JP2012090706A - Steam sterilizer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steam sterilizer capable of preventing a failure in evacuation by keeping an initial lid closed state that a lid is manually closed with a sterilization object housed in a chamber even when the compression margin of a packing is decreased.SOLUTION: The steam sterilizer includes a lid closing device for holding a lid 4 in an initially closed state by engagement between a lid side engaging position and a chamber side engaging portion 31B before evacuation in the chamber 3. In the sterilizer, the lid closing device enables adjustment of the position at which the chamber side engaging portion is engaged with the lid side engaging portion depending on the compression margin of an annular packing so that the initial lid closed state between the lid and the chamber by the annular packing can be a predetermined state when the lid is closed.

Description

The present invention relates to a steam sterilizer that is installed mainly in a hospital or the like and sterilizes an object to be sterilized such as a medical instrument under high-temperature steam.

A lock that locks the lid closed in a steam sterilizer that seals the front opening of the chamber with a lid that is pivotally supported by a hinge on one side of the chamber. Means and this lock state detection switch are provided, and when this detection switch has not detected, there is one in which the sterilization operation cannot be started. (See Patent Document 1).

In Patent Document 1, a lock plate that is circumferentially arranged around the front opening of the chamber and is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise on the circumference by an electric motor is provided, and the closed state is detected when the lid is closed. As a result, the lock plate is rotated in one direction by the electric motor, and the lock bar enters the lock hole of the fixed-side lock portion and the lock hole of the lid-side lock portion to hold the lid in a locked state. Is provided with a lock plate holding solenoid that is energized when the lock position detection switch detects that the lock plate is rotated and holds the lock plate in the lock position, and detects the advance of the plunger. The sterilization operation can be started by detection of the detection switch.

JP 2010-068911 A

In Patent Document 1, as described above, the lid is held closed by the lock plate, and the lock plate is held in the locked position rotated by the lock plate holding solenoid. This is suitable for ensuring the safety of steam sterilizers. Further, since the plunger detection switch detects that the lock plate is held in the rotating position by the plunger, the sterilization operation cannot be started unless the plunger detection switch detects it. For this reason, the sterilization operation does not start unless the lid closes the front opening of the chamber and the state is maintained, so that the safety of starting the operation of the steam sterilizer is excellent.

Thus, although the thing of patent document 1 exhibits the outstanding effect which can hold | maintain the state which the lid | cover closed with the double safety means, since the structure is complicated, simplification of a structure is desired.

In a steam sterilizer that employs a horizontal chamber having such a front opening, the chamber is evacuated by a vacuum pump to bring the chamber into a high-temperature steam state.
And in order to sterilize the object to be sterilized accommodated by the high temperature steam in this chamber,
An annular packing that keeps the front opening of the chamber and the lid sealed is provided on the back side of the lid. When the lid is manually closed so that the annular packing is in contact with the peripheral edge of the opening of the chamber while the object to be sterilized is contained in the chamber, a lid closing mechanism is provided to hold the lid in that state. By evacuating the inside of the chamber from the closed state with a vacuum pump, the lid is drawn toward the front opening of the chamber, and this annular packing is in a sufficiently compressed and sealed state.

At the beginning of the use of the steam sterilizer, since there is no settling of the annular packing and the compression allowance is sufficiently large, the sealing between the lid and the chamber by the annular packing when the lid is manually closed is sufficient. However, even when the compression cost of the annular packing is almost the same, the secular change caused by the use of a steam sterilizer will cause the settling of the annular packing, reducing the compression cost (decreasing elasticity) and manually closing the lid. When the lid is closed, the sealing effect between the lid and the chamber is reduced, and a slight gap may be generated between the lid and the chamber. Even if the inside of the chamber is evacuated with a vacuum pump in this poorly sealed state, there is a concern that the desired degree of vacuum in the chamber cannot be obtained and the desired sterilization operation cannot be performed. In such a case, it will be replaced with a new annular packing.

In the present invention, even if the compression allowance of the annular packing is reduced, a technique for obtaining a regular sealing effect of the chamber by the lid without using the annular packing immediately without replacing it with a new one is provided. To do. In addition, the present invention provides a technique capable of holding the normally closed state in which the packing is sufficiently compressed by the lock means having a simplified structure as compared with that of Patent Document 1.

In the present invention, in particular, the lid closing mechanism that holds the lid in that state when the lid is manually closed can be adjusted, so that when the compression allowance of the annular packing is reduced, the lid is manually adjusted by the adjustment. By providing a compression state of the annular packing when it is closed at a desired state, a technique is provided that allows the degree of vacuum in the chamber to be in a predetermined state by the subsequent vacuuming. .

