JP3781837B2 - Thermomechanical analyzer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a thermo mechanical analysis (TMA) apparatus that can know how the mechanical properties of a substance change with respect to temperature. In particular, the sample to be measured can be automatically exchanged. The present invention relates to a thermomechanical analyzer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The thermomechanical analyzer is configured to contact a sample placed in a sample placement section with a displacement transmission means called a detection rod, and to detect deformation of the sample caused by heating through a detector such as a differential transformer (main detector). ) To measure physical changes such as expansion and compression with respect to the temperature of the sample.
[0003]
Now, the analysis process using the thermomechanical analyzer is roughly divided into mounting of a sample on the sample mounting portion, collection and analysis of measurement data, and extraction of the sample. Of these, collection and analysis of measurement data is automatically performed under computer control, but mounting and removal of samples (that is, sample replacement work) is generally performed manually and is bothersome. It was.
[0004]
Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 64-5153 discloses a device for the purpose of automatic sample replacement for a differential thermal analyzer (DTA) which is one of thermal analyzers.
As shown in FIG. 9, the automatic sample changer of the publication includes a rod-like exchanger (101) at the tip of a rod (100) that moves up and down, and the exchanger (101) is raised to detect a rod (100). 102), the sample container (103) arranged at the upper end (102a) is held and further raised.
[0005]
And the raise of an exchanger (101) stops in the position where the sample container (103) came above the upper-end opening part of the heating furnace (104). Thereafter, by rotating in the direction of arrow A, the bottom of the sample container (103) protruding downward from the exchanger (101) hits the drop plate (105), and the sample container (103) is detached from the exchanger (101). Fall.
[0006]
Next, when the exchanger (101) rotates in the direction of arrow B and stands by at a predetermined sample replacement position, the turntable (106) rises and rotates in the direction of arrow C to enter the exchanger (101). A new sample container (103) is held.
Subsequently, the turntable (106) is lowered, the exchanger (101) is further rotated in the direction of arrow D, and the sample container (103) is disposed above the detection rod (102). The sample container (103) held down is placed on the upper end (102a) of the detection rod (102).
With the above operation, the sample container is configured to be automatically replaced.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The above-described automatic sample changer disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 64-5153 is specifically applied to a differential thermal analyzer (DTA) for the purpose of realizing automatic sample change. Therefore, it is essentially impossible to apply the automatic sample changer disclosed in this publication to a thermomechanical analyzer (TMA) having a completely different structure, sample shape, sample placement portion and surrounding structure.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and is intended to be applied to a thermomechanical analyzer (TMA) to realize automatic sample replacement, thereby freeing researchers from complicated sample replacement work. .
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a thermomechanical analyzer for placing a required sample in a sample placement portion formed at the tip of a support tube and measuring physical deformation when the sample is heated to a predetermined temperature. The apparatus includes a sample stage on which a large number of required samples can be placed, a gripping means for gripping the sample, and a transport means for transporting the gripping means between the sample placement portion and the sample stage.
[0010]
According to the present invention having such a configuration, it is possible to grip the sample on the sample stage by the gripping means and to automatically place the gripping means on the sample placement portion in the thermomechanical analyzer by the transport means. .
[0011]
In addition, the sample placed in the sample mounting portion of the thermomechanical analyzer that has been measured can be gripped by the gripping means and automatically taken out by the operation of the transport means.
Here, the gripping means includes a main body, a plurality of open / close claws provided on the main body so as to be freely openable / closable to grip the sample, a drive means for driving the open / close claws to open / close, and any of the open / close claws The grip confirmation sensor includes a grip confirmation sensor that moves as a unit and a grip confirmation sensor provided at a predetermined position of the main body, and the grip confirmation sensor detects the grip confirmation when the open / close claw moves to a position to grip the sample. It can be configured to detect a member.
[0012]
If the gripping means is configured in this way, the opening / closing claw is driven from the open position to the closing direction by the driving means, and the opening / closing claw cooperates to grip the sample. When the open / close claw moves to the position where the sample is gripped, the grip confirmation sensor detects the grip confirmation detection member, but if the open / close claw is not gripping the sample, the open / close claw is closer to the gripping position. Furthermore, since it moves in the closing direction, the grip confirmation sensor does not detect the grip confirmation detection member.
[0013]
In this way, it is possible to check whether the open / close claw has gripped the sample based on the detection / non-detection operation of the grip confirmation sensor by the grip confirmation sensor. The sample can be transported with reliability.
[0014]
Note that the position at which the open / close claw grips the sample differs depending on the size of the sample to be transported. It is preferable that adjustment is possible.
