JPH01199628A - Low humidity storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To keep an object to be kept in a constant humidity in a low humidity for a long period regardless of temp. by disposing a gas circulation passage provided with a gas circulation energizing means between the dehumidification chambers with a built-in desiccating agent and a humidistat chamber receiving the object to be kept in a constant humidity. CONSTITUTION:The object 50 to be kept in a constant humidity is put in the humidistat chamber 30, and valves 41, 47, 42, 48 are opened, and circulation fans 16, 26 are driven to circulate the gas which is dehumidified by the natural zeolite 13, 23 in the humidification chambers 10, 20 and is circulated through the humidistat chamber 30. After a certain period, the operation of dehumidification chamber 20 is stopped and the natural zeolite 23 is heated by a heating means 24 to be dehumidified, and the desorbed vapor is condensed to drawn out through a drain discharge valve 29. Then, the natural zeolite 23 is kept to be cooled until the humidification chamber 20 is changed over to be put in operation when the humidity of the humidistat chamber 30 is not kept in low humidity by the ability of the humidification chamber 10.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention lowers the humidity of the gas (here, meaning the degree to which the gas contains water vapor) in the atmosphere of a constant humidity object to be maintained at a low humidity. This is a low-humidity storage device that maintains humidity-controlled objects in a constant-humidity state by maintaining low humidity.
Dried foods such as fruits, vegetables, seafood, meat, seaweed,
Medicinal herbs, herbal medicine, drugs, fibers such as thread and clothing, paper,
It keeps the humidity of plaster molds used for molding leather, wood, and ceramics under low humidity conditions. In particular, it can be used without lowering the ambient temperature of the object with constant humidity to a low temperature, and the ambient temperature can be within the indoor temperature range. It can also be used to set the ambient temperature of a humidity-controlled object to a predetermined temperature, if necessary.

"Prior art" As a conventional technology similar to this type of low-humidity storage device technology, a desiccant such as quicklime or silica gel is sealed in a closed packaging container, and a predetermined amount of tea, shiitake mushrooms, etc. There is something to keep the products dry.

In addition, there are industrial dehumidifiers that are installed in certain rooms.

This type of dehumidifier is installed in a predetermined room and reduces the relative humidity of the air in the room to about 40% RH.

``Problem to be Solved by the Invention'' Drying using a desiccant placed in a closed packaging container maintains a relatively high drying state, but its volume is limited, and When the size is increased, there is a problem in that it is difficult to maintain constant humidity at low humidity.

In addition, dehumidifiers installed in a specific room reduce the temperature of air in a specific range to the saturated vapor pressure and remove the humidity, so although they can reduce the humidity in a specific room, However, there has been a problem in that it does not have enough dehumidifying ability to maintain relative humidity at about 30% RH or less under low humidity conditions, for example, at room temperature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a low-humidity storage device that can maintain a stable low-humidity state for a long period of time regardless of the ambient temperature.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The low-humidity storage device according to the present invention includes a dehumidifying chamber containing a dehumidifying agent made of zeolite, silica gel, activated carbon, etc. that removes humidity from gas, and a constant humidity chamber that maintains low humidity. It is equipped with a constant humidity chamber that accommodates a humid object, a gas circulation path that circulates gas between the dehumidification chamber and the constant humidity chamber, and a gas circulation energizing means that energizes the circulating gas. be.

[Function] In the present invention, a gas circulation path is provided between a dehumidification chamber containing a dehumidifier that removes humidity in the gas and a constant humidity chamber that houses a constant humidity object to be maintained at a low humidity. The humidity in the atmosphere in a constant humidity chamber in which a constant humidity object is placed is maintained at a low humidity by circulating gas using a gas circulation energizing means and removing the humidity in the circulating gas with a dehumidifier in the dehumidifying chamber. This is to maintain the humidity state of a constant humidity object at a predetermined low humidity level.

[Example] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an example of the low humidity storage device of the present invention.

In the figure, a dehumidification chamber 10 is composed of a housing 11 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and within the housing 11, there are disposed shelves 12 having ventilation and partitioned vertically into a plurality of stages. Natural zeolite 13 is placed in the tank 12 as a dehumidifier. That is, in the dehumidifying chamber 10, layers of natural zeolite 13 are formed in multiple stages. A heating means 14 using a heating wire is provided at the bottom of the plurality of layers of natural zeolite 13. Further, a temperature sensor E is arranged at the upper part of the dehumidification chamber 10. A circulation fan 16 is disposed 11 in the upper part of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 11 via an air filter 43 . On the output side of the circulation fan 16, there is a drying circulation valve 15 which is a two-position switching valve.
and a constant humidity delivery valve 41.

A circulation path 45 is connected in communication between the lower part of the housing 11 and the delivery side of the drying circulation valve 15,
Cooling fins 18 are provided in the circulation path 45 to increase its surface area.

The cooling fins 18 are cooled by a cooling fan 17. Further, a drain discharge valve 1 is provided at the lower end of the circulation path 45.
9 are arranged.

Further, the other dehumidifying chamber 20 has a similar configuration, and the dehumidifying chamber 20 is composed of a housing 21 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and inside the housing 21, there is a shelf 22 having air permeability divided into multiple stages in the vertical direction. It is arranged.

