Environment forming apparatus

Abstract

To facilitate transportation.SOLUTION: The environmental formation device 100 includes a housing 1 including a test chamber 11 inside, an air bag 2 arranged on an installation surface 1b which is one of outer surfaces of the housing 1 and communicating with the test chamber 11 to alleviate pressure fluctuation of the test chamber 11, and an outer shell 3 covering the air bag 2. The outer shell 3 includes a plurality of peripheral walls 4 surrounding the periphery of the airbag 2. At least one peripheral wall 4 of the plurality of peripheral walls 4 is connected to the housing 1 so as to be switchable between an erected state erected from the installation surface 1b and a fallen state fallen to the outer surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to an environment creating device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a thermal shock apparatus that applies a thermal load to a sample placed in a test chamber. The thermal shock apparatus is equipped with an airbag that adjusts the pressure in the test chamber. The airbag contracts and expands according to the pressure in the test chamber. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-10531 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In some cases, the airbag is covered with an outer shell to prevent excessive inflation of the airbag. The outer shell is disposed outside the device body. This increases the size of the entire device, which may make it difficult to transport the device, for example, when transporting the device into a testing facility.

[0005] The technique disclosed herein has been made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to make the device easier to transport. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The environment forming device disclosed herein comprises a housing containing a test chamber inside, an airbag arranged on an installation surface which is one of the outer surfaces of the housing and which is in communication with the test chamber to mitigate pressure fluctuations in the test chamber, and an outer shell which covers the airbag, the outer shell including a plurality of peripheral walls which surround the periphery of the airbag, and at least one of the plurality of peripheral walls being connected to the housing so as to be switchable between an upright state in which it stands up from the installation surface and a laid-down state in which it lays down on the outer surface.

[0007] Another aspect of the environmental forming device disclosed herein comprises a housing that includes a test chamber inside and has as one of its outer surfaces an installation surface on which an airbag that communicates with the test chamber and reduces pressure fluctuations in the test chamber is placed, and an outer shell that, together with the installation surface, defines a space in which the airbag is housed, wherein the outer shell includes a plurality of peripheral walls that surround the airbag that is placed on the installation surface, and at least one of the plurality of peripheral walls is connected to the housing so as to be switchable between an upright state in which it stands up from the installation surface and a laid-down state in which it is laid down on the outer surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the environment creating device, the device can be easily transported. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the environment creating device when in use. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the environment creating device during transportation. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] This is a front view of the outer shell. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a side view of the peripheral wall, illustrating how the peripheral wall can be switched between an upright state and a reclined state. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a front view of the peripheral wall, and a side view for explaining how the peripheral wall is switched between an upright state and a reclined state. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a side view of the peripheral wall in a collapsed state. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view of the peripheral wall in a collapsed state. [Figure 11] This is a top view of the perimeter wall in a collapsed state. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining a method for assembling the outer shell and a method for installing the airbag. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining a method for assembling the outer shell and a method for installing the airbag. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining a method for assembling the outer shell and a method for installing the airbag. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining a method for assembling the outer shell and a method for installing the airbag. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining a method for assembling the outer shell and a method for installing the airbag. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining a method for assembling the outer shell and a method for installing the airbag. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining a method for assembling the outer shell and a method for installing the airbag. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining a method for assembling the outer shell and a method for installing the airbag. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an environment forming device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an environment creating device 100 in use.

[0011] The environment creating device 100 creates an environment for testing a test subject T placed inside the device. In this example, the environment creating device 100 is a thermal shock device. The environment creating device 100 exposes the test subject T to alternately low and high temperatures to apply a thermal load to the test subject T. In the environment creating device 100, pressure fluctuations may occur in the environment surrounding the test subject T during testing.

[0012] In this disclosure, each component of the environment forming device 100 will be described using the direction of the environment forming device 100. Specifically, "front" means the front in the front-to-rear direction of the environment forming device 100, and "rear" means the rear in the front-to-rear direction of the environment forming device 100. "Left" means the left when the environment forming device 100 is viewed from the rear to the front, and "right" means the right when the environment forming device 100 is viewed from the rear to the front.

[0013] The environment creating device 100 includes a housing 1 containing a test chamber 11 therein, an airbag 2 placed on an installation surface 1b which is one of the outer surfaces of the housing 1, and an outer shell 3 which covers the airbag 2. A test subject T is placed in the test chamber 11.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the environment forming device 100 during transportation. The environment forming device 100 can have different configurations when in use and when transported. Specifically, in the environment forming device 100, at least some of the walls of the outer shell 3 can be collapsed onto the outer surface of the housing 1. Therefore, by collapsing at least some of the walls of the outer shell 3 during transportation, the size of the environment forming device 100 during transportation can be made smaller than the size of the environment forming device 100 during use. In the example of FIG. 2, the height of the environment forming device 100 during transportation can be made smaller than the height of the environment forming device 100 during use.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 1 is, for example, a thermostatic chamber. The housing 1 is formed in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape with an internal space. The exterior surfaces of the housing 1 include a top surface facing upward, a bottom surface facing downward, and side surfaces connecting the top and bottom surfaces. The side surfaces include a right surface facing right, a left surface facing left, a front surface facing forward, and a rear surface facing rearward. In this example, the top surface of the housing 1 is the installation surface 1b on which the airbag 2 is placed. An insertion port 1c is formed on the front surface of the housing 1 for inserting and removing the test subject T. A test chamber door 14 is provided at the insertion port 1c to open and close the insertion port 1c.

