JP7288181B2 - Cables with data processing, measuring and control systems - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to cables with data processing capabilities, measurement systems and control systems.

Conventionally, a measuring device such as a pH meter is basically composed of an electrode and an indicator conversion device (apparatus main body) arranged in the vicinity of the electrode. The instruction conversion device processes signals from the electrodes to obtain measured values, displays the obtained measured values, and has the function of outputting the measured values to a controller or the like provided in the control room. was
In recent years, for the purpose of reducing the burden of calibration work, etc., various techniques have been proposed in which a part of the function of the instruction conversion device is performed by an electrode or the like.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a measuring device that stores electrode-specific information such as calibration data in an electrode or a cable or connector derived from the electrode.
According to the measuring device of Patent Document 1, even if the electrode is replaced with another electrode, the electrode and the like have the information specific to the electrode, so it is necessary to newly set the calibration value and the like in the device main body. There is no Therefore, it is possible to reduce the work load when connecting and using a single apparatus main body while exchanging various electrodes.

Patent Literature 2 discloses a measurement system in which electrode-specific information such as calibration data is stored in a sensor module detachable from the apparatus main body.
According to the measurement system of Patent Literature 2, if the electrodes installed in the dangerous site are connected together with the sensor module to the main body of the device placed in the laboratory, calibration work can be performed in a safe laboratory. It is

In Patent Document 3, in order to standardize the converter (apparatus main body), a memory storing unique information of the liquid analysis sensor such as calibration data is provided, and the data obtained from the liquid analysis sensor is used as a measurement value such as pH. A smart sensor for liquid analysis is disclosed in which an intelligence section for converting into (digital information) is provided between a liquid analysis sensor and a cable (prior art of Patent Document 3, FIG. 3).

In addition, it is disclosed that the intelligence part can be detachably attached to both the liquid analysis sensor and the cable so that the intelligence part can be reused when the deteriorated liquid analysis sensor is discarded (Patent Document 3 Claimed invention, FIG. 1).
According to the measurement system according to FIG. 1 of Patent Document 3, when the liquid analysis sensor is deteriorated and discarded, the unique information of the liquid analysis sensor stored in the intelligence unit is replaced with the information of the discarded liquid analysis sensor. It is said that the intelligence part can be reused by rewriting it to that of the liquid analysis sensor.

JP-A-10-253572 JP 2010-151729 A Japanese Patent No. 6311903

All of the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 naturally presuppose that the pointing conversion device (apparatus main body) is arranged in the vicinity of the electrodes.
In particular, in the prior art (Fig. 3) of Patent Documents 1, 2 and 3, when exchanging the electrodes, the cables led out from the electrodes are removed from the indication conversion device or the sensor module fitted in the indication conversion device. is necessary. Therefore, it could not be assumed that the cable should be routed over a long distance.

On the other hand, in the smart sensor shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 3, the intelligence part is detachable from the cable, so there is no need to remove the cable from the indication conversion device when replacing the liquid analysis sensor, and the cable can be moved a certain distance. It is conceivable that it may be routed across
However, Patent Document 3 only considers reusability of the intelligence unit, and does not consider changing the basic configuration of arranging the instruction conversion device (device body) in the vicinity of the electrodes. do not have.

Also, controllers and the like provided in the control room often receive information from the measuring device in the form of analog signals, but the measured values output from the intelligence section of Patent Document 3 are digital information.
Therefore, the instruction conversion device (device main body) also plays a role of outputting an analog signal based on the measured value of digital information, and the instruction conversion device (device main body) was considered essential.

Furthermore, the smart sensor shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 3 requires work to rewrite the unique information of the liquid analysis sensor stored in the intelligence unit with the unique information of the new liquid analysis sensor. Therefore, even if it is unique information such as the cell constant of a conductivity sensor that can be grasped without performing calibration work, the user has to rewrite it every time the sensor is changed, which is cumbersome. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a control system that can be constructed easily and with a high degree of freedom as a whole, and is easy to maintain, and data that enables construction of this control system. An object of the present invention is to provide a cable with a processing function and a measurement system using this cable with a data processing function.

