] In some embodiments, the vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer further includes a first elastic member, and the first elastic member is used to drive the limiting plate to move toward the first position.

[0017] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the limit plate is disposed on the outer periphery of the connecting sleeve to form a matching plate, and opposite ends of the first elastic member are respectively abutted against the connecting sleeve and the matching plate.

[0018] In some embodiments, the limiting plate is disposed at one end of the connecting sleeve close to the second connecting column, and a sliding groove is disposed on the connecting sleeve, and at least a portion of the limiting plate is slidably fitted in the sliding groove.

[0019] In some embodiments, a guide column is provided on one of the connecting sleeve and the limiting plate, and a guide groove is provided on the other. The extension direction of the guide groove is consistent with the moving direction of the limiting plate. The guide column is limitedly fitted in the guide groove and movably fits with the guide groove.

[0020] In some embodiments, the vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer further includes a second elastic member, and the second elastic member is used to drive the second connecting column to move in a direction away from the connecting sleeve.

[0021] In some embodiments, the second elastic member is disposed in the connecting sleeve and is abutted against the second connecting column.

[0022] In some embodiments, the connecting sleeve is provided with a first assembly channel and a second assembly channel that are interconnected, the second assembly channel is arranged close to the second connecting column, the second elastic member is arranged in the first assembly channel, and one end of the second connecting column is passed through the second assembly channel and extends into the first assembly channel; the inner diameter of the first assembly channel is larger than the inner diameter of the second assembly channel to form a step surface at the connection between the first assembly channel and the second assembly channel, and the step surface is used to limit the expansion and contraction amount of the second elastic member.

[0023] In some embodiments, the vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer further includes a vacuum pumping component, the interior of the vacuum pumping component is hollow to form a vacuum pumping channel, and the vacuum pumping channel is connected to the vacuum chamber.

[0024] In some embodiments, the mass analyzer is a quadrupole assembly, which includes a first group of quadrupoles and a second group of quadrupoles, the first group of quadrupoles and the second group of quadrupoles are arranged in sequence in the vacuum chamber, and the first group of quadrupoles are close to the first opening; the vacuum channel is at least opposite to the first opening and one end of the first group of quadrupoles close to the second group of quadrupoles.

[0025] The mass spectrometer according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the aforementioned vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer.

[0026] The mass spectrometer according to the embodiment of the present invention can improve the working performance of the mass spectrometer by adopting the aforementioned vacuum interface.

[0027] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and easily understood from the description of the embodiments in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a vacuum interface of a mass spectrometer according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 1 is a front view of a vacuum interface of a mass spectrometer according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 sectional views of vacuum interfaces of mass spectrometers according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of another position of the vacuum interface of a mass spectrometer according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Magnified view of area I.

[0034] Figure 6 sectional views of sample injection components according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a vacuum interface of a mass spectrometer in some embodiments of the present invention, in which part of the structure is omitted.

[0036] Figure 8 for Figure 7Top view of the vacuum interface in Figure 1.

[0037] Fig. 9 for Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the medium vacuum interface from another angle with some structures omitted.

[0038] Fig.10 for Fig. 9 Top view of the vacuum interface in Figure 1.

[0039] Fig.11 A side view of a vacuum interface of a mass spectrometer according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0040] Reference numerals:

[0041] 1000, vacuum interface;

[0042] 100. Main body;

[0043] 110. Interface body;

[0044] 111, vacuum chamber; 1111, first opening; 1112, second opening;

[0045] 112. Matching hole;

[0046] 120. A first connecting member;

[0047] 121, first assembly channel; 122, second assembly channel;

[0048] 630, slide groove; 510, second connecting hole; 420, guide column;

[0049] 200, mass analyzer; 210, first set of quadrupoles; 220, second set of quadrupoles;

[0050] 300, sample feeding parts;

[0051] 310, injection port;

[0052] 320, second connecting column; 620, limiting groove;

[0053] 400, second connecting member; 410, first connecting hole;

[0054] 500, second fastener;

[0055] 600, limiting member; 610, matching plate; 640, guide groove;

[0056] 700, driving member; 710, guiding member;

[0057] 800, a first elastic member;

[0058] 900, second elastic member;

[0059] 910, vacuum pumping member; 911, vacuum pumping channel;

[0060] 920, adjusting bracket;

[0061] 930. Gasket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0063] In the description of the present invention, it is to be understood that the terms “center”, “longitudinal”, “lateral”, “length”, “width”, “thickness”, “up”, “down”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “inside”, “outside”, “clockwise”, “counterclockwise”, “axial”, “radial”, “circumferential”, etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0064] The vacuum interface 1000 of a mass spectrometer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0065] Combination Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a vacuum interface 1000 of a mass spectrometer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a main body 100 and a sample injection component 300 .

