JP2021099227A - Analyzing apparatus and analyzing method for analysis with collimated light - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an analyzing apparatus that can stably catch the only light to be measured as much as possible.SOLUTION: An analyzing apparatus comprises: at least one light source; at least one collimator unit, which generates a collimated light from light radiated from a light source, and which is arranged so as to be able to radiate the collimated light to an analysis target; and at least one analysis unit, which is placed so as not to receive light coming almost directly from inside the analysis target after the light is radiated from the collimator unit to the analysis target, and which receives the light from the analysis target to analyze it. The collimator unit is preferably arranged so that at least one radiation surface of collimated light of the unit can surround the analysis target. The collimator unit is also preferably arranged so that the collimated light can be radiated to the peripheral surface of analysis target, which surrounds a part of the surface of analysis target oppositely arranged to the light-receiving part of the analysis unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for analyzing an analysis target using light such as visible light or near infrared light.

In recent years, the quality of agricultural products, especially the quality of various fruits and vegetables, has been greatly improved. Therefore, fruits and vegetables in Japan have gained high popularity overseas and are attracting much attention as important export items.

However, the production of fruits and vegetables is very time-consuming, and many years of intuition and experience are required to improve the quality, and it is not easy for newcomers to enter the market. For example, in fact, it is often difficult for new farmers to accurately grasp the sugar content, acidity, and ripeness of fruits that can be used as a guide for harvesting.

If a measuring instrument that can non-destructively measure the sugar content, acidity and ripeness of fruits and vegetables can be used to deal with such problems, even new farmers can appropriately determine the harvest time from the measurement results and obtain good quality. It is possible to select and ship various fruits and vegetables.

As such a measuring instrument, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a light emitting diode or halogen lamp as a light source in the near infrared region of 700 nm to 1.2 μm, and a fruit in which the light emitted from the light source is projected in an oblique direction. An optical grating that obtains transmitted or scattered light from near the epidermis and disperses it into four wavelengths, a photosensor that detects the intensity of the light of the four wavelengths after spectroscopy, and two spectra of light. Two sets of intensity ratios are obtained, and the sugar acidity of the fruit is non-destructive, which consists of a spectrometer that calculates the sugar content and acidity of the fruit from these light intensity ratios, and a display device that numerically displays the calculated sugar content and acidity. The measuring device is disclosed.

In Patent Document 1, it is assumed that the sugar content non-destructive measuring device can easily and accurately display the sugar content and acidity corresponding to the actual sugar content and acidity of fruits, for example, mandarin oranges, by transmitting and scattering near-infrared light. There is.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-022657

Here, the sugar content non-destructive measuring device disclosed in Patent Document 1 measures by utilizing the phenomenon that the ratio of the fruit absorbing near-infrared light shows a value depending on the sugar content and acidity of the fruit. The measurement accuracy depends on how reliably the minute change in the absorption ratio can be measured.

However, in the above-mentioned apparatus of Patent Document 1, since the light emitted from the light emitting diode or the halogen lamp is directly irradiated to the fruit and the transmitted light and the scattered light are captured to measure the sugar content and the acidity, the absorption ratio actually changes. There is a concern that light other than scattered light, which contains the largest amount of information, will be measured, and as a result, the measurement accuracy will be reduced.

Furthermore, since the emitted light of the light emitting diode or halogen lamp has a spread in the radiation direction, the measurement result of the absorption ratio itself may fluctuate depending on how the emitted light is applied to the fruit, which may also cause a decrease in measurement accuracy. ..

By the way, the problems explained above are not limited to the measurement of sugar content and acidity in fruits and vegetables, and in many cases, the analysis target is irradiated with light such as visible light or near infrared light for analysis. It is a problem to be solved.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an analyzer and an analysis method capable of more stably capturing only the light to be measured as much as possible.

According to the present invention, it is an analyzer that analyzes an analysis target with light.
With at least one light source
A collimating portion that converts the light emitted from the light source into collimating light, and at least one collimating portion provided so that the collimating light can be irradiated to the analysis target.
At least one analysis unit that receives light from the analysis target and performs analysis, which is provided so as not to receive light emitted from the collimating unit and irradiated to the analysis target and traveling substantially straight in the analysis target. An analyzer to have is provided.

As one embodiment of the analyzer according to the present invention, it is also preferable that the collimating portion is provided so that at least one emitting surface from which the collimated light is emitted can surround the analysis target.

Further, in the analyzer according to the present invention, the collimating portion is the surface portion of the analysis target, which surrounds the surface portion facing the light receiving portion of the analysis portion, and the collimating portion with respect to the peripheral surface of the analysis target. It is also preferable that it is provided so that it can be irradiated with light.

Further, as another embodiment of the analyzer according to the present invention, the collimating portion includes a substantially tubular or hollow substantially frustum-shaped light guide, and a side of one end of the light guide facing the analysis target. It is also preferable that an exit surface from which the collimated light is emitted is provided.

Further, in the embodiment provided with the above-mentioned substantially tubular or hollow substantially frustum-shaped light guide, the light guide is at least the light propagating inside at one end thereof or in the vicinity of the one end. It is also preferable to have a reflective inner surface that reflects a part of the light and directs it toward the exit surface.

Furthermore, as yet another embodiment of the analyzer according to the present invention, it is also preferable that the one end portion of the light guide body is a protruding portion protruding toward the analysis target.

Further, as a further embodiment of the analyzer according to the present invention, it is also preferable that the collimating portion includes an optical fiber and the exit surface from which the collimated light is emitted is one end of the optical fiber.

Further, in the analyzer according to the present invention, it is also preferable that the collimating portion has a collimating lens portion at an end portion that receives the light emitted from the light source.

Further, it is also preferable that the analyzer according to the present invention further has a light-shielding portion provided at a position that blocks the incident path of noise light that can be incident on the surface portion irradiated with the collimated light in the analysis target.

