JP7111021B2 - Analysis system and temperature control system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to analysis systems and temperature control systems.

In the analyzer, various analyzes are performed on the sample to be measured by operating each component according to a preset procedure. For example, in a mass spectrometer using an ion source based on the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) method, ions are generated by irradiating a sample mixed with a matrix with laser light, and the ions are detected by a detector. . A mass spectrum is generated based on the signals detected by the detector.

In general, an analyzer has a performance guaranteed temperature. Therefore, a temperature control device is sometimes provided in a predetermined component of the analysis device. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a temperature control device in an analyzer. This temperature control device heats or cools the temperature of, for example, a high-performance liquid chromatograph detector, column oven, or injector to a predetermined temperature.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-194706

Even if the components of the analyzer are temperature controlled, it may not be possible to maintain the analyzer at the performance guarantee temperature. In such a case, the user sets the temperature of the room where the analyzer is installed near the performance guarantee temperature. However, the performance-guaranteed temperature of an analyzer is often a temperature at which users feel chills. Therefore, the user cannot use the analyzer in a comfortable environment. In particular, when the analyzer is small, the user always stays in the room where the analyzer is installed, so the above problem becomes more pronounced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an analysis system and a temperature control system that allow the analysis device to be used in a comfortable environment.

An aspect according to one aspect of the present invention is an analysis device, a housing portion having an inlet port and a first exhaust port, housing the analysis device, and exhaust air from the first exhaust port and outside air. An exhaust duct leading to the intake port, and a flow rate adjusting unit that adjusts a flow rate ratio between the exhaust air guided to the intake port by the exhaust duct and the outside air, and the housing unit includes the first exhaust port and the relates to an analytical system, further comprising a different second outlet .
An embodiment according to another aspect of the present invention includes an analysis device, a housing portion having an air intake port and a first exhaust port, housing the analysis device, exhaust air from the first exhaust port, and outside air. to the intake port, a flow rate adjustment unit that adjusts the flow rate ratio between the exhaust air guided to the intake port by the exhaust duct and the outside air, and a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the gas guided to the intake port. and a temperature control section that controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment section so that the temperature of the gas detected by the temperature sensor approaches constant.

An aspect according to still another aspect of the present invention is a temperature control system provided in an analyzer, comprising: a housing portion having an intake port and a first exhaust port; housing the analyzer ; an exhaust duct that guides exhaust air and outside air from the exhaust port of the housing to the intake port; Part relates to a temperature control system further having a second exhaust port different from the first exhaust port .
An aspect according to still another aspect of the present invention is a temperature control system provided in an analyzer, comprising: a housing portion having an intake port and a first exhaust port; housing the analyzer; an exhaust duct that guides the exhaust air from the exhaust port and the outside air to the intake port; a flow rate adjustment unit that adjusts a flow rate ratio between the exhaust gas and the outside air that are guided to the intake port by the exhaust duct; The present invention relates to a temperature control system comprising a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of a gas that is detected by the temperature sensor, and a temperature control section that controls the operation of the flow rate control section so that the temperature of the gas detected by the temperature sensor approaches a constant temperature.

According to the present invention, the analyzer can be used in a comfortable environment.

It is a figure showing composition of an analysis system concerning one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the temperature control system of FIG. 1; It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the temperature control system which concerns on a reference example. 4 is a diagram showing a result of temperature control by the temperature control system of FIG. 3; FIG.

(1) Configuration of Mass Spectrometry System Hereinafter, an analysis system and a temperature control system according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, analysis system 100 is a small-sized analysis system that can be placed on a table, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and may be a large-sized analysis system. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an analysis system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, analysis system 100 includes temperature control system 200 and analysis device 300 .

The temperature control system 200 includes a housing section 210 that houses the analyzer 300 . Details of the temperature control system 200 will be described later. The analysis device 300 is connected to the information processing device 400 outside the housing section 210 . In this embodiment, the analyzer 300 is an ion trap mass spectrometer using an ion source based on the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) method. The analyzer 300 is not limited to the embodiment, and may be a mass spectrometer using a method different from the MALDI method, or may be an analyzer other than the mass spectrometer.

