Method for estimating timer time and moisture meter for that purpose

Abstract

To provide a method for estimating an appropriate timer time in accordance with a sample, and a heating-drying moisture meter.SOLUTION: A moisture meter 100 comprises a mass sensor 2, a heating unit 3 of a sample 11, a computation control unit 5 that measures a moisture percentage from sample masses before and after heating-drying, a display unit 7, and a timer time estimation unit 54. The timer time estimation unit differentiates, for the measured data of the mass acquired by heating the heating unit for a prescribed time, a moisture percentage for analysis that was determined from the sample mass before heating-drying and successively acquired sample masses to acquire a moisture change rate. When the moisture change rate decreases to a criterion threshold or below, a time at which it decreased to the criterion threshold or below first is taken as a recommended value for the timer time, and when the moisture change rate does not decrease to the criterion threshold or below, a larger value is adopted as the criterion threshold, in which way determination is repeated. When the criterion threshold increases above an upper-limit value, it is assumed that the moisture of the sample has not dried in a prescribed time, which information is conveyed to the display unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a moisture meter, and more particularly to a heat drying type moisture meter.

Background Art

[0002] As one of the devices for measuring the moisture content of a sample, a heat drying type moisture meter is known. The heat drying type moisture meter evaporates the moisture in the sample by heating the sample, and when the mass change (decrease) of the sample becomes constant, it determines that the sample is sufficiently dried and stops heating. From the change in the mass of the sample before and after heat drying, it is a device for measuring the moisture content of the sample. The moisture content MC [%] is obtained by the formula (1)

[0003]

Equation

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 uses the above measurement principle as follows. In Patent Document 1, the moisture content is differentiated to calculate the time change of the moisture content (moisture change rate). For a sample whose properties are known in advance, if the moisture change rates within a certain range match, a technique for obtaining the moisture content by extrapolation calculation without waiting for the mass change of the sample to become constant is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Heat-drying moisture meters can reliably and accurately measure even low-moisture samples such as resins, provided the heating time is appropriate. Therefore, heat-drying moisture meters are equipped with a timer mode that heats only for a set time and then stops, rather than stopping the heating process based on the measurement principle described above. However, the setting of the "timer time" in this timer mode is left to the user and is often done with an approximate time.

[0007] Setting the timer appropriately is difficult; if the timer is too short, the moisture may not evaporate completely, and if it is too long, the sample's state may change. Determining the appropriate timer for each sample is difficult, and it is especially challenging to set an appropriate timer for samples whose properties are not known in advance.

[0008] The present invention was made to solve the aforementioned problems and aims to provide a method for estimating an appropriate timer time depending on the sample, and a heat-drying type moisture meter for that purpose. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above problems, a timer time estimation method for a moisture meter according to one embodiment of the present invention uses a moisture meter comprising: a mass sensor for measuring the mass of a sample placed on a weighing pan; a heating chamber in which the weighing pan is arranged; a heating unit for heating the heating chamber; and a calculation control unit for controlling the heating unit and measuring the moisture content of the sample from the sample mass before heating and drying and the sample mass after heating and drying, and before measuring the moisture content, (A) starting the heating of the sample and acquiring measurement data of the mass moment by moment for a predetermined time, and (B) filtering the measurement data to remove noise and converting it into data for analysis. The method is characterized by comprising: (C) determining the moisture content for analysis from the sample mass before heating and drying and the sample mass acquired sequentially in the analytical data, and obtaining the moisture change rate by differentiating the analytical moisture content; (D) checking whether there are times when the moisture change rate falls below a judgment threshold; (E) if the moisture change rate does not fall below the judgment threshold, setting a larger value as the judgment threshold and repeating steps (D) through (E); and (F) if the moisture change rate falls below the judgment threshold, estimating the time in step (D) when it first fell below the judgment threshold as the recommended value for the timer time.

[0010] In the above embodiment, it is also preferable to have a step in which, if the determination threshold in (D) exceeds the upper limit, it is estimated that the moisture content of the sample has not dried in the predetermined time.

[0011] In the above embodiment, if the estimation (F) is made, it is also preferable that at least one of the following is performed: presenting the recommended value to the user, or automatically setting the heating time in the heating section to the recommended value when measuring the moisture content.

[0012] In the above embodiment, if the estimation (G) is made, it is also preferable that the user be advised to do at least one of the following (i) to (iv). (i) Extend the predetermined time and perform steps (A) through (G) above, and estimate again. (ii) When measuring the moisture content, the timer time is set to be longer than the predetermined time. (iii) When measuring the moisture content, increase the heating temperature of the heating section. (iv) Reduce the amount of the sample when measuring the moisture content.

