Description:1. TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an analysis apparatus, a protection method for an analysis apparatus, a protective component, and an analysis system.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0002] Conventionally, in order to analyze the exhaust gas that is emitted from a vehicle while that vehicle is traveling, portable analysis apparatuses have been developed that are able to be mounted in a vehicle, or are able to be moved to a desired location in a testing lab and then used for performing analyses.
[0003] As is shown, for example, in Patent Document 1, such analysis apparatuses are often formed having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and are provided with a housing on a front surface of which are provided one or a plurality of connection terminals, and handles that are provided on the front and rear surfaces of the housing and that are manually gripped by an operator when the operator is carrying the analysis apparatus. The handles that are provided on the front surface of the housing are not only used when the analysis apparatus is being carried by an operator, but may also be used, for example, when the analysis apparatus is being fixed in place by means of a seat belt. As a result, not only is the analysis apparatus made portable, but it is possible to fix the analysis apparatus in place in a vehicle when performing analysis while the vehicle is traveling.
[0004] Here, in the above-described analysis apparatus, the handles are provided on the front surface of the housing so as to protrude in a vertical direction relative to the front surface. In this case, when looked at in a front surface view, corner portions of the casing that are formed opposite each other in an up-down direction are covered by the handles. Moreover, in the same way, the handles that are provided on the rear surface also cover corner portions when looked at in a rear surface view.
[0005] However, in the above-described analysis apparatus, when looked at from the right-side surface or from the left-side surface, because the corner portions are not covered by the handles, the handles are not able to protect the corner portions. As a result, when an operator is moving the analysis apparatus, the analysis apparatus is often bumped against peripheral objects and there is a possibility that this will cause the analysis apparatus to become damaged.
[Prior Art Document]
[Patent Document]
[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-210255

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention was, therefore, conceived in order to solve the above-described problem, and it is a principal object thereof to prevent an analysis apparatus from being becoming damaged by being bumped against peripheral objects when the analysis apparatus is being moved.
[0008] In other words, an analysis apparatus of the present invention is a portable analysis apparatus that is provided with an analysis apparatus main body that is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and with protective components that protect corner portions that are formed extending in an up-down direction by mutually adjacent side surfaces of the analysis apparatus main body, and is characterized in that the protective components form through-hole portions between themselves and the corner portions that are used to fix the analysis apparatus main body in a predetermined location, and are provided at a distance from the corner portions so as to cover the corner portions when looked at in a side view of the respective side surfaces that form the corner portions.
[0009] If this type of structure is employed, then because the protective components cover the corner portions when looked at in a side view of the respective side surfaces that form the corner portions, it is possible to prevent the analysis apparatus main body from being knocked directly against peripheral objects when an operator is moving the analysis apparatus. As a result, it is possible to prevent the analysis apparatus main body, and the instruments housed inside the analysis apparatus main body from becoming damaged.
Moreover, because the protective components form through-hole portions between themselves and the corner portions through which a fixing component can be inserted, by inserting a fixing component through a through-hole portion, it is possible to fix the analysis apparatus in a predetermined location.
[0010] It is preferable that the protective components be provided independently for two or more of the respective corner portions.
[0011] If this type of structure is employed, then in a case in which a protective component is damaged, compared with a case in which the protective components protecting the respective corner portions are formed as one single unit, it is only necessary to replace the protective component that is damaged, and it is not necessary to replace the remaining protective components.
[0012] It is preferable that two or more of the through-hole portions be formed in an up-down direction.
[0013] If this type of structure is employed, then in a case in which the fixing component is a belt, for example, it is possible for an operator to appropriately alter the through-hole portion through which the belt is inserted so as to correspond to the length of the belt and/or the fixing location where the analysis apparatus main body is to be fixed. More specifically, in a case in which the fixing location is at a high elevation, of the two or more through-hole portions that are formed in an up-down direction, an operator inserts the belt through the upper one of these two or more through-hole portions. Moreover, in a case in which the fixing location is at a low elevation, of the two or more through-hole portions that are formed in an up-down direction, an operator inserts the belt through the lower one of these two or more through-hole portions. By employing this method, it is possible to select the appropriate through-hole portion to use in accordance with the height of the fixing location. As a result, the analysis apparatus main body can be fixed in a variety of fixing locations.
[0014] An example of a specific numerical range for the distance between the corner portions and the protective components that allows a fixing component such as a belt, for example, to be inserted, while preventing an operator from getting their fingers jammed between the corner portions and the protective components is a range between not less than 0.1 mm and not more than 20 mm.
[0015] It is preferable that the analysis apparatus be further provided with restricting portions that restrict movement of the fixing component in an up-down direction.
