JP2006138071A - Device equipped with automatic opening and closing door - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve safety of a device equipped with an automatic opening and closing door. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic opening and closing door makes opening and closing operation by operating one switch. The operation of one switch has a regular operation pattern, and when the operation pattern and a state position of the automatic opening and closing door are agreed with predetermined terms, the automatic opening and closing door is so controlled that it can make opening operation or closing operation. The automatic opening and closing door makes opening and closing operation by one switch, and when the operation pattern is predetermined, malfunction of the automatic opening and closing door is hard to occur when an operation mistake is made or even when it is suddenly touched. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus having an automatic opening / closing door that automatically opens and closes.

For example, a sterilization apparatus that sterilizes medical instruments, laboratory instruments, and the like will be described as an example. Conventional sterilization apparatuses are provided with an automatic door that automatically opens and closes (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . The automatic opening / closing door is controlled so that it can be opened and closed by pressing either the door opening switch or the door closing switch installed in the vicinity thereof with the finger of the device operator. Regarding the automatic opening / closing door, at least two switches of the door opening switch and the door closing switch are required. In addition to these switches, there is a stop switch for stopping the automatic opening / closing door during the opening / closing operation. In some cases.
JP 2002-224198 A

  If there is a door opening switch, door closing switch, or stop switch to open or close the automatic opening / closing door, it is easy to push the switch, and in some cases, the human body may be caught. It was. Moreover, although it depends on the switch arrangement, even if the door closing switch is touched unexpectedly, there is a possibility that a human body or the like may be caught. In addition, there was a problem that the number of switches was large.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve the safety of an apparatus provided with an automatic door.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is an apparatus provided with an automatic opening / closing door, using the state position of the automatic opening / closing door and one switch. When the above operation pattern matches a preset condition, the automatic opening / closing door is controlled to open or close. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the automatic opening and closing door is opened and closed by operating one switch. The operation pattern of one switch is determined, and the automatic opening / closing door opens or closes when the operation pattern and the state position of the automatic opening / closing door coincide with a preset condition. If the automatic open / close door is opened and closed with a single switch and the operation pattern is determined, the automatic open / close door will not easily malfunction even when an operation error occurs or when it is touched unexpectedly. Needless to say, according to the present invention, the device is highly safe. In addition, using one switch makes the device advantageous in terms of layout and cost.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the operation pattern is the number of times of operation of the one switch or the time required for the operation, and when the automatic opening / closing door is operated to be closed rather than to be opened. It is characterized in that control is performed so as to operate more or longer. According to the invention described in claim 2, since the automatic opening / closing door tends to occur when the automatic opening / closing door moves from the open position to the closed position, the automatic opening / closing door is closed. The operation when operating is more complicated than the operation when opening. Thereby, it becomes an apparatus which further increases safety.

  A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that in the first or second aspect, the one switch is provided as a sub switch different from a main switch that automatically opens and closes the automatic opening and closing door. According to the invention described in the third aspect, it is possible for the operator of the apparatus to use it properly according to the situation or to operate it with an easy operation. According to the present invention, although the number of switches is increased, it is extremely advantageous in terms of ensuring safety.

  Furthermore, the invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that, in any one of claims 1 to 3, the one switch is a foot switch operated by a foot. According to the invention described in claim 4, it is possible to operate even in a situation where the hand of the device operator is occupied. Further, when used as a sub switch, it can function as a switch for emergency stop, for example.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the safety of the apparatus can be improved as compared with the prior art. According to invention of Claim 2, safety | security can be improved further. According to invention of Claim 3, operativity can be improved. Furthermore, according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the operability can be improved, and when used as a sub switch, it can also function as, for example, an emergency stop switch.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present invention relates to an apparatus including an automatic opening / closing door. Examples of the device provided with the automatic opening / closing door include, but are not limited to, a sterilizer (high-pressure steam sterilizer, ethylene oxide gas sterilizer, etc.), a food machine (vacuum cooler, vacuum defroster, etc.), and the like. . In addition, the types of automatic opening / closing doors include a pivoting door that rotates around a support shaft, a non-bending sliding door that slides without bending and being bent, and a bending slide that slides while bending and deforming itself. In addition to the mold door, any type of door that automatically opens and closes may be used.