[0013] In the above embodiment, it is also preferable to present the reliability of the recommended value, assuming that the fewer the number of repetitions in (E) above, the more likely the recommended value is.

[0014] To solve the above problems, a moisture meter according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a mass sensor for measuring the mass of a sample placed on a weighing pan; a heating chamber in which the weighing pan is arranged; a heating unit for heating the heating chamber; a calculation control unit for controlling the heating unit and measuring the moisture content of the sample from the sample mass before heating and drying and the sample mass after heating and drying; a display unit for displaying the moisture content; and a timer time estimation unit that functions at the user's selection before measuring the moisture content. The timer time estimation unit heats the heating unit for a predetermined time and obtains the moisture change rate by differentiating the analytical moisture content obtained from the sample mass before heating and drying and the sample mass obtained sequentially, and if the moisture change rate falls below a judgment threshold, it estimates the first time it falls below the judgment threshold as the recommended value for the timer time. If the moisture change rate does not fall below the judgment threshold, it sets a larger value as the judgment threshold and repeats the judgment. If the judgment threshold becomes larger than the upper limit, it estimates that the moisture in the sample has not dried in the predetermined time, and communicates at least one of the estimations on the display unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, a method for estimating an appropriate timer time depending on the sample and a heat-drying type moisture meter for that purpose can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a moisture meter according to an embodiment. [Figure 2]It is a perspective view showing a state in which the lid of the heating chamber is open in the moisture meter. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart showing a timer time estimation method according to the moisture meter. [Figure 4] It is a graph showing an example in which the timer time estimation method according to the moisture meter is implemented. [Figure 5] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of the moisture meter according to the modification of the embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing the timer time estimation method of the moisture meter according to the modification.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the moisture meter refers to a heat drying type moisture meter.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the moisture meter 100 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the lid 9 of the heating chamber C is open in the moisture meter 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the moisture meter 100 includes a weighing pan 1, a mass sensor 2, a heating unit 3, an arithmetic control unit 5, an input unit 6, a display unit 7, and a storage unit 8.

[0019] The mass sensor 2 is an electromagnetic balance type, strain gauge type, or capacitance type electronic sensor. The mass sensor 2 is stored in the moisture meter main body 10 (FIG. 2), connected to the weighing pan 1, and measures the mass of the sample 11 placed on the weighing pan 1.

[0020] The weighing pan 1 is disposed in a heating chamber C that is sealed by closing an openable lid 9 (FIG. 2). The weighing pan 1 has a handle and is configured to be detachable from the mass sensor 2. The heating chamber C is configured as a space defined by the upper part of the moisture meter main body 10 and the lid 9, and stores the weighing pan 1.

[0021] The heating unit 3 includes a heating means 3a (Figure 2), such as a halogen lamp or a Joule-heating resistance wire, and a temperature sensor (not shown). The heating means 3a is controlled by the calculation control unit 5 based on the output from the temperature sensor to heat the heating chamber C (sample 11). The heating means 3a is housed inside the lid 9 of the heating chamber C. The lid 9 includes a container-shaped glass cover 9a (Figure 2) that covers the weighing dish 1 to prevent contact between the sample 11 and the heating means 3a.

[0022] The input unit 6 includes a measurement start button and a measurement stop button, allowing it to instruct the calculation control unit 5 to start and stop the measurement. The input unit 6 also includes a program selection button, a selection key, and an execution key, allowing it to select at least two programs from the calculation control unit 5: the "moisture content measurement program" and the "timer time estimation program".

[0023] Here, the "moisture content measurement program" measures the moisture content MC of sample 11 from its mass before and after heating and drying using a known method, for example, equation (1). The "timer time estimation program" is a pre-test for setting the timer time in the "moisture content measurement program," and estimates an appropriate timer time according to sample 11 using the method disclosed in this embodiment. Details of this will be described later.

[0024] The display unit 7 is a liquid crystal display, and when the "moisture content measurement program" is selected, the "measurement result (moisture content MC)" is displayed, and when the "timer time estimation program" (described later) is selected, the "estimated result" is displayed. Note that the input unit 6 and the display unit 7 may be integrated as a touch panel display.

