Humidifying device and environmental testing device

Abstract

The present application provides a humidifying device and an environmental test device. The humidifying device includes a first humidifying heater for heating water in a humidifying container, a second humidifying heater having an output capacity larger than that of the first humidifying heater, and a humidifying control unit. The humidifying control unit causes the first humidifying heater to continuously operate when a required output is in a range belonging to a first region and in a range belonging to a second region having a higher required output than the first region, and controls the first humidifying heater according to the size of the required output when the required output is in the range belonging to the first region by stopping the second humidifying heater, and controls the second humidifying heater according to the size of the required output when the required output is in the range belonging to the second region in a state where the first humidifying heater is operated. Accordingly, confusion in humidity control between the regions having different sizes of the required output of the heater can be suppressed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to humidification devices and environmental testing devices. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-349914, humidification devices for controlling the humidity in a test chamber within an environmental testing apparatus were known. The humidification device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-349914 includes: a humidification container filled with water for humidification; a small heater and a large heater disposed within the humidification container; a water level selection unit; and a humidification heater selection unit. The humidification container has a V-shaped cross-section, with the surface area of ​​the water varying according to the water level. The humidification heater selection unit allows selection of the use of a small heater, a large heater, or both heaters. The water level selection unit allows selection of a low water level or a high water level within the humidification container. Furthermore, in this humidification device, the heater and water level can be selected according to the humidification conditions.

[0003] In the humidification device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-349914, both the heater and the water level can be selected based on temperature and humidity conditions. Therefore, it suppresses the evaporation of unwanted water under low temperature and low humidity conditions, and efficiently obtains a sufficient amount of humidifying steam under high temperature and high humidity conditions. However, this humidification device sometimes switches from operation using a large heater without a small heater to operation using a small heater without a large heater. Therefore, this switching can sometimes cause confusion in humidity control. Furthermore, a mechanism for changing the water level in the humidification container is required, making the device complex. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a humidification device and an environmental testing device that can suppress the chaotic humidity control between areas with different required output sizes of the heater.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention relates to a humidification device comprising: a humidification container into which water for humidifying a test chamber is contained; a first humidification heater for heating the water contained in the humidification container; a second humidification heater having an output capacity greater than or equal to that of the first humidification heater for heating the water contained in the humidification container; and a humidification control unit for controlling the first humidification heater and the second humidification heater. The humidification control unit causes the first humidification heater to operate continuously when the required output is within the size of a first region and when the required output is within the size of a second region higher than the first region. Furthermore, when the required output is within the size of the first region, the second humidification heater is stopped while the first humidification heater is controlled according to the required output size. When the required output is within the size of the second region, the second humidification heater is controlled according to the required output size while the first humidification heater is operating. When the required output is within the size of the second region, the humidification control unit controls the first humidification heater in a manner that keeps its output constant or linearly varies according to changes in the required output size. Additionally, the unit controls the output value of the second humidification heater to be the output value obtained by subtracting the output value of the first humidification heater from the total output value based on the required output, in a manner that makes the combined output value of the first and second humidification heaters linearly change relative to the required output.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a humidification device comprising: a humidification container into which water for humidifying a test chamber is contained; a first humidification heater for heating the water contained in the humidification container; a second humidification heater having an output capacity greater than or equal to that of the first humidification heater for heating the water contained in the humidification container; and a humidification control unit for controlling the first humidification heater and the second humidification heater, wherein the humidification control unit causes the first humidification heater to operate continuously when the required output is a size belonging to a first region and when the required output is a size belonging to a second region higher than the first region, and, when the required output is a size belonging to the first region, stops the second humidification heater and controls the first humidification heater according to the required output size, and when the required output is a size belonging to the second region... In the case where the first humidifier heater is in operation, the second humidifier heater is controlled according to the required output size. When the required output is maximized, the first and second humidifier heaters are controlled in such a way that the output values ​​of the two heaters are equal to the total output capacity of the two heaters. Based on the ratio of the output capacity of the first humidifier heater to the total output capacity of the two heaters, the required output value when switching between the first and second regions is determined. In the case where the first and second humidifier heaters are controlled in such a way that the output values ​​of the two heaters are equal to the output capacity of the second humidifier heater, the required output value when switching between the first and second regions is determined based on the ratio of the output capacity of the first humidifier heater to the output capacity of the second humidifier heater.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention relates to an environmental testing apparatus comprising: a test chamber; and a humidification device for humidifying the test chamber.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the disorder of humidity control between areas with different required output sizes of the heater. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a diagram that roughly illustrates the structure of the environmental testing apparatus involved in the implementation method.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a graph showing the relationship between the MV value and the heater output under the first control example.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a graph illustrating the time variation of the heater output in the first control example.

