Environmental testing machine

Abstract

To provide an environmental testing machine which can offer improved testing accuracy.SOLUTION: An environmental testing machine for testing the deterioration of a sample is provided, the environmental testing machine comprising a test chamber for conducting the testing, with a liquid tank provided inside the test chamber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an environmental testing machine.

Background Art

[0002] Environmental testing machines are known for testing the environmental degradation of samples such as products and materials. As environmental testing machines, there are not only devices that perform only a single test such as a spray corrosion test, but also, as a test closer to the natural environment, a spray corrosion test combined with other tests such as a drying test, a wetting test, an immersion test, and a low-temperature test to form one cycle, and there are devices that repeat this cycle to conduct tests.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in such an environmental testing machine, generally, improvement in test accuracy during environmental testing is required.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to provide an environmental testing machine capable of improving test accuracy during environmental testing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) In an environmental testing machine for testing the degradation of a sample, comprising a test tank for conducting the test, having a liquid tank inside the test tank Environmental testing machine.

[0007] (2) Among a spray test for spraying a liquid on the sample and an immersion test for immersing the sample in the liquid, In an environmental testing machine that performs at least one test, The liquid tank is It contains liquid inside, Use of liquid for spraying and / or immersion. (1) The environmental testing machine described above.

[0008] (3) The liquid tank is It contains liquid inside, The liquid is used to clean the test tank. (1) The environmental testing machine described above.

[0009] (4) The volume of liquid to be contained in the liquid tank is This roughly corresponds to the amount of liquid used for one wash. (3) The environmental testing machine described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the environmental testing machine of the present invention, since a liquid tank is provided inside the test chamber of the environmental testing machine, the temperature of the liquid used during environmental testing can be made to approximately match the temperature inside the test chamber, thereby improving the accuracy of the test with a simple structure. In addition, heat dissipation from the liquid tank can be prevented, resulting in energy savings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an environmental testing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the general outline of the environmental testing machine 1A according to Modification 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the immersion test in environmental testing machine 1A. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the general structure of the environmental testing machine 1B according to the modified example 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] (Embodiment of the environmental test machine 1) Referring to FIG. 1, the outline of the environmental test machine 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the outline of the environmental test machine 1 according to the embodiment.

[0014] The environmental test machine 1 according to the embodiment includes a test tank 2, a spraying unit 3, a liquid tank 4, and a sample placement table 5.

[0015] The environmental test machine 1 performs a spray corrosion test in which a liquid is sprayed from the spraying unit 3 onto a sample S placed on the sample placement table 5 inside the test tank 2 to test the corrosion resistance of the sample S. The liquid used in the spray corrosion test is, for example, salt water, but there is no particular limitation as long as it is a liquid generally used in the technical field.

[0016] The test tank 2 is a container that houses the sample S and the spraying unit 3 inside, and has a space for allowing the liquid sprayed by the spraying unit 3 to freely fall onto the sample S.

[0017] The spraying unit 3 has a spray tower 31 erected inside the test tank 2 and a sprayer 32 provided inside the spray tower 31. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the spray tower 31 is arranged near the side wall of the test tank 2, but for example, the spray tower 31 may be arranged near the center of the test tank 2.

[0018] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the sprayer 32 has a liquid nozzle and an air nozzle. The compressed air ejected from the air nozzle sucks up the spraying liquid from the liquid nozzle and forms fine particles, which are discharged into the test tank 2 as a spray from above the spray tower 31 and fall naturally onto the sample S. However, the sprayer 32 is not particularly limited as long as it can spray the liquid.

[0019] The liquid tank 4 is located inside the test chamber 2 and is connected to the liquid nozzle of the sprayer 32. It contains liquid, and when this liquid is supplied to the sprayer 32, it is sprayed into the test chamber 2. In the example shown in Figure 1, the liquid tank 4 is located at the bottom edge of the test chamber 2, but it may also be located near the center of the test chamber 2 or against a wall. Furthermore, there are no particular restrictions on the shape or quantity of the liquid tank 4 as long as it can store liquid inside, and the liquid may be supplied to the liquid tank 4 from outside the test chamber 2.