[0016] If this type of structure is employed, then it is possible to prevent the fixing component from dropping down so that the fixing component is able to fix the analysis apparatus even more stably.
[0017] It is also preferable that the restricting portions be disposed between the corner portions and the protective components in an up-down direction, and that a distance between the restricting portions and the corner portions be shorter than the distance between the protective components and the corner portions.
[0018] If this type of structure is employed, then because the distance between the restricting portions and the corner portions is shorter than the distance between the protective components and the corner portions, it is possible to prevent an operator from getting their fingers caught in locations where the restricting portions are provided.
[0019] When looked at in a cross-sectional view that is perpendicular to an up-down direction, it is desirable that the restricting portions be shaped so as to become gradually narrower from the protective components towards the corner portions.
[0020] If this type of structure is employed, then when looked at in a cross-sectional view, because the restricting portions are shaped so as to become gradually narrower from the protective components towards the corner portions, it is easy for an operator to place their fingers on the restricting portions from the outer side thereof, and the operator is prevented from getting their fingers caught once they have placed their fingers on the restricting portions.
Furthermore, when looked at in a cross-sectional view, because the restricting portions are shaped so as to become gradually narrower from the protective components towards the corner portions, it is possible to prevent the restricting portions from being seen from the outside so that the aesthetics and design qualities of the analysis apparatus can be improved.
[0021] More specifically, when looked at in a cross-sectional view that is perpendicular to an up-down direction, it is desirable that the protective components have a rectangular shape, and that the restricting portions have a trapezoidal shape.
[0022] It is also preferable that side surface panels that form side surfaces of the analysis apparatus main body are formed such that they can be removably attached to the analysis apparatus main body, and that the analysis apparatus be further provided with handle portions that are attached to the side surface panels and are gripped by an operator.
[0023] If this type of structure is employed, then in a case in which it becomes necessary to remove side surfaces of the analysis apparatus main body such as, for example, when cleaning the interior of the analysis apparatus, removing and reattaching the side surface panels can be easily achieved by gripping the handle portions.
[0024] The present invention also provides a protection method for an analysis apparatus that is portable and includes an analysis apparatus main body that is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and protective components that protect corner portions that are formed extending in an up-down direction by mutually adjacent side surfaces of the analysis apparatus main body, wherein this protection method for an analysis apparatus is characterized in that the protective components are provided at a distance from the corner portions so as to cover the corner portions when looked at in a side view of the respective side surfaces that form the corner portions, and the analysis apparatus main body is fixed in a predetermined location as a result of fixing components that fix the analysis apparatus main body in the predetermined location being inserted through through-hole portions that are formed between the corner portions and the protective components.
In addition, the present invention also provides protective components that are provided on a portable analysis apparatus which includes an analysis apparatus main body formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and that protect corner portions which are formed extending in an up-down direction by mutually adjacent side surfaces of the analysis apparatus main body, wherein the protective components are characterized in that they form through-hole portions that are used to fix the analysis apparatus in a predetermined location, and are provided at a distance from the corner portions so as to cover the corner portions when looked at in a side view of the respective side surfaces that form the corner portions.
[0025] If this type of structure is employed, then the same type of action and effects as those obtained from the above-described analysis apparatus can be achieved.
[0026] The present invention also provides an analysis system that analyzes exhaust gas from a test subject and that is characterized in being provided with a sampling unit that samples the exhaust gas from the test subject, the analysis apparatus that analyzes the exhaust gas sampled by the sampling unit, and an information processing device that receives analysis results from an analysis performed by the analysis apparatus and either stores the analysis results or processes the analysis results. Note that it is also possible for the analysis system to be further provided with a test subject testing apparatus that tests the test subject. In addition, it is also possible for the analysis apparatus to analyze the exhaust gas sampled by the sampling unit while in a state of being mounted on the test subject.
[0027] If this type of structure is employed, then the same type of action and effects as those obtained from the above-described analysis apparatus can be achieved.
[0028] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an analysis apparatus from being becoming damaged by being bumped against peripheral objects when the analysis apparatus is being moved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a structure of an analysis apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of an analysis apparatus of the same embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a side view of an analysis apparatus of the same embodiment;
FIG. 4 includes a cross-sectional view of the analysis apparatus of the same embodiment taken across a line A-A shown in FIG. 3, and an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion indicated by a broken line;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a case in which the analysis apparatus of the same embodiment is fixed by a fixing component;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a case in which the analysis apparatus of the same embodiment is fixed by a fixing component;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of an analysis apparatus of the same embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an analysis system provided with an analysis apparatus of another embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an analysis system in which an analysis apparatus of another embodiment is mounted in a test subject; and
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an analysis system in which an analysis apparatus of another embodiment is mounted in a test subject.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Hereinafter, an analysis apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, in order to simplify an understanding thereof, each of the drawings depicted below is shown schematically with omissions or enhancements made where these have been deemed appropriate. In addition, component elements that are the same in the respective drawings are indicated by the same descriptive symbols and any duplicated description thereof is omitted.
