Environment testing machine

Abstract

To provide an environment testing machine that improves test accuracy in environment testing and reduces costs.SOLUTION: An environment testing machine conducts environment testing with respect to a sample. The environment testing machine comprises: a test tank; a lamp light source emitting light in the test tank; a cooling water tank which stores cooling water for cooling the lamp light source, and incorporates a cooling device for cooling the cooling water; a humidity generator for generating prescribed humidity in the test tank; a first channel for supplying cooling water from the cooling water tank toward the lamp light source; a second channel for returning cooling water from the lamp light source toward the cooling water tank; and a third channel for supplying a part of the cooling water flowing through the first channel or through the second channel toward the humidity generator. The humidity generator uses the cooling water supplied from the third channel to generate humidity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an environmental test machine for performing an environmental test on a sample. [Background technology]

[0002] One example of an environmental test machine that performs environmental tests on various samples is a weathering test machine that evaluates the degree of deterioration of the sample (material) (performs weathering tests) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Specifically, this weathering test machine artificially reproduces accelerated environmental conditions (accelerated test environment) by irradiating various samples with light from a light source (artificial light source) that replaces the sun, in addition to temperature and humidity conditions and water spray, and performs the above-mentioned weathering tests as environmental tests.

[0003] In such weather resistance testers, generally, a lamp light source such as a xenon arc lamp, sunshine carbon arc lamp, ultraviolet carbon arc lamp, metal halide lamp or ultraviolet fluorescent lamp, LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamp, etc. is arranged in a test chamber capable of adjusting temperature and humidity and spraying water. Then, tests are performed for about several hours to several thousand hours under the above accelerated environmental conditions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3110204 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, in environmental test machines such as weather resistance test machines, there is generally a demand for improving the test accuracy during environmental testing and reducing costs.

[0006] It is desirable to provide an environmental test machine that can reduce costs while improving the test accuracy during environmental testing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An environmental tester according to an embodiment of the present invention is an environmental tester for performing an environmental test on a sample, and includes a test tank, a lamp light source that emits light in the test tank, a cooling water tank that stores cooling water for cooling the lamp light source and has a cooling device built in for cooling the cooling water, a humidity generator that generates a predetermined humidity in the test tank, a first flow path for supplying the cooling water from the cooling water tank to the lamp light source, a second flow path for returning the cooling water from the lamp light source to the cooling water tank, and a third flow path for supplying a part of the cooling water flowing on the first flow path or the second flow path to the humidity generator. The humidity generator generates humidity using the cooling water supplied from the third flow path. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to an environmental test machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to reduce costs while improving the test accuracy during environmental testing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a weather resistance tester as an environmental tester according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the schematic configuration of a weather resistance tester according to a comparative example. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flow chart showing an example of control for switching an open / closed state of a valve according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of switching control of an open / closed state of another valve according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a weather resistance tester as an environmental tester according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description will be given in the following order. 1. Implementation form (Example of weather resistance tester in which part of the cooling water returning from the lamp light source to the cooling water tank is supplied to the humidity generator, sprayer, and cleaning unit, respectively) 2. Modification (Example of weather resistance tester in which part of the cooling water supplied from the cooling water tank to the lamp light source is supplied to the humidity generator, sprayer, and cleaning unit, respectively) 3. Other Modifications

[0011] <1. Preferred embodiment> [composition] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the general configuration of a weathering tester 1 as an environmental tester according to an embodiment of the present invention. The weathering tester 1 performs weathering tests under accelerated environmental conditions on samples (test pieces) 9 made of various materials placed in a test tank 10.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, this weather resistance tester 1 is equipped with a lamp light source 11 in a test chamber 10 in which the temperature, humidity, etc. can be adjusted. As shown in Fig. 1, the weather resistance tester 1 also includes a cooling water tank 12, a humidity generator 13, a sprayer 14, a cleaning unit 15, valves 161, 162, water level sensors 171, 172, pumps 181, 182, a control unit 19, and flow paths Fcin, Fc (Fc1, Fc2), and Fhin.

