Removable Ion Analyzer Electrodes With Repeatable Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ion analyzers face challenges in easily attaching and detaching electrodes with high position reproducibility, particularly in atmospheric pressure ion sources like ESI sources, where electrode contamination and precise positioning are critical for high ion intake efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The ion analyzer incorporates a base member with a cylindrical concave part, where a first conductive member with a first ion flow controller is accommodated, and a second conductive member with a second ion flow controller is inserted through an insulating member. This configuration allows for easy attachment and detachment of the electrodes while maintaining high positional accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electrodes are fixed in the ionization chamber to control ion movement, then ion intake efficiency is improved, but electrode contamination occurs and cleaning requires disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly is divided into modular components that can be independently removed. The push electrode and convergence electrode are separated and can be individually accessed through the ionization chamber, allowing selective cleaning without complete disassembly of the electrode system.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrodes are designed to be extractable from the ionization chamber. The push electrode can be removed through the ion introduction port, and the convergence electrode can be accessed and cleaned without removing the entire electrode assembly from the chamber.
2Ease of repair
If electrodes are easily removable for cleaning, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but positional reproducibility during reattachment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Mechanical positioning features such as guide pins, positioning grooves, and tapered interfaces replace complex mechanical adjustment systems. These features ensure that when electrodes are reattached after cleaning, they automatically return to their precise original positions without requiring complex alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode assembly includes self-aligning features that automatically ensure correct positioning upon reattachment. The convergence electrode and push electrode have built-in positioning mechanisms that guide them into their correct positions relative to the ion introduction port and each other, eliminating the need for external alignment tools or procedures.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex fixing mechanisms are used to ensure positional accuracy, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode components are nested within the ionization chamber in a hierarchical structure. The push electrode is positioned within the convergence electrode's field of view, and both are contained within the ionization chamber volume. This nested arrangement simplifies the overall structure while maintaining precise relative positioning through the natural geometric constraints of the nested configuration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables easy and reproducible positioning of the electrodes, enhancing the ion intake efficiency while preventing contamination of the mass spectrometry section, thus improving the accuracy of substance analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a first conductive member having conductivity and being a cylindrical member accommodated in the concave part, one end of the first conductive member being exposed and a first ion flow controller configured to control movement of the ions being fixed to the one end of the first conductive member; a second conductive member having conductivity and being a rod-shaped member inserted into the insulating member, one end of the second conductive member being exposed and a second ion flow controller configured to control movement of the ions being fixed to the one end of the second conductive member
Implementation Method 2
an insulating member being a cylindrical member inserted into the first conductive member
Data Source
AI summary
An ion analyzer including: a base member fixed to a ion outflow port and having a cylindrical concave part; a cylindrical first conductive member accommodated in the concave part; a first ion flow controller fixed to an exposed end of the first conductive member; a cylindrical insulating member inserted into the first conductive member; a rod-shaped second conductive member inserted into the insulating member; a second ion flow controller being fixed to an exposed end of the second conductive member; a first power feeding unit that, when accommodated in the concave part, comes into contact with the first conductive member; and a second power feeding unit that, when accommodated in the concave part, comes into contact with the second conductive member when the first conductive member accommodates the second conductive member and the insulating member.