Measurement equipment for spectral analysis of individual moving objects

Abstract

The present invention relates to a measuring apparatus (500)(1) that can be used particularly in a context involving control of spectral analysis of an individual moving object (2). The measuring apparatus (500) includes a probe (1) having a surface (100) from which one or more illumination optical fibers (10) and measuring optical fibers (20) are exposed. The optical fibers (10, 20) are arranged such that at least one of the second receiving light cones (21) intersects at least one first receiving light cone (11) at a distance of less than 10 mm from the surface (100). The measuring apparatus (500) also includes a triggering device (8) that detects the object (2) upstream of the probe (1) to activate or deactivate the probe's observation of the object (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for performing spectral analysis control of a moving object, such as an apparatus for spatially resolved infrared spectral analysis of a drug. Background Technology

[0002] Equipment exists that features probes designed to be placed above moving objects. These probes have surfaces on which illumination and measurement fibers are spread. A problem with known probes is that certain objects or segments of objects are not observed by any of the fibers, or the observation is not good enough to allow for individualized spectral analysis of each object.

[0003] Reference WO2006116569 describes optical reflectance measurements applied to a part of the human body. Reference WO2014116277 describes transcutaneous sensor geometry. In these types of measurements, the observed object is not moving and is not particularly small, and the aforementioned problems do not occur.

[0004] Document EP1674859 describes a detector for detecting a certain type of object among multiple objects. This document focuses on the processing of the received data and does not address the aforementioned issue.

[0005] Document EP3575776 describes a measurement system for batches of small-volume items. In this system, some optical fibers are positioned above and below these objects, which makes it particularly complex. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is a measuring device arranged to improve the observation of moving objects, particularly for the purpose of spatially resolved infrared spectral analysis of said individual objects.

[0007] To this end, the present invention provides a measuring device comprising: a probe for observing an object moving along a longitudinal direction, preferably for performing spatially resolved spectral analysis on the object; a triggering device offset from the probe along the longitudinal direction; and a control unit;

[0008] The probe includes:

[0009] • A surface that extends along the longitudinal direction and in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0010] One or more first optical fibers, stretched onto the surface and arranged to emit electromagnetic radiation from at least one source, each first optical fiber having a first receiving cone.

[0011] • A second optical fiber, which extends onto the surface and is arranged to capture electromagnetic radiation and transmit it to a receiving device, each second optical fiber having a second receiving cone, the second optical fiber being offset longitudinally from one or more first optical fibers and located on the same side of the one or more first optical fibers;

[0012] The probe causes at least one of the second receiving light cones to intersect with at least one first receiving light cone at a distance of less than 10 mm from the surface;

[0013] The triggering device is configured to detect moving objects; and

[0014] The measuring equipment is configured to activate the probe to observe the object in response to the object being detected by the triggering device.

[0015] The inventors recognized that the problem with current probes stemmed specifically from their arrangement, in which the second optical fiber (capture fiber) was distributed in two transverse groups on either side of the first optical fiber (illumination fiber). This was because, in this known arrangement, the central region of the transmitter was too far from the second optical fiber to be visible. The inventors first changed the orientation of the known probe relative to the direction of movement, but then the second optical fiber was distributed over such a long length in the direction of movement that the number of images captured as the object passed under the probe became insufficient for mass spectrometry analysis.

[0016] In the probe according to the invention, all the second optical fibers are offset from one or more first optical fibers along the direction of movement and are located on the same side of one or more first optical fibers. For a given number of second optical fibers, this allows for a better lateral distribution of the second optical fibers to eliminate areas where the object is not visible. Therefore, smaller objects located at the center of the transmitter are observed particularly well.

[0017] The object of this invention is to enable rapid analysis for good object flow. The total number of optical fibers is then a constraint, because distributing the fibers on a sufficiently small distribution surface of the fiber assembly in the orientation of the movement allows for good spatial resolution at high movement speeds while avoiding unnecessary fibers. For a given total number of optical fibers, the distribution of the fibers according to the invention allows for a better distribution.