[1] An electrode having a detection unit that obtains an analog detection value corresponding to the properties of a contacting sample and a memory that stores unique information about the detection unit, and a host device that uses an analog measurement value based on the analog detection value. A cable with a data processing function for connecting
an A/D conversion unit that receives the analog detection value from the detection unit and converts it into a digital detection value;
a calculation unit that receives the digital detection value and the unique information stored in the memory and converts the digital detection value into a digital measurement value;
a D/A conversion unit that converts the digital measurement value to an analog measurement value;
has
A cable with a data processing function, wherein a first end is detachable from the electrode.
[2] The cable with data processing function according to [1], further comprising a power supply section to which power is supplied from the host device.

[3] A measurement system comprising the cable with a data processing function according to [1] or [2] and the electrode.
[4] The electrode further has a preamplifier that amplifies the analog detection value,
The measurement system according to [3], wherein the analog detection value amplified by the preamplifier is input to the A/D converter.
[5] The detection unit includes a pH detection unit that obtains a potential difference corresponding to pH as the analog detection value, and the unique information includes calibration curve information for converting the potential difference into pH, [3] or The measuring system according to [4].
[6] A control system comprising the measurement system according to any one of [3] to [5], and a controller that controls other elements based on the determination using the analog measurement value.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the cable with data processing function, the measurement system and the control system of the present invention, it is possible to construct a control system that can be easily constructed with a high degree of freedom and that is easy to maintain.

1 is a configuration diagram of a measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention with electrodes and a cable with data processing function separated; FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention in which electrodes and a cable with data processing function are coupled; FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of a control system using a measurement system according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the measurement system 1 of this embodiment comprises electrodes 10 and a cable 20 with a data processing function.
The electrode 10 includes a detection unit 11 that obtains an analog detection value corresponding to the property of a sample in contact, an internal electrode substrate 12 that receives the analog detection value of the detection unit 11, and a cable with a data processing function that outputs the output from the internal electrode substrate 12. It has an electrode side connector 13 for transmitting to 20 .
Further, the electrode 10 has an electrode body 14 that accommodates the detection unit 11, the internal electrode substrate 12, and the electrode-side connector 13, and a fixing nut 15 that fixes the electrode 10 to the cable 20 with a data processing function when they are connected. are doing.

The cable 20 with data processing function has an in-cable substrate 21 and a cable-side connector 22 provided at a first end for receiving a signal from the electrode 10 and transmitting it to the in-cable substrate 21. . The in-cable board 21 is housed in the board housing portion 23 .
It also has a cable body 24 for transmitting a signal from the in-cable substrate 21 to the host device, and an end (second end) of the cable body 24 is provided for connection to the host device such as the controller 50 . A plurality of bar terminals 25 are provided.
The cable body 24 includes, for example, a wire (2-wire or 4-wire) for outputting analog measurements or both analog and digital measurements, and a power wire for receiving the power required by the measurement system 1 ( 2 lines), etc. The power line may be shared with lines for outputting analog measurements and the like.

A connector may be used instead of the bar terminal 25 . Also, a relay box or the like may be provided in the middle of the cable body 24 . Further, the end (second end) of the cable main body 24 is preferably detachable from the host device, but may be fixed so as not to be detachable.

The electrode 10 and the cable 20 with data processing function are connected by inserting the electrode-side connector 13 into the cable-side connector 22 and fixing the inserted state with the fixing nut 15, thereby forming the coupled state shown in FIG. 2 for measurement. It has become so.
There is no particular limitation on means for fixing the state where the electrode-side connector 13 is inserted into the cable-side connector 22 .

