Odor measuring device

Abstract

To improve the measurement accuracy of an odor sensor.SOLUTION: An odor measuring device according to the present invention comprises: an odor sensor 2 that is stored in a housing 1; a specimen flow path 4 that connects the odor sensor 2 and a specimen storage part 3 that stores the specimen to be measured; a refresh flow path 6 that connects the odor sensor 2 and a supply source 5 of a refresh gas with which the odor sensor 2 is scavenged; a switching part 7 that switches the connections of the refresh flow path 6 and the specimen flow path 4 to the odor sensor 2; and a vibration-proof mechanism 8 that absorbs vibration between the switching part 7 and the odor sensor 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an odor measuring device. [Background technology]

[0002] In devices that measure the odor of a sample, although the measurement principle of the odor sensor varies, the measurement values ​​tend to be easily affected by the temperature and humidity of the measurement environment, and if these environmental factors are unstable, accurate measurement will be hindered. Therefore, unless an ideal measurement environment can be created, there will be factors that hinder accurate measurement. Patent Document 1, which is related to the present invention, discloses an odor measuring device that supplies a sample gas to a measuring instrument, measures the odor, and then purges the instrument with nitrogen gas. Patent Document 2, which is related to the present invention, discloses a portable odor measuring device that is mainly used for analyzing human breath. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-125614 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6836997 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is known that odor sensors used to measure odors are affected by the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere surrounding the odor sensor and the "gas that transports the sample" (hereafter referred to as the carrier gas) at the time of measurement. Even when measuring the same sample, there was an issue in that different measurement values ​​were output if the temperature and humidity of the carrier gas at the time of measurement were different. This problem can be solved by adjusting the temperature and humidity of the odor sensor to the optimum conditions for measurement, and a practical solution requires equipment that can create a closed space with arbitrarily adjusted temperature and humidity, such as a thermo-humidistat chamber. However, the method using a thermo-humidistat chamber has the drawback that the equipment itself is large, making measurements possible only in the environment where the equipment is installed, and that the measurement device, including the odor sensor, and the measurement environment cannot be easily transported. Furthermore, since the environments where odor measurements are actually required are not necessarily laboratories where a temperature and humidity chamber is available, in order to realize a portable measurement device, it is necessary to equip the measurement device with a function to adjust the temperature and humidity of the measurement environment on its own. Furthermore, when odor sensors use the Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) method or the Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) method, they detect odorants using the vibration and amplitude of the elements that make up the sensor itself, and so it is known that the odor sensor may be affected by external vibrations. More specifically, there was concern that noise could be generated in the measured values ​​due to the effects of external vibrations from the environment in which the measurement device is installed and vibrations generated by the components of the device itself (for example, the pump that delivers sample air or the fan that cools the control circuit).

[0005] Furthermore, in the general usage environments of odor sensors, measurements are often assumed to be taken in open environments where the odor sensor itself is exposed to odors other than those being detected, and there is a possibility that the sensor may be subject to external noise due to the detection of odors from sources other than those being detected that exist in the environment. Furthermore, when odor sensors repeatedly measure the same sample, they are affected by the sample adhering to the odor sensor itself and the atmosphere containing sample remaining around the odor sensor, and it is thought that the measurement values ​​may become duller or lower with each measurement, or may converge to an undetected state. Therefore, care must be taken to maintain accuracy regardless of repeated measurements.

[0006] That is, odor measurement using an odor sensor has the following problems to be solved. When considering the obstructive factors related to the measurement environment of an odor measurement device and taking measures to address these factors to create conditions that enable stable and accurate measurement, there are situations in which it becomes necessary to use relatively large equipment such as a thermo-humidistat chamber to achieve an ideal measurement environment. Furthermore, although measurements using the thermo-humidistat chamber are advantageous in terms of stabilizing temperature and humidity, since a measurement system including a chamber is required, the measurement environment tends to become large, which poses a problem when attempting flexible operation such as bringing the device to the site where odor measurement is desired. Furthermore, depending on the sensor method, there is also the issue of being affected by ambient vibrations, which can result in abnormal divergence of measured values ​​and hinder reproducibility.Furthermore, there was a lack of consideration given to repeated odor measurements when creating odor measurement model data, and when repeated measurements were performed, the atmosphere containing samples that remained or accumulated around the sensor measurement unit affected the measured values, causing sensor initialization operations and repeated measurements to become dull or tend to converge, resulting in the inability to repeatedly measure accurate data.