[0015]
Further, according to the present invention, when the opening / closing claw or the main body receives pressure from the outside, the gripping means is provided with a damper member that buffers the pressure by an expansion / contraction operation, and detects a predetermined amount of contraction due to the external force action of the damper member. It is good also as a structure provided with the sensor for contact | abutting monitoring.
The transport destination of the sample in the thermomechanical analyzer, that is, the sample placement portion is generally a narrow space, and various obstacles exist around it. In addition, the sample placement portion and the surrounding obstacles may be formed of a material made of a brittle material that is vulnerable to impact, such as a glass material.
[0016]
When the tip of the open / close claw comes into contact with such a sample placement part or its surrounding obstacle, the damper member contracts to buffer the pressure, so that the sample placement part, its surrounding obstacle, or the open / close claw Can be avoided.
At this time, the damper member contracts when receiving pressure from the outside, but by detecting the contraction by the contact monitoring sensor, it can be determined that the opening / closing claw or the main body has contacted the obstacle, It is possible to appropriately take measures such as stopping the operation of the conveying means.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 to 8 show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a horizontal differential thermomechanical analyzer, FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the principle of the apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing the appearance of the apparatus. FIG. 3 is also a plan view. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan sectional view showing the structure inside and around the support tube.
[0018]
As shown in these drawings, the thermomechanical analyzer according to this embodiment includes an apparatus main body 1, an electric furnace 2, and an automatic sample replacement unit 3. A support tube 4 extends from the side wall of the apparatus main body 1, the sample S is arranged in the sample arrangement portion 5 formed at the tip of the support tube 4, the sample S is heated by the electric furnace 2, and the apparatus The deformation amount of the sample S is measured by a differential transformer 10 as main detection means built in the main body 1.
[0019]
The support tube 4 is formed in a cylindrical shape from a material with small thermal deformation such as quartz glass or ceramic, and extends substantially horizontally from the side wall of the apparatus main body 1 as shown in FIG. In the vicinity of the tip of the support tube 4, a sample exchange window 4a is formed by cutting out the upper half of the peripheral wall, and the tip surface of the support tube 4 is closed by a partition wall 4b. The inside of the support tube 4 in the vicinity of the tip is a sample placement portion 5, and the sample S is placed in the sample placement portion 5 in a state where one end is in contact with the partition wall 4b.
[0020]
Inside the support tube 4, a detection rod 11 and a reference detection rod 12 extend in the axial direction and are arranged side by side in parallel. As shown in FIG. 4, the tip of the detection rod 11 is brought into contact with the end of the sample S disposed in the sample placement portion 5, while the tip of the reference detection rod 12 is a support tube that supports one end of the sample S. 4 is brought into contact with the partition wall 4b. In this embodiment, the detection rod 11 and the reference detection rod 12 are made of the same material with small thermal deformation such as quartz glass.
[0021]
The base ends of the detection rod 11 and the reference detection rod 12 are connected to a differential transformer 10 built in the apparatus main body 1 (see FIG. 1). That is, the base end of the detection rod 11 is connected to the core 10 a of the differential transformer 10, while the base end of the reference detection rod 12 is connected to the coil 10 b of the differential transformer 10. The core 10a and the coil 10b of the differential transformer 10 are respectively movable in the axial direction, and are displaced in the same direction together with the axial movement of the detection rod 11 and the reference detection rod 12. When the relative position between the core 10a and the coil 10b of the differential transformer 10 changes, the current flowing through the coil 10b changes accordingly. By detecting this change in current value, the relative displacement between the detection rod 11 and the reference detection rod 12 can be obtained.
[0022]
A required axial load can be applied to the core 10a and the detection rod 11 of the differential transformer 10 by a pressurizing means 13 such as an electromagnetic actuator. When performing measurement in a compression mode in which the thermal deformation of the sample S is measured with a compression load applied to the sample S, or in a tensile mode in which the thermal deformation of the sample S is measured with a tensile load applied to the sample S. The pressing means 13 applies a required weight to the sample S in the left direction of FIGS.
[0023]
Furthermore, the core 10a and the detection rod 11 of the differential transformer 10 can be driven rightward in FIGS. 1 and 4 by detection rod driving means 14 made of a motor or the like. This detection rod driving means 14 is used when the detection rod 11 is withdrawn from the sample placement section 5 when the sample is exchanged.
On the other hand, a constant load is applied to the coil 10b and the reference detection rod 12 of the differential transformer 10 by a biasing means 15 such as a spring in the left direction of FIGS. The tip of this holds the contact state with the partition 4b.
