JP2006064554A - Smell measuring instrument and smell measuring method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a smell measuring instrument simple in constitution, capable of enhancing the throughput or precision in the measurement of a smell and capable of reducing the consumption amount of standard air required in washing treatment, and to provide a smell measuring method. <P>SOLUTION: The smell measuring instrument is equipped with a smell sensor 100 having a response part 101 capable of feeling the smell of gas, a gas supply means 200 capable of supplying the gas to the response part 101 and an ozone gas supply means 300 capable of supplying an ozone gas to the response part 101 in place of a conventional smell measuring instrument for measuring the smell of the gas. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an odor measuring apparatus and an odor measuring method for measuring a gas odor. In particular, the present invention relates to an odor measuring apparatus and an odor measuring method characterized by its structure and its structure.

There are various types of odor measuring devices for measuring the odor of gas depending on the type of odor sensor.
Examples of the odor sensor include an odor sensor using a metal oxide semiconductor, an odor sensor combining a synthetic film and a crystal resonator, and an odor sensor using a biosensor.
In either case, the odor is measured by paying attention to the fact that the odorous substance contained in the gas to be measured adheres to the sensitive part and changes the physical characteristics, chemical characteristics, and electrical characteristics of the odor sensor.
The smell is specified by the intensity of the smell and the kind of the smell. The intensity of the odor of gas and the kind of odor are expressed with the odor of a specific gas as a zero point.
In general, a specific gas is air (hereinafter referred to as odorless air) having a weak odor that humans cannot perceive.
Typically, odorless air is air that has been passed through activated carbon or standard air.
Standard air is artificial air obtained by mixing nitrogen and oxygen in the same ratio as air.

For example, the operation principle of a metal oxide semiconductor odor sensor will be described.
The metal oxide semiconductor is made of a metal oxide, for example, an n-type semiconductor in which an appropriate oxidation catalyst is mixed in tin oxide or zinc oxide. By appropriately selecting the type of oxidation catalyst, the operating temperature, the pore diameter of the porous sintered structure, and the like, an odor sensor having desired sensitivity characteristics for various odors can be obtained.
Most of the odorous substances contained in the gas are volatile reducing substances.
In order to measure this gas odor with an odor sensor, the following procedure is used.
In the initial state, odorless air such as standard air is supplied to the sensitive part of the odor sensor. Oxygen contained in the odorless air oxidizes the surface of the sensitive part of the odor sensor and takes away the electrons inside the metal oxide semiconductor. Since there is a shortage of electrons inside the metal oxide semiconductor, the metal oxide semiconductor has low electrical conductivity. Therefore, the electrical resistance value is increased.
When the odorous substance adheres to the sensitive part of the odor sensor, the odorous substance supplies electrons to the oxygen on the surface of the sensitive part, so that the electrons taken by the oxygen return to the metal oxide semiconductor, and inside the metal oxide semiconductor. The number of electrons increases and the electrical conductivity increases. Therefore, the electrical resistance value is lowered.
This variation in electrical conductivity or electrical resistance value is electrically detected and quantified, and used as an odor measuring device.

For example, the odor measuring device includes a measurement space in which the sensitive part of the odor sensor is exposed. . The odor measuring device sucks odorous substances together with the atmosphere through a conduit with an air pump and guides them to the measurement space of the measurement chamber. Since the gas containing the odorous substance is supplied to the sensitive part of the odor sensor and the above-described movement of electrons occurs, the odor sensor can sense the odor. After capturing the output of the odor sensor, the gas containing the odor substance is discharged from the measurement space.
Since most of the odor substance is an organic chemical substance, the odor substance adheres to the sensitive part of the odor sensor, the conduit, and the inner surface of the measurement chamber. In particular, the odor substance adheres firmly to the sensitive part while sharing electrons.
After measuring one odor sample, a cleaning process is required. If the cleaning process is not performed, the odor substance adhering to the sensitive part at the time of measuring the next odor sample causes a measurement error.
In the cleaning process, odorless air is introduced into the measurement space. Usually, the output of the odor sensor returns to the initial state by continuing the cleaning process for several minutes to several tens of minutes.
The time required for the cleaning process depends on the intensity of the odor substance and the kind of odor. For example, it is difficult for scents and vanilla to take off odors, and the cleaning process requires ten minutes. If the cleaning process takes time, the odor measurement throughput decreases. In addition, measurement accuracy cannot be improved unless sufficient time is taken for the cleaning process. In particular, since standard air is artificially produced, it is expensive and there is a demand for reducing its consumption.

Registered Utility Model No. 3074494

  The present invention has been devised in view of the problems described above, and can improve the throughput or accuracy of odor measurement or reduce the consumption of standard air required for the cleaning process with a simple configuration. An odor measuring device and an odor measuring method are provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, an odor measuring apparatus for measuring the odor of gas according to the present invention includes an odor sensor having a sensitive part capable of sensing the odor of gas, and a gas capable of supplying gas to the sensitive part. Supply means and ozone gas supply means capable of supplying ozone gas to the sensitive part are provided.

With the configuration of the present invention, the sensitive part of the odor sensor can feel the odor of gas,
Since the gas supply means can supply gas to the sensitive part, and the ozone gas supply means can supply ozone gas to the sensitive part, the gas is supplied to the sensitive part and the odor substance contained in the gas When ozone gas is supplied to the sensitive part after the is attached to the sensitive part, the oxidizing power of the ozone gas decreases the reducing power of the odorous substance attached to the sensitive part, and the odorous substance is easily separated from the sensitive part. The time for the output of the odor sensor to return to the initial state can be shortened.

Further, in the odor measuring apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the ozone gas supply means is an ozone gas having an ozone concentration corresponding to one or a combination of odor intensity or odor type felt by the odor sensor. Supply,
According to the configuration of the present invention, the ozone concentration of the ozone gas supplied to the sensitive unit corresponds to one or a combination of the odor intensity and / or the odor type felt by the odor sensor. By optimizing with respect to the amount or type of the odor substance attached to the sensitive part, the time for the output of the odor sensor to return to the initial state can be shortened.

  In order to achieve the above object, an odor measuring apparatus for measuring a gas odor according to the present invention has an odor sensor having a sensitive part capable of sensing a gas odor and a measurement space in which the sensitive part is exposed. A measurement chamber, gas introduction means for introducing gas into the measurement space, ozone gas generation means for generating ozone gas, and ozone gas introduction means for introducing the ozone gas into the measurement space are provided.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, the sensitive part of the odor sensor can feel the odor of gas, the sensitive part is exposed to the measurement space of the measurement chamber, the gas introduction means introduces gas into the measurement space, and ozone gas Since the generating means generates ozone gas and the ozone gas introducing means introduces ozone gas into the measurement chamber, after the gas is introduced into the measurement space and the odorous substance contained in the gas adheres to the wall surface and the sensitive part of the measurement space When ozone gas is introduced into the measurement space, the oxidizing power of the ozone gas reduces the reducing power of the odorous substance adhering to the wall surface and the sensitive part of the measurement space, and the odorous substance is easily separated from the sensitive part. It is possible to shorten the time for the output of the output to return to the initial state.

  In order to achieve the above object, an odor measuring apparatus for measuring a gas odor according to the present invention has an odor sensor having a sensitive part capable of sensing a gas odor and a measurement space in which the sensitive part is exposed. A measurement chamber, gas introduction means for introducing gas into the measurement space, and ozone gas generation means for generating ozone in the measurement space are provided.

