JP2010096426A - Humidifying device and environmental testing device including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve continuous operation for a long time of an environmental testing device in low humidity conditions, expansion of a low humidity region and energy saving while suppressing increase in the size of an installation space and cost. <P>SOLUTION: A humidifying device 10 included in the environmental testing device 1 includes a humidifier 11 storing water, a water supply pipe 18, a water discharge pipe 19 and humidification piping 20 connected to the water supply pipe 18 and having a pipe heater 21. The other end 20b of the humidification piping 20 is opened between a dehumidification device 4 and an air heater 3 in an air conditioning chamber 1b of the environmental testing device 1, and the opening is set smaller than the surface area of the water stored within the humidifier 11. A control part 100 of the environmental testing device 1 supplies water to inside of the humidifier 11 and drives a heater 12 to heat water within the humidifier 11 in the high humidity conditions; and discharges water from inside of the humidifier 11 and drives the pipe heater 21 to heat the humidification piping 20 in the low humidity conditions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier included in an environmental test apparatus and an environmental test apparatus including the humidifier.

  In environmental tests to confirm the operational reliability of products under various environmental conditions, for example, in a wide range from a high temperature and high humidity state such as 95 ° C. and 98% RH to a low temperature and low humidity state such as 40 ° C. and 10% RH. An operable air conditioner is used as an environmental test device. Such an environmental test apparatus has a humidifier that humidifies by heating the water stored in the humidifier with a built-in heater or the like and a dehumidifier that dehumidifies so that the test chamber has a constant temperature and humidity. Controlled.

  In environmental testing equipment, from the viewpoint of energy saving, paying attention to the natural evaporation of water in the humidifier, the surface area of the water in the humidifier is large in order to increase the amount of humidification under high temperature and high humidity conditions. Various proposals have been made to reduce the surface area of the water in the humidifier in order to reduce the amount of humidification under low humidity conditions. For example, Patent Document 1 has two humidifiers, and in a low-humidity area, drains the water in one humidifier and uses the other humidifier so that the water in the humidifier A technique is disclosed in which the surface area of the water is reduced to reduce the amount of humidification by natural evaporation, and two humidifiers are used in the middle and high humidity ranges. Thereby, the load of the dehumidifier in the low humidity region is reduced. Further, in Patent Document 2, the surface area of the humidifier is changed according to the water level by making the vertical section of the humidifier stepped or V-shaped. For example, the surface area of water is small under low temperature and low humidity conditions. A technique for selecting such a water level is disclosed.

JP-A-9-318107 JP 2002-349914 A

  However, according to the above-mentioned document 1, since two humidifiers are necessary, an increase in the installation space, an increase in cost, and the like become problems, and there is a limit to a reduction in the surface area of water in the humidifier. The humidity range cannot be expanded. On the other hand, according to the above-mentioned document 2, although the device configuration is simpler than that of document 1 from the point of having one humidifier, the depth of the humidifier is set in order to incorporate the heater in the V-shaped humidifier. Since it is necessary to deepen the humidifier, the size of the humidifier increases, and the increase in installation space becomes a problem. Furthermore, since it is necessary to provide two or more heaters according to the level of the water level, an increase in cost becomes a problem. Moreover, since a heater is required below the surface of the water in humidity control, there is a limit to the reduction of the surface area even when the water level is lowered to reduce the surface area of the water. Is impossible.

  Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned documents 1 and 2, since water exists in the humidifier under low humidity conditions, frost formation on the dehumidifier tends to occur due to humidification by natural evaporation of the water. In this case, the environmental test apparatus cannot be operated continuously for a long time under low humidity conditions.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier included in an environmental test apparatus, while suppressing an increase in installation space and cost, while operating the environmental test apparatus for a long time under low humidity conditions, expanding a low humidity range, and A humidifier capable of realizing energy saving and an environmental test apparatus including the humidifier.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to an aspect of the present invention, water is stored, and a humidifier disposed so that the water faces the humidity control target space, and water stored in the humidifier are heated. A first heating means, a drainage section for discharging water from the humidifier, a water supply section for supplying water into the humidifier, and a humidifier with one end connected to the water supply section and the other end opened to the space And a second heating means for heating the humidifying pipe, wherein the opening at the other end of the humidifying pipe is smaller than a surface area of water stored in the humidifier. Is provided.

