FR2975926A1 - Removable assembly device of spray nozzle on wall of processing machine, has detection units that collaborate to produce detection information when detection units are arranged face to face when device is assembled - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an assembly unit (3) that is arranged on a spray nozzle (1), and another assembly unit (4) arranged on a wall (2) of a processing machine. The assembly units are complementary to each other and mutually engaged. The nozzle and the wall include respective detection units (5, 6) that collaborate to produce detection information when the detection units are arranged face to face when the device is assembled, where the detection units do not produce detection information when the device is disassembled.

Description

The present invention relates to a spraying system for a processing machine, such as a treatment machine for a medical device, and more particularly to a secure device for dismountably assembling a spray nozzle on a wall of said treatment machine. A medical device treatment machine must comply with the regulatory requirements as set out in ISO 15883-1 and ISO 15883-4. Such a treatment machine may comprise at least one spray nozzle. Such a spray nozzle is adapted to receive a treatment liquid, such as a cleaning liquid or a disinfection liquid, under pressure and to forcefully project said treatment liquid throughout the volume of a tank of the treatment machine. .

For reasons of cleaning / disinfection, related to the medical use of the treated devices, it is preferable that a spray nozzle can be disassembled from the treatment machine. However, when the treatment machine is in operation, it is appropriate for a spray nozzle to be present and correctly positioned and assembled. A bad positioning that can negatively impact the treatment process. The standard requires mechanical coding. Such foolproofing makes it possible to avoid a bad positioning of the spray nozzle at the beginning of the treatment cycle. However nothing is currently planned to detect the case of a spray nozzle that would disassemble during the treatment process. The present invention overcomes this major disadvantage by providing a means for detecting such disassembly, including during the processing process. The subject of the invention is a secure dismountable assembly device for a spray nozzle on a wall of a treatment machine, said spray nozzle comprising a first assembly means, said wall comprising a second means assembly, said first and second connecting means being complementary and mutually engageable such that relative movement of one relative to the other allows to move from a disassembled position to an assembled position, and vice versa, said spray nozzle comprising a first detection means, said wall comprising a second detection means, said first and second detection means being able to collaborate to produce detection information when they are facing when the device is assembled and not to produce the detection information when the device is disassembled.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the tolerance range of the detection means is less than the amplitude of the relative displacement for moving from the assembled position to the disassembled position. According to another characteristic of the invention, the first detection means comprises at least one passive element and the second detection means is able to detect the presence / absence of said passive element. According to another characteristic of the invention, the first detection means, respectively the second detection means, comprises at least one magnet and the second detection means, respectively the first detection means, comprises at least one reed switch, whose state changes when it is facing a magnet. According to another characteristic of the invention, the device has a symmetry of revolution of order n, where the first detection means, respectively the second detection means, comprises n angularly regularly distributed detection elements, and wherein the second means of detection, respectively the first detection means, comprises at least one detection element opposite one of said n detection elements. According to another characteristic of the invention, the rotation of the relative displacement has a range of less than 360 ° / n.

The invention also relates to a spray nozzle comprising an assembly means and a detection means according to said assembly device. The invention also relates to a processing machine comprising such an assembly device.

