JP2749530B2 - Accelerated weathering tester - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an accelerated weathering test, in which a test temperature, a discoloration due to a change in a sample temperature, a change in a sample during a test, etc. can be measured and judged accurately without error, and their data can be measured. However, the present invention relates to an accelerated weathering tester that can be visually recognized even in a place away from a device performing a test.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an accelerated weathering tester, to measure the light energy, test temperature, and the like received by a sample arranged so as to rotate around a light source, a light energy placed at the same position as the sample surface has conventionally been used. A method of measuring an output signal from a photoelectric element, a black panel thermometer, or the like via a slip ring has been adopted. Regarding the measurement of light energy, a method has been adopted in which light from the light source is guided to the photoelectric element through a light guide provided at a predetermined distance from the light source.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a weathering tester. A xenon arc lamp 2 is suspended from a center of a test tank 1 as a light source for a weathering test. The rotating frame 3 is provided so that the sample 4 is mounted on the rotating frame via the sample holder 5 such that the surface (test surface) faces the light source. Further, a photoelectric panel 6 and a black panel thermometer 7 for measuring a test temperature are mounted at substantially the same position as the sample surface of the rotating frame 3.
Output signals (analog output) from these are wired, for example, by forming a pipe constituting the rotating frame 3, a rotating shaft 9 (rotating mechanism not shown) for rotating the rotating frame, and the like into a hollow shape, and through these spaces. An arithmetic processing unit 1 including an amplifier for amplifying these output signals and an A / D conversion unit via a slip ring 10 (sliding contact) fixed to a rotating shaft via a signal line 8.
In step 1, the data is processed. Further, the arithmetic processing unit 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a display 12 for displaying the processed data, a light source output adjusting circuit 13 for adjusting the output of the light source so that the light energy received by the photoelectric element is always constant, and a temperature of the black panel thermometer 7. Test tank temperature adjustment circuit 14 for adjusting the temperature in test tank 1 so as to be always constant.
Contact The test tank temperature control circuit 14 controls a heater (not shown), opening and closing of an outside air intake, a refrigerator, and the like so that the black panel temperature is always kept constant.

FIG. 8 shows a light guide 6a for introducing light from a light source at a position separated from the light source by a predetermined distance in order to measure the light energy of the light source, and the light guide 6a is disposed outside the test tank through the light guide 6a. The light from the light source is guided to the photoelectric element, and the output signal from the photoelectric element is input to the arithmetic processing unit as in the case of FIG. 7 and communicated to the display and the light source output adjusting circuit as necessary. I have.

[0005]

In a conventional test apparatus for measuring a photoelectric element or a black panel thermometer while rotating the light source around the light source in the same manner as the sample surface, a weak signal from the photoelectric element or the black panel thermometer is used. The output signal is sent to the calculation unit via a slip ring. Since the contact resistance of the slip ring is generally 0.3Ω, the output signal is, for example, 10 m.
When the current of A flows, an error of 3 mV is generated from the beginning. Further, since the slip ring wears with use, the contact resistance also increases, and even if 10 mA is supplied accurately, an error of about 3 mV to 30 mV occurs, which greatly affects the reliability of the test.

For this reason, in the method of extracting a weak output signal from a photoelectric element or a black panel thermometer via a slip ring, an error easily occurs in an output signal sent to an arithmetic processing unit due to a change in contact resistance of the slip ring. It was not always possible to obtain stable and accurate measurements. Therefore, in order to obtain an accurate measurement, the light energy of the light source is frequently measured by a separate irradiometer or other measuring means during the test, and it is necessary to correct the calculated data based on the measurement. Met. Similarly, it was necessary to measure the black panel temperature using another black panel thermometer and to correct the data based on the measured temperature. Therefore, especially when the test is performed continuously for a long period of time, it takes a lot of trouble to correct the measurement data. Further, since there is a limit in the capacity of the slip ring, it is impossible to take out many output signals at the same time.

In the method of measuring the light energy of a light source using a light guide, since the measurement location is different from the sample surface mounted on the rotating frame, it is necessary to correct the measured value to be the same as the sample surface. In addition, if the peripheral wall of the light source, the filter surrounding the light source, and the like are partially contaminated, an error may occur in the light of the light source taken in from the light guide. Also, the output signal of the black panel thermometer needs to be measured via the slip ring in the same manner as described above.

