JP2002150993A - Mass spectrometer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable facilitating of cleaning, dismantling works for exchange or the like, and an assembling work performed afterwards, with respect to members constituting an interface mechanism of a mass spectrometer. SOLUTION: When the present invention is applied to ESI interface mechanism, this is constituted to be shaped, this is engaged with a groove part 14 of a board part 11 installed at a planar plate 16 of a body part case 1, wherein the lower end part is formed rectangular in shape and a shape, so that each micropore electrode constituting an ionized electrode 3 engages with the groove part 14. Each of the micropore electrode is made to be slidable, being guided by the groove part 14 installed at the board part 11, and positioning of a central pore is made possible, while each of the micropore electrode is engaged with and mounted on the groove part 14. In a using condition, the whole device is fixed to a surface of a vacuum drawing duct 5 with a fixing screw 4 and is pushed against the surface of the vacuum drawing duct 5 with a stopper 12, having a stopper lever 13 engaged with the groove part 14 from an end part of the board part 11, so that each of the micropore electrode is fixed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mass spectrometer, and more particularly to a mass spectrometer capable of easily disassembling, cleaning, and replacing parts of an interface mechanism for ionizing a sample and introducing it into an analysis unit. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a mass spectrometer according to the prior art includes a liquid chromatograph type and a gas chromatograph. In the case of the gas chromatograph type, an interface mechanism for vaporizing and ionizing a sample to be analyzed, and an ionizing particle An electrostatic lens, an analysis unit for conducting mass analysis of sample particles by guiding particles to an ion trap unit controlled by a high-frequency electric field via an ion guide, and detecting particles output from the ion trap unit. I have. And the gas chromatograph type mass spectrometer is
In general, the analysis section is arranged in a high vacuum space, the ionization section constituting the interface mechanism is arranged in a low vacuum, and the vaporization section is arranged in the atmosphere.

As the above-mentioned interface mechanism, a so-called electrospray ionizer (ESI) and a so-called atmospheric pressure chemical ionizer (APCI) are known. The ESI is composed of a vaporizer that vaporizes a sample by blowing an inert gas and a liquid sample into a double pipe to which a high voltage is applied, and an ionization electrode having a pore at the center. Atomizer with a member heated to about 200 degrees from 150 degrees with fine pores, and a vaporizer with a member heated to about 400 degrees with small holes in the center, And an ionization electrode having pores.

FIG. 16 shows an E of a conventional mass spectrometer.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an SI interface mechanism. Hereinafter, an interface mechanism according to the related art will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 16, 1 is a main body housing, 2 is a vaporizer, 3 is an ionization electrode, 4 and 4 'are fixing screws, 5 is a vacuum extraction duct, 6 is an atomizer, 7 is a tube, and 17 is a top plate. is there.

A mass spectrometer according to the prior art has a main body having a top plate 17 in which a mass spectrometer (not shown) including an electrostatic lens, an ion guide, an ion trap, and a particle detector, a vacuum pump, a power supply, a control circuit, and the like are provided. As shown in FIG. 16, the ionization electrode 3 and the vaporizer 2 which are housed in the housing 1 and constitute the ESI interface mechanism are attached to a part separated from the inside of the housing 1 as shown in FIG. ing.

[0006] A part of the top plate 17 to which the ESI interface mechanism is attached is shown in a cut-out state in FIG. 16, but this portion is a removable lid which is flush with the top plate 17. Or it is configured as a door that can be opened and closed. Also, in FIG. 16, the side plate of the main body housing 1 is shown in a cut-out state, but the side plate is not actually cut out, but extends to just below the top plate 17 and the ES
Surrounds the I-interface mechanism. And ES
The maintenance of the I interface mechanism is performed from above by removing a lid provided on a part of the top plate 17 or opening a door.

[0007] The ESI interface mechanism is attached via a vacuum extraction duct 5 for drawing the pores to a medium vacuum, and has a plurality of disc-shaped pore electrodes having pores in the center. Electrode 3 composed of
And a vaporizer 2 for vaporizing a sample dissolved in a solvent or the like sent through a tube 7. The vacuum extraction duct 5 is attached to the main body housing 1 by a fixing screw 4 ′, and is connected to an internal vacuum pump.

[0008] The ESI interface mechanism and a vacuum pump (not shown) are usually connected via two vacuum chambers. Although not shown in FIG. 16, one is a high-vacuum vacuum chamber in which the analysis unit is arranged, and the other is a vacuum chamber in which the ionization unit constituting the interface mechanism has a low vacuum. The gas inside these vacuum chambers is sucked by three vacuum pumps. That is, one vacuum pump is assigned to a vacuum chamber that sets the ionization unit of the interface mechanism to a low vacuum, and a turbo molecular vacuum pump is assigned to a high vacuum vacuum chamber that places the analysis unit.
Another vacuum pump is arranged for exhausting the exhaust pressure of the turbo-molecular vacuum pump.