  According to the configuration of the humidifier according to the above aspect, since it is not necessary to provide two humidifiers or make the shape of the humidifier V-shaped or the like, it is possible to suppress an increase in installation space and cost. Further, according to this configuration, in a high humidity condition, water is supplied to the humidifier by the water supply unit and humidified by the first heating means, and in a low humidity condition, the water is discharged from the humidifier by the drainage unit and the humidification pipe and Humidification can be performed by the second heating means. As described above, according to the present configuration, in a low humidity condition, by using a humidification pipe having an opening smaller than the surface area of water stored in the humidifier, a very small amount of humidification is performed as compared with the case of boiler humidification. Expansion of the low humidity range is realized. Moreover, since the 2nd heating means used by low humidity conditions heats the heating piping which has a small opening as mentioned above, compared with the case of boiler humidification, responsiveness and control resolution are favorable, Improvement in controllability is realized. In addition, when humidity control is performed using a dehumidifier in addition to the humidifier of this configuration, draining water from the humidifier under low humidity conditions eliminates humidification due to natural evaporation of the water in the humidifier. The amount is reduced. Thereby, the load of the dehumidifier is reduced and energy saving is realized. Furthermore, when the humidifier having such a configuration is applied to an environmental test apparatus, water is discharged from the humidifier under low humidity conditions, so that there is no water in the humidifier as in the case of boiler humidification. Therefore, there is no natural evaporation of water in the humidifier, and frost formation on the dehumidifier is prevented. Therefore, the environmental test apparatus can be operated continuously for a long time in a low humidity region.

  It is preferable that the humidifier of the present invention further includes a water level adjustment unit that adjusts both the water level in the water supply unit and the water level in the humidification pipe. In this case, simplification of the configuration and cost reduction can be realized as compared with the case where the water level adjustment unit is provided for each of the water supply unit and the humidification pipe.

  It is preferable that the opening at the other end of the humidifying pipe has an inner diameter of 6 to 8 mm. In this case, in a low humidity condition, a small amount of moisture is supplied from the opening at the other end of the humidification pipe into the air-conditioned room, and the humidification amount can be effectively suppressed.

  The second heating means may include a pipe heater in which a heater is printed on the surface of the humidifying pipe. In this case, the humidification pipe can be rapidly heated in a low humidity condition. Further, in the case of a pipe heater in which a heater is printed on the outer surface of the humidifying pipe, there are advantages such as easy adjustment of the heater capacity and easy electrical connection. On the other hand, the pipe heater in which the heater is printed on the inner surface of the humidifying pipe has an advantage of good controllability.

  A switching valve that switches between permitting and prohibiting the discharge and the supply may be provided in the drainage unit and the water supply unit, respectively. In this case, the humidification method can be easily switched according to the humidity conditions as described above.

  In the humidifier according to the present invention, in the case of a high humidity condition in which the space is higher than a reference humidity, water is supplied into the humidifier through the water supply unit, and the first heating means is provided in the humidifier. In the case of a low humidity condition in which the humidifier is controlled so as to heat the water, and the space is set to a humidity equal to or lower than the reference humidity, water is discharged from the humidifier through the drainage section, and the second You may provide the control part which controls the said humidification apparatus so that a heating means heats the said humidification piping.

