JP2003149149A - Portable liquid contamination measuring device, portable in-liquid diffusion concentration measuring device, and method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide portable measuring devices enabling visual evaluation of contamination by comparing contaminated automobile engine oil with a reference liquid and also enabling the quantification of the contamination. SOLUTION: The units constituting the devices are accommodated in a casing, which are a reference liquid sampling unit; a specimen liquid sampling unit; a specimen liquid transmitting light generating unit consisting of a chain of a light source, an optical fiber, a specimen liquid, and an optical fiber; a signal generating unit for detecting and displaying the quantity of transmitted light; and a suction means for introducing the specimen liquid into the specimen liquid sampling unit. A display unit is provided on the surface of the casing for exhibiting the specimen liquid contamination level or the diffused substance concentration level according to signals from the signal generating unit. The reference liquid sampling unit and the specimen liquid sampling unit are seen through from outside the casing for enabling the visual observation of the reference liquid and the specimen liquid.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable liquid fouling measuring instrument for checking the fouling degree of lubricating oil for automobile engines, for example.

[0002]

Lubricating oils are used in various fields such as vehicles such as automobiles, ships and various machines. For example, in automobiles, in order to reduce the friction between the cylinder and piston of the engine, while supplying lubricating oil from the oil tank through the pipe, the used oil is filtered halfway through the pipe and then returned to the oil tank. Are used in a circulating manner. Although the lubricating oil circulated and used in this way is said to be filtered, as the usage time becomes longer, not only the contamination increases due to the inclusion of wear products such as cylinders and pistons, but also the reduction in weight. To do. In order to supplement this amount of reduction, the metal dipstick is inserted into the lubricating oil in the oil tank and pulled up, and the current amount in the tank can be known by the level up to which the lubricating oil is wet. However, at the same time, the lubricating oil adhering to the measuring rod or a part of the lubricating oil is sampled on the filter paper, and the degree of contamination is visually determined by the degree of coloration. It is important to know at which stage the oil is contaminated because it is necessary to replace the oil when it is highly contaminated and cannot sufficiently function as a lubricating oil.

[0003]

However, the above method is only a qualitative evaluation method by visual inspection, and even if it is used by an unskilled person, the difference can be discriminated when the stain exceeds a certain level. It is virtually impossible to do. The object of the present invention is to be able to quantitatively determine the degree of contamination of a liquid such as lubricating oil or the concentration of a dispersion, and the determination can be convinced by the naked eye as being in line with the actual situation. The present invention provides a liquid stain measuring device or a liquid dispersion concentration measuring device which can be easily used, and a method of using the same.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides (1) a standard solution collecting portion which is provided in a case and which can be seen through a window portion of the case and is arranged side by side. A sample liquid collecting part, a sample liquid transmitted light generating means for generating light transmitted through the sample liquid by injecting light into the sample liquid collected by the sample liquid collecting part, and receiving the transmitted light. Provided is a portable liquid stain measuring instrument which is formed to be portable and which has at least light amount detecting and displaying means for detecting the amount of light and visually displaying on the outside of the case the degree of contamination of the sample liquid based on the detected value. It is a thing. In addition, the present invention provides (2), the sample liquid transmitted light generating means, a light source, a light introducing path for introducing the light of the light source, a reflecting mirror for reflecting the incident light from the tip of the light introducing path, There is a reflected light lead-out path for receiving the reflected light from the reflecting mirror, and the respective tips of the light introduction path and the reflected light lead-out path and the reflecting mirror are fixed so that they can be immersed in the sample solution collected in the sample solution collecting section. The sample solution collecting section has an introduction path for introducing the sample solution in a state in which a tip of the sample solution is projected to the outside of the case and a pipe dipable in the sample solution can be connected. Suction means for sucking the inside of the sampling section is provided so that the operation section projects outside the case, and the sample solution sampling section sucks the sample solution by the operation of the operation section through the pipe and the introducing section. Can be installed and stored as Vessels, (3), portable liquid contamination measuring instrument of the suction means is a body excluding the syringe needle (2),
(4), the portable liquid contamination measuring device according to (2) or (3), wherein the light introduction path and the reflected light exit path are optical fibers.
(5), the sample liquid is a lubricating oil during or after use, which is a portable liquid stain measuring instrument according to any one of the above (1) to (4), (6), the sample liquid is a dispersion-containing liquid, A portable liquid dispersion concentration measuring instrument for measuring the dispersion concentration of the dispersion-containing liquid by using the portable liquid stain measuring instrument according to any one of the above (1) to (4), (7), a standard solution A standard solution with no contamination or dispersion of the solution to be checked is collected in advance in the sampling section, and the solution to be checked is sampled in the sample solution sampling section so that both can be visually compared. The portable liquid stain measuring instrument according to any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the sample liquid transmitted light generating means and the light quantity detection and display means are operated to display the stain degree or dispersion concentration of the liquid to be checked. How to use a portable liquid dispersion concentration meter It is intended to provide.

