JP2020091140A - Environmental test device and method for operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an environmental test apparatus capable of easily cleaning the inside of a test tank over a wide range and an operation method thereof. An environmental test apparatus measures a test tank for accommodating a sample, a humidifying section for humidifying the conditioned air by supplying steam to the conditioned air flowing in the test tank, and humidity in the test tank. It includes a humidity detecting unit for detecting and a control unit for controlling the humidifying unit. The control unit performs a test operation of controlling the output of the humidifying unit based on the value detected by the humidity detecting unit and a steam cleaning operation of operating the humidifying unit without being based on the value detected by the humidity detecting unit. It is configured to run. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

The present invention relates to an environmental test device and an operating method thereof.

Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, there is known an environmental test device used for testing the reliability and durability of various products and parts under predetermined temperature and humidity conditions. The environmental test device described in Patent Document 1 is provided in a test tank whose inside is separated into a test room and an air conditioning room, a temperature and humidity sensor for measuring the temperature and humidity of the test room, and the air conditioning room. A blower, a heater, a refrigerator cooler, and a humidifier are provided. In this environment test apparatus, the air whose temperature and humidity have been adjusted in the air conditioning room flows into the testing room from the air conditioning room by driving the blower.

JP, 2008-4376, A

In the environmental test apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a corrosive gas may be released from the sample during the test, and the inside of the test tank may be contaminated by the corrosive gas. Specifically, the corrosive gas may cause corrosion in a device such as a cooler, and as a result, the test may be interrupted. For this reason, it is necessary to clean the inside of the test tank to remove the corrosive substances.

Here, when the hose or the like is pulled into the test tank to wash the inside of the test tank with water, the cleaning work is complicated, and it is also difficult to thoroughly clean the entire inside of the test tank to every corner. Is.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an environmental test apparatus capable of easily cleaning a test tank over a wide range and an operating method thereof.

In order to solve the above problems, an environmental test apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention humidifies the conditioned air by supplying steam to a test tank containing a sample and conditioned air flowing in the test tank. A humidifying unit, a humidity detecting unit that detects the humidity in the test tank, and a control unit that controls the humidifying unit are provided. The control unit, a test operation for controlling the output of the humidification unit based on the detection value by the humidity detection unit, and a steam cleaning operation for operating the humidification unit without being based on the detection value by the humidity detection unit, It is configured to run.

According to this environmental testing device, a test operation for controlling the output of the humidifying unit is executed based on the detection value of the humidity detecting unit to perform the environmental test of the sample, and then the test operation can be switched to the steam cleaning operation. .. Then, in the steam cleaning operation, the humidity of the conditioned air flowing in the test tank can be increased by operating the humidifying section without being based on the detection value of the humidity detecting section. As a result, the steam contained in the conditioned air is condensed, and the condensed water can wash away the dirt in the test tank. Therefore, it is not necessary to draw a hose for washing into the test tank, and the inside of the test tank can be easily cleaned simply by switching the operation of the apparatus. Moreover, the conditioned air having an increased humidity is spread over a wide range in the test tank, and the vapor is condensed there, so that the cleaning using the condensed water over a wide range in the test tank becomes possible.

The environmental test device may further include a cooling device including a cooler that cools the conditioned air. The control unit may be configured to operate the cooling device in the steam cleaning operation.

According to this configuration, since the temperature of the cooler decreases during the steam cleaning operation, it is possible to accelerate the condensation of the steam on the surface of the cooler. Therefore, it becomes possible to efficiently clean the surface of the cooler with the condensed water. Corrosive substances are likely to accumulate on the surface of the cooler particularly during the test operation, whereas a large amount of condensed water can be generated on the surface of the cooler according to the above configuration, so the corrosive substances are efficiently washed away. be able to.

In the above environmental testing device, a plurality of the coolers may be arranged side by side vertically in the test tank. In the steam cleaning operation, the control unit may be configured to operate sequentially from the cooling device of the cooler arranged above the plurality of coolers.

According to this configuration, it is possible to efficiently wash away stains such as corrosive substances adhering to the surface of the cooler from the upper side to the lower side by the condensed water.

The environmental test apparatus may further include a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature in the test tank. The control unit may be configured to operate the cooling device when the value detected by the temperature detection unit in the steam cleaning operation exceeds a predetermined upper limit value.

With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the temperature inside the test tank from rising too high during the steam cleaning operation. Thereby, various members arranged in the test tank can be protected.