[0025] The storage unit 8 is embodied, for example, by a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as flash memory. The storage unit 8 stores various programs for processing performed by the arithmetic control unit 5. The storage unit 8 also temporarily stores "analysis data (described later)" calculated in the "timer time estimation program". The storage unit 8 also stores "values ​​related to thresholds" used for the analysis data. However, the storage location of the above analysis data and / or thresholds is not limited to the storage unit 8, and may be stored in a data logger attached to the moisture meter 100, a management computer or management server of the moisture meter 100, and the moisture meter 100 may be configured to store and retrieve the data via communication.

[0026] The arithmetic control unit 5 is represented by a microcomputer that implements a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for arithmetic processing and ROM (Read-Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory) as auxiliary storage units on an integrated circuit.

[0027] The calculation control unit 5 comprises a mass measurement unit 51, a moisture content measurement unit 52, a filtering unit 53, and a timer time estimation unit 54. These functional units 51 to 54 are composed of electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0028] In the "moisture content measurement program," the mass measuring unit 51, upon receiving a notification to start measurement, measures the mass (W0) of the sample 11 before heating and drying, then heats the heating unit 3. When the change (decrease) in the mass of the sample 11 becomes constant, heating is stopped, and the mass (D) of the sample 11 after heating and drying is measured. In the "moisture content measurement program," the moisture content measuring unit 52 calculates the moisture content MC [%] of the sample 11 from equation (1), and displays the moisture content MC as the measurement result on the display unit 7. These are known methods.

[0029] Meanwhile, the mass measurement unit 51, in the "timer time estimation program," acquires "measurement data (raw data of the mass of sample 11)" output from the mass sensor 2 moment by moment for a predetermined time from the start of heating to the stop of heating.

[0030] The "predetermined time" is set to, for example, 15 minutes, but the user can change it from the input unit 6. Regarding "moment by moment," the sampling interval for the measurement data is set to, for example, once every second, but it may be configured to change automatically depending on the length of the predetermined time, or the user can change it from the input unit 6.

[0031] The filtering unit 53 sequentially filters the "measurement data (raw data)" acquired by the mass measurement unit 51 and converts it into "data for analysis." The filtering removes noise from the "measurement data" using low-pass filters, band-pass filters, etc.

[0032] The timer time estimation unit 54 then differentiates the "analysis data" and, if the derivative value (moisture change rate) falls below a certain threshold, it provides a recommended timer time. If the derivative value (moisture change rate) does not fall below the threshold, it resets the threshold (relaxes the conditions) and repeats the determination. If the recommended timer time cannot be determined even after resetting the threshold, it suggests to the user that the sample is not dry and that they should review the estimation or measurement conditions. This will be explained in detail based on Figure 3 below.

[0033] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the method for estimating the timer time of a moisture meter using the "Timer Time Estimation Program".

[0034] First, the user selects the "Timer Time Estimation Program" before the "Moisture Content Measurement Program." Then, they place the sample 11 to be used in the "Moisture Content Measurement Program" onto the weighing dish 1 and press the measurement start button. This starts the "Timer Time Estimation Program."

[0035] Next, the process moves to step S101, where the calculation control unit 5 controls the heating unit 3 to start heating for a predetermined time.

[0036] Next, the process moves to step S102, where the mass measuring unit 51 continuously acquires the measurement data output from the mass sensor 2.

[0037] Next, the process moves to step S103, where the filtering unit 53 sequentially filters the measurement data, converts it into data for analysis, and sequentially acquires the sample mass.

[0038] Next, the process moves to step S104, where the timer time estimation unit 54 calculates the moisture content for analysis (m) using equation (2) from the sample mass before heating and drying (W0) obtained before heating and the sample masses (wn) obtained sequentially.

[0039]

number

[0040] Then, the timer time estimation unit 54 differentiates the moisture content m for analysis and calculates the moisture change rate (d) using equation (3).

[0041]

number

[0042] The analysis moisture content rate m and the moisture change rate d may be calculated every time measurement data is acquired, or may be calculated after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0043] Next, proceed to step S105. The timer time estimation unit 54 checks whether there is a time when the moisture change rate d becomes less than or equal to the determination threshold value A(n) for all the data of the moisture change rate d acquired during the predetermined time. If the moisture change rate d does not become less than or equal to the determination threshold value A(n) (No), proceed to step S106. If there is a time when the moisture change rate d becomes less than or equal to the determination threshold value A(n) (Yes), proceed to step S107.