[0066] Among them, combined Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the main body 100 has an interface body 110 and a first connecting member 120 formed as a split part, one end of the first connecting member 120 is connected to the interface body 110, the interface body 110 is formed as an integral part and is hollow inside to form a vacuum chamber 111, the vacuum chamber 111 has a first opening 1111 and a second opening 1112 arranged opposite to each other, and the vacuum chamber 111 is suitable for arranging a mass analyzer 200. It can be understood here that when the interface body 110 and the first connecting member 120 of the main body 100 are arranged to be formed as a split part, it is convenient to process the interface body 110 into an integral part, while reducing the processing cost and processing difficulty of the interface body 110, and it can also ensure that the interface body 110 has good sealing to a certain extent, because the interface body 110 is hollow inside to form a vacuum chamber 111, thereby ensuring the sealing of the vacuum chamber 111, to a certain extent avoiding the vacuum chamber 111 from being disturbed by external substances, to a certain extent ensuring the performance of the vacuum chamber 111, ensuring that the flight path of the ions is not disturbed, thereby ensuring the working performance of the vacuum interface 1000.

[0067] In some embodiments, the interface body 110 is manufactured using an integral molding process, so that the interface body 110 is formed as an integrally formed piece.

[0068] It should be noted that the vacuum chamber 111 mainly provides accommodation space for the mass analyzer 200 and other components of the vacuum interface 1000 , so as to facilitate the installation and arrangement of the mass analyzer 200 and other components of the vacuum interface 1000 .

[0069] At the same time, by configuring the vacuum chamber 111 to have a first opening 1111 and a second opening 1112 that are relatively arranged, the first opening 1111 and the second opening 1112 can facilitate the installation and disassembly of the mass analyzer 200 and other components of the vacuum interface 1000, while also facilitating the connection between the vacuum chamber 111 and the outside world, thereby ensuring the working performance of the vacuum interface 1000 to a certain extent.

[0070] In some embodiments, the mass analyzer 200 is a quadrupole, and the ion beam is transmitted to the vacuum chamber 111 through the first opening 1111. During the transmission process, the ions may need to be focused and guided by an electric field or a magnetic field to ensure that the ions can accurately enter the mass analyzer 200. When the ions pass through the mass analyzer 200, the ions will be affected by the electric field and oscillate. Ions with different mass-to-charge ratios will be affected by the electric field to varying degrees, thereby achieving mass separation. The mass-separated ions are transmitted to the detector through the second opening 1112, thereby achieving accurate analysis of the molecular structure and composition of the sample, thereby ensuring the working performance of the mass spectrometer to a certain extent.

[0071] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the sample injection member 300 is disposed at the first opening 1111 and is detachably connected to the other end of the first connecting member 120. The sample injection member 300 has a sample injection port 310 connected to the first opening 1111. The sample injection port 310 is used to transport the ions to be measured toward the vacuum chamber 111. In the direction toward the vacuum chamber 111, the opening size of at least part of the sample injection port 310 gradually increases. The sample injection port 310 is formed into a tapered hole, so that the sample injection member 300 is a tapered member. The sample injection member 300 formed into a tapered member is a key component of the vacuum interface 1000 of the mass spectrometer. Its main function is to generate a pressure drop, so that the ions generated by the ion source smoothly transition from the high-pressure area to the low-pressure area, thereby ensuring the stability of the ions.

[0072] At the same time, by detachably connecting the sample injection piece 300 with the other end of the first connecting piece 120, since one end of the first connecting piece 120 is connected to the interface body 110, the detachable connection between the sample injection piece 300 and the main body 100 is achieved, which facilitates the maintenance of the vacuum interface 1000, and the detachable cooperation between the sample injection piece 300 and the main body 100 through the first connecting piece 120 is also beneficial to ensuring the assembly accuracy of the sample injection piece 300, and to a certain extent, ensures the working performance of the sample injection piece 300.

[0073] In a specific example, the sample injection member 300 is formed as a tapered orifice plate.

[0074] In some embodiments, a conical cover is provided at the end of the sample injection part 300 away from the main body 100, and a hole is provided at the top of the cover for introducing ions generated by the ion source into the vacuum chamber 111, thereby facilitating the separation and screening of the ions using the mass analyzer 200, thereby ensuring the working performance of the vacuum interface 1000 to a certain extent.

[0075] It can be seen from the above structure that the vacuum interface 1000 of the mass spectrometer of the embodiment of the present invention arranges the interface body 110 and the first connecting member 120 of the main body 100 to be formed into separate parts, and arranges the interface body 110 to be an integrally formed part. While reducing the processing cost and difficulty of the interface body 110, it can also ensure that the interface body 110 has good sealing to a certain extent. Since the interface body 110 is hollow inside to form a vacuum cavity 111, the sealing of the vacuum cavity 111 is ensured, and the vacuum cavity 111 is prevented from being disturbed by external substances to a certain extent. The performance of the vacuum cavity 111 is guaranteed to a certain extent, thereby ensuring the working performance of the vacuum interface 1000 and ensuring the accuracy and reliability of mass spectrometry analysis.

[0076] At the same time, the sample injection piece 300 is detachably connected to the first connecting piece 120 to achieve a detachable connection between the sample injection piece 300 and the main body 100. While facilitating the maintenance of the vacuum interface 1000, it is also beneficial to ensure the assembly accuracy of the sample injection piece 300, to ensure the working performance of the sample injection piece 300 to a certain extent, and to enable the sample injection piece 300 to effectively and precisely cooperate with the mass analyzer 200 to ensure that the mass analyzer 200 accurately separates and screens ions.

