A mass spectrometer with rapid column switching capability

Abstract

This invention provides a mass spectrometer (MS / MS) with rapid column switching capability, relating to the field of MS / MS technology. It includes an MS / MS housing with a vertical positioning shaft fixedly mounted at the top of its bottom wall. A rotatable and slidable star-shaped rotating frame is mounted on the top of the vertical positioning shaft, with multiple chromatographic columns fixed around its outer edge. A gas chromatographic detection cartridge is slidably mounted on the lower half of the vertical positioning shaft via a spring-loaded mechanism. A U-shaped support frame is welded to the center of the top of the star-shaped rotating frame, and a torsion drive shaft is welded to the middle of the top of the U-shaped support frame. An L-shaped drive rod is slidably mounted on a longitudinal side wall of the MS / MS housing, indirectly connected to the gas chromatographic detection cartridge. This invention eliminates the need to disassemble and open the MS / MS housing to switch chromatographic columns, simplifying operation and indirectly improving column switching efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of mass spectrometry technology, and in particular to a mass spectrometry instrument with rapidly switchable chromatographic columns. Background Technology

[0002] The chromatographic column is the "outpost" of a mass spectrometer, and its separation capability directly determines the accuracy and efficiency of mass spectrometry analysis. By rationally selecting the type and parameters of the chromatographic column, precise separation from trace small molecules to biomacromolecules can be achieved, providing crucial support for the analysis of complex samples in fields such as medicine, environment, and life sciences.

[0003] The chromatographic columns in existing mass spectrometers are located inside the instrument housing and are installed using a threaded screw-on method. This requires disassembling and opening the instrument housing and turning the column multiple times to release the screw's tightening effect on the column, making the disassembly and switching of the column extremely cumbersome and inconvenient, and indirectly reducing the column switching efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a mass spectrometer that can quickly switch chromatographic columns to solve the problem of poor column switching efficiency.

[0005] The technical solution proposed by this utility model is: a mass spectrometer that can quickly switch chromatographic columns, specifically including a mass spectrometer housing, wherein a vertical positioning shaft is fixedly installed at the top of the bottom wall of the mass spectrometer housing;

[0006] The top of the vertical positioning shaft is equipped with a rotating and sliding star-shaped rotating frame. The outer edge of the star-shaped rotating frame surrounds and fixes multiple chromatographic columns. The lower half of the vertical positioning shaft is slidably mounted with a gas phase detection tube by a spring push. A gas phase injection tube is fixed through the top wall of the mass spectrometer housing, and the bottom end of the gas phase injection tube is inserted into the top opening of the chromatographic column. A gas phase inlet tube is welded to the top of the gas phase detection tube, and the gas phase inlet tube is inserted into the bottom opening of the gas phase injection tube. A U-shaped support frame is welded to the center of the top of the star-shaped rotating frame, and a torsion drive shaft is welded to the middle of the top of the U-shaped support frame. The torsion drive shaft is rotatably engaged with the top wall of the mass spectrometer housing. An L-shaped drive rod is slidably mounted on a longitudinal side wall of the mass spectrometer housing, and the L-shaped drive rod is indirectly connected to the gas phase detection tube.

[0007] Furthermore, the upper half of the vertical positioning shaft has a circular structure, and the lower half has a hexagonal structure. A horizontal sliding plate is welded to the peripheral wall of the gas phase detection cylinder, and the horizontal sliding plate slides in conjunction with the lower half of the vertical positioning shaft.

[0008] The bottom end of the vertical positioning shaft is welded with a mounting plate, which is fixedly connected to the bottom wall of the mass spectrometer housing. The spring that pushes the gas phase detection tube is mounted on the horizontal sliding plate and is compressed and clamped between the horizontal sliding plate and the mounting plate.

[0009] A top pressure ring is welded and fitted at the top of the lower half of the horizontal slide plate, and the horizontal slide plate abuts against the retaining ring.

[0010] Furthermore, the first end of the L-shaped drive rod is welded and fixed to the horizontal sliding plate, and a vertical sliding groove is provided through the bottom part of the longitudinal side wall of the mass spectrometer housing. The longitudinal rod section of the L-shaped drive rod is slidably engaged with the vertical sliding groove, and a strip-shaped through groove is provided on the longitudinal rod section of the L-shaped drive rod.

[0011] Furthermore, two limiting rings are welded at intervals at the top of the upper half of the vertical positioning shaft, and the star-shaped rotating frame is limited between the two limiting rings.

