Snow environment test apparatus and snow environment test method

Abstract

To create not only the snow environment determined by temperature conditions but also the snow environment in a desired snow state.SOLUTION: A snow environment testing device 10 includes: a first nozzle 13 for jetting water particles; a second nozzle 14 for jetting water particles smaller in particle diameter than the first nozzle 13; an air conditioner 12 for adjusting the temperature in a test room 1 to the set temperature; a state selection part for setting a state of snow to be fallen; and a flow rate adjustment valve 28, 30 for adjusting a ratio of water supply amounts to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 so that the snow condition set by a condition selection part is obtained under the temperature set as the temperature at which the snow environment is obtained.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a snow environment test apparatus and a snow environment test method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, an artificial snow-making apparatus that reproduces a snow environment indoors is known. In the artificial snow-making apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a snowfall phenomenon is reproduced by freezing fine particles of water ejected from a nozzle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the artificial snow-making apparatus described in Patent Document 1, since the particle size of the fine particles of water ejected from the nozzle is determined, the state of the snow is determined according to the temperature indoors. For this reason, in a predetermined temperature environment, only a snow environment in which snow corresponding to this temperature falls can be obtained. For this reason, the desire to create a different snow environment under this temperature condition cannot be satisfied. For example, in nature, even if the ground surface or the vicinity of the ground surface is at a certain temperature, depending on the temperature in the upper air, it may snow, or it may be sleet in which snow and rain coexist. On the other hand, in an environmental test apparatus, there is a desire to create different snow environments even under a certain temperature condition, but the artificial snow-making apparatus described in Patent Document 1 cannot satisfy such a desire.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described prior art, and an object thereof is to create not only a snow environment determined by temperature conditions but also a snow environment in a desired snow state, particularly a sleet environment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the snow environment test apparatus of the present invention is a snow environment test apparatus for creating a snow environment in a test chamber, comprising a first nozzle for spraying water particles, a second nozzle for spraying water particles having a particle size smaller than that of the first nozzle, an air conditioner for adjusting the temperature in the test chamber to a set temperature, a state selection unit for setting the state of snow to be fallen, and a water supply unit for supplying water to the first nozzle and the second nozzle so that the snow state set by the state selection unit is obtained at the set temperature as a temperature at which a snow environment is obtained. Flow A flow rate adjusting unit that adjusts the flow rate ratio. The flow rate adjustment unit is configured to adjust the supply water flow rate ratio in a state where the water particles are ejected from the first nozzle and the water particles are ejected from the second nozzle based on the snow state set in the state selection unit. is.

[0007] In the snow environment testing device according to the present invention, in a temperature environment adjusted to a set temperature by an air conditioner, water is supplied to the first nozzle and the second nozzle at a ratio adjusted by the flow rate adjustment unit, and water particles are sprayed from the first nozzle and the second nozzle. At this time, since the particle size of the water particles sprayed from the first nozzle is different from the particle size of the water particles sprayed from the second nozzle, mainly rain is produced from the first nozzle and mainly snow is produced from the second nozzle. Water supplied to the first nozzle and the second nozzle Flow By adjusting the flow rate ratio, a snow environment in which at least one of sleet and snow falls, which is set by the state selection unit, can be obtained. Flow Since the volume ratio is adjusted, it is possible to create a snow environment with a desired snow condition, in addition to the snow condition determined by the set temperature. Note that, depending on the set snow condition, water may not be supplied to either the first nozzle or the second nozzle.

[0008] The flow rate adjustment unit adjusts the supply water to the first nozzle and the second nozzle while keeping a total supply water flow rate to the first nozzle and the second nozzle constant. Flow The ratio of amounts may be adjusted.

[0009] In this mode, it is possible to easily handle cases where it is desired to confirm reproducibility, etc., in order to create a desired snow environment under the condition that the total water supply flow rate to the first nozzle and the second nozzle is constant. It is also effective for tests that reproduce the actual weather environment where the snowfall amount does not change.

[0010] When the set temperature is a second temperature lower than the first temperature, the flow rate adjustment unit adjusts the water supply Flow quantity ratio to the first nozzle so that the water supply Flow quantity ratio to the first nozzle is higher than the water supply Flow quantity ratio to the first nozzle at the first temperature.

[0011] In this mode, when the temperature set as the test chamber temperature is a second temperature lower than the first temperature, the water supply Flow quantity ratio to the first nozzle is higher than the water supply Flow quantity ratio to the first nozzle at the first temperature. Therefore, more water particles with larger particle sizes are supplied into the test chamber. Accordingly, when the temperature is the second temperature which is lower and more likely to turn into snow, it is possible to easily obtain not only snow but also sleet.

[0012] When the set temperature is a second temperature higher than the first temperature, the flow rate adjustment unit adjusts the water supply Flow quantity ratio to the second nozzle so that the water supply Flow quantity ratio to the second nozzle is higher than the water supply Flow quantity ratio to the second nozzle at the first temperature.

[0013] In this mode, when the temperature set as the test chamber temperature is a second temperature higher than the first temperature, the water supply Flow quantity ratio to the second nozzle is higher than the water supply Flow quantity ratio to the second nozzle at the first temperature. Therefore, more water particles with smaller particle sizes are supplied into the test chamber. Accordingly, when the temperature is the second temperature which is higher and less likely to turn into snow, it is possible to easily obtain snow.

[0014] At least the second nozzle may be constituted by a two-fluid nozzle. In this case, when sleet in which snow and rain coexist is set as the snow state in the state selection unit, the snow environment test apparatus may further include a pressure adjustment unit that adjusts the pressure of the air supplied to the second nozzle so as to create a snow environment in which sleet is generated.