[0018] Furthermore, the effective number of active second fibers is also a constraint, as the processing length of the captured information increases with the number of second fibers. In this invention, a better lateral distribution of the latter allows for a reduction in the number of active second fibers, and thus a reduction in the processing time of the information per measurement. Consequently, the frequency of measurements can be increased, and ultimately, the measurement results can be improved because they can be based on a larger number of measurements (e.g., which can be averaged to reduce the signal-to-noise ratio).

[0019] The arrangement of the optical fibers according to the invention also allows each object to be observed via photons that have traveled a wide range of distances within the object. This is because when electromagnetic radiation penetrates the object shallowly, it appears near its point of entry and is then typically captured by the second fiber, which is closer to the first fiber that emitted it; while when electromagnetic radiation penetrates deeper into the object, it appears further away from its point of entry and is then typically captured by the second fiber, which is further away from the first fiber that emitted it. Therefore, the large variation in distance between the first and second fibers allows for the provision of richer spectral information.

[0020] Furthermore, as in this invention, the first and second optical fibers are brought close enough that their receiving cones are separated by a distance of up to 10 mm, resulting in particularly low capture of electromagnetic radiation reflected from the object's surface within this distance. This is a significant advantage in spatially resolved infrared spectroscopy, where scattered electromagnetic radiation is meaningful and reflected electromagnetic radiation is harmful.

[0021] Furthermore, since the first and second optical fibers are offset in the direction of movement, these objects are illuminated and detected within a clearly defined movement length, which simplifies the processing of the received data.

[0022] Furthermore, since the maximum width used to distribute all optical fibers is a technical constraint, the distribution of optical fibers in this invention allows for coverage of a particularly large portion of this maximum width.

[0023] The probe is a type of analytical technique used in what is known as a single-particle counter, where each photon is counted.

[0024] Because the second optical fiber is offset longitudinally from the first optical fiber or multiple first optical fibers and is located on the same side of the first optical fiber or multiple first optical fibers, and the second receiving light cone is separated from any first receiving light cone by a fixed distance of at most 10 mm from the surface:

[0025] There exists a first reference plane located at a maximum distance of 10 mm from the portion of the first optical fiber that extends into the surface, such that each first optical fiber has a first receiving cone that intersects with the first reference plane to form a first circle, and the first circles of all the first optical fibers of the probe are inscribed within a first reference rectangle.

[0026] • There exists a second reference plane at a distance of up to 10 mm from the surface where the second optical fiber extends into the probe, such that each second optical fiber has a second receiving cone that intersects with the second reference plane to form a second circle. The second circles of all the second optical fibers of the probe are inscribed within the second reference rectangle.

[0027] The first and second reference rectangles do not overlap.

[0028] Although some features are described as involving several first optical fibers, it should be understood that these features are also appropriate if the probe includes only one first optical fiber, unless otherwise explicitly stated.

[0029] The triggering device allows for the detection of an object before it reaches the probe's observation area, thereby triggering probe activation the moment the object arrives within the observation area. The triggering device is located upstream of the probe relative to the object's movement. Preferably, the triggering device sends information to a control unit to activate or deactivate the probe. When the triggering device begins to detect the object, it sends object detection information to the control unit, which uses this information, along with the linear speed of the conveyor, to calculate the probe's activation moment. When the triggering device stops detecting the object, it sends conveyor detection information to the control unit, which uses this information, along with the linear speed of the conveyor, to calculate the probe's deactivation moment.

[0030] Within the scope of this document, an "activated" probe is a probe capable of observation. "Activation" of the probe preferably includes the activation of at least some of the second optical fibers, and "deactivation" of the probe preferably includes the deactivation of the activated second optical fibers. It is possible that, while remaining within the scope of the invention, one or more first optical fibers may remain activated even when the probe is deactivated.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the triggering device includes two detection elements offset from each other in the lateral direction. Preferably, each detection element detects a point on the conveyor. Information associated with each detection element (i.e., each point) is sent to the control unit.

