A transfer support device for air-sensitive samples

Abstract

This utility model relates to a transfer and support device for air-sensitive samples, comprising a base, a sample chamber, an exhaust chamber, and a moving device. The sample chamber is detachably mounted on the base and connected to the upstream side of the exhaust chamber via a connecting pipe. The downstream side of the exhaust chamber is detachably connected to an air pump via a spring-loaded sealing device. The spring-loaded sealing device includes a sealing shell and a spring-loaded component within the sealing shell. The upstream side of the sealing shell is aligned with the downstream side of the exhaust chamber. The air-blocking plate of the spring-loaded component is connected to the downstream side of the sealing shell via a spring. The spring-loaded component can move back and forth within the sealing shell under the action of air pressure and spring force. When the air-blocking plate seals the upstream side of the sealing shell, it seals both the sample chamber and the exhaust chamber. When the air-blocking plate moves to the downstream side of the sealing shell, the exhaust chamber connects to the sealing shell, allowing air to be drawn from both the sample chamber and the exhaust chamber. The moving device is installed in the detection chamber of a detection instrument and is used to remove the sample chamber, exposing the sample to the detection area for easy detection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of experimental testing technology for air-sensitive samples, specifically relating to a transfer and support device for air-sensitive samples. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of new energy technology, with the rapid development of new materials technology, people's exploration of the interfacial reactions of new materials is constantly deepening, which helps to uncover the interfacial reaction mechanism and improve energy utilization efficiency. Lithium metal, as the most important material in new energy batteries and a ternary cathode material, will produce surface alkali residue after contact with air, seriously affecting the material's performance. Currently, for these air-sensitive materials, experiments and assembly must be carried out in a glove box to avoid contact with air and subsequent experimental failure. However, after these materials are tested, they need to be detected using various large-scale testing instruments (especially time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS)) to characterize various performance data, requiring the materials to be transferred and transported in an air-isolated environment. Utility Model Content

[0003] The technical problem this utility model aims to solve is that most existing sample loading devices that can guarantee vacuum are manually disassembled. When the device is moved into the TOF-SIMS detection instrument, it still needs to be manually disassembled to expose the sample for testing. However, the vacuum detection chamber of the TOF-SIMS detection instrument is not large enough to support manual vacuum disassembly, making sample transfer very difficult. It often requires 2-3 transfers, resulting in low efficiency. The probability of sample problems during multiple transfers increases, leading to a high failure rate in the detection.

[0004] This utility model provides a transfer and carrying device for air-sensitive samples, including a base, a sample chamber, an exhaust chamber, and a moving device. The sample chamber is detachably mounted on the base, and the sample is placed in the sample chamber. The sample chamber is connected to the upstream side of the exhaust chamber through a connecting pipe. The downstream side of the exhaust chamber is detachably connected to an air pump through a spring-loaded sealing device for extracting air from the sample chamber and the exhaust chamber.

[0005] The spring-loaded sealing device includes a sealing shell and a spring-loaded component inside the sealing shell. The upstream side of the sealing shell is connected to the downstream side of the exhaust chamber. The gas-blocking plate of the spring-loaded component is connected to the downstream side of the sealing shell through a spring. The spring-loaded component can move back and forth inside the sealing shell under the action of air pressure and spring force. When the gas-blocking plate closes the upstream side of the sealing shell, it can seal the sample chamber and the exhaust chamber. When the gas-blocking plate moves to the downstream side of the sealing shell, the exhaust chamber is connected to the sealing shell, which can evacuate air from the sample chamber and the exhaust chamber.

[0006] The mobile device is installed inside the detection chamber of the testing instrument to remove the sample chamber, exposing the sample to the detection area for easy testing.

[0007] The detection instrument is a time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometer (TOF-SIMS).

[0008] Optionally, the sample chamber, exhaust chamber, sealing shell, and base are all cubic in shape and made of rigid material; the top surface of the sample chamber is provided with a magnetic sheet to accept the magnetic attraction of the moving device, which facilitates the automatic removal of the sample chamber;

[0009] The bottom of the sample chamber is empty, and the bottom of the sample chamber is provided with a skirt with through holes. The through holes of the skirt correspond one-to-one with the through holes on the base, so as to facilitate the connection of the sample chamber and the base with screws.

