JP2018059793A - Environment forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an environment forming apparatus capable of achieving both of enhancement of work efficiency and prevention of human errors, such as wrong setting of operation conditions, in the case where articles differing in operation conditions are present in plural articles that can be arranged in an internal space.SOLUTION: In a ROM 202 of a sub-controller 20 of an environmental test device 1, test conditions for each sample (each of plural samples including samples Sa and Sb) are stored. A CPU 201 of the sub-controller 20 determines test conditions for the sample on the basis of the test conditions for each sample stored in the ROM202, and identification information of the sample that a RAM203 of the sub-controller 20 receives by reading of an identification bar code by a bar code scanner 40, and transmits the determined test conditions to a main controller 1c. The CPU 1c1 of the main controller 1c conducts operation under the test conditions received from the sub-controller 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an environment forming apparatus that uses an environment of an internal space in which articles are placed as a preset environment.

  There is known an environment forming apparatus that uses an environment of an internal space in which articles are arranged as a preset environment. For example, an environmental test apparatus (environment forming apparatus) described in Patent Document 1 has a test chamber (internal space) divided into a plurality of compartments, and a test object (article) is arranged in a plurality of compartments, It further has an informing means for informing the progress of the test for each section.

Japanese Patent No. 5456600

  In the environmental test apparatus (environment forming apparatus) described in Patent Document 1, although it is possible to grasp the progress of the test for each section, it is difficult to perform operation by automatically setting test conditions for each sample. It is. For example, when a plurality of samples (articles) that can be arranged in the internal space have different test conditions (operating conditions), the user may need to set the operating conditions each time the operating conditions change. In this case, since the above setting work is required, work efficiency is lowered, and human errors such as incorrect setting of operation conditions may occur. When the human error occurs, the article is excessively stressed and the accuracy of the test and processing is deteriorated, and as a result, it may be necessary to perform the retest and reprocessing.

  The object of the present invention is to realize both improvement of work efficiency and prevention of human error such as incorrect setting of operating conditions when there are plural items that can be arranged in the internal space with different operating conditions. It is to provide a simple environment forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, in an environment forming apparatus in which an environment of an internal space in which an article is arranged is set as a preset environment, a storage unit that stores operating conditions for each of the plurality of articles and the identification information of the article are received. An identification information receiving means, an operation control means for operating under the operating conditions determined based on the operating conditions for each of the plurality of articles stored in the storage means and the identification information received by the identification information receiving means, An environment forming apparatus is provided.

  According to the present invention, when a plurality of articles that can be arranged in the internal space have different driving conditions, it is not necessary for the user to set the driving conditions each time the driving conditions change, and work efficiency is improved. improves. Furthermore, human errors such as incorrect setting of operating conditions can be prevented.

  An environment forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a main controller having the operation control unit, a sub controller having the storage unit and the identification information receiving unit and connected to be communicable with the main controller, The sub-controller determines the driving condition for the article corresponding to the identification information based on the driving condition for each of the plurality of articles stored in the storage unit and the identification information received by the identification information receiving unit. The apparatus may further include a determination unit, and the operation control unit may receive the operation condition determined by the determination unit and perform the operation under the operation condition. In this case, the present invention can be easily realized even in an existing apparatus by using a control unit provided in the existing apparatus as a main controller and additionally providing a sub-controller.

  The environment forming apparatus according to the present invention may further include reading means for reading identification information of the article attached to the article, and the identification information receiving means may receive the identification information read by the reading means. In this case, input errors of identification information can be suppressed as compared with the case where the identification information receiving means receives identification information input via an input means such as a keyboard.

  The reading means can read the operation start information, and when the reading means reads the operation start information, the operation control means reads the identification read immediately before the reading means reads the operation start information. The operation may be started under the operation condition determined for the article corresponding to the information. In this case, as compared with the case where the operation start time is received via means other than the reading means (input means such as a tablet-type terminal and a push button), it is possible to simplify the constituent elements and to omit the input work.

