Measuring apparatus

Abstract

To provide a measuring apparatus capable of measuring characteristics of a fluid in real time.SOLUTION: A measuring apparatus comprises: a light source; a light reception part which receives light; and a light guide member pair including a light source-side light guide member which guides and emits the light emitted from the light source and a light reception part-side light guide member which guides and emits the light emitted from the light source-side light guide member, to the light reception part, wherein the light reception part-side light guide member guides light reflected on or transmitted through a fluid to be measured which flows in a pipe body located in the light path of the light emitted from the light source-side light guide member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a measurement device. [Background technology]

[0002] Techniques for measuring the characteristics of fluids are widely used in industrial fields, etc. For example, a technique is known in which a fluid sample is irradiated with light having wavelengths in the near-infrared region, the absorbance in the near-infrared region is measured, and the concentration of the fluid is quantified from the measured absorbance (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-151676 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, a fluid is sampled from a flow path and placed in a measurement sample cell to serve as a fluid sample, but the fluid is not directly measured while flowing through a flow path such as a tube. Therefore, this technology cannot measure the characteristics of the fluid in real time.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a measurement device that can measure the properties of a fluid in real time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the measuring device of the present invention comprises: A light source and a light receiving unit that receives light; a pair of optical waveguide members including a light source side optical waveguide member that guides the light emitted from the light source and outputs the light, and a light receiving unit side optical waveguide member that guides the light emitted from the light source side optical waveguide member and outputs the light to the light receiving unit, The light-receiving-side optical waveguide member guides light reflected by or transmitted through the fluid to be measured flowing within a tubular body located in the optical path of the light emitted from the light-source-side optical waveguide member.

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is the invention described in claim 1, The optical wave-guiding member pair includes a plurality of light receiving portions and a plurality of optical wave-guiding member pairs.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is the invention described in claim 1 or claim 2, The light emitted from the light source includes infrared light.

[0009] The invention described in claim 4 is the invention described in claim 2, At least one of the plurality of pairs of optical waveguide members is positioned across the fluid to be measured, The traveling direction of the light emitted from the light source and transmitted through the fluid to be measured and the traveling direction of the fluid to be measured flowing through the tubular body intersect at a plane.

[0010] The invention described in claim 5 is the invention described in claim 2, At least one of the plurality of pairs of optical waveguide members is positioned to sandwich a reference sample.

[0011] The invention described in claim 6 is the invention described in claim 1 or claim 2, The light-source-side optical waveguide member and the light-receiving-side optical waveguide member are optical fibers.

[0012] The invention described in claim 7 is the invention described in claim 2, The plurality of receiver-side optical waveguide members are bundled together on the exit side.

[0013] The invention described in claim 8 is the invention described in claim 2, The plurality of light receiving sections are provided in an imaging device.

[0014] The invention described in claim 9 is the invention described in claim 8, The imaging device is a multispectral camera or a hyperspectral camera.

[0015] The invention described in claim 10 is the invention described in claim 5, The light receiving section adjusts the sensitivity based on the measurement result of the reference sample.

[0016] The invention described in claim 11 is the invention described in claim 1 or claim 2, The concentration of a specific component contained in the fluid to be measured is measured. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The present invention allows for real-time measurement of fluid properties. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a measurement device. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a measurement device for measuring transmitted light. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a measurement device for measuring reflected light. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a measurement device equipped with a plurality of measurement units. [Figure 5] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a measuring device when a pair of optical waveguide members and a pipe are positioned parallel to each other. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an optical system in a hyperspectral camera. [Figure 7] 1 is an example of an image output using a hyperspectral camera. [Figure 8] 1 is an example of an image output using a multispectral camera. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a measurement device that performs reference measurement using an attenuation filter. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a measurement device capable of simultaneously measuring multiple locations. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a measurement device capable of simultaneously performing multiple types of measurements at one location. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] One or more embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, however, it is not intended that the scope of the present invention be limited to the disclosed embodiments.

[0020] [Measuring equipment] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a measurement device 1 according to this embodiment. The measurement device 1 includes a measurement unit 11, a display unit 8, an operation unit 9, and a control unit 10. The measurement unit 11 includes a light source 2, a pair of optical waveguide members 3, and a light-receiving unit 4. The pair of optical waveguide members 3 includes a light-source-side optical waveguide member 3A and a light-receiving-side optical waveguide member 3B.