Further, in the analyzer according to the present invention, the angle formed by the collimating unit and the direction of the light emitted from the collimating unit and the direction of the light perpendicularly incident on the light receiving window of the analysis unit is approximately the same. It is also preferable that the temperature is 90 degrees or higher.

In addition, the analysis target in the analyzer according to the present invention specifically includes agricultural products, liquids or liquids containing components of agricultural products, marine products, liquids or liquids containing components of marine products, animal parts, and animal components. It is one of liquids or liquids, plant parts, liquids or liquids containing plant components, foods, and liquids or liquids containing food components, and the analysis unit is inside the analysis target. It is also preferable to determine the amount related to the presence or absence of a predetermined component contained or the degree of content.

According to the present invention, it is also an analysis method for analyzing an analysis target with light.
The light emitted from at least one light source is defined as collimated light.
Irradiate the collimated light to the analysis target,
The light emitted from the analysis target is received at a position where the light radiated to the analysis target and does not receive the light traveling straight in the analysis target.
An analysis method is provided, which comprises performing an analysis using the received light.

According to the analyzer and analysis method of the present invention, it is possible to more stably capture only the light to be measured as much as possible.

It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating one Embodiment of the analyzer according to this invention. It is a schematic cross-sectional view for demonstrating another embodiment of the analyzer according to this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows roughly the relationship between the light emitted from the exit surface in the analyzer of this invention, and the light to be analyzed from the analysis object. It is a schematic cross-sectional view for demonstrating further other embodiment of the analyzer according to this invention. It is a schematic cross-sectional view for demonstrating further other embodiment of the analyzer according to this invention. It is a schematic cross-sectional view for demonstrating further other embodiment of the analyzer according to this invention. It is a schematic cross-sectional view for demonstrating further other embodiment of the analyzer according to this invention. It is a schematic cross-sectional view for demonstrating further other embodiment of the analyzer according to this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensional ratios within the components and between the components in the drawing are arbitrary for the sake of readability of the drawing.

[Analytical device 1 using a light guide]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an embodiment of an analyzer according to the present invention. Here, FIG. 1 (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the zx plane in the analyzer 1, and FIG. 1 (B) shows, in particular, the light guide body 12, the spectroscope 13, and the analysis target (fruit). It is a schematic diagram which roughly shows the positional relationship of. In the drawings shown below, including FIG. 1, the xyz coordinate system, which is an index of the orientation of the device or the like, is appropriately shown.

The analyzer 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B) is an apparatus that irradiates a fruit such as a grape to be analyzed with light, captures the light from the fruit, and performs spectroscopic analysis. Is.

Specifically, the analyzer 1 of the present embodiment uses a white LED (Light Emitting Diode) 11 as a light source, and employs visible light (white light) as the light to irradiate the fruit (analysis target).
(A) Irradiate the fruit (analysis target) with this white light to
(B) The scattered light emitted by the fruit (analysis target) is taken into the spectroscope 13 which is an analysis unit.
(C) The visible light spectrum is acquired by spectroscopic analysis in the spectroscope 13.
(D) Based on the calibration formula of the frequency (for example, sugar content or acidity) of the target component in the fruit (analysis target) prepared in advance from the spectrum data subjected to the processing such as differentiation, the frequency (for example, sugar content or acidity) Acidity) is determined and output.

The analyzer 1 performs such spectroscopic analysis, and as a specific feature thereof,
(A) At least one light source (a plurality of white LEDs 11 in this embodiment) and
(B) At least one collimating portion (in the present embodiment) that is a collimating portion that converts the light emitted from the light source into collimating light and is provided so that the collimating light can be irradiated to the analysis target (fruit). Light source 12) and
(C) From the analysis target (fruit) provided so as not to receive the light emitted from the collimating portion (light guide body 12), irradiated to the analysis target (fruit), and generally traveling straight in the analysis target (fruit). It has at least one analysis unit (one spectroscope 13 in this embodiment) that receives light and performs analysis.

In this way, the analyzer 1 realizes a special positional relationship between the collimating unit, the analysis target, and the analysis unit (the light receiving unit that transmits light to) as described in (C) above. The unit (spectrometer 13) does not have to receive as much light as possible other than "scattered light that actually contains the most information on the frequency (for example, sugar content and acidity) of the target component". That is, since the spectroscopic analysis is performed only on the light to be measured, as a result, it is possible to further improve the measurement accuracy of the frequency (for example, sugar content and acidity) of the target component.

Here, the above-mentioned "scattered light" is light that is scattered in the analysis target (fruit) through reactions such as absorption and reflection and comes out to the outside.

Further, since the analyzer 1 has the collimating portion (light guide body 12) of the above (B), the collimating light can be applied to the analysis target (fruit). As a result, even if there is some variation in the installation position of the analysis target (fruit), it is possible to inject a substantially constant designed amount of light onto the analysis target in a stable incident mode. As a result, the scattered light to be measured can be captured more stably, and the analysis / measurement result itself is stable, so that the measurement accuracy can be stably improved.

Here, the collimated light is light that is substantially parallel by passing through a collimating optical element such as the collimating portion according to the present invention, and the variation in the radiation direction is within a predetermined range (determined by the form of the element or the like). It is almost parallel light suppressed to.

Incidentally, as a modification, instead of the white LED 11, a plurality of LEDs having different wavelengths of synchrotron radiation may be used as the light source, and spectroscopic analysis may be carried out according to the above configurations (B) and (C) according to the present invention. .. In this case, it is also preferable to select a wavelength having a high relevance to the frequency (for example, sugar content or acidity) of the target component. However, by using the white light from the white LED 11 as in the present embodiment, it is possible to realize more stable analysis / measurement results as will be described later.

Further, as a further modification, it is also possible to use a light source such as a halogen lamp other than the LED as the light source that emits visible light. Further, spectroscopic analysis of the object to be analyzed by near-infrared light, infrared light or ultraviolet light may be performed using a light source such as an LED or a halogen lamp that emits near-infrared light, infrared light or ultraviolet light. ..

