WO2020218345A1

WO2020218345A1 - Functional fluid state determination apparatus and functional fluid state determination system

Info

Publication number: WO2020218345A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/017347
Authority: WO
Inventors: 橋本谷　磨志; 雄介北川; 謙司永冨; 靖之祖父江
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2019-04-22
Filing date: 2020-04-22
Publication date: 2020-10-29

Abstract

This functional fluid state determination apparatus (100) is provided with: a light source (10) which irradiates, with electromagnetic radiation, a functional fluid (200) that is retained or circulated in a flow channel (310) within machinery (300); a spectrometer (20) which derives a Raman scattering light spectrum by dispersing Raman scattering light scattered from the functional fluid (200); and a determination unit (30) which determines a state of the functional fluid (200) on the basis of the Raman scattering light spectrum derived by the spectrometer (20).

Description

Functional fluid state determination device and functional fluid state determination system

The present disclosure relates to a functional fluid state determination device and a functional fluid state determination system that determine the state of oils used in mechanical devices.

Conventionally, the mainstream method for analyzing functional fluids in mechanical devices (for example, oils such as lubricating oil and engine oil) is to sample functional fluids such as oil from mechanical devices and request an analysis by a specialized inspection agency. It has become. However, it is troublesome because it is necessary to stop the operation of the mechanical device in order to sample the functional fluid such as oil from the mechanical device. In addition, it takes time from sending the functional fluid sampled from the mechanical device to a specialized inspection organization until the analysis result is returned. Therefore, it is required to measure the physical properties of a functional fluid such as oil in a mechanical device in-line to determine the state of the functional fluid relatively easily.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a deterioration determination method and a deterioration determination device for engine oil using infrared absorption spectroscopy. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the absorbance in a specific wavenumber region is calculated by detecting infrared light transmitted through engine oil passing through the cell. Then, the deterioration of the engine oil is determined by deriving the rate of change in kinematic viscosity from the calculated absorbance.

For example, Patent Document 2 distinguishes between abnormal oil deterioration and abnormal viscosity by detecting or estimating the degree of oil deterioration using an optical or electric resistance type sensor and detecting or estimating the viscosity of oil. It discloses an oil abnormality diagnostic device that can make a diagnosis.

For example, Patent Document 3 describes an impurity measuring unit that measures an electromagnetic induction voltage generated in a coil that is circulated in a sample bottle containing oil, and a deterioration that measures the deterioration of oil by irradiating the sample bottle with light. A fluid measuring device including a measuring unit and a fluid measuring method are disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-107000 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-196220 JP-A-2018-017642

Since the prior art described in Patent Document 1 needs to detect the light transmitted through the oil in the cell and also needs to cool the infrared detector to an extremely low temperature, the place where the detection device is installed is used. There are restrictions. Further, since the infrared detector is expensive, it is difficult to apply the prior art described in Patent Document 1 to in-line measurement in a mechanical device.

Since the conventional technique described in Patent Document 2 uses a light transmission type sensor when detecting the degree of deterioration of oil by an optical sensor, the detection device is similar to the conventional technique described in Patent Document 1. There are restrictions on where to install. Further, when the degree of deterioration of oil is detected by an electric resistance type sensor, the information that can be obtained is limited, and it is difficult to accurately determine the degree of deterioration of oil.

The conventional technique described in Patent Document 3 is a technique in which oil can be sampled from a mechanical device and the state of the oil can be measured relatively easily. However, in order to sample the oil from the mechanical device, the operation of the mechanical device is performed. Need to stop.

Therefore, the present disclosure provides a functional fluid state determination device and a functional fluid state determination system that can determine the state of the functional fluid in the mechanical device in-line.

The functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure disperses a light source that irradiates a functional fluid that stores or circulates in a flow path in a mechanical device with an electromagnetic wave and Raman scattered light scattered from the functional fluid. A spectroscope for deriving the spectrum of the Raman scattered light and a determination unit for determining the state of the functional fluid based on the spectrum of the Raman scattered light derived by the spectroscope are provided.

Further, the functional fluid state determination system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is the functional fluid state determination device that determines the state of the functional fluid, the mechanical device into which the functional fluid is injected, and the functional fluid in the mechanical device. And.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a functional fluid state determination device and a functional fluid state determination system that can determine the state of a functional fluid in a mechanical device in-line.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a functional fluid state determination system according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of the area A surrounded by the broken line shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the functional fluid state determination device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic top view showing an example of the spectroscope in the embodiment viewed from the light receiving side. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line VV of FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the functional fluid state determination device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the results of analysis of oils having different deterioration states by infrared absorption spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy.

(Findings leading to this disclosure)
The functional fluid (for example, oil) used in the mechanical device has a lubricating action that lubricates the movement of each part in the mechanical device, for example, seals the gap between the piston and the piston cylinder to prevent gas leakage and maintain airtightness. It has a sealing action, a cooling action that absorbs and releases heat generated by combustion, a cleaning and dispersing action that takes in dirt generated by combustion, and an anticorrosion action that protects mechanical devices from corrosion such as rust. Due to the reduction of these actions, a malfunction of the mechanical device occurs. Therefore, it is necessary to grasp the state of the functional fluid such as oil in the mechanical device and replace it with a new functional fluid at an appropriate time. Hereinafter, oils (hereinafter, also referred to as oil) will be described as an example of the functional fluid.

Analysis of oils used in machinery is usually performed for the following purposes. The purpose of the analysis is, for example, to determine an appropriate oil change time, to grasp the state of a mechanical device, to detect a sign of a mechanical device failure, and to detect a mechanical device failure. To identify the state of the device and the cause of the failure. The analysis of oil determines the analysis method and the analysis target in the oil according to these purposes. For example, the analysis of chemical changes in oil is performed by infrared absorption spectroscopy or gas chromatography. Further, the detection of solid components mixed from the outside of the mechanical device such as abrasion powder and earth and sand generated inside the mechanical device is performed by using a particle counter. Further, the component analysis of the contaminants in the oil is performed by an analysis method such as plasma fluorescence spectroscopy. In addition, the physical properties of the oil are analyzed using a viscometer.

However, the analyzers used for these analyzes are generally large and very expensive, and lack versatility. Further, if these analyzers are miniaturized, the analysis accuracy is lowered. In addition, these analyzers are vulnerable to movement and vibration due to their precise mechanical structure. That is, these analyzers are extremely low in portability. Therefore, it is difficult to incorporate these analyzers into mechanical devices that involve movement, such as construction machinery and vehicles. It is also difficult to incorporate these analyzers into stationary mechanical devices that do not involve movement, such as wind power generators.

Therefore, the analysis of oil used in machinery is performed by a specialized analytical institution equipped with the above analytical equipment. Therefore, the user of the mechanical device needs to sample the oil from the mechanical device and send the oil sample to the analysis institution. Although the oil data analyzed by the analytical institution is highly accurate and reliable, it usually takes about 3 weeks for the user of the mechanical device to know the result. Analytical costs are also high due to the use of expensive equipment. Therefore, it is difficult to analyze the oil frequently, and it is insufficient to predict the precursor of a failure, for example. It may also be necessary to shut down the machinery in order to sample oil from the machinery. Along with this, the progress of the work performed by the mechanical device is delayed, and it becomes necessary to prepare an alternative device. In the worst case, the construction period may be delayed. Thus, the potential for additional costs or losses can also be a factor in reducing the frequency of oil analysis. In terms of cost, there is also a labor cost for the user to sample the oil from the machinery.

The state of oil in a machine device differs depending on the environment in which the machine device is used, even if the machine device is of the same type. Therefore, for example, even if the operating time is the same, the deterioration state is not always the same. In particular, when the mechanical device is a construction machine, the magnitude of the load applied to the mechanical device and the internal combustion engine such as the engine included in the mechanical device differs depending on the environment in which the mechanical device is used. Therefore, the deterioration rate of oils such as lubricating oils is not uniform. In response to this, construction machinery is currently changing oil at very short intervals. Typically, manufacturers recommend that construction machinery lubricants be replaced every 500 hours of operation. However, as described above, the deterioration rate of the oil in the mechanical device varies greatly depending on the environment in which the mechanical device is used. Therefore, in the usage environment where the load applied to the mechanical device is small, the operating time is 500 hours. However, the oil is often in good condition. Therefore, if the oil is changed uniformly during the operating time of the mechanical device, the oil that is still sufficiently usable may be discarded as deteriorated oil. This is a matter to be improved from the viewpoint of cost and environmental protection. However, at present, it is difficult for the user of the mechanical device to check the state of the oil, that is, the degree of deterioration of the oil on the spot, and the analysis result of the oil sample sent to the analysis organization is in the user's hand. Since it takes time to reach the oil, the oil is often changed within the specified operating time. If the condition of the oil deteriorates and the oil needs to be changed before the user of the machinery receives the analysis result of the oil sample from the analysis institution, the deteriorated oil may cause the machinery to fail. .. In such a case, even if the oil is analyzed, it does not make sense for the control of the state of the oil and the maintenance of the mechanical device.