[0077] In summary, the vacuum interface 1000 of the mass spectrometer of the present application can, on the one hand, ensure the installation accuracy of the sample injection component 300, and on the other hand, also make the interface body 110 have good sealing performance, thereby improving the working performance of the mass spectrometer.

[0078] It can be understood that, compared with the prior art, the present application configures the interface body 110 to be formed into an integrally formed part, and the sample injection part 300 is detachably connected to the first connecting part 120, which can not only ensure the installation accuracy of the sample injection part 300, but also make the interface body 110 have good sealing properties, thereby improving the working performance of the mass spectrometer. In addition, the integral processing of the interface body 110 can also reduce the processing cost of the interface body 110 to a certain extent, and is beneficial to controlling the yield of the interface body 110.

[0079] In some embodiments, the vacuum chamber 111 is specially airtightly designed so that the vacuum chamber 111 can maintain a desired vacuum level while introducing ions.

[0080] It should be noted that in some applications, the vacuum chamber 111 needs to withstand high or low temperature environments to ensure that the vacuum interface 1000 maintains stable performance at different temperatures and avoids leakage or damage due to temperature changes. At the same time, the design of the vacuum chamber 111 usually needs to consider the convenience of disassembly and assembly, so that users can easily replace or clean parts and perform maintenance.

[0081] In some embodiments, in combination Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the vacuum interface 1000 of the mass spectrometer further includes a second connector 400, and one end of the first connector 120 is detachably connected to the interface body 110 through the second connector 400. Thus, one end of the first connector 120 is connected to the interface body 110, which reduces the difficulty of connecting the first connector 120 and the interface body 110, and is conducive to reducing the difficulty of molding the main body 100.

[0082] At the same time, by configuring the first connecting member 120 to be detachably connected to the interface body 110 through the second connecting member 400, the difficulty of installing and disassembling the first connecting member 120 can be reduced, making it easier to replace the first connecting member 120 and the interface body 110, while allowing users to easily replace or clean parts and perform maintenance.

[0083] In some embodiments, the vacuum interface 1000 of the mass spectrometer further includes a first fastener (not shown) that is combined with Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the second connecting member 400 is a first connecting column, a first connecting hole 410 is provided on the first connecting column, a matching hole 112 is provided on the interface body 110, and a first fastener is passed through the first connecting hole 410 and fixedly connected in the matching hole 112. This realizes the fixed connection between the second connecting member 400 and the interface body 110, reduces the connection difficulty between the second connecting member 400 and the interface body 110, and can ensure the connection quality between the second connecting member 400 and the interface body 110 to a certain extent, which is conducive to ensuring the working performance of the vacuum interface 1000, thereby improving the working performance of the mass spectrometer.

[0084] Optionally, the first fastener is a fully threaded bolt, which can provide a more uniform load distribution, making the connection between the second connecting member 400 and the interface body 110 more stable, and preventing loosening or sliding between the second connecting member 400 and the interface body 110 to a certain extent.

[0085] At the same time, by using fully threaded bolts to connect the second connecting member 400 and the interface body 110, the second connecting member 400 and the interface body 110 can be detachably matched, thereby facilitating rapid separation of the second connecting member 400 and the interface body 110, and facilitating inspection, repair or replacement of parts of the vacuum interface 1000, thereby reducing the difficulty and cost of maintenance of the vacuum interface 1000.

[0086] In some embodiments, in combination Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the first connecting member 120 is a connecting sleeve, and at least a portion of the connecting sleeve is sleeved on the outer periphery of the first connecting column and fixedly matched with the first connecting column, so as to realize the fixed connection between the first connecting member 120 and the second connecting member 400. Since the second connecting member 400 and the interface body 110 are detachably connected, the detachable connection between the first connecting member 120 and the interface body 110 is realized, and the difficulty of the fixed connection between the first connecting member 120 and the interface body 110 is reduced.

[0087] That is to say, the first connecting member 120 is fixedly connected to the second connecting member 400, and the second connecting member 400 is detachably connected to the interface body 110, so as to achieve the purpose of realizing the detachable connection between the first connecting member 120 and the interface body 110 by using the second connecting member 400. Compared with welding the first connecting member 120 to the interface body 110, it can not only reduce the difficulty of connecting the first connecting member 120 and the interface body 110, but also avoid destroying the material stress characteristics and causing deformation of the workpiece to a certain extent, thereby ensuring the structural accuracy of the vacuum interface 1000.

[0088] In some embodiments, in combination Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the vacuum interface 1000 of the mass spectrometer further includes a second fastener 500. A second connection hole 510 is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the connecting sleeve and penetrates the sleeve in a radial direction. The second fastener 500 is passed through the second connection hole 510 and abuts against the first connecting column to achieve fixed connection between the first connecting member 120 and the second connecting member 400 and reduce the difficulty of fixed connection between the first connecting member 120 and the second connecting member 400.

[0089] In some embodiments, in combination Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the second fastener 500 is a pin, which is inserted into the second connection hole 510 and abuts against the first connection column.

