Contact cooling measuring apparatus

Abstract

To provide a measuring apparatus capable of easily measuring the contact coolness property of an object and having a small mixing error.SOLUTION: A measuring apparatus includes: a sample support portion 2 that supports a sample S; a measuring portion 31 that is displaceable between a standby position separated from the sample S and a measurement position in contact with the sample S; a heat source portion 33 that is in contact with the measuring portion 31 at the standby position and heats the measuring portion 31 to a predetermined temperature; a driving portion that moves the measuring portion 31 between the standby position and the measurement position; a temperature sensor 35 that is different from a sensor 312, which detects the current temperature of the measuring portion 31, and detects the current temperature of the sample S; an operation portion that receives operation for starting the measurement; and a control portion that receives a signal indicating the current temperature of the sample S output by the temperature sensor 35, operates the driving portion to displace the measuring portion 31 from the standby position to the measurement position, receives a signal indicating the current temperature of the measuring portion 31 output by the measuring portion 31 in contact with the sample S to calculate a heat flux conducted from the measuring portion 31 to the sample S.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a contact coolness sensation measuring device that simulates and measures the amount of heat transfer when a person's fingers or skin come into contact with an object. [Background technology]

[0002] The instantaneous sensation of "cold," "not cold," or "warm" on the skin when touching an object is called "cooling sensation (cooling sensation on contact)." Cooling sensation on contact is one of the elements that determines the comfort of fabrics used in textile products, especially shirts, sportswear, underwear, bedding, furniture, and fixtures.

[0003] Coolness of contact depends on the amount of heat transferred from the skin to an object at the moment the object is touched. A method for quantitatively evaluating coolness of contact is to measure the maximum value q of the initial heat flux (or initial heat flow rate) when the skin and an object come into contact. max It is known to measure the temperature of the heat source plate. Specifically, a sample of a predetermined size is cut out from the object, and a heat source plate that has been preheated and stored in heat is brought into contact with the sample. At this time, the temperature of the sample is set to a temperature that is lower than the temperature of the heat source plate by a predetermined value ΔT (for example, 10°C). Then, the time series of the temperature of the heat source plate that is absorbed by the sample, in other words, the heat transfer from the heat source plate to the sample, is measured, and based on this, q max (See the prior art documents listed below for the details.) [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7030321 [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] Toshio Kawabata, "Prototype of a Measuring Apparatus for Heat and Moisture Transfer Properties of Fabrics and Its Applications," Transactions of the Society of Textile Machinery, Vol. 39, 1984, pp. 38-49 [Non-patent document 2] "Method for evaluating the coolness of textile products," Japanese Industrial Standards JIS L 1927:2020 [Non-patent document 3] "Textiles - Testing and Evaluation of Coolness to the Touch", National Standard of the People's Republic of China GB / T 35263-2017 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Cool-to-touch index value q max The device for measuring ΔT already exists. However, it is not easy to accurately measure the coolness sensation using this. If the temperature of the heat source plate at the start of the measurement is 30°C and ΔT is 10°C, the temperature of the target sample at the start of the measurement must be 20°C. However, the temperature of the sample is easily affected by the temperature and air conditioning system in the room where the measurement is performed, and it is not necessarily guaranteed that the sample is 20°C and the temperature difference ΔT between the heat source plate and the sample is 10°C. If ΔT deviates from 10°C, q max This will introduce errors into the calculated value.

[0007] To minimize measurement errors, it would be ideal to use a high-performance thermo-humidistat chamber, but this would increase the time and cost required. In some cases, it may not be possible to obtain a thermo-humidistat chamber.

