A headspace sampler for a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer

Abstract

This utility model discloses a headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) instrument. By setting multiple annular feeding arrays composed of first bottle placement slots on the feeding turntable, the utilization rate of the feeding turntable can be effectively improved, the load capacity of the feeding turntable can be increased, and more headspace sample bottles can be detected at one time, thus improving efficiency. By setting a transverse drive mechanism to drive the feeding turntable to move, different annular feeding arrays can be moved to the loading and unloading positions to realize the loading and unloading of each annular feeding array. By setting a second turntable on the upper side of the feeding turntable to cooperate with it, and setting a heating mechanism in the second turntable, the corresponding headspace sample bottles can be heated before detection, avoiding premature heating that affects detection accuracy and causes energy waste. The second turntable is set with a special bottom-feed feeding method, which facilitates cooperation with the transfer mechanism, making loading and unloading between the second turntable and the feeding turntable more convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and in particular to a headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system. Background Technology

[0002] Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is an analytical instrument widely used in medicine, physics, and many other disciplines. This instrument uses an inert gas as the mobile phase and an adsorbent with a large surface area and certain activity as the stationary phase. It is often used in laboratory environments for efficient analysis and detection of large numbers of samples, and has significant application value in many fields such as pharmaceutical analysis, inspection and quarantine, and environmental monitoring. GC-MS generally requires the use of a headspace sampler. A headspace sampler is a convenient and rapid sample pretreatment method in gas chromatography. Its principle is to place the sample to be tested in a sealed container, heat it to cause volatile components to volatilize from the sample matrix, reach equilibrium in the gas-liquid (or gas-solid) two-phase mixture, and directly extract the headspace gas for chromatographic analysis, thereby determining the composition and content of volatile components in the sample.

[0003] Patents such as CN218995266U and CN114994225B disclose related headspace samplers. However, the problem with these headspace samplers is that they use a rotating disc with a ring of placement holes arranged in an array. Each headspace sample vial is placed in the placement holes, and the disc is driven to rotate to feed the sample. Since the disc is fixed in position and can only rotate, it can only have a ring of placement holes. Placement holes cannot be placed in the center of the disc, resulting in a large waste of disc space. The disc's capacity is limited and cannot meet the needs of large-scale testing. If the disc's capacity is to be increased, the disc volume must be increased, thereby increasing the overall diameter of the ring array of placement holes to increase the number of placement holes, resulting in a large device size. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to solve the technical problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system, comprising a main body and a loading turntable rotatably mounted on the main body, wherein at least two annular loading arrays are provided on the turntable, and the annular loading arrays are composed of several first bottle placement slots arranged in annular arrays around the rotation center of the loading turntable;

[0006] A second turntable is provided on the upper side of the feeding turntable. The second turntable has six second bottle placement slots arranged around its rotation center. A sampling mechanism corresponding to the second bottle placement slots is provided on the upper side of the second turntable.

[0007] The main body is equipped with loading and unloading stations corresponding to the loading turntable and the second turntable. At the loading and unloading stations, there is a transfer mechanism for transferring the headspace sample bottles located at the loading and unloading stations between the first bottle placement slot and the second bottle placement slot. On the lower side of the loading turntable, there is a lateral movement drive mechanism for controlling the lateral movement of the loading turntable to control the movement of the corresponding annular loading array to the loading and unloading stations.

[0008] Preferably, the transfer mechanism includes a first push rod fixedly disposed on the lower side of the loading and unloading station and used to cooperate with the first bottle placement slot, a second push rod disposed on the upper side of the loading and unloading station and used to cooperate with the second bottle placement slot, a first lifting driver for driving the first push rod to move up and down, and a second lifting driver for driving the second push rod to move up and down.

[0009] Preferably, the first bottle placement slot has an opening at the upper end for the headspace injection bottle to pass through and a through hole at the bottom for the first push rod to pass through. The first push rod is adapted to the through hole, and the diameter of the through hole is smaller than the outer diameter of the headspace injection bottle. The second bottle placement slot is arranged vertically.