  With the configuration of the present invention, the sensitive part of the odor sensor can feel the odor of gas, the sensitive part is exposed to the measurement space of the measurement chamber, the gas introducing means introduces gas into the measurement space, and Since the ozone gas generation means generates ozone in the measurement space, ozone gas is generated in the measurement space after gas is introduced into the measurement space and odorous substances contained in the gas adhere to the wall surface and the sensitive part of the measurement space. Then, the oxidizing power of ozone gas reduces the reducing power of odorous substances adhering to the wall of the measurement space and the sensitive part, making it easier for the odorous substances to leave the sensitive part, and the time for the odor sensor output to return to the initial state. Can be shortened.

Further, in the odor measuring apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the ozone gas generating means has an ozone gas having an ozone concentration corresponding to one or a combination of odor intensity or odor type felt by the odor sensor. Generate
According to the configuration of the present invention, the ozone concentration of the generated ozone gas corresponds to one or a combination of the odor intensity and the odor type felt by the odor sensor, so that the oxidizing power of ozone gas is applied to the sensitive part. By optimizing with respect to the amount of adhering odor substance or the kind of odor, the time for the output of the odor sensor to return to the initial state can be shortened.

Further, in the odor measuring apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the ozone gas generating means can generate ozone in a pulse shape having a single pulse duration T and a pulse number N, and the odor sensor feels strong odor. The duration T of the single pulse and the number N of pulses are determined corresponding to one or both of the types of odors and odors.
According to the above configuration of the present invention, the single pulse duration T and the pulse number N are determined corresponding to one or a combination of the intensity of the odor sensed by the odor sensor or the odor type, and a single pulse Since ozone can be generated in a pulse shape having a duration T and a pulse number N, the ozone concentration of ozone gas is adjusted by simple control, and the amount of odorous substances adhering to the sensitive part is determined by adjusting the ozone concentration of ozone gas. By optimizing with respect to the type of odor, the time required for the output of the odor sensor to return to the initial state can be reduced.

Furthermore, in the odor measuring apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the ozone gas generation means has an ozonization device that ozonizes oxygen by discharge, and the duration of the unit pulse is the discharge time of the discharge.
With the configuration of the present invention, since the ozonization device ozonizes oxygen by discharge and the duration of the unit pulse is the discharge time of the discharge, the ozone concentration can be adjusted with a simple configuration that adjusts the discharge time.

Furthermore, in the odor measuring apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the odor sensor is a metal oxide semiconductor sensor, and the ozone concentration is selected from a value between 0.2 ppm and 1.00 ppm.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the odor sensor is a metal oxide semiconductor sensor, and the ozone concentration is selected from a value between 0.2 ppm and 1.00 ppm. Can be prevented from acting excessively on the sensitive part, and the time for the output of the odor sensor to return to the initial state can be shortened.

  In order to achieve the above object, an odor measurement method for measuring a gas odor according to the present invention includes a preparation step of preparing an odor sensor having a sensitive portion that senses the odor of gas, and a gas that supplies gas to the sensitive portion. A supply process and an ozone gas supply process for supplying ozone gas to the sensitive part are provided.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, the sensitive part of the odor sensor can sense the odor of gas, gas is supplied to the sensitive part, and ozone gas is supplied to the sensitive part. If ozone gas is supplied to the sensitive part after the odorous substance contained in the sensitive part is attached to the sensitive part, the oxidizing power of the ozone gas reduces the reducing power of the odorous substance attached to the sensitive part, and the odorous substance is removed from the sensitive part. It becomes easy to separate, and the time for the output of the odor sensor to return to the initial state can be shortened.

Furthermore, in the odor measurement method according to the embodiment of the present invention, the ozone gas supply step is an ozone gas having an ozone concentration corresponding to one or a combination of odor intensity or odor type felt by the odor sensor. Supply.
With the configuration of the present invention, the ozone concentration of the supplied ozone gas corresponds to one or a combination of the odor intensity and the odor type felt by the odor sensor, so that the oxidizing power of ozone gas is applied to the sensitive part. By optimizing with respect to the amount of adhering odor substance or the kind of odor, the time for the output of the odor sensor to return to the initial state can be shortened.

  In order to achieve the above object, an odor measurement method for measuring a gas odor according to the present invention includes an odor sensor having a sensitive part that senses a gas odor and a measurement chamber having a measurement space in which the sensitive part is exposed. A preparation step to prepare, a gas introduction step for introducing gas into the measurement space, an ozone gas generation step for generating ozone gas, and an ozone gas introduction step for introducing the ozone gas into the measurement space are provided.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, the sensitive part of the odor sensor can sense the odor of gas, the sensitive part is exposed inside the measurement space of the measurement chamber, the gas is introduced into the measurement space, and ozone gas is generated. Since the gas is introduced into the measurement space and the odorous substance contained in the gas adheres to the wall and the sensitive part of the measurement space, ozone gas is generated and supplied to the measurement space. Oxidizing power of ozone gas reduces the reducing power of odorous substances adhering to the wall and sensitive part of the measurement space, making it easier for odorous substances to leave the sensitive part, and shortening the time for the odor sensor output to return to the initial state. I can do it.

  In order to achieve the above object, an odor measuring method for measuring the odor of gas according to the present invention includes an odor sensor having a sensitive part that senses the odor of gas, and a measurement chamber having a measurement space in which the sensitive part is exposed. And a preparation step for preparing gas, a gas introduction step for introducing gas into the measurement space, and an ozone gas generation step for generating ozone in the measurement space.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, the sensitive part of the odor sensor can feel the odor of gas, the sensitive part is exposed to the measurement space of the measurement chamber, the gas is introduced into the measurement space, and ozone is introduced into the measurement space. Therefore, after the gas is introduced into the measurement space and the odorous substance contained in the gas adheres to the wall surface and the sensitive part of the measurement space, the ozone gas is generated in the measurement space. The reducing power of the odorous substance adhering to the wall surface and the sensitive part is reduced, the odorous substance is easily separated from the sensitive part, and the time for the output of the odor sensor to return to the initial state can be shortened.

Further, in the odor measurement method according to the embodiment of the present invention, the ozone gas generation step is an ozone gas having an ozone concentration corresponding to one or a combination of odor intensity or odor type felt by the odor sensor. Is generated.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the ozone concentration of the generated ozone gas corresponds to one or a combination of the odor intensity and the odor type felt by the odor sensor, so that the oxidizing power of ozone gas is applied to the sensitive part. By optimizing with respect to the amount or type of attached odor substance, the time for the output of the odor sensor to return to the initial state can be shortened.

Further, in the odor measuring method according to the embodiment of the present invention, the ozone gas generating step can generate ozone in a pulse shape having a single pulse duration T and a pulse number N, and the odor sensor feels strong odor. The duration T of the single pulse and the number N of pulses are determined corresponding to one or both of the types of odors and odors.
According to the above configuration of the present invention, the single pulse duration T and the pulse number N are determined corresponding to one or a combination of the intensity of the odor sensed by the odor sensor or the odor type, and a single pulse Since ozone can be generated in a pulse shape having a duration T and a pulse number N, the ozone concentration of ozone gas is adjusted by simple control, and the amount of odorous substances adhering to the sensitive part is determined by adjusting the ozone concentration of ozone gas. By optimizing the type, it is possible to shorten the time for the output of the odor sensor to return to the initial state.

Furthermore, in the odor measuring method according to the embodiment of the present invention, the ozone gas generation step ozonizes oxygen by discharge, and the unit pulse duration is the discharge discharge time.
With the configuration of the present invention, oxygen is ozonized by discharge, and the duration of the unit pulse is the discharge time of the discharge. Therefore, the ozone concentration can be adjusted with a simple configuration that adjusts the discharge time.