In any case, the analyzer 1 of the present embodiment performs spectroscopic analysis on the analysis target in a state where it is cultivated, produced, etc., or in a raw, non-destructive state without pretreatment. It can be carried out quickly. Further, by adopting an LED as a light source, for example, it is possible to make the device compact and portable by using a battery drive without using an external power source.

Furthermore, the analysis target according to the present invention is naturally not limited to fruits. For example
(A) Various agricultural products, liquids or liquids containing the components of agricultural products,
(B) Various marine products, liquids or liquids containing marine products,
(C) Various animal parts, liquids or liquids containing animal components,
(D) Various plant parts and liquids or liquids containing plant components, or (e) various foods and liquids or liquids containing food components can be analyzed. Further, in this case, the analysis unit (spectrometer 13) determines the amount related to the presence or absence or the degree of inclusion of the predetermined component contained in the inside of such an analysis target.

Here, as a specific application example of the analyzer 1, an example in which the analysis target is grapes (fruits) will be described. Conventionally, depending on the grape variety, the peel is not colored at the maturity stage, and it is often difficult for new farmers to accurately grasp the sugar content and acidity of the grape, which is a guideline for harvesting. In fact, there has been a problem that the appropriate harvest time is not determined, and as a result, the taste of the harvested grapes varies.

On the other hand, if the analyzer 1 described above is directly applied to the grapes before harvest under the shelves of such varieties of vineyards (for example, by pressing them directly against the fruits), even new farmers can produce fruits. More accurate sugar content and acidity information can be obtained immediately without crushing the grains. As a result, it is possible to harvest suitable grapes. In other words, by using this analyzer 1, it is possible to convert tacit knowledge such as intuition and experience possessed by skilled farmers into explicit knowledge.

Further, as a typical example of the above-mentioned analysis target (c), a part such as a finger of a subject (human) or a collected blood (a transparent container containing the blood) is targeted for analysis, and the concentration of a component in the blood, for example, a blood glucose level. Can also be measured. In this case, it is possible to output the result of the blood test immediately at the site such as a medical examination, a medical examination or a home visit.

Further, as an example of the above analysis target (e), a transparent container containing various brews such as liquor and vinegar can be used as the analysis target. It is also possible to use a transparent container containing fruit juice instead of the fruit itself. In this case, for example, the progress of brewing (for example, the concentration of fermented alcohol) and the quality of juice can be immediately grasped, for example, at the manufacturing site.

Hereinafter, a specific functional configuration of the lighting device 1 in the present embodiment will be described. According to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the lighting device 1 includes a plurality of white LEDs 11 as a light source, a collimating lens portion 121, and a light guide body 12 forming a collimating portion, which includes a total reflection inner surface 122 for emission. A light receiving unit 12e, a spectroscope 13 which is an analysis unit, a control unit 14, a touch panel display 151, a communication interface 152, a light shielding unit 161 and a light shielding ring 162 are provided. Here, the control unit 14 may be configured by an electronic circuit, or may be operated by a program using a microcomputer such as a one-chip microcomputer.

Similarly, in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the white LED 11 is a light source for spectroscopic analysis. In the present embodiment, a plurality of white LEDs 11 (12 in FIG. 1B) are provided below the lower end of the light guide 12 in order to irradiate a range of 360 degrees around the fruit (analysis target). They are installed side by side in a ring.

By using the plurality of white LEDs 11 in this way, the intensity of the analysis light is secured and the light that has passed through the plurality of propagation paths is mixed. Therefore, the intensity and wavelength characteristics of the analysis light should be averaged. You can also. As a result, it also contributes to the stabilization of the spectroscopic analysis result. Incidentally, as the white LED 11, for example, various types on the market can be used, but it is also preferable to use one having a high color rendering property with little excess or deficiency regarding the analysis wavelength.

Similarly, in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the light guide 12 is a collimating portion that converts light emitted from a plurality of white LEDs 11 into collimating light, and in the present embodiment, the light guide 12 extends in the z-axis direction. It has a tubular shape and is made of a translucent plastic material having a higher refractive index than air, or a glass material such as quartz glass. Further, the light guide body 12 is provided with a collimating lens portion 121 which is a convex lens-shaped collimating lens portion at a lower end portion (end portion on the −z side) that receives the light radiated from the white LED 11.

With such a configuration of the light guide body 12, the light radiated from the white LED 11 becomes substantially parallel light due to the convex lens action, enters the light guide body 12, and further propagates in the light guide body 12. A part of the light is totally reflected on the inner surface of the light guide, and the light becomes collimated light having higher parallelism.

Further, the light guide 12 is provided at a position where the fruit (analysis target) can be irradiated with this collimated light, and specifically, at the upper end (+ z side end) of the light guide 12. An exit surface 123 from which collimated light is emitted is provided on the side facing the fruit (analysis target). Here, the exit surface 123 has a shape like the inner surface of an annular band (by being partitioned by the light-shielding portion 161) in the present embodiment, and is installed in the device 1 (or pressed against the device 1). ) Arranged so that it can surround the fruit (analysis target).

Further, the light guide body 12 is provided with a total reflection inner surface 122 for emission in the vicinity of the upper end portion (end portion on the + z side), and at least a part (generally in the present embodiment) propagating in the light guide body 12. All) collimated light is totally reflected by the total reflection inner surface 122 for emission, and is emitted from the emission surface 123 in the collimated state.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the light guide body 12 can evenly irradiate the collimating light in a range of 360 degrees around the fruit (analysis target), and as a result, the bias in the entire fruit (analysis target) is uneven. It is also possible to measure the frequency of a small target component (for example, sugar content or acidity).

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, the light guide body 12 has a surface other than the collimating lens portion and the exit surface 123 covered with a light-shielding portion 161 formed of a light-shielding material. It prevents the intrusion of ambient light, which is light that is not subject to analysis, from outside the device. Here, the light-shielding portion 161 is at least a position that blocks the incident path of noise light that can be incident on the surface portion of the fruit (analysis target) irradiated with collimated light, for example, the total reflection inner surface 122 for emission in FIG. 1 (A). It is also preferable that it is provided on the outside.