Although not shown in the drawing, the vaporizer 2 is formed in a double pipe shape, and a sample from the tube 7 is fed into an inner central pipe, and an imperfect between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. An active gas is blown to spray and vaporize the sample, and the vaporized sample is blown toward the central pore of the ionization electrode 3. The outer pipe of the vaporizer 2 includes:
A high voltage of about 3 kV is applied from inside the main body housing 1 via a cable (not shown).

The ionization electrode 3 is fixedly attached to a vacuum extraction duct 5 by a fixing screw 4 after positioning the pores of a plurality of pore electrodes. Although not shown in the drawing, voltages of different potentials for ionizing the injected sample particles are applied to each of the plurality of pore electrodes constituting the ionization electrode 3 via a cable (not shown). It is applied from inside the body 1.

In the above description, the sample sent through the tube 7 is vaporized by the vaporizer 2, ionized while its particles pass through the pores of the ionization electrode 3, and stored in the main body housing 1. Is sent to the mass spectrometry section. It should be noted that the sample after being vaporized is obtained by the fact that the inside of the vacuum extraction duct 5 is extracted to a vacuum.
It is automatically guided through the ionization electrode 3 into the body housing 1.

In the above, the ESI interface mechanism of the mass spectrometer according to the prior art has been described.
The I-interface mechanism is configured similarly to the case of FIG. That is, in the mass spectrometer having the APCI interface, the mass spectrometer including the electrostatic lens, the ion guide, and the ion trap particle detection, the vacuum pump, the power supply, the control circuit, and the like are housed in the main body housing 1.
The PCI interface mechanism is constituted by an ionization electrode, a vaporizer, and an atomizer not provided in the ESI interface mechanism, and attached to a part separated from the inside of the main body housing 1 in the same manner as described above. Have been. The APCI interface mechanism is attached through a vacuum extraction duct 5 that evacuates the pores to a moderate vacuum, and is formed into a plurality of discs having pores at the center in a manner similar to the ESI interface mechanism. An ionization electrode constituted by a fine pore electrode, an atomizer for atomizing a sample dissolved in a solvent or the like sent through a tube, and a vaporizer for vaporizing the atomized sample. . The vacuum extraction duct is attached to the main unit housing by a fixing screw and connected to an internal vacuum pump.

The atomizer is heated to about 150 to 200 degrees, and atomizes a sample sent through a tube into a fine hole provided in the center and sends the sample to a vaporizer. The vaporizer is heated to about 400 degrees higher than the atomizer, vaporizes the atomized sample sent from the atomizer, and directs the vaporized sample toward the center pore of the ionization electrode. Inhale. A heater for heating and a sensor for temperature measurement are incorporated in the atomizer and the vaporizer, and the wiring for these is drawn into the body housing via a cable.

The structure of the ionization electrode is the same as that of the above-described mass spectrometer having the ESI interface mechanism. Also, the structure in which the APCI interface mechanism is attached to the main body housing, the APCI on the side plate of the main body housing. The structure around the interface mechanism and the configuration of the top plate are the same as those of the above-described mass spectrometer having the ESI interface mechanism.

In the above description, the sample sent through the tube is vaporized through an atomizer and a vaporizer, and the particles are ionized while passing through the pores of the ionization electrode, and stored inside the main body housing. Is sent to the mass spectrometry section.

[0016]

In the above-described mass spectrometer according to the prior art, the ionization electrode and the vaporizer constituting the interface mechanism, or the nebulizer and the ionization electrode are aligned with each other and mounted with mounting screws. I have.
These members need to be removed for cleaning or the like after being used for a certain period of time, and the members need to be replaced depending on the sample to be analyzed. Each of the above-mentioned members constituting the interface mechanism has a considerable weight, and has a considerable amount of heat immediately after use.

For this reason, in the interface mechanism of the above-described conventional mass spectrometer, the alignment at the time of assembling after disassembly for cleaning or the like has to be performed while holding the member in hand, and the work is performed. In addition, since the APCI interface mechanism is heated during use, there is a problem that work cannot be performed immediately after use.

In the interface mechanism of the above-described conventional mass spectrometer, the above-described operation must be performed from above by removing a lid on the interface mechanism provided on the top plate or opening a door. However, there is a problem that workability is extremely poor. In addition, usually, instruments such as a liquid chromatograph are put on the top plate and used, and these devices are used for the lid on the top plate,
When placed on the door, there is a problem that the above-described cleaning operation cannot be performed unless these devices are moved.

