JP2021000225A - High-pressure steam sterilization device - Google Patents

Abstract

To seal a sterilization tank by securely closing a lid body.SOLUTION: A high-pressure steam sterilization device 1 comprises: a device body 11; a sterilization tank 2 installed inside the device body 11; a lid body 3 arranged on an opening 22 of the device body 11; a lock mechanism 4 that locks the lid body 3; decompression means 7 for decompressing the inside of the sterilization tank 2; a lock holder 32 that is placed on the lid body 3 and formed with a lock hole 32a; a lock pin 40 that is placed in the device body 11 and freely inserted and detached into and from the lock hole 32a; lock pin urging means 43 that applies a driving force for driving the lock pin 40 to the lock hole 32a in the insertion/detachment direction; and starting means 6 that causes the decompression means 7 to perform suction operation of sucking the lid body 3 toward the lid closing side. The decompression means 7 performs the suction operation by the starting means 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a high-pressure steam sterilizer for sterilizing instruments and other instruments for dental practice (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "objects to be sterilized").

Conventionally, in a high-pressure steam sterilizer, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, steam is generated in a sterilization tank (pressure vessel) to allow steam to enter the object to be sterilized, or to dissipate the heat of steam. It is sterilized by telling the object to be sterilized.

In a sterilizer that sterilizes using such steam, since the water remaining on the object to be sterilized adheres after sterilization, it is indispensable to evaporate the water and dry it. Generally, when the object to be sterilized is dried, the inside of the airtight container is depressurized by a decompression pump or the like to evaporate the residual water and dry it.

When depressurizing the inside of the sterilization tank, it is necessary to keep the inside of the sterilization tank in a closed state. Therefore, when the lid body is locked in the closed state, the rubber packing provided on the lid body is kept in a crushed state to be in a sealed state.

JP-A-2018-204766

However, in the high-pressure steam sterilizer (pressure vessel) described in Patent Document 1, since a force is required to crush the rubber packing, the lid may not be pushed down to a predetermined position. In that case, since the lock pin is not inserted all the way, the lid is in a half-door state, and there is a problem that the next operation cannot be performed.

In addition, when the lock pin is inserted all the way without crushing the rubber packing, the lid is lifted due to the influence of the unlocking regulation mechanism, etc., and a gap is formed between the rubber packing and the container body. There was a risk that decompression could not be performed.

Therefore, the present invention has been invented to solve such a problem, and provides a high-pressure steam sterilizer capable of reliably closing the lid and sealing the sterilization tank. Is the subject.

In order to solve the above problems, the high-pressure steam sterilizer according to the present invention includes an apparatus main body, a sterilization tank installed inside the apparatus main body, a lid arranged in an opening of the apparatus main body, and the above. The decompression means is provided with a locking mechanism for locking the lid, a decompression means for depressurizing the inside of the sterilization tank, and a start means for causing the decompression means to perform a suction operation of sucking the lid toward the closed side. Is characterized in that the suction operation is performed by the starting means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a high-pressure steam sterilizer capable of reliably closing the lid and sealing the sterilization tank.

It is a figure which shows an example of the high pressure steam sterilization apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and is the schematic perspective view which shows the state when the lid is opened. It is a figure which shows an example of the high-pressure steam sterilizer which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and is the schematic perspective view which shows the state when the lid is closed. (A) is a perspective view of the lid, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the central portion. It is an enlarged schematic view of the main part which shows the lock mechanism of a high pressure steam sterilizer. It is a block diagram which shows the high-pressure steam sterilizer. (A) is a process diagram showing a process when the lid is closed, and (b) is a process diagram showing a process when the lid is opened. It is a block diagram which shows the 1st modification of the high pressure steam sterilizer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a second modification of the high-pressure steam sterilizer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing a second modification of the high-pressure steam sterilizer according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a process diagram which shows the process at the time of closing the lid body of the 2nd modification.

Next, an example of the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. For convenience of explanation of the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1, the lid 3 side shown in FIG. 1 is the front, the air filter 15 side is the rear, the drive gas supply means 10 side is the left, the water tank 16 side is the right, and the top and bottom sides are up and down. However, it does not mean that the opening / closing direction of the lid 3 is particularly limited. In FIGS. 1 and 2, solid arrows indicate positive pressure and dashed arrows indicate negative pressure.

<High-pressure steam sterilizer>
As shown in FIG. 1, the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1 sterilizes an instrument (object to be sterilized) for dental practice with the heat of high-temperature steam in a sterilization tank 2 under high-pressure conditions. It is a steam sterilizer. The high-pressure steam sterilizer 1 mainly includes an apparatus main body 11 having a substantially box-shaped housing, and a driving gas supply means 10 arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the apparatus main body 11.

<Device body>
The apparatus main body 11 includes a skeleton 21 (see FIG. 4) having a frame structure arranged so as to cover the sterilization tank 2 constituting the pressure vessel, and an outer tub panel (not shown) provided on the outer peripheral portion of the skeleton 21. Etc. are formed. The apparatus main body 11 includes a lid 3 and an operation unit (not shown) arranged on the side, an operation panel 13 and a pressure gauge (not shown) installed on the upper surface, and a sterilization tank 2 installed inside. Regulator 14, air filter 15, water tank 16, decompression means 7, control means 9 (see FIG. 5), first to fourth solenoid valves V1 to V4, pipes P1 to P8, lock mechanism 4, and unlocking. It mainly includes a regulation mechanism 5 and a starting means 6.
The pressure gauge (not shown) is a measuring instrument that measures the pressure in the sterilization tank 2. The operation unit (not shown) is a portion for the user to operate the lid 3 to open and close it.

