Temperature measurement module and temperature measurement system

Abstract

To accurately measure a temperature of a measurement target by a temperature measurement module juxtaposed to multiple measurement modules.SOLUTION: A temperature measurement module 1 comprises: a terminal pair to which a reference contact point of a thermocouple can be connected; a temperature detection unit which detects a first temperature corresponding to a temperature of the reference contact point connected to the terminal pair; and a processing unit which executes temperature measurement processing for calculating a temperature of a temperature measurement contact point in the thermocouple based on a potential difference at the reference contact point and the first temperature. When executing the temperature measurement processing in a state in which the temperature measurement module 1 is juxtaposed to other measurement modules (in a state in which temperature measurement modules 1b to 1i are arranged), the processing unit calculates the temperature of the temperature measurement contact point by executing first correction processing for deriving a second temperature by correcting the first temperature according to a correction procedure predetermined in advance according to a position of the temperature measurement module 1 in a juxtaposition direction (arrow A direction) of the temperature measurement module 1 and the other measurement modules.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermocouple-type temperature measurement module configured to be able to perform temperature measurement processing while installed in parallel with other measurement modules, and to a measurement system configured including such a temperature measurement module. [Background technology]

[0002] When measuring the temperature of an object to be measured using a thermocouple-based measuring device, it is essential to accurately identify the temperature of the reference junction of the thermocouple. For example, the following patent document discloses a recorder that has multiple slots arranged in the vertical direction (and / or horizontal direction) so that multiple input modules (thermocouple-based measuring devices) can be attached, and is configured to measure and record the temperature of the object to be measured using the input modules attached to each slot.

[0003] In this case, each input module includes a terminal section, a voltage measurement section, a terminal ambient temperature measurement section, a terminal temperature estimation section, and a measurement object temperature calculation section. The terminal section includes, as an example, a terminal board on which thermocouple input terminal pairs (two terminals to which a reference terminal of a thermocouple can be connected) are arranged for 10 channels (10 pairs). The voltage measurement section measures the voltage between the thermocouple input terminal pairs for each channel. The terminal ambient temperature measurement section includes a main thermometer arranged near the terminal board, and a sub-thermometer arranged at a distance from the terminal board. The terminal temperature estimation section estimates the temperature of the thermocouple input terminal pair for each channel by correcting the measurement value of the main thermometer using the measurement value of the sub-thermometer and a predetermined correction formula. The measurement object temperature calculation section calculates the temperature of the measurement object based on the voltage between the thermocouple input terminal pair measured by the voltage measurement section, and the temperature of the thermocouple input terminal pair estimated by the terminal temperature estimation section (the temperature of the reference junction connected to the thermocouple input terminal pair).

[0004] In this type of recorder, the temperature of each slot varies depending on the position due to the effects of heat radiation from the internal heat source, heat transfer to each component, and internal heat convection, and as a result, the temperature of the terminal board of the input module installed in each slot varies depending on the position of the slot it is installed in. Therefore, in order to determine the exact temperature of the reference junction of the thermocouple connected to the terminal pair of each input module, it is necessary to take into account the difference in temperature for each installed slot.

[0005] On the other hand, in this recorder, temperature measurement is performed in each input module taking into account the position of the slot in which it is installed. Specifically, the terminal temperature estimation unit of each input module includes a slot determination unit that determines the position of the slot in which it is installed, a temperature estimation unit that executes temperature estimation processing of the thermocouple input terminal pair for each channel, and a correction formula table in which the correction formula used for temperature estimation is recorded, and the terminal temperature estimation unit estimates the temperature of the thermocouple input terminal pair according to the position of the slot in which it is installed, and the temperature of the measurement object is calculated based on the estimated temperature. As a result, in this recorder, the influence of the temperature difference depending on the position of the slot in which it is installed is reduced, and it is possible to accurately measure the temperature of the measurement object in each input module. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6056441 (pages 4-7, figures 1-7) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the input module and recorder disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document have the following problems to be solved. Specifically, as described above, the input module disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document employs a configuration in which a terminal temperature estimation unit executes a temperature estimation process to estimate the temperature of the thermocouple input terminal pair using a correction formula according to the position of the slot in which the input module is installed, in order to reduce the influence of temperature differences due to the position of the slot in which the input module is installed.

[0008] In this case, the impact of the "temperature difference for each slot position (the temperature of the thermocouple input terminal pair differing depending on the position of the slot in which it is installed)" which is a problem in the invention disclosed in the above patent document differs greatly between when input modules are installed in all of the slots and when input modules are installed in only some of the slots. Also, when input modules are installed in only some of the slots, the degree of impact and the positions of the affected slots (input modules) differ not only depending on the number of installed input modules, but also on which slots have input modules installed and which slots do not have input modules installed.

[0009] However, in the input module and recorder disclosed in the above patent document, the temperature of the thermocouple input terminal pair is estimated using a "correction formula according to the position of the slot in which the input module is installed" as described above, without taking into consideration whether or not other input modules are installed in adjacent slots, and the temperature of the object to be measured is calculated. Therefore, when input modules are installed in only some of the slots and used, in an input module installed in a slot in which no other input modules are installed in adjacent slots, the accurate temperature of the thermocouple input terminal pair (the accurate temperature of the reference terminal of the thermocouple connected to the thermocouple input terminal pair) cannot be determined, and as a result, there is a problem that such an input module may not be able to calculate the accurate temperature of the object to be measured.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems to be solved, and has as its main object to enable accurate measurement of the temperature of a measurement target by a temperature measurement module arranged in parallel in a plurality of measurement modules. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The temperature measurement module of the present invention is a temperature measurement module comprising a terminal pair to which a reference junction in a thermocouple can be connected, a temperature detection unit that detects a first temperature corresponding to the temperature of the reference junction connected to the terminal pair, and a processing unit that executes a temperature measurement process to calculate the temperature of the temperature measurement junction in the thermocouple based on the potential difference of the reference junction and the first temperature, wherein when the temperature measurement module is juxtaposed to another measurement module, the processing unit executes a first correction process to correct the first temperature to derive a second temperature according to a correction procedure predetermined in accordance with the position of the temperature measurement module in the juxtaposition direction of the temperature measurement module and the other measurement module, and calculates the temperature of the temperature measurement junction based on the potential difference of the reference junction and the second temperature.

