JP6258110B2 - Environmental test apparatus and temperature / humidity control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an environmental test apparatus. The environmental test apparatus of the present invention is particularly suitable for use in testing the stability of chemicals and the like. The present invention also relates to a temperature and humidity control method for maintaining a predetermined space in a setting environment of a desired temperature and humidity.

As an apparatus for testing the performance and durability of products, materials, etc., an environmental test apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. The environmental test apparatus includes a test chamber in which a specimen to be tested (test object) is placed, and adjusts the temperature and humidity in the test chamber to a desired test environment.
Patent Document 2 discloses an environmental test apparatus that adjusts the humidity in the test chamber using water vapor partial pressure.

FIG. 5 conceptually shows a conventional representative environmental test apparatus.
The basic configuration of the environmental testing apparatus 100 of the prior art has a heat insulating tank 3 covered with a heat insulating wall 2 as shown in FIG. A test chamber 5 is formed in a part of the heat insulating tank 3. The test chamber 5 is a space in which the device under test 18 is installed.
The environmental test apparatus 100 further includes a humidifying device 6, a cooling device 7, a heater (heating device) 8, and a blower 10.
The environmental test apparatus 100 has an air flow path 15 that communicates with the test chamber 5 in an annular shape. A humidifier 6, a cooling apparatus 7, a heater (heating apparatus) 8, and a blower 10 are provided in the air flow path 15. Is provided. The cooling device 7 has a refrigerator 11.
A temperature sensor 12 and a humidity sensor 13 are provided in the vicinity of the air blowing portion 16 of the air flow path 15. In the environmental test apparatus 100, the air conditioning part 17 is comprised by the above-mentioned air flow path 15 and the member inside it.
In the environmental testing apparatus 100 of the prior art, the devices in the air conditioning unit 17 are controlled so that the detected values of the temperature sensor 12 and the humidity sensor 13 approach the temperature and humidity of the set environment, and a desired temperature is set in the test chamber 5.・ We can make humidity environment.

JP 2014-20777 A Japanese Patent No. 2928151 JP-A-8-136441

As one of the environmental tests, there is a test called a stability test as introduced in Patent Document 3. The stability test is a test that is often performed on pharmaceutical products.
The stability test for pharmaceutical products is a test in which the pharmaceutical products are exposed to a certain environment such as 25 degrees Celsius and 60 percent humidity for a long time to confirm the change.
The stability test for pharmaceutical products is a test performed in an environment close to room temperature, and it is not difficult to create the test environment itself.

  However, this test is a test that should be performed very strictly because the test object is a pharmaceutical product, and the actual test environment is not allowed to deviate from the specified environment.

However, the environmental test apparatus 100 of the prior art is provided with the temperature sensor 12 and the humidity sensor 13 in the vicinity of the blowing portion 16 of the air conditioning unit 17 in the test chamber 5. The equipment in the air conditioning unit 17 was controlled so that the detected value coincided with the temperature and humidity of the set environment.
In the prior art environmental test apparatus 100, the position of the temperature sensor 12 is far from the position where the device under test 18 is actually installed, and the detected value of the temperature sensor 12 indicates the temperature around the device under test 18. It is hard to say that it is accurately reflected.
As a practical matter, the temperature in the vicinity of the blowing portion 16 is different from the temperature around the device under test 18.

  Further, it cannot be said that the detected value of the humidity sensor 13 accurately reflects the humidity around the DUT 18 (relative humidity). That is, the relative humidity varies with temperature. More specifically, the relative humidity is the ratio of the actual water vapor amount to the saturated water vapor amount at a specific temperature. On the other hand, the amount of saturated water vapor depends on the temperature, and when the temperature rises, the amount of saturated water vapor increases and the relative humidity decreases. Therefore, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 12 is inaccurate, the relative humidity value is also inaccurate.

As described above, the conventional environmental testing apparatus controls the temperature and humidity in the test chamber 5 by feeding back the temperature and humidity of the blowing unit 16 of the air conditioning unit 17.
Therefore, the temperature and humidity in the test chamber 5 where the device under test 18 is actually installed are affected by the thermal influence from the environment around the test chamber 5 and the heat capacity of the device under test 18 installed in the test chamber 5. As a result, the temperature of the blowing portion 16 becomes different.
In particular, when the test object 18 or an accessory such as a measuring instrument generates heat, or when the accessory such as the test object 18 or the measuring instrument serves as a cooling source, the test room in which the test object 18 is installed. 5 or the like will be different from the temperature of the blowing portion 16 or the like.

On the other hand, as described above, the stability test is a test that should be performed very strictly, and the actual test environment is not allowed to deviate from the specified environment.
Therefore, when the stability test is performed using the environmental test apparatus 100 of the prior art, the offset setting value is input to the environmental test apparatus 100 and the test is performed.
More specifically, a deviation between the actual temperature around the DUT 18 and the temperature of the part where the temperature sensor 12, the humidity sensor 13 and the like are provided is measured in advance, and the temperature at which this deviation is canceled out. Are input to the environmental test apparatus 100 as set values.
For example, if the actual temperature around the DUT 18 is 23 degrees Celsius when the set value is 25 degrees Celsius, the value obtained by adding +2 degrees that is the deviation is set to the environmental test apparatus 100 as the set value. input. More specifically, 27 degrees Celsius is input to the environmental test apparatus 100 as a set value. As a result, the actual temperature around the device under test 18 is 25 degrees Celsius, which is the desired temperature.
The same applies to the humidity, and the offset setting value was input to the environmental test apparatus 100 for testing.
The case where the stability test is performed has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the stability test, and the test is performed by inputting the offset set value to the environmental test apparatus 100 when the object to be heated is the object to be tested. It was.