Further, the mass spectrometer according to the prior art described above uses as many as three vacuum pumps, so that the entire apparatus becomes large and the weight increases, so that the mass spectrometer is carried in and installed. In such a case, it must be disassembled to a weight that can be transported, and must be assembled on site, and the amount of work required for those operations increases, and there is a problem that time and cost increase. .

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, to make it easy to disassemble, clean, replace parts, etc. of the interface mechanism, and to easily perform positioning when assembling. An object of the present invention is to provide a mass spectrometer having an interface mechanism for vaporizing and ionizing a sample to be analyzed, which enables the analysis.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the size of the entire apparatus, to reduce the weight, and to reduce the number of disassembly to make the weight capable of being conveyed when carrying in and installing the apparatus. Another object of the present invention is to provide a mass spectrometer that can be easily assembled on site.

[0022]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interface mechanism comprising a vaporizer for vaporizing a sample to be analyzed, and an ionization electrode having a pore at a central portion thereof. In a mass spectrometer configured by a mass spectrometer that performs mass spectrometry of ionized sample particles, the interface mechanism,
A cable that is connected to the main unit housing and supplies power for applying voltage and heating to the interface mechanism is pulled into the main unit housing via the connector, and two of the connector pins of the connector are short-circuited by jumper wires. Aside
The control device is configured to determine the type of the interface mechanism based on the position of the connector pin to be short-circuited. The control device is configured by a personal computer, and the determined type of the interface mechanism and the outline of the device configuration are displayed on a display. This is achieved by displaying the voltage applied to each part of the device configuration of the interface mechanism displayed on the display and at least the measured temperature of the measured temperature and the set temperature in a corresponding manner. Is done.

Further, the object is to provide a first vacuum pump for evacuating a vacuum chamber in which a mass spectrometry unit is housed, and an exhaust from the first vacuum pump and a vacuum chamber formed by the ionization electrode. By providing a second vacuum pump for evacuating, the first vacuum pump is detachably disposed inside the main body housing, on the near side of the front and on the side. This is achieved by:

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the mass spectrometer according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire configuration of a mass spectrometer according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an interface mechanism of the mass spectrometer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing an interface mechanism of No. 2; 1 to 3, 8 is a cable, 9 is a connector, 10 is a door, 11 is a base, 12 is a stopper, 13 is a stopper lever, 14 is a groove, 15 is a display, 16 is a flat plate, 17 is a top plate, 17 'is a recess of the top plate, 18 is a transparent window, 19 is a micro switch, 20 is a front cover, 20' is a cover, 31 is a liquid chromatograph, 32
Is a personal computer (PC), 33 is a display, 34 is a keyboard, 35 is a mouse, 36 is a desk, and the other symbols are the same as those in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mass spectrometer of the present invention has a main body housing 1 in which various devices constituting the mass spectrometer are stored, and is provided on the main body housing 1. A liquid chromatograph 31 placed on the top plate 17,
A mass spectrometer provided on a desk 36 arranged side by side in the main body housing 1, a personal computer 32 for controlling the liquid chromatograph 31 and processing data from the mass spectrometer, and a control status and a data processing status are displayed. Display 33,
Keyboard 34 for inputting instructions and the like to personal computer 32
And a mouse 36.

A door 10 is provided on the side and the front of the main body housing 1.
10 'and a transparent window 18 are provided. The door 10 provided on the side surface is used as an oil supply port for hydraulic oil of a turbo-molecular pump for vacuum evacuation arranged inside the main body housing 1, and the transparent window 18 on the front side is used as a turbo-molecular pump. Is provided so that the amount of hydraulic oil can be seen from the outside. The door 10 'on the front side is provided such that the power switch and the like can be operated by opening the door 10'.

Further, on the upper part of the front surface of the main body housing 1,
Removable front lid 20 and indicator 15 projecting forward
Is provided. Front lid 20
Inside, the interface mechanism is connected to and disposed on the main body housing 1 as described later. When the front cover 20 is removed by pulling the front cover 20 to the right side in the figure, the main body housing 1 is detached.
The upper part, the front part, and a part of the right side part in the illustrated example are released to expose the interface mechanism. As a result, the interface mechanism can be maintained and inspected from three directions, and the interface mechanism can be disassembled and assembled with extremely high workability. The front cover 20
May be formed so as not to release the three sides of the interface mechanism, but to release any two sides.