[0010] Alternatively, the bottom surface of the skirt is provided with a first groove, which is recessed upwards to accommodate a sealing ring for sealing the bottom of the sample chamber.

[0011] Optionally, the connecting pipe is a hollow rigid pipe, with its two ends welded to the side of the sample chamber and the side of the exhaust chamber, respectively, to connect the sample chamber and the exhaust chamber.

[0012] Optionally, the rebound sealing device also includes a sealing cover. The upstream side of the sealing shell is connected to the exhaust chamber by several screws and sealing gaskets, and the downstream side of the sealing shell is connected to the sealing cover by several screws and sealing gaskets. The sealing cover is provided with an interface for connecting to the external environment, which can be connected to a suction pump or a vacuum pump.

[0013] The rebound component is cylindrical and placed horizontally inside the sealing shell. The head of the rebound component is a circular air-blocking plate, and the head points towards the exhaust chamber. The length of the rebound component is less than the length of the sealing shell, which facilitates the rebound component to move back and forth inside the sealing shell.

[0014] Further optionally, the side of the baffle plate facing the exhaust chamber is provided with a second groove, which is recessed into the baffle plate to place a sealing ring to seal the downstream side of the exhaust chamber.

[0015] Further optionally, the side of the gas barrier facing the sealing cover is connected to a spring tube and several springs. The spring tube is a hollow cylindrical tube. The head of the spring tube is welded to the middle of the gas barrier and is concentrically arranged with the gas barrier. The tail of the spring tube points towards the sealing cover.

[0016] Several springs are evenly arranged along the circumference of the air-blocking plate, and the springs are connected to the sealing cover.

[0017] Further optionally, the tail end of the spring tube has several notches, which are evenly arranged along the circumference of the spring tube, and each notch is recessed along the axial direction of the spring tube toward the air baffle.

[0018] Optionally, the moving device includes a moving block, a connecting slot, and a magnet from top to bottom. The top surface of the connecting slot has a first slot for engaging the bottom of the moving block, and the bottom surface of the connecting slot has a second slot for engaging the magnet. The detection chamber is equipped with a slide rail and a lifting device connected to the slide rail. The top of the moving block is connected to the lifting device to control the movement and lifting of the moving device, facilitating the magnet to pick up the sample chamber.

[0019] The transfer and support device for air-sensitive samples described in this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] (1) The movable spring can move back and forth in the sealed shell. When the air is evacuated, the gas in the sample chamber and the exhaust chamber pushes the gas barrier and enters the sealed shell, and is then extracted by the air pump. After the sample chamber and the exhaust chamber are evacuated to a negative pressure, the external pressure is greater than the internal pressure. The air pressure pushes the gas barrier to the upstream side of the sealed shell to seal the exhaust chamber. At the same time, even if the connecting parts between the sample chamber and the base are removed, the external air pressure can press the sample chamber onto the base to protect the sample inside the sample chamber.

[0021] This allows the rigid connection between the sample chamber and the base to be manually removed from outside the testing chamber and glove box, while maintaining a negative pressure state inside the sample chamber.

[0022] (2) The mobile device is located in the detection chamber of the detection instrument and can move the sample chamber without the need for manual removal of the sample chamber. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the transfer and support device for air-sensitive samples;

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A side view diagram;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a bottom-view diagram of the sample chamber;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a disassembly diagram of the spring-loaded sealing device;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the springback component;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a mobile device.

[0029] In the attached diagram, 1-base, 2-sample chamber, 3-exhaust chamber, 4-connecting pipe, 5-sealing shell, 6-rebound component, 7-gas barrier, 8-magnet, 9-skirt, 10-first groove, 11-second groove, 12-sealing cover, 13-rebound tube, 14-notch, 15-moving block, 16-connecting slot. Detailed Implementation

[0030] This embodiment provides a transfer support device for air-sensitive samples, such as... Figures 1-6 As shown, it includes a base 1, a sample chamber 2, an exhaust chamber 3, and a moving device. The sample chamber 2 is detachably mounted on the base 1, and the sample is placed in the sample chamber 2. The sample chamber 2 is connected to the upstream side of the exhaust chamber 3 through a connecting pipe 4. The downstream side of the exhaust chamber 3 is detachably connected to an air pump through a spring-loaded sealing device for extracting air from the sample chamber 2 and the exhaust chamber 3.