(Embodiment 1)
An apparatus having an automatic opening / closing door has one dedicated switch for automatically opening / closing the automatic opening / closing door. This one switch is installed in the vicinity of the automatic opening / closing door or in the lower part of the apparatus (for example, a position corresponding to the feet of the apparatus operator). When installed near the automatic opening / closing door, it is installed on a control panel or a dedicated operation panel, and a push-type switch such as a push button is preferably used. On the other hand, when installed in the lower part of the apparatus, a foot switch operated with a foot is preferably used. The switch has a predetermined operation pattern, and the automatic opening / closing door opens or closes when the operation pattern and the state position of the automatic opening / closing door coincide with preset conditions. Examples of the operation pattern include making a difference in the number of operations or the time required for the operation.

  More specifically, when the automatic opening / closing door is in the “closed” state, when the switch is operated once (pressed once), the automatic opening / closing door starts to open. When the automatic opening / closing door is in the “open” state, the automatic opening / closing door starts to close when operated twice (pressed twice) or kept pressed for a predetermined time. Further, when the switch is operated once (pressed once) during the opening / closing operation of the automatic opening / closing door, the automatic opening / closing door stops. When the switch is operated once again from this stop state (pressed once), the automatic opening / closing door starts to open. The above control is performed by the control unit of the apparatus. More complicated operation to move the automatic open / close door from “open” to “closed” than “closed” to “open” state may cause pinching of human body etc. It is effective to prevent safety and to ensure safety.

  When the automatic opening / closing door is in the “closed” state, if an operation other than operating the switch once (pressing once) is performed, the automatic opening / closing door does not operate and maintains the “closed” state. In addition, when the automatic open / close door is in the “open” state, if the switch is operated twice (pressed twice) or operated for a predetermined time, the automatic open / close door will not operate. Maintain the "open" state.

(Embodiment 2)
An apparatus having an automatic opening / closing door has two types of switches, a main and a sub, for exclusive opening and closing of the automatic opening / closing door. The main switch is a push-type switch such as a push button installed in the vicinity of the automatic opening / closing door, and is composed of a door opening switch, a door closing switch, and a stop switch. The main switch is installed on a control panel or a dedicated operation panel. When the door opening switch is operated, the automatic opening / closing door shifts from the “closed” state to the “open” state. When the door closing switch is operated, the automatic opening / closing door shifts from the “open” state to the “closed” state. When the stop switch is operated, the automatic opening / closing door that is being opened / closed stops.

  On the other hand, the sub switch is a foot switch installed at the lower part of the apparatus, and is constituted by one switch. The sub switch has a predetermined operation pattern, and the automatic opening / closing door opens or closes when the operation pattern and the state position of the automatic opening / closing door coincide with a preset condition. Examples of the operation pattern include making a difference in the number of operations or the time required for the operation. The sub switch can be suitably used when operating in a situation where the device operator's hand is occupied.

  The operation of the sub switch is performed by stepping on the foot. When the automatic opening / closing door is in the “closed” state, when the switch is operated once (stepping once), the automatic opening / closing door starts to open. . When the automatic open / close door is in the “open” state, the automatic open / close door starts to close when the switch is operated twice (stepped twice) or kept depressed for a predetermined time. Further, when the switch is operated once (stepped on once) during the opening / closing operation of the automatic opening / closing door, the automatic opening / closing door stops. When the switch is operated once again from this stop state (stepping once), the automatic opening / closing door starts to open. The above control is performed by the control unit of the apparatus.

  When the automatic opening / closing door is in the “closed” state, if an operation other than operating the switch once (stepping once) is performed, the automatic opening / closing door does not operate and maintains the “closed” state. In addition, when the automatic open / close door is in the “open” state, if the switch is operated twice (stepped twice) or operated for a predetermined time, the automatic open / close door will not operate. Maintain the "open" state.

  In the first and second embodiments, when the automatic opening / closing door is temporarily stopped during the opening / closing operation, the reason why the automatic opening / closing door is subsequently operated only in the “open” direction is because safety is taken into consideration. That is, for example, the operation after an emergency stop by pinching or the like is safe in the “open” direction. In addition, it is possible to set a condition that the automatic opening / closing door is operated only when the apparatus permits the opening / closing operation.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of an apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the operation applied to the automatic opening / closing door.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates a sterilization apparatus provided with an automatic opening / closing door 2. The sterilization apparatus 1 is configured to be able to perform sterilization processing of medical instruments, laboratory instruments, and the like. The configuration related to the sterilization process is the same as that of a known sterilization apparatus, and the description thereof is omitted here. The automatic opening / closing door 2 is closed on the front surface of the sterilizer 1 so as to seal the sterilization tank 3 as shown in FIG. 1 (a), or opens the sterilization tank 3 as shown in FIG. 1 (b). As shown in (c), it is provided so as to move up and down or stop halfway.

