Colorimeter

Abstract

To provide a colorimeter that can continuously measure the color degree of a liquid without manual operation and immediately notify the occurrence of an abnormality.SOLUTION: One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a colorimeter for liquid color degree, including: a measuring unit including a light source unit and a light receiving unit; and a detection unit immersed in a liquid. The detection unit includes: a light-emitting end for irradiating the liquid in a void portion with light introduced from the light source unit via an optical fiber; and a light-receiving end for receiving transmitted light having passed through the liquid. The transmitted light received by the light-receiving end is introduced to the light receiving unit via the optical fiber, and the measuring unit measures the received light amount detected at the light receiving unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an instrument for measuring color intensity of a liquid. [Background technology]

[0002] In the past, there have been concerns that discolored wastewater discharged from factories into rivers could damage a company's image (value) due to complaints from nearby residents, and could have a negative impact on the landscape and ecosystem. The Water Pollution Control Act does not contain any clear provisions regarding discolored wastewater, so there is no mechanism to prevent accidents. As a result, some local governments have enacted their own regulations and issued warnings to dye factories.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a color depth measuring instrument for liquids or chemical products that become liquid when heated, which is configured to pass light from a light source through a sample cell containing the liquid to be measured and detect it with a photosensor. This color depth measuring instrument uses an RGB tricolor LED sealed in a single package as the light source, and controls the tricolor LED with a microcomputer to emit red, green, and blue light individually and in sequence. The detected values ​​of the photosensor are differentiated and classified in synchronization with the LED light emission colors, and the tristimulus values ​​X, Y, and Z of the colors are calculated from the detected values ​​for each color, and the color number of the liquid to be measured is calculated from these values. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-134246 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the conventional coloration measuring devices described above were not able to constantly measure the coloration of liquids such as industrial wastewater without manual intervention, and were not able to immediately notify the user if an abnormality was detected.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a coloration measuring instrument that can continuously measure the coloration of a liquid without human intervention and immediately notify the occurrence of any abnormalities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid coloration measuring device comprises a measuring unit including a light source unit and a light receiving unit, and a detecting unit immersed in the liquid, wherein the detecting unit includes an emitting end that irradiates the liquid in the void with light introduced from the light source unit via an optical fiber, and a light receiving end that receives transmitted light that has passed through the liquid, and the transmitted light received by the light receiving end is introduced into the light receiving unit via an optical fiber, and the measuring unit measures the amount of received light detected in the light receiving unit.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the detection unit has a sliding mechanism that slides at least one of the light-emitting end and the light-receiving end to change the optical path length in the gap.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the slide mechanism is characterized in that it can slide in multiple stages.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the slide mechanism changes the optical path length in accordance with the transmittance of the transmitted light.

[0011] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the sliding mechanism is characterized in that it shortens the optical path length when the transmittance is equal to or less than a first sensitivity threshold, and lengthens the optical path length when the transmittance is equal to or greater than a second sensitivity threshold.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the optical fiber is covered with a fluororesin or a fluorine-coated resin.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the detection unit has an outlet for gas cleaning of the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the optical axes of the light emitting section and the light receiving section are aligned.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the light source unit is a white LED, and the light receiving unit is an RGB color sensor.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the light source unit is an RGB three-color LED, and the light receiving unit is a light receiving element.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the measuring unit further includes a display unit that displays the transmittance of the transmitted light.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the display unit displays an alarm when the transmittance is equal to or less than a predetermined alarm threshold or equal to or greater than a predetermined alarm threshold.