[0016] The housing 1 further includes a high temperature chamber 12 and a low temperature chamber 13. The high temperature chamber 12 heats air with a heater (not shown) and sends hot air to the test chamber 11. The low temperature chamber 13 cools air with a cooler (not shown) and sends cold air to the test chamber 11. The high temperature chamber 12 is located above the test chamber 11, and the low temperature chamber 13 is located below the test chamber 11. The test chamber 11, the high temperature chamber 12, and the low temperature chamber 13 are each closed spaces surrounded by walls and are thermally insulated from each other.

[0017] A hot air supply port 15a for supplying hot air from the high-temperature chamber 12 to the test chamber 11 and a hot air exhaust port 15b for returning the hot air from the test chamber 11 to the high-temperature chamber 12 are formed in the wall forming the housing 1 in a portion located between the high-temperature chamber 12 and the test chamber 11. A hot air switching damper 17 is disposed at each of the hot air supply port 15a and the hot air exhaust port 15b. When hot air is to be supplied to the test chamber 11, the hot air switching damper 17 opens. The hot air flows into the test chamber 11 from the hot air supply port 15a, circulates within the test chamber 11, and then returns to the high-temperature chamber 12 through the hot air exhaust port 15b. This creates a high-temperature atmosphere within the test chamber 11.

[0018] A cold air supply port 16a for supplying cold air from the cold room 13 to the test room 11 and a cold air exhaust port 16b for returning cold air from the test room 11 to the cold room 13 are formed in the wall of the housing 1 in a portion located between the cold room 13 and the test room 11. A cold air switching damper 18 is disposed at the cold air supply port 16a and the cold air exhaust port 16b. When cold air is to be supplied to the test room 11, the cold air switching damper 18 opens. The cold air flows into the test room 11 from the cold air supply port 16a, circulates within the test room 11, and then returns to the cold room 13 through the cold air exhaust port 16b. This creates a low-temperature atmosphere within the test room 11. FIG. 1 shows the hot air switching damper 17 in an open state and the cold air switching damper 18 in a closed state.

[0019] During operation of the environment creating device 100, the test object T is alternately exposed to a high temperature atmosphere and a low temperature atmosphere, and a thermal load is applied to the test object T. This tests, for example, the thermal strength, thermal stress characteristics, durability, etc. of the test object T.

[0020] The pressure inside the test chamber 11 decreases during low-temperature testing due to a decrease in the volume of air, and increases during high-temperature testing due to an increase in the volume of air. In other words, the pressure inside the test chamber 11 fluctuates. This can cause a pressure difference between the outside of the housing 1 and the inside of the test chamber 11. This pressure difference can cause external air to flow into the test chamber 11 during low-temperature testing, and air inside the test chamber 11 to flow out during high-temperature testing. When external air flows into the test chamber 11, frost can form on the cooler in the low-temperature chamber 13, which can deteriorate the performance of the cooler. When the air inside the test chamber 11 flows out to the outside, the stored heat can be released to the outside.

[0021] The airbag 2 reduces pressure fluctuations in the test chamber 11. That is, the airbag 2 suppresses the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems such as frosting of the cooler and external release of stored heat, which are caused by pressure fluctuations in the test chamber 11. The airbag 2 is a deformable member. The airbag 2 is in communication with the test chamber 11. More specifically, the airbag 2 is in communication with the test chamber 11 via a pipe 9.

[0022] Specifically, a through-hole 1d is formed in the rear surface of the housing 1. A through-hole 3a is formed in the wall forming the outer shell 3. A first end 91 of a pipe 9 is inserted into the through-hole 1d, and a second end 92 of the pipe 9 is inserted into the through-hole 3a. An airbag 2 is attached to the second end 92 of the pipe 9. With this configuration, when the pressure in the test chamber 11 increases during a high-temperature test, air flows from the test chamber 11 into the airbag 2, causing the airbag 2 to inflate. On the other hand, when the pressure in the test chamber 11 decreases during a low-temperature test, air from the airbag 2 flows into the test chamber 11, causing the airbag 2 to deflate. In this way, pressure fluctuations in the test chamber 11 are alleviated. In FIG. 1, the airbag 2 in an inflated state is depicted by a solid line, and the airbag 2 in a deflated state is depicted by a two-dot chain line.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a side view of the outer shell 3 as viewed from the left side. FIG. 4 is a front view of the outer shell 3. The outer shell 3 suppresses excessive inflation of the airbag 2 and protects the airbag 2 from the external environment. In this example, the outer shell 3 is formed in a box shape that opens downward. The overall shape of the outer shell 3 is approximately a rectangular parallelepiped. The outer shell 3 is disposed on the top surface of the housing 1, i.e., on the installation surface 1b. That is, the downward opening of the outer shell 3 is blocked by the installation surface 1b, and a closed space is formed inside the outer shell 3. The airbag 2 (see FIG. 1) described above is accommodated in this closed space. In other words, the outer shell 3, together with the installation surface 1b, defines a space in which the airbag 2 disposed on the installation surface 1b is accommodated.