[0090] In some embodiments, in combination Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the vacuum interface 1000 includes a plurality of second fasteners 500, and a plurality of second connecting holes 510 are provided on the outer peripheral wall of the connecting sleeve. The plurality of second fasteners 500 correspond to the plurality of second connecting holes 510 one by one to increase the fixing strength of the first connecting member 120 and the second connecting member 400, so that the relative position of the first connecting member 120 and the second connecting member 400 is stable, and further the first connecting member 120 can be stably connected to the interface body 110. Since the sample injection member 300 and the first connecting member 120 are detachably connected, it is beneficial to ensure the assembly accuracy of the sample injection member 300.

[0091] In some embodiments, in combination Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the matching hole 112 is formed on the side wall of the interface body 110 and extends along the thickness direction of the side wall, and the extension length of the matching hole 112 is less than the thickness of the side wall. The matching hole 112 is formed in the blind hole provided on the interface body 110, which ensures the sealing of the interface body 110 to a certain extent, thereby improving the performance of the vacuum interface 1000.

[0092] At the same time, by setting the matching hole 112 as a blind hole, it is also beneficial to improve the structural strength of the interface body 110.

[0093] In some embodiments, one end of the first fastener away from the matching hole 112 is located in the first connection hole 410. The first fastener is arranged in the first connection hole 410 to prevent the first fastener from extending out of the second connection member 400, thereby preventing the first fastener from occupying the space outside the second connection member 400. While facilitating the bolt connection between the second connection member 400 and the interface body 110 by using the first fastener, the second connection member 400 can be prevented from interfering with the installation of other structural members (such as the second elastic member 900 described below), thereby reducing the difficulty of assembling the vacuum interface 1000.

[0094] In some embodiments, in combination Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the first connecting member 120 is a connecting sleeve, and the sample injector 300 is provided with a second connecting column 320, which is arranged in the connecting sleeve and is limitedly matched with the connecting sleeve. In this way, the sample injector 300 and the first connecting member 120 are limitedly matched, so that the sample injector 300 is connected to the other end of the first connecting member 120, and the difficulty of matching and connecting the sample injector 300 and the first connecting member 120 is reduced.

[0095] In some embodiments, in combination Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the main body 100 includes a plurality of first connecting members 120, and a plurality of second connecting columns 320 are provided on the sample injection member 300. The plurality of first connecting members 120 and the plurality of second connecting columns 320 are matched one by one to increase the connection strength between the sample injection member 300 and the first connecting member 120, which is beneficial to improving the position stability of the sample injection member 300, ensuring the working performance of the sample injection member 300 to a certain extent, and facilitating the precise matching of the sample injection member 300 and the mass analyzer 200.

[0096] In some embodiments, in combination Figure 5 and Fig. 9 As shown, the vacuum interface 1000 of the mass spectrometer also includes a limiter 600, which is a limiter plate. The limiter plate is movably arranged on the connecting sleeve so that the limiter plate has a first position and a second position. The second connecting column 320 is provided with a limiter groove 620 (the specific structure of the limiter groove 620 can be seen in Figure 6), in the first position, the limiting plate can be limitedly matched in the limiting groove 620, and in the second position, the limiting plate and the limiting groove 620 are spaced apart. Because the limiting plate is provided on the connecting sleeve, when the limiting plate is limitedly matched in the limiting groove 620, the limiting match between the first connecting member 120 and the second connecting column 320 can be achieved, and then the limiting match between the first connecting member 120 and the sample injection member 300 can be achieved, so that the sample injection member 300 can be stably arranged on the first connecting member 120, improve the position stability of the sample injection member 300, and ensure the working performance of the sample injection member 300 to a certain extent; when the limiting plate and the limiting groove 620 are spaced apart, so that the limiting member 600 and the second connecting column 320 are spaced apart, to a certain extent, the limiting member 600 is prevented from hindering the movement of the second connecting column 320, which is conducive to the disassembly and assembly of the sample injection member 300, thereby achieving the detachable match between the sample injection member 300 and the first connecting member 120, and reducing the difficulty of assembly and disassembly of the sample injection member 300.

[0097] That is to say, by setting the limit member 600 and movably setting the limit member 600 on the connecting sleeve, the first connecting member 120 and the sample injection member 300 can be tightly connected together, and the sample injection member 300 can also be disassembled, thereby realizing the detachable cooperation between the sample injection member 300 and the first connecting member 120, thereby improving the working performance of the vacuum interface 1000.

[0098] In the description of the present invention, features defined as “first” or “second” may explicitly or implicitly include one or more such features, and are used to distinguish and describe the features, without any distinction in order or importance.

[0099] In some embodiments, in combination Figure 7-10 As shown, the vacuum interface 1000 of the mass spectrometer further includes a driving member 700, which is a driving plate, which is connected to the limiting plate and extends toward the radially outer side of the vacuum interface 1000, and is used to drive the limiting plate to move between the first position and the second position. This allows the limiting plate to effectively reciprocate between the first position and the second position, reduces the difficulty of moving the limiting plate, and facilitates the use of the limiting plate to realize the detachable cooperation between the sample injection member 300 and the first connecting member 120, thereby reducing the difficulty of assembling and disassembling the sample injection member 300, and ensuring the working performance of the sample injection member 300 to a certain extent.