[0021] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a measurement device 1 that measures transmitted light. The arrows in Fig. 2 indicate the optical path and traveling direction of light emitted from the light source 2. The light emitted from the light source 2 passes through the light source side optical waveguide member 3A and enters the measured fluid 5 flowing inside the tubular body 6. The light that has transmitted through the measured fluid 5 passes through the light receiving unit side optical waveguide member 3B and is received by the light receiving unit 4. Meanwhile, the measured fluid 5 travels inside the tubular body 6 in the direction of the outline arrow.

[0022] From the viewpoint of enabling the light receiving unit 4 to sufficiently receive the light transmitted through the fluid under measurement 5, it is preferable that the traveling direction of the light emitted from the light source 2 and transmitted through the fluid under measurement 5 and the traveling direction of the fluid under measurement 5 flowing through the tubular body 6 intersect on a plane. Note that in Fig. 2, the traveling direction of the light emitted from the light source 2 and transmitted through the fluid under measurement 5 and the traveling direction of the fluid under measurement 5 flowing through the tubular body 6 intersect perpendicularly, but they do not necessarily have to intersect perpendicularly.

[0023] 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a measurement device 1 that measures reflected light. The light receiving unit 4 may receive light emitted from the light source 2 and reflected by the fluid 5 under measurement. Although not shown, two light receiving units 4 may be provided for each measurement point. One may receive light emitted from the light source 2 and transmitted through the fluid 5 under measurement, and the other may receive light emitted from the light source 2 and reflected by the fluid 5 under measurement.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a measurement device 1 equipped with multiple measurement units 11. The arrows in FIG. 4 indicate the optical path and traveling direction of light emitted from the light source 2. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the configuration includes two measurement units 11, but the number of measurement units 11 may be three or more. The light source 2 is shared by the two measurement units 11. The number of measurement units 11 corresponds to the number of measurement samples, i.e., the total number of measurement target fluids 5 and reference samples. By providing multiple measurement units 11, the measurement device 1 can simultaneously measure multiple measurement target fluids 5. Furthermore, by providing multiple measurement units 11, the measurement device 1 can simultaneously measure measurement target fluids 5 and reference samples.

[0025] The first measurement unit 111 shown in FIG. 4 will be described. Light emitted from the light source 2 enters the first light-source-side optical waveguide member 31A through an inlet P1 and is emitted from an outlet Q1 toward the first measurement fluid 51. The first measurement fluid 51 flows through the first tubular body 61 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The light emitted from the outlet Q1 enters the first measurement fluid 51. The light transmitted through the first measurement fluid 51 enters the first light-receiving-side optical waveguide member 31B through an inlet R1 and is emitted from an outlet S1 toward the first light-receiving unit 41. The first light-receiving unit 41 receives the light emitted from the outlet S1. The first light-receiving unit 41 may be provided in the imaging device 7.

[0026] The second measurement unit 112 shown in FIG. 4 will be described. Light emitted from the light source 2 enters the second light-source-side optical waveguide member 32A through an inlet P2 and is emitted from an outlet Q2 toward the second measurement fluid 52. The second measurement fluid 52 flows through the second tubular body 62 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The light emitted from the outlet Q2 enters the second measurement fluid 52. The light transmitted through the second measurement fluid 52 enters the second light-receiving-side optical waveguide member 32B through an inlet R2 and is emitted from an outlet S2 toward the second light-receiving unit 42. The second light-receiving unit 42 receives the light emitted from the outlet S2. The second light-receiving unit 42 may be provided in the imaging device 7.

[0027] Each component of the measuring device 1 will be described below.

[0028] (light source) The light source 2 emits light that irradiates the measured fluid 5. There is no limit to the number of light sources 2, but from the viewpoint of miniaturizing the device, it is possible to use a common light source for each measurement unit and reduce the number of light sources 2. There is no particular limit to the wavelength range of the light emitted from the light source 2, but from the viewpoint of the transparency of the tubular body 6, the optical properties of the components to be detected, etc., it is preferable that the light include an infrared light range.

[0029] The light source 2 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element. The light source 2 may be composed of a single LED or multiple LEDs. Other examples of the light source 2 include a halogen lamp and a xenon lamp.