[0024]
The electric furnace 2 has a cylindrical shape and can reciprocate in the axial direction of the support tube 4 along the guide rail 20 formed on the base 1a of the apparatus body 1, as shown in FIGS. It moves in and out of the outer peripheral position of the support tube 4 by the movement. That is, the electric furnace 2 is placed at the outer peripheral position of the sample placement portion 5 formed in the support tube 4 at the center thereof by moving in the right direction of the figure. On the other hand, by moving in the left direction in the figure, the sample placement unit 5 is placed at a position where it is exposed (position in the figure). The electric furnace 2 is driven by electric furnace driving means 21 such as a motor shown in FIG.
[0025]
A cylindrical protective tube 22 is disposed inside the electric furnace 2. The protective tube 22 is positioned coaxially with the support tube 4 and moves integrally with the electric furnace 2 to cover the outer periphery of the support tube 4. The distal end of the protective tube 22 is closed, and the proximal end portion of the protective tube 22 is exposed from the electric furnace 2.
[0026]
In the thermomechanical analysis, the thermal displacement of the sample S may be measured in a predetermined gas atmosphere or vacuum atmosphere as necessary. Therefore, it is preferable that the inside of the apparatus main body 1 and the support tube 4 be shielded from the atmosphere so that those atmospheres can be formed. For this reason, the inside of the apparatus main body 1 has an airtight structure, and furthermore, a pipe that communicates with a gas supply source and a vacuum pump (not shown) can be connected.
[0027]
The support tube 4 communicating with the inside of the apparatus main body 1 has a sample exchange window opened in the vicinity of the tip, and therefore it is necessary to prevent inflow of air from the sample exchange window. In the thermomechanical analyzer of this embodiment, the protective tube 22 covers the periphery of the support tube 4 to prevent the inflow of air from the sample exchange window.
[0028]
The proximal end portion of the protective tube 22 is in close contact with the root portion of the support tube 4 in the apparatus main body 1 to form an airtight structure. In order to reliably form this airtight structure, a V-ring 23 is disposed at the base portion of the support tube 4, while a sealing member 24 with which the V-ring abuts is provided at the base end portion of the protective tube 22. It is attached.
[0029]
FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan sectional view showing the structure of the sealing member 24 and the V ring 23.
At the base end of the sealing member 24, a contact surface 24a of the V ring 23 is formed, and the V ring 23 has a flexible tongue piece 23a disposed opposite to the contact surface 24a. When the protective tube 22 moves together with the electric furnace 2 and the center portion of the electric furnace 2 is positioned on the outer periphery of the sample placement portion 5, the contact surface 24 a of the sealing member 24 is in contact with the tongue piece 23 a of the V ring 23. Abuts to form a sealed state.
[0030]
In the conventional thermomechanical analyzer, as shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 11, a sealed structure is formed between the root portion of the support tube 4 and the base end portion of the protective tube 22 using the O-ring 200. . That is, in the sealed structure of FIG. 10, an O-ring is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the support tube 4 and this O-ring is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the support tube 4 and the inner peripheral surface of the protective tube 22 to provide a sealed state. Form. Further, in the sealed structure of FIG. 11, an O-ring 200 is disposed at the base of the support tube 4 so as to face the base end surface of the protective tube 22, and the O-ring 200 is connected to the base end surface of the protective tube 22 and the support tube 4. A closed state was formed by crushing between the roots of the two.
[0031]
However, in the sealed structure of FIG. 10, it is necessary to center between the support tube 4 and the protection tube 22 with high accuracy, and the high accuracy with which the guide rail supporting the electric furnace 2 and the protection tube 22 is prevented from swinging. Manufacturing is required, and the manufacturing cost is high.
Further, in the sealed structure of FIG. 11, the crushing amount required for the O-ring 200 to effectively form an airtight state is smaller than that of the V-ring 23, so that it is difficult to position the protective tube 22. .
[0032]
The sealing structure of this embodiment in which the V-ring 23 is brought into contact with the contact surface 24a of the opposing sealing member 24 is different from the conventional sealing structure using the O-ring 200 as described above in that the support tube 4 and the protective tube. 22 has a wide allowable range of positioning at the time of centering and contact with 22 and therefore has an advantage of easy manufacture.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 1, a sample temperature detector 16 for detecting the temperature of the sample S is provided in the vicinity of the sample placement portion 5 in the support tube 4 described above. The electric furnace 2 is also provided with an electric furnace temperature detector 17 for detecting the heat generation temperature. In this embodiment, thermocouples are used as the sample temperature detector 16 and the electric furnace temperature detector 17.