[0008] Incidentally, the temperature difference ΔT between the heat source plate and the sample is 10°C in the Japanese Industrial Standards, but 15°C in the National Standards of the People's Republic of China. Other standards may require it to be 20°C. In any case, it is desirable to be able to check the temperature of the sample at the start of measurement and adjust that temperature to the desired temperature.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its intended object to provide a measuring device that can easily measure the coolness to contact sensation of an object and that minimizes the amount of error that may be introduced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In the present invention, a contact cooling sensation measuring device is configured that includes a sample support section that supports a sample, a measurement section that can be moved between a standby position where it is away from the sample supported on the sample support section and a measurement position where it is in contact with the sample, a heat source section that comes into contact with the measurement section in the standby position and heats the measurement section to a predetermined temperature, a drive section that moves the measurement section between the standby position and the measurement position, a temperature sensor that detects the current temperature of the sample supported on the sample support section and is separate from the sensor that detects the current temperature of the measurement section, an operation section that accepts an operation to start measuring the contact cooling sensation of the sample, and a control section that receives a signal indicating the current temperature of the sample output by the temperature sensor, operates the drive section to displace the measurement section from the standby position to the measurement position upon receiving a signal indicating that the operation has been accepted by the operation section, and performs processing to calculate the heat flux conducted from the measurement section to the sample upon receiving a signal indicating the current temperature of the measurement section output by the measurement section when in contact with the sample at the measurement position.

[0011] In addition, it is preferable that the sample support section is provided with a temperature control mechanism for cooling or heating the sample supported by the sample support section, and that the control section controls the temperature control mechanism so as to adjust the temperature of the sample immediately before contacting the measurement section to a temperature that is a predetermined value lower than the temperature of the measurement section.

[0012] The temperature sensor detects, for example, the temperature of the atmosphere in the vicinity of the surface of the sample supported by the sample support portion, with which the measurement portion is in contact.

[0013] The temperature control mechanism may be configured to use a Peltier element. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a measuring device that can easily measure the coolness to contact sensation of an object and that minimizes the amount of error that may be introduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a contact coolness measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the measuring unit and its surroundings of the contact coolness measuring device of the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the measuring unit and its surroundings of the contact coolness measuring device of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on the display of the control unit of the contact coolness measuring device of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The contact coolness measuring device 1 of this embodiment is used to quantitatively evaluate the coolness felt when a person's fingers or skin touches a material such as cloth (textile fabric), leather (natural leather, synthetic leather, or artificial leather), or thin resin material. One method for doing so is to bring a heat source plate 311 heated to a predetermined temperature into contact with a sample S of interest, and then measure the amount of heat absorbed from the heat source plate 311 to the sample S immediately thereafter, i.e., the initial heat flux (initial heat flow rate) q max is measured and output as an index value of coolness to the touch.

[0017] The sample S is a test piece cut out to a predetermined size from the object for which the coolness to the touch is to be measured, and according to the Japanese Industrial Standards, it is a test piece of approximately 150 mm x 150 mm in size. Of course, the size is not limited to this.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the measuring device 1 comprises a sample support section (or measurement stage) 2 that supports a sample S, a main body section 3 that faces the sample support section 2 and contains a measuring section 31 that has a heat source plate 311, and a control section 4 that controls the measuring device 1.

[0019] The sample support part 2 has a metal plate 21 (copper plate, aluminum plate, etc.) on which the upper surface can be kept horizontal and on which the sample S can be placed, and a temperature control mechanism 22 that is located on the underside of the metal plate 21 and that adjusts the temperature of the sample S on the metal plate 21 to a desired value. The temperature control mechanism 22 uses, for example, a Peltier element and can cool the sample S on the metal plate 21, or conversely, can heat the sample S on the metal plate 21.

[0020] 2 and 3, a flat and heat-insulating thin plate 23 may be interposed between the metal plate 21 of the sample support part 2 and the sample S. The thin plate 23 may have a thickness of about 1 mm and a temperature coefficient of thermal expansion (q) at ΔT=10°C. max The value is 0.100(W / cm 2 ) or less, and is made of a resin foam such as expanded polystyrene. However, this thin plate 23 is not essential for measuring the coolness to touch, and it may or may not be used. In other words, the sample S may be placed directly on the metal plate 21 of the sample support part 2 without the thin plate 23 therebetween, or the temperature of the sample S may be adjusted to a desired temperature by the temperature adjustment mechanism 22, and then the thin plate 23 may be sandwiched between the metal plate 21 and the sample S.

[0021] The measuring unit 31 built into the main body 3 has as its elements a metal heat source plate 311 and a temperature sensor 312 provided on the upper surface of the heat source plate 311. The heat source plate 311 is a metal plate of a predetermined material, dimensions, and volume. According to the Japanese Industrial Standards, it is made of a copper plate of C1020P of JIS H 3100, with an area of ​​900 mm. 2 The heat source plate 311 has a mass of 9.79 g and is preferably silver-plated on its surface. The heat source plate 311 is preferably insulated except for its bottom surface, which is the surface that comes into contact with the sample S. The temperature sensor 312 measures the current temperature of the heat source plate 311.

