Sample transfer device

Abstract

This invention provides a sample transfer device, comprising: a sample capsule for holding the sample and an exchange chamber assembly. The front half of the top of the outer shell is open and the rear half is closed, while the bottom surface, parallel to the top surface, is closed. The capsule drawer is supported and slid into the closed space formed by the rear half of the top surface, separating the outside from the sample. One transparent wall side of the exchange chamber assembly is configured as an openable side door, and the side parallel to the side door is an open side without a side wall. The sample capsule, in its closed state, is placed on the sample stage in the center of the exchange chamber assembly. A thin handle extending from the transparent side wall in the direction the capsule drawer slides out is inserted into a lock hole in the capsule drawer to open it, revealing the sample. The sample capsule is then pushed into the vacuum space of the electron microscope by a push-pull rod. This achieves an effective and seamless connection between the glove box and the scanning electron microscope, completing the sample transfer without damage or contamination.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of sample protection technology for electron microscopes, and more specifically relates to a transfer box for protecting samples. Background Technology

[0002] In scientific research and industry, many materials, due to their extremely high chemical reactivity or extreme sensitivity to the environment, must be synthesized, processed, handled, encapsulated, and transferred in an inert atmosphere glove box (typically high-purity nitrogen or argon, with water and oxygen content <1 ppm). Once these materials are exposed to air (oxygen, water vapor, carbon dioxide, etc.) or moisture, they will rapidly undergo irreversible chemical reactions or physical changes, leading to failure, decomposition, combustion, or even explosion. Examples include key materials that must or strongly require handling in a glove box, and organometallic compounds (many of which are air-sensitive). In short, when exposure to normal environments would lead to the destruction of a material's chemical structure, a sharp decline in its physical properties, failure, the generation of hazards (combustion and explosion), or the introduction of intolerable impurities, it is essential to operate in a strictly controlled water and oxygen glove box. This has become standard practice in fields such as advanced battery materials (especially solid-state batteries), air-sensitive catalysis / synthesis, and cutting-edge electronic / optoelectronic materials. Current technology allows electron microscopes to be placed directly in a glove box, but this is limited by the size of the glove box and the environment. Only simple benchtop scanning electron microscopes can fit in a glove box; more powerful, large-sized microscopes, such as floor-standing scanning electron microscopes, cannot. Furthermore, for routine samples, using an electron microscope placed in a glove box requires a complex exchange chamber process, which limits the scope and convenience of using expensive electron microscopes.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to provide optimized and improved sample protection solutions, such as a sample transfer device that seamlessly connects / links the glove box and scanning electron microscope to ensure that the sample is not damaged during transport, and a device that can protect the sample from contamination and external influences while still allowing for analysis and research using instruments such as electron microscopes. Utility Model Content

[0004] (a) Technical problems to be solved

[0005] To address the aforementioned deficiencies, this invention aims to at least solve the technical problem of how to optimize the seamless transfer of samples between the glove box and the scanning electron microscope; furthermore, it aims to solve the technical problem of how to achieve a seamless sample transfer device by using a sliding capsule sample holding structure in conjunction with a transfer chamber with an operating handle to protect the sample and achieve a seamless transfer between the glove box and the scanning electron microscope.

[0006] (II) Technical Solution

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model proposes a sample transfer device, including: a sample capsule for containing the sample and an exchange chamber assembly; the sample capsule includes an integrally formed outer shell and a capsule drawer for containing the sample that is inserted into and slides within the outer shell; the outer shell has a accommodating space, and the shape of its inner wall matches the outer contour shape of the capsule drawer; the front half of the top of the outer shell is open and the rear half is closed, while the bottom surface parallel to the top surface is closed, supporting the capsule drawer and sliding the capsule drawer into the closed space formed by the rear half of the top surface to separate the outside from the sample; one transparent wall side of the exchange chamber assembly is set as an openable side door, and the side parallel to the transparent wall side door is set as an open side without a side wall; a push-pull rod on the side door opens the side door, and the sample capsule is placed from the side door into the sample stage in the center of the exchange chamber assembly in the closed state; a thin handle rod extending from the other transparent side wall located in the direction of the capsule drawer sliding out is pushed forward and inserted into the lock hole of the capsule drawer to open the capsule drawer and expose the placed sample; the sample capsule is pushed into the electron microscope vacuum space that is in contact with the open side by the push-pull rod.