[0031] [Apparatus Structure]
An analysis apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is able to be carried manually by an operator. More specifically, the analysis apparatus 100 is carried by an operator to a position where it will be used, and during an analysis is fixed in a predetermined position by a predetermined fixing component.
[0032] The analysis apparatus 100 analyzes a sample gas. Here, the sample gas is a gas such as exhaust gas emitted from a test subject, air, and/or a processing gas or the like. The test subject referred to here may be a vehicle (here, the term ‘vehicle’ encompasses, for example, hydrogen-powered vehicles, vehicles (ICEV) provided with an internal combustion engine (ICE), fuel cell vehicles, and hybrid vehicles and the like), a ship, a moving body such as a railway train or an airplane or the like, a combustion engine (here, the term ‘combustion engine’ encompasses, for example, external combustion engines, industrial furnaces, incinerators, turbines, or power plants or the like) and/or a chemical plant (here, the term ‘chemical plant’ encompasses, for example, petrochemicals, coal chemicals, natural gas chemicals, oil refining, methanation, and/or gasifiers or the like) or the like.
[0033] Moreover, the analysis subject of the analysis apparatus 100 of the present embodiment may be, for example, a concentration of a component in a sample gas, an acceleration rate of a vehicle, a flow rate of a sample gas, a particle number of particulate matter in a sample gas, a particle mass of particulate matter in a sample gas, or a concentration of a predetermined component contained in, for example, air, a processing gas, and/or exhaust gas such as engine exhaust gas or flue exhaust gas or the like. Examples of an analysis subject component that is to be subjected to analysis by the analysis apparatus 100 include, for example, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, methane, formaldehyde, total hydrocarbons (THC), ammonia, hydrogen, oxygen, and/or dinitrogen monoxide, however, the present invention is not limited to these.
[0034] The analysis apparatus 100 of the present embodiment may be a vehicle on-board type of apparatus that analyzes a sample gas emitted from a vehicle while that vehicle is traveling, or may be a stationary type of apparatus that is installed in a desired location such as an experiment lab or the like, and/or a portable type of apparatus that is able to be carried to a desired location. Here, the term ‘vehicle on-board type’ refers to an apparatus that is installed on a vehicle seat, an apparatus that is installed in a vehicle trunk space, and/or a hitch carrier that is installed on a tray attached to a vehicle. Note that stationary analysis apparatuses 100 and portable analysis apparatuses 100 can be used either indoors or outdoors.
[0035] More specifically, as is shown in FIG. 1, the analysis apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is provided with an analysis apparatus main body 1 that is formed substantially in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, protective components 2 that protect the analysis apparatus main body 1, restricting portions 3 that restrict movement in an up-down direction of a fixing component F such as, for example, a belt, and handle portions 4 that are attached to side surfaces of the analysis apparatus main body 1 and are gripped by an operator. Hereinafter, each of these portions will be described. Note that the term ‘substantially in a rectangular parallelepiped shape’ used here includes rectangular parallelepiped shapes that lack corners, shapes that resemble rectangular parallelepipeds such as rectangular parallelepiped shapes having chamfered corners, and shapes in which bumps and indentations are formed to a certain extent in the surfaces making up the rectangular parallelepiped.
[0036] The analysis apparatus main body 1 analyzes a sample gas that has been sampled by a sampling unit (not shown in the drawings). The analysis apparatus main body 1 includes an analyzer (not shown in the drawings) that analyzes the sample gas, and side surface panels that form side surfaces of the analysis apparatus main body 1.
[0037] The analyzer may analyze, for example, a concentration of the sample gas, a number of minute particles contained in the sample gas, a minute particle volume, a flow rate of the sample gas, a temperature of the sample gas, a moisture level of the sample gas, a viscosity of the sample gas, and/or a flow velocity of the sample gas and the like. In a case in which the analyzer measures a concentration of the sample gas, then the analyzer may employ an infrared absorption spectroscopy method such as, for example, non-dispersive infrared absorption (NDIR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and/or infrared laser absorption modulation, or flame ionization detection, and/or another suitable method. In a case in which the analyzer analyzes a particle number, then the analyzer may be a condensation particle counter (CPC).