[0030] The light source 2 may be an LED with a wide wavelength range, or multiple LEDs with different wavelength ranges. When an LED with a wide wavelength range is used as the light source 2, the light receiving unit 4 may acquire data for each wavelength range using a spectral filter or the like. When multiple LEDs with different wavelength ranges are used as the light source 2, the light receiving unit 4 may acquire data for each wavelength range by controlling the emission timing of the multiple LEDs. Alternatively, the light source 2 may be a visible light LED or an infrared light LED.

[0031] The light emitted from the light source 2 is preferably laser light, but may also be scattered light.

[0032] (Optical waveguide member pair) In this embodiment, the combination of the light-source-side optical waveguide 3A and the light-receiving-side optical waveguide 3B is referred to as an "optical waveguide pair." The light-source-side optical waveguide 3A guides and outputs light emitted from the light source 2. The light-receiving-side optical waveguide 3B guides and outputs light emitted from the light-source-side optical waveguide 3A to the light-receiving unit 4. When the light emitted from the light source 2 and transmitted through the measured fluid 5 is received by the light-receiving unit 4, the light-source-side optical waveguide 3A and the light-receiving-side optical waveguide 3B are positioned with the measured fluid 5 sandwiched between them.

[0033] The light-source-side optical waveguide 3A is located between the light source 2 and the measurement sample in the optical path of the light emitted from the light source 2. The light-receiving-side optical waveguide 3B is located between the measurement sample and the light-receiving unit 4 in the optical path of the light emitted from the light source 2.

[0034] Although there is no particular limitation on the type of the pair of optical waveguide members 3, optical fibers are preferred. Optical fibers are thin fibers that are flexible, allowing the light source 2 and the light receiving unit 4 to be disposed at any desired locations.

[0035] The plurality of light-source-side optical waveguide members 3A are preferably connected to the light sources 2 and bundled together at the light inlet P side. The plurality of light-receiving-side optical waveguide members 3B are preferably connected to the corresponding light receiving units 4 and bundled together at the light outlet S side. An example of optical fibers with one end bundled, i.e., branched, is a bundle fiber. The material and structure of the optical fiber are not particularly limited and can be selected as needed.

[0036] The positional relationship between the pair of optical waveguide members 3 and the tube 6 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of minimizing the space required for installing the device, it is preferable that the pair of optical waveguide members 3 and the tube 6 are positioned parallel to each other.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the measuring device 1 when the optical waveguide pair 3 and the tubular body 6 are positioned parallel to each other. The arrows in FIG. 5 indicate the optical path and traveling direction of light emitted from the light source 2. The light source side optical waveguide 3A and the light-receiving unit side optical waveguide 3B are both provided with a mirror 33. Light emitted from the light source 2 and passing through the light source side optical waveguide 3A is reflected by the mirror 33, and the reflected light enters the measured fluid 5. Light transmitted through the measured fluid 5 is reflected by the mirror 33, and the reflected light passes through the light-receiving unit side optical waveguide 3B and is received by the light-receiving unit 4.

[0038] (Light receiving part) The light receiving unit 4 has a light receiving element. The light receiving element is a photoelectric conversion element that converts light reflected by or transmitted through the measurement sample into electricity. Examples of light receiving elements include photodiodes. A plurality of light receiving units 4 may be provided together in a single imaging device 7. By using the imaging device 7, the measurement results of the fluid 5 to be measured can be output as an image. When the measurement results of the measurement sample are output as spectroscopic information, the imaging device 7 may be, for example, a multispectral camera, a hyperspectral camera, or the like.

[0039] A spectral camera can usually simultaneously acquire two-dimensional position information and spectral information split into four or more bands. This allows acquisition of spectral information in multiple wavelength regions from ultraviolet to infrared. The acquired spectrum can be reflection, absorption, or transmission.

[0040] Among these, hyperspectral cameras can acquire spectral information that has been dispersed into several tens of bands. The interval between the bands (wavelength regions) of the spectral dispersion is preferably 10 nm or less, and more preferably 5 nm or less.

[0041] 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the optical system in the hyperspectral camera 71. Below, a line-scan hyperspectral camera 71 will be described, but a snapshot hyperspectral camera may also be used in this embodiment. Furthermore, although a diffraction grating 76 is used as the spectroscope in this embodiment, a prism may also be used.