[0022] The heat source plate 311 and temperature sensor 312 that constitute the measurement unit 31 are supported within the main body 3 so as to be vertically movable relative to the housing thereof, and are displaceable between a measurement position and a standby position so that the lower surface of the heat source plate 311 is spaced above the sample S as shown in FIG. 2 and a measurement position so that the lower surface of the heat source plate 311 abuts against the sample S placed on the sample support unit 2 as shown in FIG. 3. More specifically, the measurement unit 31 has a cylindrical peripheral wall 313 that opens downward, the upper part of which is closed by a top wall 314, an insulating material 315 such as a resin foaming agent disposed on the inner periphery of the peripheral wall 313, and the heat source plate 311 is attached via the insulating material 315 so that the heat source plate 311 is supported by the peripheral wall 313. A rod-shaped guide 316 that is fixed to the top wall 314 and extends upward protrudes from the top wall 314. The guide 316 is inserted into a guide hole 321 formed in a support 32 fixed to the housing of the main body 3 , and slides up and down relative to the support 32 .

[0023] A heater 33 is disposed inside the measuring unit 31 (its peripheral wall 313 and insulating material 315) as a heat source for heating the heat source plate 311 to a desired temperature before measuring the coolness to touch of the sample S. The measuring unit 31 (its peripheral wall 313, insulating material 315, top wall 314, heat source plate 311, temperature sensor 312, and guide 316) can be raised and lowered relative to the housing and support 32 of the main body 3. On the other hand, the heater 33 is fixed to the support 32 via a rod-shaped connecting part 322, and is immobile and cannot be raised or lowered relative to the housing 3 and support 32.

[0024] The drive unit for moving the measuring unit 31 up and down includes a screw shaft 317 fixed to the top wall 314 of the measuring unit 31 and extending upward from the top wall 314, a ball nut 34 screwed onto the screw shaft 317, and a motor (not shown) that rotates and drives the ball nut 34. This is known as a feed screw mechanism (screw feed mechanism).

[0025] In addition, a temperature sensor 35 for detecting the current temperature of the sample S is attached to the bottom of the main body 3 facing the sample support part 2. This temperature sensor 35 is separate from the temperature sensor 312 for detecting the current temperature of the heat source plate 311, and measures the temperature in the vicinity of the sample S placed and supported on the metal plate 21 of the sample support part 2, i.e., the temperature of the atmosphere directly above the sample S.

[0026] The control unit 4 mainly comprises a microcomputer system, a personal computer or workstation, a server computer, or a programmable logic controller, which has a processor (Central Processing Unit), a main memory, an auxiliary storage device (non-volatile flash memory, hard disk drive, etc.), an operation input device (keyboard, push button, mouse, pointing device such as touch panel or trackpad, etc.), a display, an input / output interface (including a USB (Universal Serial Bus), a NIC (Network Interface card) for communicating with external computers, devices, and equipment, and a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) transceiver), etc.

[0027] The programs to be executed by the processor are stored in the auxiliary storage device, and when the programs are executed, they are read from the auxiliary storage device into the main memory and decoded by the processor. The programs include known OS (Operating System) programs, various associated device driver programs, and application programs for performing the functions of the control unit 4.

[0028] The temperature sensors 312, 35 of the main body 3 are connected to the control unit 4 via an amplifier (amplification circuit) and an A / D conversion circuit (not shown). The Peltier element of the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 is connected to the control unit 4 via a D / A conversion circuit and an amplifier (not shown). The motor of the drive unit of the main body 3 is connected to the control unit 4 via a servo control circuit (not shown). All of these are internal to the measurement device 1.

[0029] The index value q of the coolness sensation measured by this measuring device 1 max The basic principle is to bring the heat source plate 311, which has stored heat, into contact with the surface of the sample S to which a predetermined temperature difference ΔT has been applied (the temperature of the sample S is ΔT lower than that of the heat source plate 311), and then to differentially convert the heat transfer from the heat source plate 311 to the sample S, which is then passed through a first-order lag element filter to measure the heat flux. Then, the maximum value q of the heat flux immediately after the heat source plate 311 is brought into contact with the sample S is measured. max is measured as a value indicating the coolness to the touch of the target sample S. The first-order lag element here simulates the delay until the human brain senses cold through the skin. An appropriate value for the filter is, for example, a time constant T = 0.2 (s).