Furthermore, in the odor measuring method according to the embodiment of the present invention, the odor sensor is a metal oxide semiconductor sensor, and the ozone concentration is selected from a value between 0.2 ppm and 1.00 ppm.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the odor sensor is a metal oxide semiconductor sensor, and the ozone concentration is selected from a value between 0.2 ppm and 1.00 ppm. It is possible to reduce the time for the output of the odor sensor to return to the initial state by suppressing the excessive action on the sensitive part.

As described above, the odor measuring apparatus and the odor measuring method for measuring the odor of gas according to the present invention have the following effects depending on the configuration.
An odor sensor with a sensitive part that senses odor is prepared, so that gas can be supplied to the sensitive part and ozone gas can be supplied to the sensitive part. If ozone gas is supplied to the sensitive part after adhering to the sensitive part, the oxidizing power of the ozone gas reduces the reducing power of the odorous substance adhering to the sensitive part, making it easier for the odorous substance to leave the sensitive part, The time required for the sensor output to return to the initial state can be shortened.
Further, since the ozone concentration of the supplied ozone gas corresponds to one or a combination of the odor intensity and / or the odor type felt by the odor sensor, the oxidizing power of the ozone gas is reduced by the odor substance adhering to the sensitive part. By optimizing for the quantity or type, the time for the output of the odor sensor to return to the initial state can be shortened.
In addition, an odor sensor with a sensitive part that senses odor is prepared, the sensitive part is exposed to the measurement space of the measurement chamber, gas is introduced into the measurement space, and ozone gas can be introduced into the measurement space. After the odorous substance contained in the gas is introduced into the measurement space and adheres to the wall and the sensitive part of the measurement space, when ozone gas is supplied to the measurement space, the oxidizing power of the ozone gas causes the wall of the measurement space and the sensitive part to This reduces the reducing power of the odorous substance adhering to the odorous substance, makes it easier for the odorous substance to leave the sensitive part, and shortens the time for the output of the odorous sensor to return to the initial state.
In addition, an odor sensor with a sensitive part that senses odor is prepared, the sensitive part is exposed inside the measurement space of the measurement chamber, and gas is introduced into the measurement space so that ozone can be generated in the measurement space. When ozone gas is generated in the measurement space after the gas is introduced into the measurement space and the odorous substance contained in the gas adheres to the wall and the sensitive part of the measurement space, the oxidizing power of the ozone gas is sensitive to the wall of the measurement space. It is possible to reduce the reducing power of the odorous substance adhering to the part, the odorous substance is easily separated from the sensitive part, and the time for the output of the odor sensor to return to the initial state can be shortened.
In addition, since the ozone concentration of the generated ozone gas corresponds to one or a combination of the odor intensity or the odor type felt by the odor sensor, the oxidizing power of the ozone gas is caused by the odor substance adhering to the sensitive part. By optimizing for the quantity or type, the time for the output of the odor sensor to return to the initial state can be shortened.
In addition, a single pulse duration T and a pulse number N are determined corresponding to one or a combination of odor intensity or odor type sensed by the odor sensor, and the single pulse duration T and Since ozone can be generated in the form of pulses having the number N of pulses, the ozone concentration of the ozone gas can be adjusted by simple control to optimize the oxidizing power of the ozone gas.
Moreover, since oxygen is ozonized by discharge and the duration of the unit pulse is the discharge time of the discharge, the ozone concentration can be adjusted with a simple configuration that adjusts the discharge time.
In addition, since the odor sensor is a metal oxide semiconductor sensor and the ozone concentration is selected from a value between 0.2 ppm and 1.00 ppm, the oxidizing power of ozone gas is excessive in the sensitive part by simple control. It is possible to reduce the time for the output of the odor sensor to return to the initial state by suppressing the action of the odor sensor.
Therefore, it is possible to provide an odor measuring apparatus and an odor measuring method that can improve the throughput or accuracy of odor measurement or reduce the consumption of standard air required for the cleaning process with a simple configuration.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each figure, common portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

First, the odor measuring apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an odor measuring apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Hereinafter, the case where the odor measuring apparatus includes a measurement chamber will be described as an example.

  The odor measurement device 10 is a device that measures the odor of gas, and includes an odor sensor 100, a gas supply means 200, an ozone gas supply means 300, a measurement chamber 400, a gas discharge means 500, and a data processing unit 600.

The odor sensor 100 is a sensor having a sensitive part that can sense the odor of gas. The sensitive part is made of, for example, a metal oxide semiconductor. When the odorous substance adheres to the sensitive part, the electrical specification of the sensitive part changes depending on the amount and type of the odorous substance.
It is preferable to have a plurality of odor sensors having different correlations between electrical characteristics and amounts and types of odor substances. For example, one odor sensor 100a has a large variation in electrical characteristics with respect to an odor substance having a large molecular weight, and the other odor sensor 100b has a large variation in electrical characteristics with respect to an odor substance having a small molecular weight.
From the combination of the odor measurement outputs of the two odor sensors 100a and 100b, the amount of the odor substance and the kind of the odor substance can be specified.
The structure of the odor sensor 100 will be described in detail later.

  The measurement chamber 400 is a container-like device having a measurement space H that can be sealed. The sensitive part 101 of the odor sensor 100 is exposed to the measurement space H. Therefore, when the gas mixed with the odorous substance is introduced into the measurement space H, the gas is supplied to the sensitive part, and the odorous substance adheres to the sensitive part.

The gas supply means 200 is a device that can supply gas to the sensitive part.
For example, when the measurement chamber 400 is provided in the odor measurement apparatus, the gas supply unit 200 is configured by the gas introduction unit 210.
The gas introduction unit 210 is a unit that introduces gas into the measurement space H, and includes a sample suction pipe 211, a sample valve 212, and a sample introduction pipe 213.
The sample suction pipe 211 is a pipe that communicates the outside with the sample valve 212. The piping is made of a material (for example, a PTFE tube) that does not easily adhere to odorous substances.
The sample valve 212 is a valve that can be opened and closed. For example, the sample valve 212 can open or close the passage according to an on signal or an off signal of the electrical signal.
The sample introduction pipe 213 is a pipe that connects the sample valve 212 and the measurement chamber 400.
Therefore, when the ON signal is given to the sample valve 212, the sample valve 212 is opened, and the sample can be introduced into the measurement space H from the outside. When the off signal is given to the sample valve 212, the sample valve 212 is closed, and the sample cannot be introduced into the measurement space H from the outside.

The ozone gas supply means 300 is a device that can supply ozone gas to the sensitive part.
For example, when the measurement chamber is provided in the odor measuring device, the ozone gas supply means 300 is composed of an ozone gas generation means 310 and an ozone gas introduction means 320.
The ozone gas introduction means 320 is a device that introduces ozone gas into the measurement space H, and includes a cleaning suction pipe 321, a cleaning valve 322, and a cleaning introduction pipe 323.
The cleaning suction pipe 321 is a pipe that communicates the ozone gas generation means 310 and the cleaning valve 322.
The cleaning valve 322 is a valve that can be opened and closed. For example, the flush valve 322 can open or close the passage according to an on signal or an off signal of the electrical signal.
The cleaning introduction pipe 323 is a pipe that communicates the cleaning valve 322 and the measurement chamber 400.
Therefore, when the ON signal is given to the cleaning valve 322, the cleaning valve 322 is opened, and ozone gas can be introduced into the measurement space H. When the OFF signal is given to the cleaning valve 322, the cleaning valve 322 is closed, and ozone gas cannot be introduced into the measurement space H.
The ozone gas generation means 310 is an apparatus that generates ozone gas.
The structure of the ozone gas generation means 310 will be described in detail later.

