JP2013248209A - High-pressure steam sterilizer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high-pressure steam sterilizer in which internal pressure control of a sterilization chamber using absolute pressure and lid opening/closing control is performed by a simple structure using one absolute pressure sensor.SOLUTION: Switching is performed so that a three-way valve 1d can make an absolute pressure sensor S1 connected to the atmosphere in predetermined timing, for example, before sterilization of an article to be sterilized and after the completion of the sterilization and can make the absolute pressure sensor connected to the inside of a sterilization chamber 1a after the completion of the sterilization of the article to be sterilized. Thus, atmospheric pressure and internal pressure of the sterilization chamber 1a are measured by the one absolute pressure sensor. After the completion of the sterilization, the high-pressure and high-temperature steam is discharged. A control means 5 unlocks an interlock mechanism 13 in timing when a measurement value of the internal pressure of the sterilization chamber approximately agrees with a measurement value of the atmospheric pressure. This makes the lid 1b openable.

Description

  The present invention relates to a high-pressure steam sterilizer used for sterilizing an object to be sterilized such as a medical instrument.

  Conventionally, as this type of high-pressure steam sterilizer, a lid disposed at the tip of the shaft is pressed against the opening of the container to be sterilized by rotation of the shaft to seal the opening, and the object to be sterilized is being sterilized. When the pressure in the storage container is high, the shaft is prevented from rotating and locked to prevent the lid from being inadvertently opened, and after the sterilization operation is completed, the pressure in the container to be sterilized is , An operation of an electromagnetic solenoid controlled based on information such as temperature allows a lid to be opened away from the opening of the sterilized article storage container by operating a handle (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

JP 11-47239 A

In such a conventional high-pressure steam sterilizer, the opening and closing of the lid and the like are controlled based on the pressure, temperature, etc. in the container to be sterilized.
However, when the pressure in the container to be sterilized is measured using a general pressure sensor and the sterilization pressure is controlled based on the measured pressure value, the place where the high-pressure steam sterilizer is installed. Since the atmospheric pressure varies depending on the altitude, the interior of the container to be sterilized does not reach a prescribed vacuum level due to the influence of atmospheric pressure fluctuation, especially at high altitudes, and air that hinders sterilization cannot be removed with certainty.
Thereby, there existed a problem that sterilization performance fell.

  An object of the present invention is to cope with such problems, and is a high-pressure steam in which the internal pressure control of the sterilization chamber and the opening / closing control of the lid are performed using an absolute pressure with a simple structure by one absolute pressure sensor. The purpose is to provide a sterilizer.

  In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a sterilization chamber for sterilizing a stored object to be sterilized under high-temperature steam, a lid for covering an inlet opening of the sterilization chamber, and an interlock mechanism provided on the lid. An absolute pressure sensor that measures absolute pressure, a three-way valve that selectively connects either the interior of the sterilization chamber or the atmosphere to the absolute pressure sensor, and a boiler that generates high-temperature steam to be injected into the sterilization chamber And control means for controlling the operation of the interlock mechanism, the three-way valve and the boiler, and the control means controls the three-way valve so that the absolute pressure sensor is connected to the atmosphere at a predetermined timing. And measuring the internal pressure of the sterilization chamber by controlling the absolute pressure sensor to be connected to the inside of the sterilization chamber after the sterilization of the object to be sterilized by the boiler is completed. Wherein when the measured value of the internal pressure of the sterilization chamber is said to substantially the atmospheric pressure measurement value match, and controls so that the interlock mechanism locks the lid is released.

In the present invention having the above-described features, the three-way valve in the control means connects the absolute pressure sensor to the atmosphere at a predetermined timing such as before sterilization of the object to be sterilized or after completion of sterilization, and after sterilization of the object to be sterilized. The absolute pressure sensor is switched to connect to the inside of the sterilization chamber, so that the atmospheric pressure and the internal pressure of the sterilization chamber are measured with one absolute pressure sensor, and high-pressure high-temperature steam in the sterilization chamber is exhausted after the sterilization is completed. Thus, when the internal pressure measurement value in the sterilization chamber substantially coincides with the atmospheric pressure measurement value, the control unit unlocks the interlock mechanism, so that the lid can be opened.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a high-pressure steam sterilizer in which the internal pressure control of the sterilization chamber using the absolute pressure and the opening / closing control of the lid are performed with a simple structure using one absolute pressure sensor.
As a result, even if the atmospheric pressure is low, such as high altitudes, regardless of the altitude of the installation location, compared to the conventional one that controls the sterilization pressure and the lid opening and closing control based on the pressure measurement value by a general pressure sensor, In addition to high sterilization performance, there is no danger of high-pressure high-temperature steam flowing out of the sterilization chamber, so that accidents due to malfunctions can be reliably prevented, and safety can be improved.
Further, since it is not necessary to separately provide an absolute pressure sensor dedicated to measuring the internal pressure of the sterilization chamber and an absolute pressure sensor dedicated to measuring the atmospheric pressure, the overall structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