As will be described later, the mass spectrometer of the present invention is operable only when the detachable front lid 20 is securely attached to the main body housing 1. I have. This makes it possible to ensure the safety of the worker when the Conservative Party of the interface mechanism to which the high voltage is applied is working.

The top plate 17 constituting the upper surface of the main body casing 1 is configured such that a portion excluding the peripheral portion is formed as a concave portion 17 ′ depressed from the peripheral portion. Then, the liquid chromatograph 31 is placed on the surface of the recess 17 '.
Is placed. Accordingly, even when the main body housing 1 vibrates or moves for some reason, the liquid chromatograph 31 which is a device mounted thereon is mounted on the top plate 1.
Problems such as slipping down of 7 can be eliminated, and it is safe even in the event of an earthquake or the like.

The interface mechanism of the mass spectrometer according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is an example in which the present invention is applied to an ESI interface mechanism. The portion has a rectangular shape and is shaped to engage with the groove 14 of the base 11 provided on the flat plate 16 of the main body housing 1. In addition, the wall surface of the main body housing 1 on which the interface mechanism is arranged is provided with the structure shown in FIG.
Switch 1 engaging with front cover 20 described in FIG.
9 is provided, and when the front lid 20 is removed, the microswitch 19 stops the equal difference of the devices in the main body housing 1 and stops the supply of the high voltage applied to the interface mechanism. Let me.

In the interface mechanism of the mass spectrometer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, each pore electrode constituting the ionization electrode 3 is provided on the flat plate 16 of the main body housing 1 having the display 15. The lower end has a rectangular shape so as to engage with the groove 14 of the base 11 to be formed, and has a shape engaging with the groove 14. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the pore electrodes constituting the ionization electrode 3 is slidable while being guided by a groove 14 provided on the base 11, and each pore electrode is engaged in the groove 14. By being stacked, alignment of the central pore is enabled.

In use, each of the pore electrodes constituting the ionization electrode 3 is fixed to the surface of the vacuum extraction duct 5 by a fixing screw 4 as a whole, and the groove portion 14 extends from the end of the base 11 to the groove 14. Stopper lever 13 that engages with
Is pressed against the surface of the vacuum extraction duct 5 and fixed.

A sample is sent from the liquid chromatograph 31 shown in FIG. 1 to each pore electrode and the vaporizer 2 constituting the ionization electrode 3 via a tube 7.
A predetermined voltage is applied from a power source inside the main body housing 1 via the cable 8 and the connector 9. A power supply for a heater (not shown) provided in the vaporizer 2 and a wiring for a sensor for measuring the temperature are provided in the cable 8 and connected to the inside of the main body housing 1 via the connector 9. You. Further, the groove 14 provided in the base 11 is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape so that it does not come out upward when each of the pore electrodes is engaged with the groove 14.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the disassembling operation for cleaning and replacing the ionization electrode 3 and the vaporizer 2 constituting the interface mechanism is performed by the fixing screw 4.
By removing the stopper 12 and removing the stopper 12, the plurality of pore electrodes constituting the ionization electrode 3 can be easily slid by individually sliding in the groove 14. Also,
The subsequent assembling work can also be performed with reliable positioning without having to pay attention to positioning by sliding each member in the groove portion 14.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the interface mechanism of the mass spectrometer according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing the interface mechanism of FIG. 4 and 5, 21 is a groove, 22 is a pedestal,
Reference numeral 23 denotes a support bar, and other reference numerals are the same as those in FIGS.

The interface mechanism of the mass spectrometer according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is another example in which the present invention is applied to an ESI interface mechanism. As a structure in which the hole electrode is attached by a support rod 23 on a pedestal portion 22 having a substantially quadrangular prism shape, the pedestal portion 22 is placed on a groove 21 provided on the flat plate 16 of the main body housing 1.

That is, the ionization electrode 3 of the interface mechanism of the mass spectrometer according to the second embodiment of the present invention is configured such that each pore electrode is attached by a support rod 23 on a pedestal portion 22 having a substantially quadrangular prism shape. The pedestal portion 22 is placed in the groove portion 21 provided on the flat plate 16 of the main body housing 1. As shown in FIG. 5, each of the pore electrodes constituting the ionization electrode 3 is slidable in a groove 21 provided in the flat plate 16 of the main body housing 1 and is detachable upward. At the same time, the positioning of the central pore is enabled by placing each pore electrode in the groove 21. In use, each of the pore electrodes constituting the ionization electrode 3 is fixed to the entire surface of the vacuum extraction duct 5 by a fixing screw 4 and the vacuum extraction duct is fixed by a stopper 12 engaging with the groove 21. It is pressed against the surface of No. 5 and fixed.