[0044] When proceeding to step S106 (No), the timer time estimation unit 54 updates the determination threshold value A(n) to A(n + 1) (where A(n) < A(n + 1)), and returns to step S105. That is, when the moisture change rate d does not become less than or equal to the determination threshold value A(n), the timer time estimation unit 54 relaxes and resets the determination threshold value A(n) and repeats the determination. For example, the determination threshold value A(n) has an initial value of A(0) = 0 [% / s], the first time is A(0) = 0 [% / s], the second time is A(1) = 0.02 [% / s], the third time is A(2) = 0.04 [% / s]... and so on. The initial value (first time), the values of the second time, the third time... of the determination threshold value, or the values of the initial value of the determination threshold value and the increments after the second time are stored in advance in the storage unit 8 or the like as "values related to the threshold value".

[0045] When proceeding to step S107 (Yes), the timer time estimation unit 54 checks whether the value of the determination threshold value A(n) is less than or equal to a preset upper limit value B [% / s]. If the determination threshold value A(n) is less than or equal to the upper limit value B (Yes), proceed to step S108. If the determination threshold value A(n) exceeds the upper limit value B (No), proceed to step S110. The upper limit value B is also stored in advance in the storage unit 8 or the like as "a value related to the threshold value".

[0046] When the process moves to step S108 (Yes), the timer time estimation unit 54 determines that the sample 11 has dried sufficiently within the predetermined time. It then searches for the point in time when the moisture change rate d first falls below the judgment threshold A(n), and estimates this point as the "recommended timer time" for the sample 11. The process then moves to step S109.

[0047] When the program moves to step S109, the timer time estimation unit 54 displays the "recommended timer time" estimated in step S108 on, for example, the display unit 7. Then, based on the user's selection, the timer time for the subsequent "moisture content measurement program" is automatically set to the estimated "recommended timer time," and the program terminates.

[0048] In step S109, the user may also input the "recommended timer time" from the input unit 6 and store it in the storage unit 8 along with the date and time, along with the name, quantity, or test information of the sample 11. Furthermore, the "recommended timer time" is not limited to being displayed on the display unit 7. In this specification, when it is written as "for example, the display unit 7", it may also be displayed on a management computer or mobile terminal connected to the moisture meter 100.

[0049] On the other hand, when the process moves to step S110(No), the timer time estimation unit 54 determines that the sample 11 has not dried completely (the moisture has not evaporated) within the predetermined time, and displays this fact on the display unit 7, for example. Then, the process moves to step S111.

[0050] When the process moves to step S111, the timer time estimation unit 54 suggests to the user, for example, via the display unit 7, that they revise the estimation or measurement conditions. The suggestion to the user includes at least the following (i) to (iv): (i) In the "Timer Time Estimation Program," the predetermined time is extended and estimation is performed again. (ii) In the "Moisture Content Measurement Program," the timer time is made longer than the predetermined time used in the "Timer Time Estimation Program." (iii) In the "moisture content measurement program," the heating temperature of the heating unit 3 is raised to a temperature higher than the temperature used in the "timer time estimation program." (iv) In the "Moisture Content Measurement Program," reduce the amount of sample 11 to the amount used in the "Timer Time Estimation Program." The user can select and execute a proposal via the input unit 6. The program terminates once processing related to the proposal is complete.

[0051] Figure 4 is a graph showing an example of the timer time estimation method of the moisture meter 100. Figure 4 shows the results of running the "timer time estimation program" on a certain resin pellet 5 [g] at 180 [℃], a predetermined time of 15 minutes, with a judgment threshold A(0) = 0 [% / s] as the initial value and an upper limit B = 0.1 [% / s]. The horizontal axis is time [minutes], the left vertical axis is moisture content [%], and the right vertical axis is the moisture change rate [% / s]. The thin gray line is the moisture content for analysis obtained from the measurement data (raw data, step S102) acquired by the mass measuring unit 51, and is shown as moisture content (m'). The thick gray dashed line is the moisture change rate obtained by differentiating the above moisture content (m'), and is shown as moisture change rate (d'). The thin black line represents the moisture content obtained from the analysis data (step S103) after filtering the measurement data (step S104), and is shown as the moisture content (m). The thick black line represents the moisture content change rate obtained by differentiating the above moisture content (m) (step S104), and is shown as the moisture content change rate (d).

