JP2019211287A - Weathering test device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a weathering test device with which it is possible to grasp the progress state of degradation of a sample during a weathering test.SOLUTION: The weathering test device comprises: a sample chamber 12 containing a sample W inside, for carrying out a weathering test that artificially reproduces an outdoor environment and promotes the degradation of the sample W; a light source unit 14 for irradiating the sample W with irradiation light L and promoting degradation; a camera 16 for imaging the inside of the sample chamber 12 from the outside of the sample chamber 12 through a lens 17; a first shutter 28 for enabling the irradiation light L of the light source unit 14 entering the sample chamber 12 to be shielded; and a second shutter 34 positioned between the sample chamber 12 and the lens 17 to shield light from the sample chamber 12 to the lens 17 while the irradiation light L is entering the sample chamber 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a weather resistance test apparatus.

Conventionally, in order to predict the life of products and materials in the outdoor environment, a light source instead of sunlight, a shower instead of rain, a temperature control function, etc. have been provided, and the outdoor environment is artificially reproduced using these, There is known a weather resistance test apparatus that promotes the deterioration of the steel.
An apparatus that promotes sample deterioration, such as this weather resistance test apparatus, is known to observe and evaluate a sample using visual observation or a microscope after promoting the deterioration of the sample (for example, Patent Document 1).
On the other hand, in wind tunnel tests, airflow measurement, and the like, there are known methods for visualizing the flow by imaging the measurement areas before and during the test using a camera and comparing them (for example, , See Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-350328 A JP 2012-145430 A

Conventional weathering test equipment does not have a means of photographing a sample at the time of accelerating degradation, unlike a camera used in a wind tunnel test, etc., and it is difficult to grasp the progress of the degradation of the sample. There was a case that I could not catch.
An object of the present invention is to provide a weather resistance test apparatus that can grasp the progress of deterioration of a sample during a weather resistance test.

  The present invention includes a sample chamber for storing a sample therein, artificially reproducing an outdoor environment, and performing a weather resistance test for promoting the deterioration of the sample, and a light source for accelerating the deterioration by irradiating the sample with light. A camera that photographs the inside of the sample chamber from the outside of the sample chamber through a lens, a first shield that can block incidence of irradiation light of the light source to the sample chamber, and the irradiation to the sample chamber A weather resistance test, comprising: a second shielding body that is positioned between the sample chamber and the lens and shields light from the sample chamber to the lens while light is incident. Device.

  According to the present invention, in the weather resistance test apparatus, when the camera takes an image during the weather resistance test, the first shield shields the light emitted from the light source incident on the sample chamber, and the second shield The shield is retracted from between the sample chamber and the lens so that the camera can photograph the inside of the sample chamber.

  In the weather resistance test apparatus, the present invention provides a control section that controls the weather resistance test, and an image change determination section that determines whether a difference is seen by comparing a plurality of images captured by the camera. An image display unit that displays an image captured by the camera, and when the image change determination unit determines that a difference is found between the plurality of images, the control unit performs the weather resistance test. It stops, and the image picked up by the camera is displayed on the image display unit.

  In the weather resistance test apparatus according to the present invention, the image change determination unit compares a plurality of images captured by the camera to determine whether a color difference and / or a shape difference of the sample is observed. It is characterized by determining.

  The present invention provides the weather resistance test apparatus, wherein the image change determination unit compares an image captured by the camera before the start of the weather resistance test and an image captured by the camera after the start of the weather resistance test. It is characterized by doing.

  The present invention is characterized in that, in the weather resistance test apparatus, the photographing of the camera after the start of the weather resistance test is performed after a certain period of time.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to grasp the progress of deterioration of a sample during a weather resistance test.