As described above, although oil analysis is an important means for obtaining information on the inside of a mechanical device without disassembling the mechanical device, it is actually effectively used for maintenance and management of the mechanical device. It is hard to say that it is.

In contrast to the idea of requesting an inspection organization for analysis, there is an idea of in-line analysis in which an analyzer is installed inside the mechanical device and oil is analyzed at any time. If in-line analysis can be applied to the oil in the machine, the oil can be analyzed on the spot without sampling from the machine. As a result, the user of the mechanical device can easily grasp the state of the oil, so that maintenance necessary for the mechanical device such as oil change can be appropriately performed according to the state of the oil. In addition, mechanical equipment users do not have to wait for oil sampling, sending oil samples to analysis institutions, and the arrival of analysis results of oil samples, thus reducing costs and improving work efficiency. be able to. For example, if in-line analysis can be applied to machinery, it is possible to eliminate the adverse effects on machinery due to discarding oil that is sufficiently usable or continuing to use oil that has deteriorated excessively. It becomes. Further, since the oil can be analyzed during the operation of the mechanical device, it is not necessary to stop the operation of the mechanical device for the sampling analysis of the oil. Furthermore, the labor cost of workers who sample oil can be reduced.

However, it is extremely difficult to realize an in-line analyzer that can analyze the state of oil with high accuracy under adverse conditions such as vibration generated by the operation of mechanical devices and high temperature environment. Currently, as an example of an oil analyzer that can be attached to a mechanical device, for example, an analyzer using a viscometer that estimates a change in oil viscosity from a change in the resonance frequency of a microtranslator in oil, and an oil. There is a type of analyzer that detects a change in the state of oil by measuring the electric capacity between the electrodes immersed in the oil, for example, by measuring the ratio of soot and water contained in the oil.

These analyzers analyze changes in the state of oil by measuring the physical properties of the oil, such as viscosity or permittivity. In particular, the viscosity of oil is one of the important indicators for the maintenance of machinery and equipment, but the viscosity of oil changes not only as a result of chemical changes in oil, but also, for example, depending on temperature conditions or. Since it changes with the mixing of other oils, the information that can be obtained regarding the state of the oil is limited only by the viscosity. Even if such physical properties of an oil are the result of a chemical change in the oil, the changes in the physical properties of the oil do not necessarily have a one-to-one correspondence with a single factor. Therefore, the measurement of the physical properties of oil does not provide enough information to provide useful insights into the causes of changes in the state of the oil and the useful life of the oil (that is, the remaining life).

On the other hand, optical analytical instruments such as infrared absorption spectrophotometers are extremely vulnerable to vibration because their structures require precise alignment of optical components such as diffraction gratings and fine slits. .. In general, in a distributed spectroscopic optical system using a diffraction grating, there is always a trade-off between high resolution and brightness of the optical system and the optical path length, that is, the physical size of the spectroscope. Therefore, in order to realize the miniaturization of the analyzer that can be attached to the mechanical device, it is necessary to sacrifice the optical performance of the spectroscope. Further, in infrared absorption spectroscopy, the measurement wavelength band is in the mid-infrared region (several microns), and a detector capable of using light having a wavelength in this band is generally cooled to an extremely low temperature (for example, liquid nitrogen temperature). Needed and very expensive. Since the infrared absorption spectrophotometer has the above characteristics, it is very difficult to apply an analyzer including the infrared absorption spectrophotometer to a mechanical device. In particular, it is considered virtually impossible to implement infrared absorption spectroscopic analyzers around operating machinery, such as construction machinery and internal combustion engines such as automobile engines.

In addition, there is a type of analyzer that analyzes changes in the state of oil by measuring the scent characteristics of oil. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-70635 (Patent Document 4) discloses an analyzer that is installed in a lubricating oil reservoir of a mechanical device and detects an odor or scent component released from the lubricating oil. The analyzer includes a sensor and an injector, and the injector injects a chemical substance into the lubricating oil or into the air around the lubricating oil (that is, the air containing the vaporized lubricating oil component) to lubricate the chemical substance. Detects interactions with oil scent molecules (ie, scent molecules in vaporized lubricating oil components). As an example of a sensor that can be used to detect such an interaction, a sensor that uses Raman spectroscopy is disclosed. However, in general, Raman spectroscopy has extremely low signal strength obtained as compared with infrared absorption spectroscopy. Molecules in the gas, especially the lubricating oil vapor (so-called vaporized lubricating oil component) in the air around the lubricating oil, especially the fragrance molecules related to the deterioration of the lubricating oil, are particularly low in concentration, especially in machinery. It is difficult to detect weak Raman scattered light with a small sensor that is used by attaching it to a device.

On the other hand, in the present application, since the functional fluid of the liquid phase stored or circulated in the flow path is directly analyzed, the number of molecules to be measured is dramatically larger than that in the gas phase. Therefore, even a small sensor can detect the molecule to be measured (that is, it can analyze the object to be measured). The specific configuration will be described later.

As a result of diligent studies in view of the above problems, the inventors of the present application make it possible to perform in-line analysis at a level at which chemical changes and composition changes of oil in a mechanical device can be quantitatively evaluated. We have found a functional fluid state determination device equipped with the device. This makes it possible to determine the state of functional fluid (for example, oil) in the machine in-line, manage the appropriate replacement of functional fluids such as lubricating oil and hydraulic oil used in the machine, and manage the machine. Monitoring of the state of the device can be realized.

The analysis method applied to this disclosure will be described below.

In recent years, Raman spectroscopy has been attracting attention as a method for chemical analysis of substances. Raman spectroscopy refers to irradiating a substance to be measured (hereinafter, also referred to as an object to be measured or an object to be analyzed) with excitation light having a single wavelength, generally laser light, and the reflected light (Rayleigh light). This is a technique for obtaining information on the chemical properties of the substance to be measured from the spectrum of light (Raman scattered light) having a wavelength different from that of the excitation light, which is obtained by mixing with the light. However, the Raman scattered light has an intensity of only about 10 to ^{6 with} respect to the intensity of the reflected light or the scattered light having the same wavelength as the excitation light, which is extremely weak. Therefore, a highly sensitive detector and an optical system are required, and a laser as an excitation light source is also required to have high performance such as wavelength stability and monochromaticity. For this reason, Raman spectroscopy has not been widely applied to industry as compared to infrared absorption spectroscopy, despite its high usefulness.

In Raman spectroscopy, the difference in the number of waves between Raman scattered light and excitation light (so-called Raman shift) corresponds to the energy difference between the vibrational levels of the chemical bonds of the molecules that make up the substance under test, which is typical. In general, information on the same chemical bond as infrared absorption spectroscopy, which is vibrational spectroscopy, can be obtained. What should be noted here is that in Raman scattered light, not the excitation light itself, but the wavelength shift from the excitation light (difference in the reciprocal of energy in photon theory) indicates the correspondence with the chemical bond. That is, the wavelength of the excitation light is arbitrary, and as the excitation light, light having an arbitrary wavelength from ultraviolet light, visible light, near-infrared light, or the like can be used. This makes it possible to use general-purpose optical elements in the visible light region without using special detectors and optical elements as in infrared absorption spectroscopy. For example, in Raman spectroscopy, light with a wavelength in the visible light region can be used as excitation light, so an image sensor using CMOS semiconductor technology, which has made remarkable progress in consumer digital cameras in recent years, can be used as a detector almost as it is. Therefore, ordinary optical materials (glass, resin, etc.) can be used for the optical system. Further, in recent years, high-performance semiconductor laser diodes have become available at low cost, and Raman spectroscopic analyzers can be manufactured at relatively low cost. Therefore, the industrial application of Raman spectroscopy is attracting attention.