[0020] (Operation of Environmental Test Machine 1) The environmental testing machine 1 is equipped with a spray tower 31 erected inside the test chamber 2. Compressed air supplied from an external compressed air supply unit (not shown) is supplied to an air nozzle at a predetermined air pressure and ejected from the air nozzle of a sprayer 32 inside the spray tower 31. Consequently, the liquid inside the liquid nozzle connected to the liquid tank 4 is drawn in by the compressed air ejected from the air nozzle, and the liquid is sprayed into the test chamber 2. The sprayed mist of liquid falls naturally onto the sample S inside the test chamber 2 to perform the spray test. The test chamber 2 is also equipped with a heating device, a cooling device, and a humidifying device (not shown), and these are controlled to maintain the atmosphere inside the test chamber 2 at the desired temperature and humidity. Therefore, the sample S is exposed to the spray environment under the desired temperature and humidity.

[0021] (Effects of Environmental Test Machine 1) In general, in environmental testing, when spraying a liquid under specified test conditions (for example, a temperature of 35°C inside the test chamber 2), if there is a difference between the temperature inside the test chamber 2 and the temperature of the liquid, the liquid sprayed will be at a different temperature than the temperature inside the test chamber 2, causing fluctuations in the temperature inside the test chamber 2, leading to variations in the degree of degradation of the environmental test and potentially reducing test accuracy. For this reason, conventionally, a liquid tank 4 was provided outside the test chamber 2, the liquid in the liquid tank 4 was heated by a heating device, etc., and then supplied to the sprayer 32 through piping. In the environmental testing machine 1 according to this embodiment, the liquid contained in the liquid tank 4 inside the test chamber 2 is used for the spray test, so the temperature of the liquid contained in the liquid tank 4 is approximately the same as the ambient temperature inside the test chamber 2, the temperature inside the test chamber 2 can be kept constant, and test accuracy can be improved. Furthermore, since the temperature of the liquid contained in the liquid tank 4 is made to be approximately the same as the ambient temperature inside the test chamber 2, compared to the case where the liquid tank 4 is located outside the test chamber 2 and heated by a heating device inside the liquid tank 4, heat dissipation from the liquid tank 4 located outside the test chamber 2 can be prevented, simplifying the structure of the environmental testing machine 1 and achieving energy savings. Moreover, since the liquid tank 4 is located inside the test chamber 2, heat dissipation from the piping as the liquid passes through the piping can be prevented, further achieving energy savings.

[0022] (Variation 1 of environmental testing machine 1) Next, a modified example 1 of the present invention will be described. Components identical to those in the embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the general outline of the environmental testing machine 1A according to Modification 1.

[0024] This modified version of the environmental testing machine 1A includes a liquid tank 4A and an immersion tub 6. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the immersion test in the environmental testing machine 1A.

[0025] In the example shown in Figure 2, the immersion tub 6 is a box-shaped container surrounding the sample mounting stage 5. By filling this container with liquid, the sample S placed on the sample mounting stage 5 is immersed. The immersion tub 6 is connected to a liquid tank 4A, described later, via a liquid supply pipe 61 and a liquid discharge pipe 62, and the liquid is supplied and discharged by the liquid supply pipe 61 and the liquid discharge pipe 62. There are no particular restrictions on the shape or number of the immersion tub 6 as long as it can immerse the sample S, and the test tank 2 itself may also serve the role of the immersion tub 6.

