JP2010151656A - Device, method and program for diagnosing waterproof performance - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device, method and program for diagnosing waterproof performance without using a mechanism component. <P>SOLUTION: The waterproof performance diagnosis device 10 includes: a sealed container 11; an atmospheric pressure sensor 12 for measuring the pressure of an internal space of the sealed container 11; a temperature sensor 13 for measuring a temperature of the space; a temperature changing component 14 for changing the temperature of the space; a comparison means 15 for measuring a change of the atmospheric pressure by the atmospheric pressure sensor 12 to each temperature before and after being changed by the temperature changing component 14, and comparing the measurement result with a theoretical value with sealing of the sealed container 11 complete; and a waterproof performance discrimination means 16 for discriminating the waterproof performance of the sealed container 11 from the comparison result by the comparison means 15. The waterproof performance can be discriminated also by detecting a difference of a moisture content. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a waterproof performance diagnostic device, a waterproof performance diagnostic method, and a waterproof performance diagnostic program for diagnosing the waterproof performance of waterproof electronic devices such as mobile phones and digital cameras.

  Relatively small electronic devices such as cellular phones, PHS (Personal Handyphone System), PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), digital cameras, electronic watches, portable radios and televisions are usually used with these popularizations. As a tool for daily life, it has come to be used easily in various places and environments. As a result, these electronic devices are often used in places where waterproofness is required, such as being used in the rain or poolside. Accordingly, various electronic devices having a waterproof function have appeared.

  In electronic devices, it is a common practice to provide a waterproof function by closing a casing and a lid made of a material that does not allow water to penetrate, such as plastic and metal, through a waterproof packing. However, the waterproof packing not only deteriorates with aging, but also loses its waterproof function due to the attachment of foreign objects such as scratches and hair when the user opens the electronic device due to the need for battery replacement or the like.

  An electronic device has a printed circuit board and electronic circuit components disposed therein. Therefore, when water drops enter the device, the wiring layer of the board is corroded, and residue from which moisture has evaporated adheres to the terminal portion, often causing the circuit to malfunction or become inoperable.

  For this reason, many electronic devices having a waterproof function recommend replacement every year in anticipation of safety of the waterproof packing. However, when the electronic device is downsized, the waterproof packing is also downsized, and the cross-section of the ring constituting the waterproof packing is very thin. For this reason, in order to replace the waterproof packing of the electronic device, high technology is often required. However, if a special contractor is requested to replace the waterproof packing, it takes a considerable amount of money and time, and there are many cases where he / she is hesitant to replace the waterproof packing at each requested replacement period. In addition, there is an opinion that the waterproofing packing itself is not always rapidly progressing, and as long as an environment in which damage or foreign matter does not adhere is maintained, the replacement time can often be extended considerably.

Therefore, there is a demand for a waterproof performance diagnostic apparatus that allows a user to diagnose how much the waterproof function of an electronic device currently in use has deteriorated. In response to this demand, a waterproof camera equipped with a waterproof function inspection confirmation window has been proposed as a related technique related to the present invention (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this related technology, the air in the sealed space of the waterproof camera is compressed with a piston, balanced in the axial direction with a compression spring attached to the shaft of this piston, and air leakage is detected from the movement status of this balanced position To do. That is, if the compressed air leaks from the waterproof packing portion to the outside, the piston shaft continues to move in the waterproof function inspection confirmation window, so this can be confirmed.
JP 2008-015445 A (the 0020th paragraph, the 0021th paragraph, FIG. 3)

  Thus, in this related technique, the waterproof function is diagnosed by leakage of air compressed by the piston. Therefore, unlike the original diagnosis using water, even if it is determined that the waterproof property is deteriorated, there is no possibility that water will enter the waterproof camera by this diagnosis. However, in this related technique, air is compressed using a piston. Moreover, the movement of the piston shaft must be able to be confirmed with the waterproof function inspection confirmation window. For this reason, the entire waterproof performance diagnostic apparatus including the piston has to be enlarged to some extent. Therefore, there has been a problem that the portability of the electronic device using the waterproof performance diagnostic device is defective.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof performance diagnostic device, a waterproof performance diagnostic method, and a waterproof performance diagnostic program that can diagnose waterproof performance without using mechanical parts.

  In the present invention, (b) an airtight container, (b) an atmospheric pressure sensor for measuring the atmospheric pressure of the space existing inside the airtight container, (c) a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the above-described space, and (d) (E) measuring the change in the atmospheric pressure by the atmospheric pressure sensor with respect to the temperature before and after the temperature change component is changed, and the measurement result is completely sealed. The waterproof performance diagnostic device comprises a comparison means for comparing the theoretical value of the atmospheric pressure with respect to the temperature in this case and (f) a waterproof performance determination means for determining the quality of the waterproof performance of the sealed container from the comparison result of the comparison means. To do.

In the present invention, (b) a sealed container, (b) a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the space existing inside the sealed container, (c) a humidity sensor that measures the humidity of the space described above, (D) a moisture amount calculating means for calculating a moisture amount per unit volume at the time of measurement from the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and the humidity measured by the humidity sensor; and (e) calculated by the moisture amount calculating means. The moisture amount comparison means for comparing the moisture amount with the previously stored moisture amount per unit volume in the space, and (f) the result of comparison of the moisture amount comparison means, the unit at the time of the measurement described above The waterproof performance diagnostic device includes alarm means for warning the deterioration of the waterproof performance of the sealed container when the amount of water per volume is larger.