[0010] Preferably, the transverse drive mechanism is provided with a tray on its upper side, and the feeding turntable is rotatably mounted on the tray. The tray is provided with tray holes corresponding to each annular feeding array near the loading and unloading station, and the tray holes are adapted to the first push rod.

[0011] Preferably, the second bottle placement slot is provided with several elastic clips for cooperating with the headspace sample bottle.

[0012] Preferably, the second turntable is provided with a heating mechanism that acts on each of the second bottle placement slots.

[0013] Preferably, a baffle is fixedly installed on the lower side of the second turntable, and a hollow part corresponding to the second bottle placement groove is provided on the baffle near the loading and unloading station.

[0014] Preferably, the sampling mechanism includes a sampling head and a third lifting drive mechanism for driving the sampling head to rise and fall.

[0015] Preferably, the main body is equipped with an image-capturing camera facing the feeding turntable, and the image-capturing camera is connected to the control system for data communication.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, this utility model provides a headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system, which has the following advantages:

[0017] This invention features a ring-shaped feeding array on a feeding turntable, consisting of multiple inner and outer rings of first bottle placement slots. Each ring can hold a headspace sample vial, effectively utilizing the feeding turntable, increasing its utilization rate and load capacity. More headspace sample vials can be tested simultaneously, improving efficiency. A lateral movement drive mechanism moves the feeding turntable laterally, allowing different ring-shaped feeding arrays to be moved to the loading / unloading positions, facilitating loading and unloading of each array. A second turntable is installed above the feeding turntable, with a heating mechanism inside, to preheat the corresponding headspace sample vials before testing, preventing premature heating that could affect testing accuracy and cause energy waste. The second turntable is designed with a special bottom-feeding method, facilitating cooperation with the transfer mechanism and making loading and unloading between the second turntable and the feeding turntable more convenient. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the present invention and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to explain the present invention, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system according to this utility model.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of a headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system according to this utility model.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a side view schematic diagram of the headspace sampler of a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system according to this utility model.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a top view schematic diagram of the headspace sampler of a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system according to this utility model.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal three-dimensional structure of a headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system according to this utility model.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the second rotary table, transfer mechanism, and sampling mechanism of a headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) instrument according to this utility model.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the second turntable.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure under the feeding turntable.

[0027] In the figure: 1-Main body, 2-Feeding turntable, 3-Second turntable, 4-Sampling head, 5-Third lifting drive mechanism, 6-Transverse drive mechanism, 7-First top rod, 8-Second top rod, 10-Second lifting driver, 11-Baffle, 21-First bottle placement slot, 31-Second bottle placement slot, 61-Tray, 111-Hollowed part, 211-Through hole, 311-Elastic clamp, 611-Tray hole. Detailed Implementation

[0028] 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. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] See Figures 1-8 This utility model discloses a headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) system, comprising a main body 1 with a device plane on the main body 1. A loading turntable 2 is rotatably mounted on the device plane (the loading turntable 2 is driven by a first rotary motor mounted on a tray 61). The upper surface of the loading turntable 2 is provided with a five-ringed loading array from the inside out. The ringed loading array consists of several first bottle placement slots 21 arranged in a ring around the rotation center of the loading turntable 2. The multiple ringed loading arrays effectively utilize the space of the loading turntable 2, improving utilization and allowing for the loading of more headspace sample vials. A second turntable 3 is provided on the upper side of the loading turntable 2 (the second turntable 3 is driven by a second rotary motor fixed to the main body 1). The device has six second bottle placement slots 31 arranged around its rotation center. Each second bottle placement slot 31 has several elastic clamps 311 for cooperating with headspace sample bottles. The second turntable 3 has a heating mechanism that acts on the second bottle placement slots 31 (regarding the heating mechanism, the heating mechanism is prior art, and those skilled in the art can select a suitable heating structure from the heating structures used in existing headspace samplers and apply it to this technical solution, such as electric heating coils, heating rods, etc.). A sampling mechanism corresponding to the second bottle placement slots 31 is provided on the upper side of the second turntable 3. The headspace sample bottles to be tested are placed on the loading turntable 2, and the second turntable 3 is used to cooperate with the sampling mechanism to heat the corresponding headspace sample bottles before the sampling mechanism takes samples.