[0013] The lamp light source 11 is disposed, for example, near the center of the test chamber 10. The lamp light source 11 radiates light Lout to the surroundings (towards the sample 9) within the test chamber 10. The lamp light source 11 is configured, for example, with a xenon arc lamp, a metal halide lamp, an ultraviolet fluorescent lamp, an LED lamp, or the like. Each sample 9 is adapted to be mounted, for example, on a sample holder (not shown).

[0014] The cooling water tank 12 is a tank that stores the cooling water Wc for cooling the lamp light source 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling water tank 12 includes a cooling device 120 for cooling the cooling water Wc. The surface temperature of the lamp light source 11 is, for example, about 800° C., and is constantly cooled by the cooling water Wc. The cooling device 120 controls the temperature of the cooling water Wc to a predetermined temperature WcT [° C.] (a temperature determined between a temperature above room temperature (for example, 40° C.) and a temperature below the boiling point (for example, 80° C.)). The temperature of the cooling water (cooling water Wc2 that has returned to the cooling water tank 12 via a flow path Fc2 described later) after cooling the lamp light source 11 is higher than the above-mentioned temperature WcT due to the heat of the lamp light source 11. Therefore, for example, when the temperature of the cooling water Wc in the cooling water tank 12 detected by a temperature sensor in the cooling water tank 12 exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature, the cooling device 120 is operated to cool the cooling water Wc in the cooling water tank 12 to about the above-mentioned temperature WcT. Note that, as will be described in detail later, water Wcin (pure water) at room temperature (e.g., 25°C) is automatically supplied to the cooling water tank 12 from outside the weather resistance tester 1 via a flow path Fcin (and a valve 161 described later).

[0015] 1, the flow path Fc is a flow path (circulation flow path) that connects the cooling water tank 12 and the lamp light source 11, and is composed of two flow paths Fc1 and Fc2. The flow path Fc1 is a flow path (supply flow path) for supplying the cooling water Wc1 from the cooling water tank 12 to the lamp light source 11. On the other hand, the flow path Fc2 is a flow path (return flow path) for returning the cooling water Wc2 heated by the lamp light source 11 from the lamp light source 11 to the cooling water tank 12.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the flow path Fhin is a flow path (branch flow path) for supplying a portion of the cooling water Wc2 flowing on the flow path Fc2 toward the humidity generator 13, the sprayer 14, and the cleaning unit 15 described later.

[0017] Here, the above-mentioned flow paths Fc1 and Fc2 correspond to specific examples of the "first flow path" and the "second flow path" in the present invention, respectively. Also, the above-mentioned flow path Fhin corresponds to a specific example of the "third flow path" in the present invention.

[0018] 1, the humidity generator 13 is a device that generates a predetermined humidity in the test chamber 10. The humidity generator 13 generates humidity by performing a heat treatment with a built-in heater 130 using water Wh stored therein (heated cooling water Wc2 supplied from the above-mentioned flow path Fhin).

[0019] 1, the sprayer 14 is a device that generates a spray in the test tank 10. This sprayer 14 also sprays water onto the sample 9 using the heated cooling water Wc2 supplied from the above-mentioned flow path Fhin.

[0020] The cleaning unit 15 is a unit that cleans predetermined members (such as various sensors and the inner wall of the test chamber) in the weather resistance tester 1. This cleaning unit 15 also uses the heated cooling water Wc2 supplied from the above-mentioned flow path Fhin to perform a cleaning process for such members.

[0021] In this manner, in the weather resistance testing machine 1 of this embodiment, a portion of the (heated) cooling water Wc2 flowing through the flow path Fc2 is supplied via the flow path Fhin to the humidity generator 13 as well as to at least one of the sprayer 14 and the cleaning unit 15.

[0022] 1, the valve 161 is disposed on the above-mentioned flow path Fcin (the water supply path of the water Wcin from the outside of the weather resistance tester 1 to the cooling water tank 12). The details of this valve 161 will be described later (FIG. 3), but it is a valve that switches between a supply state and a cut-off state of the water Wcin to the cooling water tank 12.