[0019] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the measuring unit is characterized in that it further includes an output unit that outputs an alarm via a contact when the transmittance of the transmitted light is below a predetermined alarm threshold or above a predetermined alarm threshold. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a coloration measuring instrument that can continuously measure the coloration of a liquid without manual intervention and immediately notify the occurrence of an abnormality. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a coloration measuring instrument according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 illustrates an optical fiber end according to an embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a coloration measurement process according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a detection unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a detection unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a process of switching the optical path length of a detection unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a process of determining whether to switch an optical path length according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout this specification and the accompanying drawings, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0023] (Embodiment) 1 is a schematic diagram of a coloration measuring instrument according to one embodiment. The coloration measuring instrument 100 comprises a detection unit 10, a phototransmission unit 20, and a measurement unit 30. The detection unit 10 comprises a measurement probe 11 housed in a case. The case is immersed in the liquid to be measured, and the case is filled with the liquid (submerged type). The measurement probe 11 holds an end of an optical fiber 12 and an end of an optical fiber 13 so that they face each other with a cell (also referred to as a void) between them.

[0024] The manner in which the optical fibers 12 and 13 are held by the measurement probe 11 is not limited to this. For example, the optical fibers 12 and 13 may be connected to the measurement probe 11 from the right or left side of the paper and held on the same surface of the measurement probe 11. In this case, a right-angle prism mirror may be provided on each optical path of the optical fibers 12 and 13 so that the optical axes face each other across the cell. Alternatively, the optical fibers 12 and 13 themselves may be bent within the measurement probe 11 so that the optical axes face each other across the cell. By holding the optical fibers 12 and 13 on the same surface of the measurement probe 11 in this way, the case can be made more compact. However, the optical paths must be bent within the case, which increases manufacturing costs.

[0025] The measurement unit 30 includes a light source unit 31, a light receiving unit 33, a display unit 38, and an operation unit 39. The light source unit 31 emits light to irradiate the liquid in the detection unit 10. The light emitted from the light source unit 31 is introduced into the detection unit 10 via the phototransmitting unit 20. The light receiving unit 33 receives the transmitted light that has passed through the liquid in the detection unit 10 via the phototransmitting unit 20. In this manner, the measurement unit 30 measures the amount of received light detected by the light receiving unit 33. The display unit 38 displays the transmittance of the transmitted light calculated based on the amount of received light. The display unit 38 displays the transmittance of each RGB color of the transmitted light and can display alarms (Alarm 1, Alarm 2) according to predetermined alarm thresholds. The operation unit 39 allows the user to input various setting values. For example, the user can set a predetermined alarm threshold via the operation unit 39. The measurement unit 30 may also include a relay contact for contact output of an alarm, and may be connected to an external device via the relay contact. For example, the measurement unit 30 may turn on a patrol lamp connected via the relay contact in response to a predetermined alarm threshold. In this way, the measurement unit 30 may include an output unit for contact output of an alarm.

[0026] As described above, the phototransmitting unit 20 can be an optical fiber. The optical fiber may be covered with a contamination-resistant fluororesin or a fluorine-coated resin. The phototransmitting unit 20 guides light emitted from the light source unit 31 to a light-emitting end held by the measurement probe 11, and irradiates the liquid with the light from the light-emitting end. The transmitted light that passes through the liquid is received by a light-receiving end held by the measurement probe 11, and the phototransmitting unit 20 guides the transmitted light to the light-receiving unit 33.

[0027] In addition, a gas washer 51 is connected to the measurement probe 11 for gas-cleaning the light-emitting end of the optical fiber 12 and the light-receiving end of the optical fiber 13. An air pipe 14 is connected to the gas washer 51, and an air cleaning nozzle 15 is connected to a gas outlet provided in the cell. The gas washer 51 can clean the light-emitting end of the optical fiber 12 and the light-receiving end of the optical fiber 13 by discharging gas from the air cleaning nozzle 15.