[0012] Furthermore, a retaining ring is welded and fitted to the bottom end of the gas injection tube, and a rubber sealing ring is fixed to the bottom side of the retaining ring. The rubber sealing ring presses against the top opening of the chromatographic column.

[0013] Furthermore, a pressure ring is welded and fitted onto the gas phase inlet pipe, and a rubber sealing ring is fixed to the top of the pressure ring. The rubber sealing ring presses against the bottom opening of the chromatographic column.

[0014] Furthermore, a detection controller is embedded in the front side wall of the mass spectrometer housing, and an observation window is provided on the back side wall, with the observation window corresponding to the position of the star-shaped rotating frame.

[0015] Furthermore, multiple detection sensors are threaded through the peripheral wall of the gas phase detection cylinder, and the detection sensors are communicatively connected to the detection controller.

[0016] The mass spectrometer with rapidly switchable chromatographic columns provided by this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] I. The star-shaped rotating frame adopts a rotating installation method. Rotating it allows for the switching and adjustment of the positions of multiple chromatographic columns filled with different stationary phases around it. This enables chromatographic columns with different packing materials to be rotated and adapted for use between gas injection tubes and gas detection tubes according to different detection and analysis needs. This makes the mass spectrometer compatible with different detection and analysis needs and has a wide range of applications.

[0018] 2. The L-shaped drive rod and the torsion drive shaft, which respectively drive the gas chromatographic detection tube and the star-shaped rotating frame to slide down and torsion during the column switching operation, both protrude through the mass spectrometer housing. This allows the operator to directly grasp the L-shaped drive rod and the torsion drive shaft from the outside of the mass spectrometer housing to rotate and switch the column. This eliminates the hassle of having to disassemble and open the mass spectrometer housing to rotate and switch the column, making the operation simple and convenient, and indirectly helping to improve the column switching efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings of the embodiments will be briefly described below.

[0020] The accompanying drawings described below are only related to some embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0021] In the attached diagram:

[0022] Figure 1 A frontal side view schematic diagram of the entire utility model is shown;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the entire utility model from a rear side view is shown;

[0024] Figure 3 This diagram shows a bottom-view perspective of the cross-section of the mass spectrometer housing in this invention.

[0025] Figure 4 This diagram shows the assembly relationship between the star-shaped rotating frame and the vertical positioning shaft in this utility model.

[0026] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the disassembled state of the star-shaped rotating frame and the gas phase detection cylinder in this utility model is shown.

[0027] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the gas phase detection cylinder in this utility model is shown.

[0028] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0029] 1. Mass spectrometer housing; 101. Vertical slide; 102. Observation window; 103. Vertical positioning shaft; 1031. Limiting ring; 1032. Retaining ring; 1033. Mounting plate;

[0030] 2. Detection controller;

[0031] 3. Vapor injection pipe; 301. Retaining ring; 302. Rubber sealing ring;

[0032] 4. L-shaped drive rod; 401. Strip-shaped through slot;

[0033] 5. Star-shaped rotating frame; 501. U-shaped support frame; 502. Torsional drive shaft;

[0034] 6. Chromatographic column;

[0035] 7. Gas phase detection cylinder; 701. Gas phase inlet pipe; 7011. Top pressure ring; 7012. Rubber sealing ring; 702. Drain port; 703. Horizontal sliding plate;

[0036] 8. Detection sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. Based on the described embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0038] Please refer to Figures 1 to 6 Example 1:

[0039] This embodiment proposes a mass spectrometer that can quickly switch chromatographic columns, including a mass spectrometer housing 1, and a vertical positioning shaft 103 is fixedly installed at the top of the bottom wall of the mass spectrometer housing 1.

[0040] A rotating and sliding star-shaped rotating frame 5 is installed at the top of the vertical positioning shaft 103. The outer edge of the star-shaped rotating frame 5 surrounds and fixes multiple chromatographic columns 6. A gas phase detection tube 7 is slidably installed on the lower half of the vertical positioning shaft 103 by means of spring push. A gas phase injection tube 3 is fixed through the top wall of the mass spectrometer housing 1. The bottom end of the gas phase injection tube 3 is inserted into the top opening of the chromatographic column 6. A gas phase inlet tube 701 is welded to the top of the gas phase detection tube 7. The gas phase inlet tube 701 is inserted into the bottom opening of the gas phase injection tube 3. A U-shaped support frame 501 is welded to the center of the top of the star-shaped rotating frame 5. A torsion drive shaft 502 is welded to the middle of the top of the U-shaped support frame 501. The torsion drive shaft 502 is rotatably engaged with the top wall of the mass spectrometer housing 1. An L-shaped drive rod 4 is slidably installed through a longitudinal side wall of the mass spectrometer housing 1. The L-shaped drive rod 4 is indirectly connected to the gas phase detection tube 7.