As shown in FIG. 4, the skeleton 21 is a structural member having a predetermined rigidity for supporting the sterilization tank 2, the lock mechanism 4, the unlock regulation mechanism 5, the lid detection means 62, and the like. The skeleton 21 includes a lower frame 21a, a front frame 21b, and a rear frame (not shown) that support the sterilization tank 2, and a lock release regulating mechanism support frame 21d that supports the lock holder urging assisting means 52 described later. A moving means support frame 21e for supporting the driving member moving means 44 is provided.

<Operation panel>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the operation panel 13 has an unlocking means 61 (for example, composed of a push button type touch switch), a standby switch 13a, an operation / execution button 13b, and a stop / release button 13c. And the liquid crystal display unit 13e are arranged. A mode selection, a message, or the like is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 13e.

<Sterilization tank>
As shown in FIG. 1, the sterilization tank 2 is an airtight container (chamber) in which an object to be sterilized is housed. The sterilization tank 2 is opened and closed by a lid 3 that can maintain the airtightness of the air chamber (pressure chamber) formed in the sterilization tank 2 and increase the pressure. In the sterilization tank 2, a tray 23 on which an object to be sterilized is placed, a steam generating means 24 arranged below the tray 23, and a water storage means 25 provided at the inner bottom of the sterilization tank 2 are provided. ing. The sterilization tank 2 is composed of, for example, a bottomed cylindrical cylinder.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a pipe P7 (drainage flow path) for draining the residual water of the water storage means 25 provided in the sterilization tank 2 to the water tank 16 is provided in the lower outer part of the sterilization tank 2. It is provided. The pipe P7 is connected to the water tank 16 via a filter (not shown) and a fourth solenoid valve V4.
A pipe P8 (sterilization tank decompression flow path) for supplying water vapor inside the sterilization tank 2 to the ejector 71 is connected to the ejector 71 via a third solenoid valve V3 on the outer upper part of the sterilization tank 2.

<Tray>
As shown in FIG. 1, the tray 23 is a plate member on which an object to be sterilized is placed. The tray 23 is provided with a large number of through holes 23a for allowing water vapor to pass through. The tray 23 may have a through hole 23a and may be capable of placing an object to be sterilized, and its shape and the like are not particularly limited.

<Steam generating means>
The steam generating means 24 is a device that generates steam in the sterilization tank 2. The steam generating means 24 includes a heater that heats the stored water of the water storing means 25 arranged below the lower surface of the tray 23 to generate steam. The steam generating means 24 is installed, for example, in a state of being immersed in water stored in the water storing means 25. The steam generating means 24 is composed of, for example, a pipe-shaped heater installed by bending so as to meander from one end to the other end with respect to the entire lower surface of the trays 23 arranged so as to face each other through the space. The steam generating means 24 is electrically connected to the control means 9 (see FIG. 5).

<Water storage means>
The water storage means 25 may have a shape as long as it has a function of a container capable of storing the residual water in the sterilization tank 2 and the water supplied to the water storage means 25 and accommodating the steam generating means 24. , The structure, etc. are not particularly limited. The water storage means 25 is composed of, for example, a container formed on the inner bottom surface of the sterilization tank 2 or a container horizontally arranged on the inner bottom portion of the sterilization tank 2. Hereinafter, as an example of the water storage means 25 (see FIG. 1), a case where the water storage means 25 is formed on the inner bottom surface of the sterilization tank 2 will be described as an example.

<Lid body>
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lid 3 is arranged to be openable and closable in the opening 22 of the sterilization tank 2. The lid 3 may be formed according to the shape of the opening 22, and the shape is not particularly limited. The lid 3 is formed in a disk shape, for example. The lid 3 includes a shaft support (not shown) rotatably supported on the side of the sterilization tank 2, a lock holder 32 projecting from the opposite side (right side) of the shaft support to the rear side, and a lid. It includes a packing 33 fixed at a position near the outer peripheral edge on the closed side of the body 3.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lock holder 32 is composed of, for example, a quadrangular prism-shaped protrusion. A long hole-shaped lock hole 32a is bored in the lateral direction on the side surface of the lock holder 32. As shown in FIG. 4, the device main body 11 is provided with a lock portion 40a of a lock pin 40 that is freely inserted and detached from the lock hole 32a so as to be able to move forward and backward. In the lock hole 32a, the lock pin 40 is movably supported by the lock mechanism 4 in the insertion / detachment direction (left-right direction in FIG. 4).

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the packing 33 is an annular packing having a substantially V-shaped cross section for sealing the sterilization tank 2 closed by the lid 3. The packing 33 has a locking structure that holds the locked state in a one-touch manner by utilizing the elasticity in the packing opening / closing direction.

<Lock mechanism>
As shown in FIG. 1, the lock mechanism 4 is arranged at a portion of the device main body 11 facing the lock pin 40. The lock mechanism 4 is a device for applying a driving force for driving the lock pin 40 to the lock hole 32a in the insertion / detachment direction to lock the lid 3 in a closed state. When the lock pin 40 is driven in the insertion direction (right direction in FIG. 4) by the lock mechanism 4, the device main body 11 can be locked with the lid 3 closed (FIG. 4 shows the unlocked state). ..

