JPH1183269A - Cooler for thermo-hygrostat with defrosting function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cooler for a thermo-hygrostat having a defrosting function so as not to frost in the case of setting the cabinet to a low temperature and controlling to humidify it. SOLUTION: In the thermo-hygrostat 1 having a constant temperature and humidity cabinet 21, heater 22, cooler 10, humidifying heater 25 and temperature and humidity control function 29 to hold temperature and humidity constantly set in the cabinet 21, a defrosting heater 11 is mounted at the cooler 10, and continuously energized in the case of controlling to humidify the thermostat 1 at predetermined temperature or lower.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a constant temperature and humidity chamber as an environmental tester which constantly maintains the temperature and humidity inside a constant temperature and humidity chamber, and more particularly to cooling in a constant temperature and humidity chamber. The present invention relates to an improvement of a cooler used in a cooling device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to conduct a durability test of semiconductors, electrical components, and the like, a thermo-hygrostat that constantly maintains the temperature and humidity in a thermo-hygrostat at a set temperature and humidity has been conventionally put to practical use. . This conventional thermo-hygrostat will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a system diagram illustrating the function of the thermo-hygrostat 20, and a heater 22 as a heater on the back wall of the thermo-hygrostat 21.
An evaporator 23 is provided as a cooler, and a humidifying pan 24 and a humidifying heater 25 are provided as humidifiers.
A compressor 26 that cools the evaporator 23 is attached below 1.

A cross flow fan 30 is provided in the upper part of the thermo-hygrostat 21 to circulate the air in the thermo-hygrostat 21. Further, a humidity sensor 27 and a temperature sensor 28 are mounted in the thermo-hygrostat 21, and the temperature and humidity in the thermo-hygrostat 21 are constantly detected, and the detected temperature and humidity are input to the controller 29. Controller 29
The heater 22 and the humidifier 22 are controlled based on the temperature and humidity in the constant temperature and humidity chamber 21 detected by the humidity sensor 27 and the temperature sensor 28 so that the temperature and humidity in the constant temperature and humidity chamber 21 always become the set temperature and humidity. The heater 25 and the compressor 26 are controlled. Reference numeral 21a is a door that is attached to the opening of the thermo-hygrostat 21 so as to be openable and closable.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned thermo-hygrostat, the temperature in the thermo-hygrostat may need to be set to a low temperature depending on the use conditions of the thermo-hygrostat. When operating a thermo-hygrostat at this low temperature setting,
Since the cooler has a minus temperature, frost adheres to the cooler. If the cooler is operated at a low temperature for a short period of time, the amount of frost attached is small and there is no effect. I will be. Therefore, with the configuration of the conventional thermo-hygrostat, it is necessary to periodically stop the compressor and perform defrosting in order to take measures against this frost. However, when the compressor is stopped, a change occurs in the humidity in the constant temperature and humidity chamber, and there is a problem that the humidity in the constant temperature and humidity chamber cannot be controlled. The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems (problems) and provides a constant temperature / humidifier cooler having a defrosting function that prevents frost from adhering when a constant temperature / humidifier is set at a low temperature and humidification control is performed. The purpose is to provide.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a cooler for a thermo-hygrostat having a defrost function according to the present invention. vessel,
In a thermo-hygrostat equipped with a cooler, a humidifier and a temperature / humidity control function and configured to maintain the temperature and humidity in a thermo-hygrostat at a set temperature and humidity, a defrosting heater may be mounted on the cooler. Configured. In this case, since the frost does not adhere to the cooler due to the function of the defrost heater, there is no need to periodically stop the compressor, and the temperature and humidity in the constant temperature and humidity chamber are almost always set to the set values. Can be kept.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooler for a thermo-hygrostat having a defrosting function, comprising a thermo-hygrostat, a heater, a cooler, a humidifier and a temperature / humidity control function. In a thermo-hygrostat configured to maintain the set temperature and humidity, a heater for defrosting is attached to the cooler, the thermo-hygrostat is kept at a predetermined temperature or less, and when humidification control is performed. The defrosting heater is configured to be continuously energized. In this manner, similarly to the above, the temperature and humidity in the constant temperature and humidity chamber can be constantly maintained at almost the set values, and the amount of current supplied to the defrost heater is constant. Since the temperature can be kept substantially constant, the influence of the temperature change of the defrosting heater on the inside of the thermo-hygrostat can be minimized and the performance of the thermo-hygrostat can be maintained.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a cooler for a constant temperature and humidity chamber having a defrosting function includes a constant temperature and humidity chamber, a heater, a cooler, a humidifier, and a temperature / humidity control function. In a thermo-hygrostat designed to maintain at a set temperature and humidity, a heater for defrosting is attached to the cooler, and the set temperature Sv in the thermo-hygrostat is a temperature of 10 to 30 ° C., And when performing the humidification control, the heater for defrost is energized, otherwise the heater for defrost is not energized, and the temperature and humidity in the constant temperature and humidity chamber are controlled by the temperature / humidity control function. And constantly detect the inlet temperature of the cooler and the outlet temperature of the cooler,
It is determined whether the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the cooler is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and when the temperature difference is equal to or less than the predetermined value, a notification of frost is displayed, and a heater for defrosting. And an automatic control function for energizing the defrosting heater when the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined numerical value, and for continuing the control by the temperature / humidity control function in the constant temperature and humidity chamber. It was configured as follows. Then, as above,
The effect of the temperature change of the defrost heater on the inside of the constant temperature and humidity chamber is minimized as much as possible, and the power to the defrost heater and the notification of the frost can be automatically given. It can be a thermo-hygrostat, and the reliability of thermo-hygrostat can be improved.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of a cooler of a thermo-hygrostat having a defrosting function according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 (A), 1 (B) and 2. FIG. In FIG. 1A, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. FIG. 1A is a system diagram showing a configuration of a thermo-hygrostat 1 using an evaporator 10 as a cooler, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the evaporator 10. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an automatic control function for energizing the defrost heater 11 of the evaporator 10.