[0032] According to one embodiment, each detection element resides on a separate laser detector, which is arranged to be displaceable in the lateral direction. Therefore, their lateral positions can be mechanically adapted to the size of the object on the conveyor. Examples of suitable laser detectors are the Keyence LK-G detector or the Panasonic HLC detector.

[0033] In another embodiment, the triggering device emits a light beam extending in a lateral direction, and each detection element includes a separate segment of a detector arranged to capture the beam after it has been reflected off an object. The lateral and / or longitudinal positions of the detection elements can then be digitally adapted to the size of the object on the conveyor. An example of a suitable triggering device is a Keyence CMOS HSE detector.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the second optical fiber is distributed on the surface in both longitudinal and transverse directions, such that the longitudinal extension is less than the transverse extension.

[0035] For a given number of second optical fibers, this arrangement allows the second optical fibers to be distributed over a particularly large width. Additionally, the small longitudinal extension allows for an increase in the number of measurements performed on each object as it moves, which improves the quality of the results obtained from the measurements. According to one embodiment, the first optical fibers are distributed on a surface with longitudinal and transverse extensions such that the longitudinal extension is smaller than the transverse extension. For a given number of first optical fibers, this arrangement (which necessarily includes several first optical fibers) allows the first optical fibers to be distributed over a particularly large width. Furthermore, it is preferable to avoid illuminating the edges of the object, as this degrades the reproducibility of the measurements. This is because the signal from the top of the object is more uniform across the assembly of the object than the signal from the edges. According to one embodiment, the second optical fibers are distributed over a larger width, truncated in the transverse direction, compared to one or more first optical fibers. For a given number of optical fibers, this allows the second optical fibers to be distributed over a particularly large width. Furthermore, it is preferable to avoid illuminating the edges of the transmitter, as this degrades the reproducibility of the measurements. According to one embodiment, the second optical fibers are distributed over a smaller length, truncated in the longitudinal direction, compared to one or more first optical fibers. For a given number of optical fibers, this allows the second optical fibers to be distributed over a particularly large width.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the first optical fiber is distributed in at most three laterally extending rows. For a given number of first optical fibers, this distribution allows for better distribution of the first optical fibers across the width.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the second optical fiber is distributed in at most three laterally extending rows. For a given number of second optical fibers, this allows for a better distribution of the second optical fibers across the width.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the probe includes a plurality of first optical fibers, and these second optical fibers are, on average, further apart from each other than the first optical fibers. For a given number of optical fibers, this allows for improved observation.

[0039] In one embodiment, the probe includes more first fibers than second fibers. In practice, the arrangement of the fiber optic assembly as defined in this invention allows for a limitation on the number of second fibers, and therefore, for a given total number of fibers, allows for an increase in the number of first fibers, and thus an increase in the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0040] The present invention also provides a measurement system comprising equipment according to any of these embodiments, at least one electromagnetic radiation source, a receiving device, and a conveyor arranged to transport objects along a direction of movement (which is longitudinal), such that the objects are detectable by a triggering device on a portion of the conveyor and are observable by a probe on that portion of the conveyor. A first reference rectangle is preferably offset from a second reference rectangle along the direction of movement of the moving objects. In other words, the first reference rectangle is preferably located upstream or downstream of the second reference rectangle. The first and second reference rectangles preferably have two sides parallel to the direction of movement.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the system includes objects, the probe is positioned above these objects, and the system is arranged such that the tops of the objects lie between the surface and at least one intersection between the first and second receiving light cones. This allows for the avoidance of capturing radiation reflected from the objects, which is of particular interest for spatially resolved spectral analysis using scattered radiation.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the system also includes a spectral analysis device arranged to receive information from the receiving device. This allows spatially resolved spectroscopy to be performed on each object.