  The humidifying device of the present invention includes a water supply control means for controlling the humidifying device so that the water supply unit supplies water into the humidifier when shifting from the low humidity condition to the high humidity condition, and the water supply control. An auxiliary humidification control means for controlling the humidifier so that the second heating means heats the humidification pipe for a predetermined time from the start of driving of the water supply unit by means may be further provided. When shifting from the low-humidity condition to the high-humidity condition, water is first supplied into the humidifier. At the beginning of the supply, the water temperature in the humidifier is low, so that only the first heating means has a sufficient humidification effect. I can't expect it. Therefore, as described above, the humidification pipe is heated by the second heating unit for a predetermined time from the start of driving of the water supply unit, and the water in the humidification pipe is evaporated, so that humidification is supplementarily performed. Thereby, the continuity of the humidification control at the time of shifting from the low humidity condition to the high humidity condition can be ensured.

  Alternatively, the humidifying device of the present invention comprises a water supply control means for controlling the humidifying device so that the water supply unit supplies water into the humidifier when shifting from the low humidity condition to the high humidity condition, It may further comprise auxiliary humidification control means for controlling the humidifier so that the second heating means heats the humidification pipe until the humidifying capacity of the humidifier becomes compatible with the high humidity condition. In this case as well, as in the case of the above-described configuration, by performing humidification supplementarily by evaporation of water in the humidification pipe, it is possible to ensure the continuity of the humidification control when shifting from the low humidity condition to the high humidity condition. it can.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, an environment comprising the humidifier described above, a test chamber in which a sample related to an environmental test is disposed, and an air conditioning chamber communicating with the test chamber through first and second openings. An environmental test apparatus is provided, which is a test apparatus, wherein the air-conditioned room constitutes the humidity control target space. According to the environmental test apparatus, the same effect as that obtained by the humidifier described above can be obtained.

  It is preferable that the opening at the other end of the humidifying pipe is disposed on the downstream side in the airflow direction with respect to the dehumidifying device in the space. In this case, since the humidification amount in the low humidity condition becomes small as described above, the humidification by the humidification pipe is performed on the downstream side in the airflow direction from the dehumidifier, so that the defrosting to the dehumidifier is more effectively performed. Can be prevented. Therefore, long-term continuous operation of the environmental test apparatus in the low humidity region can be realized more reliably.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, with reference to FIG. 1, the structure of the humidification apparatus 10 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and the environmental test apparatus 1 containing this is demonstrated. The environmental test apparatus 1 is used in an environmental test, and includes a test chamber 1 a and an air conditioning chamber 1 b that are separated by a partition wall 9 and communicate with each other through a lower opening 5 and an upper opening 6. The test chamber 1a contains air having a predetermined temperature and humidity, and a sample for an environmental test is arranged.

  In the air conditioning room 1b, a blower 2, an air heater 3 including an electric heater such as a sheathed heater, a dehumidifying device 4, and a humidifier 11 of the humidifying device 10 are provided in this order from the top. That is, the dehumidifying device 4 is disposed at a position closer to the upper opening 6 than the humidifier 11. The air flowing into the air conditioning chamber 1b from the test chamber 1a through the lower opening 5 rises while adjusting the temperature and humidity by the humidifier 11, the dehumidifying device 4, and the air heater 3 in order, and the predetermined temperature and humidity are increased. In this state, the air is supplied from the upper opening 6 to the test chamber 1a by the blower 2.

  The humidifier 10 is provided at the bottom of the humidifier 11 so as to store water and to heat the water stored in the humidifier 11 and the humidifier 11 disposed so that the water faces the space of the air conditioning chamber 1b. The heater 12 and the humidifier 11 have a water supply / drainage pipe 17 connected to the bottom. The humidifier 11 has a hollow box shape with the top opened. That is, the internal space of the humidifier 11 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a certain rectangular planar shape in the height direction. A sensor 13 for detecting the water level of the water in the humidifier 11 is attached to the humidifier 11.