Similarly, in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the spectroscope 13 is an analysis unit that receives light from a fruit (analysis target) through a light receiving window and performs spectroscopic analysis. Specifically, the wavelength spectrum of the received light. It is a device that measures and outputs wavelength spectrum data. In the present embodiment, as the spectroscope 13, various commercially available visible light (white light) spectroscopes corresponding to wavelengths of 350 to 850 nm can be adopted. Of course, when the analyzer 1 is to be miniaturized and portable, a small spectroscope is preferable.

Further, the spectroscope 13 is provided so as not to receive light emitted from the light guide 12 and irradiating the fruit (analysis target) and traveling substantially straight in the fruit (analysis target). In the embodiment, it is arranged directly below (−z side) the light receiving portion 22e arranged directly below (−z side) the fruit (analysis target). As a result, the spectroscope 13
(A) From the fruit (analysis target) that receives the emitted light (the optical axis is in the xy plane) from the light guide body 12, it is radiated substantially downward (-z direction, direction perpendicular to the xy plane), or Receives "scattered light" with a large downward component, while
(B) It is possible not to receive transmitted light, which is light that is simply transmitted through the fruit (analysis target).

In this way, the spectroscope 13 does not have to receive as much light as possible other than "scattered light that actually contains the most information on the sugar content and acidity (frequency of the target component) of the fruit (analysis target)". That is, since the spectroscopic analysis is performed only on the light to be measured, it is possible to further improve the measurement accuracy of the sugar content and the acidity (the frequency of the target component) as a result.

Here, since a plurality of white LEDs 11 are arranged in a ring shape, the emitted light emitted from the light guide 12 (which received the synchrotron radiation) enters the fruit (analysis target) from all directions and is inside the fruit (analysis target). It concentrates on the area including the center of the fruit, which allows it to propagate a wide area inside the fruit (analyzed object) by a sufficient distance. As a result, the spectroscope 13 can secure a higher intensity of "scattered light".

Further, in the present embodiment, the "scattered light" from the fruit (analysis target) first enters the light receiving portion 12e provided at the position where the lower surface of the fruit (analysis target) is in contact, and passes through the light receiving portion 12e. It reaches the spectroscope 13. Here, the light receiving portion 12e is, for example, a light guide portion formed of a light-transmitting material similar to that of the light guide body 12, and has an incident surface capable of contacting the lower surface of the fruit (analysis target) and the spectroscope 13. It has an exit surface facing the light receiving window.

Further, under the fruit (analysis target), a light-shielding ring 162 is provided so that the lower surface of the fruit is in contact with the fruit and the light receiving portion 12e is placed in the ring. The light-shielding ring 162 is formed of a light-shielding material such as opaque plastic, rubber, or sponge, and shields the space sandwiched between the lower surface of the fruit (analysis target) and the light receiving window of the spectroscope 13.

As a result, ambient light, which is light not subject to analysis from the outside of the device, reflected light that is the result of light emitted from the light guide 12 reflected on the surface of the fruit (analysis target), and further emitted from the white LED 11. It is possible to prevent the direct light, which is the as-is light, from entering the light receiving window and the light receiving unit 12e of the spectroscope 13, and finally, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the spectroscopic analysis result. ..

Further, due to the special arrangement of the light guide body 12, the light receiving unit 12e (spectrometer 13), and the light shielding ring 162 as described above, the analyzer 1 is very easy to handle, that is, it is easy to hit the fruit (analysis target). It has become a thing. For example, it is possible to directly press the analyzer 1 against fruits such as grapes in a cultivated state to perform more accurate sugar content / acidity measurement.

Similarly, in FIG. 1 (A), the control unit 14 applies a predetermined process such as differentiation to the wavelength spectrum data acquired from the spectroscope 13, and then prepares a fruit (analysis) from the data in advance. Based on the calibration formula of sugar content and acidity (frequency of target component) in (target), the sugar content and acidity (frequency of target component) of the current analysis target are determined and output.

Here, in the above calibration formula, multivariate analysis is performed using the wavelength spectral data that has been subjected to processing such as differentiation as an objective variable, and the fruit (analysis target) is actually destroyed to achieve sugar content and acidity (target component). It can be prepared in advance by comparing with the result of quantitative analysis of frequency).

Further, a temperature sensor is provided in the vicinity of the light receiving unit 12e or in the vicinity of the light receiving window of the spectroscope 13 (although not shown), and the control unit 14 uses this temperature sensor to "analyze" the fruit (analysis target). It is also preferable to acquire information related to the temperature at the time of "scattered light" generation, perform temperature correction on the acquired wavelength spectrum data, and then perform the analysis process.

In fact, it is conventionally known that the "scattered light" spectrum has a temperature dependence, and as an example, the sugar content by spectroscopic analysis of grape fruits is measured lower as the temperature is lower. Therefore, it is also preferable that, for example, the temperature dependence is measured by an experiment and a temperature correction table is created in advance, and the control unit 14 reads the temperature correction table and performs the above temperature correction. As a modification, the spectroscope 13 may perform such temperature correction and output the corrected wavelength spectrum data to the control unit 14.

Further, the control unit 14 may, for example, from an external personal computer (PC), smartphone, or the like via a wireless (or wired) communication interface 152, or via a touch panel display 151, buttons, or the like mounted on the present device 1. Upon receiving the instruction to start the measurement of the sugar content and the acidity (the frequency of the target component), the white LED 11 and the spectroscope 13 may be activated to start the spectroscopy / analysis process.

Further, the control unit 14 associates the determined sugar content and acidity (frequency of the target component) as the analysis / measurement result with, for example, the target ID given to the measured fruit and the measurement date and time in the memory inside the device 1. ) It may be saved or displayed on the touch panel display 151, and further, it may be transmitted to an external personal computer (PC), smartphone, etc. using the wireless (or wired) communication interface 152. You may.