Specifically, analysis device 300 includes vacuum chamber 310 , analysis section 320 , vacuum pump 330 , power supply section 340 , control section 350 and communication section 360 . An analysis unit 320 that analyzes a sample is arranged in the vacuum chamber 310 . Analysis section 320 includes stage 321 , ion source 322 , separation device 323 and detection section 324 .

The stage 321 is, for example, an XY stage that can move in two orthogonal directions within a horizontal plane, and holds a sample to be analyzed. The ion source 322 includes, for example, a laser light source, and ionizes the sample held by the stage 321 by the MALDI method. Separation device 323 includes, for example, an ion trap and a flight tube, and separates the generated ions by mass. The detector 324 is, for example, a secondary electron multiplier, sequentially detects the ions separated by the separator 323 with a time difference corresponding to the mass of the ions, and sends an analog detection signal indicating the detected intensity to the controller 350. give.

The vacuum pump 330 includes, for example, a turbomolecular pump and a diaphragm pump, and evacuates the interior of the vacuum chamber 310 . The power supply unit 340 supplies high voltage to the ion source 322, the separation device 323, the detection unit 324, and the like. Control unit 350 controls operations of analysis unit 320 , vacuum pump 330 , power supply unit 340 and the like based on operation commands from information processing device 400 . Also, the control unit 350 generates mass spectrum data representing a mass spectrum based on the detection signal acquired from the detection unit 324 .

The communication unit 360 is an interface for connecting the control unit 350 and the information processing device 400. In this example, the control unit 350 and the information processing device 400 are connected via a wireless LAN (local area network). Communication unit 360 receives an operation command from information processing apparatus 400 and provides it to control unit 350 , and transmits mass spectrum data generated by control unit 350 to information processing apparatus 400 .

The information processing device 400 includes a communication section, an operation section, and a display section for communicating with the analysis device 300 . The operation unit and the display unit may be configured by a touch panel. Dedicated software for using the analysis device 300 is installed in the information processing device 400 . A user can give a desired operation command to the analysis device 300 by operating the operation unit of the information processing device 400 . The display unit of the information processing device 400 can display a mass spectrum or the like based on the mass spectrum data acquired from the analysis device 300 .

In the present embodiment, information processing apparatus 400 is a mobile terminal such as a tablet terminal or a smart device. In this case, the user can communicate with the analysis device 300 while moving near the analysis system 100 . The information processing apparatus 400 is not limited to the embodiment, and may be a stationary or notebook PC (personal computer) or the like.

(2) Temperature Control System FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the temperature control system 200 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2 , the temperature control system 200 includes a housing section 210 , a fan 220 , an exhaust duct 230 , a sound absorbing material 240 , a flow control section 250 , a temperature sensor 260 and a temperature control section 270 . The housing portion 210 includes four side portions 211 to 214 , a top portion 215 (FIG. 1) and a bottom portion 216 (FIG. 1), and has an internal space 217 . Side portion 211 and side portion 213 face each other with internal space 217 interposed therebetween. Side portion 212 and side portion 214 face each other with internal space 217 interposed therebetween.

An intake port 1 is formed in the side portion 211 , an exhaust port 2 is formed in the side portion 212 , and an exhaust port 3 is formed in the side portion 213 . The exhaust port 2 is an example of an exhaust port or a first exhaust port, and the exhaust port 3 is an example of a second exhaust port. The arrangement of the intake port 1 and the exhaust ports 2, 3 is not limited to the embodiment. The intake port 1 and the exhaust ports 2 and 3 may be formed in any of the side surface portions 211 to 214 or arranged in the top surface portion 215 or the bottom surface portion 216 . As indicated by an arrow A, gas is supplied from the intake port 1 to the internal space 217 . Gas in the internal space 217 is discharged from the exhaust ports 2 and 3 as indicated by arrows B and C, respectively.

