A sample introduction device for a mass spectrometer

Abstract

This application provides a sample introduction device for a mass spectrometer, including a sample loading turntable with two sets of placement slots arranged in a ring at equal intervals from the inside out; and a sampling mechanism including a sampling frame that reciprocates vertically, on which a sampling tube is movably mounted, and an adjustment component for controlling the horizontal reciprocating movement of the sampling tube. By setting two rings of placement slots on the sample loading turntable, when a large batch of samples needs to be tested, the sampling mechanism first performs vertical lifting and lowering motion to complete the sampling of the outer ring of sample reagent bottles. Then, the adjustment component moves the sampling tube inward on the sampling frame, and the sampling mechanism performs vertical lifting and lowering motion again to complete the sampling of the inner ring of sample reagent bottles. The sampling process in all sample reagent bottles within the inner and outer rings of placement slots is completed alternately through the intermittent coordination of the adjustment component, thereby improving work efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of mass spectrometers, and more specifically, to a sample introduction device for a mass spectrometer. Background Technology

[0002] A mass spectrometer is a precision scientific instrument used to analyze and identify the composition and structure of compounds. Its working principle is based on ionizing molecules or atoms in a sample into charged particles (ions), and then separating them in a vacuum environment using electric and magnetic fields according to the mass-to-charge ratio (mass to charge ratio). Finally, the relative abundance of each ion is recorded by a detector. It has extremely high sensitivity and accuracy and is widely used in fields such as chemistry, biology, pharmacy, and environmental monitoring. It can be used to determine molecular weight, resolve molecular structure, identify isotopic composition, and quantitatively analyze specific components in complex mixtures.

[0003] As a key piece of equipment in modern analytical testing, the efficiency of the mass spectrometer's sample introduction system directly affects the overall throughput and automation level. Currently, common automated sample introduction devices adopt a turntable (or sample tray) design, with sample vials (such as injection vials) arranged in a ring within fixed placement slots on the edge of the turntable. The positioning, puncture, sample aspiration, and injection operations are completed sequentially through the intermittent rotation of the turntable and the vertical lifting and lowering motion of the sampling mechanism (such as the injection needle). However, the single-ring, single-layer sample arrangement in conventional turntable structures limits the number of samples that can be loaded at one time. The placement slots can usually only be arranged in one ring. When conducting continuous testing of large batches of samples, operators need to frequently pause the testing, change the sample tray, and reinitialize the system, which not only increases manual intervention but also interrupts the testing process and reduces overall operating efficiency.

[0004] Therefore, we have made improvements to this and proposed a sample introduction device for mass spectrometers. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the problem that the single-ring, single-layer sample arrangement method in the existing conventional turntable structure limits the number of samples that can be loaded at one time. The placement slots can usually only be arranged in one ring. When conducting continuous testing of large batches of samples, operators need to frequently pause the testing, change the sample trays, and reinitialize the system. This not only increases manual intervention but also causes interruptions in the testing process and reduces the overall operating efficiency.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides the following sample introduction device for mass spectrometers to improve the aforementioned problems.

[0007] The application is as follows:

[0008] A sample introduction device for a mass spectrometer, comprising:

[0009] The sample loading turntable has two sets of placement slots arranged in a ring at equal intervals from the inside out. The placement slots are used to place sample reagent bottles.

[0010] The sampling mechanism includes a sampling frame that reciprocates vertically, a sampling tube that is movably mounted on the sampling frame, and an adjustment component for controlling the horizontal reciprocating motion of the sampling tube. The adjustment component is used to control the sampling tube to sequentially extract reagent samples from the inner and outer placement slots.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the included angle between the two placement slots on the inner side of the sample loading turntable is equal to the included angle between the two placement slots on the outer side.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the sample transfer table is further provided with an annular sealing plate for sealing the inner annular placement groove, and the bottom of the annular sealing plate is provided with a connecting plug adapted to the placement groove.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the sampling mechanism further includes a connecting plate for mounting on the mass spectrometer body. A pair of slide rails are mounted on the connecting plate. The back side of the sampling frame has a vertical plate. A sliding sleeve adapted to the slide rails is mounted on the back side of the vertical plate. The vertical plate is driven to reciprocate along the slide rails by an external driving component.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the sampling frame further includes a support frame located outside the vertical plate. Both the upper and lower ends of the support frame are provided with guide slots for the linear movement of the sampling tube. The length of the guide slot is consistent with the distance between the two corresponding placement slots inside and outside.