As a modification, the light guide 12 described above is divided into a plurality of light guides, for example, the same number as the white LEDs 11, and one light guide is arranged directly above each white LED 11, for example. It is also possible to take a mode in which the fruit (analysis target) is irradiated with the light emitted from the emitting surface of each light guide body portion. Also in this embodiment, the collimating light can be evenly irradiated in the range of 360 degrees around the fruit (analysis target), and as a result, the frequency (for example, sugar content and acidity) of the target component with less bias in the whole fruit (analysis target) ) Can be measured.
[Analytical device 2 using a light guide]

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view (by zx plane) for explaining another embodiment of the analyzer according to the present invention.

The analyzer 2 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is also an apparatus that irradiates a fruit such as a grape to be analyzed with light, captures the light from the fruit, and performs spectroscopic analysis. Specifically, the analyzer 2 includes a plurality of white LEDs 21, a light guide body 22 forming a collimating portion including a collimating lens portion 221 and a total reflection inner surface 222 for emission, a light receiving portion 22e, and a spectroscope 23. A light-shielding unit 261, a light-shielding ring 262, a control unit 24 (not shown below), a touch panel display 251 and a communication interface 252 are provided.

Here, each functional unit of the analyzer 2 described above has the same structure and function as the functional unit of the same name in the analyzer 1 (FIG. 1 (A)) and performs the same function. 22 has a shape different from that of the light guide body 12 (FIG. 1 (A)).

Specifically, the light guide body 22 has a substantially tubular shape extending in the z-axis direction as a whole, and its upper end portion (end portion on the + z side) protrudes toward the position of the fruit (analysis target). It has a protruding part. Further, by appropriately setting the inclination of the total reflection inner surface 222 for emission, etc., the emission light (colimated light) having an optical axis substantially orthogonal to the emission surface 223 can be emitted from the emission surface 223 which is the end surface of the protruding portion. It can be emitted and irradiated to the fruit (analysis target).

In this way, by providing the protruding portion protruding toward the position of the fruit (analysis target), the device 2 can be easily provided for individual fruits existing adjacent to each other, such as grapes being cultivated. The measurement can be carried out by guessing. For example, in the device 2 shown in FIG. 2, the sugar content / acidity can be measured simply by applying the upper part of the device 2 to the protruding lower half of the fruit (analysis target).

Further, since the emitted light (irradiation light) emitted from the protruding portion has an optical axis substantially orthogonal to the emitting surface 223, unnecessary reflection and scattering are suppressed in the vicinity of the emitting surface 223 and on the surface of the fruit (analysis target). However, it is also possible to avoid dimming and unnecessary light entering the spectroscope 23 as much as possible.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the relationship between the light emitted from the emission surface in the analyzer of the present invention and the light to be analyzed from the analysis target.

In FIG. 3, the “surrounding surface” of the fruit (analysis target), which is the surface portion of the fruit (analysis target) and surrounds the surface portion facing the light receiving portion of the spectroscope (13, 23), is gray. Shown as an area. The light guides (12, 22) of the analyzers (1, 2) can irradiate the “surrounding surface” with emitted light (colimated light).

Here, as a more preferable embodiment, the light guide body (12, 22) and the spectroscope (13, 23) have the direction of the light emitted from the light guide body (12, 22) and the spectroscope (13, 23). ) Is installed so that the angle formed by the direction of the light vertically incident on the light receiving window is approximately 90 degrees, or 90 degrees or more. For example, in the analyzer 1 shown in FIG. 1, the angle between the emitted light P from the emitting surface 123 of the light guide 11 and the direction of the light incident perpendicularly to the light receiving window of the spectroscope 13 is about 90 °. (For example, 85 ° to 95 ° in consideration of the optical system design error). On the other hand, in the analyzer 2 shown in FIG. 2, the emission light Q from the emission surface 223 of the light guide body 22 and the spectroscope The angle formed by the direction of the light incident perpendicularly to the light receiving window of 23 is more than 90 ° and less than 180 °.

With the configuration of the optical system as described above, the spectroscopes (13, 23) can sufficiently receive the scattered light to be analyzed, but do not receive as much non-scattered light as possible, and as a result. , It is possible to further improve the measurement accuracy of the frequency (for example, sugar content and acidity) of the target component.

In addition, since the emitted light is collimated light, even if there is some variation in the installation position of the analysis target (fruit), the condition that the "surrounding surface" should be irradiated and "approximately 90 degrees, Or 90 degrees or more ”can be surely satisfied, and as a result, high measurement accuracy can be stably realized. It should be noted that such a condition is a condition that is surely satisfied even in the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8 below.

Furthermore, the shape and optical configuration of the light guide body according to the present invention will be described with reference to the light guide bodies (12, 22) of FIGS. 1 and 2 already described and the light guide bodies (12, 22) of FIGS. The light body (32, 42) is not limited to that of the light body (32, 42), and various shapes and optical configurations satisfying the above-mentioned conditions can be adopted for the light guide body according to the present invention. is there.
[Analytical device 3 using a light guide]

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view (in terms of the zx plane) for explaining further other embodiments of the analyzer according to the invention.

The analyzer 3 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is also an apparatus that irradiates a fruit such as a grape to be analyzed with light, captures the light from the fruit, and performs spectroscopic analysis. Specifically, the analyzer 3 comprises a light guide body 32 forming a collimating unit, which includes a plurality of white LEDs 31 and a collimating lens unit 321, a light receiving unit 32e, a spectroscope 33, a light shielding unit 361, and light shielding. It includes a ring 362, a control unit 34 (not shown below), a touch panel display 351 and a communication interface 352.

Here, each functional unit of the analyzer 3 described above also has the same structure and function as the functional unit of the same name in the analyzer 1 (FIG. 1 (A)) and performs the same function. 32 has a shape different from that of the light guide 12 (FIG. 1 (A)).