  The reading unit is capable of reading the operation end information, and the environment forming apparatus according to the present invention may further include an informing unit for informing that the apparatus is in a standby state when the reading unit reads the operation end information. . In this case, for example, when the test and processing of all articles arranged in the internal space are completed and the operation end information is read by the reading unit, it is notified that the standby state is set. Thereby, the user can grasp that the next test or process can be executed, and can smoothly prepare for the next test or process.

  The notification means may include an operation indicator lamp. In this case, simplification of the constituent elements and cost reduction can be realized by using an operation indicator generally equipped in the environment forming apparatus as the notification means.

  In the environment forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the identification information receiving unit continuously receives the identification information of the plurality of articles having different driving conditions, the operation control unit notifies the abnormality before performing the driving. An abnormality notification means may be further provided. If a plurality of articles having different operating conditions are tested and processed at the same time, the articles that do not meet the operating conditions may be excessively stressed and need to be retested or reprocessed. On the other hand, according to the said structure, such a situation can be avoided by notifying a user in advance.

  The abnormality notification means may include an operation indicator lamp. In this case, simplification of the constituent elements and cost reduction can be realized by using the operation indicator lamp generally equipped in the environment forming apparatus as the notification means.

  According to the present invention, when a plurality of articles that can be arranged in the internal space have different driving conditions, it is not necessary for the user to set the driving conditions each time the driving conditions change, and work efficiency is improved. improves. Furthermore, human errors such as incorrect setting of operating conditions can be prevented.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the environmental test apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the memory content memorize | stored in ROM of the sub controller in the environmental test apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the control content which a main controller and a sub controller perform when testing two samples simultaneously in the environmental test apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  First, an overall configuration of an environmental test apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The environmental test apparatus 1 is used in, for example, an evaluation process in a product quality test, a development process in a product development test, and the like.

  The environmental test apparatus 1 includes a test tank 10, a main controller 1c, a sub-controller 20, an operation indicator lamp 30, and a barcode scanner 40.

  The test tank 10 has an internal space 10v in which a plurality of samples are arranged. Although two samples Sa and Sb are shown in FIG. 1, other samples (for example, sample Sc: see FIG. 2) can be arranged in the internal space 10v.

  The main controller 1c includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1c1, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1c2, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1c3, and the like.

  The sub-controller 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, and the like. In this embodiment, the sub-controller 20 is configured by an RS-485 / LAN converter, and is connected to the main controller 1c via the RS485 cable 5a so as to be communicable. The sub-controller 20 is communicably connected to the operation indicator lamp 30 and the barcode scanner 40 via the USB cable 5b.

  The operation indicator lamps 30 are “standby”, “during test”, “waiting for sample input (ie, placement in the internal space 10 v)” “waiting for sample removal (ie, taking out from the internal space 10 v)” and “notification”. It can be lit in a manner corresponding to each stage, and it notifies the progress of the test of each sample and notifies the abnormality.

  The barcode scanner 40 includes a barcode (identification barcode) indicating identification information of each sample Sa to Sc, a barcode (start barcode) indicating operation start information, and a barcode (end barcode) indicating operation end information. It is readable. The identification barcode is attached to each sample Sa to Sc. The start barcode and the end barcode may be attached to any member constituting the environmental test apparatus 1 or a member outside the environmental test apparatus 1.

  The ROM 202 of the sub-controller 20 stores test conditions (operating conditions) for the samples Sa to Sc that can be arranged in the internal space 10v. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the ROM 202 has a sample Sa in which the test conditions for the samples Sa and Sb are I (150 ° C., 3 hours), the test condition for the sample Sc is II (200 ° C., 2 hours), and the like. The test conditions (namely, the information which linked | matched the sample and the test conditions one-to-one) with respect to each of -Sc are memorize | stored.

  The ROM 1c2 of the main controller 1c stores test conditions I and II (temperature and test time under each test condition I and II).

  The CPU 1c1 of the main controller 1c controls the environment of the internal space 10v by controlling air conditioners (not shown) such as a heater and a refrigerator based on the command from the sub controller 20 and the test conditions stored in the ROM 1c2. Is a preset environment.

