JP2014020777A - Environment testing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an environment testing device capable of suppressing proliferation of saprophyte in an evaporation dish or the like, and reducing costs.SOLUTION: An environment testing device 1 includes a humidity detection device 24 and a humidifier 10, and is capable of performing humidification control on the basis of detection information obtained by detecting current atmospheric humidity by the humidity detection device 24. The humidity detection device 24 configured to detect a so-called wet-bulb temperature includes a storage unit 26 for detection for supplying water to a wick 25. The humidifier 10 of an evaporation type includes a humidification dish 30 for storing water. The storage unit 26 for detection and the humidifier 10 are connected via one water supply system 15, and the humidifier 10 is positioned at the downstream of the storage unit 26 for detection. When water is supplied to the humidifier 10, the water is intermittently supplied to the storage unit 26 for detection, and then the water is supplied to the humidifier 10.

Description

  The present invention relates to an environmental test apparatus that can form at least a desired humidity environment.

  As a device for testing the performance and durability of devices and parts, an environmental test device is provided on the market. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device called a constant temperature and humidity device (a type of environmental test device) that mainly tests durability against changes in temperature and humidity. Usually, a constant temperature and humidity device is provided with a heater, a cooling device, and a humidification device, and creates a desired environment toward a preset target temperature and target humidity.

  By the way, there are various types of humidifiers such as a steam type, a vaporization type, and an ultrasonic type, but in general, the steam type is faster than the other types. . For this reason, in an environmental test apparatus such as a constant temperature and humidity apparatus, a steam humidifier capable of forming a desired environment in a short time is generally employed in order to improve test accuracy. This steam humidifier (hereinafter simply referred to as a humidifier) is composed of an evaporating dish in which humidifying water is stored and a humidifying heater that heats the water in the evaporating dish.

That is, when adjusting the humidity environment in the chamber of the constant temperature and humidity device, the evaporating dish of the humidifier is filled with water up to a predetermined water level, and the water is heated and humidified by the humidifying heater. Specifically, the constant temperature and humidity device includes a humidity detection sensor that detects the humidity environment in the cabinet, and performs humidification control of the humidifier based on information detected by the humidity detection sensor. And this humidifier is humidified and controlled until the humidity detected by the humidity detection sensor reaches a preset target humidity.
On the other hand, since the water in the evaporating dish decreases with time due to the humidification control, the water level of the evaporating dish tends to decrease.
For this reason, the constant temperature and humidity device humidifies the inside of the evaporating dish when the water level in the evaporating dish of the humidifier falls below a certain level so that humidification control does not stop unexpectedly when humidifying the inside of the cabinet. The water is supplied.

  Further, as described above, the constant temperature and humidity device has a humidity detection sensor in order to form a desired humidity environment. This humidity detection sensor detects a so-called wet bulb temperature, covers a temperature detection part with a cloth soaked in water (hereinafter referred to as wick), and detects the temperature in the chamber in that state. Therefore, a water supply structure for supplying water to the wick is formed in order to keep the wick moistened at all times. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a constant temperature and humidity device provided with a detection storage dish (hereinafter referred to as wick pan) in which water for detecting wet bulb temperature is stored as part of the water supply structure. .

  As described above, the constant temperature and humidity device is provided with a water supply structure for supplying water to the evaporating dish and the wick pan, and is configured to automatically supply water to the respective members according to the situation. That is, this type of constant temperature and humidity device has a storage tank that can store a certain amount of water, and is provided with a water supply structure that can supply water to the evaporating dish or wick pan from the storage tank. And as the water supply structure, for example, it has a structure for supplying water directly from the water supply tank 102 to the wick pan 103 and the evaporating dish 104 by natural fall (FIG. 11), and two pumps 105 and 106 as water supply means, A structure (FIG. 12) that can directly supply water to the wick pan 103 or the evaporating dish 104 by controlling the driving of the pumps 105 and 106 is often used.

JP 2008-202111 A Japanese Patent No. 3140709

However, several problems have been exposed in the water supply structure of the constant temperature and humidity device that has been conventionally provided, and improvement is desired. This will be specifically described below.
The conventional constant temperature and humidity device shares the piping for supplying water to the evaporating dish and the piping for draining the water stored in the evaporating dish from the viewpoint of structural limitations and low cost in the apparatus. It has been. Therefore, the inside of the pipe connected to the evaporating dish is likely to be an environment in which miscellaneous bacteria are easy to propagate and is likely to be unsanitary.
Further, the evaporating dish has a problem that minerals (calcium and the like) contained in water are easily concentrated due to the humidifying action, and as a result, scale is easily attached.

  In addition, as described above, the constant temperature and humidity device requires a humidity detection sensor in addition to the humidifier in order to adjust the interior to the target humidity. Conventionally, in this type of constant temperature and humidity device, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, water supply paths are individually formed in the evaporating dish 104 and the wick pan 103 of the humidifier. That is, a pipe for supplying water to the evaporating dish 104 and a pipe for supplying water to the wick pan 103 are separately provided. For this reason, the total length of the water supply path has become longer, which has been a factor in increasing costs.