Therefore, as in the above-mentioned conventional example, it is necessary to frequently measure the light energy during the test using a separate irradiometer or the like and to correct the measurement data obtained through the light guide. In the case of performing a long-term test, it takes a lot of trouble to correct these data. further,
In order to monitor the behavior of the sample attached to the rotating frame during the test and to measure the behavior change according to the test time, it is necessary to perform the measurement via the slip ring as described above. However, as described above, in this measurement, it is difficult to collect accurate data because the contact resistance changes due to the wear of the slip ring. Therefore, conventionally, in such an accelerated weathering tester, a change in the behavior of the sample under test, for example, No attempt has been made to directly measure the temperature of the sample and determine the discoloration or fading of the sample due to the change.

Further, the discoloration of the sample does not become the same even if the same energy is irradiated for the same time, depending on the light source of the weathering tester or the difference between the light sources. For example, standard fading of blue scale class 4 (JIS L0841-1992) requires 19 to 22 hours when using an ultraviolet fade meter. That is, there is no suitable method for knowing the exact standard bleaching time other than stopping the test every short time after irradiation for 19 hours and taking out the blue scale to determine whether the standard bleaching has been reached.

Therefore, the light energy of the light source and the temperature of the black panel thermometer can be measured more accurately and continuously for a long time. For example, the discoloration and fading of a sample such as a blue scale can be determined by measuring the temperature change. Further, there has been a demand for an accelerated weathering tester capable of measuring a change in behavior of a sample under test with the test time.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to an accelerated weathering tester, comprising: a photoelectric element which is disposed directly opposite a light source and outputs an output corresponding to energy in a predetermined wavelength range. A black panel thermometer for measuring a test temperature placed at the same position as the sample surface facing the light source,
As a first sample behavior measuring element for measuring a change in diameter of a sample during a test, a sample temperature measuring element attached to a sample surface or inserted into a sample to measure the temperature of the sample, and the black panel thermometer And a data transmitting means for transmitting the output of each element and a data receiving means for receiving the transmission data; and processing the data received by the data receiving means and processing data obtained by the arithmetic processing to the outside of the receiving means. And an operation unit having an output function of outputting.

Further, various sample behavior measuring elements, that is, a strain gauge for measuring a stress change of the sample under test and a color measuring element for measuring the color of the sample surface under test are provided. . Further, in order to display the processing data of each element obtained by the arithmetic unit, corresponding to each element, an accelerated weather resistance tester provided with a display in communication with the arithmetic unit, and using the processed data, A light source output adjustment circuit for adjusting the output of the light source;
And a test tank temperature adjusting circuit for adjusting the temperature in the test tank using the output of the black panel thermometer obtained by the arithmetic unit, respectively, is connected to the arithmetic unit.

[0013]

According to the present invention, in the accelerated weathering tester, by adopting the above-mentioned means, the output from the measuring unit is transmitted to the arithmetic unit as a method for guiding the outputs of the black panel thermometer and each element to an arithmetic unit. Through the means and the data receiving means, even if the output is weak, an error due to contact resistance or the like does not occur as in the case of using a slip ring. In addition, it is not necessary to limit the number of output signals by providing a data transmitting unit and a receiving unit corresponding to the number of output signals, that is, by providing a black panel thermometer and each element.

Also, by attaching various sample behavior measuring elements to the sample, changes in the sample during the test can be measured simultaneously.

[0015]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an accelerated weathering tester according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a temperature measurement for directly measuring the temperature of one blue scale of a sample. It is the figure which attached the thermocouple as an element.

In FIG. 1, a xenon arc lamp 2, which is a light source for a weather resistance test, is suspended from the center of a test tank 1 as in the conventional example, and rotates around the light source 2. A sample holder 5 is attached to the rotating frame 3 over the entire circumference of the rotating frame so that the surface (test surface) faces the light source. At the same position as the sample surface of the sample holder 5, a photoelectric element 6 and a black panel thermometer 7 for measuring a test temperature are mounted, and a blue scale 15 to which a thermocouple 16 is mounted as one of the samples is mounted. ing.