[0015] In this aspect, by adjusting the pressure of the air supplied to the second nozzle by the pressure adjustment unit, it is possible to create a sleet environment in which snow and rain coexist under the set temperature.

[0016] At least the second nozzle may be constituted by a two-fluid nozzle. In this case, the snow environment test apparatus may further include a pressure adjustment unit that adjusts the pressure of the air supplied to the second nozzle. When sleet in which snow and rain coexist is set as the snow state in the state selection unit, the pressure adjustment unit may increase the pressure of the air supplied to the second nozzle as the total water flow rate supplied to the first nozzle and the second nozzle is larger under the condition that the water temperature supplied to the first nozzle and the second nozzle is constant.

[0017] In this aspect, the total water flow rate supplied to the first nozzle and the second nozzle can be increased to increase the snowfall amount. Moreover, by increasing the pressure of the air supplied to the second nozzle, the snowfall amount can be increased while maintaining the sleet environment. Further, by adjusting the pressure of the air by the pressure adjustment unit so that the water particles ejected from the second nozzle completely turn into snow, the quality of sleet (that is, the ratio of snow and rain) can be adjusted more accurately.

[0018] At least the second nozzle may be constituted by a two-fluid nozzle. In this case, the snow environment test apparatus may further include a pressure adjustment unit that adjusts the pressure of the air supplied to the second nozzle so that the quality of the snow changes.

[0019] In this mode, since the pressure of the air supplied to the second nozzle constituted by the two-fluid nozzle is adjusted by the pressure adjustment unit, the particle diameter of the water particles ejected from the second nozzle changes, so that the quality of the snow created as the snow environment can be changed. Note that as one form of the quality of snow, dry snow and wet snow are included.

[0020] The snow environment test method according to the present invention is a snow environment test method for creating a snow environment in a test chamber, wherein the temperature in the test chamber is set, and in a state selection unit, the state of the snow to be fallen is set, and the first nozzle and the second nozzle are supplied with water so that the set state of the snow can be obtained under the set temperature as the temperature at which the snow environment is obtained. Flow The quantity ratio is set, and the test chamber is adjusted to the set temperature by an air conditioner, and water is supplied to the first nozzle and the second nozzle at the set supply water quantity ratio. Water particles are ejected from the first nozzle, and Flow water particles having a smaller particle diameter than the first nozzle are ejected from the second nozzle, before and the snow environment is created. in the state of

[0021] In the snow environment test method, the total supply water flow rate to the first nozzle and the second nozzle may be kept constant.

[0022] In the snow environment test method, when the set temperature is a second temperature lower than the first temperature, the supply water to the first nozzle under the first temperature Flow quantity ratio, the supply water to the first nozzle Flow quantity ratio may be set so as to be higher. Flow quantity ratio to the first nozzle and the second nozzle.

[0023] In the snow environment test method, when the set temperature is a second temperature higher than the first temperature, the first 1 supply water to the nozzle under the first temperature Flow quantity ratio, the supply water to the second nozzle Flow quantity ratio may be set so as to be higher.Flow A quantity ratio may be set.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to create a snow environment with a desired snow state, not just a snow environment determined by temperature conditions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the snow environment test apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus that creates a snow environment with a desired snow state in the test chamber 1 and conducts a test to expose a specimen placed in the test chamber 1 to the snow environment. Here, the snow state means the properties of snow or the like, indicating whether it is snow or sleet. That is, the snow environment test apparatus 10 of the present embodiment can create not only a snow environment in which snow is falling but also a snow environment in which sleet in a state where snow and rain coexist is falling. Further, the snow environment test apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to create not only these snow environments but also a rain environment in which rain is falling.

[0028] The snow environment test apparatus 10 includes an air conditioner 12 configured to cool the inside of the test chamber 1, a first nozzle 13, a second nozzle 14 that injects water particles having a smaller particle size than the first nozzle 13, an air supply unit 16 that supplies air to the second nozzle 14, and a water supply unit 18 that supplies water to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14.

[0029] The air conditioner 12 is configured to generate low-temperature air so as to be able to cool the air inside the test chamber 1. By controlling the air conditioner 12, the inside of the test chamber 1 can be adjusted to a predetermined temperature of at least less than 0°C. That is, the air conditioner 12 adjusts the temperature of the air inside the test chamber 1 so that the fine water particles injected from the second nozzle 14 freeze. The air conditioner 12 can adjust the temperature inside the test chamber 1, for example, in the range of 0°C to -30°C. When creating a rain environment, the air conditioner 12 may be adjusted to a temperature exceeding 0°C, for example, a temperature of 0 to 20°C.

[0030] The temperature inside the test chamber 1 is detected by a room temperature sensor 20.

[0031] The first nozzle 13 is constituted by a single-fluid nozzle and is configured to inject the water supplied from the water supply unit 18 as fine water particles. The particle size of the water particles injected from the first nozzle 13 is larger than the particle size of the water particles injected from the second nozzle 14 and is a particle size that does not easily freeze or is difficult to freeze depending on the temperature inside the test chamber 1.

[0032] The second nozzle 14 is constituted by a two-fluid nozzle and is configured to be able to eject a fluid in a state where fine water particles and air are mixed. That is, the second nozzle 14 ejects the water supplied from the water supply unit 18 and the air supplied from the air supply unit 16 together. At this time, since the ejected water is pulverized by the ejected air, fine water particles and air are ejected from the second nozzle 14. The particle size of the water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14 is smaller than the particle size of the water particles ejected from the first nozzle 13.