[0042] The hyperspectral camera 71 includes a scan line 72, an objective lens 73, a slit 74, a collimator lens 75, a diffraction grating 76, a condenser lens 77, and an image sensor 78. The image sensor 78 includes a plurality of photodiodes as the light receiving unit 4. The hyperspectral camera 71 captures light incident on the scan line 72 and acquires spectral information.

[0043] 6, the first light-receiving unit side optical waveguide member 31B and the second light-receiving unit side optical waveguide member 32B are connected in sequence and aligned horizontally on the scan line 72. When the measurement device 1 includes n measurement units 11, the n light-receiving unit side optical waveguide members 3B are connected in sequence and aligned horizontally on the scan line 72.

[0044] An objective lens 73 forms an image of light from the scan line 72 on a slit 74. The light formed on the slit 74 is dispersed into multiple bands (wavelength regions) by a collimator lens 75 and a diffraction grating 76, and the bands are aligned in order and formed on an image sensor 78 by a condenser lens 77. A plurality of photodiodes in the image sensor 78 each receive a corresponding light image and output it as an image as shown in FIG.

[0045] FIG. 7 is an example of an image output using a hyperspectral camera. Channels CH1 and CH2 represent an image of light received by the first light receiving unit 41 and the second light receiving unit 42, respectively. The images are arranged vertically for each spectral band (wavelength region). If the measurement device 1 has n measurement units 11, i.e., n light receiving units 4, channels CH1 to CHn are arranged horizontally in order to form a single image. A fixed number of pixels are assigned to channels CH1 to CHn. For example, the first to tenth pixels counting from the edge are assigned to channel CH1, and the eleventh to twentieth pixels are assigned to channel CH2.

[0046] On the other hand, a multispectral camera separates incident light into four bands (wavelength regions) using, for example, a four-wavelength spectral filter. The separated light is focused on an image sensor by a cylindrical lens or the like and received by a photodiode inside the image sensor.

[0047] FIG. 8 is an example of an image output using a multispectral camera. Multiple light beams transmitted through the measurement sample are each dispersed into four bands (wavelength regions), which are aligned in order and imaged on the image sensor. Photodiodes in the image sensor each receive the corresponding light image and output it as an image as shown in FIG. 8. CH1 and CH2 represent the image of light received by the first light receiving unit 41 and the image of light received by the second light receiving unit 42, respectively. Four images are aligned vertically, one for each dispersed band (wavelength region). If the measurement device 1 has n measurement units 11, i.e., n light receiving units 4, CH1 to CHn are aligned horizontally in order to form a single image.

[0048] Hyperspectral cameras can acquire spectral information dispersed into more than several dozen bands, allowing for detailed understanding of wavelength regions with peaks. However, because the received light is dispersed into more than several dozen bands, the amount of light received in each band is relatively small. Multispectral cameras disperse the received light into a relatively small number of bands, for example, four bands, so the amount of light received in each band is relatively large, resulting in high signal strength. Therefore, it is preferable to use different types of spectral cameras depending on the purpose.

[0049] (Display) The display unit 8 displays various information on the screen based on a display control signal received from the control unit 10. The display unit 8 includes a display device. Examples of the display device include a display and a projector. The display unit 8 displays an image obtained using, for example, a multispectral camera, a hyperspectral camera, or the like, and notifies the user of the measurement results.

[0050] (Operation unit) The operation unit 9 receives various inputs through user operations. The operation unit 9 includes input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, various switches, a touch screen, and a touch pad.

[0051] (Control unit) The control unit 10 is a processor that controls the overall operation of the measurement device 1. The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs various arithmetic processing, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that provides the CPU with working memory space and stores temporary data.

[0052] The control unit 10 may function as a memory unit. The memory unit accumulates and stores the measurement results obtained by the measurement unit 11 over time. This makes it possible to obtain information about changes in the spectrum over time. The memory unit may also be used as a database for spectrum information during normal operation or spectrum information when an abnormality occurs in the fluid 5 to be measured.

[0053] (Fluid to be measured) In this embodiment, a plurality of measurement samples can be measured, at least one of which contains the fluid to be measured 5. The plurality of measurement samples may also contain a reference sample.

