Condensation rain gauge and environmental testing machine using the condensation rain gauge

Abstract

To provide a dew condensation rainfall meter and an environment testing machine using the dew condensation rainfall meter that are able to accurately estimate, with a simple structure, an adhering state of moisture on a sample surface.SOLUTION: A dew condensation rainfall meter includes: a dew condensation meter in which a hydrophilic material is installed on a substrate and an electrode is installed on the hydrophilic material; and a rainfall meter in which a water-repellent material is installed on a substrate and an electrode is installed on the water-repellent material. In an environment in which various samples are exposed outdoors or in an environment in which accelerated environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight, and the like) are artificially reproduced and a degree of deterioration of each of the samples is evaluated, the dew condensation rainfall meter 1 is installed at substantially the same position as the sample, and an adhering state of moisture on a surface of the dew condensation rainfall meter 1 is detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dew condensation rain gauge for detecting the adhesion state of moisture on the surface of a sample and an environmental testing machine using the dew condensation rain gauge.

Background Art

[0002] In an environment where various outdoor samples are exposed, when monitoring the deterioration of a sample, a rain sensor for detecting rain is used. Also, in an environment where accelerated environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight, etc.) are artificially reproduced, a dew sensor for determining the dew condensation state on the surface of a sample is used.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a method of providing a heater to a rain sensor for detecting outdoor rain and removing the influence of fog and dew condensation by the action of the heater.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a spray testing machine that accurately detects the presence or absence of moisture generation on the surface of a sample by measuring the temperature change due to the generation and disappearance of dew condensation water and condensed water on the surface of the sample.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In a dew condensation rain gauge and an environmental testing machine using the dew condensation rain gauge, it is required to accurately predict the adhesion state of moisture on the surface of a sample with a simple structure.

[0007] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a condensation rain gauge and an environmental testing machine using a condensation rain gauge that can accurately predict the moisture adhesion status on a sample surface with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The disclosure in this invention relates to a condensation rain gauge and an environmental testing machine using the condensation rain gauge, as described below.

[0009] (1) A condensation rain meter having a hydrophilic material placed on a substrate and electrodes placed on the hydrophilic material, and a rain meter having a water-repellent material placed on a substrate and electrodes placed on the water-repellent material. (2) A condensation rain meter according to (1), having a temperature sensor. (3) An environmental testing machine equipped with a condensation rain gauge as described in (1) or (2). (4) A light source, and an annular sample mounting frame that rotates around the light source, Multiple sample holders are arranged in a row on the sample mounting frame, and the sample is placed in each of them. The environmental testing machine described in (3) is equipped with a sample holder consisting of multiple stages arranged vertically, and multiple condensation rain gauges are provided to correspond to the multiple stages of the sample holder, and a weather resistance test is performed. (5) The environmental testing machine described in (4) which has an overhang at the top of the condensation rain gauge. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a condensation rain meter and an environmental testing machine using the condensation rain meter have a condensation meter that has a hydrophilic material on a substrate and electrodes on the hydrophilic material, and a rain meter that has a water-repellent material on a substrate and electrodes on the water-repellent material, allowing for the detection of condensation and rainfall with a simple structure, and by installing the condensation rain meter at approximately the same position as the sample, the degree of moisture adhesion on the sample surface can be predicted with high accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the general configuration of a condensation rain gauge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram illustrating an application example of the condensation rainfall meter according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the general configuration of an environmental testing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram illustrating an application example of the environmental testing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The description will be in the following order. 1. First Embodiment (Example of a condensation-rain meter having a condensation meter and a rain meter) 2. Application example of the first embodiment (an example in which a thermometer is further provided in the first embodiment) 3. Second Embodiment (Example of an Environmental Testing Machine with a Condensation Rain Gauge) 4. Application example of the second embodiment (an example in which an additional protruding portion is provided in the second embodiment)

[0013] <1. First Embodiment> [composition] Figure 1 schematically shows an example of the general configuration of a condensation rain gauge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The condensation rain gauge 1 of the first embodiment includes a condensation meter 2 and a rain gauge 3.

[0014] The condensation and rainfall meter 1 detects condensation and rainfall in an environment where various samples are exposed outdoors, or in an environment where favorable environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight, etc.) are artificially reproduced. In the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, condensation and rainfall are detected by having a condensation meter 2 and a rainfall meter 3.