As in the case of the first embodiment, each pore electrode and the vaporizer 2 constituting the ionization electrode 3 are provided with:
A predetermined voltage is applied from a power source inside the main body housing 1 via the cable 8 and the connector 9, power is supplied to the heater, and a signal from the temperature measurement sensor is also transmitted via the cable. Further, in the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a microswitch 19 that engages with the front lid 20 is provided, and the microswitch 19 operates in the same manner as the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. In the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pore electrodes provided on the vacuum extraction duct 5 side of each of the pore electrodes constituting the ionization electrode 3 are directly attached to the vacuum extraction duct 5. The perforated electrode may be detachable by attaching it to the pedestal with a support bar, like the other perforated electrodes.

According to the above-described second embodiment of the present invention, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the interface mechanism of the mass spectrometer according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing the interface mechanism of FIG. 6 and 7 are the same as those in FIG.

The interface mechanism of the mass spectrometer according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is an example in which the present invention is applied to the APCI interface mechanism, and the first embodiment of the present invention described above. As in the case of (1), the ionization electrode 3 is not disc-shaped but has a rectangular lower end, and the groove 1 of the base 11 provided on the flat plate 16 of the main body housing 1.
4, and the vaporizer 2 and the atomizer 6 are not cylindrical but have a rectangular lower end, and the groove of the base 11 provided on the flat plate 16 of the main body housing 1. 14.

That is, in the interface mechanism of the mass spectrometer according to the third embodiment of the present invention, each pore electrode constituting the ionization electrode 3 is provided on the flat plate 16 of the main body housing 1 having the display 15. Groove 1 of base 11 provided in
4 to engage with the lower end, and the groove 14
And is configured to be engaged with. As shown in FIG. 7, each of the pore electrodes constituting the ionization electrode 3 is slidable while being guided by a groove 14 provided on the base 11, and each of the pore electrodes is engaged in the groove 14. By being stacked, alignment of the central pore is enabled.

Further, the vaporizer 2 and the atomizer 6 also have a rectangular lower end so as to engage with the groove 14 of the base 11 provided on the flat plate 16 of the main body casing 1, and have the groove formed therein. And a groove 14 provided in the base 11.
Is slidable and guided by the vaporizer 2,
Since the atomizer 6 is engaged and mounted in the groove portion 14, the positions of the center holes can be aligned with each other, and the positions of the center holes can be aligned with the pores of the pore electrodes constituting the ionization electrode 3. Is also possible.

In use, each of the microelectrodes constituting the ionization electrode 3 is fixed to the surface of the vacuum extraction duct 5 by a fixing screw 4 so that the whole of the ionization electrode 3 is fixed.
Further, the vaporizer 2 and the atomizer 6 are provided with a stopper 1 having a stopper lever 13 that engages with the groove 14 from the end of the base 11.
2 presses against the ionization electrode 3 and is fixed.

Each of the pore electrodes constituting the ionization electrode 3 is connected to the main body casing 1 via a cable 8 and a connector 9.
A predetermined voltage is applied from an internal power supply, and power for heating the vaporizer 2 and the atomizer 6 to a predetermined temperature is supplied from a power supply inside the main body housing 1 via a cable 8. However, these are the same as those in the first and second embodiments described above, and the microswitch 19 also functions similarly. The groove 14 provided on the base 11 is
It is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape, and is prevented from coming out upward in a state where each of the pore electrodes, the vaporizer 2 and the atomizer 6 are engaged with the groove portion 14.

According to the above-described third embodiment of the present invention, the disassembly work for cleaning and replacing the ionizing electrode 3, the vaporizer 2, and the atomizer 6 constituting the interface mechanism is performed.
By removing the fixing screw 4 and removing the stopper 12, the plurality of pore electrodes, the vaporizer 2, and the atomizer 6 constituting the ionization electrode 3 can be easily performed by individually sliding in the groove 14. . In addition, the subsequent assembling operation can be performed with reliable positioning without paying attention to the positioning by sliding each member in the groove portion 14.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the interface mechanism of the mass spectrometer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing the interface mechanism of FIG. 8 and 9 are the same as those in FIG.

The interface mechanism of the mass spectrometer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is another example in which the present invention is applied to the APCI interface mechanism.
Each of the pore electrodes constituting the ionization electrode 3 has a structure in which it is attached by a support rod 23 on a pedestal portion 22 having a substantially quadrangular prism shape. The vaporizer 2 and the atomizer 6 also have a support rod on the pedestal portion 22 having a substantially quadratic prism shape. As a structure attached by 23, these are configured by mounting a pedestal portion 22 on a groove portion 21 provided on the flat plate 16 of the main body housing 1.

