Ion Source Lever Locking for Airtight Mass Spectrometry
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mass spectrometry devices face challenges in ensuring airtightness in the ionization chamber, particularly in small devices, where a large force is required to lock the ion source to the main body while maintaining a space-saving structure.
Innovation Solution
A mass spectrometry device is designed with a lock mechanism that includes a lever and an engaging portion with rotatable engaging members. This mechanism allows for easy locking of the ion source to the main body using a space-saving structure, ensuring airtightness without the need for excessive manual force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large pressing force is applied to lock the ion source to the main body, then airtightness in the ionization chamber is ensured, but the device structure becomes bulky and operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism uses a lever that rotates between locked and unlocked states, dynamically changing the pressing force applied to the flange portion. When locked, the lever maintains large pressing force for airtightness; when unlocked, the force is released for easy operation
Solution Approach 2:
The lever acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the locking operation and the ion source pressing force. It translates a small rotational motion into a large pressing force on the flange portion through its geometric configuration
2Reliability
If a large pressing force is applied to lock the ion source, then airtightness is ensured, but manual operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism transitions from a static pressing structure to a dynamic lever-based system that rotates between states. The lever's rotational motion allows easy manual operation while maintaining large pressing force when locked
Solution Approach 2:
The lever serves as a mechanical intermediary that reduces the effort needed for locking. By rotating the lever, the user indirectly applies the necessary pressing force to the flange portion without directly exerting large force
3Volume of moving object
If a compact structure is used to save space, then device size is reduced, but applying sufficient locking force becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The compact lever mechanism generates large locking force through rotational motion rather than requiring a large linear displacement. The lever's rotation within a compact arc produces sufficient pressing force on the flange portion
Solution Approach 2:
The lever acts as a force-amplifying intermediary within the compact structure. It converts a small input force applied during lever rotation into a large pressing force on the flange portion, maintaining adequate locking force despite the compact device size
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
The device achieves easy and secure locking of the ion source, ensuring airtightness in the ionization chamber, even in small devices, with a compact design that requires minimal manual force.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing member is pressed and elastically deformed, so that airtightness in the ionization chamber is secured
Data Source
AI summary
A lock mechanism (300) includes a lever (301) and an engaging portion (302). The lever (301) is provided in a main body (100) or an ion source (200), and is rotatable between a locked state in which the ion source (200) is maintained in a closed state with respect to the main body (100) and an unlocked state in which the ion source (200) is openable with respect to the main body (100). The engaging portion (302) includes a first engaging member (321) and a second engaging member (322) at least one of which is rotatably provided, and the first engaging member (321) and the second engaging member (322) are engaged with each other in the locked state. At least one of the first engaging member (321) and the second engaging member (322) rotates while being in contact with each other as the lever (301) rotates from the unlocked state to the locked state.