[0012] A temperature measurement system according to the present invention includes a plurality of the above-described temperature measurement modules, and also includes a recording device that records the temperatures of the hot junctions measured by each of the temperature measurement modules.

[0013] Therefore, according to the temperature measurement module and temperature measurement system of the present invention, when three or more measurement modules are arranged in parallel, in a temperature measurement module positioned in the middle in the parallel arrangement direction with other measurement modules on one side and on the other side in the parallel arrangement direction, the processing unit executes a first correction process according to the position of the temperature measurement module in the parallel direction to correct the temperature of the terminal pair (i.e., the temperature of the reference junction of the thermocouple connected to the terminal pair). Therefore, even in a temperature measurement module positioned in the middle in the parallel arrangement direction, the influence of heat generated by both adjacent measurement modules is eliminated and the accurate temperature of the terminal pair (second temperature) is identified, and thus the temperature of the temperature measurement junction of the thermocouple, i.e., the temperature of the measurement object in contact with the temperature measurement junction, can be accurately measured.

[0014] In addition, the temperature measurement module of the present invention includes a data transmission unit that, when arranged in parallel with the other measurement module, is capable of transmitting output data of the measurement module arranged in parallel on one side in the juxtaposition direction to the measurement module arranged in parallel on the other side in the juxtaposition direction, and when the measurement module that outputs the output data and the measurement module that transmits the output data are each connected to the data transmission unit, the processing unit determines that the temperature measurement module is arranged in parallel with the other measurement module and performs the first correction process in the temperature measurement process.

[0015] Therefore, according to the temperature measurement module of the present invention and the temperature measurement system including such a temperature measurement module, in each of the temperature measurement modules arranged in parallel, the processing unit can reliably and easily identify whether the temperature measurement module in which it is mounted is located in the middle in the arrangement direction, and can reliably determine whether it is necessary to execute the first correction process for eliminating the influence of heat generation from an adjacent measurement module. As a result, the first correction process is reliably executed in the temperature measurement module (the temperature measurement module located in the middle in the arrangement direction) that is greatly influenced by the heat generation from the adjacent measurement module, and the accurate temperature of the measurement object that is in contact with the temperature measurement junction can be reliably measured.

[0016] Further, a temperature measurement system according to the present invention is a temperature measurement system comprising a temperature measurement module including a terminal pair to which a reference junction in a thermocouple can be connected, a temperature detection unit that detects a first temperature corresponding to the temperature of the reference junction connected to the terminal pair, and a first processing unit that executes a temperature measurement process to calculate the temperature of the temperature measurement junction in the thermocouple based on the potential difference of the reference junction and the first temperature, and a recording device that records the temperature of the temperature measurement junction, wherein the recording device includes a recording unit that records the temperature of the temperature measurement junction, and a second processing unit that executes a recording process to obtain the temperature of the temperature measurement junction from the temperature measurement module and record it in the recording unit, and in the recording process, when the second processing unit obtains the temperature of the temperature measurement junction from the temperature measurement module that has executed the temperature measurement process in a state where it is arranged in parallel with another measurement module, the second processing unit executes a second correction process to correct the temperature of the temperature measurement junction according to a correction procedure that is predetermined depending on the position of the temperature measurement module in the juxtaposition direction of the temperature measurement module and the other measurement module, and records the corrected temperature in the recording unit.

[0017] Therefore, according to the temperature measurement system of the present invention, when three or more measurement modules are arranged in parallel, the second processing unit corrects the temperature measured by a temperature measurement module positioned in the middle in the parallel arrangement direction and having other measurement modules on one and the other sides in the parallel arrangement direction by executing a second correction process according to the position of the temperature measurement module in the parallel direction.Therefore, the influence of heat generated by both adjacent measurement modules is eliminated even for the temperature measured by the temperature measurement module positioned in the middle in the parallel arrangement direction, and the temperature of the object to be measured can be accurately measured. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the temperature measurement module and temperature measurement system of the present invention, a first correction process is performed to correct a first temperature corresponding to the temperature of a reference junction in a thermocouple to derive a second temperature, or a second correction process is performed to correct the temperature of the temperature measurement junction (temperature of the object to be measured) measured by each temperature measurement module, according to a correction procedure previously defined depending on the position of the temperature measurement module in the juxtaposition direction of the temperature measurement module and other measurement modules.By doing so, it is possible to measure the accurate temperature of the object to be measured, even for the temperature measured by a temperature measurement module positioned midway in the juxtaposition direction, by eliminating the influence of heat generated by both adjacent measurement modules. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a measurement system 100. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a thermocouple TC. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a temperature measurement module 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a data logger 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a temperature measurement module and a temperature measurement system will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] The measurement system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a module stack type measurement system which is an example of a "temperature measurement system" and includes temperature measurement modules 1a to 1j (hereinafter, also referred to as "temperature measurement modules 1" when not distinguished) and a data logger 2, which are connected and integrated (an example of a configuration in which "a plurality of temperature measurement modules are provided, and a recording device for recording the temperature of the temperature measurement junction measured by each temperature measurement module is provided"). In this case, in the measurement system 100 of this example, as an example, each temperature measurement module 1 and the data logger 2 are connected to each other and integrated by connectors 3, 3... in a state in which they are arranged side by side in the direction of arrow A (in this example, the left-right direction). Note that an example in which ten temperature measurement modules 1, 1a to 1j, are stacked (arranged side by side) will be described, but the number of stacked temperature measurement modules 1, etc. is not limited to this.