Moreover, the specific configurations of the electrode-side connector 13 and the cable-side connector 22 are not limited. For example, a structure having a plurality of pin terminals on the electrode side connector 13 side and a plurality of pin insertion portions into which the plurality of pin terminals are inserted in the cable side connector 22 can be preferably used.
When the electrode-side connector 13 is provided with a plurality of pin terminals, the number of pin terminals is appropriately set according to the number of data exchanged between the electrode 10 and the cable 20 with data processing function.

The detection unit 11 includes a pH detection unit, an oxidation-reduction potential detection unit, an ion concentration detection unit, a conductivity detection unit, a dissolved oxygen detection unit, a residual chlorine detection unit, a turbidity detection unit, a temperature detection unit, or two or more of these. A combination of
Examples of the pH detection unit include a composite pH detection unit in which a glass electrode and a reference electrode are combined, a differential composite pH detection unit in which a glass electrode, a reference electrode having a glass electrode inside, and a ground electrode are combined.
The pH detection section is preferably combined with a temperature detection section used for temperature compensation or the like.

The analog detection value obtained by the detection unit 11 is a potential difference when the detection unit 11 is a pH detection unit, oxidation-reduction potential detection unit, or ion concentration detection unit.
In addition, if the detection unit 11 is a conductivity detection unit, the resistance value, the dissolved oxygen detection unit or the residual chlorine detection unit, the current value, the turbidity detection unit, the light amount, and the temperature detection unit, the resistance value. be.

FIG. 3 is a functional diagram of the overall control system in which the controller 50 is connected to the measurement system 1. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the solid line arrows indicate the flow of information, and the dashed line arrows indicate the flow of electric power.
As shown in FIG. 3, the intra-electrode substrate 12 is provided with a preamplifier 31 and a memory 32 . Also, the analog detection value obtained by the detection unit 11 is amplified by the preamplifier 31 .
The preamplifier 31 is not essential, but by providing the preamplifier 31 in the detection unit 11, it becomes possible to output a stable analog detection value.

Unique information about the detection unit 11 is stored in the memory 32 .
When the detection unit 11 is a pH detection unit, the unique information about the detection unit 11 preferably includes at least calibration curve information (calibration information) for converting the potential difference into pH. When the detector 11 is a conductivity detector, it preferably contains at least a cell constant. When the detection unit 11 is an ion concentration detection unit, it preferably contains at least calibration curve information (calibration information) for converting potential difference into ion concentration.
Other specific information that may be stored in the memory 32 includes, for example, the type of the detection unit 11, identification information such as a serial number, expiration date of use of the detection unit 11, calibration history, soundness, response characteristics, and the like. .

As shown in FIG. 3, the in-cable substrate 21 is provided with an A/D conversion section 41, an arithmetic control section 42 (CPU), a power supply section 45, a digital interface section 46, and an analog interface section 47. FIG. The calculation control section 42 has a calculation section 43 and a D/A conversion section 44 . The calculation control unit 42 also has a CPU built-in or an external memory (not shown), and the memory stores procedures, calculation formulas, data, etc. for calculation and output by the calculation unit 43 .
The A/D conversion unit 41 receives an amplified analog detection value from the preamplifier 31 of the intra-electrode substrate 12 and converts it into a digital detection value that can be received by the arithmetic control unit 42 .
It is also possible to provide an amplifier in the cable substrate 21 instead of the electrode substrate 12 to amplify the analog detection value of the detection unit 11 before inputting it to the A/D conversion unit 41 .

The calculation unit 43 of the calculation control unit 42 receives the digital detection value from the A/D conversion unit 41, and also receives unique information (digital information) regarding the detection unit 11 from the memory 32 of the intra-electrode substrate 12. The detected values are converted into digital measured values. A digital measurement value is a measurement value (eg, pH) in digital form determined by a calculation based on a digital detection value (eg, potential difference).