[0100] At the same time, by setting the drive plate to extend toward the radial outside of the vacuum interface 1000, at least part of the drive plate can be set close to the radial outside of the vacuum interface 1000, so that the user can better operate the drive plate to control the reciprocating movement of the limit plate between the first position and the second position, thereby reducing the difficulty of moving the limit plate.

[0101] In some embodiments, Fig. 9As shown, a guide member 710 is provided on the driving member 700, and the guide member 710 is used to guide the driving member 700 to move in a predetermined direction, so as to avoid the driving member 700 from being offset during the movement to a certain extent, thereby facilitating the use of the driving member 700 to drive the limit plate to move between the first position and the second position, thereby improving the position accuracy of the limit plate.

[0102] Alternatively, if Fig. 9 As shown, the guide member 710 is a guide groove, and a guide column is provided on the vacuum interface 1000. The guide column cooperates with the guide groove to guide the driving member 700 to move in a predetermined direction.

[0103] Of course, in some other embodiments, the guide member 710 may also be formed as a guide column (not shown in this example figure), and a guide groove is provided on the vacuum interface 1000. The guide column cooperates with the guide groove to guide the driving member 700 to move in a predetermined direction.

[0104] In other embodiments, the driving member 700 may also be formed as a driving motor, and the output end of the driving motor is connected to the limit plate, and the driving plate may be used to drive the limit plate to move between the first position and the second position.

[0105] In some embodiments, Figure 5 As shown, the vacuum interface 1000 of the mass spectrometer further includes a first elastic member 800, and the first elastic member 800 is used to drive the limiting plate to move toward the first position. When the limiting plate is in the first position, the limiting plate can be limitedly matched in the limiting groove 620. By setting the first elastic member 800 to drive the limiting plate to move toward the first position, it can be ensured that the limiting plate can be kept in the first position under the action of the first elastic member 800, thereby ensuring that the limiting plate can be effectively limited in the limiting groove 620, so as to achieve the limited matching between the first connecting member 120 and the sample injection member 300, so that the sample injection member 300 can be stably arranged on the first connecting member 120.

[0106] In some embodiments, Figure 5 As shown, at least part of the limiting plate is arranged on the outer periphery of the connecting sleeve to form a matching plate 610, and the opposite ends of the first elastic member 800 are respectively abutted against the connecting sleeve and the matching plate 610. It is convenient to use the first elastic member 800 to drive the matching plate 610 to move relative to the connecting sleeve, and then to use the first elastic member 800 to drive the limiting plate to move toward the first position, so that the limiting plate can be kept in the first position under the action of the first elastic member 800, thereby realizing the limiting matching of the first connecting member 120 and the sample injection member 300.

[0107] In some embodiments, Figure 5As shown, the first elastic member 800 is a first spring, and the opposite ends of the first spring are respectively abutted against the connecting sleeve and the matching plate 610. While making it easy to use the first elastic member 800 to control the limit plate to remain in the first position, it can also simplify the structure of the first elastic member 800 and reduce the use cost of the first elastic member 800.

[0108] In some embodiments, in combination Figure 5 and Fig. 9 As shown, the limiting plate is arranged at one end of the connecting sleeve close to the second connecting column 320, and a slide groove 630 is arranged on the connecting sleeve, and at least part of the limiting plate is slidably fitted in the slide groove 630. The slide groove 630 can determine the movement direction of the limiting plate, so that the limiting plate can effectively move along the predetermined direction, and the accuracy of the movement trajectory of the limiting plate is ensured, so that the limiting plate can accurately move between the first position and the second position, so as to facilitate the use of the limiting plate to realize the detachable fit between the first connecting member 120 and the sample injection member 300.

[0109] In some embodiments, Fig. 9 As shown, one of the connecting sleeve and the limiting plate is provided with a guide column 420, and the other is provided with a guide groove 640, the extension direction of the guide groove 640 is consistent with the moving direction of the limiting plate, and the guide column 420 is limitedly matched in the guide groove 640 and movably matched with the guide groove 640. The moving direction of the limiting plate is further limited, so that the limiting plate can effectively move along the predetermined direction, and the accuracy of the moving trajectory of the limiting plate is ensured.

[0110] At the same time, the cooperation between the guide column 420 and the guide groove 640 can also ensure that the limit plate can be stably set on the connecting sleeve, preventing the limit plate from falling off the connecting sleeve, and ensuring the position stability of the limit plate to a certain extent, thereby ensuring the working performance of the limit plate.

[0111] In some embodiments, in combination Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the vacuum interface 1000 of the mass spectrometer further includes a second elastic member 900, which is used to drive the second connecting column 320 to move in a direction away from the connecting sleeve. In this way, when the sample injection member 300 needs to be disassembled, the second elastic member 900 can be used to push the sample injection member 300 out, thereby reducing the difficulty of disassembling the sample injection member 300.