[0038] The side surface panels may be formed such that they are able to be removed from and reattached to the analysis apparatus main body 1. In a case in which a surface of the analysis apparatus main body 1 to which pipes such as hoses or connecting pipes or the like, or connecting terminals P that are electrically connected to a variety of devices are attached is regarded as a front surface of the analysis apparatus main body 1, then the ‘side surfaces’ of the analysis apparatus main body 1 in the present embodiment include this front surface, as well as a rear surface, a left-side surface, and a right-side surface thereof. Note that the connecting terminals P may be any of, for example, a sample gas input terminal that is used to input a sample gas into the interior of the analysis apparatus main body 1, a power supply terminal to which electrical wiring from a power supply device (not shown in the drawings) is connected, an information device terminal such as a LAN port or the like that is used to exchange information or data with other devices, and/or an adjustment gas input terminal that is used to input a calibration gas and/or a purge gas.
[0039] The protective components 2 are each formed in a substantially planar shape that extends in the up-down direction, and each one protects a corner portion 11 that is formed extending in the up-down direction by mutually adjacent side surfaces of the analysis apparatus main body 1. The corner portions 11 of the present embodiment are the portions that are formed between two mutually adjacent side surfaces of the analysis apparatus main body 1. More specifically, the corner portions 11 are formed by cutting off in the up-down direction the vertices formed as a result of two mutually adjacent side surfaces from among the front surface of the analysis apparatus main body 1, the rear surface of the analysis apparatus main body 1, the right-side surface of the analysis apparatus main body 1, and the left-side surface of the analysis apparatus main body 1 being connected together. Note that, in a case in which a vertex is not cut off in the up-down direction, then the corner portion 11 may be formed by that uncut vertex itself.
[0040] The protective components 2 are provided independently for each one of two or more corner portions 11. In the present embodiment, as is shown in FIG. 1, the protective components 2 are provided independently for all four of the respective corner portions 11. Note that, in the present embodiment, the four protective components 2 all have the same configuration, however, they may also be provided with mutually different configurations.
[0041] Here, as is shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the protective components 2 are provided at a distance from the corner portions 11 so as to cover the corner portions 11 when looked at in the respective side surface views of the side surfaces forming the corner portions 11, namely, when looked at in a front surface view, in a rear surface view, and in left and right side surface views. More specifically, the protective components 2 are provided at a distance from the corner portions 11 so as to cover the corner portions 11 when looked at from areas formed by virtually extending the respective side surfaces forming the corner portions 11 out towards the protective components 2.
[0042] Here, the protective components 2 are provided at a distance from the corner portions 11 so as to cover distal end portions 11a of the corner portions 11 when looked at in a front surface view and a side surface view. Here, the distal end portions 11a of the corner portions 11 are the surfaces or sides on the distal-end side of each corner portion 11. More specifically, as is shown in FIG. 4, the distal end portions 11a of the corner portions 11 are the surfaces or sides that protrude outwards from the analysis apparatus main body 1 and are positioned closest to the protective components 2.
[0043] In the present embodiment, each of the protective components 2 has a facing surface 2a that faces towards the distal end portion 11a. Moreover, as is shown in FIG. 4, a length in the widthwise direction of the facing surface 2a of each protective component 2 is longer than a width of the distal end portion 11a.
[0044] The protective components 2 are provided on the analysis apparatus 100 by being connected to attachment portions that are attached to an upper surface and/or a lower surface of the analysis apparatus 100. More specifically, as is shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, each protective component 2 is provided at a distance from the relevant corner portion 11 by being connected to an upper attachment component S1 that is attached to an upper surface of the analysis apparatus main body 1, and to a lower attachment component S2 that is attached to a lower surface of the analysis apparatus main body 1. Note that, in the present embodiment, the protective components 2 are formed so that they can be attached to and removed from the upper attachment component S1 and the lower attachment component S2, and each of these is a mutually separate, independent component, however, it is also possible for a protective component 2, an upper attachment component S1, and a lower attachment component S2 to be formed as a single, integrated component.
[0045] Moreover, as is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, through-hole portions 2b through which a fixing component F that fixes the analysis apparatus main body 1 in a predetermined location is inserted is formed between each protective component 2 and corner portion 11. FIG. 5 is a partial enlargement of a cross-sectional view cut in an up-down direction so as to pass through a center in a transverse direction of a protective component 2 showing the location where the fixing component F is inserted. In the present embodiment, each through hole portion 2b is a space that is formed between the distal end portion 11a and the facing surface 2a of the protective component 2 as a result of the protective component 2 being provided at a distance from the corner portion 11. The distance between each corner portion 11 and protective component 2 may be at least not more than 30 mm. Preferably, the distance between each corner portion 11 and protective component 2 is not less than 0.1 mm and not more than 20 mm. By employing this structure, it is possible to insert the fixing component F such as, for example, a belt, and it is also possible to prevent an operator from getting their fingers jammed between the corner portions 11 and the protective components 2.