An analysis device 300 is arranged in the interior space 217 . Also, a fan 220 is arranged in the internal space 217 so as to be close to the exhaust port 2 . The fan 220 promotes gas discharge from the exhaust port 2 . A fan may also be provided to facilitate the discharge of gas from the exhaust port 3 . In this embodiment, the power supply unit 340 in FIG. 1 includes a small fan 341 , and the analyzer 300 is arranged so that the fan 341 of the power supply unit 340 is close to the exhaust port 3 . A fan 341 is used to facilitate the discharge of gas from the exhaust port 3 .

The exhaust duct 230 is provided along the side portions 211 and 212 of the housing portion 210 so as to connect the intake port 1 and the exhaust port 2 . A flow path 231 is formed inside the exhaust duct 230 . The direction in which the gas flows in the channel 231 is defined as downstream, and the opposite direction is defined as upstream. An outside air intake port 232 for taking outside air into the flow path 231 is formed in the downstream portion of the exhaust duct 230 . It should be noted that the outside air means the gas outside the housing portion 210 and the exhaust duct 230 . The temperature of the exhaust from the exhaust ports 2 and 3 is higher than the temperature of the outside air, and the temperature difference is 5°C to 10°C in this embodiment.

The exhaust duct 230 guides the exhaust from the exhaust port 2 to the intake port 1 . Also, the upstream end of the exhaust duct 230 is provided so as to cover the exhaust port 2 . Thereby, the exhaust duct 230 is configured to attenuate the noise caused by the gas discharged from the exhaust port 2 . The noise caused by gas discharge includes the driving sound of fan 220 . Further, some users may perceive the driving sound of the vacuum pump 330 (particularly the diaphragm pump) in FIG. 1 as noise due to gas discharge.

A sound absorbing material 240 is attached to the exhaust duct 230 . This can further attenuate the noise caused by gas discharge. Sound absorbing material 240 may be formed of a member having high heat insulation (for example, glass wool). In this case, the heat insulation performance of exhaust duct 230 can be improved.

The sound absorbing material 240 may be attached to either the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface of the exhaust duct 230, or may be attached to both surfaces. When the sound absorbing material 240 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust duct 230, high-frequency noise (for example, the driving sound of the fan 220) can be efficiently attenuated. When the sound absorbing material 240 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the exhaust duct 230, it is possible to efficiently attenuate low-frequency noise (for example, the driving sound of the vacuum pump 330).

A flow rate adjusting unit 250 is provided upstream of the outside air intake port 232 in the flow path 231 of the exhaust duct 230 . The flow control unit 250 includes, for example, an openable door member 251 and an actuator 252 that opens and closes the door member 251 , and limits the flow rate of the exhaust gas from upstream to downstream in the flow path 231 . As the degree of opening of the door member 251 increases, the flow rate of exhaust gas from upstream to downstream increases. In addition, since a constant amount of gas is discharged from the exhaust port 3, even when the flow path 231 of the exhaust duct 230 is completely closed by the door member 251, the gas does not remain in the housing part 210. prevented.

By adjusting the opening degree of the door member 251 , the ratio between the exhaust gas and the outside air flowing through the flow path 231 downstream of the outside air intake port 232 is adjusted. This makes it possible to stabilize the temperature of the gas flowing through the downstream portion of the channel 231 . In this embodiment, the sound absorbing material 240 reduces the heat loss of the exhaust gas led through the exhaust duct 230, so that the temperature of the gas can be more easily stabilized. The temperature-stabilized gas is supplied into the housing 210 through the inlet 1 .

The temperature sensor 260 includes, for example, a thermistor, and detects the temperature of gas led to the intake port 1 (hereinafter referred to as intake air temperature). In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 260 is arranged in the downstream portion of the flow path 231 of the exhaust duct 230 .

The temperature control unit 270 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microcomputer. A constant temperature that is lower than the temperature of the exhaust gas and higher than the temperature of the outside air can be set in the temperature control unit 270 . Temperature control unit 270 controls actuator 252 based on the intake air temperature detected by temperature sensor 260, thereby adjusting the degree of opening of door member 251 so that the intake air temperature approaches a set temperature.