  The water supply / drainage pipe 17 is bifurcated, and one water supply pipe 18 is connected to a water supply tank (not shown) via an electromagnetic valve 18a so as to be used for supplying water to the humidifier 11, and the other drainage is provided. The pipe 19 is connected to a drain tank (not shown) through a solenoid valve 19a so as to be used for discharging water from the humidifier 11. The solenoid valve 18a and the solenoid valve 19a are switched to switch between permitting and prohibiting the supply of water into the humidifier 11 via the water supply pipe 18 and the discharge of water from the humidifier 11 via the drain pipe 19, respectively. It is a valve. Specifically, each of the solenoid valve 18a and the solenoid valve 19a is closed under the control of the control unit 100, which will be described later, thereby imparting resistance to the flow of water in the water supply pipe 18 and the drain pipe 19 and damming the flow. On the other hand, by being opened by the control of the control unit 100, free water flow is allowed without giving resistance to the water flow in the water supply pipe 18 and the drain pipe 19.

  One end 20a of the humidification pipe 20 is connected to a portion of the water supply pipe 18 closer to the water supply tank (not shown) than the electromagnetic valve 18a. The humidification pipe 20 is a thin stainless steel pipe having an inner diameter of 6 to 8 mm over its entire length, and extends upwardly from one end 20a opened in the space in the water supply pipe 18. The other end 20b of the humidification pipe 20 opens into the space of the air conditioning chamber 1b. More specifically, the humidification pipe 20 is positioned closer to the upper opening 6 than the dehumidifier 4, that is, above the dehumidifier 4 and is dehumidified. It is arranged between the device 4 and the air heater 3. The opening of the other end 20 b is sufficiently smaller than the surface area of the water stored in the humidifier 11.

  A pipe heater 21 is provided in the vicinity of one end 20 a of the humidifying pipe 20. The pipe heater 21 heats the humidifying pipe 20 and humidifies a highly efficient heater (such as a hollow type far infrared heater) that can instantaneously raise the temperature of water in the humidifying pipe 20. It is printed on the surface of the pipe 20. For example, a pipe heater or the like used in a fuel cell evaluation apparatus can be used as the pipe heater 21.

  A pipe 33 that connects the water supply pipe 18 and the water level adjustment chamber 30 is connected between the electromagnetic valve 18 a in the water supply pipe 18 and one end 20 a of the humidification pipe 20. The water level adjustment chamber 30 adjusts both the water level in the water supply pipe 18 and the water level in the humidification pipe 20, has a hollow box shape, and its upper part is opened to communicate with the atmosphere. An overflow pipe 32 is connected to the upper side wall of the water level adjustment chamber 30. The overflow pipe 32 is used when water flows into the water level adjustment chamber 30 after the water level in the water level adjustment chamber 30 reaches the full water position (a position slightly below the lower portion of the one end 32a of the overflow pipe 32). In this case, the drain pipe 19 is connected to drain the overflow water.

  Next, control of the environmental test apparatus 1 will be described. In the environmental test apparatus 1, the blower 2, the air heater 3, the dehumidifying apparatus 4, and the humidifying apparatus 10 are controlled by the control unit 100 of the apparatus 1 so that the inside of the test chamber 1 a has a predetermined temperature and humidity.

  For example, in the case of a so-called high temperature and high humidity condition in which the temperature and humidity are set higher than the reference values, the control unit 100 stops driving the dehumidifying device 4 and controls the humidifying device 10 as follows.

  First, the control unit 100 opens the electromagnetic valve 18a and closes the electromagnetic valve 19a. Thereafter, water is supplied into the humidifier 11 from a water supply tank (not shown) through a water supply pipe 18 and a water supply / drain pipe 17 by driving a water supply pump (not shown). And the control part 100 will stop the drive of a water supply pump, and will stop water supply, if the detection signal that the water level in the humidifier 11 has reached the full water position (position shown in FIG. 1) from the sensor 13 is received. At this time, in the humidifier 10, water is present in the hatched area in FIG. 1, and the water level in the humidifier 11, the water level in the water level adjustment chamber 30, and the water level in the humidification pipe 20 are the same. Yes. That is, the full water position of the water level in the humidifier 11, the full water position of the water level in the water level adjustment chamber 30, and the upper end of the pipe heater 21 are set to the same height.