It is the figure which showed schematic structure of the weather resistance test apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of a weather resistance test apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a weather resistance test apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a weather resistance test apparatus in the case of continuing a weather resistance test to setting time.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a weather resistance test apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the weather resistance test apparatus 10 performs a weather resistance test that artificially reproduces the outdoor environment to artificially degrade the sample W and accelerate the deterioration. The sample W is used outdoors. For example, a solar cell, an automobile part, a paint, a resin part, or the like is used. This weather resistance test is usually performed continuously for several hours to several thousand hours.

The weather resistance test apparatus 10 includes a housing 11, a camera 16, a monitor 18, a storage device 20, and a control device 22.
The housing 11 is a box-like body, and a sample chamber 12 and a light source unit 14 are provided therein. A sample chamber door 13 for storing the sample W in the sample chamber 12 is provided on the side surface of the housing 11.
The sample chamber 12 is a space for storing the sample W therein, and a sample stage 24 on which the sample W is placed is provided. Further, the sample chamber 12 can artificially reproduce the outdoor environment inside, and the internal temperature and humidity can be adjusted. The inside of the sample chamber 12 of the present embodiment is adjustable from a temperature of minus 50 degrees to 150 degrees and a humidity of 30% to 95%. Furthermore, the sample chamber 12 can be sealed so that the internal environment can be maintained under a predetermined condition.
The light source unit 14 irradiates the sample W with the irradiation light L to promote light deterioration, and can reproduce the influence of sunlight on the sample W in an outdoor environment. The light source unit 14 is provided in the upper part of the sample chamber 12 and includes a plurality of lamps 26. The lamps 26 of the present embodiment are all metal halide lamps, and irradiate the sample W with ultraviolet light to promote ultraviolet deterioration. The lamp 26 may be a halogen lamp that emits infrared light or a xenon lamp that emits simulated sunlight. The irradiation amount of the irradiation light L is about 100 mW / cm ² .

  A first shutter 28 (first shield) that can be opened and closed is provided between the sample chamber 12 and the light source unit 14. The first shutter 28 is opened at the time of light irradiation by the light source unit 14, and is closed when it is necessary to interrupt the light irradiation during a weather resistance test, such as at the time of photographing by the camera 16 described later. Thereby, even if the light source unit 14 uses a lamp that takes a certain time to be turned on and off, the irradiation light L from the light source unit 14 to the inside of the sample chamber 12 can be shielded immediately. For this reason, the irradiation light L to the inside of the sample chamber 12 can be adjusted without controlling the lighting and extinguishing of each lamp 26 during the weather resistance test. Note that the first shutter 28 may perform dimming of the irradiation light L such that the opening degree can be adjusted steplessly.

  The camera 16 is an imaging device that images the sample W, is provided outside the housing 11 so as not to be affected by the environment during the weather resistance test, and is disposed at a position where the irradiation light L of the light source unit 14 is not directly irradiated. Has been. The camera 16 is a digital camera that can shoot a color image, and is provided with a light emitting device 30 that irradiates light to a shooting target when the camera 16 shoots. For example, a strobe or an LED lamp is used for the light emitting device 30. In addition, the camera 16 of the present embodiment has functions such as pan, tilt, and zoom, and can select and photograph a specific portion of the sample W or the sample chamber 12.

  In order to allow the camera 16 to photograph the sample W, an observation window 32 (opening) through which the inside of the sample chamber 12 can be observed is provided on the side surface of the housing 11. A transparent member such as glass is fitted in the observation window 32 in order to keep the sample chamber 12 sealed, and the camera 16 photographs the sample W from the observation window 32. The observation window 32 is provided with a second shutter 34 (second shield) that closes the observation window 32. The second shutter 34 is provided so as to be slidable along the outer surface of the housing 11, and the observation window 32 can be opened and closed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the irradiation light L from the light source unit 14 from leaking out of the observation window 32 and entering the lens 17 during the weather resistance test, and to prevent the lens 17 of the camera 16 from deteriorating. The second shutter 34 slides and retracts from the observation window 32 when the camera 16 captures images, and allows the camera 16 to capture the inside of the sample chamber 12.