Natural zeolite 23 is placed on the shelf 22 as a dehumidifier. That is, in the dehumidifying chamber 20, layers of natural zeolite 23 are formed in multiple stages.

At the bottom of the plurality of layers of natural zeolite 23, a heating means 24 using a heating wire is provided.

Further, a temperature sensor F is disposed in the upper part of the dehumidification chamber 20. In the upper part of the approximately rectangular parallelepiped housing 21,
A circulation fan 26 is provided via an air filter 44 . On the output side of the circulation fan 26, a drying circulation valve 25 and a constant humidity delivery valve 42, which are two-position switching valves, are provided.

A circulation path 46 is connected in communication between the lower part of the housing 21 and the delivery side of the drying circulation valve 25,
Cooling fins 28 are provided in the circulation path 46 to increase its surface area.

The cooling fins 28 are cooled by a cooling fan 27. Further, a drain discharge valve 2 is provided at the lower end of the circulation path 46.
9 are arranged.

Note that the heating means 14 and the heating means 24 are not limited to heating wires, but may be gas, kerosene, or heavy oil combustion devices.

Furthermore, the air filter 43 and the air filter 44 are used to remove dust and the like contained in the low-humidity gas sent out from the dehumidifying chamber 10 or 20. This type of air filter 43 and air filter 44 are not necessarily required. For example, natural zeolite 1
3 itself has the effect of an air filter, and furthermore, the 13 layers of natural zeolite at the bottom are heated by the heating means 14, and the dust etc. removed by the 13 layers of natural zeolite can be removed by incineration or vaporization, so under normal conditions Cleaned low-humidity gas can be supplied to the constant humidity chamber 30 from the air supply gas circulation path 40a. However, if the natural zeolite 13 becomes brittle due to repeated reuse, the effects of the air filters 43 and 44 will be noticeable.

And a constant humidity target that maintains low humidity? The constant humidity chamber 30 that accommodates the 1J50 is composed of a housing 31 configured to increase the volume that accommodates the constant humidity object 50. Inside the housing 31, there is disposed a shelf 32 having ventilation and partitioned vertically into multiple stages. A constant humidity object 50 to maintain low humidity is placed on the 1132. Furthermore, a stirring fan 35 is attached to the upper part of the housing 31 of the constant humidity chamber 30 to homogenize the low humidity atmosphere within the constant humidity chamber 30.

The upper part of the dehumidification chamber 10 and the dehumidification chamber 20 and the constant humidity chamber 30
between the upper part of the gas circulation fan 16 as a gas circulation energizing means and a constant humidity delivery valve 41, or a circulation fan 26 and a constant humidity delivery valve 42 as a gas circulation energizing means. The air supply gas circulation path 40a is connected in communication via the air supply gas circulation path 40a.

On the dehumidification chamber 10 side of the air supply gas circulation path 40a and on the dehumidification chamber 20 side of the air supply gas circulation path 40a, the gas sent from the dehumidification chamber 10 or the dehumidification chamber 20 through the air supply gas circulation path 40a, A constant-humidity delivery valve 41 or a constant-humidity delivery valve 42, each of which is a two-position switching valve that is individually shut off, is provided. Furthermore, the constant humidity delivery valve 42 performs an operation opposite to the opening/closing operation of the drying circulation valve 25.

Furthermore, an exhaust gas circulation path 40b is provided in communication between the lower part of the constant humidity chamber 30 and the circulation path 45 or 46 of the dehumidification chamber 10 and the dehumidification chamber 20. Between the upper part of the exhaust gas circulation path 40b on the connection side with the circulation path 45 and the upper part of the exhaust gas circulation path 40b on the connection side with the circulation path 46, gas is sent out through the exhaust gas circulation path 40b. A constant-humidity discharge valve 47 or a constant-humidity discharge valve 48 is provided, which is a two-position switching valve that blocks the introduction of the gas into the dehumidification chamber 10 or the dehumidification chamber 20.

Further, a humidity sensor A is provided on the side of the air supply gas circulation path 40a of the constant humidity chamber 30, a humidity sensor B is provided on the side of the exhaust gas circulation path 40b of the constant humidity chamber 30, and a humidity sensor is provided inside the constant humidity chamber 30. C is installed.

The dehumidification chamber 10 and the dehumidification chamber 20 operate as follows. Note that since the operation of the dehumidifying chamber 20 is exactly the same as that of the dehumidifying chamber 10, a description thereof will be omitted.

When the drying circulation valve 15 is closed, the constant humidity delivery valve 41 and the constant humidity discharge valve 47 are opened, and the circulation fan 16 in the upper part of the housing 11 of the dehumidification chamber 10 is operated, air flows through the exhaust gas circulation path 40b. The gas is supplied to the dehumidifying chamber 10, and the moisture in the gas is dehumidified by passing through the multi-stage layer of natural zeolite 13 used as a dehumidifying agent.
It is sent out as a low-humidity gas from a. That is, the natural zeolite 13 performs a dehumidifying operation to remove humidity from the gas.