[0026] The liquid tank 4A is located inside the test chamber 2 and is connected to the immersion bath 6 via a liquid supply pipe 61 and a liquid discharge pipe 62, and contains liquid inside. When this liquid is supplied to the immersion bath 6, the immersion test of the sample S placed on the sample mounting stand 5 is performed, as shown in Figure 3. The liquid can be supplied from the liquid tank 4A to the immersion bath 6 by a pump or the like via the liquid supply pipe 61. On the other hand, the liquid can be drained from the immersion bath 6 to the liquid tank 4A using gravity via the liquid discharge pipe 62. The liquid tank 4A has no particular restrictions on shape, quantity, etc., as long as it can store liquid inside, and there are no particular restrictions on the method of supplying or discharging the liquid.

[0027] (Operation of Environmental Test Machine 1A) In the environmental testing machine 1A, liquid contained in the liquid tank 4A located inside the test chamber 2 is supplied to the immersion bath 6 via the liquid supply pipe 61 at the start of the immersion test, and the sample S is immersed in the liquid to perform the immersion test (Figure 3). After the immersion test has been performed for a predetermined period, the liquid is discharged from the immersion bath 6 to the liquid tank 4A via the liquid discharge pipe 62, and the immersion test is completed. The immersion test may be a standalone test, or it may be a cyclical test in which the aforementioned spray test, a drying test in a low humidity environment, a wetting test in a high humidity environment, etc. are repeated.

[0028] (Effects of Environmental Test Machine 1A) When conducting an immersion test, if the liquid tank 4A is located outside the test chamber 2, the temperature of the liquid in the liquid tank 4A may be lower than the ambient temperature inside the test chamber 2 depending on the ambient temperature. As a result, the liquid temperature is lower than the test conditions, and it is necessary to heat the liquid with a heating device or the like. In the environmental testing machine 1A according to Modification 1, the liquid contained in the liquid tank 4A inside the test chamber 2 is used for the immersion test. Therefore, the temperature of the liquid contained in the liquid tank 4A is approximately the same as the ambient temperature inside the test chamber 2. Compared to the case where a liquid tank 4 is located outside the test chamber 2 and heated by a heating device inside the liquid tank 4A, heat dissipation from the liquid tank 4A located outside the test chamber 2 can be prevented, simplifying the structure of the environmental testing machine 1A and achieving energy savings. Furthermore, since the liquid tank 4A is located inside the test chamber 2, heat dissipation from the piping as the liquid passes through the piping can be prevented, achieving energy savings. Furthermore, because the liquid in the liquid tank 4A is heated by the atmosphere, temperature variations in the liquid caused by high temperatures near the heating device or upward movement of the hot liquid are reduced, thereby improving test accuracy. Even under test conditions where the liquid temperature in the immersion test is higher than the ambient temperature in the test chamber 2, heating the liquid in the liquid tank 4A with a dedicated heating device (not shown) reduces the amount of heating required compared to when the liquid tank 4A is located outside the test chamber 2, thus saving energy.

[0029] (Modified version 2 of environmental testing machine 1) Next, a modified example of the present invention, Part 2, will be described. Components identical to those in the embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the general structure of the environmental testing machine 1B according to the modified example 2.

[0031] The modified environmental testing machine 1B includes a liquid tank 4B and a cleaning nozzle 7.

[0032] The cleaning nozzle 7 is used to clean the inside of the test tank 2. It is connected to the liquid tank 4B, and by supplying the liquid from the liquid tank 4B to the cleaning nozzle 7, the cleaning nozzle 7 sprays liquid to perform cleaning. In the example shown in Figure 4, the cleaning nozzle 7 is configured to spray liquid onto the wall surface of the test tank 2. There are no particular restrictions on the position, number, etc., of the cleaning nozzle 7, as long as it cleans the inside of the test tank 2.

[0033] The liquid tank 4B is located inside the test chamber 2 and is connected to the cleaning nozzle 7. Liquid is supplied from the liquid tank 4B to the cleaning nozzle 7 by a pump or the like. The capacity of the liquid tank 4B to hold liquid may be equal to the amount of liquid used for one cleaning cycle.