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a horizontal chamber having a front opening is provided in a sterilizer body, a lid that is rotatably supported by a hinge portion so as to close the front opening of the chamber, and when the lid is closed, An annular packing that seals between the front opening peripheral edge and the lid, a vacuum pump that evacuates the chamber, and a lid side locking portion and a chamber side locking portion before vacuuming in the chamber. A steam sterilizer for sterilizing an object to be sterilized stored in the chamber under high-temperature steam, comprising a closure device that holds the lid in an initial closed state by locking;
The closing device includes a chamber side member according to a compression allowance of the annular packing so that an initial closed state between the lid and the chamber by the annular packing when the lid is closed becomes an expected state. The position where the stop portion is locked with the lid side locking portion can be adjusted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a horizontal chamber having a front opening is provided in a sterilizer main body, a lid is rotatably supported by a hinge portion so as to close the front opening of the chamber, and when the lid is closed, An annular packing that seals between the front opening peripheral edge and the lid, a vacuum pump that evacuates the chamber, and a lid side locking portion and a chamber side locking portion before vacuuming in the chamber. A steam sterilizer for sterilizing an object to be sterilized stored in the chamber under high-temperature steam, comprising a closure device that holds the lid in an initial closed state by locking;
The lid-side locking portion projects from the lid side toward the chamber side, locks to the chamber-side locking portion when the lid is closed, and releases from the chamber-side locking portion when the lid is opened. With an arm,
According to the compression allowance of the annular packing, the mounting position of the chamber side locking portion can be adjusted back and forth so that the operating arm is locked to the chamber side locking portion. It is characterized by.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a horizontal chamber having a front opening is provided in a sterilizer main body, a lid is rotatably supported by a hinge part so as to close the front opening of the chamber, and when the lid is closed, An annular packing that seals between the front opening peripheral edge and the lid, a vacuum pump that evacuates the chamber, and a lid side locking portion and a chamber side locking portion before vacuuming in the chamber. A steam sterilizer for sterilizing an object to be sterilized stored in the chamber under high-temperature steam, comprising a closure device that holds the lid in an initial closed state by locking;
A lid holding device for holding the lid in a normally closed state in which the chamber is evacuated;
The closed lid holding device includes a lock pin that holds the lid in a normal closed state in a locked state in which both the lid side lock member and the chamber side lock member are locked, and a lock operation in which the lock pin is attached. A motor side actuating member that moves up and down by a motor so as to move the member and the lock actuating member up and down,
The motor side actuating member is in contact with the lock actuating member so as to push up the lock actuating member but not to pull down.

In the first aspect of the invention, in the normal state where the compression allowance of the annular packing is not reduced, the chamber side locking portion is set to the normal position which is the front position, and in the state where the compression allowance of the annular packing is reduced, the chamber side engagement is set. Since the stopper is set at the adjustment position which is the rear position from the normal position, even when the compression allowance of the annular packing is reduced, the closed state of the lid and the chamber by the annular packing when the lid is closed The desired normal state can be maintained. For this reason, when the inside of the chamber is evacuated in both the normal state where the compression allowance of the annular packing is not reduced and the reduced state, the desired vacuum is obtained and the normal transition to the sterilization operation is achieved. It becomes possible. Therefore, when the compression allowance of the annular packing is reduced, the intended vacuum can be obtained while continuing the use without immediately replacing the annular packing with a new one, and the normal transition to the sterilization operation becomes possible.

In the second aspect of the invention, in the normal state where the compression allowance of the annular packing is not reduced, the chamber side locking portion is set to the normal position which is the front position, and in the state where the compression allowance of the annular packing is reduced, the chamber side engagement is set. Since the stopper is set at the adjustment position, which is the rear position from the normal position, even when the compression allowance of the annular packing is reduced, the operating arm is locked to the chamber side locking part when the lid is closed However, it is adjusted to the same state as the normal state where the compression allowance of the annular packing is not reduced, and the closed state of the lid and the chamber by the annular packing can be maintained in the intended normal state. For this reason, when the inside of the chamber is evacuated in both the normal state where the compression allowance of the annular packing is not reduced and the reduced state, the desired vacuum is obtained and the normal transition to the sterilization operation is achieved. It becomes possible. Therefore, when the compression allowance of the annular packing is reduced, the intended vacuum can be obtained while continuing the use without immediately replacing the annular packing with a new one, and the normal transition to the sterilization operation becomes possible.

In the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the first aspect of the invention or the second aspect of the invention, since the motor side operation member is in contact with the lock operation member and is not connected, the position adjustment of the chamber side latching portion is performed. However, the vertical movement of the lock actuating member is not adversely affected, and the position of the chamber side locking portion can be easily adjusted in a state where the compression allowance of the annular packing is reduced. Moreover, it becomes easy to assemble the lid holding device and adjust each part.

It is a front perspective view of the state which opened the door of the front lower part of the steam sterilizer concerning the present invention. It is a front perspective view of the part where the lid of the steam sterilizer concerning the present invention opened. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of each part in the initial cover state of the steam sterilizer which concerns on this invention. It is a cross-sectional top view explaining the state of the lock pin part in the normal closed state of the steam sterilizer which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of each part in the normal closed state of the steam sterilizer which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view of the guide pipe holding member in which two guide pins concerning the lock device of the steam sterilizer concerning the present invention are inserted. It is a side view explaining the state of the lock pin and guide pin part in the regular closed state of the steam sterilizer concerning the present invention. It is a vertical side view which shows the relationship between the two guide pins which concern on the locking device of the steam sterilizer which concerns on this invention, and the guide pipe holding member inserted. In the steam sterilizer according to the present invention, (a) is an explanatory view of an attached state in which the chamber side locking portion is set at a normal position which is the front position when the annular packing is in a normal state, and (b) is an annular packing 6 It is explanatory drawing of the attachment state set to the adjustment position in which the chamber side latching | locking part at the time of the compression allowance of this decreases in the back position rather than a regular position.

The present invention provides a horizontal chamber having a front opening in a sterilizer body, a lid rotatably supported by a hinge portion so as to close the front opening of the chamber, and a front surface of the chamber when the lid is closed. An annular packing that seals between the peripheral edge of the opening and the lid, a vacuum pump that evacuates the chamber, and an engagement between the lid side locking portion and the chamber side locking portion before evacuation in the chamber. A steam sterilizer that sterilizes an object to be sterilized stored in the chamber under high-temperature steam, and a closure device that holds the lid in an initial closed state by stopping.
The closing device includes a chamber side member according to a compression allowance of the annular packing so that an initial closed state between the lid and the chamber by the annular packing when the lid is closed becomes an expected state. The position at which the stop portion engages with the lid side engaging portion can be adjusted, and examples of the present invention will be described below.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Reference numeral 1 denotes a steam sterilizer according to the present invention. The steam sterilizer 1 is configured to be covered with an outer case 1A. Inside the outer case 1A, a horizontal substrate 2A of a base 2 that is framed in a legislative shape or a vertically long rectangular shape and a cylindrical shape with a front opening 3A. The horizontal chamber 3 is mounted in a fixed state, and a lid 4 that holds the circular front opening 3A of the chamber 3 in a sealed state is opened and closed by a hinge 5 at one side of the chamber 3 (right side in the figure). Supported as possible.