  Therefore, in view of the problems of the prior art, the environmental test apparatus of the present invention provides an environmental test apparatus that can suppress the propagation of germs and the concentration of minerals in an evaporating dish or the like and can reduce costs. Let it be an issue.

  The invention according to claim 1, which is provided to solve the above problem, includes a humidity detection device and a humidification device, and the humidity detection device is a wick that wets a humidity detection sensor and a detection unit of the humidity detection sensor with water. And a detection reservoir that supplies water to the wick, and the humidifier is a water supply unit that supplies water to the detection reservoir in an environmental test apparatus having a humidification reservoir that stores humidification water. Supplying means, wherein the detection storage section includes a storage space for storing water supplied from the water supply means, and a discharge port for discharging water overflowing from the storage space, and supplies water for humidification. If required, at least the amount of water required by the humidifying reservoir is supplied from the water supply means to the detection reservoir, and the water overflowing from the storage space is supplied to the humidifying reservoir via the outlet. Environmental test equipment characterized by A.

  The environmental test apparatus according to the present invention is configured to be able to supply a predetermined amount of water to the humidifying reservoir through the detection reservoir when a predetermined condition is satisfied. More specifically, in the present invention, when there is a water supply request for humidifying water and water is supplied to the humidifying reservoir, first, at least the amount of water required by the humidifying reservoir is stored for detection. Supply to the department. That is, even when water is supplied to the humidifying reservoir, the water is supplied toward the detection reservoir. Thereby, the surplus water amount exceeding the capacity of the detection storage unit overflows from the detection storage unit. That is, by supplying a predetermined amount of water, water is actively overflowed from the detection reservoir. Thereby, the overflowing water flows toward the discharge port, and flows from the discharge port toward the humidification storage unit (hereinafter, a path from the discharge port to the humidification storage unit is also referred to as a water supply channel). As a result, the surplus water amount is supplied to the humidifying reservoir. Thus, the environmental test apparatus of this invention is set as the structure which can supply the excess water quantity overflowed from the storage part for a detection to the storage part for humidification.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, even when water is supplied to the humidifying reservoir, water is allowed to flow directly from the water supply means toward the humidifying reservoir as in a conventional constant temperature and humidity device. A conventional water supply channel is not required. More specifically, even if water is supplied to either the detection storage unit or the humidification storage unit, if water is flowed toward the detection storage unit, any of the storage units may be supplied. Since water can be supplied, there is no need to install a pipe for supplying water to the humidifying reservoir (hereinafter also referred to as a humidified water supply dedicated pipe). In this way, in the present invention, the humidification water supply dedicated pipe is omitted, and the water supply paths for the two water supply objects (the detection storage section and the humidification storage section) can be substantially integrated into one path. Therefore, the lengthening of the pipe extension is avoided, and the cost can be effectively reduced.

  Here, to add to the conventional constant temperature / humidity device, as described above, the conventional constant temperature / humidity device drains water from the water supply channel for supplying water to the humidifier and the humidifier. The drainage channels share the same piping. For this reason, in the piping and the humidifying storage part, germs tend to propagate and tend to be unsanitary. Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, a measure for completely separating the water supply channel and the drain channel is considered. However, when simply trying to divide the flow path according to the application, it is necessary to newly provide a pipe for the water supply flow path or the drain flow path in addition to the already provided pipe (the shared pipe). Therefore, there was dissatisfaction that caused the cost increase. Examples of such an increase in cost include those resulting from an increase in the number of parts and a change in the design of the apparatus.

  Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to use a pipe (existing pipe) that has been conventionally provided as a pipe dedicated to the drainage of the humidifying reservoir. That is, according to the present invention, the water supply flow path for supplying water to the humidifier is a flow path that passes through the humidity detection device, and the drainage flow path for draining from the humidifier is a flow path formed by existing piping. The water supply channel and the drainage channel can be completely separated without increasing the number of parts. Thereby, since it is possible to separate the flow paths for each application without newly providing piping, there is no increase in cost due to an increase in the number of parts or a design change.

  In addition, since the drainage does not flow into the water supply channel along with the separation of the channel for each use, the water to be drained stored in the humidifying reservoir can be flowed only to the drainage channel. In other words, clean water always flows in the water supply channel, and clean water is always stored in the humidifying reservoir, so that the propagation of germs and concentration of minerals in the water supply channel and humidifying reservoir are greatly increased. To be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the acceleration adhesion of scales such as calcium and silica in the water supply channel and the humidifying reservoir.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the detection storage section includes a water supply port and a guiding means for guiding a part of the water supplied from the water supply port to the discharge port side. It is an environmental test apparatus as described in above.

  According to such a configuration, since a part of the water supplied to the detection storage unit can be guided to the discharge port side by the guiding means, water can be smoothly supplied to the humidification storage unit.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the guiding means includes a collision wall that collides with water supplied from the water supply port, and a water collecting unit that collects water that has collided with the collision wall and changed its direction. The environmental test apparatus according to claim 2, wherein water flowing into the water section is discharged from the discharge port.