[0043] The present invention also proposes to load the equipment according to the invention into the measurement system.

[0044] The present invention also proposes the use of a measuring apparatus or system according to the invention, wherein one or more first optical fibers emit electromagnetic radiation toward an object, and second optical fibers receive electromagnetic radiation from the object. During use, for example if it is found that the electromagnetic radiation at its location is insufficient for mass spectrometry analysis, some of these second optical fibers can be deactivated.

[0045] Preferably, the probe is activated by triggering the device to detect an object.

[0046] The present invention also proposes the use of a measurement system including the following steps:

[0047] One or more first optical fibers emit electromagnetic radiation toward the object.

[0048] The second optical fiber receives electromagnetic radiation from the object and transmits it to the receiving device.

[0049] The receiving device receives electromagnetic radiation and transmits information about the received electromagnetic radiation to the spectral analysis device.

[0050] • Spectral analysis equipment performs spectral analysis, and

[0051] • The measurement system, with the help of a mathematical model, converts the results of spectral analysis to determine the physical and / or chemical properties of the object.

[0052] Subsequently, objects that do not meet one or more specified criteria after calculation can be disregarded.

[0053] Brief description of the attached figures

[0054] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0055] - Figure 1 This is a schematic side view of a measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Figure 2a is a schematic side view of a probe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Figure 2b is a schematic side view of a probe according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] - Figure 3 This is a schematic top view of a probe and a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] - Figure 4 This is a schematic bottom view of a probe with an optical fiber arrangement according to the first embodiment of the probe.

[0060] Figure 5a is a schematic bottom view of the optical fiber in an arrangement according to a second embodiment of the probe.

[0061] Figure 5b is a schematic bottom view of the optical fiber in an arrangement according to a third embodiment of the probe.

[0062] Figure 5c is a schematic bottom view of the optical fiber in an arrangement according to a fourth embodiment of the probe.

[0063] Figures 6a to 6f are coherent schematic top views of the path the object travels under the triggering device and subsequently under the probe.

[0064] Figure 7a illustrates a first embodiment of the triggering device, and

[0065] Figure 7b shows a first embodiment of the triggering device. Detailed Implementation

[0066] The invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings, but is not limited thereto. The described illustrations and drawings are merely schematic, generally not to scale, and are not limiting. Furthermore, the described functions can be performed by structures other than those described in this document.

[0067] In the context of this article, the terms “first” and “second” are used only to distinguish various elements and do not imply any order among these elements.

[0068] In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar elements may have the same designation.

[0069] Figure 1 A measurement system 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically. The measurement system 9 includes a measuring apparatus 500 according to the invention and a conveyor 3 arranged to transport an object 2 along a direction of movement 4. The measuring apparatus 500 includes a probe 1 and a triggering device 8 upstream of the probe 1, the triggering device being arranged such that the object 2 can be detected by the triggering device on a portion of the conveyor 3 (the detection area of ​​the triggering device 8) and observed by the probe 1 on a portion of the conveyor 3 (the observation area of ​​the probe 1). The measurement system 9 also includes at least one electromagnetic radiation source 5, a receiving device 6, and a spectral analysis device 7 preferably arranged to receive information from the receiving device 6. The object 2 preferably has a horizontal extension between 2 mm and 25 mm. These are, for example, pharmaceuticals.

[0070] The triggering device 8 preferably includes a laser detector that detects the presence of object 2 on the conveyor 3. This allows the probe 1 to be activated: the triggering device 8 detects object 2, causing the probe 1 to observe object 2. In this way, the probe 1 observes only object 2, and the conveyor 3 is not considered.

[0071] The measuring equipment 500 preferably includes a control unit 510, which specifically exchanges information with the triggering device 8 and the probe 1.