[0112] At the same time, since the matching accuracy requirements between the second connecting column 320 and the first connecting member 120 are relatively high, if the second connecting column 320 is directly pulled out of the first connecting member 120 by hand during the removal of the sample injection member 300, it is difficult to ensure that the force of the hand can be evenly distributed in all directions of the sample injection member 300, so that the sample injection member 300 only bears the force parallel to the axial direction without generating a force component perpendicular to the axial direction. If a force component perpendicular to the axial direction is generated, the friction between the first connecting member 120 and the second connecting column 320 will be aggravated, which will not only make the second connecting column 320 difficult to remove, but also cause wear, thereby reducing the installation accuracy of the sample injection member 300, and ultimately affecting the working performance of the vacuum interface 1000.

[0113] Based on this, the present application provides a second elastic member 900 that can drive the second connecting column 320 to move in a direction away from the connecting sleeve, so as to avoid, to a certain extent, the increase in friction between the first connecting member 120 and the second connecting column 320 when the sample injection member 300 is disassembled.

[0114] In some embodiments, Figure 5 As shown, the second elastic member 900 is a second spring. The second spring can simplify the structure of the second elastic member 900 and reduce the use cost of the second elastic member 900 while ensuring the working performance of the second elastic member 900.

[0115] In some embodiments, Figure 5 As shown, the second elastic member 900 is disposed in the connecting sleeve and abuts against the second connecting column 320. Thus, the second elastic member 900 is used to drive the second connecting column 320 to move away from the connecting sleeve, thereby reducing the difficulty of moving the second connecting column 320 and making it easier to disassemble the sample injection member 300.

[0116] In some embodiments, Figure 5 As shown, the connecting sleeve is provided with a first assembly channel 121 and a second assembly channel 122 which are interconnected, the second assembly channel 122 is arranged close to the second connecting column 320, the second elastic member 900 is arranged in the first assembly channel 121, and one end of the second connecting column 320 is passed through the second assembly channel 122 and extends into the first assembly channel 121. This is to facilitate the stop fit between the second elastic member 900 and the second connecting column 320, so that the second elastic member 900 is used to drive the second connecting column 320 to move in a direction away from the connecting sleeve, thereby reducing the difficulty of disassembling the sample injection member 300.

[0117] In some embodiments, Figure 5As shown, the inner diameter of the first assembly channel 121 is larger than the inner diameter of the second assembly channel 122, so as to form a step surface at the connection between the first assembly channel 121 and the second assembly channel 122, and the step surface is used to limit the expansion and contraction amount of the second elastic member 900. In this way, the second elastic member 900 can be prevented from extending into the second assembly channel 122 to wear the second assembly channel 122, and the structural accuracy of the second assembly channel 122 can be guaranteed to a certain extent, which is conducive to ensuring the matching accuracy of the second connecting column 320 and the second assembly channel 122, and improving the assembly accuracy of the sample injection member 300.

[0118] In some embodiments, Figure 5 As shown, the vacuum interface 1000 of the mass spectrometer also includes a gasket 930, which is arranged on the step surface. The gasket 930 is suitable for abutting against the second elastic member 900 to absorb and disperse the vibration and impact generated by the second elastic member 900 during operation, reduce the impact of the second elastic member 900 on the connecting sleeve, and while reducing the vibration and noise of the connecting sleeve, it can also protect the connecting sleeve, avoid damage to the connecting sleeve, extend the service life of the connecting sleeve, and help to improve the matching accuracy of the second connecting column 320 and the second assembly channel 122.

[0119] In some embodiments, the gasket 930 is formed as a rubber gasket or a silicone gasket, which ensures the working performance of the gasket 930 to a certain extent.

[0120] It is worth emphasizing that by configuring the interface body 110 and the first connecting member 120 as separate parts, the difficulty of assembling the second elastic member 900 and the limiting member 600 can be effectively reduced, thereby facilitating the installation accuracy of the sample injection member 300.

[0121] Through the above arrangement, in a specific example, when the sample injection component 300 needs to be assembled, the second connecting component 400 is first installed to the interface body 110 through the first fastener, and then the second elastic component 900 and the gasket 930 are installed in the first connecting component 120, and the limiting component 600 is arranged at the end of the first connecting component 120 away from the second elastic component 900, and then the first connecting component 120 equipped with the second elastic component 900 and the gasket 930 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the second connecting component 400 and fixedly matched with the second connecting component 400 through the second fastener 500 to realize the fixed connection between the first connecting component 120 and the interface body 110, and finally the second connecting column 320 on the sample injection component 300 is assembled in the first connecting component 120 to realize the fixed connection between the sample injection component 300 and the interface body 110.

[0122] In some embodiments, in combination Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Fig.11As shown, the vacuum interface 1000 of the mass spectrometer further includes a vacuum pumping member 910, the interior of the vacuum pumping member 910 is hollow to form a vacuum pumping channel 911, and the vacuum pumping channel 911 is connected to the vacuum chamber 111. The vacuum pumping member 910 is used to extract the gas in the vacuum chamber 111, and the extracted air is then discharged through the vacuum pumping channel 911, so that the vacuum chamber 111 is always in a vacuum state. The vacuum state can reduce the collision and fragmentation of ions during the transmission process, improve the transmission efficiency and resolution of ions, and thus ensure the working performance of the vacuum interface 1000.