The gas discharge means 500 is a device that discharges gas from the measurement chamber 400, and includes gas discharge pipes 501, 503, 505, a discharge valve 502, and a gas discharge pump 504.
The gas discharge pipe 501 is a pipe that connects the measurement chamber 400 and the discharge valve 502.
The discharge valve 502 is a valve that can be opened and closed. For example, the discharge valve 502 can open or close the passage according to an on signal or an off signal of an electrical signal.
The gas discharge pipe 503 is a pipe that connects the discharge valve 502 and the inlet of the gas discharge pump 504.
The gas discharge pump 504 is a pump that discharges gas from the measurement space H. For example, the pump is a fan, a blower, a diaphragm pump, or the like.
The gas discharge pipe 501 is a pipe that communicates the outlet of the gas discharge pump 504 with the outside.
Accordingly, when an ON signal is given to the discharge valve 502 and the gas discharge pump 504 is driven, the gas in the measurement space H is discharged to the outside.

The data processing unit 600 is a device that controls the odor sensor 100, the gas supply unit 200, the ozone gas supply unit 300, and the gas discharge unit 500, measures the odor of gas, and performs data processing.
The configuration of the data processing unit 600 will be described in detail later.

Next, an odor measuring apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of an odor measuring apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The odor measurement device 10 is a device that measures the odor of gas, and includes an odor sensor 100, a gas supply means 200, an ozone gas supply means 300, a measurement chamber 400, a gas discharge means 500, and a data processing unit 600.
The configurations of the odor sensor 100, the gas supply unit 200, the measurement chamber 400, the gas discharge unit 500, and the data processing unit 600 are the same as those of the odor measurement apparatus according to the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.
The ozone gas supply means 300 is a device that can supply ozone gas to the sensitive part.
For example, when the odor measuring apparatus is provided with a measurement chamber, the ozone gas supply means 300 is composed of an ozone gas generation means 310 and a cleaning gas introduction means 320.
Since the structure of the cleaning gas introducing means 320 is the same as the structure of the ozone gas introducing means 320 of the odor measuring apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.
The ozone gas generation unit 310 is a device that generates ozone in the measurement space H. The ozone gas generation means 310 ozonizes oxygen in the measurement space H.
The configuration of the ozone gas generation means 310 will be described in detail later.

The structure of the odor sensor 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of an odor sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The odor sensor 100 is a sensor having a sensitive part that can sense the odor of gas, and includes a sensitive part 101, a heater 102, a switching element 103, a load resistor 104, and a power source 105.
The odor measuring device 10 preferably has a plurality of odor sensors 100. For example, the two odor sensors are referred to as an odor sensor 100a and an odor sensor 100b.

The sensitive part 101 is a part where the scent of gas can be felt.
The sensitive part 101 is made of, for example, a metal oxide semiconductor to which a catalyst is added. Depending on the type of material, the type of catalyst, the structure, etc., there is a large difference in sensitivity to odor molecules constituting the odor.
It is preferable to provide a difference in sensitivity with respect to odor molecules of the sensing units 101 of the plurality of odor sensors 100a and 100b.
For example, the sensitive unit 101 of the odor sensor 100a has high sensitivity to heavy odor molecules having a relatively large molecular weight and low volatility. A typical example of the heavy odor molecule is an unsaturated aromatic hydrocarbon compound.
For example, the sensitive part 101 of the odor sensor 100b has high sensitivity to light odor molecules having a relatively small molecular weight and high volatility. A typical example of light odor molecules is alcohol.

The heater 102 heats the sensitive part 101, for example, a platinum thin film.
The sensitive part 101 and the heater 102 have an integral structure. The heater 102 is energized to generate heat, and can heat the sensitive unit 101 to a predetermined temperature. For example, when the sensitive part 101 is a metal oxide semiconductor, the predetermined temperature is about 400 ° C. In this way, the sensitive part 101 is less affected by changes in ambient temperature and the presence of moisture, and a decrease in the sensitivity of the odor sensor can be prevented. Moreover, it becomes easy to wash and remove odor molecules attached to the sensitive part 101 with the washing air.
The heater 102 is preferably heated by applying a pulse current.

The switching element 103 is an electronic element for supplying a current to the heater 102. The switching element 103 receives a pulsed heater heating pulse 106 and supplies a pulsed current to the heater 102.
The heater heating pulse 106 is preferably input to the switching element via an input resistor.

  The load resistor 104 is a resistor circuit connected in series with the sensitive unit 101. The load resistor 104 may be a circuit configured by a resistance element, or may be a circuit in which a resistance element and a capacitor are connected in parallel.

A power source 105 supplies current to the sensitive unit 101 and the heater 102.
An odor measurement output 107 is output from a connection point between the sensitive unit 101 and the load resistor 104.

When an odorous substance, which is a volatile reducing chemical substance, adheres to the sensitive part 101, electrons are supplied to oxygen in the sensitive part 101. Since the oxygen in the sensitive part 101 increases, the electrical conductivity of the sensitive part increases.
By monitoring the odor measurement output Vcc of the plurality of odor sensors 100a and 100b, the amount and type of the odor substance can be measured.

Hereinafter, a method for measuring the odor intensity and the odor type using the odor measurement outputs Vcc of the two odor sensors will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 is a vector diagram of odor output according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In the figure,
Aо is the output value Vcc of the odor sensor 100a.
Az is the calibration value Vcc of the odor sensor 100a.
Bо is the output value Vcc of the odor sensor 100b.
Bz is the calibration value Vcc of the odor sensor 100b.
The output values Aо and Bо are odor measurement outputs Vcc when gas is supplied to the sensitive part.
The calibration values Az and Bz are odor measurement outputs Vcc when odorless air is supplied to the sensitive part.
In the vector diagram, the output value Vcc of the odor sensor 100a sensitive to the heavy system is calibrated with the calibration value Vcc (Aо-Az) as an X-axis element, and the output value of the odor sensor 100b sensitive to the light system is used. This is an orthogonal coordinate system displaying vectors obtained when a value obtained by calibrating Vcc with a calibration value Vcc (B-Bz) is used as an element of the Y axis. This vector is called an odor vector.
FIG. 4 shows an odor vector representing an odor 1 having lighter odor components than a heavy odor component, and an odor vector representing an odor 2 having a heavy odor component more than a light odor component. .
In this vector diagram, the length of the odor vector is referred to as “scent intensity”, and the inclination or direction of the odor vector is referred to as “fragrance” representing “scent type”.
It has been confirmed by experiments that the correlation between the “scent intensity” and the “scent” is close to the human sensitivity.

The data processing unit 600 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a data processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The data processing unit 600 includes a main control unit 601, a pulse generation unit 602, a measurement time setting timer 603, an interface unit 604, an A / D conversion unit 605, a data storage unit 606, a data calculation unit 607, and a display unit 608. The
The main control unit 601 operates according to a built-in control program, and includes a pulse generation unit 602, a measurement time setting timer 603, an interface unit 604, an A / D conversion unit 605, a data storage unit 606, a data calculation unit 607, and a display unit 608. To control.
The pulse generator 602 is a part that generates a pulse control signal having a predetermined cycle and number of pulses and supplies the pulse control signal to the switching elements 103 of the odor sensors 100a and 100b. The predetermined period and the number of pulses are set according to the heating temperature of the heater 102.
The measurement time setting timer 603 outputs a timing signal for measurement to the main control unit 601.
The interface unit 604 is an input / output unit that outputs a signal or data from the main control unit 601 to the outside and takes in an external signal or data into the main control unit 601. The interface unit 604 is connected to, for example, an external personal computer or the ozone gas generation unit 310. The data of the time change of the odor measurement output of the odor sensors 100a and 100b and the measurement result of the odor intensity and the odor type are transferred to the external personal computer 20 via the interface unit 604.
The A / D conversion unit 605 takes the odor measurement output from each of the odor sensors 100a and 100b at a predetermined timing, performs analog / digital conversion, and sends the digital data to the main control unit 601.
The data storage unit 606 is a device that stores the odor measurement output in accordance with the designation from the main control unit 601.
The data calculation unit 607 takes in the odor measurement data recorded in the data storage unit 606, calculates the odor vector described above, and stores it in the data storage unit 606.
The display unit 608 is a device that displays the odor intensity and the odor type recorded in the data recording unit 606 as necessary. The display unit 608 displays an odor vector corresponding to the odor to be measured, and can monitor the intensity and type of each odor in time series from the length and inclination of the odor vector.

