Temperature-controlled air supply device

Abstract

To make air blowing sound less noticeable when air whose temperature is regulated is blown to a sample.SOLUTION: A temperature regulation air supply device includes: a pipe 30 into which air is introduced; and a heater 31 provided at a tip of the pipe 30. The heater 31 has: a heating element 34 configured to heat air; and an exterior body 36 which houses the heating element 34. The heating element 34 functions as a resistive element of air flowing in the exterior body 36 before the air is blown from the heater 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature regulated air supply device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in the following Patent Document 1, there is known a temperature-controlled air supply device that includes an air conditioning unit that adjusts the temperature of the air, a pipe that circulates the air whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioning unit, and a hood that is connected to the pipe and forms a predetermined inspection area. In the temperature-controlled air supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1, air whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioning unit is blown out through the pipe into the inspection area, so that the temperature of the inspection area or the temperature of a specimen placed in the inspection area is adjusted to a predetermined temperature. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2009-530588 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The temperature-controlled air supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which air is blown into an examination area formed by a hood, so the blowing noise when the air is blown into the hood is not very noticeable. However, if it is necessary to increase the blowing air volume, the blowing noise may be bothersome. Also, if a configuration is adopted in which temperature-controlled air is blown into a specified examination area without providing a hood, the blowing noise may be more bothersome.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional technology, and its object is to make the sound of air being blown out when temperature-controlled air is blown toward a test specimen less annoying. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the temperature-controlled air supply device according to the present invention comprises: Pressurized The apparatus includes a pipe through which air is introduced, and a heater provided at the tip of the pipe. A mandrel made of an insulator; The heater includes a heating element configured to be able to heat air, and an exterior body that houses the heating element. The heating element is disposed within the outer casing so as to surround the mandrel, and a cross-sectional area of ​​a space between an inner surface of the outer casing and the mandrel that is not occupied by the heating element is less than or equal to half of a cross-sectional area of ​​an interior of the pipe. The heating element acts as a resistor for air flowing within the enclosure before being blown out of the heater.

[0007] In the temperature-controlled air supply device according to the present invention, air that has flowed through a pipe flows into a heater, and the air at a desired temperature that has passed through the heater is blown out toward a test specimen. The heating element housed in the exterior body of the heater acts as a resistor for the air flowing through the exterior body. Therefore, since the pressure of the air decreases as it flows through the exterior body, even if pressurized air is introduced into the pipe, the air blown out from the heater becomes temperature-controlled low-pressure air. Therefore, the sound of the air being blown out toward the test specimen can be made less noticeable. In addition, when the air flows from the piping into the portion of the heater exterior housing the heating element, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path is reduced by half or more, so the heater acts as a flow resistance for the air, reducing the pressure of the air. This makes it possible to make the sound of the air being blown out from the heater toward the test piece less noticeable.

[0008] The heating element may function as an air resistor while allowing air to flow between the heating element and the inner surface of the housing.

[0009] In this embodiment, the pressure of the air is reduced when the air flows between the heating element and the inner surface of the exterior body, and therefore, when the air is blown out from the heater, the air is temperature-controlled and at low pressure, so that the sound of the air being blown out toward the test specimen can be made less noticeable.

[0010] before The heating element may act as an air resistor surrounding the mandrel to allow air to flow between the heating element and the mandrel.

[0011] In this embodiment, the pressure of the air is reduced when it flows between the heating element and the outer surface of the mandrel inside the exterior body, and therefore, when the air is blown out from the heater, it becomes temperature-controlled low-pressure air, making it possible to make the sound of the air being blown out toward the test specimen less noticeable.

[0012] The exterior body has one end to which the piping is connected, the other end that is open so as to blow out air, and a middle portion located between the one end and the other end and accommodating the heating element, and the internal space of the middle portion has a larger diameter than the internal spaces of the one end and the other end. may be also possible.