[0005]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, 1 is a book-like case that can be held by one hand (length 18 cm, width 9.5 c).
m, thickness 4.8 cm, and may be separable into a main body and a lid), and inside thereof, a standard liquid collecting part 2 made of a transparent container such as a resin having a detachable lid, and a resin A sample liquid collecting part 3 composed of a container body 3c having upper and lower introducing pipe parts 3a and connecting pipe parts 3b formed of a transparent material such as
The sample liquid transmitted light generating mechanism (turbidity sensor) 4 shown in FIG. 3 which is installed and fixed in the container body 3c, the surface coated optical fiber 4a as a light introducing path in the sample liquid transmitted light generating mechanism 4, and an optical connector. Light source, connected via
For example, a laser diode or a lamp 5, a light quantity detection display device 6 connected via an optical connector to an optical fiber 4b as a reflected light derivation path in the sample liquid transmitted light generation mechanism 4, and a connection to the connecting pipe portion 3b. Cylinder 3d connected by press fitting, screw tightening, etc. (cylinder of syringe)
Is fixedly provided, and a plunger 3e (piston of a syringe) that can freely move back and forth is inserted into this cylinder, and the operation knob 3e-1 at the outer end of the plunger 3e projects to the outside of the case 1 in its maximum entry state. To be done. It can be said that the cylinder and the plunger are the main body excluding the needle of the syringe,
A dropper or something similar may be used. A window 2a and a window 3f are provided on the front side of the case 1 corresponding to the standard solution collecting section 2 and the container body 3c (may be covered with a transparent plate), and the standard solution and sample collected respectively. The degree of contamination of the liquid, that is, the degree of turbidity and the degree of transparency can be visually checked.

On the front side of the case 1, the LED (light emitting diode) display portion 6a of the light quantity detection display device 6 is divided into 12 stages of contamination (3 regions of green, yellow and red, 4 regions for each region). It is provided so that it lights up for each section, and a numeral notation is shown on the surface of the case 1 next to each section to indicate the degree of contamination.
In the display by the LED, a detector that detects the light amount by the photoelectric conversion element and outputs the detection signal, a calculation unit that calculates a numerical value indicating the degree of contamination of the sample liquid based on this detection signal, and the calculation result It is also possible to have an output section for outputting as a display signal, and to cause the LED at the corresponding stage of contamination to emit light according to the display signal from the output section. In the case of automobile engine oil, the dirt of unused clean oil is assumed to be the least dirty, and for example, the oil after running the vehicle for 40,000 km is sampled and the dirt level is considered to be the most dirty. Including these, the stain level is divided into 12 levels, and the photoelectric conversion value from the standard sample and the display of each stain level are associated in advance for each stain level.
The classification of the dirt stage is not limited to 12 stages. The light amount detection and display device 5 may detect the difference in light amount between the incident light and the sample liquid transmitted light, and based on this, the display of the corresponding section may be made visible. Also in this case, the standard sample is obtained in advance. Further, a push button switch 7 is provided on the front side of the case 1, and a battery provided in the case 1 replaceably by the operation of the push button switch 7 allows the lamp 5 and the sample liquid transmitted light generation mechanism 4 to be replaced. The light quantity detection display device 6 can be operated. In addition, the introduction pipe section 3
The tip of a is projected to the outside of the case 1, and 3 g of a nozzle with a cock (length: 9.5 cm) is detachably connected thereto by press fitting, screwing or the like. The length between the both ends of the cocked nozzle 3g and the plunger 3e in the maximum entry state is, for example, 31.5 cm.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sample liquid transmitted light generating mechanism (turbidity sensor) 4 has tip portions of a surface-coated optical fiber 4a as a light introducing path and a surface-coated optical fiber 4b as a reflected light guiding path. Through one side of the container body 3c and press-fitted into a fitting hole of a positioning plate 4c made of an oil resistant material, the end surface of which is positioned to the positioning plate 4c.
The positioning plate 4c and the reflecting mirror 4d obtained by surface-treating the metal plate in this state are press-fitted to both ends of the spacing cylinder 4e made of an oil resistant material (an adhesive may be interposed). ), And the spacing cylinder 4e is not shown in the figure, but is fixed by appropriate means such as rising springs from both sides. Openings 4f, 4g are formed on both side surfaces of the space holding cylinder 4e, and the sample liquid sucked into the container body 3c is filled therein also from the space holding cylinder 4e. In each of the end faces of the surface-coated optical fiber 4a and the surface-coated optical fiber 4b positioned on the positioning plate 4c in this state, the light incident from the former is reflected by the surface of the reflecting mirror 4d and received by the latter. During this time, the light attenuates according to the degree of contamination while passing through the sample liquid, and the amount of light decreases. By detecting the amount of light after the attenuation, an electric signal corresponding to the degree of dirt is generated, and the LED of the corresponding section is caused to emit light based on the electric signal. It is preferable to adjust the angle of the end surface of each surface-coated optical fiber so that there is no loss in the amount of received light. It is also preferable that each member is subjected to surface treatment such as gold plating so that corrosion such as oxidation due to the sample liquid or the like and other adverse effects are less likely to occur.