[0030] Specifically, the main body 1 is provided with loading and unloading stations corresponding to the loading turntable 2 and the second turntable 3. At the loading and unloading stations, there are transfer mechanisms for transferring headspace sample bottles located in the first bottle placement slot 21 at the loading and unloading stations to the second bottle placement slot 31 and for transferring headspace sample bottles located in the second bottle placement slot 31 at the loading and unloading stations to the first bottle placement slot 21. On the lower side of the loading turntable 2, there is a lateral movement drive mechanism 6 for controlling the lateral movement of the loading turntable 2 to control the movement of the corresponding annular loading array to the loading and unloading stations. This embodiment features a ring-shaped feeding array consisting of multiple inner and outer rings of first bottle placement slots 21 on the feeding turntable 2. Each ring-shaped feeding array can be used to place headspace sampling bottles, effectively utilizing the feeding turntable 2, improving utilization rate, increasing the load capacity of the feeding turntable 2, and allowing more headspace sampling bottles to be tested at once, thus improving efficiency. By setting a second turntable 3 on the upper side of the feeding turntable 2 to cooperate with it, and setting a heating mechanism in the second turntable 3, the corresponding headspace sampling bottles can be heated before testing, avoiding premature heating that affects testing accuracy and causes energy waste. The second turntable 3 is designed with a special bottom-feeding method, which facilitates cooperation with the transfer mechanism, making loading and unloading between the second turntable 3 and the feeding turntable 2 more convenient. In actual operation, the lateral drive mechanism 6 drives the loading turntable 2 to move laterally, so that the corresponding annular loading array moves to the position corresponding to the loading and unloading station. During loading, the first rotary motor drives the loading turntable 2 to rotate, so that the first bottle placement slot 21 containing the headspace sampling bottle in the annular loading array rotates to the loading and unloading station. The second rotary motor drives the second turntable 3 to rotate, so that the empty second bottle placement slot 31 rotates to the loading and unloading station. Then, the headspace sampling bottle in the first bottle placement slot 21 is transferred to the second bottle placement slot 31 by the transfer mechanism. When headspace sampling... When the bottle enters the second bottle placement slot 31, the headspace sampling bottle can be clamped and fixed by each elastic clamp 311 to prevent the headspace sampling bottle from loosening and falling off, thus completing the loading. When unloading is required, the second rotary motor controls the second turntable 3 to rotate, so that the second bottle placement slot 31 containing the headspace sampling bottle to be unloaded rotates to the unloading station. The first rotary motor drives the loading turntable 2 to rotate, so that the empty first bottle placement slot 21 rotates to the unloading station. The transfer mechanism moves the headspace sampling bottle into the empty first bottle placement slot 21 to complete the unloading.