Specifically, the light guide body 32 has a simple substantially tubular shape extending in the z-axis direction, and the exit surface 323 forming the end surface of the upper end portion (end portion on the + z side) is the surface in the xy plane. It has become. Further, the optical axis of the emitted light (collimated light) is also parallel to the z-axis, so that the emitted light from the emitting surface 323 of the light guide 32 and the light vertically incident on the light receiving window of the spectroscope 33 The angle between the direction and the direction of is about 180 °.

In this way, the device 3 can be further miniaturized by keeping the propagation direction of the light emitted from the light guide 32, that is, the irradiation light to the fruit (analysis target) within the z-axis direction as much as possible. .. Further, the exit surface 323 to face the fruit (analysis target) and the incident surface of the light receiving unit 32e can be arranged so as to be close to each other. In this case, the device 3 is attached to, for example, the fruit being cultivated (analysis target). It is also possible to make the structure easier to press.

Further, in the analyzer 3, since the light guide body 32 has a relatively simple shape as described above, it is possible to suppress the manufacturing cost.
[Analytical device 4 using a light guide body]

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view (in terms of the zx plane) for explaining further other embodiments of the analyzer according to the invention.

The analyzer 4 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is also an apparatus that irradiates a fruit such as a grape to be analyzed with light, captures the light from the fruit, and performs spectroscopic analysis. Specifically, the analyzer 4 has a light guide body 42 forming a collimating portion, a light receiving portion 42e, a spectroscope 43, a light shielding portion 461, and a light shielding portion 42 having a plurality of white LEDs 41 and a collimating lens portion 421. It includes a ring 462, a control unit 44 (not shown below), a touch panel display 451 and a communication interface 452.

Here, each functional unit of the analyzer 4 described above also has the same structure and function as the functional unit of the same name in the analyzer 1 (FIG. 1 (A)) and performs the same function. The light guide body 12 has a shape different from that of the light guide body 12 (FIG. 1 (A)), and the plurality of white LEDs 41 are also installed in a different installation mode from the white LED 11 (FIG. 1 (A)). Has been done.

Specifically, the light guide body 42 has a simple hollow frustum shape having an axis in the z-axis direction, and is emitted from an exit surface 423 forming an end surface of an upper end portion (end portion on the + z side) thereof. The emitted light (colimated light) having an optical axis substantially orthogonal to the surface 423 can be emitted to irradiate the fruit (analysis target). As a result, unnecessary reflection and scattering in the vicinity of the exit surface 423 and the surface of the fruit (analysis target) are suppressed, and as a result, dimming and unnecessary light entry into the spectroscope 43 can be avoided as much as possible.

Further, by adopting such a light guide body 42, it is possible to further reduce the size of the device 3 by suppressing the device dimensions in the z-axis direction in particular. Further, the exit surface 423 to be opposed to the fruit (analysis target) and the incident surface of the light receiving portion 42e can be arranged so as to be close to each other. In this case, the device 4 is attached to, for example, the fruit being cultivated (analysis target). It is also possible to make the structure easier to press.

Further, in the analyzer 4, since the light guide body 42 has a relatively simple shape as described above, it is possible to suppress the manufacturing cost.

Further, unlike the white LED 11 (FIG. 1 (A)), the plurality of white LEDs 41 have such that the optical axis of the synchrotron radiation is tilted from the z-axis direction, that is, the synchrotron radiation is directed to the collimated lens portion 421 of the lens portion. The bottom surface is tilted from the xy plane so that it is incident parallel to the optical axis. Here, as a modification, a plurality of white LEDs 41 are arranged so that the optical axis of the synchrotron radiation is in the z-axis direction, as in the case of the white LEDs 11 (FIG. 1 (A)), and then these white LEDs 41 and the collimating lens unit are used. A diffuser plate may be provided between the 421 and the diffuser. As a result, although there is a demerit of dimming, it is possible to make a considerable portion of the synchrotron radiation from the white LED 41 incident on the collimating lens portion 421.

[Analyzer 5 using optical fiber]

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view (in terms of the zx plane) for explaining further other embodiments of the analyzer according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining still another embodiment of the analyzer according to the present invention. Here, FIG. 6A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the zx plane in the analyzer 5, and FIG. 6B shows, in particular, the optical fiber 52 and the light receiving unit 52e (spectrometer 53) and the analysis target. It is a schematic diagram which roughly shows the positional relationship with (fruit).

The analyzer 5 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A is also an apparatus that irradiates a fruit such as a grape to be analyzed with light, captures the light from the fruit, and performs spectroscopic analysis. Specifically, the analyzer 5 includes an optical fiber unit 52 forming a collimating unit including a plurality of white LEDs 51, a plurality of collimating lens units 521, and a plurality of optical fibers serving as a main body, and a light receiving unit including an optical fiber. It includes a 52e, a spectroscope 53, a light-shielding unit 561, a light-shielding ring 562, a control unit 54 (not shown below), a touch panel display 551, and a communication interface 552.

Here, each functional unit of the analyzer 5 described above has the same structure and function as the functional unit of the same name in the analyzer 1 (FIG. 1 (A)) and performs the same function, but collimates the analyzer 5. The unit is an optical fiber unit 52 using an optical fiber capable of emitting collimated light, unlike the light guide body 12 (FIG. 1 (A)) of the analyzer 1.

By using the optical fiber section 52 as the collimating section and using the optical fiber for the light receiving section 52e in this way, the degree of freedom in arranging the plurality of white LEDs 51 is greatly improved (for example, it is necessary to arrange them in an annular shape). Furthermore, it is possible to make the positional relationship between these white LEDs 51 and the spectroscope 53 and the fruit (analysis target) flexible. Due to such characteristics unique to optical fibers, for example, the analyzer 5 has a form in which two “housing portions” (housing and its inside) are connected by an optical fiber bundle as shown in FIG. 6 (A). It can be a device.