[0008] It also includes: the front side of the outer shell is open without side walls, and the shape of the front half of the top is open to form an opening space; a blocking protrusion is provided at the junction of the lower edge of the front side of the outer shell and the bottom surface of the outer shell; the front side of the capsule drawer that slides out of the outer shell has a groove that is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the capsule drawer and is located near the lock hole in the center of the front side; the blocking protrusion abuts against the groove to prevent the capsule drawer from falling out of the outer shell when it slides out and opens.

[0009] This also includes: the outer shell is a one-piece molded cuboid box, the inner wall of the rear side of the outer shell abuts against and fits against the outer wall of the rear side of the capsule drawer that slides into the rear half of the outer shell; and / or, the size of the rear half of the top surface of the outer shell covers the top surface of the capsule drawer and the inner wall of the rear half of the top surface fits against the outer wall of the top surface of the capsule drawer, and the outer wall of the bottom surface of the capsule drawer fits against the inner wall of the bottom surface of the outer shell; and / or, the outer wall of the front half of the top half of the outer shell, opposite the bottom surface, is provided with a dovetail groove protruding downward from the bottom, connecting to the dovetail protrusion above the sample stage at the center of the exchange chamber assembly that matches the dovetail groove.

[0010] The capsule drawer includes: a flat sample placement area formed by a recessed center on the top surface of the capsule drawer; after the sample is placed in, the capsule drawer is placed in the open position of the front half of the top surface of the outer shell, and the front side of the capsule drawer is attached to the front side of the outer shell, placed inside the shell, and slid to a position where the top surface of the rear half of the outer shell can cover the entire capsule drawer.

[0011] This also includes: the sample placement area of ​​the capsule drawer includes: a circular groove with a flat bottom forming a cylindrical area, and the bottom of the area has concentric circular holes for fixing the sample; and / or, the front side area of ​​the capsule drawer has a sealing ring surrounding the front side, so that when the capsule drawer is covered by the outer shell and is in a closed state, the sample placed in the sample placement area of ​​the capsule drawer is in a closed state isolated from the outside.

[0012] This also includes a dovetail protrusion on the central sample stage, which allows the exchange chamber assembly to be inserted through the side door and connected to the sample stage when the capsule drawer is closed after the sample is placed in the capsule drawer.

[0013] The exchange chamber assembly also includes: a hollow cuboid structure with transparent walls on the top and three sides; and an opaque bottom with a sample stage located at the center of the bottom inner wall.

[0014] This also includes: one end of the handle lever is a hand grip, and the other end is a thin handle rod. The thin handle rod is inserted into the center of the outer wall spacer on the other transparent side wall located in the direction of the capsule drawer sliding out, and then penetrates into the first hole that matches the cross-sectional diameter of the thin handle rod, serving as a key to open the lock hole on the front side of the capsule drawer; when the sample capsule is placed on the sample stage of the exchange chamber assembly, the center line of the horizontal push and pull of the thin handle rod is aligned with the center horizontal line of the corresponding central lock hole on the front side of the capsule drawer.

[0015] This also includes: a push-pull rod on the openable side door, one end of which is a hand grip, and the other end of which is a thin push-pull rod that is inserted from the outer wall of the side door into the through hole below the center of the circular center of the side door, and enters the inner wall of the side door to form a "concave" shape with the front end stuck in the central circular groove.