Below, the ozone gas production | generation means 310 which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated based on a figure.
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of an ozone generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Below, the ozone gas production | generation apparatus used for the odor measuring apparatus concerning 1st embodiment of this invention is demonstrated to an example.
The ozone gas generation apparatus used in the odor measurement apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the same structure except that an ozonizer described later is provided in the measurement chamber 400.
The ozone gas generation means 310 includes an ozonizer 311, an on-pulse generation circuit 312, a control circuit 313, a counting circuit 314, a decoder unit 315, a communication interface circuit 316, a power supply circuit 317, and an ozone chamber 318.

The ozonizer 311 is an electronic device that performs silent discharge between electrodes in accordance with an on-pulse signal to ozonize oxygen. A pair of electrodes of the ozonizer 311 is exposed to the internal space of the ozone chamber 318. When silent discharge is performed between the pair of electrodes, a part of oxygen in the air in the ozone chamber 318 is ozonized.
The on-pulse generation circuit 312 is a circuit that outputs an on-pulse signal having a predetermined length in accordance with a control signal from the control circuit 313 and supplies it to the ozonizer 311.
The control device 313 is a device that controls the on-pulse generation circuit 312 according to a command signal from the external computer 20 to generate a pulse having a predetermined length.
The counting circuit 314 is a circuit that counts the count. In general, this is a circuit that subtracts the number given in the initial state according to a predetermined timing signal and outputs the result.
The decoder unit 315 is a circuit that decodes a command signal given from the external computer 20 via the communication interface circuit 316 and sends the decoded command signal to the control circuit.
The communication interface circuit 316 is an input / output circuit for communicating with the external computer 20.
The power supply circuit 317 is a circuit that supplies power to the ozonizer 311.
The ozone chamber 318 is a container having an internal space through which odorless air can pass.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of an on-pulse signal according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The on-pulse signal output from the on-pulse generation circuit 312 includes an on signal and an off signal arranged in series. The on time T1 is a duration of the on signal. The off time T2 is the duration of the off signal.
Upon receiving the ON signal, the ozonizer 311 continues silent discharge between the pair of electrodes.
Upon receiving the off signal, the ozonizer 311 stops silent discharge.

Below, the action | operation of the ozone gas production | generation apparatus 310 is demonstrated based on figures.
FIG. 8 is an operation diagram of the ozone generator according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a time chart of the ozone generator according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The control circuit 313 receives the cleaning command. The cleaning command is decoded into a pulse width command and a pulse number command.
The pulse width command is determined to correspond to a predetermined predetermined pulse width.
For example, it is selected from 300 msec, 500 msec, 1 sec, or 2 sec. The determined pulse width is set in the on-pulse generation circuit 312.
It is determined which of a predetermined number of pulses the number of pulses corresponds to.
For example, one pulse, two pulses, three pulses, or four pulses are selected.
The determined number of pulses is set in the counting circuit 314.
The on-pulse generation circuit 312 outputs an on-pulse signal to the ozonizer 311 according to the set pulse width.
The ozonizer 311 performs silent discharge between the pair of electrodes according to the on-pulse signal.
Every time the counting circuit 314 outputs an on-pulse signal, the set count is subtracted, and when it reaches zero, the output of the on-pulse signal is stopped.
A part of oxygen in the air in the ozone chamber 318 is ozonized, and ozone gas having an ozone concentration corresponding to the pulse width and the number of pulses is generated.
As the pulse width increases, the ozone concentration increases.
As the number of pulses increases, the ozone concentration increases.

It is preferable to introduce ozone gas having an ozone concentration corresponding to one or a combination of both the intensity of the odor sensed by the odor sensor and the odor type.
For example, an optimal ozone concentration that shortens the time for the odor sensor's odor measurement output to return to the calibration value is determined in advance by testing, and a correspondence table of odor intensity and / or combination of odor types and ozone concentration And the correspondence table is stored in the data storage unit 606 of the data processing unit 600. When generating ozone, the optimum ozone concentration is read from the correspondence table, and ozone gas is generated.
In addition, it is preferable to generate ozone with a pulse having a duration T and a pulse number N corresponding to one or a combination of one or both of the intensity of the odor sensed by the odor sensor and the odor type.
For example, an optimal single pulse duration T and a pulse number N that shorten the time for the odor measurement output of the odor sensor to return to the calibration value are obtained in advance by testing, and one or both of the odor intensity and the odor type are obtained. And a correspondence table between the single pulse duration T and the pulse number N, and the correspondence table is stored in the data storage unit 606 of the data processing unit 600. When ozone is generated, the optimum single pulse duration T and the pulse number N are read from the correspondence table, and ozone gas is generated.
In particular, when the ozone gas generating means has an ozonation device that ozonizes oxygen by silent discharge, it is preferable that the duration of the unit pulse is the discharge time of the silent discharge.
In particular, when the odor sensor is a metal oxide semiconductor sensor, the ozone concentration is preferably selected from a value between 0.2 ppm and 1.00 ppm.

FIG. 9 shows a time chart when the ozone gas generating means receives a cleaning command.
Cleaning command: Receives a cleaning command from an external computer.
Decoding command: Decode cleaning command and read pulse width and number of pulses (2 pulses).
On-pulse generation: An on-pulse signal having a width corresponding to the pulse width is generated.
Ozone generation: Silent discharge is performed for a time corresponding to the on-pulse signal, and a part of oxygen in the air is ozonized.
On-pulse generation: An on-pulse signal having a width corresponding to the pulse width is generated.
Ozone generation: Silent discharge is performed for a time corresponding to the on-pulse signal, and a part of oxygen in the air is ozonized.

Next, the odor measuring method according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 10 is a procedure diagram of the odor measuring method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The odor measurement method S10 is a method for measuring the odor of gas, and includes a preparation step S11, an odorless air supply step S12, a calibration value acquisition step S13, a gas supply step S14, an odor data acquisition step S15, and an ozone gas supply step S16. And a calibration value return confirmation step S17.

(Preparation process)
The preparation step S11 is a step of preparing an odor sensor having a sensitive part that senses the odor of gas.

(Odorless air supply process)
The odorless air supply step S12 is a step of supplying odorless air to the sensitive part.
The odorless air is air that is passed through activated carbon or standard air.
Oxygen from odorless air adheres to the sensitive part.
The attached oxygen oxidizes the sensitive part and takes away electrons in the metal oxide semiconductor which is the sensitive part, resulting in a low electrical conductivity.
When time elapses, the odor measurement output of the odor sensor is stabilized at a predetermined value.

(Calibration value capture process)
The calibration value capturing step S13 is a step of capturing the calibration value of the odor sensor.
The odor measurement output, which is the output of the odor sensor, is monitored and waits for the odor measurement output to stabilize. For example, if the odor measurement output does not exceed a predetermined value range while a predetermined time elapses, it is determined that the odor measurement output is stable. For example, the predetermined width is within ± 10% of the predicted calibration value.
If it is determined that the odor measurement output is stable, the odor measurement output is stored as calibration values Az and Bz.