When the detection unit 11 is a conductivity detection unit, the digital detection value is the resistance value, and the digital measurement value is the conductivity. When the detection unit 11 is a dissolved oxygen detection unit or a residual chlorine detection unit, the digital detection value is the current value, and the digital measurement values are the dissolved oxygen concentration and the residual chlorine concentration. When the detection unit 11 is a turbidity detection unit, the digital detection value is the amount of light and the digital measurement value is the turbidity. When the detection unit 11 is a temperature detection unit, the digital detection value is the resistance value, and the digital measurement value is the temperature.

The converted digital measurement value is output as it is to an external controller 50 or the like via the digital interface section 46 .
Also, the converted digital measured value is converted into an analog measured value by the D/A converter 44 and output to the controller 50 or the like, which is a host device, via the analog interface 47 .

Note that the output to the controller 50 may be only analog measurement values via the digital interface section 46 . The ability to output analog measurements allows direct connection of the measurement system 1 to controllers 50 that do not receive digital measurements directly, but only analog measurements.

If the output to controller 50 is both analog and digital measurements, each measurement may be output using two separate wires each, or two common wires may be used, e.g. A digital measurement value may be superimposed on an analog measurement value and output. When outputting a digital measurement value superimposed on an analog measurement value, for example, the HART standard can be used.
Alternatively, a switching means may be used to select between an output state in which a digital measurement value is superimposed on an analog measurement value and a state in which only an analog measurement value is output.

The power supply unit 45 receives power from the controller 50 or the like, and supplies power to each element of the intra-electrode substrate 12 and the intra-cable substrate 21 as indicated by the dashed arrows in FIG.
The power supply unit 45 may receive power directly from a switchboard, a distribution board, an outlet, or the like, instead of being supplied from the controller 50 . Moreover, the power supply unit 45 may be a battery.
Also, the elements in the electrode substrate 12 may be driven by a battery built in the electrode 10 instead of the power supply unit 45 .

Controller 50 is adapted to control other elements based on decisions made using analog or digital measurements.
Other elements include various pumps for sending raw materials, reagents, instrumentation air, etc., driving devices such as electric motors, various valve devices such as on-off valves and three-way valves, and heating/cooling devices such as heaters.
In addition to the controller, the host devices connected to the measurement system 1 include a sequencer, a display device, an alarm device, a receiver, a (handheld) communicator, a computer, a communication device (system), a monitoring device (system), a controller devices (systems) and the like.

The operation of the measurement system 1 of the present embodiment will be described by taking as an example the case where the detection section 11 is a combination of a pH detection section and a temperature detection section.
In the memory 32 of the electrode 10, specific information such as calibration curve information for converting the potential difference into pH is stored in advance by the manufacturer or the like.

When the electrode 10 is immersed in the sample liquid, the detection unit 11 outputs a potential difference corresponding to pH and a resistance value corresponding to temperature as analog detection values. This potential difference and resistance value are amplified by the preamplifier 31 and then converted to a digital detection value by the A/D converter 41 .

The calculation unit 43 of the calculation control unit 42 receives the digitized potential difference from the A/D conversion unit 41 as a digital detection value, and also receives the digitized resistance value of the temperature detection unit as a digital detection value. be. Then, using the unique information (digital information) about the detection unit 11 received from the memory 32, for example, the calibration curve information (unique information) for converting the potential difference into pH and the temperature obtained from the temperature detection unit (digital detection value) , transforming the potential difference (digital sensed value) into a pH value (digital measured value).

The converted pH value (digital measurement value) is output as it is to the external controller 50 or the like via the digital interface section 46 .
Also, the converted pH value (digital measured value) is converted into an analog measured value by the D/A conversion section 44 and output to the external controller 50 or the like via the analog interface section 47 .
The controller 50 makes a decision based on the converted pH value, and drives, for example, a chemical liquid pump for pH adjustment.

When it is necessary to correct the calibration curve information for converting the potential difference stored in the memory 32 into pH, the contents of the memory 32 may be rewritten by the calculation unit 43 receiving instructions from the controller 50. .
Alternatively, instead of the controller 50, a personal computer may be connected to the measurement system 1 using a USB adapter or the like, and the contents of the memory 32 may be rewritten by the computing unit 43 receiving instructions from the personal computer.