[0016] This includes: pulling the push-pull rod to open the side door, placing the closed sample capsule into the exchange chamber assembly and fixing it to the sample stage, and pushing the push-pull rod to close the side door; after the handle rod opens the capsule drawer to expose the placed sample, thus opening the sample capsule, the push-pull rod is pushed forward, the concave front end of which locks the outer shell of the sample capsule, driving the entire sample capsule to be pushed horizontally forward, and pushed out the open side into the electron microscope vacuum area.

[0017] (III) Beneficial Effects

[0018] This invention presents an improved sample transfer device specifically designed for transferring and protecting samples, achieving a seamless connection between the glove box and the scanning electron microscope (SEM). It requires no modification to the SEM, does not interfere with its working environment, and also eliminates the need for alteration to the glove box, thus achieving safe, reliable, effective, and protective sample transport. The device's construction, which seamlessly connects the glove box and SEM to ensure sample integrity during transport, protects samples from contamination and external influences, while still allowing for analysis and research using instruments such as electron microscopes. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the sample capsule structure of one embodiment of the sample transfer device of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the sample capsule receiving drawer / capsule drawer of an embodiment of the sample transfer device of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the outer shell of a sample capsule according to an embodiment of the sample transfer device of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the sample capsule containing a sample in an embodiment of the sample transfer device of this utility model.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the exchange chamber assembly of an embodiment of the sample transfer device of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the sample capsule placement and exchange chamber assembly, which is an embodiment of the sample transfer device of this utility model.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the sample transfer device of this utility model, showing the sample capsule being placed into the exchange chamber, the handle being inserted, and the pull rod being pulled to open the sample.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the sample transfer device of this utility model, showing the opening of the side door to insert the sample capsule into the exchange chamber assembly;

[0027] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of a sample capsule being pushed into the electron microscope vacuum by a push-pull rod, according to an embodiment of the sample transfer device of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0028] In the description of specific embodiments, detailed descriptions of structures, performance, effects, or other features are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the embodiments. However, this does not preclude those skilled in the art from implementing this utility model under specific circumstances with technical solutions that do not contain the aforementioned structures, performance, effects, or other features.

[0029] The same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings denote the same or similar elements, components, or parts, and therefore repeated descriptions of the same or similar elements, components, or parts may be omitted below. It should also be understood that although terms such as first, second, third, etc., indicating designations, may be used herein to describe various devices, elements, components, or parts, these devices, elements, components, or parts should not be limited by these terms. That is, these terms are only used to distinguish one from another. For example, a first device may also be referred to as a second device, without departing from the essential technical solution of this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "and / or" and "and / or" refer to all combinations including any one or more of the listed items.

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0031] In one specific embodiment, the sample transfer device includes a sample capsule 10 and an exchange chamber assembly 30 with a matching split structure.

[0032] Combination Figures 1-3 This is a schematic diagram of the sample capsule structure according to an embodiment of the sample transfer device of this application. In one embodiment, the sample capsule 10 includes an integrally formed outer shell 101 and a capsule drawer 102 (i.e., a drawer) for accommodating the sample, which is inserted into and slides within the outer shell 101.

[0033] The outer casing 101 has an accommodating space that is half closed and half open, such as Figure 1 , 3 As shown. Preferably, the top surface 1011 of the outer shell 101 is divided into two parts, the front half is open and the rear half is closed, and the bottom surface 1012 of the outer shell 101 is fully closed, supporting the capsule drawer 102 and sliding the capsule drawer 102 into the closed space formed by the rear half to prevent the sample from contacting the outside after it is placed in, that is, to isolate the sample from the outside.

[0034] In one embodiment, the outer shell 101 is a one-piece molded cuboid box. In its outer contour, the sides corresponding to the width and height form two parallel, opposing sides: the front side 1013 and the rear side 1014. The front side 1013 is open without side walls, while the closed side wall of the rear side 1014 abuts against and conforms to the abutment surface 1021 of the capsule drawer 102, which slides into the outer shell 101—that is, the outer wall of the rear side 1021. The rear half of the top surface 1011 is large enough to cover the top surface 1023 of the capsule drawer 102. The inner wall of the rear half of the top surface 1011 conforms to the outer wall of the top surface 1023 of the drawer 102, and the outer wall of the bottom surface 1024 of the capsule drawer 102 conforms to the inner wall of the bottom surface 1012 of the outer shell 101.