In a state where the object to be sterilized is stored in the chamber 3 and the lid 4 seals the front opening 3A of the chamber 3, the steam sterilizer 1 is operated to bring the chamber 3 into a high temperature state and sterilize the object to be sterilized. It is. In order to make the front opening 3 </ b> A of the chamber 3 in a good sealed state by the lid 4, a packing 6 is provided on the chamber 3 or the lid 4. The illustrated one is provided with an annular packing 6 on the periphery of the back side of the lid 4, and the annular packing 6 is in close contact with the annular flange 3 </ b> A <b> 1 of the front opening 3 </ b> A of the chamber 3.

In order to perform sterilization operation, the selection of sterilization course according to the type of material to be sterilized, setting of sterilization temperature and sterilization time, and other settings are performed. The operation panel PA is provided at the upper front of the outer case 1A.

In the base 2, a chamber 3 is formed in a portion where the door 1 </ b> D at the lower front of the outer case 1 </ b> A is opened.
Made of polypropylene with a predetermined amount of heating water used for internal sterilization, with a capacity of about 2
An about 10 liter pouring / draining tank 8 and a cooling tank 9 having a capacity of about 20 liters for storing water for sealing and cooling of the vacuum pump 7 are accommodated in a freely retractable manner. The vacuum pump 7 etc. which evacuate is accommodated. Reference numeral 10 denotes a slope plate for taking in and out of the pouring / draining tank 8 and the cooling tank 9, and is provided in the lower part of the base 2 so that it can be pulled out during use. For the movement of the steam sterilizer 1, casters 11 are provided at the bottom four corners of the base 2.

The steam sterilizer 1 of the present invention includes a closing device P1 that holds the lid 4 in the initial closed state, a closing detection device S1 that detects the initial closed state of the lid 4, and the lid 4 in the normal closed state. Closed lid holding device P to hold
2, a vacuum pump 7 that evacuates the chamber 3, and a pressure switch 12 that detects the pressure in the chamber 3, and the lid device P <b> 1 projects from the lid 4 side toward the chamber 3 side. 31A and a locking portion 31B provided on the chamber 3 side so that the operating arm 31A is engaged and disengaged, the lid detection device S1 detects a closed state where the operating arm 31A is locked to the locking portion 31B. And a second detection switch SW2 for detecting a closed state by an operating portion 32 provided so as to protrude from the lid 4 side toward the chamber 3 side separately from the operating arm 31A. The lid holding device P2 includes a lock pin 35 that holds the lid 4 in a normally closed state in a locked state in which both the lock member 33 on the lid 4 side and the lock member 34 on the chamber 3 side are locked. A motor 36 that operates the cuppin 35 in the locked state and the unlocked state, and the vacuum pump 7 operates in a state where both the first detection switch SW1 and the second detection switch SW2 detect the closed state; When the pressure switch 12 detects that the pressure in the chamber 3 by the vacuum pump 7 has reached a predetermined low pressure, the lock pin 35 is brought into the locked state as the motor 36 rotates.

When sterilizing the article to be sterilized stored in the chamber 3, it is dangerous if the lid 4 is not securely closed. In the present invention, the locking device that can hold the closed state of the lid 4 by the double safety means includes the closing device P1, the closing detection device S1, and the closing device holding device P2.

The lid 4 is opened and closed by the handle 30. The handle portion 30 is provided on the left end side of the lid support 30B fixed to the front surface of the lid 4 by welding or the like, and the right end side of the lid support 30B is supported by the hinge portion 5 so as to be openable and closable. The lid 4 can be opened and closed left and right.

On the lid 4 side, an operating arm 31A that protrudes from the left end side of the lid support 30B toward the chamber 3 is attached to the lid support 30B on the lid 4 side by welding or the like. It has been. Further, on the chamber 3 side, a rod-shaped chamber-side locking portion 31B is provided as a chamber-side locking portion to which the tip locking portion 31A1 of the operating arm 31A is engaged and disengaged. In the normal state, the chamber side locking portion 31B is held by pulling the coil spring SP so as to maintain the upper position where the tip of the operating arm 31A collides when the lid 4 is closed.

In this configuration, when the lid 4 is closed, the tip of the upper operating arm 31A is placed on the outer case 1A.
When the chamber side locking portion 31B is pushed in by pushing the chamber side locking portion 31B, the chamber side locking portion 31B moves downward against the coil spring SP, and the tip of the operating arm 31A is connected to the chamber side. When overcoming the stop 31B, the chamber side locking portion 31B is coil spring S
By returning upward by pulling P, the distal end locking portion 31A1 of the operating arm 31A is locked to the chamber side locking portion 31B.

The chamber side locking portion 31B and the coil spring SP are attached to the support substrate 37 of the motor 36 of the lid holding device P2, and the chamber side locking portion 31B is rotatably supported by the support substrate 37 with a shaft 38. One end of the coil spring SP is attached to the turning plate 39 and the other end is attached to the support substrate 37. The mounting configuration of the support substrate 37 will be described later.

Further, the chamber side locking portion 31B is fixed, and the operating arm 31A is biased by a spring, and the tip locking portion 31A1 of the operating arm 31A is the chamber side locking portion 31B as described above.
It may be configured to be locked to. In any case, chamber side locking portion 31B
Alternatively, the operating arm 31A is urged by a spring, and by closing the lid 4, the operating arm 31A climbs over the chamber side locking portion 31B against the spring force, and then the operating arm 31A is moved by the spring force. May be configured to be locked to the chamber side locking portion 31B.

It should be noted that the operating arm 31 is moved after the operating arm 31A gets over the chamber side locking portion 31B against the coil spring SP force by strongly pulling the handle 30 in the direction to open the lid 4.
A is released from the locking of the chamber side locking portion 31B, and the lid 4 can be opened.