  According to such a configuration, since the water collided with the collision wall is guided to the discharge port, it is possible to supply the amount of water required for the humidifying storage unit while storing water at a predetermined water level or higher in the detection storage unit. . For example, if the collision wall is arranged so that the water stored in the detection storage unit can secure a certain level or more, only the excess water supplied beyond the water level is reliably supplied to the humidification storage unit side. can do.

  In the environmental test apparatus of the present invention, the storage space is a bottomed space whose upper part is opened, and a water collection part is provided outside the storage space, and water overflowing from the upper side is collected More preferably, it is discharged from the outlet through the section. (Claim 4)

  The invention according to claim 5 includes vaporized water amount calculating means for calculating the amount of water vaporized from the wick and humidifying water amount detecting means for detecting the amount of water in the humidifying reservoir, and the detected water amount of the humidifying water amount detecting means is constant. In the above case, the water supply means continuously or intermittently supplies the amount of water calculated by the vaporized water amount calculation means over a fixed time, and the detected water amount of the humidification water amount detection means is constant. The water supply means supplies water at least in an amount required by the humidifying storage part continuously or intermittently over a predetermined time. The environmental test apparatus according to any one of the above.

  According to such a configuration, at least an amount of water required by the humidifying reservoir is supplied by the water supplying unit on condition that the detected water amount of the humidifying water amount detecting unit is less than a certain amount. Therefore, water is not supplied to the humidifying reservoir. In the present invention, when water is supplied to the detection reservoir, water is supplied continuously or intermittently over a certain time by the water supply means. At this time, it is difficult for the water temperature of the detection storage section to change rapidly. That is, even when supplying a large amount of water (water equal to or greater than the amount of vaporized water in the wick) to the humidifying reservoir via the detection reservoir, the water supply operation is limited, so the detection reservoir It is difficult to cause a sudden change in water temperature in the section, and there is almost no possibility that the humidity detection sensor erroneously detects. As a result, since normal humidification control is maintained, the test environment (mainly the humidity environment) is not disturbed, and high test accuracy can be ensured.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when a water supply request for supplying water to the detection storage unit occurs while water is being supplied to the humidification storage unit, the supply of water to the humidification storage unit is performed. The environmental test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the environmental test apparatus continues and cancels the water supply request to the detection storage unit.

  According to such a configuration, in a situation where both water supply to the humidification storage unit and water supply to the detection storage unit can occur at the same time, water supply to the humidification storage unit can be performed preferentially, so the amount of water supply is excessive. It is prevented that it becomes too much.

  In the environmental test apparatus of the present invention, the water supply means is a pump, the discharge port of the pump and the detection reservoir are connected by a water supply pipe, and the drainage pipe through which drainage flows is connected to the humidification reservoir. In addition, the water supply to the humidifying storage section is performed via the water supply pipe and the detection storage section, and when draining the water in the humidifying storage section, it may be performed via the drain pipe. desirable. (Claim 7)

  The environmental test apparatus of the present invention uses a flow path that passes through the detection storage section of the humidity detection apparatus as a water supply flow path, and uses an existing pipe provided in the humidification apparatus as a drainage flow path. Since the configuration is completely divided, it is possible to prevent the growth of various bacteria and the concentration of minerals in the water supply flow path and the humidifying storage section without causing an increase in cost.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the environmental test apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the water supply system for a detection of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the humidification water supply system | strain of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the indoor humidity detection apparatus with which the environmental test apparatus of FIG. 1 was equipped. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the indoor humidity detection apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the indoor humidity detection apparatus of FIG. It is a time chart which shows operation | movement of the water supply pump in an environmental test. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the water flow in the storage part for a detection in the case of supplying water to a humidifier, (a) is the figure seen from the cross section, (b) is the figure seen from the top. It is a time chart which shows the water supply operation | movement when the request | requirement of humidification water supply generate | occur | produces during an environmental test and the detection water supply. (Two-dot chain line: canceled operation) It is a time chart which shows the water supply operation | movement when the request | requirement of detected water supply generate | occur | produces during an environmental test and humidified water supply. (Two-dot chain line: canceled operation) It is a conceptual diagram which shows the conventional environmental test apparatus. (No pump, water level detector omitted) It is a conceptual diagram which shows the conventional environmental test apparatus. (2 pumps, water level detector omitted)

Below, the environmental test apparatus 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
The environmental test apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is a so-called constant temperature and humidity apparatus, and has a constant temperature and humidity tank 5 as shown in FIG. The constant temperature and humidity chamber 5 is divided into a test chamber 6 and an air conditioning passage 7 by a partition wall 8, and the test chamber 6 and the air conditioning passage 7 communicate with each other above and below the partition wall 8. Openings 9 and 19 are provided.

