JP2019132758A - Stringiness measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] It is possible to suppress the length of the device, to be less susceptible to the effects of airflow fluctuations and vibrations of the drive system during measurement, to realize highly accurate and stable stringing performance measurement due to high-speed movement, and to have durability and To provide a stringability measuring device with excellent versatility and stability. SOLUTION: A sample pan 12 in which a sample is accommodated, a first elevating means 15 for raising and lowering the sample pan 12, and a contactor held so that its lower end is in contact with the sample in the sample pan 12 at an initial position. 13, a second elevating means 16 for elevating and lowering the contact 13 independently of the first elevating means 15, and an optical detection means for detecting cutting of the sample at the initial position. The string length of the sample is measured from the amount of descent of the sample pan 12 and the amount of rise of the contactor 13 when cutting is detected. [Selection diagram] Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to various body fluids such as saliva, blood, lymph, joint fluid, urine in the medical field, ink, paint, oil, grease, etc. in the industrial field, soy sauce, sauce, mayonnaise, ketchup, dressing, dairy product, paste in the food field. The present invention relates to a spinnability measuring apparatus that measures the spinnability as a viscosity parameter of various liquid materials (including gels, colloids, slurries) such as soups or fluids having a viscosity.

For example, in the medical field, it is known that the viscosity of human saliva is correlated with the degree of mental and physical fatigue, and the viscosity of saliva increases as the degree of fatigue increases. The need to inspect physical properties has been recognized. In addition, various liquids and fluids are used in various industrial and food fields, and it is important to measure the stringiness related to viscosity as one of the parameters for managing the characteristics. Sex is increasing.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus for measuring the stringiness (threading property) of a conductive substance, but a sample other than a conductive substance (non-conductive) cannot be measured. There was a problem that measurement objects were limited and lacked versatility and practicality. In order to solve this problem, Patent Document 2 previously filed by the applicant of the present application includes a measurement dish that contains a sample, and a lower end of the sample in the measurement dish that comes into contact with the sample and raises the string length of the sample. A contactor that functions to detect the height, a contact lifter, and a lifter that is independent of the contact lifter. The vertical position of the top of the sample in the measuring pan is changed from light shielding to translucent moment. And a spinnability measuring apparatus having an optical detection unit configured to detect the position of the sample and automatically track the sample at a set rate that is less than 100% of the contactor ascending speed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 02-010246 JP 2005-274350 A

However, in Patent Document 2, in order to capture the cut portion of the sample with the optical detection unit (sensor unit), the optical detection unit is raised at a set ratio of less than 100% of the contact lift rate with respect to the contact rise. Thus, the cutting site must be tracked, and there are limitations in measurement accuracy and application due to restrictions on the moving speed and moving distance (stroke) of the contactor and the optical detector. First, since the thread length changes according to the measurement speed (the moving speed of the contact), in order to know the characteristics of the measurement object, the correlation between the measurement speed and the thread length is obtained, In some cases, it is required to obtain a measurement speed at the time when the maximum length of the contact point becomes the longest. To this end, it is necessary to increase the moving speed of the contactor and the optical detection unit and to expand the selection range. However, in order to move the contactor and the optical detection unit at high speed, an acceleration region is required, and the moving distance becomes long and the apparatus becomes large (lengthened). In addition, as the moving distance becomes longer, the accuracy of constant-velocity movement decreases, vibration is likely to occur, the construction of the drive system is difficult, the durability decreases, the liquid column at the breakage point becomes extremely thin, and the fluctuation of the airflow It is easily affected by vibration of the drive system and the like, and stable measurement becomes difficult. In addition, since the optical detection unit and the optical amplifier are connected by an optical fiber cable, if the movement distance of the optical detection unit is increased, the length of the optical fiber cable will drop and the optical system will be less stable. It is easy to do and the problem of lacking in the handleability of the apparatus arises.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, suppresses the lengthening of the apparatus, is not easily affected by fluctuations in the airflow, vibration of the drive system, etc. during measurement, and has high accuracy and stable spinnability due to high-speed movement. An object of the present invention is to provide a stringiness measuring device that can realize measurement and is excellent in durability, versatility, and stability.

The spinnability measuring apparatus according to the present invention that meets the above-described object includes a sample tray in which a sample is accommodated, first lifting and lowering means for lifting and lowering the sample tray, and a lower end portion of the sample in the sample tray at an initial position. A contactor that is held in contact with the first contactor, a second lifter that lifts and lowers the contactor independently of the first lifter, and an optical detector that detects cutting of the sample at the initial position. And measuring the string length of the sample from the descending amount of the sample pan when the optical detector detects the cutting of the sample and the ascending amount of the contact.