[0015] As a preferred technical solution of this application, a support tube is slidably installed in the guide groove, the sampling tube is installed in the support tube, and a limiting ring for fixing the support tube is installed at the top of the sampling tube.

[0016] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the adjustment component includes a rotating shaft rotatably mounted on the inner side of the support frame, and a turntable located on the outer side of the support frame is mounted on both ends of the rotating shaft. A connecting rod is hinged between the turntable and the end of the support tube. A cam column for controlling the intermittent unidirectional rotation of the turntable is also mounted in the middle of the rotating shaft. A cam groove is provided on the cam column. A drive rod that is slidably connected to the cam groove is movably mounted on the connecting plate.

[0017] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the cam groove includes a pair of vertical grooves and an arc-shaped inclined groove arranged in a ring at equal intervals. The arc-shaped inclined groove is disposed between the two vertical grooves and its two ends are smoothly connected to the mating ends of the two vertical grooves respectively.

[0018] As a preferred technical solution of this application, a fixed seat is installed on the connecting plate, and a threaded tube for controlling the drive rod to move along its axial direction is rotatably installed on the fixed seat. The outer end of the drive rod is threadedly connected to the threaded tube, and the inner end is linearly inserted into the fixed seat.

[0019] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the support frame has connecting holes for mounting the pivot on both sides, and the vertical plate has a movable slot in the middle for the drive rod to pass through.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0021] In the scheme of this application:

[0022] 1. This application increases the number of sample reagent bottles that can be placed by setting two rings of placement slots on the sample loading turntable. During normal testing, sample reagent bottles can be placed sequentially in the outer ring placement slot on the sample loading turntable. The routine sample injection is completed by the intermittent rotation of the sample loading turntable and the vertical lifting and lowering movement of the sampling mechanism. When a large number of samples need to be tested, sample reagent bottles can be placed sequentially in both the inner and outer ring placement slots on the sample loading turntable. The sampling of the outer ring sample reagent bottles is completed first by the vertical lifting and lowering movement of the sampling mechanism. Then, the sampling tube is moved inward on the sampling frame by the adjustment component, and the sampling of the inner ring sample reagent bottles is completed by the vertical lifting and lowering movement of the sampling mechanism. The sampling process of all sample reagent bottles in the inner and outer ring placement slots is completed alternately by the intermittent coordination of the adjustment component, thereby improving the efficiency of the work. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of the sample introduction device for the mass spectrometer provided in this application;

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the sample loading turntable for the mass spectrometer sample introduction device provided in this application;

[0025] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the sampling mechanism of the mass spectrometer injection device provided in this application;

[0026] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the connection structure between the support tube and the cam column of the mass spectrometer injection device provided in this application;

[0027] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the drive rod of the mass spectrometer sample introduction device provided in this application;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the sampling frame of the mass spectrometer injection device provided in this application.

[0029] The image shows:

[0030] 100. Sample loading turntable; 101. Placement slot; 102. Annular sealing plate; 103. Connecting plug;

[0031] 200. Sampling mechanism; 201. Sampling tube; 202. Sampling frame; 2021. Vertical plate; 2022. Sliding sleeve; 2023. Support frame; 2024. Guide groove; 2025. Connecting hole; 2026. Movable groove; 203. Connecting plate; 204. Slide rail; 205. Support tube; 2051. Limiting ring; 206. Rotating shaft; 207. Turntable; 208. Connecting rod; 209. Cam column; 2091. Vertical groove; 2092. Arc-shaped inclined groove; 210. Drive rod; 2101. Fixed seat; 2102. Threaded tube. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] The present invention will be further described below with reference to embodiments.