[0031] The spring-loaded sealing device includes a sealing shell 5 and a spring-loaded component 6 inside the sealing shell 5. The upstream side of the sealing shell 5 is connected to the downstream side of the exhaust chamber 3. The gas-blocking plate 7 of the spring-loaded component 6 is connected to the downstream side of the sealing shell 5 through a spring. The spring-loaded component 6 can move back and forth inside the sealing shell 5 under the action of air pressure and spring force. When the gas-blocking plate 7 closes the upstream side of the sealing shell 5, it can seal the sample chamber 2 and the exhaust chamber 3. When the gas-blocking plate 7 moves to the downstream side of the sealing shell 5, the exhaust chamber 3 is connected to the sealing shell 5, and can evacuate air from the sample chamber 2 and the exhaust chamber 3.

[0032] The mobile device is installed inside the detection chamber of the detection instrument to remove sample chamber 2, so that the sample is exposed in the detection area for easy detection.

[0033] Optionally, the sample chamber 2, exhaust chamber 3, sealing shell 5 and base 1 are all cubic in shape and are all made of rigid material, such as stainless steel. The top surface of the sample chamber 2 is provided with a magnetic sheet to accept the magnetic attraction of the moving device, which facilitates the automatic removal of the sample chamber 2. The exhaust chamber 3 and sealing shell 5 are not connected to the base 1, but can contact the upper surface of the base 1.

[0034] The bottom of sample chamber 2 is empty. A skirt 9 is provided around the bottom of sample chamber 2. The skirt 9 has through holes, which correspond one-to-one with the through holes on the base 1, facilitating the connection of sample chamber 2 and base 1 with screws. Sample chamber 2 and skirt 9 are integrally formed, making them easy to assemble and disassemble.

[0035] Optionally, the bottom surface of the skirt 9 is provided with a first groove 10, which is recessed upward to accommodate a sealing ring for sealing the bottom of the sample chamber 2.

[0036] Optionally, the connecting pipe 4 is a hollow rigid pipe, and the two ends of the connecting pipe 4 are welded to the sides of the sample chamber 2 and the exhaust chamber 3 respectively, so as to connect the sample chamber 2 and the exhaust chamber 3.

[0037] Optionally, the rebound sealing device also includes a sealing cover 12. The upstream side of the sealing shell 5 is connected to the exhaust chamber 3 by several screws and sealing gaskets, and the downstream side of the sealing shell 5 is connected to the sealing cover 12 by several screws and sealing gaskets. The sealing cover is provided with an interface for connecting to the external environment, which can be connected to a suction pump or a vacuum pump.

[0038] The rebound member 6 is cylindrical and placed horizontally inside the sealing shell 5. The head of the rebound member 6 is a circular air-blocking plate 7, and the head points towards the exhaust chamber 3. The length of the rebound member 6 is less than the length of the sealing shell 5, which facilitates the rebound member 6 to move back and forth inside the sealing shell 5.

[0039] Optionally, the side of the baffle plate 7 facing the exhaust chamber 3 is provided with a second groove 11, which is recessed into the baffle plate 7 to place a sealing ring to seal the downstream side of the exhaust chamber 3.

[0040] Further optionally, the side of the air-blocking plate 7 facing the sealing cover 12 is connected to a spring tube 13 and several springs. The spring tube 13 is a hollow cylindrical tube. The head of the spring tube 13 is welded to the middle of the air-blocking plate 7 and is concentrically arranged with the air-blocking plate 7. The tail of the spring tube 13 points towards the sealing cover.

[0041] Several springs are evenly arranged along the circumference of the air-blocking plate 7, and the springs are connected to the sealing cover.