As shown in FIG. 1 (B), the evaporator 10 of the thermo-hygrostat 1 having a defrosting function of the present invention is different from a conventional evaporator in that a single evaporator is provided in a gap of a pipe 15 through which a refrigerant circulates. The frost heater 11 is mounted substantially parallel to the pipe 15, and a pair of evaporator temperature sensors 12 and 13 for detecting the inlet and outlet temperatures of the evaporator 10 are installed as shown in FIG. It consists of. The temperature set by the controller 29 in FIG. 1A can be set to -30 ° C. to 80 ° C. when, for example, a durability test is performed on a semiconductor or an electrical component. In addition, the evaporator 10 as the cooler of the present invention
As shown in FIG. 1A, the thermo-hygrostat 1 includes a heater 22, a humidifying pan 24, a humidifying heater 25, a compressor 26, and a cross flow fan 30. A sensor 27 and a temperature sensor 28 are attached, and the controller 29 controls the temperature and humidity to be set values.

In the above configuration, when the thermo-hygrostat 1 is operated at a low temperature setting of, for example, 10 to 30 ° C., the evaporator 10 usually has a minus temperature, so that frost adheres to the evaporator 10. The defrost heater 11 is energized to warm the evaporator 10 so that frost does not adhere to the evaporator 10. Accordingly, it is not necessary to stop the compressor 26 periodically, and it is possible to prevent a situation where the humidity in the constant temperature / humidity chamber 21 changes and the humidity in the constant temperature / humidity chamber 21 cannot be controlled. Therefore, the temperature and humidity in the constant temperature / humidity chamber 21 can always be kept almost at the set values.