[0034] Example: Refer to Figures 1 to 6 A sample loading device for a mass spectrometer addresses the limitations of conventional mass spectrometers with single-circle, single-layer sample arrangement on the turntable. This limitation restricts the number of samples that can be loaded at one time, as the placement slot 101 typically only allows for one circle of samples. During continuous detection of large batches of samples, operators must frequently pause the detection process, change sample trays, and reinitialize the system, increasing manual intervention, interrupting the detection flow, and reducing overall operational efficiency. The device includes a sample loading turntable 100 and a sampling mechanism 200.

[0035] The sample loading turntable 100 has two sets of placement slots 101 arranged in a ring at equal intervals from the inside out. The placement slots 101 are used to place sample reagent bottles.

[0036] The sampling mechanism 200 includes a sampling frame 202 that reciprocates in the vertical direction. A sampling tube 201 is movably disposed on the sampling frame 202. The sampling frame 202 is also provided with an adjustment component for controlling the horizontal reciprocating movement of the sampling tube 201. The adjustment component is used to control the sampling tube 201 to sequentially extract reagent samples from the inner and outer placement slots 101.

[0037] This application increases the number of sample reagent bottles that can be placed by setting two rings of placement slots 101 on the sample loading turntable 100. During normal testing, sample reagent bottles can be placed sequentially in the outer ring placement slot 101 on the sample loading turntable 100. The routine sample injection is completed by the intermittent rotation of the sample loading turntable 100 and the vertical lifting and lowering movement of the sampling mechanism 200. When a large number of samples need to be tested, sample reagent bottles can be placed sequentially in both the inner and outer ring placement slots 101 on the sample loading turntable 100. First, the sampling of the outer ring sample reagent bottles is completed by the vertical lifting and lowering movement of the sampling mechanism 200. Then, the sampling tube 201 is moved inward on the sampling frame 202 by the adjustment component, and the sampling of the inner ring sample reagent bottles is completed by the vertical lifting and lowering movement of the sampling mechanism 200. The sampling process of all sample reagent bottles in the inner and outer ring placement slots 101 is completed alternately by the intermittent coordination of the adjustment component, thereby improving the efficiency of the work.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 2 As shown, the included angle between the two inner placement slots 101 on the sample loading turntable 100 is equal to the included angle between the two outer placement slots 101, so that the two adjacent placement slots 101 in the inner and outer rings are arranged linearly, which facilitates the sampling tube 201 to take samples in sequence.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the sample loading turntable 100 is also provided with an annular sealing plate 102 for sealing the inner annular placement groove 101. The bottom of the annular sealing plate 102 is provided with a connecting plug 103 that is compatible with the placement groove 101. When the mass spectrometer is working normally, it seals the inner ring placement groove 101 on the sample loading turntable 100, which is convenient for staff to place sample reagent bottles, avoids the inner and outer rings from being placed incorrectly, and also prevents foreign objects from entering the inner ring placement groove 101 when it is not in use.

[0040] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the sampling mechanism 200 also includes a connecting plate 203 for mounting on the mass spectrometer body. A pair of slide rails 204 are mounted on the connecting plate 203. The back side of the sampling frame 202 has a vertical plate 2021. The back side of the vertical plate 2021 is equipped with a sliding sleeve 2022 that is compatible with the slide rails 204. Preferably, four sliding sleeves 2022 are provided and are respectively installed at the upper and lower ends of the vertical plate 2021. The vertical plate 2021 is driven to reciprocate along the slide rails 204 by an external driving component, thereby driving the sampling tube 201 on the sampling frame 202 to move up and down to complete the sampling work.