In the spinnability measuring apparatus according to the present invention, the first and second lifting / lowering means are housed, and the sensor portion of the optical detection means is fixed to the center in the height direction of the housing. It is preferable that

In the spinnability measuring apparatus according to the present invention, the lowering speed of the sample pan by the first lifting means and the rising speed of the contact by the second lifting means can be independently selected. preferable.

In the spinnability measuring apparatus according to the present invention, the combined speed of the descending speed of the sample pan by the first lifting means and the rising speed of the contact by the second lifting means is 0.05 to 3000 mm. / S is preferable.

The spinnability measuring apparatus according to the present invention comprises a first lifting / lowering means for lifting and lowering a sample tray in which a sample is accommodated, and a contact held so that the lower end of the sample tray is in contact with the sample at the initial position. By having the second lifting and lowering means for moving up and down, the measurement speed can be doubled at the maximum with the same drive system as compared with the case where only the sample dish or the contactor is moved (lifted and lowered). The spinnability can be measured by relatively high-speed movement. Therefore, the moving speed of each of the sample dish and the contact can be suppressed to ½ or less of the measurement speed, vibration generated by the first and second lifting / lowering means (drive unit) can be suppressed low, and the constant speed. The accuracy of movement is improved and stable measurement is possible. Moreover, since the movement distances of the sample pan and the contactor can be kept short with respect to the measurement stroke (maximum measurable thread length), the construction of the first and second lifting means can be facilitated, and the durability, The stability of operation is also improved. In addition, it has an optical detection means that detects the cutting of the sample at the initial position, and measures the thread length of the sample from the lowering amount of the sample pan and the rising amount of the contact when the optical detection means detects the cutting of the sample. Therefore, it is not necessary to track the cut portion of the sample by the optical detection means, it is difficult to be affected by fluctuations and vibrations of the air current, and the measurement accuracy is improved.

When the first and second lifting / lowering means are provided and the sensor unit of the optical detection means is fixed to the casing, the first and second lifting / lowering means are protected by the casing. In addition, the sensor unit can be handled integrally with the housing, and it is not necessary to move the sensor unit, so that the handling property and the stability of the optical system are excellent. In addition, when the sensor part of the optical detection means is fixed to the central part in the height direction of the housing, the moving distance of the sample pan and the contactor is at most the measurement stroke (maximum measurable thread length). It is suppressed to 1/2 or less, and the moving speed of the sample pan and the contact can be stabilized.

When the lowering speed of the sample pan by the first lifting / lowering means and the rising speed of the contact by the second lifting / lowering means can be selected independently, for a sample whose cutting position is different from the intermediate position of the string length Select the descending speed of the sample pan and the ascending speed of the contactor, and set the moving distance (descending) distance of the sample pan and the moving distance (rising position) of the contactor based on the initial position (position of the optical detector). By changing and making the cutting position coincide with the initial position of the sample pan, the cutting of the sample can be reliably detected by the optical detection means, and the versatility is excellent. Regardless of the sample characteristics, it can be set so that the sample is always cut at a fixed position (initial position). Therefore, when using other sensors such as high-speed cameras and area sensors, the initial position can be adjusted. It is easy to install, and there is no need to change the mounting position or to move it during measurement.

Selection of the measuring speed of the kite length by the combined speed of the descending speed of the sample pan by the first lifting means and the rising speed of the contact by the second lifting means being 0.05 to 3000 mm / s A wide range can be applied to various samples with different characteristics. Also, by measuring the yarn length by changing the measurement speed for each sample, the correlation between the measurement speed and the yarn length can be obtained, or the measurement speed when the yarn length is the longest can be obtained. In addition, the components contained in the sample, the blending amount thereof, and the like can be specified, and the functionality and practicality are excellent.