[0015] The dew condensation and rainfall meter 1 has a dew condensation meter 2 and a rainfall meter 3. The dew condensation meter 2 has a hydrophilic film 22 installed on a substrate 20, and an electrode 21 is installed on the hydrophilic film 22. The electrode 21 is installed so as to be exposed from the hydrophilic film 22. The rainfall meter 3 has a water-repellent film 32 installed on a substrate 30, and an electrode 31 is installed on the water-repellent film 32. The electrode 31 is installed so as to be exposed from the water-repellent film 32. Also, the dew condensation and rainfall meter 1 is configured to apply a weak voltage and detect conduction.

[0016] [Operation, Function, and Effect] The dew condensation and rainfall meter 1 of the first embodiment has a dew condensation meter 2 and a rainfall meter 3.

[0017] In the dew condensation meter 2, by installing the electrode 21 on the hydrophilic film 22 on the substrate 20, when water droplets adhere to the dew condensation meter 2, moisture spreads wetly on the hydrophilic film 22 and the electrode 21 conducts electricity. Thereby, the occurrence of dew condensation (the presence or absence of moisture) can be detected.

[0018] In the rainfall meter 3, by installing the electrode 31 on the water-repellent film 32 on the substrate 30, when water droplets adhere to the rainfall meter 3, due to the action of surface tension on the water-repellent film 32, the moisture does not stay on the surface, and the electrode 31 does not conduct electricity if there is no continuous flow of water like rainfall. In other words, the rainfall meter 3 conducts electricity when there is a continuous flow of water like rainfall.

[0019] Therefore, when neither the dew condensation meter 2 nor the rainfall meter 3 of the dew condensation and rainfall meter 1 is conducting electricity, it means that there is neither dew condensation nor rainfall (such as water spraying) around the dew condensation and rainfall meter 1. When the dew condensation meter 2 is conducting electricity and the rainfall meter 3 is not conducting electricity, it means that dew condensation has occurred. When both the dew condensation meter 2 and the rainfall meter 3 are conducting electricity, it can be detected that rainfall has occurred.

[0020] As described above, the condensation rain gauge 1 does not require a heater or other devices, and therefore can detect condensation and rainfall with a simple structure without the need for a power supply. Furthermore, in an environment where the sample is exposed outdoors, or in an environment where favorable environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight, etc.) are artificially reproduced, the condensation rain gauge 1 can be placed in approximately the same position as the sample (not shown in Figure 1), and the moisture adhesion status on the surface of the condensation rain gauge 1 can be detected to predict the moisture adhesion status on the sample surface. In addition, by detecting the moisture adhesion status with the condensation rain gauge 1, the time during which condensation and rainfall occur on the sample surface can be predicted, and the wetting time of the sample surface can be predicted.

[0021] The following describes an application example of the first embodiment. In the following, components identical to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0022] <2. Application Examples of the First Embodiment> [composition] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an application example of the condensation rain gauge 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The condensation rain gauge 1a in this application example is the condensation rain gauge 1 described in the first embodiment above, with an additional thermometer 4, and the other configurations are basically the same.

[0023] The thermometer 4 is located near the center of the dew meter 1a and is composed of a heat-sensing element such as a bimetallic strip, platinum resistor, thermistor, or thermocouple.

[0024] [effect] The condensation rain gauge 1a is installed at approximately the same position as the sample (not shown in Figure 2), and by detecting the amount of moisture adhering to the surface of the condensation rain gauge 1a, it is possible to predict the amount of moisture adhering to the surface of the sample. In addition, by having a thermometer 4, the temperature around the sample can be measured simultaneously. Furthermore, if rainfall (water spray, etc.) acts on the sample, the temperature change experienced by the sample due to the rainfall (water spray, etc.) can be predicted from the measurement value of the condensation rain gauge 1a.

[0025] The second embodiment and application examples of the second embodiment will be described below. In the following, components identical to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0026] <3. Second Embodiment> [composition] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a general configuration example of the environmental testing machine 100 as a second embodiment. The environmental testing machine 100 performs weather resistance tests on a sample S placed in a test chamber 10 under accelerated environmental conditions. More specifically, the environmental testing machine 100 performs tests on the sample S in a cycle by arbitrarily combining one or more of the following: irradiation test, condensation test (lights off + water spray on the back surface of the sample), darkness test (lights off), rainfall test (irradiation + water spray on the surface of the sample).