[0007] Although Patent Document 1 takes into consideration the influence of residual gas when gas is used as a sample, it does not mention the influence of vibration on the odor sensor. The above-mentioned Patent Document 2 gives priority to simplifying the configuration for portability, and therefore does not mention at all measures to deal with the measurement environment that may affect the odor sensor.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to improve the measurement accuracy of an odor sensor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the odor measuring device of the present invention comprises an odor sensor stored in a housing, a specimen flow path connecting the odor sensor to a specimen storage section that stores the specimen to be measured, a refresh flow path provided in a system different from the specimen flow path and connecting the odor sensor to a source of refresh gas that scavenges the odor sensor, and a switching section that switches the connection of the refresh flow path and the specimen flow path to the odor sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, the measurement accuracy of the odor sensor can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of the minimum configuration of an odor measuring device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a piping diagram showing the overall configuration of an odor measuring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the odor sensor unit in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the refresh chamber section of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the specimen chamber section of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of one stage of the measurement state in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of another stage of the measurement state according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of still another stage of the measurement state according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing each step of the measurement according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a piping diagram showing the overall configuration of a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a temperature and humidity adjustment chamber according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An example of the minimum configuration of an odor measuring device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This odor measuring device has an odor sensor 2 stored in a housing 1, a specimen flow path 4 connecting the odor sensor 2 to a specimen storage section 3 that stores the specimen to be measured, a refresh flow path 6 that is provided in parallel to the specimen flow path 4 so as to be a different system from the odor sensor 2 and connects the odor sensor 2 to a source 5 of refresh gas that scavenges the odor sensor 2, a switching unit 7 that switches the connection of the refresh flow path 6 and the specimen flow path 4 to the odor sensor 2, and an anti-vibration mechanism 8 that absorbs vibrations between the switching unit 7 and the odor sensor 2.

[0013] In the odor measuring device configured as described above, the odor sensor 2 is housed in the housing 1. If the housing 1 is hermetically sealed, the odor sensor 2 can be placed in a sealed environment that is shielded from outside air other than the specimen flow path 4 and the refreshment flow path 6. Furthermore, the specimen flow path 4 is connected by the switching unit 7 to supply the specimen together with the carrier gas to the odor sensor 2, thereby measuring the odor, and the refreshment gas supply source 5 is connected by the switching unit 7 to the odor sensor 2 for scavenging, thereby removing the specimen from the odor sensor 2. In this measurement, the vibration isolation mechanism 8 is interposed between the odor sensor 2 and the switching unit 7, thereby suppressing vibrations transmitted to the odor sensor 2 from the outside, thereby improving measurement accuracy. Furthermore, by switching the specimen flow path to the refreshment gas flow path, which is provided in parallel with the specimen flow path, the refreshment gas can reliably remove residues from the measurement environment of the odor sensor 2. The housing 1 can surround the odor sensor 2 and suck in and exhaust gas, and if the housing 1 is configured so that all areas except for the opening for this sucking and exhausting are sealed, it can be configured with a predetermined volume ranging from the minimum volume required to store the odor sensor 2 to a volume sufficient to store the amount of carrier gas required for detection, including the analyte to be detected by the odor sensor 2.

