JP5285477B2 - Ultrasonic cleaner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic cleaner that cleans an endoscope or the like using ultrasonic waves.

  Conventionally, medical diagnosis using an endoscope has been widely performed in the medical field. Currently, endoscopes used for diagnosis are generally those that incorporate an image sensor such as a CCD at the insertion tip of the endoscope to capture images of the body cavity and display them on a monitor after processing by a computer. Is.

  The endoscope inserted into the body cavity of the subject needs to be cleaned and sterilized each time. As an apparatus for performing this cleaning and sterilization, for example, an endoscope in a cleaning tank as described in Patent Document 1 is used. An endoscope is installed and an endoscope is cleaned by a series of operations that combine a cleaning process by an ultrasonic cleaning means and a cleaning process by a flowing liquid cleaning means.

  In addition, the ultrasonic cleaner using the ultrasonic wave is not limited to cleaning the endoscope, but is used for removing dust such as fine dust and dust attached to the electronic component in the manufacturing process of the electronic component. It is used in various fields.

JP-A-9-28669

  By the way, in the ultrasonic cleaning machine as described above, there are individual differences in the ultrasonic transducers used to generate ultrasonic waves, and the power source of the apparatus also varies, so each ultrasonic cleaning machine, Alternatively, when a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators are provided in one ultrasonic cleaner, the output of the ultrasonic vibrator may vary from one ultrasonic vibrator to another even in the same ultrasonic cleaner.

  If there is such variation in the ultrasonic output, even if the drive time of the ultrasonic cleaner is fixed, the actual ultrasonic wave is more than the desired amount of generated ultrasonic waves (output × drive time) for each ultrasonic cleaner. The generation amount may increase or decrease. When the actual ultrasonic generation amount is larger than the desired ultrasonic generation amount, there is a risk of causing deterioration or failure of the object to be cleaned. When the actual ultrasonic generation amount is smaller than the desired ultrasonic generation amount In such a case, there is a possibility that the object to be cleaned cannot be sufficiently cleaned. In any case, such a variation in ultrasonic output is not preferable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an ultrasonic cleaner capable of appropriately cleaning an object to be cleaned even when there is variation in the output of an ultrasonic transducer used in the ultrasonic cleaner. It is intended to provide.

  The ultrasonic cleaning machine of the present invention includes an ultrasonic vibrator for applying ultrasonic vibration to the cleaning liquid, a driving means for driving the ultrasonic vibrator, and a current value detection for detecting a current value flowing through the ultrasonic vibrator. Based on the means and the current value detected by the current detection means at a predetermined timing, the driving time of the ultrasonic transducer at the time of cleaning is changed so as to change the ultrasonic generation amount at the time of cleaning to a predetermined amount. And a control means for controlling the means.

  In the ultrasonic cleaning machine of the present invention, when there are a plurality of ultrasonic transducers, the current value detection means detects the current value flowing for each ultrasonic transducer, and the control means The driving means may be controlled so as to change the driving time at the time of cleaning for each ultrasonic transducer so that the amount of ultrasonic generation at that time is a predetermined amount.

  Further, when there are a plurality of ultrasonic transducers, the current value detection means detects the current values flowing through the plurality of ultrasonic transducers together, and the control means detects the amount of ultrasonic waves generated during cleaning. The driving means may be controlled so as to change the driving time at the time of cleaning a plurality of ultrasonic transducers so as to be a predetermined amount.

  In this case, not only the aspect which controls all the ultrasonic transducer | vibrators according to one but it is good also as an aspect which divides | segments into several and controls. For example, when the apparatus includes eight ultrasonic transducers, it may be divided into two and controlled according to each of the four ultrasonic transducers.

  In addition, a light transmittance measuring means for measuring the light transmittance of the cleaning liquid is provided, and the control means changes the drive time of the ultrasonic vibrator during cleaning based on the light transmittance measured by the light transmittance measuring means. It is good also as what controls a drive means so that it may make.

  The predetermined timing may be during the previous cleaning or during the current cleaning.