[0041] Preferably, the upper half of the vertical positioning shaft 103 has a circular structure, and the lower half has a hexagonal structure. A horizontal sliding plate 703 is welded to the peripheral wall of the gas phase detection cylinder 7, and the horizontal sliding plate 703 slides in fit with the lower half of the vertical positioning shaft 103. A mounting plate 1033 is welded to the bottom end of the vertical positioning shaft 103, and the mounting plate 1033 is fixedly connected to the bottom wall of the mass spectrometer housing 1. A spring that pushes the gas phase detection cylinder 7 is fitted on the horizontal sliding plate 703 and is compressed and clamped between the horizontal sliding plate 703 and the mounting plate 1033. A top pressure ring 7011 is welded to the top of the lower half of the horizontal sliding plate 703, and the horizontal sliding plate 703 abuts against the retaining ring 1032.

[0042] Preferably, the first end of the L-shaped drive rod 4 is welded and fixed to the horizontal sliding plate 703. The bottom part of the longitudinal side wall of the mass spectrometer housing 1 is provided with a vertical sliding groove 101. The longitudinal rod section of the L-shaped drive rod 4 is slidably engaged with the vertical sliding groove 101. A strip-shaped through groove 401 is provided on the longitudinal rod section of the L-shaped drive rod 4.

[0043] Implementation 2: This embodiment is based on Implementation 1, but with the following additions:

[0044] Two limiting rings 1031 are welded at intervals at the top of the upper half of the vertical positioning shaft 103, and the star-shaped rotating frame 5 is limited between the two limiting rings 1031; a retaining ring 301 is welded and fitted at the bottom of the gas injection pipe 3, and a rubber sealing ring 302 is fixed on the bottom side of the retaining ring 301; a top pressure ring 7011 is welded and fitted on the gas inlet pipe 701, and a rubber sealing ring 7012 is fixed at the top of the top pressure ring 7011.

[0045] Preferably, a detection controller 2 is embedded in the front side wall of the mass spectrometer housing 1, and an observation window 102 is provided on the back side wall, with the observation window 102 corresponding to the position of the star-shaped rotating frame 5.

[0046] Preferably, multiple detection sensors 8 are threaded through the peripheral wall of the gas phase detection cylinder 7, and the detection sensors 8 are communicatively connected to the detection controller 2.

[0047] The following provides a detailed explanation of the specific details, implementation steps, functions and interrelationships of the features in the above embodiments, and the roles these features play in implementing this technical solution:

[0048] The spring on the vertical positioning shaft 103 can push the gas phase detection cylinder 7 and the gas phase inlet pipe 701 upwards, positioning the gas phase inlet pipe 701 in a state of insertion and engagement with the bottom opening of the chromatographic column 6. When the gas phase inlet pipe 701 is pushed upwards and positioned, it can push and drive the chromatographic column 6 and the star-shaped rotating frame 5 to slide upwards synchronously, positioning the top opening of the chromatographic column 6 in a state of insertion and engagement with the gas phase injection tube 3. When the gas phase inlet pipe 701 is pushed and held in a state of insertion and engagement with the bottom opening of the chromatographic column 6, the rubber sealing ring 302 presses against the top opening of the chromatographic column 6 through the retaining ring 301, thus controlling the gas phase inlet pipe. The insertion gap between 701 and the bottom opening of the chromatographic column 6 is sealed; when the chromatographic column 6 is pushed and held in the state where the top opening is inserted into the gas injection tube 3, the top opening is pressed against the rubber sealing ring 7012, and the insertion gap between the top opening and the gas injection tube 3 is sealed by the rubber sealing ring 7012; when the top opening of the chromatographic column 6 and the gas injection tube 701 are pushed and held in the working state where they are inserted into the gas injection tube 3 and inserted into the bottom opening of the chromatographic column 6 respectively, the chromatographic column 6 is positioned between the gas injection tube 3 and the chromatographic column 6 and communicates with both, and the star-shaped rotating frame 5 is rotated.