Also, close the constant humidity delivery valve 41 and constant humidity discharge valve 47,
The drying circulation valve 15 is opened and the housing 1 of the dehumidification chamber 10 is opened.
1. Operate the circulation fan 16 at the top of the screen. At the same time, the cooling fan 17 is driven to cool the cooling fins 18 of the circulation path 45. And the circulation path 4
The drain discharge valve 19 disposed at the lower end of the drain valve 5 is opened. Furthermore, when the heating means 14 disposed at the bottom of the multiple layers of natural zeolite 13 is turned on, the natural zeolite 1
The third layer is heated by the heating means 14, and by the circulation fan 16 in the upper part of the housing 11 of the dehumidification chamber 10, the highly humid gas passes through the circulation B45 and returns to the lower part of the housing 11. At this time, the highly humid gas is cooled by the cooling fan 17 in the circulation path 45 and condenses. The condensed water is discharged as water droplets from a drain discharge valve 19 disposed at the lower end of the circulation path 45. That is, the natural zeolite 13 housed in the housing 11 of the dehumidification chamber 10 is heated by the heating means 14.
By heating the natural zeolite 13, a dehumidifying operation is performed in which the moisture adsorbed by the natural zeolite 13 is turned into steam and dehumidified.

The constant humidity chamber 30 that houses the constant humidity object 50 to be maintained at a low humidity operates as follows.

An air supply gas circulation path 40a is connected to the upper part of the housing 31 of the constant humidity chamber 30, and low-humidity gas dehumidified in the dehumidification chamber 10 and/or the dehumidification chamber 20 is supplied from there. The low-humidity gas supplied into the humidity chamber 30 is stirred by the stirring fan 35, and the low-humidity gas is stirred by the stirring fan 35.
Keep the atmosphere uniformly low humidity.

Therefore, the moisture in the constant humidity object 50 placed on the permeable shelf 32 vertically divided into multiple stages in the housing 31 and maintained at a low humidity is reduced to the humidity in the atmosphere in the low humidity state. When the humidity is higher than that, the humidity is evaporated into the atmosphere in a low humidity state, and the constant humidity object 50, which is maintained at a low humidity, is gradually dehumidified.

During this time, the atmosphere inside the housing 31 is exhausted from the lower part of the housing 31 of the constant humidity chamber 30 to the dehumidification chamber 10 and/or the dehumidification chamber 20 through the exhaust gas circulation path 40b, and The moisture removed from the constant humidity object 50 to be maintained at a low humidity is adsorbed by the natural zeolite 13, which is a dehumidifier, and is again supplied into the housing 31 as a low-humidity gas from the air supply gas circulation path 40a.

Therefore, the atmosphere inside the housing 31 can always maintain a low humidity state, and as a result, the humidity target object 50 to be maintained at a low humidity inside the humidity chamber 30 is maintained at a predetermined low humidity state. Ru.

Moreover, the gas circulation path and gas circulation energizing means between the dehumidification chamber 10, the dehumidification chamber 20, and the constant humidity chamber 30 are constructed and operated as follows.

The air supply gas circulation path 40a and the exhaust gas circulation path 40b are arranged between the dehumidification chamber 10 and the dehumidification chamber 20 and the constant humidity chamber 30, and are arranged between the dehumidification chamber 10 and the dehumidification chamber 20 and the constant humidity chamber. A gas circulation path is configured to circulate gas between the 30 parts. The circulation fan 16, which is the gas circulation energizing means, is located on the dehumidification chamber 10 side of the air supply gas circulation path 40a, and the circulation fan 26, which is the gas circulation energization means, is located on the dehumidification chamber 10 side of the air supply gas circulation path 40a. It is disposed on the dehumidification chamber 20 side and energizes gas so as to circulate the gas between the dehumidification chamber 10 and between the dehumidification chamber 20 and the constant humidity chamber 30. The circulation fan 16 or the circulation fan 26 applies pressure to the low humidity gas obtained in the dehumidification chamber 10 and/or the dehumidification chamber 20 and supplies it to the constant humidity chamber 30. Side exhaust gas circulation path 40b and circulation path 45 or exhaust gas circulation path 4
By reducing the pressure in 0b and the circulation path 46,
The constant humidity chamber 30 is supplied with low humidity gas from the dehumidification chamber 10 and the dehumidification chamber 20. Therefore, in the air supply gas circulation path 40a, gas flows from the dehumidification chamber 10 and/or dehumidification chamber 20 side to the constant humidity chamber 30, and the exhaust gas circulation path 40a
In b, gas flows from the constant humidity chamber 30 side to the dehumidification chamber 10 and/or the dehumidification chamber 2° side.

Next, the overall operation of the low humidity storage device of this embodiment will be explained.

First, after the first or previous constant humidity control is completed,
0 and the heating means 14 and the heating means 24 of the dehumidification chamber 20, the natural zeolite 13 and the natural zeolite °
After that, the drying circulation valve 15 and the drying circulation valve 25 are closed, the constant humidity delivery valve 41 and the constant humidity discharge valve 47 are closed, and the constant humidity delivery valve 42 is closed. and close the constant humidity discharge valve 48, and close the drain discharge valve 19 and drain discharge valve 2.
Leave 9 closed.

