Mass Spectrometer Door Structure for Reliable Vacuum Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mass spectrometers face challenges in achieving a vacuum state in the vacuum chamber due to air ingress through gaps between the O-ring and the opening edge, requiring external force to overcome the O-ring's repulsive force during closure.
Innovation Solution
A mass spectrometer design featuring a door with a closing portion that contacts the opening edge opposite to the hinge side first, allowing separation from the holding portion to ensure complete closure by rotating the door, simplifying the sealing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the door is closed using a conventional hinge mechanism with O-ring sealing, then the opening can be sealed, but air enters through gaps between the O-ring and opening edge making it difficult to achieve vacuum state
Solution Approach 1:
The door is divided into a closing portion and a holding portion that can separate from each other. The closing portion detaches from the holding portion during rotation to eliminate gaps and achieve complete sealing contact with the opening edge, ensuring reliable vacuum state without complex external forcing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The door closure mechanism transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic separable connection. The closing portion dynamically separates from the holding portion during rotation, allowing the closing portion to make complete contact with the opening edge for reliable sealing while simplifying the operation.
2Reliability
If external force is applied to overcome O-ring repulsive force to achieve closure, then the opening can be sealed, but the operation becomes more complex requiring screws or additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the door into separable closing and holding portions, the invention eliminates the need for external forcing mechanisms like screws. The separation allows the closing portion to naturally contact the opening edge completely, achieving reliable sealing through simple rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful O-ring repulsive force that creates gaps and requires external forcing is eliminated by extracting the O-ring sealing mechanism and replacing it with direct contact between the closing portion and opening edge through the separable door design.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the closing portion is fixed to the holding portion throughout rotation, then structural integrity is maintained, but gaps form between the O-ring and opening edge preventing vacuum state
Solution Approach 1:
The door is segmented into separable closing and holding portions that disconnect during rotation. This segmentation allows the closing portion to make complete contact with the opening edge for reliable vacuum sealing while the holding portion remains connected to the hinge for structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between closing and holding portions changes dynamically during rotation - connected during initial rotation for structural integrity, then separated to enable complete sealing contact. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between maintaining structural integrity and achieving reliable sealing.
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 design enables easier and more effective sealing of the vacuum chamber by ensuring the closing portion contacts the opposite edge first, facilitating simpler work and reliable vacuum maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
due to repulsive force of the O-ring 124, the O-ring 124 is separated from a peripheral edge portion of the opening 111 on the side opposite to the hinge portion 103 side
Data Source
AI summary
A door 4 includes a closing portion 41 that closes an opening 302 in a closed state, and a holding portion 42 that holds the closing portion 41 and is connected to a hinge portion 5. The closing portion 41 is connected to the holding portion 42 on the side opposite to the hinge portion 5 side, and is configured to be separable from the holding portion 42 on the hinge portion 5 side. In a case where the door 4 is rotated from an open state to a closed state, the closing portion 41 is configured to be in contact with a peripheral edge portion of the opening 302 on the side opposite to the hinge portion 5 side before the closing portion 41 comes into contact with a peripheral edge portion of the opening 302 on the hinge portion 5 side.