In the above environmental testing device, the control unit lowers the output of the humidifying unit or stops the operation of the humidifying unit when the temperature in the test tank exceeds a predetermined upper limit value in the steam cleaning operation. It may be configured as follows.

According to this configuration, by reducing the supply amount of the steam supplied to the conditioned air or stopping the supply of the steam, it is possible to prevent the temperature in the test tank from rising too much, and to prevent various members arranged in the test tank. Can be protected.

In the above environmental testing device, the control unit may be configured to operate the humidifying unit at a maximum output during the steam cleaning operation.

According to this configuration, the conditioned air flowing in the test tank can be quickly saturated and condensed water can be easily generated.

An operating method of an environmental testing device according to another aspect of the present invention is a test tank containing a sample, a humidifying unit for humidifying the conditioned air by supplying steam to the conditioned air flowing in the test tank, It is a method of operating an environmental test device equipped with a humidity detection unit that detects the humidity in a test tank. In this operating method, a test operation of controlling the output of the humidifying unit based on the detection value of the humidity detecting unit, and a steam cleaning operation of operating the humidifying unit without being based on the detection value of the humidity detecting unit, Run.

According to this operating method, it is possible to perform a test operation of controlling the output of the humidifying unit based on the value detected by the humidity detecting unit to perform an environmental test on the sample, and then switch from the test operation to the steam cleaning operation. Then, in the steam cleaning operation, the humidity of the conditioned air flowing in the test tank can be increased by operating the humidifying section without being based on the detection value of the humidity detecting section. As a result, the steam contained in the conditioned air is condensed, and the condensed water can wash away the dirt in the test tank. Therefore, it is not necessary to draw a hose for washing into the test tank, and the inside of the test tank can be easily cleaned simply by switching the operation of the apparatus. In addition, the conditioned air having an increased humidity is spread over a wide area in the test tank, and the vapor is condensed there, so that the condensed water can be washed over a wide area in the test tank.

In the operating method of the environmental testing device, the environmental testing device may further include a cooling device including a cooler that cools the conditioned air. The cooling device may be operated in the steam cleaning operation.

According to this method, since the temperature of the cooler is lowered during the steam cleaning operation, it is possible to accelerate the condensation of the steam on the surface of the cooler. Therefore, it becomes possible to efficiently clean the surface of the cooler with the condensed water.

In the method for operating the environmental testing device, the plurality of coolers may be vertically arranged in the test tank. In the steam cleaning operation, the cooling devices of the cooler arranged above the plurality of coolers may be sequentially operated.

According to this method, dirt such as corrosive substances adhering to the surface of the cooler can be efficiently washed away with condensed water from above to below.

In the operating method of the environmental testing device, the cooling device may be operated when the temperature in the test tank exceeds a predetermined upper limit value in the steam cleaning operation.

According to this method, it is possible to prevent the temperature in the test tank from rising too high during the steam cleaning operation. Thereby, various members arranged in the test tank can be protected.

In the operating method of the environmental test apparatus, in the steam cleaning operation, when the temperature in the test tank exceeds a predetermined upper limit value, the output of the humidifying unit is reduced or the operation of the humidifying unit is stopped. Good.

According to this method, the temperature of the test tank is prevented from rising too much by reducing the supply amount of steam supplied to the conditioned air or stopping the supply of steam, and various members arranged in the test tank are prevented. Can be protected.

In the operating method for the environmental testing device, the humidifying section may be operated at the maximum output during the steam cleaning operation.

According to this method, the conditioned air flowing in the test tank can be quickly saturated and condensed water can be easily generated.

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an environmental test apparatus capable of easily cleaning a test tank over a wide range and an operating method thereof.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the environmental testing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the refrigerator of the environment test apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flow chart for explaining the operating method of the environmental testing device concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the environmental testing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flow chart for explaining the operating method of the environmental testing device concerning Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an environmental test apparatus and an operating method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
First, the configuration of the environment test apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The environment test apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a constant temperature and humidity apparatus capable of controlling the inside of the test tank 10 to a predetermined temperature and humidity condition (for example, temperature 50° C., relative humidity 50%), and performs the environmental test of the sample S. Used to do. The sample S is not particularly limited, but, for example, resin-made automobile parts, electronic devices, liquid crystal panel-related parts, batteries, wood, cardboard and the like can be used. As shown in FIG. 1, the environment test apparatus 1 includes a test tank 10, a temperature control unit 20, a humidification unit 30, a blower unit 40, a temperature detection unit 51, a humidity detection unit 50, and a control unit 60. , Is mainly provided.