  Thereafter, the controller 100 drives the heater 12 to heat the water stored in the humidifier 11. Thereby, the humidity rises because the water stored in the humidifier 11 rapidly evaporates from the surface by heating. Although the water in the humidifier 11 decreases due to evaporation, the solenoid valves 18a and 19a are controlled so that the water level is kept constant.

  On the other hand, in the case of a so-called low-temperature and low-humidity condition in which the temperature and humidity are set to values equal to or lower than the reference values, the control unit 100 drives the dehumidifying device 4 and controls the humidifying device 10 as follows.

  First, the control unit 100 stops driving the heater 12. Thereafter, the electromagnetic valve 19a is opened and the electromagnetic valve 18a is closed. Thereby, the water in the humidifier 11 is discharged to the drainage tank (not shown) through the water supply / drainage pipe 17 and the drainage pipe 19. Thereby, the inside of the humidifier 11 becomes empty. At this time, in the humidifying device 10, water enters the area shown by hatching in FIG. 2 (specifically, the water level adjusting chamber 30 reaches the full water position and the humidifying pipe 20 reaches the upper end of the pipe heater 21). Existing.

  Next, the control unit 100 drives the pipe heater 21 to heat the humidifying pipe 20. Thereby, the water in the humidification piping 20 is heated and evaporated, water vapor | steam is supplied from the opening of the other end 20b to the air-conditioning room 1b, and humidity rises.

  In addition, when shifting from a low temperature and low humidity condition to a high temperature and high humidity condition, the control part 100 controls the humidification apparatus 10 as follows.

  First, as described above, the controller 100 opens the electromagnetic valve 18a and closes the electromagnetic valve 19a, and supplies water into the humidifier 11 by driving a water supply pump (not shown) or the like. Further, the pipe heater 21 is driven and the humidification pipe 20 is heated for a predetermined time (for example, for 2 to 3 minutes) from the start of driving of the water supply pump. On the other hand, after stopping the water supply pump and finishing the water supply, the heater 12 is driven to heat the water stored in the humidifier 11.

  When shifting from a low temperature and low humidity condition to a high temperature and high humidity condition, water is first supplied into the humidifier 11, but since the water temperature in the humidifier 11 is low at the beginning of the supply, only the heater 12 has a humidifying effect. I can't expect enough. Therefore, in the present embodiment, humidification is supplementarily performed by heating the humidification pipe 20 by the pipe heater 21 and evaporating water in the humidification pipe 20 for a predetermined time from the start of driving of the water supply pump. Thereby, the continuity of the humidification control at the time of shifting from the low humidity condition to the high humidity condition can be ensured.

  In addition, it is preferable that the water level in the humidifier 10 is always maintained at the position of the upper end of the pipe heater 21 including when the humidifier 11 is supplied with water and when the water is drained.

  As described above, according to the humidifier 10 and the environmental test apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to provide two humidifiers or make the shape of the humidifier V-shaped or the like. Increase in size and cost can be suppressed. Further, according to this configuration, in a high humidity condition, water is supplied into the humidifier 11 by a water supply pump, a water supply pipe 18 and the like and humidified by the heater 12, and in a low humidity condition, water is supplied from the humidifier 11 by a drain pipe 19. It can be discharged and humidified by the humidification pipe 20 and the pipe heater 21. As described above, according to this configuration, the humidification pipe 20 having an opening smaller than the surface area of the water stored in the humidifier 11 is used in a low humidity condition, so that a very small amount of humidification is achieved as compared with the case of boiler humidification. The expansion of the low humidity range is realized. Moreover, since the pipe heater 21 used in low humidity conditions heats the heating pipe 20 having a small opening as described above, the responsiveness and control resolution are good compared to the case of boiler humidification, Improvement in controllability is realized. Moreover, in this structure, since the humidification by the natural evaporation of the water in the humidifier 11 is eliminated by discharging the water from the humidifier 11 under the low humidity condition, the dehumidification amount is suppressed. Thereby, the load of the dehumidifier is reduced and energy saving is realized. Furthermore, in this configuration, by discharging water from the humidifier 11 under low humidity conditions, water is not present in the humidifier 11 as in the case of boiler humidification. Is not spontaneously evaporated and frost formation on the dehumidifying device 4 is prevented. Therefore, the environmental test apparatus 1 can be operated continuously for a long time in a low humidity region.