  According to the ultrasonic cleaning machine of the present invention, in the ultrasonic cleaning machine including the ultrasonic vibrator for applying ultrasonic vibration to the cleaning liquid and the driving means for driving the ultrasonic vibrator, the ultrasonic vibrator Current value detection means for detecting the flowing current value, and control for controlling the drive means to change the drive time of the ultrasonic transducer during cleaning based on the current value detected by the current detection means at a predetermined timing Since the amount of ultrasonic waves generated during cleaning can be set to a predetermined amount, cleaning can be performed even when there are individual differences in the ultrasonic transducers or variations in the power supply of the ultrasonic cleaner. The object can be cleaned appropriately.

  In the ultrasonic cleaning machine of the present invention, when there are a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators, the current value detecting means detects the current value flowing for each ultrasonic vibrator, and the control means is used for cleaning. If the drive means is controlled so that the drive time during cleaning is changed for each ultrasonic transducer so that the ultrasonic generation amount is a predetermined amount, the ultrasonic generation amount during cleaning can be made more accurate. It can be a predetermined amount.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of ultrasonic transducers, the current value detection means detects the current values flowing through the plurality of ultrasonic transducers together, and the control means determines the amount of ultrasonic generation during cleaning. If the drive means is controlled so as to change the drive time at the time of cleaning a plurality of ultrasonic transducers in order to achieve a predetermined amount, the structure of the current value detection means is simplified, and at the time of cleaning. The amount of generated ultrasonic waves can be set to a predetermined amount.

  In addition, a light transmittance measuring means for measuring the light transmittance of the cleaning liquid is provided, and the control means changes the driving time of the ultrasonic vibrator during cleaning based on the light transmittance measured by the light transmittance measuring means. If the driving means is controlled so as to cause the cleaning object to be cleaned, the cleaning object can be properly cleaned regardless of the contamination of the cleaning liquid.

1 is an overview of an endoscope cleaning apparatus to which an ultrasonic cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Schematic sectional view of the ultrasonic vibration unit of the endoscope cleaning apparatus Schematic configuration diagram of a drive circuit for driving the ultrasonic transducer of the endoscope cleaning apparatus

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an endoscope cleaning apparatus to which an ultrasonic cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an ultrasonic vibration unit of the endoscope cleaning apparatus. FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of the drive circuit which drives the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator of an endoscope cleaning apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope cleaning apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes an apparatus main body 12 and an upper lid 14 formed in a box shape.

  A cleaning tank 18 that houses the endoscope 16 is formed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 12, and a rotary injection device 20 is provided in the cleaning tank 18. An ultrasonic vibration unit 22 is provided on the annular bottom surface of the cleaning tank 18 around the rotary injection device 20.

  Further, the apparatus main body 12 is provided with an operation panel 24 having a plurality of buttons, a display 26 for display using, for example, liquid crystal, and the like on the upper front surface. The operation panel 24 is a switch for inputting a command for controlling the endoscope cleaning apparatus 10. Further, the display 26 displays the remaining time of the cleaning work, the time until the work is completed, or a warning when a trouble occurs.

  Moreover, the apparatus main body 12 has a central processing unit (CPU) (not shown) as a control means, and this CPU is a component such as the rotary injection device 20 or the ultrasonic vibration unit 22 according to a preset cleaning program. Is controlled automatically from the start to the end of the cleaning of the endoscope 16.

  The endoscope 16 used in the inspection is removed from a light source device built-in control unit (endoscope processor) (not shown) and stored in the cleaning tank 18 of the endoscope cleaning apparatus 10. Then, a waterproof cap is attached to the electrical signal connector, the upper lid 14 is closed, and when a start command is input from the operation panel 24, cleaning by the rotary injection device 20 or cleaning by the ultrasonic vibration unit 22 is performed according to a preset cleaning process. Is done.

  Cleaning by the rotary injection device 20 is performed by spraying a cleaning liquid onto the endoscope 16 accommodated in the cleaning tank 18.

  In the cleaning by the ultrasonic vibration unit 22, the endoscope 16 immersed in the cleaning liquid is cleaned by oscillating vibration waves in the cleaning liquid filled in the cleaning tank 18.