[0014] A configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which embodies FIG. 1, will be described with reference to FIGS. The odor measuring device of the first embodiment has a configuration in which an odor measuring device 100 is controlled and operated by a measurement control terminal a, for example, as shown in FIG. The odor measuring device includes a measurement chamber 101 that contains the sample to be measured, a refresh chamber 102 that stores gas to purge the measurement chamber 101, a sample chamber 103 that stores the sample to be measured, an air supply pump 104 that serves as an air source for the odor measuring device, and an electromagnetic valve 105 that selectively connects the refresh chamber 102 and the sample chamber 103 to the measurement chamber 101. A one-way valve 106a is provided between the air supply pump 104 and the refresh chamber 102 to prevent backflow to the air supply pump 104, and a one-way valve 106b is provided between the air supply pump 104 and the specimen chamber 103 to prevent backflow to the air supply pump 104.

[0015] The air drawn into the air supply pump 104 is deodorized by a deodorizing chamber 108a provided on the intake side. A flow meter 107 for measuring the flow rate of the gas flowing into the measurement chamber 101 is provided between the solenoid valve 105 and the measurement chamber 101. The measurement chamber 101, refresh chamber 102, specimen chamber 103, air supply pump 104, and solenoid valve 105 are connected to a control circuit 110, which exchanges measurement data and control signals.

[0016] The air supply pump 104 may be of any type, such as a positive displacement type or an axial flow type, as long as it can achieve the flow rate required by the odor sensor 101a. The solenoid valve 105 can be selected and used so as to reliably switch between each path, such as the refresh chamber 102 and the specimen chamber 103, and to reliably ventilate and block the flow rate required by the odor sensor 101a. Regarding the number of paths that can be switched by the solenoid valve 105, for example, if switching between two systems, a refresh system and a specimen system, a solenoid valve with a solenoid valve having an appropriate number of switching ports can be used according to the number of paths that make up the odor measuring device (for example, if there are multiple chambers, and while one measurement chamber 101 is being measured, another measurement chamber 101 that was previously used is refreshed). Of course, the solenoid valve 105 should have an operating voltage and a connection diameter that allow it to be electrically controlled to open and close by the control circuit 110.

[0017] The one-way valves 106a and 106b have the function of preventing backflow from each chamber toward the upstream gas supply pump 104, and any one having the function of appropriately preventing backflow in the gas supply direction of the gas supply pump 104 can be used regardless of the specific structure. The flow meter 107 measures whether the flow rate of the carrier gas introduced into the measurement chamber 101 is the amount required by the odor sensor 101a, and checks and monitors the data by supplying it to the control circuit 110. The measurable flow rate must be selected in accordance with the requirements of the odor sensor 101a. The flow meter 107 may be an analog type, a digital type, or any other type as long as it is capable of measuring the required flow rate range. The measurement control terminal a is an information processing terminal capable of running a dedicated application used for measurement control, and is connected to the odor measuring device 100, and is capable of sending and receiving signals such as output of control signals related to odor measurement and input of measurement data via wireless communication or wired communication. The measurement control terminal a can be, for example, a personal computer, smartphone, workstation device, or other information processing terminal capable of implementing predetermined functions, capable of installing the dedicated application.

[0018] The measurement chamber 101 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The measurement chamber 101 is equipped with an odor sensor 101a that analyzes odor components contained in gas that has absorbed the odor of a sample, and this odor sensor 101a is supported by the measurement chamber 101 via a vibration-isolating mechanism 101b. The measurement chamber 101 also includes a temperature regulator 201 that maintains the interior at a predetermined temperature, a temperature sensor 202 that measures the internal temperature, a humidity regulator 203 that maintains the interior at a predetermined humidity, and a humidity sensor 204 that measures the internal humidity. In the example of Figure 3, the measurement chamber 101 functions as a housing that isolates the ambient environment of the odor sensor 101a from the outside.

[0019] The measurement chamber 101 configured as described above is a system isolated from the external environment, and is designed to eliminate contamination from outside due to odors other than those of the sample being measured (causes of odors other than those of the sample). There are no particular restrictions on the measurement method of the odor sensor 101a mounted in this measurement chamber 101, and for example, Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) method, Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) method, Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) method, Complementary MOS (CMOS) method However, other methods may be used if they are feasible. Also, a combination of these methods may be used. As for the odor sensor 101a, since the QCM type and some of the MEMS type are affected by vibrations due to their detection principles, vibration-proof measures are taken to suppress the adverse effects and noise caused by these vibrations by providing the vibration-proof mechanism 101b supported on vibration-proof material. The vibration-proof material used for this vibration-proofing measure may be a combination of materials and components that have the function of absorbing and suppressing vibrations, such as vibration-proof sponge, vibration-proof rubber, and vibration-proof damper.