[0022] The temperature measurement module 1 is an example of a "temperature measurement module" and is configured to be able to measure the temperature of a temperature measurement junction CM (the temperature of a measurement object with which the temperature measurement junction CM is in contact) in a state in which a thermocouple TC shown in Fig. 2 is connected. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the temperature measurement module 1 is configured to include a substrate 10 on which terminal pairs 11a-11o and temperature detection elements 12a-12c are mounted, a voltage measurement unit 13, module connection units 14a, 14b, a processing unit 15, and a storage unit 16.

[0023] The terminal pairs 11a to 11o (hereinafter, also referred to as "terminal pairs 11" when there is no need to distinguish between them) are an example of a "terminal pair" and each includes terminals Pa and Pb to which reference junctions CRa and CRb (see FIG. 2) in the thermocouple TC can be connected. In this case, in the temperature measurement module 1 of this example, as an example, 15 pairs of terminal pairs 11 of the terminal pairs 11a to 11o are arranged in one direction (up and down in the example of FIG. 3) on the substrate 10. Note that, although a configuration including 15 pairs of terminal pairs 11 will be described as an example, the number of "terminal pairs" arranged in one "temperature measurement module" is not limited to this, and the module may be configured to include one pair of "terminal pairs" or any multiple number of "terminal pairs" of two or more pairs.

[0024] Temperature detection elements 12a to 12c (hereinafter also referred to as "temperature detection element 12" when no distinction is made) are an example of a "temperature detection unit" that detects the temperature in the vicinity of terminal pair 11 (a temperature corresponding to the temperature of reference junctions CRa, CRb connected to terminals Pa, Pb of terminal pair 11: an example of "a first temperature corresponding to the temperature of the reference junction connected to the terminal pair") and outputs detection result data Dta to Dtc (hereinafter also referred to as "detection result data Dt" when no distinction is made) indicating the detection result. In this case, in the temperature measurement module 1 of this example having 15 terminal pairs 11 as described above, as an example, the temperature detection element 12a is arranged on the substrate 10 so as to be able to detect the temperature in the vicinity of the terminal pairs 11a and 11b (upper part in the arrangement direction of each terminal pair 11), the temperature detection element 12b is arranged on the substrate 10 so as to be able to detect the temperature in the vicinity of the terminal pair 11h (central part in the arrangement direction of each terminal pair 11), and the temperature detection element 12c is arranged on the substrate 10 so as to be able to detect the temperature in the vicinity of the terminal pairs 11n and 11o (lower part in the arrangement direction of each terminal pair 11). Note that the number of "temperature detection units" is not limited to three, and for example, when the number of "terminal pairs" is small, the number of "temperature detection units" can be one or two, and when the number of "terminal pairs" is large, the number of "temperature detection units" can be four or more.

[0025] The voltage measurement unit 13 measures the potential difference between the terminals Pa and Pb in each of the terminal pairs 11a to 11o, i.e., the potential difference between the reference junctions CRa and CRb in the thermocouple TC connected to the terminals Pa and Pb (an example of the "potential difference at the reference junction"), and outputs the measurement value data Dva to Dvo (hereinafter also referred to as "measurement value data Dv" when no distinction is made) to the processing unit 15. The module connection units 14a and 14b include connectors for connecting "other measurement modules (other temperature measurement modules 1 and different types of measurement modules configured to be able to measure other electrical parameters)" that are arranged in parallel, and are configured to be able to input and output measurement value data DXta to DXtj (an example of "output data of a measurement module arranged in parallel on one side in the juxtaposition direction") described below between the "other measurement modules" arranged in parallel (connected).

[0026] In this case, in the temperature measurement module 1 of this example, as an example, the module connection part 14a is arranged on one surface (the left surface in the arrangement example of FIG. 1) of the box-shaped casing, and the module connection part 14b is arranged on the other surface (the right surface in the arrangement example of FIG. 1) on the opposite side. As a result, in the temperature measurement module 1 of this example, it is possible to connect the "module connection part (if the "other measurement module" is a temperature measurement module 1 of the same type as the temperature measurement module 1, its module connection part 14b)" of the "other measurement module" arranged in parallel on the one surface side to the module connection part 14a, and to connect the "module connection part (if the "other measurement module" is a temperature measurement module 1 of the same type as the temperature measurement module 1, its module connection part 14a)" of the "other measurement module" arranged in parallel on the other surface side to the module connection part 14b. In the temperature measurement module 1 of this example, the module connection parts 14a, 14b and the processing part 15 together constitute a "data transmission part".

[0027] The processing unit 15 generally controls the temperature measurement module 1 according to the program data Dp. Specifically, the processing unit 15 executes a "temperature measurement process" in which the processing unit 15 specifies the temperature of each terminal pair 11 (the temperature of the reference junctions CRa and CRb connected to the terminals Pa and Pb of the terminal pair 11) based on the detection result data Dt output from the temperature detection element 12, and measures (calculates) the temperature of the temperature measurement junction CM of the thermocouple TC connected to the terminal pair 11, that is, the temperature of the measurement object brought into contact with the temperature measurement junction CM, based on the specified temperature and the measurement value data Dv output from the voltage measurement unit 13, to generate measurement value data DXta to DXtj (hereinafter, also referred to as "measurement value data DXt" when not distinguished). The processing unit 15 also stores the generated measurement value data DXt in the storage unit 16, and outputs the measurement value data DXt from the module connection unit 14a or the module connection unit 14b to other temperature measurement modules 1 or data logger 2 arranged in parallel.