1 is a structural diagram of a piping system showing an overall configuration of a high-pressure steam sterilizer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an external appearance perspective view, (a) is a perspective view of the whole, (b) is a partial perspective view of the state which opened the cover. It is a partial vertical front view which expands and shows an interlock mechanism. It is a time chart at the time of normal operation.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the high-pressure steam sterilizer A according to the embodiment of the present invention is for sterilizing an object to be sterilized (not shown) stored in a main body cabinet 10 under high-temperature steam. The main component includes a chamber 1, a boiler 2 for generating high-temperature steam to be injected into the chamber 1, and a drain tank 3 for discharging hot water from the chamber 1 and hot water from the boiler 2. ing. If necessary, an earthquake sensing device 4 can also be provided.
Furthermore, the control means 5 for operating-controlling the boiler 2 etc. is provided.
A control panel 11 is provided on the front surface of the main body cabinet 10.

The chamber 1 has, for example, a sterilization chamber 1a for placing an object to be sterilized such as a medical instrument, and a lid 1b that covers an inlet opening of the sterilization chamber 1a. Supplied.
As a specific example of the chamber 1, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (b), it is preferably formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a disc-shaped lid 1b is attached to the opening thereof so that it can be opened and closed. .
Although not shown as another example, the opening of the chamber 1 and the lid 1b can be formed in a rectangular shape or other shapes.

The chamber 1 is provided with an open / close valve 1c for introducing outside air. The sterilization chamber 1a is provided with a pipe line connected to an absolute pressure sensor S1 used for measuring absolute pressure (a pressure displayed with an absolute vacuum of 0). A three-way valve 1d that can be connected to the atmosphere corresponding to the outside is provided. The absolute pressure sensor S1 measures the internal pressure or atmospheric pressure of the sterilization chamber 1a and outputs the measured value to the control means 5 described later.
The three-way valve 1d is composed of an electromagnetic valve for selectively connecting either the inside of the sterilization chamber 1a or the atmosphere and the absolute pressure sensor S1, and the operation is controlled by the control means 5 described later.
Further, the chamber 1 is provided with an on-off valve 1e for exhaust, an on-off valve 1f for emergency exhaust, a vacuum pump 3a, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lid 1 b is provided with an operation handle 12 and an interlock mechanism 13 for preventing an accident caused by an incorrect operation of the operation handle 12 or a malfunction of the device. As a specific example of the operation handle 12, it is preferable to provide rods 12a that project radially in conjunction with the rotation of the operation handle 12.
As shown in FIG. 3, the interlock mechanism 13 includes a stopper 13 a that rotates in conjunction with the operation handle 12, a lock member 13 b that engages with the stopper 13 a and locks it so as not to rotate, and a lock position of the lock member 13 b. And a lock position detector 13c for detecting the lock release position, and a lock drive part 13d for moving the lock member 13b across the lock position and the lock release position.
As a specific example of the stopper 13a, a ratchet or the like provided so as to be interlocked with the rotary shaft 12b continuously provided at the center of the operation handle 12 is used. As a specific example of the lock member 13b, a locking claw of the stopper 13a is used. It is preferable to use a swingable arm so as to be detachably engaged. As a specific example of the lock position detector 13c, it is preferable to output a position detection signal to the control means 5 described later using a micro switch or the like. The operation of the lock drive unit 13d is controlled by the control means 5 described later. As a specific example, the follower 13e connected to the arm serving as the lock member 13b is moved from the unlock position to the lock position. It is preferable to use an adsorbing solenoid. In particular, as the solenoid of the lock holding portion 13d, it is preferable to use a solenoid that continuously attracts the follower 13e made of a magnetic material or the like to the lock position when no voltage is applied.
Further, although not shown as another example, it is also possible to use a stopper 13a and a lock member 13b having different structures.

The boiler 2 has a steam generator 2A and a boiler chamber 2B.
The steam generator 2A communicates with a water supply source 2E such as a water supply via a water supply pump 2C and a water storage tank (water supply tank) 2D, and tap water is vaporized from the water supply source 2E and the water storage tank 2D by the operation of the water supply pump 2C. A fixed amount is supplied into the generator 2A.
An electric heater 2a is provided inside the steam generator 2A. The electric heater 2a is temperature-controlled by the control means 5 described later, heats tap water or the like supplied from the water supply source 2E to create high-temperature steam, and supplies the steam from the boiler chamber 2B to the sterilization chamber 1a of the chamber 1. It is configured.