[0046] Here, two or more through-hole portions 2b are formed in the up-down direction in each individual protective component 2. In the present embodiment, two through-hole portions 2b are formed in the up-down direction in each individual protective component 2. More specifically, the two through-hole portions 2b are spaces that are formed above and below the restricting portions 3 as a result of the restricting portions 3 (described below) being provided in a central portion of the protective components 2.
[0047] The restricting portions 3 are formed as pillars that extend in the up-down direction and are provided in the spaces between the corner portions 11 and the protective components 2. More specifically, as is shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, an upper surface of each restricting portion 3 and a lower surface of each restricting portion 3 are provided such that a distance between the upper surface of each restricting portion 3 and an upper end portion of each protective component 2, and a distance between the lower surface of each restricting portion 3 and a lower end portion of each protective component 2 are either equivalent to, or slightly larger than a width of the fixing component F. By employing this structure, as is shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, an upper surface of each restricting portion 3 or a lower surface of each restricting portion 3 performs the function of the restricting portion 3 which is to restrict movement in the up-down direction of the fixing component F. Note that, in the present embodiment, the restricting portions 3 are formed as separate components from the protective components 2, however, it is also possible for a protective component 2 and a restricting portion 3 to be formed as a single, integrated component.
[0048] Moreover, as is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the distance between the restricting portions 3 and the corner portions 11 is shorter than the distance between the protective components and the corner portions 11. More specifically, as is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the distance between a facing surface 3a of each restricting portion 3 that faces towards the corner portion 11 and the distal end portion 11a is shorter than the distance between the facing surface 2a of each protective component 2 and the distal end portion 11a. By employing this type of structure, the restricting portions 3 function as jammed-finger prevention portions that prevent an operator from getting their fingers jammed when they grasp the protective component 2 and the restricting component 3.
[0049] Furthermore, as is shown in FIG. 4, when looked at in a cross-sectional view that is perpendicular to the up-down direction, the restricting portions 3 are shaped so as to become gradually narrower from the protective components 2 towards the corner portions 11. More specifically, as is shown in FIG. 4, when looked at in a cross-sectional view that is perpendicular to the up-down direction, the protective components 2 are formed in a rectangular shape, while the restricting portions 3 are formed in a trapezoidal shape. Hereinafter, of the pair of sides of each trapezoidal restricting portion 3 that are mutually parallel to each other, the side that is closest to the corner portion 11 is referred to as an upper base, the side that is furthest from the corner portion 11 is referred to as a lower base, and the remaining sides of the trapezoidal shape forming the restricting portions 3 are referred to as leg segments.
[0050] As is shown in FIG. 4, when looked at in a cross-sectional view that is perpendicular to the up-down direction, the upper bases and lower bases are parallel with the distal end portions 11a of the corner portions 11, while the length of the upper base may be shorter than the length of the lower base. Moreover, when looked at in a cross-sectional view that is perpendicular to the up-down direction, it is preferable that an angle between the surfaces forming the leg segments and the side surfaces of the analysis apparatus main body 1 is not more than 90 degrees. In the present embodiment, the angle between the leg segments and the side surfaces of the analysis apparatus main body 1 may be 90 degrees. Note that the length of the lower base may be the same as the length in the width direction of the protective component 2, or may be different from the length in the width direction of the protective component 2. Preferably, the length of the lower base is not more than the length in the width direction of the protective component 2.
[0051] The handle portions 4 are each formed substantially in a planar shape, and are attached respectively to the side-surface panels of the analysis apparatus main body 1. As is shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the handle portions 4 are attached to a lower end portion of the side-surface panels of the analysis apparatus main body 1 so as to extend orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the protective components 2. As a result, an operator is able to remove or attach a side-surface panel using the handle portions 4. Note that it is also possible for a portion of each handle portion 4 to be attached at a distance from the side-surface panels so that an operator is able to move the analysis apparatus main body 1 by holding the handle portions 4. Note also that the positions where the handle portions 4 are attached to the side-surface panels are not limited to the lower end portions of the side-surface panels, and the handle portions 4 may instead be attached to upper end portions of the side-surface panels, or to any position between the lower end portion and the upper end portion of the side-surface panels.
[0052] Moreover, as is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, both end portions in the longitudinal direction of each handle portion 4 may be curved so as to follow the corner portions 11, such that an outer-side circumferential surface of the two end portions in the longitudinal direction of each handle portion 4 is positioned on the same plane as the outer-side circumferential surface of the protective components 2. Note that, in the present embodiment, the handle portions 4 are attached to all four side-surface panels of the analysis apparatus main unit 1, however, it is sufficient if the handle portions 4 are attached to at least two mutually facing side-surface panels of the analysis apparatus main body 1, and it is not necessary for the handle portions 4 to be attached to all four side-surface panels of the analysis apparatus main unit 1. Here, in a case in which the handle portions 4 are attached to all four side-surface panels, then a heavy analysis apparatus main body 1 can be carried by a plurality of operators. In contrast, in the case of a lighter weight analysis apparatus main body 1, then it is sufficient if the handle portions 4 are attached to two side-surface panels.