Then, a constant humidity object 50 to be maintained at a low humidity is placed on the shelf 32 in the housing 31 of the constant humidity chamber 30, and the door of the constant humidity chamber 30 is sealed. In the above, when the temperature sensor E and the temperature sensor F have fallen below a predetermined temperature, the constant humidity delivery valve 41, the constant humidity discharge valve 47, and the constant humidity delivery valve 42
Then, the constant humidity discharge valve 48 is opened, and the circulation fan 16 and the circulation fan 26 are driven. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, one of the dehumidifying chambers 10 or 20 is brought into a stopped state. That is, at the beginning of the operation of the low-humidity storage device, two simultaneous The dehumidifying chamber 10 and the dehumidifying chamber 20 of the stand are driven to increase responsiveness and make the atmosphere of the constant humidity chamber 30 low humidity.

When the humidity reaches a certain level, one of the dehumidifying chambers 10 or 20 is stopped. For example, dehumidification room 20
Please stop. With the constant humidity delivery valve 42 and constant humidity discharge valve 48 of the dehumidification chamber 20 closed, the drying circulation valve 25 and the drain discharge valve 29 opened, and the circulation fan 26 being driven, the heating means 24 Electric power is supplied to dehumidify the natural zeolite 23 to dry it, and then the natural zeolite 23 is cooled. During this time, the atmosphere in the constant humidity chamber 30 is maintained in a constant humidity state with low humidity by the capacity of the dehumidifying chamber 10.

In this way, the contact gas supplied by the circulation fan 43 places the humidity-controlled object 50 to be maintained at low humidity in the humidity-controlled room 30 in the atmosphere, and the gas discharged from the humidity-controlled room 30 The moisture inside is dehumidified by the natural zeolite 13 in the dehumidification chamber 10.

After maintaining the atmosphere in the constant humidity chamber 30 at low humidity for a predetermined time using the capacity of the dehumidifying chamber 10, or after maintaining the atmosphere in the constant humidity chamber 30 at low humidity using the capacity of the dehumidifying chamber 10
When it becomes impossible to maintain the atmosphere at a predetermined low humidity level, in order to further maintain the atmosphere at a low humidity level, the constant humidity delivery valve 41 and the constant humidity discharge valve 47 on the dehumidifying chamber 10 side are closed, and the dehumidifying chamber 20 The constant humidity delivery valve 42 and the constant humidity discharge valve 48 are opened. The atmosphere in the constant humidity chamber 30 is maintained at low humidity using the capacity of the dehumidification chamber 20. Dehumidification chamber 1 where the dehumidification capacity has decreased
0 opens the drying circulation valve 15 and drain discharge valve 19, supplies power to the heating means 14, and heats the natural zeolite 13.
Dehumidify and dry, then add natural zeolite 13
Keep it cool. Through this repeated regeneration operation of the greenhouse 10 and the dehumidification chamber 20, the constant humidity object 50, which is maintained at a low humidity in the constant humidity chamber 30, can be maintained in a constant humidity state at room temperature.

Note that when the inside of the humidity chamber 30 reaches a predetermined low humidity state,
If the constant humidity delivery valve 41 and the constant humidity discharge valve 47 are closed, the constant humidity delivery valve 42 and the constant humidity discharge valve 48 are closed, and the constant humidity chamber 30 is in an independent state, the dehumidification chamber 10 and the dehumidification chamber 20 A low humidity state can be maintained for a while regardless of the situation.

In the low humidity storage device of the above embodiment, the dehumidification chamber 10
Although the case where the dehumidification chamber 20 is used has been described, depending on the type of the constant humidity object 50 to be maintained at low humidity and the volume and structure of the constant humidity chamber 30 that houses it, the dehumidification chamber 10 or the dehumidification chamber 20 may be used from the initial stage of operation. Only 20 alternating operations are possible. Alternatively, only one dehumidification chamber 10 can be operated from the beginning of operation.

Next, a case will be described in which the low humidity storage apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is controlled by a microcomputer CPU. 2 is a circuit diagram of a control circuit that controls a low humidity storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the microcomputer CPU is a commercially available A
A microcomputer with a built-in A/D conversion circuit or an external A/D conversion circuit can be used. Here, the microcomputer CPU will be described as having no built-in A/D conversion circuit. The output of the temperature sensor E that detects the temperature of the dehumidifying chamber 10, the output of the temperature sensor F that detects the temperature of the dehumidifying chamber 20, the output of the humidity sensor A, the humidity sensor B, and the humidity sensor C are each output from an A/D conversion circuit AI. , A2 , A3 , A4,
It is connected to the input port of the microcomputer CPU via A5. Note that the A/D conversion circuits AI, A2
, A3, A4, and A5 can be reduced in number by using analog gates. Furthermore, by using a multiplexer, the number of input ports used by the microcomputer CPU can be reduced. Further, the numeric keypad TN scans a predetermined bit length using the scan output of the microcomputer CPU, and determines key operations based on the code output. The numeric keypad TN is in a constant humidity chamber 30.
The upper limit setting temperature DTH of the operating temperature range and the maintenance humidity HTH of the constant humidity chamber 30 are set.

The type selection switch SW selects the humidity chamber 30 stored in the ROM of the microcomputer CPU depending on the dry soot target.
Upper limit setting temperature of the operating temperature range D Tll and constant humidity chamber 3
This is to set the maintenance humidity HTH of 0. Therefore, when the event selection switch SW is operated, the above setting using the numeric keypad TN is not necessary. door switch D
S is a switch that operates when a constant humidity object 50 to be maintained at low humidity is housed in the constant humidity chamber 30 and the door (not shown) is closed. These switches are connected to the input port of the microcomputer CPU.