[0030] The operation unit of this measuring device 1, i.e., the operation input device associated with the control unit 4, accepts an operation to start measuring the coolness to touch of the sample S. At that time, an operation to set the temperature difference ΔT at the start of the measurement, i.e., the temperature difference ΔT between the heat source plate 311 of the measurement unit 31 and the sample S, can be accepted. ΔT is 10°C according to the Japanese Industrial Standards, but 15°C according to the National Standards of the People's Republic of China. In other standards, it may be 20°C. Figure 4 shows an example of a screen that can be displayed on the display of the control unit 4 to accept operations.

[0031] Cool-to-touch index value Q max As a preparation for the measurement, the measurement unit 31 is positioned at the standby position shown in FIG. 2, and the heat source plate 311 is brought into contact with the heater 33, and the heat source plate 311 is heated to a required temperature, for example, 30°C. The control unit 4 obtains the current temperature of the heat source plate 311 by receiving a signal output from a temperature sensor 312 attached to the heat source plate 311. The control unit 4 feedback-controls the magnitude of the power applied to the heater 33 (the current flowing through the heater 33) so as to reduce the deviation between the current temperature of the heat source plate 311 and the target temperature as much as possible. This allows Q max It is ensured that the temperature of the heat source plate 311 at the start of the measurement is the required temperature (30° C.).

[0032] Furthermore, the temperature control mechanism 22 of the sample support part 2 cools or heats the temperature of the sample S supported by the sample support part 2 to a required temperature, for example, 20°C (where ΔT=10°C). The control part 4 obtains the current temperature of the sample S by receiving a signal output by a temperature sensor 35 attached to the main body part 3. The control part 4 feedback-controls the magnitude of the power applied to the temperature control mechanism 22 (the current flowing through the Peltier element) so as to reduce the deviation between the current temperature of the sample S and the target temperature as much as possible. As a result, Q max It is ensured that the temperature difference ΔT between the heat source plate 311 and the sample S at the start of the measurement is the required temperature (10° C.).

[0033] As mentioned above, the Q max The temperature of the heat source plate 311 and / or the temperature of the sample S at the start of the measurement of Q can be changed. max If the temperature difference ΔT between the heat source plate 311 and the sample S at the start of the measurement is set to 15°C, for example, it is possible to heat the temperature of the heat source plate 311 to 35°C at the start of the measurement (the temperature of the sample S is 20°C), or to cool the temperature of the sample S to 15°C (the temperature of the heat source plate 311 is 30°C) at the start of the measurement.

[0034] After adjusting the temperatures of the heat source plate 311 and the sample S, the control unit 4 controls the drive unit to move the measurement unit 31 from the standby position shown in FIG. 2 to the measurement position shown in FIG. 3, and brings the heat source plate 311 into contact with the sample S. The pressure when bringing the heat source plate 311 into contact with the sample S is 1.02 kPa according to the Japanese Industrial Standards. Then, the temperature of the heat source plate 311 immediately after contact between the heat source plate 311 and the sample S is repeatedly measured at unit time intervals via the temperature sensor 312, and a time series of temperature values ​​is obtained. The length of time for measuring the temperature is approximately 5 seconds.

[0035] Then, the control unit 4 calculates the index value Q of the coolness to the touch of the target sample S. max is calculated according to the following formula: T(t)=T p0 -T p (t) q(t)=(MC / A)×dT(t) / dt where q(t) is the heat flux (W / cm 2 ), A is the area of ​​the heat source plate 311 (cm 2 ), M is the mass (kg) of the heat source plate 311, C is the specific heat (J / (kg·K)) of the heat source plate 311, T p0 is the initial temperature of the heat source plate 311 (℃), T p (t) is the temperature (°C) of the heat source plate 311 t seconds after the heat source plate 311 comes into contact with the sample S, T(t) is the temperature drop (°C) of the heat source plate 311, and dT(t) / dt is the time derivative of T(t). Q max is the maximum value of q(t).