The monitor 18 is an image display unit, and is provided on the outer surface of the housing 11 and displays an image (image) taken by the camera 16, a time when the image was taken, and the like.
The storage device 20 includes a storage unit 36 (FIG. 2) that is provided on the outer surface of the housing 11 and stores an image captured by the camera 16, and stores an image captured by the camera 16 during a weather resistance test. The
The control device 22 is provided on the outer surface of the casing 11 and performs control of a weather resistance test performed by the weather resistance test device 10, processing of an image taken by the camera 16, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the weather resistance test apparatus 10.
The control device 22 is configured by a computer including a processor such as a CPU and an MPU, and includes a control unit 38 and an image change determination unit 40 as functional configurations as shown in FIG.
The control unit 38 controls a weather resistance test performed by the weather resistance test apparatus 10. Accordingly, each lamp 26 included in the light source unit 14 is turned on or off, and the inside of the sample chamber 12 is adjusted to a predetermined temperature and humidity. Further, the control unit 38 instructs the camera 16 to take an image, and instructs the first shutter 28 and the second shutter 34 to open and close.
Specifically, the control unit 38 instructs the camera 16 to take an image, and at the same time, instructs the camera 16 to close the first shutter 28 and open the second shutter 34. When the second shutter 34 is opened, the camera 16 captures an image, outputs the captured image to the control unit 38, and the control unit 38 stores the image in the storage unit 36.
When the image shooting is finished, the control unit 38 instructs to open the first shutter 28 and close the second shutter 34. By opening and closing the first shutter 28 in this way, the irradiation light L from the light source unit 14 to the inside of the sample chamber 12 is immediately shielded, and the camera 16 can perform shooting in a short time. The weathering test can be continued immediately afterwards.
Note that the lamps 26 may be turned off, and the sample W may be photographed by the camera 16 during that time, regardless of whether the first shutter 28 is opened or closed.

Further, the camera 16 is photographed during a camera photographing period provided with a certain period during the weather resistance test. As a result, the number of captured images can be suppressed, and an increase in the amount of image data stored in the storage unit 36 can be suppressed.
When performing a weather resistance test having a certain periodicity such that each lamp 26 included in the light source unit 14 is repeatedly turned on and off, the sample W is photographed by the camera 16 every time each lamp 26 is turned off. Also good.

The image change determination unit 40 compares a plurality of images taken by the camera 16 and determines whether or not a change is seen in the sample W. In the present embodiment, the image change determination unit 40 uses an image of the sample W taken before the start of the weather resistance test as an initial image, and is taken after the initial image and the weather resistance test (during the weather resistance test). The images in the test are compared with each other, and it is determined whether or not there is a difference between them.
Specifically, when the weather resistance test is started, the image change determination unit 40 acquires an image under test photographed by the camera 16 from the storage unit 36, and calculates a difference between the image under test and the initial image. Do. This difference calculation is performed based on the color and / or shape of the sample W. If the difference between the initial image and the image under test is recognized as a result of this calculation, the image change determination unit 40 determines that a change has occurred in the sample W, and instructs the control unit 38 to end (stop) the weather resistance test. Put out. Thereby, the weather resistance test apparatus 10 can grasp and evaluate the color change and / or the shape change of the sample W due to the weather resistance test.

  In addition, the image change determination unit 40 displays on the monitor 18 data such as the image under test in which the difference from the initial image is recognized and the time when the image under test was captured, at the same time as the instruction to end the weather resistance test. Let As a result, an image taken by the camera 16 can be displayed outside the sample chamber 12, and changes in the sample W can be grasped and evaluated without taking the sample W out of the sample chamber 12.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the weather resistance test apparatus 10.
When the sample W is stored in the sample chamber 12, the control unit 38 instructs the camera 16 to take an initial image (step S1A). Thereby, the camera 16 photographs the sample W before the start of the weather resistance test (step S2A). The captured image is output to the control unit 38 and stored in the storage unit 36 as an initial image (step S3A). The image change determination unit 40 acquires this initial image from the storage unit 36 (step S4A).
Then, the control unit 38 instructs the weather resistance test apparatus 10 to start a weather resistance test (step S5A). By this processing, each lamp 26 of the light source unit 14 is turned on, and a weather resistance test is started (step S6A).