  The humidifier 10 includes a water level adjustment chamber 30 that adjusts both the water level in the water supply pipe 18 and the water level in the humidification pipe 20. In this case, simplification of the configuration and cost reduction can be realized as compared with the case where the water level adjustment unit is provided for each of the water supply pipe 18 and the humidification pipe 20.

  The opening of the other end 20b in the humidification pipe 20 has an inner diameter of 6 to 8 mm. In this case, in a low humidity condition, a small amount of moisture is supplied into the air conditioning chamber 1b from the opening of the other end 20b of the humidification pipe 20, and the humidification amount can be effectively suppressed.

  Since the pipe heater 21 in which the heater is printed on the surface of the humidification pipe 20 is used to heat the humidification pipe 20, the heating pipe 20 can be rapidly heated in a low humidity condition. Further, in the case of the pipe heater 21 in which the heater is printed on the outer surface of the humidification pipe 20, there are advantages such as easy adjustment of the heater capacity and easy electrical connection. On the other hand, the pipe heater 21 in which the heater is printed on the inner surface of the humidifying pipe 20 has an advantage of good controllability.

  Since the drain pipe 19 and the water supply pipe 18 are provided with electromagnetic valves 19a and 18a for switching between permitting and prohibiting discharge and supply, respectively, it is possible to easily switch the humidifying method according to the humidity conditions as described above. it can.

  Further, according to the environmental test apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the opening of the other end 20b of the humidifying pipe 20 is in the airflow direction (as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1 upward) in the space of the air conditioning chamber 1b. It is arranged on the downstream side in the direction of heading. In this case, since the humidification amount in the low humidity condition becomes small as described above, humidification by the humidification pipe 20 is performed on the downstream side in the airflow direction from the dehumidifier 4, so that the dehumidifier 4 is not frosted. It can prevent more effectively. Therefore, long-term continuous operation of the environmental test apparatus 1 in a low humidity region can be realized more reliably.

  In the above-described embodiment, after a predetermined amount of water (for example, an amount of water that the heater 12 covers) is supplied into the humidifier 11, before the water supply to the humidifier 11 is finished, Driving may be started. Thereby, after completion of water supply to the humidifier 11, appropriate humidification can be performed immediately, and continuity of the humidification control at the time of transition from the low humidity condition to the high humidity condition is ensured.

  In the above-described embodiment, the pipe heater 21 is driven for a predetermined time from the start of driving of the water supply pump. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and until the humidifying capacity of the humidifier 11 can cope with high humidity conditions (specifically Specifically, for example, from the start of driving of the water supply pump until the water in the humidifier 11 reaches a predetermined temperature), the pipe heater 21 may be continuously driven. In this case as well, as in the above-described embodiment, by performing humidification supplementarily by evaporation of the water in the humidification pipe 20, it is possible to ensure the continuity of the humidification control when shifting from the low humidity condition to the high humidity condition. Can do.

  Next, a modified example of the control of the environmental test apparatus 1 when shifting from a low temperature and low humidity condition to a high temperature and high humidity condition will be described. In this modification, water is supplied into the humidifier 11 through the overflow pipe 32 instead of the water supply pipe 18. Under the low temperature and low humidity conditions, as in the above-described embodiment, the water is present up to the upper end position of the pipe heater 21 as shown in FIG. Humidification shall be performed.