[0028] Furthermore, the processing unit 15 transmits measurement data DXt and the like output from other temperature measurement modules 1 arranged in parallel to further other temperature measurement modules 1 arranged in parallel. The above-mentioned "temperature measurement process" by the processing unit 15 and the process of outputting and transmitting the measurement data DXt will be described in detail later. The storage unit 16 stores program data Dp of the operation program of the processing unit 15, correction data Dc used when the processing unit 15 measures (calculates) temperature, and measurement data DXt which is the measurement result (calculation result) by the processing unit 15.

[0029] On the other hand, the data logger 2 is an example of a "recording device" and is configured so that it can be connected to the temperature measurement modules 1 by a connector 3 in a state in which it is arranged in parallel with each temperature measurement module 1, as shown in Fig. 1. This data logger 2 functions as a main control device in the measurement system 100 to control each temperature measurement module 1, and is configured so as to be able to record measurement value data DXt and the like output from each temperature measurement module 1. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the data logger 2 includes a module connection unit 24, a processing unit 25, and a storage unit 26.

[0030] The module connection unit 24 includes a connector for connecting the module connection unit 14b in the temperature measurement module 1 and is configured to be able to input and output measurement data DXt between the temperature measurement module 1 and the like that is arranged in parallel (connected). The processing unit 25 controls the data logger 2 as a whole, and controls the temperature measurement module 1 and the like connected to the data logger 2 as described above. Specifically, the processing unit 25 outputs predetermined control data to the temperature measurement module 1 connected to the module connection unit 24 to instruct the temperature measurement module 1 to start / stop measurement, and stores the measurement data DXt and the like output from the temperature measurement module 1 and input to the module connection unit 24 in the storage unit 26. The control of each unit by the processing unit 25 will be described in detail later. The storage unit 26 is an example of a "recording unit" and stores (records) the operation program of the processing unit 25 and the measurement data DXt and the like output from the temperature measurement module 1 and the like.

[0031] Next, temperature measurement of a measurement target by measurement system 100 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Note that it is assumed that the connection of the temperature measurement modules 1a to 1j and the data logger 2 (connection of the module connectors 14a, 14b, 24 and fixing with the connector 3), connection of the thermocouples TC to each temperature measurement module 1, and attachment of the thermocouples TC to the measurement object have been completed, and detailed explanations are omitted. Also, as an example, it is assumed that the thermocouples TC are connected to all of the terminal pairs 11a to 11o in all the temperature measurement modules 1, and all of the thermocouples TC are in contact with the measurement object.

[0033] In this measurement system 100, when the data logger 2 is powered on, the processing unit 25 outputs control data (another example of "output data") that instructs the "measurement modules (in this example, temperature measurement modules 1a to 1j)" connected to the data logger 2 to start operating, from the module connection unit 24. In response to this, in each temperature measurement module 1, the processing unit 15 starts operating according to the input control data.

[0034] At this time, the processing unit 15 identifies on which side the data logger 2 is disposed in the juxtaposition direction (connection direction: the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 1) of each temperature measurement module 1 and data logger 2, based on which of the module connection units 14a and 14b the control data is input from. Specifically, when the control data is input from the module connection unit 14a, the processing unit 15 determines that the data logger 2 is connected to the module connection unit 14a, and when the control data is input from the module connection unit 14b, the processing unit 15 determines that the data logger 2 is connected to the module connection unit 14b. In this example, it is assumed that the control data output from the data logger 2 to each temperature measurement module 1 is input from the module connection unit 14b.

[0035] The processing unit 15 also outputs (transmits control data) the control data input from the data logger 2 or temperature measurement module 1 connected to the module connection unit 14b (hereinafter also referred to as the "right-side temperature measurement module 1" in accordance with the arrangement example in FIG. 1) to the temperature measurement module 1 connected to the module connection unit 14a (hereinafter also referred to as the "left-side temperature measurement module 1"). At this time, as an example, the processing unit 15 adds an identifier (information that can identify the device that transmitted the control data as the "measurement module") given to the temperature measurement module 1 in which it is mounted to the input control data, and outputs the data to the left-side temperature measurement module 1.

[0036] As a result, in the temperature measurement module 1j located at the right end in the juxtaposition direction of the temperature measurement modules 1, control data to which an identifier capable of identifying the temperature measurement module is not added is input, and therefore, in this temperature measurement module 1j, the processing unit 15 determines that there is no other "measurement module" to the right of the temperature measurement module 1 in which the temperature measurement module 1j is mounted. In addition, in the temperature measurement modules 1a to 1i, control data to which an identifier capable of identifying the temperature measurement module is added is input, and therefore, in these temperature measurement modules 1a to 1i, the processing unit 15 determines that there is another "measurement module" to the right of the temperature measurement module 1 in which the temperature measurement module 1j is mounted. In addition, in the temperature measurement module 1a located at the left end in the juxtaposition direction of the temperature measurement modules 1, there is no "measurement module" to which the control data input from the temperature measurement module 1b on the left side should be transmitted, and therefore, in this temperature measurement module 1a, the processing unit 15 determines that there is no other "measurement module" to the left of the temperature measurement module 1 in which the temperature measurement module 1j is mounted.