The lid detection device S1 includes a first detection switch SW1 and a second detection switch SW2, and the first detection switch SW1 that detects a state (lid closed state) where the operating arm 31A is locked to the locking portion 31B is provided. The operating arm 3 is connected via a spring-like auxiliary operating plate 40 attached to the support substrate 37.
In this configuration, the switch is operated by moving forward and backward by 1A. For this reason,
By closing the lid 4, the operating arm 31A moves forward and climbs over the chamber side locking portion 31B, and then the operation of locking the tip locking portion 31A1 of the operating arm 31A to the chamber side locking portion 31B, When the distal end of the operating arm 31A pushes the spring operating side 40A extending below the auxiliary operating plate 40, the operating side SW11 of the first detection switch SW1 is pressed, and the first detection switch SW1 is turned on. The auxiliary operating plate 40 provided for stabilizing the operation of pressing the first detection switch SW1 may be omitted, and the tip of the operating arm 31A may directly press the operating side SW11 of the first detection switch SW1.

The second detection switch SW2 that detects the closed state by the operating portion 32 provided so as to protrude from the lid 4 side toward the chamber 3 side is attached to the side surface portion of the chamber 3. Upper lock side 34A and lower lock side 34B constituting the lock member 34 on the chamber 3 side
However, it is being fixed to the side part of the chamber 3 by welding so that it may become a horizontal arrangement | positioning state at intervals at the up-and-down position. The second detection switch SW2 is mounted on the lower surface of the lower lock side 34B.
2 is attached. The second detection switch SW2 has the same configuration as the first detection switch SW1. In this configuration, as described above, when the lid 4 is closed, the distal end of the operating portion 32 enters from the hole 1A2 on the front surface of the outer case 1A, the operating side of the second detection switch SW2 is pushed, and the second detection switch SW2 is turned on.

The lid holding device P2 includes a lock member 33 on the lid 4 side, a lock member 34 on the chamber 3 side, a lock pin 35, and a motor 36. The lock member 33 on the lid 4 side is a lid support 30B.
A rectangular frame shape fixed to the left end side and projecting toward the chamber 3 side is formed, and an adjustment screw 43 is provided at the tip thereof. When the lid 4 is closed, the lock member 33 enters from the front hole 1A3 of the outer case 1A and enters between the upper lock side 34A and the lower lock side 34B on the chamber 3 side. The lock pin 35 is fixed to a lock operation member 44 that moves up and down in the vertical direction as the motor 36 rotates as will be described later.

The lock member 33, the upper lock side 34A, and the lower lock side 34B are respectively formed with lock holes 45, 46, and 47 in which the lock pin 35 operates up and down. Lock holes 46 and 4
Reference numeral 7 denotes a vertically opposed position, which is formed to have a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the lock pin 35. In the embodiment, the lock hole 45 is formed as a quadrangular hole, and the front and rear, left and right lengths L1, L2 are The outer diameter of 35 is slightly larger than the diameter of the lock holes 46 and 47. The lock hole 45 may be a circular hole, and in this case, the lock hole 45 is formed to have a size slightly larger than the outer diameter of the lock pin 35 and slightly larger than the diameters of the lock holes 46 and 47. Such a dimensional relationship is because the vertical movement can be smoothly performed so that the lock pin 35 is in the locked state in which the upper lock side 34A, the lock member 33, and the lower lock side 34B are inserted.

As a configuration in which the lock pin 35 moves up and down by the rotation of the motor 36, the motor 36 attached to the support substrate 37, the circular cam plate 48 that rotates by the rotation of the motor 36, and the lower end of the circumferential portion of the cam plate 48 A first actuating member 49 that is pivotably supported, and a first actuating member 49 that is pivotally connected to the upper end of the first actuating member 49 and is supported by a support portion 51 attached to a support substrate 37 of the motor 36 so as to be movable up and down. A second actuating member 50 and a lock actuating member 44 that contacts the upper end of the second actuating member 50. The first operating member 49 and the second operating member 50 are motor side operating members.

The lock actuating member 44 is substantially U-shaped at the upper side 44A, the lower side 44B, and the connecting side 44C so as to sandwich the upper lock side 34A and the lower lock side 34B from above and below, and is locked to the tip of the upper side 44A. The pin 35 is fixed vertically in a downward direction. Further, two guide pins 5 penetrating the upper lock side 34A and the lower lock side 34B are provided on the upper side 44A and the lower side 44B.
2A and 52B are fixed in a vertical state, and by two guide pins 52A and 52B,
It is a structure that can move up and down smoothly. Further, the upper end of the second operation member 50 is in contact with the lower surface of the lower side 44B of the lock operation member 44. As described later, when the second operation member 50 is lowered by the rotation of the motor 36, the lock operation is performed. The member 44 is a mechanism that descends by its own weight.

Holes 53A and 53B through which the guide pins 52A and 52B pass are formed in the upper lock side 34A and the lower lock side 34B. In order to maintain the vertical movement of the guide pins 52A and 52B by the upper and lower holes 53A and 53B, the diameters of the holes 53A and 53B,
The guide pins 52A and 52B have the same diameter, and the guide pins 5 are formed by the holes 53A and 53B.
If the 2A and 52B are configured so as to be movable up and down with almost no backlash, the lock pin 35 can be stably moved up and down by the rotation of the motor 36.