(Gas supply process)
Gas supply process S14 is a process of supplying gas to a sensitive part.
When the gas is supplied to the sensitive part, the odorous substance in the gas adheres to the sensitive part.
Since a normal odor substance is a volatile reducing chemical substance, it supplies electrons to oxygen in the sensitive part. Since electrons are supplied, electrons increase in the metal oxide semiconductor, and the electrical conductivity of the sensitive part increases.
In addition, a phenomenon occurs in which the odor substance and the sensitive part share electrons, and the odorous substance adheres to the sensitive part by so-called electron covalent bonding.
When time elapses, the odor measurement output of the odor sensor is stabilized at a predetermined value.

(Odor data capture process)
The odor data capturing step S15 is a step of capturing the intensity of the odor of gas and the type of odor.
The odor measurement output, which is the output of the odor sensor, is monitored and waits for the odor measurement output to stabilize. For example, if the odor measurement output does not exceed a predetermined value range while a predetermined time elapses, it is determined that the odor measurement output is stable.
If it is determined that the odor measurement output is stable, the odor measurement data Aо and Bо are taken in.
The odor measurement data is corrected by the calibration value, the data processing described above is performed, and the odor vector (Aо-Az, Bо-Bz) is stored.

(Ozone gas supply process)
The ozone gas supply step S16 is a step of supplying ozone gas to the sensitive part.
When ozone gas is supplied to the sensitive part, electrons are taken away from the oxygen in the sensitive part by the oxidizing action of ozone stronger than oxygen. The electrical conductivity decreases rapidly due to insufficient electrons in the sensitive part.
Also. Oxidizing action of ozone gas reduces the reducing property of the odorous substance, so that the odorous substance is easily separated from the sensitive part.
It is preferable to supply ozone gas having an ozone concentration corresponding to one or a combination of both the intensity of the odor sensed by the odor sensor and the odor type.
When the odor sensor is a metal oxide semiconductor sensor, the ozone concentration is preferably selected from a value between 0.2 ppm and 1.00 ppm.
When time elapses, the odor measurement output of the odor sensor is stabilized at a predetermined value.

(Calibration value return confirmation process)
The calibration value return confirmation step S17 is a step of confirming that the odor measurement output of the odor sensor has returned to the calibration value or that the output has stabilized.
The odor measurement output, which is the output of the odor sensor, is monitored and waits for the odor measurement output to stabilize. For example, if the odor measurement output does not exceed a predetermined value range while a predetermined time elapses, it is determined that the odor measurement output is stable.
If it is determined that the odor measurement output is stable, it is determined that the odor measurement output has returned to the calibration value. When the stable odor measurement output is different from the calibration values Az and Bz, the odor measurement output is set as new calibration values Az and Bz.
When the calibration value return confirmation process is completed, a new gas odor can be measured, and the process proceeds to the next gas supply process for the next gas.

Next, an odor measurement method according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 11 is a procedure diagram of the odor measuring method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The odor measurement method S20 is an odor measurement method for measuring the odor of gas, and includes a preparation step S21, an odorless air supply step S22, a calibration value acquisition step S23, a gas introduction step S24, an odor data acquisition step S25, and ozone gas generation. The process includes a process S26a, an ozone gas introduction process S26b, and a calibration value return confirmation process S27.
The configurations of the odorless air supply process S22, the calibration value capture process S23, the odor data capture process S25, and the calibration value return confirmation process S27 are the same as those of the odor measurement method S10 according to the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. To do.

(Preparation process)
The preparation step S21 is a step of preparing an odor sensor having a sensitive part that senses the odor of gas and a measurement chamber having a measurement space in which the sensitive part is exposed.

(Gas introduction process)
The gas introduction step S24 is a step for introducing gas into the measurement space.
The gas is introduced into the measurement space and supplied to the sensitive part of the odor sensor. When gas is supplied to the sensitive part, odorous substances adhere to the sensitive part in the gas.
Since a normal odor substance is a volatile reducing chemical substance, it supplies electrons to oxygen in the sensitive part. Since electrons are supplied, electrons increase in the metal oxide semiconductor, and the electrical conductivity of the sensitive part increases.
In addition, a phenomenon occurs in which the odor substance and the sensitive part share electrons, and the odorous substance adheres to the sensitive part by so-called electron covalent bonding.
When time elapses, the odor measurement output of the odor sensor is stabilized at a predetermined value.

(Ozone gas generation process)
The ozone gas generation step S26a is a step of generating ozone gas.
For example, when silent discharge is performed in odorless air, oxygen in the odorless air is ozonized to generate ozone gas.
It is preferable that the odor sensor generates ozone gas having an ozone concentration corresponding to one or a combination of odor intensity or odor type sensed in the gas introduction process.
In addition, ozone is generated in a pulse shape having a single pulse duration T and a pulse number N, and a single pulse corresponding to one or a combination of odor intensity or odor type sensed by the odor sensor. Preferably, the duration T and the number N of pulses are determined.
Moreover, it is preferable that oxygen is ozonized by silent discharge, and the duration of the unit pulse is the discharge time of the silent discharge.
When the odor sensor is a metal oxide semiconductor sensor, the ozone concentration is preferably selected from a value between 0.2 ppm and 1.00 ppm.

(Ozone gas introduction process)
The ozone gas introduction step S26b is a step of introducing ozone gas into the measurement space.
The ozone gas is introduced into the measurement space H and supplied to the sensitive unit 101. When ozone gas is supplied to the sensitive part 101, electrons are deprived of oxygen from the sensitive part by an oxidizing action that is stronger ozone than oxygen. The electrical conductivity decreases rapidly due to insufficient electrons in the sensitive part.
Also. Oxidizing action of ozone gas reduces the reducing ability of the odorous substance, and the odor measurement output of the odor sensor stabilizes to a predetermined value after a period of time when the odorous substance is easily separated from the sensitive part.

Next, an odor measuring method according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 11 is a procedure diagram of the odor measuring method according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
The odor measurement method S30 is an odor measurement method for measuring the odor of gas, and includes a preparation step S31, an odorless air supply step S32, a calibration value acquisition step S33, a gas introduction step S34, an odor data acquisition step S35, and ozone gas generation. The process includes a process S36a, a cleaning gas introduction process S36b, and a calibration value return confirmation process S37.
The configuration of the preparation step S31, the odorless air supply step S32, the calibration value acquisition step S33, the gas introduction step S34, the odor data acquisition step S35, and the calibration value return confirmation step S37 is the configuration of the odor measurement method according to the second embodiment. Since it is the same as that, the description is omitted.

(Ozone gas generation process)
The ozone gas generation step S36a is a step of generating ozone in the measurement space H.
When ozone is generated in the measurement space H, ozone gas is supplied to the sensitive unit 101. When ozone gas is supplied to the sensitive part 101, electrons are taken away from the oxygen in the sensitive part by the oxidizing action of ozone stronger than oxygen. The electrical conductivity decreases rapidly due to insufficient electrons in the sensitive part.
For example, when silent discharge is performed in odorless air, oxygen in the odorless air is ozonized to generate ozone gas.
It is preferable that the odor sensor generates ozone gas having an ozone concentration corresponding to one or a combination of odor intensity or odor type sensed in the gas introduction process.
In addition, ozone is generated in a pulse shape having a single pulse duration T and a pulse number N, and a single pulse corresponding to one or a combination of odor intensity or odor type sensed by the odor sensor. Preferably, the duration T and the number N of pulses are determined.
Moreover, it is preferable that oxygen is ozonized by silent discharge, and the duration of the unit pulse is the discharge time of the silent discharge.
Further, when the odor sensor is a metal oxide semiconductor sensor, the ozone concentration is preferably selected from a value between 0.2 ppm and 1.00 ppm.
Further, since the oxidizing action of ozone gas reduces the reducing property of the odorous substance, the odor measurement output of the odor sensor becomes stable at a predetermined value after a time when the odorous substance is likely to be separated from the sensitive part.