[0012] Figure 4This is a graph showing the relationship between the MV value and the heater output in the case of the second control example.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a graph showing the relationship between the MV value and the heater output in the case of the third control example.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a graph showing the relationship between the MV value and the heater output under the first control example. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] like Figure 1 As shown, the environmental testing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment mainly includes: a hollow test tank 12 with an internal space; and a controller 14 for controlling an air conditioning unit, wherein the air conditioning unit is used to air-condition the test chamber 18, which is set in the test tank 12 (described later). The environmental testing apparatus 10 is configured as a constant temperature and humidity tank, for example; however, it can also be configured as other types of environmental testing apparatus as long as humidification control is required.

[0017] The test tank 12 is constructed of a hollow cuboid shape with heat-insulating wall components. The test tank 12 includes: a tank body 12a with an open front and a door 12b that allows the front opening of the tank body 12a to be opened and closed.

[0018] The test tank 12 includes a test chamber 18 that forms a space for arranging test specimens. The front of the test chamber 18 can be opened and closed using a door 12b. An air-conditioning chamber 20 equipped with air conditioning equipment is provided on the rear side of the test chamber 18. The space inside the test chamber 18 and the space inside the air-conditioning chamber 20 are separated by a partition plate 22. A gap is formed between the upper end of the partition plate 22 and the wall member constituting the top of the tank body 12a, and a gap is also formed between the lower end of the partition plate 22 and the wall member constituting the bottom of the tank body 12a. Through these gaps, the space inside the test chamber 18 communicates with the space inside the air-conditioning chamber 20.

[0019] The air-conditioned room 20 is equipped with a cooler 24, a heater 26, and a blower 28. The cooler 24, heater 26, and blower 28 are the air-conditioning equipment used to air-condition the test room 18.

[0020] Cooler 24 is used to cool the air supplied to test chamber 18, for example, it is composed of the evaporator of a vapor compression refrigeration machine.

[0021] Heater 26 is used to heat the air supplied to test chamber 18, for example, it is made of electric heating wire heater.

[0022] The blower 28 draws in air that has been conditioned by the cooler 24 and heater 26, and blows it out into the space inside the test chamber 18.

[0023] The environmental testing apparatus 10 includes a temperature sensor 31 for detecting the temperature inside the test chamber 18, and a humidity sensor 33 for detecting the humidity inside the test chamber 18. The temperature sensor 31 outputs a signal indicating the detected temperature, and the humidity sensor 33 outputs a signal indicating the detected humidity. These signals are sent to the controller 14.

[0024] The environmental testing apparatus 10 includes a humidification device 35 for humidifying the test chamber 18. The humidification device 35 includes a humidification container 37, a first humidification heater 39, a second humidification heater 41, and a humidification control unit 43.

[0025] The humidifying container 37 is disposed at the bottom of the air-conditioned chamber 20, and is shaped like a dish with its top open. Therefore, it can be said that the humidifying container 37 is open within the air-conditioned chamber 20, and also open to the space within the laboratory 18 through the space within the air-conditioned chamber 20. Water for humidifying the air is contained in the humidifying container 37.

[0026] Alternatively, the humidifier 37 may be installed in the test chamber 18 instead of the air-conditioned room 20, or it may be installed outside the air-conditioned room 20 and the test chamber 18, as long as it is connected to the test chamber 18 by a pipe (not shown in the figure).

[0027] Both the first humidifier heater 39 and the second humidifier heater 41 heat the water in the humidifier container 37. The water in the humidifier container 37 evaporates as a result of being heated by the first humidifier heater 39 and the second humidifier heater 41, thereby humidifying the air in the air-conditioned room 20. After the humidified air is conditioned by the cooler 24 and the heater 26, it is supplied to the test chamber 18 by the blower 28.

[0028] The output capacity of the first humidifier heater 39 is less than the output capacity of the second humidifier heater 41. For example, the output capacity of the first humidifier heater 39 may be less than one-fifth of the output capacity of the second humidifier heater 41.

[0029] The humidification control unit 43 controls the first humidifier heater 39 and the second humidifier heater 41 respectively according to the required output. Here, the required output refers to the required amount in which the first humidifier heater 39 and the second humidifier heater 41 should output relative to their respective output capacities. Therefore, the required output increases according to how low the detected humidity detected by the humidity sensor 33 is relative to the set humidity described later.

