Mass Spectrometer Sampling Cone Locking for Easy Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mass spectrometers, the connection pipe's screws can be difficult to remove during maintenance due to adhesion, leading to potential loss and equipment failure, and existing locking mechanisms do not facilitate easy connection and separation without risk of screws being dropped.
Innovation Solution
A mass spectrometer design incorporating a connection pipe that is heated and a locking mechanism with a sampling cone and fixing member, allowing for secure locking and easy detachment by displacement along the axial direction, utilizing leaf springs and hook portions for frictional locking and unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the object to be locked is locked to the connection main body portion with a screw, then the locking is secure, but the maintenance becomes difficult due to adhesion and risk of losing screws
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into a locking portion and a locking groove, separating the locking function from the connection structure. This allows the object to be locked to engage with the locking portion through axial displacement without requiring screws, enabling easy maintenance while maintaining secure locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw-based mechanical fastening system is replaced with a displacement-based locking system. The object to be locked is locked to the connection main body portion by axial displacement that engages the locking portion with the locking groove, eliminating screws and simplifying maintenance.
2Productivity
If the connection pipe is heated for desolvation, then the desolvation function is improved, but the screws may adhere due to heat making removal difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The screws are extracted from the locking mechanism entirely. The locking function is achieved through the locking portion and locking groove that engage via axial displacement, eliminating the screws that would otherwise adhere due to heat from the connection pipe's desolvation heating.
3Ease of repair
If a locking mechanism is added to enable easy connection and separation, then the maintenance ease is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged into the connection structure itself. The locking portion is provided on the connection main body portion and the locking groove on the object to be locked, combining the connection and locking functions into a single axial displacement action, avoiding additional complex locking mechanisms.
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
Enables secure locking and easy separation of components without the need for screw removal, reducing the risk of screws being lost and facilitating maintenance by allowing connection and separation through axial displacement without rotation.
Implementation Method 1
the connection pipe is heated
Implementation Method 2
utilizing leaf springs and hook portions for frictional locking and unlocking
Data Source
AI summary
A mass spectrometer 10 that introduces an ion generated in an ionization chamber 16 into a vacuum chamber 18 and detects the ion by a detector 34 includes a connection pipe 26, a connection main body portion 40, a sampling cone 50, a fixing member 52, and a locking portion 70. The connection pipe 26 allows the ionization chamber 16 and the vacuum chamber 18 to communicate with each other. The connection main body portion 40 heats the connection pipe 26 that is inserted. The sampling cone 50 is provided on the ionization chamber 16 side with respect to the connection main body portion 40, and an end portion of the connection pipe 26 is inserted through the sampling cone 50. The fixing member 52 fixes the connection pipe 26 to the connection main body portion 40. When at least one of the sampling cone 50 and the fixing member 52 is set as an object to be locked, the locking portion 70 locks the object to be locked to the connection main body portion 40. Further, one of the connection main body portion 40 and the object to be locked can be attached to and detached from the locking portion 70 provided on the other one of the connection main body portion 40 and the object to be locked.