[0054] In this embodiment, the term "fluid" refers to anything that has fluidity, including gas or liquid, such as gas, liquid, semisolid, a mixture of solid powder and gas, a mixture of solid powder and liquid, or a solid gel (jelly-like substance) impregnated with liquid. The components contained in the measured fluid 5 are not particularly limited, and may contain any compound.

[0055] The measuring device 1 is preferably used for quality control on a production line, and can measure the concentration of a specific component contained in the fluid under measurement 5. The "specific component" is not particularly limited as long as it is a component contained in the fluid under measurement 5, and may be a material component used in production, or a foreign component other than the material component. Specifically, the material component may be a resin material that dissolves in an organic solvent, and the foreign component may be metal ions contained in water, etc.

[0056] Additionally, if the foreign matter component is particulate, the measurement device 1 can measure the size of the foreign matter particle. Also, the type of foreign matter component contained in the measurement target fluid 5 can be identified from the spectrum obtained by the measurement device 1.

[0057] By installing measurement units 11 at multiple locations on the tubular body 6 of the production line, the measurement device 1 can observe where changes in the concentration of a specific component are occurring in the tubular body 6 of the production line. This allows, for example, if a foreign substance is present in a portion of the inflow or outflow channel of the production line, the foreign substance can be removed without completely stopping the inflow or outflow of the treated water. Specifically, the area containing the foreign substance can be identified from the measurement results, and the foreign substance can be removed by draining only the area containing the foreign substance or by scooping only the foreign substance. Alternatively, the generation of the foreign substance can be stopped by repairing or replacing the piping that is the source of the foreign substance, such as metal ions. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the measured fluid 5 can be observed in real time, allowing the contaminated foreign substance to be removed early.

[0058] The measuring device 1 requires only one light source 2 and one imaging device 7 equipped with a light receiving unit 4, and the number of measurement locations can be increased simply by branching the pair of optical waveguide members 3. Therefore, even if the number of locations where the measuring unit 11 is installed is increased, the space required to install the device hardly increases, and the overall device can be made smaller.

[0059] The measurement device 1 may measure a concentration other than the above, for example, the physical properties (flow velocity, etc.) of the fluid 5 to be measured.

[0060] The shape of the tubular body 6 through which the fluid 5 to be measured flows is not particularly limited. The cross-sectional shape of the tubular body 6 may be rectangular or circular. From the viewpoint of allowing light to be incident on the fluid 5 to be measured, the top of the tubular body 6 may be open. The tubular body 6 may be provided with an observation window or may be a transparent tube. These may be provided on the entire tubular body 6 or only at the measurement point.

[0061] (Reference sample) The light receiving unit 4 acquires a reference signal by measuring the reference sample. By acquiring the reference signal, the output status of the light source 2 can be grasped, and feedback can be performed to stabilize the output of the light source 2. Furthermore, the acquired reference signal can be used to standardize or normalize the measurement signal of the fluid 5 to be measured. As a result, the accuracy of the measurement is improved.

[0062] The reference sample is not particularly limited as long as its optical properties are known. For example, nothing is placed at the position of the measurement sample, and the light source side optical waveguide member 3A and the light receiving side optical waveguide member 3B are directly connected. Light emitted from the light source 2 may be directly received by the light receiving unit 4 to obtain a reference signal. Alternatively, only the tubular body 6, through which no fluid is flowing, may be placed at the position of the measurement sample. Light emitted from the light source 2 and reflected or transmitted by the tubular body 6 and the air within the tubular body 6 may be received by the light receiving unit 4 to obtain a reference signal.

[0063] If nothing is placed at the position of the measurement sample, the light emitted from the light source 2 is directly received by the light-receiving unit 4, which tends to result in a large amount of received light. For this reason, an attenuation filter (ND filter) may be provided in the optical path to adjust the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 4 and correct the sensitivity. Here, the "optical path" refers to the path along which light travels from the light source 2 until it is received by the light-receiving unit 4. There are no particular restrictions on the position of the attenuation filter 12, but it is preferable to place it between the light-source-side optical waveguide 3A and the light-receiving-side optical waveguide 3B, instead of the measurement sample.

[0064] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a measurement device 1 that performs reference measurement using an attenuation filter 12. Note that the optical waveguide member pair 3 is not shown in Fig. 9. Also, line arrows indicate the optical path and traveling direction of light emitted from the light source 2.