Furthermore, in the thermomechanical analyzer according to this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a cooling fan 6 is disposed in the vicinity of one end opening of the electric furnace 2. The cooling fan 6 has a function of sending cold air into the electric furnace 2 and forcibly cooling the electric furnace 2.
[0034]
In addition, a metal soaking tube (not shown) is arranged in the electric furnace 2, and the sample is uniformly heated by radiating heat from the electric furnace 2 to the sample through the soaking tube. It can be configured. A cover 25 is provided on the outer periphery of the electric furnace 2.
[0035]
The electric furnace 2, the coil 10b of the differential transformer 10, the pressurizing means 13 of the detecting rod 11, the detecting rod driving means 14, the electric furnace driving means 21, the sample temperature detector 16, and the electric furnace temperature detector 17 are as follows. As shown in FIG. 1, each is controlled by the control device 7 so that the thermomechanical analysis can be automatically executed.
That is, when a required sample is placed on the sample placement portion 5 by the automatic sample replacement unit 3 described later, the detection rod 11 is moved in the axial direction by the detection rod drive means 14 and its tip is separated from the sample placement portion 5. .
[0036]
Subsequently, after the required sample S is arranged on the sample arrangement unit 5 by the automatic sample exchange unit 3, the driving force to the detection rod 11 by the detection rod driving unit 14 is released, and the detection rod 11 is applied to the detection rod 11 by the pressurizing unit 13. A predetermined load is applied. The state where the tip of the detection rod 11 is in contact with one end of the sample S is maintained by this load.
[0037]
Next, the electric furnace driving means 21 is operated to arrange the central portion of the electric furnace 2 at the outer peripheral position of the sample placement portion 5. At this time, the sealing member 24 attached to the base end portion of the protective tube 22 abuts on the V-ring 23 disposed at the root portion of the support tube 4 in the apparatus main body 1, and the apparatus main body 1 is exposed from the inside of the protective tube 22. A sealed structure is formed over the inside of the.
Here, if necessary, the inside of the apparatus main body 1 can be vacuum-sucked from the sealed protective tube 22 or filled with an inert gas or the like to form a required measurement atmosphere.
[0038]
Thereafter, the electric furnace 2 is operated to heat the sample S arranged in the sample arrangement unit 5, and the change in the current flowing through the coil 10b of the differential transformer 10 is detected to measure the deformation of the sample S in the axial direction. To do. That is, when the sample S is deformed by heating, the amount of deformation is transmitted to the detection rod 11, and the detection rod 11 moves in the axial direction. At this time, when the support tube 4 supporting the sample S is deformed by heat, the deformation is transmitted to the reference detection rod 12 in contact with the support tube 4, and the reference detection rod 12 moves in the axial direction.
[0039]
As a result, the relative displacement between the core 10a of the differential transformer 10 connected to the detection rod 11 and the coil 10b of the differential transformer 10 connected to the reference detection rod 12 is a sample obtained by subtracting the deformation component of the support tube 4. Only the deformation of S will be dealt with. Based on this relative displacement, the value of the current flowing through the coil 10b of the differential transformer 10 changes. This is detected by the control device 7, and a thermomechanical analysis of the sample S is executed through a predetermined calculation process. In addition, since the arithmetic processing process for the thermomechanical analysis by the control apparatus 7 is the same as that of a conventionally well-known thermomechanical analyzer, the description is abbreviate | omitted here.
[0040]
The temperature of the sample S is detected by the sample temperature detector 16, and the control device 7 controls the electric furnace 2 based on the temperature information from the sample temperature detector 16. At this time, the heating temperature of the electric furnace 2 is also measured by the electric furnace temperature detector 17, and the temperature state of the electric furnace 2 is also input to the control device 7.
[0041]
When the thermomechanical analysis on the sample S is completed in this way, the differential of the electric furnace 2 is stopped and the temperature in the electric furnace 2 is naturally lowered to a predetermined temperature. And when the temperature in the electric furnace 2 falls to a temperature that does not damage even if it is rapidly cooled, the cooling fan 6 is driven to perform forced cooling. Thereby, the cooling of the electric furnace 2 can be accelerated, and the cycle time of the thermomechanical analysis measurement for the next sample S can be shortened.
[0042]
Next, the automatic sample exchange unit 3 will be described.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view showing the entire structure of the automatic sample replacement unit 3.
As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the automatic sample exchange unit 3 includes a transport means 30 comprising a base 31, a sample stage 32, an elevating mechanism 33, a horizontal transport rail 34, and a support arm 35, and a gripping means. 40.