[0053] [Effects Obtained from the Present Embodiment]
According to the analysis apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, because the protective components 2 cover the corner portions 11 when viewed from the respective side surfaces that make up the corner portions 11, it is possible to prevent the analysis apparatus main body 1 from being knocked directly against peripheral objects when an operator is moving the analysis apparatus 100. As a result, it is possible to prevent the analysis apparatus main body 1 and the instruments housed inside the analysis apparatus main body 1 from becoming damaged.
Moreover, because the through-hole portions 2b through which the fixing component F can be inserted are formed between the corner portions 11 and the protective components 2, by inserting the fixing component F through a through-hole portion 2b, it is possible to fix the analysis apparatus 100 in a predetermined location.
[0054] Moreover, because the protective components 2 are provided independently for two or more of the respective corner portions 11, in a case in which a protective component 2 is damaged, compared with a case in which the protective components 2 protecting the respective corner portions 11 are formed as one single unit, it is only necessary to replace the protective component 2 that is damaged, and it is not necessary to replace the remaining protective components 2.
In particular, in the present embodiment, because the protective components 2 are provided independently for all four of the respective corner portions 11, it is possible to protect all four of the corner portions 11 and, compared with a case in which the protective components 2 protecting the respective corner portions 11 are formed as one single unit, the task of replacing the protective components 2 is made easier.
[0055] Furthermore, because two or more of the through-hole portions 2b are formed in an up-down direction, in a case in which the fixing component F is a belt, for example, it is possible for an operator to appropriately alter the through-hole portion 2b through which the belt is inserted so as to correspond to the length of the belt.
[0056] In addition, because the analysis apparatus 100 is further provided with the restricting portions 3 that restrict movement of the fixing component F in an up-down direction, it is possible to prevent the fixing component F from dropping down so that the fixing component F is able to fix the analysis apparatus 100 even more stably.
[0057] Furthermore, because the distance between the restricting portions 3 and the corner portions 11 is shorter than the distance between the protective components 2 and the corner portions 11, it is possible to prevent an operator from getting their fingers jammed in locations where the restricting portions 3 are provided.
[0058] When looked at in a cross-sectional view that is perpendicular to an up-down direction, because the restricting portions 3 are shaped so as to become gradually narrower from the protective components 2 towards the corner portions 11, it is easy for an operator to place their fingers on the restricting portions 3 from the outer side thereof, and the operator is prevented from getting their fingers caught once they have placed their fingers on the restricting portions 3.
Furthermore, when looked at in a cross-sectional view, because the restricting portions 3 are shaped so as to become gradually narrower from the protective components 2 towards the corner portions 11, it is possible to prevent the restricting portions 3 from being seen from the outside so that the aesthetics and design qualities of the analysis apparatus 100 can be improved.
[0059] Moreover, because the analysis apparatus 100 is further provided with the handle portions 4 that are attached to the side surface panels forming the side surfaces of the analysis apparatus main body 1 and are gripped by an operator, in a case in which it becomes necessary to remove the side surface panels such as, for example, when cleaning the interior of the analysis apparatus 100, removing and reattaching the side surface panels can be easily achieved by gripping the handle portions 4.
[0060] [Additional Embodiments]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.
[0061] In the above-described embodiment, the protective components 2 are each formed substantially in a planar shape, however, the shape of the protective components 2 is not limited to this. It is sufficient if the protective components 2 are shaped so as to cover the distal end portions 11a of the corner portions 11 when viewed from the respective side surfaces that make up the corner portions 11, and other shapes such as, for example, a circular-column shape or an hexagonal-column shape or the like may also be employed.
[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the protective components 2 are provided on all four of the corner portions 11, however, it is sufficient if the protective components 2 are provided on at least two of the corner portions 11. Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the protective components 2 are each provided independently of each other, however, it is also possible for the protective components 2 to be formed as a single unit that protects the respective corner portions 11.
[0063] In the above-described embodiment, two through-hole portions 2b are formed in the up-down direction, however, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible for only one through-hole portion 2b to be formed, or for three or more through-hole portions 2b to be formed.
[0064] In the above-described embodiment, the through-hole portions 2b are formed between the protective components 2 and the corner portions 11, however, it is also possible to provide the through-hole portions 2b in the protective components 2 by forming through spaces in the protective components 2.