  A control panel 4 is provided in the vicinity of the automatic opening / closing door 2. In addition, a power switch 5 and a main switch 6 for executing operation and stop of the automatic opening / closing door 2 are provided in the vicinity of the automatic opening / closing door 2 and immediately below the control panel 4. The power switch 5 is a snap-type switch that selectively switches between “power on” or “power off” of the sterilizer 1. The main switch 6 includes a push button type door opening switch (reference numeral omitted), a door closing switch (reference numeral omitted), and a stop switch (reference numeral omitted).

  A foot switch 7 serving as a sub switch with respect to the main switch 6 is provided at the lower part of the sterilization apparatus 1 (a position corresponding to the foot of the operator of the apparatus). The foot switch 7 is a single switch and can be operated by stepping on the foot. The automatic opening / closing door 2 is controlled so as to operate when either the main switch 6 or the foot switch 7 is operated. The automatic opening / closing door 2 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) of the sterilizer 1. The control unit has a so-called microcomputer function, and can control the entire apparatus.

  When the control unit uses the foot switch 7 instead of the main switch 6 for the control of the automatic opening / closing door 2, the state position of the automatic opening / closing door 2 and the operation pattern of the foot switch 7 satisfy the preset conditions. Only when they coincide with each other, the automatic opening / closing door 2 is controlled to open or close. On the other hand, when the main switch 6 is used, the control is the same as in the prior art, and when the door opening switch is operated, the automatic opening / closing door 2 shifts from the “closed” state to the “open” state. When the door closing switch is operated, the automatic opening / closing door 2 shifts from the “open” state to the “closed” state. Further, when the stop switch is operated, the automatic opening / closing door 2 that is being opened / closed stops.

  An example of control when the foot switch 7 is used will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, it is assumed that the power supply of the sterilizer 1 is turned on, and predetermined initial settings and the like have been completed. It is assumed that various controls are performed based on a control program stored in the ROM of the control unit.

  In FIG. 2, in step S <b> 1, it is determined whether or not the sterilizer 1 itself permits the door operation of the automatic opening / closing door 2. During the sterilization process by sending steam or gas into the sterilization tank 3, the operation of the automatic opening / closing door 2 poses a danger to the operator of the apparatus, so that the door operation in such a situation is prohibited. It is processing of. If the door operation is permitted in step S1 (Y in step S1), it is determined in step S2 whether or not the automatic opening / closing door 2 is moving up and down. Here, when the automatic opening / closing door 2 is moving up and down (Y in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, when it is not moving up and down (N in step S2), the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S3, it is determined whether or not the door is operated by the foot switch 7. When there is no door operation by the foot switch 7 (N in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, when there is a door operation by the foot switch 7 (Y in step S3), the process proceeds to step S5. When there is no door operation by the foot switch 7, it is determined in step S4 whether or not the lifting of the automatic opening / closing door 2 is completed. If raising / lowering of the automatic opening / closing door 2 is not completed (N in step S4), the process returns to step S3 and the process is repeated. On the other hand, if the raising / lowering of the automatic opening / closing door 2 is completed (Y in step S4), the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S5, it is determined whether the door operation by the foot switch 7 is in accordance with the operation pattern. That is, for example, it is determined whether or not a door operation for switching is performed by stepping on the foot switch 7 once. When the door operation by the foot switch 7 is not performed according to the operation pattern, the process proceeds to step S6, and for example, an operation error is displayed in the display area of the control panel 4. And it returns to step S4 again and repeats a process. On the other hand, when the door operation by the foot switch 7 is performed according to the operation pattern (Y in step S5), the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the automatic opening / closing door 2 is stopped halfway. When step S7 ends, the process returns to step S1 to repeat the process.