The sample W during the weather resistance test is photographed by the camera 16 during the camera photographing period (step S7A). The captured images under test are all output to the control unit 38 and stored in the storage unit 36 (step S8A). Thereby, the weather resistance test apparatus 10 can record the progress of the deterioration of the sample W.
Each of the images under test stored in the storage unit 36 is acquired by the image change determination unit 40 (step S9A). The image change determination unit 40 compares the acquired image under test with the initial image, and determines whether or not a color difference and / or a shape difference are observed between them (step S10A).
When no difference is found, the image change determination unit 40 determines that the color change and / or the shape change of the sample W has not occurred, the weather resistance test is continued, and the photographing by the camera 16 is also continued. Is done. Then, the image change determination unit 40 acquires, from the storage unit 36, a test-in-progress image that has been captured and stored next time.

If there is a difference, the image change determination unit 40 determines that a color change and / or a shape change of the sample W has occurred, and the image under test and the time when the image under test was captured. Is displayed on the monitor 18, and at the same time, the control unit 38 is instructed to end the weather resistance test (step S11A). In response to this, the control unit 38 instructs the weather resistance test apparatus 10 to end the weather resistance test (step S12A). With these processes, the lamps 26 of the light source unit 14 are turned off, and the weather resistance test is performed. finish.
Accordingly, it is possible to confirm that the color change and / or the shape change of the sample W has occurred without taking out the sample W during the weather resistance test. In addition, since the weather resistance test is completed when the color change and / or the shape change of the sample W is confirmed, the time required for performing the weather resistance test is shortened, and the sample W should be evaluated in a short time. Can do. In addition, the number of images under test photographed by the camera 16 is suppressed, and an increase in data amount can be suppressed.

The image change determination unit 40 determines only the color difference between the initial image and the image under test or only the difference in shape depending on the purpose of the weather resistance test, the property of the sample W, the usage, and the like. Also good.
Further, when there is a color difference between the initial image and the image under test, the image change determination unit 40 performs only the display of the image under test on the monitor 18 and continues the weather resistance test. The weather resistance test may be terminated only when a difference in shape from the middle image is observed.
Further, the image change determination unit 40 may compare not only the initial image but also a plurality of images under test taken after the start of the weather resistance test.
In addition, the weather resistance test apparatus 10 compares the acquired image under test with the initial image, and each time the image change determination unit 40 determines whether a color and / or shape difference is seen in the sample W. The image under test may be displayed on the monitor 18.

  According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

In the weather resistance test apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, a sample chamber 12 that houses a sample W therein, a light source unit 14 that irradiates the sample W with light to promote light degradation, and a sample chamber 12 from the outside of the housing 11. A camera 16 for photographing the inside is provided. Further, the housing 11 includes a first shutter 28 that enables the irradiation of the irradiation light L from the light source unit 14 to the sample chamber 12 and an observation window 32 that enables the camera 16 to photograph the inside of the sample chamber 12. A second shutter 34 is provided on the side surface and shields the lens 17 from the irradiation light L in the observation window 32.
As a result, an image of the sample W can be taken during a weather resistance test that reproduces the influence of sunlight on the sample W in an outdoor environment, and the progress of deterioration of the sample W can be recorded. Further, it is possible to prevent the irradiation light L from the light source unit 14 from leaking from the observation window 32 during the weather resistance test, and to prevent the lens 17 of the camera 16 from deteriorating.

