JPH0547850U - Turbidimeter - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] The structure of the turbidimeter is simplified and the size is reduced. [Structure] The turbidimeter includes a light source unit 1, a light receiving unit 7, and an optical fiber unit 5. The optical fiber unit 5 includes a light source optical fiber 3 having one end connected to the light source unit 1 and a light receiving optical fiber 4 having one end connected to the light receiving unit 7. The optical fiber unit 3 can measure the backscattered light of the sample. , 4 are bundled at the other end.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a turbidimeter, and more particularly to a turbidimeter for measuring turbidity such as the concentration of microorganisms in a fermenter.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 Conventionally, as a turbidimeter for measuring the turbidity of a liquid sample by connecting to an automatic control device online, a turbidimeter using an optical fiber excellent in electrical insulation is known. This turbidimeter is equipped with a light source optical fiber whose one end is connected to the light source section, a light receiving optical fiber whose one end is connected to the light receiving section, and a reflection mirror for refracting the measurement light. It is configured to measure transmitted light.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 In the conventional turbidimeter, a reflection mirror that refracts the measurement light is used, and the measurement light is transmitted through the liquid sample to measure the turbidity. Therefore, an optical system for ensuring the optical path of the transmitted light is used. The structure becomes complicated, such as the need for adjustment. In addition, it cannot be miniaturized sufficiently.

An object of the present invention is to simplify the structure and reduce the size.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The turbidimeter according to the present invention includes a light source unit, a light receiving unit, and an optical fiber unit. The optical fiber section consists of a light source optical fiber whose one end is connected to the light source section and a light receiving optical fiber whose one end is connected to the light receiving section.The other end of the optical fiber is bundled so that the backscattered light of the sample can be measured. ing.

[0006]

[Action]

 In the present invention, the measurement light from the light source unit is radiated into the liquid sample from the tip of the optical fiber for the light source. Then, the backscattered light in the liquid sample is introduced into the light receiving portion via the light receiving optical fiber, and the turbidity is measured. Here, the tip of the optical fiber for the light source and the tip of the optical fiber for receiving light are bundled to measure the backscattered light, so the structure is simpler than the conventional configuration in which transmitted light is used for measurement. It can be miniaturized.

[0007]

【Example】

 FIG. 1 shows a turbidimeter in which an embodiment of the present invention is adopted. In FIG. 1, this turbidimeter comprises a light source unit 1, a large number of light source optical fibers 3 for transmitting light from the light source unit 1 into a liquid sample through a lens 2, and a particle 9. It is provided with a large number of light receiving optical fibers 4 for receiving the backscattered light from the liquid sample 8 containing the light receiving portion 7, and a light receiving portion 7 for receiving the light from the light receiving optical fiber 4 via the lens 6. The light source optical fiber 3 and the light receiving optical fiber 4 form an optical fiber section 5.

The light source unit 1 is composed of a halogen lamp and uses a single wavelength having a wavelength of 700 nm or more. The light source optical fiber 3 and the light receiving optical fiber 4 are integrally bundled at the tip portions 3a and 4a on the liquid sample 8 side. The tip 3a of the light source optical fiber 3 and the tip 4a of the light receiving optical fiber 4 are randomly arranged. As a result, there is substantially no deviation between the light emitted from the optical fiber unit 5 and the light incident on the optical fiber unit 5, and the scattering source (particle 9) in the liquid sample 8 and the fiber 3, 4 is less affected by the relative position.

Further, the tip end surface of the optical fiber portion 5 is formed so as to be inclined by about 45 degrees with respect to the fiber longitudinal direction. That is, the tips of the bundled optical fibers 3 and 4 are also formed so as to be inclined by approximately 45 degrees with respect to the fiber longitudinal direction. As a result, bubbles are less likely to adhere to the end faces of the tip portions 3a and 4a of the optical fiber part 5, and are less affected by backscattered light due to bubbles, and the measurement accuracy is improved.

Next, the operation of the turbidimeter will be described. First, the optical fiber portion 5 in which the tip portion 3a of the light source optical fiber 3 and the tip portion 4a of the light receiving optical fiber 4 are integrally bundled is fixed to a desired position in the liquid sample 8. When light is emitted from the light source unit 1, the light passes through the lens 2 and the light source optical fiber 3 and is emitted from the tip of the light source optical fiber 3 into the liquid sample 8 (solid arrow).

In the liquid sample 8, the backscattered light (dotted line arrow) reflected by the particles 9 passes through the light receiving optical fiber 4 and the lens 6, and is detected by the light receiving unit 7. Since the volume of the particles 9 in the liquid sample 8 and the light amount of the backscattered light detected by the light receiving unit 7 correspond to each other, the turbidity of the liquid sample 8 can be obtained by measuring the backscattered light in the light receiving unit 7. be able to.

Here, since the tip portions 3a and 4a of the light source optical fiber 3 and the light receiving optical fiber 4 are randomly arranged, even if the particles 9 exhibit non-uniform dispersion, the backscattered light close to the average value can be generated. Can be detected. Further, in the present embodiment, since the light source optical fiber 3 and the tip end portions 3a, 4a of the light receiving optical fiber 4 are bundled and the backscattered light of the sample is measured, the structure is simplified and the size can be reduced. Be done. Also, the mounting becomes easy.

Other Embodiments (a) In carrying out the present invention, the tip end surface of the optical fiber portion 5 may be configured to be orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the fiber. (B) In implementing the present invention, the light source optical fibers 3 and the light receiving optical fibers 4 of the optical fiber unit 5 do not have to be randomly arranged. (C) In implementing the present invention, a light source other than a halogen lamp, such as a semiconductor laser, may be used for the light source section 1.

[0014]

[Effect of the device]

 In the present invention, the tip of the optical fiber for the light source and the tip of the optical fiber for receiving light are bundled to measure the backscattered light, so that the structure is simpler than the conventional configuration in which the transmitted light is measured. It can be miniaturized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a turbidimeter in which an embodiment of the present invention is adopted.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 light source part 3 light source optical fiber 3a tip part 4 light receiving optical fiber 4a tip part 5 optical fiber part 7 light receiving part 8 liquid sample

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A turbidimeter for measuring the turbidity of a liquid sample, comprising a light source section, a light receiving section, and an optical fiber for light source having one end connected to the light source section.
A turbidimeter comprising: a light-receiving optical fiber, one end of which is connected to the light-receiving unit, and the other end of which is bundled so that the backscattered light of the sample can be measured.