[0035] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 ,2 As shown, the hollow inner wall shape of the outer shell 101 is adapted to the outer contour shape of the drawer 102. In use, after placing the sample into the central sample placement area 1025 in the capsule drawer 102, as shown... Figure 3 , 4 As shown, the drawer is inserted into the cabinet by placing it in the open position of the front half of the top surface 1011 of the outer shell 101, and the front side 1022 of the drawer 102 is attached to the front side 1013 of the outer shell 101 and placed inside the shell 101. The drawer 102 is then slid into the rear half of the outer shell 101, i.e., the drawer 102 slides into the rear half of the top surface 1011 of the outer shell 101 (drawer push-in) to cover / lock the entire drawer 102.

[0036] Preferably, a blocking protrusion is provided at the junction of the open front side 1013 and the bottom surface 1012 of the outer casing 101. The protrusion engages with a groove on the front side 1022 of the drawer 102 to prevent the drawer 102 from falling out of the outer casing 101 when it slides out from the rear half of the top surface of the outer casing 1011 to the front half, revealing the sample placement area 1025. The groove is preferably a groove located near the center lock hole of the front side 1022, with a vertical groove perpendicular to the bottom surface 1024.

[0037] Preferably, the sample placement area 1025 of the drawer 102 is located in the center of the drawer and is a circular groove, with concentric circular holes at the bottom for fixing the sample.

[0038] Preferably, the outer wall of the bottom surface 1012 of the outer shell 101, corresponding to the open area of ​​the front half of the upper surface 1011, is provided with a mounting platform such as a dovetail groove protruding downward from the bottom, which is connected to the matching dovetail protrusion 3011 above the sample stage 301 in the transfer chamber / exchange chamber.

[0039] like Figure 4 As shown, sample 20 is placed in the sample placement area 1025 of drawer 102 and then placed in the housing of outer shell 101, with drawer 102 in the open state. Figure 1 The drawer 102 is in the closed state, that is, the drawer is pushed into the area of ​​the rear half of the outer casing 101 with the top wall.

[0040] Preferably, the front side 1022 of the capsule drawer 102 is approximately elliptical, and the outer contour of the capsule drawer 102 is a smooth, curved cuboid shape. The approximately elliptical surface of the front side 1022 has a groove and a central locking hole, and a sealing ring surrounds the front side 1022. When the drawer 102 is covered by the outer shell 101 and is in the closed state, it can form a sealed effect that isolates it from the outside world, protecting the sample from contamination.

[0041] In one embodiment, the sample is placed in the transfer capsule 10 (i.e., the sample capsule 10) and the drawer 102 is in the closed state before being placed into the exchange compartment for assembly, such as... Figure 5The diagram shows a structural example of an exchange chamber assembly 30. The exchange chamber assembly 30 is preferably a hollow cuboid structure, with the top and three sides being transparent walls, such as glass windows or transparent plastic, for easy observation. The other side, parallel to the side 305 where the push-pull rod 303 is located, has no sidewall and is open, i.e., open side 307. The bottom is opaque, and a sample stage 301 is located at the center of the bottom inner wall. Above the sample stage 301 is an integrally formed or fixedly connected dovetail protrusion 3011 that engages with the dovetail groove at the bottom of the sample capsule 10. Preferably, the dovetail protrusion 3011 is approximately an inverted trapezoidal quadrangular prism, engaging and fixed with the dovetail groove. The sample stage 301 is a cuboid or cube.

[0042] Among them, the six prisms of the exchange compartment assembly 30 are made of high-hardness support material.

[0043] Among them, the open side 307 of the exchange compartment assembly 30 has only four prisms and no glass / transparent plastic walls.