Here, in such a form,
(A) One "housing portion" controls a plurality of white LEDs 51, one end of an optical fiber portion 52 including a collimating lens 521, one end of a light receiving portion 52e, and a spectroscope 53. A touch panel display 551 including a unit 54, a touch panel display 551, and a communication interface 552, which is carried by, for example, a measurer (for example, held by the left hand) and is in the hands of the measurer. Analysis / measurement results can be displayed,
(B) The other "housing portion" includes the other end portion including the exit surface 523 of the optical fiber portion 52, the other end portion of the light receiving portion 52e, the light shielding portion 561, and the light shielding ring 562. Therefore, for example, it is carried by the measurer (for example, held by the right hand) and is considerably lighter, so that it can also function as a probe portion that can be easily pressed against the fruit (analysis target).

Of course, the analyzer 5 can be configured with one housing, a plurality of white LEDs 51 can be arranged in an annular shape, for example, and the light receiving portion 52e can also be formed of a translucent material other than an optical fiber. ..

Further, as a further feature of the analyzer 5, the exit surface 523 from which the emitted light is emitted is an end surface of the optical fiber portion 52 directed to the fruit (analysis target) position in the optical fiber. Therefore, the position and orientation of the exit surface 523 can be easily adjusted because it is the position and orientation of the fiber end surface, and as a result, the irradiation position and orientation with respect to the fruit (analysis target) can be set and the setting can be set. Changes can also be made easily.

Here, of course, the position of the exit surface 523 (fiber end surface) is such that the light receiving portion 52e, and therefore the spectroscope 53, does not receive the light that is irradiated to the fruit (analysis target) and travels substantially straight in the fruit (analysis target). Further, the condition that the "surrounding surface" of the fruit (analysis target) should be irradiated and the angle condition of "approximately 90 degrees or 90 degrees or more" described with reference to FIG. 3 are satisfied. It is also preferable.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6B, the optical fiber portion 52 is provided so that a plurality of optical fibers, which are its constituent elements, surround the fruit (analysis target) in the xy plane. The plurality of exit surfaces 523 of the optical fiber unit 52 are arranged so as to surround the fruit (analysis target) installed in the device 5 (or pressed against the device 5).

By adopting such an arrangement, the optical fiber unit 52 can evenly irradiate the collimated light in a range of 360 degrees around the fruit (analysis target), and as a result, the bias in the entire fruit (analysis target) is uneven. It is also possible to measure the frequency (for example, sugar content and acidity) of a small target component.
[Analytical device using optical fiber 6]

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view (in terms of the zx plane) for explaining further other embodiments of the analyzer according to the invention.

The analyzer 6 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A is also an apparatus that irradiates a fruit such as a grape to be analyzed with light, captures the light from the fruit, and performs spectroscopic analysis. Specifically, the analyzer 6 includes an optical fiber unit 62 forming a collimating unit and a light receiving unit including an optical fiber, which includes one white LED 61, one collimating lens unit 621, and one optical fiber as a main body. It includes a 62e, a spectroscope 63, a light-shielding unit 661, a light-shielding ring 662, a control unit 64 (not shown below), a touch panel display 651, and a communication interface 652.

Further, this analyzer 6 also has a "housing portion" capable of displaying analysis / measurement results and a considerably lightweight fruit (analysis target), as in the analyzer 5 (FIG. 6 (A)). It is possible to have a structure in which a "housing portion" as an easy probe portion is connected by an optical fiber bundle.

Here, each functional unit of the analyzer 6 has the same structure and function as the functional unit of the same name in the analyzer 5 (FIG. 6 (A)) and performs the same function, but the light source of the analyzer 6 and the light source of the analyzer 6 The collimating section is different from the white LED 51 and the optical fiber section 52 (FIG. 6A) of the analyzer 5, and is an optical fiber section 62 using one white LED 61 and one optical fiber, respectively.

As a result, the volume of the optical fiber portion 62 occupied in the device 6 can be significantly reduced, and in particular, the "housing portion" as the probe portion pressed against the fruit (analysis target) can be made smaller and lighter. it can. As a result, the operability at the time of measurement is further improved.

In addition, in order to secure the amount of light for analysis, as one white LED 61 of the analyzer 6, an LED having a higher output (more radiated light) than the individual white LEDs 51 (FIG. 6 (A)) is used. It is also preferable to adopt it.
[Analytical device using optical fiber 7]

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view (in terms of the zx plane) for explaining further other embodiments of the analyzer according to the invention.

The analyzer 7 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8A is also an apparatus that irradiates a fruit such as a grape to be analyzed with light, captures the light from the fruit, and performs spectroscopic analysis. Specifically, the analyzer 7 includes an optical fiber unit 72 forming a collimating unit and a light receiving unit including an optical fiber, which includes a plurality of white LEDs 71, a plurality of collimating lens units 721, and a plurality of optical fibers serving as a main body. It includes a 72e, a spectroscope 73, a light-shielding unit 761, a light-shielding ring 762, a control unit 74 (not shown below), a touch panel display 751, and a communication interface 752.

Further, this analyzer 7 also has a "housing portion" capable of displaying analysis / measurement results and a considerably lightweight fruit (analysis target), as in the analyzer 5 (FIG. 6 (A)). It is possible to have a structure in which the "housing portion" as an easy probe portion is connected by an optical fiber bundle.

Here, each functional unit of the analyzer 7 has the same structure and function as the functional unit of the same name in the analyzer 5 (FIG. 6 (A)) and performs the same function. Among them, the optical fiber unit Compared with the plurality of optical fibers of the optical fiber unit 52 (FIG. 6 (A)), the plurality of optical fibers of 72 have the exit surface 723 at one end of the optical fiber unit 52 at a position closer to each other and the light receiving unit 72e. It is provided so as to be closer to the incident surface of. In line with this, these exit surfaces 723 are more inclined from the z-axis than the exit surface 523 (FIG. 6 (A)), and the emitted light is sufficiently small on the surface of the fruit (analysis target). It is set to be incident at the corner.