[0027] The environmental testing machine 100 includes a condensation rain gauge 1, a light source 11, a pair of sample frames 12a and 12b, a sample holder 13, a sample surface spray nozzle 14, a sample back surface spray nozzle 15, a light receiver (not shown), and a black panel thermometer (not shown) in the test chamber 10. The environmental testing machine 100 also includes a rotating shaft 120 and a control unit 18, as shown in Figure 3.

[0028] The light source 11 is positioned near the center of the test chamber 10, extending along the Z-axis direction. The light source 11 is composed of lamp light sources such as a xenon arc lamp, a sunshine carbon arc lamp, an ultraviolet carbon arc lamp, a metal halide lamp, or an ultraviolet fluorescent lamp.

[0029] The sample mounting frames 12a and 12b are positioned in the XY plane such that the light source 11 is at its center. This is a circular frame. The sample mounting frames 12a and 12b rotate at a constant speed around the light source 11 as the rotation axis 120 rotates along the rotation direction R1. As a result, as shown in Figure 3, the condensation rain gauge 1, sample S, light receiver, and black panel thermometer, which will be described later, also rotate around the light source 11 along the rotation direction R2. Here, the condensation rain gauge 1, light receiver, and black panel thermometer transmit their output to a control unit located outside the test chamber via a slip ring mechanism (not shown).

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the sample holder 13 is mounted so as to connect the sample frames 12a and 12b, and is detachable from these sample frames 12a and 12b. Each sample holder 13 is a holder for holding the sample S in the test chamber 10, and has an upper sample mounting section S1, a middle sample mounting section S2, and a lower sample mounting section S3 facing the light source 11. The sample S, the condensation rain gauge 1, the light receiver, and the black panel thermometer are placed on these sample mounting sections S1 to S3. The entire set of such sample holders 13 forms a polygonal shape on a plane perpendicular to the Z axis, corresponding to the number of holders. In other words, these multiple sample holders 13 are arranged in a line on the sample frames 12a and 12b described above to form a polygon, and the angles are defined so that the irradiance at each sample mounting section is approximately equal (preferably equal) based on the light distribution curve of the synchrotron radiation Lout emitted from the light source 11.

[0031] The sample surface spray nozzle 14 is a component that sprays water toward the surface of the sample S. In this example, it is arranged in a one-to-one correspondence between opposing positions on the surface side of the sample S, which is installed in the upper sample mounting section S1, the middle sample mounting section S2, and the lower sample mounting section S3, respectively. However, the arrangement of the sample surface spray nozzle 14 is not limited to this example.

[0032] The sample back surface spray nozzle 15 is a component that sprays water toward the back surface of the sample S. In this example, it is positioned around the wall surface of the test chamber 10, and is arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with opposing positions on the back side of the sample S installed in the upper sample mounting section S1, middle sample mounting section S2, and lower sample mounting section S3, respectively. However, the arrangement of the sample back surface spray nozzle 15 is not limited to this example.

[0033] As mentioned above, the condensation rain gauge 1 consists of a condensation meter 2 and a rain gauge 3. The condensation rain gauge 1 is used to predict the amount of moisture adhering to the surface of the sample S. By placing the condensation rain gauge 1 in approximately the same position as the sample S and detecting the amount of moisture adhering to the surface of the condensation rain gauge 1, the amount of moisture adhering to the surface of the sample S can be predicted. More specifically, as shown in Figure 3, in this example, the condensation rain gauge 1 is installed in the sample holder 13 inside the test tank 10 with electrodes 21 and 31 facing the light source 11. The condensation rain gauge 1 may also have a thermometer 4. Furthermore, the condensation rain gauge 1 is designed to detect conductivity by applying a weak voltage.

[0034] <Example of weather resistance test> In the environmental testing machine 100 of the second embodiment, a weather resistance test was performed by combining an irradiation test in which light from the light source 11 was irradiated onto the sample S, a condensation test (light off + water spraying onto the back of the sample) in which the light source 11 was turned off, the inside of the test chamber 10 was kept at high humidity, and cold water was sprayed onto the back of the sample S using a sample back spray nozzle to cause condensation on the surface of the sample S, a rainfall test (irradiation + water spraying onto the surface of the sample) in which water was sprayed onto the surface of the sample S using a sample surface spray nozzle 14 while light from the light source 11 was irradiated onto the sample S, and a dark test in which the light source 11 was turned off. The degree of moisture adhesion on the surface of the condensation rainfall meter 1, which was installed at approximately the same position as the sample S, was detected.