[0041] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 and Figure 6As shown, the sampling frame 202 also includes a support frame 2023 located outside the vertical plate 2021. Both the upper and lower ends of the support frame 2023 are provided with guide slots 2024 for the linear movement of the sampling tube 201. The length of the guide slot 2024 is consistent with the distance between the two corresponding placement slots 101, that is, when the sampling tube 201 is located at the outer end of the guide slot 2024, it is vertically aligned with the outer ring placement slot 101; that is, when the sampling tube 201 is located at the inner end of the guide slot 2024, it is vertically aligned with the inner ring placement slot 101. A support tube 205 is slidably installed in the guide slot 2024, and the sampling tube 201 is installed in the support tube 205. A limiting ring 2051 for fixing the support tube 205 is installed at the top of the sampling tube 201. The support tube 205 is provided to prevent the sampling tube 201 from directly contacting the inner wall of the guide slot 2024, thereby avoiding wear on the sampling tube 201 and affecting the sampling work.

[0042] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the adjustment assembly includes a rotating shaft 206 rotatably mounted inside the support frame 2023. Turntables 207 located outside the support frame 2023 are mounted at both ends of the rotating shaft 206. A connecting rod 208 is hinged between the turntables 207 and the end of the support tube 205. A cam post 209 for controlling the intermittent unidirectional rotation of the turntables 207 is also mounted in the middle of the rotating shaft 206. A cam groove is provided on the cam post 209. A drive rod 210 that is slidably connected to the cam groove is movably mounted on the connecting plate 203. The cam groove includes a pair of vertical grooves 2091 and an arc-shaped inclined groove 2092 arranged in an annular shape at equal intervals. The arc-shaped inclined groove 2092 is located between the two vertical grooves 2091 and its two ends are smoothly connected to the mating ends of the two vertical grooves 2091.

[0043] Through the cam post 209 and drive rod 210, when the drive rod 210 slides into contact with the cam groove on the cam post 209, the sampling frame 202 drives the sampling tube 201 to move vertically downwards first. During this process, the end of the drive rod 210 slides relative to the vertical groove 2091. The cam post 209, turntable 207, and connecting rod remain stationary relative to the support frame. After the sampling tube 201 completes sampling of the corresponding sample reagent bottle, the sampling frame 202 drives the sampling tube 201 to move vertically upwards to reset. When the drive rod 210 enters the arc-shaped inclined groove 2092, it presses the inner wall of the arc-shaped inclined groove 2092, causing the cam column 209 and the turntable 207 to rotate 180°. Through the push of the connecting rod, the support tube 205 carries the sampling tube 201 along the guide groove 2024 to its inner end, and the sampling tube 201 is opposite to the sample reagent bottle of the inner ring. The above process is repeated to complete the sampling of the sample reagent bottles in the two placement grooves 101 on the inner and outer rings in turn, which is suitable for the detection process of large batches of samples.

[0044] Furthermore, such as Figure 4and Figure 5 As shown, a fixed seat 2101 is installed on the connecting plate 203. A threaded tube 2102 for controlling the drive rod 210 to move along its axial direction is rotatably installed on the fixed seat 2101. The outer end of the drive rod 210 is threadedly connected to the threaded tube 2102, and the inner end is linearly inserted into the fixed seat 2101. The support frame 2023 has rotating shafts 206 on both sides with connecting holes 2025. The vertical plate 2021 has a movable slot 2026 in the middle for the drive rod 210 to pass through. By rotating the threaded tube 2102, the drive rod 210 moves inward and separates from the cam groove. That is, during the vertical reciprocating motion of the sampling frame 202, the cam column 209 always remains relatively stationary. That is, the positions of the support tube 205 and the sampling tube 201 are fixed, which facilitates the sequential sampling of sample reagent bottles in a single ring.

[0045] The sampling mechanism 200 can be controlled to operate normally or in large batches by controlling whether the drive rod 210 is slidably connected to the cam groove. This avoids the design of traditional complex procedures and the installation of multiple drive mechanisms, saving costs and making the operation simple and convenient, thus improving the practicality of the device.