When a large current is applied to the defrosting heater 11 every time frost adheres to the evaporator 10 to perform defrosting, the temperature of the defrosting heater 11 becomes high and the temperature in the constant temperature and humidity chamber 21 becomes high. Temperature and humidity
The reliability of the device itself is reduced, and the product specifications cannot be satisfied. Therefore, in order to minimize the influence of the defrost heater 11 on the inside of the constant temperature / humidity chamber 21, it is necessary to always supply the defrost heater 11 with an appropriate current. A method for automatically controlling the energization of the defrost heater 11 for this purpose will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the operation of the thermo-hygrostat 1 is started in ST1, and the temperature and humidity in the thermo-hygrostat 21 are set by inputting the data to the controller 29 shown in FIG. Next, in ST2, the set temperature Sv in the thermo-hygrostat 21 becomes 3
If the temperature is lower than 0 ° C., the process proceeds to ST3. Otherwise, the process proceeds to ST5 because there is little possibility that frost will adhere. Similarly,
In ST3, when the inside of the thermo-hygrostat 21 is humidified, ST4
To energize the defrost heater 11. In other cases, the process proceeds to ST5, and the heater 1 for defrost is used for the time being.
1 is not energized.

That is, when the set temperature Sv in the thermo-hygrostat 21 is 10 ° C. to 30 ° C., the temperature of the evaporator 10 becomes a minus temperature, and there is a possibility that frost adheres to the evaporator 10 when humidification control is further performed. Therefore, the temperature of the evaporator 10 is set to 0 ° C. or higher to prevent frost from adhering to the evaporator 10, otherwise, the heater 11 for defrost is not energized, and the temperature and humidity in the constant temperature and humidity chamber 21 are set. The heater heater 22, the humidification heater 25, and the compressor 26 are controlled so that the temperature becomes the set temperature and the set humidity (ST5).

However, depending on the installation location and operating conditions of the thermo-hygrostat 1, even when the set temperature Sv is 10 ° C. to 30 ° C. or higher, the evaporator 10 may have a negative temperature, and frost adheres to the evaporator 10. Could be done. Therefore, in ST6 and ST7, the temperature sensor 12 constantly detects the inlet of the evaporator 10 and the temperature sensor 13 detects the outlet temperature of the evaporator 10, and constantly monitors the temperature difference between the inlet and the outlet of the evaporator 10. Here, the temperature difference between the inlet and the outlet of the evaporator 10 is monitored. When the evaporator 10 is operating normally, the temperature difference is equal to or more than a predetermined numerical value (for example, 5 ° C.). When the cooling capacity of the evaporator 10 is reduced due to the start of the frost, the temperature becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. Therefore, the degree of the frost on the evaporator 10 is automatically determined based on the temperature difference.

In step ST8, it is determined whether or not the temperature difference of the evaporator 10 is equal to or more than a predetermined numerical value to determine whether the temperature is within the frost adhesion limit. Then, a notification of frost is displayed (ST9), and the defrost heater 11 is energized. Even when it is determined that the frost is not within the adhesion limit on the evaporator 10, as described above, the constant temperature / humidity storage 21 due to the temperature change of the evaporator 10.
To reduce the effect on temperature and humidity control, and
S to prevent frost from adhering to the evaporator 10 in advance
Proceeding to T4, the heater 11 for defrosting is energized, and the control of the temperature and humidity in the constant temperature and humidity chamber 21 by the controller 29 is continued. By doing so, the influence of the temperature change of the defrost heater 11 on the inside of the constant temperature and humidity chamber 21 can be suppressed as small as possible,
Furthermore, since the power supply to the defrosting heater 11 and the notification of the frosting can be automatically performed, a more sophisticated thermo-hygrostat 1 is provided.
Thus, the reliability of the thermo-hygrostat 1 can be further improved.

The cooler of the thermo-hygrostat having the defrost function of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above description, a configuration in which one heater for defrosting is mounted on a conventional cooler has been described, but a configuration in which a plurality of heaters are mounted is naturally included in the present invention.