[0024] The outer shell 3 includes a plurality of peripheral walls 4 that surround the periphery of the airbag 2. In this example, the number of the plurality of peripheral walls 4 is four. Each peripheral wall 4 is formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate in a plan view. Each peripheral wall 4 is, for example, a metal panel. When the environment creating device 100 is in use, each peripheral wall 4 stands upright from the installation surface 1b. Specifically, each peripheral wall 4 is arranged so as to be substantially perpendicular to the installation surface 1b.

[0025] First, the four peripheral walls 4 in an upright state will be described. In this example, two of the four peripheral walls 4 face each other in the front-rear direction, and the other two peripheral walls 4 face each other in the left-right direction. The four peripheral walls 4 are arranged to form a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. The height positions of the upper ends of the four peripheral walls 4 from the installation surface 1b are generally the same. In this example, the aforementioned through-hole 3a (see FIG. 1) is formed in the peripheral wall 4 that is located at the rear of the two peripheral walls 4 facing each other in the front-rear direction.

[0026] Hereinafter, when distinguishing between the peripheral walls 4, the front peripheral wall 4 of the two peripheral walls 4 facing each other in the front-to-rear direction will be referred to as the front peripheral wall 4a, the rear peripheral wall 4 will be referred to as the rear peripheral wall 4b, the right peripheral wall 4 of the two peripheral walls 4 facing each other in the left-to-right direction will be referred to as the right peripheral wall 4c, and the left peripheral wall 4 will be referred to as the left peripheral wall 4d. Each of the front peripheral wall 4a and the rear peripheral wall 4b is an example of a first peripheral wall. Each of the right peripheral wall 4c and the left peripheral wall 4d is an example of a second peripheral wall.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a side view of the front peripheral wall 4a and the rear peripheral wall 4b, illustrating the upright state and the lying state. FIG. 6 is a side view of the right peripheral wall 4c and the left peripheral wall 4d, illustrating the upright state and the lying state. At least one of the multiple peripheral walls 4 is connected to the housing 1 so as to be switchable between an upright state in which it stands up from the installation surface 1b and a lying state in which it lies on the installation surface 1b. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the upright wall 4 is depicted with a solid line, and the wall 4 in the lying state and the wall 4 in the upright state are depicted with a two-dot chain line. In this example, all of the multiple peripheral walls 4 are connected to the housing 1 so as to be switchable between the upright state and the lying state. That is, the front peripheral wall 4a, the rear peripheral wall 4b, the right peripheral wall 4c, and the left peripheral wall 4d are each an example of a "peripheral wall among the multiple peripheral walls that can be switched between an upright state and a lying state." Each peripheral wall 4 can be switched between an upright state and a reclined state independently of the other. In the upright state, two peripheral walls 4 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are connected to each other by, for example, screws.

[0028] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of portion A in FIG. 5. The front peripheral wall 4a can be switched between an upright state and a reclined state by rotating about a rotation axis A1 parallel to the installation surface 1b. The rotation axis A1 is an example of a first rotation axis. In this example, the rotation axis A1 extends generally in the left-right direction. Specifically, the front peripheral wall 4a is connected to the housing 1 via a hinge 61. The rotation axis of the hinge 61 is the aforementioned rotation axis A1. The hinge 61 has two blades. One of the two blades is attached to the installation surface 1b, and the other blade is attached to a portion of the front peripheral wall 4a that becomes the lower end in the upright state. With this configuration, the front peripheral wall 4a rotates about the rotation axis A1 of the hinge 61.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5, the rear wall 4b is connected to the housing 1 in the same manner as the front wall 4a is connected to the housing 1. That is, the rear wall 4b can be switched between an upright state and a reclined state by rotating about a rotation axis A2 parallel to the installation surface 1b. The rotation axis A2 is an example of a first rotation axis. In this example, the rotation axis A2 extends generally in the left-right direction. Specifically, the rear wall 4b is connected to the housing 1 via a hinge 65 attached to the installation surface 1b. The rotation axis of the hinge 65 is the rotation axis A2. The rear wall 4b rotates about the rotation axis A2 of the hinge 65.