[0014] The heater may be provided with a mixer capable of mixing air, at a portion downstream of the heating element. In this aspect, it is possible to prevent temperature bias from occurring in the air blown out from the heater. Effect of the Invention

[0015] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to make the sound of air being blown out when temperature-adjusted air is blown out toward a test specimen less annoying. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a temperature-controlled air supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a heater provided in the temperature-adjusted air supply device. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a heater provided in a temperature-controlled air supply device according to another embodiment. [Figure 4] 13 is a diagram showing a part of a heater provided in a temperature-adjusted air supply device according to another embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0018] The temperature-adjusted air supply device according to this embodiment is used to adjust the temperature of a test specimen or the temperature around the test specimen to a predetermined temperature, and is configured to blow out temperature-adjusted air toward the test specimen. The test specimen may be set in, for example, a universal testing machine (tensile testing machine), an impact testing machine, a friction and wear testing machine, or the like, and used as a test subject for a material test. Alternatively, the test specimen may be an electronic module or the like, which is used as a measurement subject for output current values, output voltage values, and the like.

[0019] 1, the temperature-regulated air supply device 10 includes an apparatus body 14 having a cooling section 25 capable of cooling the air supplied to a specimen. In addition to the cooling section 25, the apparatus body 14 includes an inlet pipe 16 that introduces air to the cooling section 25, an outlet pipe 18 through which the air that has passed through the cooling section 25 flows, and a control panel 20 that controls the cooling section 25 and a heater 31 (described later) and the like.

[0020] An external supply source (not shown) is connected to the introduction pipe 16, and is configured so that air is supplied from the supply source to the introduction pipe 16. The air supplied from this supply source is pressurized air so that it can be blown toward the specimen.

[0021] For example, an evaporator of a refrigerator having a vapor compression refrigeration cycle is used as the cooling unit 25. The air introduced into the inlet pipe 16 is cooled in the cooling unit 25 to a predetermined temperature.

[0022] A flow rate adjustment valve 28 is provided in the outlet pipe 18. The air that has passed through the cooling section 25 has its flow rate adjusted by the flow rate adjustment valve 28, and is then discharged from the apparatus body 14 through the outlet pipe 18. Note that the flow rate adjustment valve 28 may be provided upstream of the cooling section 25. Also, the flow rate adjustment valve 28 may be omitted.

[0023] The control panel 20 controls the cooling unit 25 and the heater 31 so that the temperature detected by a temperature detector 32 (described later) becomes a predetermined temperature. The control panel 20 also controls the flow rate adjustment valve 28 so that a predetermined air flow rate is obtained. Note that the flow rate adjustment valve 28 may be configured as a manual valve instead of being controlled by the control panel 20.

[0024] A pipe 30 for passing the air discharged from the outlet pipe 18 is connected to the outlet pipe 18. The pipe 30 is made of a flexible material and can be bent flexibly. The pipe 30 is insulated, so that the temperature of the air in the pipe 30 does not easily change.

[0025] The pipe 30 is provided with a heater 31. The heater 31 is provided at the tip of the pipe 30, and is configured to be able to heat the air that has flowed through the pipe 30. The air that has passed through the heater 31 is blown out from the heater 31.

[0026] A temperature detector 32 is provided at the downstream end of the heater 31. The temperature detector 32 detects the temperature of air flowing around a heating element 34 (see FIG. 2) of the heater 31, which will be described later, and outputs a signal indicating the detected temperature. This signal is sent to the control panel 20 of the device main body 14.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the heater 31 has a heating element 34 and an exterior body 36 configured to house the heating element 34.

[0028] The exterior body 36 includes a tubular pipe body 36a made of metal and an electrically insulating inner pipe 36b fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the pipe body 36a. The inner pipe 36b is attached to the pipe body 36a at least in the region where the heating element 34 is disposed. If the heating element 34 is covered with an electrically insulating coating and electrical insulation between the pipe body 36a and the heating element 34 is ensured, the inner pipe 36b may be omitted and the exterior body 36 may be made of a metal member. If the pipe body 36a is made of an insulating material, the inner pipe 36b may be omitted.