However, the upper lock side 34 </ b> A and the lower lock side 34 </ b> B are arranged so that the lid 4 has a front opening 3 of the chamber 3.
In order to maintain sufficient strength for holding A in a sealed state, it is fixed to the side surface portion of the chamber 3 by welding. In this welding operation, a slight error may occur in the attachment positions of the upper lock side 34A and the lower lock side 34B. The diameter of the holes 53A and 53B and the guide pin 52A
If the error occurs, the corresponding positions of the holes 53A and 53B will be shifted so that the guide pins 52A and 52B cannot move up and down in the holes 53A and 53B. Become. In order to cope with the displacement of the corresponding positions of the holes 53A and 53B caused by the welding operation, one or both of the holes 53A of the upper lock side 34A and the lower lock side 34B are enlarged, and the upper lock side 34A and the lower lock side 34B are increased. There is a method of enlarging one or both of the holes 53B. In this case, the correspondence between the upper and lower holes 53A and the guide pins 52A and the correspondence between the upper and lower 53B and the guide pins 52B are different for each steam sterilizer 1, and the holes 53A, 5
There is a concern that rattling occurs between 3B and the guide pins 52A and 52B, and the guide pins 52A and 52B cannot move up and down in the holes 53A and 53B in a stable state.

In the present invention, in view of such a point, even if the upper lock side 34A and the lower lock side 34B are fixed to the side surface portion of the chamber 3 by welding, the hole 53A, the guide pin 52A, the hole 5
3B and the guide pin 52B, the guide pin 52 is in a stable state in which no backlash occurs.
It is set as the structure which can achieve the vertical movement of A and 52B.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the holes 53A and 53B have dimensions sufficiently larger than the diameters of the guide pins 52A and 52B, and the guide pin 5 is interposed between the upper lock side 34A and the lower lock side 34B.
The guide pipes 54A and 54B of the through holes 55A and 55B having the same diameters as 2A and 52B are attached. As shown in FIG. 6, the guide pipes 54A and 54B have guide pins 5A and 5B, respectively.
With the 2A and 52B inserted, the upper side 56A and the lower side 56B of the guide pipe holding member 56
It is attached over. As shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 8, the guide pipes 54 </ b> A and 54 </ b> B are disposed between the upper lock side 34 </ b> A and the lower lock side 34 </ b> B, and the hole 53 is attached.
The holding member 56 is attached to the lock member 34 with a screw 57 in a state where the entire through hole 55A enters the range of A and the entire through hole 55B enters the range of the hole 53B. In the embodiment, the guide pipe holding member 56 is attached to the lower lock side 34 </ b> B with a screw 57.

When the guide pipe holding member 56 is attached to the lock member 34 with the screw 57, the guide pins 52A and 52B move up and down in the guide pipes 54A and 54B, and the lock pin 35
The screw 57 is tightened and fixed at a position where the vertical movement of the screw becomes smooth. Since the lock actuating member 44 is in contact with the upper end of the second actuating member 50 without being connected, the guide pipe holding member 5
This attachment of 6 does not affect the mechanism in which the second actuating member 50 moves up and down by the rotation of the motor 36, so that adjustment is easy.

A third detection switch SW3 for detecting a locked state (also referred to as a lock position) in which the lock pin 35 is lowered is attached to the upper portion of the support substrate 37. When the lock pin 35 is lowered to the locked position by the rotation of the motor 36, the operating side SW31 of the third detecting switch SW3 is pushed by the upper side 44A of the locking operating member 44, and the third detecting switch SW3 is turned on.
Further, when the lock pin 35 is raised to the unlocked position by the rotation of the motor 36, the pressing of the operating side SW31 of the third detecting switch SW3 by the upper side 44A of the locking operating member 44 is released, and the third detecting switch SW3 is turned OFF. It is a mechanism. The lock position is a state in which the lock member 33 on the lid 4 side is held in a state where the lid 4 is closed by the lock pin 35, and the lock pin 35 is disengaged from the lock member 33 on the lid 4 side. Handle part 30
The lid 4 can be opened by pulling.

A sterilization mode for sterilizing an object to be sterilized stored in the chamber 3 will be described. First, in order to make the steam sterilizer 1 operable, the power switch 60 is turned on. In this state, as shown in FIG. 3, when the operating side SW41 of the fourth detection switch SW4 enters the recess 48A that is the cam portion of the cam plate 48 and the fourth detection switch SW4 is OFF, the motor 36 is The lock actuating member 44 is supported at the raised position via the first actuating member 49 and the second actuating member 50, and the lock pin 35 is raised to the unlocked position. This state is
A state in which the lower end of the lock pin 35 does not protrude into the space between the upper lock side 34A and the lower lock side 34B is referred to as a standby state.

If the standby state is not established when the power switch 60 is turned on, the operating side SW41 of the fourth detection switch SW4 is disengaged from the recess 48A and is in contact with the circumferential portion of the cam plate 48. Since the switch SW4 is ON, the motor 36 is started by the operation of the control unit, the cam plate 48 rotates, and the operation side SW41 of the fourth detection switch SW4 enters the recess 48A as shown in FIG. When the 4 detection switch SW4 is turned off, the motor 36 stops and the steam sterilizer 1 enters a standby state. This standby state is displayed by lighting the LED on the display unit 65 provided in the operation panel unit PA.

In this standby state, an object to be sterilized is put into the chamber 3 and the lid 4 is manually closed.
By closing the lid 4, the operating arm 31 </ b> A is locked to the chamber side locking portion 31 </ b> B and the first detection switch SW <b> 1 is turned ON.
N. In this state, the LED of the display unit 65 is turned off. Further, the lock member 33 on the lid 4 side.
However, it is the state which entered between 34 A of upper lock sides and the lower lock sides 34B. The state in which the operating arm 31A is locked to the chamber side locking portion 31B is a closed state in which the annular packing 6 is slightly pressed against the annular flange 3A1 of the front opening 3A of the chamber 3, and is in an initial closed state or This can be referred to as a temporarily closed state. This is a stage before the normal packing state where the annular packing 6 is sufficiently compressed and the front opening 3A of the chamber 3 becomes a desired completely sealed state.

In this initial closed state or temporarily closed state, after setting the sterilization condition by the sterilization condition setting switch 61 provided on the operation panel PA, by turning ON the start switch 62 provided on the operation panel PA, Sterilization mode is commanded. The set temperature and time of the sterilization condition are respectively displayed on the upper and lower display units 63 provided on the operation panel unit PA.