The test chamber 6 is a space in which a desired test environment is formed by arranging equipment and parts to be a sample when performing an environmental test, and an indoor temperature detecting means 23 for detecting the temperature of the space, and the space An indoor humidity detecting device 24 is provided for detecting the relative humidity.
The indoor temperature detection means 23 is a conventionally known temperature sensor such as a thermocouple or a thermistor, and detects a so-called dry bulb temperature.
The indoor humidity detection device 24 includes a conventionally known humidity detection sensor 29 and a wick 25 that covers a detection portion of the humidity detection sensor, and detects a so-called wet bulb temperature.
In the present embodiment, the indoor temperature detecting means 23 and the indoor humidity detecting device 24 are arranged on the upper side of the test chamber 6.

The air conditioning passage 7 is a portion that generates air having a desired temperature and humidity. The humidifier 10, the evaporator 11, the heater 12, and the blower 13 are arranged in order from the lower side (upstream side in the air flow direction). Has been.
The humidifier 10 has an evaporating dish (humidifying storage section) 30 having a predetermined depth and a conventionally known electric heater 31, and evaporates water stored in the evaporating dish 30 by the electric heater 31. It is.
The evaporator (cooler) 11 is a part of a known cooling device and functions to take part of the refrigeration cycle. That is, the evaporator 11 is capable of changing the cooling capacity and the surface temperature through which the phase-change refrigerant flows.
The heater 12 is a conventionally known electric heater and heats air passing through the air conditioning passage 7.
The blower 13 is a conventionally known fan and forms a circulating air flow in the constant temperature and humidity chamber 5.

  Moreover, the environmental test apparatus 1 of this embodiment is provided with a water supply system 15 for supplying water to the indoor humidity detection device 24 and the humidifier 10 in order to suitably form a humidity environment in the test chamber 6. And in the environmental test apparatus 1 of this embodiment, in order to integrate the water supply path | route to the indoor humidity detection apparatus 24 and the humidifier 10, the water supply system | strain 15 which abbreviate | omitted the humidification exclusive use water supply piping conventionally used is comprised. The configuration is adopted.

  That is, the water supply system 15 has a detection water supply system 35 that supplies water from the water storage tank 41 to the indoor humidity detection device 24 as shown in FIG. 2, and water that has passed through the detection water supply system 35 as shown in FIG. The humidifier water supply system 36 supplies water to the humidifier 10 located further downstream. In other words, in the environmental test apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the water storage tank 41, the indoor humidity detection device 24, and the humidifier 10 are arranged in series on the same water supply path.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the detection water supply system 35 includes a tank discharge side pipe 42 that guides water from the water storage tank 41 to the indoor humidity detection device 24, and a midway position of the tank discharge side pipe 42. It is comprised with the feed water pump (water supply means) 43 which forms a water flow in it. That is, the detection water supply system 35 is a flow path in which a water flow is formed in the tank discharge side pipe 42 by driving the water supply pump 43, thereby supplying water to the indoor humidity detection device 24. In addition, the water supplied to the indoor humidity detection device 24 is stored in a detection storage unit 26 described later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the humidification water supply system 36 is connected to the indoor humidity detection device 24 and the indoor humidity detection device 24 in addition to the same water supply path as the detection water supply system 35, and guides water to the humidifier 10. It is composed of a humidity detection device side pipe 47. That is, the water supply system for humidification 36 supplies water to the humidifier 10 by causing the water supplied to the indoor humidity detection device 24 to flow out of the indoor humidity detection device 24 and to pass through the humidity detection device side pipe 47. It is the flow path which can perform. In addition, the water supplied to the humidifier 10 is stored in the evaporating dish 30.

As described above, in this embodiment, when water is supplied to the detection water supply system 35 or when water is supplied to the humidification water supply system 36, water is passed through the tank discharge side pipe 42 and water is supplied to the indoor humidity detection device 24. Supply. If the purpose is to supply water to the indoor humidity detector 24, water is stored in the detection reservoir 26, which will be described later, and if the purpose is to supply water to the humidifier 10, the amount of water required for the detection reservoir 26 is set. After securing, water is supplied to the evaporating dish 30. That is, in order to complete the detection water supply system 35, it is necessary to store water in the indoor humidity detection device 24, and in order to complete the humidification water supply system 36, water is allowed to pass in the indoor humidity detection device 24. There is a need.
Therefore, the indoor humidity detection device 24 of the present embodiment is configured to have both a function of storing water and a function of allowing water to pass through.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the indoor humidity detection device 24 includes, in addition to the humidity detection sensor 29 and the wick 25 described above, a detection storage unit 26 that stores water supplied from the tank discharge side pipe 42, An outer shell 27 that guides the water flowing out of the detection reservoir 26 to the humidifier 10 side is provided.