  Hereinafter, the ultrasonic vibration unit 22 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic vibration unit 22 includes a vibration plate 28 provided on the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 18 and a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators 30 attached to the lower surface side of the vibration plate 28. Yes. Here, the ultrasonic transducer 30 is formed by, for example, a Langevin type ultrasonic transducer (BLT: Bolted Langevin type Transducers). The diaphragm 28 is attached to the apparatus via a packing 29 so that the liquid in the cleaning tank 18 does not leak into the apparatus main body 12. As can also be seen from FIG. 1, the vibration plate 28 is formed as an annular plate so that the rotary injection device 20 is disposed at the center thereof, and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 30 are formed of the vibration plate 28. It is arranged in an annular shape on the lower side.

  Note that the form of the ultrasonic vibration unit 22 is not limited to this, and for example, a vibration plate and an ultrasonic vibrator are arranged on the side surface of a rectangular cleaning tank to generate a vibration wave from the side surface of the cleaning tank. You may do it.

  Next, a driving circuit (driving means) for driving the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 of the ultrasonic vibration unit 22 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the drive circuit of the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 is mainly composed of an ultrasonic drive substrate 34. The ultrasonic drive board 34 mainly includes a PLL circuit 36, a frequency dividing circuit 38, a drive circuit 40, an output transformer 42, a voltage / current phase circuit 44, and a current detection circuit 46.

  The upper substrate 32 includes the above-described central processing unit (CPU) and sends various control signals to the ultrasonic drive substrate 34.

  A plurality of ultrasonic transducers (BLT) 30 are driven and controlled by the ultrasonic drive substrate 34. In the example shown in FIG. 3, four ultrasonic transducers (BLT) 30 are provided, but the number of ultrasonic transducers (BLT) installed is not particularly limited.

  In FIG. 3, a PLL feedback loop is formed by the PLL circuit 36, the frequency dividing circuit 38, the drive circuit 40, the output transformer 42, and the voltage / current phase circuit 44.

  The signal output from the PLL circuit 36 is frequency-divided by the frequency dividing circuit 38 and input to the drive circuit 40, and current is input / output from the drive circuit 40 to the capacitor 41. Each ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 is driven via the output transformer 42. On the other hand, the current flowing through the output transformer 42 also flows through the voltage / current phase circuit 44, and the voltage / current phase circuit 44 detects the voltage and current.

  The detection signal of the voltage / current phase circuit 44 is input to the PLL circuit 36. In the PLL circuit 36, the frequency is changed so as to absorb the phase difference between the voltage detection and the current detection so as to approach the resonance state.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the output is output by an output transformer 42, an ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30, a current detection circuit 46 (current value detection means), and a phase correction inductor 48 installed outside the ultrasonic drive board 34. A transformer feedback loop is formed.

  The output of the output transformer 42 is input to each ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 and drives each ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30. Each ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 has electrical characteristics such as a ceramic resonator and a crystal resonator, and when a voltage is applied, the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 is distorted like PZT and generates an ultrasonic wave.

  The electric signals input to each ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 are combined and returned to the current detection circuit 46. The current detection circuit 46 can detect a current value that actually flows through the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 during driving.

  As described above, each ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 has individual differences, and the drive circuit for driving the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 also varies, so an attempt is made to obtain a predetermined output. Even when the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 is driven, the endoscope cleaning apparatus 10 may produce different outputs.

  Such output fluctuations can be obtained by measuring the current value actually flowing through the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 when the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 is driven by the current detection circuit 46. .

That is, the actual output fluctuation rate R _{O with} respect to the standard output is obtained as shown in Equation (1). Here, I _R is the reference current value flowing to the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 is assumed when driven with it and the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 to obtain a predetermined output, the reference current The value may be a design value or a standard value. Also, I _M is actually the current value flowing to the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 when driven a predetermined order to obtain a power ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30.

R _O = I _M / I _R (1)
As a specific example, when the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 is driven to obtain a predetermined output, if the reference current value is 2.0 A and 2.1 A flows in an actual device, 5% It can be seen that the output is high. Further, it can be seen that the output is 10% lower when the reference current value is 2.0 A and 1.8 A flows in the actual apparatus.

  The cleaning force by the ultrasonic vibration unit 22 is the amount of ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30, that is, the output of the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 and the driving of the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 during cleaning. Determined by product with time.