[0023] 1, the valve 162 is disposed on the above-mentioned flow path Fhin (a flow path for supplying a portion of the cooling water Wc2 flowing on the flow path Fc2 toward the humidity generator 13, the sprayer 14, and the cleaning unit 15). The details of this valve 162 will be described later (FIG. 4), but it is a valve that switches between a supply state and a cut-off state of the (heated) cooling water Wc2 toward the humidity generator 13 (as well as the sprayer 14 and the cleaning unit 15).

[0024] The valve 162 corresponds to one specific example of a "valve" of the present invention.

[0025] 1, the water level sensor 171 is a sensor that detects the water level Lwc of the cooling water Wc stored in the cooling water tank 12. As shown in Fig. 1, the water level sensor 172 is a sensor that detects the water level Lwh of the water Wh (cooling water Wc2 supplied from the flow path Fhin) in the humidity generator 13. Note that output signals of the water levels Lwc and Lwh detected by the water level sensors 171 and 172 in this manner are each transmitted to the control unit 19.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the pump 181 is disposed on the flow path Fc1 (a flow path for supplying the cooling water Wc1 from the cooling water tank 12 toward the lamp light source 11). The pump 181 is a pump that applies a predetermined pressure to the cooling water Wc1 flowing on the flow path Fc1. The pump 182 is disposed on the flow path Fhin (a flow path for supplying a part of the cooling water Wc2 flowing on the flow path Fc2 toward the humidity generator 13, which will be described later, etc.) before the valve 162 (at a position closer to the lamp light source 11 than the valve 162). The pump 182 is a pump that applies a predetermined pressure to the cooling water Wc2 (the cooling water Wc2 heated by the lamp light source 11) flowing on the flow path Fchin.

[0027] The control unit 19 is a part that controls the overall operation of the weather resistance tester 1. As one of such control operations, the control unit 19 has a function of controlling the irradiance of the sample 9 by controlling the radiation intensity of the lamp light source 11, for example.

[0028] Furthermore, the control unit 19, the details of which will be described later (FIGS. 3 and 4), controls the switching between the open state and the closed state of each of the valves 161, 162 described above in accordance with the water levels Lwc, Lwh detected by the water level sensors 171, 172. As a result, water supply control (of water Wcin) is automatically performed from the outside of the weather resistance tester 1 to the inside of the cooling water tank 12 in accordance with the water level of the cooling water Wc stored in the cooling water tank 12. Furthermore, water supply control (of cooling water Wc2) is automatically performed from the flow path Fhin to the inside of the humidity generator 13 in accordance with the water level Lwh of the water Wh in the humidity generator 13.

[0029] [Operation and Effects] (A.Basic movement) In this weather resistance tester 1, light Lout is emitted from a lamp light source 11 in a test chamber 10 as necessary. At this time, the light Lout is irradiated onto each sample 9 under accelerated environmental conditions (accelerated test environment). By irradiating the light Lout in this manner for a predetermined test time (for example, about several hours to several thousand hours), the degree of deterioration of each sample 9 (material) is evaluated and a weather resistance test is performed.

[0030] During such weather resistance testing, the control unit 19 controls the radiation intensity of the lamp light source 11 to control the irradiance of the sample 9. This controls the discharge power of the lamp light source 11, ensuring stable radiation operation.

[0031] (B. Actions and Effects of Flow Channels, etc.) Next, with reference to Figs. 2 to 4 in addition to Fig. 1, the action and effect of the flow path Fhin etc. in the weather resistance tester 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail while comparing with a comparative example.

[0032] (B-1. Comparative example) FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the general configuration of a weather resistance tester (weather resistance tester 101) according to a comparative example.

[0033] In the weather resistance tester 101 of the comparative example, a part of the (heated) cooling water Wc2 flowing through the flow path Fc2 in the weather resistance tester 1 of the present embodiment is not supplied to the humidity generator 13, and a valve 106 and a control unit 109 are provided instead of the valve 162 and the control unit 19. In addition, unlike the weather resistance tester 1, the weather resistance tester 101 is configured such that room temperature water Whin is automatically supplied from the outside of the weather resistance tester 101 to the humidity generator 13 through the flow path Fhin and the valve 106. Specifically, the control unit 109 uses the control signal CTL0 to control the switching between the open state and the closed state of the valve 106 according to the water level Lwh in the humidity generator 13 detected by the water level sensor 172. In addition, the supply of room temperature water Wcin from outside the weather resistance tester 101 to the cooling water tank 12 is performed manually, unlike in the case of the weather resistance tester 1, since the cooling water Wc stored in the cooling water tank 12 hardly decreases and the frequency of water supply is low.