  Further, in the present invention, (a) a first atmospheric pressure measurement step for measuring the atmospheric pressure in the space existing in the sealed container, and (b) the temperature of the space described above after measuring the atmospheric pressure in the first atmospheric pressure measurement step. (C) a second air pressure measurement step for measuring the air pressure in the space after changing the temperature in the temperature change step; An atmospheric pressure difference calculating step for obtaining a difference between the first atmospheric pressure measured in the first atmospheric pressure measuring step and the second atmospheric pressure measured in the second atmospheric pressure measuring step; and (e) the atmospheric pressure calculated in the atmospheric pressure difference calculating step. Comparison comparing the ratio between the difference and the above-described difference between the temperatures changed in the above-described temperature changing step, and the ratio between the above-described difference between the atmospheric pressure difference and the above-described temperature when the sealed container is completely sealed Step and (To) waterproof diagnostic methods and waterproof performance determination step of determining the quality of the waterproof performance of the closed container above by whether there is a relationship between the two ratios are compared in the comparison step comprises.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, (a) a first moisture content measurement step for measuring the moisture content per unit volume of the space existing inside the sealed container in a state where the sealed degree of the sealed container is perfect; A second moisture content measuring step for measuring the moisture content per unit volume of the space existing in the inside of the closed container after the measurement in the first moisture content measuring step; and (c) the first moisture content. A comparison step for comparing the first moisture amount measured in the measurement step and the second moisture amount measurement step with the second moisture amount; and (d) as a result of the comparison in this comparison step, the second moisture amount is The waterproof performance diagnosis method includes a determination step of determining that the waterproof performance of the sealed container has deteriorated when the amount of moisture exceeds the first moisture content.

  Further, in the present invention, as a waterproof performance diagnostic program, (a) a first atmospheric pressure measurement process for measuring the atmospheric pressure in the space inside the sealed container, and (b) the first atmospheric pressure measurement process. A temperature change process for changing the temperature of the space after measuring the atmospheric pressure so that a predetermined difference is generated; and (c) a second method for measuring the pressure of the space after the temperature is changed by the temperature change process. (D) a pressure difference calculation process for obtaining a difference between the first atmospheric pressure measured in the first atmospheric pressure measurement process and the second atmospheric pressure measured in the second atmospheric pressure measurement process; ) The ratio between the pressure difference calculated in the pressure difference calculation process and the difference between the temperature changed in the temperature change process described above, the pressure difference when the sealing of the sealed container is complete, and the temperature described above Comparison process to compare the ratio with the difference When, to execute the waterproof performance determination step of determining the quality of the waterproof performance of the closed container above by whether there is a relationship between the two ratios are compared with (to) the comparison process.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, as a waterproof performance diagnosis program, (a) a first moisture that measures the amount of moisture per unit volume of the space existing inside the sealed container when the sealed degree of the sealed container is perfect. (B) a second moisture content measurement process for measuring the moisture content per unit volume of the space existing inside the closed container after the measurement in the first moisture content measurement process; C) Comparison processing for comparing the first moisture amount and the second moisture amount measured in the first moisture amount measurement processing and the second moisture amount measurement processing, and (d) the comparison result by this comparison processing, When the second moisture amount is larger than the first moisture amount, the discrimination processing for discriminating that the waterproof performance of the sealed container has deteriorated is executed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since a change in the atmospheric pressure should be checked with respect to a temperature change in the space existing inside the sealed container, or a change in the moisture content in this space is checked, a mechanical part can be used. Diagnosis is possible, there is no worry about wear of parts, and regular adjustment of parts is unnecessary. Moreover, since the waterproof performance diagnosis apparatus can be reduced in size, the range of application to electronic devices can be expanded.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram corresponding to the claims of the waterproof performance diagnostic apparatus of the present invention. The waterproof performance diagnostic apparatus 10 of the present invention includes a sealed container 11, a pressure sensor 12 that measures the pressure of a space existing inside the sealed container 11, a temperature sensor 13 that measures the temperature of the space described above, and the above. The temperature change component 14 that changes the temperature of the space and the change in the atmospheric pressure by the atmospheric pressure sensor 12 with respect to the temperature before and after the temperature change component 14 is changed are measured. Comparing means 15 for comparing with the theoretical value of atmospheric pressure with respect to temperature, and waterproof performance determining means 16 for determining the quality of the waterproof performance of the sealed container 11 from the comparison result of the comparing means 15 are provided.

  FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to claims of another waterproof performance diagnostic apparatus of the present invention. Another waterproof performance diagnostic apparatus 20 of the present invention includes a sealed container 21, a temperature sensor 22 that measures the temperature of a space existing inside the sealed container 21, a humidity sensor 23 that measures the humidity of the space described above, The moisture amount calculating means 24 for calculating the amount of moisture per unit volume at the time of measurement from the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 22 and the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 23, and the moisture amount calculated by the moisture amount calculating means 24 in advance As a result of the comparison between the moisture amount comparing means 25 for comparing with the moisture amount per unit volume in the above-mentioned stored space and the moisture amount comparing means 25, the amount of moisture per unit volume at the time of the above measurement is obtained. And alarm means 26 for alarming deterioration of the waterproof performance of the sealed container 11 when there are more.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram corresponding to the claims of the waterproof performance diagnosis method of the present invention. The waterproof performance diagnostic method 30 according to the present invention includes a first atmospheric pressure measurement step 31 for measuring the atmospheric pressure in a space existing inside a sealed container, and the measurement of the atmospheric pressure after measuring the atmospheric pressure in the first atmospheric pressure measurement step 31. A temperature changing step 32 for changing the temperature so that a predetermined difference occurs; a second air pressure measuring step 33 for measuring the air pressure in the space after changing the temperature in the temperature changing step 32; and a first air pressure. A pressure difference calculation step 34 for obtaining a difference between the first atmospheric pressure measured in the measurement step 31 and the second atmospheric pressure measured in the second atmospheric pressure measurement step 33, and the atmospheric pressure difference and temperature calculated in the atmospheric pressure difference calculation step 34 Comparison comparing the ratio of the temperature changed in the changing step 32 with the above-mentioned difference and the ratio of the pressure difference when the sealed container is completely sealed and the above-mentioned difference of the above-mentioned temperature. And step 35, and a waterproof determination step 36 to determine the quality of the waterproof performance of the sealed container above by whether relationship between the two ratios are compared in the comparison step 35 is present.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to claims of another waterproof performance diagnosis method of the present invention. Another waterproof performance diagnosis method 40 of the present invention includes a first moisture content measurement step 41 for measuring the moisture content per unit volume of the space existing inside the sealed container in a state where the sealed degree of the sealed container is perfect. The second moisture content measuring step 42 for measuring the moisture content per unit volume of the space existing in the closed container after the measurement in the first moisture content measuring step 41, and the first moisture content The comparison step 43 for comparing the first moisture amount measured in the measurement step 41 and the second moisture amount measurement step 42 with the second moisture amount, and the comparison result by the comparison step 43 shows that the second moisture amount And a determination step 44 for determining that the waterproof performance of the sealed container has deteriorated when the water content exceeds the first moisture content.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to the claims of the waterproof performance diagnosis program of the present invention. The waterproof performance diagnosis program 50 according to the present invention uses a first atmospheric pressure measurement process 51 for measuring the atmospheric pressure of a space existing inside the sealed container, and the first atmospheric pressure measurement process 51 to measure the atmospheric pressure. A temperature change process 52 for changing the temperature of the space so that a predetermined difference occurs, a second pressure measurement process 53 for measuring the pressure in the space after changing the temperature in the temperature change process 52, Pressure difference calculation processing 54 for obtaining a difference between the first pressure measured by the first pressure measurement processing 51 and the second pressure measured by the second pressure measurement processing 53; and the pressure calculated by the pressure difference calculation processing 54 Comparison comparing the ratio between the difference and the above-described difference between the temperatures changed by the above-described temperature change processing, and the ratio between the above-described difference between the atmospheric pressure difference and the above-described temperature when the sealed container is completely sealed Process 55 and this To execute the waterproof performance determination step 56 to determine the quality of the waterproof performance of the sealed container above by whether relevant exists in two ratios compared with the comparison process 55.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to claims of another waterproof performance diagnosis program of the present invention. Another waterproof performance diagnosis program 60 of the present invention is a first moisture content measurement for measuring a moisture content per unit volume of a space existing inside the sealed container in a state where the sealed degree of the sealed container is perfect. A process 61, a second moisture content measurement process 62 for measuring the moisture content per unit volume of the space existing inside the sealed container after the measurement in the first moisture content measurement process 61, and the first Comparison processing 63 for comparing the first moisture amount and the second moisture amount measured in the moisture content measurement processing 61 and the second moisture content measurement processing 62, and the comparison result by the comparison processing 63, the second moisture content When the amount becomes larger than the first moisture amount, the discrimination process 64 for discriminating that the waterproof performance of the sealed container is deteriorated is executed.

  <First Embodiment of the Invention>

  Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an essential part of an electronic device equipped with the waterproof performance diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the electronic device 100, a printed circuit board 102 is arranged inside a housing 101. The main body 101A and the lid 101B of the housing 101 are sealed by a waterproof packing 103, and the inside is a sealed space. A printed circuit board 102 in the sealed space includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111 that performs overall control of the electronic device 100, a temperature sensor 112 that measures the temperature inside the housing 101, and an internal air pressure. An atmospheric pressure sensor 113 for measuring the temperature is arranged, and a heat generating component 114 for raising the temperature inside the housing 101 is further arranged.

  In the sealed casing 101 of the electronic device 100, a liquid crystal display (not shown) integrated with a touch panel and a secondary battery (not shown) are incorporated. The secondary battery is repeatedly charged by an electromagnetic induction type charger (not shown).

  FIG. 8 shows a circuit portion related to the waterproof performance diagnostic apparatus for electronic equipment. On the printed circuit board 102, a CPU 111, a temperature sensor 112, an atmospheric pressure sensor 113, and a heat generating component 114 are mounted together with other circuit components (not shown). Within the printed circuit board 102, the CPU 111 is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 112, the atmospheric pressure sensor 113, and the heat generating component 114 by wiring.

  Here, the temperature sensor 112 measures the temperature inside the housing 101 shown in FIG. 7 and sends temperature data to the CPU 111. The atmospheric pressure sensor 113 is a diffusion type semiconductor pressure sensor using, for example, the piezoresistance effect, and sends a digital signal representing the atmospheric pressure to the CPU 111. The heat generating component 114 is used to increase the temperature inside the housing 101 and pressurize the air. Air expands according to Charles's law with increasing temperature. As a result, the air inside the housing 101 is pressurized. The CPU 111 performs various controls according to a control program stored in a memory (not shown).