The sterilization mode starts when the first detection switch SW1 and the second detection switch SW2 are turned on and when the start switch 62 is turned on, and proceeds by the operation of the control unit. By starting the sterilization mode, the vacuum pump 7 is turned on (operated by energization), the inside of the chamber 3 is evacuated, and the inside of the chamber 3 is maintained at a predetermined low pressure state. Since the progress status of the sterilization mode is sequentially displayed on the process monitor 64 provided in the operation panel PA, the current progress status can be visually recognized.

As described above, as the pressure in the chamber 3 is reduced by evacuation, the lid 4 is pulled toward the chamber 3 while compressing the annular packing 6, and the sealed state of the chamber 3 advances. Thus, when the pressure switch 12 detects that the inside of the chamber 3 is evacuated and the inside of the chamber 3 becomes a low pressure, for example, reaches a predetermined low pressure such as 0.07 MPa, the motor 36 is started to rotate. As the cam plate 48 rotates, the first actuating member 4
9 and the second actuating member 50 are lowered. In this case, when the adjustment screw 43 is not present, the lock actuating member 44 is prevented from descending while the lock pin 35 is in contact with the tip of the lock member 33 on the lid 4 side. When the adjustment screw 43 is provided, the lock pin 35 is attached to the lid 4.
The lock actuating member 44 is prevented from descending while being disengaged from the distal end portion of the lock member 33 on the side and entering the lock hole 45 and contacting the adjustment screw 43. Further, by performing evacuation until the pressure switch 12 detects a predetermined low pressure exceeding 0.07 MPa, the compression of the annular packing 6 proceeds, and the adjusting screw 43 moves to the chamber 3 side together with the lock member 33. Therefore, the lowering prevention state of the lock pin 35 by the tip portion of the lock member 33 or the adjustment screw 43 as described above is released, and the lock operation member 44 and the lock pin 35 are moved by their own weights such as the lock operation member 44 and the lock pin 35. Descend.

This lowering operation is guided by the guide pipes 54A and 54B to guide pins 52A and 52B.
Is lowered, and the lock pin 35 is lowered on the tip side of the adjustment screw 43 along with this, and the lock hole 45
, 46, and 47, and the lock member 35 on the lid 4 side is locked by the lock pin 35.
Is held in a locked state, that is, as shown in FIG. 5 and as indicated by the solid line in FIG. In this state, as shown in FIG.
The tip of the screw is in contact with or close to the side surface of the lock pin 35, and at least the adjustment screw 4
3 is a normally closed state in which the lid 4 is prevented from opening at a position where the tip of 3 is in contact with the side surface of the lock pin 35. The protruding length of the adjusting screw 43 is adjusted in advance at the manufacturing stage so as to be in such a normal closed state.

In this locked state, the operating side SW31 of the third detecting switch SW3 is pushed by the upper side 44A of the locking operating member 44, so that the third detecting switch SW3 is turned ON and the motor 36
Is stopped, the vacuum pump 7 is turned off (energization is turned off), the evacuation is stopped, and the pressure switch 12 detects a predetermined low pressure.
The sterilization process of the article to be sterilized is performed under a predetermined high-temperature steam atmosphere such as 121 ° C to 134 ° C. After the high temperature steam in the chamber 3 is exhausted by the completion of the predetermined sterilization process, the sterilization mode is completed through a drying process in which the chamber 3 is heated with an electric heater.

When the pressure switch 12 detects that the pressure in the chamber 3 has increased to a predetermined pressure at which the lid 4 can be manually opened by the end of the sterilization mode, the motor 36 is started by the operation of the control unit. The cam plate 48 rotates, and the first operating member 49 and the second operating member 50 are rotated.
Rises to raise the lock actuating member 44. This rise is caused by guide pipes 54A and 54A.
The guide pins 52A and 52B are lowered by being guided by B, and accordingly, the lock pin 35 is detached from the lock holes 47 and 45, and the lock member 33 on the lid 4 side by the lock pin 35 is placed.
The unlocked state is unlocked.

When the unlocked state is thus established, as shown in FIG. 3, the operating side SW41 of the fourth detection switch SW4 enters the recess 48A and the fourth detection switch SW4 is turned OFF, so the motor 36 is stopped, The steam sterilizer 1 is in a standby state waiting for the start of the next sterilization mode. This standby state is displayed by lighting the LED on the display unit 65 provided in the operation panel unit PA.

For this reason, the coil spring S is pulled by strongly pulling the handle 30 in the direction of opening the lid 4.
After the operating arm 31A climbs over the chamber side locking portion 31B against the P force, the operating arm 31A is released from the locking of the chamber side locking portion 31B, and the lid 4 opens the front opening 3A of the chamber 3. Therefore, the sterilized material can be taken out.

As described above, the lock pin 35 that enters the chamber side lock member 34 and the lid side lock member 33 and holds the lid in the normal closed state is attached to the lock operation member 44, and the motor 36.
The lock actuating member 44 that moves up and down by the rotational movement of the two guide pins 52A and 52B attached to the lock actuating member 44 slides up and down in the guide pipes 54A and 54B attached to the chamber side lock member 34. Thus, even if there is an error in the mounting state of the chamber side lock member 34, stable vertical movement can be achieved.

Further, since the fact that the lock pin 35 is in the normally closed state is detected by the third detection switch SW3, the sterilization operation is started. In a state that is not in a sealed state, the sterilization operation is not started, and a safe and stable operation can be obtained.

In the above-described configuration and operation, the annular packing 6 has the same compression allowance in manufacture, but the compression allowance is reduced due to the secular change caused by the use of the steam sterilizer 1 (the elasticity is reduced), and the lid 4 is used. There is a concern that the sealing effect of the chamber 3 may be different, resulting in a poor sealing state. For this reason, in this invention, even when the compression allowance of the annular packing 6 becomes small, the technique which makes it possible to acquire the regular sealing effect of the chamber 3 by the lid | cover 4 by adjustment is provided.