[0030] The controller 14 includes a receiving unit 45, a temperature control unit 47 that controls the cooler 24 and the heater 26, and a humidification control unit 43. The receiving unit 45 and the temperature control unit 47 are functions of the controller 14 performed by operating according to a predetermined program. The receiving unit 45 receives the set temperature (test temperature) and set humidity (test humidity) input by the user through the schematic operation unit and stores them in the schematic storage unit. The temperature control unit 47 compares the detected temperature detected by the temperature sensor 31 with the set temperature, and based on the comparison result, controls the cooler 24 and the heater 26 to bring the temperature inside the test chamber 18 close to the set temperature.

[0031] The humidification control unit 43 is a function performed by the controller 14. The humidification control unit 43 compares the set humidity with the detected humidity detected by the humidity sensor 33, determines the required output based on the comparison result, and controls the two humidification heaters 39 and 41 in a manner that makes the humidity in the test chamber 18 close to the test humidity based on the required output.

[0032] In the control of the first humidifier heater 39 and the second humidifier heater 41 by the humidification control unit 43, it determines whether the required output belongs to the size of the first region or the size of the second region, which is larger than the required output of the first region (i.e., the difference between the set humidity and the detected humidity is larger). The control of each humidifier heater 39 and 41 changes according to which region it belongs to. In other words, the output control of the first humidifier heater 39 and the second humidifier heater 41 is changed based on whether the required output, which changes constantly during the experiment, belongs to the size of the first region or the size of the second region.

[0033] The humidification control unit 43 causes the first humidification heater 39 to operate continuously when the required output is a size belonging to the first region and when it is a size belonging to the second region. That is, the first humidification heater 39 does not stop when the required output changes from a size belonging to the first region to a size belonging to the second region, and the first humidification heater 39 does not stop when the required output changes from a size belonging to the second region to a size belonging to the first region.

[0034] The humidification control unit 43 stops the second humidification heater 41 when the required output is within the first region, and controls the first humidification heater 39 according to the required output. Furthermore, when the required output is within the second region, the humidification control unit 43 controls the second humidification heater 41 according to the required output. That is, when the required output changes from a state belonging to the second region to a state belonging to the first region, the first humidification heater 39 continues to operate without stopping, but the second humidification heater 41 is stopped.

[0035] The following describes the specific values ​​to which the output values ​​of the first humidifier heater 39 and the second humidifier heater 41 are controlled. Four control examples are described here. The first and second control examples control the two humidifier heaters 39 and 41 such that, when the required output size becomes maximum (100%), the output values ​​of the two humidifier heaters 39 and 41 are each equal to the output capacity of the humidifier heater. In contrast, the third and fourth control examples control the two humidifier heaters 39 and 41 such that, when the required output size becomes maximum (100%), the combined output value of the two humidifier heaters 39 and 41 is equal to the output capacity of the second humidifier heater 41. The difference between the first and second control examples lies in whether, at the boundary between the first and second regions, the output value of the first humidifier heater 39 is set to an output value equal to its output capacity (first control example) or a value lower than its output capacity (second control example). The difference between the third and fourth control examples is the same.

[0036] <First Control Example>

[0037] In the first control example, when the required output is at its maximum, the humidification control unit 43 controls the two humidification heaters 39 and 41 to output at their respective output capacities. Furthermore, the two humidification heaters 39 and 41 are controlled in a manner where the combined output value of the two humidification heaters 39 and 41 changes linearly with respect to the required output.

[0038] For example, Figure 2 This is a graph illustrating a first control example where the output capacity of the first humidifier heater 39 is 10W and the output capacity of the second humidifier heater 41 is 100W. The horizontal axis represents the MV value as a percentage (%) of the maximum required output. The MV value indicates the magnitude of the required output of the humidifier device 35. The MV value is 1 at its maximum value. Figure 2 In this context, "1" is represented as 100%. Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The same applies to the middle section. The vertical axis represents the output values ​​of each humidifier heater 39, 41, and the total output value. Furthermore, the required output value is determined based on the difference between the set humidity and the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 33.

[0039] exist Figure 2In the example shown, when the MV value is 1 (i.e., 100% output), the output value of the first humidifier heater 39 is 10W, and the output value of the second humidifier heater 41 is 100W. That is, the total is 110W. On the other hand, when the MV value is zero, the output value of the two humidifier heaters 39 and 41 is zero. Furthermore, the total output value of the two humidifier heaters 39 and 41 changes linearly with the MV value in the first and second regions, respectively.

[0040] The humidification control unit 43 controls the two humidification heaters 39 and 41 as follows: Figure 2 The control is divided into a first region and a second region, which is a region with a larger MV value than the first region. The first region is a region where the MV value is below a predetermined value MVc, and the second region is a region where the MV value is above the predetermined value MVc. In the first region, only the first humidifier heater 39 operates. On the other hand, in the second region, both the first humidifier heater 39 and the second humidifier heater 41 operate.