In addition, regarding the spectroscope, it is possible to realize miniaturization of the spectroscope and improvement of vibration resistance performance, which was extremely difficult in the past, in combination with more advanced semiconductor technology, especially micro-optical technology using an optical waveguide. Possible technologies have also been proposed. As an example of the spectroscopic device technology that can operate even in a vibrating environment, for example, the spectroscopic technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-506738 (Patent Document 5) can be mentioned. By directly forming an interference-type spectroscopic structure using an optical waveguide on the CMOS image sensor, the spectroscope achieves both optical performance and miniaturization, which were inevitable in principle with a general distributed spectroscopic structure. There is. Further, the technique does not require precise optical axis alignment. Therefore, by combining the spectroscopic device technology described above with an analyzer that uses Raman spectroscopy, in-line chemical analysis of oil used in mechanical devices is possible even in harsh conditions such as vibration. It is thought that

However, as mentioned above, Raman spectroscopy has not yet been applied to the industrial field, so it cannot be said that there is sufficient knowledge for the analysis of oils in machinery. As a finding regarding the analysis of oils in conventional machinery, for example, a standard for monitoring the state of lubricating oil (Non-Patent Document 1: ASTM E2412-10 "Standard Specite for Condition Monitoring of In-Service Lubricants BiTrens by Trend" (Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectrum. ”2018) can be mentioned. In this standard, the wave number region and the substance belonging to the characteristic signal on the infrared absorption spectrum that should be monitored in the monitoring of the state of the lubricating oil by the Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy (FT-IR) method are defined. It is stipulated. On the other hand, in Raman spectroscopy, such a standard does not exist. From the physical principle, both infrared absorption spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy are molecular vibrational spectroscopy, and the characteristic signal on the spectrum is the energy corresponding to the binding energy of each molecule contained in the oil. Appears at the position of. However, the physical element process that absorbs infrared light with energy showing a characteristic signal in infrared absorption spectroscopy is different from the physical element process that produces Raman scattered light with energy showing a characteristic signal in Raman spectroscopy. In general, even signals belonging to the same molecular vibration have different signal intensities. This is called the selection rule, and sometimes even if the same substance is measured by infrared absorption spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, completely different spectra can be obtained.

In view of the above problems, the inventors of the present application analyzed a large number of oil samples by making full use of various analytical techniques including Raman spectroscopy, and as a result of diligent studies, a plurality of spectral features peculiar to Raman spectroscopy were found. For example, we have found that it is associated with multiple chemical changes associated with changes in the state of functional fluids such as deterioration due to the use of oil.

In addition, Raman spectroscopy, in principle, irradiates an object to be measured (here, oils) with an electromagnetic wave of a specific wavelength, generally a visible light laser. Since the laser has a very high energy density, it may induce autofluorescence of the object to be measured. That is, depending on the components contained in the object to be measured, autofluorescence with a signal much higher than that of Raman scattered light may occur, and this autofluorescence becomes an obstacle in the analysis of weak Raman scattered light. For example, in order to detect weak Raman scattered light, it is generally required to lengthen the exposure time for spectrum acquisition. However, if autofluorescence occurs with a signal much higher than the Raman scattered light signal, the autofluorescence can saturate the output of the photodetector for spectral measurement. It is also known that the intensity of autofluorescence decreases with the irradiation time of the laser due to the continuous irradiation of the laser. Therefore, the intensity of autofluorescence fluctuates during the measurement, which may adversely affect the detection accuracy of the relatively weak Raman scattered light.

As a result of diligent studies in view of the above problems, the inventors of the present application have found a method capable of reducing the influence of autofluorescence derived from a functional fluid in a mechanical device in Raman spectroscopy.

Therefore, the present disclosure provides an oil state determination device and an oil state determination method that can determine the state of a functional fluid in a mechanical device in-line.

The outline of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows.

As a result, light in the visible light region can be used as excitation light, so that an inexpensive optical system in the visible light region can be used. Therefore, the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure can be manufactured at a relatively low cost and can be miniaturized. This makes it easy to incorporate the functional fluid state determination device into the mechanical device. Further, in Raman spectroscopy, an object to be measured (here, a functional fluid) is irradiated with light, and Raman scattered light among the reflected light and scattered light is separated. Therefore, as in infrared absorption spectroscopy, for example, the object is subject to light. Since it is not necessary to transmit light through the object to be measured, the degree of freedom regarding the installation of the functional fluid state determination device in the mechanical device is increased. Therefore, according to the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the state of the functional fluid in the mechanical device can be determined in-line.

For example, in the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the light source transmits the electromagnetic wave to the functional fluid that is in direct contact with the optical window via an optical window provided on the flow path in the mechanical device. May be irradiated.

As a result, since the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is mounted on the mechanical device, the state of the functional fluid in the flow path can be determined in-line.

For example, in the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the functional fluid is oil, and the determination unit has a Raman scattered light intensity indicating oxidation of the oil as seen in the spectrum of the Raman scattered light. The state of the oil may be determined based on an increase or decrease.

Thereby, according to the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the oil component (for example, the oil component (for example,) is based on the increase or decrease of the signal intensity of the Raman scattered light in the wave band indicating the chemical bond generated by the oxidation of the oil. Information on changes in the chemical bonds of the base oil and additives, that is, changes in the chemical state of the oil (hereinafter, also referred to as chemical changes) can be obtained. Therefore, according to the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the state of the oil can be determined based on the information of the chemical change accompanying the oxidation of the oil.

For example, in the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the functional fluid is oil, and the determination unit indicates Raman scattering indicating an additive contained in the oil as seen in the spectrum of the Raman scattered light. The state of the oil may be determined based on the decrease in light intensity.

As a result, according to the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the chemical bond is formed based on the decrease in the signal intensity of the Raman scattered light in the wave frequency band indicating the chemical bond of the additive contained in the oil. Information about changes, that is, chemical changes of the additive, can be obtained. Therefore, according to the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the state of the oil can be determined based on the information of the chemical change of the additive contained in the oil.

For example, in the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the functional fluid is oil, and the determination unit shows decomposition of the base oil constituting the oil as seen in the spectrum of the Raman scattered light. The state of the oil may be determined based on the decrease in Raman scattered light intensity.

As a result, according to the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the chemistry of the base oil is based on the decrease in the signal intensity of the Raman scattered light in the wave number band indicating the chemical bond broken by the decomposition of the base oil. You can get information about changes. Therefore, according to the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the state of the oil can be determined based on the information of the chemical change due to the decomposition of the base oil contained in the oil.

For example, in the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the functional fluid is oil, and the determination unit indicates Raman scattered light intensity indicating sulfonation of the oil as seen in the spectrum of the Raman scattered light. The state of the oil may be determined based on the increase in.

As a result, according to the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the chemical change of the oil (here, sulfonation) is based on the increase in the signal intensity of the Raman scattered light in the wave number band indicating the sulfation of the oil. ) Can be obtained. Therefore, according to the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the state of the oil can be determined based on the information of the chemical change due to the sulfonation of the oil.

For example, in the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the functional fluid is oil, and the determination unit indicates the nitration of the oil as seen in the spectrum of the Raman scattered light. The state of the oil may be determined based on the increase in.

As a result, according to the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a chemical change (here, nitration) of the oil is based on an increase in the signal intensity of Raman scattered light in the wave number band indicating the nitration of the oil. ) Can be obtained. Therefore, according to the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the state of the oil can be determined based on the information of the chemical change due to the nitration of the oil.

For example, in the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the functional fluid is oil, and the determination unit determines the Raman scattered light intensity of soot in the oil as seen in the spectrum of the Raman scattered light. The state of the oil may be determined based on the increase.

As a result, according to the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, for example, the signal intensity of Raman scattered light in the wave frequency band indicating soot (carbon) generated by incomplete combustion of fuel used in a mechanical device is used. Based on the increase, information about the condition of the oil can be obtained. Therefore, according to the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the state of the oil can be determined based on the information regarding the soot generated or mixed in the oil.

For example, in a functional fluid state determination device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the functional fluid is an oil, wherein the determination unit, based on the spectrum of the Raman scattered light at a wave number range of 300 cm ^-1 or more 4000 cm ^-1 or less The state of the oil may be determined.

As a result, according to the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to obtain information equivalent to that of infrared absorption spectroscopy regarding the chemical state of oil.

For example, in an oil state determination device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the functional fluid is an oil, wherein the determination unit, based on the spectrum of the Raman scattered light at a wave number range of 300 cm ^-1 or more 2500 cm ^-1 or less The state of the oil may be determined.

As a result, according to the oil state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a strong signal can be detected in the spectrum of Raman scattered light in the wave number range, so that information on chemical changes in oil can be detected with high efficiency and accuracy. Can be obtained.

For example, in the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the functional fluid is oil, and the determination unit is based on the spectrum of the Raman scattered light in a wave number range of 750 cm ^-1 or more and 1150 cm ^-1 or less. The state of the oil may be determined.

As a result, according to the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, based on the change in the spectrum of Raman scattered light in the wave number range, the oil is oxidized and sulfonated, the base oil component is decomposed, and the oil is added. Information on the oxidation of the agent can be obtained.

For example, in the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the functional fluid is oil, and the determination unit has a spectrum of the Raman scattered light in a wave number range exceeding 1150 cm ^-1 and 1500 cm ^-1 or less. The state of the oil may be determined based on the above.

As a result, according to the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, based on the change in the spectrum of Raman scattered light in the wavenumber range, the oil is nitrated, the base oil component is decomposed, and the oil is contained. Information on soot generated or mixed can be obtained.