Therefore, in the present invention, when the compression allowance of the annular packing 6 is reduced, a technique for adjusting the closed state of the lid 4 and the chamber 3 by the annular packing 6 when the lid 4 is closed to an intended normal state. Provided, the attachment position of the chamber side locking portion 31B can be adjusted so that the state in which the operating arm 31A on the lid 4 side is locked to the chamber side locking portion 31B is substantially the same. It is. Specifically, in a normal state where the compression allowance of the annular packing 6 is not reduced, the chamber side locking portion 31B is set in a normal position which is the front position, and the compression allowance of the annular packing 6 is reduced. In this state, the chamber side locking portion 31B can be adjusted so as to be set at the adjustment position which is the rear position from the normal position. This configuration will be described below.

The support substrate 37 of the motor 36 is screwed with the mounting flange 37A on the upper surface of the horizontal substrate 2A at its lower end, and the upper end with the side surface of the upper lock side 34A so that the support substrate 37 of the motor 36 is in a vertical state. As a specific configuration thereof, the horizontal board 2A has adjustment screw holes 70A and 70B in the front part.
Are formed in a front-rear arrangement, and fixing screw holes 70C, 70D are formed in the rear part. on the other hand,
The mounting flange 37A has a screw through hole 71A corresponding to the adjustment screw hole 70A in the front portion,
A screw through hole 71B corresponding to the adjustment screw hole 70B is formed, and a fixing screw hole 7 is formed in the rear part.
Screw through long hole 71C corresponding to 0C and screw through long hole 71 corresponding to fixed screw hole 70D
D is formed. Further, a through-hole 74 through which the screw 73 passes loosely (in a so-called fool hole state) is formed at the upper end portion of the support substrate 37, and a fixing screw hole 72 into which the screw 73 is screwed into the side surface of the upper lock side 34A. Is formed.

With this configuration, in a normal state where the compression allowance of the annular packing 6 is not reduced, the motor 3
As shown in FIG. 9 (A), the support substrate 37 of No. 6 has a screw through hole 71A corresponding to the adjustment screw hole 70A in the lower mounting flange 37A. As a result, the screw through hole 7
1B is a non-corresponding state shifted from the adjusting screw hole 70B. At the same time, the threaded through hole 71C corresponds to the fixed screw hole 70C, and the threaded through hole 71D corresponds to the fixed screw hole 70D. In this state, the screw 41A is screwed into the adjustment screw hole 70A through the screw through hole 71A, the screw 41C is screwed into the fixed screw hole 70C through the screw through long hole 71C, and the screw through long hole 71D. The screw 41D is screwed into the fixing screw hole 70D. The upper portion of the support substrate 37 passes through the through hole 74 and screws the screw 73 into the fixing screw hole 72. As a result, the support substrate 37 of the motor 36 is fixed to the horizontal substrate 2A of the base 2 in a vertical state, and the chamber side locking portion 31B is set at a normal position which is the front position. For this reason, when the front end locking portion 31A1 of the operating arm 31A is locked to the chamber side locking portion 31B by closing the lid 4, the annular packing 6 comes into contact with and closely contacts the peripheral edge of the front opening 3A of the chamber 3. It is in a slightly compressed state. As the compression of the annular packing 6 proceeds by evacuation as described above from this state, the motor 36 rotates, the lock actuating member 44 and the lock pin 35 descend,
The lid 4 is locked.

In the state where the compression allowance of the annular packing 6 is reduced, the support substrate 37 of the motor 36 has a screw through hole 71B at the lower mounting flange 37A as shown in FIG.
Corresponds to the adjustment screw hole 70B. As a result, the screw through hole 71A becomes the adjustment screw hole 70A.
This is a non-corresponding state. At the same time, the threaded through hole 71C corresponds to the fixed screw hole 70C, and the threaded through hole 71D corresponds to the fixed screw hole 70D. In this state, the screw 41A is screwed into the adjustment screw hole 70B through the screw through hole 71B, the screw 41C is screwed into the fixed screw hole 70C through the screw through long hole 71C, and the screw through long hole 71D. The screw 41D is screwed into the fixing screw hole 70D. The upper portion of the support substrate 37 passes through the through hole 74 and the screw 73 is screwed into the fixed screw hole 72. Thereby, the support substrate 37 of the motor 36 is
The base board 2 is fixed to the horizontal substrate 2A in a vertical state, and the chamber side locking portion 31B is set at an adjustment position which is a rear position from the normal position. For this reason, when the front end locking portion 31A1 of the operating arm 31A is locked to the chamber side locking portion 31B by closing the lid 4, the annular packing 6 with reduced compression allowance is the peripheral edge portion of the front opening 3A of the chamber 3 It will be in the state which contact | abutted and closely_contact | adhered and was slightly compressed. From this state, the annular packing 6 is evacuated as described above.
As the compression of the motor advances, the motor 36 rotates and the lock actuating member 44 and the lock pin 35 are rotated.
Is lowered, and the lid 4 is locked.

Thus, in a normal state where the compression allowance of the annular packing 6 is not reduced, the support substrate 3 of the motor 36 is set so that the chamber side locking portion 31B is set at a normal position which is the front position.
In the state where the mounting position of 7 is fixed to the front and the compression allowance of the annular packing 6 is reduced, the chamber side locking portion 31B is set to the adjustment position which is the rear position from the normal position.
The mounting position of the support substrate 37 of the motor 36 is fixed backward. For this reason, the annular packing 6
When the compression allowance decreases, the closed state of the lid 4 and the chamber 3 by the annular packing 6 when the lid 4 is closed can be adjusted to an intended normal state.