[0043]
The base 31 is arranged side by side on the apparatus main body 1 of the thermomechanical analyzer, and a sample stage 32 is provided on the upper plane of the base 31. On the sample stage 32, a large number of samples S can be arranged in a matrix in the X and Y directions in FIG. Here, the X direction is a direction parallel to the axis of the support tube 4, and the prism S or the columnar sample S is arranged in the sample placement unit 5 with its long side extending in the X direction. Similarly, on the sample stage 32, the sample S is arranged with the long side extending in the X direction.
[0044]
The sample stage 32 can be moved in the X direction of FIG. 3 by a back-and-forth movement mechanism (not shown) built in the base 31. In the sample stage 32, the arrangement surface of the sample S is adjusted to be substantially the same height as the sample arrangement portion 5 formed on the support tube 4 in the thermomechanical analyzer.
[0045]
The elevating mechanism 33 is provided at the rear part of the base 31 and receives power from an elevating drive source (not shown) such as a motor built in the base 31, so that the support 33a moves in the vertical direction (Z direction in FIG. 2). It is configured to move up and down. At the upper end of the support 33a, a horizontal transport rail 34 is arranged extending in the Y direction in FIG. A base end of a support arm 35 extending in the X direction in FIG. 3 is attached to the horizontal transport rail 34, and the support arm 35 is moved in the Y direction by a horizontal drive source (not shown) such as a built-in motor. Move back and forth.
[0046]
The gripping means 40 is attached to the tip of the support arm 35 described above, and moves between the sample stage 32 and the sample placement unit 5 by the vertical movement by the lifting mechanism 33 and the movement in the Y direction by the horizontal transport rail 34. To do. The gripping means 40 has a pair of opening and closing claws 43 and 44 protruding downward from the bottom surface of the gripping body 41 as will be described later, and these opening and closing claws 43 and 44 cooperate to grip the sample S.
[0047]
The above-described back-and-forth moving mechanism of the sample stage 32, the raising / lowering driving source, and the horizontal driving source (all not shown) are controlled by the controller 8. That is, when exchanging the sample, the controller 8 operates the back-and-forth moving mechanism to move the sample stage 32 in the X direction, and places the required sample S on the moving path of the gripping means 40.
[0048]
Next, the horizontal drive source is operated to move the gripping means 40 in the Y direction along the horizontal transport rail 34, and the opening / closing claws 43, 44 of the gripping means 40 are positioned above the selected sample S on the sample stage 32. Positioning. When entering this operation, if the column 33a of the elevating mechanism 33 is in a lowered state, the elevating drive source is actuated in advance to place the gripping means 40 at the raised position.
[0049]
Subsequently, the lifting drive source is operated to lower the gripping means 40, and the open / close claws 43, 44 of the gripping means 40 are positioned to the grippable position of the selected sample S on the sample stage 32. Then, after the open / close claws 43 and 44 grip the sample S at this position, the lifting drive source is operated again to raise the gripping means 40 and the horizontal driving source is operated to move the gripping means 40 in the Y direction. Then, the gripping sample S is positioned above the sample placement unit 5.
[0050]
The raising / lowering drive source is actuated from the upper position to lower the gripping means 40 toward the sample placement unit 5 and place the gripped sample S on the sample placement unit 5. Thereafter, the opening and closing claws 43 and 44 are opened to release the gripping of the sample S, and the gripping means 40 is raised by the lifting drive source to complete the operation of placing the sample S on the sample placement unit 5.
[0051]
In order to take out the measured sample S from the sample placement unit 5, after opening the electric furnace 2, the horizontal drive source and the lift drive source are operated to move the gripping means 40 to the sample placement unit 5. Then, the sample S on the sample placement unit 5 is gripped by the opening / closing claws 43 and 44, and the gripped sample S is transported to the sample stage 32 by operating the elevation drive source and the horizontal drive source again.
The controller 8 outputs operation information on the apparatus main body 1 and the electric furnace 2 side from the control device 7, and starts and ends measurement of the sample S, opens and closes the electric furnace 2, operates the detection rod driving means 14, and the like. The sample S exchange operation is executed in cooperation with
[0052]
7 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the gripping means 40, and FIG. 8 is a front view of the same.
As shown in these drawings, a pair of opening and closing claws 43 and 44 that are movable in the lateral direction along the guide rails 42 are supported on the lower surface of the plate-shaped gripping body 41. The pair of opening / closing claws 43 and 44 cooperate with each other to hold the sample S at the intermediate portion thereof.