[0030] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of portion B in FIG. 6. The right peripheral wall 4c can be switched between an upright position and a reclined position by rotating about a rotation axis A3 parallel to the installation surface 1b. The rotation axis A3 is an example of a second rotation axis. In this example, the rotation axis A3 extends generally in the front-to-rear direction. Specifically, the right peripheral wall 4c is connected to the housing 1 via a hinge 71 and a first support frame 81. The rotation axis of the hinge 71 is the aforementioned rotation axis A3. The first support frame 81 supports the right peripheral wall 4c. The first support frame 81 extends generally in the front-to-rear direction. The first support frame 81 is, for example, a metal frame with a rectangular cross section. The first support frame 81 is attached to the installation surface 1b. The hinge 71 has two blades. One of the two blades is attached to the upper surface of the first support frame 81, and the other blade is attached to a portion of the right peripheral wall 4c that becomes the lower end in the upright position. With this configuration, the right peripheral wall 4c rotates around the rotation axis A3 of the hinge 71.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 6, the left peripheral wall 4d is connected to the housing 1 in the same manner as the right peripheral wall 4c is connected to the housing 1. That is, the left peripheral wall 4d can be switched between an upright state and a reclined state by rotating about a rotation axis A4 parallel to the installation surface 1b. The rotation axis A4 is an example of a second rotation axis. In this example, the rotation axis A4 extends generally in the front-to-rear direction. Specifically, the left peripheral wall 4d is connected to the housing 1 via a hinge 75 and a second support frame 82. The second support frame 82 extends generally in the front-to-rear direction. The first support frame 81 and the second support frame 82 are aligned in the left-to-right direction. The left peripheral wall 4d is connected to the housing 1 via a hinge 75 attached to the upper surface of the second support frame 82. The rotation axis of the hinge 75 is the rotation axis A4. The left peripheral wall 4d rotates about the rotation axis A4 of the hinge 75.

[0032] In this example, for two circumferentially adjacent peripheral walls 4 among the multiple peripheral walls 4, the distance from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis corresponding to one peripheral wall 4 is greater than the distance from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis corresponding to the other peripheral wall 4. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the distance D2 from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A3 corresponding to the right peripheral wall 4c is greater than the distance D1 from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A1 corresponding to the front peripheral wall 4a. That is, in the upright state, the height position of the lower end of the right peripheral wall 4c is located higher than the height position of the lower end of the front peripheral wall 4a. As described above, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the upright state, the height position of the upper end of the front peripheral wall 4a is generally the same as the height position of the upper end of the right peripheral wall 4c. Therefore, in the upright state, the height dimension L1 of the front peripheral wall 4a is greater than the height dimension L3 of the right peripheral wall 4c.

[0033] The positional relationship between the rotation axis A2 corresponding to the rear peripheral wall 4b and the rotation axis A4 corresponding to the left peripheral wall 4d is the same as the positional relationship between the rotation axis A1 and the rotation axis A3 described above. That is, the distance from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A4 corresponding to the left peripheral wall 4d is greater than the distance from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A2 corresponding to the rear peripheral wall 4b. As described above, in the upright state, the height position of the upper end of the rear peripheral wall 4b is approximately the same as the height position of the upper end of the left peripheral wall 4d, so the height dimension L2 of the rear peripheral wall 4b is greater than the height dimension L4 of the left peripheral wall 4d.

[0034] Furthermore, in this example, the distance D1 from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A1 corresponding to the front peripheral wall 4a is approximately the same as the distance from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A2 corresponding to the rear peripheral wall 4b. The distance D2 from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A3 corresponding to the right peripheral wall 4c is approximately the same as the distance from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A4 corresponding to the left peripheral wall 4d. That is, for the two opposing peripheral walls 4, the distance from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis corresponding to one peripheral wall 4 is approximately the same as the distance from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis corresponding to the other peripheral wall 4. The distance D2 from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A3 corresponding to the right peripheral wall 4c is greater than the distance from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A2 corresponding to the rear peripheral wall 4b. The distance D2 from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A4 corresponding to the left peripheral wall 4d is greater than the distance D1 from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A1 corresponding to the front peripheral wall 4a. The height L1 of the front peripheral wall 4a is approximately the same as the height L2 of the rear peripheral wall 4b. The height L3 of the right peripheral wall 4c is approximately the same as the height L4 of the left peripheral wall 4d.

[0035] The outer shell 3 further includes an opposing wall 5 facing the installation surface 1b. The opposing wall 5 is connected to an opening edge 41 formed by the plurality of upright peripheral walls 4. The opposing wall 5 is connected to the opening edge 41 by, for example, screws. In this example, the opposing wall 5 is detachably connected to the opening edge 41. The opposing wall 5 is formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate in a plan view. The opposing wall 5 is, for example, a metal panel.

[0036] Next, the configuration of the outer shell 3 during transportation will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, during transportation, each peripheral wall 4 is collapsed onto the outer surface of the housing 1, in this example, onto the installation surface 1b. At this time, the airbag 2 may be disposed between the collapsed peripheral walls 4 and the installation surface 1b. That is, the airbag 2 in a deflated state may be disposed on the installation surface 1b, with the four peripheral walls 4 collapsed on top of the airbag 2. Alternatively, during transportation, the airbag 2 does not have to be disposed between the collapsed peripheral walls 4 and the installation surface 1b. That is, the airbag 2 may be disposed on the installation surface 1b after transportation of the environment creating device 100. The opposing wall 5 may be disposed on top of the collapsed peripheral walls 4.