[0033] The air supply unit 16 includes an air pipe 16a connected to the second nozzle 14 and a compressor 16b for causing air to flow toward the second nozzle 14 in the air pipe 16a. The air pipe 16a is provided with a pressure sensor 16c for detecting the pressure of the air flowing through the air pipe 16a and a pressure adjustment valve 16d for adjusting the pressure of the air flowing through the air pipe 16a. By adjusting the pressure of the air flowing through the air pipe 16a by the pressure adjustment valve 16d, the pressure of the air introduced into the second nozzle 14 is adjusted. If the supplied air pressure is stable, the pressure sensor 16c and the pressure adjustment valve 16d can be omitted.

[0034] Further, the air pipe 16a is provided with a heating / cooling device 16e for heating or cooling the air flowing through the air pipe 16a. The heating / cooling device 16e may be driven so as to keep the air temperature supplied to the second nozzle 14 constant. In this case, it is possible to prevent the degree to which the water particles from the second nozzle 14 turn into snow from varying due to the temperature change of the air supplied to the second nozzle 14. The heating / cooling device 16e can be omitted.

[0035] The water supply unit 18 includes a water pipe 22 and a pump 23 for causing water to flow in the water pipe 22. The water pipe 22 has a main pipe 22a connected to the pump 23, a first branch pipe 22b connected to the main pipe 22a and also connected to the first nozzle 13, and a second branch pipe 22c connected to the main pipe 22a and also connected to the second nozzle 14.

[0036] A heating and cooling device 25 is provided in the main pipe 22a of the water pipe 22, and water cooled by this heating and cooling device 25 (water temperature regulator) to a predetermined temperature is introduced into the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14. Further, in the first branch pipe 22b of the water pipe 22, a flow meter (first flow meter 27) for detecting the flow rate of water flowing through the first branch pipe 22b and a flow rate adjustment valve (first flow rate adjustment valve 28) capable of adjusting the flow rate of water flowing through the first branch pipe 22b are provided. In addition, in the second branch pipe 22c of the water pipe 22, a flow meter (second flow meter 29) for detecting the flow rate of water flowing through the second branch pipe 22c and a flow rate adjustment valve (second flow rate adjustment valve 30) capable of adjusting the flow rate of water flowing through the second branch pipe 22c are provided. If the temperature of the supplied water is stable, the heating and cooling device 25 can be omitted. The heating and cooling device 25 may not be controlled by the controller 40 in terms of capacity, but may be independently controlled in terms of capacity, or may be configured to exhibit a certain capacity.

[0037] The room temperature sensor 20, the pressure sensor 16c, the pressure adjustment valve 16d, the heating and cooling device 25, the first flow meter 27, the first flow rate adjustment valve 28, the second flow meter 29, and the second flow rate adjustment valve 30 are connected to the controller 40 so as to be able to exchange signals. The controller 40 is a computer for controlling various operations of the snow environment test device 10, and is composed of a central processing unit (CPU) that executes arithmetic processing, a ROM that stores processing programs and data, and a microcomputer equipped with a RAM that temporarily stores data, and an input device 41 is connected thereto. By executing the processing program stored in the controller 40, as shown in FIG. 2, the controller 40 can function as a temperature setting unit 40a, a test time setting unit 40b, a state selection unit 40c, a water flow rate setting unit 40d, a flow rate ratio setting unit 40e, a flow rate control unit 40f, a temperature control unit 40g, a related information storage unit 40h, a water temperature determination unit 40i, a water temperature control unit 40j, a pressure determination unit 40k, and a pressure control unit 40m.

[0038] The temperature setting unit 40a is a functional unit for setting the temperature inside the test chamber 1. For example, information indicating the temperature input by the tester through the input device 41 is stored.

[0039] The test time setting unit 40b is a functional unit for setting the test time for continuing the created snow environment. For example, information indicating the test time input by the tester through the input device 41 is stored.

[0040] The state selection unit 40c is a functional unit for setting the state of snow (or the state of rain). It is configured to be able to selectively store any one of snow, sleet, and rain. The state selection unit 40c may be able to set the degree of sleet, that is, the ratio of rain to snow, as the state of snow. Snow, sleet, and rain can be selected through the input device 41, and the state selection unit 40c stores information indicating that snow, sleet, or rain has been selected. Also, the state selection unit 40c may be able to set the quality of snow. In this case, it may also be configured to be able to set dry snow and wet snow. When dry snow and wet snow can be selected through the input device 41, for example, when dry snow is selected, information indicating that dry snow has been selected is stored in the state selection unit 40c.

[0041] The state selection unit 40c may be configured to be able to set only one of snow, sleet, and rain, but in this embodiment, it is assumed to be configured to be able to set multiple. That is, when multiple of snow, sleet, and rain are set, after forming any one of the set snow environments (or rain environments), it is also possible to conduct a test to change to another set snow environment (or rain environment). For example, it is also possible to set snow for the first test and sleet for the second test. In this case, the snow environment test device 10 first makes snow fall for a predetermined time, and then makes sleet fall for a predetermined time.

[0042] Note that the states of snow prepared as options are not limited to snow, sleet, and rain. For example, snow and sleet may be prepared as options. In this case, it may not be necessary to prepare rain as an option. Also, instead of the snow in the options, dry SnowAnd wet snow may be provided as an option.

[0043] The temperature control unit 40g is configured to control the air conditioner 12 so that the temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 20 becomes the temperature set by the temperature setting unit 40a.

[0044] The water flow rate setting unit 40d is a functional unit for setting the total water flow rate supplied to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14. For example, information indicating the water flow rate input by the tester through the input device 41 is stored.