[0072] The probe 1 includes a surface 100 oriented toward the conveyor 3, and one or more first optical fibers 10 and second optical fibers 20 are extended on this surface. The ends of the one or more first optical fibers 10 and second optical fibers 20 are preferably flush with the surface 100. The surface 100 is perpendicular to each other in a transverse direction 201 and a longitudinal direction 202 (in... Figure 3 (As shown in the diagram) Extension. Probe 1 is preferably stationary. The trajectory of object 2 can be any trajectory. The linear velocity of the movement is preferably between 0.1 and 3.0 m / s.

[0073] Source 5 emits electromagnetic radiation specifically having an infrared component, which is transmitted by one or more first optical fibers 10 and emitted towards object 2 from the ends of one or more first optical fibers 10. Object 2 reflects and scatters the electromagnetic radiation, particularly in the direction of the second optical fiber 20. When the electromagnetic radiation interacts with object 2, the characteristics of the electromagnetic radiation change. This allows for spectral analysis of object 2 based on the electromagnetic radiation scattered by object 2 and captured by the second optical fiber 20. The end of the second optical fiber 20 thus captures the electromagnetic radiation from object 2, and the second optical fiber 20 transmits this electromagnetic radiation to receiving device 6.

[0074] The receiving device 6 preferably includes a camera (with a CCD) that receives electromagnetic radiation. The receiving device 6 transmits the electromagnetic radiation information to the spectral analysis device 7. The spectral analysis device 7 preferably performs spectral analysis using infrared spectroscopy. The measurement system 9 can then compare the results of the spectral analysis with a theoretical model to determine the physical and / or chemical properties of the object 2. The calculation method is implemented to consider only relevant information and thus avoids the influence caused by the edges of the object 2.

[0075] As illustrated schematically in Figures 2a and 2b, each of the first optical fibers 10 has a first receiving cone 11, and each of the second optical fibers 20 has a second receiving cone 21. Those skilled in the art will know that the receiving cone of an optical fiber is such that if light attempts to penetrate the fiber from the cone, the light will be guided by total internal reflection; otherwise, the light will not be guided.

[0076] The measuring system 9 is preferably arranged such that at least one intersection between the first receiving light cone 11 and the second receiving light cone 21 is located between the top 2a and the bottom of the object 2.

[0077] In this invention, the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 are arranged on the surface 100 of the probe 1 such that the second optical fiber 20 is offset from one or more first optical fibers 10 along the longitudinal direction 202 and is located on the same side of one or more first optical fibers 10, and at least one of the second receiving light cones 21 intersects at least one of the first receiving light cones 11 (or, if only one first optical fiber exists, the first receiving light cone 11) at a distance of less than 10 mm from the surface 100. Preferably, the first receiving light cone 11 and the second receiving light cone 21 intersect at a distance of between 1 mm and 2 mm from the surface 100.

[0078] Figure 3 The possible arrangement of probe 1 relative to conveyor 3 is schematically shown. Conveyor 3 is preferably horizontal and carries object 2. Probe 1 is located above conveyor 3, with surface 100 oriented downwards. Object 2 can travel on conveyor 3 in a single line (e.g., Figure 3 (As shown in the image), existing in several lines or in a random arrangement.

[0079] Within the scope of this document, the transverse direction 201 is the direction of the width of the conveyor 3, and the longitudinal direction 202 is the direction of movement 4 and is perpendicular to the transverse direction 201. The transverse direction 201 may be referred to as the "first direction", and the longitudinal direction 202 may be referred to as the "second direction" or "direction of movement".

[0080] In this invention, the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 are arranged on the surface 100 of the probe 1 such that all the first optical fibers 10 of the probe 1 are inscribed within the first rectangle 13, and all the second optical fibers 20 of the probe 1 are inscribed within the second rectangle 23 that does not intersect with the first rectangle 13. If the probe only includes the first optical fiber 10, then the first optical fiber 10 is inscribed within the first rectangle 13 that does not intersect with the second rectangle 23.

