JP3299846B2 - Ultrasonic cleaner - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic cleaner for cleaning medical instruments and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of ultrasonic cleaners are known. For example, JP-A-60-28878 discloses a cleaning tank, a cleaning fluid storage tank, and a rinsing fluid storage tank. The cleaning fluid is supplied to the cleaning tank, the cleaning is performed in the cleaning tank, and the cleaning fluid after the cleaning. There is disclosed a cleaning apparatus configured to sequentially discharge and rinse a cleaning tank.

[0003] In addition to such an ultrasonic cleaning device provided with a dedicated cleaning fluid and a rinsing fluid, a simple ultrasonic cleaning device that can be installed on a table is widely used. In this case, tap water is used as the washing water, and no special washing fluid is required. In a conventional simple ultrasonic cleaning device, each operation associated with cleaning is individually specified and executed by an operation switch or the like.

[0004]

However, executing each operation individually is complicated for the operator. When the cleaning operation is performed in parallel with other operations, the switch operation may be forgotten, and the cleaning may not be performed efficiently in a short time.

[0005] In view of the above, the object of the present invention is to provide:
Water supply operation, ultrasonic cleaning operation, drainage operation,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic cleaner capable of performing a cleaning operation including a rinsing operation and a drying operation .

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an ultrasonic cleaner according to the present invention comprises a cleaning tank provided with an ultrasonic vibrator for ultrasonic cleaning, and a supply of cleaning water to the cleaning tank. Draining means for discharging washing water from the washing tank, a draining means provided with an overflow outlet provided at the upper end of the side surface of the washing tank, and an upper end of the washing tank. And an air duct for guiding the air flow to the inside of the upper end through the upper part of the washing tank, and drying means capable of blowing hot air from an outlet inside the washing tank. With the ultrasonic cleaning device of the present invention, by providing control means for controlling the ultrasonic vibrator, water supply means, drainage means and drying means, water supply operation, ultrasonic cleaning operation, drainage operation, rinsing operation and drying operation are provided. Can be automatically performed. Further, the control means is provided with a storage means for storing a plurality of different cleaning operations, a mode changeover switch for selecting one of the cleaning operations, and a program set switch for changing the contents of the cleaning operation. ,
An automatic cleaning operation according to a user's request can be realized. Further, by providing a display unit for displaying the contents of the cleaning operation in the control means, the contents of the cleaning operation can be immediately recognized.

A washing tank, a heating means for heating the washing water stored in the washing tank, a water supply means for supplying the washing water to the washing tank, and a washing water supplied to the washing tank. Cleaning means for ultrasonically cleaning the object to be cleaned using an ultrasonic vibrator, drainage means for discharging cleaning water after cleaning from the cleaning tank, and rinsing means for rinsing the cleaning tank. Drying means for drying the washing tank, control means for controlling each of the above means, and input means for specifying an operation mode and changing the operation mode under the control of the control means And as an ultrasonic cleaner. Further, the input means is for individually designating a heating operation, a water supply operation, an ultrasonic cleaning operation, a drain operation, a rinsing operation and a drying operation of the cleaning tank performed by driving each of the above-described units. A group of mode switches, an automatic operation mode designating switch for designating an automatic program mode for automatically and continuously performing each of these operations in a preset order, and one mode among a plurality of types of automatic program modes. A configuration including a mode changeover switch for selection and a program set switch for setting the contents of the automatic program mode can be provided.

Further, the control means includes a storage means capable of storing the plurality of types of automatic program modes, and an automatic program mode designated by the mode changeover switch when the automatic program mode is designated by the automatic operation mode designating switch. An automatic program mode executing means for calling and executing a program mode from the storage means; and, when one automatic program mode is designated by the mode changeover switch, the automatic program mode based on the contents inputted from the mode switch group. Automatic program mode updating means for updating the contents of the program mode and storing the updated contents in the storage means as the contents of the automatic program mode by operating the program set switch.

When an automatic program mode is designated by an automatic program mode designation switch and one of the automatic program mode to be executed is selected by a mode changeover switch, each part is driven by a control means in accordance with a predetermined procedure, and a series of operations are performed. A cleaning / drying operation is performed.