[0017]

The cooler of the thermo-hygrostat having the defrost function of the present invention has the following excellent effects because it is configured as described above. (1) As described in claim 1, if the defrost heater is mounted on the cooler of the constant temperature and humidity chamber, frost does not adhere to the cooler due to the function of the defrost heater. In addition, there is no need to periodically stop the compressor, and the temperature and humidity in the constant temperature / humidity chamber can always be kept almost at the set values. (2) As described in claim 2, when a heater for defrosting is attached to a cooler of the thermo-hygrostat, the temperature and humidity of the thermo-hygrostat are set to a predetermined temperature or less, and when the humidification control is performed, the defrosting is performed. If the heater is kept energized, the current flowing through the defrost heater is constant, so that the temperature of the defrost heater can be kept almost constant. The influence on the inside of the humid chamber is kept as small as possible, and the reliability of the thermo-hygrostat is improved. (3) As described in claim 3, when a heater for defrosting is mounted on the cooler of the thermo-hygrostat and the energization of the heater for defrosting is automatically controlled, the temperature of the heater for defrosting is changed. The effect on the inside of the constant temperature and humidity chamber can be minimized, and the power to the defrost heater and the notification of frost can be automatically given. It is possible to improve the reliability of the humidifier.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a system diagram showing a configuration of a thermo-hygrostat using a cooler of a thermo-hygrostat having a defrost function of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a system diagram of an evaporator. It is a perspective view showing one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an automatic control function for energizing a heater for defrosting of a cooler of a thermo-hygrostat having a defrosting function of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a system diagram showing a configuration of a conventional thermo-hygrostat.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: constant temperature / humidifier 10: evaporator (cooler) 11: defrost heater 21: constant temperature / humidity storage 22: heating heater (heater) 24: humidifying pan 25: humidifying heater (humidifier) 29: controller (temperature)・ Humidity control function)

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI F25B 47/02 F25B 47/02 E F25D 21/08 F25D 21/08 A (72) Inventor Shinji Osawa Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka 2-5-5 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Minoru Sudo 2-5-5 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A thermo-hygrostat provided with a thermo-hygrostat, a heater, a cooler, a humidifier and a temperature / humidity control function, and keeping the thermo-hygrostat at a set temperature and humidity. A constant temperature / humidity cooler having a defrost function, wherein a defrost heater is mounted on the cooler. 2. A thermo-hygrostat provided with a thermo-hygrostat, a heater, a cooler, a humidifier and a temperature / humidity control function to maintain the temperature and humidity in the thermo-hygrostat at a set temperature and humidity. The defrost heater is attached to the cooler, and when the humidifier is controlled at a predetermined temperature or lower and the humidification control is performed, the defrost heater is kept energized. Cooler for constant temperature and humidity with defrost function. 3. A thermo-hygrostat provided with a thermo-hygrostat, a heater, a cooler, a humidifier and a temperature / humidity control function to maintain the temperature and humidity inside the thermo-hygrostat at a set temperature and humidity. When a heater for defrosting is mounted on the cooler, and when the set temperature Sv in the constant temperature and humidity chamber is 10 to 30 ° C. and humidification control is performed, the heater for defrosting is energized. In other cases, the temperature and humidity in the constant temperature and humidity chamber are controlled by the temperature / humidity control function without energizing the defrost heater, and the temperature of the inlet of the cooler and the temperature of the outlet of the cooler are constantly detected and cooled. Determine whether the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the vessel is equal to or less than a predetermined numerical value, if the temperature difference is equal to or less than the predetermined numerical value, display a notification of frost, and to the defrost heater When the temperature difference is equal to or more than the predetermined numerical value, the heater is energized to the defrost heater, One cooler thermo-hygrostat having a defrosting function, characterized in that an automatic control function of the control by the temperature and humidity control function in the constant temperature and humidity chamber was set to continue.