For example, functional fluid state determination device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the functional fluid is an oil, wherein the determination unit, based on the spectrum of the Raman scattered light at a wave number range of 1600 cm ^-1 or 1900 cm ^-1 or less The state of the oil may be determined.

As a result, according to the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the oil is oxidized, the base oil component is decomposed, and the oil is generated based on the change in the spectrum of the Raman scattered light in the wave number range. Alternatively, information on the mixed soot can be obtained.

For example, in the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the determination unit has a storage unit, and Raman scattering of the functional fluid immediately after the functional fluid in the mechanical device is replaced with a new functional fluid. The Raman spectrum of light is stored in the storage unit as information indicating the initial state of the functional fluid, and the Raman spectrum of the functional fluid is compared with the Raman spectrum of the functional fluid immediately after being replaced with the new functional fluid. May determine the state of the functional fluid.

As a result, the derived spectrum of the Raman scattered light of the functional fluid and the Raman scattered light of the functional fluid in the initial state of the functional fluid, that is, the state immediately after the functional fluid in the mechanical device is replaced with a new functional fluid. By comparing with the spectrum, not only the state of the functional fluid can be determined based on the degree of change in the chemical state of the functional fluid, but also the rate of change in the chemical state of the functional fluid can be derived. As a result, the functional fluid state determination device can predict the transition of the change in the state of the functional fluid, so that the user of the mechanical device can know, for example, a guideline for the replacement time of the functional fluid. In addition, the functional fluid state determination device can predict, for example, troubles that occur or may occur in a mechanical device from changes in the rate of change in the chemical state of the functional fluid (for example, the rate of deterioration of the functional fluid). It will be possible. Therefore, according to the functional fluid state determination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the user can easily and appropriately manage the replacement timing of the functional fluid and the maintenance management of the mechanical device.

Further, the functional fluid state determination system according to one aspect of the present disclosure has any of the above functions of determining the state of the functional fluid, the mechanical device into which the functional fluid is injected, and the functional fluid in the mechanical device. It is provided with a fluid state determination device.

Thereby, according to the functional fluid state determination system according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the state of the functional fluid in the mechanical device can be determined in-line.

It should be noted that these comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized by a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM, and the system, the method, the integrated circuit. , A computer program and any combination of recording media.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

It should be noted that all of the embodiments described below show comprehensive or specific examples. Numerical values, shapes, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of components, steps, step order, and the like shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Further, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims indicating the highest level concept are described as arbitrary components. Moreover, each figure is not necessarily exactly illustrated. In each figure, substantially the same configuration is designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description may be omitted or simplified.

In the following, oil will be used as an example of the functional fluid, and deterioration of the oil will be described as an example of the state of the functional fluid. The state of the functional fluid is not limited to the deterioration of the oil.

(Embodiment)
[Functional fluid state judgment system]
First, an outline of the functional fluid state determination system according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a functional fluid state determination system 400 and a functional fluid state determination system 410, which are examples of the functional fluid state determination system according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of the area A surrounded by the broken line in FIG.

First, the functional fluid state determination system 400 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the functional fluid state determination system 400 is a functional fluid state determination device 100 that determines the state of the functional fluid 200, the mechanical device 300 into which the functional fluid 200 is injected, and the functional fluid in the mechanical device 300. And.

The mechanical device 300 is a device that internally stores or circulates a functional fluid 200, for example, various large or small machinery and equipment installed inside and outside factories, offices, public facilities and houses, and for construction that operates outdoors. Machines, trucks, buses, passenger cars, motorcycles, ships, aircraft, trains, industrial vehicles, various vehicles such as construction vehicles, or machinery such as engines, transmissions, and hydraulic actuators provided by them. Including. Further, the mechanical device 300 may include equipment such as pumps, heat exchangers, pressure gauges and actuators, or members such as cylinders, gears, bearings, bearings and gears.

The functional fluid 200 is an oil that functions as a lubricating medium, a cooling medium, or a power transmission medium for the mechanical device 300. More specifically, the functional fluid 200 includes oils such as engine lubricating oil, gear lubricating oil, sliding part lubricating oil, bearing lubricating oil, hydraulic hydraulic oil, cooling oil, insulating oil, or contact protection oil. It may be. The oils are not particularly limited. The functional fluid 200 is injected into the mechanical device 300 and is repeatedly used in the mechanical device 300 by reciprocating or circulating. Therefore, in the functional fluid 200, the organic compound which is the main component of the functional fluid 200 is oxidized and decomposed in a chain reaction due to the stress of heat and oxidation associated with repeated use. Alternatively, it is polymerized or insolubilized by a chemical reaction. As described above, the function of the functional fluid 200 may be deteriorated due to the decomposition of the functional fluid 200 or the change in the chemical structure of the functional fluid 200 (hereinafter, also referred to as the change in the chemical state). This phenomenon is also referred to as deterioration of the functional fluid 200. The functional fluid state determination system 400 can determine the state of the functional fluid 200 by acquiring information on changes in the chemical state such as decomposition of the functional fluid 200 or changes in the chemical structure. The state of the functional fluid 200 may be a deterioration (that is, deterioration) of the function of the functional fluid 200, or may be an improvement of the function. Further, the state of the functional fluid 200 may be a state in which the functional change (for example, reduction or improvement) does not occur only by the change of the chemical component of the functional fluid 200.

The oils collectively referred to as oils in the present specification also include oils in which additives are added to liquid hydrocarbons called base oils. The additive is added to enhance or maintain the function required depending on the use of the oil, and examples thereof include antioxidants, detergent dispersants, viscosity modifiers, and extreme pressure additives.

Further, the functional fluid 200 is not limited to the above oil, and may be, for example, a fluid such as a cooling liquid, an exhaust gas purification catalyst liquid, a cleaning liquid, or a hydraulic hydraulic liquid. Examples of mechanical devices 300 in which these functional fluids are used are construction machinery, mining machinery, ships, hydraulic presses, hydraulic jacks, engines, reducers, generators, transformers, switches, exhaust purifiers. , Hydraulic jacks, air conditioners, and the like.

The functional fluid state determination device 100 is attached to the flow path 310 of the mechanical device 300. The flow path 310 is not limited to the piping as shown in FIG. 1, and may be any one as long as the functional fluid 200 can flow inside. For example, the flow path 310 may be a housing in which a filtration member such as a filter element and a strainer is stored, an oil tank, a cylinder, a pump, a gear, a bearing, a bearing, or a member in which a gear or the like is stored.

Although not shown, the functional fluid state determination device 100 may include a presentation unit and an input unit. The presenting unit presents the determination result of the state of the functional fluid to the user. The presenting unit is, for example, an organic EL (electroluminescence) or a liquid crystal display, a speaker, a lamp, or the like. The input unit receives the input of the user's operation signal. The input unit is, for example, a touch panel, an operation button, a microphone, or the like. Since the functional fluid state determination device 100 has the above configuration, the user can change settings such as the determination frequency of the functional fluid state, confirm the determination result, and extract the necessary determination result. ..

The presentation unit and the input unit may be provided in a device other than the functional fluid state determination device 100. As an example of the functional fluid state determination system having such a configuration, the functional fluid state determination system 410 will be described.

For example, in the functional fluid state determination system 410, the presentation unit and the input unit are provided in the computer device 500. The computer device 500 is connected to the functional fluid state determination device 100 by communication. The communication method may be wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or wired communication such as Ethernet (registered trademark). The computer device 500 is, for example, a terminal device incorporated in a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or a device (for example, an automobile in FIG. 1) including a mechanical device 300 (for example, an engine in FIG. 1). .. At this time, in addition to the above configuration, the input unit is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a sensor for detecting the movement of a part of the user's body (for example, eyes, head, lips, fingers, etc.). May be good. As a result, the user can easily change the setting such as the determination frequency of the state of the functional fluid, confirm the determination result, and extract the necessary determination result at a desired timing.

Note that the computer device 500 may be able to connect to the database via a network such as the Internet. At this time, the functional fluid state determination system 410 outputs information indicating the state of the functional fluid 200 to the database via the computer device 500, and generates the remaining life of the functional fluid 200 derived from the database and the mechanical device 300. Information such as troubles to be obtained may be acquired. As a result, according to the functional fluid state determination system 410, the user can more efficiently manage the functional fluid 200 and the mechanical device 300.

From the above, according to the functional fluid state determination system 400, the state of the functional fluid 200 in the mechanical device 300 can be analyzed in-line to determine the degree of deterioration of the functional fluid. Therefore, the user does not need to stop the operation of the mechanical device 300 and sample the functional fluid 200. Further, since the user can easily grasp the state of the functional fluid 200, the functional fluid can be replaced at an appropriate time. Therefore, according to the functional fluid state determination system 400, it is possible to reduce the cost and the load on the environment.