[0031] See Figure 5 , Figure 6In this embodiment, the transfer mechanism includes a first push rod 7 fixedly disposed on the lower side of the loading and unloading station and used to cooperate with the first bottle placement slot 21, a second push rod 8 disposed on the upper side of the loading and unloading station and used to cooperate with the second bottle placement slot 31, a first lifting driver for driving the first push rod 7 to move up and down, and a second lifting driver 10 for driving the second push rod 8 to move up and down. The first push rod 7 is adapted to the through hole 211. In order to cooperate with the transfer mechanism, the upper end of the first bottle placement slot 21 is provided with an opening for the headspace injection bottle to pass through, and the bottom is provided with a through hole 211 for the first push rod 7 to pass through. The diameter of the through hole 211 is smaller than the outer diameter of the headspace injection bottle. The second bottle placement slot 31 is arranged vertically. During loading, the first lifting driver drives the first push rod 7 upward, so that it extends through the through hole 211 into the corresponding first bottle placement slot 21. Then, the headspace sample bottle in the first bottle placement slot 21 is lifted upward so that the headspace sample bottle enters the corresponding second bottle placement slot 31, completing the loading. During unloading, the second lifting driver 10 drives the second push rod 8 to enter from the top of the second bottle placement slot 31, pushing the headspace sample bottle in the second bottle placement slot 31 downward. At the same time, the first lifting driver can drive the first push rod 7 to rise and contact the bottom of the headspace sample bottle. Then, in sync with the second lifting driver 10, the headspace sample bottle is transferred to the first bottle placement slot 21, completing the unloading. Loading and unloading are more convenient. Multiple first bottle placement slots 21 and second bottle placement slots 31 can be loaded and unloaded through one set of transfer mechanism.

[0032] The lateral drive mechanism 6 consists of several linear actuators and guide rails arranged parallel to the linear actuators. Of course, in another alternative embodiment, other drive mechanism schemes can also be selected.

[0033] Among them, see Figure 1 , Figure 5 , Figure 8 A tray 61 is provided on the upper side of the transverse drive mechanism 6. The feeding turntable 2 is rotatably mounted on the tray 61. The first rotary motor is fixedly mounted on the tray 61. The tray 61 has tray holes 611 corresponding to each annular feeding array near the loading and unloading stations. The tray holes 611 are adapted to the first push rod 7. Each annular feeding array has a corresponding tray hole 611. The tray 61 provides support for the feeding turntable 2 with the tray holes 611, and the tray holes 611 allow the first push rod 7 to pass through.

[0034] See Figure 5 In this embodiment, the sampling mechanism includes a sampling head 4 and a third lifting drive mechanism 5 for driving the sampling head 4 to rise and fall. The sampling head 4 is located away from the loading and unloading station, thereby allowing heating time for the heating mechanism. During sampling, the sampling head 4 is driven to fall by the third lifting drive mechanism 5, and the sampling head 4 punctures the headspace sample bottle through the sampling needle to perform sampling.

[0035] To further improve reliability, see [link / reference] Figure 5 , Figure 6 To prevent the sample bottle from falling out of the headspace in the second bottle placement slot 31, a fixed baffle 11 is provided on the lower side of the second turntable 3. The baffle 11 has a hollow part 111 corresponding to the second bottle placement slot 31 near the loading and unloading station.

[0036] See Figure 7 The elastic clamp 311 consists of a clamping block and a spring sheet for driving the clamping block to move toward the center of the second bottle placement slot 31.

[0037] In addition, this embodiment also has an imaging camera on the main body 1 facing the feeding turntable 2. The imaging camera is connected to the control system of the headspace sampler of the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry instrument in this embodiment for data communication. Before operation, the imaging camera takes an image of the feeding turntable 2. The image analysis determines which first bottle placement slots 21 on the feeding turntable 2 have headspace sample bottles and which do not, thereby facilitating loading and unloading.