The blue scale indicates the degree of light fastness, and the color fastness to light is the lowest.
Each of the blue standard dyed cloths from grade 1 to grade 8 is cut into a slender shape, and is arranged and attached on the mount 17. The general test method is that each sample 4 and blue scale 15
At the same time, the magnitude of the discoloration of the sample 4 before and after the test is compared with the magnitude of the discoloration of the blue scale 15 before and after the test of each class. The light fastness of No. 4 is displayed. When the blue scale 4 matches the gray scale No. 4 fading, the blue scale standard fading is defined. In FIG. 2, a thermocouple 16 is inserted as a temperature measuring element between the quaternary blue scale and the mount 17. A wavelength selection filter (in this embodiment, a wavelength range of 300 nm to 400 nm) is attached to the photoelectric element 6, and is configured to output an output according to the light energy intensity in this wavelength range, and houses the photoelectric element 6. A solar cell 18 is mounted on the front surface of the sealed case, and operates as an operating power source for data transmission means and data reception means described later.

The outputs of the black panel thermometer 7, the photoelectric element 6, and the thermocouple 16 transmit corresponding data to data transmission means 19 provided outside the test tank via the respective signal lines 8. The data transmitting means 19 includes an amplifier for amplifying an output signal (analog output), an A / D converter for digitally converting the amplified output signal, and a pulse converter for converting the digitized output signal into a pulse signal (shown in detail). ), And a transmission unit 23 that emits an infrared LED according to a pulse output.
The data receiving means 28 comprises a light receiver 29 for receiving the light of the infrared LED and a converter 30 for converting the pulse into a digital signal.

FIG. 3 shows the data transmitting means 19 and the data receiving means 28 in the present embodiment. The data transmitting means comprises a converting section and a transmitting section.
A conversion unit 22 containing a D converter and a pulse converter (not shown) is housed in a small box and fixed to the rotating shaft 9. A pipe constituting the rotating frame 3, a rotating shaft 9 for rotating the rotating frame 3 (a rotating mechanism of the rotating shaft is not shown), and the like are hollow tubes, and include a black panel thermometer 7 and a photoelectric device 6.
And the signal line 8 of the thermocouple 16 is routed through those spaces and taken out of the tube from the small hole 20 of the rotating shaft 9 respectively.
It is connected to the converter 22. The converted signals are taken out from the conversion unit 22 and transmitted from the small holes 21 of the rotation shaft 9 to the transmission unit 23 via the rotation shaft space. The transmitting unit 23 includes:
Three flanged small cylinders 2 fixed through the rotation shaft 9
4, 25, 26 are provided, and each flanged small cylinder 24,
On the same plane around 25 and 26, three infrared LEDs 27 are provided at intervals of 120 °. In the present embodiment, the flanged small cylinder 24 of the transmission unit 23 is adapted to respond to a signal from a black panel thermometer, the flanged small cylinder 25 is a photoelectric element, and the flanged small cylinder 26 is to respond to a signal from a thermocouple. The data receiving means 28 is provided in each of the flanged small cylinders 24 , 25 , 26 .
Receiving a pulse light transmitted from the digit infrared LED27
Corresponding to each infrared LED 27 in the box 31
It has a light receiver 29 fixed at a position and a converter 30 for converting pulse light into a digital signal . A partition plate 32 is provided in the box 31 so that the LED lights of the flanged small cylinders 24, 25, and 26 do not interfere with each other. Now,
The data of the data receiving unit 28 is
Is calculated, a predetermined light energy value is obtained from the output of the photoelectric element, and a temperature is obtained from the output of the thermocouple provided on the black panel thermometer and the blue scale.

The arithmetic processing unit 11 has a function of outputting data obtained by performing arithmetic processing in the same manner as a conventional apparatus. For example, there is provided a display 12 for displaying light energy obtained from the output of the photoelectric element, temperature obtained from the output of the black panel thermometer, and temperature obtained from the output of the thermocouple provided on the blue scale. Further, a light source output adjustment circuit 13 for adjusting the output of the light source so that the energy of the light source received by the photoelectric element is always constant, and the temperature in the test chamber is adjusted so that the temperature of the black panel thermometer is always constant. A test tank temperature control circuit 14 is provided for performing the test. This test tank temperature control circuit 1
Reference numeral 4 controls a heater (not shown), opening and closing of an outside air intake, a refrigerator, and the like so as to control the black panel temperature to be always constant. Further, although not shown in detail, a power cutoff switch is provided when a predetermined temperature is reached to set the temperature (or output) of the thermocouple provided on the blue scale and to stop the device when the temperature reaches the set value. .