[0020] The temperature regulator 201, temperature sensor 202, humidity regulator 203, and humidity sensor 204 are used to realize the following functions in each chamber. When installed in each chamber, the control circuit 110 monitors the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere contained in that chamber, and performs feedback control to the temperature regulator 201 and humidity regulator 203 as necessary, thereby controlling the temperature and humidity to be optimal for the odor sensor 101a to measure the sample. The temperature regulator 201 may be realized by using a Peltier element that can heat or cool the sample or the air in the chamber, or by using other mechanisms or systems that can achieve this function. The humidity regulator 203 may be realized by using a Peltier element to remove condensation, or by using a humidity adjustment mechanism that utilizes a moisture-absorbing material such as deodorant, bamboo charcoal, diatomaceous earth, or silica gel, or by using other mechanisms or systems that can achieve this function.

[0021] The refresh chamber 102 will be described with reference to FIG. The refresh chamber 102 includes a carrier gas buffer 301 having a predetermined volume, a temperature regulator 201 for maintaining the interior at a predetermined temperature, a temperature sensor 202 for measuring the interior temperature, a humidity regulator 203 for maintaining the interior at a predetermined humidity, and a humidity sensor 204 for measuring the interior humidity. The refresh chamber 102 is a system isolated from the external environment and is configured to eliminate contamination by external odors when measuring the odor of a sample. The carrier gas buffer 301 serves to pre-store the volume of carrier gas necessary for measurement that does not contain the sample to be measured. Since the air contained in the atmosphere surrounding the device is usually used as the carrier gas, outside air drawn in by the air supply pump 104 is used. However, if there is a concern about odor contamination of the measurement environment, or if necessary, purified air, nitrogen gas, argon gas, etc. may be stored in an independent chamber (not shown) and used instead of the air supply pump 104.

[0022] The specimen chamber 103 will now be described with reference to FIG. This specimen chamber 103 is equipped with a specimen container 401 for containing the specimen to be measured, a temperature regulator 201 for maintaining the interior at a predetermined temperature, a temperature sensor 202 for measuring the interior temperature, a humidity regulator 203 for maintaining the interior at a predetermined humidity, and a humidity sensor 204 for measuring the interior humidity. The specimen chamber 103 is a system isolated from the external environment and is configured to eliminate the influence and contamination of extraneous odors other than the specimen to be measured. The specific structure of the specimen container 401 is not limited to the illustrated example, as long as it can be opened and closed as needed and can contain and seal the specimen to be measured. The specimen container 401 may also be detachable from the specimen chamber 103, and after the specimen in the specimen container 401 is contained, it may be attached to the specimen chamber 103. In addition to the specimen (the gas to be measured), the specimen container 401 may also contain a liquid or solid that emits the specimen.

[0023] The deodorizing chambers 108a and 108b are installed on both the carrier gas intake and exhaust sides. The intake side is intended to remove odorous substances contained in the carrier gas and dust particles that adversely affect the measurement path. The exhaust side is intended to remove samples before the carrier gas is discharged from the device after measurement. The need for deodorization during exhaust is anticipated when it is necessary to prevent substances that pose a health risk or unpleasant odors from being released outside the device. It is also expected to prevent contamination, such as odors remaining in the device installation environment if the device is left open to the outside, resulting in unintended odors being mixed into the carrier gas. To achieve this function, charcoal filters can be used for deodorization, and HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters (or other filters that can achieve equivalent filtering functions) can be used for dust removal.

[0024] The control circuit 110 has a function for controlling the air supply pump 104, solenoid valve 105, temperature regulator 201, temperature sensor 202, humidity regulator 203, humidity sensor 204, etc. The control circuit 110 is responsible for supplying power to and controlling the various components described above. There are no restrictions on the specific configuration of the hardware and software as long as the control circuit can meet these requirements.