Here, an example in which the functional fluid 200 is an oil used for an automobile engine has been described, but the functional fluid 200 is not limited to the oil. Further, in the mechanical device 300 used under harsher conditions than the automobile, the rate of change of the chemical state of the functional fluid 200 becomes even faster. In particular, hydraulic systems for construction vehicles such as excavators and engines have a very high rate of change in the chemical state of the functional fluid 200. As described above, as the mechanical device 300 is used under more severe conditions, the rate of change in the chemical state of the functional fluid 200 becomes faster, so that the rate of functional deterioration of the functional fluid 200 (hereinafter, also referred to as deterioration rate) also increases. It will be faster. In the functional fluid

state determination systems

400 and 410 according to the present embodiment, even for the mechanical device 300 used under such severe conditions, the functional fluid state determination device 100 is attached to the flow path 310 to inline. The state of the functional fluid 200 can be determined with. Therefore, according to the functional fluid

state determination systems

400 and 410, the state of the functional fluid 200 in the mechanical device 300 can be appropriately determined for the mechanical device 300 in various usage environments.

[Functional fluid state determination device]
[Constitution]
Subsequently, the functional fluid state determination device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the functional fluid state determination device 100 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the functional fluid state determination device 100 includes a light source 10, a spectroscope 20, and a determination unit 30. The determination unit 30 has a storage unit 40. Hereinafter, each configuration will be described.

[light source]
The light source 10 irradiates the functional fluid 200 that stores or circulates the flow path 310 in the mechanical device 300 with electromagnetic waves. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the light source 10 irradiates the functional fluid 200 with electromagnetic waves while the functional fluid 200 circulates in the flow path 310. At this time, the light source 10 may irradiate the functional fluid 200 directly in contact with the optical window 112 with an electromagnetic wave via the optical window 112 provided on the flow path 310 in the mechanical device 300. The light source 10 may irradiate the functional fluid 200 in direct contact with the optical window 112 with an electromagnetic wave via an optical fiber (not shown). The electromagnetic wave may be ultraviolet light, visible light, or near-infrared light. Above all, the light source 10 is preferably a light source that emits light having a wavelength in the visible light region. As a result, an inexpensive visible light laser can be used as the light source 10. Further, as the optical system, an inexpensive optical system for visible light can be used. Therefore, since the functional fluid state determination device 100 can be manufactured at low cost, the versatility of the functional fluid state determination device 100 is improved.

When the functional fluid 200 is irradiated with electromagnetic waves, fluorescence is emitted from the functional fluid 200. This is called background fluorescence. This fluorescence is, for example, autofluorescence of a component in the functional fluid 200 or fluorescence emitted by a fluorescent substance. Since background fluorescence affects the analysis, background correction is generally performed. However, if the substance that emits fluorescence is continuously irradiated with the excitation light, the fluorescence intensity gradually decreases. Therefore, when the functional fluid 200 is stagnant (that is, does not move) and the electromagnetic wave is irradiated to a predetermined portion of the functional fluid 200, the electromagnetic wave continues to be irradiated to the predetermined substance, so that the background fluorescence gradually decreases. To do. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the light source 10 irradiates the functional fluid 200 with electromagnetic waves when the functional fluid 200 circulates in the flow path 310, the electromagnetic waves are irradiated to a predetermined substance in the functional fluid 200. Continuing is reduced. Therefore, the time change of background fluorescence due to irradiating the functional fluid with electromagnetic waves can be reduced, and the accuracy of background correction is improved.

[Spectroscope]
The spectroscope 20 derives a spectrum of Raman scattered light by dispersing Raman scattered light scattered from the functional fluid 200. As shown in FIG. 2, the Raman scattered light enters the housing 110 of the functional fluid state determination device 100 through the optical window 112 and is received by the spectroscope 20. The received Raman scattered light is separated into light for each wavelength band by a plurality of detection channels 22 (see FIG. 4) arranged on the light receiving surface of the spectroscope 20. Hereinafter, the configuration and function of the spectroscope 20 will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of the spectroscope 20.

FIG. 4 is a schematic top view showing an example of the spectroscope 20 viewed from the light receiving side. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line VV of FIG. In these figures, for the sake of simplicity, the waveguide input coupling diffraction grating, the waveguide output coupling diffraction grating, and other elements generally used in the waveguide are omitted. Further, in FIG. 4, only the codes of the two detection channels described with reference to FIG. 5 have alphabets after the numbers.

As shown in FIG. 4, the spectroscope 20 includes an image pickup element 50 and a plurality of detection channels 22 having different lengths on the image pickup element 50. The image sensor 50 is, for example, an image sensor such as a CMOS (Complementary MOS) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The length of the detection channel 22 corresponds to the wavelength of detectable (ie, spectroscopic) light. Therefore, the spectroscope 20 includes a number of detection channels 22 corresponding to the number of wavelengths to be separated. The light of each wavelength dispersed in each detection channel 22 is independently converted into an electric signal by the image sensor 50 for each detection channel 22.

Subsequently, the configuration and function of the detection channel 22 will be described by taking the detection channel 22a and the detection channel 22b as examples. The configuration of the detection channel 22 will be described by taking the detection channel 22a as an example.

As shown in FIG. 5, the detection channel 22a includes a waveguide input coupling diffraction grating 24a, an optical waveguide 26a, and a waveguide output coupling diffraction grating 28a. The waveguide input coupled diffraction grating 24a inputs the Raman scattered light received by the spectroscope 20 into the detection channel 22a, and outputs the light in a predetermined propagation direction (here, the direction of the optical waveguide 26a). .. The waveguide output coupled diffraction grating 28a outputs the diffracted light propagating in the optical waveguide 26a to the image pickup device 50. The output diffracted light is light having a wavelength corresponding to the length of the optical waveguide 26a. Similarly, the diffracted light input to and output from the detection channel 22b is light having a wavelength corresponding to the length of the optical waveguide 26b. The image sensor 50 independently receives the diffracted light output from the detection channel 22a to the image sensor 50 and the diffracted light output from the detection channel 22b to the image sensor 50 and converts them into an electric signal. That is, the image sensor 50 independently receives the diffracted light of different wavelengths output from each detection channel 22 at the location corresponding to each detection channel 22, and converts the diffracted light of each wavelength into an electric signal. The image sensor 50 outputs the converted electric signal as a digital value to a calculation unit (not shown). Although not shown, the spectroscope 20 has a calculation unit and derives a spectrum of Raman scattered light from the dispersed Raman scattered light.

The diffraction grating shown in FIG. 5 may be a mirror or a prism. Further, the positions of these diffraction gratings may be configured so that the mutual relationship of the diffraction gratings is satisfied in each detection channel 22.

[Judgment unit]
The determination unit 30 determines the state of the functional fluid 200 (for example, oil) based on the spectrum of Raman scattered light derived by the spectroscope 20 (hereinafter, also referred to as Raman spectrum). As shown in FIG. 3, the determination unit 30 has a storage unit 40, and when the functional fluid 200 in the mechanical device 300 is replaced with a new functional fluid, the determination unit 30 is replaced with a new functional fluid. Immediately after, the Raman spectrum of the Raman scattered light of the functional fluid 200 is stored in the storage unit 40 as information indicating the initial state of the functional fluid 200. On the other hand, when the functional fluid 200 in the mechanical device 300 is not replaced with a new functional fluid, the determination unit 30 uses the Raman spectrum of the functional fluid 200 derived by the spectroscope 20 and the new functional fluid read from the storage unit 40. The state of the functional fluid 200 is determined by comparing it with the Raman spectrum of the functional fluid 200 immediately after being replaced with (so-called information indicating the initial state of the functional fluid 200).

Functional fluids 200 is, for example oil, spectra of the Raman scattered light determination unit 30 is used to determine the state of the oil, for example, it may be a spectrum in the wave number range of 300 cm ^-1 or more 4000 cm ^-1 or less .. As a result, it is possible to obtain information on the chemical state of the oil, which is equivalent to that of infrared absorption spectroscopy. Further, the spectrum of the Raman scattered light may be spectrum in the wave number range of 300 cm ^-1 or more 2500 cm ^-1 or less. As a result, a strong signal can be detected in the spectrum of Raman scattered light, so that information on the chemical change of oil can be obtained with high efficiency and accuracy. Further, the spectrum of the Raman scattered light may be spectrum in the wave number range of 900 cm ^-1 or more 1500 cm ^-1 or less. As a result, the change in spectral characteristics due to changes in the chemical structure of the oil (more specifically, the decomposition of chemical components in the oil or the change in the chemical structure) is much larger than in infrared absorption spectroscopy. Information on chemical changes in oil can be obtained with higher efficiency and accuracy.