[0081] The first rectangle 13 and the second rectangle 23 preferably have two sides parallel to the direction of movement 4. The first rectangle 13 and the second rectangle 23 are preferably inscribed rectangles of 3mm x 4mm.

[0082] The first rectangle 13 is preferably located upstream or downstream of the second rectangle 23 along the direction of movement 4. The first rectangle 13 and the second rectangle 23 are preferably relative to the same central longitudinal plane 50 (in...). Figure 4 (See in the middle) Laterally centered, the central longitudinal plane coincides with the longitudinal plane 31 centered relative to the conveyor 3.

[0083] Figure 4 The arrangement of the optical fibers in the first embodiment of the invention has been explained. Certain parameters of the invention are also shown, particularly the longitudinal extension 14 of the first optical fiber 10, the lateral extension 15 of the first optical fiber 10, the longitudinal extension 24 of the second optical fiber 20, and the lateral extension 25 of the second optical fiber 20 on surface 100. When the probe 1 is detached from the transmitter 3, the lateral 201 and longitudinal 202 directions are perpendicular to each other and are considered independent of any external reference.

[0084] Arrows 41 and 42 illustrate that the present invention allows for particularly short distances (arrow 41) and particularly long distances (arrow 42) between the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20.

[0085] Figure 5a illustrates the arrangement of optical fibers in the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5b illustrates the arrangement of optical fibers in the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5c illustrates the arrangement of optical fibers in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] The four illustrated embodiments (not limiting) allow visualization of certain features of the invention, which can be considered in combination or independently within the scope of the invention:

[0087] --The longitudinal extension 24 of the second optical fiber 20 is preferably smaller than its lateral extension 25. Figure 4 5a, 5b, 5c);

[0088] --The longitudinal extension 14 of the first optical fiber 10 is preferably smaller than its lateral extension 15. Figure 4 5a, 5b, 5c);

[0089] --The lateral extension 25 of the second optical fiber 20 is greater than the lateral extension 15 of the first optical fiber 10. Figure 4 5a, 5b, 5c);

[0090] --The longitudinal extension 14 of the first optical fiber 10 is greater than (Figures 5a, 5b) or equal to ( Figure 4 5c) Longitudinal extension 24 of the second optical fiber 20;

[0091] - The first optical fiber 10 is distributed in two rows (Figure 5b) or three rows extending laterally ( Figure 4 Figures 5a and 5c);

[0092] - The second optical fiber 20 is distributed in one horizontally extending row (Fig. 5a) and two rows ( Figure 4 (Figure 5b) or three rows (Figure 5c);

[0093] - Compared to the first optical fiber 10, the second optical fibers 20 are on average farther apart. Figure 4 5a, 5b, 5c); and / or

[0094] - The first fiber optic cable has 10 more fibers than the second fiber optic cable has 20 ( Figure 4 5a, 5b, 5c).

[0095] Figures 6a to 6f illustrate the displacement of object 2 along conveyor 3. Consider mark 91 on triggering device 8 and mark 92 on probe 1. The distance 90 between these marks 91 and 92 is covered by object 2 within time t, which is equal to the ratio between this distance 90 and the linear velocity of movement. Triggering device 8 includes two detection elements 81a and 81b that are laterally offset from each other. Each of these detection elements 81a and 81b detects a point on the conveyor, and triggering device 8 sends information related to these points to control unit 510. This information may be object detection information (when detection element 81a or 81b detects object 2) or conveyor detection information (when detection element 81a or 81b does not detect object 2 and therefore detects conveyor 3).

[0096] In Figure 6a, object 2 is upstream of triggering device 8. Triggering device 8 detects conveyor 3 and may optionally send conveyor detection information. Probe 1 is deactivated.

[0097] In Figure 6b, the first detection element 81a detects object 2, whereas it previously detected conveyor 3. The triggering device 8 sends the object detection information from the first detection element 81a to the control unit 510.