[0038] This utility model discloses a headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) system. Its specific working principle is as follows: A transverse drive mechanism 6 drives the loading turntable 2 to move laterally, causing the corresponding annular loading array to move to a position corresponding to the loading / unloading station. During loading, a first rotary motor drives the loading turntable 2 to rotate, causing the first bottle placement slot 21 containing the headspace sampler within the annular loading array to rotate to the loading / unloading station. A second rotary motor drives the second turntable 3 to rotate, causing the empty second bottle placement slot 31 to rotate to the loading / unloading station. Then, a first lifting driver drives the first push rod 7 to push upwards, causing the first push rod 7 to extend through the through hole 211 into the corresponding first bottle placement slot 21. The headspace sampler in the first bottle placement slot 21 is then lifted upwards, allowing it to enter the corresponding second bottle placement slot 31. When the headspace sampler enters the second bottle... When placing the headspace vial 31, the elastic clamps 311 can hold and fix the headspace vial, preventing it from loosening and falling off, thus completing the loading process. When unloading is required, the second rotary motor controls the second turntable 3 to rotate, so that the second vial placement slot 31 containing the headspace vial to be unloaded rotates to the unloading position. The first rotary motor drives the loading turntable 2 to rotate, so that the empty first vial placement slot 21 rotates to the unloading position. The second lifting driver 10 drives the second push rod 8 to enter from the top of the second vial placement slot 31, pushing the headspace vial downward. At the same time, the first lifting driver can drive the first push rod 7 to rise and contact the bottom of the headspace vial. Then, in sync with the second lifting driver 10, the headspace vial is transferred to the first vial placement slot 21, completing the unloading process.

[0039] In the description of this utility model, the terms "first," "second," "another," and "yet another" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the description of embodiments of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0040] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances. Furthermore, in the description of this utility model, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more.

[0041] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) system, comprising a main body (1) and a feed turntable (2) rotatably mounted on the main body (1), characterized in that: At least two rings of feeding arrays are provided on the turntable. The ring feeding arrays are composed of several first bottle placement slots (21) arranged in a ring array around the rotation center of the feeding turntable (2). The upper side of the feeding turntable (2) is provided with a second turntable (3), and the second turntable (3) is provided with six second bottle placement slots (31) arranged around its rotation center. The upper side of the second turntable (3) is provided with a sampling mechanism corresponding to the second bottle placement slots (31). The main body (1) is provided with loading and unloading stations corresponding to the loading turntable (2) and the second turntable (3). At the loading and unloading station, there is a transfer mechanism for transferring the headspace sample bottle located at the loading and unloading station between the first bottle placement slot (21) and the second bottle placement slot (31). On the lower side of the loading turntable (2), there is a lateral movement drive mechanism (6) for controlling the lateral movement of the loading turntable (2) to control the movement of the corresponding annular loading array to the loading and unloading station.

2. The headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transfer mechanism includes a first push rod (7) fixedly disposed on the lower side of the loading and unloading station and used to cooperate with the first bottle placement slot (21), a second push rod (8) disposed on the upper side of the loading and unloading station and used to cooperate with the second bottle placement slot (31), a first lifting driver for driving the first push rod (7) to move up and down, and a second lifting driver (10) for driving the second push rod (8) to move up and down.

3. The headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first bottle placement slot (21) has an opening at the top for the headspace sample bottle to pass through and a through hole (211) at the bottom for the first push rod (7) to pass through. The first push rod (7) is adapted to the through hole (211). The diameter of the through hole (211) is smaller than the outer diameter of the headspace sample bottle. The second bottle placement slot (31) is set vertically.

4. A headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The transverse drive mechanism (6) is provided with a tray (61) on its upper side. The loading turntable (2) is rotatably mounted on the tray (61). The tray (61) is provided with tray holes (611) corresponding to each annular loading array near the loading and unloading station. The tray holes (611) are adapted to the first push rod (7).

5. A headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second bottle placement slot (31) is provided with several elastic clips (311) for use with headspace injection bottles.

6. A headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second turntable (3) is equipped with a heating mechanism that acts on each second bottle placement slot (31).

7. A headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second turntable (3) has a fixed baffle (11) on its lower side. The baffle (11) has a hollow part (111) corresponding to the second bottle placement groove (31) near the loading and unloading station.

8. A headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sampling mechanism includes a sampling head (4) and a third lifting drive mechanism (5) for driving the sampling head (4) to rise and fall.

9. A headspace sampler for a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main body (1) is equipped with an image camera facing the feeding turntable (2), and the image camera is connected to the control system for data communication.

Images