Therefore, equation (2) as, on the basis of the output variation rate _{R O} of the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30, by correcting the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 of drive time T during actual washing, It becomes possible to cancel the variation for each endoscope cleaning apparatus 10. Here, T _R is the standard drive time at the time of cleaning when it is assumed that the predetermined output is obtained from the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30.

_{T = T R / R O (} 2)
As a specific example, when the standard drive time is 30 seconds and the output of the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 is 5% higher, the actual drive time may be set to 28.5 seconds. When the standard drive time is 30 seconds and the output of the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 is 10% lower, the actual drive time may be 33.0 seconds.

In addition, when the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 is driven so as to obtain a predetermined output, the current value I _M actually flowing to the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 may be measured at any timing. For example, the current value I _M may be measured at an early stage of the cleaning period during the current cleaning, for example, by measuring once every morning or using the measurement value at the previous cleaning. Then, if the cleaning period is corrected, the fluctuation rate of the output of the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 can be reflected most accurately, and thus such a mode is preferable.

  The above processes are all performed based on control from a central processing unit (CPU) provided on the upper substrate 32.

  As described above, the endoscope cleaning apparatus to which the ultrasonic cleaner of the present invention is applied has been described in detail, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the current detection circuit detects the current values flowing through the plurality of ultrasonic transducers (BLT) together, and the amount of ultrasonic generation during cleaning is set to a predetermined amount. The driving time at the time of cleaning a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators is changed in accordance with the current detection circuit to detect the current value flowing for each ultrasonic vibrator (BLT), and at the time of cleaning. In order to set the amount of generated ultrasonic waves to a predetermined amount, the driving time during cleaning may be changed for each ultrasonic transducer (BLT).

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the light transmittance measuring means 50 for measuring the light transmittance of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank is provided, (3) on the basis of street light transmittance R _P of the cleaning solution, the actual cleaning The driving time T of the ultrasonic transducer (BLT) 30 at the time may be corrected.

_{T = T R / (R O} · R P) (3)
In addition to the above, it goes without saying that various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Endoscope cleaning apparatus 12 Apparatus main body 14 Upper cover 16 Endoscope 18 Cleaning tank 20 Rotary injection apparatus 22 Ultrasonic vibration unit 24 Operation panel 26 Display 28 Vibration plate 30 Ultrasonic vibrator (BLT)
32 Upper substrate 34 Ultrasonic drive substrate 36 PLL circuit 38 Frequency divider (PLD)
40 drive circuit 42 output transformer 44 voltage / current phase circuit 46 current detection circuit 48 phase correction inductor 50 light transmittance measuring means

Claims (5)

An ultrasonic vibrator for applying ultrasonic vibration to the cleaning liquid;
Driving means for driving the ultrasonic transducer;
Current value detecting means for detecting a current value flowing through the ultrasonic transducer;
Based on the current value detected by the current detection means at a predetermined timing, the ultrasonic transducer generation time at the time of cleaning is changed so that the ultrasonic generation amount at the time of cleaning is a predetermined amount. Control means for controlling the drive means ;
A light transmittance measuring means for measuring the light transmittance of the cleaning liquid,
The ultrasonic cleaning machine , wherein the control means corrects the drive time of the ultrasonic transducer by the drive means based on the light transmittance measured by the light transmittance measurement means . When there are a plurality of the ultrasonic transducers,
The current value detecting means detects a current value flowing for each ultrasonic transducer,
The control means controls the drive means so as to change the drive time during the cleaning for each of the ultrasonic transducers so that the amount of ultrasonic waves generated during the cleaning is a predetermined amount. The ultrasonic cleaning machine according to claim 1. When there are a plurality of the ultrasonic transducers,
The current value detecting means detects the current values flowing in the plurality of ultrasonic transducers together,
The control means controls the driving means so as to change the driving times of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers during the cleaning in order to set the ultrasonic generation amount during the cleaning to a predetermined amount. The ultrasonic cleaning machine according to claim 1. The ultrasonic cleaning machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the predetermined timing is during the previous cleaning. Wherein the predetermined timing, ultrasonic washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the during the time the current wash.

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