However, this measure is troublesome to set and has a problem in data management.
That is, the deviation described above is not always constant, the outside air temperature, the type of test object to be accommodated, the amount of the test object, the heat capacity of the test object, whether the test object and accessories generate heat, It depends on whether the DUT or accessories absorb heat. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a preliminary experiment for measuring the deviation for each test, which is complicated.

  In addition, pharmaceutical manufacturers may be required to submit a report on the results of stability testing from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and this report must also describe the status of deviation management. For this reason, the conventional environmental test apparatus 100 is troublesome in terms of data management, and is difficult for a person who audits the test results.

Here, if the temperature sensor 12 and the humidity sensor 13 are installed in the vicinity of the device under test 18, the environment around the device under test 18 can be accurately grasped by the sensors 12 and 13, and the above-described problems are solved.
However, the wet and dry bulb type humidity sensor that is frequently used as the humidity sensor 13 needs to be installed in a certain amount of ventilation environment, and it is not desirable to place it in a position close to no wind. That is, the dry / wet bulb type humidity sensor is difficult to detect the exact humidity when placed in a place with a small amount of wind such as the vicinity of the DUT 18 and needs to be installed in a ventilation environment such as the vicinity of the blowing section 16.
In addition, since the wet and dry bulb type humidity sensor uses water, there is a problem that it is difficult to place it near the DUT 18.

  Accordingly, the present invention focuses on the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to develop an environmental test apparatus in which the set values set in the environmental test apparatus are directly used as the temperature and humidity of the test room. Another object of the present invention is to develop a temperature and humidity control method that achieves the same object.

The invention described in claim 1 for solving the above-described problem is that a test chamber in which a DUT is installed and a device for adjusting temperature and humidity are incorporated, and air adjusted by the device is introduced into the test chamber. In an environmental test apparatus that has an air conditioning unit and maintains the environment in the test chamber in a desired setting environment by controlling equipment in the air conditioning unit, there is an air flow path that communicates with the test chamber in an annular shape, The air conditioning unit is configured by a path and members therein, and the test chamber and the air flow path communicate with each other through the air flow outlet of the air flow path and are adjusted by the air conditioning unit in the vicinity of the air blowout port. and adjusted the temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of air immediately after, away from the air outlet than the adjusted temperature detecting means in the test chamber, a temperature of the test chamber region DUT is placed Center temperature of test chamber temperature Has a room temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the positions specified as the location indicated and calculates the target temperature of the air after the adjustment in the air conditioning unit from the detection temperature of the temperature and the indoor temperature detector setting environment In addition, the environmental testing apparatus is characterized in that the air conditioning unit is controlled so that the detected temperature of the adjusted temperature detecting means approaches the target temperature.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the test chamber and the air flow path communicate with each other at the air introduction part of the air flow path, and the specified position is a position in the vicinity of the air introduction part. The environmental test apparatus according to claim 1 .

According to a third aspect of the invention, the air conditioning unit has a blower, when calculating the air of the target temperature after adjusted air conditioning unit, and wherein Rukoto with air volume or an air convection rate of the blower The environmental test apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 .

In the invention, the environment test apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 places characterized by position der Rukoto identified by preliminary experiments showing a central temperature of the temperature of the test chamber according to claim 4 is there.

The invention of claim 5 has a humidity detecting means for detecting the relative humidity of the air immediately after it is adjusted by the air conditioning unit In the vicinity of the air outlet, the air conditioner unit from humidity detection means Calculates the actual water vapor-related value consisting of at least one of the water vapor amount, water vapor partial pressure, and absolute humidity immediately after adjustment, and consists of air water vapor amount, water vapor partial pressure, and absolute humidity in the set environment. The environmental test apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the device of the air conditioning unit is controlled so that the actual water vapor related value approaches a set water vapor related value.

“Controlling the device of the air conditioning unit so as to approach the predetermined value” is a concept including the case of “controlling the device of the air conditioning unit so as to coincide with the predetermined value”.
The environmental test apparatus of the present invention has a room temperature detecting means, and the room temperature detecting means detects the temperature at a position close to the object under test in the test room. And the target temperature of the air after adjustment in the air conditioning part is calculated from the temperature of the set environment and the detected temperature of the room temperature detecting means.
According to the present invention, the temperature of the air adjusted by the air conditioning unit may deviate from the temperature of the set environment, but the temperature in the test chamber approaches the temperature of the set environment.
For example, when the temperature detected by the indoor temperature detection means is lower than the temperature of the set environment, the target temperature may be calculated so that air having a temperature higher than the temperature of the set environment is discharged from the air conditioning unit. On the other hand, when the temperature detected by the room temperature detecting means is higher than the temperature of the set environment, the target temperature may be calculated so that air having a temperature lower than the temperature of the set environment is discharged from the air conditioning unit.
In the environmental test apparatus of the present invention, the device of the air conditioning unit is controlled based on the actual temperature around the object to be tested, and the actual temperature in the test chamber can be matched with the set value.