[0053]
A drive motor 45 is installed at the center of the upper surface of the grip body 41. The rotation shaft 45 a of the drive motor 45 penetrates the grip body 41 and is exposed on the lower surface side of the grip body 41. An elliptical cam 46 is attached to the rotating shaft 45a, and the driving motor 45 and the cam 46 constitute driving means for the opening and closing claws 43 and 44.
[0054]
That is, the pair of opening and closing claws 43 and 44 are always urged in a direction (closed direction) in which the distance between them is reduced by an urging means 47 such as a coil spring, and is sandwiched between the opening and closing claws 43 and 44. The circumferential surface of the cam 46 is in contact with the open / close claws 43 and 44. Then, the cam 46 rotates with the rotation of the drive motor 45, and the open / close claws 43, 44 perform a target open / close operation according to the shape of the cam 46. The gripping force of the sample S by the open / close claws 43 and 44 is defined by the biasing force applied from the biasing means 47. Therefore, it is preferable that the urging unit 47 can adjust the urging force applied to the open / close claws 43 and 44 according to the hardness of the sample S.
[0055]
Further, a first shutter 48 as a grip confirmation detecting member is attached to the upper end of one opening / closing claw 43, and a second shutter serving as a detection member for opening position confirmation is attached to the upper end of the other opening / closing claw 44. A shutter 49 is attached. These shutters 48 and 49 are exposed on the upper surface side of the gripping main body 41 through elongated holes 41 a and 41 b drilled in the gripping main body 41.
[0056]
Further, a grip confirmation sensor 50 and an origin sensor 51 are provided on the upper surface of the grip body 41. In this embodiment, these sensors 50 and 51 are constituted by optical sensors. That is, the grip confirmation sensor 50 includes a light projecting unit 50 a and a light receiving unit 50 b, and these units 50 a and 50 b are provided facing each other across the moving path of the first shutter 48 associated with the movement of the opening / closing claw 43. This installation position is adjusted to a position where the light from the light projecting unit 50a is blocked by the first shutter 48 when the opening and closing claws 43 and 44 cooperate to grip the sample S.
[0057]
By the way, the position where the open / close claws 43 and 44 hold the sample S varies depending on the size of the sample S to be transported. Accordingly, the position at which the first shutter 48 stops when the open / close claws 43 and 44 cooperate to grip the sample S also differs. In this way, the installation position of the grip confirmation sensor 50 can be arbitrarily adjusted along the movement path of the first shutter 48 in accordance with the stop position of the first shutter 48 that varies depending on the size of the sample S to be transported. It is like that.
[0058]
Various known position adjusting mechanisms can be adopted as the adjusting mechanism. For example, guide rails are provided on both sides in the front-rear direction along the long hole 41a so that the light projecting part 50a and the light receiving part 50b can slide on these guide rails, and at any position of the guide rail. What is necessary is just to set it as the structure which can fix the light projection part 50a and the light-receiving part 50b with a fastener.
[0059]
The origin sensor 51 is also composed of a light projecting unit 51a and a light receiving unit 51b, and these units 51a and 51b are provided facing each other across the moving path of the second shutter 49 accompanying the movement of the opening / closing claw 44. In this embodiment, the light projecting unit 51a and the light receiving unit 51a receive light at a position where the light from the light projecting unit 51a is blocked by the second shutter 49 when the open / close claw 44 reaches the fully opened position. A portion 51b is provided.
[0060]
The grip body 41 is attached to the distal end portion 35a of the support arm 35 via two damper members 52, 52. In this embodiment, hydraulic dampers are used as the damper members 52, 52, and the piston rod 52b is telescopic in the axial direction while receiving hydraulic pressure with respect to the outer cylinder 52a. Then, one of the outer cylinder 52a and the piston rod 52b (the outer cylinder 52a in the figure) is attached to the distal end portion 35a of the support arm 35, and the other (the piston rod 52b in the figure) is attached to the upper surface of the grip body 41. Each is attached.
[0061]
The damper members 52, 52 are configured such that when the open / close claws 43, 44 provided on the lower surface of the gripping body 41 receive an external force from below, the piston rod 52b contracts so as to buffer the impact caused by the external force. The piston rod 52b is always urged downward by hydraulic pressure, and protrudes by a predetermined length by the hydraulic pressure when no external force is applied.
[0062]
One of the tip 35a of the support arm 35 and the grip body 41 (the grip body 41 in the figure) is provided with a contact monitoring sensor 54, and the other (the tip 35a of the support arm 35 in the figure) is provided on the other. A third shutter 55 is provided as a contact monitoring detection member.