  FIG. 9 specifically shows the heat generating component and its periphery. The heat generating component 114 includes a heat generating resistor 121, and an FET (Field Effect Transistor) 122 in which one end of the heat generating resistor 121 is connected to the drain (D) and the source (S) is grounded. The gate (G) of the FET 122 is connected to a CPU 111 that supplies a control signal indicating on / off of heat generation. The other end of the heating resistor 121 is connected to the positive side of the secondary battery 131 with the negative side grounded. It is connected. When a positive voltage is applied from the CPU 111 to the gate of the FET 122, a current flows between the drain and the source only during that time, and the heating resistor 121 generates heat. As a result, the temperature inside the casing 101 shown in FIG. 7 rises. The temperature inside the casing 101 before the heat generation by the heating resistor 121 and the temperature after the heating using the heating resistor 121 are detected by the temperature sensor 112 shown in FIG.

  By the way, combining Boyle's law with the aforementioned Charles' law, it is possible to derive Boyle's law that the gas volume is inversely proportional to pressure and proportional to absolute temperature. The pressure inside the casing 101 is P, the volume of the inner space of the casing 101 is V, the number of moles of gas in the sealed space of the casing 101 is n, the gas constant is R, and the temperature inside the casing 101 is T. The atmospheric pressure in the housing 101 can be expressed by the following equation (1) by the following gas equation of state.

  P = (nR / V) × T (1)

  From this equation (1), it can be seen that the atmospheric pressure (P) and the temperature (T) have a proportional relationship with (nR / V) as the slope. That is, if the waterproof packing 103 of the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 7 is sufficiently functioning, the air expands and is pressurized when heated using the heating resistor 121, and the relationship shown in the equation (1) is established. To do. The expansion of air is about 273 times per degree.

FIG. 10 shows the relationship between the temperature inside the housing of the electronic device and the atmospheric pressure. The vertical axis indicates the atmospheric pressure measured by the atmospheric pressure sensor 113 shown in FIG. 7, and the horizontal axis indicates the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 112. The temperature at the start of inspection and t _1, the internal pressure of the housing 101 at that time and p _1.

Assume that the waterproof performance of the electronic device 100 is maintained normally. In this case, if the heat generating component 114 is operated and the temperature inside the housing 101 rises to t ₂ , air leaking outside from the portion sealed by the waterproof packing 103 due to the pressurization of the air due to this. The amount is zero or very small. Assuming that the atmospheric pressure inside the housing 101 when the temperature reaches t ₂ is p ₂ , the curve 141 representing these changes is almost a straight line.

  On the other hand, if the waterproof packing 103 is deteriorated, scratched or attached to dust, the waterproof performance of the electronic device 100 is not perfect. Consider a case where the heat generating component 114 is not operating in a state where the waterproof performance is incomplete. In this state, if the atmospheric pressure outside the electronic device 100 is higher than the atmospheric pressure inside the housing 101, the outside air enters the inside of the housing 101 due to this atmospheric pressure difference, and becomes equal to the external atmospheric pressure after a long time. Become. On the contrary, when the atmospheric pressure outside the electronic device 100 is lower than the atmospheric pressure inside the housing 101, air in the sealed space of the housing 101 flows out from the inside of the housing 101 to the outside, and the air pressure is increased for a long time. When elapses, it becomes equal to the external atmospheric pressure.

The temperature t ₁ shown in FIG. 10 and the atmospheric pressure inside the housing 101 are measured values in the state where p ₁ is in such an equilibrium state. Thereafter, it is assumed that the temperature inside the casing 101 rises to t ₂ after a certain period of time due to the temperature control of the CPU 111. A curve 142 representing changes in temperature and atmospheric pressure in a state where the waterproof performance of the electronic device 100 is incomplete indicates that the atmospheric pressure p _{3 at} the temperature t ₂ indicates the relationship of the following equation (2), and the air pressure over time Outflow occurs and the number of moles n decreases. As a result, the slope of the curve 142 is gentler than the slope of the curve 141.

p ₁ <p ₃ <p ₂ (2)

  Therefore, the degree of deterioration of the waterproof packing 103 can be determined by changing the temperature inside the casing 101 by the heat generating component 114 and examining the degree of change in the atmospheric pressure. In a situation where the environmental temperature is high, such as in summer, the temperature of the air inside the casing 101 may be lowered using a Peltier element instead of the heat generating component 114.

  FIG. 11 shows the flow of a waterproof performance diagnosis process in accordance with a user instruction. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 9 and 10.

The user of the electronic device 100 can instruct the start of the waterproof performance test by operating the touch panel in a state where the menu screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display. When the CPU 111 detects an instruction to start the waterproof performance test (step S201: Y), the CPU 111 reads data indicating the current temperature t ₁ and the atmospheric pressure p ₁ from the temperature sensor 112 and the atmospheric pressure sensor 113, respectively, and stores predetermined data in the memory described above. Store in the area (step S202). Next, the CPU 111 applies a predetermined on-voltage for starting energization to the gate of the FET 122 to energize the heating resistor 121 (step S203). Then, the internal temperature of the casing 101 is detected by the temperature sensor 112, and while this does not reach the maximum temperature t _MAX that can be accepted by each circuit component in the casing 101 (step S204: N), the on-voltage is set. The temperature is raised by applying continuously.