[0052] As can be seen from Figure 4, it is difficult to determine whether the moisture change rate d' obtained from the measurement data, i.e., the raw data, falls below the judgment threshold A(n). On the other hand, it is easy to determine if the moisture change rate d obtained from the filtered data for analysis is below the judgment threshold A(0) = 0 [% / s] (initial value) twice, at 11 minutes and 13 minutes (step S105). The judgment threshold A(0) = 0 is less than or equal to the upper limit B = 0.1 (step S107). Therefore, it is determined that this resin pellet is sufficiently dried within the predetermined time (15 minutes), and "11 minutes," when the moisture change rate d first fell below the judgment threshold A(0) = 0, is estimated to be the "recommended timer time" for this resin pellet (step S108).

[0053] As described above, with the moisture meter 100 and the timer time estimation method performed by the moisture meter 100, an appropriate timer time can be estimated for the sample 11 by running the "timer time estimation program" before measuring the moisture content MC of the sample 11.

[0054] In particular, for samples with low moisture content, the rate of change in moisture content is small. Therefore, if you perform a normal measurement where heating is automatically stopped when the mass change (decrease) of the sample becomes constant, the measurement will stop at an unintended time. For this reason, a timer mode should be used. However, if the timer time is not set appropriately, there is a problem in that the moisture content may not evaporate completely or the state of the sample may change, resulting in inaccurate measurement results (moisture content MC). In contrast, with this embodiment, even for samples with low moisture content of 0.20% or less, such as the resin pellets in Figure 4, it is possible to identify the point where the rate of change in moisture content d (derivative value) is smallest, and this can be proposed as an appropriate timer time (recommended timer time).

[0055] Furthermore, according to the moisture meter 100 and the timer time estimation method performed by the moisture meter 100 in this embodiment, an upper limit is set for the judgment threshold, and there is a case in which a recommended timer time is not provided. If a recommended timer time is not provided, the system either extends the predetermined time and runs the "timer time estimation program" again (review of estimation conditions) or suggests changing the heating conditions of the timer mode in the "moisture content measurement program" (review of measurement conditions), thereby contributing to an improvement in the accuracy of the measurement results (moisture content MC).

[0056] Next, preferred modifications of the above-described embodiment will be explained. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the moisture meter 100 according to the modified embodiment. Components identical to those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the embodiment is referenced, with redundant explanations omitted.

[0057] The modified moisture meter 100 further includes a timer time reliability determination unit 55 in addition to the calculation control unit 5. The timer time reliability determination unit 55 is configured in the same way as the functional units 51 to 54. In the "timer time estimation program," the timer time reliability determination unit 55 presents to the user the accuracy (reliability) of the "recommended timer time" estimated by the timer time estimation unit 54. When the flow of the embodiment proceeds to step S108, the timer time reliability determination unit 55 functions as step S108'. Details will be explained based on Figure 6 below.

[0058] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing a method for estimating the timer time of a moisture meter using a modified "timer time estimation program". When a recommended value for the timer time is estimated in step 108, the flow moves to step S108'. Upon moving to step S108', the timer time reliability determination unit 55 checks the number of repetitions n of step S106. In step S106, if the moisture change rate d does not fall below the determination threshold A(n), the determination threshold A(n) is relaxed and reset to A(n+1), and the determination is repeated. The smaller the number of repetitions n of step S106, the smaller the moisture change rate d (the closer the moisture change rate d is to 0) when the estimated value was obtained, meaning that a more reliable estimation was achieved. In step S109, the timer time reliability determination unit 55 presents the reliability of the recommended value for the timer time to the user based on the number of repetitions n.

[0059] The timer reliability determination unit 55 presents an evaluation to the user, for example, via the display unit 7, such as: reliability "A" when n=0, reliability "B" when n=1 to 3, and reliability "C" when n≧4. The reliability may also be expressed as "○, △, ×", "Good, Poor", or as a message such as "Sufficiently reliable, Reliable, Not reliable". Furthermore, if the reliability is low, it is preferable to proceed to step S111 after step S108' to prompt the user to review the estimation or measurement conditions.

[0060] In other words, according to the modified moisture meter 100 and the timer time estimation method performed by the moisture meter 100, the reliability of the recommended value for the timer time can also be presented along with the recommended value.