[0034] In this way, in the weather resistance tester 101 of the comparative example, the water supply to the humidity generator 13 and the water supply for cooling the lamp are carried out separately, which may cause problems such as the following.

[0035] That is, first, room temperature water Whin is supplied to water Wh in the humidity generator 13 that has been heated to about 100°C to generate steam, and the supply of this room temperature water Whin causes a drop in the temperature of the water Wh in the humidity generator 13, which may disrupt the humidity control in the humidity generator 13. Furthermore, the temperature of room temperature water Whin is affected by the outside air temperature, and the water temperature fluctuates greatly depending on the season, for example, being 30°C in summer and 5°C in winter, and the extent to which the humidity control is disrupted may vary depending on the season. If the humidity control in the humidity generator 13 is disrupted in this way, the test accuracy will decrease during the weather resistance test.

[0036] In order to prevent such a drop in the temperature of the water supplied to the humidity generator 13 (to increase the temperature of the water supplied to the humidity generator 13), for example, a method of attaching a separate member (such as a water supply heating unit) to the humidity generator 13 may be considered, but in that case, the following problem arises. That is, since such a separate member is separately provided, the cost of the weather resistance tester 101 increases.

[0037] Thus, with the weather resistance tester 101 of the comparative example, it can be said that it is difficult to reduce costs while improving the test accuracy during weather resistance testing (environmental testing).

[0038] (B-2. This embodiment) In contrast, in the weather resistance tester 1 of this embodiment, a portion of the cooling water Wc2 flowing on a flow path Fc2 for returning the cooling water Wc2 from the lamp light source 11 in the test chamber 10 toward the cooling water tank 12 is supplied to the humidity generator 13 via the flow path Fhin. Then, in this humidity generator 13, humidity is generated using the cooling water Wc2 supplied from the flow path Fhin.

[0039] In this manner, in the present embodiment, the cooling water Wc2 heated by the lamp light source 11 is supplied to the humidity generator 13, so that the exhaust heat of the lamp light source 11 can be reused. Therefore, unlike the case in which room temperature water Whin is supplied to the humidity generator 13 from outside the weather resistance tester 101 as in the above comparative example, the present embodiment is as follows. That is, in the present embodiment, the disturbance of humidity control caused by the drop in temperature of the water Wh in the humidity generator 13 due to the supply of room temperature water Whin as described above is prevented.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to prevent disturbances in humidity control caused by a drop in the temperature of the water Wh in the humidity generator 13 due to the supply of such room temperature water Whin, it is not necessary to attach a separate component (such as a water supply heating unit) to the humidity generator 13, for example as described above.

[0041] For these reasons, the weather resistance tester 1 of this embodiment makes it possible to reduce costs while improving the test accuracy during weather resistance testing (environmental testing) compared to the comparative example weather resistance tester 101, etc.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the heating process in the heating device 130 in the humidity generator 13 does not require heating from room temperature (e.g., 25°C: water Whin) to about 100°C as in the above comparative example, but requires heating from the temperature of the heated cooling water Wc2 to about 100°C, which results in the following: In other words, in this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the power consumption during such heating process compared to the above comparative example.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the water supply mechanism for the humidity generator 13 and the water supply mechanism for cooling the lamp can be integrated, so that the structure can be simplified compared to the above-mentioned comparative example in which these water supply mechanisms are provided separately, which also makes it possible to reduce costs.

[0044] In this embodiment, a part of the cooling water Wc2 flowing through the flow path Fc2 is supplied via the flow path Fhin to at least one of the sprayer 14 and the cleaning unit 15 (both in the example of FIG. 1) in addition to the humidity generator 13, so that the following is obtained: That is, the cooling water Wc2 heated by the lamp light source 11 is used when the sprayer 14 generates a spray or when cleaning the above-mentioned specific members, so that the temperature of the water sprayed onto the sample 9 can be kept constant to improve the accuracy of the test, and impurities such as chlorides can be washed away more efficiently than with water at room temperature.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a valve 162 is provided on the above-mentioned flow path Fhin, making it possible to switch between a supply state and a cut-off state of the cooling water Wc2 to the humidity generator 13 (as well as the sprayer 14 and the cleaning unit 15) at any time.