That is, the ionization electrode 3 of the interface mechanism of the mass spectrometer according to the second embodiment of the present invention is configured such that each pore electrode is attached by a support rod 23 on a pedestal portion 22 having a substantially quadrangular prism shape. The pedestal portion 22 is placed in the groove portion 21 provided on the flat plate 16 of the main body housing 1. In addition, the vaporizer 2 and the atomizer 6 are also attached by a support rod 23 on a pedestal portion 22 having a substantially quadrangular prism shape, and the pedestal portion 22 is provided in a groove 21 provided on the flat plate 16 of the main body housing 1. Is placed.

Then, each of the pore electrodes, the vaporizer 2 and the atomizer 6 constituting the ionization electrode 3 slide in a groove 21 provided in the flat plate 16 of the main body housing 1 as shown in FIG. It can be detached upward, and each pore electrode, vaporizer 2 and atomizer 6 are placed in the groove 21 so that the pores provided in the center of each member can be removed. Alignment is enabled. In use, each pore electrode constituting the ionization electrode 3 is fixed to the surface of the vacuum extraction duct 5 by a fixing screw 4. Further, the vaporizer 2 and the atomizer 6 may also be attached to the ionization electrode 3 by fixing screws (not shown). Further, the vaporizer 2 and the atomizer 6 are arranged such that a fastener or the like is installed between the pedestal portion 22 of the atomizer 6 and the edge of the groove 21 in the groove 21 and pressed against the ionization electrode 3. It may be fixed.

As in the case of the third embodiment, cables 8 and
A predetermined voltage is applied from a power supply inside the main body housing 1 through the connector 9, and the vaporizer 2 and the atomizer 6
Power for heating these to a predetermined temperature is supplied from a power supply inside the main body housing 1 via the connector 9. Also, the microswitch 19 functions in the same manner as in the other embodiments. In the examples shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the pore electrodes provided on the vacuum extraction duct 5 side of each of the pore electrodes constituting the ionization electrode 3 are directly attached to the vacuum extraction duct 5. The hole electrode,
It may be detachable by attaching it to the pedestal part by a support rod like other pore electrodes.

According to the above-described fourth embodiment of the present invention, the same effect as that of the third embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the configuration of a connector for connecting the interface mechanism described above and the internal device of the main body housing 1. 10, reference numeral 91 denotes a lock claw, 92 denotes a connector pin, 93 denotes a jumper wire, and 94 and 9.
5 is a heater and 96 is a sensor.

As described above, at the time of maintenance such as disassembly and assembly of the interface mechanism 8, the interface mechanism is detached from the main body housing 1. At this time, the heater, the sensor provided in the interface mechanism, and the connection to them are provided. The connected cable is detached from the receiving side provided with the connector 9 in the main body housing 1. That is, the interface mechanism is associated with the cable 8 and the connector 9 on a one-to-one basis. As shown in FIG. 10A, two heaters 94 and 95 are connected to the connector 9 via stranded wires, and a temperature sensor 96 such as a thermocouple, a thermistor, or the like.
Is connected. Although not shown in FIG. 10, a wiring for applying a high voltage to the ionization electrode may be connected.

As shown in FIG. 10B, a plurality of, in the illustrated example, fifteen connector pins 92
A pair of connector pins 92 are assigned to each of the two heaters 94 and 95, the temperature sensor 96, and the high-voltage wiring (not shown). A pair of the remaining connector pins 92 is short-circuited by a jumper. Also, the connector 9 is shown in FIG.
As can be seen from the side view of the connector 9 shown in FIG. 0 (c), a lock claw 91 is provided so that it does not come off when connected to the receiving side provided in the main body housing 1.

As described above, there are various types of interface mechanisms of the mass spectrometer, and these interface mechanisms are replaced with the same main body casing 1 and are replaced with the same main body casing 1. The main constituent parts of the mass spectrometer configured inside can be commonly used. The cable 8 and the connector 9 connected to the interface mechanism are associated with the interface mechanism as described above. However, the shape of the connector 9 is common to various system interface mechanisms, and the heaters 94 and 9 are used.
5. The positions of the connector pins to which the temperature sensors and the like are connected are also the same.

On the other hand, the position of the connector pin 92 short-circuited by the jumper wire 93 is different depending on the type of the interface mechanism. Thereby, the main body casing 1
The main components of the mass spectrometer configured inside the
The user can know the type of the installed interface mechanism, and can supply power to the heater, control internal devices, and control display on the display 33 of the personal computer 32 in accordance with the method of the installed interface mechanism.