[0041] In the first control example, the first humidifier 39 is linearly controlled in the first region such that its output value at the value MVC, which is the boundary between the first and second regions, becomes its output capacity. Furthermore, in the second region, the output value of the first humidifier 39 becomes a constant value based on its output capacity. In this second region, the output value of the second humidifier 41 becomes the output value obtained by subtracting the output value of the first humidifier 39 from the total output value of the two humidifiers 39 and 41 based on the required output.

[0042] Here, we will specifically explain what the output values ​​of the first humidifier 39 and the second humidifier 41 are, respectively, relative to the MV value.

[0043] Let the output capacity of the first humidifier heater 39 be Hs, the output capacity of the second humidifier heater 41 be Hl, the total output capacity of the two humidifier heaters 39 and 41 be H, the ratio of the required output of the humidifier device 35 to MV be MV, the output ratio of the first humidifier heater 39 (the ratio of the output value relative to its output capacity) be MV(y), and the output ratio of the second humidifier heater 41 (the ratio of the output value relative to its output capacity) be MV(x). Then, the output value H·MV of the humidifier device 35 can be expressed as follows.

[0044] H·MV=Hl·MV(x)+Hs·MV(y) (1)

[0045] In addition, Figure 2In the formula, the MV value on the horizontal axis is expressed as a percentage relative to the maximum required output. However, in the following formula, the MV value is expressed as a proportion relative to 100% output. That is, the MV value takes the value of 0 to 1, which is 1 when the required output is 100% and 0 when the required output is 0%. Since the total output capacity H is the sum of the output capacity Hs of the first humidifier heater 39 and the output capacity Hl of the second humidifier heater 41, formula (1) can be expressed by the following formula (2).

[0046] (Hl+Hs)·MV=Hl·MV(x)+Hs·MV(y) (2)

[0047] When the required output size is the size belonging to the first region, that is, when the MV value is below MVc, the second humidifier heater 41 stops, therefore, MV(x) = 0. Therefore, equation (3) can be obtained according to equation (2).

[0048]

[0049] On the other hand, when the value of MV is MVC, the first humidifier heater 39 becomes 100% output, therefore, MV(y) = 1. Therefore, equation (3) becomes the following equation (4).

[0050]

[0051] In other words, the boundary between the first and second regions is defined as MV = Hs / (Hl+Hs). Furthermore, the required output value MVc when the required output changes from the size belonging to the first region to the size belonging to the second region and the second humidifier heater 41 starts operating is determined based on the ratio of the output capacity Hs of the first humidifier heater 39 to the total output capacity H of the two humidifier heaters 39 and 41.

[0052] On the other hand, when the required output size is the size belonging to the second region, that is, when the MV value is greater than the value MVC, the first humidifier heater 39 outputs an output value equal to the output capacity Hs, therefore, MV(y) becomes 1. That is to say, in the second region, the output of the first humidifier heater 39 is controlled to a constant value. By substituting 1 into MV(y) in equation (2), MV(x) is expressed by the following equation (5).

[0053]

[0054] In other words, the output value of the second humidifier 41 in the second region becomes the output value obtained by subtracting the output value of the first humidifier 39 from the total output value of the two humidifiers 39, 41 based on the required output.

[0055] Based on the above description, the output ratio MV(x) of the second humidifier heater 41 and the output ratio MV(y) of the first humidifier heater 39 are expressed as follows.

[0056]

[0057]

[0058] in,

[0059] As shown in equation (7), the output value of the first humidifier 39 in the first region varies with the rate of change of a coefficient corresponding to the ratio of the total output capacity H of the two humidifiers 39, 41 to the output capacity Hs of the first humidifier 39.

[0060] Here, we will describe an example of the time variation of the outputs of the two humidifying heaters 39 and 41 during the operation of the humidifying device 35, under the first control example. For example, suppose the required output at the start of driving the humidifying device 35 is the size belonging to the second region, then as follows... Figure 3 As shown, initially, both the first humidifier heater 39 and the second humidifier heater 41 operate. The first humidifier heater 39 outputs 100% in the region where the MV value is greater than the value MVc, as shown in equation (7). On the other hand, since the required output gradually decreases over time, the output of the second humidifier heater 41, as shown in equation (6), gradually decreases as the MV value decreases until it reaches the value MVc. Then, if the MV value reaches the value MVc, the output of the second humidifier heater 41 becomes zero, but the output of the first humidifier heater 39 continues. Furthermore, in the region where the MV value is below MVc, the output of the first humidifier heater 39 is controlled to a value corresponding to the required output size.