[0065] In the above-described embodiment, the distance between the corner portions 11 and the protective components 2 is not less than 0.1 mm and not more than 20 mm, however, provided that this distance is sufficient for the fixing component F such as, for example, a belt to be inserted therethrough while still preventing the operator from getting their finger jammed between a corner portion 11 and a protective component 2, then distance between the corner portions 11 and the protective components 2 is not limited to the above-described numerical range.
[0066] In the above-described embodiment, the restricting portions 3 have a trapezoidal shape when looked at in a cross-sectional view that is orthogonal to the up-down direction, however, it is sufficient if the restricting portions 3 are shaped so as to become gradually narrower from the protective components 2 to the corner portions 11. For example, the restricting portions 3 may instead have another shape such as a semicircular shape or the like when looked at in a cross-sectional view that is orthogonal to the up-down direction.
[0067] In the above-described embodiment, it is also possible for the upper attachment components S1 and/or the lower attachment components S2 to be further provided with positioning portions that, in a case in which another analysis apparatus is placed on the upper surface or lower surface of the analysis apparatus main body 1, position this other analysis apparatus. More specifically, examples of such positioning portions include bumps and indentations that are formed on a surface of the upper attachment components S1 and/or the lower attachment components S2, and/or holes or the like that are used to insert positioning pins in the upper attachment components S1 and/or the lower attachment components S2. By employing this type of structure, in a case in which another analysis apparatus is placed on an upper surface or a lower surface of the analysis apparatus main body 1, because the other analysis apparatus is positioned by the positioning portions, the other analysis apparatus can be prevented from moving on the upper surface or lower surface of the analysis apparatus main body 1. Note that all of the upper attachment components S1 and/or the lower attachment components S2 may be provided with these positioning portions, or alternatively a portion of the upper attachment components S1 and/or the lower attachment components S2 may be provided with the positioning portions.
[0068] In the above-described embodiment, a structure is employed in which the analysis apparatus 100 is provided with the restricting portions 3 and the handle portions 4, however, it is also possible for the restricting portions 3 and the handle portions 4 to not be provided. In this case as well, it is possible to prevent the analysis apparatus 100 from being becoming damaged by being bumped against peripheral objects when the analysis apparatus 100 is being moved.
[0069] As another embodiment of the above-described embodiment, it is also possible for an analysis system 200 that analyzes exhaust gas from a test subject V to be provided with the analysis apparatus 100. More specifically, as is shown in FIG. 8, the analysis system 200 may be provided with a sampling unit 5 that samples exhaust gas from the test subject V, and with an information processing device 6 that receives results of an analysis performed by the analysis apparatus 100 and then processes these analysis results. Note that, in FIG. 8, a case in which the test subject V is a vehicle is shown, however, the test subject V is not limited to being a vehicle.
[0070] Here, the sampling unit 5 may be provided with a tailpipe attachment 51 that is connected to a tailpipe of the vehicle, a flow rate meter 52 that measures a flow rate of the exhaust gas, and an exhaust gas input pipe 53 through which the exhaust gas from the tailpipe is input into the analysis apparatus 100. The flow rate meter 52 measures a total flow rate of the exhaust gas emitted from the test subject V. Note that the flow rate meter 52 may be, for example, a Pitot tube flow rate meter or the like. The exhaust gas input pipe 53 inputs a portion of the exhaust gas emitted from the test subject V into the analysis apparatus 100. Based on the exhaust gas concentration measured by the analysis apparatus 100 and on the flow rate of the exhaust gas obtained by the flow rate meter 52, the information processing device 6 determines a mass and/or volume of a predetermined component contained in the exhaust gas.
[0071] In FIG. 8, the analysis apparatus 100 is placed on a platform component B that is provided separately from the test subject V, and is fixed to the platform component B via the fixing component F. Here, the platform component B may be a rack and/or a shelf or the like. The fixing component F is inserted through the through-hole portion 2b of the analysis apparatus 100 and is attached to a supporting pillar of the platform component B. As a result, the analysis apparatus 100 is fixed to the platform component B. Note that, in FIG. 8, the information processing device 6 is also placed on the platform component B, however, it is also possible for the information processing device 6 to not be placed on the platform component B.
[0072] In addition, it is also possible for the analysis apparatus 100 to be further provided with a test subject testing apparatus 7 that tests the test subject V. The test subject testing apparatus 7 shown in FIG. 8 is what is known as a chassis dynamometer that is provided with rollers 71 on which the test subject V is placed and with a control unit 72 that controls the rollers 71, however, the present invention is not limited to this. The test subject testing apparatus 7 may also be another type of test subject testing apparatus such as, for example, an engine dynamometer or a drive system dynamometer or the like.