FIG. 1 shows only the main constituent elements of the environment test apparatus 1, and the environment test apparatus 1 may include other constituent elements not shown in the figure. Hereinafter, each component of the environmental test device 1 will be described in detail.

The test tank 10 is, for example, a chamber having a rectangular parallelepiped shape configured by a heat insulating wall, and stores the sample S to be tested. As shown in FIG. 1, inside the test tank 10, a test chamber 11 in which the sample S is housed and an air conditioning chamber 12 adjacent to the test chamber 11 are provided. A shelf plate 13 for mounting the sample S is arranged in the test chamber 11, and a temperature adjusting unit 20 and a blowing unit 40 are arranged in the air conditioning chamber 12. In the present embodiment, the test chamber 11 is located in front of the air conditioning chamber 12, and is partitioned from the air conditioning chamber 12 by the partition portion 14 extending vertically.

As shown in FIG. 1, a blowout port 15 for blowing the conditioned air A1 from the air conditioning chamber 12 toward the test chamber 11 is provided above the partition section 14. Further, below the partition portion 14, a suction port 16 for sucking the conditioned air A1 from the test chamber 11 to the air conditioning chamber 12 is provided. The test chamber 11 and the air conditioning chamber 12 communicate with each other through the air outlet 15 and the suction port 16. The environment test apparatus 1 in the present embodiment is configured such that the conditioned air A1 flows from the upper side to the lower side in the test chamber 11 and the conditioned air A1 flows from the lower side to the upper side in the air conditioning chamber 12.

Although not shown, the front of the test chamber 11 is open, and the open portion can be opened and closed by a door rotatably attached to the test tank 10. Thereby, the sample S can be taken in and out of the test chamber 11. Note that the door is not limited to a rotary door, and may be an automatic door that can slide up and down, for example.

The floor surface 19 of the test tank 10 is provided with drainage ports 17 and 18 for draining the test tank 10. As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the test chamber 11 and the air conditioning chamber 12 are provided with drainage ports 17 and 18, respectively.

The upper limit temperature and the upper limit humidity of the test tank 10 are predetermined. The upper limit temperature and the upper limit humidity are determined on the basis of the endurance temperature and endurance humidity of various members (for example, a fluorescent lamp and an outlet) arranged in the test tank 10, and are, for example, 80° C. and 95% (relative Humidity).

The temperature control unit 20 is for adjusting the temperature of the conditioned air A1 blown into the test chamber 11, and includes a plurality of (two in this embodiment) refrigerators 21 (cooling devices) and a heater 23. ,have.

FIG. 2 schematically shows the configuration of the refrigerator 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator 21 includes a refrigerant circuit 26 in which a refrigerant circulates, a cooler 22 (evaporator), a compressor 27, a condenser 28, and an expansion valve 29 arranged in the refrigerant circuit 26. have. The arrow shown along the refrigerant circuit 26 in FIG. 2 indicates the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerator 21.

The cooler 22 is, for example, a plate fin type heat exchanger, and is configured by combining a plurality of plate fins and a heat transfer tube penetrating the plurality of plate fins. The cooler 22 performs heat exchange between the low-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing from the refrigerant circuit 26 and the conditioned air A1 sucked into the air conditioning chamber 12. By this heat exchange, the liquid refrigerant is evaporated and gasified, and the conditioned air A1 is cooled and dehumidified. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of coolers 22 are arranged vertically in the test tank 10 (in the air conditioning chamber 12).

The compressor 27 is, for example, a rotary type or scroll type compressor, and is arranged on the downstream side of the cooler 22. The compressor 27 draws in and compresses the low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out from the cooler 22, and discharges the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant. The condenser 28 is a heat exchanger that condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 27 by heat exchange with, for example, air, and is arranged on the downstream side of the compressor 27. The expansion valve 29 expands and decompresses the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 28, and is, for example, an electronic expansion valve whose opening degree is variable. The rotation speed of the compressor 27 and the opening degree of the expansion valve 29 can be controlled by the control unit 60.

The heater 23 is for heating the conditioned air A1, and is arranged on the leeward side of the cooler 22 in the air conditioning chamber 12. The heater 23 is composed of, for example, a fin heater, and the heater output is controlled by the controller 60. The heater 23 is not limited to the one configured by the fin heater, and other types of heaters can be used.