The boiler chamber 2B may be configured only by the internal space of the steam generator 2A, or may be configured by the internal space of the jacket 2F provided separately from the internal space of the steam generator 2A and the interior of the steam generator 2A. preferable.
The jacket 2F is formed so as to cover the periphery of the chamber 1, and is connected by piping so that the internal space thereof has the same pressure as the internal space of the steam generator 2A, and the high-temperature steam created in the internal space of the steam generator 2A Is supplied to the surrounding space of the sterilization chamber 1a, so that the sterilization chamber 1a is kept warm and the drying effect is enhanced.

Further, the boiler chamber 2B has an air vent opening / closing valve 2b for exhausting the internal air of the boiler chamber 2B in accordance with the temperature change therein.
The air vent on / off valve 2b includes a temperature signal output from the temperature sensor S2 and an electromagnetic valve that is controlled by a control means 5 described later.
The temperature sensor S2 is provided in the inner space of the jacket 2F or a pipe connected to the jacket 2F, measures the temperature in the jacket 2F or in the pipe connected to the jacket 2F, and outputs it to the control means 5 described later.
More specifically, at the start of operation (preparation step described later), does the air vent on-off valve 2b continue to open until the temperature sensor S2 reaches a preset valve closing temperature (about 90 to 95 ° C.)? Alternatively, by continuing the valve opening for a predetermined time (about 3 minutes) after reaching the valve closing temperature, the internal air of the jacket 2F is mainly exhausted to the drainage tank 3 or the outside, and the inside of the jacket 2F Temperature unevenness is prevented from occurring in the space.

On the pipe line connecting the jacket 2F and the chamber 1, an on / off valve 2c for steam supply including an electromagnetic valve for supplying high temperature steam from the jacket 2F is provided.
Further, an on-off valve 2d for drainage is provided in the middle of the pipeline connecting the steam generator 2A and the drainage tank 3.

The control means 5 has a control circuit electrically connected to the three-way valve 1d, the lock position detection unit 13c, the lock drive unit 13d, the electric heater 2a, the air vent on-off valve 2b, the steam supply on-off valve 2c, and the like. It is a controller.
The controller serving as the control means 5 is composed of a microcomputer or the like, and starts operation by operating the main power supply 13 and the power switch 11a of the control panel 11, and performs control according to a program written in advance in the control circuit.

Programs such as a preparation process, a standby process, a vacuum process, a sterilization process, and a drying process are preset in the control circuit of the control means 5.
The preparation step refers to a step of supplying a certain amount of water into the steam generator 2A, generating high-temperature steam by the electric heater 2a, and filling the jacket 2F of the boiler chamber 2B with high-temperature steam at a predetermined temperature.
The standby process refers to a process in which the temperature of the electric heater 2a is controlled, the high-temperature steam in the jacket 2F is maintained, an object to be sterilized is stored in the sterilization chamber 1a, and the lid 1b is closed.
The vacuum process refers to a process in which after the start key 11b of the control panel 11 is operated, the air in the sterilization chamber 1a is discharged to remove the residual air in the sterilized object.
The sterilization process refers to a process of supplying high-temperature steam into the sterilization chamber 1a to sterilize an object to be sterilized and exhausting the high-temperature steam in the sterilization chamber 1a after sterilization is completed.
The drying step refers to a step in which evacuation from the sterilization chamber 1a and introduction of outside air are repeated over a set time.

A program written in the control circuit of the control means 5 is shown in a time chart as shown in FIG.
The time chart of FIG. 4 shows a normal operation time.
Here, the operation at the normal operation will be described with reference to FIG.
When the preparatory process program starts when the power is turned on, a certain amount of tap water or the like is supplied into the steam generator 2A by the operation of the water supply pump 2C.
When the operation of the feed water pump 2C is completed, the electric heater 2a is turned on to generate high-temperature steam, which is supplied to the inner space of the jacket 2F serving as the boiler chamber 2B.
At this time, the air vent on / off valve 2b is opened, and the internal air of the jacket 2F begins to be exhausted. The air vent on / off valve 2b is closed after the temperature sensor S2 of the jacket 2F rises to the valve closing temperature, and the exhaust from the jacket 2F is stopped.
Thereafter, when the temperature sensor S2 reaches the set temperature, the preparation process is completed, and the process proceeds to the standby process.
Thereafter, when the temperature sensor S2 reaches the set temperature, the preparation process is completed, and the process proceeds to the standby process.

In the standby process, the temperature of the jacket 2F is maintained at a set temperature, and the high temperature steam can be supplied from the jacket 2F into the sterilization chamber 1a.
Thereafter, the object to be sterilized is stored in the sterilization chamber 1a, the lid 1b is closed, and when the start key 11b of the control panel 11 is operated, the vacuum process is started, and thereafter, the vacuum process, the sterilization process, and the drying process proceed sequentially. Is done.