[0049] The star-shaped rotating frame 5 adopts a rotating installation form. Rotating it allows for the switching and adjustment of the positions of multiple chromatographic columns 6 filled with different stationary phases around it. This enables the chromatographic columns 6 with different packing materials to be rotated and adapted to be used between the gas injection tube 3 and the gas detection tube 7 according to different detection and analysis needs. This makes the mass spectrometer compatible with different detection and analysis needs and has a wide range of applications.

[0050] When switching to column 6, firstly, manually operate the L-shaped drive lever 4 to drive the gas phase detection cylinder 7 downwards, separating the gas phase inlet tube 701 from the column 6. When the gas phase inlet tube 701 is separated from the column 6, the column 6 and the star-shaped rotating frame 5 lose the upward pushing force of the detection cylinder 7 and can slide down by gravity. As the star-shaped rotating frame 5 slides down, it rests against the lower limiting ring 1031, and the column 6 slides down and is separated from the gas phase injection tube 3. When the gas phase inlet tube 701 is separated from the column 6 and the column 6 slides down and is separated from the gas phase injection tube 3, the positioning effect on the star-shaped rotating frame 5 can be released, and the star-shaped rotating frame 5 can be released, allowing it to return to a freely rotating state. After the star-shaped rotating frame 5 is released, manually operate the twist drive... The star-shaped rotating frame 5 rotates shaft 502 to adjust and switch the required chromatographic column 6 to a state aligned with the gas injection tube 3. When the gas detection cylinder 7 is driven downward, it compresses the spring on the vertical positioning shaft 103. After the required chromatographic column 6 is aligned with the gas injection tube 3, the L-shaped drive rod 4 is released by hand. After the L-shaped drive rod 4 is released, the spring loses the compression holding force from the L-shaped drive rod 4 and can automatically push back to drive the gas detection cylinder 7 to slide upward and reset. It controls the gas inlet tube 701 to insert into the bottom opening of the switched chromatographic column 6, and at the same time controls the top opening of the switched chromatographic column 6 to insert into the gas injection tube 3, thereby positioning the switched chromatographic column 6 and completing the switching operation of the chromatographic column 6.

[0051] During the switching operation of column 6, the initial position of the column 6 to be switched can be observed and determined through the observation window 102, and the column 6 can be easily aligned with the gas injection tube 3.

[0052] The L-shaped drive rod 4 and the torsion drive shaft 502, which respectively drive the gas phase detection tube 7 and the star-shaped rotating frame 5 downward and torsionally during the switching operation of the chromatographic column 6, both protrude through the mass spectrometer housing 1. This allows the operator to directly grasp the L-shaped drive rod 4 and the torsion drive shaft 502 from the outside of the mass spectrometer housing 1 to rotate and switch the chromatographic column 6, eliminating the hassle of disassembling and opening the mass spectrometer housing 1 to rotate and switch the chromatographic column 6. The operation is simple and convenient, which helps to indirectly improve the switching efficiency of the chromatographic column 6.

[0053] The detection sensor 8 is preferably located in three places, namely, a UV-Vis detector, a fluorescence detector (FLD), and a mass spectrometer (MS).

[0054] Working principle: During use, the gaseous sample (mobile phase) to be tested is introduced into the chromatographic column 6 through the gas injection tube 3. When the gaseous sample flows through the chromatographic column 6, the molecules in it interact with the stationary phase packing material of the chromatographic column 6 through adsorption, dissolution, or ion exchange, and rely on these multiple interaction forces to achieve fractionation of migration rates. Under the fractionation effect of migration rates, the various components of the gaseous sample generate different flow rates and are separated. The faster-flowing components flow first into the gas phase detection cartridge 7 through the bottom opening of the chromatographic column 6 for pre-detection and analysis, while the slower-flowing components flow into the gas phase detection cartridge 7 later for delayed detection and analysis. In this way, the separation and fractionation detection and analysis of different components of the gaseous sample can be achieved. The various components in the gaseous sample that have been detected in sequence are discharged one by one through the discharge port 702 after detection. Three detection sensors 8 can detect the optical or mass-to-charge ratio signals of the components in the gaseous sample and transmit these signals to the detection controller 2 in real time. The detection controller 2 analyzes these signals and converts them into visual information (such as data and curves) and transmits them to the touch screen display screen configured on it for real-time viewing by the staff.

[0055] It is worth noting that the selection of the model of the detection sensor 8 and the detection controller 2, as well as the connection and wiring method between them, are existing technologies for those engaged in equipment electrification modification, design and testing in this field, and therefore will not be elaborated here.