[0045] The flow rate ratio setting unit 40e is a control unit for setting the flow rate ratio between the water supplied to the first nozzle 13 and the water supplied to the second nozzle 14. It is configured to set the flow rate ratio according to the snow state set in the state selection unit 40c. For example, when sleet is set in the state selection unit 40c, the flow rate ratio is set so that the ratio of the water flow rate of the first nozzle 13 to the water flow rate of the second nozzle 14 is 50% to 50%. In this case, 50% of the total water flow rate set by the water flow rate setting unit 40d is supplied to the first nozzle 13, and the remaining 50% is supplied to the second nozzle 14. Also, when the degree of sleet is set in the state selection unit 40c, the flow rate ratio setting unit 40e sets the flow rate ratio of both nozzles 13, 14 based on that ratio. For example, when rain 30% and snow 70% are set as the degree of sleet in the state selection unit 40c, the flow rate ratio setting unit 40e sets the flow rate ratio so that the ratio of the water flow rate of the first nozzle 13 to the water flow rate of the second nozzle 14 is 30% to 70%. Also, when rain is selected, the ratio of the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 is set to 100% to 0%, and when snow is selected, it is set to 0% to 100%.

[0046] In the case where wet snow and dry snow can be selectively configured, the separation of wet snow and dry snow may be performed by adjusting the temperature of the water supplied by the water supply unit 18, or by adjusting the temperature in the laboratory 1, or by adjusting the pressure of the air supplied by the air supply unit 16, or by adjusting the temperature of the air supplied by the air supply unit 16. For example, when dry snow is selected, the water temperature may be set to a certain temperature by the water temperature determination unit 40i described later, and when wet snow is selected, the water temperature may be set to a higher temperature. Also, when dry snow is selected, the air pressure may be set to a certain pressure by the pressure determination unit 40k described later, and when wet snow is selected, the air pressure may be set to a lower pressure. Further, when dry snow is selected, the temperature of the air may be set to a certain temperature, and when wet snow is selected, the temperature of the air may be set to a higher temperature.

[0047] The flow rate control unit 40f is configured to control the first flow rate adjustment valve 28 of the first branch pipe 22b and the second flow rate adjustment valve 30 of the second branch pipe 22c based on the water supply flow rate ratio to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 set by the flow rate ratio setting unit 40e. That is, the flow rate control unit 40f, the first flow rate adjustment valve 28, and the second flow rate adjustment valve 30 function as a flow rate adjustment unit that adjusts the supply water Flow quantity ratio.

[0048] For example, at a certain test temperature, when the water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14 turn into snow, it is possible to create sleet or change the sleet degree to a desired one only by changing the ratio of the water flow rate of the first nozzle 13 to the water flow rate of the second nozzle 14. That is, based on the state of the snow obtained by the water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14, the flow rate ratio setting unit 40e may be configured to adjust the flow rate ratio of the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14.

[0049] The related information storage unit 40h is a functional unit that stores information associating the temperature in the laboratory 1, the flow rate of water supplied to the second nozzle 14, and information regarding the state of the water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14 (information indicating whether the water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14 will become snow, sleet, or rain). Also, the related information storage unit 40h may store information associating the temperature in the laboratory 1, the flow rate of water supplied to the first nozzle 13, and information regarding the state of the water particles ejected from the first nozzle 13 (information indicating whether the water particles ejected from the first nozzle 13 will become snow, sleet, or rain). Note that the information regarding the state of the water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14 is not limited to information representing either snow, sleet, or rain, and may be, for example, information indicating to what extent the water particles will become snow. Also, the information regarding the state of the water particles ejected from the first nozzle 13 is not limited to information representing either snow, sleet, or rain, and may be information indicating to what extent the water particles will become snow.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, the related information storage unit 40h may include, for example, a map 43 that associates the test temperature (the temperature in the laboratory 1), the flow rate of water supplied to the second nozzle 14, and information regarding the state of the water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14 (information indicating whether the water particles from the second nozzle 14 will become snow, sleet, or rain). Also, a map (not shown) that is configured similarly to the map 43 in FIG. 3 and associates the temperature in the laboratory 1, the flow rate of water supplied to the first nozzle 13, and information regarding the state of the water particles ejected from the first nozzle 13 (information indicating whether the water particles from the first nozzle 13 will become snow, sleet, or rain) may be included in the related information storage unit 40h. Note that in the related information storage unit 40h, the information associating the temperature in the laboratory 1, the flow rate of water supplied to the first nozzle 13, and the information regarding the state of the water particles ejected from the first nozzle 13 may be omitted.

[0051] In the case where wet snow and dry snow can be selectively configured, in the related information storage unit 40h, information related to the temperature in the laboratory 1, the flow rate of water supplied to the second nozzle 14, the pressure of air supplied to the second nozzle 14, and the state of water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14 (information indicating whether the water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14 will become dry snow, wet snow, sleet, or rain) may be stored in an associated manner. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the related information storage unit 40h may include a map 43 that associates the test temperature (temperature in the laboratory 1), the flow rate of water supplied to the second nozzle 14, the pressure of air supplied to the second nozzle 14, and information related to the state of water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14 (information indicating whether the water particles from the second nozzle 14 will become dry snow, wet snow, sleet, or rain). Also, even in the case where wet snow and dry snow can be selectively configured, in the related information storage unit 40h, information associating the temperature in the laboratory 1, the flow rate of water supplied to the first nozzle 13, and information related to the state of water particles ejected from the first nozzle 13 (information representing any one of rain, sleet, and snow) may be stored.