  The invention according to claim 6 has humidity detection means for detecting the air adjusted by the air conditioning unit or the humidity in the test chamber, and the actual water vapor related value related to the actual water vapor amount known from the humidity detection means. 6. The environmental test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner device is controlled so as to approach a predetermined value.

The above-mentioned “humidity” is a concept including both relative humidity and absolute humidity. “Known from humidity detecting means” includes both cases where it is directly detected and cases where it is known through computation.
In the environmental test apparatus of this invention, it has the humidity detection means which detects the humidity adjusted in the air conditioning part, or the humidity in a test chamber. Therefore, in this invention, the actual water vapor related value related to the actual water vapor amount can be known. The actual water vapor related value is, for example, water vapor partial pressure.
Here, the water vapor partial pressure does not depend on the temperature. Therefore, by controlling the equipment of the air conditioning unit so that the actual water vapor related value approaches a predetermined value, the actual humidity can be matched with a desired value.

  In the invention according to claim 7, the predetermined value is a set water vapor related value related to the amount of water vapor in the set environment, and the device of the air conditioner is set so that the actual water vapor related value approaches the set water vapor related value. The environmental test apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the environmental test apparatus is controlled.

  In the environmental test apparatus of this invention, the apparatus of an air conditioning part is controlled so that an actual water vapor related value may approach the setting water vapor related value. Therefore, the actual humidity can be matched with the set value.

  In the invention according to claim 8, the predetermined value is a necessary water vapor related value related to the amount of water vapor required to maintain the humidity in the set environment under an actual temperature condition, and the actual water vapor related value is required. The environmental test apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the device of the air conditioning unit is controlled so as to approach a water vapor related value.

  In the environmental test apparatus of this invention, the apparatus of an air conditioning part is controlled so that an actual water vapor related value may approach a required water vapor related value. Therefore, the actual humidity can be matched with the set value.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the humidity detecting means detects relative humidity, and has an auxiliary temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature in the vicinity of the humidity detecting means, and the auxiliary temperature detecting means is the adjusted temperature detecting means. The environmental test apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the environmental test apparatus is also used.

  Since the environmental test apparatus of the present invention has the humidity detection means and the auxiliary temperature detection means, it can know the absolute humidity and the saturated water vapor pressure. Further, since the auxiliary temperature detection means also serves as the adjusted temperature detection means, the number of parts is sufficient.

  The air conditioner has an air introduction part and an air blowing part, and the air introduction part and the air blowing part are opened in the test chamber, and a humidity detecting means and an auxiliary temperature detecting means are provided in the vicinity of the air blowing part. It is desirable that

  According to this configuration, it is possible to detect the humidity of the air immediately after being adjusted by the air conditioning unit.

The invention of claim 10 has a psychrometer humidity sensor, to any one of claims 5 to 9 the psychrometer humidity sensor is characterized in that also serves as a regulated temperature sensing means and humidity detection means It is an environmental test apparatus of description.

Since the dry / wet bulb type humidity sensor includes a temperature sensor, it can also serve as an adjusted temperature detecting means.
In the case of adopting the wet and dry bulb type humidity sensor, it is desirable to install the dry and wet bulb type humidity sensor in the vicinity of the air blowing part of the air conditioning part or in the vicinity of the air introducing part.

  The actual water vapor related value is one of the actual water vapor amount, water vapor partial pressure, or absolute humidity, and the set water vapor related value can employ any of the water vapor amount, water vapor partial pressure, or absolute humidity in the set environment. (Claim 11).

In addition, the invention relating to the method operates an air conditioning unit equipped with a device for adjusting temperature and humidity, and sets a predetermined temperature and humidity in a predetermined space connected to the air outlet of the air conditioning unit and in which a test object is installed. In the temperature and humidity control method to maintain the environment, the temperature and humidity of the air immediately after being adjusted by the air conditioner in the vicinity of the air outlet are detected, and the air is detected from the temperature and humidity of the air immediately after being adjusted by the air conditioner. The actual water vapor related value related to the actual water vapor amount of the air immediately after being adjusted by the harmony unit is calculated, and the air conditioner unit is adjusted so that the actual water vapor related value approaches the set water vapor related value related to the water vapor amount in the setting environment. Operating, detecting the temperature of the area where the DUT is installed and indicating the center temperature of the temperature in the test room, and detecting the temperature of the set environment and the specified position. of temperature Calculate the heat or cold energy required to maintain the temperature of the area where the DUT is installed at the set temperature using the The temperature and humidity control method is characterized in that the air conditioning unit is controlled so that the temperature of the air immediately after being adjusted in step 1 approaches the target temperature (claim 12).