The humidifying unit 30 is for humidifying the conditioned air A1 by supplying the steam V1 to the conditioned air A1 flowing in the test tank 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the humidifying section 30 in the present embodiment stores the water W1 for steam generation and heats the water W1 in the container 31 arranged outside the test tank 10. A humidifying heater 32 for generating steam, and a steam supply pipe for supplying the steam generated in the container 31 into the air conditioning chamber 12 (a region on the leeward side of the cooler 22 and on the windward side of the heater 23). 33, and. The steam supply pipe 33 includes an inlet opening to the space inside the container 31, and an outlet opening to a region on the leeward side of the cooler 22 and on the windward side of the heater 23 in the air conditioning chamber 12, It extends from the inlet to the outlet. Thereby, the steam generated in the container 31 can be supplied into the air conditioning chamber 12 through the steam supply pipe 33 to humidify the conditioned air A1 flowing in the air conditioning chamber 12.

The humidifying unit 30 is not limited to the one according to the present embodiment, and may be, for example, an ultrasonic humidifier. The position of the outlet of the steam supply pipe 33 is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 1, and for example, the outlet may be located on the leeward side of the heater 23 or on the windward side of the cooler 22. The outlet may be located at.

The blower unit 40 is for circulating the conditioned air A1 in the test tank 10, and the conditioned air A1 whose temperature and humidity have been adjusted by the temperature adjusting unit 20 and the humidifying unit 30 is transferred from the air conditioning room 12 to the test room 11. Blow toward. Specifically, the blower unit 40 is composed of a blower such as a sirocco fan, and is arranged above the air conditioning chamber 12 (downward of the heater 23) so as to face the air outlet 15. As a result, the conditioned air A1 whose temperature and humidity have been adjusted is sucked into the fan, and the pressurized conditioned air A1 is blown out toward the test chamber 11. The blower unit 40 is not limited to one configured by a sirocco fan, and another type of blower can be used.

The temperature detection unit 51 is a sensor that detects the temperature inside the test tank 10 (inside the test chamber 11), and is arranged in the vicinity of the outlet 15 (upwind side of the sample S). The humidity detection unit 50 is a sensor that detects the humidity inside the test tank 10 (inside the test chamber 11), and is arranged in the vicinity of the air outlet 15 like the temperature detection unit 51.

The temperature detection unit 51 and the humidity detection unit 50 detect the temperature and humidity inside the test chamber 11 constantly or at predetermined time intervals, and the acquired detection data are input to the control unit 60. The input value is used for temperature and humidity control in the test room 11. Note that the temperature detection unit 51 and the humidity detection unit 50 are not limited to being arranged at the positions shown in FIG. 1, and may be arranged, for example, near the suction port 16 (downward side of the sample S).

The control unit 60 is a controller that controls each operation of the temperature adjusting unit 20, the humidifying unit 30, and the air blowing unit 40. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 60 includes a reception unit 61, a calculation unit 62, an output unit 63, and an operation unit 64. The reception unit 61, the calculation unit 62, and the output unit 63 correspond to the respective functions executed by the central processing unit (CPU) of the computer forming the control unit 60.

The reception unit 61 receives each data of the temperature and humidity inside the test chamber 11 detected by the temperature detection unit 51 and the humidity detection unit 50. The calculation unit 62 calculates the outputs of the refrigerator 21, the heater 23, and the humidification unit 30 based on the temperature and humidity inside the test chamber 11 input from the reception unit 61. Specifically, the calculation unit 62 calculates the outputs of the refrigerator 21, the heater 23, and the humidification unit 30 for bringing the detected value close to the set value, based on the difference between the detected value of temperature and humidity and the set value. To do. The output unit 63 adjusts the rotation speed of the compressor 27 or the opening degree of the expansion valve 29 in the refrigerator 21, adjusts the heater output of the heater 23, and the humidification heater 32 based on the calculation result of the calculation unit 62. Adjust the output of.

The operation unit 64 is composed of, for example, a touch panel. In the operation unit 64, the set values of the temperature and humidity inside the test tank 10 can be input.

The control unit 60 performs a test operation of controlling the output of the humidification unit 30 based on the detection value of the humidity detection unit 50, and a steam cleaning operation of operating the humidification unit 30 not based on the detection value of the humidity detection unit 50. It is configured to run. The test operation is an operation executed to perform an environmental test on the sample S, and feedback control is performed based on the detected values by the temperature detection unit 51 and the humidity detection unit 50. Specifically, the refrigerant circulation amount in the refrigerator 21 and the heater output of the heater 23 are controlled by PID (Proportional-Integral-Differential) control based on the difference between the detection value of the temperature detection unit 51 and the set value of the temperature, The output of the humidifying heater 32 is controlled by PID control based on the difference between the value detected by the humidity detector 50 and the set value of humidity.