  Next, the contents of control executed by the main controller 1c and the sub-controller 20 when two samples are simultaneously tested in the environmental test apparatus 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the test conditions (temperature and test time) for the samples Sa and Sb are “I”, which are the same, but the test condition for the sample Sc is “II” and the test condition “I” for the samples Sa and Sb. Is different. Therefore, the samples Sa and Sb can be tested simultaneously, but the sample Sc cannot be tested simultaneously with the samples Sa and Sb.

  First, before the samples Sa to Sc are put in, the CPU 201 of the sub-controller 20 turns on the operation indicator lamp 30 in a mode corresponding to “standby” to notify that it is in a standby state, as shown in FIG. (S1).

  After S1, the barcode scanner 40 reads the identification barcode attached to the first sample (S2). Information on the identification barcode read by the barcode scanner 40 is received by the RAM 203 of the sub-controller 20.

  After S2, the CPU 201 of the sub-controller 20 turns on the operation indicator lamp 30 in a manner corresponding to “waiting for sample input” to notify that it is waiting for sample input (S3).

  After S3, after the first sample is placed in the internal space 10v, the barcode scanner 40 reads the identification barcode attached to the second sample (S4). The identification information of the identification barcode read by the barcode scanner 40 is received by the RAM 203 of the sub-controller 20.

  After S4, the CPU 201 of the sub-controller 20 determines whether or not the test conditions for the first sample and the test conditions for the second sample are the same (S5). Specifically, the CPU 201 applies the first sample to the first sample based on the test conditions for the samples Sa to Sc stored in the ROM 202 and the identification information of the first and second samples received by the RAM 203. It is determined whether the test conditions and the test conditions for the second sample are the same. For example, when the first sample is the sample Sa and the second sample is the sample Sb, or when the first sample is the sample Sb and the second sample is the sample Sa, for the first sample It is determined that the test conditions and the test conditions for the second sample are the same. When the first sample is the sample Sa or Sb and the second sample is the sample Sc, when the first sample is the sample Sc and the second sample is the sample Sa or Sb, It is determined that the test conditions and the test conditions for the second sample are different from each other.

  When the CPU 201 of the sub-controller 20 determines that the test condition for the first sample and the test condition for the second sample are the same (S5: YES), the second sample is placed in the internal space 10v. After the placement, the start barcode is read by the barcode scanner 40 (S6). The information of the start barcode read by the barcode scanner 40 is received by the sub-controller 20, and further received by the RAM 1c3 of the main controller 1c. Here, the RAM 1c3 receives the timing at which the barcode scanner 40 reads the start barcode as the test start time of the two samples.

  After S6, the CPU 1c1 of the main controller 1c starts counting the test time of the two samples and starts the operation of the environmental test apparatus 1 by controlling the air conditioner (not shown) (S7). Specifically, first, the CPU 201 of the sub-controller 20 is based on the test conditions for the samples Sa to Sc stored in the ROM 202 and the identification information of the first and second samples received by the RAM 203. Determine the test conditions for the two samples. Then, the CPU 1c1 of the main controller 1c receives the test conditions determined by the CPU 201 of the sub-controller 20, and operates under the test conditions.

  After S7, the CPU 201 of the sub-controller 20 turns on the operation indicator lamp 30 in a manner corresponding to “under test” and notifies that the test is being performed (S8).

  After S8, the CPU 1c1 of the main controller 1c determines whether or not the test of the two samples has been completed (S9). Specifically, the CPU 1c1 finishes testing the two samples based on the test time in the test conditions stored in the ROM 1c2 and the test start time of the two samples stored in the RAM 1c3. (That is, whether or not the test time of the two samples has elapsed since the test start time of the two samples).

  When it is determined that the two samples have not been tested (S9: NO), the CPU 1c1 of the main controller 1c repeats the determination process.

  When the CPU 1c1 of the main controller 1c determines that the two samples have been tested (S9: YES), the CPU 1c1 of the main controller 1c stops the operation of the environmental test apparatus 1, and the CPU 201 of the sub-controller 20 operates. The indicator lamp 30 is turned on in a manner corresponding to “waiting for sample removal” to notify that it is waiting for sample removal (S10).

