JP2004148251A

JP2004148251A - Ultrasonic washing apparatus and washing method

Info

Publication number: JP2004148251A
Application number: JP2002318288A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Takehiko Maki; 岳彦牧; Yuichi Takahashi; 裕一高橋; Hiroaki Segawa; 裕明瀬川
Original assignee: Miura Co Ltd; Sharp Corp; Sharp Manufacturing Systems Corp
Current assignee: Miura Co Ltd; Sharp Corp; Sharp Manufacturing Systems Corp
Priority date: 2002-10-31
Filing date: 2002-10-31
Publication date: 2004-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2022-10-31
Also published as: JP4257102B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the washing time of an object to be washed, and make the object usable immediately after washing by making it possible to quckly raise the temperature of a washing solution. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasonic washing apparatus is provided with a pressure resistant container 1 for storing an object to be washed, a heat fluid introduction space forming part 2 which is installed in the outer circumferential wall part of the pressure resistant container 1, introduces a heat fluid supplied from outside, and transmits the heat of the heat fluid to the pressure resistant container 1, a washing solution supply means 3 for supplying the washing solution to the pressure resistant container 1, an ultrasonic vibrator 4 for applying the ultrasonic vibration to the washing solution to the pressure resistant container 1, a discharge means 5 for discharging the washing solution out of the pressure resistant container 1, and a pressure reducing means 6 for reducing the pressure in the pressure resistant container 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、医療器具等の被洗浄物を効率よく洗浄する超音波洗浄装置及び洗浄方法に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
表面に汚れが付着している医療器具や各種の物品等（以下、被洗浄物と言う）を洗浄する手段として、超音波を利用した洗浄方法があり、従来、かかる洗浄方法として、洗浄容器内に貯溜した洗浄液中に被洗浄物を浸漬し、洗浄容器内を減圧するとともに電気ヒータで洗浄液を加熱し、超音波振動を加えて洗浄液を振動させて洗浄する方法が知られている（例えば、特許文献１参照）。
【０００３】
かかる洗浄方法によれば、洗浄容器内を減圧するとともに洗浄液を加熱し、超音波振動を加えることにより、洗浄液中の溶存気体が除去され、超音波による洗浄液の振動減衰が防止されて、洗浄効果を有効に発揮させることができるとされている。
【０００４】
【特許文献１】
特許第２９８４４４５号公報
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、上記の超音波を利用した洗浄方法によれば、洗浄液を電気ヒータで加熱するため、洗浄液の急速な温度上昇が困難であり、この温度上昇にかかる時間が洗浄処理時間の短縮化を妨げる原因の１つとなっている。勿論、前記電気ヒータを大型化すれば洗浄液の急速な温度上昇も可能となるであろうが、構造上、コスト上、また安全上から問題があり、現実的ではない。また、被洗浄物の洗浄は高温の洗浄液中で行うため、洗浄直後は被洗浄物が高温の状態にあり、該被洗浄物に対し冷却手段が講じられていないため、洗浄後に被洗浄物の直ぐの使用ができないといった問題があった。また、洗浄後の被洗浄物を乾燥させる手段が無いため、自然乾燥を待つか、或いは別途乾燥手段を用意する必要があるといった問題があった。