  According to the environmental test apparatus and temperature / humidity control method of the present invention, a desired space can be set to a set temperature and humidity.

It is sectional drawing which represented notionally the environmental test apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of temperature control of the environmental test apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of temperature control of the environmental test apparatus of other embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of temperature control of the environmental test apparatus of further another embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which represented notionally the environmental test apparatus in a prior art.

Embodiments of the present invention will be further described below. The mechanical structure of the environmental test apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is not much different from the conventional technology. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the environmental test apparatus 1 has a heat insulating tank 3 covered with a heat insulating wall 2. A test chamber 5 is formed in a part of the heat insulating tank 3. The test chamber 5 is a space in which the device under test 18 is installed.
The environmental test apparatus 1 further includes a humidifying device 6, a cooling device 7, a heater (heating device) 8, and a blower 10.
The environmental test apparatus 1 has an air flow path 15 that communicates with the test chamber 5, and a humidifying device 6, a cooling device 7, a heater (heating device) 8, and a blower 10 are provided in the air flow path 15. ing. The cooling device has a refrigerator 11.
In the environmental test apparatus 1, the air conditioning part 17 is comprised by the above-mentioned air flow path 15 and the member inside it.

A wet and dry bulb type humidity sensor 20 is provided in the vicinity of the air blowing portion 16 of the air flow path 15. The wet and dry bulb type humidity sensor 20 includes a dry side temperature sensor 21 and a wet side temperature sensor 22.
In the present embodiment, the dry-side temperature sensor 21 also functions as auxiliary temperature detection means and adjusted temperature detection means.
The dry / wet bulb type humidity sensor 20 is provided in the vicinity of the air blowing section 16 of the air flow path 15, and can detect the relative humidity of the air immediately after being adjusted by the air conditioning section 17. Further, the dry-side temperature sensor 21 of the dry / wet bulb type humidity sensor 20 also functions as an adjusted temperature detecting means, and can detect the temperature of the air immediately after being adjusted by the air conditioning unit 17.

The environmental test apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is provided with an indoor temperature detection means 23 in addition to the configuration of the prior art. The room temperature detection means 23 is a known temperature sensor and detects the temperature in the test chamber 5 in the test chamber 5. That is, the temperature of the area where the DUT 18 is actually installed can be detected by the room temperature detecting means 23.
In the present embodiment, the indoor temperature detection means 23 is movable and can be installed at an arbitrary position according to the test contents.

  Commonly, the installation position of the indoor temperature detection means 23 is far from both the air blowing section 16 and the air introduction section 25 of the air flow path 15 and is a position close to the place where the DUT 18 is installed. . If it demonstrates relatively, the installation position of the indoor temperature detection means 23 will be closer to the DUT 18 than the dry / wet bulb type humidity sensor 20 and far from the air blowing portion 16. Moreover, the installation position of the room temperature detection means 23 is also a position where the wind speed is slower than the position where the wet and dry bulb type humidity sensor 20 is installed.

The environmental test apparatus 1 includes a control device 27 as shown in FIG. 1, and the air conditioning unit 17 is operated by the control device 27. The control device 27 also has a function of the temperature controller 30. The control device 27 is connected to setting input means 26 for inputting setting values. The setting input unit 26 is a known touch panel or the like.
Further, a recording device 31 is connected to the control device 27. The recording device 31 records the temperature and humidity in the test chamber 5.

The environment test apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment controls the environment by a specific temperature and humidity control method. This will be described below.
The control device 27 receives the dry side temperature sensor 21, detection signals from the wet side temperature sensor 22 and the indoor temperature detection means 23. In addition, the set temperature and the set humidity are input to the control device 27 by the setting input unit 26.

The control device 27 incorporates a CPU (not shown), and performs the following calculation.
(1) Calculation of actual water vapor related value In the control device 27, detection signals of the dry side temperature sensor 21 and the wet side temperature sensor 22 are input, and the water vapor partial pressure of the air immediately after being discharged from the air conditioning unit 17 is calculated. Is done.
More specifically, the saturated water vapor pressure is calculated from the temperature of the air immediately after being discharged from the air conditioning unit 17 detected by the dry side temperature sensor 21. Further, the humidity is calculated from the detected value of the dry side temperature sensor 21 or the wet side temperature sensor 22 and the difference between them.
Furthermore, the water vapor partial pressure of the air immediately after being discharged from the air conditioning unit 17 is calculated by the product of the saturated water vapor pressure and humidity.

(2) Calculation of set water vapor related value In the control device 27, the water vapor partial pressure in the set environment is calculated from the set temperature and the set humidity input by the setting input means.
More specifically, the saturated water vapor pressure at the set temperature is calculated, and the water vapor partial pressure in the set environment is calculated by the product of the saturated water vapor pressure and the set humidity.