In addition, using a conversion device having the same function as the substrate 21 in the cable, the contents of the memory 32 are rewritten by carrying only the electrode 10 from the measurement site to a laboratory or the like and performing calibration work etc. in the laboratory or the like. good too.
When the detection unit 11 is a pH detection unit, the memory 32 is normally rewritten (calibration work) on a regular basis. By using the unit, rewriting (calibration work) of the memory 32 can be largely omitted.

When the electrode 10 is to be replaced due to deterioration or the like, it is sufficient to replace only the electrode 10 while leaving the cable 20 with the data processing function in the same wiring state. In addition, since the unique information of the detection unit 11 is stored in the memory 32 in the electrode 10 after the replacement, there is no need to rewrite the data in the cable substrate 21 of the cable 20 with data processing function.

Further, even when the electrode 10 is replaced with another type of electrode, there is no need to rewrite the data of the in-cable substrate 21 or the like. Therefore, for example, the electrode 10 whose detection unit 11 is a pH detection unit may be replaced with the electrode 10 whose detection unit 11 is a conductivity detection unit, and then the electrode 10 whose detection unit 11 is a pH detection unit may be replaced again. , the electrode 10 after replacement can be used without rewriting the data of the substrate 21 in the cable.

As described above, according to the measurement system 1 of the present embodiment, the electrodes 10 can be directly connected to the controller 50 without providing an instruction conversion device (apparatus main body). can be configured. In addition, since analog measurement values with high versatility can be output, there is a high degree of freedom in constructing a control system. In addition, maintenance is easy because there is no need to rewrite data when exchanging electrodes.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Measurement system, 10... Electrode, 11... Detection part, 12... Substrate in electrode,
13... Electrode-side connector, 14... Electrode body, 15... Fixing nut,
20... Cable with data processing function, 21... Substrate in cable,
22... Cable-side connector, 23... Board housing portion, 24... Cable main body, 25... Bar terminal,
31... preamplifier, 32... memory, 41... A/D converter, 42... arithmetic controller,
43... calculation unit, 44... D/A conversion unit, 45... power supply unit,
46... Digital interface section, 47... Analog interface section,
50 controller

Claims (7)

An electrode having a detection unit that obtains an analog detection value corresponding to the properties of a contacting sample and a memory that stores unique information about the detection unit, and an upper device that uses an analog measurement value based on the analog detection value are connected. A cable with a data processing function for
a cable main body, a cable inner board and a cable side connector which are sequentially provided at a first end of the cable main body,
The cable body is provided with a line for transmitting the output from the board in the cable to the host device,
The in-cable board includes an A/D conversion unit that receives the analog detection value from the detection unit and converts the analog detection value into a digital detection value;
a calculation unit that receives the digital detection value and the unique information stored in the memory and converts the digital detection value into a digital measurement value;
a D/A conversion unit that converts the digital measurement value to an analog measurement value;
an analog interface unit that outputs the analog measurement value;
has
A cable with a data processing function , wherein the cable-side connector is detachable from the electrode, and receives a signal from the electrode and transmits the signal to the substrate in the cable . 2. The cable with data processing function according to claim 1, further comprising a digital interface section for outputting said digital measurement value. 3. The cable with a data processing function according to claim 1 , wherein said in-cable board further has a power supply section to which power is supplied from said host device. A measurement system comprising the cable with a data processing function according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and the electrodes. The electrode further has a preamplifier that amplifies the analog detection value,
5. The measurement system according to claim 4 , wherein said analog detection value amplified by said preamplifier is input to said A/D converter. 6. The detection unit according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the detection unit includes a pH detection unit that obtains a potential difference corresponding to pH as the analog detection value, and the unique information includes calibration curve information for converting the potential difference into pH. measurement system. A control system comprising: the measurement system according to any one of claims 4 to 6 ; and a controller for controlling other elements based on determinations using said analog measurement values.

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