[0029] The tube body 36a (exterior body 36) is formed in a shape extending in one direction. A space (internal space) S1 is present within the tube body 36a (exterior body 36), and the space (internal space) S1 is open at one end 36c in the longitudinal direction and at the other end 36d.

[0030] A first joint 38 is provided at one end 36c of the pipe main body 36a (exterior body 36), and the piping 30 is connected via this first joint 38. When the exterior body 36 is connected to the piping 30, the space inside the piping 30 communicates with the internal space S1 of the exterior body 36.

[0031] The other end 36d of the tube main body 36a (exterior body 36) opens to the internal space S1 and constitutes an air blowing portion.

[0032] Further, a second joint 40 is provided at the other end 36d of the pipe main body 36a (exterior body 36) so that a blow-out pipe (not shown) can be connected. That is, the opening of the other end 36d of the exterior body 36 may be directed toward the test specimen so that the air blown out from this opening is blown directly onto the test specimen, or the second joint 40 may be connected to a blow-out pipe (not shown) so that the air blown out through the blow-out pipe is blown onto the test specimen.

[0033] A temperature detector 32 is attached to the second joint 40. The temperature detector 32 detects the temperature of air that passes through the heating element 34 and is blown out from the heater 31. The temperature detector 32 may be attached to the other end 36d of the pipe main body 36a (exterior body 36) instead of being attached to the second joint 40. Even in this case, the temperature detector 32 detects the temperature of the air that has passed through the heating element 34.

[0034] The exterior body 36 is covered with a decorative plate 42, and a heat insulating material 44 is provided in the space between the exterior body 36 and the decorative plate 42. Note that the heat insulating material 44 and the decorative plate 42 may be omitted.

[0035] The intermediate portion 36e between the one end 36c and the other end 36d of the exterior body 36 is configured to have a larger diameter than the one end 36c and the other end 36d. In other words, the inner diameter of the intermediate portion 36e of the exterior body 36 is larger than the inner diameters of the one end 36c and the other end 36d. This intermediate portion 36e functions as a housing portion that houses the heating element 34. The inner tube 36b is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the intermediate portion 36e of the tube main body 36a. The inner diameter of the intermediate portion 36e may be the same as the inner diameters of the one end 36c and the other end 36d.

[0036] The heating element 34 is made of a wire that generates heat by conducting electricity, and is arranged to surround the periphery of a core rod 46 made of an insulator. That is, the heating element 34 is arranged in a space (accommodation space S2) defined by the middle part 36e of the exterior body 36 and the core rod 46. The accommodation space S2 is a part of the internal space S1.

[0037] The heating element 34 is wound around the mandrel 46 and disposed over a predetermined range in the direction in which the mandrel 46 extends. The temperature detector 32 is disposed at a position slightly away from the downstream side of the heating element 34. Note that the mandrel 46 can be omitted if the shape retention of the heating element 34 can be ensured without the mandrel 46.

[0038] One lead wire 47 connected to one end of the heating element 34 is inserted into a through hole 46a formed in the center of the shaft 46, and is pulled out from the base end of the shaft 46 and then pulled out to the outside of the exterior body 36. The other lead wire 48 connected to the other end of the heating element 34 is pulled out to the outside of the exterior body 36 without being inserted into the through hole 46a.

[0039] In the storage space S2 defined by the middle part 36e of the exterior body 36 and the core rod 46, the cross-sectional area in a direction perpendicular to the air flow direction (extension direction of the internal space S1) is approximately equal to or smaller than the cross-sectional area in a direction perpendicular to the air flow direction in the space inside the piping 30. The heating element 34 is disposed in the storage space S2, and the heating element 34 occupies more than half (or more than 70%) of the cross-sectional area in a direction perpendicular to the air flow direction in the storage space S2. Therefore, the cross-sectional area in a direction perpendicular to the air flow direction in the part of the storage space S2 not occupied by the heating element 34 is considerably smaller than the cross-sectional area in a direction perpendicular to the air flow direction in the space inside the piping 30. Therefore, the heating element 34 functions as a resistor for the air flowing in the storage space S2.