[0044] In a preferred example, one of the two relatively small sides 304 is provided with a handle 302. One end of the handle 302 is a hand grip, and the other end of the handle 302 pull rod is inserted into the center of the outer wall pad of the side and penetrates into the first hole of the side that matches the cross-sectional diameter of the handle 302 pull rod, serving as a key to open the lock hole of the drawer 102 of the capsule 10, namely the handle pull rod key.

[0045] In a preferred example, a relatively large transparent side 305 is configured as an openable side door. A push-pull rod 303 is provided on the side door. One end of the push-pull rod 303 is a handle, and the other end, a thin rod, is inserted from the outer wall of the side door into a through hole below the center of the central circle of the side door. It then enters the inner wall of the side door, forming a concave shape that engages with the central circular groove. The push-pull rod 303 can be rotated to open the side door, allowing the sample capsule 10 to be placed into the exchange chamber assembly 30. The sample capsule 10 is then secured to the sample stage 301 by a dovetail groove and a dovetail protrusion 3011. Rotating the push-pull rod 303 closes the side door. Figure 8 The image shows an example of opening the side door and placing the capsule 10 into the exchange chamber assembly 30.

[0046] In a preferred example, such as Figure 6 The example shown illustrates the structure of the sample capsule 10 in the exchange chamber assembly 30. When the sample capsule 10 is inserted, its drawer 102 is closed. Furthermore, in the overall assembly, the opening direction of the sample capsule 10, i.e., the lock hole surface of the drawer 102 of the sample capsule 10, faces the handle rod 302, and the center height of the lock hole is horizontally aligned with the center height of the thin rod (i.e., the key section of the handle rod) on the inner wall of the exchange chamber assembly.

[0047] like Figure 7In the overall assembly state shown, rotating or pushing the handle lever 302 causes the lever 302 to extend horizontally forward into the thin rod (the key part of the handle lever) inside the exchange compartment assembly until it reaches the lock hole of the drawer 102 in the horizontally aligned capsule 10. The thin rod is then locked in place by the lock hole. Rotating or pulling the handle lever 302 opens the drawer 102, allowing the sample 20 placed inside the drawer to be displayed / exposed, i.e., in the open state. The sample 20 can be observed through the glass sidewalls and top wall.

[0048] When the sample 20 is in the open state in the capsule 10, the concave front end of the push-pull rod 303 is pushed forward. Preferably, the concave size matches the length of the outer shell 101 of the capsule 10, which just locks the outer shell 101, driving the entire capsule 10 to be pushed forward horizontally, pushing out the open side 307 and entering the electron microscope vacuum area that is in close contact with the open side 307.

[0049] In the description of specific embodiments, detailed descriptions of structures, performance, effects, or other features are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the embodiments. However, this does not preclude those skilled in the art from implementing this utility model under specific circumstances with technical solutions that do not contain the aforementioned structures, performance, effects, or other features.

[0050] The same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings denote the same or similar elements, components, or parts, and therefore repeated descriptions of the same or similar elements, components, or parts may be omitted below. It should also be understood that although terms such as first, second, third, etc., indicating designations, may be used herein to describe various devices, elements, components, or parts, these devices, elements, components, or parts should not be limited by these terms. That is, these terms are only used to distinguish one from another. For example, a first device may also be referred to as a second device, without departing from the essential technical solution of this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "and / or" and "and / or" refer to all combinations including any one or more of the listed items.