In this way, the constituent members are internally fixed to the case 1, and the introduction pipe portion 3a and the piston operation knob 3e-
1 is a handy portable liquid stain that projects from the case 1, attaches a nozzle 3g with a cock as an accessory to the introduction pipe portion 3a, and further connects a flexible pipe (not shown) as an accessory to the cock nozzle 3g. Measuring instrument (main body is 813
g) is obtained. The standard solution collecting unit 2 collects a standard solution, for example, an unused engine oil for automobiles, which is free of dirt. Replace when old. In such a state, for example, when checking the dirty state of engine oil of a car as a customer request or service of a store at a gas station or the like, when the nozzle 3g with a cock or the flexible pipe is not connected With these, go to the site with the portable liquid dirt measuring instrument and assemble it as described above. Then, the tip of the flexible pipe is infiltrated into the oil in the oil tank of the sample liquid, for example, the automobile engine oil during use and after use, and when the operation knob 3e-1 is pulled out, the oil is flexible pipe and the introduction pipe part. Sample liquid collecting unit 3 via 3a
It is sucked into the container body 3c, but its operation is stopped when the oil is filled. At that time, the piston may be kept stopped by the contact friction between the cylinder and the plunger, or it may be held by a finger, or other appropriate means can be adopted. In this state, the nozzle with cock 3
Close the cock of g and pull out and disconnect the flexible pipe.

[0009] Then, bring the portable liquid stain measuring instrument which collects the oil of the sample liquid to the customer, and put it in the oil of the standard liquid of the standard liquid collecting part 2 and the container body 3c of the sample liquid collecting part 3. By visually observing the collected oil through the windows 2a, 3a, the degree of contamination of the collected oil can be sensuously notified. At this time, when it is desired to quantitatively know the contamination of the oil, when the push button switch 7 is pressed, the lamp 5 is turned on in the sample liquid transmitted light generating mechanism 4, and the light is reflected by the surface coated optical fiber 4a and the reflecting mirror. 4d,
It is transmitted to the light amount detection display device 6 via the surface-coated optical fiber 4b, and any one of the 12 stages of the display portion 6a corresponding to the dirt of the oil collected by the light amount detection display device 6 is lit and displayed, and the degree of the dirt is indicated. Can be grasped objectively. And change the oil when needed. After that, press the push button switch 7 and the lamp 5
Turns off, and the operation of the light amount detection display device 6 is stopped. This completes the check of the degree of oil contamination, but when the cock of the nozzle 3g with a cock is opened and the plunger 3e is repeatedly moved forward and backward by the operation knob 3e-1, the sample liquid sampling unit 3
Since the oil can be discharged to the outside, it can be returned to the oil tank. When performing the cleaning, it is advisable to suck the cleaning liquid from the tip of the nozzle 3g with a cock and then repeatedly move the plunger back and forth, and then remove the cleaning liquid from the tip of the nozzle 3g with a cock. When it is dried, it can be used again.