【０００６】
本発明の目的は、洗浄液の急速な温度上昇を可能とすることにより被洗浄物の洗浄処理時間の短縮化を図るとともに、洗浄後に被洗浄物の直ぐの使用を可能にする超音波洗浄装置及び洗浄方法を提供することにある。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記の目的を達成するために本発明に係る超音波洗浄装置は、被洗浄物を収容する耐圧容器と、耐圧容器の外周壁部に備えられ外部から供給される熱媒流体を導入し熱媒流体の熱を耐圧容器に伝達する熱媒流体導入空間形成部と、耐圧容器内に洗浄液を供給する洗浄液供給手段と、耐圧容器内の洗浄液に超音波振動を与える超音波振動体と、耐圧容器内の洗浄液を排出する排出手段と、耐圧容器内を減圧する減圧手段を備えていることを特徴とする。
【０００８】
かかる構成から、耐圧容器内に被洗浄物を入れてから洗浄液供給手段により洗浄液を供給し、前記耐圧容器の外周壁部に備えられ外部から加熱用の、例えば蒸気や温水といった熱媒流体を熱媒流体導入空間形成部に供給すると、耐圧容器内の洗浄液は熱媒流体導入空間形成部に供給された蒸気や温水といった熱媒流体の凝縮熱伝達により加熱され高温となる。このとき、前記熱媒流体が蒸気であると、加圧蒸気による高温加熱が可能となり、耐圧容器内の洗浄液を急速に温度上昇させることができ、被洗浄物の洗浄処理時間の短縮化を図ることができる。
【０００９】
被洗浄物の洗浄後、前記熱媒流体導入空間形成部内への熱媒流体の供給を停止するとともに、排出手段により耐圧容器内の洗浄液を排出し、減圧手段により耐圧容器内を減圧すると、耐圧容器内に残っている水分や被洗浄物に付いている水分が飽和温度で蒸発し、耐圧容器内や被洗浄物が乾燥されるとともに、前記水分の蒸発で耐圧容器内の保有熱が潜熱として奪われることにより、耐圧容器内が冷却される。
【００１０】
また、前記以外に、被洗浄物の洗浄後、前記熱媒流体導入空間形成部内への熱媒流体の供給を続けたまま、排出手段により耐圧容器内の洗浄液を排出し、減圧手段により耐圧容器内を減圧すると、耐圧容器内に残っている水分や被洗浄物に付いている水分が飽和温度で急速に蒸発し耐圧容器内や被洗浄物が短時間で乾燥され、その後、前記熱媒流体導入空間形成部内への熱媒流体の供給を停止し、熱媒流体導入空間形成部内へ冷水の熱媒流体を供給すれば、耐圧容器内や被洗浄物が冷却されることとなる。
【００１１】
また、前記耐圧容器内や被洗浄物の冷却は、前記耐圧容器内の乾燥が終了し、熱媒流体導入空間形成部内への加熱用の熱媒流体の供給を停止した後、耐圧容器内に水を供給するとともに減圧を続けるようにしてもよく、このようにすると、該耐圧容器内に供給された水が飽和温度で蒸発し、耐圧容器内の保有熱を潜熱として奪うことにより、耐圧容器内や被洗浄物が冷却されることとなる。そして、この冷却するに際し、熱媒流体導入空間形成部内へ冷水の熱媒流体を供給すれば、耐圧容器内や被洗浄物の冷却時間の一層の短縮化が図れる。
【００１２】
更に、前記耐圧容器内の洗浄液の加熱手段として、外部から供給される熱媒流体を導入し熱媒流体の熱を耐圧容器に伝達するようにしたので、安全性が高く、またコストパフォーマンスも高い。
【００１３】
また、前記熱媒流体導入空間形成部にあっては、耐圧容器の全周或いは一部を二重壁構造とし、外壁と内壁との間で前記熱媒流体導入空間形成部が構成されていてもよく、また、耐圧容器の全周或いは一部に巻き付けたパイプで前記熱媒流体導入空間形成部が構成されていてもよい。
【００１４】
本発明に係る超音波洗浄方法は、被洗浄物を収容した耐圧容器内に洗浄液を供給する工程と、外部から導入する熱媒流体により洗浄液を加熱する工程と、洗浄液を加熱する工程の過程で、耐圧容器内を減圧し、洗浄液に超音波振動を与える工程と、耐圧容器から洗浄液を排出する工程と、耐圧容器内を減圧し耐圧容器内を乾燥する工程を含むことを特徴とする。
【００１５】
かかる構成から、耐圧容器内に被洗浄物を入れてから洗浄液を供給し、外部から導入する、例えば蒸気や温水といった熱媒流体により洗浄液を加熱することにより、洗浄液は高温となる。このとき、前記熱媒流体が蒸気であると、加圧蒸気による高温加熱が可能となり、耐圧容器内の洗浄液を急速に温度上昇させることができ、被洗浄物の洗浄処理時間の短縮化を図ることができる。前記洗浄液を加熱する過程で、耐圧容器内を減圧し、洗浄液に超音波振動を与えることにより、洗浄液中の溶存気体が除去され、超音波による洗浄液の振動減衰が防止されて、洗浄効果を有効に発揮するものとなる。
【００１６】
被洗浄物の洗浄後、耐圧容器内の洗浄液を排出し、耐圧容器内を減圧すると、耐圧容器内に残っている水分や被洗浄物に付いている水分が飽和温度で蒸発し、耐圧容器内や被洗浄物が乾燥されるとともに、前記水分の蒸発により耐圧容器内の保有熱を潜熱として奪うことにより耐圧容器内が冷却される。
【００１７】
前記耐圧容器内の洗浄液の排出後、耐圧容器内を減圧する工程で、耐圧容器を外部から導入する熱媒流体により加熱しながら行うと、耐圧容器内に残っている水分や被洗浄物に付いている水分が飽和温度で急速に蒸発し耐圧容器内や被洗浄物が短時間で乾燥される。
【００１８】
また、前記の耐圧容器を外部から導入する熱媒流体により加熱しながら耐圧容器内を減圧し耐圧容器内を乾燥する工程の後、外部から導入する熱媒流体による耐圧容器の加熱を停止し、耐圧容器内に水を供給するとともに耐圧容器内を減圧することにより、該耐圧容器内に供給された水が飽和温度で蒸発し、耐圧容器内の保有熱を潜熱として奪うことにより、耐圧容器内や被洗浄物が冷却されることとなる。