(Experimental Example) FIG. 4 shows the surface temperature of blue scale class 4 when standard color fading of blue scale class 4 occurs in the accelerated weathering tester. The horizontal axis represents test time and ultraviolet radiation. The exposure amount is shown, and the right axis shows the color difference. In the test, first, a blue scale 15 having a thermocouple 16 attached to a quaternary part as shown in FIG. 2 was mounted in a test chamber sufficiently adjusted so that the black panel temperature was maintained at 63 ° C. And the output of the thermocouple at that time were measured. The surface temperature was 42 ° C. at the start of the test, the output of the thermocouple at that time was 1.658 mV, and 35 hours after 19 hours of the standard fading.
° C, and the output of the thermocouple at that time was 1.407 mV.
At this time, the color difference (ΔE * ab) from the quaternary part measured before the start of the test was 5.

Next, the test was performed under the same conditions as above, with the output of the thermocouple set to 1.407 mV for the power cutoff switch when the predetermined temperature was reached. The result was that the device shut down after 19.1 hours, at which time the quaternary blue scale had a standard fade.
Further, the color difference (ΔE * ab) was 4.8. The same test was repeated two more times, and the average of the total of three times was 19.03 hours of apparatus stop time, 4.9 color differences (ΔE * ab), and the quaternary blue scale was standard bleaching in each case. Was.

As is clear from the above experimental example, when the apparatus of this embodiment is used, the output of the thermocouple at the time when the blue scale undergoes standard fading is determined in advance, and if the value is set, the output of the conventional thermocouple is reduced. It is not necessary to estimate the time at which the scale will undergo standard bleaching, and to discontinue the test at short intervals from that time and remove the blue scale to see if the standard bleaching occurs. (Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows an example in which a commercially available strain gauge 33 is adhered and fixed to the back surface of a sample 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the sample 4 is attached to the rotating frame 3 of the accelerated weathering tester via a sample holder so that the surface thereof faces the light source.
In this embodiment, a plastic plate was used as a sample.

Although the description of the experimental results is omitted, the strain meter 33
With the sample to which the sample was attached, deterioration of the sample surface progressed with the passage of the test time, and the appearance of distortion of the sample was visually recognized through the display. (Third Embodiment) FIG. 6 shows an example in which a measurement sensor for measuring the surface color of a sample under test is provided in the accelerated weathering tester shown in FIG.

In the figure, a measuring sensor 34 is fixed to the tip of a U-shaped arm 35, and the other end of this arm 35 is fixed to a sample holder mounting frame 37 above the rotating frame 3 by an arm driving device 36. It is fixed to. A known colorimetric sensor used in a colorimeter or the like is used for the measurement sensor 34, and the arm driving device 36 is not shown in detail, but is configured by a small motor, a gear, and the like, and operates at regular time intervals. The surface of the sample can be measured.

Therefore, the color change of the sample under test can be measured at regular time intervals, and the state can be visually recognized through the display 12.

[0027]

According to the present invention, as a method for guiding the outputs of the black panel thermometer and each element to the arithmetic unit, data transmission means and data reception means are employed in place of the conventionally used slip ring. There is no need to correct an error in the output signal due to a change in the contact resistance of the slip ring, and accurate measurement can be performed without any error even if the output is weak.

Therefore, according to the present invention, since the temperature of the sample under test can be accurately measured, for example, when measuring discoloration and fading using an accelerated weathering tester using a blue scale,
The measurement can be performed by previously obtaining the sample surface temperature at the time of standard fading, and stopping the apparatus when the temperature is reached. Therefore, there is no need to estimate the time at which standard fading would occur as in the conventional device, and to stop the test at short intervals when approaching the time, to take out the blue scale and check whether or not the standard fading occurred, Further, in the case of a long-time continuous test, a calibration irradiance meter, a black-panel thermometer, or the like is used, and it is not necessary to correct the measurement data, so that the test can be largely labor-saving.