[0046] In addition, in this embodiment, the valve 162 is controlled to switch between the open state and the closed state according to the water level Lwh of the water Wh in the humidity generator 13, so that appropriate switching control can be performed according to the water level Lwh. This makes it possible to improve convenience during weather resistance testing.

[0047] In this embodiment, the water supply is automatically controlled (via the valve 161) from the outside of the weather resistance tester 1 into the cooling water tank 12 according to the water level Lwc of the cooling water Wc stored in the cooling water tank 12, as follows. That is, it is possible to automatically eliminate the drop in the water level Lwc in the cooling water tank 12 that occurs when a part of the cooling water Wc2 is supplied to the humidity generator 13 (as well as the sprayer 14 and the cleaning unit 15). In addition, the room temperature water Wcin is automatically supplied into the cooling water tank 12, so that the temperature of the cooling water Wc in the cooling water tank 12 drops, and therefore the amount of cooling of the cooling water Wc by the cooling device 120 can be reduced, and power consumption during the cooling process can also be reduced.

[0048] Here, FIG. 3 shows an example of the switching control of the opening / closing state of the valve 161 according to the present embodiment in a flowchart. Further, FIG. 4 shows an example of the switching control of the opening / closing state of the valve 162 according to the present embodiment in a flowchart.

[0049] In the switching control example of the valve 161 shown in FIG. 3, first, the control unit 19 sets the valve 161 to the closed state using the control signal CTL1 (step S10). As a result, the water supply Wcin from the outside of the weather resistance tester 1 into the cooling water tank 12 is set to the blocked state. Next, the control unit 19 determines whether the water level Lwc (the water level of the cooling water Wc stored in the cooling water tank 12) output from the water level sensor 171 is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value Lth1 (Lwc≧Lth1) (step S11). Here, if it is determined that the water level Lwc is equal to or higher than the threshold value Lth1 (step S11: Y), the process returns to step S10 described above.

[0050] On the other hand, if it is determined that the water level Lwc is less than the threshold value Lth1 (Lwc < Lth1) (step S11: N), then the control unit 19 next sets the valve 161 to the open state using the control signal CTL1 (step S12). As a result, the water supply Wcin from the outside of the weather resistance tester 1 into the cooling water tank 12 is set to the supply state. That is, the automatic water supply by the water Wcin to the cooling water tank 12 is executed. After that, the process returns to step S11 described above. With the above, the description of the switching control example of the valve 161 shown in FIG. 3 is completed.

[0051] Also, in the switching control example of the valve 162 shown in FIG. 4, first, the control unit 19 sets the valve 162 to the closed state using the control signal CTL2 (step S20). As a result, the supply of (heated) cooling water Wc2 to the humidity generator 13 (as well as the atomizer 14 and the cleaning unit 15) via the flow path Fhin is set to the blocked state. Next, the control unit 19 determines whether the water level Lwh output from the water level sensor 172 (the water level of the water Wh in the humidity generator 13) is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value Lth2 (Lwh ≧ Lth2) (step S21). Here, if it is determined that the water level Lwh is equal to or higher than the threshold value Lth2 (step S21: Y), the process returns to step S20 described above.

[0052] On the other hand, if it is determined that the water level Lwh is less than the threshold value Lth2 (Lwh < Lth2) (step S21: N), then the control unit 19 sets the valve 162 to the open state using the control signal CTL2 (step S22). As a result, the supply of (heated) cooling water Wc2 to the humidity generator 13 (as well as the atomizer 14 and the cleaning unit 15) via the flow path Fhin is set to the supply state. That is, the automatic water supply to the humidity generator 13 (as well as the atomizer 14 and the cleaning unit 15) with the cooling water Wc2 is executed. Thereafter, the process returns to step S21 described above. With the above, the description of the switching control example of the valve 162 shown in FIG. 4 is completed.