[0025] The operation of the odor measuring device configured as described above will be described with reference to the switching states of the chambers in each state shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 and the flowchart shown in FIG. First, as a preliminary preparation, it is confirmed whether the flow rate of the carrier gas sent into the measurement chamber 101 during measurement is set appropriately for the measurement. To confirm, a control instruction for a test run for confirming the flow rate is issued from the measurement control terminal a, the gas supply pump 104 is started, and the carrier gas is sent to perform the confirmation.

[0026] Step SP501 The control state at this time is that the air supply pump 104 is operated under the control of the control circuit 110, and the solenoid valve 105 is connected to the refresh chamber 102 (disconnected from the specimen chamber 103). In this state, the carrier gas flows through the deodorizing chamber 108a - air supply pump 104 - one-way valve 106a - refresh chamber 102 - solenoid valve 105 - flow meter 107 - measurement chamber 101 - deodorizing chamber 108b (control state 603 shown in FIG. 8). The sample to be measured is placed in sample container 401 incorporated in sample chamber 103 implemented in odor measuring device 100 (step SP501). This step is performed under the control of control circuit 110 with solenoid valve 105 connected to the path leading to refresh chamber 102. In this state, sample chamber 103 is disconnected at a stage upstream of solenoid valve 105. Also, because air supply has not yet started at this point, control circuit 110 controls air supply pump 104 to maintain a stopped state (corresponding to control state 601 shown in FIG. 6).

[0027] Step SP502 After storing the sample, the odor measuring device 100 enters a standby state until it stabilizes in a state suitable for measurement. This step also includes a process of adjusting the atmosphere contained in each of the measurement chamber 101, refresh chamber 102, and sample chamber 103 implemented in the odor measuring device 100 to a temperature and humidity suitable for measurement. For example, in the case of the measurement chamber 101, the atmosphere in the chamber containing the odor sensor 101a is adjusted; in the case of the refresh chamber 102, the atmosphere in the chamber containing the carrier gas buffer 301 is adjusted; and in the case of the sample chamber 103, the atmosphere in the chamber containing the sample container 401 is adjusted. At this time, the temperature and humidity in each chamber are adjusted by controlling the temperature regulator 201, temperature sensor 202, humidity regulator 203, and humidity sensor 204 built into each chamber using the control circuit 110. At this time, the control circuit 110 obtains the measurement results of the temperature sensor 202 and humidity sensor 204, and based on these results, provides feedback to the temperature regulator 201 and humidity regulator 203 so that the temperature and humidity are adjusted to an appropriate level for the measurement. These temperature and humidity controls are performed continuously in the following steps, and monitoring, control, and adjustment are continued until the measurement is complete. Note that the optimal temperature and humidity for measurement differ depending on the type of odor sensor 101a used, so the expected usage method includes prior confirmation and verification of the temperature and humidity characteristics required for these adjustments through data collection before application and integration.

[0028] Step SP503 The processing of step SP502 confirms that each chamber has been adjusted to the appropriate temperature and humidity and is ready for measurement. After waiting for the preparation to be completed, the measurement control terminal a sends a command to start measurement to the odor measuring device 100 and proceeds to the actual measurement. The completion status of the temperature and humidity adjustments is confirmed by feedback via the control circuit 110 in some manner. For example, it is preferable to incorporate an indicator to notify the user that the adjustments have been completed, or to have the measurement control terminal a display a message indicating that the adjustments have been completed. However, other methods, such as an audio notification of the completion of the adjustments, may also be used as long as the user can confirm that the adjustments have been completed. Furthermore, a function may be incorporated that automatically determines the adjustment status and controls the transition to the next step in cooperation with the control software installed in the measurement control terminal a.

[0029] Step SP504 Measurement begins when the temperature and control of each chamber have been adjusted to the optimum state for measurement.