[Memory]
The storage unit 40 includes data on the spectrum of Raman scattered light of the functional fluid 200 acquired by the determination unit 30 from the spectroscope 20, a determination result regarding the state of the functional fluid 200 (for example, oil) determined by the determination unit 30, and determination. This is a storage device in which a computer program or the like executed by the unit 30 is stored. The storage unit 40 may store, for example, a database in which data such as a determination index and a threshold value for determining the state of the functional fluid 200 are stored according to the type of the functional fluid 200. The storage unit 40 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory or the like.

[motion]
Subsequently, the operation of the functional fluid state determination device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the functional fluid state determination device 100 according to the embodiment.

First, the light source 10 irradiates the functional fluid 200 circulating in the flow path 310 in the mechanical device 300 with an electromagnetic wave (step S001). More specifically, the light source 10 irradiates the functional fluid 200 in direct contact with the optical window 112 with an electromagnetic wave through the optical window 112 provided on the flow path 310 in the mechanical device 300. Here, the functional fluid 200 is oil. As described above, the electromagnetic wave may be ultraviolet light, visible light, or near-infrared light, but may be light having a wavelength in the visible light region.

Next, the spectroscope 20 disperses the Raman scattered light scattered from the oil (step S002). Then, the spectroscope 20 derives a spectrum of the dispersed Raman scattered light (so-called Raman spectrum) (step S003).

The determination unit 30 acquires the Raman spectrum derived by the spectroscope 20 (step S004). In this case, for example, the determination unit 30, a spectrometer 20, and acquires a spectrum of 300 cm ^-1 or more 2500 cm ^-1 following wavenumber range.

Next, the determination unit 30 determines whether or not the oil in the mechanical device 300 has been replaced with new oil (step S005). For example, the information indicating that the oil in the mechanical device 300 has been changed to new oil may be input by the user via an input unit (not shown) when the oil change is performed, and is in the flow path 310. It may be derived by the determination unit 30 based on the detection result of the sensor that detects the amount of oil in the above. When the determination unit 30 determines that the oil in the mechanical device 300 has been replaced with new oil (Yes in step S005), the determination unit 30 stores the acquired Raman spectrum in the storage unit 40 as information indicating the initial state of the oil (step S006). ). The details of the information indicating the initial information of the oil will be described in Operation Example 2 of the determination unit 30.

On the other hand, when the determination unit 30 determines that the oil in the mechanical device 300 has not been replaced with new oil (No in step S005), it is based on the spectrum of Raman scattered light acquired in step S004 (so-called Raman spectrum). To determine the state of the oil (step S007).

The functional fluid state determination device 100 may execute the above flow at a predetermined timing. For example, the above flow may be executed when the mechanical device 300 is started (that is, when the power is turned on), and is executed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the mechanical device 300 was turned on. May be good. Further, for example, the above flow may be executed for a predetermined period (for example, every other week).

[Operation example 1 of the judgment unit]
Subsequently, operation example 1 of the determination unit 30 will be described with reference to FIG. In operation example 1, an example of the operation of the determination unit 30 in the process of step 007 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the determination unit 30 determines that the oil in the mechanical device 300 has not been replaced with new oil (No in step S005), the determination unit 30 of the oil is based on the Raman spectrum acquired in step S004. The state is determined (step S007).

More specifically, in the process of step S007, the determination unit 30 determines the state of the oil based on the intensity and shape of the peak of the Raman spectrum in a specific wave number range (hereinafter, a specific region) of the Raman spectrum. To do.

In a specific region, the signal intensity of the Raman spectrum changes due to changes in the chemical structure of the main component (for example, the component of the base oil) and additives such as antioxidants contained in the oil. Here, the oil is an oil in which an additive is added to the base oil. Chemical reactions associated with changes in the chemical structure of the chemical components contained in the oil include, for example, oxidation, nitration, and sulfation of the oil (for example, base oil) components, decomposition of the base oil contained in the oil, and , Consumption of additives (eg, antioxidants), etc. The specific regions are, for example, the specific regions E, F, G and H shown in FIG. 7. A specific description of the specific areas E to H will be described later. The determination unit 30 determines the state of oil (for example, the state of deterioration of oil) by detecting changes in the Raman spectrum in each of the plurality of specific regions.

For example, the determination unit 30 determines the degree of change in the oil state (for example, the degree of deterioration) based on the difference between the signal intensity of the Raman scattered light spectrum (so-called Raman spectrum) in each specific region and the threshold value. You may. Information such as the spectrum of Raman scattered light and the threshold value is stored in the storage unit 40. The determination unit 30 reads these data from the storage unit 40 and performs arithmetic processing such as calculation of the difference.

Further, for example, the determination unit 30 compares the spectrum of the Raman scattered light of the oil acquired in step S004 with the past data stored in the storage unit 40, and derives the rate of change of the spectrum in each specific region. Therefore, the degree of change in the state of the oil (for example, the degree of deterioration) may be determined. Here, the data is data on the spectrum of Raman scattered light of oil, and the past is, for example, a period from several days ago to half a year ago. As a result, the determination unit 30 can accurately determine the degree of change in the oil state (for example, the degree of deterioration).

The threshold value in each specific region may be determined according to the magnitude of the influence on the oil due to the chemical reaction accompanying the change (for example, deterioration) of the oil state. For example, each threshold value may be determined according to the rate of progress of the chemical reaction or the degree to which the substance generated by the chemical reaction affects the functional deterioration of the oil. Further, each threshold value may be appropriately changed depending on the type of oil, the type of additives contained in the oil, and the like.

In the process of step S007, the determination unit 30 determines the state of the oil and then stores the determination result in the storage unit 40.

Note that the determination unit 30 may output information indicating the determination result of the degree of change in the oil state (for example, the degree of deterioration) to the presentation unit. The information indicating the determination result may be, for example, a numerical value such as a percentage or a five-step display, a color such as red, blue, or yellow, or a message. This information may be audio or an image.

[Operation example 2 of the judgment unit]
Subsequently, operation example 2 of the determination unit 30 will be described with reference to FIG. In operation example 2, another example of the operation of the determination unit 30 in the process of step 007 will be described. In operation example 1, the determination unit 30 has described an example of determining the oil state based on the intensity and shape of the peak of the Raman spectrum in a specific wave number range (hereinafter, specific region) of the acquired Raman spectrum. In operation example 2, an example of determining the oil state by comparing the acquired Raman spectrum with the Raman spectrum of the oil immediately after the oil change (information indicating the initial state of the oil) will be described. Here, the description overlapping with the operation example 1 will be omitted, and the points different from the operation example 1 will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the oil in the mechanical device 300 is replaced with a new oil (Yes in step S005), the determination unit 30 obtains a spectrum of Raman scattered light of the oil immediately after the replacement with the new oil. It is stored in the storage unit 40 as information indicating the initial state of the oil (step S006).

On the other hand, when the oil in the mechanical device 300 is not replaced with new oil (No in step S005), the determination unit 30 determines the state of the oil in the process of step S007, from the storage unit 40 to the initial stage of the oil. Read and use the information indicating the status. More specifically, the determination unit 30 compares the spectrum of the Raman scattered light of the oil in the mechanical device 300 with the spectrum of the Raman scattered light of the oil immediately after being replaced with new oil. The state of the oil in 300 is determined.

In this way, the determination unit 30 compares the derived Raman scattered light spectrum of the oil with the spectrum of the Raman scattered light of the oil in the initial state of the oil, that is, the state immediately after the oil change. Not only can the oil state be determined based on the degree of change in the chemical state of the oil, but the rate of change in the chemical state of the oil can also be derived. As a result, the determination unit 30 can predict the transition of the change in the oil state, so that the user can know, for example, a guideline for the oil replacement time. Further, the determination unit 30 can predict the trouble that occurs or may occur in the mechanical device 300 from the change in the rate of change in the chemical state of the oil (for example, the rate of deterioration of the oil). Therefore, the user can easily and appropriately manage the oil change timing and the maintenance management of the mechanical device 300.

The information indicating the initial information of the oil is, for example, the spectrum of the Raman scattered light of the new oil measured immediately after the oil in the mechanical device 300 is replaced with the new oil. For example, immediately after changing to new oil may be the time immediately after changing the old oil in the mechanical device 300 to new oil, and may be the time before the mechanical device 300 is driven. It may be the time immediately after the device 300 is driven for a predetermined time. For example, a predetermined time means that new oil is circulated in the flow path 310 in the mechanical device 300 a predetermined number of times, and old oil and dirt remaining in the mechanical device 300 are uniformly dispersed in the new oil. It is the time to carry out the required number of cycles.