[0053] <2. Modification Example> Subsequently, a modification example of the above-described embodiment will be described. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0054] (Configuration) Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the general configuration of a weather resistance tester 1A as an environmental tester according to a modified example. In this modified example, the arrangement of the flow path Fhin in the weather resistance tester 1 according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is partially changed, and the pump 182 described above is not provided (is omitted), but the other configurations are basically the same.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 5, the flow path Fhin is a flow path (branch flow path) for supplying a part of the cooling water Wc1 flowing on the flow path Fc1 toward the humidity generator 13, the sprayer 14, and the cleaning unit 15. That is, in the weather resistance tester 1 shown in Fig. 1, the flow path Fhin is a flow path for supplying a part of the cooling water Wc2 flowing on the flow path Fc2 toward the humidity generator 13, etc., whereas the flow path Fhin in this weather resistance tester 1A supplies a part of the cooling water Wc1 flowing on the flow path Fc1 toward the humidity generator 13, etc. In other words, in the weather resistance tester 1, a part of the cooling water Wc2 returning from the lamp light source 11 toward the cooling water tank 12 is supplied to the humidity generator 13, etc. via the flow path Fhin, whereas in the weather resistance tester 1A, a part of the cooling water Wc1 supplied from the cooling water tank 12 toward the lamp light source 11 is supplied to the humidity generator 13, etc. via the flow path Fhin.

[0056] (Action and effect) In the weather resistance tester 1A of this modified configuration as well, the same effects can be obtained by basically operating in the same manner as the weather resistance tester 1 of the embodiment.

[0057] Specifically, as described above, in the weather resistance tester 1A, a part of the cooling water Wc1 flowing on the flow path Fc1 for supplying the cooling water Wc1 from the cooling water tank 12 toward the lamp light source 11 is supplied via the flow path Fhin toward the humidity generator 13, etc. Then, in the humidity generator 13, humidity is generated using the cooling water Wc1 supplied from the flow path Fhin.

[0058] In this manner, in this modified example, the cooling water Wc2 whose temperature has been controlled by the cooling device 120 in the cooling water tank 12 is supplied to the humidity generator 13, etc. Therefore, in this modified example as well, unlike the case in which room temperature water Whin is supplied to the humidity generator 13 from outside the weather resistance tester 101 as in the comparative example described above, the following occurs: That is, in this modified example as well, as in the embodiment described above, disturbances in humidity control caused by a drop in the temperature of the water Wh in the humidity generator 13 due to the supply of room temperature water Whin is prevented.

[0059] Furthermore, in this modified example as well, as in the previously described embodiment, it is not necessary to attach a separate component (such as a water supply heating unit) to the humidity generator 13 in order to prevent disturbances in humidity control caused by a drop in the temperature of the water Wh in the humidity generator 13 due to the supply of such room temperature water Whin.

[0060] For these reasons, the weather resistance tester 1A of this modified example also makes it possible to reduce costs while improving the test accuracy during weather resistance testing (environmental testing) compared to the comparative example weather resistance tester 101, etc.

[0061] Furthermore, in particular, the weather resistance tester 1A (FIG. 5) of this modified example differs from the weather resistance tester 1 (FIG. 1) of the embodiment in that it is not necessary to provide a pump 182 on the flow path Fhin (sufficient pressure is applied to the cooling water Wc1 flowing on the flow path Fhin even without providing the pump 182), which results in the following: In other words, in this modified example, it is possible to further reduce costs compared to the embodiment.

[0062] <3. Other Modifications> Although the present invention has been described above by way of the embodiment and modifications, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be modified in various ways.

[0063] For example, in the above embodiments, the configuration (shape, arrangement, number, etc.) of each device in the weather resistance tester is specifically described, but these configurations are not limited to those described in the above embodiments, and other shapes, arrangements, numbers, etc. may be used.