When the temperature sensor 112 detects the maximum temperature t _MAX (step S204: Y), CPU111 is to stop the energization of the heat generating resistor 121 by FET 122, the reading data p ₃ showing the air pressure at that time from the pressure sensor 113 This is stored in another area of the memory (step S205). Next, the CPU 111 reads out the data p ₁ and p ₃ indicating the atmospheric pressure stored in both step S202 and step S205, the atmospheric pressure difference (p ₃ −p ₁ ) and the corresponding temperature difference (t _MAX − The inclination of the temperature rise indicated by t ₁ ) is calculated (step S206). Next, the CPU 111 converts the calculated inclination into a value when the ideal degree of inclination according to Charles' law assuming a sealed space is set to “100” (step S207). Thus, if the converted value at the end of the measurement is “100”, there is no air leakage in the housing 101.

Actually, for example, if the temperature t ₁ at the start of measurement is 20 degrees and the maximum temperature t _MAX is set to 60 degrees, the temperature of the gas inside the housing 101 increases by 40 degrees. The ideal pressure difference (p ₂ −p ₁ ) due to this temperature rise is as small as about 40/273. The amount of gas escaped from the housing 101 when the temperature of the gas inside the housing 101 is raised unevenly or when the confidentiality is insufficient varies depending on the measurement time. Therefore, it is inevitable that a certain range of error occurs in the measurement. Therefore, a predetermined positive threshold value smaller than “100” is set, and it is determined whether or not the converted value obtained in step S207 is equal to or greater than this threshold value (step S208). If the converted value is equal to or greater than the threshold value (Y), it is assumed that the predetermined waterproof performance is maintained, and the liquid crystal display of the electronic device 100 indicates that the inspection has been completed normally (step S209) The inspection process is terminated (end). When the converted value is less than the threshold value (step S208: N), it is displayed that the inspection result is abnormal (step S210), and the series of inspection processing is terminated (end).

  In the embodiment described above, the user decides to start the waterproof performance diagnosis, but the electronic device 100 may automatically start the diagnosis.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the waterproof performance diagnosis result is displayed on a display such as a liquid crystal display and notified to the user has been shown. It can also be used as data for maintenance, repair, etc. In addition, when the electronic device 100 is a communication terminal such as a mobile phone, it is possible to notify the user of the replacement timing of the waterproof packing by sequentially sucking up the diagnosis results as data on the maintenance side. In addition, when the user requests replacement of the waterproof packing, it is also possible to confirm that the replacement has been properly performed by checking data before and after the replacement.

In the first embodiment described above, it is possible to easily diagnose the waterproof performance of an electronic device having an IP (International Protection Code) X7 level, for example. Here, “X” means that there is no provision for dust and intrusion of dust, and “7” following this is a protection class whose waterproof performance is “protection so as not to be affected even when immersed in water”. It means that.
<Modification of the first embodiment>

  FIG. 12 shows a circuit portion related to the waterproof performance diagnostic apparatus for an electronic device according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 12, the same parts as those in FIG. Although FIG. 7 of the first embodiment is different from the case of the present modification in some circuit components, the electronic device 100 is replaced with the electronic device 100A of this modification, and will be described.

  On the printed circuit board 102 of this modification, a CPU 111, a temperature sensor 112, an atmospheric pressure sensor 113, and a wireless circuit 161 are mounted together with other circuit components (not shown). In the printed circuit board 102, the CPU 111 is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 112, the atmospheric pressure sensor 113, and the wireless circuit 161 by wiring.

  Here, the wireless circuit 161 is a circuit portion that performs wireless communication. For example, when the electronic device 100A is a mobile phone, the radio circuit 161 communicates with a radio base station (not shown). The wireless circuit 161 generally uses a large amount of power, generates heat when wireless communication is continuously performed, and raises the temperature of the gas inside the housing 101. Therefore, in this modification, the radio circuit 161 is used as a heat source instead of the heat generating component 114 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 shows the flow of the waterproof performance diagnosis process by telephone call or communication in this modification. FIG. 7, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 of the first embodiment will be referred to and will be described together with FIG.

In the case of this modification, the CPU 111 monitors whether the user of the electronic device 100A performs an operation for starting a call or starting data communication such as e-mail (step S301). When such an operation is performed (Y), the CPU 111 reads data indicating the current temperature t ₁ and the atmospheric pressure p ₁ from the temperature sensor 112 and the atmospheric pressure sensor 113, respectively, and stores them in a predetermined area of the memory (see above). Step S302). Next, the CPU 111 executes a call or data communication using the wireless circuit 161 (step S303). As a result, the radio circuit 161 consumes power and generates heat. The CPU 111 monitors whether the wireless circuit 161 is turned off after the call or data communication is completed (step S304). While the wireless circuit 161 is not turned off (N), the telephone call or data communication in step S303 is continued.

When the radio circuit 161 is turned off (step S304: Y), CPU111 is added minimum temperature rise t _MIN temperature t ₁ at the temperature t ₃ call or communication start temperature sensor 112 is detected at that time It is checked whether or not the temperature has exceeded (step S305). If the temperature obtained by adding the necessary minimum temperature increase t _MIN to the temperature t ₁ at the start of communication does not exceed (N), the heat generated by the radio circuit 161 due to the call or communication is diagnosed as waterproof performance. Therefore, the diagnosis is terminated and the process returns to the standby state in step S301 (return). This is because, for example, when the energization time of the wireless circuit 161 is extremely short, such as when the user makes a call for only a few seconds using the electronic device 100A, the temperature inside the housing 101 is low. Since there is almost no change and the increase in atmospheric pressure is slight, the waterproof performance is not diagnosed. The designer of the electronic device 100A can set an appropriate value for the temperature increase t _MIN in relation to the accuracy of the waterproof performance diagnosis, for example, 30 degrees.