The information indicating the initial state of the oil is not the data of the new oil itself, but the measurement data immediately after the new oil is injected into the oil system of the mechanical device. By using the data, the determination unit 30 determines the state of the oil in consideration of the carry-over of the deteriorated oil before the replacement with new oil and the influence of dirt such as soot remaining in the mechanical device 300. can do. Further, the determination unit 30 can predict the change in the state of the oil in consideration of the above influence. Even if the oil in the mechanical device 300 is changed, the residue of the old oil taken out from the mechanical device 300 by the oil change may be mixed with the new oil injected into the mechanical device 300. Due to this effect, the new oil injected into the mechanical device 300 may show a change different from the time course of the oil itself. Since the determination unit 30 can make a determination in consideration of the above influences, it is possible to more accurately determine the state of the oil in the mechanical device 300 and the guideline of the oil change timing.

The information indicating the initial state of the oil includes not only the spectrum of the Raman scattered light of the oil immediately after being replaced with the new oil described above, but also, for example, information on the oil, information on the measurement, information on the mechanical device 300, and the like. May be included.

Information about oil is the type of oil, composition of oil, opening date, manufacturer, lot number, etc. The information regarding the measurement includes the measurement date and time, the number of measurements, the measurement data, the spectrum of the excitation light, and the conditions for deriving the spectrum (for example, the extraction conditions for the measurement data to be used). Information about the mechanical device 300 includes, for example, the manufacturer, serial number, type of mechanical device 300, usage environment, frequency of use, and usage status.

The determination unit 30 may select and use necessary information from these information according to the phase of the deterioration state of the oil. In addition, the determination unit 30 acquires information on the operating environment of the mechanical device 300 (for example, air temperature, humidity, etc.) and the operating state of the mechanical device 300 (engine speed, oil temperature, etc.) at each measurement. Therefore, the determination result may be corrected based on the information. As a result, the determination unit 30 can present necessary information to the user according to the degree of deterioration of the oil. Since the presentation unit, the input unit, and the computer device 500 have been described above, the description thereof will be omitted here.

[Analysis example]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the results of analysis of oils having different deterioration states by infrared absorption spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. There are three types of oils with different deterioration states: new oil immediately after being injected into the mechanical device by oil change, oil in use, and deteriorated oil that has deteriorated to the extent that oil change is necessary. FIG. 7A is an absorption spectrum of the above three types of oil by the FT-IR method, and FIG. 7B is a Raman spectrum of the above three types of oil by Raman spectroscopy.

Areas E, F, G, and H surrounded by broken lines in the figure each indicate the above-mentioned specific areas (hereinafter, simply referred to as "areas").

In region E, a change in the spectrum derived from the antioxidant ZnDTP (Zinc Dithioldithiophosphate) in the oil was confirmed. In region F, changes in the spectrum due to oil nitration were confirmed. In region G, a change in the spectrum derived from the oxidation of the oil was confirmed. Each of the items confirmed in these three areas is defined in the conventional standard for monitoring lubricating oil (see Non-Patent Document 1). On the other hand, the items confirmed in the area H are not defined in the above standard.

Comparing the absorption spectrum of FT-IR and the Raman spectrum in the region H, the shape of the absorption spectrum of FT-IR and the signal intensity of the peak hardly changed among the three oils, but the Raman spectrum showed little change. The shape and peak signal intensity (also referred to as signal intensity) differed significantly among the three oils. Therefore, it was found that the Raman spectra of the three types of oils in the region H characteristically indicate the state of the chemical reaction of the oils due to deterioration.

Therefore, according to the functional fluid state determination device 100 according to the present embodiment, it was confirmed that the oil state can be accurately determined in-line by Raman spectroscopy.

[Judgment index]
Subsequently, the determination index of the state of the functional fluid 200 will be described using oil as an example.

As described above, in the process of using the functional fluid 200 (hereinafter referred to as oil) in the mechanical device 300, various physical (eg, heating, pressurizing or rubbing, etc.) and chemical factors (eg, oxidation) Etc.), which chemically changes the properties of the oil and often reduces the expected function of the oil. Such a chemical change in the functional fluid 200 (so-called change in chemical state) is the signal intensity of the peak on the spectrum attributable to the change in the chemical bond contained in each chemical component in the oil in Raman spectroscopy. Observed as fluctuation. In this way, it is possible to determine the state of oil based on fluctuations in signal intensities of a plurality of peaks in the Raman spectrum.

As described above, the conventional standard for monitoring lubricating oil (see Non-Patent Document 1) defines the wavenumber region and the substance belonging to the characteristic signal on the infrared absorption spectrum obtained by the FT-IR method. Has been done. On the other hand, in Raman spectroscopy, such a standard does not exist.

As described above, since Raman spectroscopy and FT-IR method detect the vibration change of the same chemical bond, it is possible to obtain an analysis result approximately equivalent to the change of the chemical substance. However, in principle, since there is a difference in the physical element process on which the measurement depends between the Raman spectroscopy and the FT-IR method, the signal intensity may be different even if the signals belong to the same molecular vibration. Therefore, there are differences in the spectra obtained in these measurements. In general, a chemical bond that gives a strong signal by Raman spectroscopy tends to have a weak signal by the FT-IR method, and vice versa, but the state of the chemical substance containing the chemical bond or the function added to the chemical bond. The above tendency is not always uniform due to differences in groups.

Therefore, the inventors of the present application repeatedly conducted diligent measurement experiments on a large number of oil samples, and found that the chemical change, which is a judgment index capable of effectively determining the state of oil by Raman spectroscopy, and the Raman spectrum caused by the chemical change. The relationship between the peak wavenumber band and the change in signal strength of the peak was clarified. Table 1 shows an example of a judgment index that can be used to judge the state of oil.

As mentioned above, the oil is a base oil with an additive added. The chemical changes shown in Table 1 that are indicators of the state of oil are (1) oxidation of oil, (2) consumption of additives, (3) decomposition of base oil, (4) sulfation of oil, and (5). ) Oil is nitrated, and (6) Soot is generated or mixed in the oil. The state of the oil can be determined based on the changes in the chemical bonds of the base oil and the additives contained in the oil caused by these chemical changes, and the changes in the signal intensity of the Raman spectrum attributed to the soot in the oil. it can. Specifically, it is as follows.

(1) Oxidation of oil Oxidation of oil is a chemical change in which hydrocarbons (C _n H _2n : n are natural numbers) in the base oil and additives are oxidized and the CH bond changes to the CO bond. Is. Further, the unsaturated carbon bond C = C contained in the base oil is oxidized and changed to CO and CC. The Raman signal intensity attributed to the OO bond of CO, C = O and the intermediate product of oxidation, COO, increases with the oxidation of the oil. On the other hand, the Raman signal intensity attributed to the unsaturated carbon bond C = C contained in the base oil decreases with the oxidation of the oil.

(2) Consumption of Additives Consumption of additives is a chemical change including a change in a chemical bond due to cleavage of a characteristic functional group contained in the additive. Additives (eg, antioxidants) prevent the oil from oxidizing by oxidizing itself. At this time, the additive is decomposed by being oxidized by itself, or its chemical structure is changed. As a result, the amount of the additive is reduced, so that the Raman signal intensity attributed to the characteristic functional group contained in the additive is reduced. For example, if the additive is an amine-based additive, vibration of the C—NC bond of the secondary amine is observed. The Raman signal intensity attributed to the vibration of the CNC bond decreases as the additive is consumed. In addition, the Raman signal intensity attributed to the vibration of various bonds forming the aromatic ring contained in the additive also decreases as the additive is consumed.

(3) Decomposition of base oil Decomposition of base oil is a chemical change including a change in chemical bond due to cleavage and decomposition of carbon chains constituting the base oil. The Raman signal intensity attributed to the CC bond of the carbon chain of the hydrocarbon in the base oil decreases with the decomposition of the base oil. Further, the Raman signal intensity attributed to the ester bond COC contained in the base oil also decreases with the decomposition of the base oil. In addition, the Raman signal intensity attributed to the methylene group -CH _2- also decreases with the decomposition of the base oil.

(4) Oil sulfonation Oil sulfonation is a chemical change in which carbon in the base oil reacts with impurities or sulfur in exhaust gas to form sulfonic acid and acidify it. Acid _(R-SO 3 H: R is a substituent) Raman signal intensity attributed to S = O-O bonds is increased with the sulfonated oil.

(5) Oil nitration Oil nitration is a chemical change in which the carbon of the base oil mainly reacts with nitrogen in the exhaust gas to form nitric acid. The Raman signal intensity attributed to NOO of nitric acid increases with oil nitration.

(6) Generation or mixing of soot in oil The generation or mixing of soot in oil is a chemical change caused by soot (carbon) generated by incomplete combustion of the fuel used in the mechanical device 300. The Raman signal intensity attributed to soot (carbon) increases as the amount of soot generated or mixed in the oil increases.