Other features, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description given below as an indication in relation to drawings in which: FIG. 1 presents an overview of an embodiment of the device according to the invention, - Figures 2-5 illustrate four successive steps of the assembly / disassembly of the assembly device, - Figure 6 shows a detail illustrating the establishment of magnets. Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of a secure assembly device removable. Such a device is particularly suitable for producing a dismountable assembly of a spray nozzle 1 on a wall 2 of a processing machine. With particular regard to a medical device processing machine, the assembly device must be secure. A medical device treatment machine must comply with the regulatory requirements as set out in ISO 15883-1 and ISO 15883-4. The standard requires mechanical coding. Such a keying 25 makes it possible to avoid a bad positioning of the spray nozzle 1 at the beginning of the treatment cycle. The invention proposes to go further and proposes in addition to a mechanical and visual keying, an assembly device capable of detecting a displacement / disassembly of the spray nozzle 1, including, during the process treatment. For this, the assembly device comprises on the one hand an assembly assembly comprising a first assembly means 3 disposed on the spray nozzle 1 and a second assembly means 4 disposed on the wall 2. These first 35 and second connecting means 3, 4 are complementary: they can be mutually engaged in such a way that a relative displacement of one with respect to the other makes it possible to pass from a disassembled position to an assembled position, and vice versa by reversing the relative displacement. In the disassembled position, the spray nozzle 1 and the wall 2 are separated and completely independent of each other. In the assembled position the spray nozzle 1 and the wall 2 are close and stationary relative to each other. The assembly device further comprises a detection assembly comprising a first detection means 5 disposed on the spray nozzle 1, and a second detection means 6 disposed on the wall 2. These first and second means of detection 5, 6 collaborate to produce detection information when they are facing. Said detection information is typically an all or nothing information. The first and second detection means 5, 6 are arranged relative to their respective support part (spray nozzle 1 or wall 2) so that, in combination with the relative assembly movement, the detection information is produced when the device is assembled and the detection information is not produced when the device is disassembled. Advantageously, the tolerance range of the detection means 5, 6 is less than the amplitude of the relative displacement making it possible to move from the assembled position to the disassembled position. The detection means 5, 6 are arranged relatively such that a first "present" state of the detection signal is obtained in the assembled position. However, during the relative displacement of disassembly, the end of the tolerance range, causing a second "absent" state of the detection signal, is reached well before the disassembled position. Thus disassembly is detected well before the spray nozzle 1 is effectively separated from the wall 2 and may disrupt the treatment process.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the first detection means 5, located in the spray nozzle 1, comprises at least one passive element 7 and the second detection means 6, located in the wall 2 comprises at least one element, which can be active, able to detect the presence / absence of said passive element 7. Here passive must be understood electrically, mainly in order not to require wiring. Thus the spray nozzle 2 requires no wiring and can be removed from the cleaning machine during disassembly without requiring electrical disconnection. According to a first example, the first passive detection means may be a cam, actuating the second detection means 6 which may be a pusher actuated by the cam and actuating a switch, effectively producing the detection information. According to a second preferred example, the first passive detection means comprises at least one magnet 7, acting on the second detection means 6 which comprises at least one reed switch 8, ILS, actually producing the detection information. Such an ILS 8 operates on the following principle. It comprises two thin metal blades arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axis of a magnet. When the magnet is out of reach, the two blades are separated. As the magnet approaches, it attracts one of the blades and / or pushes the other blade so as to cause their contact. An electrical circuit detects said contact / non-contact and transforms it into an on-off electrical signal. Thus the combination ILS 8 / magnet 7, correctly arranged so that magnet 7 and ILS 8 are facing in assembled position, allows in combination with the relative assembly movement to detect that the spray nozzle 1 is in the assembled position. relative to the wall 2, by the production of a detection signal indicating the presence of a magnet 7 facing an ILS 8. As previously described to facilitate disassembly, said at least one magnet 7 is advantageously disposed in the spraying nozzle 1. However, an identical effect can be obtained by arranging said at least one magnet 7 in the wall 2 and said at least one ILS 8 in the spray nozzle. A magnet 7 is a passive detection means as described above. An ILS 8 / magnet pair is advantageous in that it makes it possible to perform the contactless detection function. Given the detection tolerance of an ILS 8 to the misalignment of a magnet 7, less than the amplitude of said relative displacement, a detection signal indicating a lack of magnet 7 opposite an ILS 8 is produced well. before the spray nozzle 1 is effectively disassembled from the wall 2.

On the basis of the example mainly illustrated, FIGS. 2-5 present four successive stages of assembly / assembly of a spray nozzle 1 on a wall 2. From a disassembled position shown in FIG. 1, the nozzle of FIG. sprinkling 1 is approaching the wall 2.

The first step shown in Figure 2 shows the spray nozzle 1 in a position such that the first assembly means 3 begins to engage the second assembly means 4. Here in this case the tenons 9 of the wall 2 are each positioned at the entrance of one of the grooves 10.

The second step shown in Figure 3 shows the spray nozzle 1 a little further along the relative movement. The spraying nozzle 1 has rotated. The tenons 9 of the wall 2 are engaged further in the grooves 10. The third step shown in Figure 4 shows the spray nozzle 1 even further along the relative movement. The spray nozzle 1 has again turned. The tenons 9 of the wall 2 are further engaged in the grooves 10. The fourth step shown in Figure 5 shows the spray nozzle 1 at the end of relative movement, in the assembled position. The tenons 9 of the wall 2 are engaged at the bottom of the grooves 10. In the last step, a magnet 7 (not shown) is opposite the ILS 8 which produces a detection signal in a "present" state. Disassembly follows the steps in reverse order 4, 3, 2, 1. It is considered that the detection range of the ILS 8 / magnet 7 is such that a change of state occurs between the second step and the third step. When the processing machine is about to carry out a treatment cycle, the spray nozzle 1 is normally in an assembled position corresponding to the fourth step. This is detected by the detection signal in a "present" state. If the spray nozzle 1 comes to disassemble, it goes into the position of the third step. The detection signal is always in a "present" state, which is not detrimental, because the spray nozzle 1 is still fully functional in this position. If the spray nozzle 1 continues to disassemble, it passes to the position of the second stage. The detection signal changes state and is in an "absent" state.