FIGS. 11 to 13 show examples in which, when the interface mechanism is attached, the type of the interface mechanism is determined by the action of the jumper described above, and the operation state of the interface mechanism is displayed on the display 33. is there.

Now, it is assumed that an ESI interface mechanism is attached to the main body casing 1 as an interface mechanism. Then, based on the position of the connector pin 92 where the jumper wire 92 is short-circuited, the attached interface mechanism is identified as the ESI interface mechanism, and as shown in FIG. 11, the mass spectrometer having the ESI interface mechanism Is displayed, the voltage value of each unit is displayed, and the temperature of each unit is displayed. In the display of the temperature, a set temperature and a measured temperature of the member in an actual operating state are displayed for one member.

If the installed interface mechanism is A
In the case of the PCI interface mechanism, the display as shown in FIG. 12 is performed as in the case of FIG. Although not described as an embodiment, when an SSI interface mechanism is attached, a display as shown in FIG. 13 is performed.

In the above description, when the set temperature displayed for one member matches the measured temperature, for example, one of the displays is blinked, the color is changed, the black and white is reversed, or the color is changed. The display can be easily identified by, for example, inverting the change in black and white and blinking, thereby prompting the start of use of the apparatus. If the set temperature and the measured temperature are far apart from each other, for example, both displays can be simultaneously changed to the above-mentioned displays to indicate that the device is not in a usable state.

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining an example of use of a vacuum pump in the mass spectrometer according to the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a view for explaining the arrangement of two vacuum pumps in the main body housing 1. 14 and 15, 24 and 25 are vacuum chambers,
26 is a turbo molecular vacuum pump, 27 is a scroll vacuum pump, 28 is an operation unit, and 29 is an indicator.

FIG. 14 schematically illustrates a vacuum chamber 25 in which a mass spectrometric unit accommodated in the main body housing 1 is arranged and a vacuum chamber 24 formed in the ionization electrode 3. In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 14, the inside of the vacuum chamber 25 constituting the mass spectrometer is evacuated by a turbo molecular vacuum pump 26 and is formed in the ionization electrode 3. The inside of the vacuum chamber 24 is evacuated by a scroll vacuum pump 27. further,
The scroll vacuum pump 27 is a turbo molecular vacuum pump 2
6 is also connected to the exhaust side of the turbo molecular vacuum pump 26 so as to be able to exhaust the exhaust pressure.

In general, another vacuum pump is required for exhausting the exhaust pressure of the turbo-molecular vacuum pump, and the mass spectrometer conventionally required three vacuum pumps. As described above, since the scroll vacuum pump 27 provided for the vacuum chamber 24 formed in the ionization electrode 3 is also used for exhausting the exhaust pressure of the turbo molecular vacuum pump, the mass spectrometer can be used. The number of vacuum pumps required for the apparatus can be reduced to two, so that the cost can be reduced by reducing the number of parts of the entire apparatus, and the apparatus can be reduced in size and weight.

The two vacuum pumps 26 and 27 described above are:
As shown in FIG. 15, it is housed inside the main body housing 1. That is, the turbo-molecular vacuum pump 26 is disposed on the front side of the front of the main body housing 1 and, in the illustrated example, on the bottom surface of the right housing. The transparent window 18 described with reference to FIG. 1 is provided at the front position of the main body housing 1 of the indicator 29 of the hydraulic oil amount.
An oil supply port 6 (not shown) is located at a position of a door 10 provided on a side surface of the main body housing 1. The turbo molecular vacuum pump 26 is detachably attached to the main body housing 1. The scroll pump 27 is attached to the ceiling of the main body 1 so as to be directly coupled to a vacuum chamber formed in the ionization electrode 3 at substantially the center on the front side of the front of the main body 1. ing.

In the above description, the two vacuum pumps are described as a turbo molecular vacuum pump and a scroll vacuum pump, but any type of vacuum pump may be used as the vacuum pump. The operation unit 28 shown in FIG.
Is provided with a power switch and the like, and can be operated by opening a door 10 ′ provided on the front side of the main body housing 1 as described with reference to FIG. 1.

As described above, in the present invention, since two vacuum pumps are housed inside the main body casing 1, noise generated from the apparatus can be reduced. In addition, since the turbo molecular vacuum pump 26, which is large in size, is configured to be removable, when the device is delivered, it can be easily transported simply by removing the turbo molecular vacuum pump 26. Assembly can also be performed easily.