  After determining that the automatic opening / closing door 2 is not being lifted / lowered in step S2 or that the lifting / lowering of the automatic opening / closing door 2 is completed in step S4, in step S8, the state position of the automatic opening / closing door 2 is grasped. Then, when the state position of the automatic opening / closing door 2 is “closed”, the process proceeds to step S9, when it is “open”, the process proceeds to step S13, and when it is “halfway stop”, the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S9, which is shifted from step S8 when the state position of the automatic opening / closing door 2 is "closed", it is determined whether or not the door is operated by the foot switch 7. When there is no door operation by the foot switch 7 (N in Step S9), Step S9 is repeated until there is a door operation. On the other hand, when there is a door operation by the foot switch 7 (Y in step S9), the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, it is determined whether the door operation by the foot switch 7 is in accordance with the operation pattern. That is, for example, it is determined whether or not a door operation for switching is performed by stepping on the foot switch 7 once. When the door operation by the foot switch 7 is not performed according to the operation pattern, the process proceeds to step S11, and for example, an error in the operation is displayed in the display area of the control panel 4. And it returns to step S9 again and repeats a process. On the other hand, when the door operation by the foot switch 7 is performed according to the operation pattern (Y in step S10), the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the automatic opening / closing door 2 is operated so as to change the automatic opening / closing door 2 from the “closed” state to the “open” state. When step S12 ends, the process returns to step S1 and is repeated.

  In step S13, which is shifted from step S8 when the state position of the automatic opening / closing door 2 is "open", it is determined whether or not the door is operated by the foot switch 7. When there is no door operation by the foot switch 7 (N in Step S13), Step S13 is repeated until there is a door operation. On the other hand, when there is a door operation by the foot switch 7 (Y in step S13), the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, it is determined whether the door operation by the foot switch 7 is in accordance with the operation pattern. That is, for example, it is determined whether or not a door operation for switching by stepping on the foot switch 7 twice in succession has been performed. When the door operation by the foot switch 7 is not performed according to the operation pattern, the process proceeds to step S15, and for example, an error in the operation is displayed in the display area of the control panel 4. And it returns to step S13 again and repeats a process. On the other hand, when the door operation by the foot switch 7 is performed according to the operation pattern (Y in step S14), the process proceeds to step S16. In step S <b> 16, the automatic opening / closing door 2 is operated so as to change the automatic opening / closing door 2 from the “open” state to the “closed” state. When step S16 ends, the process returns to step S1 and is repeated.

  In step S17 which has shifted from step S8 when the state position of the automatic opening and closing door 2 is “intermediate stop”, it is determined whether or not the door is operated by the foot switch 7. When there is no door operation by the foot switch 7 (N in Step S17), Step S17 is repeated until there is a door operation. On the other hand, when there is a door operation by the foot switch 7 (Y in step S17), the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, it is determined whether the door operation by the foot switch 7 is in accordance with the operation pattern. That is, for example, it is determined whether or not a door operation for switching is performed by stepping on the foot switch 7 once. When the door operation by the foot switch 7 is not performed according to the operation pattern, the process proceeds to step S19, and an error in operation is displayed in the display area of the control panel 4, for example. And it returns to step S17 again and repeats a process. On the other hand, when the door operation by the foot switch 7 is performed according to the operation pattern (Y in step S18), the process proceeds to step S20. In step S <b> 20, the automatic opening / closing door 2 is operated so that the automatic opening / closing door 2 is changed from the “halfway stop” state to the “open” state. When step S20 ends, the process returns to step S1 and is repeated.

  As described above, as has been described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the sterilization apparatus 1 is an apparatus with improved safety as compared with the prior art.

  In addition, it goes without saying that the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It is a front view of the apparatus which shows the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart of operation concerning an automatic door.

Explanation of symbols

1 Sterilizer 2 Automatic door 3 Sterilization tank 4 Control panel 5 Power switch 6 Main switch 7 Foot switch

Claims (4)

A device with an automatic door,
The automatic opening / closing door is controlled to open or close when a state position of the automatic opening / closing door and an operation pattern using one switch match a preset condition. A device with an automatic door. The operation pattern is the number of times the switch is operated or the time required for the operation, and the automatic opening / closing door is operated more frequently or longer than when the automatic opening / closing door is opened. The apparatus provided with the automatic opening and closing door according to claim 1. The apparatus having an automatic door according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the one switch is provided as a sub switch different from a main switch that automatically opens and closes the automatic door. The device having an automatic door according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one switch is a foot switch operated by a foot.

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