【００１９】
また、外部から導入する熱媒流体により耐圧容器を加熱しながら耐圧容器内を減圧し耐圧容器内を乾燥する工程の後、耐圧容器に外部から、例えば冷水の如き熱媒流体を導入すると、この熱媒流体により耐圧容器内や被洗浄物が冷却されることとなる。
【００２０】
また、外部から導入する熱媒流体により耐圧容器を加熱しながら耐圧容器内を減圧し耐圧容器内を乾燥する工程の後、耐圧容器を外部から導入する熱媒流体により冷却する工程は、耐圧容器内に水を供給するとともに耐圧容器内を減圧すると、耐圧容器内や被洗浄物の冷却時間の一層の短縮化が図れる。
【００２１】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明に係る超音波洗浄装置の実施の形態を説明する。
【００２２】
図１は本発明に係る超音波洗浄装置の第１例を示す概略図であり、本例の超音波洗浄装置は、被洗浄物を収容する耐圧容器１と、耐圧容器１の外周壁部に備えられ外部から供給される熱媒流体を導入し熱媒流体の熱を耐圧容器１に伝達する熱媒流体導入空間形成部２と、耐圧容器１内に洗浄液を供給する洗浄液供給手段３と、耐圧容器１内の洗浄液に超音波振動を与える超音波振動体４と、耐圧容器１内の洗浄液を排出する排出手段５と、耐圧容器１内を減圧する減圧手段６を備えて構成されている。
【００２３】
前記耐圧容器１は密閉可能な開閉蓋（図示せず）を備えており、その形状や大きさにあっては特に限定されるものではない。この耐圧容器１の外周壁部に備えられた熱媒流体導入空間形成部２は、本例では耐圧容器１の全周或いは一部を二重壁構造とし、外壁１ａと内壁１ｂとの間で前記熱媒流体導入空間形成部２が構成されている。この熱媒流体導入空間形成部２には、外部から供給される熱媒流体を熱媒流体導入空間形成部２に導入する熱媒流体導入ライン７と、熱媒流体導入空間形成部２に導入された熱媒流体を排出する熱媒流体排出ライン８とが接続されている。前記熱媒流体導入ライン７は、蒸気導入ライン７ａと冷水導入ライン７ｂとで構成され、また熱媒流体排出ライン８は、蒸気排出ライン８ａと冷水排出ライン８ｂとで構成されており、それぞれのライン上に電磁弁９，１０，１１，１２が設けられている。
【００２４】
また、前記耐圧容器１内に洗浄液を供給する洗浄液供給手段３は、給水ライン３ａと洗剤供給ライン３ｂとで構成され、給水ライン３ａ及び洗剤供給ライン３ｂが耐圧容器１に接続されている。給水ライン３ａ及び洗剤供給ライン３ｂのライン上にそれぞれ電磁弁１３，１４が設けられている。更に、前記耐圧容器１には、耐圧容器１内に蒸気を導入する蒸気導入ライン１５が接続されており、蒸気導入ライン１５には電磁弁１６が設けられている。
【００２５】
また、前記耐圧容器１の底部には、ドレンライン５ａが接続されており、耐圧容器１内の洗浄液等を排出する排出手段５を構成している。前記ドレンライン５ａには電磁弁１７が設けられている。また、前記耐圧容器１には真空ポンプ１８に接続している真空引きライン６ａが接続されており、耐圧容器１内を減圧する減圧手段６を構成している。
【００２６】
また、前記耐圧容器１内の洗浄液に超音波振動を与える超音波振動体４は、耐圧容器１内の底部に固定して設けられている。この超音波振動体４は、本例では図示しないが、耐圧と耐水を備えた密閉ケースの上板を振動板とし、この上板の下面に振動子を取り付けた構成となっている。
【００２７】
図２は本発明に係る超音波洗浄装置の第２例を示す概略図であり、本例では前記耐圧容器１の外周壁部に備えられた熱媒流体導入空間形成部２が、耐圧容器１の全周或いは一部に巻き付けたパイプ１９で構成されている。本例の熱媒流体導入空間形成部２を構成するパイプ１９は、蒸気パイプ１９ａと冷水パイプ１９ｂとで構成されており、蒸気パイプ１９ａと冷水パイプ１９ｂの導入側と排出側には、それぞれ電磁弁２０，２１，２２，２３が設けられている。
【００２８】
その他の構成は前記第１例と同様な構成となっているので、第１例の説明を援用する。
【００２９】
次に、本発明に係る超音波洗浄方法の実施の形態を前記のように構成された超音波洗浄装置を使用して説明する。
【００３０】
先ず、被洗浄物をバスケット等に入れた状態で耐圧容器１内に収容し、該耐圧容器１内に洗浄液を洗浄液供給手段３により供給する。洗浄液供給手段３による洗浄液の供給は、電磁弁１３，１４を開き、所定量の水と洗剤を給水ライン３ａと洗剤供給ライン３ｂから供給して行う。耐圧容器１内に洗浄液を供給したら、電磁弁９を開き、熱媒流体導入ライン７の蒸気導入ライン７ａから蒸気を熱媒流体導入空間形成部２に供給する。これにより、耐圧容器１内の洗浄液は熱媒流体導入空間形成部２に供給された蒸気の凝縮熱伝達により加熱され高温となる。このとき、前記蒸気を、加圧蒸気とすることにより高温加熱が可能となり、耐圧容器１内の洗浄液を急速に温度上昇させることができ、被洗浄物の洗浄処理時間の短縮化を図ることができる。
【００３１】
前記洗浄液を加熱する工程の過程で、減圧手段６を構成している真空ポンプ１８を駆動して真空引きし、耐圧容器１内を減圧し、更に、超音波振動体４に通電して前記耐圧容器１内の洗浄液に超音波振動を与える。これにより、洗浄液中の溶存気体が除去され、超音波による洗浄液の振動減衰が防止されて、洗浄効果を有効に発揮するものとなる。
【００３２】
前記のようにして被洗浄物の洗浄が終了したら、電磁弁９を閉じ、蒸気導入ライン７ａから熱媒流体導入空間形成部２内への蒸気の供給を停止するとともに、電磁弁１７を開きドレンライン５ａから耐圧容器１内の洗浄液等を排出する。耐圧容器１内の洗浄液等を排出したら、電磁弁１７を閉じ、減圧手段６を構成している真空ポンプ１８を駆動して真空引きし、耐圧容器１内を減圧する。これにより、耐圧容器１内に残っている水分や被洗浄物に付いている水分が飽和温度で蒸発し、耐圧容器１内や被洗浄物が乾燥されるとともに、前記水分の蒸発で耐圧容器内の保有熱が潜熱として奪われることにより、耐圧容器内が冷却される。