On the other hand, the steam cleaning operation is an operation executed for cleaning the inside of the test tank 10 with steam after the environmental test of the sample S is completed. In the steam cleaning operation, the control unit 60 maximizes the output of the humidifying heater 32 regardless of the detection value of the humidity detecting unit 50, and operates the humidifying unit 30 at the maximum output. In the steam cleaning operation, the control unit 60 keeps the output of the humidifying unit 30 (output of the humidifying heater 32) constant at the maximum output.

Further, the control unit 60 operates the refrigerator 21 in the vapor cleaning operation to perform the vapor compression refrigeration cycle. More specifically, the control unit 60 operates the refrigerator 21 when the value detected by the temperature detection unit 51 in the steam cleaning operation exceeds a predetermined upper limit value. The “predetermined upper limit value” in the present embodiment is the predetermined upper limit temperature (for example, 80° C.) of the test tank 10, but is not limited to this. Further, when operating the refrigerator 21 in the steam cleaning operation, the control unit 60 sequentially operates the refrigerator 21 of the cooler 22 arranged above the plurality of coolers 22.

Next, a method of operating the environmental testing device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the sample S is placed on the shelf 13 in the test chamber 11 (step S10), and the set values of temperature and humidity are input on the touch panel of the operation unit 64 (step S20). In the present embodiment, as an example, the set temperature is 50° C. and the set humidity is 50% (relative humidity). Then, the test operation is started by pressing a switch on the touch panel of the operation unit 64 (step S30).

In the test operation, the control unit 60 (output unit 63) controls the outputs of the refrigerator 21 and the heater 23 based on the detection value of the temperature detection unit 51. Specifically, the control unit 60 controls the rotation speed of the compressor 27 and the opening degree of the expansion valve 29 so that the detection value of the temperature detection unit 51 approaches the set value of the temperature, and the heater output of the heater 23. To control.

In the test operation, the control unit 60 (output unit 63) controls the output of the humidifying unit 30 based on the value detected by the humidity detecting unit 50. Specifically, the control unit 60 controls the output of the humidification heater 32 so that the detection value of the humidity detection unit 50 approaches the set value of humidity. In this way, the environmental test of the sample S is performed under the condition that the temperature and humidity are controlled.

Here, during the test operation, a corrosive gas may be released from the sample S, and the inside of the test tank 10 may be contaminated by the corrosive gas. Specifically, depending on the type of the sample S, a chlorine-based gas, an acetic acid-based gas, or the like may be released from the sample S. Further, during the test operation, a large amount of condensed water adheres to the surface of the cooler 22, and a corrosive gas dissolves in the condensed water to be condensed, so that the corrosive substance is particularly likely to accumulate on the surface of the cooler 22. On the other hand, by performing the steam cleaning operation described below after the test operation is completed, the corrosive substances in the test tank 10 are washed away, and the corrosion of the cooler 22 and other equipment is prevented.

When the predetermined test time has elapsed (“YES” in step S40), the operation of the environmental test device 1 is temporarily stopped, and the sample S is taken out of the test chamber 11 (step S50). Then, when the sample S is not stored in the test chamber 11, the switch on the touch panel of the operation unit 64 is pressed to start the steam cleaning operation (step S60).

In the steam cleaning operation, the control unit 60 (output unit 63) operates the humidifying unit 30 without being based on the detection value of the humidity detection unit 50. More specifically, the control unit 60 fixes the output of the humidifying heater 32 to the maximum output regardless of the detection value of the humidity detecting unit 50, and operates the humidifying unit 30 at the maximum output. Further, during the steam cleaning operation, the control unit 60 also operates the blower unit 40.

As a result, the conditioned air A1 in the test tank 10 is humidified toward the saturated state (the relative humidity of the conditioned air A1 increases toward 100%), and the temperature of the conditioned air A1 is also 100° C. due to the supply of the steam V1. Rise towards. Then, the relative humidity of the conditioned air A1 reaches almost 100%. The conditioned air A1 in the high temperature and high humidity state flows from the upper side to the lower side in the test chamber 11, flows from the lower side to the upper side in the air conditioning chamber 12, and circulates between the test chamber 11 and the air conditioning chamber 12. .. At this time, the conditioned air A1 flows to every corner in the test tank 10 such as a gap between the fin plates in the cooler 22. Further, in the present embodiment, the heater output of the heating unit 23 is turned off during the steam cleaning operation, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the heater of the heating unit 23 may be operated.