(3) Calculation of appropriate discharge temperature In the control device 27, the necessary heat amount or cold heat amount is calculated based on the set temperature and the detected temperature of the room temperature detecting means 23, and the target air temperature after adjustment by the air conditioning unit 17 ( The appropriate discharge temperature is calculated.
That is, using the difference between the set temperature and the detected temperature of the room temperature detecting means 23, the amount of heat necessary for maintaining the temperature in the test chamber 5 at the set temperature is calculated. Then, the target air temperature (appropriate discharge temperature) after adjustment by the air conditioner 17 is calculated from the calculated value and the air flow rate or the air circulation rate of the blower 10.
The appropriate discharge temperature does not necessarily coincide with the set temperature, and may be higher or lower than the set temperature.
When the detected temperature of the indoor temperature detection means 23 is lower than the temperature of the set environment, the calculated appropriate discharge temperature tends to be higher than the set temperature. On the contrary, when the temperature detected by the room temperature detecting means 23 is higher than the temperature of the set environment, the appropriate discharge temperature tends to be lower than the set temperature.

In the environmental test apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the detected temperature of the dry-side temperature sensor (adjusted temperature detecting means) 21 is controlled by the control device 27 so as to be the target temperature of air immediately after being adjusted by the air conditioning unit 17 (appropriate discharge temperature). A control signal for the air conditioner 17 is created so as to match.
More specifically, the detected temperature of the dry side temperature sensor (adjusted temperature detecting means) 21 is fed back, and the detected temperature of the dry side temperature sensor 21 is set by inputting the temperature in the test chamber 5 by the setting input means. Each device in the air conditioning unit 17 is controlled so as to achieve a target temperature (an appropriate discharge temperature) having an appropriate amount of heat to match the temperature.

More specifically, in the present embodiment, the temperature in the test chamber 5 detected by the room temperature detection means 23 and the temperature of the air immediately after adjustment detected by the dry temperature sensor (adjusted temperature detection means) 21 are as follows. The target air temperature (appropriate discharge temperature) after being input to the control device 27 and adjusted by the air conditioning unit 17 by PID control is calculated. Further, this calculated value is input, and each device in the air conditioning unit 17 is PID-controlled.
Thus, in this embodiment, each apparatus in the air conditioning part 17 is controlled by double feedback control. More specifically, each device in the air conditioning unit 17 is controlled by double PID control.

Moreover, each apparatus in the air conditioning part 17 is controlled so that the water vapor partial pressure of the air immediately after being discharged | emitted from the air conditioning part 17 calculated by the control apparatus 27 corresponds with the water vapor partial pressure in a setting environment. That is, when it is necessary to humidify, the output of the humidifier 6 is increased to increase the water vapor partial pressure immediately after being discharged from the air conditioning unit 17. If it is necessary to dehumidify, the output of the humidifier 6 is reduced or the refrigerant evaporation temperature of the refrigerator 11 is lowered to lower the water vapor partial pressure immediately after being discharged from the air conditioning unit 17.
A well-known PID control is also employed for the control for matching the water vapor partial pressure.

The flow of signals in the control device 27 or the flow on software is as shown in FIG.
That is, the information on the set temperature and the information on the set humidity are sent to the water vapor partial pressure calculator (setting) to calculate the water vapor partial pressure in the set environment. The set temperature information is information input from the setting input unit 26 to the control device 27. The same applies to information on the set humidity, which is information input from the setting input means 26 to the control device 27.

Further, the water vapor partial pressure immediately after the dry bulb temperature and the wet bulb temperature in the vicinity of the blowing unit 16 are sent to the water vapor partial pressure calculation unit (actual) and discharged from the air conditioning unit 17 is calculated.
Here, the dry bulb temperature in the vicinity of the blowing section 16 is information input from the dry side temperature sensor 21 to the control device 27, and the wet bulb temperature in the vicinity of the blowing section 16 is a detection signal of the wet side temperature sensor 22.
A signal indicating the water vapor partial pressure in the setting environment and a signal indicating the water vapor partial pressure of the air immediately after being discharged from the air conditioning unit 17 control the humidifier 6 and the refrigerator 11 respectively. It is sent to the PID controller that adjusts the amount of dehumidification. The humidifier 6 and the refrigerator 11 are controlled by each PID controller.

Further, the temperature in the test chamber 5, the set temperature, and the detected temperature of the dry temperature sensor 21 are input to the cascade control unit, and the appropriate discharge temperature is calculated. That is, the cascade control unit performs PID control, and calculates the appropriate discharge temperature from the air conditioning unit 17 so that the temperature in the test chamber 5 becomes the set temperature.
The temperature in the test chamber 5 is a detected temperature detected by the room temperature detecting means 23, and the set temperature is a value input by the setting input means 26. The dry-side temperature sensor 21 functions as an adjusted temperature detection unit, detects the temperature of the air immediately after being adjusted by the air conditioning unit 17, and transmits it to the cascade control unit.

  And the output signal of a cascade control part and the signal of the dry side temperature sensor 21 are each sent to the PID control part which controls the heating apparatus 8, and the PID control part which controls the refrigerator 11 and adjusts the cooling amount. And the heating apparatus 8 and the refrigerator 11 are controlled by each PID control part.