  The wick 25 is a cloth or gauze that can retain moisture, and may be any other material that can vaporize the retained moisture in accordance with an environment such as ambient temperature or ambient humidity. Further, the wick 25 employed in the present embodiment has a configuration in which a notch 34 is formed at the lower end in the installation posture. The cutout 34 is a cutout that has been cut to the extent that a weir 38 of the detection reservoir 26 described later can be displaced.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the detection storage unit 26 has an open water channel having a semicircular cross-sectional shape with the upper part of a cylindrical pipe line open, and a storage space 37 for storing water is provided in the open water channel. Is provided. More specifically, the detection storage unit 26 is provided with a dam portion 38 that dams water supplied downstream in the water supply direction, and a storage space 37 is provided upstream of the dam portion 38. . That is, the storage space 37 is a space that is surrounded by the semicircular pipe wall and the dam portion 38 and is open at the top.

  In addition, the detection reservoir 26 is provided with a passage hole 39 that opens downward at a position downstream of the weir 38. That is, in the detection storage unit 26, even if the supplied water surpasses the weir unit 38 due to excessive momentum, it can flow downward from the passage hole 39. That is, the passage hole 39 is a hole for allowing the water that has passed through to flow to the side of the outer portion 27 described later.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the outer portion 27 is substantially “L” -shaped in appearance, and has a function of collecting water that has overflowed from the detection reservoir 26 and flowing it downward. That is, the outer portion 27 includes a water collecting portion (guidance means) 55 that collects water overflowing from the detection storage portion 26 and a collision wall (guidance means) 56 that actively discharges water from the detection storage portion 26. It is the structure provided with.

  The water collecting portion (guidance means) 55 is a rectangular parallelepiped portion formed by a bottom wall 70 and four side walls 71 a to 71 d erected so as to surround the edge of the bottom wall 70. , 71a to 71d. The internal space 72 is a space that is open at the top and extends in the height direction toward one end in the longitudinal direction of the water collecting portion 55. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the bottom wall 70 is inclined downwardly from the side wall 71 d toward the side wall 71 b, thereby expanding the internal space 72. In addition, the water collecting portion 55 is provided with an insertion port 60 into which the detection storage portion 26 is inserted, and a discharge pipe portion (discharge port) 61 that discharges water downward.

The insertion port 60 is a hole that opens toward one end in the longitudinal direction of the outer shell 27, specifically, the longitudinal direction formed in the side wall 71b. That is, the insertion port 60 communicates the inside and outside of the water collecting portion 55 in the horizontal direction toward the longitudinal direction of the outer portion 27.
The discharge pipe part (discharge port) 61 is disposed near one end in the longitudinal direction of the outer shell part 27, specifically, near the side wall 71b, and protrudes downward from the bottom wall 70. This is a water channel. That is, the discharge pipe part 61 communicates the inside and outside of the water collecting part 55 in the vertical direction.

  The collision wall (guidance means) 56 is a drooping wall provided to hang downward on the upper side (opening side) of the water collecting portion 55. Specifically, the collision wall 56 is formed by a part of the surrounding space forming part 62 that is provided in the upper part of the water collecting part 55 and opened downward. More specifically, the collision wall 56 has a side wall arranged so as to be orthogonal to the water supply direction of the detection reservoir 26, and the collision wall 56 is formed by the side wall. That is, the surrounding space forming unit 62 has a top wall and four side walls that surround the edge of the top wall, and a collision wall 56 is formed by one of the four side walls. On the other hand, the remaining three side walls of the four side walls each form the same plane as any one of the side walls 71 a to 71 c forming the water collecting portion 55. That is, the collision wall 56 is a side wall excluding the three side walls among the side walls of the surrounding space forming part 62, and is disposed at a position in the longitudinal direction of the outer part 27, and is provided with a water supply direction (outer part). 27 is a side wall arranged so as to be orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (27). Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the collision wall 56 is arranged such that the lower end portion enters from the open end of the water collecting portion 55 to a predetermined height position. More specifically, the height position of the lower end portion of the collision wall 56 is the same as or slightly higher than the upper end (open side end portion) of the storage space 37 in the detection storage portion 26 attached to the outer shell portion 27. It is set to a low height position.

  And the indoor humidity detection apparatus 24 is distribute | arranged by the positional relationship which each member shows below. That is, the detection storage unit 26 is inserted into the insertion port 60 of the outer shell 27 with the open side of the storage space 37 facing upward. And the lower end side of the wick 25 is distribute | arranged so that it may be located in the storage space 37 from the open side of the storage part 26 for a detection of the state. That is, the wick 25 is arranged to supply water stored in the storage space 37. The humidity detection sensor 29 is arranged so that its detection unit is covered with the wick 25.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the environmental test apparatus 1 is provided with a drainage system 16 for draining water stored in the indoor humidity detection device 24 and the humidifier 10. That is, the drainage system 16 includes a detection drainage system 50 that drains from the indoor humidity detection device 24, and a humidification drainage system 51 that drains from the humidifier 10.

