Shielding Electrode with Bent Ion Flow Path for Ion Mobility Separators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ion mobility separators face challenges in maintaining high sensitivity and durability due to contamination from noise components like droplets and neutral molecules, which affect the electric field and lead to reduced separation ability and potential discharge.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a shielding electrode with a bent ion flow path between the ion source and the ion mobility separation part, which applies a DC voltage and is designed to deflect noise components away from the ion mobility separation region, reducing contamination and improving durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the ion mobility separator is placed immediately behind the ion source to achieve high sensitivity detection, then the detection sensitivity is improved, but the device is easily contaminated by droplets and neutral molecules sprayed by the ion source, leading to reduced durability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A shielding electrode is introduced as an intermediary component between the ion source and the ion mobility separator. This shielding electrode deflects droplets and neutral molecules away from the ion mobility separator while allowing ions to pass through, thus protecting the separator from contamination without compromising detection sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The space between the ion source and ion mobility separator is segmented into different functional regions: an ion extraction region and an ion introduction region. The shielding electrode is positioned to create these distinct regions, allowing different types of particles (ions versus droplets/neutral molecules) to be directed differently, thereby protecting the ion mobility separator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the ion mobility separator is placed immediately behind the ion source to enable high throughput measurement, then the productivity is improved, but contamination from noise components occurs, leading to separation ability deterioration and potential discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidcontamination from noise components

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding electrode serves as a mediator that selectively interacts with different particle types. It deflects noise components (droplets and neutral molecules) while permitting ions to pass through to the ion mobility separator, thus maintaining high throughput measurement without contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the shielding electrode have different functions: one side extracts ions while the other side deflects droplets and neutral molecules. This local differentiation of quality allows the system to maintain high throughput while protecting against contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a straight ion flow path is used to simplify the device structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but noise components directly enter the ion mobility separation region, causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ion flow path is segmented into an ion extraction region and an ion introduction region by the shielding electrode. This segmentation creates a bent path that separates the trajectories of ions from droplets and neutral molecules, preventing contamination while adding minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 shielding electrode effectively reduces contamination of the ion mobility separator, enhancing its durability and stability, allowing for long-term stable operation by preventing noise components from entering the ion mobility separation region.

Implementation Method 1

a shielding electrode which is provided between the ion source and the ion mobility separation part and to which a DC voltage is applied

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

The ion mobility separator separates ions in a gas phase under atmospheric pressure by utilizing the fact that the movement speed of the ions in the gas phase is different depending on the three-dimensional structure of a molecular ion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon mobility:

Implementation Method 3

the ion flow path is bent so that the outlet is unable to be seen from the inlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas flow deflection:

Data Source

PatentUS10684256B2Analysis device provided with ion mobility separation part

Publication Date: 2020.06.16 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP

AI summary

In order to make an analyzer with an ion mobility separation part have high durability and robustness, the analyzer includes an ion source, an ion mobility separation part which includes a pair of facing electrodes to which a high frequency voltage and a DC voltage are applied, and a shielding electrode which is provided between the ion source and the ion mobility separation part and to which a DC voltage is applied, wherein the shielding electrode includes an ion flow path connecting an inlet from which ions from the ion source are introduced and an outlet from which the ions are discharged thereinside, and the ion flow path is bent so that the outlet is unable to be seen from the inlet.