It should be noted that the display of the liquid stain may be a display of the transparency, or may be displayed in different colors, based on the shade of the color, by the numerical value, by the message, or by the LED. Alternatively, for example, it is possible to illuminate a corresponding part of the display plate such as a number, these may be used together, or voice may be used or used together. Further, the sample liquid, that is, the liquid to be checked may be not only the engine oil but also other liquids. On the contrary, the stain may be regarded as the concentration of dispersed solid particles or liquid particles and used as a concentration measuring device. At that time, for example, an exhaust gas of an automobile or the like is blown into an appropriate liquid (a solvent that easily disperses noncombustible carbon or the like, an aqueous liquid containing a surfactant, etc.), and the dispersion liquid in which the particles are dispersed An exhaust gas contamination measuring device for measuring the concentration of The “dirt” may be a “dirt check”.

[0011]

According to the present invention, the degree of contamination of a liquid such as lubricating oil can be quantitatively discriminated, and the discrimination can be convinced by the naked eye as being in accordance with the actual situation. Therefore, the reliability is increased and the portable device can be carried. One, anyone can use it easily,
Customers in the driver's seat can also see the results,
For example, in the case of oil for engine of an automobile, if the correspondence between the indication of each division of the stain stage and the mileage of the automobile is obtained in advance, it is possible to predict the oil change time by knowing the measured stain stage. Further, the dispersion concentration of the dispersion-containing liquid can be easily known, and the particle concentration of the exhaust gas can be easily known by applying this.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portable liquid stain measuring instrument for an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective explanatory view of a state in which a part of the sample liquid transmitted light generating mechanism is incorporated in a container body of a part of the sample liquid collecting part inside thereof.

[Simple explanation of the sign]

1 case 2 Standard solution sampling section 2a window 3 Sample liquid sampling section 3a window 4 Sample liquid transmitted light generation means 6 Light intensity detection display 6a display section

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masahiko Kido             24 Imezaki, Ichihara, Chiba Prefecture 4 Idemitsu Kosan             Sales Laboratory Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuo Hada             Narashinodai 8-chome, Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture F term (reference) 2G059 AA01 AA10 BB04 EE01 EE02                       FF08 GG01 GG10 JJ13 JJ17                       KK01 MM01 PP04

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A standard solution collecting part and a sample solution collecting part, which are respectively provided in a case and can be seen through a window of the case, and a sample solution collected in the sample solution collecting part is exposed to light. And a sample liquid transmitted light generating means for generating a transmitted light which is transmitted through the sample liquid and the transmitted light is received and the amount of the light is detected, and the contamination degree of the sample liquid is determined based on the detected value as the outside of the case. A portable liquid stain measuring instrument that is formed to be portable and that has at least light amount detection and display means for visually displaying on the screen. 2. The sample liquid transmitted light generating means includes a light source, a light introducing path for introducing the light of the light source, a reflecting mirror for reflecting incident light from the tip of the light introducing path, and a reflection from the reflecting mirror. It has a reflected light lead-out path for receiving light, and the tip of each of the light lead-in path and the reflected light lead-out path and the reflecting mirror are fixedly provided so that they can be dipped in the sample solution collected in the sample solution collecting part. The sample liquid collecting portion has an introduction path for introducing the sample liquid in a state in which a pipe is connected to the tip of the sample liquid so as to project to the outside of the case and the sample liquid can be immersed in the sample liquid collecting portion. A suction means for sucking is provided with the operating portion protruding outside the case, and the sample liquid collecting portion can introduce and store the sample liquid through the pipe and the introducing portion by suction by operating the operating portion. The portable liquid stain measuring instrument according to claim 1. 3. The portable liquid stain measuring instrument according to claim 2, wherein the suction means is a main body of the syringe excluding the needle. 4. The portable liquid stain measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the light introduction path and the reflected light exit path are optical fibers. 5. The sample liquid is a lubricating oil.
The portable liquid stain measuring instrument according to any one of 1. 6. The portable liquid stain measuring instrument according to claim 1, wherein the sample liquid is a dispersion-containing liquid, and the portable liquid stain measuring device is used for measuring the dispersion concentration of the dispersion-containing liquid. Dispersion concentration measuring instrument in liquid. 7. A standard solution having no stain or dispersion of the solution to be checked is collected in advance in the standard solution collecting section, and the solution to be checked is sampled in the sample solution collecting section. 7. The portable liquid according to claim 1, wherein the sample liquid transmitted light generation means and the light amount detection display means are operated to enable visual comparison and display the degree of contamination of the liquid to be checked or the dispersion concentration. How to use a dirt measuring device or a portable liquid dispersion concentration measuring device.