【００３３】
また、前記耐圧容器１内の洗浄液の排出後、耐圧容器内を減圧する工程で、電磁弁９を開き、熱媒流体導入ライン７の蒸気導入ライン７ａから蒸気を熱媒流体導入空間形成部２に供給して耐圧容器１を加熱しながら行うと、耐圧容器１内に残っている水分や被洗浄物に付いている水分が飽和温度で急速に蒸発し耐圧容器１内や被洗浄物が短時間で乾燥される。その後、前記熱媒流体導入空間形成部２内への蒸気の供給を停止し、前記熱媒流体導入ライン７の冷水導入ライン７ｂから冷水を熱媒流体導入空間形成部２に供給すると、この冷水により耐圧容器１内や被洗浄物が冷却されることとなる。
【００３４】
また、前記の耐圧容器１を熱媒流体導入ライン７の蒸気導入ライン７ａから熱媒流体導入空間形成部２に供給した蒸気により加熱しながら耐圧容器１内を減圧し耐圧容器１内を乾燥した後、前記蒸気の供給を停止し、前記電磁弁１３を開き洗浄液供給手段３の給水ライン３ａから耐圧容器１内に水を供給するとともに耐圧容器１内を減圧手段６で減圧することにより、該耐圧容器１内に供給された水が飽和温度で蒸発し、耐圧容器１内の保有熱を潜熱として奪うことにより、耐圧容器１内や被洗浄物が冷却されることとなる。
【００３５】
また、前記の耐圧容器１を熱媒流体導入ライン７の蒸気導入ライン７ａから熱媒流体導入空間形成部２に供給した蒸気により加熱しながら耐圧容器１内を減圧し耐圧容器１内を乾燥した後、前記蒸気の供給を停止し、前記熱媒流体導入ライン７の冷水導入ライン７ｂから冷水を熱媒流体導入空間形成部２に供給すると、この冷水により耐圧容器１内や被洗浄物が冷却されることとなる。
【００３６】
また、前記の耐圧容器１を熱媒流体導入ライン７の蒸気導入ライン７ａから熱媒流体導入空間形成部２に供給した蒸気により加熱しながら耐圧容器１内を減圧し耐圧容器１内を乾燥した後、前記蒸気の供給を停止し、前記熱媒流体導入ライン７の冷水導入ライン７ｂから冷水を熱媒流体導入空間形成部２に供給して耐圧容器１を冷却する工程で、耐圧容器１内に給水ライン３ａから水を供給するとともに耐圧容器１内を減圧手段６で減圧すると、耐圧容器１内や被洗浄物の冷却時間の一層の短縮化が図れる。
【００３７】
上記のようにして、被洗浄物の洗浄が連続して、しかも効率よく行え、洗浄処理後の被洗浄物は、処理後の直ぐの使用が可能となる。前記本発明に係る超音波洗浄方法を実施する超音波洗浄装置の一連の動作は、全てコンピュータにより、自動制御されて行われるようになっている。
【００３８】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、本発明に係る超音波洗浄装置及び洗浄方法によれば、洗浄液の急速な温度上昇を可能とすることにより被洗浄物の洗浄処理時間の短縮化を図ることができるとともに、洗浄後に被洗浄物の直ぐの使用を可能とすることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る超音波洗浄装置の実施の形態の第１例を示す概略図。
【図２】本発明に係る超音波洗浄装置の実施の形態の第２例を示す概略図。
【符号の説明】
１耐圧容器
１ａ外壁
１ｂ内壁
２熱媒流体導入空間形成部
３洗浄液供給手段
３ａ給水ライン
３ｂ洗剤供給ライン
４超音波振動体
５排出手段
５ａドレンライン
６減圧手段
６ａ真空引きライン
７熱媒流体導入ライン
７ａ蒸気導入ライン
７ｂ冷水導入ライン
８熱媒流体排出ライン
８ａ蒸気排出ライン
８ｂ冷水排出ライン
９，１０，１１，１２，１３，１４電磁弁
１５蒸気導入ライン
１６，１７電磁弁
１８真空ポンプ
１９パイプ
１９ａ蒸気パイプ
１９ｂ冷水パイプ
２０，２１，２２，２３電磁弁[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus and a cleaning method for efficiently cleaning an object to be cleaned such as a medical instrument.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a means for cleaning medical instruments and various articles having dirt on the surface (hereinafter, referred to as an object to be cleaned), there is a cleaning method using ultrasonic waves. A method is known in which an object to be cleaned is immersed in a cleaning solution stored in a cleaning vessel, the inside of the cleaning vessel is depressurized, the cleaning solution is heated by an electric heater, and the cleaning solution is vibrated by applying ultrasonic vibration to perform cleaning. Patent Document 1).