[0061] <Second Control Example>

[0062] In the first control example, when the value of MV is MVc, the output of the first humidifier heater 39 is set to 100%. In contrast, in the second control example, when the value of MV is MVc, the output of the first humidifier heater 39 is set to a value less than 100%. Let the output ratio of the first humidifier heater 39 when the value of MV is MVc be A[%], then equation (7) can be rewritten as equation (8).

[0063]

[0064] At this point, until the MV value reaches 100% from the value MVC, such as... Figure 4As shown, the output ratio of the first humidifier heater 39 increases linearly from A% to 100%. That is, in the second control example, the humidification control unit 43 controls the first humidifier heater 39 in a manner that causes the output of the first humidifier heater 39 to change linearly according to the required output when the required output is a size belonging to the second region.

[0065] On the other hand, the output ratio of the second humidifying heater 41 changes linearly from 0% to 100% in the second region.

[0066] Regarding the first humidifying heater 39, in the second region, it changes linearly from A% to 100%. Specifically, MV(x) and MV(y) are represented by equations (9) and (10).

[0067]

[0068]

[0069] Among them,

[0070] In the second control example, the second humidifier heater 41 and the first humidifier heater 39 are controlled according to the output ratio of Equations (9) and (10).

[0071] <Third Control Example>

[0072] In the first control example, when the maximum output is required, the output values ​​of the two humidifiers 39 and 41 become equal to their output capacities. In contrast, in the third control example, as... Figure 5 As shown, when the required output is at its maximum (MV value is 100%), the combined output value of the two humidifiers 39 and 41 becomes equal to the output capacity Hl (100W) of the second humidifier 41. That is, in the third control example, the output of the humidifier 35 is distributed to each of the humidifiers 39 and 41 in the ratio of the output capacity of the first humidifier 39 to the second humidifier 41. Therefore, the output value of the two humidifiers 39 and 41 is different from that in equation (1) and can be expressed as in equation (11).

[0073] Hl·MV=Hl·MV(x)+Hs·MV(y) (11)

[0074] At this time, the output ratio of each humidifier heater is expressed by the following equations (12) and (13).

[0075]

[0076]

[0077] In the third control example, the second humidifier heater 41 is also stopped when the value of MV is below the value MVc, therefore, MV(x) = 0. Therefore, according to equation (11), the following equation (14) is obtained.

[0078]

[0079] In other words, when the humidification control unit 43 requests an output of a size belonging to the first region, it controls the first humidification heater 39 to change the output of the first humidification heater 39 in a manner that corresponds to the rate of change of a coefficient corresponding to the ratio of the output capacity Hl of the second humidification heater 41 to the output capacity Hs of the first humidification heater 39.

[0080] On the other hand, when the MV value is MVC, the first humidifier heater 39 becomes the maximum output and MV = 1, thus obtaining the following equation (15).

[0081]

[0082] That is, in the third control example, the value of the required output MVc when the required output changes from the size belonging to the first region to the size belonging to the second region and the second humidifier heater 41 starts to work is also determined based on the ratio of the output capacity Hs of the first humidifier heater 39 to the total output capacity H of the two humidifier heaters 39, 41.

[0083] In the third control example, when the value of MV is above the value of MVc, the output of the first humidifier heater 39 becomes a constant value with the maximum output (MV=1). Therefore, by applying equation (13) to equation (11), the following equation (16) is obtained.

[0084]

[0085] As explained above, in the third control example, the output ratio MV(x) of the second humidifier heater 41 and the output ratio MV(y) of the first humidifier heater 39 are expressed as follows.

[0086]

[0087]

[0088] in,

[0089] <Fourth Control Example>

[0090] In the third control example, when the value of MV is MVc, the output of the first humidifier heater 39 becomes the maximum output. In contrast, in the fourth control example, when the value of MV is MVc, the first humidifier heater 39 is not set to the maximum output but is set to a value less than the maximum output. Let A[%] be the output ratio of the first humidifier heater 39 when the value of MV is MVc, then it can be expressed as follows.

[0091]

[0092] in,

[0093] That is, in the fourth control example, the value of the required output MVc when the required output changes from the size belonging to the first region to the size belonging to the second region and the second humidifier heater 41 starts to work is determined based on the ratio of the output capacity Hs of the first humidifier heater 39 to the output capacity Hl of the second humidifier heater 41.

[0094] In the fourth control example, MV(x) also changes linearly with respect to changes in the value of MV. That is, in the fourth control example, as... Figure 6 As shown, the output of the first humidifying heater 39 changes linearly between the value of MVc and the value of MV100%.