[0037] Fig. 9 is a side view of the peripheral wall 4 in the collapsed state as seen from the left. Fig. 10 is a front view of the peripheral wall 4 in the collapsed state. Fig. 11 is a plan view of the peripheral wall 4 in the collapsed state. In the collapsed state, the front peripheral wall 4a collapses onto the installation surface 1b. In the collapsed state, the rear peripheral wall 4b collapses onto the installation surface 1b.

[0038] In the collapsed state, the right peripheral wall 4c lies flat on the installation surface 1b, overlapping the collapsed front and rear peripheral walls 4a and 4b. As described above, the distance D2 from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A3 corresponding to the right peripheral wall 4c is greater than the distance D1 from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A1 corresponding to the front peripheral wall 4a and the distance from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A2 corresponding to the rear peripheral wall 4b. Therefore, the right peripheral wall 4c lies flat or nearly flat on the front and rear peripheral walls 4a and 4b. In particular, in this example, the height positions of the upper surfaces of the front and rear peripheral walls 4a and 4b in the collapsed state are lower than the height position of the rotation axis A3 corresponding to the right peripheral wall 4c. Therefore, the right peripheral wall 4c lies flat on the front and rear peripheral walls 4a and 4b in a substantially horizontal position.

[0039] In the collapsed state, the left peripheral wall 4d lies flat on the installation surface 1b, overlapping the collapsed front and rear peripheral walls 4a and 4b. As described above, the distance from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A4 corresponding to the left peripheral wall 4d is greater than the distance D1 from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A1 corresponding to the front peripheral wall 4a and the distance from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A2 corresponding to the rear peripheral wall 4b. Therefore, the left peripheral wall 4d lies flat or nearly flat on the front and rear peripheral walls 4a and 4b. In particular, in this example, the height positions of the upper surfaces of the front and rear peripheral walls 4a and 4b in the collapsed state are lower than the height position of the rotation axis A4 corresponding to the left peripheral wall 4d. Therefore, the left peripheral wall 4d lies flat and nearly horizontal on the front and rear peripheral walls 4a and 4b.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 11 , in this example, the distance D3 between the rotation axis A1 corresponding to the front peripheral wall 4a and the rotation axis A2 corresponding to the rear peripheral wall 4b is greater than the sum of the height L1 of the front peripheral wall 4a and the height L2 of the rear peripheral wall 4b. Therefore, the front peripheral wall 4a and the rear peripheral wall 4b lie flat on the installation surface 1b without overlapping each other. In this example, the distance D4 between the rotation axis A3 corresponding to the right peripheral wall 4c and the rotation axis A4 corresponding to the left peripheral wall 4d is greater than the sum of the height L3 of the right peripheral wall 4c and the height L4 of the left peripheral wall 4d. Therefore, the right peripheral wall 4c and the left peripheral wall 4d lie flat on the installation surface 1b overlapping the front peripheral wall 4a and the rear peripheral wall 4b without overlapping each other.

[0041] The outer shell 3 is assembled after the environment creating device 100 is transported. FIGS. 12 to 19 are explanatory diagrams for explaining a method for assembling the outer shell 3 and a method for installing the airbag. Specifically, FIG. 12 is a side view immediately after the right peripheral wall 4c and the left peripheral wall 4d have been erected. FIG. 13 is a front view immediately after the right peripheral wall 4c and the left peripheral wall 4d have been erected. FIG. 14 is a side view immediately after the front peripheral wall 4a and the rear peripheral wall 4b have been erected. FIG. 15 is a front view immediately after the front peripheral wall 4a and the rear peripheral wall 4b have been erected. FIG. 16 is a side view immediately after the airbag 2 has been installed and the piping 9 has been attached to the airbag 2. FIG. 17 is a front view immediately after the airbag 2 has been installed and the piping 9 has been attached to the airbag 2. FIG. 18 is a side view immediately after the opposing wall 5 has been installed. FIG. 19 is a front view immediately after the opposing wall 5 has been installed.

[0042] With the multiple peripheral walls 4 in the collapsed state shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the right peripheral wall 4c and the left peripheral wall 4d overlapping the front peripheral wall 4a and the rear peripheral wall 4b are raised from the installation surface 1b as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 . After being raised, the right peripheral wall 4c and the left peripheral wall 4d may stand on their own, or a user may hold the right peripheral wall 4c and the left peripheral wall 4d to maintain them in an upright state. Next, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 , the front peripheral wall 4a and the rear peripheral wall 4b are raised from the installation surface 1b. Thereafter, the front peripheral wall 4a and the right peripheral wall 4c, the right peripheral wall 4c and the rear peripheral wall 4b, the rear peripheral wall 4b and the left peripheral wall 4d, and the left peripheral wall 4d and the front peripheral wall 4a are connected to each other, for example, with screws or the like. Next, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, the airbag 2 is placed on the installation surface 1b inside the front peripheral wall 4a, rear peripheral wall 4b, right peripheral wall 4c, and left peripheral wall 4d. After that, the piping 9 is inserted into the through-hole 3a, and the airbag 2 is attached to the piping 9. Finally, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, the opposing wall 5 is connected to the opening edge 41 with, for example, screws. In this way, the outer shell 3 is assembled, and the airbag 2 is installed.