[0069]

As described above, according to the present invention, a jumper wire for short-circuiting a connector pin of a connector for connecting a cable for supplying heating power to the interface mechanism and the inside of the housing is provided. Accordingly, the positions of the connector pins that are short-circuited by the jumper wires are different, so that it is possible to know the type of the installed interface mechanism, to supply power to the corresponding heater, and to control the internal equipment. Control and display control of the personal computer 32 on the display 33 can be performed.

Further, according to the present invention, the scroll vacuum pump provided for the vacuum chamber formed in the ionization electrode is replaced with the turbo molecular vacuum pump provided for the vacuum chamber in which the mass spectrometer is provided. Since it is configured to be used also for exhausting exhaust pressure, the number of vacuum pumps required for the mass spectrometer can be reduced to two, thereby reducing the number of parts of the entire apparatus, thereby reducing costs and miniaturizing the apparatus. Thus, the weight can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, since two vacuum pumps are housed inside the main body casing, noise generated from the apparatus can be reduced, and a large turbo molecular vacuum can be obtained. Since the pump is configured to be removable, when delivering the device, it can be easily transported simply by removing the turbo molecular vacuum pump, and it is also possible to easily perform on-site assembly .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a mass spectrometer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an interface mechanism of the mass spectrometer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the interface mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an interface mechanism of a mass spectrometer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing the interface mechanism of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an interface mechanism of a mass spectrometer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing the interface mechanism of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an interface mechanism of a mass spectrometer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing the interface mechanism of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a connector that connects an interface mechanism and an internal device of a main body housing.

FIG. 11 shows the state when the interface mechanism is attached.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an operation state of the interface mechanism is displayed on a display.

FIG. 12 shows the state when the interface mechanism is attached.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an operation state of the interface mechanism is displayed on a display.

FIG. 13 shows the state when the interface mechanism is attached.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an operation state of the interface mechanism is displayed on a display.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of use of a vacuum pump in the mass spectrometer according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of two vacuum pumps inside a main body housing.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an ESI interface mechanism of a conventional mass spectrometer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Body housing 2 Vaporizer 3 Ionization electrode 4, 4 'Fixing screw 5 Vacuum extraction duct 6 Atomizer 7 Tube 8 Cable 9 Connector 10, 10' Door 11 Base 12 Stopper 13 Stopper lever 14 Groove 15 Indicator Reference Signs List 16 plane plate 17 top plate 17 'recess of top plate 18 transparent window 19 micro switch 20 front lid 20' cover 21 groove 22 pedestal portion 23 support rod 24, 25 vacuum chamber 26 turbo molecular vacuum pump 27 scroll vacuum pump 28 operation unit 29 Indicator 31 Liquid Chromatograph 32 Personal Computer (PC) 33 Display 34 Keyboard 35 Mouse 36 Desk 91 Lock Claw 92 Connector Pin 93 Jumper Wire 94,95 Heater 96 Sensor

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tadao Mimura 882 Ma, Hitachinaka-shi, Ibaraki F-term in the measuring instrument division of Hitachi, Ltd. 5C038 GH11 GH15

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An interface mechanism comprising a vaporizer for vaporizing a sample to be analyzed, an ionization electrode having a pore in the center, and mass analysis of ionized sample particles from the interface mechanism. In the mass spectrometer configured by the mass spectrometry unit, the interface mechanism is coupled to the main body housing, and a cable for supplying power for applying voltage to the interface mechanism and for heating is connected via a connector to the main body housing. When the connector is retracted into the body, two of the connector pins are short-circuited by jumper wires, and the position of the short-circuited connector pin is configured by a personal computer, and the type of the determined interface mechanism and the device configuration are determined. A controller for displaying a summary on a display, and determining a type of an interface mechanism. A mass spectrometer characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. Applied voltage and at least the measured temperature of the measured temperature and the set temperature are displayed in correspondence with the respective components of the device configuration of the interface mechanism displayed on the display. The mass spectrometer according to claim 1, wherein: 3. An interface mechanism comprising a vaporizer for vaporizing a sample to be analyzed, an ionization electrode having a pore in the center, and mass analysis of ionized sample particles from the interface mechanism. In a mass spectrometer configured with a mass spectrometer, a first vacuum pump that evacuates a vacuum chamber in which the mass spectrometer is housed, and an exhaust from the first vacuum pump and the ionization electrode 3. The mass spectrometer according to claim 2, further comprising a second vacuum pump that exhausts air from the vacuum chamber. 4. The mass spectrometer according to claim 3, wherein the first vacuum pump is disposed inside the main body housing, on the near side of the front and on the side. 5. The mass spectrometer according to claim 3, wherein the first vacuum pump is detachably disposed inside the main body housing.