[0095] As explained above, in the fourth control example, the output ratio MV(x) of the second humidifier heater 41 and the output ratio MV(y) of the first humidifier heater 39 are expressed as follows.

[0096]

[0097]

[0098] in, and

[0099] As explained above, in this embodiment, when the required output is the size that converges to the first region, the second humidifier heater 41 is stopped, while the first humidifier heater 39 is controlled according to the required output size. Therefore, when the required output is the size belonging to the first region, heater control can be performed with a smaller heater output compared to the case where both humidifier heaters 39 and 41 are operating. Therefore, humidification control is suitable for the first region, which corresponds to a lower humidity level. On the other hand, when the required output is the size belonging to the second region, the first humidifier heater 39 operates, and the second humidifier heater 41 is controlled according to the required output size. Therefore, humidification control can also be appropriately performed in the case of the second region, which corresponds to a higher humidity level. In particular, since the second humidifier heater 41 has an output capacity greater than that of the first humidifier heater 39, more efficient humidification control is possible. Furthermore, since the first humidifier heater 39 operates continuously between the required output size belonging to the first region and the required output size belonging to the second region, it can suppress humidity fluctuations that could occur when switching from humidification control using the first humidifier heater 39 to humidification control using the second humidifier heater 41, or vice versa. Moreover, when the required output size belongs to the first region, the first humidifier heater 39 is controlled according to the required output size, thus eliminating the need to adjust the water level in the humidification container 37. Therefore, a water level adjustment mechanism is unnecessary.

[0100] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even when a decrease in output is required, humidity inconsistencies are unlikely to occur, particularly when the output is required to transition from a state belonging to the second region to a state belonging to the first region. That is, if control is switched from humidification using the second humidifier heater 41 to humidification using the first humidifier heater 39 when the output is required to transition from a state belonging to the second region, humidity control would become inconsistent due to the time lag until the first humidifier heater 39 heats up. In contrast, in this embodiment, where the first humidifier heater 39 operates even when the output is required to be in the second region, the first humidifier heater 39 has already heated up when the output is required to transition to the first region, thus preventing humidity control inconsistencies. Moreover, since humidity control is performed using the first humidifier heater 39 with a small output capacity when the output is required to be in the first region, fine-tuning of humidity can be performed without causing humidity inconsistencies.

[0101] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the MV value is greater than or equal to MVc, i.e., when the required output is within the second region, the output of the first humidifier heater 39 becomes a constant value or changes linearly according to the required output size. Therefore, controlling the first humidifier heater 39 when the required output is within the second region becomes simple.

[0102] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the required output is the size belonging to the second region, the output of the second humidifier heater 41 becomes the output value obtained by subtracting the output value of the first humidifier heater 39 from the total heater output value based on the required output. Therefore, the output of the second humidifier heater 41 can be easily calculated, and the control of the second humidifier heater 41 becomes simple.

[0103] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the value MVc is determined based on the ratio of the output capacity Hs of the first humidifier heater 39 to the total output capacity H of the two humidifier heaters 39 and 41, or the ratio of the output capacity Hs of the first humidifier heater 39 to the output capacity Hl of the second humidifier heater 41. That is, the time when the second humidifier heater 41 is operated is set to a value based on these ratios. Therefore, the time when the second humidifier heater 41 is operated is the time corresponding to the required output value corresponding to the load proportion shared by the first humidifier heater 39. Therefore, it is suitable for cases where the total output value of the two humidifier heaters 39 and 41 varies linearly with respect to the required output in the first and second regions, respectively.

[0104] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the first region, the output of the first humidifying heater 39 varies at a rate corresponding to the ratio of the output capacity Hl of the second humidifying heater 41 to the output capacity Hs of the first humidifying heater 39, or at a rate corresponding to the ratio of the total output capacity H of the two humidifying heaters 39 and 41 to the output capacity Hs of the first humidifying heater 39. Therefore, it is suitable for cases where the heater output varies linearly from the first region to the second region.

[0105] Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative at all points and not intended to be limiting. This invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from its spirit. In the described embodiments, the control of the first humidifier heater 39 and the second humidifier heater 41 is separated into two regions based on the required output size, but this is not a limitation. For example, it may be divided into three regions based on the required output size. In this case, there exists a third region where the required output is greater than that of the second region (higher humidity), and the second region becomes the range up to a value slightly lower than the maximum required output. In the third region, for example, the first humidifier heater 39 is stopped, resulting in control different from that of the second region.