As shown in FIG. 4, the lock mechanism 4 is a lock pin 40 arranged in the apparatus main body 11 and supported by the lock hole 32a so as to be inserted and detached, a lock lever 41 as a driving member, and an insertion direction restricting portion. It includes a stopper 42, a lock pin urging means 43, a drive member moving means 44, and an emergency lock release hook 45.
The lock mechanism 4 drives the lock pin 40 in the insertion direction to be inserted into the lock hole 32a at the same time as the suction operation by the decompression means 7.

The lock lever 41 includes a main body portion 41a having an L-shaped cross section, a fitting hole 41b through which a lock pin 40 is inserted, a shaft support portion 41c that rotatably supports the main body portion 41a, and an engaging portion 41d. , Is equipped.

The lower portion of the main body portion 41a is supported by the shaft support portion 41c, and the fitting hole 41b is formed in the upper portion. A lock pin 40 is inserted into the fitting hole 41b so as to be movable in the axial direction within a predetermined range. The shaft support portion 41c has a rotating shaft arranged in the front-rear direction, and the main body portion 41a is supported so as to be swingable and rotatable in the left-right direction. The engaging portion 41d is a convex portion having a burring shape.

<Lock lever>
As shown in FIG. 4, the lock lever 41 is a link member that can rotate around the shaft support portion 41c, and the lock pin 40 is fitted to the fitting hole 41b formed at the tip portion so as to be able to advance and retreat. Therefore, the lock lever 41 is fitted to the lock pin 40 so as to be movable in the axial direction.

<Stopper>
The stopper 42 is a tubular member fixed to the skeleton 21 and is a member that regulates the movement of the lock lever 41 in the insertion direction. On the left and right side surfaces of the stopper 42, insertion holes 42a in which the lock portion 40a at the tip of the lock pin 40 is arranged so as to be freely retractable (advanced and retractable) are bored. A lock pin 40 is arranged on the left side of the insertion hole 42a, and an insertion detection means 64 that is turned on by being pressed by the lock portion 40a of the lock pin 40 is installed on the right side of the insertion hole 42a. The stopper 42 is provided at the moving end when the main body 41a moves in the insertion direction in contact with the main body 41a.

<Lock pin urging means>
The lock pin urging means 43 applies a driving force (urging force) for driving the lock pin 40 to the lock hole 32a of the lock holder 32 and the insertion hole 42a of the stopper 42 in the insertion / detachment direction (left direction in FIG. 4). At the same time, it is a mechanism for pressing and operating the insertion detection means 64 to turn it on. The lock pin urging means 43 engages the spring 43a that urges the lock pin 40 in the detaching direction, the washer 43b and the nut 43c that compress the spring 43a and attach it to the lock pin 40, and the lock lever 41 to the lock pin 40. It is provided with an enlarged diameter portion 43d for stopping.

One end of the spring 43a is in contact with the lock lever 41 and the other end is in contact with the washer 43b and is attached to the lock pin 40. Since the nut 43c is screwed into the lock pin 40, the urging force F3 of the spring 43a can be adjusted. The enlarged diameter portion 43d is a step portion formed on the lock pin 40, and restricts the movement of the lock lever 41 with respect to the lock pin 40 in the insertion direction (right direction in FIG. 4).

<Drive member moving means>
As shown in FIG. 4, the drive member moving means 44 is a mechanism for moving the lock lever 41 in the insertion / detachment direction (left-right direction in FIG. 4). The drive member moving means 44 urges the solenoid 44a including a pull-type linear motion solenoid that moves the lock lever 41 in the release direction (left direction in FIG. 4) and the lock lever 41 in the insertion direction (right direction in FIG. 4). A spring member 44b is provided.

Therefore, when the lock lever 41 is moved in the disengagement direction (left direction in FIG. 4) by the drive member moving means 44, the control means 9 (see FIG. 5) supplies electric power to the solenoid 44a to excite it. , Drive the lock lever 41.
Specifically, when the lock lever 41 is moved in the detaching direction by the solenoid 44a, the spring 43a is compressed and the urging force F3 is generated. As a result, the driving force of the solenoid 44a is converted into the urging force F3 of the spring 43a and accumulated in the spring 43a.

When the lock lever 41 is moved in the insertion direction (right direction in FIG. 4), the power supplied to the solenoid 44a is cut off and turned off, so that the lock lever 41 is driven by the urging force of the spring member 44b.

An emergency lock release hook 45, which is a lock release operation member for manually moving the lock lever 41 in the release direction (left direction in FIG. 4), is attached to the lower end portion of the lock lever 41. If the lock cannot be released due to a power failure or other circumstances, the user can release the lock by pulling the emergency lock release hook 45 to the right in the figure.

<Unlocking regulation mechanism>
As shown in FIG. 4, the unlocking regulation mechanism 5 is a mechanism for restricting the unlocking operation by urging the lock holder 32 to the lock pin 40 in a state where the lid 3 is closed. That is, the lock release restricting mechanism 5 applies an urging force F1 to the lock holder 32 in which the lock pin 40 is locked to the lock holder 32. The unlocking regulation mechanism 5 holds the locked state by the locking mechanism 4 and regulates the unlocking operation.
The lock release regulation mechanism 5 provides an internal pressure urging mechanism 51 that applies a first urging force F1 that urges the lock holder 32 to the lock pin 40 by the action of the internal pressure in the sterilization tank 2, and a second urging force F2. The lock holder urging assisting means 52 to be applied is provided.