[0030] Steps SP505 and 506 The introduction of carrier gas containing the specimen from the specimen chamber 103 into the measurement chamber 101 is started, and actual measurement is carried out. In step 505, in which the sample is introduced, the control circuit 110 starts the operation of the gas supply pump 104, supplying gas at a flow rate optimal for measurement. The solenoid valve 105 is also controlled by the control circuit 110 to switch the path, disconnecting it from the refresh chamber 102 and instead connecting it to a path including the sample chamber 103. This causes the gas supply pump 104 to draw in the carrier gas via the deodorizing chamber 108a located upstream of it. At this time, the deodorizing and purifying functions of the deodorizing chamber 108a allow the air introduced from outside the odor measuring device 100 to be adjusted to a carrier gas state optimal for measurement, free of odors other than those of the sample being measured and dust particles that are undesirable for measurement.

[0031] Furthermore, the carrier gas that has passed through the deodorizing chamber 108a is sent out by the air pump 104 and introduced into the measurement chamber 101 via the one-way valve 106b, the sample chamber 103, the solenoid valve 105, and the flowmeter 107. The one-way valve 106b serves to prevent backflow of the carrier gas containing the sample, and is incorporated to prevent the sample from entering the air pump 104, the one-way valve 106a, and the refresh chamber 102. The solenoid valve 105 also serves to prevent backflow into a different route in addition to switching the route. The carrier gas that has passed through the measurement chamber 101 is discharged outside the odor measuring device 100 via the deodorizing chamber 108b. At this time, the deodorizing chamber 108b also functions similarly to the deodorizing chamber 108a, exhausting the sample contained in the carrier gas in a purified state, thereby preventing the odor contained in the sample from affecting the measurement environment. (This corresponds to the control state 602 shown in Figure 7.) After the specimen is introduced, the carrier gas containing the specimen sent into the measurement chamber 101 is introduced to the odor sensor 101a and sprayed onto the sensor, causing the specimen to react with the detection section of the odor sensor 101a and be detected.

[0032] Step SP507 After the measurement, the carrier gas containing the specimen remaining in the measurement chamber 101 is discharged, and the measurement chamber 101 is refreshed with carrier gas not containing the specimen in order to keep the atmosphere around the odor sensor 101a mounted in the measurement chamber 101 fresh. The control state at this time is that the air supply pump 104 is operated under the control of the control circuit 110, and the solenoid valve 105 is connected to the refresh chamber 102, and the carrier gas flows via the deodorization chamber 108a-air supply pump 104-one-way valve 106a-refresh chamber 12-solenoid valve 105-flow meter 107-measurement chamber 101-deodorization chamber 108b.

[0033] Step SP508 Upon completion of the refresh, measurement data on the detection results is sent from the odor measuring device 100 to the measurement control terminal a. Feature extraction and analysis of the measured values ​​are performed by the measurement control software and analysis software installed in the measurement control terminal a. The software can be optimized for the sensor used in the odor sensor 101a. The analysis results can be viewed using the display or other result display functions of the measurement control terminal a. Effective methods for displaying the results include viewing the results from another terminal via a network from the measurement control terminal a, or storing and viewing the information on the cloud.

[0034] The odor measuring device of the first embodiment has the following effects 1 to 6. Effect 1 By the action of the temperature regulator 201, temperature sensor 202, humidity regulator 203, humidity sensor 204, and control circuit 110 implemented in the measurement chamber 101, refresh chamber 102, and specimen chamber 103, the temperature and humidity of the carrier gas and the carrier gas containing the specimen can be adjusted to the optimum temperature and humidity for measurement by odor sensor 101a, and measurements can be made while maintaining that temperature and humidity. Effect 2 Since the odor sensor 101a is supported by the vibration isolation mechanism 101b, vibration noise transmitted from the outside, which may cause measurement errors in the odor sensor 101a, can be reduced.

[0035] Effect 3 The measurement chamber 101, refresh chamber 102, and specimen chamber 103 each have an isolated atmosphere, and specimen gas or refresh gas can be supplied to each isolated atmosphere by switching the solenoid valve 105. Furthermore, the provision of the one-way valve 106 makes it possible to prevent backflow and the mixing of specimen and carrier gas into different paths. Effect 4 The deodorizing chambers 108a and 108b can deodorize and purify the carrier gas that is inhaled and exhausted by the odor measuring device 100.