Then, a large amount of vapor contained in the conditioned air A1 is condensed at various places such as the surface of the cooler 22 and the inner wall surface of the test tank 10, and the condensed water causes the surface of the cooler 22 and the inner wall surface of the test tank 10. Corrosive substances deposited on the etc. are washed away. The condensed water after cleaning is discharged to the outside of the test tank 10 through drainage ports 17 and 18 provided on the floor surface 19 of the test tank 10. In this way, the steam cleaning inside the test tank 10 is performed.

Next, whether or not the temperature inside the test tank 10 detected by the temperature detecting unit 51 is equal to or lower than a predetermined upper limit value (80° C. which is the predetermined upper limit temperature for the test tank 10 in the present embodiment). Is determined by the control unit 60 (step S70). Then, when the temperature in the test tank 10 exceeds the upper limit value (“NO” in step S70), the control unit 60 (output unit 63) operates the refrigerator 21 (step S80). As a result, the refrigerant flows into the cooler 22, and the conditioned air A1 is cooled by exchanging heat with the refrigerant (radiating heat to the refrigerant) in the cooler 22, and the temperature in the test tank 10 is maintained at the upper limit value or less. On the other hand, when the temperature in the test tank 10 is equal to or lower than the upper limit value (“YES” in step S70), the refrigerator 21 is not operated and the steam cleaning operation is continued.

When the refrigerator 21 is operated in the steam cleaning operation, the refrigerator 21 of the plurality of coolers 22 arranged above is operated in order from the refrigerator 21. That is, after operating the refrigerator 21 of the cooler 22 shown on the upper side in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 21 of the cooler 22 shown on the lower side in the figure is operated.

Then, when a predetermined cleaning time (for example, 2 hours) has elapsed (“YES” in step S90), the steam cleaning operation is ended, and then the cooling operation is performed (step S100). In the cooling operation, at least the output of the refrigerator 21 is controlled so that the temperature inside the test tank 10 reaches a predetermined cooling target temperature (25° C. in this embodiment). In the cooling operation, the outputs of the heater 23 and the humidifying unit 30 may be controlled or may not be controlled.

When the temperature in the test tank 10 reaches the cooling target temperature and the first operation time (1 hour in the present embodiment) elapses (“YES” in step S110), the operating method of the environmental test device 1 according to the present embodiment. Ends. On the other hand, when the temperature in the test tank 10 has not reached the cooling target temperature at the time when the first operation time has elapsed (“NO” in step S110), the cooling operation is continued. After that, when the second operation time (two hours from the start of the cooling operation in the present embodiment) has elapsed (“YES” in step S120), the present embodiment is performed even if the temperature in the test tank 10 has not reached the cooling target temperature. The operating method of the environmental test device 1 according to step 1 ends.

As described above, according to the environment test apparatus 1 and the operating method thereof according to the present embodiment, after performing the test operation of controlling the output of the humidifying unit 30 based on the detection value of the humidity detecting unit 50, the steam is removed from the test operation. It is possible to switch to the washing operation. Then, in the steam cleaning operation, the humidity of the conditioned air A1 flowing in the test tank 10 can be increased by operating the humidifying unit 30 at the maximum output without being based on the value detected by the humidity detecting unit 50. As a result, the vapor contained in the conditioned air A1 is condensed, and the corrosive substance attached to the inside of the test tank 10 can be washed away by the condensed water. Therefore, it is not necessary to draw a hose for water washing into the test tank 10, and the inside of the test tank 10 can be easily cleaned simply by switching the operation of the device, and corrosion on the cooler 22 and the inner wall surface of the test tank 10 can be prevented. Can be prevented.