[0037] As a result, in the temperature measurement modules 1a and 1j, the processing unit 15 determines that the temperature measurement module 1 in which it is mounted is located at the end in the juxtaposition direction of the temperature measurement modules 1 (not in a state of being "juxtaposed to the other measurement modules so as to be sandwiched between the other measurement modules"). Also, in the temperature measurement modules 1b to 1i, the processing unit 15 determines that other "measurement modules" are juxtaposed on both the left and right sides of the temperature measurement module 1 in which it is mounted (in a state of being "juxtaposed to the other measurement modules so as to be sandwiched between the other measurement modules") (an example of the operation of "determining that the temperature measurement module is juxtaposed to the other measurement modules so as to be sandwiched between the other measurement modules when the measurement module that outputs output data and the measurement module that transmits the output data are connected to the data transmission unit, respectively"). As a result, each temperature measurement module 1 is ready to start temperature measurement.

[0038] In this state, when an instruction to start measurement is given by operating an operation unit (not shown) arranged in the data logger 2, or when a preset measurement start condition is satisfied (for example, when a preset start time arrives), the data logger 2 (processing unit 25) outputs control data instructing each temperature measurement module 1 to start measurement. Note that the output of this control data and its transmission to the parallel temperature measurement modules 1 are similar to the output and transmission of control data instructing the start of operation, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0039] Meanwhile, in each temperature measurement module 1 to which control data instructing the start of measurement has been input, the processing unit 15 starts a "temperature measurement process". In this "temperature measurement process", the processing unit 15 controls the voltage measurement unit 13 to measure the potential difference between the terminals Pa and Pb in each terminal pair 11a to 11o (i.e., the potential difference between the reference junctions CRa and CRb in the thermocouple TC connected to the terminals Pa and Pb). This causes the voltage measurement unit 13 to output measurement value data Dva to Dvo. Furthermore, the processing unit 15 specifies the temperatures of the terminals Pa and Pb in each terminal pair 11a to 11o (i.e., the temperatures of the reference junctions CRa and CRb in the thermocouple TC connected to the terminals Pa and Pb) based on the detection result data Dta to Dtc output from the temperature detection elements 12a to 12c.

[0040] In this case, in each temperature measurement module 1, the temperatures of the terminal pairs 11a-11o differ due to heat generation from the internal mechanism in the operating state. Specifically, for example, the terminal pairs 11 closer to the heat source tend to have a higher temperature than the terminal pairs 11 farther from the heat source, and the terminal pairs 11 with high thermal conductivity to other members tend to have a lower temperature than the terminal pairs 11 with low thermal conductivity. For this reason, in the temperature measurement module 1 of this example, information capable of calculating the temperature of each of the terminal pairs 11a-11o based on the temperature detected at the position of the temperature detection element 12a, the temperature detected at the position of the temperature detection element 12b, and the temperature detected at the position of the temperature detection element 12c (such as a temperature correction table that calculates the temperature of each of the terminal pairs 11a-11o by correcting the temperature specified based on the detection result data Dta-Dtc) is recorded in the correction data Dc.

[0041] Therefore, the processing unit 15 calculates the temperature of each of the terminal pairs 11a-11o based on the detection result data Dta-Dtc output from the temperature detection elements 12a-12c and the correction data Dc. Note that the configuration and method for calculating the temperature of each "terminal pair" based on the detection results (representative temperatures) by "temperature detection units" that are fewer than the number of "terminal pairs" is well known, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0042] Here, the temperature calculated as above is a temperature calculated taking into consideration the influence of heat generation from the internal mechanism of the temperature measurement module 1. For this reason, the temperature of each of the terminal pairs 11a-11o when one temperature measurement module 1 is used alone or when two temperature measurement modules 1 are used in a juxtaposed state can be calculated as above by a known configuration and method based on the detection results (values ​​of the detection result data Dta-Dtc) by the temperature detection elements 12a-12c and the correction data Dc that can specify the relationship between the temperatures detected by the temperature detection elements 12a-12c and the temperatures of each of the terminal pairs 11a-11o.

[0043] On the other hand, in this example where three or more (ten in this example) temperature measurement modules 1 are arranged in parallel, it becomes necessary to correct the temperature of each terminal pair 11 according to the position of the temperature measurement module 1 in the juxtaposition direction. Specifically, when a plurality of "measurement modules" are operated in a parallel arrangement, the temperature of each "terminal pair" rises in each "measurement module" due to the influence of heat generated by the internal mechanism as described above, as well as the influence of heat generated by adjacent "measurement modules."

[0044] In this case, when two units are installed side by side, or when three or more units are installed side by side, the "measurement modules" (in this example, temperature measurement modules 1a, 1j) located at both ends in the installation direction have only one adjacent "measurement module." Therefore, these "measurement modules" are less susceptible to the heat generated by other "measurement modules" (the heat generated by heat other than that generated by the internal mechanism), so the relationship between the temperature detected by the "temperature detection unit" and the temperature of each "terminal pair" does not differ significantly from when one "measurement module" is used alone, and the temperature of each "terminal pair" can be calculated using the method described above.

[0045] However, in a "measurement module" located in the middle of the arrangement direction when three or more units are arranged side by side (a "measurement module" arranged in a position sandwiched between other "measurement modules": in this example, temperature measurement modules 1b to 1i), other "measurement modules" are arranged on both sides of the arrangement direction, and the number of adjacent "measurement modules" is two. For this reason, these "measurement modules" are greatly affected by the heat generated by the other "measurement modules" (affected by heat generated other than that generated by the internal mechanism), and the relationship between the temperature detected by the "temperature detection unit" and the temperature of each "terminal pair" becomes significantly different from when one "measurement module" is used alone.