In addition, the drying circulation valve 15. Drying circulation valve 25 and constant humidity delivery valve 41. Constant humidity delivery valve 42 and constant humidity discharge valve 47
．． The constant humidity discharge valves 48 are connected to driver circuits DI and D2, respectively.
．． D3. D4. D5. D, 6, and relays RY1, R
Y2, RY3, RY4.

Through RY5 and RY6, the drain discharge valve 19. The drain discharge valve 29 is connected to the driver circuit D12. D13 and relay RY12. It is connected to the output port of the microcomputer CPU via RY13. Similarly, the circulation fan 16, the circulation fan 26, and the stirring fan 35
The motor has respective driver circuits D7, DB, D9 and relays RY7, RY8.

It is connected to the output port of the microcomputer CPU via RY9. The heating means 14 and the heating means 24 are connected to the microcomputer C via each driver circuit D10Dll and relays RYIO and RYII.
Connected to the output port of the PU. Similarly, cooling fan 17. Cooling fan 27 is driver #ID14
．． It is connected to the output port of the microcomputer CPU via D15 and relays RY14 and RY15.

The low humidity storage device of this embodiment is controlled as follows. In addition, FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the main routine showing control of the low humidity storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts of the constant humidity processing routine, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are the same. It is a flowchart of a humidification processing routine.

"Main Routine" First, the processing of this main program is started by turning on a power switch (not shown) to supply power to the low humidity storage apparatus of this embodiment.

In step S1, the memory and each board necessary for executing this program are initialized. In step S2, the upper limit of the operating temperature of the humidity chamber 30 is set. That is, the upper limit setting temperature DTH1 of the operating temperature and the maintenance humidity HTH of the constant humidity state of the constant humidity chamber 30 are set according to the constant humidity object 50 using the numeric keypad TN or the item selection switch SW. In step S3, the upper limit setting temperature DTH of the operating temperature and the constant humidity chamber 3 are set.
When it is determined that the setting of the maintenance humidity HTH in a constant humidity state of 0 is completed, the process waits for the door of the constant humidity chamber 30 to be closed in step S4 and the door switch DS is turned on, and then the process is performed in step S5.
Start processing. In step S5, the stirring fan 35 of the constant humidity chamber 30 is turned on to equalize the humidity distribution within the constant humidity chamber 30. Checking the state of the dehumidification completion flag F1 in step S6,
It is determined whether the dehumidification chamber 10 has completed the dehumidification process. When the dehumidification completion flag F1 is "H'", that is, when the dehumidification completion flag F1 is set, the temperature of the dehumidification chamber 10 in which dehumidification has been completed is determined in step S7 from the output of the temperature sensor E;
It is determined whether the output of temperature sensor E is lower than the upper limit set temperature DTH. When the output of the temperature sensor E is lower than the upper limit set temperature DTt+, the "humidity processing routine ■" is called in step S8, and the dehumidification chamber 10 is used to maintain the humidified object 50, which is maintained at a low humidity, in a constant humidity state. Get into a routine.

In addition, when the dehumidification completion flag F1 is "L" in step S6, that is, when the dehumidification completion flag F1 is off, the "dehumidification process subroutine IJ is called and the dehumidification chamber 10 is brought into a dry state" in step S9. Step S
In step 10, it is determined whether the dehumidification chamber 20 has completed the dehumidification process based on the state of the dehumidification completion flag F2. Or step S7
The temperature of the dehumidifying chamber 10 that has completed dehumidification is determined from the output of the temperature sensor E, and the output of the temperature sensor E reaches the upper limit set temperature DT.
Similarly, when it is determined that the value is H or higher, the process of Stella 7S 10 is entered. When the dehumidification chamber 20 has completed the dehumidification process in step SIO and the dehumidification completion flag F2 is “HII”,
That is, when the dehumidification completion flag F1 is set, the temperature of the dehumidification chamber 20 that has been dehumidified in step Sll is detected by the temperature sensor F.
It is determined from the output of the temperature sensor F whether the output of the temperature sensor F is lower than the upper limit setting temperature DTI. When the output of the temperature sensor F is lower than the upper limit set temperature DTH, the "humidity processing routine ■" is called in step S12, and the dehumidification chamber 20 is used to maintain the humidity object 50 in a constant humidity state. Get into a routine.

Then, in step S10, the dehumidification completion flag F2 is set to "L".
When , that is, when the dehumidification completion flag F2 is off,
In step 813, the "dehumidification processing subroutine ■" is called, and the routine is entered to dry the dehumidification chamber 20, and again in step S6, whether or not the dehumidification processing has been completed in the dehumidification chamber 10 is determined.
The determination is made based on the state of the dehumidification completion flag F1.

In this way, in the main routine j, when the setting of the upper limit setting temperature DTH of the operating temperature and the maintenance humidity HTH of the constant humidity state of the constant humidity chamber 30 is completed, the dehumidifying chamber 10 which has completed the dehumidifying operation and is in a dry state Alternatively, select the dehumidification chamber 20 and enter the constant humidity processing routine depending on the selected dehumidification chamber 10 or 20.Also, if the dehumidification processing of the dehumidification chamber 10 or 20 has not been completed, the dehumidification processing routine will be started. This is for selecting a subroutine.

