Collision Cell Transition Observation Time Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In tandem-type mass analysis apparatuses with storage-ejection type collision cells, there is no correlation between transition observation time and storage-ejection time, leading to wasteful idle time and suboptimal sensitivity during sample measurement.

Innovation Solution

A mass analysis apparatus that computes and optimizes the actual transition observation time as an integer multiple of the storage-ejection time, allowing the collision cell to perform the storing-ejecting operation the maximum number of times within the designated transition observation time, thereby improving measurement efficiency and reducing idle time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the transition observation time is designated independently from the storage-ejection time, then the user can flexibly set measurement parameters, but wasteful idle time occurs during sample measurement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter setting flexibilityVSAvoididle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention dynamically adjusts the transition observation time parameter based on the storage-ejection time parameter. The computation unit calculates the transition observation time as an integer multiple of the storage-ejection time, ensuring that both parameters are coordinated to eliminate idle time while maintaining measurement flexibility through programmable adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the transition observation time is not correlated with the storage-ejection time, then the operation conditions can be set independently, but high sensitivity cannot be achieved under certain conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent parameter settingVSAvoidsensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements a feedback mechanism where the computation unit continuously monitors the storage-ejection time and adjusts the transition observation time accordingly. This ensures that the transition observation time remains optimally correlated with the storage-ejection time to maximize sensitivity, while the controller maintains ease of operation through automated parameter coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the collision cell executes storing and ejecting operations periodically, then measurement efficiency can be improved, but the transition observation time and storage-ejection time become uncoupled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement efficiencyVSAvoidparameter correlation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The computation unit automatically calculates and sets the transition observation time based on the storage-ejection time without requiring manual intervention to establish the correlation. The system self-adjusts the parameter relationship to eliminate idle time and optimize sensitivity, maintaining measurement efficiency while reducing the operational complexity of parameter coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3544044B1Mass analysis apparatus and mass analysis method
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 JEOL LTD
  • EP3544044B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3544044B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(C)
  • EP3544044B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(E)

AI summary

When a first scheme (transition observation time optimization scheme) is selected, a computation unit (50) computes an actual transition observation time as a time of an integer multiple of a storage-ejection time of a collision cell (20) within a frame of a transition observation time. When a second scheme (storage-ejection time optimization scheme) is selected, the computation unit (50) divides the transition observation time by a maximum storage-ejection time to determine a number of repetitions of a storing-ejecting operation of the collision cell (20), and determines a storage-ejection time based thereon.