[0046] Therefore, in the temperature measurement module 1 (measurement system 100) of this example, when three or more temperature measurement modules 1 are arranged in parallel, a configuration is adopted in which the temperature of the terminal pair 11 is calculated (corrected) in each temperature measurement module 1 according to its own position in the arrangement direction.

[0047] Specifically, in the temperature measurement modules 1a and 1j located at both ends in the juxtaposition direction of each temperature measurement module 1, the processing unit 15 determines that the temperature measurement module 1 in which it is mounted is not a temperature measurement module 1 sandwiched between other "measurement modules", as described above. At this time, the processing unit 15 of the temperature measurement modules 1a and 1j calculates the temperature of each terminal pair 11 (an example of a "first temperature") based on the detection results (values ​​of the detection result data Dta to Dtc) by the temperature detection elements 12a to 12c and correction coefficients defined in advance according to the positions of each terminal pair 11, in the same way as when one temperature measurement module 1 is used alone.

[0048] In the temperature measurement modules 1b to 1i located in the middle of the juxtaposition direction, the processing unit 15 determines that the temperature measurement module 1 on which it is mounted is the temperature measurement module 1 sandwiched between other "measurement modules" as described above. At this time, the processing unit 15 of the temperature measurement modules 1b to 1i calculates the temperature of each terminal pair 11 (an example of a "first temperature") calculated based on the detection results (values ​​of the detection result data Dta to Dtc) by the temperature detection elements 12a to 12c and the correction coefficients predefined according to the positions of each terminal pair 11, by correcting the temperature of each terminal pair 11 (an example of a "second temperature") based on the predefined correction coefficients taking into account the temperature rise of each terminal pair 11 in the temperature measurement module 1 located in the middle of the juxtaposition direction (an example of a "first correction process" according to the "correction procedure predefined according to the positions of the temperature measurement modules in the juxtaposition direction").

[0049] Next, the processing unit 15 of each temperature measurement module 1 calculates the temperature of the temperature measurement junction CM in each thermocouple TC (i.e., the temperature of the measurement object to which each temperature measurement junction CM is in contact) based on the calculated temperature of each terminal pair 11 ("first temperature" for temperature measurement modules 1a, 1j, and "second temperature" for temperature measurement modules 1b to 1i) and the potential difference of terminals Pa, Pb identified based on the measurement value data Dva to Dvo output from the voltage measurement unit 13 (i.e., the potential difference of reference junctions CRa, CRb connected to terminals Pa, Pb), to generate measurement value data DXta to DXtj.

[0050] In the temperature measurement module 1a, the processing unit 15 outputs the generated measurement value data DXt from the module connection unit 14b to the right-side temperature measurement module 1, and in the temperature measurement modules 1b to 1i, the processing unit 15 transmits, in addition to the generated measurement value data DXt, the measurement value data DXt output from the left-side temperature measurement module 1 to the module connection unit 14a from the module connection unit 14b to the right-side temperature measurement module 1, and in the temperature measurement module 1j, in addition to the generated measurement value data DXt, the measurement value data DXt output from the left-side temperature measurement module 1 to the module connection unit 14a from the module connection unit 14b to the data logger 2. In the data logger 2, the processing unit 25 stores (records) the measurement value data DXta to DXtj input from the temperature measurement module 1j to the module connection unit 24 in the storage unit 26.

[0051] Thereafter, when an instruction to end the measurement is given by operating an operation unit (not shown) arranged in the data logger 2, or when a preset measurement end condition is satisfied (for example, when a set end time arrives), the temperature measurement process (generation and output of measurement value data DXt) by the temperature measurement module 1 and the recording of the measurement value data DXt by the data logger 2 are repeatedly executed until the data logger 2 (processing unit 25) outputs control data instructing each temperature measurement module 1 to end the measurement. As a result, the measurement value data DXta to DXtj capable of identifying the temperature of the measurement target measured by each temperature measurement module 1 are accumulated in the memory unit 26 of the data logger 2.

[0052] In this way, in this temperature measurement module 1, when the processing unit 15 executes a "temperature measurement process" in a state in which the temperature measurement module 1 is arranged in parallel with other "measurement modules" so as to be sandwiched between the other "measurement modules", it executes a "first correction process" to derive a "second temperature" by correcting a "first temperature" corresponding to the temperature of the reference junctions CRa, CRb in the thermocouple according to a correction procedure that is predefined according to the position of the temperature measurement module 1 in the juxtaposition direction of the temperature measurement module 1 and the other "measurement modules", and calculates the temperature of the temperature measurement junction CM based on the potential difference between the reference junctions CRa, CRb and the "second temperature". Moreover, this measurement system 100 includes a plurality of the above-mentioned temperature measurement modules 1, and includes a data logger 2 that records the temperature of the temperature measurement junction CM measured by each temperature measurement module 1 (measurement data DXt).

[0053] Therefore, according to this temperature measurement module 1 and measurement system 100, when three or more "measurement modules" are arranged in parallel, in the temperature measurement module 1 positioned in the middle in the parallel arrangement direction with other "measurement modules" present on one side and on the other side in the parallel arrangement direction, the processing unit 15 executes a "first correction process" according to the position of the temperature measurement module 1 in the parallel direction to correct the temperature of the terminal pair 11 (i.e., the temperature of the reference junctions CRa, CRb in the thermocouple TC connected to the terminal pair 11). Therefore, even in the temperature measurement module 1 positioned in the middle in the parallel arrangement direction, the influence of the heat generated by both adjacent "measurement modules" is eliminated and the accurate temperature (second temperature) of the terminal pair 11 is identified, and thus the temperature of the temperature measurement junction CM in the thermocouple TC, i.e., the temperature of the measurement object in contact with the temperature measurement junction CM, can be accurately measured.