  After S10, the two samples are taken out from the internal space 10v, and then the end barcode is read by the barcode scanner 40 (S11). Information of the end barcode read by the barcode scanner 40 is received by the sub-controller 20, and further received by the RAM 1c3 of the main controller 1c. Here, the RAM 1c3 receives the timing at which the barcode scanner 40 reads the end barcode as the test end time of the two samples.

  After S11, the CPU 201 of the sub-controller 20 turns on the operation indicator lamp 30 in a manner corresponding to “standby” to notify that it is in a standby state (S12).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the test condition for the first sample and the test condition for the second sample are different from each other (S5: NO), the CPU 201 of the sub-controller 20 sets the operation indicator lamp 30 to “abnormal notification”. It is turned on in a corresponding manner, and an abnormality is notified (S13). After S13, the process proceeds to S11, and the end barcode is read by the barcode scanner 40.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the CPU 1c1 (operation control unit) of the main controller 1c performs test conditions (operation conditions) for the samples Sa to Sc stored in the ROM 202 (storage unit) of the sub-controller 20. ) And the RAM 203 (identification information receiving means) of the sub-controller 20 is operated under test conditions determined based on the identification information of the sample received (see S5 to S7 in FIG. 3). Accordingly, when there are a plurality of samples Sa to Sc that can be arranged in the internal space 10v and the test conditions are different from each other, it is not necessary for the user to set the test conditions every time the test conditions change, and work efficiency is improved. Will improve. Furthermore, human errors such as erroneous setting of test conditions can be prevented.

  The environmental test apparatus 1 has a main controller 1c and a sub-controller 20, and the CPU 201 (determining means) of the sub-controller 20 has test conditions for the samples Sa to Sc stored in the ROM 202 and sample identification information received by the RAM 203. Based on the above, the test conditions for the sample corresponding to the identification information are determined. Then, the CPU 1c1 (operation control means) of the main controller 1c receives the test conditions determined by the CPU 201 of the sub-controller 20, and operates under the test conditions. In this case, the present invention can be easily realized even in an existing apparatus by using a control unit provided in the existing apparatus as a main controller and additionally providing a sub-controller.

  The environmental test apparatus 1 further includes a barcode scanner 40 (reading unit) that reads identification information of the samples attached to the samples Sa to Sc, and the RAM 203 (identification information receiving unit) of the sub-controller 20 includes the barcode scanner 40. The identification information read by is received. In this case, input errors of identification information can be suppressed as compared with the case where the identification information receiving means receives identification information input via an input means such as a keyboard.

  The barcode scanner 40 can read the start barcode (operation start information). When the barcode scanner 40 reads the start barcode, the CPU 1c1 (operation control means) of the main controller 1c reads the start barcode. The operation is started under the test conditions determined for the sample corresponding to the identification information read immediately before the start barcode is read (see S6 and S7 in FIG. 3). In this case, as compared with the case where the test start time (operation start time) is received via a means other than the reading means (input means such as a tablet-type terminal and a push button), simplification of components, omission of input work, and the like. It becomes possible.

  The bar code scanner 40 can read the end bar code (operation end information), and the CPU 201 (notification unit) of the sub-controller 20 notifies the standby state when the bar code scanner 40 reads the operation end information. (Refer to S11 and S12 in FIG. 3). In this case, for example, when the test of all the samples arranged in the internal space 10v is completed and the operation end information is read by the reading unit, it is notified that the standby state is set. Thereby, the user can grasp that the next test can be executed, and can smoothly proceed with preparation for the next test.

  Informing means for informing that the vehicle is in the standby state includes an operation indicator lamp 30. In this case, simplification of components and cost reduction can be realized by using the operation indicator lamp 30 that is generally equipped in the environmental test apparatus 1 as the notification means.

  The CPU 201 (abnormality notification means) of the sub-controller 20 detects an abnormality before starting operation when the RAM (identification information receiving means) 203 of the sub-controller 20 continuously receives identification information of a plurality of samples having different test conditions. (See S5 and S13 in FIG. 3). When a plurality of samples having different test conditions are tested at the same time, excessive stress is applied to a sample that does not match the test conditions, and a retest may be required. On the other hand, according to the said structure, such a situation can be avoided by notifying a user in advance.