[0003]
According to such a cleaning method, the inside of the cleaning vessel is depressurized, the cleaning liquid is heated, and ultrasonic vibration is applied, thereby removing dissolved gas in the cleaning liquid, preventing the vibration of the cleaning liquid from being attenuated by ultrasonic waves, and improving the cleaning effect. Is said to be able to be exerted effectively.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 2984445 [0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the above-described cleaning method using ultrasonic waves, since the cleaning liquid is heated by the electric heater, it is difficult to rapidly raise the temperature of the cleaning liquid, and the time required for this temperature rise prevents the shortening of the cleaning processing time. It is one of the causes. Of course, if the size of the electric heater is increased, a rapid rise in the temperature of the cleaning liquid will be possible, but this is not practical because of problems in terms of structure, cost and safety. Further, since the object to be cleaned is washed in a high-temperature cleaning solution, the object to be cleaned is in a high temperature state immediately after the cleaning, and no cooling means is provided for the object to be cleaned. There was a problem that it could not be used immediately. Further, since there is no means for drying the object to be cleaned after cleaning, there is a problem that it is necessary to wait for natural drying or to prepare a separate drying means.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to reduce the time required for cleaning an object to be cleaned by enabling a rapid rise in the temperature of a cleaning liquid, and to realize an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus that enables the object to be cleaned to be used immediately after cleaning. It is to provide a cleaning method.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the present invention includes a pressure-resistant container for accommodating an object to be cleaned, and a heat-transfer medium provided on an outer peripheral wall of the pressure-resistant container and supplied from outside. A heat medium fluid introduction space forming portion for transmitting heat of the fluid to the pressure-resistant container, a cleaning liquid supply means for supplying a cleaning liquid into the pressure-resistant container, an ultrasonic vibrator for applying ultrasonic vibration to the cleaning liquid in the pressure-resistant container, and a pressure-resistant container A discharge means for discharging the cleaning liquid therein, and a pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure in the pressure-resistant container.
[0008]
With this configuration, the cleaning liquid is supplied by the cleaning liquid supply unit after the object to be cleaned is placed in the pressure-resistant container, and a heating medium, such as steam or hot water, for heating, which is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the pressure-resistant container and is externally provided, is heated. When the cleaning liquid in the pressure-resistant container is supplied to the medium-fluid introduction space forming part, the cleaning liquid is heated by the condensation heat transfer of the heat medium fluid such as steam and hot water supplied to the heat-medium fluid introduction space forming part, and becomes high temperature. At this time, if the heat medium fluid is steam, high-temperature heating by pressurized steam becomes possible, and the temperature of the cleaning liquid in the pressure-resistant container can be rapidly raised, thereby shortening the cleaning processing time for the object to be cleaned. be able to.
[0009]
After the object to be cleaned is washed, the supply of the heat medium fluid into the heat medium fluid introduction space forming part is stopped, the cleaning liquid in the pressure vessel is discharged by the discharge means, and the pressure inside the pressure vessel is reduced by the pressure reducing means. The moisture remaining in the container and the water attached to the object to be washed evaporate at the saturation temperature, and the inside of the pressure-resistant container and the object to be washed are dried, and the heat retained in the pressure-resistant container becomes latent heat due to the evaporation of the water. By being deprived, the inside of the pressure vessel is cooled.
[0010]
In addition to the above, after the object to be cleaned is washed, while the supply of the heat medium fluid into the heat medium fluid introduction space forming portion is continued, the cleaning liquid in the pressure vessel is discharged by the discharging means, and the pressure vessel is depressurized by the pressure reducing means. When the pressure is reduced, the moisture remaining in the pressure vessel and the moisture attached to the object to be cleaned evaporate rapidly at the saturation temperature, and the inside of the pressure vessel and the object to be cleaned are dried in a short time. If the supply of the heat medium fluid to the introduction space forming part is stopped and the heat medium fluid of the cold water is supplied to the heat medium fluid introduction space formation part, the inside of the pressure-resistant container and the object to be cleaned will be cooled.
[0011]
Further, in the cooling of the pressure-resistant container and the object to be cleaned, the drying in the pressure-resistant container is completed, and after the supply of the heating medium fluid for heating into the heating medium fluid introduction space forming portion is stopped, the inside of the pressure-resistant container is cooled. The water supplied to the pressure vessel may evaporate at the saturation temperature, and the heat retained in the pressure vessel may be removed as latent heat, so that the pressure in the pressure vessel may be reduced. The inside and the object to be cleaned are cooled. When the cooling medium is supplied with the cooling medium in the cooling medium introduction space forming portion, the cooling time in the pressure-resistant container and the object to be cleaned can be further reduced.
[0012]
Further, as a means for heating the cleaning liquid in the pressure vessel, a heat medium fluid supplied from the outside is introduced to transfer the heat of the heat medium fluid to the pressure vessel, so that safety is high and cost performance is high. .
[0013]
Further, in the heat medium fluid introduction space forming portion, the entire circumference or a part of the pressure-resistant container has a double wall structure, and the heat medium fluid introduction space forming portion is formed between an outer wall and an inner wall. Alternatively, the heat medium fluid introduction space forming portion may be formed of a pipe wound around the entire circumference or a part of the pressure-resistant container.
[0014]
The ultrasonic cleaning method according to the present invention includes a step of supplying a cleaning liquid into a pressure-resistant container containing an object to be cleaned, a step of heating the cleaning liquid with a heating medium fluid introduced from the outside, and a step of heating the cleaning liquid. And a step of reducing the pressure inside the pressure vessel to apply ultrasonic vibration to the cleaning liquid, a step of discharging the cleaning liquid from the pressure vessel, and a step of drying the inside of the pressure vessel by reducing the pressure inside the pressure vessel.