[0123] In some embodiments, in combination Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the mass analyzer 200 is a quadrupole assembly, which includes a first group of quadrupoles 210 and a second group of quadrupoles 220. The first group of quadrupoles 210 and the second group of quadrupoles 220 are arranged in sequence in the vacuum chamber 111, and the first group of quadrupoles 210 is close to the first opening 1111. Among them, the first group of quadrupoles 210 is mainly used to screen the charged ions of non-target components. The screened charged ions collide with the electrodes under the action of the electric field, thereby causing physical or chemical adsorption, neutralization reaction, surface chemical reaction and other changes, which ensures the working performance of the vacuum interface 1000 to a certain extent.

[0124] In some embodiments, in combination Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the vacuum channel 911 is at least directly opposite to the first opening 1111 and one end of the first group of quadrupole rods 210 close to the second group of quadrupole rods 220 .

[0125] It should be noted that, in the prior art, the vacuum channel 911 is usually arranged close to the sample injection part 300 to ensure that the area behind the sample injection part 300 can quickly reach a high vacuum state, thereby minimizing the interference of the gas on the target ions in the quadrupole assembly. However, it has been found through long-term experiments that the first group of quadrupoles 210 at the downstream end of the sample injection part 300 is mainly used to screen the charged ions of non-target components. The screened charged ions collide with the electrodes under the action of the electric field, thereby causing physical or chemical adsorption, neutralization reaction, surface chemical reaction and other changes. Physical or chemical adsorption can be achieved through The adverse effects on the electrode can be eliminated through desorption. If the vacuum channel 911 is too close to the sample injection part 300, the impurities generated during the desorption of the first group of quadrupoles 210 are not easy to be eliminated. This is because the negative pressure at the upstream end of the vacuum channel 911 is less than the negative pressure at the downstream end, and the impurities downstream are not easy to be completely eliminated by vacuum extraction. Neutralization reactions and surface chemical reactions will produce impurities such as electrically neutral molecules. If the vacuum channel 911 is too close to the sample injection part 300, the neutral molecules and other impurities produced by the ions contacting the electrode will move in the opposite direction, which may easily interfere with the movement of the target ions.

[0126] Based on this, the present application sets the vacuum channel 911 to at least face the first opening 1111 and one end of the first group of quadrupoles 210 close to the second group of quadrupoles 220, which is beneficial to the discharge of impurities generated during the analysis of the first group of quadrupoles 210, and reduces the interference of impurities such as neutral molecules generated by the ion contact electrodes in the reverse direction on the movement of target ions, thereby greatly improving the working performance of the mass analyzer 200, thereby improving the performance of the mass spectrometer.

[0127] In some embodiments, Figure 3 As shown, the vacuum interface 1000 of the mass spectrometer further includes an adjustment bracket 920, which is respectively connected to the first set of quadrupole rods 210 and the second set of quadrupole rods 220. The adjustment bracket 920 is used to install and adjust the quadrupole assembly, thereby ensuring that the quadrupole assembly can form an almost completely parallel and symmetrical hyperbolic electrode electric field, and to a certain extent, ensure the working performance of the quadrupole assembly.

[0128] The mass spectrometer according to an embodiment of the present invention is described below.

[0129] A mass spectrometer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a vacuum interface 1000 of the mass spectrometer.

[0130] The vacuum interface 1000 is the aforementioned vacuum interface 1000 , and the specific structure of the vacuum interface 1000 is not described in detail herein.

[0131] It can be seen from the above structure that the mass spectrometer of the embodiment of the present invention can improve the working performance of the mass spectrometer by adopting the aforementioned vacuum interface 1000.

[0132] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0133] Figure 5 Two second fasteners 500 are shown for illustrative purposes, but after reading the above technical solution, ordinary technicians can obviously understand that the solution can be applied to a technical solution of one, three, four or more second fasteners 500, which also falls within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0134] The specific structures of the vacuum interface 1000 of the mass spectrometer according to the embodiment of the present invention and other components of the mass spectrometer, such as the second fastener 500 , are known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0135] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "embodiment", "example", etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0136] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A vacuum interface for a mass spectrometer, characterized in that: include: A main body (100), the main body (100) comprising an interface body (110) and a first connecting piece (120) formed as separate parts, one end of the first connecting piece (120) being connected to the interface body (110), the interface body (110) being formed as an integrally formed part and having a hollow interior to form a vacuum chamber (111), the vacuum chamber (111) comprising a first opening (1111) and a second opening (1112) arranged opposite to each other, and the vacuum chamber (111) is suitable for arranging a mass analyzer (200); A sample injection piece (300), the sample injection piece (300) is arranged at the first opening (1111) and is detachably connected to the other end of the first connecting piece (120), the sample injection piece (300) has a sample injection port (310) connected to the first opening (1111), the sample injection port (310) is used to transport ions to be measured toward the vacuum chamber (111), and in the direction toward the vacuum chamber (111), the opening size of at least part of the sample injection port (310) gradually increases.