[0054] In addition, this temperature measurement module 1 is equipped with a "data transmission unit (in this example, module connection units 14a, 14b and processing unit 15)" that can transmit output data of a "measurement module" that is arranged side by side in the juxtaposition direction when arranged side by side with other "measurement modules," to a "measurement module" that is arranged side by side in the other juxtaposition direction, and when a "measurement module" that outputs output data and a "measurement module" that transmits the output data are connected to the "data transmission unit (module connection units 14a, 14b)," respectively, the processing unit 15 determines that the temperature measurement module 1 is arranged side by side with other "measurement modules" so as to be sandwiched between them, and performs a "first correction process" in the "temperature measurement process."

[0055] Therefore, according to this temperature measurement module 1 and measurement system 100, in each of the temperature measurement modules 1 arranged in parallel, the processing unit 15 can reliably and easily determine whether the temperature measurement module 1 in which it is mounted is located in the middle in the parallel direction (whether it is sandwiched between other "measurement modules") and can reliably determine whether it is necessary to execute the "first correction process" that removes the influence of heat generation from the adjacent "measurement module." This ensures that the "first correction process" is executed in the temperature measurement module 1 (the temperature measurement module 1 located in the middle in the arrangement direction) that is greatly influenced by heat generation from the adjacent "measurement module," and it is possible to reliably measure the accurate temperature of the measurement target that is in contact with the temperature measurement junction CM.

[0056] The configurations of the “temperature measurement module” and the “temperature measurement system” are not limited to the above-mentioned exemplary configurations of the temperature measurement module 1 and the measurement system 100.

[0057] For example, in the "first correction process" in a temperature measurement module 1 (temperature measurement module 1 positioned in the middle in the parallel direction: in the example of measurement system 100, temperature measurement modules 1b to 1i) that is arranged in parallel to other "measurement modules" so as to be sandwiched between other "measurement modules," a configuration has been described in which a "second temperature" is derived by uniformly applying a "predefined correction coefficient taking into account the temperature rise of each terminal pair 11 in the temperature measurement module 1 positioned in the middle in the parallel direction," but the "correction procedure predefined according to the position of the temperature measurement module in the parallel direction" is not limited to this.

[0058] Specifically, when there are multiple temperature measurement modules 1 positioned in the middle in the parallel direction, and the temperature measurement modules 1 closer to the center in the parallel direction are more affected by the heat generated by adjacent temperature measurement modules 1 than the temperature measurement modules 1 closer to the ends in the parallel direction are (when there is a significant tendency for the temperature of the temperature measurement modules 1 closer to the center among the temperature measurement modules 1 positioned in the middle in the arrangement direction to rise to higher temperatures), the correction coefficient used in the ``first correction process'' can be specified so that the value used for the temperature measurement modules 1 closer to the center and the value used for the temperature measurement modules 1 closer to the ends are gradually different, thereby making it possible to accurately measure the temperature of the temperature measurement junction CM (the temperature of the object to be measured) in all temperature measurement modules 1 positioned in the middle in the arrangement direction.

[0059] In addition, the processing unit 15 of each temperature measurement module 1 determines whether or not a "measurement module" that outputs output data and a "measurement module" that transmits output data are connected to the module connection units 14a, 14b, respectively, and when a "measurement module" is connected to the module connection units 14a, 14b, the processing unit 15 performs a "first correction process" in the "temperature measurement process" assuming that the temperature measurement module 1 in which it is mounted is a temperature measurement module 1 arranged in parallel to other "measurement modules" so as to be sandwiched between them. However, instead of such a configuration, for example, a configuration can be adopted in which position data that can identify the position of each temperature measurement module 1 in the juxtaposition direction is stored in advance, and based on this position data, the processing unit 1 determines whether or not the temperature measurement module 1 is arranged in parallel to other "measurement modules" so as to be sandwiched between them, or a dip switch or the like is provided for identifying the position of the processing unit 1 in the juxtaposition direction, and based on the operation position of the dip switch, the processing unit 1 determines whether or not the temperature measurement module 1 is arranged in parallel to other "measurement modules" so as to be sandwiched between them.

[0060] In addition, a configuration has been described in which the processing unit 15 of the temperature measurement module 1 executes a "first correction process" to correct the temperature of the terminal pair 11 (the temperature of the reference junctions CRa, CRb in the thermocouple TC connected to the terminal pair 11) and measures (calculates) the temperature of the temperature measurement junction CM (the temperature of the measurement object with which the temperature measurement junction CM is in contact) based on the corrected temperature. However, instead of such a configuration, a configuration can be adopted in which the temperature of the terminal pair 11 (the temperature of the reference junctions CRa, CRb) is calculated without executing a correction (first correction process) according to the position in the juxtaposed temperature measurement module 1 in the juxtaposed direction, and the temperature of the temperature measurement junction CM (the temperature of the measurement object) is measured (calculated) based on the calculated temperature, and the temperature of the temperature measurement junction CM (the temperature of the measurement object) measured by the temperature measurement module 1 juxtaposed to the other "measurement module" so as to be sandwiched between the other "measurement modules" is corrected in an external device such as a data logger 2 according to the position in the juxtaposed direction of the temperature measurement module 1.

[0061] Specifically, as an example, when the processing unit 25 of the data logger 2 acquires the temperature (measurement value data DXt) of the temperature measurement junction CM from the temperature measurement module 1 that has executed the "temperature measurement process" while being sandwiched between other "measurement modules" and arranged side by side with the other "measurement modules" in the "recording process", it executes a "second correction process" to correct the temperature of the temperature measurement junction CM according to a correction procedure that is predefined depending on the position of the temperature measurement module 1 in the juxtaposition direction of the temperature measurement module 1 and the other "measurement modules", and records the corrected temperature (corrected measurement value data DXt) in the memory unit 26.

