Lead-in Electrode Elastic Member for Mass Spectrometer
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Solution Overview
Problem
In orthogonal acceleration type time-of-flight mass spectrometers, variations in the thickness of the lead-in electrode lead to distortion of the electric field, resulting in non-uniform acceleration of ions and reduced resolution power and sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A lead-in electrode design featuring a main body with an ion passing part, a first member with a through-hole accommodating the main body, a second member with a through-hole allowing ion passage, and an elastic member between the main body and the second member to maintain parallelism and accommodate thickness variations, preventing curvature and distortion of the electric field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the lead-in electrode is manufactured with standard thickness tolerances, then manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture are improved, but the electric field becomes distorted and ion acceleration becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elastic member that changes the mechanical parameters of the electrode assembly by applying compensating force. This elastic member deforms under compression to exert a counteracting force on the lead-in electrode, actively correcting thickness variations and maintaining parallelism between electrode surfaces, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and manufacturing precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If the lead-in electrode maintains strict parallelism through rigid fixation, then electric field uniformity and ion acceleration quality are improved, but the structure becomes more complex and difficult to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an elastic member (flexible element) between the lead-in electrode and the fixed structure. This flexible component allows the electrode to maintain strict parallelism through elastic deformation rather than rigid constraint, simplifying the overall structure while achieving the required precision. The elastic member absorbs manufacturing tolerances and maintains electrode alignment without complex rigid fixation mechanisms.
3Strength
If the lead-in electrode is made thicker to accommodate mounting hardware, then structural strength is improved, but the bottom surface becomes curved and electric field distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrode assembly into distinct functional components: the lead-in electrode, the elastic member, and the mounting structure. This segmentation allows the lead-in electrode to be made thicker for structural strength without compromising surface flatness, as the elastic member acts as an intermediary that compensates for any shape deviations and maintains the required parallelism for electric field uniformity.
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
Ensures uniform acceleration of ions, improving resolution power and sensitivity by maintaining parallelism between electrodes and preventing electric field distortion.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member which is compressed when the first member and the second member are fixed to each other and exerts a counteracting force on the lead-in electrode
Implementation Method 2
a group of ions are accelerated in a direction orthogonal to an incident direction of the group of ions so as to eliminate an influence of the variation in the flight velocity in the incident direction
Data Source
AI summary
A lead-in electrode, of an orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometer, includes: a main body having an ion passing part and a first member including a main-body accommodating part that is a through-hole. One surface of the first member includes an extension part to define a position of one surface of the main body. A second member is attached to the first member. A through-hole is provided at a position of the second member. One surface of the second member includes a first area in contact with a surface opposite to the one surface of the first member and a second area located inside with respect to the first area. The second area is formed lower than a surface, of the first area, in contact with the surface opposite to the one surface. A lead-in electrode elastic member is disposed, in the second area, between the first member and second members.