[0035] Table 1 shows the conductivity of electrode 21 of condensation meter 2 in condensation rain gauge 1, the conductivity of electrode 31 of rain gauge 3, and the judgment result of condensation rain gauge 1 based on the conductivity of condensation meter 1 and rain gauge 2 when irradiation tests, condensation tests, rainfall tests, and dark tests were performed on sample S.

[0036] [Table 1]

[0037] The conductivity of electrode 21 of condensation meter 2 of condensation meter 1 and electrode 31 of rain meter 3 will be described for each of the following tests: irradiation test, condensation test (lights off + water spraying onto the back surface of the sample), rainfall test (irradiation + water spraying onto the surface of the sample), and dark test.

[0038] The irradiation test involves irradiating the sample S with light from the light source 11. In the irradiation test, water is not sprayed from the spray nozzle 14 on the sample surface and the spray nozzle 15 on the back surface of the sample, so the condensation meter 2 and the rainfall meter 3 do not conduct electricity. As a result, it can be predicted that there is no condensation or water spray (rainfall) on the surface of the condensation rainfall meter 1, which is installed at approximately the same position as the sample S, and that there is no moisture on the surface of the sample S.

[0039] In the condensation test, the light source 11 is turned off, the inside of the test chamber 10 is kept at high humidity, and cold water is sprayed onto the back surface of the sample S using the sample back surface spray nozzle 15 to cool the back surface of the sample S and cause condensation to form on the surface of the sample S. In the condensation test, the moisture from the condensation that forms on the surface of the condensation rain gauge 1 spreads on the hydrophilic film 22 of the condensation meter 2, causing the condensation meter to become conductive. However, on the water-repellent film 32 of the rain gauge 3, the moisture flows off due to the action of surface tension and does not remain on the surface, so the rain gauge 3 does not become conductive. As a result, it is possible to detect that condensation has occurred on the surface of the condensation rain gauge 1, which is installed at approximately the same position as the sample S.

[0040] In the rainfall test, water is sprayed onto the surface of sample S using a sample surface spray nozzle 14 while irradiating sample S with light from a light source 11, thereby simulating rainfall conditions on the surface of sample S. In the rainfall test, water sprayed onto the surface of condensation rain gauge 1 spreads on the hydrophilic film 22 of condensation gauge 2, causing condensation gauge 2 to become conductive. On the water-repellent film 32 of rain gauge 3, the continuous spraying of water by the sample surface spray nozzle 14 causes rain gauge 3 to become conductive. This makes it possible to detect that rainfall conditions are occurring on the surface of condensation rain gauge 1, which is installed at approximately the same position as sample S, with water being sprayed (rainfall).

[0041] Therefore, in the environmental testing machine 100, when the condensation meter 2 and rain meter 3 of the condensation rain meter 1 are not conductive, it is possible to detect that there is no condensation or water spray (rainfall) on the surface of the condensation rain meter 1 installed at approximately the same position as the sample S; when the condensation meter 2 is conductive and the rain meter 3 is not conductive, it is possible to detect that condensation is occurring on the surface of the condensation rain meter 1 installed at approximately the same position as the sample S; and when both the condensation meter 2 and rain meter 3 are conductive, it is possible to detect that there is rainfall on the surface of the condensation rain meter 1, where water is being sprayed (rainfall).

[0042] Furthermore, since the condensation rain gauge 1 detects conductivity by applying a weak voltage, it can transmit the output to the control unit 18 located outside the test chamber 10 via a slip ring mechanism. This allows for the prediction of the time the sample S is wet and the time the sample S is dry during the spray test, even when the test is performed while rotating the sample frame around the light source.

[0043] [Effects / Effects] As described above, in the environmental testing machine 100 of the second embodiment, the condensation rain gauge 1 does not require devices such as heaters and has a simple structure without using a power supply, and can accurately detect the moisture adhering to the surface of the condensation rain gauge 1 installed at approximately the same position as the sample S. Furthermore, by detecting the moisture adhering state with the condensation rain gauge 1, it is possible to predict the time during which condensation occurred on the surface of the sample S and the time during which water spray was acting, thereby predicting the wetting time of the surface of the sample S.

[0044] Furthermore, in the environmental testing machine 100, the dew meter 1 has a thermometer 4, which allows for simultaneous measurement of the temperature around the sample S. In addition, in tests in which water is sprayed (rainfall) or the like is applied to the sample S, the temperature change experienced by the sample S due to the water spray (rainfall) or the like can be predicted by measuring the temperature with the dew meter 1.