V Constant Humidity Processing Routine ■" Note that this R constant humidity processing routine IJ maintains the dehumidifying object 50 in the constant humidity state, which is maintained at a low humidity in the constant humidity chamber 30 by the dehumidifying chamber 10, in a constant humidity state. Since the operations are the same as those in steps T21 to T28 of the "Constant Humidity Processing Routine (2)", the explanation of the operation of the "Constant Humidity Processing Routine (2)" in FIG. 5 will be omitted.

First, in step S21, the output of the humidity sensor C of the constant humidity chamber 30 is compared with the set humidity HTH in the constant humidity state, and when the output of the humidity sensor C is the set humidity HT)1 or more, step S82
In step 2, the output of humidity sensor A is subtracted from the output of humidity sensor B, and it is determined whether the difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined value XTH.

That is, when the output of the humidity sensor C is equal to or higher than the set humidity HTH, the humidity of the atmosphere in the constant humidity chamber 30 needs to be lowered. However, if the difference between the humidity of the gas supplied to the constant humidity chamber 30 and the humidity of the gas discharged from the constant humidity chamber 30 reaches a predetermined value XT
)l, it means that the dehumidification capacity in the constant humidity chamber 30 has decreased. In this case, in step 827, the dehumidification completion flag F1 is set to "L II", that is, the dehumidification completion flag F1 is set to In order to increase the dehumidification ability of the natural zeolite 13 in step S28, the r dehumidification processing subroutine IJ is called and this routine is exited.
When the difference between the humidity of the gas supplied to the constant humidity chamber 30 and the humidity of the gas discharged from the constant humidity chamber 30 is a predetermined value XT1'1 or more, there is dehumidification ability in the constant humidity chamber 30. Therefore, in this case, in step S23, the constant humidity delivery valve 41. Open the constant humidity discharge valve 47 and step S2
4, the circulation fan 16 is turned on, and the dehumidification chamber 10, the air supply gas circulation path 40a, the constant humidity chamber 30, and the exhaust gas circulation path 4 are turned on.
A gas circulation system 0b is formed, and the gas circulating there is energized by a circulation fan 16 to reduce the humidity in the atmosphere of the constant humidity chamber 30.

In step S21, the output of the humidity sensor C of the constant humidity chamber 30 is compared with the set humidity (TH) of the constant humidity state, and when the output of the humidity sensor C becomes lower than the set humidity HTH, step 8
25, the circulation fan 16 is stopped, and further, step S
At 26, the constant humidity delivery valve 41° and the constant humidity discharge valve 47 are closed.
The dehumidification chamber 10 and the constant humidity chamber 30 are placed in an independent sealed state, and this routine is exited. Thereby, the constant humidity chamber 30 maintains its state without being dehumidified from the outside.

This state normally becomes constant over time due to moisture entering from outside the humidity chamber 30, moisture generated from its components, or moisture generated from the humidity controlled object 50 maintained at a low humidity. The humidity inside the humidity chamber 30 becomes high and the routine from step S21 to step S24 or the routine from step S21 and step 822 to step S28 is entered, but moisture entering from the outside of the humidity chamber 30 and moisture generated from its components By reducing the amount of
This time can be lengthened and the energy saving effect can be increased.

In this way, in the "humidity processing routine ■", the humidity in the humidity chamber 30 is set to the humidity H that maintains the humidity state.
It is controlled to maintain TH.

Furthermore, when the dehumidification chamber 10 loses its ability to maintain the maintenance humidity HTH, the "dehumidification process subroutine (2)" is called in order to increase the dehumidification ability of the natural zeolite 13.

``Dehumidification process subroutine IJ'' Note that this ``dehumidification process subroutine ■j'' performs dehumidification process by dehumidifying operation of the dehumidification chamber 10, but basically, the ``dehumidification process subroutine ■j'' is performed in step T3 of the ``dehumidification process subroutine IIJ''.
Since the operations are the same as steps 1 to T46, the explanation of the operation of the "dehumidification process subroutine T's" in FIG. 7 will be omitted.

When this routine is called to increase the dehumidifying capacity of the natural zeolite 13 in the dehumidifying chamber 10, the counters used in this routine are cleared in step S31. In step S32, the constant humidity delivery valve 41, the constant humidity discharge valve 47. The drying circulation valve 15 is closed, and the drain discharge valve 19 is opened to prevent a rise in pressure within the dehumidification chamber 10. Then, in step 833, the counter is incremented. In step S34, the heating means 14 is turned on, and in step S3
5 is the predetermined time Ttm required for drying the natural zeolite 13.
ET is left in that state, and the natural zeolite 13 is heated and dried using the heating means 14. When the predetermined time 'T'imel required for drying the natural zeolite 13 has elapsed, step S3
6, the drying circulation valve 15 is opened, the circulation fan 16 is turned on in step S37, and the cooling fan 17 is turned on in step S38, so that the moisture adsorbed by the natural zeolite 13 is circulated through the circulation path 45 as a high-humidity gas. The highly humid gas is cooled by the cooling fan 17 and condenses before it passes through the circulation path 45 and returns to the lower part of the housing 11.