  In this modification, when shifting from the low temperature and low humidity condition to the high temperature and high humidity condition, the control unit 100 keeps the electromagnetic valve 18a closed, closes the electromagnetic valve 19a, and drives a water supply pump (not shown) or the like. . As a result, the portion of the drain pipe 19 closer to the humidifier 11 than the electromagnetic valve 19a, the portion of the water supply pipe 18 closer to the humidifier 11 than the electromagnetic valve 18a, and the water supply / drain pipe 17 are gradually filled with water. Then, water is supplied into the humidifier 11. The pipe heater 21 is continuously driven for a predetermined time or until the humidifying ability of the humidifier 11 can cope with the high humidity condition from the start of driving of the water supply pump, as in the above-described embodiment. Thereby, the water in the humidification piping 20 evaporates, and humidification is supplementarily performed. After completing the water supply to the humidifier 11, the control unit 100 drives the heater 12 to heat the water stored in the humidifier 11.

  At the time of water supply into the humidifier 11, for example, even when there is no sensor 13, the electromagnetic valve 18a is opened at regular intervals so that it can be properly determined that the water in the humidifier 11 has reached the full water position. For example, it is preferable to perform the control while detecting the water level with a sensor provided on the side wall of the water level adjusting chamber 30. Moreover, it is preferable to control to open and close the electromagnetic valve 18a intermittently so that the water level does not drop below the upper end of the pipe heater 21 during the water supply. When performing the opening / closing control of the electromagnetic valve 18a in this way, the electromagnetic valve 18a is kept closed for a predetermined time from the start of water supply so that the water supply into the humidifier 11 can be performed quickly. It is preferable to perform opening / closing control of the solenoid valve 18a after the water level has risen to a certain level.

  Next, first and second modified examples of the humidifier will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

  The humidifying device 50 according to the first modification shown in FIG. 3 omits the point that the water supply pipe 18 is connected to the water level adjusting chamber 30 via the pipe 33 without being connected to the water supply / drainage pipe 17, and the electromagnetic valve 18a. This is different from the humidifier 10 described above. In the case of this modification, water supply to the humidifier 11 is performed through the overflow pipe 32 based on the control according to the above-described modification. In the case of this configuration, by providing a drain valve in the water supply pipe 18, water in the water level adjusting chamber 30 and / or the humidification pipe 20 can be discharged through the water supply pipe 18.

  In the humidifying device 60 according to the second modification shown in FIG. 4, the water supply pipe 18 is not connected to the water supply / drain pipe 17 but is connected to the water level adjusting chamber 30 via the pipe 33, and the electromagnetic valve 18 a is omitted. It differs from the above-mentioned humidifier 10 about the point which has the piping 16 and the electromagnetic valve 16a which connect the water level adjustment chamber 30 and the drain pipe 19 newly. In the case of this modification, water supply into the humidifier 11 is performed via the pipe 16 by driving the water supply pump with the electromagnetic valve 16a opened and the electromagnetic valve 19a closed. Further, drainage from the humidifier 11 is performed via the drain pipe 19 by closing the solenoid valve 16a and opening the solenoid valve 19a.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made as long as they are described in the claims.

  The structure of the water supply / drainage of the humidifier 11 can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the solenoid valves 18a and 19a may be omitted or the connection configuration of the piping may be changed.

  Any heating means other than the pipe heater 21 may be used to heat the humidification pipe 20.

  The overflow pipe 32 may be omitted and the water level may be adjusted by other methods. Moreover, you may provide a water level adjustment part in each of a water supply pipe and humidification piping.

  The humidifier may have various shapes as long as it can store water. For example, the internal space is not limited to the one having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped internal space having a constant rectangular planar shape in the height direction as in the above-described embodiment, and the internal space in which the planar shape changes in the height direction. May be included.

  The control of each part of the environmental test apparatus 1 according to the temperature and humidity conditions can be changed as appropriate. For example, in the case of a low temperature and low humidity condition, the dehumidifying device 4 is driven in the above-described embodiment, but the dehumidifying device 4 is not driven, and the low temperature and low humidity condition is realized only by control for reducing the humidification amount by the humidifier 11. Good.

  Although it is preferable to provide the heater 12 from the viewpoint of rapidly evaporating the water in the humidifier under high temperature and high humidity conditions, the natural evaporation of the water in the humidifier according to the temperature rise of the air in the air conditioning chamber 1b is used. If so, the heater 12 may be omitted.