[0063]
In this embodiment, the contact monitoring sensor 54 is configured by an optical sensor including a light projecting unit 54a and a light receiving unit 54b, and the light projecting unit 54a and the light receiving unit 54b are arranged to face each other. When the piston rod 52b contracts by a predetermined amount due to the action of external force, the third shutter 55 is interposed between the light projecting part 54a and the light receiving part 54b so as to block the light emitted from the light projecting part 54a. It has been adjusted.
[0064]
Next, the operation of the gripping means 40 configured as described above will be described.
The operation of the gripping means 40 is also controlled by the controller 8 shown in FIG.
That is, when a drive command is sent from the controller 8 to the drive motor 45, the drive motor 45 operates to drive the cam 46 to rotate. As the cam 46 rotates, the opening and closing claws 43 and 44 perform opening and closing operations. When the opening / closing claw 44 is opened to the fully open position that is the origin, the second shutter 49 is interposed between the light projecting unit 51a and the light receiving unit 51b constituting the origin sensor 51, and the light emitted from the light projecting unit 51a. Block. Then, a detection signal of the second shutter 49 is output from the origin sensor 51 to the controller 8. When the controller 8 receives the detection signal from the origin sensor 51, the controller 8 issues a stop command to the drive motor 45 to keep the open / close claws 43, 44 fully open.
[0065]
When the tips of the opening and closing claws 43 and 44 are lowered too much due to a malfunction of the conveying means 30 and come into contact with the sample stage, the support tube 4 or the like, the piston rod 52b of the damper members 52 and 52 contracts to absorb the impact. Damage to the open / close claws 43 and 44 is avoided. Further, as the piston rod 52b contracts, the contact monitoring sensor 54 and the third shutter 55 move relative to each other, and the third shutter 55 is interposed between the light projecting unit 54a and the light receiving unit 54b constituting the sensor 54. To do. Then, the detection signal of the third shutter 55 is output from the contact monitoring sensor 54 to the controller 8.
The controller 8 confirms the occurrence of an abnormal operation by inputting a detection signal from the contact monitoring sensor 54 and immediately stops the operation of the support arm 35.
[0066]
Next, when the sample S is gripped by the opening / closing claws 43 and 44, the controller 8 issues a drive command to the drive motor 45, and the drive motor 45 is operated based on the drive command to rotate the cam 46. As the cam 46 rotates, the open / close claws 43 and 44 gradually close from the fully open state that is the origin position.
At this time, the first shutter 48 also moves together with the opening / closing claws 43 and 44. When the first shutter 48 moves between the light projecting unit 50a and the light receiving unit 50b constituting the grip confirmation sensor 50, the light emitted from the light projecting unit 50a is blocked by the first shutter 48. Then, a detection signal of the first shutter 48 is output from the grip confirmation sensor 50 to the controller 8.
[0067]
As described above, the grip confirmation sensor 50 is adjusted to a position where the light from the light projecting unit 50a is blocked by the first shutter 48 when the open / close claws 43 and 44 grip a sample having a preset size. is there. Therefore, when the detection signal of the first shutter 48 is input from the grip confirmation sensor 50, the sample S is gripped by the open / close claws 43 and 44.
In this embodiment, after the detection signal of the first shutter 48 is input from the grip confirmation sensor 50, the cam 46 is continuously rotated for a predetermined time without being stopped.
[0068]
Even when the cam 46 is thus rotated, if the sample S is held by the opening / closing claws 43, 44 when the controller inputs the detection signal of the first shutter 48, the opening / closing claws 43, 44 are closed further. Therefore, the first shutter 48 also remains stopped between the light projecting unit 50a and the light receiving unit 50b, and the detection signal of the first shutter 48 continues to be output.
The controller 8 determines that the open / close claws 43 and 44 have properly held the sample S by confirming that the detection signal of the first shutter 48 is continuously output.
[0069]
On the other hand, when the opening and closing claws 43 and 44 are not gripping the sample S, the opening and closing claws 43 and 44 are further closed as the cam 46 is rotated, and the first shutter 48 is moved integrally therewith and the light projecting unit 50a. Exit from between the light receiving parts 50b. Then, the light receiving unit 50b receives the light from the light projecting unit 50a, and the grip confirmation sensor 50 stops outputting the detection signal of the first shutter 48. When the detection signal of the first shutter 48 is not input at such timing, the controller determines that the opening / closing claws 43 and 44 cannot grip the sample S, and stops the sample transport operation in the cycle.