<Internal pressure urging mechanism>
The internal pressure urging mechanism 51 is a mechanism that operates when the internal pressure in the sterilization tank 2 of the apparatus main body 11 is higher than a predetermined openable pressure. The internal pressure urging mechanism 51 urges the inner peripheral portion of the lock hole 32a formed in the lock holder 32 to the lock pin 40 by the internal pressure in the sterilization tank 2 acting in the direction of opening the lid 3.

Therefore, the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1 is provided with the internal pressure urging mechanism 51, so that when the internal pressure in the sterilization tank 2 of the apparatus main body 11 is higher than the predetermined openable pressure, the lock pin 40 is set to the lock holder 32. The urging force F1 can be reliably applied so as to be locked to.

<Lock holder urging auxiliary means>
The lock holder urging assisting means 52 is an additional mechanism that more reliably acts the urging force F2 in addition to the internal pressure urging mechanism 51, and directly applies the urging force to the lock holder 32. The lock holder urging assisting means 52 urges the lock holder 32 in the direction in which the lid 3 opens (arrow Q direction). The lock holder urging assisting means 52 includes a support bracket 52a, a locking pin 52b supported by the support bracket 52a, and a spring member 52c that urges the locking pin 52b in a direction of pressing the locking pin 52b against the lock holder 32. ing.

The support bracket 52a is arranged on the unlocking regulation mechanism support frame 21d. The locking pin 52b is movably supported in the vertical direction (moving direction of the lock holder 32) by the support bracket 52a.

Therefore, when the lid 3 is closed, the lock holder 32 presses the locking pin 52b downward, and the spring member 52c is bent and compressed. As a result, the lock holder urging assisting means 52 generates an urging force F2 (see FIG. 4) that presses the locking pin 52b against the lock holder 32 by the spring member 52c with the lid 3 closed.

<Starting means>
The starting means 6 shown in FIG. 5 is a detecting means for causing the decompression means 7 to start a suction operation of sucking the lid 3 toward the lid closing side. The starting means 6 includes an unlocking means 61, a lid body detecting means 62, a lock holder detecting means (not shown), and an insertion detecting means 64.

<Unlocking means>
The unlocking means 61 is an unlocking device that drives the lock pin 40 in the release direction. The unlocking means 61 includes, for example, a push button type touch switch provided on the operation panel 13. When the lock release means 61 presses the switch to turn it on, it shuts off the power supplied to the solenoid 44a to turn it off, and returns the lock pin 40 and the insertion detection means 64 to the OFF position.

<Lid body detecting means, lock holder detecting means>
As shown in FIG. 4, the lid body detecting means 62 is a detector that detects that the lid body 3 is closed. When the lid body detecting means 62 detects that the lid body 3 is in a predetermined position set in advance, the lid body 3 is sucked toward the lid closing side by the decompression means 7, and the lock pin 40 is attached to the lock hole 32a. Make it insertable. That is, the lid body detecting means 62 is a lock holder detecting means for detecting the position of the lock holder 32 in the embodiment. The lock holder 32 is installed at a position (predetermined position set in advance) in which the lid body detecting means 62 (lock holder detecting means) is turned on.

The lid body detecting means 62 includes, for example, a limit switch 62a arranged below the locking pin 52b. Therefore, when the user closes the lid 3, the locking pin 52b moves downward, so that the limit switch 62a can detect that the locking pin 52b has moved downward.

In the present embodiment, the limit switch 62a is adopted as the lid detecting means 62, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the position of the lock holder 32 may be detected by an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, or the like.
Further, the lid body detecting means 62 provides a protrusion different from the lock holder 32 when the lid 3 including the lock holder 32 comes to a predetermined position, that is, when the protrusion pushes a button. , The lock holder detecting means may be such that the switch directly detected by the lid 3 is pressed.

<Insert detection means>
The insertion detection means 64 is an insertion detection device that detects that the lock pin 40 is completely inserted into the lock hole 32a of the lock holder 32. The insertion detection means 64 includes, for example, a push button type micro switch that is pressed and turned on by the lock portion 40a at the tip of the lock pin 40. The insertion detection means 64 is attached at a position opposite to each other with the lock pin 40 and the lock holder 32 sandwiched between them. The high-pressure steam sterilizer 1 is configured so that the insertion detection means 64 does not operate unless it is pushed by the lock pin 40 and turned on.

<Drive gas supply means>
As shown in FIG. 1, the driving gas supply means 10 is a gas supply device that generates compressed air (external ventilation energy) as a driving gas and supplies the driving gas to the sterilization tank 2. The driving gas supply means 10 includes, for example, a compressor. The driving gas supply means 10 is installed outside the device main body 11. The drive gas supply means 10 is connected to the regulator 14 by the pipe P1. The driving gas supply means 10 is electrically connected to a power source (not shown).

<Regulator>
The regulator 14 is a pressure regulator that adjusts the air pressure of the compressed air generated by the driving gas supply means 10. The regulator 14 is connected to the air filter 15 by the pipe P2.

<Air filter>
The air filter 15 is a device for removing dust and the like in the compressed air regulated by the regulator 14 and filtering the air into clean air. The air filter 15 is connected to the sterilization tank 2 via the first solenoid valve V1 by the pipe P3 (compressed air supply flow path), the branch point Pa, and the pipe P4 (sterilization tank line). Further, the air filter 15 is connected to the water tank 16 via the pipe P3, the branch point Pa, the pipe P5 (ejector line), the second solenoid valve V2, the ejector 71, and the pipe P6 (residual water discharge flow path).