When the contents of the automatic program mode are to be changed, the contents can be changed by using a mode switch group. The changed contents can be stored as any one of the contents of the automatic program mode selected by the mode changeover switch.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a simplified ultrasonic cleaner 1 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic cleaner 1 includes a casing 2 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and a cleaning tank 3 formed inside the casing 2. The cleaning tank 3 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open top, and a rectangular lid 4 is detachably installed in the opening 3a. On both sides of the lid 4 in the longitudinal direction,
Ventilation portions 4a and 4b formed of a plurality of circular openings are formed. An operation surface 2a is formed in an inclined state on an upper portion of a front side surface of the casing 2,
Here, a plurality of operation switches are arranged.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show the internal structure of the ultrasonic cleaner 1. As you can see from these figures,
Heaters 5 are attached to both sides in the longitudinal direction of the washing tank 3 formed inside the casing 2, respectively, so that the washing water in the washing tank can be heated using the heaters 5. A plurality of, in this example, three, piezo-oscillating elements 6 are attached to the back side of the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 3. By driving these, the ultrasonic vibration can be applied to the cleaning tank 3. Has become.

A water supply solenoid valve 7 is arranged at one corner below the bottom of the washing tank 3. The outflow side of this solenoid valve 7
The water supply pipe 8 is connected to a water supply pipe 8, and the water supply pipe 8 rises along the side surface 3b of the cleaning tank after being routed below the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 3, and a water supply port 8a opened at the upper end thereof is used for cleaning. It is located at the center of the upper edge of the tank side surface 3b. A water supply pipe 9 is connected to the inflow side of the solenoid valve 7, and the other end 9 a of the water supply pipe 9 is drawn out of the casing 2 and is connected to an external pipe.

A drain port 11 is opened at one corner of the bottom of the cleaning tank 3, and a drain pipe 12 is connected to the drain port 11. The drain pipe 12 is drawn out of the casing 2 via a drain electromagnetic valve 13, and an end 13 a drawn out is used as a connection part with an external pipe. A drain port 14 for overflow is also opened on the upper end side of the side surface 3c of the cleaning tank 3, and this drain port 14 is connected to a part of the drain pipe 12 on the downstream side of the electromagnetic source 13 by the drain pipe 15. It is connected.

Next, between the side surface 3b of the cleaning tank 3 and the side surface of the casing 2, a dryer 20 including a motor 16, a fan 17 attached to an output of the motor 16, and a dry heater 19 is arranged. The air flow generated by the rotation of the fan 17 is guided upward by the air duct 18, is guided to the inside of the upper end of the cleaning tank side surface 3 b, and is blown into the cleaning tank from a blowout 18 a formed here. It has become so. Therefore, hot air is blown from the outlet 18a.

Here, in order to clean medical equipment and the like, a porous cleaning basket 21 made of a material such as punched metal is used. As shown in FIG. 2, the washing basket 21 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape slightly smaller than the washing tank 3 and has an open upper surface. The handles 21a are attached to both sides in the longitudinal direction.

Next, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control drive system of the ultrasonic cleaner 1 of the present embodiment. The control drive system includes a control unit 31 formed by a one-chip microcomputer or the like.
And a ROM in which a control program is stored, and a RAM having a storage area of a program corresponding to a plurality of automatic program modes by the cleaning device. Under the control of the control unit 31, the driving of the piezo oscillation element 6, the drainage solenoid valve 13, the water supply solenoid valve 7, the heater 5, the dryer 20, and the like is controlled via the drivers 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36. You.

The input unit 40, which is a group of switches arranged on the operation surface 2a, and the display unit 90 are connected to the input port side of the control unit 31. As shown in the figure, a power switch 42 and a start / stop switch 43 are arranged in the input unit 40. In addition, mode switches 51, 52, 53, and 5 for specifying each operation of heating, water supply, drainage, cleaning, drainage, rinsing, and drying of the cleaning tank.
4, 55 and 56 are arranged. In addition, the automatic operation mode for switching between the automatic program mode and the manual mode is selected as the operation mode of the cleaning device.
A manual changeover switch 61, a program mode changeover switch 71 for selecting one of a plurality of automatic program modes to be selected, and a program set switch 81 for instructing setting and updating of the automatic program mode are arranged. .