Radio circuit 161 is turned off (step S304: Y), was added minimum temperature rise t _MIN temperature t ₁ at the temperature t ₃ a call or a communication initiation temperature sensor 112 is detected at that time if it is exceeded temperature (step S305: Y), reads the data p ₃ showing the air pressure at that time from the pressure sensor 113 is stored in other areas of the memory described above (step S306). Next, the CPU 111 reads out the data p ₁ and p ₃ indicating the atmospheric pressure stored in both step S302 and step S306, and the atmospheric pressure difference (p ₃ −p ₁ ) and the corresponding temperature difference (t ₃ − The slope of the temperature rise indicated by t ₁ ) is calculated (step S307). Next, the CPU 111 converts the calculated inclination into a value when the ideal degree of inclination according to Charles's law assuming a sealed space is set to “100” (step S308). Thus, if the converted value at the end of the measurement is “100”, there is no air leakage in the housing 101.

Actually, for example, if the temperature t ₁ at the start of measurement is set to 20 degrees and the temperature increase t _MIN is set to 30 degrees, the temperature of the gas inside the casing 101 rises to at least 50 degrees. The ideal pressure difference (p ₂ −p ₁ ) due to this temperature rise is as small as about 30/273. The amount of gas escaped from the housing 101 when the temperature of the gas inside the housing 101 is raised unevenly or when the confidentiality is insufficient varies depending on the measurement time. Therefore, it is inevitable that a certain range of error occurs in the measurement. Therefore, a predetermined positive threshold value smaller than “100” is set, and it is determined whether or not the converted value obtained in step S308 is equal to or greater than this threshold value (step S309). If the converted value is equal to or greater than the threshold value (Y), it is assumed that the predetermined waterproof performance is maintained, and the liquid crystal display of the electronic device 100A indicates that the inspection has been completed normally (step S310), The inspection process is terminated and the process returns to the standby state in step S301 (return). When the converted value is less than the threshold value (step S309: N), it is displayed that the inspection result is abnormal (step S311), the series of inspection processes is terminated, and the process returns to the standby state of step S301 (return). ).

  In the modification described above, the waterproof performance diagnosis apparatus is operated using the heat generated when the wireless circuit 161 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the user charges the electronic device 100A, the CPU 111 starts checking the waterproof performance, and uses the heat generated by the charging of the secondary battery to make a diagnosis using the temperature change and the pressure change caused thereby. You may do it. In this case, the waterproof performance of the electronic device 100A can be diagnosed by analyzing the change in atmospheric pressure without using a special heat source.

  In addition, since the secondary battery is repeatedly charged, it is possible to compare the diagnosis results of each time with the past diagnosis results by storing them in the memory. Thus, for example, when an abnormal situation such as a hair being caught between the waterproof packing 103 and the housing 101 occurs at a certain time, this can be easily detected and the user can be instructed to replace the waterproof packing 103. it can. Moreover, the secular change of the waterproof packing 103 can be checked by comparing the past relatively old diagnosis result with the current diagnosis result. Furthermore, if the diagnosis is performed when the secondary battery is charged, the electric power necessary for the diagnosis can be obtained from the commercial power source, so there is no need to worry about the remaining capacity of the battery.

  Of course, in addition to the heat generation of the wireless circuit 161 and the heat generation of the secondary battery, the heat generation of the CPU, the heat generation of the camera module, or a combination thereof, or the auxiliary heat source is used to diagnose the waterproof performance of the electronic device 100A. It is also possible.

  <Second Embodiment of the Invention>

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an essential part of an electronic device equipped with a waterproof performance diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 14, the same parts as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In the electronic device 400 according to the second embodiment, the printed circuit board 102 is disposed inside the housing 101. The main body 101A and the lid 101B of the housing 101 are sealed by a waterproof packing 103, and the inside is a sealed space. The printed circuit board 102 in the sealed space includes a CPU 111 that performs overall control of the electronic device 400, a temperature sensor 112 that measures the temperature inside the housing 101, and a humidity sensor 401 that also measures the internal humidity. A non-volatile memory 402 that stores the amount of moisture per unit volume inside the housing 101 and a replacement detection switch 403 that detects replacement of the waterproof packing 103 are disposed.

  In the sealed casing 101 of the electronic apparatus 400, a liquid crystal display (not shown) integrated with a touch panel and a secondary battery (not shown) are incorporated. The secondary battery is repeatedly charged by an electromagnetic induction type charger (not shown).

  FIG. 15 shows a circuit portion related to the waterproof performance diagnostic apparatus for electronic equipment. The printed circuit board 102 is mounted with a CPU 111, a temperature sensor 112, a humidity sensor 401, a nonvolatile memory 402, and a replacement detection switch 403, along with other circuit components (not shown). In the printed circuit board 102, the CPU 111 is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 112, the humidity sensor 401, the nonvolatile memory 402, and the replacement detection switch 403 by wiring.

  Here, the humidity sensor 401 measures the humidity inside the housing 101 shown in FIG. 14 and sends the humidity data to the CPU 111. The nonvolatile memory 402 stores moisture amount data representing the amount of moisture per unit volume inside the housing 101 at a predetermined time such as when shipped from the factory or when the waterproof packing 103 shown in FIG. 14 is replaced. It has become. The CPU 111 performs various controls according to a control program stored in a memory (not shown).