  The water level control of each part of the humidifier is not limited to the method as described above, and various methods can be employed. The sensor 13 for detecting the water level in the humidifier 11 may be omitted.

  Under low humidity conditions, it is not necessary to completely discharge the water in the humidifier 11, so that natural evaporation of water through the upper opening of the humidifier 11 can be suppressed to a minimum (for example, water is contained in the humidifier 11. However, it is possible that the water remains in the water supply / drainage pipe 17).

It is the schematic which shows the humidification apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and an environmental test apparatus containing this. It is the schematic explaining the humidification method in the case of low temperature, low humidity conditions in the environmental test apparatus of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the environmental test apparatus containing the humidification apparatus which concerns on a 1st modification. It is the schematic which shows the environmental test apparatus containing the humidification apparatus which concerns on a 2nd modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Environmental test apparatus 1a Test room 1b Air-conditioning room 2 Blower 3 Air heater 4 Dehumidifier 5 Lower opening (1st opening)
6 Upper opening (second opening)
9 Partition wall 10; 50; 60 Humidifier 11 Humidifier 12 Heater (first heating means)
18 Water supply pipe (water supply section)
18a Solenoid valve (switching valve)
19 Drainage pipe (drainage section)
19a Solenoid valve (switching valve)
20 Humidification piping 20a One end 20b The other end 21 Pipe heater (second heating means)
30 Water level adjustment room (water level adjustment section)
32 overflow pipe 100 control unit (water supply control means, auxiliary humidification control means)

Claims (10)

A humidifier that stores water and is arranged so that the water faces the humidity control target space;
First heating means for heating water stored in the humidifier;
A drainage section for discharging water from the humidifier;
A water supply unit for supplying water into the humidifier;
One end is connected to the water supply unit, and the other end is a humidification pipe that opens into the space;
A second heating means for heating the humidifying pipe,
The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein an opening at the other end of the humidifying pipe is smaller than a surface area of water stored in the humidifier.   The humidification device according to claim 1, further comprising a water level adjustment unit that adjusts both a water level in the water supply unit and a water level in the humidification pipe.   3. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein an opening at the other end of the humidifying pipe has an inner diameter of 6 to 8 mm.   The humidification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second heating unit includes a pipe heater in which a heater is printed on a surface of the humidification pipe.   The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a switching valve that switches between permitting and prohibiting the discharge and the supply is provided in the drainage unit and the water supply unit, respectively.   In the case of a high humidity condition in which the space is higher than a reference humidity, water is supplied into the humidifier through the water supply unit, and the first heating unit heats the water in the humidifier. In the case of a low humidity condition where the humidifier is controlled and the space is equal to or lower than the reference humidity, water is discharged from the humidifier through the drainage section, and the second heating means connects the humidifying pipe. The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a control unit that controls the humidifier so as to heat. Water supply control means for controlling the humidifier so that the water supply unit supplies water into the humidifier when the low humidity condition shifts to the high humidity condition;
Auxiliary humidification control means for controlling the humidifier so that the second heating means heats the humidification pipe for a predetermined time from the start of driving of the water supply unit by the water supply control means;
The humidifying device according to claim 6, further comprising: Water supply control means for controlling the humidifier so that the water supply unit supplies water into the humidifier when the low humidity condition shifts to the high humidity condition;
Auxiliary humidification control means for controlling the humidification device so that the second heating means heats the humidification pipe until the humidifying capacity of the humidifier becomes compatible with the high humidity condition,
The humidifying device according to claim 6, further comprising: The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A test chamber in which a sample related to an environmental test is disposed, an air-conditioning chamber communicating with the test chamber through first and second openings,
An environmental test apparatus comprising:
The environmental test apparatus, wherein the air conditioning room constitutes the humidity control target space.   The environmental test apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the opening at the other end of the humidifying pipe is arranged downstream in the airflow direction from the dehumidifier in the space.

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