[0015]
With this configuration, the cleaning liquid is heated by supplying the cleaning liquid after placing the object to be cleaned in the pressure-resistant container, and heating the cleaning liquid with a heating medium fluid such as steam or hot water introduced from the outside. At this time, if the heat medium fluid is steam, high-temperature heating by pressurized steam becomes possible, and the temperature of the cleaning liquid in the pressure-resistant container can be rapidly raised, thereby shortening the cleaning processing time for the object to be cleaned. be able to. In the process of heating the cleaning liquid, the inside of the pressure-resistant container is decompressed, and ultrasonic vibration is applied to the cleaning liquid, whereby dissolved gas in the cleaning liquid is removed. Will be demonstrated.
[0016]
After the object to be cleaned is washed, the cleaning liquid in the pressure-resistant container is discharged and the pressure in the pressure-resistant container is reduced. In addition, the object to be cleaned is dried, and the inside of the pressure-resistant container is cooled by removing the retained heat in the pressure-resistant container as latent heat by the evaporation of the water.
[0017]
After the cleaning liquid is discharged from the pressure-resistant container, in the step of depressurizing the pressure-resistant container, while the pressure-resistant container is heated by a heating medium fluid introduced from the outside, the water and the cleaning target remaining in the pressure-resistant container are removed. The water content evaporates rapidly at the saturation temperature, and the inside of the pressure vessel and the object to be cleaned are dried in a short time.
[0018]
Further, after heating the pressure vessel with the heat medium fluid introduced from the outside and depressurizing the inside of the pressure vessel and drying the inside of the pressure vessel, the heating of the pressure vessel with the heat medium fluid introduced from the outside is stopped, By supplying water into the pressure-resistant container and depressurizing the inside of the pressure-resistant container, the water supplied into the pressure-resistant container evaporates at the saturation temperature, and deprives the heat retained in the pressure-resistant container as latent heat, thereby reducing the pressure inside the pressure-resistant container. And the object to be cleaned is cooled.
[0019]
In addition, after the step of depressurizing the inside of the pressure vessel and drying the inside of the pressure vessel while heating the pressure vessel with the heat medium fluid introduced from the outside, when a heat medium fluid such as cold water is introduced from the outside into the pressure vessel, The inside of the pressure vessel and the object to be cleaned are cooled by the heat medium fluid.
[0020]
Also, after the step of depressurizing the inside of the pressure-resistant container and drying the inside of the pressure-resistant container while heating the pressure-resistant container with the heat-medium fluid introduced from the outside, the step of cooling the pressure-resistant container with the heat-medium fluid introduced from the outside comprises the pressure-resistant container When water is supplied to the inside and the pressure inside the pressure vessel is reduced, the cooling time in the pressure vessel and the object to be cleaned can be further shortened.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of an ultrasonic cleaning device according to the present invention will be described.
[0022]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a first example of an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the present invention. The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a pressure-resistant container 1 for storing an object to be cleaned and an outer peripheral wall of the pressure-resistant container 1. A heat medium fluid introduction space forming part 2 for introducing a heat medium fluid supplied from outside and transmitting heat of the heat medium fluid to the pressure-resistant container 1; a cleaning liquid supply means 3 for supplying a cleaning liquid into the pressure-resistant container 1; The apparatus includes an ultrasonic vibrator 4 for applying ultrasonic vibration to the cleaning liquid in the pressure-resistant container 1, a discharge unit 5 for discharging the cleaning liquid in the pressure-resistant container 1, and a pressure reducing unit 6 for reducing the pressure in the pressure-resistant container 1. .
[0023]
The pressure-resistant container 1 has an openable and closable lid (not shown), and its shape and size are not particularly limited. The heat medium fluid introduction space forming part 2 provided on the outer peripheral wall of the pressure vessel 1 has a double wall structure on the entire circumference or a part of the pressure vessel 1 in this example, and is provided between the outer wall 1a and the inner wall 1b. The heat medium fluid introduction space forming part 2 is configured. The heat medium fluid introduction space forming section 2 has a heat medium fluid introduction line 7 for introducing a heat medium fluid supplied from the outside to the heat medium fluid introduction space forming section 2, and a heat medium fluid introduction line 7 for introducing the heat medium fluid to the heat medium fluid introduction space forming section 2. And a heat medium fluid discharge line 8 for discharging the heat medium fluid. The heat medium fluid introduction line 7 includes a steam introduction line 7a and a cold water introduction line 7b, and the heat medium fluid discharge line 8 includes a steam discharge line 8a and a cold water discharge line 8b. Solenoid valves 9, 10, 11, 12 are provided on the line.
[0024]
The cleaning liquid supply means 3 for supplying the cleaning liquid into the pressure-resistant container 1 includes a water supply line 3a and a detergent supply line 3b, and the water supply line 3a and the detergent supply line 3b are connected to the pressure-resistant container 1. Solenoid valves 13 and 14 are provided on the water supply line 3a and the detergent supply line 3b, respectively. Further, the pressure vessel 1 is connected to a steam introduction line 15 for introducing steam into the pressure vessel 1, and the steam introduction line 15 is provided with an electromagnetic valve 16.
[0025]
A drain line 5 a is connected to the bottom of the pressure vessel 1, and constitutes a discharge unit 5 for discharging a cleaning liquid or the like in the pressure vessel 1. An electromagnetic valve 17 is provided on the drain line 5a. Further, a vacuum line 6a connected to a vacuum pump 18 is connected to the pressure-resistant container 1, and constitutes a pressure reducing means 6 for reducing the pressure inside the pressure-resistant container 1.