  Further, in the weather resistance test apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, when the camera 16 takes an image during the weather resistance test, the first shutter 28 shields the irradiation light L of the light source unit 14 incident on the sample chamber 12, and The two shutters 34 are retracted from between the sample chamber 12 and the lens 17 so that the camera 16 can photograph the inside of the sample chamber 12. As a result, even if a lamp that takes a certain amount of time to be turned on and off is used for the light source unit 14, the inside of the sample chamber 12 and the camera 16 can be immediately shielded from the irradiation light L of the light source unit 14. For this reason, imaging | photography with the camera 16 can be performed in a short time, and a weather resistance test can be continued immediately after imaging | photography. Further, the irradiation light L to the inside of the sample chamber 12 can be adjusted without controlling the lighting and extinguishing of each lamp 26 during the weather resistance test.

  Moreover, in the weather resistance test apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the control part 38 which controls a weather resistance test, and the image change determination which determines whether a difference is seen by comparing several images which the camera 16 image | photographed. The unit 40 and a monitor 18 that displays an image captured by the camera 16 are provided. And when the image change determination part 40 determines with the difference being seen between several images, the control part 38 complete | finishes a weather resistance test and it was set as the structure which displays the image which the camera 16 image | photographed on the monitor 18. . Thereby, it is possible to confirm that the change of the sample W has occurred without taking out the sample W during the weather resistance test, and to display an image showing the change of the sample W outside the sample chamber 12. it can. Furthermore, since the weather resistance test ends when the sample W changes, the time required for performing the weather resistance test is shortened, and the sample W can be evaluated in a short time. In addition, the number of images taken by the camera 16 is suppressed, and an increase in data amount can be suppressed.

  Further, in the weather resistance test apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the image change determination unit 40 compares a plurality of images captured by the camera 16 to determine whether a color difference and / or a shape difference is observed. It was set as the structure to do. Thereby, the weather resistance test apparatus 10 can grasp and evaluate the color change and / or the shape change of the sample W by the weather resistance test.

  In the weather resistance test apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the image change determination unit 40 includes an initial image captured by the camera 16 before the start of the weather resistance test and an image under test captured by the camera 16 after the start of the weather resistance test. It was set as the structure which compares with. Thereby, the change of the sample W caused by the weather resistance test can be grasped and evaluated.

  In the weather resistance test apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the camera 16 is configured to perform imaging during a camera imaging period provided with a certain period of time during the weather resistance test. As a result, the number of captured images can be suppressed, and an increase in the amount of image data stored in the storage unit 36 can be suppressed.

  The above-described embodiment is merely an example of one aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the weather resistance test is terminated when the image change determination unit 40 determines that a difference is found between a plurality of images has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the weather resistance test apparatus 10 determines that a color difference and / or a shape difference between the initial image and the image under test is determined. Alternatively, the weather resistance test may be continued until a predetermined time has elapsed.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the weather resistance test is started, the control unit 38 determines whether or not the execution time of the weather resistance test has exceeded a preset time of the weather resistance test. (Step S7B).

When it is determined that the value does not exceed, the weather resistance test is continued, and the camera 16 captures the sample W during the camera capturing period, and the image change determination unit 40 is performing the captured test, as in the above-described embodiment. From the comparison between the image and the initial image, it is determined whether or not a change in the color and / or shape of the sample W has occurred (steps S8B to S11B).
When it is determined that no change has occurred, the control unit 38 determines again whether or not the execution time of the weather resistance test has exceeded the set time of the weather resistance test (step S7B).
If it is determined that a change has occurred, the image change determination unit 40 instructs the monitor 18 to display the image under test and the elapsed time (step S12B). Then, it is again determined by the control unit 38 whether or not the execution time of the weather resistance test has exceeded the set time of the weather resistance test (step S7B).
When it is determined that the weather resistance test execution time has exceeded the preset weather resistance test setting time, the control unit 38 instructs the weather resistance test apparatus 10 to end the weather resistance test (step S13B). By these processes, each lamp 26 included in the light source unit 14 is turned off, and the weather resistance test is completed. As a result, the weather resistance test apparatus 10 can finish the weather resistance test within a preset time.