In addition, the number of output signals is not limited by providing a data transmitting means and a receiving means corresponding to the number of output signals, that is, by providing a black panel thermometer and each element.
By installing various sample behavior measuring elements, for example, a strain gauge and a colorimetric sensor, the change of the sample during the test can be continuously and accurately measured, and the change can be visually recognized through a display or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an accelerated weathering light tester that outputs an output of a black panel thermometer, a photoelectric device, and the like using a data transmission means in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a blue scale provided with a thermocouple for measuring the surface temperature of the blue scale in the accelerated weathering tester of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of data transmission means of the accelerated weathering tester of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the surface temperature of the blue scale measured by the accelerated weathering tester of FIG. 1 and the output, test time and color difference at that time.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a strain gauge attached to the back surface of a sample of the accelerated weathering tester of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a measurement sensor for measuring the color of the surface of a sample with the accelerated weathering tester of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a conventional example of an accelerated weathering light tester for measuring outputs of a black panel thermometer, a photoelectric element, and the like using a slip ring.

FIG. 8 is a conventional example of an accelerated weathering tester for guiding light from a light source to a photoelectric element using a light guide.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Test tank 2 Light source (xenon arc lamp) 3 Rotating frame 4 Sample 5 Sample holder 6 Photoelectric element 6a Light guide 7 Black panel thermometer 8 Signal line 9 Rotation axis 10 Slip ring 11 Operation processing unit 12 Display 13 Light source output control circuit 14 Test tank temperature control circuit 15 Blue scale 16 Thermocouple 17 Blue scale mount 18 Solar cell 19 Data transmission means 20, 21, Small hole 22 Conversion unit 23 Transmission unit 24, 25, 26 Small cylinder 27 Infrared LED 28 Data reception means 29 Receiver 30 Transducer 31 Box 32 Partition plate 33 Strain gauge 34 Measurement sensor 35 Arm 36 Arm driving device 37 Sample holder mounting frame

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. An accelerated weathering tester having a function of measuring the energy of a light source, a test temperature, a sample temperature, and a change in a sample, wherein the tester is arranged at the same position as a sample surface directly facing the light source.
A photoelectric element that outputs an output according to the energy in a predetermined wavelength range, a black panel thermometer that measures the test temperature that is placed at the same position as the sample surface facing the light source, and that measures the change of the sample during the test. A sample temperature measuring element for measuring the temperature of the sample by sticking it on the surface of the sample or inserting it into the sample and judging discoloration or fading based on the temperature change, as the first sample behavior measuring element, and the black panel thermometer And a data transmitting means for transmitting the output of each element and a data receiving means for receiving the transmission data; and processing the data received by the data receiving means and processing data obtained by the arithmetic processing to the outside of the receiving means. An accelerated weathering light test machine comprising an arithmetic unit having an output function for outputting. 2. The data transmission means comprises a conversion section comprising an amplifier, an A / D converter and a pulse converter, and a transmission section comprising an infrared LED, and the data reception means comprises a light receiver and a converter. 2. The accelerated weathering light tester according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A sample under test as a second sample behavior measuring element disposed in place of or at the same time as the first sample behavior measuring element, at a position where the surface of the measuring sample is not shaded by the light emitted from the light source. The accelerated weathering tester according to claim 1, further comprising a strain gauge for measuring a change in stress of the test piece. 4. A third sample behavior measuring element which is arranged in place of the first and second sample behavior measuring elements or simultaneously with each of the elements, at a position where the surface of the measurement sample is not shaded by the irradiation light of the light source. 4. The accelerated weathering light tester according to claim 1, further comprising a colorimetric element for measuring the color of the surface of the sample during the test. 5. A display for displaying the black panel thermometer and the processing data of each element obtained by the operation section, the display being provided in communication with the operation section corresponding to each element. The accelerated weathering light tester according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4. 6. A light source output adjusting circuit for adjusting an output of a light source using the processing data of the photoelectric element obtained by the arithmetic unit, and a test tank using an output of the black panel thermometer obtained by the arithmetic unit. 6. The accelerated weathering light tester according to claim 1, further comprising a test tank temperature control circuit for controlling a temperature inside the test chamber, wherein the test tank temperature control circuit is connected to the calculation unit.