[0036] Effect 5 By incorporating the control circuit 110, the solenoid valve 105, and the air supply pump 104, it is possible to control the flow path switching and, as a result, to exhaust and clean the previous sample gas that constitutes the residual atmosphere remaining around the odor sensor 101a. Effect 6 As a result of the above effects 4 and 5, the stability and reproducibility of measurements can be improved by eliminating the influence of residual atmosphere.

[0037] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the odor measuring device 100 can also be implemented with the following configuration, which minimizes the number of chambers (sealed tanks) that perform various processes, on the premise that the carrier gas and the carrier gas containing the sample that are input into the odor sensor 101a by the odor measuring device 100 can maintain measurement stability and reproducibility. As shown in FIG. 10, the odor measuring device 100A of the second embodiment includes the deodorizing chamber 108a, a temperature and humidity adjusting chamber 109 that adjusts the temperature and humidity of the gas (e.g., outside air) deodorized in the deodorizing chamber 108a to predetermined measurement conditions, an air supply pump 104, a one-way valve 106, a sample container 401, an electromagnetic valve 105, a flow meter 107, an odor sensor 101a, a deodorizing chamber 108b, and a control circuit 110.

[0038] That is, the odor measuring device 100A of the second embodiment is a device that is compact and highly portable, with a minimum configuration consisting of deodorizing chambers 108a and 108b for deodorizing the intake outside air and the sample gas after measurement, and a temperature and humidity adjustment chamber 109 for adjusting the temperature and humidity of the refresh gas and the carrier gas that extracts odors from the sample. The odor measuring device 100 is also configured to be connected to a measurement control terminal a. The odor sensor 101a has a main body that generates a predetermined signal in response to odors, housed in a sealed housing, and is isolated from the external environment except for the connection points with the flow meter 107 and the deodorizing chamber 108b. The volume of the housing is also sufficiently small compared to the volume of the temperature and humidity adjustment chamber 109.

[0039] 11, the temperature and humidity control chamber 109 is composed of a carrier gas buffer 301, a temperature regulator 201, a temperature sensor 202, a humidity regulator 203, and a temperature sensor 205, and these components are connected to a control circuit 110. The control circuit 110 controls the temperature regulator 201 and the humidity regulator 203 based on the measurement status of the temperature sensor 202 and the temperature sensor 205, and is a mechanism for controlling the carrier gas stored in the carrier gas buffer 301 to have an optimum temperature and humidity for measurement by the odor sensor 101a.

[0040] In the second embodiment, there are no tanks (refresh chamber, specimen chamber, and measurement chamber) for storing refresh gas or specimen gas, as in the first embodiment, between the air supply pump and the odor sensor, so the entire device can be made smaller. Furthermore, carrier gas whose temperature and humidity have been adjusted to predetermined values ​​in temperature and humidity adjusting chamber 109 is supplied to specimen container 401 to extract odor from the specimen, and then supplied to odor sensor 101a, thereby maintaining the accuracy of odor measurement. In the second embodiment, a flexible and bendable piping material, such as a rubber tube or a bellows-shaped flexible piping material, may be used between the switching valve and the odor sensor, and this piping may function as a vibration-isolating mechanism to suppress the transmission of vibration from air supply pump 104, which is a moving part, to odor sensor 101a.

[0041] The odor measuring devices of the first and second embodiments can be implemented in the following modified forms. (1) As a configuration for incorporating into the measurement device itself the function of adjusting the carrier gas to the optimum temperature and humidity for measurement, the carrier gas itself may be stored in a buffer container or the like in advance and the temperature and humidity may be adjusted, or the space including the part involved in the measurement may be isolated from the outside environment in some way, and the temperature and humidity may be adjusted for the isolated space or the entire atmosphere. Furthermore, other methods may be used as long as they can achieve the equivalent functions. By controlling the temperature and humidity in this way, the carrier gas and parts involved in the measurement can be adjusted to the optimum temperature and humidity for the measurement, and elements that have adverse effects can be eliminated.