[0052] Also, even when wet snow and dry snow can be selectively configured, in the related information storage unit 40h, the temperature in the laboratory 1, the flow rate of water supplied to the second nozzle 14, the temperature of water supplied to the second nozzle 14, and information regarding the state of water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14 (information indicating whether the water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14 will become dry snow, wet snow, sleet, or rain) may be stored in an associated manner. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the related information storage unit 40h may include a map 43 that associates the test temperature (the temperature of the laboratory 1), the flow rate of water supplied to the second nozzle 14, the temperature of water supplied to the second nozzle 14, and information regarding the state of water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14 (information indicating whether the water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14 will become dry snow, wet snow, sleet, or rain). Also, even in this case, in the related information storage unit 40h, information associating the temperature in the laboratory 1, the flow rate of water supplied to the first nozzle 13, and the state of water particles ejected from the first nozzle 13 (any one of rain, sleet, and snow) may be stored.

[0053] By using the information stored in the related information storage unit 40h, it is possible to derive which snow state can be obtained for a certain water flow rate (what percentage of the total water flow rate is supplied to the second nozzle 14) at each test temperature. Also, at each test temperature, it is possible to derive what flow rate of water per minute should be set for the water supplied to the second nozzle 14 when a certain snow state is desired. Note that the information stored in the related information storage unit 40h can be obtained through a preliminary test of adjusting the laboratory temperature, water flow rate, water temperature, and air pressure and then checking the state of the snow while making it snow.

[0054] Note that, as the snow state (or rain state) stored in the state selection unit 40c, snow, sleet, and rain are stored, but the degree of sleet (the ratio of rain and snow) may be stored. Also, as the quality of snow stored in the state selection unit 40c, dry snow and wet snow may be stored. Further, the information stored in the related information storage unit 40h may be information represented by a relational expression, information in a list format, or the like. Also, the prepared test temperatures are not limited to three, and information for more test temperatures may be prepared. Further, the information stored in the related information storage unit 40h includes the flow rate of water supplied to the second nozzle 14, but instead, the total water flow rate supplied to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 may be included. That is, since the flow rate ratio setting unit 40e determines the water supply flow rate ratio to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 according to the snow state, the supply water flow rate to the second nozzle 14 can be derived from the total water flow rate.

[0055] The water temperature determination unit 40i is a control unit for determining the temperature of the water supplied by the water supply unit 18, and is configured to determine the temperature of the water with reference to the temperature of the test chamber 1 set in the temperature setting unit 40a, the water flow rate set in the water flow rate setting unit 40d, the quality of snow (dry snow and wet snow) set in the state selection unit 40c, and the information stored in the related information storage unit 40h.

[0056] The water temperature control unit 40j is configured to control the heating / cooling device 25 so that the temperature of the water supplied by the water supply unit 18 becomes the water temperature determined by the water temperature determination unit 40i. Note that when the selection regarding the quality of snow (dry snow and wet snow) is not possible, the water temperature determination unit 40i and the water temperature control unit 40j can be omitted.

[0057] The pressure determination unit 40k is configured to determine the pressure of the air supplied to the second nozzle 14 by using the temperature of the test chamber 1 set in the temperature setting unit 40a, the water flow rate set in the water flow rate setting unit 40d, the water temperature determined by the water temperature determination unit 40i, the quality of snow set in the state selection unit 40c, and the information stored in the related information storage unit 40h.

[0058] The pressure control unit 40m is configured to control the pressure adjustment valve 16d so as to achieve the pressure determined by the pressure determination unit 40k. That is, the pressure determination unit 40k, the pressure control unit 40m, and the pressure adjustment valve 16d function as a pressure adjustment unit that adjusts the pressure of the air supplied to the second nozzle 14 to the pressure obtained using the information stored in the related information storage unit 40h. By adjusting the pressure of the air supplied to the second nozzle 14, the quality of the snow can be changed, for example, from wet snow to dry snow. Also, by adjusting the pressure of the air supplied to the second nozzle 14, part of the water particles from the second nozzle 14 can be prevented from freezing, thereby changing the snow to sleet. Note that when the selection of the snow quality (dry snow and wet snow) is not available, the pressure determination unit 40k and the pressure control unit 40m can be omitted.

[0059] Here, a method of conducting a snow environment test using the snow environment test apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Here, as an example of the test method, as shown in FIG. 7, a case will be described where the tests are conducted in the order of rainfall (first test), sleet (second test), and wet snow (third test), and the degree of sleet (the ratio of rain to snow) is not set.

[0060] In the snow environment test method, first, after placing the test specimen in the test chamber 1, the temperature inside the test chamber 1 is input through the input device 41, and the test time is input through the input device 41. At this time, for each of the first test, the second test, and the third test, the test chamber temperature and the test time are input. Thereby, the test chamber temperature is set in the temperature setting unit 40a, and the test time is set in the test time setting unit 40b (steps ST11, ST12).

[0061] Also, the water flow rate supplied by the water supply unit 18 is input through the input device 41. Thereby, the water flow rate is set in the water flow rate setting unit 40d (step ST13). Also, the state of the snow is selected through the input device 41. At this time, for example, rain is selected for the first test, sleet is selected for the second test, and wet snow is selected for the third test. Thereby, the state of the snow is set in the state selection unit 40c (step ST14). Note that the water flow rate may be constant through the first to third tests, or the water flow rate may be set for each of the first test, the second test, and the third test. The test temperature may be gradually decreased in the second test, or may be maintained at a constant temperature also in the second test.