(Cleaning gas introduction process)
The cleaning gas introduction step S36b is a step for introducing the cleaning gas into the measurement space H.
For example, the cleaning gas is odorless air.
In particular, it is preferable to perform the cleaning gas introduction step during the ozone gas generation step. In this way, the measurement space can be cleaned more efficiently, and the odor measurement output of the odor sensor can quickly return to the calibration value.

Next, the test results carried out for verifying and evaluating the present invention will be described.
First, the configuration of the test apparatus will be described.
FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of the test apparatus.
The test device 30 includes an odor measuring device 10, an ozonizer 31, an ozone discharge on / off circuit 32, a DC 24V power source 33, a manual time control switch 34, a 300CC chamber 35, a 10 liter standard air buffer 36, and a three-way valve 37. .
The odor measuring device 10 is a device that measures the odor of gas. The odor measuring device includes two odor sensors in a measurement chamber. The odor sensor is a type using a metal oxide semiconductor. When the sample is introduced into the measurement chamber, the odor sensor measures the odor of the sample.
The ozonizer 31 is a device that ozonizes oxygen by silent discharge when receiving an ON signal.
The ozone discharge on / off circuit 32 is an electronic circuit that outputs an on / off signal to the ozonizer 31.
The DC 24V power source 33 supplies a DC 24V power source to the ozone discharge on / off circuit 32.
The manual time control switch 34 is a switch circuit that outputs a control command to the ozone discharge on / off circuit 32. The manual time control switch 34 can output three combinations of signals.
The 300CC chamber 35 is a container made of polyester. The electrode of the ozonizer 31 is exposed inside the 300CC chamber 35. When the ozonizer 31 is discharged, a part of oxygen in the air of the 300CC chamber 35 is ozonized to generate ozone gas.
The 10 liter standard air buffer 36 is a 10 liter container filled with standard air. Standard air is artificial air in which oxygen and nitrogen are mixed in the same ratio as air.
The three-way valve 37 is provided in the suction pipe of the odor measuring apparatus 10 and can select and introduce a sample and a cleaning gas into the odor measuring apparatus by switching.

The operation of the test apparatus 30 will be described.
A combination table of ON / OFF signals output from the ozone discharge ON / OFF circuit 32 corresponding to the switch numbers 1 to 3 of the manual time control switch 34 is shown below.

For example, when switch No. 3 is turned on, the ozone discharge on / off circuit 32 outputs an on / off signal with an on time of 0.38 seconds and an off signal of 9.00 seconds. The ozonizer 31 continuously discharges for 0.38 seconds and stops discharging for 9.00 seconds.
FIG. 14 shows the ozone concentration of ozone generated when the switch number 1 to switch number 3 is pressed with the number of pulses of 1 to 5 pulses.
When the switch 1 discharged pulses 1 to 5, ozone gas having an ozone concentration of 2.0 ppm to 3.00 ppm was generated.
When discharge from pulse 1 to pulse 5 was performed by the switch 2, ozone gas having an ozone concentration of 2.00 ppm to 12.00 ppm was generated.
When discharging from pulse 1 to pulse 5 with the switch 3, ozone gas having an ozone concentration of 0.2 ppm to 1.00 ppm was generated.

Below, the result of having measured the odor of gas using the test apparatus 30 is demonstrated based on a figure.
The output graph shows how the odor measurement output of the odor sensor 100a and the odor measurement output of the odor sensor 100b change with time in the zero point setting process, the measurement process, and the cleaning process.
The odor graph shows the change in odor intensity and odor type over time during the cleaning process.
Case 1 is a case where, after measuring 2 ppm of toluene, only standard air is passed through the odor measuring device without generating ozone gas.
Case 2 is a case where, after measuring 2 ppm of toluene, ozone gas generated by generating only 3 pulses of 750 msec on-pulse was passed through the odor measuring device. From FIG. 20, it can be estimated that ozone gas having an ozone concentration of about 0.2 ppm was generated.
Case 3 is a case in which after measuring 2 ppm of toluene, ozone gas generated by generating only one pulse of 750 msec on-pulse was passed through the odor measuring device. It can be estimated from FIG. 20 that ozone gas having an ozone concentration of about 0.8 ppm was generated.

The test result of case 1 will be described.
In case 1, the sample gas is 2 ppm of toluene, and the cleaning gas is standard air.
FIG. 15 is an output graph of the case 1 of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is an odor graph of Example Case 1 of the present invention.
About 50 seconds after the start of cleaning, the odor measurement output returned to the calibration value, and the odor intensity returned to the calibration value.

The test result of case 2 will be described.
In case 2, the sample gas is toluene 2 ppm, and the cleaning gas is ozone gas (ozone concentration of about 0.8 ppm).
FIG. 17 is an output graph of the case 2 of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is an odor graph of Example Case 2 of the present invention.
When cleaning was started, the odor measurement output dropped sharply below the calibration value. After the odor intensity dropped sharply and the odor measurement output fell below the calibration value, it showed an abnormal value. This is because Aо-Az became negative.

The test result of case 3 will be described.
In case 3, the sample gas is 2 ppm of toluene, and the cleaning gas is ozone gas (ozone concentration of about 0.2 m).
FIG. 19 is an output graph of the case 3 of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is an odor graph of Example Case 3 of the present invention.
About 10 seconds after the start of cleaning, the odor measurement output returned to the calibration value, and the odor intensity was stabilized.

In addition to this, the test was also performed with 12 ppm of toluene, hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, ethyl acetate, and acetaldehyde.
In any case, when the ozone concentration was set to an appropriate value, the odor measurement output returned to the calibration value in a short time, and the odor intensity and odor type were stabilized.
In addition, when the ozone concentration exceeded the appropriate value, the odor measurement output decreased rapidly and fell below the calibration value, and the odor intensity and odor type became abnormal. In addition, it took time for the odor measurement output to reach the calibration value even after the standard air was blown.
From these, it was found that there is an appropriate value of ozone concentration corresponding to the intensity of odor and the kind of odor.
It was found that when ozone gas of ozone concentration was flowed in response to the odor intensity and odor type during the cleaning process, the odor measurement output returned to the calibration value in a short time, and the odor intensity and odor type stabilized.
It was also found that when the number of pulses was selected, the ozone concentration of the ozone gas was easily set to an appropriate value.
In particular, when the odor sensor is a metal oxide semiconductor sensor, when the ozone concentration is selected from a value between 0.2 ppm and 1.00 ppm, the time for the odor measurement output to be a calibration value can be shortened. .