Moreover, the conditioned air A1 having an increased humidity is spread to every corner of the test tank 10, and the vapor is condensed there, so that every corner of the test tank 10 can be washed with the condensed water. Further, since dew condensation occurs only on the contact surfaces of the steam such as the inner wall surface of the test tank 10 and the surface of the cooler 22, unlike the case where water is sprayed into the test tank 10, the cleaning water is unnecessarily scattered in the test tank 10. Nor. Further, since the inside of the test tank 10 can be cleaned by using the humidifying unit 30 that the environmental test apparatus 1 originally has for controlling humidity, there is no need to newly introduce a cleaning device or member. There is also.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, the environment test apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The environment test apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment basically has the same configuration as the environment test apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, operates in the same manner, and has the same effect. It is different from the environmental test apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment in that it is adopted. Hereinafter, only the points different from the environment test apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, the humidifying unit 30 includes an evaporating dish 34 arranged below the cooler 22 in the air conditioning chamber 12, and a humidifying heater 35 for heating the water W1 for steam generation stored in the evaporating dish 34. ,have. By increasing the output of the humidifying heater 35, the water W1 is heated and evaporated, and the generated steam V1 humidifies the conditioned air A1. Even in such a humidifying dish type environmental test device 2, the above-described steam cleaning operation can be executed, and as a result, the corrosiveness attached to the inside of the test tank 10 during the environmental test of the sample S (during the test operation). Material can be washed away with condensed water.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, an environmental test apparatus and an operating method thereof according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The environment test apparatus and its operating method according to the third embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment, but when the temperature in the test tank 10 exceeds the upper limit value in the steam cleaning operation, the refrigerator 21 is operated. It is different from the first embodiment in that not only the operation is performed, but also the control for reducing the output of the humidifying unit 30 is performed. Only the points different from the first embodiment will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the environment test apparatus according to the third embodiment, the control unit 60 freezes when the value detected by the temperature detection unit 51 in the steam cleaning operation exceeds the upper limit value (“NO” in step S70). After activating the machine 21 (step S80), the output of the humidifying section 30 is reduced (step S81). Specifically, the control unit 60 lowers the output of the humidifying heater 32 so that the output of the humidifying heater 32 becomes lower than that before the value detected by the temperature detecting unit 51 exceeds the upper limit value.

Thereby, even if it is difficult to prevent the temperature increase in the test tank 10 only by operating the refrigerator 21, it is possible to reduce the temperature increase in the test tank 10 by reducing the supply amount of the steam V1 from the humidifying section 30. It can be prevented more reliably. Further, in step S81, the output of the humidifying heater 32 may be turned off to stop the operation of the humidifying unit 30. The control of the third embodiment can also be executed by the environment test apparatus 2 (FIG. 4) according to the second embodiment.

(Other embodiments)
Here, other embodiments of the present invention will be described.

In the first embodiment, the case where the refrigerator 21 is operated in the steam cleaning operation has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the refrigerator 21 may not be operated in the steam cleaning operation. Even in this case, since the inside of the test tank 10 is in a high temperature and high humidity state during the steam cleaning operation, a large amount of condensed water is generated on the surface of the cooler 22, and the corrosive substance can be washed away.

Although the case where the operation of the refrigerator 21 is started when the temperature in the test tank 10 detected by the temperature detection unit 51 exceeds the upper limit value has been described in the first embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, during the steam cleaning operation, the refrigerator 21 may be operated before the temperature in the test tank 10 exceeds the upper limit value, and the output of the refrigerator 21 may be increased when the temperature exceeds the upper limit value.

In the first embodiment described above, the case where the predetermined upper limit temperature (80° C.) of the test tank 10 is used as the upper limit value that determines the timing of operating the refrigerator 21 in the steam cleaning operation has been described. A temperature lower than the temperature may be used as the upper limit value. That is, the operation of the refrigerator 21 may be started before the temperature in the test tank 10 reaches the upper limit temperature of the test tank 10.

In the third embodiment described above, when the temperature in the test tank 10 exceeds the upper limit value, the refrigerator 21 is operated and the output of the humidifying unit 30 is decreased, but the humidifying unit is not operated and the humidifying unit is not operated. Only the output of 30 may be lowered.

Although the case where two refrigerators 21 are provided has been described in the first embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more refrigerators 21 may be provided, or only one refrigerator 21 may be provided. Further, the humidifying unit 30 is not limited to the case where only one unit is provided, and a plurality of units may be provided. In this case, the environmental test devices 1 and 2 may be operated while changing the number of the humidifying units 30 used.

In the first embodiment, the case where the refrigerators 21 of the plurality of coolers 22 arranged above are operated sequentially from the refrigerator 21 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the plurality of refrigerators 21 are operated simultaneously. Alternatively, the refrigerators 21 of the cooler 22 arranged below may be operated sequentially. Further, when three or more coolers 22 are provided, the coolers 21 arranged in the center may be operated in order from the refrigerator 21.