[0062] Since rain is selected for the first test, the flow rate ratio between the water supplied to the first nozzle 13 and the water supplied to the second nozzle 14 is set to 100% to 0% by the flow rate ratio setting unit 40e. Also, since sleet is selected for the second test, the flow rate ratio is set to 50% to 50% by the flow rate ratio setting unit 40e. Also, since wet snow (snow) is selected for the third test, the flow rate ratio is set to 0% to 100% by the flow rate ratio setting unit 40e (step ST15).

[0063] Subsequently, the air conditioner 12 is operated, and the temperature control unit 40g controls the air conditioner 12 so that the temperature in the test chamber 1 detected by the room temperature sensor 20 becomes the temperature set in the temperature setting unit 40a (step ST16). Then, when the temperature in the test chamber 1 reaches the set temperature, the test is started (step ST17). At this time, since the test starts from the first test first, the air conditioner 12 is controlled so that the temperature in the test chamber 1 becomes the temperature set as the temperature of this first test. Then, based on the water supply flow rate ratio to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 set by the flow rate ratio setting unit 40e, the first flow rate adjustment valve 28 and the second flow rate adjustment valve 30 are controlled (step ST18). At this time, since rain is selected in the first test, the second flow rate adjustment valve 30 of the water supply unit 18 and the pressure adjustment valve 16d of the air supply unit 16 are closed. For this reason, the water supply unit 18 does not supply water to the second nozzle 14 and supplies water to the first nozzle 13 through the first branch pipe 22b of the water pipe 22. As a result, water droplets are ejected from the first nozzle 13, and rain can be made to fall. At this time, since the pressure adjustment valve 16d is closed, the air supply unit 16 does not supply air to the second nozzle 14.

[0064] In this state, when the set test time has elapsed, the process proceeds to the second test (step ST19). In the second test, the air conditioner 12 is controlled so that the temperature in the test chamber becomes the temperature set for the second test. Also, in the second test, since sleet is selected, the flow rate ratio of the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 is set to 50% to 50%. As a result, according to the water flow rate set by the water flow rate setting unit 40d and the set flow rate ratio, the water flow rate supplied to the second nozzle 14 is set and the first flow rate adjustment valve 28 and the second flow rate adjustment valve 30 are controlled (step ST20). That is, while keeping the total water supply flow rate to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 constant, the supply flow rate ratio to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 is adjusted. At this time, it is determined whether the state of the water particles from the second nozzle 14 derived from the test temperature stored in the related information storage unit 40h and the water flow rate to the second nozzle 14 Snow becomes, By the water particles from the first nozzle 13 and the water particles from the second nozzle 14, If sleet can be obtained, the set water flow rate is adopted as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined that sleet cannot be obtained, a water flow rate at which sleet can be obtained is derived, and the first flow rate adjustment valve 28 and the second flow rate adjustment valve 30 are controlled according to the derived water flow rate (step ST20). Thereby, a snow environment in which sleet falls is obtained. Then, the sleet test is continued for the set test time.

[0065] In this state, when the set test time elapses, the process proceeds to the third test (step ST21). In the third test, the air conditioner 12 is controlled to reach the test chamber temperature set for the third test. Also, in the third test, since wet snow is set, the flow rate ratio of the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 is set to 0% to 100%. Thereby, according to the set flow rate ratio, the water flow rate supplied to the second nozzle 14 is set, and the first flow rate adjustment valve 28 and the second flow rate adjustment valve 30 are controlled so that the set water flow rate can be obtained (step ST22).

[0066] In the third test, the temperature of the water supplied by the water supply unit 18 is set to the temperature determined by the water temperature determination unit 40i (step ST23), and the pressure of the air supplied to the second nozzle 14 is derived by the pressure determination unit 40k using the information stored in the related information storage unit 40h (step ST24), and the pressure adjustment valve 16d is controlled (step ST25). Thereby, a snow environment in which wet snow falls is created. Then, when the set time elapses, the third test is terminated.

[0067] Note that in the third test, only one of step ST23 for setting the water temperature and step ST25 for adjusting the air pressure may be executed. Also, in the third test, when simply selecting snow without setting the snow quality, steps ST23 to ST25 can be omitted.

[0068] The snow environment test method described with reference to FIG. 6 is a method in the second test where the degree of sleet is not adjusted, but it may be possible to adjust the degree of sleet. For example, even when it is desired to obtain a predetermined degree of sleet (50% water: 50% snow), depending on the laboratory temperature or the temperature of the water supplied by the water supply unit 18, the degree of sleet may change, and it may not be possible to obtain the sleet of the predetermined degree. That is, when the temperature is the first temperature (for example, the laboratory temperature is -15°C), even if all the water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14 freeze to obtain sleet of 50% water: 50% snow, in the case of the second temperature higher than the first temperature (for example, the laboratory temperature is -5°C), some of the water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14 may not freeze and remain as water. In this case, in the test chamber 1, in addition to the water particles ejected from the first nozzle 13, some of the water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14 become rain. Therefore, even if the flow rate ratio of each nozzle 13, 14 is set to 50%: 50%, it may be possible to obtain sleet with a relatively high proportion of water (for example, 60% water: 40% snow). Therefore, in the case of the second temperature higher than the first temperature, by relatively increasing the flow rate ratio of the second nozzle 14 compared to the case of the first temperature, it is possible to suppress the reduction in the proportion of snow and obtain the desired sleet (50% water: 50%). That is, based on the state of the snow generated by the water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14 (for example, information about what proportion of the water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14 become snow), the flow rate ratio of the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 may be adjusted. In this case, based on the relationship between the temperature of the test chamber 1 and the state of the snow due to the water particles from the second nozzle 14, which is stored in the related information storage unit 40h, the flow rate ratio of the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 will be adjusted.