[0034] (Operation of Environmental Test Machine 1B) In the environmental testing machine 1B, liquid contained in the liquid tank 4B located inside the test chamber 2 is supplied to the cleaning nozzle 7 during the cleaning process, and the liquid is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 7 to clean the inside of the test chamber 2. The cleaning process may be performed, for example, at the transition between each test in a cycle test that repeats the aforementioned spray test, drying test, wetting test, immersion test, etc., or it may be performed at predetermined intervals or at the end of the test.

[0035] (Effects of Environmental Test Machine 1B) In the environmental testing machine 1B according to Modification 2, the liquid contained in the liquid tank 4B inside the test chamber 2 is used to clean the inside of the test chamber 2. This prevents, for example, the liquid (e.g., saltwater) used to act on the sample S in the environmental test from drying and solidifying on the walls or floor of the test chamber 2 after adhering to them. Furthermore, since the temperature of the liquid contained in the liquid tank 4B used for cleaning is approximately the same as the ambient temperature inside the test chamber 2, temperature fluctuations inside the test chamber 2 during the test can be prevented, thereby improving the accuracy of the test. In addition, compared to a case where the liquid tank 4B is located outside the test chamber 2 and heated by a heating device inside the liquid tank 4B, heat dissipation from the liquid tank 4B located outside the test chamber 2 can be prevented, simplifying the structure of the environmental testing machine 1 and achieving energy savings. Moreover, since the liquid tank 4B is located inside the test chamber 2, heat dissipation from the piping as the liquid passes through the piping can be prevented, further achieving energy savings. Furthermore, by making the liquid tank 4B's capacity equivalent to the amount of liquid used in one wash cycle, the temperature of the liquid used in one wash cycle is approximately the same as the ambient temperature inside the test chamber 2. As a result, the liquid temperature does not fluctuate during the wash cycle inside the test chamber 2, preventing temperature disturbances within the test chamber 2.

[0036] (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.

[0037] For example, in the above embodiment, the configuration (shape, arrangement, number, etc.) of each piece of equipment in an environmental testing machine having a liquid tank was described in detail, but these configurations are not limited to those described in the above embodiment, and other shapes, arrangements, and numbers may also be used.

[0038] The environmental testing machine having a liquid tank of the present invention is designed to use the liquid for spraying, immersion, and cleaning the test chamber, but is not limited to these uses. It may also be used for cleaning samples, cleaning sprayers, cleaning heating and cooling devices and blowers used to control the temperature inside the test chamber, and cleaning sensors for measuring temperature, humidity, and irradiance inside the test chamber. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 1, 1A, 1B…Environmental testing machine, 2…Test tank, 3…Spray unit, 31…Spray tower, 32…Sprayer, 4, 4A, 4B…Liquid tank, 5…Sample mounting stand, 6…Immersion tub, 61…Liquid supply piping, 62…Liquid discharge piping, 7…Washing nozzle, S…Sample

Claims

1. In an environmental testing machine used to test the degradation of a sample, The test chamber is equipped with the aforementioned test, Inside the aforementioned test chamber is a liquid tank, It has a cleaning nozzle, The aforementioned liquid tank is It contains liquid inside, The temperature of the liquid contained in the liquid tank is brought to approximately match the ambient temperature of the test chamber. The liquid is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle, The wall surface inside the test chamber, at least one of the temperature sensor, humidity sensor, and irradiance sensor is cleaned. Environmental testing machine.

2. The volume of the liquid to be contained in the liquid tank is This is approximately equal to the amount of liquid used in one wash. The environmental testing machine according to claim 1.

3. A cycle test is performed by arbitrarily combining two or more tests from the salt spray test, drying test, wetting test, and immersion test, and repeating the test. The environmental testing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cleaning is performed at one or more of the following times: when transitioning between each test, at predetermined intervals, or at the end of the test.

Images