[0036] In this embodiment, the apparatus includes a sample support section 2 that supports a sample S, a measurement section 31 that is displaceable between a standby position away from the sample S supported by the sample support section 2 and a measurement position in contact with the sample S, a heat source section (heater) 33 that contacts the measurement section 31 in the standby position and heats the measurement section 31 (heat source plate 311) to a predetermined temperature, a drive section that moves the measurement section 31 between the standby position and the measurement position, and a temperature sensor 35 that detects the current temperature of the sample S supported by the sample support section 2, separate from a sensor 312 that detects the current temperature of the measurement section 31 (heat source plate 311). The contact coolness measuring device 1 is configured to include an operation unit that accepts an operation to start measuring the contact coolness of the sample S, and a control unit 4 that receives a signal indicating the current temperature of the sample S output by the temperature sensor 35, and operates the drive unit to displace the measurement unit 31 from the standby position to the measurement position upon receiving a signal indicating the operation from the operation unit, and calculates the heat flux q(t) conducted from the measurement unit 31 to the sample S upon receiving a signal indicating the current temperature of the measurement unit 31 output by the measurement unit 31 when it is in contact with the sample S at the measurement position.

[0037] According to this embodiment, the heat flux q(t) and Q max At the time of starting the measurement, the temperature of the heat source plate 311 of the measurement unit 31 and the temperature of the sample S can be confirmed, and the heat fluxes q(t) and Q can be calculated after precisely adjusting ΔT. max It is possible to measure the index value Q of the coolness to the touch of sample S. maxThe measurement is performed on the premise that the temperature difference ΔT between the heat source plate 311 and the sample S when they come into contact with each other is a predetermined value (for example, the heat source plate 311 is 30°C, the sample S is 20°C, and ΔT is 10°C). max Since the value of ΔT when measuring Q max This reduces the error that may be introduced into the value of ΔT. It also eliminates the need to use a high-performance constant temperature and humidity chamber to guarantee the value of ΔT.

[0038] Moreover, the measuring device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a temperature control mechanism 22 that cools or heats the sample S supported by the sample support part 2, and the control part 4 controls the temperature control mechanism 22 so as to adjust the temperature of the sample S just before the measurement part 31 is brought into contact with the sample S to a temperature that is lower than the temperature of the measurement part 31 by a predetermined value ΔT. max The temperature value of the sample S when measuring is reliably guaranteed, and the heat fluxes q(t), Q max This further improves the accuracy of the measurement. It also simplifies the work of adjusting the temperature of the sample S to a desired value at the start of the measurement (such as adjusting the air conditioning in the room).

[0039] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the specific configuration of each part can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1…Touch cold sensation measuring device 2...Sample support part 22…Temperature control mechanism 31...Measuring part 311...Heat source plate 312...Temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the heat source plate 33...Heat source (heater) 35...Temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the sample S: Sample

Claims

1. a sample support portion that supports a sample; a measuring unit that is displaceable between a standby position away from the sample supported by the sample support unit and a measuring position in contact with the sample; a heat source unit that is in contact with the measurement unit in the standby position and heats the measurement unit to a predetermined temperature; a drive unit that moves the measurement unit between the standby position and the measurement position; a temperature sensor for detecting the current temperature of the sample supported by the sample support unit, which is separate from the sensor for detecting the current temperature of the measurement unit; an operation unit that accepts an operation to start measuring the coolness to touch of the sample; a control unit that receives a signal indicating the current temperature of the sample output by the temperature sensor and a signal indicating that the operation unit has accepted the operation, operates the drive unit to displace the measurement unit from the standby position to the measurement position, and receives a signal indicating the current temperature of the measurement unit output by the measurement unit that is in contact with the sample at the measurement position, and performs processing to calculate the heat flux conducted from the measurement unit to the sample; A contact cooling sensation measuring device comprising:

2. a temperature control mechanism for cooling or heating the sample supported on the sample support portion; The contact coolness measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the temperature adjustment mechanism so as to adjust the temperature of the sample immediately before the measurement unit is brought into contact with the sample to a temperature that is a predetermined value lower than the temperature of the measurement unit.

3. 2. The contact coolness measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor detects the temperature of the atmosphere in the vicinity of the surface of the sample supported by the sample support, against which the measuring part is in contact.

4. 2. The contact coolness measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature control mechanism uses a Peltier element.

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