<Decompression means>
The decompression means 7 is a device for decompressing the inside of the sterilization tank 2. As shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the decompression means 7 allows the lock pin 40 to be inserted into or detached from the lock hole 32a by performing a suction operation by the starting means 6. When the unlocking means 61 is turned on, the depressurizing means 7 performs a suction operation of sucking the lid 3 toward the lid opening side so that the lock pin 40 can be released from the lock hole 32a. The decompression means 7 includes, for example, an ejector 71 (aspirator) driven by a gas flow.

<Ejector>
As shown in FIG. 1, the ejector 71 injects the compressed air generated by the driving gas supply means 10 into the ejector 71 to suck the gas and water in the sterilization tank 2 and send them to the water tank 16 to send the compressed air to the sterilization tank 2. It is a decompression device for decompressing the inside. Therefore, the ejector 71 also has a function as a discharge means for sucking water vapor and residual water in the sterilization tank 2 and discharging them to the water tank 16.

<1st to 4th solenoid valves>
As shown in FIG. 1 or 2, the first to fourth solenoid valves V1 to V4 receive the valve opening signal and the valve closing signal from the control means 9, and the valve is opened and closed to be compressed air or residual water. It is a control valve for shutting off the flow and putting it in a supply state. The first to fourth solenoid valves V1 to V4 include, for example, normally closed solenoid valves that are normally closed. The first to fourth solenoid valves V1 to V4 are electrically connected to the control means 9 (see FIG. 3).

As shown in FIG. 2, the first solenoid valve V1 opens and closes the flow path of the pipe P4 (sterilization tank line) to block the flow of compressed air supplied from the drive gas supply means 10 to the sterilization tank 2. , It has a function to put it in the supply state. The first solenoid valve V1 opens in response to a drive signal from the control means 9 when blowing air in the drying step, and supplies the compressed air generated by the drive gas supply means 10 into the sterilization tank 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the second solenoid valve V2 opens and closes the flow path of the pipe P5 (ejector line) to block or supply the flow of compressed air supplied from the drive gas supply means 10 to the ejector 71. It has a function to put it in a state. The second solenoid valve V2 opens in response to a drive signal from the control means 9 when vacuuming is performed in the drying step, and supplies the compressed air generated by the drive gas supply means 10 to the ejector 71.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the third solenoid valve V3 opens and closes the flow path of the pipe P8 (sterilization tank decompression flow path), and the ejector 71 sucks air and residual moisture in the sterilization tank 2. It has a function to shut off the air and put it in a suction state. The third solenoid valve V3 opens by receiving a drive signal from the control means 9 when blowing air and evacuating in the drying step. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the third solenoid valve V3 blows (forced discharge) the compressed air and residual moisture taken into the sterilization tank 2 from the driving gas supply means 10 to the ejector 71. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in the third solenoid valve V3, the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is depressurized by the ejector 71 to lower the boiling point and the vaporized water vapor is attracted to the ejector 71 side, and the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is sucked. Perform vacuuming to remove residual moisture in the.

The fourth solenoid valve V4 opens and closes the flow path of the pipe P7 (drainage flow path) to block the flow of water flowing between the sterilization tank 2 (water storage means 25) and the water tank 16 or to allow drainage. It has a function to make it.

<Control means>
The control means 9 shown in FIG. 5 is a device that controls the operation of the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1. The control means 9 receives drive signals from the operation panel 13 and the start means 6 to control each means (steam generating means 24 and the first to fourth electromagnetic valves V1 to V4), and mainly sterilizes. A conditioning step of injecting steam into the tank 2, a sterilization step of steam sterilizing the object to be sterilized in the sterilization tank 2, a discharge process of discharging steam and residual water in the sterilization tank 2, and drying of the object to be sterilized. The drying step and the drying step are carried out in sequence. The control means 9 is provided in, for example, the device main body 11. The control means 9 is electrically connected to the liquid crystal display device 13d and a power supply (not shown).

<Aquarium>
The water tank 16 is the residual water supplied from the sterilization tank 2 to the water tank 16 via the pipe P8, the second solenoid valve V2, the ejector 71, and the pipe P6, or from the sterilization tank 2 via the pipe P7 and the fourth solenoid valve V4. This is a drainage tank for storing the residual water supplied to the water tank 16. The water tank 16 has an opening at the upper part, and the upper part is open.

[Action]
Next, the operation of the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

<When the lid is closed>
First, the time when the lid 3 shown in FIG. 6A is closed will be described. When sterilizing the object to be sterilized using the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1 shown in FIG. 1, the user opens the lid 3 of the device main body 11 and puts it in a container in the water storage means 25 in the sterilization tank 2. Water such as distilled water is supplied, and the object to be sterilized is placed in the sterilization tank 2. Then, in order to sterilize the lid object to be sterilized, the lid 3 shown in FIG. 4 is pressed in the closing direction (step S1). Then, the lock holder 32 is turned on by pressing the limit switch 62a, which is the lid body detecting means 62 (step S2).

The control means 9 shown in FIG. 5 receives the ON signal of the limit switch 62a and turns on the solenoid 44a of the drive member moving means 44. The solenoid 44a moves the lock pin 40 via the lock lever 41 to start inserting the lock portion 40a into the insertion hole 42a. Further, the second solenoid valve V2 and the third solenoid valve V3 are opened (step S3).