  The replacement detection switch 403 may be a switch that is operated by an operator when the waterproof packing 103 is replaced, or when the opening and closing of the main body portion 101A and the lid 101B is performed only when the waterproof packing 103 is replaced in principle. It may be a magnetic sensor that detects the magnetism of a magnet attached to the lid 101B shown in FIG. 14 or a light receiving sensor that detects a change in the amount of light caused by opening the lid 101B. For example, when the built-in battery of the electronic device 400 is charged with an electromagnetic induction power source, the opening and closing of the main body portion 101A and the lid 101B is limited to when the manufacturer repairs or replaces the waterproof packing 103. Is done. In such a case, even if the operator does not replace the waterproof packing 103, since it has been confirmed that it has not deteriorated, the sensor automatically detects that the lid 101B is closed. It doesn't matter.

  FIG. 16 shows the flow of the waterproof performance inspection process in the second embodiment of the present invention. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

The CPU 111 monitors the timing at which the replacement detection switch 403 is pressed (step S501) and the timing at which the waterproof performance of the electronic device 400 is checked automatically or in accordance with a user instruction (step S502). When an operator who has performed an operation such as replacement of the waterproof packing 103 immediately before closing the main body 101A and the lid 101B under a predetermined indoor environment presses the replacement detection switch 403 (step S501: Y), the CPU 111 detects the temperature. The temperature and humidity in the housing 101 are measured using the sensor 112 and the humidity sensor 401 (step S503), and the moisture amount W ₀ per unit volume is calculated from the temperature and humidity (step S504). Then, the nonvolatile memory 402 is overwritten together with the measurement date and time (step S505), and the monitoring state of step S501 and step S502 is returned (return). Note that there is no need to overwrite the past history.

When the timing for checking the waterproof performance comes (step S501: N, step S502: Y), the CPU 111 measures the current temperature and humidity in the housing 101 using the temperature sensor 112 and the humidity sensor 401 (step S501). S506). Similarly, the moisture amount W ₁ per unit volume is calculated (step S507).

If the waterproof performance is deteriorated and moisture has entered the electronic device 400, the measured moisture content W ₁ should be larger than the moisture content W ₀ stored in step S505. Therefore, the water content W ₀ is read from the nonvolatile memory 402 (step S508), and it is determined whether or not the current water content W ₁ is larger than a value obtained by adding a predetermined allowable value α to the water content W ₀ ( Step S509). If it is larger (Y), the waterproof performance has deteriorated. Therefore, in this case, a warning for replacing the waterproof packing 103 and checking the inside of the electronic device 400 is displayed on the liquid crystal display (step S510), and the monitoring state of step S501 and step S502 is returned to. (Return) An alarm sound may be output, or a warning message prepared in advance may be transmitted to a preset e-mail destination.

If the current water content W ₁ does not exceed the value obtained by adding the predetermined allowable value α to the water content W ₀ (step S509: N), a special process is performed assuming that the waterproof performance has not deteriorated. Instead, it returns to the monitoring state of step S501 and step S502 (return).

In the second embodiment described above, if the waterproof performance is checked relatively frequently, the waterproof packing 103 can be replaced or repaired at an early stage when the waterproof performance is deteriorated. Can be avoided. If the moisture content W ₀ is written in a memory such as the nonvolatile memory 402 at the time of shipment from the factory, it is not always necessary to use the replacement detection switch 403, and the waterproof performance diagnostic device can be manufactured at a low cost. Further, since the waterproof performance diagnostic device can be manufactured in a small size, it can be mounted on a small electronic device.

It is a claim corresponding | compatible figure of the waterproof performance diagnostic apparatus of this invention. It is a claim corresponding | compatible figure of the other waterproof performance diagnostic apparatus of this invention. It is a claim corresponding figure of the waterproof performance diagnostic method of the present invention. It is a claim corresponding | compatible figure of the other waterproof performance diagnostic method of this invention. It is a claim corresponding | compatible figure of the waterproof performance diagnostic program of this invention. It is a claim corresponding | compatible figure of the other waterproof performance diagnostic program of this invention. It is the perspective view which saw through the principal part of the electronic device carrying the waterproof performance diagnostic apparatus by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the circuit part relevant to the waterproof performance diagnostic apparatus of the electronic device of this Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram specifically showing a heat-generating component and its periphery according to the present embodiment. It is the characteristic view which showed the relationship between the temperature inside the housing | casing of the electronic device of this Embodiment, and atmospheric | air pressure. It is a flowchart of the waterproof performance diagnostic process in the present embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the circuit part of the waterproof performance diagnostic apparatus in the modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the diagnostic processing of the waterproof performance by the telephone call or communication in a modification. It is the perspective view which saw through the principal part of the electronic device carrying the waterproof performance diagnostic apparatus by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the circuit part relevant to the waterproof performance diagnostic apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the test | inspection process of the waterproof performance in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 20 Waterproof performance diagnostic apparatus 11, 21 Airtight container 12 Atmospheric pressure sensor 13, 22 Temperature sensor 14 Temperature change component 15 Comparison means 16 Waterproof performance discrimination means 23 Humidity sensor 24 Water content calculation means 25 Water content comparison means 26 Alarm means 30, 40 waterproof performance diagnosis method 31 first atmospheric pressure measurement step 32 temperature change step 33 second atmospheric pressure measurement step 34 atmospheric pressure difference calculation step 35, 43 comparison step 36 waterproof performance discrimination step 41 first moisture content measurement step 42 second Water content measurement step 44 Discrimination step 50, 60 Waterproof performance diagnostic program 51 First atmospheric pressure measurement process 52 Temperature change process 53 Second atmospheric pressure measurement process 54 Atmospheric pressure difference calculation process 55, 63 Comparison process 56 Waterproof performance discrimination process 61 1st Water content measurement process 62 Second water content measurement process 64 Discriminating processing 100, 400 Electronic device 101 Case 101A Main body portion 101B Cover 111 CPU
112 Temperature Sensor 113 Barometric Pressure Sensor 114 Heating Component 121 Heating Resistance 122 FET
131 Secondary battery 161 Wireless circuit 401 Humidity sensor 402 Non-volatile memory 403 Replacement detection switch