[0069] On the one hand, when the temperature is the second temperature (e.g., -30°C) lower than the first temperature (e.g., the laboratory temperature is -15°C), all the water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14 turn into snow, but a part of the water particles ejected from the first nozzle 13 freezes and becomes snow. That is, a sleet state is created only by the water particles from the first nozzle 13. Therefore, when the flow rate ratio of the two nozzles 13 and 14 is 50%:50%, the proportion of snow becomes higher for a sleet of a predetermined degree (50% water: 50% snow). Thus, when the temperature is the second temperature lower than the first temperature, by relatively lowering the flow rate ratio of the second nozzle 14 compared to the case of the first temperature, it is possible to suppress the increase in the proportion of snow and obtain a sleet of a desired degree (50% water: 50% snow). That is, the flow rate ratio of the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 may be adjusted based on the state of the snow generated by the water particles ejected from the first nozzle 13. In this case, based on the relationship between the temperature of the laboratory 1 stored in the related information storage unit 40h and the state of the snow by the water particles from the first nozzle 13 (for example, information on what proportion of the water particles ejected from the first nozzle 13 becomes snow), the flow rate ratio of the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 is adjusted.

[0070] Instead of, or together with, the method of adjusting the degree of sleet by adjusting the flow rate ratio between the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14, fine adjustment of the degree of sleet may be performed by adjusting at least one of the supply water temperature by the water supply unit 18, the supply air pressure to the second nozzle 14, and the supply air temperature to the second nozzle 14 based on the information stored in the related information storage unit 40h. In this case, first, using the information stored in the related information storage unit 40h, the supply water temperature by the water supply unit 18, the supply air pressure to the second nozzle 14, and the supply air temperature to the second nozzle 14 are adjusted so that all the water particles from the first nozzle 13 become rain and all the water particles from the second nozzle 14 become snow. At this time, the relationship between the flow rate ratio of the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 = the degree of sleet (rain: snow) is established. And when it is desired to perform fine adjustment of the degree of sleet from this state, for example, when it is desired to perform fine adjustment so that the proportion of snow in the sleet increases, at least one of lowering the supply water temperature, increasing the supply air pressure, and lowering the supply air temperature is performed. On the other hand, when it is desired to perform fine adjustment so that the proportion of snow in the sleet decreases, at least one of raising the supply water temperature, lowering the supply air pressure, and raising the supply air temperature is performed. Thereby, fine adjustment of the degree of sleet can be performed.

[0071] As described above, in the present embodiment, under the temperature environment adjusted to the set temperature by the air conditioner 12, water is supplied to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 at the ratio adjusted by the first flow rate adjustment valve 28 and the second flow rate adjustment valve 30, and water particles are ejected from the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14. At this time, since the particle size of the water particles ejected from the first nozzle 13 is different from the particle size of the water particles ejected from the second nozzle 14, the supply water Flow to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 By adjusting the quantity ratio, it is possible to obtain the snow environment of the snow state selected by the state selection unit 40c among the snow environments in which at least one of sleet and snow falls. That is, by the first flow rate adjustment valve 28 and the second flow rate adjustment valve 30, the supply water FlowSince the quantity ratio is adjusted, it is possible to create a snow environment not only in the state of snow determined according to the set temperature but also in a state of snow different from this and being a desired state of snow.

[0072] Also, in the present embodiment, while making the total water supply flow rate to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 constant, the water supply Flow quantity ratio to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 is adjusted to create a desired snow environment under the condition that the total water supply flow rate to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 is constant. For this reason, it is possible to easily cope with cases where reproducibility needs to be confirmed, etc. Also, it is effective for tests that reproduce the actual meteorological environment where the snowfall amount does not change.

[0073] Note that, in the present embodiment, the case of conducting the first test to the third test has been described, but it is not limited to the configuration set to conduct three tests. It may be configured to create only one snow environment, or may be configured to sequentially create a plurality of snow environments.

[0074] (Other embodiments) Note that the embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes, improvements, etc. are possible without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in the above-described embodiments, in any of the first test to the third test, the water supply unit 18 is configured to supply water at a constant flow rate to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14, but it is not limited to this. The water supply unit 18 may be configured to be able to change the supply flow rate of water. By doing so, the snowfall amount can be increased. In this case, the pressure determination unit 40k preferably determines the pressure such that, under the condition that the temperature of the water supplied by the water supply unit 18 is constant, the pressure of the air supplied to the second nozzle 14 becomes higher as the total water flow rate supplied to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 is larger. Thereby, when sleet is selected, the snowfall amount can be increased while maintaining the sleet environment.

[0075] In the above-described embodiment, the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 are provided. In addition to this, a third nozzle may be provided. The third nozzle is configured to inject water particles having a larger particle size than the first nozzle 13, inject water particles having a smaller particle size than the second nozzle 14, or inject water particles having a particle size between the particle size of the water particles by the first nozzle 13 and the particle size of the water particles by the second nozzle 14.

[0076] In the above-described embodiment, the first nozzle 13 is constituted by a single-fluid nozzle and the second nozzle 14 is constituted by a two-fluid nozzle, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, both the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 may be constituted by two-fluid nozzles, and the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 may be configured such that the particle size of the water particles ejected by the first nozzle 13 is larger than the particle size of the water particles ejected by the second nozzle 14. In this case, the air supply unit 16 is configured to supply air also to the first nozzle 13.

[0077] In the above-described embodiment, the controller 40 functions as a flow rate ratio setting unit 40e and is configured to set the ratio of how to distribute the total water flow rate by the water supply unit 18 to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The flow rate ratio setting unit 40e may set the absolute value of the flow rate to the first nozzle 13 and the absolute value of the flow rate to the second nozzle 14. Even in this case, the water flow rates to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 are set such that the total of the supply water flow rates to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 becomes the flow rate set by the water flow rate setting unit 40d.