[0026]
Further, an ultrasonic vibrator 4 for applying ultrasonic vibration to the cleaning liquid in the pressure-resistant container 1 is provided fixed to the bottom in the pressure-resistant container 1. Although not shown in this example, the ultrasonic vibrator 4 has a configuration in which an upper plate of a sealed case having pressure resistance and water resistance is used as a vibration plate, and a vibrator is attached to a lower surface of the upper plate.
[0027]
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a second example of the ultrasonic cleaning device according to the present invention. In this example, the heat medium fluid introduction space forming part 2 provided on the outer peripheral wall of the pressure-resistant container 1 includes the pressure-resistant container 1. Is constituted by a pipe 19 wound around the whole circumference or a part thereof. The pipe 19 forming the heat medium fluid introduction space forming part 2 of the present embodiment is configured by a steam pipe 19a and a cold water pipe 19b, and the introduction side and the discharge side of the steam pipe 19a and the cold water pipe 19b are electromagnetically respectively. Valves 20, 21, 22, 23 are provided.
[0028]
The other configuration is the same as that of the first example, and the description of the first example is cited.
[0029]
Next, an embodiment of the ultrasonic cleaning method according to the present invention will be described using the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus configured as described above.
[0030]
First, an object to be cleaned is housed in a basket or the like in a pressure-resistant container 1, and a cleaning liquid is supplied into the pressure-resistant container 1 by a cleaning liquid supply unit 3. The supply of the cleaning liquid by the cleaning liquid supply means 3 is performed by opening the electromagnetic valves 13 and 14 and supplying a predetermined amount of water and a detergent from the water supply line 3a and the detergent supply line 3b. When the cleaning liquid is supplied into the pressure-resistant container 1, the electromagnetic valve 9 is opened, and steam is supplied to the heat medium fluid introduction space forming unit 2 from the steam introduction line 7 a of the heat medium fluid introduction line 7. As a result, the cleaning liquid in the pressure-resistant container 1 is heated by the condensation heat transfer of the steam supplied to the heat medium fluid introduction space forming section 2 and becomes high temperature. At this time, by using the steam as the pressurized steam, high-temperature heating becomes possible, the temperature of the cleaning liquid in the pressure-resistant container 1 can be rapidly increased, and the time for cleaning the object to be cleaned can be shortened. it can.
[0031]
In the process of heating the cleaning liquid, the vacuum pump 18 constituting the pressure reducing means 6 is driven to evacuate, the pressure inside the pressure-resistant container 1 is reduced, and the ultrasonic vibrator 4 is energized to apply the pressure-resistant pressure. Ultrasonic vibration is applied to the cleaning liquid in the container 1. As a result, the dissolved gas in the cleaning liquid is removed, the vibration of the cleaning liquid is prevented from being attenuated by ultrasonic waves, and the cleaning effect is effectively exhibited.
[0032]
When the cleaning of the object to be cleaned is completed as described above, the solenoid valve 9 is closed, the supply of steam from the steam introduction line 7a into the heat medium fluid introduction space forming part 2 is stopped, and the solenoid valve 17 is opened to drain. The cleaning liquid and the like in the pressure-resistant container 1 are discharged from the line 5a. When the cleaning liquid and the like in the pressure-resistant container 1 are discharged, the electromagnetic valve 17 is closed, and the vacuum pump 18 constituting the pressure-reducing means 6 is driven to evacuate, and the pressure in the pressure-resistant container 1 is reduced. As a result, the moisture remaining in the pressure-resistant container 1 and the moisture attached to the object to be cleaned evaporate at the saturation temperature, and the inside of the pressure-resistant container 1 and the object to be cleaned are dried. The heat inside the pressure vessel is cooled by depriving the retained heat as latent heat.
[0033]
In addition, after the cleaning liquid is discharged from the pressure-resistant container 1, in a step of reducing the pressure inside the pressure-resistant container, the electromagnetic valve 9 is opened, and the steam is introduced from the steam introduction line 7 a of the heating medium fluid introduction line 7 into the heat medium fluid introduction space forming section 2. When the cleaning is performed while heating the pressure-resistant container 1, moisture remaining in the pressure-resistant container 1 and moisture attached to the object to be cleaned evaporate rapidly at the saturation temperature, and the inside of the pressure-resistant container 1 and the object to be cleaned become short. Dries in time. After that, when the supply of steam into the heat medium fluid introduction space forming part 2 is stopped and cold water is supplied to the heat medium fluid introduction space formation part 2 from the cold water introduction line 7b of the heat medium fluid introduction line 7, this cold water Thereby, the inside of the pressure-resistant container 1 and the object to be cleaned are cooled.
[0034]
The pressure vessel 1 was depressurized while the pressure vessel 1 was heated by the steam supplied from the vapor introduction line 7a of the heat medium fluid introduction line 7 to the heat medium fluid introduction space forming section 2, and the inside of the pressure vessel 1 was dried. Thereafter, the supply of the steam is stopped, the electromagnetic valve 13 is opened, water is supplied into the pressure-resistant container 1 from the water supply line 3a of the cleaning liquid supply means 3, and the pressure in the pressure-resistant container 1 is reduced by the pressure reducing means 6. The water supplied into the pressure vessel 1 evaporates at the saturation temperature, and the heat retained in the pressure vessel 1 is removed as latent heat, whereby the inside of the pressure vessel 1 and the object to be cleaned are cooled.