[0073] In addition, as is shown in FIG. 9, in the analysis system 200 it is also possible to employ a structure in which the analysis apparatus 100 analyzes the exhaust gas sampled by the sampling unit 5 after having been placed on the test subject V itself. In this case, the fixing component F is inserted through the through-hole portion 2b, and the fixing component F is then attached to the test subject V. As a result, the analysis apparatus main body 1 is fixed to a predetermined location within the test subject V. In FIG. 9, the predetermined location M is a trunk space of a vehicle, and the analysis apparatus 100 is fixed inside this trunk space via the fixing component F, however, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the predetermined location M may also be a vehicle seat and/or under the vehicle floor or the like, and the analysis apparatus 100 may be fixed, for example, to the vehicle seat and/or under the vehicle floor or the like via the fixing member F. Alternatively, as is shown in FIG. 10, the predetermined location M may also be a hitch carrier in which a tray is attached to the vehicle and the analysis apparatus 100 is placed on that tray.
[0074] Furthermore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that various modifications and the like may be made thereto insofar as they do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
[0075] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an analysis apparatus from being becoming damaged by being bumped against peripheral objects when the analysis apparatus is being moved.
Reference Characters List
[0076] 100 Analysis Apparatus
1 Analysis Apparatus Main Body
11 Corner Portion
11a Distal End Portion
2 Protective Component
2a Facing Surface
2b Through-Hole Portion
3 Restricting Portion
4 Handle Portion , Claims: 1. A portable analysis apparatus comprising:
an analysis apparatus main body that is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape; and
protective components that protect corner portions that are formed extending in an up-down direction by mutually adjacent side surfaces of the analysis apparatus main body, wherein
the protective components
form through-hole portions that are used to fix the analysis apparatus main body in a predetermined location, and
are provided at a distance from the corner portions so as to cover the corner portions when looked at in a side view of the respective side surfaces that form the corner portions.

2. The analysis apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the protective components are provided independently for two or more of the respective corner portions.

3. The analysis apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein two or more of the through-hole portions are formed in an up-down direction.

4. The analysis apparatus as claimed in any one of Claim 1 through Claim 3, wherein a distance between the corner portions and the protective components is not less than 0.1 mm and not more than 20 mm.

5. The analysis apparatus as claimed in any one of Claim 1 through Claim 4, wherein the analysis apparatus further comprises restricting portions that restrict movement of the fixing component in an up-down direction.

6. The analysis apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the restricting portions are disposed between the corner portions and the protective components in an up-down direction, and
a distance between the restricting portions and the corner portions is shorter than the distance between the protective components and the corner portions.

7. The analysis apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein, when looked at in a cross-sectional view that is perpendicular to an up-down direction, the restricting portions are shaped so as to become gradually narrower from the protective components towards the corner portions.

8. The analysis apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein, when looked at in a cross-sectional view that is perpendicular to an up-down direction, the protective components have a rectangular shape, and the restricting portions have a trapezoidal shape.

9. The analysis apparatus as claimed in any one of Claim 1 through Claim 8, wherein side surface panels that form side surfaces of the analysis apparatus main body are removably attached to the analysis apparatus main body, and
the analysis apparatus further comprises handle portions that are attached to the side surface panels and are gripped by an operator.

10. A protection method for an analysis apparatus that is portable and comprises an analysis apparatus main body that is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and protective components that protect corner portions that are formed extending in an up-down direction by mutually adjacent side surfaces of the analysis apparatus main body, wherein
the protective components are provided at a distance from the corner portions so as to cover the corner portions when looked at in a side view of the respective side surfaces that form the corner portions, and
the analysis apparatus main body is fixed in a predetermined location as a result of fixing components that fix the analysis apparatus main body in the predetermined location being inserted through through-hole portions that are formed between the corner portions and the protective components.

11. Protective components that are provided on a portable analysis apparatus comprising an analysis apparatus main body that is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and that protect corner portions that are formed extending in an up-down direction by mutually adjacent side surfaces of the analysis apparatus main body, wherein
the protective components
form through-hole portions that are used to fix the analysis apparatus in a predetermined location, and
are provided at a distance from the corner portions so as to cover the corner portions when looked at in a side view of the respective side surfaces that form the corner portions.

12. An analysis system that analyzes exhaust gas from a test subject comprising:
a sampling unit that samples the exhaust gas from the test subject;
the analysis apparatus according to Claim 1 through Claim 10 that analyzes the exhaust gas sampled by the sampling unit; and
an information processing device that receives analysis results from an analysis performed by the analysis apparatus and processes the analysis results.

13. The analysis system as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the analysis system further comprises a test subject testing apparatus that tests the test subject.

14. The analysis system as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein the analysis apparatus analyzes the exhaust gas sampled by the sampling unit while in a state of being mounted on the test subject.