On the other hand, the display unit 90 is a display unit 9 for displaying the set automatic program mode, time display, and the like.
1. Display units 92 arranged corresponding to each mode switch
To 7 and the like. Furthermore, the mode switches 51, 5
2, 54, a plurality of display sections for displaying and designating the operation time are arranged.

In this example, as shown in Table 1, ten types of modes from P0 to P9 can be set as the automatic program mode, and a storage area for storing these is stored in the RAM. Is formed. In the initial state, among these modes, P0 to P
The modes up to 6 are set to the cleaning operation modes shown in Table 1.

[0022]

[Table 1]

For example, in the automatic program mode displayed as "P0", the operation shifts from the left column to the right column of the table. That is, first, the heater 5 is turned on, and then the water supply electromagnetic valve 7 is opened to supply water to the cleaning tank 3. Water supply may be managed by time or a sensor such as a float switch may be used. After water supply, the solenoid valve 7 is closed. Next, the ultrasonic oscillation element 6 is driven to perform ultrasonic cleaning in the cleaning tank 3 for 5 minutes. Thereafter, the drain valve 13 is opened to perform a drain operation. After draining, the solenoid valve 13 is closed again. Further, the water supply electromagnetic valve 7 is opened to supply water, and the ultrasonic oscillation element 6 is driven while continuing water supply to perform a rinsing operation. Water overflowing from the washing tank 3 is discharged from an overflow drain port. The rinsing operation is performed for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, the water supply electromagnetic valve 7 is closed to stop water supply. After the rinsing operation is completed in this way, the dryer 20 is driven to supply the dried hot air into the cleaning tank to perform the drying operation. This operation is performed for 10 minutes. The above is the cleaning operation in the automatic program mode designated as “P0”.

The same applies to the automatic program mode from P1 to P5, except that the washing time, the rinsing time and the drying time are different. The mode P6 is a mode in which the drying step is omitted.

On the other hand, the remaining modes P7, P8, P9
This is a mode in which the user can arbitrarily program. The range that can be set is that one or more of the steps of heating, water supply, washing, draining, rinsing, and drying can be omitted, and the washing time, rinsing time, and drying time can be changed. In this example,
The cleaning time can be selected from 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes, the rinsing time can be selected from 5, 10, and 15 minutes, and the drying time can be selected from 10, 15, and 20 minutes. You can do it. The contents of the modes P0 to P6 programmed in advance can be changed within the above range.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The operation of the ultrasonic cleaner 1 of the present example will be described. First, a water supply pipe from tap water and a drain pipe to a washing water recovery tank are connected to a water supply pipe and a discharge pipe of the cleaning device 1, respectively. Next, a medical instrument or the like to be washed is placed in the washing basket 21, and the washing basket 21 is placed in the washing tank 3 with the lid 4 opened.

In this state, after the power switch 42 is turned on (step ST1), an automatic / manual changeover switch 6 determines whether the operation mode is automatic or manual.
1 (step ST2). When the automatic mode is set, "P0" is initially displayed on the display section 91 (step ST3). As described above, there are ten types of automatic program modes P0 to P9, and these can be sequentially designated by repeatedly pressing the program mode changeover switch 71, and the designated mode numbers are sequentially displayed on the display unit. It is displayed at 91 (steps ST5 and ST6). When the start / stop switch 43 is pressed after designating the mode (step ST4), the automatic cleaning / drying operation in the designated mode is started (step ST7). The automatic program mode has the contents shown in Table 1. After the automatic cleaning / drying operation is completed, the power switch 42 is turned off (step ST8), and the operation is completed.

On the other hand, when the manual mode is designated by the auto / manual changeover switch 61 (step ST2), one of the mode switches 51 to 56 corresponding to the operation mode to be executed is pushed, and Is specified (step ST9). Next, the designated mode is executed by pressing the start / stop switch 43 (steps ST10 and ST11).

As described above, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 1 of the present embodiment is used, if the automatic program mode is designated, the automatic cleaning
The drying operation is performed, and the operator only has to specify the mode or the like at first, and then, if left untouched, the object to be cleaned is washed and dried. When only cleaning or rinsing is desired, a single operation can be performed in the manual mode, which is convenient.