In the environmental test apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the actual temperature in the test chamber 5 is detected by the room temperature detection means 23, and the temperature of the air immediately after being adjusted by the air conditioning unit 17 based on this is fed back in two stages. Then, since each device in the air conditioning unit 17 is controlled and the temperature in the test chamber 5 is adjusted, the temperature in the test chamber 5 matches the set temperature. Therefore, in the environmental test apparatus 1, it is not necessary to input the set temperature with an offset as in the prior art.
Moreover, in the environmental test apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the water vapor partial pressure of the air immediately after discharged | emitted from the air conditioning part 17 is detected, this is fed back, and it is made to correspond with the water vapor partial pressure in a setting environment.
Since the water vapor partial pressure does not depend on the air temperature, when the temperature in the test chamber 5 matches the set temperature, the humidity in the test chamber 5 also matches the set value.
Therefore, it is not necessary for the environmental test apparatus 1 to input the set humidity with an offset as in the prior art.

In the embodiment described above, the wet and dry bulb type humidity sensor 20 is employed as the humidity detecting means. The dry / wet bulb type humidity sensor 20 has a dry temperature sensor 21 and is recommended in that it does not require a separate auxiliary temperature detection means or an adjusted temperature detection means.
However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and a humidity sensor using another physical phenomenon can also be employed. For example, an electrical humidity sensor that determines the humidity by measuring a change in the electrical characteristics of the hygroscopic material can also be used.
However, when a humidity sensor other than the wet and dry bulb type humidity sensor 20 is used, it is necessary to provide a temperature sensor such as a separate auxiliary temperature detecting means in the vicinity of the humidity sensor.

For example, the calculation method of the actual water vapor related value when using an electric humidity sensor is as follows.
That is, in the control device 27, detection signals from the electric humidity sensor and the auxiliary temperature detection means are input. Then, the saturated water vapor pressure is calculated from the temperature of the air immediately after being discharged from the air conditioning unit 17 detected by the auxiliary temperature detecting means.
And the water vapor partial pressure of the air immediately after discharged | emitted from the air conditioning part 17 is calculated by the product of saturated water vapor pressure and the humidity which the electric humidity sensor detected.
The signal flow or software flow in the control device 27 is as shown in FIG.

In the above-described embodiment, the set water vapor related value is calculated, but instead, the necessary water vapor related value may be calculated and used instead of the set water vapor related value. The required water vapor related value is calculated by the following procedure.
(4) Calculation of required water vapor related value The required water vapor related value is a water vapor partial pressure required to maintain the humidity in the set environment under actual temperature conditions.
In the control device 27, the water vapor partial pressure required to maintain the humidity in the set environment under the actual temperature condition is calculated from the detected temperature of the room temperature detecting means 23 and the set humidity.
More specifically, the saturated water vapor pressure at the actual temperature is calculated, and the water vapor partial pressure for obtaining the set humidity under the actual temperature condition is calculated by the product of the saturated water vapor pressure and the set humidity.

  In the above-described embodiment, both the heating device 8 and the refrigerator 11 are PID-controlled. However, only one of them may be PID-controlled and the other may be always operated with a constant output. When either one is PID controlled, it is desirable that only the heating device 8 be PID controlled. That is, it is desirable to feedback control only the heating device 8. In this case, the flow of signals in the control device 27 or the flow on the software is as shown in FIG.

In the embodiment described above, the actual water vapor related value and the like are all obtained by calculation, but the relationship such as the partial pressure of water vapor to the input value may be stored in advance.
In the embodiment described above, the water vapor partial pressure is used as the actual water vapor related value or the like, but it is also possible to use the water vapor amount or the absolute humidity instead. In short, a physical quantity that is related to humidity and does not depend on temperature is adopted as an actual water vapor-related value.

  Moreover, in above-mentioned embodiment, the discharge appropriate temperature was calculated and it controlled so that the air immediately after adjusting with the air conditioning part 17 became a discharge appropriate temperature. As a reference technique, it is also conceivable to control the temperature of the air discharged from the air conditioning unit 17 so that the temperature in the test chamber 5 becomes the set temperature for the above embodiment. That is, as a reference technique, it is conceivable to feed back the temperature in the test chamber 5 directly to the air conditioner 17 without going through the process of calculating the appropriate discharge temperature.

However, this reference technique is very harmful.
In particular, there is an adverse effect when the indoor temperature detecting means 23 is movable as in the above-described embodiment. That is, the environmental test apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment can change the position of the room temperature detecting means 23 according to the test contents.
If a measure is adopted in which the indoor temperature detection means 23 is movable and the temperature in the test chamber 5 is directly feedback controlled, the temperature in the test chamber 5 tends to overshoot or undershoot. There is also a problem that hunting is likely to occur.
The reason for this is that the response time of the indoor temperature detection means 23 varies depending on the installation position of the indoor temperature detection means 23.
On the other hand, as described above, according to the measure for calculating the proper discharge temperature, the position for measuring the temperature immediately after being adjusted by the air conditioning unit 17 is constant, and the temperature response time is constant. There is little disturbance in the temperature.

  Many known PID control devices not only can change PID parameters but also can set an upper limit and a lower limit of an operation amount. Therefore, when there is a load change due to the amount of the DUT or the presence or absence of heat generation, the problem can be solved separately from the temperature control in the air conditioner 17 by changing the upper and lower limits and changing the PID parameter. Can be planned.