[0035]
Further, the pressure vessel 1 was depressurized while the pressure vessel 1 was heated by steam supplied from the vapor introduction line 7a of the heat medium fluid introduction line 7 to the heat medium fluid introduction space forming section 2, and the inside of the pressure vessel 1 was dried. Thereafter, the supply of the steam is stopped, and cold water is supplied from the cold water introduction line 7b of the heat medium fluid introduction line 7 to the heat medium fluid introduction space forming section 2, whereby the inside of the pressure-resistant container 1 and the object to be cleaned are cooled by the cold water. Will be done.
[0036]
The pressure vessel 1 was depressurized while the pressure vessel 1 was heated by the steam supplied from the vapor introduction line 7a of the heat medium fluid introduction line 7 to the heat medium fluid introduction space forming section 2, and the inside of the pressure vessel 1 was dried. Thereafter, the supply of the steam is stopped, and cold water is supplied from the cold water introduction line 7b of the heat medium fluid introduction line 7 to the heat medium fluid introduction space forming part 2 to cool the pressure vessel 1, and the pressure vessel 1 is cooled. When water is supplied from the water supply line 3a to the pressure vessel 1 and the pressure inside the pressure vessel 1 is reduced by the pressure reducing means 6, the cooling time in the pressure vessel 1 and the object to be cleaned can be further shortened.
[0037]
As described above, the object to be cleaned can be continuously and efficiently cleaned, and the object to be cleaned after the cleaning treatment can be used immediately after the treatment. A series of operations of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus that performs the ultrasonic cleaning method according to the present invention are all automatically controlled by a computer.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus and the cleaning method according to the present invention, the temperature of the cleaning liquid can be rapidly increased, thereby shortening the cleaning processing time of the object to be cleaned, and cleaning. The immediate use of the object to be cleaned can later be made possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a first example of an embodiment of an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a second example of the embodiment of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pressure-resistant container 1a Outer wall 1b Inner wall 2 Heat medium fluid introduction space forming part 3 Cleaning liquid supply means 3a Water supply line 3b Detergent supply line 4 Ultrasonic vibrator 5 Discharge means 5a Drain line 6 Decompression means 6a Vacuum evacuation line 7 Heat medium fluid introduction line 7a Steam introduction line 7b Cold water introduction line 8 Heat medium fluid discharge line 8a Steam discharge line 8b Cold water discharge line 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 Solenoid valve 15 Steam introduction line 16, 17 Solenoid valve 18 Vacuum pump 19 Pipe 19a Steam pipe 19b Cold water pipe 20, 21, 22, 23 Solenoid valve

Claims

A pressure-resistant container that stores the object to be cleaned, a heat-medium fluid introduction space forming portion that is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the pressure-resistant container and that introduces a heat medium fluid supplied from the outside and transmits heat of the heat medium fluid to the pressure-resistant container; Cleaning liquid supply means for supplying the cleaning liquid into the pressure-resistant container, an ultrasonic vibrator for applying ultrasonic vibration to the cleaning liquid in the pressure-resistant container, discharge means for discharging the cleaning liquid from the pressure-resistant container, and decompression means for depressurizing the pressure-resistant container An ultrasonic cleaning device comprising:

2. The ultrasonic cleaning according to claim 1, wherein the entire circumference or a part of the pressure-resistant container has a double-wall structure, and the heat medium fluid introduction space forming part is configured between an outer wall and an inner wall. apparatus.

2. The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat medium fluid introduction space forming part is configured by a pipe wound around the entire circumference or a part of the pressure-resistant container. 3.

In the process of supplying the cleaning liquid into the pressure-resistant container containing the object to be cleaned, the step of heating the cleaning liquid with a heat medium fluid introduced from the outside, and the step of heating the cleaning liquid, the pressure inside the pressure-resistant container is reduced, and An ultrasonic cleaning method comprising: a step of applying ultrasonic vibration; a step of discharging a cleaning liquid from a pressure vessel; and a step of depressurizing the inside of the pressure vessel and drying the inside of the pressure vessel.

The ultrasonic cleaning method according to claim 4, wherein the step of depressurizing the inside of the pressure vessel and drying the inside of the pressure vessel is performed while heating the pressure vessel with a heat medium fluid introduced from the outside.

After the step of depressurizing the inside of the pressure vessel and drying the inside of the pressure vessel while heating the pressure vessel with the heat medium fluid introduced from the outside, the heating of the pressure vessel with the heat medium fluid introduced from the outside is stopped, and The ultrasonic cleaning method according to claim 5, further comprising a step of cooling the inside of the pressure-resistant container by supplying water and depressurizing the inside of the pressure-resistant container.

After the step of depressurizing the inside of the pressure vessel and drying the inside of the pressure vessel while heating the pressure vessel with the heat medium fluid introduced from the outside, the method further comprises a step of cooling the pressure vessel with the heat medium fluid introduced from the outside. The ultrasonic cleaning method according to claim 5, wherein

After the step of depressurizing the inside of the pressure vessel and drying the inside of the pressure vessel while heating the pressure vessel with the heat medium fluid introduced from the outside, the step of cooling the pressure vessel with the heat medium fluid introduced from the outside is carried out in the pressure vessel. 8. The ultrasonic cleaning method according to claim 7, wherein the cleaning is performed while supplying water and depressurizing the inside of the pressure vessel.