[0043] According to this environment forming device 100, each peripheral wall 4 is connected to the housing 1 so as to be switchable between an upright state in which it stands up from the installation surface 1b and a laid-down state in which it is laid down on the outer surface of the housing 1. As a result, when transporting the environment forming device 100, each peripheral wall 4 can be laid down on the outer surface of the housing 1, thereby making the size of the environment forming device 100 smaller than the size of the environment forming device 100 when in use. As a result, the environment forming device 100 can be easily transported. Furthermore, because each peripheral wall 4 is connected to the housing 1 so as to be switchable between an upright state and a laid-down state, the outer shell 3 can be assembled more easily than, for example, when each peripheral wall 4 is separated from the housing 1 and each peripheral wall 4 is connected to the housing 1 during assembly of the outer shell 3.

[0044] In addition, the peripheral walls 4 are folded down onto the installation surface 1b in the folded state. As a result, when the environment creating device 100 is transported with the airbag 2 placed between the folded peripheral walls 4 and the installation surface 1b, the peripheral walls 4 can protect the airbag 2 from the external environment.

[0045] Furthermore, since the outer shell 3 includes the opposing wall 5, excessive inflation of the airbag 2 can be effectively suppressed.

[0046] Next, an environment forming device 200 according to a modified example will be described. Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the environment forming device 200 according to the modified example. The environment forming device 200 differs from the environment forming device 100 in the installation position of the airbag 2 and the connection position of the outer shell 203 relative to the outer surface of the housing 1. The following description will focus on the parts of the configuration of the environment forming device 200 that differ from the environment forming device 100.

[0047] In this example, the airbag 2 is disposed on a side surface, specifically the left surface, of the housing 1. That is, in this example, the side surface of the housing 1 is an installation surface 1b on which the airbag 2 is disposed.

[0048] The outer shell 203 is disposed on the side surface of the housing 1, i.e., on the installation surface 1b. Each peripheral wall 4 is connected to the housing 1 so as to be switchable between an upright state in which it stands up from the installation surface 1b and a laid state in which it lays down on the installation surface 1b.

[0049] According to the environment forming device 200, by collapsing each peripheral wall 4 onto the installation surface 1b when transporting the environment forming device 200, the size of the environment forming device 200 can be made smaller than the size of the environment forming device 200 when in use. In this example, the left-right size of the environment forming device 200 can be made smaller than the left-right size of the environment forming device 200 when in use. As a result, the environment forming device 200 can be easily transported.

[0050] Other Embodiments As described above, the above embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made as appropriate. Furthermore, the components described in the above embodiment can be combined to create new embodiments. Furthermore, the components described in the accompanying drawings and detailed description may include not only components essential for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to exemplify the technology. Therefore, the fact that these non-essential components are described in the accompanying drawings or detailed description should not be interpreted as immediately determining that these non-essential components are essential.

[0051] The environment creating device is not limited to a thermal shock device, as long as pressure fluctuations can occur in the environment surrounding the test object during the test.

[0052] The number of airbags 2 may be two or more.

[0053] There is no limitation on the number of the peripheral walls 4. There are also no limitations on the shape, arrangement, etc. of each peripheral wall 4. At least one peripheral wall 4 of the multiple peripheral walls 4 may be made up of multiple plate-shaped members.

[0054] As long as at least one of the plurality of peripheral walls 4 is connected to the housing 1 so as to be switchable between an upright state and a lying state, not all of the plurality of peripheral walls 4 need to be connected to the housing 1 so as to be switchable between an upright state and a lying state. In this case, the peripheral walls 4 other than the at least one peripheral wall 4 of the plurality of peripheral walls 4 may be simply supported by the at least one peripheral wall 4 without being connected to the housing 1. When transporting the environment creating device 100, the peripheral walls 4 other than the at least one peripheral wall 4 of the plurality of peripheral walls 4 may be transported stacked on top of the at least one peripheral wall 4 in the lying state.

[0055] At least two of the multiple peripheral walls 4 may be connected to the housing 1 so as to be switchable between an upright state and a lying state. For example, in the environment creating device 100, two opposing peripheral walls 4 (i.e., the front peripheral wall 4a and the rear peripheral wall 4b, or the right peripheral wall 4c and the left peripheral wall 4d) may be connected to the housing 1 so as to be switchable between an upright state and a lying state, and the other two peripheral walls 4 may not be connected to the housing 1 but may simply be supported by the two opposing peripheral walls 4. For example, in the environment creating device 100, two circumferentially adjacent peripheral walls 4 may be connected to the housing 1 so as to be switchable between an upright state and a lying state, and the other two peripheral walls 4 may not be connected to the housing 1 but may simply be supported by the two adjacent peripheral walls 4. When the environment creating device 100 is transported, the other two peripheral walls 4 may be stacked on top of the two opposing lying peripheral walls 4.