Although the refrigerator 21 has been described as an example of the cooling device in the first embodiment, the invention is not limited to this. For example, a heat pipe may be used instead of the refrigerator 21, and a cooling device including a cooler that uses cooling water, brine, or the like as a heat exchange medium with the conditioned air A1 may be used.

Although the case where the humidifying unit 30 is operated at the maximum output in the steam cleaning operation has been described in the first embodiment, the humidifying unit 30 may be operated at the maximum output or less. Further, the output of the humidifying unit 30 may be maintained constant in the steam cleaning operation, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the output of the humidifying unit 30 may be changed in the steam cleaning operation.

Although the case where the sample S that releases a corrosive gas during the environmental test is used in the first embodiment is not limited to this, and a sample that does not release a corrosive gas may be used.

After the test operation is completed and before the steam cleaning operation is started, the inner wall surface of the test tank 10 may be cooled in advance so that condensed water is easily generated on the inner wall surface during the steam cleaning operation.

The positional relationship between the test room 11 and the air conditioning room 12 is not limited to the case where the test room 11 and the air conditioning room 12 are partitioned into front and rear as shown in FIG. For example, the test chamber 11 and the air-conditioning chamber 12 may be vertically partitioned, and the test chamber 11 may be provided above the test tank 10 and below the air-conditioning chamber 12. May be provided in the lower part of the test tank 10 and the air conditioning room 12 may be provided above it. Further, the test room 11 and the air-conditioning room 12 may be partitioned into left and right. The direction in which the conditioned air A1 flows in the test chamber 11 is not particularly limited, and the conditioned air A1 may flow from the upper side to the lower side as in the first embodiment, or the conditioned air A1 may flow from the lower side to the upper side. May flow.

It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

1, 2 environment test device 10 test tank 21 refrigerator (cooling device)
22 Cooler 30 Humidifying part 50 Humidity detecting part 51 Temperature detecting part 60 Control part A1 Air-conditioned air S Sample

Claims (12)

A test tank containing the sample,
By supplying steam to the conditioned air flowing in the test tank, a humidifying section for humidifying the conditioned air,
A humidity detector for detecting the humidity in the test tank,
A control unit for controlling the humidifying unit,
The control unit, a test operation for controlling the output of the humidification unit based on the detection value by the humidity detection unit, and a steam cleaning operation for operating the humidification unit without being based on the detection value by the humidity detection unit, An environmental testing device that is configured to perform. Further comprising a cooling device including a cooler for cooling the conditioned air,
The environment test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to operate the cooling device in the steam cleaning operation. The cooler is arranged in a plurality of vertically in the test tank,
The environmental test apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to sequentially operate in the steam cleaning operation from the cooling device of the cooler arranged above among the plurality of coolers. .. Further comprising a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature in the test tank,
The environment according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the control unit is configured to operate the cooling device when a value detected by the temperature detection unit in the steam cleaning operation exceeds a predetermined upper limit value. Test equipment. The control unit is configured to reduce the output of the humidifying unit or stop the operation of the humidifying unit when the temperature in the test tank exceeds a predetermined upper limit value in the steam cleaning operation. The environmental test device according to claim 1. The said test part is an environment test apparatus of any one of Claims 1-5 currently comprised so that the said humidification part may be operated by the maximum output in the said steam cleaning operation. A test tank containing a sample, a humidifying unit for humidifying the conditioned air by supplying steam to the conditioned air flowing in the test tank, and a humidity detecting unit for detecting the humidity in the test tank. A method of operating an environmental testing device,
A test operation of controlling the output of the humidifying unit based on the detection value by the humidity detecting unit,
A method for operating an environmental test device, which comprises performing a steam cleaning operation in which the humidifying unit is activated based on a value detected by the humidity detecting unit. The environmental test device further comprises a cooling device including a cooler for cooling the conditioned air,
The method for operating the environmental testing device according to claim 7, wherein the cooling device is operated in the steam cleaning operation. The cooler is arranged in a plurality of vertically in the test tank,
The operating method of an environmental test device according to claim 8, wherein in the steam cleaning operation, the cooling devices of the coolers arranged above the plurality of coolers are sequentially operated. The operating method of the environmental test apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, in the steam cleaning operation, the cooling device is operated when the temperature in the test tank exceeds a predetermined upper limit value. In the steam cleaning operation, when the temperature in the test tank exceeds a predetermined upper limit value, the output of the humidifying unit is reduced or the operation of the humidifying unit is stopped. The method for operating the environmental testing device according to the item. The method for operating an environmental test apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the humidifying section is operated at a maximum output in the steam cleaning operation.

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