Claims (10)

A sealed container;
An atmospheric pressure sensor for measuring the atmospheric pressure of the space existing inside the sealed container;
A temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the space;
A temperature changing component for changing the temperature of the space;
Comparison means for measuring a change in atmospheric pressure by the atmospheric pressure sensor with respect to the temperature before and after the temperature changing component changes, and comparing the measurement result with a theoretical value of the atmospheric pressure with respect to the temperature when the sealed container is completely sealed,
A waterproof performance diagnostic device comprising: a waterproof performance determining means for determining whether the sealed container is good or bad from the comparison result of the comparing means.   The waterproof performance diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperature changing component is a heat generating component that generates heat when energized.   The waterproof performance diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperature changing component is a cooling component that is cooled by energization.   The waterproof performance diagnosis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the heat generating component is a component constituting a wireless circuit of an electronic device.   The waterproof performance diagnosis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the heat generating component is a secondary battery that charges an electronic device. A sealed container;
A temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the space existing inside the sealed container;
A humidity sensor for measuring the humidity of the space;
A moisture amount calculating means for calculating a moisture amount per unit volume at the time of measurement from the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and the humidity measured by the humidity sensor;
A moisture amount comparing means for comparing the moisture amount calculated by the moisture amount calculating means with a moisture amount per unit volume previously stored in the space;
As a result of the comparison of the moisture amount comparing means, the waterproof performance diagnosis is characterized by comprising alarm means for warning the deterioration of the waterproof performance of the sealed container when the amount of moisture per unit volume at the time of measurement is larger apparatus. A first atmospheric pressure measurement step for measuring an atmospheric pressure of a space existing inside the sealed container;
A temperature changing step of changing the temperature of the space so that a predetermined difference occurs after measuring the atmospheric pressure in the first atmospheric pressure measuring step;
A second atmospheric pressure measuring step for measuring the atmospheric pressure in the space after changing the temperature in the temperature changing step;
A pressure difference calculating step for obtaining a difference between the first atmospheric pressure measured in the first atmospheric pressure measurement step and the second atmospheric pressure measured in the second atmospheric pressure measurement step;
The ratio between the pressure difference calculated in the pressure difference calculation step and the difference between the temperatures changed in the temperature change step, and the ratio between the pressure difference when the sealed container is completely sealed and the difference in temperature. A comparison step for comparing
A waterproof performance diagnosis method comprising: a waterproof performance determination step for determining whether or not the sealed container is waterproof based on whether or not there is a relationship between the two ratios compared in the comparison step. A first moisture content measuring step for measuring a moisture content per unit volume of a space existing inside the sealed container in a state where the sealed degree of the sealed container is perfect;
A second moisture content measurement step for measuring the moisture content per unit volume of the space existing in the sealed container after the measurement in the first moisture content measurement step;
A comparison step for comparing the first moisture amount and the second moisture amount measured in the first moisture amount measurement step and the second moisture amount measurement step;
A determination step for determining that the waterproof performance of the sealed container has deteriorated when the second moisture content is greater than the first moisture content as a result of the comparison in the comparison step. Waterproof performance diagnosis method. On the computer,
A first atmospheric pressure measurement process for measuring the atmospheric pressure of the space existing inside the sealed container;
A temperature changing process for changing the temperature of the space so that a predetermined difference occurs after measuring the atmospheric pressure in the first atmospheric pressure measuring process;
A second atmospheric pressure measurement process for measuring the atmospheric pressure in the space after changing the temperature in the temperature change process;
A pressure difference calculation process for obtaining a difference between the first atmospheric pressure measured in the first atmospheric pressure measurement process and the second atmospheric pressure measured in the second atmospheric pressure measurement process;
The ratio between the pressure difference calculated in the pressure difference calculation process and the difference between the temperatures changed in the temperature change process, and the ratio between the pressure difference when the sealed container is completely sealed and the difference in the temperature A comparison process to compare
A waterproof performance diagnosis program for executing a waterproof performance determination step of determining whether or not the waterproof performance of the sealed container is good depending on whether or not there is a relationship between the two ratios compared in the comparison processing. On the computer,
A first moisture content measurement process for measuring the moisture content per unit volume of the space existing inside the sealed container in a state where the sealed degree of the sealed container is perfect;
A second moisture content measurement process for measuring the moisture content per unit volume of the space existing inside the sealed container after being measured in the first moisture content measurement process;
A comparison process for comparing the first moisture content and the second moisture content measured in the first moisture content measurement process and the second moisture content measurement process;
As a result of the comparison by the comparison process, when the second moisture amount is larger than the first moisture amount, a discrimination process for determining that the waterproof performance of the sealed container is deteriorated is performed. Waterproof performance diagnostic program.

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