[0056] At least one of the plurality of peripheral walls 4 does not have to be folded down onto the installation surface 1b. For example, in the environment forming device 100, at least one of the plurality of peripheral walls 4 may be connected to the outer periphery of the top surface of the housing 1 and folded down onto the side surface of the housing 1.

[0057] In the environment creating device 100, for two opposing peripheral walls 4 (i.e., the front and rear peripheral walls 4a and 4b, or the right and left peripheral walls 4c and 4d), the distance from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis corresponding to one of the peripheral walls 4 may be greater than the distance from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis corresponding to the other peripheral wall 4. In FIG. 11, when the distance D4 is smaller than the sum of the height dimensions L3 and L4, either the right or left peripheral wall 4c or 4d is folded down onto the installation surface 1b, overlapping the other peripheral wall 4 in the folded down state. In this case, either one of the peripheral walls 4 may be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. For example, by making the distance from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A3 corresponding to the right peripheral wall 4c greater than the distance from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A4 corresponding to the left peripheral wall 4d, both the right peripheral wall 4c and the left peripheral wall 4d can be laid horizontally or nearly horizontally on the front peripheral wall 4a and the rear peripheral wall 4b. In this case, the left peripheral wall 4d is an example of the first peripheral wall, the right peripheral wall 4c is an example of the second peripheral wall, the rotation axis A4 is an example of the first rotation axis, and the rotation axis A3 is an example of the second rotation axis.

[0058] There is no limitation on the shape of the opposing wall 5. The opposing wall 5 may be made up of a plurality of plate-shaped members.

[0059] The facing wall 5 may also be connected to the peripheral wall 4. Specifically, the facing wall 5 may be connected to the edge of the peripheral wall 4 opposite the installation surface 1b so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the installation surface 1b. When the environment creating device 100 is transported, the facing wall 5 may be rotated about the rotation axis and placed on the fallen peripheral wall 4. This makes it easier to assemble the outer shell 3 than, for example, when the facing wall 5 is separated from the peripheral wall 4 and the facing wall 5 is connected to the peripheral wall 4 during assembly of the outer shell 3. Furthermore, the outer shell 3 may not include the facing wall 5.

[0060] [Aspect] The above embodiments are specific examples of the following aspects.

[0061] (Aspect 1) The environmental forming device 100, 200 comprises a housing 1 containing a test chamber 11 inside, an airbag 2 arranged on an installation surface 1b which is one of the outer surfaces of the housing 1 and which is in communication with the test chamber 11 to reduce pressure fluctuations in the test chamber 11, and an outer shell 3, 203 which covers the airbag 2, the outer shell 3, 203 including a plurality of peripheral walls 4 which surround the periphery of the airbag 2, and at least one of the plurality of peripheral walls 4 is connected to the housing 1 so as to be switchable between an upright state in which it stands up from the installation surface 1b and a laid-down state in which it is laid-down on the outer surface.

[0062] With this configuration, the environment forming device 100, 200 can be transported with at least one peripheral wall 4 laid flat on the outer surface. Of the multiple peripheral walls 4, the peripheral walls 4 other than the at least one peripheral wall 4 are, for example, stacked on top of the at least one peripheral wall 4 in the laid-down state when transported. This allows the size of the environment forming device 100, 200 to be smaller than the size of the environment forming device 100, 200 when in use. As a result, the environment forming device 100, 200 can be easily transported.

[0063] (Aspect 2) In the environment forming device 100, 200 described in aspect 1, the number of the plurality of peripheral walls 4 is four, and at least two of the plurality of peripheral walls 4 are connected to the housing 1 so as to be switchable between the upright state and the laid-down state.

[0064] According to this configuration, at least two of the peripheral walls 4 are connected to the housing 1 so as to be switchable between an upright state and a laid state, so that the environment forming devices 100, 200 can be transported more easily.

[0065] (Aspect 3) In the environment creating device 100, 200 according to the first or second aspect, all of the plurality of peripheral walls 4 are connected to the housing 1 so as to be switchable between the upright state and the laid state.

[0066] According to this configuration, all of the peripheral walls 4 are connected to the housing 1 so as to be switchable between an upright state and a laid state, so that the environment forming devices 100, 200 can be transported even more easily.

[0067] (Aspect 4) In the environment forming device 100, 200 described in any one of aspects 1 to 3, the multiple peripheral walls 4 include a front peripheral wall 4a (first peripheral wall) and a right peripheral wall 4c (second peripheral wall) connected to the housing 1 so as to be switchable between the upright state and the lying down state, the front peripheral wall 4a can be switched between the upright state and the lying down state by rotating around a rotation axis A1 (first rotation axis) parallel to the installation surface 1b, and in the lying down state, it lies down on the installation surface 1b, the right peripheral wall 4c can be switched between the upright state and the lying down state by rotating around a rotation axis A3 (second rotation axis) parallel to the installation surface 1b, and in the lying down state, it lies down on the installation surface 1b while overlapping the front peripheral wall 4a in the lying down state, and a distance D2 from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A3 is greater than a distance D1 from the installation surface 1b to the rotation axis A1.