[0098] In Figure 6c, the second detection element 81b also detects object 2, whereas it previously detected conveyor 3. The triggering device 8 sends the object detection information from the first detection element 81a and the second detection element 81b to the control unit 510.

[0099] In Figure 6d, the first detection element 81a and the second detection element 81b detect the conveyor 3, after they had previously detected the object 2. The triggering device 8 sends the conveyor detection information from the first detection element 81a and the second detection element 81b to the control unit 510. The control unit 510 can optionally determine the model 85 of the object 2 and its arrival time in the observation area of ​​the probe 1. The front surface of the model 85 of the object 2 corresponds to the moment when the two detection elements 81a and 81b detect the object 2 (between Figures 6b and 6c). The rear surface of the model 85 of the object 2 corresponds to the moment when at least one of the two detection elements 81a and 81b detects the conveyor 3 (between Figures 6c and 6d).

[0100] The control unit 510 uses the information it has received from the triggering device 8 and the time t, which is equal to the ratio between the distance 90 and the linear speed of movement, to determine the observation period of object 2 when probe 1 is activated to observe object 2. Preferably, it uses model 85 to determine the observation period of object 2.

[0101] In Figure 6e, object 2 enters the observation area of ​​probe 1 so that it can be observed by probe 1. In Figure 6f, object 2 leaves the observation area of ​​probe 1 and is no longer observed by probe 1. The observation cycle of object 2 preferably occurs when only object 2 can be observed by probe 1 (between Figures 6e and 6f), for example when only model 85 can be observed by probe 1. Therefore, probe 1 does not observe anything other than object 2, thus allowing the avoidance of parasitic effects from the observation conveyor's partial or edge effects.

[0102] Figure 7a illustrates a first embodiment of the triggering device 8, which includes laser detectors 82a and 82b, each comprising one of detection elements 81a and 81b. They are arranged to be laterally displaceable. Preferably, each of the laser detectors 82a and 82b detects a point on the conveyor.

[0103] Figure 7b illustrates a second embodiment of the triggering device 8, which includes an emitter emitting a laterally extended light beam 83 and a detector capturing the beam as it reflects off the object 2 or the conveyor 3. The detection elements 81a, 81b each comprise different segments of the detector, capable of detecting different positions on the object 2 or the conveyor 3. Each detection element 81a, 81b is formed, for example, by one or more pixels that are different from one or more pixels of another detection element. The triggering device may be, for example, a 2D profile measuring instrument.

[0104] In other words, the present invention relates to a measuring apparatus 500, which can be used particularly in the context of controlling the spectral analysis of a moving individual object 2. The measuring apparatus 500 includes a probe 1 having a surface 100, in which one or more illumination optical fibers 10 and measuring optical fibers 20 are extended. The optical fibers 10, 20 are arranged such that at least one of the second receiving light cones 21 intersects at least one first receiving light cone 11 at a distance of less than 10 mm from the surface 100. The measuring apparatus 500 also includes a triggering device 8 that detects the object 2 upstream of the probe 1 to activate or deactivate the probe's observation of the object 2.

[0105] The invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments and arrangements, which are purely illustrative and not intended to be limiting. In general, the invention is not limited to the examples explained and / or described above. The use of the verbs “comprise,” “include,” or any other variations and combinations thereof shall in no way exclude the presence of elements other than those mentioned. The use of the indefinite article “a,” “an,” or the definite article “the” to introduce an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The reference numerals in the claims do not limit their scope.