[0045] Furthermore, in condensation and rainfall tests, the detection status of the condensation / rainfall meter 1 allows for confirmation of whether there are any abnormalities in the water spray from the sample surface spray nozzle 14 or the sample back surface spray nozzle 15. For example, if an abnormality occurs in the water spray due to clogging of the sample surface spray nozzle 14 or the sample back surface spray nozzle 15, the abnormality can be detected during the test, and the continuation of the test in the state of abnormal water spray can be prevented.

[0046] <4. Application Examples of the Second Embodiment> [composition] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an application example of the environmental testing machine 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The environmental testing machine 100A in this application example is the environmental testing machine 100 described in the second embodiment above, with an overhang D provided above where the condensation rain gauge 1 is installed, and the other configurations are basically the same.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4, one condensation rain gauge 1 is installed at each of the positions corresponding to the upper sample mounting section S1, the middle sample mounting section S2, and the lower sample mounting section S3, and an overhang D is provided on the top of the condensation rain gauge 1.

[0048] [effect] In the environmental testing machine 100A, an application example of the second embodiment of the present invention, an overhang D is provided on the upper part of the condensation rain gauge 1, thereby eliminating the influence of water sprayed onto the condensation rain gauge 1 installed on other sample mounting sections in the upper sample mounting section S1, middle sample mounting section S2, and lower sample mounting section S3. Therefore, for example, if an abnormality occurs in the water spray due to clogging of the sample surface spray nozzle 14 or the sample back surface spray nozzle 15, it is possible to check at which position in the upper sample mounting section S1, middle sample mounting section S2, or lower sample mounting section S3 the abnormality in the water spray occurred.

[0049] <5. Other variations> Although the present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments and application examples, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

[0050] For example, in the above embodiment, a hydrophilic film was used as the hydrophilic material for the condensation meter, but the material is not particularly limited as long as it has hydrophilic properties, and hydrophilic paint or the like may also be used.

[0051] In addition, although the above embodiment described the use of a water-repellent film as the water-repellent material for the rain gauge, the material is not particularly limited as long as it has water-repellent properties, and water-repellent paints and the like may also be used.

[0052] Furthermore, while the above embodiments specifically described the configuration (shape, arrangement, number, etc.) of each component in the condensation rain gauge and environmental tester, these configurations are not limited to those described in the above embodiments, and other shapes, arrangements, and numbers may also be used.

[0053] Furthermore, this method is not limited to the weather resistance tests described in the above embodiments, but can also be applied to outdoor environments, spray corrosion tests, combined cycle tests, and other environmental tests to investigate the corrosion resistance of various materials.

[0054] For example, in a combined cycle test to investigate corrosion resistance, tests such as salt spray tests, wet tests, dry tests, and immersion tests are performed by arbitrarily combining them. However, by using the condensation rain gauge of the present invention, it is possible to predict the time that salt adhering to the sample is dry and the time that it is wet during the test. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 1, 1a... Condensation rain gauge, 2... Condensation meter, 20... Substrate, 21... Electrode, 22... Hydrophilic film, 3... Rain gauge, 30... Substrate, 31... Electrode, 32... Water-repellent film, 4... Thermometer, 100, 100A... Environmental testing machine, 10... Test chamber, 11... Light source, 12a, 12b... Sample mounting frame, 13... Sample holder, 14... Sample surface spray nozzle, 15... Sample back surface spray nozzle, 18... Control unit, 120... Rotation axis, R1, R2... Rotation direction, S... Sample, S1... Upper sample mounting section, S2... Middle sample mounting section, S3... Lower sample mounting section, D... Protruding section, Lout... Synchrotron radiation.

Claims

1. A dew meter comprising a substrate on which a hydrophilic material is placed and electrodes are placed on the hydrophilic material, A rain gauge that has a water-repellent material installed on a substrate and electrodes installed on the water-repellent material A condensation rain gauge having, Light source and An annular sample mounting frame that rotates around the aforementioned light source, Multiple sample holders are arranged in a row on the aforementioned sample mounting frame, and the sample is placed on each of them. Equipped with, The sample holder is composed of multiple stages arranged in the vertical direction. Multiple condensation rain meters are provided so as to correspond to the multiple stages of the sample holder, An environmental testing machine used for weather resistance testing.

2. The environmental testing machine according to claim 1, wherein the condensation rain gauge has a temperature sensor.

3. The environmental testing machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an overhang is provided on the upper part of the condensation rain gauge.

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