[0040] The heating element 34 may be in contact with the inner surface of the exterior body 36, or may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the exterior body 36. However, it is desirable that the gap width between the heating element 34 and the inner surface of the exterior body 36 is very small. In this case, air may flow between the heating element 34 and the inner surface of the exterior body 36. Therefore, the heating element 34 functions as a resistor for the air flowing through the storage space S2. Note that even if the heating element 34 is arranged so as not to contact the inner surface of the exterior body 36, the heating element 34 may come into contact with the exterior body 36 when the heating element 34 generates heat and expands.

[0041] In addition, the heating element 34 is not in close contact with the arbor 46, but has a slight gap therebetween, allowing the heating element 34 to be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the arbor 46. For this reason, when air flows through the accommodation space S2, the air may flow between the heating element 34 and the arbor 46. Therefore, the heating element 34 functions as an air resistor while surrounding the arbor 46 so that air flow is allowed between the heating element 34 and the arbor 46. It is not necessary to form a gap between the heating element 34 and the arbor 46, and a configuration may be used in which the heating element 34 is displaced by the pressure of the air flow, creating a slight gap between the heating element 34 and the arbor 46, through which air flows.

[0042] In addition, the heating element 34 has a small gap between adjacent wires, so that the air also passes between the adjacent wires in the wound heating element 34, which also reduces the air pressure. The heating element 34 may be configured so that there are no gaps between adjacent wires, or so that the pressure of the air causes a small gap between the wires, through which the air flows.

[0043] In the temperature-controlled air supply device 10 according to this embodiment, the capacity of the cooling unit 25 and the heater 31 is controlled by the control panel 20 based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector 32, and the air (compressed air) introduced into the inlet pipe 16 of the device body 14 is cooled in the cooling unit 25. Note that cooling by the cooling unit 25 is not always performed.

[0044] The air that has passed through the cooling section 25 has its flow rate adjusted by the flow rate adjustment valve 28, and flows into the piping 30 through the outlet pipe 18. The air that has flowed through the piping 30 flows into the heater 31 and flows through the internal space S1 of the exterior body 36. The air then flows into the accommodation space S2 that accommodates the heating element 34, and is heated by the heating element 34. Depending on the set target temperature, the air may not be heated by the heating element 34.

[0045] When the air flows through the storage space S2 defined by the inner surface of the exterior body 36 and the core rod 46, the heating element 34 acts as a resistor to the air flow, and the air pressure is reduced by flowing through the exterior body 36. The air at a predetermined temperature that has passed through the storage space S2 is blown out from the heater 31 toward the test specimen, but because the air pressure has been reduced at this time, the blowing noise is also reduced.

[0046] As described above, in the temperature-regulated air supply device 10 according to this embodiment, air flowing through the piping 30 flows into the heater 31, and the air at a desired temperature that has passed through the heater 31 is blown out toward the test specimen. The heating element 34 housed in the exterior body 36 of the heater 31 acts as a resistor for the air flowing through the exterior body 36. Therefore, since the pressure of the air decreases while it flows through the exterior body 36, even when pressurized air is introduced into the piping 30, the air blown out from the heater 31 becomes temperature-regulated low-pressure air. Therefore, it is possible to make the sound of the air being blown out toward the test specimen less noticeable.

[0047] Furthermore, within the exterior body 36, the air pressure decreases when it flows between the heating element 34 and the inner surface of the exterior body 36, and also decreases when it flows between the heating element 34 and the outer surface of the mandrel 46. Therefore, when the air is blown out from the heater 31, the air becomes temperature-regulated low-pressure air, and the sound of the air being blown out toward the test specimen can be made less noticeable.