[0042] Further optionally, the tail end of the spring tube 13 has a plurality of notches 14, which are evenly arranged along the circumference of the spring tube 13, and each notch 14 is recessed along the axial direction of the spring tube 13 toward the air baffle 7.

[0043] Alternatively, the diameter of the spring tube 13 is smaller than the diameter of the gas barrier 7, and the diameter of the gas barrier 7 is slightly smaller than the side length of the sealing shell 5, so that the spring member 6 can move back and forth inside the sealing shell 5; the diameter of the tail of the spring tube 13 is larger than the diameter of the interface of the sealing cover.

[0044] Optionally, the moving device includes a moving block 15, a connecting slot 16, and a magnet 8 from top to bottom. The top surface of the connecting slot 16 has a first slot for engaging the bottom of the moving block 15, and the bottom surface of the connecting slot 16 has a second slot for engaging the magnet 8. The detection chamber is equipped with a slide rail and a lifting device connected to the slide rail. The top of the moving block 15 is connected to the lifting device to control the movement and lifting of the moving device, so that the magnet 8 can pick up the sample chamber 2.

[0045] In use, the transfer carrier is placed inside a glove box containing an inert gas (e.g., argon). The sample is placed on the upper surface of the base 1 corresponding to the sample chamber 2. The sample chamber 2 is then fastened onto the base 1, and the skirt 9 of the sample chamber 2 is fixed to the base 1 with screws to complete the sealing of the sample chamber 2. The exhaust chamber 3 is connected to the sample chamber 2 via a connecting pipe 4. The sealing shell 5 is sealed to the exhaust chamber 3, and the bottom surfaces of the exhaust chamber 3 and the sealing shell 5 contact the upper surface of the base 1. The interface of the sealing cover is connected to a vacuum pump to evacuate the transfer carrier. The gas in the sample chamber 2 passes through the exhaust chamber 3, pushes open the gas-blocking plate 7, and enters the sealing shell 5. At this time, the gas pressure causes the gas-blocking plate 7 to compress the springs, causing the tail of the rebound tube 13 to press against the sealing cover, thereby temporarily stabilizing the position of the rebound member 6. The gas in the sealing shell 5 enters the rebound tube 13 through the openings 14 and then exits from the interface.

[0046] After the gas in sample chamber 2 is evacuated, a negative pressure environment is created in both sample chamber 2 and exhaust chamber 3. At this time, external pressure pushes the gas-blocking plate 7 towards exhaust chamber 3, while the spring returns to its original position, causing the entire spring-loaded component 6 to move and reset. The gas-blocking plate 7 is held in place by the air pressure, sealing the upstream side of the sealing shell 5. The sealing ring at the second groove 11 improves the sealing effect of the gas-blocking plate 7. Then, the transfer bearing device is removed from the glove box, and the screws at the skirt 9 are removed. Because the external air pressure is greater than the air pressure inside sample chamber 2, the external air pressure forces sample chamber 2 to be tightly fastened to the base 1. The sealing ring at the first groove 10 improves the sealing effect of sample chamber 2, thus placing the sample in a negative pressure environment within sample chamber 2.

[0047] The transfer and support device is then inserted into the detection chamber of the testing instrument. The detection chamber is connected to a vacuum device. Because the vacuum level of the detection chamber is much greater than that of the sample chamber 2, the pressure inside the sample chamber 2 is greater than that inside the detection chamber, causing the sample chamber 2 to slightly detach from the base 1. Then, the magnet 8 of the moving device attracts the magnetic sheet on the top of the sample chamber 2, pulling the sample chamber 2, the exhaust chamber 3, and the spring-loaded sealing device together and removing them, exposing the sample on the base 1 for easy testing.