Then, compressed air is supplied from the drive gas supply means 10 to the ejector 71 via the pipe P1, the regulator 14, the pipe P2, the air filter 15, and the pipes P3 and P5. At this time, a negative pressure is generated in the ejector 71. Due to this negative pressure, the air in the sterilization tank 2 is sucked into the ejector 71 via the pipe P8 and the third solenoid valve V3, and the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is depressurized (step S3). The lid 3 is sucked by the negative pressure (energy) generated by the driving gas supply means 10 and the ejector 71 (step S4).

That is, when the user presses the lid 3 to close it, the lid 3 is evacuated to the closing side by negative pressure and pulled in. Therefore, the packing 33 of the lid 3 is crushed by the negative pressure in the sterilization tank 2, so that the lid 3 is securely closed and the sterilization tank 2 is sealed.

Then, the lock portion 40a of the lock pin 40 is automatically locked when the insertion into the insertion hole 42a is completed (step S5), and the insertion detection means 64 is pressed to turn it on (step S6).

Then, the control means 9 closes the second solenoid valve V2 and the third solenoid valve V3. Further, the control means 9 turns on the steam generating means 24 and heats the water in the water storing means 25 to generate steam, and sterilization by steam is started (step S7).

<When the lid is opened>
First, the time when the lid 3 shown in FIG. 6B is opened will be described. The above-mentioned sterilization is completed (step S11). When the sterilization is completed, the user presses the unlocking means 61 on the upper part of the apparatus main body 11 to turn it off (step S12).

Then, the solenoid 44a of the drive member moving means 44 shown in FIG. 4 is turned off. The solenoid 44a moves the lock lever 41 and the lock pin 40 in the OFF direction (arrow R2 direction), and the lock pin 40 is started to be separated from the insertion hole 42a (step S13).

At this time, the lock holder 32 is pressed in the opening direction (arrow Q direction) by the spring member 52c of the lock holder urging assisting means 52 (lock release regulating mechanism 5) and the elastic force of the packing 33. By doing so, the locked state is maintained.

At the same time when the unlocking means 61 is pressed to turn it off, the negative pressure (energy) generated by the ejector 71 causes the inside of the sterilization tank 2 to be in a negative pressure state (step S13). Therefore, the lid 3 is sucked in the closing direction (step S14). As a result, the lock pin 40 is released from the locked state, pushed by the spring force of the spring 43a, completely separated from the insertion hole 42a, and released from the locked state is completed (step S15). Then, the door of the lid 3 can be opened (step S16).

As described above, as shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the device main body 11, the sterilization tank 2 installed inside the device main body 11, and the device main body 11. The lid 3 arranged in the opening 22 of the above, the lock mechanism 4 for locking the lid 3, the decompression means 7 for depressurizing the inside of the sterilization tank 2, and the decompression means 7 with the lid 3 on the closing side. The starting means 6 for performing the suction operation for suction is provided, and the depressurizing means 7 performs the suction operation by the starting means 6.

According to such a configuration, in the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1, the depressurizing means 7 performs a suction operation by the starting means 6, so that the lid 3 can be reliably closed and the sterilizing tank 2 can be sealed.

Further, the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1 includes a lock holder 32 arranged in the lid 3 and having a lock hole 32a formed therein, and a lock pin 40 arranged in the apparatus main body 11 and supported by the lock hole 32a so as to be freely inserted and detached. A lock pin urging means 43 for applying a driving force for driving the lock pin 40 to the lock hole 32a in the insertion / detachment direction is provided, and the decompression means 7 is locked by performing a suction operation by the start means 6. The pin 40 can be inserted into or detached from the lock hole 32a.

According to such a configuration, the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1 allows the lock pin 40 to be inserted into or detached from the lock hole 32a by the decompression means 7 performing a suction operation by the starting means 6, so that the lid can be more reliably closed. The body 3 can be occluded.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the starting means 6 is an unlocking means 61 for driving the lock pin 40 in the release direction, and the depressurizing means 7 is a lid when the unlocking means 61 is turned on. A suction operation of sucking 3 toward the lid closing side is performed to make the lock pin 40 detachable from the lock hole 32a.

According to such a configuration, in the depressurizing means 7, for example, the unlocking means 61 including the switch is turned on, the ejector 71 starts the suction operation of sucking the lid 3, and the lock pin 40 is set with respect to the lock hole 32a. Make it detachable.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the starting means 6 is a lid detecting means 62 for detecting the position of the lid 3, and the lid detecting means 62 is a predetermined position preset by the lid 3. When it is detected, the lid 3 is sucked toward the lid closing side by the decompression means 7, and the lock pin 40 can be inserted into the lock hole 32a.

According to such a configuration, when the starting means 6 (lid body detecting means 62) detects that the lid body 3 is in a predetermined position, the depressurizing means 7 moves the lid body 3 to the lid closing side. Therefore, the lock pin 40 is inserted into the lock hole 32a and is locked.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the lid body detecting means 62 is a lock holder detecting means for detecting the position of the lock holder 32, and the lock holder 32 is previously turned on when the lock holder detecting means is turned on. It is in the set predetermined position.

According to such a configuration, the lid body detecting means 62 (lock holder detecting means) turns on the lock holder detecting means when the lock holder 32 reaches a predetermined position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the lock mechanism 4 drives the lock pin 40 in the insertion direction to be inserted into the lock hole 32a at the same time as the suction operation by the decompression means 7.

According to such a configuration, when the suction operation by the decompression means 7 is performed, the lock mechanism 4 is driven in the insertion direction in which the lock pin 40 is inserted into the lock hole 32a, so that the lock mechanism 4 can be reliably locked. it can.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the insertion detection means 64 for detecting that the lock pin 40 has been inserted into the lock hole 32a is further provided.