Claims

1. A measuring device (500), comprising: A probe (1) is used to observe an individual object (2) moving along the longitudinal direction (202) and to perform spatially resolved spectral analysis on the individual object (2); a triggering device (8) is offset from the probe (1) along the longitudinal direction (202); and control unit (510); The probe (1) includes: Surface (100), the surface extending along the longitudinal direction (202) and along a transverse direction (201) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (202), One or more first optical fibers (10) are spread out onto the surface (100) and arranged to emit electromagnetic radiation from at least one source (5), each first optical fiber (10) having a first receiving cone (11). Second optical fibers (20) are extended onto the surface (100) and arranged to capture electromagnetic radiation and transmit it to a receiving device (6). Each second optical fiber (20) has a second receiving cone (21). The second optical fibers (20) are offset from the one or more first optical fibers (10) along the longitudinal direction (202) and are located on the same side of the one or more first optical fibers (10). The probe (1) is configured such that at least one of the second receiving light cones (21) intersects with at least one first receiving light cone (11) at a distance of less than 10 mm from the surface (100); The triggering device (8) is configured to detect the moving individual object (2), and the triggering device (8) includes two detection elements (81a, 81b) arranged to be offset along the lateral direction (201). The control unit (510) is configured to determine the model (85) of the moving individual object (2) and the time when the moving individual object (2) arrives at the observation area of ​​the probe (1), wherein determining the model (85) of the moving individual object (2) includes determining the front surface and the rear surface of the model (85), the front surface corresponding to the time when both of the two detection elements (81a, 81b) detect the moving individual object (2), and the rear surface corresponding to the time when at least one of the two detection elements (81a, 81b) detects the conveyor (3) arranged to transport the moving individual object (2) along the longitudinal direction (202); and The measuring equipment (500) is configured to activate the probe (1) to observe the individual object (2) when the moving individual object (2) arrives in the observation area of ​​the probe (1) after the individual object (2) is detected by the triggering device (8).

2. The measuring equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each detection element (81a, 81b) is on a separate laser detector (82a, 82b), which is arranged to be displaceable along the lateral direction (201).

3. The measuring equipment as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The triggering device (8) emits a light beam extending along the lateral direction (201), and each of the detection elements (81a, 81b) includes a separate segment of a detector, which is arranged to capture the light beam (83) after it is reflected on the individual object (2).

4. The measuring apparatus as described in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The second optical fiber (20) is distributed on the surface (100) in a longitudinal extension (24) and a transverse extension (25), such that the longitudinal extension (24) is smaller than the transverse extension (25).

5. The measuring equipment as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The second optical fiber (20) is distributed over a width greater than that of the one or more first optical fibers (10), the width being truncated along the transverse direction (201).

6. The measuring equipment as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The second optical fiber (20) is distributed over a shorter length than the one or more first optical fibers (10), the length being cut along the longitudinal direction (202).

7. The measuring equipment as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first optical fiber (10) is distributed in at most three horizontally extending rows.

8. The measuring equipment as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The second optical fiber (20) is distributed in at most three horizontally extending rows.

9. The measuring equipment as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Compared to the first optical fiber (10), the second optical fiber (20) is on average farther apart from each other.

10. A measurement system (9) comprising a measuring apparatus (500) according to any one of the preceding claims, at least one electromagnetic radiation source (5), a receiving device (6), and a conveyor (3) arranged to transport the object (2) along the longitudinal direction (202) such that the object (2) is detectable by the triggering device (8) on a portion of the conveyor (3) and is observable by the probe (1) on a portion of the conveyor (3).

11. The measurement system (9) as described in claim 10, characterized in that, It also includes the object (2), wherein the probe (1) is above the object (2), and the measurement system is arranged such that the top (2a) of the object (2) is located between the surface (100) and at least one intersection between the first receiving light cone (11) and the second receiving light cone (21).

12. The measurement system (9) as described in claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, It also includes a spectral analysis device (7) arranged to receive information from the receiving device (6).

13. Use of a measuring apparatus (500) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, or a measuring system (9) as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein one or more optical fibers (10) emit electromagnetic radiation toward the object (2), and the second optical fiber (20) receives electromagnetic radiation from the object (2).

14. The use as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The detection of the object (2) by the triggering device (8) causes the probe (1) to be activated.

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