The condensed water is discharged as water droplets from a drain discharge valve 19 disposed at the lower end of the circulation path 45. This state is continued until the predetermined time Time2 elapses in step S39. When the predetermined time Time2 has elapsed in step S39, the drying circulation valve 15 is closed in step 840, and the drying circulation valve 15 is closed in step S39.
At step 41, the circulation fan 16 is turned off, and the heating means 14 reheats the natural zeolite 13. And step S4
In step 2, it is determined whether the counter 1 is greater than or equal to N. If the counter has not reached N, routine processing starts from step 833, and heating and dehumidification processing in the dehumidifying chamber 10 is repeatedly performed.

If it is determined in step 842 that the counter 2 becomes equal to or greater than N, and that the heating and dehumidifying process inside the dehumidifying chamber 10 has been repeated a predetermined number of times N, then in step S43, the constant humidity delivery valve 41. Close the constant humidity discharge valve 47°, the drying circulation valve 15, and the drain discharge valve 19.

The heating means 14 is turned off in step S44, and step S45
In step S46, the cooling fan 17 is turned off, the dehumidification process for the dehumidification chamber 10 is completed, and a dehumidification completion flag F1 is set to record that the dehumidification process for the dehumidification chamber 10 has been completed ("
H”) to exit this routine.

As described above, in this routine, the natural zeolite 13 is dehumidified by heating with the heating means 14, and when the drying is not completed, the dehumidification completion flag F1 is set to store that the dehumidification chamber 10 has the dehumidification ability. 1 and waits for the selection of the dehumidifying chamber 10.

The low humidity storage device controlled by the microcomputer CPU of the above embodiment gives top priority to the selection of the dehumidifying chamber 10 out of the two dehumidifying chambers, the dehumidifying chamber 10 and the dehumidifying chamber 20, and always selects one of the dehumidifying chambers 10 or 20. The dehumidification chamber 20 and the constant humidity chamber 30 are connected to maintain the constant humidity chamber 30 in a constant humidity state.

In this embodiment, the dehumidification chamber 10 is selected as a priority and the dehumidification chamber 20 is used as an auxiliary device, but the dehumidification chamber 20 is controlled as a priority selection and the dehumidification chamber 10 is used as an auxiliary device. You can also. Alternatively, for example, when only one dehumidifying chamber 10 of the dehumidifying chamber 10 or 20 is used and the constant humidity chamber 30 reaches a predetermined lower limit low humidity state, the dehumidifying chamber 1
0, and when the humidity chamber 30 reaches a predetermined upper limit low humidity state, the dehumidification operation of the atmosphere of the humidity object 50 to maintain the low humidity in the humidity chamber 30 in the dehumidification chamber 10 is performed. You can also enter it.

As described above, the low humidity storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the dehumidification chamber 10 and the dehumidification chamber 20 in which natural zeolite 13 or natural zeolite 23 is housed as a dehumidifier for removing humidity in the gas, and a dehumidification chamber 20 that maintains low humidity. A constant humidity chamber 30 that accommodates a constant humidity object 50, and the dehumidification chamber 10, the dehumidification chamber 20, and the constant humidity chamber 30 are arranged, and the dehumidification chamber 10, the dehumidification chamber 20, and the constant humidity chamber 30 a gas circulation path consisting of a supply gas circulation path 40a and an exhaust gas circulation path 40b for circulating gas; the dehumidification chamber 10, the dehumidification chamber 20, and the constant humidity chamber 30;
and a gas circulation urging means such as a circulation fan 16 or a circulation fan 26 for applying circulation gas between the air and the air.

Therefore, by adding a temperature control system to the constant humidity object 50 that is to be maintained at a low humidity state or at room temperature, it is possible to maintain the constant humidity state at an arbitrary temperature and in a low humidity state.

Further, the low humidity storage device of the above embodiment can be used in the following manner.

In the above embodiment, natural zeolite 13 and natural zeolite 23, which are dehumidifiers that remove humidity in gas, are housed in 2
The dehumidification chamber 10 and the dehumidification chamber 20 are used to perform dehumidification and dehumidification alternately, but when implementing the present invention, one or more dehumidification chambers are used to perform dehumidification and dehumidification at the same time. Alternatively, by sequential switching control, it is possible to perform constant humidity control of the constant humidity object 50 to maintain low humidity in the constant humidity chamber 30. The switching timing at this time may be mutually switched based on time, or may be controlled by checking the humidity state of the constant humidity chamber 30. Alternatively, the dehumidification capacity of the dehumidification chamber 10 and the dehumidification chamber 20 may be determined and switched.

Particularly in long-term operation, it is effective to alternately dehumidify and dehumidify multiple units. Furthermore, in order to increase responsiveness, it is effective to operate a plurality of dehumidifying chambers simultaneously at the start of operation.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the constant humidity object 5 to be maintained at low humidity
The constant humidity chamber 30 that accommodates the humidity chamber ``0'' consists of a housing 31 that is configured to increase the area of the plane that accommodates the constant humidity object 50 that is to be maintained at a low humidity.
Although a plurality of ventilation shelves 32 are vertically divided and are arranged, in the case of carrying out the present invention, it is possible to store a constant humidity object 50 to be maintained at a low humidity. good. Further, a means for irradiating light energy can be provided to have a sterilizing effect. In addition, depending on the processing amount and type of the humidity-controlled object 50 to be maintained at low humidity, the humidity-controlled room 30
An endless or endless conveyor, rotating table, etc. can also be provided inside.