[0062] According to the measurement system 100 having such a configuration, when three or more "measurement modules" are arranged side by side, the processing unit 25 corrects the measurement value data DXt output from the temperature measurement module 1 positioned in the middle in the parallel arrangement direction with other "measurement modules" on one side and on the other side in the parallel arrangement direction by executing a "second correction process" according to the position of the temperature measurement module 1 in the parallel direction. Therefore, the influence of heat generated by both adjacent "measurement modules" is eliminated even for the temperature measured by the temperature measurement module 1 positioned in the middle in the parallel arrangement direction, and the temperature of the object to be measured can be accurately measured.

[0063] In addition, the measurement system 100 in which the "temperature measurement module" and the "other measurement modules" are all configured by the same type of temperature measurement module 1 has been described as an example, but the "temperature measurement system" can also be configured by arranging a "temperature measurement module" of a type different from the temperature measurement module 1 in addition to the temperature measurement module 1. In addition, the "other measurement modules" arranged in parallel with the "temperature measurement module" that performs the "first correction process" are not limited to the "temperature measurement module" and can also be configured with "various measurement modules capable of measuring physical quantities other than temperature" such as a "voltage measurement module" or a "current measurement module" (not shown). In addition, the example in which the temperature measurement module 1 and the like are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction (the direction of the arrow A shown in FIG. 1) has been described, but the "temperature measurement system" can also be configured by arranging the "temperature measurement module" and the other "measurement modules" in parallel in the up-down direction. In addition, the "recording device" such as the data logger 2 can also be arranged separately and independently without being arranged in parallel with the "temperature measurement module" and the other "measurement modules". [Industrial Applicability]

[0064] According to the present invention, a first correction process for correcting a first temperature corresponding to the temperature of a reference junction in a thermocouple to derive a second temperature, or a second correction process for correcting the temperature of a temperature measurement junction measured by each temperature measurement module, is performed according to a correction procedure defined in advance according to the position of the temperature measurement module in the juxtaposition direction of the temperature measurement module and other measurement modules, so that the influence of heat generated by both adjacent measurement modules can be eliminated and an accurate temperature of a measurement target can be measured even for a temperature measured by a temperature measurement module positioned in the middle in the juxtaposition direction. This makes it possible to widely apply the temperature measurement module used in a state where it is sandwiched between other measurement modules and is juxtaposed to other measurement modules, and to a temperature measurement system including such a temperature measurement module. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 100 Measurement System 1a~1j Temperature measurement module 2 Data logger 3 Connectors 10 Substrate 11a~11o terminal pairs 12a~12c Temperature detection element 13 Voltage measurement section 14a, 14b, 24 Module connection part 15,25 Processing section 16,26 Storage part CM Temperature measuring junction CRa,CRb Reference junction Dc correction data Dta~Dtc Detection result data DXta~DXtj, Dva~Dvo measurement data Dp Program Data Pa, Pb terminals TC Thermocouple

Claims

1. A temperature measurement module including a terminal pair to which a reference junction of a thermocouple can be connected, a temperature detection unit that detects a first temperature corresponding to a temperature of the reference junction connected to the terminal pair, and a processing unit that executes a temperature measurement process that calculates a temperature of a hot junction of the thermocouple based on a potential difference of the reference junction and the first temperature, When the processing unit executes the temperature measurement process while the temperature measurement module is arranged in parallel with another measurement module, the processing unit executes a first correction process to correct the first temperature and derive a second temperature according to a correction procedure that is predefined depending on the position of the temperature measurement module in the arrangement direction of the temperature measurement module and the other measurement module, and the temperature measurement module calculates the temperature of the measurement junction based on the potential difference of the reference junction and the second temperature.

2. a data transmission unit capable of transmitting output data of the measurement module arranged in parallel on one side in the juxtaposition direction in a state where the measurement module is arranged in parallel with the other measurement module, to the measurement module arranged in parallel on the other side in the juxtaposition direction; The temperature measurement module of claim 1, wherein the processing unit determines that the temperature measurement module is arranged in parallel with another measurement module when the measurement module that outputs the output data and the measurement module that transmits the output data are each connected to the data transmission unit, and performs the first correction process in the temperature measurement process.

3. 3. A temperature measurement system comprising a plurality of temperature measurement modules according to claim 1 or 2, and a recording device for recording the temperatures of the hot junctions measured by each of the temperature measurement modules.

4. A temperature measurement system comprising a temperature measurement module including a terminal pair to which a reference junction of a thermocouple can be connected, a temperature detection unit that detects a first temperature corresponding to a temperature of the reference junction connected to the terminal pair, and a first processing unit that executes a temperature measurement process to calculate a temperature of the hot junction of the thermocouple based on a potential difference of the reference junction and the first temperature, and further comprising a recording device that records the temperature of the hot junction, the recording device includes a recording unit that records the temperature of the hot junction, and a second processing unit that executes a recording process to obtain the temperature of the hot junction from the temperature measurement module and record the temperature in the recording unit; The second processing unit, when acquiring the temperature of the temperature measurement junction from the temperature measurement module that has executed the temperature measurement process while arranged in parallel with another measurement module, performs a second correction process to correct the temperature of the temperature measurement junction according to a correction procedure that is predefined depending on the position of the temperature measurement module in the arrangement direction of the temperature measurement module and the other measurement module, and records the corrected temperature in the recording unit.

Images