[0048] In addition, when air flows from the pipe 30 into the accommodation space S2 of the exterior body 36 of the heater 31, the flow path cross-sectional area is reduced to half or less. Therefore, the heater 31 acts as a flow resistance for the air, and the air is decompressed. Therefore, the blowing sound of the air blown from the heater 31 toward the test piece can be made less noticeable.

[0049] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered as limiting. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the storage space S2 of the heating element 34 is configured so that air can flow between the inner surface of the exterior body 36 and the heating element 34, but the present invention is not limited to this. The air may flow only between the heating element 34 and the core rod 46.

[0050] In addition, in the storage space S2 of the heating element 34, the air can flow between the heating element 34 and the mandrel 46, but this is not limited thereto. The air may flow only between the inner surface of the exterior body 36 and the heating element 34. In addition, in the storage space S2 of the heating element 34, the air can flow between the inner surface of the exterior body 36 and the heating element 34 and between the heating element 34 and the mandrel 46, but this is not limited thereto. In the heating element 34, the air may flow only between adjacent wires.

[0051] In addition, the cross-sectional area of ​​the portion of the storage space S2 that is not occupied by the heating element 34 is configured to be less than half the cross-sectional area of ​​the inside of the piping 30, but this is not limited to this if the pressure of the air being introduced is not very high.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 3, the heater 31 may be provided with a mixer 50 capable of mixing air. The mixer 50 reduces circumferential temperature bias in the air that has passed through the heating element 34, and is disposed in a portion (the other end 36d) downstream of the heating element 34 in the internal space S1 of the exterior body 36. By providing the mixer 50, it is possible to suppress temperature bias from occurring in the air blown out from the heater 31. Furthermore, by providing the mixer 50, it is possible that the effect of reducing the blowing sound can be further enhanced.

[0053] 3, the mixer 50 is disposed upstream of the temperature detector 32 (between the heating element 34 and the temperature detector 32), but instead of this configuration, the mixer 50 may be disposed downstream of the temperature detector 32. In this case, it becomes easier to replace the mixer 50.

[0054] 4, a blow-out pipe 52 incorporating a mixer 50 may be connected to the second joint 40. Air that has passed through the heater 31 is blown out through this blow-out pipe 52. In this case, the mixer 50 is disposed both upstream and downstream of the temperature detector 32. The mixer 50 provided at the other end 36d of the pipe main body 36a (exterior body 36) may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10: Temperature-controlled air supply device 30: Piping 31: Heater 34: Heating element 36: Exterior body 46: Mandou 50: Mixer S2: Containment space

Claims

1. A pipe through which pressurized air is introduced; A heater provided at a tip of the pipe, The heater includes a core rod made of an insulator, a heating element configured to be able to heat air, and an exterior body that houses the heating element, the heating element is disposed within the outer casing so as to surround the mandrel; a cross-sectional area of ​​a portion of the space between the inner surface of the outer casing and the mandrel that is not occupied by the heating element is less than or equal to half of a cross-sectional area of ​​the inside of the pipe; The heating element functions as a resistor for air flowing within the exterior body before being blown out of the heater.

2. The temperature regulated air supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the heating element functions as an air resistor while allowing air to flow between the heating element and the inner surface of the exterior body.

3. A temperature-regulated air supply device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating element functions as an air resistor while surrounding the mandrel to allow air flow between the heating element and the mandrel.

4. A temperature-controlled air supply device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outer casing has one end to which the piping is connected, another end that is open so as to blow out air, and an intermediate portion located between the one end and the other end and that accommodates the heating element, and the internal space of the intermediate portion is larger in diameter than the inner spaces of the one end and the other end.

5. The temperature-regulated air supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the heater is provided with a mixer capable of mixing air, at a portion downstream of the heating element.

Images