[0046] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0047] Obviously, the embodiments described above are merely some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. The accompanying drawings show preferred embodiments of the present invention, but do not limit the patent scope of the present invention. The present invention can be implemented in many different forms; rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of the disclosure of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing specific embodiments, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any equivalent structures made using the content of this specification and drawings, directly or indirectly applied to other related technical fields, are similarly within the patent protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A sample introduction device for a mass spectrometer, characterized in that, include: A sample loading turntable (100) has two sets of placement slots (101) arranged in a ring at equal intervals from the inside out. The placement slots (101) are used to place sample reagent bottles. The sampling mechanism (200) includes a sampling frame (202) that moves back and forth in the vertical direction. A sampling tube (201) is movably disposed on the sampling frame (202). The sampling frame (202) is also provided with an adjustment component for controlling the horizontal reciprocating movement of the sampling tube (201). The adjustment component is used to control the sampling tube (201) to sequentially extract reagent samples from the inner and outer placement slots (101).

2. The sample introduction device for a mass spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The included angle between the two inner placement slots (101) on the sample loading turntable (100) is equal to the included angle between the two outer placement slots (101).

3. The sample introduction device for a mass spectrometer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sample loading turntable (100) is also provided with an annular sealing plate (102) for sealing the inner annular placement groove (101), and the bottom of the annular sealing plate (102) is provided with a connecting plug (103) that is compatible with the placement groove (101).

4. The sample introduction device for a mass spectrometer according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sampling mechanism (200) also includes a connecting plate (203) for mounting on the mass spectrometer body. A pair of slide rails (204) are mounted on the connecting plate (203). The sampling frame (202) has a vertical plate (2021) on its back side. A sliding sleeve (2022) adapted to the slide rails (204) is mounted on the back side of the vertical plate (2021). The vertical plate (2021) is driven to reciprocate along the slide rails (204) by an external driving component.

5. A sample introduction device for a mass spectrometer according to claim 4, characterized in that, The sampling frame (202) also includes a support frame (2023) located outside the vertical plate (2021). The upper and lower ends of the support frame (2023) are provided with guide slots (2024) for linear movement of the sampling tube (201). The length of the guide slots (2024) is consistent with the distance between the two corresponding placement slots (101) inside and outside.

6. A sample introduction device for a mass spectrometer according to claim 5, characterized in that, A support tube (205) is slidably installed in the guide slot (2024), and a sampling tube (201) is installed in the support tube (205). A limiting ring (2051) for fixing the support tube (205) is installed at the top of the sampling tube (201).

7. A sample introduction device for a mass spectrometer according to claim 6, characterized in that, The adjustment assembly includes a rotating shaft (206) rotatably mounted inside the support frame (2023). Turntables (207) located outside the support frame (2023) are respectively mounted at both ends of the rotating shaft (206). A connecting rod (208) is hinged between the turntable (207) and the end of the support tube (205). A cam column (209) for controlling the intermittent unidirectional rotation of the turntable (207) is also mounted in the middle of the rotating shaft (206). A cam groove is provided on the cam column (209). A drive rod (210) that is slidably connected to the cam groove is movably mounted on the connecting plate (203).

8. A sample introduction device for a mass spectrometer according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cam groove (209) includes a pair of vertical grooves (2091) and an arc-shaped inclined groove (2092) arranged in an annular shape at equal intervals. The arc-shaped inclined groove (2092) is arranged between the two vertical grooves (2091) and its two ends are smoothly connected to the mating ends of the two vertical grooves (2091).

9. A sample introduction device for a mass spectrometer according to claim 8, characterized in that, A fixed seat (2101) is installed on the connecting plate (203). A threaded tube (2102) for controlling the drive rod (210) to move along its axial direction is rotatably installed on the fixed seat (2101). The outer end of the drive rod (210) is threadedly connected to the threaded tube (2102), and the inner end is linearly inserted into the fixed seat (2101).

10. A sample introduction device for a mass spectrometer according to claim 9, characterized in that, The support frame (2023) has a rotating shaft (206) on both sides and a connecting hole (2025) for mounting. The vertical plate (2021) has a movable slot (2026) in the middle for the drive rod (210) to pass through.

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