  The detection drainage system 50 is a flow path formed upstream of the indoor humidity detection device 24 in the water supply direction, and includes a detection-side branch pipe 45 branched from the middle of the tank discharge-side pipe 42, and a tank discharge-side pipe 42. A part of the flow path on the downstream side, that is, the flow path from the branch portion in the tank discharge side pipe 42 to the indoor humidity detector 24 is formed. An opening / closing valve 46 is provided in the middle of the detection side branch pipe 45. That is, the detection drainage system 50 is a flow path that can drain water from the indoor humidity detection device 24 by controlling opening and closing of the on-off valve 46 to restrict water flow.

The humidifying drainage system 51 is a flow path formed downstream of the humidifier 10 in the water supply direction, and is formed by a humidifying drainage pipe 49. An opening / closing valve 48 is provided in the middle of the humidification side drain pipe 49. That is, the humidification drainage system 51 is a flow path that can drain the humidifier 10 by opening the on-off valve 48.
In the present invention, a pump may be arranged in addition to or instead of the on-off valve 48 in order to limit the drainage of water stored in the humidifier 10.

  Further, the humidification side drain pipe 49 is connected with a humidification side branch pipe 52 branched from the middle of the flow path, and a water level detection device (humidification water amount detection means) 53 is provided at the tip side of the humidification side branch pipe 52. It is connected. That is, the water level in the evaporating dish 30 of the humidifier 10 is monitored by the water level detection device 53. The water level detection device 53 is a known float type water level sensor.

  Furthermore, the environmental test apparatus 1 of this embodiment has a control device (not shown). In other words, the environmental test apparatus 1 uses the control device to set conditions (for example, a target set temperature in the test chamber 6, a target set humidity, a test time, etc.) Based on the information obtained from the system, the operation related to the environmental test operation can be controlled.

Next, the basic operation of the environmental test apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
In the environmental test apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the air in the constant temperature and humidity chamber 5 is circulated by the blower 13 to create a desired environment in the test chamber 6. That is, the air in the constant temperature and humidity chamber 5 is drawn into the air conditioning passage 7 side from the opening 19 on the lower side of the partition wall 8 by the blower 13, passes through the air conditioning passage 7 vertically upward, and the partition wall 8 is discharged from the upper opening 9 to the test chamber 6 side.

More specifically, when the blower 13 is activated, air is discharged from the blower 13 and blown to the test chamber 6 side. Thereby, an air flow is formed along the wall surface in the test chamber 6. Then, the air that has reached the opening 19 on the lower side of the partition wall 8 is again introduced into the air conditioning passage 7. As described above, the humidifier 10, the evaporator 11, and the heater 12 are arranged in order along the air flow direction in the air conditioning passage 7, so that the air introduced into the air conditioning passage 7 is The humidifier 10 is humidified as necessary, passes through the evaporator 11, and then flows to the heater 12 side. Then, the atmosphere in the test chamber 6 is adjusted to a desired temperature and humidity.
The environmental test apparatus 1 monitors the current temperature (current temperature) and the current relative humidity (current relative humidity) in the test chamber 6 by the room temperature detection means 23 and the room humidity detection device 24, and has a predetermined setting. Each device (humidifier 10, evaporator 11, heater 12, fan 13 etc.) is controlled based on the conditions.
The above is the description of the basic operation of the environmental test apparatus 1.

  By the way, in this embodiment, as mentioned above, the water supply system | strain 15 which aggregated the water supply path | route to the indoor humidity detection apparatus 24 and the humidifier 10 into one is provided. However, the amount of vaporization in the indoor humidity detection device 24 is sufficiently smaller than the evaporation amount in the humidifier 10, and the timing of water supply in the indoor humidity detection device 24 and the timing of water supply in the humidifier 10 are completely different time axes. Therefore, when water is supplied to the humidifier 10 by the conventional method (water supply at a constant flow rate for a relatively short time) using the water supply system 15, there is a risk of causing a detection error in the indoor humidity detection device 24.

  That is, when water is supplied to the humidifier 10 by the conventional method using the water supply system 15, the indoor humidity detector 24 has a large amount of water at a temperature significantly dissociated from the ambient temperature in the test chamber 6. Water will be supplied, and the detection temperature of the humidity detection sensor 29 will be greatly upset. As a result, the humidification control cannot be performed normally, and there is a concern that the humidity in the test chamber 6 hunts with respect to the target set humidity.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when water is supplied to the humidifier 10, an intermittent water supply function of supplying water every predetermined amount is provided in order to prevent a detection error of the humidity detection sensor 29.
Below, the intermittent water supply function of this embodiment is demonstrated in detail.

  When the environmental test is started by the basic operation described above and the humidification control by the humidifier 10 is executed, the water in the evaporating dish 30 is consumed. And the consumption amount of the consumed water is acquired based on the detection information of the water level detection apparatus 53 provided in order to detect the water level in the evaporating dish 30 in that way. That is, in this embodiment, a control device (not shown) monitors the water level acquired by the water level detection device 53, and determines whether or not the water level in the evaporating dish 30 has fallen below a certain level based on the information.