It is a front view which shows the spinnability measuring apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the state which moved the sample plate and contactor of the apparatus. It is a front view which shows the state which removed the front cover of the apparatus. It is a front view which shows the state which removed the front cover of the apparatus and moved the sample plate and the contactor. It is a principal part enlarged front view of the same apparatus.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention.
The spinnability measuring apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is a kite as a viscosity parameter of various liquid materials including gels, colloids, slurries or fluids having a viscosity. This is a spinnability measuring device for measuring the yarniness.
The details of the spinnability measuring apparatus 10 will be described below.
As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the spinnability measuring apparatus 10 includes a sample tray 12 in which the sample 11 is accommodated and a contact that is held so that the lower end of the sample tray 12 is in contact with the sample 11 at the initial position of the sample tray 12. It has a child 13. The tip (lower end surface) shape of the contactor 13 can be selected as appropriate. For example, there are a flat surface, a convex surface, a concave surface, and the like, and the shape of the convex surface or the concave surface may be a spherical surface or a curved surface other than a spherical surface. Moreover, you may provide an unevenness | corrugation in each surface as needed. As the irregularities, for example, one or a plurality of ridges or grooves may be formed, or minute irregularities (for example, a satin finish) may be formed. In addition, when forming a some protruding item | line or a ditch | groove, you may arrange | position in parallel and may make it cross | intersect at a predetermined angle.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, first and second elevating means 15 for elevating and lowering the sample dish 12 and the contact 13 independently are provided inside the housing 14 of the spinnability measuring apparatus 10. 16 is built in. The first and second elevating means 15 and 16 have drive motors (for example, servo motors) 17 and 18 and pulleys 19 and 20, respectively, between which power transmission members (timing belts) 21 and 22 are wound. It has been turned. A guide portion 23 is provided in the center of the casing 14 in the width direction along the height direction, and a sample tray holding portion 24 that holds the sample tray 12 and a contact holder holding portion 25 that holds the contact 13. Are slidably held by the guide portions 23, respectively. The sample tray holding unit 24 and the contact holder holding unit 25 are coupled to the power transmission members 21 and 22 via coupling units 26 and 27, respectively. Therefore, by driving the drive motors 17 and 18, the sample tray holding unit 24 and the contact holder holding unit 25 can be slid along the guide unit 23, and the sample tray 12 and the contact 13 can be moved up and down.

Here, the front cover 28 of the housing 14 is provided with a slit portion 29 parallel to the guide portion 23 as shown in FIG. Each of the sample dish holding unit 24 and the contact holder holding unit 25 includes support arm portions 30 and 31 that pass through the slit portion 29 and project toward the front (front surface) side of the housing 14. A sample pan 12 and a contact 13 are attached to the plate. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, only the support arm portions 30 and 31, the sample dish 12, and the contact 13 are exposed outside the housing 14, and the first and second elevating means 15 and 16, The guide portion 23 and the like can be protected by the housing 14. Although omitted in FIGS. 3 and 4, a power source and a control unit necessary for driving and controlling the first and second elevating means 15 and 16 are also built in the housing 14. Further, a conventionally known arithmetic unit (that is, a computer) can be connected to the spinnability measuring apparatus 10 for data processing. From the arithmetic unit, the descending speed of the sample pan 12 and the ascent of the contactor 13 are increased. Settings such as speed can be made. However, an operation unit can be provided on the upper surface of the housing 14 and the setting of the descending speed of the sample pan 12 and the ascending speed of the contact 13 can be performed from the operating unit.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the spinnability measuring apparatus 10 includes an optical detection unit 32 that detects the cutting of the sample 11 at the initial position of the sample dish 12. As the optical detection means 32, a transmission type optical fiber sensor is preferably used. The transmission type optical fiber sensor includes a light projecting element, a light receiving element, and a signal processing circuit, and an amplifier unit (not shown) housed in the housing 14, and a light projecting side and a light receiving side connected thereto. Optical fiber units 33 and 34. The optical fiber units 33 and 34 are obtained by attaching sensor units 37 and 38 serving as a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit to the tips of optical fiber cables 35 and 36, respectively. And the sensor parts 37 and 38 are opposingly arranged so that the contactor 13 may be pinched | interposed in the height direction center part of the housing | casing 14. FIG. The sensor units 37 and 38 are supported and fixed by a sensor support unit 40 provided on the front (front) side of the housing 14, and the optical fiber cables 35 and 36 penetrate the side portions of the housing 14, respectively. And connected to the amplifier unit housed in the housing 14.
In addition, five support legs 42 are screwed onto the bottom plate portion 41 of the housing 14 so as to be movable up and down, whereby the spinnability measuring device 10 can be installed horizontally. At this time, the spinnability measuring device 10 preferably includes a level (level). The arrangement of the support legs 42 can be selected as appropriate. Further, the number of support leg portions 42 may be three or four.

Next, a method for using the spinnability measuring apparatus 10 will be described.
First, a predetermined amount of the sample 11 to be measured is accommodated in the sample tray 12 arranged at the initial position. And the lower end part of the contactor 13 is made to contact the sample 11 (FIG. 1). Thereafter, when the drive motors 17 and 18 are driven to lower the sample tray 12 and raise the contact 13 as shown in FIG. 5, the sample tray 12 and the contact 13 are A liquid column 43 is formed between the two. At this time, the optical axis connecting the sensor units 37 and 38 fixed to the center in the height direction of the housing 14 and the liquid column 43 are orthogonal to each other, and the light 45 projected from the sensor unit 37 on the light projecting unit side. Is blocked by the liquid column 43, but the liquid column 43 becomes thinner as the lowering of the sample plate 12 and the contactor 13 progresses, and it is eventually cut (broken). When the liquid column 43 is cut, the light 45 projected from the sensor unit 37 on the light projecting unit side reaches the sensor unit 38 on the light receiving unit side, so that the cutting of the sample 11 can be detected. When the cutting of the sample 11 is detected, driving of the drive motors 17 and 18 is stopped, and the thread length of the sample 11 is measured from the descending amount of the sample pan 12 and the ascending amount of the contact 13 with reference to the initial position. be able to.

