Lock for introducing and discharging a sample receiving element into a mass spectrometer

A lock for introducing and discharging a sample receiving element into a mass spectrometer, comprising:

• a first opening for introducing the sample receiving element from an external area into the lock;
• a second opening for introducing the sample receiving element from the lock into an internal area of the mass spectrometer;
• a first lock gate for closing the first opening of the lock;
• and
• a second lock gate for closing the second opening of the lock,
• wherein the lock additionally comprises a transport device arranged in the lock for transporting the sample receiving element from the first opening of the lock into the internal area of the mass spectrometer, wherein the transport device comprises the following components:
• a rotatable element comprising
• an arm,
• a pin located on the arm, which can be inserted into a groove of the sample receiving element to be transported, and
• a gear-like section, and
• a linear drive for moving the rotatable element from the first opening of the lock into the internal area of the mass spectrometer, wherein the linear drive comprises a rack on at least one section and the rack is designed to engage with the teeth of the gear-like section of the rotatable element,
• wherein the rotatable element performs a rotational movement when passing over the rack, so that the pin located on the arm of the rotatable element can be guided into and along the groove located in the sample receiving element and, upon contact of the pin with the sample receiving element, a movement of the sample receiving element from the first opening of the lock into the internal area of the mass spectrometer can be achieved by movement of the pin.