And if a control apparatus confirms that the water level in the evaporating dish 30 has fallen below the fixed water level, the water supply (henceforth humidification water supply) to the humidifier 10 will be started. That is, when humidified water supply is started, the water supply pump 43 is driven, and the water in the water storage tank 41 is supplied toward the indoor humidity detection device 24. More specifically, when the water supply pump 43 is driven by humidified water supply, the water supply pump 43 is intermittently operated to supply a predetermined amount of water over a longer time than before. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the amount of water to be replenished to the humidifier 10 is divided into a plurality of times (four times in the present embodiment) and supplied to the indoor humidity detection device 24.
The “amount to be replenished to the humidifier 10” mentioned here indicates the amount of water required only by the humidifier 10 without taking into account the amount of water supplied by the indoor humidity detector 24 for convenience.

  On the other hand, the detection storage unit 26 of the indoor humidity detection device 24 already has a sufficient amount of water due to the above conditions, so that the amount of water becomes excessive due to the water supply. That is, the water level in the detection reservoir 26 exceeds a certain water level. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8, the water introduced into the detection storage unit 26 does not stay in the storage space 37 but collides with the collision wall 56 and overflows to the open side of the storage space 37. More specifically, the water introduced beyond the certain water level in the storage space 37 is blocked in the direction of water flow by the collision wall 56, and the flow direction is changed to a direction crossing the water flow direction. Overflowing. Then, the water overflowing from the storage space 37 is introduced into the discharge pipe part 61 via the water collection part 55 and flows downward. Then, the water that has passed through the discharge pipe portion 61 is introduced into the humidifier 10 through the humidity detection device side pipe 47.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when water is supplied to the humidifier 10, the water temperature introduced into the indoor humidity detection device 24 is rapidly changed by intermittently introducing water into the indoor humidity detection device 24. In addition, water is supplied to the humidifier 10 located downstream thereof. Thereby, even when the amount of water introduced into the indoor humidity detector 24 is relatively large, it is possible to eliminate a humidity detection error that may occur due to water supply to the humidifier 10. As a result, normal humidity control can be maintained as usual.

  Here, as described above, the water supply timing to the humidifier 10 and the water supply timing to the indoor humidity detection device 24 are different time axes. That is, when a water supply request to the indoor humidity detection device 24 occurs during the water supply operation to the humidifier 10, or conversely, during the water supply operation to the indoor humidity detection device 24 (hereinafter referred to as detection water supply) There may be a case where a water supply request to the container 10 is generated.

  Therefore, the environmental test apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a humidified water supply priority function that prioritizes the humidified water supply when the humidified water supply and the detected water supply are requested in duplicate. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, if a request for humidification water supply occurs during detection water supply, the subsequent operation of detection water supply is forcibly stopped (indicated by a two-dot chain line). Move to the operation of humidified water supply. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, if a request for detected water supply occurs while humidified water supply is being performed, the operation of humidified water supply is continued as it is, and the operation of detected water supply is not performed (indicated by a two-dot chain line). Show). Thus, in this embodiment, when humidification water supply and detection water supply can occur simultaneously, operation | movement of humidification water supply with comparatively much water supply amount is implemented preferentially.

  Finally, with regard to the water supply to the indoor humidity detection device 24, in this embodiment, the vaporization amount in the wick 25 is calculated at a certain timing, and the detection storage unit 26 is supplied based on the vaporization amount. The amount of water supply is determined. As a means for calculating the vaporization amount in the wick 25, a diffusion equation used for calculating a diffusion amount J in which water evaporates and diffuses in one direction (one dimension) is employed. That is, in the present embodiment, a function (vaporized water amount calculating means) for calculating using the following formula (1) is provided.

J = −D · dc / dx (1)
D: Diffusion coefficient of water vapor diffusing into the atmosphere c: Concentration x: Position

  As mentioned above, since this embodiment is the structure provided with the water supply system 15 which aggregated the water supply path | route with respect to two water supply objects into one, and abbreviate | omitted the conventional humidification exclusive water supply piping, it is piping which forms a water supply path | route. The overall length can be shortened and the cost can be reduced. Furthermore, since the water supply path and the drainage path in the humidifier 10 are completely separated, the water flowing through the water supply path is always clean, and the humidifier 10 to which the water is supplied is always kept clean. Thereby, in the humidifier 10, adhesion of scales and the like due to various germs can be suppressed.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the collision storage wall 56 is provided in the detection storage part 26 in the indoor humidity detection apparatus 24, and when the detection storage part 26 becomes more than a fixed water level, the water forcedly introduced is collected. Since it can drop to the part 55 side, the water supply to the humidifier 10 can be made smooth.

  In the present embodiment, when water is supplied to the humidifier 10, the water supply pump 43 is intermittently operated to limit the amount of water introduced into the indoor humidity detection device 24 at a time, and therefore the detection storage unit 26 in the indoor humidity detection device 24. There is no possibility that the water temperature in the inside will change rapidly. Along with this, since erroneous detection of humidity due to a change in the water temperature in the detection storage unit 26 is prevented, a test environment can be formed by normal humidification control. That is, since the test environment can be formed with high accuracy, the reliability of the test accuracy can be ensured.