  Note that the monitor 18 displays only the image under test for which it was first determined that a change occurred, and the image under test photographed after the image under test is not displayed on the monitor 18. It is also possible to do. In addition, when it is determined that a change has occurred for the first time, any images under test taken after this determination until the end of the weather resistance test are used regardless of whether or not a change has occurred. It can also be set to be displayed on the monitor 18. These display methods on the monitor 18 can be set by selecting any one before the start of the weather resistance test, similarly to the setting of the set time of the weather resistance test.

The weather resistance test apparatus 10 described above is configured to include the light source unit 14 in order to promote the deterioration of the sample W. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a watering device (shower) that discharges water to the sample W, an air cooling fan that adjusts the temperature and humidity inside the sample chamber 12, a heater, a humidifier, and the like can be provided. It may be. Moreover, you may provide combining these apparatuses and the light source part 14. FIG.
Further, for example, the light source provided in the light source unit 14 is not limited to various lamps, and a light emitting element such as an LED may be used.

For example, an infrared camera that can detect the temperature of the sample W may be used. A high-sensitivity camera that can shoot in a dark place may also be used. Further, a shield that can be opened and closed is provided on the front surface of the lens 17 of the camera 16 so that the lens 17 can be shielded from the irradiation light L of the light source unit 14.
For example, the monitor 18 may be provided independently of the weather resistance test apparatus 10 and may acquire an image from the image change determination unit 40 by wireless communication or the like.
In addition, a color difference between the initial image and the image under test and / or a difference in shape may be observed, and after the weather resistance test is finished once, a new weather resistance test may be started without taking out the sample W. In this case, it is possible to compare and evaluate the first change of the sample W and the next change. In such a test, for example, it is possible to grasp and evaluate the next change of the sample W that can be used even if the first change is seen.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Weather resistance test apparatus 11 Case 12 Sample chamber 14 Light source part (light source)
16 Camera 17 Lens 18 Monitor (Display Unit)
20 Storage Device 22 Control Device 26 Lamp 28 First Shutter (First Shield)
32 Observation window (opening)
34 Second shutter (second shield)
36 Storage Unit 38 Control Unit 40 Image Change Determination Unit L Irradiation Light W Sample

Claims (6)

A sample chamber for storing a sample inside, artificially reproducing the outdoor environment, and performing a weather resistance test that promotes deterioration of the sample,
A light source that irradiates the sample with light to promote deterioration;
A camera for photographing the inside of the sample chamber from the outside of the sample chamber through a lens;
A first shielding body capable of shielding incident light of the light source into the sample chamber;
A second shield that is located between the sample chamber and the lens and shields light from the sample chamber to the lens while the irradiation light is incident on the sample chamber;
A weather resistance test apparatus characterized by comprising: When the camera takes a picture during the weather resistance test,
The first shield shields the irradiation light of the light source incident on the sample chamber,
The weather resistance test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second shield is retracted from between the sample chamber and the lens so that the camera can take an image of the inside of the sample chamber. A control unit that controls the weather resistance test, an image change determination unit that determines whether a difference is seen by comparing a plurality of images captured by the camera, and an image that displays an image captured by the camera A display unit,
When the image change determination unit determines that a difference is found between the plurality of images, the control unit stops the weather resistance test and displays an image captured by the camera on the image display unit. The weather resistance test apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The image change determination unit determines whether a difference in color and / or shape of the sample is seen by comparing a plurality of images taken by the camera. The weather resistance test apparatus described. 5. The image change determination unit compares an image captured by the camera before the start of the weather resistance test with an image captured by the camera after the start of the weather resistance test. The weather resistance test apparatus according to 1. The weathering test apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the photographing of the camera after the start of the weathering test is performed after a certain period of time.

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