  The temperature and humidity control method of the present invention can also be applied to an environmental test apparatus that performs tests other than the stability test. Furthermore, the temperature and humidity control method of the present invention can be applied to devices other than the environmental test apparatus.

The environmental test apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment can change the installation location of the indoor temperature detection means 23. However, when performing an environmental test that places importance on the temperature distribution, a preliminary experiment is performed. The temperature distribution is measured, and the room temperature detecting means 23 is installed at a position indicating the center temperature.
According to the experiments by the present inventors, the vicinity of the air introduction part 25 is often a position indicating the center temperature of the temperature distribution.
When the device under test 18 generates or absorbs heat, it is desirable to install the room temperature detecting means 23 in the vicinity of the device under test 18.

Next, an experiment conducted for confirming the effect of the present invention will be described.
(Experiment 1)
As an embodiment of the present invention, the environment test apparatus 1 of the structure shown in FIG. 1 and the control method shown in FIG. 2 was used.
The setting input means 26 inputs 25 degrees Celsius as the set temperature and 60 percent as the set relative humidity.
As a result, the temperature in the test chamber 5 was 25 degrees Celsius as set, and the relative humidity in the test chamber 5 was 60 percent as set.
The air immediately after being discharged from the air conditioning unit 17 was 27 degrees Celsius and the relative humidity was 53 percent.

  On the other hand, according to the environmental test apparatus 100 of the prior art, the room temperature was 23 degrees Celsius although the set temperature was 25 degrees Celsius. The relative humidity in the test chamber 5 was 68% even though the set relative humidity was 60%.

(Experiment 2)
As an embodiment of the present invention, the environment test apparatus 1 of the structure shown in FIG. 1 and the control method shown in FIG. 2 was used. Then, the set temperature and the temperature distribution and humidity distribution of each part (10 points) of the test chamber 5 were compared. The set temperature was 40 degrees Celsius and the set relative humidity was 75 percent.
As a result, the temperature difference between the set temperature and each part of the test chamber 5 was less than 0.5 degrees Celsius.
The humidity difference between the set relative humidity and the relative humidity of each part of the test chamber 5 was less than 2.5%.

On the other hand, according to the environmental test apparatus 100 of the prior art, the maximum temperature difference between the set temperature and the temperature of each part of the test chamber 5 was 1.8 degrees Celsius.
The maximum humidity difference between the set relative humidity and the relative humidity of each part of the test chamber 5 was 6.5 percent.

(Experiment 3)
As an embodiment of the present invention, the environment test apparatus 1 of the structure shown in FIG. 1 and the control method shown in FIG. 2 was used. The set temperature was set to 15 degrees Celsius and the set relative humidity was set to 50 percent.
Then, a 3 KW heat load (heat source) is installed in the test chamber 5, and the environmental test apparatus 1 is operated in a state where no heat load is first applied. The heat load was started.
As a result, the temperature in the test chamber 5 when no heat load was applied was 15 degrees Celsius as set, and the relative humidity in the test chamber 5 was 50 percent as set.
The air immediately after being discharged from the air conditioning unit 17 was 14 degrees Celsius, and the relative humidity was 50 percent.
Immediately after starting the 3KW heat load, the environment in the test chamber 5 was disturbed, but after about 10 minutes, the temperature in the test chamber 5 was converged and the temperature in the test chamber 5 became 15 degrees Celsius as set. Humidity was 50 percent as set.
The air immediately after being discharged from the air conditioning unit 17 was 12 degrees Celsius, and the relative humidity was 50 percent.

On the other hand, according to the environmental test apparatus 100 of the prior art, the temperature in the test chamber 5 in a state where no heat load was applied was 16 degrees Celsius, and the relative humidity in the test chamber 5 was 48 percent.
That is, the temperature in the test chamber 5 has become 1 degree Celsius higher than the set temperature. Further, the relative humidity in the test chamber 5 was 2% lower than the set temperature.
Immediately after starting the 3 KW heat load, the environment in the test chamber 5 was disturbed. Then, after about 10 minutes, it converged, but the difference between the temperature and relative humidity in the test chamber 5 and the set temperature and the like was further widened. That is, the temperature in the test chamber 5 was 18 degrees Celsius, and the relative humidity in the test chamber 5 was 46 percent.

(Experiment 4)
As an embodiment of the present invention, the environment test apparatus 1 of the structure shown in FIG. 1 and the control method shown in FIG. 2 was used. The environment test apparatus 1 was operated with the setting environment set to 15 degrees Celsius and 50% relative humidity. During the operation, the heat load of 3 KW was turned on and off. During the operation, the door of the environmental test apparatus 1 was opened and closed.
Continuously, the setting environment was switched to 30 degrees Celsius and 80 percent relative humidity, and the heat load of 3 KW was turned on and off during the operation as before. During the operation, the door of the environmental test apparatus 1 was opened and closed.

  As a result, immediately after the 3KW heat load was applied, immediately after the door was opened and closed, and immediately after the setting was changed, the environment in the test chamber 5 was disturbed, but converged to the setting environment as time passed.