[0065] In the first measurement unit 111, the first light receiving unit 41 receives light emitted from the light source 2 and transmitted through the attenuation filter 12. In the second measurement unit 112, the second light receiving unit 42 receives light emitted from the light source 2 and transmitted through the second measured fluid 52.

[0066] For example, when a hyperspectral camera 71 is used as an imaging device 7 equipped with a light receiving unit 4, it is not possible to adjust the exposure time for each of the multiple light receiving units 4. However, as shown in Figure 9, by providing an attenuation filter 12 in the optical path, it is possible to make the exposure conditions for the multiple light receiving units 4 the same.

[0067] <Variation 1> The measurement device 1 of this embodiment may include three or more measurement units 11. By including multiple measurement units 11, the same measurement device 1 can measure multiple locations simultaneously.

[0068] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a measurement device 1 that can measure multiple locations simultaneously. Note that the optical waveguide member pair 3 is omitted from Fig. 10. The arrows indicate the optical path and traveling direction of light emitted from the light source 2.

[0069] In the first to fifth measurement units, the light emitted from the light source 2 and transmitted through the first to fifth measurement fluids 51 to 55 is received by the first to fifth light receiving units 41 to 45, respectively. In the sixth measurement unit, the light emitted from the light source 2 and transmitted through the attenuation filter 12 is received by the sixth light receiving unit 46.

[0070] 10, there is one light source 2, but there may be multiple light sources 2. In addition, when there are multiple light sources 2, it is preferable to perform reference measurement for each light source 2.

[0071] <Variation 2> The measuring device 1 of this embodiment is provided with a plurality of measuring units 11, and thus is capable of simultaneously performing a plurality of types of measurements per location.

[0072] 11 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a measurement device 1 that can perform multiple types of measurements simultaneously at one location. Note that line arrows indicate the optical path and traveling direction of light emitted from light source 2.

[0073] In the first to third measurement units, the light emitted from the first to third light sources 21 to 23 passes through the first to third light-source side optical waveguide members 31A to 33A, respectively, and enters the same measured fluid 5. The light transmitted through the measured fluid 5 passes through the first to third light-receiving unit side optical waveguide members 31B to 33B, respectively, and is received by the first to third light-receiving units 41 to 43, respectively.

[0074] Each measurement unit 11 has the same optical path length between the exit Q of the light-source-side optical waveguide 3A and the entrance R of the receiver-side optical waveguide 3B. The wavelengths of light emitted from the first to third light sources 21 to 23 are different and are selected according to the object to be measured. The first to third light-receiving units 41 to 43 do not necessarily need to be able to receive light in a wide wavelength range, and may receive only light in the wavelength range emitted from the first to third light sources 21 to 23, respectively. For example, the first to third light-receiving units 41 to 43 may be light-receiving elements equipped with filters that transmit only light in a specific wavelength range.

[0075] By simultaneously performing multiple measurements at one location, for example, it is possible to simultaneously measure the concentration of a resin material contained in the fluid to be measured 5 at a specific measurement location and the concentration of specific metal ions, which are foreign substances.

[0076] In this embodiment, the measurement device 1 includes a light source 2, a light-receiving unit 4 that receives light, and a pair of optical waveguides 3. The pair of optical waveguides 3 includes a light-source-side optical waveguide 3A that guides and outputs light emitted from the light source 2, and a light-receiving-unit-side optical waveguide 3B that guides and outputs light emitted from the light-source-side optical waveguide 3A to the light-receiving unit 4. The light-receiving-unit-side optical waveguide 3B guides light reflected by or transmitted through a fluid under measurement 5 flowing within a tubular body 6 that is located in the optical path of the light emitted from the light-source-side optical waveguide 3A. This allows the characteristics of the fluid under measurement 5 to be measured in real time.

[0077] In this embodiment, it is preferable to provide a plurality of light receiving sections 4 and a plurality of pairs of optical waveguide members 3. This allows a plurality of measurement samples to be measured simultaneously.

[0078] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the light emitted from the light source 2 contains infrared light. This allows the light emitted from the light source 2 to be sufficiently transmitted through the tubular body 6. In addition, it is easy to detect specific components contained in the fluid 5 to be measured. As a result, the accuracy of the measurement can be improved.