Next, in this example, as described above,
The contents of each of the automatic program modes P0 to P9 can be changed. If you want to change, after specifying the automatic mode by the switch 61,
The automatic program mode to be changed is designated using the program mode changeover switch 71. The specified mode number is displayed on the display unit 91. Thereafter, programming is performed by operating the mode switches 51 to 56. That is, by pressing a switch corresponding to an operation mode to be executed, execution of a corresponding operation is programmed. The mode switches 53, 55, and 56 for designating cleaning, rinsing, and drying can be operated repeatedly to designate their execution time. The specified execution time is displayed by a display unit such as a corresponding LED. After setting the automatic programming mode in this way, by pressing the program set switch 81, the set contents are set as the contents of the designated mode number.

Here, the contents of the already programmed mode numbers are displayed on a display unit such as an LED attached to each of the mode switches 51 to 56 when the mode is designated by the program mode changeover switch 71. Have been. For example, when the mode number P0 shown in Table 1 is designated, the mode switch 5
The display units associated with 1 to 56 are turned on, the mode switch 53 indicating cleaning displays a display indicating 5 minutes of cleaning time, and the mode switch 55 indicates the display unit indicating 5 minutes of rinsing time. Is turned on, and the display unit indicating the drying time of 10 minutes is turned on by the drying mode switch 56. Therefore, the operation contents of each automatic program mode can be immediately recognized from these display units.

[0032]

As described above, the ultrasonic cleaning device of the present invention has a cleaning tank provided with an ultrasonic vibrator, a water supply means,
Hot air is blown from the drainage means provided with an overflow drainage port provided at the upper end of the side surface of the cleaning tank, and the air duct that guides the air flow through the upper end of the cleaning tank to the inside of the upper end. An automatic program mode for automatically performing a cleaning operation including a water supply operation, an ultrasonic cleaning operation, a drainage operation, a rinsing operation and a drying operation, and individually specifying these operations. And a manual operation mode to be executed. Therefore, ultrasonic cleaning of a medical instrument or the like can be performed by a simple operation, which is convenient.

Further, in the present invention, since the contents of the automatic program mode can be changed, there is an advantage that the automatic cleaning operation according to the user's request can be realized.

Further, according to the present invention, the contents of the automatic program mode are displayed on the display unit such as an LED attached to the mode switch arranged on the operation surface. There is also the convenience that can be immediately recognized from.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a simplified ultrasonic cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the internal structure of the cleaning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal structure of the cleaning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view showing an internal structure of the cleaning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a water supply / drainage system and a control system of the cleaning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the cleaning device of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Simple ultrasonic cleaner 2 ... Casing 2a ... Operating surface 21 ... Cleaning basket 3 ... Cleaning tank 4 ... Lid 5 ... Heater 6 ... Piezo oscillation element 7 ... electromagnetic valve for water supply 13 ... electromagnetic valve for drainage 20 ... dryer 31 ... control unit 40 ... operation unit 90 ... display unit 51-56 ... mode switch 61 ...・ Auto / manual changeover switch 71 ・ ・ ・ Program mode changeover switch 81 ・ ・ ・ Program set switch 91-97 ・ ・ ・ Display unit

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cleaning tank provided with an ultrasonic vibrator for ultrasonic cleaning, a water supply means for supplying cleaning water to the cleaning tank, and a drain means for discharging cleaning water from the cleaning tank. And a drainage unit provided with an overflow drainage port provided on the upper end side of the side surface of the cleaning tank, and an air duct for guiding an air flow to the inside of the upper end through above the upper end of the cleaning tank. An ultrasonic cleaning device, comprising: drying means provided with a hot air blown from an outlet inside the cleaning tank. 2. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, wherein:
Ultrasonic cleaning having control means capable of controlling the water supply means, the drainage means and the drying means to automatically execute a water supply operation, an ultrasonic cleaning operation, a drainage operation, a cleaning operation including a rinsing operation and a drying operation. vessel. 3. The storage unit according to claim 2, wherein the control unit stores a plurality of different cleaning operations.
An ultrasonic cleaner comprising: a mode changeover switch for selecting one of the cleaning operations; and a program set switch for changing the contents of the cleaning operation. 4. The ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit includes a display unit that displays a content of the cleaning operation. 5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control means includes: an automatic program mode for automatically executing the cleaning operation; and a manual operation mode for individually specifying and executing each operation included in the cleaning operation. Ultrasonic cleaner provided.