[0028] The coloration degree measuring instrument 100 also includes a compressor 60. The compressor 60 is connected to the gas washer 51 via the air piping 14 and a solenoid valve 61. The solenoid valve 61 is connected to the measurement unit 30 via a relay wiring 63. The measurement unit 30 controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 61 via the relay wiring 63, thereby controlling the amount of gas discharged from the compressor 60 to the gas washer 51. The gas can be air, nitrogen gas, or the like.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows (a) a perspective view and (b) a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber end portion according to one embodiment. The end portion of an optical fiber 21 is covered with an optical window 22. The optical fiber 21 is coated with a black light-shielding coating and is further covered with a metal sleeve 23 for centering the optical fiber 21 and resin 24. The resin 24 can be a fluororesin or a fluorine-coated resin. The optical window 22 is made of a transparent fluororesin. In this embodiment, by covering the end portions of the optical fiber 21 (i.e., the light-emitting end of the optical fiber 12 and the light-receiving end of the optical fiber 13 in FIG. 1 ) with the optical window 22 and covering the optical fiber 21 with a fluororesin or a fluorine-coated resin, adhesion of dirt in various water qualities (e.g., various turbidities and components) can be reduced, thereby reducing the frequency of maintenance. Furthermore, by using optical fibers for the parts immersed in water, a simple and inexpensive housing can be achieved. Furthermore, problems such as short circuits in electronic components do not occur.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a coloring degree measurement process according to one embodiment. First, light from the light source 31 is introduced into the measurement probe 11 via an optical fiber and irradiated onto the sample (liquid) 32. Next, the light receiving unit 33 receives the transmitted light that has passed through the sample 32 via the optical fiber. Here, wavelengths close to the color of the liquid are more likely to be transmitted. Next, the microprocessor 34 acquires the amount of RGB light received from the light receiving unit 33 via the input / output device 35. The central processing unit 36 ​​executes a program stored in the storage device 37 to perform correction processes such as ambient light correction and temperature correction and calculates the transmittance of the transmitted light. As shown in FIG. 1, the central processing unit 36 ​​displays the transmittance of each RGB color on the display unit 38 or outputs it as an analog signal (e.g., DC 4 to 20 mA). Note that the central processing unit 36 ​​may also calculate and display the absorbance. Furthermore, if the transmittance is below a predetermined alarm threshold or above a predetermined alarm threshold, the microprocessor 34 notifies the display unit 38 to display an alarm and can output an alarm via a relay contact. The predetermined alarm threshold and the conditions for displaying or contact outputting an alarm (i.e., displaying an alarm when the value is above the predetermined alarm threshold, or displaying an alarm when the value is below the predetermined alarm threshold) can be set by the user via the operation unit 39.

[0031] The light source unit 31 and the light receiving unit 33 can be a combination of a white LED and an RGB color sensor, or a combination of an RGB three-color LED and a light receiving element. If the light source unit 31 is a white LED and the light receiving unit 33 is an RGB color sensor, the white LED can emit light, allowing the RGB color sensor to receive transmitted light of each RGB color. On the other hand, if the light source unit 31 is an RGB three-color LED and the light receiving unit 33 is a light receiving element, the RGB three-color LED can emit light of each RGB color in sequence, allowing the light receiving element to receive transmitted light of each RGB color. The light source unit 31 and the light receiving unit 33 can be controlled by a microprocessor 34.

[0032] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a detection unit according to one embodiment. Fig. 4(a) shows a perspective view of the measurement probe 11, Fig. 4(b) shows a top view of the measurement probe 11, and Fig. 4(c) shows a side view of the measurement probe 11.

[0033] The measurement probe 11 includes a first holding portion 41, a second holding portion 42, and a third holding portion 43. The second holding portion 42 and the third holding portion 43 are placed on the first holding portion 41 so as to be slidable in the directions of the arrows in the figure. The second holding portion 42 holds the optical fiber 12, and the third holding portion 43 holds the optical fiber 13. A cylinder 44 for the slide mechanism is provided on the side of the first holding portion 41. Furthermore, a connection portion (not shown) for a gas cleaner is provided on the bottom surface of the first holding portion 41. The slide mechanism and gas cleaning will be described later.

[0034] Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a detection unit according to one embodiment. Figure 5(a) shows cross sections Vb and Vc in a side view of the measurement probe 11. Figure 5(b) shows a cross-sectional view at cross section Vb shown in Figure 5(a), and Figure 5(c) shows a cross-sectional view at cross section Vc shown in Figure 5(a).