Even if the mounting position of the support substrate 37 is changed in this way, the upper end of the second operation member 50 is in contact with the lower surface of the lower side 44B of the lock operation member 44, and the two are not connected. The vertical movement of the actuating member 44 is not adversely affected.

If the position of the chamber side locking portion 31B is kept at the normal position and the position of the chamber side locking portion 31B cannot be adjusted, there is no problem in the normal state where the compression allowance of the annular packing 6 is not reduced. However, in a state where the compression allowance of the annular packing 6 is reduced, when the distal end locking portion 31A1 of the operating arm 31A is locked to the chamber side locking portion 31B by closing the lid 4, the annular packing 6 is moved to the front surface of the chamber 3. There is a possibility that a slight gap may occur without contacting the peripheral edge of the opening 3A. In this state, if the inside of the chamber 3 is evacuated, there is a possibility that the outside air is sucked from the gap and the desired evacuation cannot be achieved. In the present invention, this can be prevented.

When the chamber side locking portion 31B is attached to a support member other than the support substrate 37 of the motor 36, this support member is similar to the adjustment configuration of the attachment position of the support substrate 37 of the motor 36 as described above. What is necessary is just to enable it to adjust the attachment position. In that case,
The mounting position of the support substrate 37 of the motor 36 need not be changed, and the upper end of the second operating member 50 and the lower side 44B of the lock operating member 44 can be connected.

In the above, the position of the chamber side locking portion 31B is in two stages of the regular position and the retracted adjustment position. By making this adjustment position into three stages and four stages, the compression allowance of the annular packing 6 is reduced. It is possible to make fine adjustments according to the degree.

In the embodiment, the reason why the annular packing 6 is attached to the peripheral edge on the back side of the lid 4 is to facilitate replacement of the annular packing 6 with a new one when the annular packing 6 becomes defective due to damage or the like. For this reason, if the mounting structure is such that the annular packing 6 can be easily replaced with a new one, the chamber 3
It may be attached to the peripheral portion of the front opening 3A.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations shown in the above-described embodiments, and can be applied to various forms of steam sterilizers in a horizontal chamber, and includes various forms within the technical scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steam sterilizer 2 ... Base stand 3 ... Chamber 3A ... Front opening 3A1 ... Annular flange 4 ... Lid 5 ... Hinge part 6 ... Annular packing 7 ... Vacuum pump 8 ... Drain tank 9 ... Cooling tank 10 ... Slope plate 12 ... Pressure switch 30 .... Handle part 30B ... Lid support 31A ... Actuating arm 31B ... Chamber side locking part 32 ... ... Actuating part 33 ... Lid side lock member 34 ... Chamber Side lock member 34A ... Upper lock side 34B ... Lower lock side 35 ... Lock pin 36 ... Motor 37 ... Support substrate 37A ... Mounting flange 41A, 41C, 41D ... .... Screw 43 ... Adjust screw 44 ... B · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 1
50... Second actuating member (motor side actuating member)
52A, 52B ... guide pins 53A, 53B ... holes 54A, 54B ... guide pipes 55A, 55B ... through holes 56 ... guide pipe holding members 70A, 70B ... Adjustment screw hole 70C, 70D ... Fixing screw hole 71A, 71B ... Screw through hole 71C, 71D ... Screw through long hole SP ... Coil spring SW1 ... First detection switch SW2 ... Second detection switch SW3 ... Third detection switch SW4 ... Fourth detection switch

Claims (3)

A horizontal chamber having a front opening is provided in the sterilizer body, a lid rotatably supported by a hinge so as to close the front opening of the chamber, and a front opening peripheral edge of the chamber when the lid is closed An annular packing that seals between the lid, a vacuum pump that evacuates the chamber, and a lid-side latching portion and a chamber-side latching portion that locks the lid before evacuating the chamber. A steam sterilizer that sterilizes an object to be sterilized stored in the chamber under high-temperature steam.
The closing device includes a chamber side member according to a compression allowance of the annular packing so that an initial closed state between the lid and the chamber by the annular packing when the lid is closed becomes an expected state. A steam sterilizer characterized in that the position at which the stop portion engages with the lid side engaging portion can be adjusted. A horizontal chamber having a front opening is provided in the sterilizer body, a lid rotatably supported by a hinge so as to close the front opening of the chamber, and a front opening peripheral edge of the chamber when the lid is closed An annular packing that seals between the lid, a vacuum pump that evacuates the chamber, and a lid-side latching portion and a chamber-side latching portion that locks the lid before evacuating the chamber. A steam sterilizer that sterilizes an object to be sterilized stored in the chamber under high-temperature steam.
The lid-side locking portion projects from the lid side toward the chamber side, locks to the chamber-side locking portion when the lid is closed, and releases from the chamber-side locking portion when the lid is opened. With an arm,
According to the compression allowance of the annular packing, the mounting position of the chamber side locking portion can be adjusted back and forth so that the operating arm is locked to the chamber side locking portion. Steam sterilizer characterized by. A horizontal chamber having a front opening is provided in the sterilizer body, a lid rotatably supported by a hinge so as to close the front opening of the chamber, and a front opening peripheral edge of the chamber when the lid is closed An annular packing that seals between the lid, a vacuum pump that evacuates the chamber, and a lid-side latching portion and a chamber-side latching portion that locks the lid before evacuating the chamber. A steam sterilizer that sterilizes an object to be sterilized stored in the chamber under high-temperature steam.
A lid holding device for holding the lid in a normally closed state in which the chamber is evacuated;
The closed lid holding device includes a lock pin that holds the lid in a normal closed state in a locked state in which both the lid side lock member and the chamber side lock member are locked, and a lock operation in which the lock pin is attached. A motor side actuating member that moves up and down by a motor so as to move the member and the lock actuating member up and down,
The steam sterilizer is characterized in that the motor side operating member has a contact relationship with the lock operating member that pushes up the lock operating member but does not pull down.

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