This state of the signal is treated as an alarm by the processing machine which typically stops / invalidates the processing cycle. The spray nozzle 1 is still functional in this position but could quickly pass into the position of the first stage where it may actually disassemble the wall 2. The detection thus advantageously anticipates effective disassembly. Considering the use of chemicals (cleaning, disinfection, etc.) liquid spread in the processing machine and in contact with both the wall 2 with the spray nozzle 1, it is necessary to particularly protect the components both of the first detecting means 5 as the second detection means 6. For this purpose, first and second detecting means 5, 6 operating without contact are particularly advantageous. The first detection means 5 is advantageously flooded in liquid-tight manner in the spray nozzle 1. The second detection means 6 can advantageously be arranged in the thickness of a thick wall 2 or else in the other side of a thin wall 2, depending on the detection range. Referring to FIG. 6, in the embodiment providing a magnet 7, it can advantageously be arranged in a housing 11 made in the spray nozzle 1. Said housing 11 accommodates a magnet 7 and is then closed by a plug 12. The plug 12 is advantageously of the same material as the spray nozzle 1. The sealing is provided by a force fitting of a plug 12 fitted into said housing 11. According to one embodiment said at least one magnet 7 is arranged so as to be closer to the wall 2 when the spray nozzle 1 is assembled. In the embodiment with clogged housings 11 described above, the housings 11 are advantageously arranged in the surface 13 which comes close to the wall 2. The distance between the magnet 7 and ILS 8 is then determined and can be adjusted by the height of the plugs 12, taking into account the depression of the ILS 8 in the wall 2 or the thickness of said wall 2. In the embodiment employing a magnet pair 7 / ILS 8, the maximum detection range is 7.5 mm. For a wall 2 having an average thickness of 3.5 mm, the ILS being placed on the other side of the wall 2, the magnet 7 should be placed within 3 mm of the contact surface 13. distance, determined by the height of the plug 12, may advantageously be reduced for safety and / or to take into account the possible variations in thickness of the wall 2. As a magnetic means, it is appropriate to use materials non-magnetic Thus the wall 2 is typically made of plastic material, such as PVC. Similarly, the spray nozzle 1 and the plugs 12 are typically made of non-magnetic metal such as stainless steel. The relative displacement can be arbitrary as long as the shapes of the first and second assembly means 3, 4 are adapted to this displacement to pass alternately from an assembled position to a disassembled position.

A rectilinear movement is thus possible. According to a preferred embodiment, the relative displacement comprises a rotation. Such rotational displacement can advantageously be associated with a spray nozzle 1 having a symmetry of revolution. According to the embodiment mainly represented in the figures, the relative displacement mainly comprises a rotation about the axis of symmetry of the spray nozzle 1, as well as a linear secondary displacement along said axis of symmetry, because of the helical shape of the assembly means 3, 4. This embodiment can be assisted by an axial rotation guide. Such guidance may for example be achieved by a bore 14 belonging to the first assembly means 3 associated with the spray nozzle 1 and collaborating with a centering diameter 15 belonging to the second assembly means 4 associated with the wall 2. According to an advantageous embodiment in order to avoid any risk of poor assembly and in order to achieve de facto mechanical coding, the assembly device has a symmetry of revolution of order n. Thus the first and second assembly means 3, 4 are such that they can be indifferently engaged one in the other in n configurations angularly offset by 360 ° / n. Associated with this, the first detection means 5 comprises n angularly regularly distributed detection elements, and the second detection means 6 comprises at least one detection element opposite one of said n detection elements of the first detection means 5 Alternatively this may be the second detection means 6 which comprises n angularly regularly distributed detection elements, and the first detection means 5 which comprises at least one detection element opposite one of said n detection elements of the second means. 6. Such an arrangement ensures that, regardless of the angular mounting configuration selected among n, in the assembled position the device will have (at least) a detection element of the first detection means 5 opposite (at least) a detection element of the second detection means 6. Thus returning to the embodiment mainly illustrated, n = 2, and the spray nozzle can be mounted at an angle x or at an angle x + 180 °. In order to realize the detection of the assembled position in the two configurations, the first detection means 5 comprises n = 2 detection elements, here 2 magnets 7, while the second detection means 6 comprises 1 (or 2) detection elements here 1 (or 2) ILS 8. Alternatively, the same result could be obtained with the first detection means 5 comprising 1 (or 2) detection elements / 1 (or 2) magnet 7, and the second detection means 6 comprising 2 detection elements / 2 ILS 8.