2. The vacuum interface of a mass spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a second connecting member (400), and one end of the first connecting member (120) is detachably connected to the interface body (110) via the second connecting member (400).

3. The vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a first fastener, the second connecting member (400) is a first connecting column, the first connecting column is provided with a first connecting hole (410) passing through it, the interface body (110) is provided with a matching hole (112), the first fastener is passed through the first connecting hole (410) and is fixedly connected in the matching hole (112); The first connecting member (120) is a connecting sleeve, at least a portion of which is sleeved on the outer circumference of the first connecting column and fixedly matched with the first connecting column.

4. The vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a second fastener (500), and a second connection hole (510) is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the connection sleeve and penetrates the connection sleeve in a radial direction. The second fastener (500) is inserted into the second connection hole (510) and is abutted against the first connection column.

5. The vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The matching hole (112) is opened on the side wall of the interface body (110) and extends along the thickness direction of the side wall, and the extension length of the matching hole (112) is less than the thickness of the side wall.

6. The vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer according to claim 3, characterized in that: One end of the first fastener facing away from the matching hole (112) is located in the first connecting hole (410).

7. The vacuum interface of a mass spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first connecting member (120) is a connecting sleeve, and the sample injection member (300) is provided with a second connecting column (320). The second connecting column (320) is arranged in the connecting sleeve and is limitedly matched with the connecting sleeve.

8. The vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer according to claim 7, characterized in that: The invention also includes a limiting member (600), which is a limiting plate. The limiting plate is movably arranged on the connecting sleeve so that the limiting plate has a first position and a second position. A limiting groove (620) is provided on the second connecting column (320). In the first position, the limiting plate can be limitedly fitted in the limiting groove (620). In the second position, the limiting plate and the limiting groove (620) are spaced apart.

9. The vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer according to claim 8, characterized in that: The invention also comprises a driving member (700), wherein the driving member (700) is a driving plate, wherein the driving plate is connected to the limiting plate and extends radially outward from the vacuum interface, and wherein the driving plate is used to drive the limiting plate to move between the first position and the second position.

10. The vacuum interface of a mass spectrometer according to claim 8, characterized in that: It also includes a first elastic member (800), wherein the first elastic member (800) is used to drive the limiting plate to move toward the first position.

11. The vacuum interface of a mass spectrometer according to claim 10, characterized in that: At least a portion of the limit plate is arranged on the outer periphery of the connecting sleeve to form a matching plate (610), and opposite ends of the first elastic member (800) are respectively abutted against the connecting sleeve and the matching plate (610).

12. The vacuum interface of a mass spectrometer according to claim 8, characterized in that: The limiting plate is arranged at one end of the connecting sleeve close to the second connecting column (320), and a sliding groove (630) is provided on the connecting sleeve, and at least a part of the limiting plate is slidably fitted in the sliding groove (630).

13. The vacuum interface of a mass spectrometer according to claim 8, characterized in that: A guide column (420) is provided on one of the connecting sleeve and the limiting plate, and a guide groove (640) is provided on the other. The extension direction of the guide groove (640) is consistent with the moving direction of the limiting plate. The guide column (420) is limitedly engaged in the guide groove (640) and is movably engaged with the guide groove (640).

14. The vacuum interface of a mass spectrometer according to claim 8, characterized in that: It also includes a second elastic member (900), wherein the second elastic member (900) is used to drive the second connecting column (320) to move in a direction away from the connecting sleeve.

15. The vacuum interface of a mass spectrometer according to claim 14, characterized in that: The second elastic member (900) is disposed in the connecting sleeve and is abutted against the second connecting column (320).

16. The vacuum interface of the mass spectrometer according to claim 15, characterized in that: The connecting sleeve is provided with a first assembly channel (121) and a second assembly channel (122) which are interconnected, the second assembly channel (122) is arranged close to the second connecting column (320), the second elastic member (900) is arranged in the first assembly channel (121), and one end of the second connecting column (320) is passed through the second assembly channel (122) and extends into the first assembly channel (121); The inner diameter of the first assembly channel (121) is greater than the inner diameter of the second assembly channel (122), so as to form a step surface at the connection between the first assembly channel (121) and the second assembly channel (122), and the step surface is used to limit the expansion and contraction amount of the second elastic member (900).

17. The vacuum interface of a mass spectrometer according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that: It also includes a vacuum pumping member (910), the interior of the vacuum pumping member (910) is hollow to form a vacuum pumping channel (911), and the vacuum pumping channel (911) is connected to the vacuum chamber (111).

18. The vacuum interface of a mass spectrometer according to claim 17, characterized in that: The mass analyzer (200) is a quadrupole assembly, the quadrupole assembly comprising a first group of quadrupoles (210) and a second group of quadrupoles (220), the first group of quadrupoles (210) and the second group of quadrupoles (220) being arranged in sequence in the vacuum chamber (111), and the first group of quadrupoles (210) being close to the first opening (1111); The vacuum channel (911) is at least directly opposite to the first opening (1111) and one end of the first group of quadrupoles (210) close to the second group of quadrupoles (220).

19. A mass spectrometer, characterized in that: A vacuum interface comprising a mass spectrometer according to any one of claims 1-18.

Images