[0035] In FIG. 5(b), the measurement probe 11 is configured such that a second holding part 42 holds the optical fiber 12, and the end of the optical fiber 12 faces the cell as it passes through the interior of the second holding part 42. The measurement probe 11 is also configured such that a third holding part 43 holds the optical fiber 13, and the end of the optical fiber 13 faces the cell as it passes through the interior of the third holding part. The end of the optical fiber 12 and the end of the optical fiber 13 are held so that their optical axes coincide. A gas washer 51 is connected to the bottom surface of the first holding part 41 for gas-cleaning the ends of the optical fibers 12 and 13. The configuration of the gas washer 51 and the gas outlet port differs from that shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 1, but may be configured as shown in FIG. 5(b).

[0036] FIG. 5(c) shows the specific configuration of the sliding mechanism of the measurement probe 11. A cylinder provided in the first holding unit 41 operates the first rod 53 by discharging gas from a first rod control unit 52 connected to an air pipe. A second rod control unit 54 connected to the air pipe also discharges gas to operate the second rod 55. This creates a sliding mechanism that slides the second holding unit 42 in the direction of the arrow in the figure along a rail provided in the first holding unit 41. This sliding mechanism enables switching of the optical path length of light passing through the sample in the cell of the measurement probe 11. While FIG. 5(c) shows the sliding mechanism in the second holding unit 42, a sliding mechanism may also be provided in the third holding unit 43 or in both the second holding unit 42 and the third holding unit 43. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the color intensity measuring instrument 100 also includes a compressor, solenoid valve, and air pipe for the sliding mechanism. In the first rod control section 52 and the second rod control section 54, the microprocessor 34 controls the solenoid valves in accordance with user settings input via the operation section 39, thereby controlling the amount of gas discharged.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a process for switching the optical path length of a detection unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 illustrates a sliding mechanism for the third holding unit 43. FIG. 6(a) illustrates that the optical path length L changes when the third holding unit 43 slides in the direction of the arrow in the figure (i.e., the optical path direction). For example, when the third holding unit 43 moves to the position indicated by the dashed line, the optical path length L shortens. FIG. 6(b) also illustrates that the third holding unit 43 slides along the rails when the rods 53 and 55 in the cylinder of the first holding unit 41 are operated. As indicated by the dashed lines in FIG. 6(b), the optical axes of the ends of the optical fibers 12 and 13 are slid in a aligned state. The configuration of the sliding mechanism is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0038] 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating the process of determining whether to switch the optical path length according to one embodiment. Here, the process of determining whether to switch the optical path length through a sample is described using the optical path length La shown in FIG. 7A and the optical path length Lb shown in FIG. 7B. Note that La>Lb. The process of determining whether to switch the optical path length is performed by the microprocessor 34 of the color intensity measuring instrument.

[0039] FIG. 7(c) shows the RGB transmittance detected when the optical path length is La. As shown in the figure, the R and B values ​​are below the predetermined sensitivity threshold Low. Therefore, the optical path length La is set to the optical path length Lb by the sliding mechanism of the measurement probe 11, thereby shortening the optical path length. By doing so, a suitable transmittance can be obtained, as shown in FIG. 7(d).

[0040] FIG. 7(f) shows the RGB transmittance detected when the optical path length is Lb. As shown in the figure, the G value exceeds the predetermined sensitivity threshold High. Therefore, the optical path length Lb is set to the optical path length La using the sliding mechanism of the measurement probe 11, thereby lengthening the optical path length. By doing so, a suitable transmittance can be obtained, as shown in FIG. 7(e).

[0041] The predetermined sensitivity threshold Low and the predetermined sensitivity threshold High can be set in advance by the user via the operation unit 39. Furthermore, when at least one of the transmittances of RGB is equal to or less than the sensitivity threshold Low, the optical path length may be shortened. Furthermore, when at least one of the transmittances of RGB is equal to or greater than the sensitivity threshold High, the optical path length may be lengthened.