[0061] Although preferred embodiments and modifications of the moisture meter of the present invention have been described above, these are merely examples of the present invention, and each form and each variation can be combined based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and such forms are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0062] Furthermore, although this specification shows a heat-drying type moisture meter as a moisture meter, the present invention can also be applied to other types of moisture meters that are equipped with a mass sensor and calculate the moisture content by reading the change (decrease) in the mass of the sample before and after heating. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 100 moisture meter C heating chamber 1 weighing dish 2 Mass Sensor 3 Heating section 5. Arithmetic Control Unit 51 Mass measurement section 52 Moisture content measuring section 53 Filtering section 54 Timer Time Estimation Unit 55 Timer time reliability determination unit 6 Input section 7 Display section 8 Memory section 11 samples

Claims

1. The device comprises a mass sensor for measuring the mass of a first sample for a moisture content measurement program placed on a weighing pan, a heating chamber in which the weighing pan is placed, a heating unit for heating the heating chamber, and a calculation control unit that controls the heating unit to measure the moisture content of the first sample from the mass of the first sample before heating and drying and the mass measured after heating and drying the first sample. Using a moisture meter, The calculation control unit, Before measuring the moisture content of the first sample, (A) The steps of starting the heating of a second sample for a timer time estimation program, which is the same quantity as the first sample but a different sample, and acquiring measurement data of the mass of the second sample moment by moment for a predetermined time, (B) A step of performing noise removal filtering on the measurement data and converting it into data for analysis, (C) The steps of obtaining the moisture content for analysis from the mass of the second sample before heating and drying and the mass of the second sample obtained sequentially after the start of heating, and differentiating the moisture content for analysis to obtain the moisture content change rate, (D) A step to confirm whether the moisture change rate falls below a certain threshold, (E) If the moisture change rate does not fall below the judgment threshold, set a larger value as the judgment threshold and repeat the steps from (D) to (E), (F) If the moisture change rate falls below the judgment threshold, the time from the start of heating in step (A) to the time when it first falls below the judgment threshold in step (D) is estimated to be the recommended value of the timer time set in the moisture content measurement program, A method for estimating the timer time of a moisture meter, characterized by performing the following:

2. (G) If, in step (D), the rate of change of moisture is confirmed to be less than or equal to the determination threshold, but the determination threshold is confirmed to exceed the upper limit, the step of estimating that the moisture in the second sample has not dried in the predetermined time is performed instead of step (F), characterized in that the timer time estimation method for a moisture meter according to claim 1.

3. If the above estimation (F) is made, at least one of the following will be performed: present the recommended value to the user, or automatically set the heating time in the heating section to the recommended value when measuring the moisture content. A method for estimating the timer time of a moisture meter according to feature 1.

4. The timer time estimation method for a moisture meter according to claim 2, characterized in that, if the estimation (G) is made, the user is recommended at least one of the following (i) to (iv). (i) In the timer time estimation program, the predetermined time is extended and steps (A) to (G) are performed again, and estimation is performed again. (ii) When measuring the moisture content in the moisture content measurement program, the timer time is made longer than the predetermined time used in the timer time estimation program. (iii) When measuring the moisture content in the moisture content measurement program, the heating temperature of the heating unit is raised to a temperature higher than the temperature used in the timer time estimation program. (iv) When measuring the moisture content in the moisture content measurement program, the amount of the first sample is reduced from the amount of the second sample used in the timer time estimation program.

5. The fewer times the steps in (E) above are repeated, the more likely the recommended value is, and the step of presenting the confidence level of the recommended value is performed. A method for estimating the timer time of a moisture meter according to any one of features 1 to 4.

6. A mass sensor that measures the mass of a sample used for timer time estimation placed on a weighing pan, A heating chamber in which the weighing pan is placed inside, A heating unit for heating the aforementioned heating chamber, A calculation control unit controls the heating unit and measures the moisture content of the sample for analysis by executing a timer time estimation program from the mass of the sample for timer time estimation before heating and drying and the mass of the sample for timer time estimation acquired sequentially after the start of heating and drying. Display unit and It includes a timer time estimation unit that operates at the user's selection before measurement by the moisture content measurement program, The timer time estimation unit, The heating unit is heated for a predetermined time, and the measurement data of the mass of the timer time estimation sample obtained moment by moment is used to obtain the moisture change rate by differentiating the moisture content for analysis, which is obtained from the mass of the timer time estimation sample before heating and drying and the successively acquired masses of the timer time estimation sample. If the moisture change rate does not fall below the judgment threshold, the judgment is repeated with a larger value as the judgment threshold. If there is a time when the moisture change rate falls below the judgment threshold and the judgment threshold is below the upper limit, the time when it first fell below the judgment threshold is estimated as the recommended value for the timer time. If there is a time when the moisture change rate falls below the judgment threshold but the judgment threshold becomes larger than the upper limit, it is estimated that the moisture in the sample has not dried in the predetermined time, and at least one of the above estimations is communicated by the display unit. A moisture meter characterized by the following features.

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