By bundling the plurality of exit surfaces 723 of the optical fiber portion 72 in a narrower range in this way, in particular, the housing portion as the probe portion that is pressed against the fruit (analysis target) in the apparatus 7 is made smaller and lighter. Can be transformed into. As a result, the operability at the time of measurement is further improved. Further, since the exit surface 723 to face the fruit (analysis target) and the incident surface of the light receiving portion 72e are close to each other, for example, the device 7 can be more easily pressed against the fruit (analysis target) being cultivated. You can also do it.

Further, as a modification, the optical fiber portion 72 of the analyzer 7 may be configured by one optical fiber as in the optical fiber portion 62 (FIG. 7). In this case, in particular, the "housing portion" as the probe portion in the device 7 can be further reduced in size and weight.

Although various embodiments of the analyzer according to the present invention have been described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, in any of these embodiments, of course, non-fruits can be analyzed. In this case, for example, it is also preferable to replace a part of the housing and the light-shielding portion with "adapter" of various sizes and shapes that can be replaced according to the type of the analysis target to enhance the versatility of the analyzer itself.

For example, as described above, the analysis target of the analyzer according to the present invention may be the finger of the subject (human), and the frequency and concentration of various components in the blood, for example, the blood glucose level can be measured. In this case, as the above-mentioned "adapter", for example, the bottom surface having a hole through which the exit surface of the collimating portion and the incident surface of the light receiving portion can be exposed, and the pad of the index finger (and immediately beside the belly) is pressed against it. It is also possible to adopt a case in which the bottom surface curved as much as possible is surrounded by an outer wall in the shape of a fingertip. As a result, it is possible to reliably and stably realize an appropriate positional relationship between the fingertip to be analyzed, the emitting surface, and the incident surface (of the light receiving portion).

As described above, according to the present invention, the special positional relationship as described above is realized between the collimating unit, the analysis target, and the analysis unit (the light receiving unit that transmits light to the analysis unit). It is possible to avoid receiving light other than "scattered light that actually contains the most information on the frequency of the components". That is, since the spectroscopic analysis is performed only on the light to be measured, it is possible to further improve the measurement accuracy of the frequency of the target component as a result.

Further, according to the present invention, the collimating light can be applied to the analysis target. As a result, even if there is a slight change in the installation position of the analysis target, it is possible to inject a substantially constant designed amount of light onto the analysis target in a stable incident mode. As a result, the scattered light to be measured can be captured more stably, and the analysis / measurement result itself is stable, so that the measurement accuracy can be stably improved.

Further, the analysis target according to the present invention also covers various agricultural products, marine products, animals, plants, foods, and those containing their components, and the analyzer and analysis method according to the present invention are used in various fields. It can be used effectively.

It should be noted that all of the embodiments described above are exemplary and not limited to the present invention, and the present invention can be carried out in various other modifications and modifications. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and their equivalents.

1,2,3,4,5,6,7 Analyzer 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71 White LED (light source)
12, 22, 32, 42 light guide (colimating part)
121, 221 , 72e Light receiving unit 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63, 73 Spectrometer (analysis unit)
14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64, 74 Control unit 151, 251, 351, 451, 551, 651, 751 Touch panel display 152, 252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 752 Communication interface 161, 261 361, 461, 561, 661, 761 Light-shielding part 162, 262, 362, 462, 562, 662, 762 Light-shielding ring 52, 62, 72 Optical fiber part

Claims (12)

It is an analyzer that analyzes the analysis target with light.
With at least one light source
A collimating portion that converts the light emitted from the light source into collimating light, and at least one collimating portion provided so that the collimating light can be irradiated to the analysis target.
At least one analysis unit that receives light from the analysis target and performs analysis, which is provided so as not to receive light emitted from the collimating unit and irradiated to the analysis target and traveling substantially straight in the analysis target. An analyzer characterized by having. The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the collimating unit is provided so that at least one emitting surface from which the collimated light is emitted can surround the analysis target. The collimating portion is provided so that the collimating light can be applied to the peripheral surface of the analysis target, which is the surface portion of the analysis target and surrounds the surface portion facing the light receiving portion of the analysis unit. The analyzer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the analyzer is characterized by the above. The collimating portion includes a substantially tubular or hollow substantially frustum-shaped light guide, and an exit surface from which the collimated light is emitted is provided on one end of the light guide so as to face the analysis target. The analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the analyzer is provided. The light guide body has a reflection inner surface that reflects at least a part of the light propagating inside and directs the light toward the exit surface at one end thereof or in the vicinity of the one end portion. The analyzer according to 4. The analyzer according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the one end portion of the light guide body is a protruding portion protruding toward the analysis target. The analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the collimating portion includes an optical fiber, and an exit surface from which the collimated light is emitted is one end of the optical fiber. The analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the collimating portion has a collimating lens portion at an end portion that receives light emitted from the light source. The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a light-shielding portion provided at a position that blocks the incident path of noise light that can be incident on the surface portion irradiated with the collimated light in the analysis target. The analyzer described. The collimating unit and the analysis unit are installed so that the angle between the direction of the light emitted from the collimating unit and the direction of the light vertically incident on the light receiving window of the analysis unit is approximately 90 degrees or more. The analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the analyzer is characterized by the above. The analysis targets are agricultural products, liquids or liquids containing agricultural products, marine products, liquids or liquids containing marine products, animal parts, liquids or liquids containing animal components, plant parts, plant components. It is one of a liquid or liquid containing liquid, a food, and a liquid or liquid containing a component of food, and the analysis unit relates to the presence or absence or the degree of content of a predetermined component contained inside the analysis target. The analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the amount is determined. It is an analysis method that analyzes the analysis target with light.
The light emitted from at least one light source is defined as collimated light.
Irradiate the collimated light to the analysis target,
The light emitted from the analysis target is received at a position where the light radiated to the analysis target and does not receive the light traveling straight in the analysis target.
An analysis method characterized in that analysis is performed using the received light.

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