[0042] As described above, the detection unit 10 of the coloration measuring instrument according to this embodiment has the following features. 1) The optical path length can be adjusted (slide rail type). 2) At least one of the light-emitting end of the optical fiber and the light-receiving end of the optical fiber is held by a slide mechanism, which can be configured to be able to slide in multiple stages. 3) The light emitting end of the optical fiber and the light receiving end of the optical fiber are provided with gas cleaning outlets, which can reduce the frequency of maintenance. 4) Equipped with a mechanism for adjusting the optical path length according to the transmittance.

[0043] Furthermore, the coloring degree measuring instrument according to this embodiment has the following advantages. 1) The continuous measurement The color level of the liquid can be measured continuously without manual intervention, and any abnormalities can be reported immediately. 2) Available in a variety of colors While existing products (SS meters, turbidity meters, color meters) measure only specific colors, the color meter according to this embodiment uses RGB detection and can therefore detect a variety of colors. Therefore, the color meter according to this embodiment can be used not only for managing factory wastewater, but also for quality control in manufacturing processes, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10. Detection unit 11 Measuring probe 12, 13 Optical Fiber 14 Air piping 15 Air cleaning nozzle 20 Phototransmission Department 21 Optical Fiber 22 Optical window 23 Metal sleeve 24 Resin 30 Measurement section 31 Light source section 32 samples 33 Light receiving part 34 Microprocessors 35 Input / Output Devices 36 Central Processing Unit 37 Storage device 38 Display section 39 Control section 41 1st holding part 42 Second holding part 43 Third holding part 44 cylinders 51 Gas Cleaner 52 First rod control section 53 First Rod 54 Second rod control section 55 Second Rod 60 Compressor 61 Solenoid valve 63 Relay wiring 100 Color Degree Meter

Claims

1. A liquid color measuring instrument, comprising: a measuring unit including a light source unit and a light receiving unit, and a detecting unit immersed in a liquid; The detection unit a light emitting end that irradiates the liquid in the gap with light introduced from the light source unit via an optical fiber; a light-receiving end that receives transmitted light that has passed through the liquid, the transmitted light received by the light-receiving end is introduced into the light-receiving unit via an optical fiber; A coloration measuring instrument characterized in that the measuring unit measures the amount of light received by the light receiving unit.

2. 2. The coloring degree measuring instrument according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit has a sliding mechanism that slides at least one of the light-emitting end and the light-receiving end to change the optical path length in the gap.

3. 3. The coloring degree measuring instrument according to claim 2, wherein the slide mechanism is capable of sliding in a plurality of stages.

4. 4. The coloring degree measuring instrument according to claim 2, wherein the slide mechanism changes the optical path length in accordance with the transmittance of the transmitted light.

5. 5. The coloring degree measuring instrument according to claim 4, wherein the sliding mechanism shortens the optical path length when the transmittance is equal to or less than a first sensitivity threshold, and lengthens the optical path length when the transmittance is equal to or greater than a second sensitivity threshold.

6. 2. The coloring degree measuring instrument according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is covered with a fluororesin or a fluorine-coated resin.

7. 2. The coloring degree measuring instrument according to claim 1, wherein the detecting unit has a discharge port for gas cleaning of the light-emitting end and the light-receiving end.

8. 2. The coloring degree measuring instrument according to claim 1, wherein the optical axes of the light-emitting end and the light-receiving end are aligned.

9. 2. The coloring degree measuring instrument according to claim 1, wherein the light source unit is a white LED, and the light receiving unit is an RGB color sensor.

10. 2. The coloring degree measuring instrument according to claim 1, wherein the light source unit is an RGB three-color LED, and the light receiving unit is a light receiving element.

11. 2. The coloring degree measuring instrument according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit further comprises a display unit that displays the transmittance of the transmitted light.

12. 12. The coloring degree measuring instrument according to claim 11, wherein the display unit displays an alarm when the transmittance is equal to or less than a predetermined alarm threshold or equal to or greater than a predetermined alarm threshold.

13. 2. The coloring degree measuring instrument according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit further comprises an output unit that outputs an alarm via a contact when the transmittance of the transmitted light is equal to or less than a predetermined alarm threshold or equal to or more than a predetermined alarm threshold.

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