As shown in Table 1, the peak wave number band of the Raman spectrum due to the chemical change is a wave number band A, which is a wave number range of 750 cm ^-1 or more and 1150 cm ^-1 or less, and more than 1150 cm ^-1 and 1500 cm ^-1 or less. frequency band B the wave number range, and a frequency band C is a wave number range of 1600 cm ^-1 or 1900 cm ^-1 or less. The determination unit 30 oxidizes and sulfates the oil from the spectrum of the Raman scattered light derived by the spectroscope 20, for example, based on the signal intensity of the peak observed in the spectrum of the Raman scattered light located in the wave number band A. The state of the oil is determined by acquiring information on the decomposition of the base oil component and the oxidation of the additive. Further, the determination unit 30 uses the spectrum of the Raman scattered light derived by the spectroscope 20 to nitrate the oil based on, for example, the signal intensity of the peak observed in the spectrum of the Raman scattered light located in the wave number band B. The state of the oil is determined by decomposing the base oil component and acquiring information on the soot generated or mixed in the oil. Further, the determination unit 30 oxidizes and groups the oil based on the spectrum of the Raman scattered light derived by the spectroscope 20, for example, based on the signal intensity of the peak observed in the spectrum of the Raman scattered light located in the wave number band C. The state of the oil is determined by decomposing the oil component and acquiring information on the soot generated or mixed in the oil.

In addition, since the above judgment index is also affected by the oil type and the usage environment of oils, it should not be understood in a limited manner, and there are cases where the judgment should be made after considering the combination of multiple indexes. possible.

In the above embodiment, the functional fluid 200 has been described by taking the oil in the mechanical device 300 as an example, but the functional fluid 200 is not limited to this. It is also applicable to various analysis targets exemplified as the functional fluid 200. It is also applicable to, for example, liquid raw materials, processed products, products, etc. in a food processing process.

In the above embodiment, the state of the functional fluid 200 has been described by taking deterioration as an example, but the state is not limited to this. It may be an improvement of the function exemplified as the state of the functional fluid 200, or may be a state in which the functional change (for example, reduction or improvement) does not occur only by the component change of the functional fluid 200.

[Other embodiments]
The functional fluid state determination device and the functional fluid state determination system according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure have been described above based on the above embodiments, but the present disclosure is limited to these embodiments. It's not something. As long as the gist of the present disclosure is not deviated, one or a plurality of embodiments of the present disclosure may be obtained by subjecting various modifications that can be conceived by those skilled in the art to the embodiments or by combining components in different embodiments. It may be included in the range of.

In the above embodiment, the storage unit 40 is provided in the determination unit 30, but the determination unit 30 may not be provided. For example, the storage unit 40 may be a storage unit on a cloud server. In this case, the storage unit 40 may determine not only the state of the functional fluid 200 but also the state of the mechanical device 300 in which the functional fluid 200 is used, and further manage the mechanical device 300 based on the determination result. You may derive information about.

For example, a part or all of the components included in the functional fluid state determination device in the above embodiment may be composed of one system LSI (Large Scale Integration: large-scale integrated circuit). For example, the functional fluid state determination device may be composed of a system LSI having a light source, a spectroscopic unit, and a determination unit. The system LSI does not have to include a light source.

A system LSI is an ultra-multifunctional LSI manufactured by integrating a plurality of components on a single chip. Specifically, a microprocessor, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. It is a computer system configured to include. A computer program is stored in the ROM. The system LSI achieves its function by operating the microprocessor according to the computer program.

Although it is referred to as a system LSI here, it may be referred to as an IC (Integrated Circuit), an LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration. Further, the method of forming an integrated circuit is not limited to LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connection and settings of the circuit cells inside the LSI may be used.

Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that replaces an LSI appears due to advances in semiconductor technology or another technology derived from it, it is naturally possible to integrate functional blocks using that technology. The application of biotechnology, etc. is possible.

Further, one aspect of the present disclosure may be not only such a functional fluid state determination device but also a functional fluid state determination method in which a characteristic component included in the device is a step. Further, one aspect of the present disclosure may be a computer program that causes a computer to execute each characteristic step included in the functional fluid state determination method. Also, one aspect of the present disclosure may be a computer-readable, non-temporary recording medium on which such a computer program is recorded.

According to the functional fluid state determination device and the functional fluid state determination system according to the present disclosure, the state of the functional fluid in the mechanical device can be determined in-line. According to the present disclosure, since the state of the functional fluid can be determined even in a vibration and high temperature environment, it can be applied to all machinery and devices that use the working fluid, such as construction machinery, vehicles, power generation devices, and internal combustion engines. Therefore, the state of the functional fluid can be monitored even while these mechanical devices are in operation.

10 Light source 20

Spectrometer

22, 22a,

22b Detection channel

24a, 24b Wavewire input

coupling diffraction grating

26a,

26b Optical waveguide

28a, 28b Waveguide output coupling diffraction grating 30 Judgment unit 40 Storage unit 50 Imaging element 100 Functional fluid state determination device 110 Housing 112 Optical window 200 Functional fluid 300 Mechanical device 310

Flow path

400, 410 Functional fluid state determination system 500 Computer device

Claims

A light source that irradiates a functional fluid that stores or circulates in a flow path in a mechanical device with electromagnetic waves,
A spectroscope that derives the spectrum of the Raman scattered light by dispersing the Raman scattered light scattered from the functional fluid, and
A determination unit that determines the state of the functional fluid based on the spectrum of the Raman scattered light derived by the spectroscope, and a determination unit.
To prepare
Functional fluid state determination device.
The light source irradiates the functional fluid in direct contact with the optical window with the electromagnetic wave through an optical window provided on the flow path in the mechanical device.
The functional fluid state determination device according to claim 1.
The functional fluid is oil, and the determination unit determines the state of the oil based on an increase or decrease in Raman scattered light intensity indicating oxidation of the oil as seen in the spectrum of the Raman scattered light.
The functional fluid state determination device according to claim 1 or 2.
The functional fluid is an oil, and the determination unit determines the state of the oil based on a decrease in Raman scattered light intensity indicating an additive contained in the oil as seen in the spectrum of the Raman scattered light.
The functional fluid state determination device according to claim 1 or 2.
The functional fluid is oil, and the determination unit determines the state of the oil based on a decrease in Raman scattered light intensity indicating decomposition of the base oil constituting the oil, which is seen in the spectrum of the Raman scattered light. ,
The functional fluid state determination device according to claim 1 or 2.
The functional fluid is an oil, and the determination unit determines the state of the oil based on an increase in Raman scattered light intensity indicating sulfonation of the oil in the spectrum of the Raman scattered light.
The functional fluid state determination device according to claim 1 or 2.
The functional fluid is an oil, and the determination unit determines the state of the oil based on an increase in Raman scattered light intensity indicating nitration of the oil in the spectrum of the Raman scattered light.
The functional fluid state determination device according to claim 1 or 2.
The functional fluid is oil, and the determination unit determines the state of the oil based on an increase in the Raman scattered light intensity of soot in the oil as seen in the spectrum of the Raman scattered light.
The functional fluid state determination device according to claim 1 or 2.
The functional fluid is an oil, wherein the determination unit determines the state of the oil based on the spectrum of the Raman scattered light at a wave number range of 300 cm -1 or more 4000 cm -1 or less,
The functional fluid state determination device according to claim 1 or 2.
The functional fluid is an oil, wherein the determination unit determines the state of the oil based on the spectrum of the Raman scattered light at a wave number range of 300 cm -1 or more 2500 cm -1 or less,
The functional fluid state determination device according to claim 1 or 2.
The functional fluid is oil, and the determination unit determines the state of the oil based on the spectrum of the Raman scattered light in the wave number range of 750 cm -1 or more and 1150 cm -1 or less.
The functional fluid state determination device according to claim 1 or 2.
The functional fluid is an oil, wherein the determination unit determines the state of the oil based on the spectrum of the Raman scattered light at a wave number range of 1500 cm -1 from more than 1150 cm -1,
The functional fluid state determination device according to claim 1 or 2.
The functional fluid is an oil, wherein the determination unit determines the state of the oil based on the spectrum of the Raman scattered light at a wave number range of 1600 cm -1 or 1900 cm -1 or less,
The functional fluid state determination device according to claim 1 or 2.
The determination unit has a storage unit, and stores the spectrum of Raman scattered light of the functional fluid immediately after the functional fluid in the mechanical device is replaced with a new functional fluid as information indicating an initial state of the functional fluid. The state of the functional fluid is determined by storing it in a unit and comparing the spectrum of the Raman scattered light of the functional fluid with the spectrum of the Raman scattered light of the functional fluid immediately after being replaced with the new functional fluid.
The functional fluid state determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
With functional fluids
The mechanical device into which the functional fluid is injected and
The functional fluid state determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, which determines the state of the functional fluid in the mechanical device.
To prepare
Functional fluid condition determination system.