  From the above results, the superiority of the environmental test apparatus 1 of the present invention can be understood.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Environmental test apparatus 2 Heat insulation wall 5 Test chamber 6 Humidification apparatus 7 Cooling apparatus 8 Heating heater (heating apparatus)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Blower 11 Refrigerator 15 Air flow path 16 Air blowing part 17 Air conditioning part 18 Test object 20 Wet and wet bulb type humidity sensor 21 Dry side temperature sensor 22 Wet side temperature sensor 23 Indoor temperature detection means 26 Setting input means 27 Control device

Claims (12)

A test chamber in which the DUT is installed and an air conditioning unit that incorporates a device for adjusting temperature and humidity and introduces the air adjusted by the device into the test chamber, and controls the devices in the air conditioning unit In the environmental test apparatus for maintaining the environment in the test chamber in a desired setting environment by
There is an air flow path that communicates with the test chamber in a ring shape, and the air conditioning section is configured by the air flow path and members therein.
The test chamber communicates with the air channel at the air outlet of the air channel.
Adjusted temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of air immediately after being adjusted by the air conditioning unit in the vicinity of the air outlet,
Identified as a location in the test room that is farther from the air outlet than the adjusted temperature sensing means and that is the temperature in the test room in the area where the DUT is installed and that indicates the center temperature of the temperature in the test room It has an indoor temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the position ,
The target temperature of the air after the adjustment from the detection temperature of the temperature and the indoor temperature detector setting environmental air conditioning unit calculates, adjusted the temperature sensing means sensing the temperature of the air conditioning part as closer to the target temperature equipment An environmental test apparatus characterized by controlling the temperature. The test chamber and the air channel communicate with each other at the air introduction part of the air channel,
The environmental test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specified position is a position in the vicinity of the air introduction unit. Air conditioning unit has a blower, the adjusted air conditioning unit when calculating the target temperature of the air, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in Rukoto with air volume or an air convection rate of the blower Environmental test equipment. Location indicating the center temperature of the temperature of the test chamber environmental test device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the position der Rukoto identified by preliminary experiments. In the vicinity of the air outlet has a humidity detecting means for detecting the relative humidity of the air immediately after it is adjusted by the air conditioning unit,
Water vapor content of the air immediately after the humidity detecting means is adjusted by the air conditioning unit, the water vapor partial pressure, the actual water vapor related value of at least one of an absolute humidity is calculated,
Water vapor content of the air in the setting environment, water vapor partial pressure, at least set the water vapor related value consisting of either absolute humidity claims, characterized in that for controlling the device of the as actual steam-related value approaches the air conditioning unit The environmental test apparatus according to any one of 1 to 4 .   Humidity detection means that detects the air adjusted by the air conditioner or the humidity in the test chamber, and the air conditioner so that the actual water vapor related value related to the actual water vapor amount known from the humidity detection means approaches a predetermined value. The environmental test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the environmental test apparatus controls a part of the equipment.   The predetermined value is a set water vapor related value related to the amount of water vapor in a set environment, and the device of the air conditioning unit is controlled so that the actual water vapor related value approaches the set water vapor related value. 6. The environmental test apparatus according to 6.   The predetermined value is a required water vapor related value related to the amount of water vapor required to maintain the humidity in the set environment under actual temperature conditions, and the air conditioning is performed so that the actual water vapor related value approaches the required water vapor related value. The environmental test apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a part of the equipment is controlled. The humidity detection means detects relative humidity, has an auxiliary temperature detection means for detecting a temperature in the vicinity of the humidity detection means, and the auxiliary temperature detection means also serves as an adjusted temperature detection means. The environmental test apparatus according to any one of 5 to 8. The environmental test apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 9, further comprising a wet and dry bulb type humidity sensor, wherein the dry and wet bulb type humidity sensor serves as both a humidity detection unit and an adjusted temperature detection unit. The actual water vapor related value is one of the actual water vapor amount, water vapor partial pressure, or absolute humidity, and the set water vapor related value is any of the water vapor amount, water vapor partial pressure, or absolute humidity in the set environment. The environmental test apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 10. Temperature and humidity that operates the air conditioning unit equipped with equipment that adjusts temperature and humidity, and maintains the predetermined space where the DUT is installed and connected to the air outlet of the air conditioning unit in the desired temperature and humidity setting environment In the control method,
Detect the temperature and humidity of the air immediately after being adjusted by the air conditioning unit in the vicinity of the air outlet,
The actual water vapor related value related to the actual water vapor amount of the air immediately after being adjusted by the air conditioner is calculated from the temperature and humidity of the air immediately after being adjusted by the air conditioner. Operate the air conditioning unit to approach the set water vapor related value related to the volume,
Detect the temperature of the area where the DUT is located, and the location specified as the place that shows the center temperature of the temperature in the test chamber ,
Using the difference between the temperature of the set environment and the temperature of the specified position, the air conditioning unit calculates the amount of heat or cold necessary to maintain the temperature of the area where the DUT is installed at the set temperature. A temperature / humidity control method for calculating a target temperature of air after adjustment and controlling the air conditioner so that the temperature of the air immediately after being adjusted by the air conditioner approaches the target temperature.

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