[0051] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of this utility model. It should be understood that this utility model is not inherently related to any specific computer, virtual device, or electronic device, and various general-purpose devices can also implement this utility model. The above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A sample transfer device, characterized by, include: Sample capsule and exchange chamber assembly for containing samples; The sample capsule comprises a one-piece molded shell and a capsule drawer that is inserted into and slides within the shell to hold the sample; The outer shell has a storage space, and the shape of its inner wall matches the outer contour of the capsule drawer; The front half of the top of the outer shell is open and the back half is closed. The bottom surface, which is parallel to the top surface, is closed. It supports the capsule drawer and slides the capsule drawer into the closed space formed by the back half of the top surface to separate the outside from the sample. One transparent wall side of the exchange chamber assembly is set as a switchable side door, and the side parallel to the transparent wall side door is set as an open side without a side wall. The push-pull rod on the side door opens the side door, and the sample capsule is placed into the sample stage in the center of the exchange chamber assembly in the closed state. Pushing the push-pull rod closes the side door, and the thin handle rod extending from the other transparent side wall located in the direction of the capsule drawer slides out is pushed forward and inserted into the lock hole of the capsule drawer to open the capsule drawer and expose the placed sample. The sample capsule is pushed into the electron microscope vacuum space that is in contact with the open side by the push-pull rod.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, Also includes: The front side of the outer shell is open without sidewalls, forming an opening space with the open shape of the front half of the top. A blocking protrusion is provided at the junction of the lower edge of the front side of the outer casing and the bottom surface of the outer casing; The front side of the capsule drawer, which slides out of the outer shell, has a groove near the lock hole located at the center of the front side, perpendicular to the bottom surface of the capsule drawer. The protrusions abut against the grooves to prevent the capsule drawer from sliding out and falling beyond the outer shell when it is opened.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, Also includes: The outer shell is a one-piece molded cuboid box, and the inner wall of the rear side of the outer shell abuts against and fits against the outer wall of the rear side of the capsule drawer that slides into the rear half of the outer shell; and / or, The rear half of the top surface of the outer shell covers the top surface of the capsule drawer, and the inner wall of the rear half of the top surface is flush with the outer wall of the top surface of the capsule drawer; the outer wall of the bottom surface of the capsule drawer is flush with the inner wall of the bottom surface of the outer shell; and / or, The outer wall of the front half of the top part of the shell, opposite the bottom surface, has a dovetail groove protruding downwards from the bottom, which connects to the dovetail protrusion above the sample stage in the center of the exchange chamber assembly, matching the dovetail groove.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The capsule drawer includes: The top surface of the capsule drawer is recessed to form a flat sample placement area. After the sample is placed in, the capsule drawer is placed in the open position of the front half of the top of the outer shell. The front side of the capsule drawer is then placed against the front side of the outer shell and inserted into the shell. The capsule drawer is then slid into the shell until the top surface of the rear half of the shell can cover the entire capsule drawer.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, Also includes: The sample placement area of ​​the capsule drawer includes: a circular groove with a flat bottom, forming a cylindrical area, and concentric circular holes at the bottom of the area for fixing the sample. And / or, The front side of the capsule drawer has a sealing ring that surrounds the front side. When the capsule drawer is closed and covered by the outer shell, the sample placed in the sample placement area of ​​the capsule drawer is in a closed state isolated from the outside world.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, Also includes: After the sample is placed in the capsule drawer, with the capsule drawer closed, the exchange chamber assembly is inserted through the side door and connected to the dovetail protrusion on the central sample stage.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The exchange compartment assembly also includes: The structure is hollow cuboid, with the top and three sides all being transparent walls. The bottom is opaque, and the sample stage is located at the center of the bottom inner wall.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, Also includes: One end of the handle lever is a hand grip, and the other end is a thin handle rod. The thin handle rod is inserted into the center of the outer wall spacer on the other transparent side wall in the direction of the capsule drawer sliding out, and then passes through the first hole that matches the cross-sectional diameter of the thin handle rod, serving as a key to open the lock hole on the front side of the capsule drawer. The sample capsule is placed on the sample stage of the exchange chamber assembly, and the center line of the horizontal push-pull of the handle rod is aligned with the center horizontal line of the center lock hole on the front side of the corresponding capsule drawer.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, Also includes: The push-pull rod on the openable side door has a handle at one end and a thin push-pull rod at the other end that is inserted from the outer wall of the side door into the through hole below the center of the circular shape of the side door, and then into the inner wall of the side door to form a concave shape with the front end stuck in the central circular groove.

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