In the above embodiment, when supplying water to the humidifier 10, the operation of intermittently operating the water supply pump 43 has been implemented. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, by controlling the rotation speed of the water supply pump 43, The configuration may be such that control is performed to suppress the water supply flow rate per unit time rather than the flow rate. Even when this control is employed, it is desirable to control the amount of water supply so as not to cause a detection error in the indoor humidity detection device 24.
Further, as long as the initial water supply at the time of starting the environmental test is performed, the water supply pump 43 may be continuously operated as usual without supplying the water supply pump 43 intermittently, and the humidifier 10 may be supplied with water.

In the above embodiment, when there is a water supply request from a water supply target that is not a water supply target during detection water supply or humidification water supply, a configuration including a humidification water supply priority function that preferentially performs humidification water supply is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration without such a function may be used. That is, when both requests for detection water supply and humidified water supply overlap, the water supply operation with the earlier request is continued, that is, the operation during the water supply is continued, and then the water supply operation with the later request is performed. It doesn't matter.
Moreover, in this invention, you may employ | adopt the structure which can exhibit a humidification water supply priority function only when there exists a request | requirement of detection water supply in the middle of humidification water supply.

  In the said embodiment, although the structure which intermittently operates the water supply pump 43 only in the case of humidification water supply was shown, this invention is not limited to this, The structure which makes the water supply pump 43 operate intermittently also in the case of detected water supply. You may add.

  In the above-described embodiment, for the sake of convenience, in the humidified water supply, the configuration in which “the amount to be replenished to the humidifier 10” is supplied from the water supply tank 41, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the humidifier 10 and the indoor humidity detection It may be configured to supply an amount of water sufficient to satisfy both of the devices 24.

  In the above embodiment, the constant temperature and humidity device has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be another environmental test device such as a thermal shock test device including a humidifier and an indoor humidity detection device. I do not care.

  In the said embodiment, although the structure which employ | adopted the wick 25 provided with the notch part 34 was shown, this invention is not limited to this, You may employ | adopt the wick which does not have the notch part 34. FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Environmental test apparatus 5 Constant temperature and humidity tank 6 Test room 7 Air-conditioning path 10 Humidifier (humidifier)
24 Indoor humidity detector 25 Wick 26 Detection reservoir 27 Outer portion 29 Humidity detection sensor 30 Evaporating dish (humidification reservoir)
35 Water supply system for detection 36 Water supply system for humidification 37 Storage space 43 Water supply pump (water supply means)
53 Water level detector (humidification water amount detection means)
55 Water collection part (guidance means)
56 Collision wall (guidance means)

Claims (7)

The humidity detection device includes a humidity detection sensor, a wick that wets a detection unit of the humidity detection sensor with water, and a detection storage unit that supplies water to the wick. The apparatus is an environmental test apparatus having a humidifying reservoir that stores humidifying water.
Water supply means for supplying water to the detection reservoir;
The detection storage section includes a storage space for storing water supplied from the water supply means, and a discharge port for discharging water overflowing from the storage space,
If there is a water supply request for humidifying water, at least an amount of water required by the humidifying storage unit is supplied from the water supply means to the detection storage unit, and water overflowing from the storage space is discharged through the discharge port. An environmental test apparatus that is supplied to a humidifying reservoir.   The environmental test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection storage unit includes a water supply port and guidance means for guiding a part of the water supplied from the water supply port to the discharge port side.   The guide means includes a collision wall that collides with water supplied from the water supply port, and a water collecting unit that collects water that has collided with the collision wall and changed its direction, and the water that has flowed into the water collecting unit is discharged The environmental test apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the environmental test apparatus is discharged from the environment.   The storage space is a bottomed space with an open top. A water collection part is provided outside the storage space, and water overflowing from the upper side is discharged from the discharge port through the water collection part. The environmental test apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein A vaporized water amount calculating means for calculating the amount of water vaporized from the wick, and a humidifying water amount detecting means for detecting the amount of water in the humidifying reservoir,
In the case where the amount of water detected by the humidifying water amount detection means is a certain level or more, the water supply means continuously or intermittently supplies the amount of water calculated by the vaporized water amount calculation means over a certain period of time,
When the amount of water detected by the humidifying water amount detecting means is less than a certain level, the water supplying means continuously supplies or intermittently supplies at least the amount of water required by the humidifying storage section over a certain period of time. The environmental test apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein   If a water supply request for supplying water to the detection reservoir occurs during the supply of water to the humidification reservoir, the water supply to the humidification reservoir is continued and to the detection reservoir The environmental test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water supply request is canceled. The water supply means is a pump, and the discharge port of the pump and the detection storage section are connected by a water supply pipe, and the drainage pipe through which drainage flows is connected to the humidification storage section,
The water supply to the humidifying reservoir is performed via the water supply pipe and the detection reservoir, and when draining the water of the humidifying reservoir, the water supply is performed via the drain pipe. The environmental test apparatus in any one of 1-6.

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