According to this configuration, the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1 can detect that the lock pin 40 has inserted the lock hole 32a by the insertion detection means 64, so that the lid 3 reliably closes the opening 22 of the sterilization tank 2. Can be sealed.

Further, the decompression means 7 is an ejector 71.
According to this configuration, the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1 includes the decompression means 7 including the ejector 71, so that the suction device can be made into a palm-sized size. Therefore, the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1 can be miniaturized as a whole as compared with the case where a vacuum pump is used.

Further, the unlocking regulation mechanism 5 that holds the locked state by the locking mechanism 4 and regulates the unlocking operation is further provided.

According to such a configuration, the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1 can restrict the unlocking of the lock mechanism 4 by the unlocking regulation mechanism 5, so that the lid 3 is securely locked in the closed state. be able to.

[First modification]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea thereof, and the present invention may extend to these modified and modified inventions. Of course.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a first modification of the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1A according to the embodiment of the present invention. The configurations already described are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

For example, the decompression means 7 of the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1A of the above embodiment may be a vacuum pump 72.
According to this configuration, the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1A includes the decompression means 7 including the vacuum pump 72, which eliminates the need for the second solenoid valve V2 (see FIG. 5) used in the above embodiment. Therefore, the flow path structure of the entire device can be simplified.

[Second modification]
FIG. 8 is an enlarged substantially cross-sectional view of a main part showing a second modification of the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1B according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing a second modification of the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1B according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a process diagram showing a process when the lid 3B of the second modification is closed.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1B is for closing the opening 22B of the sterilization tank 2B in a sealed state in which the lid 3B having the rubber packing 33B is crushed. It has a handle-type lock mechanism 4B.

The lid 3B is an opening / closing body that rotates around a shaft support 31B provided at one end of the lid 3B and is pivotally supported to open / close the opening 22B. The lid 3B is provided on the back surface side by inserting the lock pin 40B of the lock mechanism 4B into the lock hole 3Ba formed in the shape of a notch groove on the other end side of the lid 3B and tightening the lock lever 41B. The packing 33B is crushed to seal the sterilization tank 2B. The lid 3B includes a door closing detecting means S1 that is installed on the surface side of the lid 3B and detects that the lid 3B is sealed, and a protrusion 34B that protrudes from the lid 3B toward the device main body 11B. It is provided.

The door closing detecting means S1 is a sensor that detects that the lock lever 41B is tightened and the packing 33B of the lid 3B is pressed against the opening edge of the opening 22B to seal the lid. The door closing detecting means S1 includes, for example, a limit switch installed on the surface side of the lid 3B at the peripheral edge of the lock hole 3Ba of the lid 3B. The door closing detecting means S1 is turned on by being pressed to the closed position by the lock portion 40Ba formed on the shaft-shaped lock pin 40B. The decompression means 7 is configured to terminate the suction operation by the door closing detecting means S1.
The door closing detecting means S1 may be any switch as long as it detects that the lid 3B has sealed the opening 22B, and may be various switches such as a push switch or sensors such as an optical sensor.

The protrusion 34B is a protrusion member that pushes down and turns on the lid detection means 62B, which is the start means 6B, when the lid 3B is closed. Like the door closing detecting means S1, the lid detecting means 62B includes a switch such as a limit switch or sensors such as an optical sensor.

The lock mechanism 4B is a device for locking the lid 3B. The lock mechanism 4B includes a shaft rod-shaped lock pin 40B, a lock lever 41B fixed to one end of the lock pin 40B, and a female screw portion 42Bb into which a male screw portion 40Bb formed at the other end of the lock pin 40B is screwed. , And an insertion direction restricting portion 42B having a rotation shaft 40Bc.

The lock pin 40B has a lock portion 40Ba formed in a stepped shape.
The lock lever 41B has a handle shape in which the male screw portion 40Bb screwed to the female screw portion 42Bb is moved forward and backward by engaging with the lock hole 3Ba and rotating to press the lock portion 40Ba against the door closing detection means S1. It consists of members.
The insertion direction regulating portion 42B is fixed in the device main body 11B.
The lock lever 41B of the rotating shaft 40Bc is rotatably supported around the rotating shaft 40Bc.

Next, the operation of the second modification of the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1B will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10.
When the sterilized product is sterilized by the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1B shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the user opens the lid 3B of the apparatus main body 11B and the water storage means 25 in the sterilizer tank 2B, as in the embodiment. Water such as distilled water contained in a container is supplied to (see FIG. 1), and the object to be sterilized is placed in the sterilization tank 2B. Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the opening 22B is closed by the lid 3B (step S21).

Subsequently, the lock pin 40B is rotated in the direction of the lock hole 3Ba about the rotation shaft 40Bc, and is inserted into the lock hole 3Ba. Next, the lock lever 41B is rotated in the tightening direction. Then, the lock portion 40Ba of the lock pin 40B presses the lid body 3B in the closing direction, crushes the packing 33B to close the opening 22B, and presses the lid body detecting means 62B to turn it on. Step S22).

The control means 9 (see FIG. 5) receives the ON signal of the lid body detecting means 62B and opens the second solenoid valve V2 and the third solenoid valve V3 shown in FIG.