[0064] Specifically, for example, in the above embodiment, a part of the cooling water Wc1 flowing on the flow path Fc1 or a part of the cooling water Wc2 flowing on the flow path Fc2 is configured to be supplied to the sprayer 14 and the cleaning unit 15 via the flow path Fhin, but this configuration example is not limited to this. That is, for example, a part of the cooling water Wc1 flowing on the flow path Fc1 or a part of the cooling water Wc2 flowing on the flow path Fc2 may be supplied to one of the sprayer 14 and the cleaning unit 15 via the flow path Fhin. Also, a part of the cooling water Wc1 flowing on the flow path Fc1 or a part of the cooling water Wc2 flowing on the flow path Fc2 may not be supplied to both the sprayer 14 and the cleaning unit 15 via the flow path Fhin. Furthermore, at least one of the sprayer 14 and the cleaning unit 15 may not be provided in the weather resistance tester 1.

[0065] In addition, in the above embodiment, various control operations (such as switching control of the open / closed states of the valves 161, 162) by the control unit 19 have been described, but the methods are not limited to those described in the above embodiment. In other words, various control operations may be performed using other methods, for example.

[0066] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a weathering test machine that performs a weathering test as an environmental test has been mainly described as an example of an environmental test machine in the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, the present invention can be applied to other types of environmental test machines (for example, a corrosion test machine, a combined cycle test machine, etc.).

[0067] In addition, the series of controls described in the above embodiments may be performed by hardware (circuits) or software (programs). When performed by software, the software is composed of a group of programs for causing a computer (microcomputer, etc.) to execute each of the above-mentioned functions. Each program may be, for example, pre-installed in the computer and used, or may be installed in the computer from a network or a recording medium and used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1,100,1A...weather resistance tester, 10...test tank, 11...lamp light source, 12...cooling water tank, 120...cooling device, 13...humidity generator, 130...heating device, 14...sprayer, 15...cleaning unit, 161,162...valves, 171,172...water level sensor, 181,182...pump, 19...control unit, 9...sample, Lout...light, Wcin,Wh...water, Wc,Wc1,Wc2...cooling water, Fcin,Fc,Fc1,Fc2,Fhin...flow path, Lwc,Lwh...water level, Lth1,Lth2...threshold, CTL1,CTL2...control signal.

Claims

1. An environmental test machine for performing an environmental test on a sample, A test chamber; A lamp light source that emits light in the test chamber; a cooling water tank for storing cooling water for cooling the lamp light source and incorporating a cooling device for cooling the cooling water; a humidity generator that generates a predetermined humidity in the test tank; a first flow path for supplying the cooling water from the cooling water tank toward the lamp light source; a second flow path for returning the cooling water from the lamp light source to the cooling water tank; a third flow path for supplying a portion of the cooling water flowing through the first flow path or the second flow path toward the humidity generator; Equipped with The humidity generator generates the humidity by using the cooling water supplied from the third flow path. Environmental testing machine.

2. A valve is provided on the third flow path to switch between a supply state and a cut-off state of the cooling water to the humidity generator side.

2. The environmental test machine according to claim 1.

3. a control unit that controls switching between an open state and a closed state of the valve in response to a water level of the cooling water in the humidity generator; The control unit is When the water level in the humidity generator is equal to or higher than a threshold value, the valve is set to the closed state to set the cooling water to the blocked state, When the water level in the humidity generator falls below the threshold, the valve is set to the open state, thereby setting the cooling water to the supply state.

3. The environmental test machine according to claim 2.

4. The cooling water tank is configured to automatically control the supply of water from the outside of the environmental test machine to the inside of the cooling water tank according to the level of the cooling water stored in the cooling water tank.

4. The environmental test machine according to claim 1.

5. a sprayer for spraying water onto the sample in the test chamber; a cleaning unit for cleaning predetermined members in the environmental test machine; Further comprising: A part of the cooling water flowing through the first flow path or the second flow path is also supplied to at least one of the sprayer and the cleaning unit via the third flow path.

4. The environmental test machine according to claim 1.

6. The third flow path supplies a portion of the cooling water flowing through the second flow path toward the humidity generator.

4. The environmental test machine according to claim 1.

7. The third flow path supplies a portion of the cooling water flowing through the first flow path toward the humidity generator.

4. The environmental test machine according to claim 1.

8. The weather resistance tester is configured to perform a weather resistance test as the environmental test.

4. The environmental test machine according to claim 1.

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