(3) Effect In analysis system 100 according to the present embodiment, analysis device 300 is housed in casing section 210 having intake port 1 and exhaust port 2 . Exhaust air from the exhaust port 2 and outside air are guided to the intake port 1 by the exhaust duct 230 . A flow rate adjustment unit 250 adjusts the flow rate ratio between the exhaust air guided to the intake port 1 by the exhaust duct 230 and the outside air.

In this case, by adjusting the ratio of the flow rate of the exhaust air and the outside air, it becomes possible to supply the temperature-stabilized gas from the intake port 1 into the housing part 210 . Therefore, even if the temperature of the room where the analyzer 300 is installed is not set near the performance guarantee temperature, the performance of the analyzer 300 is guaranteed. Therefore, the temperature of the room in which the analyzer 300 is installed can be set to the desired temperature of the user. Thereby, the analyzer 300 can be used in a comfortable environment.

In addition, since the temperature of the gas supplied into the housing part 210 is stabilized using the exhaust heat of the analysis device 300, it is not necessary to supply a large amount of power to the analysis system 100. FIG. Therefore, energy consumption of the analysis system 100 can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the user uses analysis device 300 by operating information processing device 400 in the vicinity of analysis device 300 . In this way, when the user works near the analyzer 300, the user is more likely to perceive the noise caused by the gas discharged from the exhaust port 2. FIG. Even in such a case, the noise caused by the gas discharged from the exhaust port 2 is attenuated by the exhaust duct 230 . Also, by attaching the sound absorbing material 240 to the exhaust duct 230, the noise perceived by the user is further reduced. This allows the analyzer 300 to be used in a more comfortable environment.

(4) Reference Example A temperature control system according to a reference example will be described with respect to differences from the temperature control system 200 according to the above-described embodiment. Note that the temperature control system according to the reference example is applied to a large analysis system, not a small analysis system that can be placed on a table. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a temperature control system according to a reference example. As shown in FIG. 3 , the temperature control system 201 according to the reference example includes a temperature control section 280 instead of the exhaust duct 230 , the sound absorbing material 240 and the flow rate control section 250 .

The temperature adjustment unit 280 includes a plurality of heaters, fans, heat radiation members, heat exchangers, etc., and adjusts the temperature of the surrounding gas. Further, the temperature adjustment unit 280 supplies the temperature-adjusted gas to the internal space 217 from the air inlet 1 as indicated by an arrow D. Temperature control unit 270 controls the electric power supplied to temperature adjustment unit 280 so that the intake air temperature detected by temperature sensor 260 becomes the set temperature. In this example, the temperature was set at 25.2°C.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the results of temperature control by the temperature control system 201 of FIG. The horizontal axis of FIG. 4 indicates elapsed time from a predetermined time (8:00 on September 6 in this example), and the vertical axis indicates temperature. FIG. 4 shows changes over time in the ambient temperature of the temperature control system 201 (temperature in the room where the analysis system is installed), and changes over time in the intake air temperature detected by the temperature sensor 260 .

As shown in FIG. 4, the ambient temperature varied from 21.8° C. to 24.7° C. in 24 hours. The ambient temperature change amounted to 2.9° C. and the maximum temperature gradient was 32° C./h. Even in such an environment, the change in intake air temperature was suppressed to 25.2±0.1° C., and the intake air temperature became substantially constant. Therefore, even when this temperature control system 201 is used, the user can use the analysis system in a comfortable environment and with the performance of the analysis device 300 guaranteed.

However, in the temperature control system 201, it was necessary to supply the temperature-controlled gas by the temperature control unit 280 at a maximum of 12 m ³ /min. The maximum power consumption by the temperature adjustment unit 280 at this time was 1500W. The power consumption of the analyzer 300 was also about 1500W. In other words, the power consumption of the analysis system using the temperature control system 201 is about twice the power consumption of the analysis device 300 alone. Therefore, the temperature control system 201 according to the reference example cannot reduce the power consumption of the analysis system.