[0106] In the described embodiment, the second humidifier heater 41 has an output capacity greater than that of the first humidifier heater 39, but is not limited thereto. For example, the output capacity of the second humidifier heater 41 may also be the same as that of the first humidifier heater 39.

[0107] In the described embodiment, the boundary between the first region and the second region is determined based on the ratio of the output capacity Hs of the first humidifier 39 relative to the total output capacity H, or the ratio of the output capacity Hs of the first humidifier 39 relative to the output capacity Hl of the second humidifier 41, but is not limited thereto. The boundary between the first region and the second region can be any value.

[0108] Here, the implementation method is described in summary.

[0109] (1) The humidification device according to the embodiment includes: a humidification container into which water for humidifying the test chamber is contained; a first humidification heater for heating the water contained in the humidification container; a second humidification heater having an output capacity greater than or equal to that of the first humidification heater for heating the water contained in the humidification container; and a humidification control unit for controlling the first humidification heater and the second humidification heater. The humidification control unit causes the first humidification heater to operate continuously when the required output is a size belonging to a first region and when the required output is a size belonging to a second region higher than the first region. Furthermore, when the required output is a size belonging to the first region, the second humidification heater is stopped and the first humidification heater is controlled according to the required output size. When the required output is a size belonging to the second region, the second humidification heater is controlled according to the required output size while the first humidification heater is operating.

[0110] In the humidification device, when the required output is the size of the first region, the second humidification heater is stopped, while the first humidification heater is controlled according to the required output size. Therefore, when the required output is the size of the first region, heater control can be performed with a smaller heater output compared to the case where both humidification heaters are operating. Thus, humidification control is suitable for the first region, which corresponds to a lower humidity level. On the other hand, when the required output is the size of the second region, the first humidification heater operates, and the second humidification heater is controlled according to the required output size. Therefore, humidification control can also be appropriately performed in the case of the second region, which corresponds to a higher humidity level. In particular, when the second humidification heater has an output capacity greater than that of the first humidification heater, more efficient humidification control can be achieved. Moreover, since the first humidification heater operates continuously between the cases where the required output is the size of the first region and the cases where it is the size of the second region, humidity fluctuations that could occur when switching from humidification control using the first humidification heater to humidification control using the second humidification heater, or vice versa, can be suppressed. Furthermore, when the required output size falls within the first region, the first humidifier heater is controlled according to the required output size; therefore, there is no need to adjust the water level in the humidifier container. Consequently, there is no need to install a water level adjustment mechanism.

[0111] (2) The output capacity of the first humidifier heater may also be less than the output capacity of the second humidifier heater. In this case, the humidification control unit may, when the required output decreases, switch from a state belonging to the second region to a state belonging to the first region, continue to operate the first humidifier heater without stopping, but stop the second humidifier heater.

[0112] In this configuration, humidity instability is less likely to occur when the output is required to decrease, or when the output is required to switch from a state belonging to the second region to a state belonging to the first region. That is, if control is performed to switch from heating using the second humidifier heater to heating using the first humidifier heater when the output is required to switch from a state belonging to the second region to a state belonging to the first region, humidity control will become chaotic due to the time lag before the first humidifier heater heats up. In contrast, in the configuration where the first humidifier heater is also operating when the output is required to be in the second region, the first humidifier heater has already been heated when the output is required to switch to the state belonging to the first region, thus preventing humidity control instability. Furthermore, humidity control is performed using a first humidifier heater with a small output capacity when the output is required to be in the first region, thus allowing for fine-tuning of humidity without humidity instability.

[0113] (3) The humidification control unit may also control the first humidification heater in a way that makes the output of the first humidification heater a constant value or in a way that changes linearly according to the change in the required output size when the required output size is required to be the size of the second region.

[0114] In this configuration, the control of the first humidifier heater 39 when the output is required to be in the state of the second region becomes simple.

[0115] (4) The humidification control unit may also control the second humidification heater in such a way that the output value of the second humidification heater is the output value of the total heater output value based on the required output minus the output value of the first humidification heater when the required output is the size belonging to the second region.

[0116] In this configuration, when the required output falls within the second region, the output of the second humidifier is a constant value or a value that varies linearly according to the magnitude of the required output. The output of the second humidifier is determined based on the output of the first humidifier. Therefore, the output of the second humidifier can be easily calculated. Consequently, the control of the second humidifier also becomes simple.

[0117] (5) The required output value when switching between the first region and the second region may also be determined based on the ratio of the output capacity of the first humidifier to the total output capacity of the two heaters, or the ratio of the output capacity of the first humidifier to the output capacity of the second humidifier.