[0079] In this embodiment, it is preferable that at least one of the plurality of pairs of optical waveguide members 3 is positioned on either side of the fluid under measurement 5. It is also preferable that the traveling direction of the light emitted from the light source 2 and transmitted through the fluid under measurement 5 and the traveling direction of the fluid under measurement 5 flowing inside the tubular body 6 intersect on a plane. This allows the light receiving unit 4 to sufficiently receive the light transmitted through the fluid under measurement 5, thereby improving the accuracy of measurement.

[0080] In this embodiment, it is preferable that at least one of the plurality of optical waveguide members 3 is positioned with a reference sample therebetween, thereby making it possible to acquire a reference signal and stabilize the output of the light source 2. As a result, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the measurement.

[0081] In this embodiment, the light-source-side optical waveguide member 3A and the light-receiving-side optical waveguide member 3B are preferably optical fibers, which allows the light source 2 and the light-receiving unit 4 to be disposed at any desired location.

[0082] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the plurality of light-receiving-section-side optical waveguide members 3B are bundled together on the side of the light exit S. This makes it easy to connect the plurality of light-receiving sections 4 to an imaging device.

[0083] In this embodiment, the plurality of light receiving sections 4 are preferably provided in an imaging device 7. This allows the measurement results of the fluid 5 to be output as an image.

[0084] In this embodiment, the imaging device 7 is preferably a multispectral camera or a hyperspectral camera 71. This makes it possible to acquire spectral information in a plurality of wavelength regions and output spectral information at a plurality of measurement points as a single image.

[0085] In this embodiment, it is preferable to adjust the sensitivity of the light receiving units 4 based on the measurement results of the reference sample, thereby making it possible to make the exposure conditions of the multiple light receiving units 4 the same.

[0086] In this embodiment, it is preferable to measure the concentration of a specific component contained in the measurement target fluid 5. This allows the measurement device 1 to be used for quality control on a production line.

[0087] In addition, the detailed configuration and operation of each device constituting the measuring device can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1. Measuring equipment 2 light source 3 Optical waveguide member pair 3A Light source side optical waveguide member 3B Light receiving part side optical waveguide member 33 Mirror 4 Light receiving section 5 Fluid to be measured 6. Body 7. Imaging device 71 Hyperspectral Camera 72 scan lines 73 Objective Lens 74 Slit 75 Collimator Lens 76 Diffraction Grating 77 Condenser Lens 78 Image Sensor 8 Display 9 Control section 10 Control Unit 11 Measuring part 12 Attenuation Filter P: Incident port of light source side optical waveguide member Q: Light source side optical waveguide member output port R Incident port of the light-receiving unit side optical waveguide member S: Outlet of the light-receiving-side optical waveguide member

Claims

1. A light source and a light receiving unit that receives light; a pair of optical waveguide members including a light source side optical waveguide member that guides the light emitted from the light source and outputs the light, and a light receiving unit side optical waveguide member that guides the light emitted from the light source side optical waveguide member and outputs the light to the light receiving unit, The light-receiving-side optical waveguide member guides light reflected by or transmitted through a fluid to be measured flowing within a tubular body located in the optical path of light emitted from the light source-side optical waveguide member.

2. The measuring device according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of the light receiving sections and a plurality of the optical wave-guiding member pairs.

3. The measuring device according to claim 1 , wherein the light emitted from the light source includes infrared light.

4. At least one of the plurality of pairs of optical waveguide members is positioned to sandwich the fluid to be measured, 3. The measuring device according to claim 2, wherein a traveling direction of the light emitted from the light source and transmitted through the fluid to be measured and a traveling direction of the fluid to be measured flowing through the tubular body intersect at a plane.

5. The measurement device according to claim 2 , wherein at least one of the plurality of pairs of optical waveguide members is positioned across a reference sample.

6. 3. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the light source side optical waveguide member and the light receiving unit side optical waveguide member are optical fibers.

7. The measuring device according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of light-receiving-unit-side optical waveguide members are bundled together on the light-emitting-portion side.

8. The measuring device according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of light receiving sections are provided in an imaging device.

9. The measuring device according to claim 8 , wherein the imaging device is a multispectral camera or a hyperspectral camera.

10. The measurement device according to claim 5 , wherein the light receiving section adjusts sensitivity based on a measurement result of the reference sample.

11. 3. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring device measures the concentration of a specific component contained in the fluid to be measured.

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