[0070]
In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the differential method in which the relative displacement between the reference detection rod 12 and the detection rod 11 is detected by the differential transformer 10 is employed, but the deformation amount of the sample is measured using only the detection rod. The present invention can also be applied to a so-called full expansion thermomechanical analyzer.
[0071]
In the above-described embodiment, the horizontal structure in which the support tube 4 and the electric furnace 2 are horizontally arranged is used. However, the present invention is also applicable to a vertical structure thermomechanical analyzer in which the support tube 4 and the electric furnace 2 are vertically arranged. can do. In this case, the thermomechanical analyzer has a structure in which the automatic sample replacement unit 3 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is also vertically arranged corresponding to the electric furnace 2, the support tube 4, and the like.
[0072]
Furthermore, the shape and number of the opening and closing claws in the gripping means may be arbitrarily changed according to the shape and size of the sample. Moreover, as a damper member, not only a hydraulic damper but various well-known dampers can be applied. As the grip confirmation sensor, the origin sensor, and the contact monitoring sensor, various sensors such as a proximity sensor capable of detecting a detection member can be applied in addition to the optical sensor.
[0073]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the thermomechanical analyzer of the present invention, the sample on the sample stage is gripped by the gripping means, and the gripping means is automatically transferred to the sample placement unit 5 in the thermomechanical analyzer by the transporting means. Since it is possible to arrange the specimens, it is possible to realize automatic exchange of samples, and it is possible to improve workability by freeing researchers from complicated specimen exchange work.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the principle of a horizontal differential thermomechanical analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing the appearance of the apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the same.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan sectional view showing the structure inside and around the support tube.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan sectional view showing the structure of a sealing member and a V ring.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view showing the entire structure of the automatic sample replacement unit.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the gripping means.
FIG. 8 is a front view of the same.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a conventional automatic sample changer applied to a differential thermal analyzer (DTA).
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional sealing structure that seals between a base end portion of a protective tube and a base of a support tube using an O-ring.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing another conventional sealing structure that seals between the base end of the protective tube and the base of the support tube using an O-ring.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Device body 2: Electric furnace
3: Automatic sample exchange unit 4: Support tube
5: Sample placement part 6: Cooling fan
7: Control device 8: Controller
10: Differential transformer 11: Detection rod
12: Reference detection rod 13: Pressurizing means
14: Detection rod driving means 15: Energizing means
16: Sample temperature detector 17 Electric furnace temperature detector
20: Guide rail 21: Electric furnace drive means
22: Protection tube 23: V ring
24: Sealing member 25: Cover
30: Transport means 31: Base
32: Sample stage 33: Lifting mechanism
34: Horizontal transfer rail 35: Support arm
40: gripping means 41: gripping body
42: Guide rail
43, 44: Opening / closing claw 45: Drive motor
46: Cam 47: Energizing means
48: First shutter 49: Second shutter
50: Sensor for gripping confirmation 51: Origin sensor
52: Damper member 54: Contact monitoring sensor
55: Third shutter

Claims (4)

Place the required sample on the sample placement part formed at the tip of the support tube, bring the detection rod into contact with the sample, and measure the physical deformation when the sample is heated to a predetermined temperature via the detection rod In the thermomechanical analyzer
The support tube extends in a horizontal direction;
The detection rod extends in the axial direction inside the support tube, and is configured to hold a state in which a load is applied by a pressurizing unit and the tip abuts against the sample.
Furthermore, detection rod driving means for moving the detection rod in the axial direction and retracting it from the sample placement portion,
A sample stage on which a large number of required samples can be placed;
Gripping means for gripping the sample;
Conveying means for conveying the gripping means between the sample placement portion and the sample stage;
A horizontal thermomechanical analyzer characterized by comprising: The thermomechanical analyzer according to claim 1,
The gripping means is integrated with the main body, a plurality of open / close claws provided in the main body so as to be freely openable / closable to grip the sample, a drive means for driving the open / close nails, and one of the open / close claws. A gripping confirmation member that moves, and a gripping confirmation sensor provided at a predetermined position of the main body,
The thermomechanical analyzer characterized in that the grip confirmation sensor detects the grip confirmation detection member when the open / close claw moves to a position to grip the sample. The thermomechanical analyzer according to claim 2,
The thermomechanical analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the grip confirmation sensor is capable of arbitrarily adjusting a fixed position on the main body. The thermomechanical analyzer according to claim 2 or 3,
When the opening / closing claw or the body receives pressure from the outside, the gripping means is provided with a damper member that cushions the pressure by an expansion / contraction operation, and detects a predetermined amount of contraction due to the external force action of the damper member A thermomechanical analyzer comprising a sensor for use.

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