[0068] According to this configuration, the right peripheral wall 4c can be laid down horizontally or nearly horizontally on the front peripheral wall 4a.

[0069] (Aspect 5) In the environment forming device 100, 200 described in any one of aspects 1 to 4, the outer casing 3, 203 further includes an opposing wall 5 that is connected to the opening edge 41 formed by the multiple peripheral walls 4 in the upright state and faces the installation surface 1b.

[0070] According to this configuration, excessive inflation of the airbag 2 can be effectively suppressed.

[0071] (Aspect 6) In the environment creating device 100, 200 according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the peripheral wall 4 that can be switched between the upright state and the lying state among the plurality of peripheral walls 4 lies down on the installation surface 1b in the lying state.

[0072] According to this configuration, when the environment creating device 100, 200 is transported with the airbag 2 placed between the fallen peripheral wall 4 and the installation surface 1b, the peripheral wall 4 can protect the airbag 2 from the external environment.

[0073] (Aspect 7) The environmental forming device 100, 200 comprises a housing 1 which includes a test chamber 11 inside and has as one of its outer surfaces an installation surface 1b on which an airbag 2 is placed that communicates with the test chamber 11 and reduces pressure fluctuations in the test chamber 11, and an outer shell 3, 203 which, together with the installation surface 1b, defines a space in which the airbag 2 placed on the installation surface 1b is accommodated, the outer shell 3, 203 including a plurality of peripheral walls 4 which surround the periphery of the airbag 2 placed on the installation surface 1b, and at least one of the plurality of peripheral walls 4 is connected to the housing 1 so as to be switchable between an upright state in which it stands up from the installation surface 1b and a laid-down state in which it is laid-down on the outer surface.

[0074] With this configuration, the environment forming device 100, 200 can be transported with at least one peripheral wall 4 laid flat on the outer surface. Of the multiple peripheral walls 4, the peripheral walls 4 other than the at least one peripheral wall 4 are, for example, stacked on top of the at least one peripheral wall 4 in the laid-down state when transported. This allows the size of the environment forming device 100, 200 to be smaller than the size of the environment forming device 100, 200 when in use. As a result, the environment forming device 100, 200 can be easily transported. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 100,200 Environment forming device 1 chassis 1b Installation surface 11 Examination Room 2 airbags 3,203 Outer Wall 4 Peripheral wall 4a Front peripheral wall (first peripheral wall) 4b Rear peripheral wall (first peripheral wall) 4c Right peripheral wall (second peripheral wall) 4d Left peripheral wall (second peripheral wall) 41 Opening edge 5 Opposite wall A1, A2 rotation axis (first rotation axis) A3, A4 rotation axis (second rotation axis) D1,D2 distance

Claims

1. a housing containing a test chamber therein; an airbag disposed on an installation surface that is one of the outer surfaces of the housing and communicating with the test chamber to reduce pressure fluctuations in the test chamber; an outer shell that covers the airbag, the outer shell includes a plurality of peripheral walls that surround the periphery of the airbag, At least one of the plurality of peripheral walls is connected to the housing so as to be switchable between an upright state in which it stands up from the installation surface and a laid state in which it lays down on the outer surface.

2. The environment creating device according to claim 1, The number of the plurality of peripheral walls is four, At least two of the plurality of peripheral walls are connected to the housing so as to be switchable between the upright state and the reclined state.

3. The environment creating device according to claim 1, All of the plurality of peripheral walls are connected to the housing so as to be switchable between the upright state and the reclined state.

4. The environment creating device according to claim 1, the plurality of peripheral walls include a first peripheral wall and a second peripheral wall connected to the housing so as to be switchable between the upright state and the laid state, the first peripheral wall is switchable between the upright state and the lying state by rotating about a first rotation axis parallel to the installation surface, and in the lying state, lies down on the installation surface; the second peripheral wall is switchable between the upright state and the lying state by rotating about a second rotation axis parallel to the installation surface, and in the lying state, the second peripheral wall lies on the installation surface while overlapping the lying first peripheral wall, The environment forming device, wherein the distance from the installation surface to the second rotation axis is greater than the distance from the installation surface to the first rotation axis.

5. The environment creating device according to claim 1, The outer shell is connected to an opening edge formed by the plurality of peripheral walls in the upright state, and further includes an opposing wall that faces the installation surface.

6. The environment creating device according to claim 1, The environment forming device has a plurality of peripheral walls that can be switched between the upright state and the lying state, and the peripheral walls that can be switched between the upright state and the lying state are laid down on the installation surface in the lying state.

7. a housing including a test chamber therein and including, as one of its outer surfaces, an installation surface on which an airbag communicating with the test chamber is disposed to mitigate pressure fluctuations in the test chamber; an outer shell that, together with the installation surface, defines a space in which the airbag placed on the installation surface is accommodated, the outer shell includes a plurality of peripheral walls that surround the periphery of the airbag that is disposed on the installation surface, At least one of the plurality of peripheral walls is connected to the housing so as to be switchable between an upright state in which it stands up from the installation surface and a laid state in which it lays down on the outer surface.

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