Here, the speed (measurement speed) obtained by combining the descending speed of the sample pan 12 and the ascending speed of the contact 13 is 0.05 to 3000 mm / s (depending on the physical properties (type) of the sample 11 and the purpose of measurement. Preferably, it can select suitably in the range of 1000-2000 mm / s). In general, the cutting position of the liquid column 43 is an intermediate position of the bobbin length. Therefore, if the lowering speed of the sample pan 12 and the rising speed of the contactor 13 are made the same, the initial position (of the sensor units 37 and 38). The attachment position) is the cutting position of the liquid column 43, and the optical detection means 32 can detect the cutting of the liquid column 43. Depending on the characteristics of the sample 11 and the constant speed, the position may be shifted upward or downward. In this spinnability measuring apparatus 10, the lowering speed of the sample pan 12 and the rising speed of the contact 13 are Can be selected independently. Therefore, when the cutting position of the liquid column 43 is different from the intermediate position of the bobbin length, the cutting position of the liquid column 43 is set to the initial position by selecting the descending speed of the sample pan 12 and the ascending speed of the contactor 13, respectively. Since it can match (attachment position of the sensor parts 37 and 38), it is not necessary to move the sensor parts 37 and 38. The arrangement of the sensor units 37 and 38 may be reversed left and right.
In addition, the optical detection means 32 can arbitrarily set a threshold value for determining that the light 45 is shielded at 100% with respect to the light amount (100%) when there is no light 45 shielding object (liquid column 43). it can. Accordingly, it is possible to detect the presence of the extremely thin liquid column 43 with high accuracy similar to that of a measuring unit that determines the diameter (thickness) of the liquid column 43 by image processing.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above-described embodiments, and can be considered within the scope of the matters described in the claims. Other embodiments and modifications are also included.
For example, instead of a transmissive optical fiber sensor, a reflective or retroreflective optical fiber sensor or a laser sensor may be used as the optical detection means. In the above embodiment, the first lifting / lowering means is disposed on the right side and the second lifting / lowering means is disposed on the left side when the spinnability measuring device is viewed from the front. Good. In the first and second lifting / lowering means, the arrangement of the drive motor and the pulley may be upside down. In addition, you may attach the protective cover which covers a sample plate, a contactor, and a sensor part to the front surface of a housing | casing. By making the protective cover attachable / detachable or openable / closable, when the spinnability measuring device is not used, it can be protected to prevent breakage, and is excellent in transportability and storage.

10: Spinnability measuring device, 11: Sample, 12: Sample pan, 13: Contact, 14: Housing, 15: First lifting means, 16: Second lifting means, 17, 18: Drive motor, 19, 20: pulley, 21, 22: power transmission member, 23: guide part, 24: sample dish holding part, 25: contactor holding part, 26, 27: connecting part, 28: front cover, 29: slit part, 30, 31: Support arm part, 32: Optical detection means, 33, 34: Optical fiber unit, 35, 36: Optical fiber cable, 37, 38: Sensor part, 40: Sensor support part, 41: Bottom plate part, 42: Support leg Part, 43: liquid column, 45: light

Claims (4)

A sample tray in which a sample is stored, first lifting and lowering means for moving the sample tray up and down, a contactor held so that a lower end of the sample plate in the initial position is in contact with the sample, and the first A second elevating means for elevating the contact independently of the elevating means, and an optical detecting means for detecting the cutting of the sample at the initial position, and the optical detecting means detects the cutting of the sample. A spinnability measuring apparatus for measuring the spine length of the sample from the descending amount of the sample pan and the ascending amount of the contactor. The spinnability measuring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a housing in which the first and second lifting / lowering means are incorporated, and the sensor unit of the optical detection unit is provided at a central portion in the height direction of the housing. A stringiness measuring device characterized by being fixed. The spinnability measuring apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a descending speed of the sample dish by the first lifting means and a lifting speed of the contact by the second lifting means can be independently selected. A spinnability measuring apparatus characterized by that. The spinnability measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lowering speed of the sample pan by the first lifting means and the rising speed of the contact by the second lifting means are synthesized. A spinnability measuring apparatus characterized in that the speed is 0.05 to 3000 mm / s.

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