In the above embodiment, a gas circulation path for circulating gas between the dehumidification chamber 10, the dehumidification chamber 20, and the constant humidity chamber 30 is provided between the dehumidification chamber 10, dehumidification chamber 20, and constant humidity chamber 30. Although the exhaust gas circulation path 40a and the exhaust gas circulation path 40b are used, when implementing the present invention, when the dehumidification chamber 10 and the dehumidification chamber 20 are integrated with the constant humidity chamber 3-0, the above Air supply gas circulation path 40a and exhaust gas circulation path 40b
It is possible to adopt an aspect similar to the shortest state of the air supply gas circulation port and the exhaust gas circulation port. The gas circulation path that circulates gas between the dehumidifying chamber 10, the dehumidifying chamber 20, and the constant humidity chamber 30 can also be formed into a cylindrical body such as a concentric circle.

Further, a circulation fan 16 and a circulation fan 26, which serve as gas circulation boosting means for circulating gas between the dehumidification chamber 10, the dehumidification chamber 20, and the constant humidity chamber 30I, are used to supply air in the gas circulation path. Although it is arranged on the circulation path 4Oa side, when implementing the present invention, it may be arranged on the exhaust gas circulation path 40b side. As in the above embodiment, when the circulation fan 16 or the circulation fan 26 as a gas circulation energizing means is disposed on the dehumidification chamber 10 and dehumidification chamber 20 sides of the gas circulation path,
Maintenance is easy during constant humidity operation.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, natural zeolite 13 and natural zeolite 23 are used as dehumidifiers that remove humidity from the gas stored in the dehumidifying chamber 10 and the dehumidifying chamber 20, but when implementing the present invention, is the natural zeolite 23
However, it is possible to use materials with dehumidifying ability. For example, natural zeolite, synthetic zeolite,
One or more of silica gel and activated carbon can be used in combination. Of course, it is possible to use materials that can be used only once, such as quicklime and activated alumina, but it is preferable to use materials that can be used repeatedly, such as zeolite, silica gel, and activated carbon, from the viewpoint of control, management, and economy.

In particular, natural zeolites 1 to 1 are most advantageous in terms of cost. In addition, it is advantageous to use air as the medium for removing humidity, but if the content of an inert gas having hygroscopic properties is increased, the humidity of the object to be kept at low humidity may be increased.
Oxidation of 0 can be suppressed as much as possible.

Furthermore, although the low humidity storage device of the above embodiment has been explained based on the temperature fluctuation range of the indoor temperature, by controlling the temperature of the low humidity gas in the dehumidifying chamber 10 and the dehumidifying chamber 20,
It can be a low humidity storage device at a predetermined temperature.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the low-humidity storage device of the present invention has a dehumidifying chamber containing a humidifying agent that removes humidity from gas, and a constant-humidifying chamber that houses a humidified object to be maintained at a low humidity. a humidity chamber, a gas circulation path that is disposed between the dehumidification chamber and the constant humidity chamber and circulates gas between the dehumidification chamber and the constant humidity chamber, and a gas circulation energizing means that energizes the circulating gas. Therefore, by removing the humidity in the circulating gas with a dehumidifier, the humidity in the atmosphere in the humidity chamber in which the humidity object to be maintained at a low humidity is placed is lowered. A constant humidity object that is maintained at a predetermined low humidity without being restricted by temperature can be placed in a constant humidity state. Therefore, a stable low humidity state can be maintained for a long period of time regardless of the ambient temperature.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an embodiment of the low humidity storage device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a control circuit for controlling the low humidity storage device of the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the present invention. A flowchart of the "main routine" showing control of the example low humidity storage device, FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts of the constant humidity processing routine, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts of the dehumidification processing subroutine. . In the figure, 10.20: dehumidification chamber, 13.23: natural zeolite, 16.26 circulation fan, 30: constant humidity chamber, 40a: supply air gas circulation path, 40b; exhaust gas circulation path, 50: A constant humidity object. In addition, in the figures, the same reference numerals and the same symbols indicate the same or equivalent parts.

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A dehumidification chamber containing a built-in desiccant that removes humidity from the gas, a constant humidity chamber containing a constant humidity object to be maintained at a low humidity, and installed between the dehumidification chamber and the constant humidity chamber. a gas circulation path for circulating gas between the dehumidification chamber and the constant humidity chamber; and a gas circulation energizing means for energizing the gas circulating between the dehumidification chamber and the constant humidity chamber. A low humidity storage device comprising: (2) The desiccant is a material that can be reused by repeating a dehumidifying operation to remove moisture from the gas and a dehumidifying operation to evaporate the moisture from the gas. Low humidity storage equipment as described in section. (3) The low-humidity storage device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the desiccant is a combination of one or more of zeolite, silica gel, and activated carbon. . (4) A gas circulation energizing means for circulating gas between the dehumidification chamber and the constant humidity chamber is arranged in a gas circulation path disposed between the dehumidification chamber and the constant humidity chamber. A low humidity storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: (5) The gas circulation energizing means for circulating gas between the dehumidification chamber and the constant humidity chamber is disposed in the constant humidity chamber. The low humidity storage device according to any one of paragraphs.