(5) Other Embodiments (a) In the above embodiment, the sound absorbing material 240 is attached to the exhaust duct 230, but the embodiment is not limited to this. If the exhaust duct 230 is configured to sufficiently attenuate the noise caused by the gas discharged from the exhaust port 2, the exhaust duct 230 does not need to be attached with the sound absorbing material 240. FIG.

(b) In the above embodiment, the housing part 210 is provided with the exhaust port 3, but the embodiment is not limited to this. If the door member 251 of the flow rate adjusting section 250 is configured so as not to completely close the flow path 231 of the exhaust duct 230 , the housing section 210 may not be provided with the exhaust port 3 .

(c) In the above embodiment, the temperature control system 200 is provided with the temperature control unit 270, but the embodiment is not limited to this. When the door member 251 of the flow control unit 250 is kept at a constant opening so that the intake air temperature becomes substantially constant, the temperature control unit 270 may not be provided in the temperature control system 200 . Also, the flow rate adjusting unit 250 may not include the actuator 252 .

(6) Aspect (Section 1) An analysis system according to an aspect,
an analyzer;
a housing portion having an air inlet and a first air outlet and housing the analyzer;
an exhaust duct that guides exhaust air from the first exhaust port and outside air to the intake port;
A flow rate adjusting unit may be provided that adjusts a flow rate ratio between the exhaust air guided to the intake port by the exhaust duct and the outside air.

In this analysis system, the analysis device is accommodated in a housing having an intake port and a first exhaust port. Here, as a result of various experiments and considerations, the inventors of the present invention have found that when the temperature of the gas supplied into the housing is stable, the performance of the analyzer is improved regardless of the ambient temperature of the analyzer. I have learned that it is guaranteed. According to the above configuration based on this knowledge, the exhaust air from the first exhaust port and the outside air are guided to the intake port by the exhaust duct. The flow rate adjuster adjusts the flow rate ratio between the exhaust air guided to the intake port by the exhaust duct and the outside air.

In this case, by adjusting the ratio of the flow rates of the exhaust air and the outside air, it becomes possible to supply the temperature-stabilized gas into the housing from the intake port. Therefore, even if the temperature of the room in which the analyzer is installed is not set near the performance guarantee temperature, the performance of the analyzer is guaranteed. Therefore, the temperature of the room where the analyzer is installed can be set to the desired temperature of the user. This allows the analyzer to be used in a comfortable environment.

(Section 2) In the analysis system described in Section 1,
The analysis device is
an analysis unit that analyzes the sample;
a control unit that controls the operation of the analysis unit;
a communication unit that communicates between an information processing device used outside the housing unit and the control unit;
The exhaust duct may be configured to attenuate noise due to gas exhaust from the first exhaust port.

According to this configuration, the user uses the information processing device in the vicinity of the analysis device. Even in such cases, the noise perceived by the user is reduced. This allows the analyzer to be used in a more comfortable environment.

(Section 3) In the analysis system described in Section 2,
The analysis system is
A sound absorbing material attached to the exhaust duct and attenuating noise of the exhaust from the first exhaust port may be further provided.

Even in such a case, the noise perceived by the user is further reduced. This allows the analyzer to be used in a more comfortable environment.

(Section 4) In the analysis system described in Section 3,
The sound absorbing material may be made of a heat insulating material.

In this case, the heat loss of the exhaust air guided by the exhaust duct is reduced. This makes it possible to more easily supply the temperature-stabilized gas into the housing.

(Section 5) In the analysis system according to any one of Sections 1 to 4,
The housing may further have a second exhaust port different from the first exhaust port.

According to this configuration, even when the flow rate adjustment unit adjusts the flow rate of the exhaust gas from the first exhaust port to be small, a constant amount of gas is maintained to be discharged from the second exhaust port. This prevents the gas from remaining in the housing.

(Section 6) In the analysis system according to any one of Sections 1 to 5,
The analysis device is
a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the gas led to the inlet;
It may further include a temperature control section that controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment section so that the temperature of the gas detected by the temperature sensor approaches a constant temperature.