  The abnormality notification means for notifying abnormality includes an operation indicator lamp 30. In this case, simplification of components and cost reduction can be realized by using the operation indicator lamp 30 generally equipped in the environmental test apparatus 1 as the abnormality notification means.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made as long as they are described in the claims.

-The number of articles arranged in the internal space is not particularly limited. For example, in the above-described embodiment, two samples are arranged in the internal space and two samples are tested at the same time, but only one article (sample or product) is arranged in the internal space and only the one article is tested. Or processing may be performed.
-An alerting | reporting means and an abnormality notification means are not limited to including an operation indicator light, For example, a speaker, a display, etc. may be included. In addition, the environment forming apparatus according to the present invention may not include a notification unit or an abnormality notification unit.
-Identification information is not limited to a barcode, For example, the number of a sample or a product may be sufficient.
The reading means is not limited to a barcode scanner, and may be a device that reads identification information such as a sample or product number.
The identification information receiving unit may receive identification information input via an input unit such as a keyboard, in addition to receiving the identification information read by the reading unit.
In the above-described embodiment, the main controller 1c and the sub-controller 20 are provided, and the sub-controller 20 includes the storage unit and the identification information receiving unit, but is not limited thereto. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the sub controller 20 may be omitted, the ROM 1c2 of the main controller 1c may constitute a storage unit, and the RAM 1c3 of the main controller 1c may constitute an identification information receiving unit. In this case, the CPU 1c1 of the main controller 1c may constitute notification means and abnormality notification means.
-The present invention is not limited to the environmental test apparatus exemplified in the above-described embodiment, and for example, the environment of the internal space in which the article is placed, such as an oven (heat treatment apparatus) used for a heat treatment process in a product production line, is preset. The present invention can be applied to any device that can be a controlled environment. When the present invention is applied to an apparatus (such as a heat treatment apparatus) for processing a product, “sample” in the above-described embodiment is replaced with “product”, and “test” is “process” (for example, “test condition”). “Processing condition”, “test start time” “processing start time”, etc.).

1 Environmental test equipment (environmental formation equipment)
1c main controller 1c1 CPU (operation control means)
1c2 ROM
1c3 RAM
10 test tank 10v internal space 20 sub-controller 201 CPU (determination means, notification means, abnormality notification means)
202 ROM (storage means)
203 RAM (identification information receiving means)
30 operation indicator lamp (notification means, abnormality notification means)
40 Barcode scanner (reading means)
Sa to Sc Sample (article)

Claims (8)

In an environment forming apparatus in which the environment of the internal space where the article is placed is set as a preset environment,
Storage means for storing operating conditions for each of the plurality of articles;
Identification information receiving means for receiving identification information of the article;
Driving control means for driving under driving conditions determined based on driving conditions for each of the plurality of articles stored in the storage means and the identification information received by the identification information receiving means;
An environment forming apparatus comprising: A main controller having the operation control means;
A sub-controller having the storage means and the identification information receiving means and connected to be communicable with the main controller;
With
The sub-controller determines an operation condition for the article corresponding to the identification information based on the operation condition for each of the plurality of articles stored in the storage unit and the identification information received by the identification information receiving unit. And further has a determination means to
The environment forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation control unit receives the operation condition determined by the determination unit and performs the operation under the operation condition. A reading means for reading identification information of the article attached to the article;
The environment forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information receiving unit receives the identification information read by the reading unit. The reading means is capable of reading operation start information,
When the reading means reads the operation start information, the operation control means is operated under an operation condition determined for the article corresponding to the identification information read immediately before the reading means reads the operation start information. The environment forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the operation is started. The reading means can read the operation end information,
The environment forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising notification means for notifying that the reading means is in a standby state when reading the operation end information.   The environment forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the notification unit includes an operation indicator lamp.   When the identification information receiving means continuously receives the identification information of the plurality of articles having different driving conditions, the apparatus further comprises abnormality notification means for notifying the abnormality before the operation control means performs driving. The environment forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the environment forming apparatus is characterized in that   The environment forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the abnormality notification unit includes an operation indicator lamp.

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