[0056] The following points should be noted in this article:

[0057] 1. The accompanying drawings of this utility model embodiment only involve the structure involved in this utility model embodiment; other structures can refer to general designs.

[0058] 2. Where there is no conflict, the embodiments of this utility model and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.

[0059] The above are merely specific embodiments of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A mass spectrometer capable of rapidly switching chromatographic columns, comprising a mass spectrometer housing (1), wherein a vertical positioning shaft (103) is fixedly installed at the top of the bottom wall of the mass spectrometer housing (1). Its features are, The top part of the vertical positioning shaft (103) is equipped with a rotating and sliding star-shaped rotating frame (5), and the outer edge of the star-shaped rotating frame (5) surrounds and fixes multiple chromatographic columns (6). The lower half of the vertical positioning shaft (103) is slidably installed with a gas phase detection tube (7) in the form of a spring push. A gas phase injection tube (3) is fixed through the top wall of the mass spectrometer housing (1), and the bottom part of the gas phase injection tube (3) is inserted and matched with the top opening of the chromatographic column (6). A gas phase inlet tube (70) is welded to the top of the gas phase detection tube (7). 1) The bottom opening of the gas phase inlet pipe (701) and the gas phase injection pipe (3) are inserted and matched; a U-shaped support frame (501) is welded to the center of the top of the star-shaped rotating frame (5), and a torsion drive shaft (502) is welded to the middle of the top of the U-shaped support frame (501). The torsion drive shaft (502) is rotated and matched through the top wall of the mass spectrometer housing (1); an L-shaped drive rod (4) is slidably installed through a longitudinal side wall of the mass spectrometer housing (1). The L-shaped drive rod (4) is indirectly connected to the gas phase detection cylinder (7).

2. The mass spectrometer with rapidly switchable chromatographic columns according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper half of the vertical positioning shaft (103) is circular and the lower half is hexagonal. A horizontal sliding plate (703) is welded on the peripheral wall of the gas phase detection cylinder (7). The horizontal sliding plate (703) slides in conjunction with the lower half of the vertical positioning shaft (103). The bottom end of the vertical positioning shaft (103) is welded with a mounting plate (1033). The mounting plate (1033) is fixedly connected to the bottom wall of the mass spectrometer housing (1). The spring that pushes the gas phase detection cylinder (7) is mounted on the horizontal sliding plate (703) and is compressed and clamped between the horizontal sliding plate (703) and the mounting plate (1033). A top pressure ring (7011) is welded to the top of the lower half of the horizontal slide plate (703), and the horizontal slide plate (703) abuts against the retaining ring (1032).

3. The mass spectrometer with rapidly switchable chromatographic columns according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first end of the L-shaped drive rod (4) is welded and fixed to the horizontal sliding plate (703). The bottom part of the longitudinal side wall of the mass spectrometer housing (1) is provided with a vertical sliding groove (101). The longitudinal rod section of the L-shaped drive rod (4) is slidably connected with the vertical sliding groove (101). A strip-shaped through groove (401) is provided on the longitudinal rod section of the L-shaped drive rod (4).

4. The mass spectrometer with rapidly switchable chromatographic columns according to claim 1, characterized in that, Two limiting rings (1031) are welded at intervals at the top of the upper half of the vertical positioning shaft (103), and the star-shaped rotating frame (5) is limited between the two limiting rings (1031).

5. A mass spectrometer with rapidly switchable chromatographic columns according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom end of the gas injection tube (3) is welded with a retaining ring (301), and a rubber sealing ring (302) is fixed on the bottom side of the retaining ring (301). The rubber sealing ring (302) presses against the top opening of the chromatographic column (6).

6. A mass spectrometer with rapidly switchable chromatographic columns according to claim 1, characterized in that, A pressure ring (7011) is welded onto the gas inlet pipe (701), and a rubber sealing ring (7012) is fixed to the top of the pressure ring (7011). The rubber sealing ring (7012) presses against the bottom opening of the chromatographic column (6).

7. A mass spectrometer with rapidly switchable chromatographic columns according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection controller (2) is embedded in the front side wall of the mass spectrometer housing (1), and an observation window (102) is provided on the back side wall. The position of the observation window (102) corresponds to that of the star-shaped rotating frame (5).

8. A mass spectrometer with rapidly switchable chromatographic columns according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas phase detection cylinder (7) has multiple detection sensors (8) threaded through its peripheral wall. The detection sensors (8) are connected in communication with the detection controller (2).

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