In this case, the temperature of the gas supplied into the housing can be easily stabilized.

(Section 7) A temperature control system according to another aspect,
A temperature control system provided in an analyzer,
a housing part having an intake port and an exhaust port and housing the analysis device;
an exhaust duct that guides exhaust air from the exhaust port and outside air to the intake port;
A flow rate adjusting unit may be provided that adjusts a flow rate ratio between the exhaust air guided to the intake port by the exhaust duct and the outside air.

According to this temperature control system, it is possible to supply temperature-stabilized gas into the housing from the intake port by adjusting the flow rate ratio between the exhaust air and the outside air. Therefore, even if the temperature of the room in which the analyzer is installed is not set near the performance guarantee temperature, the performance of the analyzer is guaranteed. Therefore, the temperature of the room where the analyzer is installed can be set to the desired temperature of the user. This allows the analyzer to be used in a comfortable environment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Intake port 2, 3... Exhaust port 100... Analysis system 200, 201... Temperature control system 210... Case part 211-214... Side part 215... Top part 216... Bottom part 217... Internal space 220, 341 Fan 230 Exhaust duct 231 Flow path 232 External air intake 240 Sound absorbing material 250 Flow rate adjusting unit 251 Door member 252 Actuator 260 Temperature sensor DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 270...Temperature control part, 280...Temperature adjustment part, 300...Analysis apparatus, 310...Vacuum chamber, 320...Analysis part, 321...Stage, 322...Ion source, 323...Separation apparatus, 324...Detection part, 330...Vacuum pump , 340 power supply unit 350 control unit 360 communication unit 400 information processing apparatus

Claims (7)

an analyzer;
a housing portion having an air inlet and a first air outlet and housing the analyzer;
an exhaust duct that guides exhaust air from the first exhaust port and outside air to the intake port;
a flow rate adjustment unit that adjusts a flow rate ratio between the exhaust air guided to the intake port by the exhaust duct and the outside air ;
The analysis system , wherein the housing further includes a second exhaust port different from the first exhaust port . an analyzer;
a housing portion having an air inlet and a first air outlet and housing the analyzer;
an exhaust duct that guides exhaust air from the first exhaust port and outside air to the intake port;
a flow rate adjustment unit that adjusts a flow rate ratio between the exhaust air guided to the air intake port by the exhaust duct and the outside air;
a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the gas led to the inlet;
an analysis system comprising a temperature control section that controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment section so that the temperature of the gas detected by the temperature sensor approaches constant. The analysis device is
an analysis unit that analyzes the sample;
a control unit that controls the operation of the analysis unit;
a communication unit that communicates between an information processing device used outside the housing unit and the control unit;
3. The analytical system of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the exhaust duct is configured to attenuate noise due to gas exhaust from the first exhaust port. 4. The analysis system of claim 3 , further comprising a sound absorbing material attached to said exhaust duct to attenuate noise of exhaust from said first exhaust port. 5. The analytical system of claim 4 , wherein said sound absorbing material is formed of a heat insulating material. A temperature control system provided in an analyzer,
a housing portion having an air inlet and a first air outlet and housing the analyzer;
an exhaust duct that guides exhaust air from the first exhaust port and outside air to the intake port;
a flow rate adjusting unit that adjusts a flow rate ratio between the exhaust air guided to the intake port by the exhaust duct and the outside air ;
The temperature control system , wherein the housing further has a second exhaust port different from the first exhaust port . A temperature control system provided in an analyzer,
a housing portion having an air inlet and a first air outlet and housing the analyzer;
an exhaust duct that guides exhaust air from the first exhaust port and outside air to the intake port;
a flow rate adjustment unit that adjusts a flow rate ratio between the exhaust air guided to the air intake port by the exhaust duct and the outside air;
a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the gas led to the inlet;
A temperature control system, comprising: a temperature control unit that controls the operation of the flow rate control unit so that the temperature of the gas detected by the temperature sensor approaches a constant temperature.

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