[0118] In this configuration, the required output value at the boundary between the first and second regions is determined based on the ratio of the output capacity of the first humidifier to the total output capacity of the two heaters, or the ratio of the output capacity of the second humidifier to the total output capacity of the two heaters. In other words, the time when the second humidifier is activated is set based on these ratios. Therefore, the time when the second humidifier is activated is the time when the required output value corresponds to the load proportion shared by the first humidifier. Thus, this configuration is suitable for cases where the total output value of the two humidifiers varies linearly with respect to the required output in both the first and second regions.

[0119] (6) The humidification control unit may also control the first humidification heater to change the output of the first humidification heater in a manner that changes the required output size in accordance with the size of the first region when the required output size is required. The change rate of the coefficient is either the change rate of a coefficient corresponding to the ratio of the output capacity of the second humidification heater to the output capacity of the first humidification heater, or the change rate of a coefficient corresponding to the ratio of the total output capacity of the two humidification heaters to the output capacity of the first humidification heater.

[0120] In this configuration, the required output at the boundary between the first and second regions is determined based on the output capacity of the first and second humidifiers, and the first humidifier in the first region is controlled by a rate of change determined based on a coefficient of the combined output capacity of the two heaters or the output capacity of the second humidifier. Therefore, this configuration is suitable for situations where the heater output varies linearly across the range from the first to the second region.

[0121] (7) The environmental testing apparatus involved in the embodiment includes: a test chamber; and the humidification device for humidifying the test chamber.

[0122] As explained above, it can suppress the confusion in humidity control between areas with different required output sizes of the heater.

Claims

1. A humidifying device, comprising: A humidification container, into which water is filled to humidify the test chamber; A first humidifying heater is used to heat the water contained in the humidifying container; The second humidifier heater, having an output capacity greater than or equal to that of the first humidifier heater, is used to heat water contained in the humidifier container; as well as, The humidification control unit is used to control the first humidification heater and the second humidification heater, wherein... The humidification control unit causes the first humidification heater to operate continuously when the required output is within a first region and when the required output is within a second region higher than the first region. Furthermore, when the required output is within the first region, the second humidification heater is stopped while the first humidification heater is controlled according to the required output size. When the required output is within the second region, the second humidification heater is controlled according to the required output size while the first humidification heater is operating. The humidification device is characterized in that... When the required output is of a size belonging to the second region, the humidification control unit controls the first humidification heater in such a way that the output of the first humidification heater is a constant value or in such a way that it changes linearly according to the size of the required output. Furthermore, the unit controls the output value of the second humidification heater to be the output value obtained by subtracting the output value of the first humidification heater from the total output value based on the required output, so that the total output value of the first and second humidification heaters changes linearly relative to the required output.

2. A humidifying device, comprising: A humidification container, into which water is filled to humidify the test chamber; A first humidifying heater is used to heat the water contained in the humidifying container; The second humidifier heater, having an output capacity greater than or equal to that of the first humidifier heater, is used to heat water contained in the humidifier container; as well as, The humidification control unit is used to control the first humidification heater and the second humidification heater, wherein... The humidification control unit causes the first humidification heater to operate continuously when the required output is within a first region and when the required output is within a second region higher than the first region. Furthermore, when the required output is within the first region, the second humidification heater is stopped while the first humidification heater is controlled according to the required output size. When the required output is within the second region, the second humidification heater is controlled according to the required output size while the first humidification heater is operating. The humidification device is characterized in that... When the first humidifier and the second humidifier are controlled in such a way that the output values ​​of the two heaters are equal to the combined output capacity of the two heaters when the required output is maximized, the required output value when switching between the first region and the second region is determined based on the ratio of the output capacity of the first humidifier to the combined output capacity of the two heaters.

3. The humidification device according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the humidification control unit requests an output of a size belonging to the first region, it controls the first humidification heater to change its output in a manner that corresponds to the change rate of a coefficient as shown below. This coefficient is either a rate of change corresponding to the ratio of the output capacity of the second humidification heater to the output capacity of the first humidification heater, or a rate of change corresponding to the ratio of the combined output capacity of the two humidification heaters to the output capacity of the first humidification heater. The humidification control unit causes the outputs of the first humidification heater and the second humidification heater to vary linearly with respect to the required output size from the first region where the second humidification heater stops to the second region where the second humidification heater operates.

4. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The output capacity of the first humidifier heater is smaller than the output capacity of the second humidifier heater. When the humidification control unit requests a decrease in output, and the requested output changes from a state belonging to the second region to a state belonging to the first region, it causes the first humidification heater to continue operating without stopping, but stops the second humidification heater.

5. An environmental testing apparatus, characterized in that... include: Laboratory; as well as, The humidification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is used to humidify the test chamber.

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