Claims

1. A transfer carrier for air-sensitive samples, characterized by, It includes a base, a sample chamber, an exhaust chamber, and a moving device. The sample chamber is detachably mounted on the base, and the sample is placed inside the sample chamber. The sample chamber is connected to the upstream side of the exhaust chamber via a connecting pipe. The downstream side of the exhaust chamber is detachably connected to an air pump via a spring-loaded sealing device for extracting air from the sample chamber and the exhaust chamber. The spring-loaded sealing device includes a sealing shell and a spring-loaded component inside the sealing shell. The upstream side of the sealing shell is connected to the downstream side of the exhaust chamber. The gas-blocking plate of the spring-loaded component is connected to the downstream side of the sealing shell through a spring. The spring-loaded component can move back and forth inside the sealing shell under the action of air pressure and spring force. When the gas-blocking plate closes the upstream side of the sealing shell, it can seal the sample chamber and the exhaust chamber. When the gas-blocking plate moves to the downstream side of the sealing shell, the exhaust chamber is connected to the sealing shell, which can evacuate air from the sample chamber and the exhaust chamber. The mobile device is installed inside the detection chamber of the testing instrument to remove the sample chamber, exposing the sample to the detection area for easy testing.

2. Transfer carrier for air-sensitive samples according to claim 1, characterized in that The sample chamber, exhaust chamber, sealing shell, and base are all cubic in shape and made of rigid material; the top surface of the sample chamber is equipped with a magnetic sheet to accept the magnetic attraction of the moving device, making it easy to move the sample chamber. The bottom of the sample chamber is empty, and the bottom of the sample chamber is provided with a skirt with through holes. The through holes of the skirt correspond one-to-one with the through holes on the base, so as to facilitate the connection of the sample chamber and the base with screws.

3. Transfer carrier for air-sensitive samples according to claim 2, characterized in that The bottom surface of the skirt is provided with a first groove, which is recessed upwards and used to place a sealing ring to seal the bottom of the sample chamber.

4. The transfer carrier device for air sensitive samples of claim 1, wherein, The connecting pipe is a hollow rigid pipe, and its two ends are welded to the side of the sample chamber and the side of the exhaust chamber, respectively, to connect the sample chamber and the exhaust chamber.

5. The transfer carrier device for air sensitive samples of claim 1, wherein, The rebound sealing device also includes a sealing cover. The upstream side of the sealing shell is connected to the exhaust chamber by several screws and sealing gaskets. The downstream side of the sealing shell is connected to the sealing cover by several screws and sealing gaskets. The sealing cover is provided with an interface for connecting to the external environment for connecting to a suction pump or vacuum pump.

6. A transfer carrier device for air-sensitive samples according to claim 5, characterized in that The rebound component is cylindrical and placed horizontally inside the sealing shell. The head of the rebound component is a circular air-blocking plate, and the head points towards the exhaust chamber. The length of the rebound component is less than the length of the sealing shell, which facilitates the rebound component to move back and forth inside the sealing shell.

7. A transfer carrier for air-sensitive samples according to claim 6, characterized in that The air baffle has a second groove on the side facing the exhaust chamber. The second groove is recessed into the air baffle to accommodate a sealing ring and seal the downstream side of the exhaust chamber.

8. A transfer carrier for air-sensitive samples according to claim 6, characterized in that The side of the air-blocking plate facing the sealing cover is connected to a spring tube and several springs. The spring tube is a hollow cylindrical tube. The head of the spring tube is welded to the middle of the air-blocking plate and is concentrically set with the air-blocking plate. The tail of the spring tube points towards the sealing cover. Several springs are evenly arranged along the circumference of the air-blocking plate, and the springs are connected to the sealing cover.

9. A transfer carrier for air-sensitive samples according to claim 8, characterized in that The tail end of the spring tube has several notches, which are evenly arranged along the circumference of the spring tube. Each notch is recessed along the axial direction of the spring tube towards the air baffle.

10. A transfer carrier for air-sensitive samples according to claim 8, characterized in that The moving device comprises, from top to bottom, a moving block, a connecting slot, and a magnet. The top surface of the connecting slot has a first slot for engaging the bottom of the moving block, and the bottom surface of the connecting slot has a second slot for engaging the magnet. The detection chamber is equipped with a slide rail and a lifting device connected to the slide rail. The top of the moving block is connected to the lifting device to control the movement and lifting of the moving device, facilitating the magnet to pick up the sample chamber.

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