By the way, the three-way valve 1d connects the absolute pressure sensor S1 to the atmosphere outside the sterilization chamber 1a until the standby process is completed after the preparatory process is started when the power is turned on, and the vacuum process starts and the sterilization process is in progress. Is switched so as to be connected to the inside of the sterilization chamber 1a, and the absolute pressure sensor S1 is switched so as to be connected to the atmosphere after the drying process is completed.
Further, the lock driving unit 13d of the interlock mechanism 13 provided in the operation handle 12 is configured to detect the internal pressure of the sterilization chamber 1a measured by the absolute pressure sensor S1 after the drying process is completed, during the preparation process or the standby process, or otherwise. Compared to the atmospheric pressure measured at the time of, the lock is not released when there is a pressure difference between them, and the lock is controlled so that the lock is released when the two are approximately the same within a specified value (about ± 5 kPa) .

According to such a high-pressure steam sterilizer A according to the embodiment of the present invention, the control means 5 causes the three-way valve 1d to move the absolute pressure sensor S1 to the atmosphere at a predetermined timing such as before sterilization of the article to be sterilized or after completion of sterilization. After the sterilization of the article to be sterilized, the absolute pressure sensor S1 is switched to be connected to the inside of the sterilization chamber 1a. Thereby, the atmospheric pressure and the internal pressure of the sterilization chamber 1a are measured by one absolute pressure sensor S1. Further, after the sterilization is finished, the high-pressure high-temperature steam in the sterilization chamber 1a is exhausted, and when the internal pressure measurement value in the sterilization chamber 1a substantially coincides with the atmospheric pressure measurement value, the control means 5 operates as an interlock mechanism. 13 is unlocked. Thereby, the lid 1b can be opened.
Therefore, the internal pressure control of the sterilization chamber 1a and the opening / closing control of the lid 1b using the absolute pressure can be performed with a simple structure by the single absolute pressure sensor S1.
As a result, high sterilization performance can be obtained even if the atmospheric pressure is low, such as at high altitudes, regardless of the altitude of the installation location, and there is no risk of high-pressure high-temperature steam flowing out of the sterilization chamber 1a. It can be reliably prevented and safety can be improved.
Furthermore, since it is not necessary to separately provide an absolute pressure sensor dedicated to measuring the internal pressure of the sterilization chamber 1a and an absolute pressure sensor dedicated to measuring atmospheric pressure, the overall structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

In particular, when the control means 5 controls to repeat the pressurization by discharging air in the sterilization chamber 1a and injecting high temperature steam before the sterilization of the article to be sterilized by the boiler 2, the absolute pressure sensor S1 is used. Without being affected by atmospheric pressure fluctuation, the sterilization chamber 1a reaches a specified vacuum level, and air that hinders sterilization is surely removed.
Therefore, residual air in the article to be sterilized can be thoroughly eliminated.
As a result, further high sterilization performance can be obtained.

  In the previous embodiment, the case where the chamber 1, the boiler 2, the drainage tank 3, the earthquake sensing device 4, and the control means 5 are provided inside the main body cabinet 10 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the earthquake sensing is performed. The apparatus 4 may not be provided, and either one or both of the boiler 2 and the drain tank 3 may be provided outside the main body cabinet 10 and connected to the chamber 1 by piping.

1a Sterilization chamber 1b Lid 1d Three-way valve 13 Interlock mechanism 2 Boiler 5 Control means S1 Absolute pressure sensor

Claims (2)

A sterilization chamber for sterilizing stored objects to be sterilized under high-temperature steam;
A lid covering the inlet opening of the sterilization chamber;
An interlock mechanism provided on the lid;
An absolute pressure sensor for measuring absolute pressure;
A three-way valve that selectively connects either the interior of the sterilization chamber or the atmosphere to the absolute pressure sensor;
A boiler that generates high-temperature steam to be injected into the sterilization chamber;
Control means for controlling the operation of the interlock mechanism, the three-way valve and the boiler,
The control means measures the atmospheric pressure by controlling the three-way valve so that the absolute pressure sensor is connected to the atmosphere at a predetermined timing, and after the sterilization of the article to be sterilized by the boiler, the absolute pressure A sensor is controlled to connect with the inside of the sterilization chamber to measure the internal pressure of the sterilization chamber, and when the measured value of the internal pressure of the sterilization chamber substantially matches the measured value of the atmospheric pressure, the interlock mechanism is A high-pressure steam sterilizer controlled so that the lid is unlocked.   2. The high pressure according to claim 1, wherein the control means performs control so that pressurization by discharging air in the sterilization chamber and injecting high-temperature steam is repeated a predetermined number of times before sterilization of the object to be sterilized by the boiler. Steam sterilizer.

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