Then, compressed air is supplied from the drive gas supply means 10 to the ejector 71 via the pipe P1, the regulator 14, the pipe P2, the air filter 15, and the pipes P3 and P5. At this time, a negative pressure is generated in the ejector 71. Due to this negative pressure, the air in the sterilization tank 2B (see FIG. 8) is sucked into the ejector 71 via the pipe P8 and the third solenoid valve V3, and the inside of the sterilization tank 2B (see FIG. 8) is depressurized (see FIG. 8). Step S23). The lid 3B (see FIG. 8) is sucked by the negative pressure (energy) generated by the driving gas supply means 10 and the ejector 71 (step S24).

As shown in FIG. 8, the lid 3B is evacuated to the closed side by a negative pressure and pulled in. Therefore, the packing 33B of the lid 3B is crushed by the negative pressure in the sterilization tank 2B, so that the lid 3B is securely closed and the sterilization tank 2B is sealed.

At this time, the lid body 3B is held in a state of being pressed to the closed position by the lock portion 40Ba and locked in the closed state (step S25), and the door closing detecting means S1 is pressed to turn it on (step S26).

When the door closing detection means S1 is turned on, the control means 9 shown in FIG. 1 closes the second solenoid valve V2 and the third solenoid valve V3 to stop the suction operation by the ejector 71 and depressurize the inside of the sterilization tank 2B. Stop the operation (step S27).

As described above, the starting means 6B is the lid detecting means 62B for detecting the position of the lid 3B as shown in FIG. 8 or 9, and the lid 3B detects the closed state of the lid 3B. The door closing detecting means S1 may be provided, and the depressurizing means 7 (see FIG. 1) may terminate the suction operation by the door closing detecting means S1.

According to such a configuration, the high-pressure steam sterilizer 1B starts the operation of depressurizing the inside of the sterilization tank 2B by the starting means 6B including the lid body detecting means 62B, and the closed door detecting means S1 closes the lid 3B. By detecting, the suction operation by the depressurizing means 7 (see FIG. 1) can be terminated while the sterilization tank 2B is securely sealed.

[Other variants]
In the above embodiment, the case where water such as distilled water contained in the container is manually supplied to the water storage means 25 in the sterilization tank 2 has been described, but water is automatically supplied by using a pump or an ejector. You may.
In that case, a container containing water such as distilled water in the housing A10, a water supply pipe for supplying the water in the container to the water storage means 25, and a water supply pipe for supplying the water in the container. Provide a pump or ejector for feeding through. When the ejector supplies water to the water storage means 25, the compressed air generated by the drive gas supply means 10 described above may be used to suck the water in the container by the Venturi effect and send out a desired amount of water.

1,1A, 1B High-pressure steam sterilizer 2,2B Sterilization tank 3,3B Lid 4,4B Lock mechanism 5 Unlocking regulation mechanism 6,6B Starting means 7 Decompression means 11, 11B Device body 22, 22B Opening 32 Lock holder 32a Lock hole 40, 40B Lock pin 43 Lock pin urging means 61 Unlocking means 62, 62B Lid body detecting means (lock holder detecting means)
64 Insertion detection means 71 Ejector S1 Door closure detection means

Claims (10)

With the device body
The sterilization tank installed inside the main body of the device and
A lid arranged in the opening of the device body and
A locking mechanism that locks the lid and
A decompression means for depressurizing the inside of the sterilization tank and
The decompression means is provided with a start means for causing a suction operation of sucking the lid to the closed side.
The depressurizing means performs the suction operation by the starting means.
A high-pressure steam sterilizer characterized by. The starting means is a lid detecting means for detecting the position of the lid.
The lid body has a door closing detecting means for detecting the closed state of the lid body.
The depressurizing means terminates the suction operation by the door closing detecting means.
The high-pressure steam sterilizer according to claim 1. A lock holder arranged on the lid and having a lock hole formed therein.
A lock pin arranged in the main body of the device and supported by being inserted into and detached from the lock hole,
A lock pin urging means for applying a driving force for driving the lock pin in the insertion / detachment direction with respect to the lock hole is provided.
The depressurizing means enables the lock pin to be inserted into or detached from the lock hole by performing the suction operation by the starting means.
The high-pressure steam sterilizer according to claim 1. The starting means is an unlocking means for driving the lock pin in the releasing direction.
When the unlocking means is turned on, the decompression means performs a suction operation of sucking the lid body toward the lid opening side so that the lock pin can be released from the lock hole.
3. The high-pressure steam sterilizer according to claim 3. The starting means is a lid detecting means for detecting the position of the lid.
When the lid body detecting means detects that the lid body is in a predetermined position set in advance, the lid body is sucked toward the lid closing side by the decompression means, and the lock pin is attached to the lock hole. To be able to insert,
The high-pressure steam sterilizer according to claim 3 or 4. The lid body detecting means is a lock holder detecting means for detecting the position of the lock holder.
The lock holder is in a predetermined position set in advance when the lock holder detecting means is turned on.
The high-pressure steam sterilizer according to claim 5. The lock mechanism drives the lock pin in the insertion direction to be inserted into the lock hole at the same time as the suction operation by the decompression means.
5. The high-pressure steam sterilizer according to claim 5 or 6. Further provided with an insertion detecting means for detecting that the lock pin has been inserted into the lock hole.
The high-pressure steam sterilizer according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the high-pressure steam sterilizer is characterized. The decompression means is an ejector.
The high-pressure steam sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Further provided with an unlocking regulation mechanism that regulates the unlocking operation by holding the locked state by the locking mechanism.
The high-pressure steam sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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