Note that in cases where more than one ILS 8 is employed, a logical OR should be made between them to produce the detection signal. Still in the embodiment where the assembly device has a symmetry of revolution of order n, it is advantageous that the rotation of the relative displacement has an extent less than 360 ° / n. This advantageously avoids a risk of erroneous secondary detection that may occur if a detection element of a detection means 5, 6 comes to pass during the relative movement in front of more than one detection element of the other detection means. This is verified in the example mainly illustrated, where the range of rotation, determined by the angular extent of the grooves 10, equal to 40 °, is much lower than 180 °.

The assembly means can be of very different types. A screw or derivative system is one example. According to one embodiment, the first assembly means 3 comprises at least two studs 9, angularly evenly distributed, and the second assembly means 4 comprises at least two complementary grooves 10 and facing said studs 9. Equally, such that illustrated in the figures, it may be the second assembly means 4 which comprises at least two studs 9, angularly regularly distributed, and the first assembly means 3 which comprises at least two complementary grooves 10 and facing said studs 9. The groove 10 as illustrated comprises a first segment substantially aligned with the axis of the spray nozzle

11 1 open to allow the entry of a post 9. This first segment continues with a second segment substantially oriented at 60 ° relative to said axis. This second segment continues with a third segment substantially oriented at 90 ° relative to said axis, parallel to the wall 2 in the assembled position. The third segment is completed by a cut approaching towards the wall 2 to ensure, by elasticity, a blocking of the assembly in the assembled position.

An elastic element, such as an elastomeric seal, advantageously contributes to creating this elasticity. This elastic element can still advantageously ensure fluidic sealing between wall 2 and spray nozzle 1 at the assembly.

Claims (13)

REVENDICATIONS1. Secure assembly device dismountable from a spray nozzle (1) on a wall (2) of a processing machine characterized in that said spray nozzle (1) comprises a first assembly means (3) said wall (2) comprises a second connecting means (4), said first and second connecting means (3, 4) being complementary and mutually engageable such that a relative displacement of one by relative to the other allows to move from a disassembled position to an assembled position, and vice versa, in that said spray nozzle (1) comprises a first detection means (5), said wall (2) comprises a second detection means (6), said first and second detection means (5, 6) being able to collaborate to produce detection information when they are facing when the device is assembled and not to produce the detection information when the device is disassembled. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the tolerance range of the detection means (5, 6) is less than the relative displacement amplitude for moving from the assembled position to the disassembled position. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first detection means (5) comprises at least one passive element (7) and wherein the second detection means (6) is able to detect the presence / absence of said passive element. 4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first detection means (5), respectively the second detection means (6) comprises at least one magnet (7) and wherein the second detection means ( 6), respectively the first detection means (5), comprises at least one reed switch (8), whose state changes when it is opposite a magnet. 5. Device according to claim 4, wherein said at least one magnet (7) is embedded in leaktight manner in the spray nozzle (1). 6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said at least one magnet (7) is arranged so as to be closer to said wall (2) when the spray nozzle (1) is assembled. 7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said at least one magnet (7) is disposed in a housing (11) formed in the spray nozzle (1), said housing (11) being closed by a plug (12). ) of the same material as the spray nozzle (1) forcibly mounted in said housing (11). 8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the relative displacement comprises a rotation. 9. Device according to claim 8, having a symmetry of revolution of order n, wherein the first detection means (5), respectively the second detection means (6), comprises n angularly regularly distributed detection elements, and where the second detection means (6), respectively the first detection means (5), comprises at least one detection element opposite one of said n detection elements. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the rotation of the relative displacement has a range of less than 360 ° / n. 11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first assembly means (3), respectively the second assembly means (4), comprises at least two studs (9), angularly regularly distributed, wherein the second assembly means (4), respectively the first assembly means (3) comprises at least two complementary grooves (10) and facing said tenons (9). 12. Spray nozzle (1) characterized in that it comprises an assembly means (3) and a detecting means (5) according to the assembly device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. 13. Processing machine characterized in that it comprises an assembly device according to one of claims 1 to 11.