If the odor measuring apparatus and the odor measuring method of the above-described embodiment are used, the following effects are exhibited.
An odor sensor 100 that can measure the odor of the gas with the sensitive unit 101 is prepared. After the gas is supplied to the sensitive unit 101 and the odor of the gas is measured, the ozone gas is supplied to the sensitive unit 101. The odor sensor 100 can be initialized by oxidizing the odor molecules attached to the odor sensor.
Moreover, after preparing the measurement chamber 400 provided with the measurement space H which can be sealed, exposing the sensitive part 101 of the odor sensor to the measurement space H, introducing gas into the measurement space H, and measuring the odor of the gas, Since the ozone gas is introduced into the measurement space H, the ozone gas oxidizes the odor substance attached to the odor sensor 100 and the wall surface of the measurement space H to facilitate cleaning of the odor substance, and initializes the sensitive part of the odor sensor. be able to.
Further, by adjusting the ozone concentration of the ozone gas, the time for initializing the odor sensor 100 can be shortened.
In addition, if the ozone concentration is set according to one of the odor intensity and the odor type measured by the odor sensor 100 or a combination of the odor intensity and the odor type, the time for initializing the odor sensor may be shortened. did it.
Also, a plurality of odor sensors 100 having different sensitivities are prepared, the odor intensity and the odor type are represented by a vector having the output values of the plurality of odor sensors as elements, and the length of the odor vector is defined as the odor intensity. Since the direction and inclination of the vector are the types of odors, the ozone concentration can be easily optimized.
Since ozone is generated by pulsed silent discharge and the ozone concentration is adjusted by selecting the pulse duration and the number of pulses, ozone gas having a desired ozone concentration can be generated with a simple configuration.
In addition, since the pulse duration and the number of pulses are selected in accordance with one of the odor intensity and the odor type or the combination of the odor intensity and the odor type, the time required for initializing the odor sensor 100 by a simple method is set. Can be shortened.
In addition, when the odor sensor is a metal oxide semiconductor sensor, the ozone concentration is selected from a value between 0.2 ppm and 1.00 ppm, so that the odor sensor can be initialized without excessively oxidizing the odor sensor. The time can be shortened.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
Although the ozone generation device and the ozone generation process have been described with a method of generating ozone by silent discharge, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a method of irradiating light or air with a frequency having a frequency of ozonizing oxygen may be used. .
In addition, although the pulse length and the number of pulses of the on / off signal are set corresponding to one of the odor intensity and the odor type, or the combination of the odor intensity and the odor type, the present invention is not limited to this. Later, the pulse length and the pulse number of the on / off signal may be set corresponding to the tendency that the odor measurement output of the odor sensor decreases.

1 is a conceptual diagram of an odor measuring apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the odor measuring apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the odor sensor which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a vector diagram of an odor output according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the data processing part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the ozone production | generation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the on-pulse signal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an effect | action figure of the ozone generation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart figure of the ozone production | generation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a procedure figure of the odor measuring method which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a procedure figure of the odor measuring method which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a procedure figure of the odor measuring method which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an odor test apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an ozone density | concentration figure of the Example of this invention. It is an output graph figure of Example case 1 of this invention. It is an odor graph figure of Example case 1 of this invention. It is an output graph figure of Example case 2 of this invention. It is an odor graph figure of Example case 2 of this invention. It is an output graph figure of Example case 3 of this invention. It is an odor graph figure of Example case 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

H Measurement space 10 Odor measurement device 20 Personal computer 30 Test device 31 Ozonizer 32 Ozone discharge on / off circuit 33 DC24V power supply 34 Manual time control switch 35 300cc chamber 36 10 liter standard air buffer 37 Three-way valve 100 Odor sensor 100a Odor sensor A
100b Odor sensor B
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Sensing part 102 Heater 103 Switching element 104 Load resistance 105 Power supply 106 Heater heating pulse 107 Odor measurement output 200 Gas supply means 210 Gas introduction means 211 Sample suction pipe 212 Sample valve 213 Sample introduction pipe 300 Ozone gas supply means 310 Ozone gas generation means 311 Ozonizer 312 On-pulse generation circuit 313 Control circuit 314 Count circuit 315 Decoder unit 316 Communication interface circuit 317 Power supply circuit 318 Ozone chamber 320 Ozone gas introduction means (cleaning gas introduction means)
321 Cleaning suction pipe 322 Cleaning valve 323 Cleaning introduction pipe 400 Measurement chamber 500 Gas discharge means 501 Gas discharge pipe 502 Discharge valve 503 Gas discharge pipe 504 Gas discharge pump 505 Gas discharge pipe 600 Data processing section 601 Main control section 602 Pulse generation section 603 Measurement time setting timer 604 Interface unit 605 A / D conversion unit 606 Data storage unit 607 Data operation unit 608 Display unit

Claims (16)

An odor measuring device for measuring the odor of gas,
An odor sensor with a sensitive part that can sense the odor of gas,
Gas supply means capable of supplying gas to the sensitive part;
Ozone gas supply means capable of supplying ozone gas to the sensitive part;
An odor measuring apparatus comprising: The ozone gas supply means supplies ozone gas having an ozone concentration corresponding to one or a combination of one or both of the intensity of the odor sensed by the odor sensor and the odor type;
The odor measuring apparatus according to claim 1. An odor measuring device for measuring the odor of gas,
An odor sensor with a sensitive part that can sense the smell of gas,
A measurement chamber having a measurement space in which the sensitive part is exposed;
Gas introduction means for introducing gas into the measurement space;
Ozone gas generating means for generating ozone gas;
Ozone gas introduction means for introducing the ozone gas into the measurement space;
An odor measuring apparatus comprising: An odor measuring device for measuring the odor of gas,
An odor sensor with a sensitive part that can sense the smell of gas,
A measurement chamber having a measurement space in which the sensitive part is exposed;
Gas introduction means for introducing gas into the measurement space;
Ozone gas generating means for generating ozone in the measurement space;
An odor measuring apparatus comprising: The ozone gas generating means generates ozone gas having an ozone concentration corresponding to one or a combination of odor intensity or odor type felt by the odor sensor;
The odor measuring apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the odor measuring apparatus is characterized in that The ozone gas generating means can generate ozone in a pulse shape having a single pulse duration T and a pulse number N;
Determining a duration T and a pulse number N of a single pulse corresponding to one or a combination of odor intensity or odor type felt by the odor sensor;
The odor measuring apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the odor measuring apparatus is characterized in that The ozone gas generation means has an ozonization device that ozonizes oxygen by discharge,
The duration of the unit pulse is the discharge time of the discharge,
The odor measuring apparatus according to claim 6. The odor sensor is a metal oxide semiconductor sensor,
The ozone concentration is selected from a value between 0.2 ppm and 1.00 ppm;
The odor measuring device according to claim 2 or 5, wherein An odor measurement method for measuring the odor of gas,
A preparation process for preparing an odor sensor having a sensitive part that senses the odor of gas,
A gas supply step of supplying gas to the sensitive part;
An ozone gas supply step of supplying ozone gas to the sensitive part;
An odor measurement method comprising: The ozone gas supply step supplies ozone gas having an ozone concentration corresponding to one or a combination of one or both of the intensity of the odor sensed by the odor sensor and the odor type,
The odor measuring method according to claim 9. An odor measurement method for measuring the odor of gas,
A preparatory step of preparing an odor sensor having a sensitive part that senses the odor of gas and a measurement chamber having a measurement space in which the sensitive part is exposed;
A gas introduction step for introducing gas into the measurement space;
An ozone gas generation step for generating ozone gas;
An ozone gas introduction step for introducing the ozone gas into the measurement space;
An odor measurement method comprising: An odor measurement method for measuring the odor of gas,
A preparation step of preparing an odor sensor having a sensitive portion that senses the odor of gas and a measurement chamber having a measurement space in which the sensitive portion is exposed;
A gas introduction step for introducing gas into the measurement space;
An ozone gas generation step for generating ozone in the measurement space;
An odor measurement method comprising: The ozone gas generation step generates ozone gas having an ozone concentration corresponding to one or a combination of the odor intensity or the odor type felt by the odor sensor,
The odor measuring method according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the odor measuring method is performed. The ozone gas generating step can generate ozone in a pulse shape having a single pulse duration T and a pulse number N;
Determining a duration T and a pulse number N of a single pulse corresponding to one or a combination of one or both of the intensity of the odor sensed by the odor sensor and the odor type;
The odor measuring method according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the odor measuring method is performed. The ozone gas generation step is to ozonize oxygen by discharge,
The duration of the unit pulse is the discharge time of the discharge,
The odor measuring method according to claim 14. The odor sensor is a metal oxide semiconductor sensor,
The ozone concentration is selected from a value between 0.2 ppm and 1.00 ppm;
The odor measuring method according to claim 10 or claim 13, characterized in that

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