[0078] In the above-described embodiment, in the map 43 included in the related information storage unit 40h, the test temperature (the temperature of the test chamber 1), the flow rate of water supplied to the second nozzle 14, and the state of the snow are associated with each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Instead of the flow rate of water supplied to the second nozzle 14, the flow rate ratio between the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 may be used. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, as the horizontal axis, instead of the water flow rate, the flow rate ratio, which is the ratio of the water flow rate supplied to the second nozzle 14 to the total water flow rate, may be used. In this case, the information included in the related information storage unit 40h also includes information regarding the total water flow rate supplied to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14.

[0079] In the above-described embodiment, the controller 40 also functions as the pressure determination unit 40k and the pressure control unit 40m. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the selection of the snow quality (dry snow, wet snow) is not performed, it is not necessary for the controller 40 to function as the pressure determination unit 40k and the pressure control unit 40m. By the flow rate ratio setting unit 40e and the flow rate control unit 40f, Flow it is sufficient to adjust the flow rate ratio of the water supplied to the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 9, the snow environment test apparatus 10 may be provided with a blower 47 that generates an air current in the test chamber 1. By generating an air current by the blower 47, the time until the snow formed by the water particles from the second nozzle 14 reaches the specimen can be changed. Based on the signal input through the input device 41, the rotation speed of the blower 47 may be increased or decreased.

Explanation of Signs

[0081] 1: Test chamber 10: Snow environment test apparatus 12: Air conditioner 13: First nozzle 14: Second nozzle 28: First flow rate adjustment valve 30: Second flow rate adjustment valve 40c: State selection unit

Claims

1. A snow environment test device for creating a snow environment in a test chamber, comprising: a first nozzle for injecting water particles; a second nozzle for injecting water particles having a smaller particle size than the first nozzle; an air conditioner for adjusting the temperature in the test chamber to a set temperature; a state selection unit for setting the state of the snow to be fallen; a flow rate adjustment unit for adjusting the supply water flow rate ratio to the first nozzle and the second nozzle so that the state of the snow set by the state selection unit can be obtained at the set temperature as the temperature at which the snow environment is obtained; The snow environment test device, wherein the flow rate adjustment unit is configured to adjust the supply water flow rate ratio to the state in which the water particles are injected from the first nozzle and the water particles are injected from the second nozzle based on the state of the snow set by the state selection unit.

2. The snow environment test device according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate adjustment unit adjusts the supply water flow rate ratio to the first nozzle and the second nozzle while keeping the total supply water flow rate to the first nozzle and the second nozzle constant.

3. The snow environment test device according to claim 1, wherein when the set temperature is a second temperature lower than the first temperature, the flow rate adjustment unit adjusts the supply water flow rate ratio to the first nozzle and the second nozzle so that the supply water flow rate ratio to the first nozzle is higher than the supply water flow rate ratio to the first nozzle at the first temperature.

4. The snow environment test device according to claim 1, wherein when the set temperature is a second temperature higher than the first temperature, the flow rate adjustment unit adjusts the supply water flow rate ratio to the first nozzle and the second nozzle so that the supply water flow rate ratio to the second nozzle is higher than the supply water flow rate ratio to the second nozzle at the first temperature.

5. At least the second nozzle is constituted by a two-fluid nozzle, The snow environment test device according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure adjustment unit for adjusting the pressure of the air supplied to the second nozzle so as to create a snow environment in which sleet in which snow and rain coexist is set as the state of the snow when the state selection unit sets sleet in which snow and rain coexist as the state of the snow.

6. At least the second nozzle is constituted by a two-fluid nozzle, The snow environment test device further comprising a pressure adjustment unit for adjusting the pressure of the air supplied to the second nozzle. In the state selection unit, when sleet in which snow and rain coexist is set as the snow state, the pressure adjustment unit increases the pressure of the air supplied to the second nozzle as the total water flow rate supplied to the first nozzle and the second nozzle increases. The snow environment test device according to claim 1.

7. At least the second nozzle is constituted by a two-fluid nozzle, The snow environment test device according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure adjustment unit that adjusts the pressure of the air supplied to the second nozzle so that the quality of the snow changes.

8. A snow environment test method for creating a snow environment in a test chamber, Setting the temperature in the test chamber, In the state selection unit, setting the state of the snow to be dropped, Setting the supply water flow rate ratio to the first nozzle and the second nozzle so that the set snow state can be obtained at the set temperature as the temperature at which the snow environment can be obtained, Adjusting the temperature of the test chamber to the set temperature by an air conditioner, A snow environment test method for creating the snow environment in a state where water is supplied to the first nozzle and the second nozzle at the set supply water flow rate ratio, water particles are ejected from the first nozzle, and water particles having a smaller particle size than the first nozzle are ejected from the second nozzle.

9. The snow environment test method according to claim 8, wherein the total supply water flow rate to the first nozzle and the second nozzle is constant.

10. When the set temperature is a second temperature lower than the first temperature, the supply water flow rate ratio to the first nozzle and the second nozzle is set so that the supply water flow rate ratio to the first nozzle is higher than the supply water flow rate ratio to the first nozzle at the first temperature. The snow environment test method according to claim 8.

11. When the set temperature is a second temperature higher than the first temperature, the supply water flow rate ratio to the first nozzle and the second nozzle is set so that the supply water flow rate ratio to the second nozzle is higher than the supply water flow rate ratio to the first nozzle at the first temperature. The snow environment test method according to claim 8.

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