[0042] (2) The influence of vibrations on the odor sensor can be prevented by providing vibration-damping materials when installing the sensor. Materials and components that have the function of suppressing vibrations, such as vibration-damping sponges, vibration-damping rubber, and vibration-damping dampers, can be used as vibration-damping materials.

[0043] (3) As a method of eliminating the "atmosphere containing specimens remaining around the sensor" (hereafter referred to as the "residual atmosphere"), a "path for supplying carrier gas containing specimens" (hereafter referred to as the "specimen system path") and a "path for supplying carrier gas not containing specimens" (hereafter referred to as the "refresh system path") are implemented, and a mechanism is incorporated that can switch between these paths using mechanisms such as valves. The opening and closing of the valves is controlled by providing a control circuit, etc. The aforementioned sample system path and refresh system path are switched using a valve, and after the sample measurement, a state is created in which carrier gas that does not contain the sample is supplied, thereby "exhausting the residual atmosphere" (hereinafter referred to as "refreshing") remaining around the sensor. This makes it possible to remove the residual atmosphere around the sensor.

[0044] (4) The valve that switches between the sample flow path and the refresh gas flow path should be one that can be controlled by a mechanism such as a control circuit. For example, a solenoid valve or similar structure that can achieve the required function may be used. The control circuit may be a microcomputer or similar device that can achieve the same function.

[0045] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like are also included within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0046] The present invention can be used to improve the measurement accuracy of odor measuring devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1 chassis 2. Odor sensor 3. Specimen storage area 4. Sample flow path 5 Source 6 Refresh flow path 7 Switching section 8. Anti-vibration mechanism 100, 100A Odor Measuring Device 101 Measurement chamber 101a Odor sensor 101b Anti-vibration mechanism 102 Refresh Chamber 103 specimen chamber 104 Air pump 105 Solenoid valve 106a, 106b One-way valve 108a, 108b Deodorizing chamber 109 Temperature and Humidity Control Chamber 201 Temperature regulator 202 Temperature Sensor 203 Humidity controller 204 Humidity Sensor 301 Carrier Gas Buffer 401 Sample container a Measurement control terminal

Claims

1. A measurement chamber containing an odor sensor; a refresh chamber for storing refresh gas for scavenging the inside of the measurement chamber; a sample chamber for storing a sample of an odor source that is the measurement target of the odor sensor; a refresh flow channel connecting the refresh chamber and the measurement chamber; a specimen flow path that connects the specimen chamber and the measurement chamber, the specimen flow path being provided on a system different from the refresh flow path; a switching unit that switches the connection between the refresh flow channel and the sample flow channel to the measurement chamber; and The measurement chamber, the refresh chamber, and the specimen chamber each have a temperature adjusting unit and a humidity adjusting unit for adjusting the temperature and humidity to optimum levels for odor measurement by the odor sensor.

2. An odor measuring device as described in claim 1, which has a deodorizing chamber that removes odor from the gas supplied to the refresh chamber and the sample chamber.

3. A measurement chamber containing an odor sensor; a sample chamber for storing a sample of an odor source that is the measurement target of the odor sensor; a temperature and humidity adjusting chamber that stores a carrier gas that is supplied to the specimen chamber and also serves as a refresh gas for purging the inside of the measurement chamber, and has a temperature and humidity adjusting unit that adjusts the temperature and humidity of the carrier gas; a refresh flow path connecting the temperature and humidity control chamber and the measurement chamber; a specimen flow path provided in a system different from the refresh flow path and connecting the temperature and humidity control chamber and the measurement chamber via the specimen chamber; a switching unit that switches the connection between the refresh flow channel and the sample flow channel to the measurement chamber; An odor measuring device having:

4. An odor measuring device as described in claim 3, which has a deodorizing chamber that removes odor from the gas supplied to the temperature and humidity adjustment chamber.

Images